Blu-Ray Review: ATOMIC BLONDE

Starring Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Eddie Marsan, Sofia Boutella, Toby Jones, James Faulkner, Bill Skarsgard, Til Schweiger. Directed by David Leitch. (2017, 115 min).

UNIVERSAL

There are some movies where a single scene not only makes the whole thing worth the price of admission, but ultimately elevates it to classic status. Psycho immediately comes-to-mind. It's an undisputed masterpiece, of course, but it's obviously the infamous shower scene that has rendered it legendary.

Atomic Blonde may not be a masterpiece and probably not a classic we'll be talking about 50 years from now - or even 10 - but it's another movie with one scene so jaw-droppingly awesome that we just go...wow.

The plot itself is as generic as they come: Near the end of the Cold War, everybody's after a list containing the identities and activities of spies, stolen by a rogue KGB agent who plans on selling it to the highest bidder. Britain's horse in this race is MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron), who forms an uneasy alliance with David Percival (James McAvoy). They must also try to smuggle a defector - who has memorized the list as a bargaining tool - to West Berlin.

"Eeew! Spider!"

The usual complications ensue along the way...double-crosses, story twists, characters who aren't quite what they seem and, of course, a love interest (Sofia Boutella). None of it is too surprising, but Atomic Blonde isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. This is one of those movies where style matters more than substance, and as such, it's terrific entertainment. The film is fast-paced and visually impressive, with kinetic gunplay, an unusually-shot car chase and some phenomenal close-quarters fighting.

Which brings us to the 'wow' moment: About half-way in, Broughton has to fight her way out of an old apartment building with her defector in-tow. In a single, unbroken, 10 minute sequence, she takes on several henchmen in a violent, bloody ballet of knives, fists and guns. It's a brilliantly choreographed and exhausting scene that ranks as one of the most impressive action set-pieces I've ever seen. It must have been a logistical nightmare to pull off (and one of the featurettes shows how).

Extreme Cutthroat Kitchen.

Elsewhere, Atomic Blonde is bolstered by flashy production design, a booming soundtrack of industrial-tinged music from the era and, of course, another dedicated physical performance by Theron. She's cool, beautiful and intimidating, though not the invulnerable, one-woman wrecking crew that has drawn some comparisons to John Wick. David Leitch may have directed both films, but the overall tone of this one is a bit lighter and Broughton is cut from a different cloth. She's not driven by revenge, and as the stakes get higher, we do get fleeting glimpses of kinks in her armor. Despite her cool demeanor and formidable fighting skills, she isn't indestructible, often taking as much damage as she inflicts.

Stylish to a fault, there isn't a lot of depth, but Atomic Blonde delivers lot of sexy, ultra-violent fun. Theron once again proves she's a formidable action star with another character, like Furiosa from Mad Max: Fury Road, we wouldn't mind seeing again in the future. And if nothing else, the apartment fight alone is a keeper.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES: "Welcome to Berlin"; "Blondes Have More Gun"; "Spymaster"; "Anatomy of a Fight Scene" (this is the best of the bonus features); "Story in Motion".

AUDIO COMMENTARY with director David Leitch & editor Elisabet Ronaldsdottir.

DELETED/EXTENDED SCENES

DVD & DIGITAL COPIES

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS

Rest in Peace, John Hillerman

John Hillerman (1932-2017)

Blu-Ray News: KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD 12/12

Rejoin the world’s most elite secret service when Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray^TM and DVD December 12. Director Matthew Vaughn returns to helm the sequel in his signature kick-ass style, with stars Colin Firth, Taron Egerton and Mark Strong reprising the roles that helped make Kingsman a global phenomenon.

Kingsman: The Secret Service introduced the world to Kingsman. In Kingsman: The Golden Circle, our heroes face a new challenge when their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage. Their journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US called Statesman, and in a new adventure, these two elite, secret organizations band together to defeat a ruthless common enemy in order to save the world, something that’s becoming a bit of a habit for Eggsy. Kingsman: The Golden Circle stars Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Halle Berry, with Elton John and Channing Tatum, and Jeff Bridges.

The home entertainment release will give fans over two hours of brand new bonus content that will take them inside of the exclusive worlds of the Kingsman and Statesman.

Rest in Peace, Karin Dor

Karin Dor (1938-2017)

Blu-Ray Review: HANS ZIMMER: LIVE IN PRAGUE

Directed by Tim Van Someren. (2017, 138 min).

EAGLE VISION

To this writer's humble ears, Hans Zimmer is currently our greatest living film composer. He has his own identifiable style, yet all his individual scores are unique and diverse. Best of all, not only do they brilliantly do the job they were composed for, most of them are also great stand-alone pieces of music.

And as it turns out, Mr. Zimmer can be quite the showman...maybe even a bit of a rock star.

Hans Zimmer: Live in Prague is a stunning concert film featuring some of the best-known music of his career (leaning more heavily toward the epics). He's backed by a huge band of orchestral, classical and rock musicians & vocalists...only fitting, since Zimmer has always incorporated those elements in his music. Zimmer himself plays a variety of instruments: piano, synths, guitar, even the banjo during a piece from Sherlock Holmes.

"Ladies and gentleman...it's been suggested that you stay away from the brown acid."

Many of the pieces have been given new arrangements more conducive to a live setting, while music from some of his biggest films (such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Gladiator and Christopher Nolan's films) are presented as epic medleys. My personal favorite of Zimmer's scores has always been Crimson Tide, part of which is wonderfully rendered here with added guitar flourishes. Ironically, the music from his most iconic score, The Lion King, is the least compelling, though it does get the most enthusiastic response from the audience. It's impeccably performed, but perhaps its over-familiarity works against it (kinda like hearing Stairway to Heaven yet again).

Banjos are chick magnets.

The whole program is performed before a huge crowd with the visual spectacle of a rock show. Aside from introducing his players or providing stories behind some of the films, Zimmer himself is content to take his place as just another member of the band. It's an extraordinary crew of musicians, most of whom are provided individual moments in the spotlight. Perhaps rising to the occasion, they provide quite a bit of showmanship themselves.

I suppose it goes without saying this disc (also available as a CD) is a must own for movie fans. But Hans Zimmer: Live in Prague is also terrific entertainment simply as a concert film, whether one is familiar with the music or not.

EXTRA KIBBLES

SUPPLEMENTAL BOOKLET - Includes photos, an essay by Jeremy Thomas and technical credits.

KITTY CONSENSUS:

MEE-OW! LIKE BEING TURNED LOOSE IN A BIRD SANCTUARY

Interview: ARMIE HAMMER for the Home Video Release of CARS 3

In Cars 3, Lightning McQueen is blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, led by the arrogant Jackson Storm. The seven-time Piston Cup winner and hero of Radiator Springs is suddenly sidelined and pushed from the sport he loves. To get back on track, McQueen will need the help of eager young racing technician Cruz Ramirez, inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected twists and turns of fate.

Cars 3 is fully loaded with unforgettable characters, spectacular animation and turbocharged bonus extras. And the movie is NOW AVAILABLE on HD, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD.

To celebrate the in-home launch of the high-octane hit, we catch up with Armie Hammer – the voice of Jackson Storm – to uncover the actor’s thoughts on road trips, recording sessions and the epic world of racing…

How does it feel to be the voice of Jackson Storm in the animated adventure, Cars 3?

It feels really great to be part of the Cars franchise. Not only is it a fun franchise, but it’s a franchise that I truly love. I remember when the first Cars movie came out. I loved the sense of nostalgia you felt when you watched the story unfold, and the fun road trip aspect to the movie.

How much Armie Hammer is there in Jackson Storm?

I’m definitely in there when it comes to the voice of Jackson Storm, but he isn’t the nicest of characters. He is a bit of a jerk, but I am not a jerk. That’s something in the character we kept pushing during the recording sessions, but I’m not like that at all.

How good are you at driving?

I’m pretty good at driving, not to toot my own horn. I’ve done some high-performance driving schools and race schools. My dad races cars, so driving has always been part of my life.

What was your very first car?

My first car was a Lexus IS300, which is one of those small cars. I was 16 when I got my first car, but at that point I’d been driving for a number of years. I grew up in the Caribbean. Down there, my dad taught me to drive stick when I was nine years old. I’ve been driving for a very long time!

Are you passionate about cars?

I love cars. Not in the sense of wanting to have the newest Ferrari or anything like that – but I love driving and I love road trips.

What’s been your most memorable road trip?

I crossed the North American continent from Los Angeles to the bottom of the Key West on a small, 150cc Vespa. The year was 2014, but I had nothing more than a sleeping bag and a tent strapped to the bike. Oh, and a few changes of underwear.

How long did the road trip take?

It took 21 days in total. We spent 12-hours a day riding in the middle of the polar vortex, so there were a lot negative temperatures until we got to Miami. It was very, very cold.

Were you alone on this epic road trip?

I wasn’t alone. There was a bunch of guys on Vespas. It was hellacious, but also one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had in my life.

What excites you the most about the story of Cars 3?

In Cars 3, I love the topics the movie tackles. I love the message of the movie. I’m a father with a daughter, so it’s a lot of fun to see the idea of empowerment and strength. I love those themes.

Jackson Storm is a newcomer to the world of racing in Cars 3. He’s fast and sleek, but is newer always better?

No, probably not. And that’s another message of the movie.

Armie Hammer voices Jackson Storm.

Have you ever felt threatened by the arrival of a flashy newcomer?

I used to play on a lacrosse team called the Los Angeles Warriors. At one point, there was a guy who showed up on our team; he came from Virginia or somewhere like that. In Virginia, they play lacrosse way more than we play lacrosse on the West Coast, so this guy was really good. He was so good that all our team players would just try to get him the ball during every match. I wasn’t really threatened by the new guy. I really appreciated the fact that I didn’t have to run as much anymore, but it was interesting to see the newcomer take over.

Another message of the movie involves dreaming big. When you were a youngster, did you always dream about becoming an actor?

I always wanted to be involved in movies. Ever since I was 12 or 13 years old, that’s been my dream. I think it’s really important for people to pick a dream and go for it. Pick whatever you want to do in life and then pursue it relentlessly until you get there.

Is it important for youngsters to dream big?

Definitely. Dream big. Dream medium. Dream whatever, but have dreams. I think that’s important. The minute you stop dreaming, what are you aspiring to achieve? I feel incredibly lucky and blessed because everything worked out for me, but I know it doesn’t always work out for everyone. It’s important to try, though.

What advice would you give to youngsters who want to follow in your footsteps and become an actor?

As glamorous as anything might seem, your success is based on and dictated by the level of hard work you’re willing to put into it. The harder you’re willing to work, the more you can get out of it. It’s not an easy job, but it’s worth it. That’s the advice I’d offer.

In Cars 3, Lightning McQueen becomes a mentor to a new character named Cruz Ramirez. Who’s been your biggest mentor?

Every time I’ve worked on a movie, I’ve viewed my relationship with the director as the mentor of the project. Whether it’s David Fincher, Guy Ritchie or Clint Eastwood, they

are in charge. They are the boss. I’m probably a very annoying person to have on set because I’m always asking questions like, “Why are you doing it like that? Why are you using that lens? Why that light?” I love the idea that everybody knows at least one thing that you don’t. Everybody can be your mentor in one way or another.

Was Cars 3 director Brian Fee your mentor on this movie?

For sure. It’s a totally different world when you compare the way Pixar and Disney animated movies are made versus live-action movies. Pixar worked on Cars 3 for years and years and years. The amount of time and effort that’s gone into this movie is incredible. I’m very proud to be part of something so great.

What excites you the most about the in-home release of Cars 3?

You’re talking to a father of two here. Trust me, I’m way deep into deleted scenes and all the bonus features that come along with the in-home release. I love all the ‘making of’ extras. I love all that stuff.

What can fans expect from the bonus features packaged with the in-home release?

When a movie is done as well as this, you get so lost in the immersive experience that you often forget how it’s made. That’s what I love about the bonus features; the fact that you can delve into the making of the movie. I think it impresses people when you go back and show them the amount of work that actually went into the making of Cars 3. I also think it inspires them. It’s fun to get a behind-the-scenes look at something they truly enjoyed. For all those reasons, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Cars 3. 

Blu-Ray Review: OVERDRIVE

Starring Scott Eastwood, Freddie Thorp, Ana de Armas, Gaia Weiss, Clemens Schick, Joshua Fitoussi, Kaaris, Simon Abkarian. Directed by Antonio Negret. (2017, 93 min).

PARAMOUNT

Overdrive is underwhelming.

Some of you might remember Clint Eastwood's The Rookie, where he played a grizzled cop trying to bust an elite batch of high-end car thieves. The movie was all kinds of stupid, but the mindless mayhem coupled with Eastwood's stoic charisma made it at-least watchable. Overdrive could use a lot more of both.

Starring in his own car-heist movie, Scott Eastwood may be the spitting image of Dad, but the similarities pretty much end there, making him a pretty bland leading man. But he's not really the film's biggest problem and he's admittedly stuck with a dull, generic character. Ironically, Eastwood has shown more ability playing uptight dorks, like his supporting turn in The Fate of the Furious.

Speaking of which, Overdrive treads awfully familiar ground, which comes as no surprise since the screenplay is by the same pair who wrote 2 Fast 2 Furious. In fact, the movie plays a lot like a scaled back entry in that franchise. Eastwood and Freddie Thorp are a couple of super-thieves who specialize in hoisting exotic cars. When they run afoul of a powerful French mob boss, they offer to steal a priceless Ferrari from his chief rival. This is easier said than done, of course, so they must put together a crew consisting of the usual eclectic batch of too-cool-to-be-scared thrill-seekers.

"You wouldn't happen to have one of your old man's catch-phrases handy, would you?"

While originality is tough to come by these days, especially in teen-centric action movies, Overdrive never really takes off in the action department either. There's a couple of chases bookending the film that are adequately shot, but without much panache (director Antonio Nergret's background is mostly in television). In between are dull stretches of exposition where more characters are introduced and the caper is planned. And of course, we also have the prerequisite love interests for the two brothers because, you know, they're such studs.

Neither great or completely terrible, Overdrive is ultimately the kind of assembly-line movie where one can accurately predict nearly every scene and plot turn long before it happens. In fact, you could leave the room for extended periods and still know exactly what's going on at any given moment.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES: "The Caper"; "The Crew"; "The Cars" (Brief segments, mostly featuring the director)

DIGITAL COPY

KITTY CONSENSUS:

MEH...

Blu-Ray News: ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES Coming 1/23

UFOs! Bigfoot! Communists! The government has swiftly dealt with many a crisis... But can it survive the diabolical ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES? 

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the supermarket, you're face to face with terror so bold, so frightening it has never been seen on-screen before or since (not until the sequel, anyway). 

After a series of bizarre and increasingly horrific attacks from pulpy, red, seeded fruit, Mason Dixon (David Miller) finds himself leading a "crack" team of specialists to save the planet. But will they be quick enough to save everyone? To save you?  

You can't run! You can't swim! There's nowhere to hide! 

The killer tomatoes are everywhere!

 

SPECIAL FEATURES

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of film (1.85:1)
• Original 2.0 Mono Audio (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
• Audio commentary from writer/director John DeBello, writer/co-star Steve Peace and "creator" Costa Dillon
• Deleted scenes (SD)
• Six exclusive featurettes:

-        "Legacy of a Legend" (14:13, SD) is a collection of interviews, including comments from John DeBello, Costa Dillon, film critic Kevin Thomas, fans Kevin Sharp and Bruce Vilanch, future Tomatoes mainstay John Astin and actors Steve Peace, Jack Riley, and D.J. Sullivan

-        "Crash and Burn" (3:40, SD) is a discussion about the famous helicopter crash that could have killed everyone because the pilot was late on his cue

-        "Famous Foul" (2:21, SD) is about the San Diego Chicken and his role in the climatic tomato stomping ending

-        "Killer Tomatomania" (4:33, SD) is a smattering of interviews with random people on the streets of Hollywood about the movie

-        "Where Are They Now?" (2:51, SD) fills viewers in on what the cast and crew have been up to over the past couple of decades

-        "We Told You So!" (3:07, SD) takes a hard-hitting look at the conspiracy of silence surrounding the real-life horror of killer tomatoes

• "Do They Accept Traveler's Checks in Babusuland" (the original 8mm short that inspired Attack of the Killer Tomatoes) (with optional audio commentary) (SD)
• Original theatrical trailer (SD)
• Radio spots
• Collectible poster

Blu-Ray Review: THE MIRACLE WORKER and THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE

Olive Films serves up two biographical, award winning actors' showcases, both of which chronicle the tragedies and triumphs of their subjects. One is a timeless classic, while a tour de force performance by a British legend keeps the other interesting.

THE MIRACLE WORKER

Starring Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, Victor Jory, Inga Swenson, Andrew Prine, Kathleen Comegys. Directed by Arthur Penn. (1962, 106 min).

OLIVE FILMS

Revisiting The Miracle Worker for the first time in at least 30 years, I was struck by how often it has the look of a claustrophobic horror movie from that era, particularly during the first act. Whether or not that was an intentional aesthetic decision by director Arthur Penn, it's suitably fitting. The scenes in which troubled teacher Annie Sullivan (Anne Bancroft) struggles to reach deaf, mute and blind Helen Keller (Patty Duke) remain as intense and harrowing today as they did 55 years ago.

Of course, everyone knows who Helen Keller is, but this is just as much Sullivan's story. Considering the personal obstacles she herself has to overcome in order to teach Keller literally everything, The Miracle Worker might be one of the most accurately-titled films in history (at-least until Snakes on a Plane came along). Sullivan's resolve is just as inspiring as her student's and one of the chief reasons the film's climax still packs such an emotional wallop.

KITTY CONSENSUS: MEE-OW!

The Miracle Worker wouldn't be the beloved classic it is today without the performances. Bancroft and Duke both won well-deserved Oscars for the roles they originated on Broadway, the latter getting this writer's vote for the best child performance of all time. But these two aren't the whole show here. Victor Jory and Inga Swenson as Helen's beleaguered parents are effective antagonists; even their frequent clashes with Sullivan's methods are done with the best intentions, meaning we still empathize with them.

THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE

Starring Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren, Ian Holm, Amanda Donohoe, Rupert Graves, Rupert Everett. Directed by Nicholas Hynter. (1994, 111 min).

OLIVE FILMS

A debilitating dilemma of a different kind strikes the titular character in The Madness of King George.

King George III (Nigel Hawthorne) precariously rules England, still in a tumultuous state after losing control of America. Already somewhat eccentric, George begins to display increasingly bizarre behavior that has those around him questioning his sanity. George's allies want to keep his "illness" secret, while opportunistic members of Parliament - led by George's conniving son (Rupert Everett) - try to exploit it to their advantage and gain control.

Dr. Francis Willis (Ian Holm) is brought in to try and save the king from his dementia. His methods are less barbaric than previous "cures," and if nothing else, the viewer walks away thankful that they don't live in an age when blistering and purges were common forms of treatment. Still, Willis' methods are also an ordeal to endure.

KITTY CONSENSUS: NOT BAD

Despite how it was promoted at the time, The Madness of King George isn't really a comedy. Early scenes depicting the king's manic behavior are somewhat amusing, but even then, the viewer might feel uncomfortable laughing with them. Much of that is due to Hawthorne, delivering the performance of his career. He, too, was nominated for an Oscar and is perhaps a little too convincing for these scenes to be anything but troubling signs of a deteriorating mind. The fact that George isn't simply a whimsically daft buffoon sucks much of the fun from the entire film.

Still, Hawthorne's bold performance is something to behold. That alone makes The Madness of King George worth checking out.

Blu-Ray Review: CARS 3

Featuring the voices of Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo, Chris Cooper, Nathan Fillion, Larry the Cable Guy, Tony Shalhoub, Bonnie Hunt, Armie Hammer, Lea DeLaria, Kerry Washington, Bob Peterson. Directed by Brian Fee. (2017, 102 min).

DISNEY / PIXAR

Generally speaking, the Cars franchise isn't held in as high regard as the rest of Pixar's canon. I personally found the first film very enjoyable, partly because I'm a NASCAR fan and appreciated its frequent references to the sport, but also because it aimed for more of a laid-back, nostalgic vibe than other Pixar films. It wasn't often laugh-out-loud funny, but its bittersweet nod to days-gone-by struck an emotional chord that was probably lost on children who bought all the tie-in toys. And aside from Mater (this franchise's Jar Jar Binks), the characters were charming, with personalities cleverly reflecting their makes & models.

"I've come for your children!!!"

Since Cars 2 was mostly a cynical marketing campaign, one can be forgiven for assuming Cars 3, which nobody was really asking for, is simply other excuse to sell more toys (which it probably did). But creatively, Cars 3 is a huge improvement over the last film. It's not as fresh as the original, but few sequels are. However, the underlying theme of Cars 3 is something most people of a certain age can relate to: Time marches on and nobody stays young forever, a reality that can be extremely difficult to accept.

This time, Lightning McQueen is forced to come-to-terms that he's not quite the racer he used to be and faces the prospect of retiring before he's ready (just like his mentor, Doc Hudson). Newer, faster & technologically-superior cars now threaten his standing as racing's greatest champion, especially arrogant rookie Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer). His sponsor's new owner, Sterling (Nathan Fillion) appoints spunky trainer Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo) to get McQueen competitive again. When that doesn't work out, Sterling simply wants McQueen to quit racing and use his name to sell Rust-eze products. Instead, with a few weeks before the new season, McQueen goes on an old school quest to find the speed he needs, with Ramirez in tow.

"Go Chargers!!"

The story takes awhile to get going and, with the exception of a hilarious segment at a backwoods demolition derby, the emphasis is more on the characters than action and humor. Most of the series' returning characters are reduced to minor roles (in the case of Mater, that's a blessing), but Cruz is a funny, likable addition to the cast. Her own back story eventually becomes the crux of the entire film, leading to a final act that, quite frankly, doesn't play out how I expected (though with hindsight, the film couldn't have ended any other way and been nearly as emotionally satisfying).

As with all Pixar films, Cars 3 is impeccably animated and visually impressive. From a story standpoint, it wisely pretends the kiddie-bating first sequel doesn't exist, returning the focus to its main character and themes with real world relevance. One could still argue we didn't need a third Cars film, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable and fans of the original (of all ages) will certainly appreciate it.

EXTRA KIBBLES

BEHIND THE SCENES (5-part documentary): "Generations: The Story of Cars 3"; "Lets. Get. Crazy."; "Cars to Die(cast) For"; "Legendary"; "World's Fastest Billboard"

FEATURETTES: "My First Car" (with cast & crew); "Fly Throughs" (short tours of various 'locations'); "Ready for the Race" (featuring real-life racer William Byron); "Cruz Ramirez: The Yellow Car That Could" (a feature on the franchise's newest main character).

AUDIO COMMENTARY - featuring director Brain Fee, producer Andrea Warren & creative consultant Jay Ward.

"LOU" - another charming Pixar short.

"MISS FRITTER'S RACING SCHOOL" - an amusing 'commercial' featuring the demolition derby school bus character.

DELETED SCENES

TRAILERS & PROMOS

DVD & DIGITAL COPIES

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS