John Leguizamo

Blu-Ray Review: Third ‘Ice Age’ Sticks to Frigid Formula

BrianTT — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:08:27 -0700

CHICAGO – When did “gentleness” first become “unhip” in children’s films? Practically every studio in America, with the exception of Pixar, feels the need to make their “all ages” entertainment as abrasive, dumb and crude as their escapism targeted at teens and simple-minded adults. What’s the difference between a picture like “G-Force” and “Transformers”? A handful of swears and a few excessive shots of Megan Fox’s midriff. Kids movies in America can get away with endless mean-spirited gags and bathroom humor, just as long as there’s a sticky moral tacked on to the end. The “Shrek” series flourished under this principle, and so does “Ice Age.”

Blu-Ray Rating: 2.5/5.0

Yet while DreamWorks has found financial success with multiple franchises (“Shrek,” “Madagascar,” “Kung Fu Panda”), Blue Sky Studios still insists on focusing most of its moviemaking efforts on the decade-old premise of prehistoric creatures riffing through an arctic wasteland. Yet these characters are little more than placeholders for instantly recognizable celebrity personalities. Robin Williams’ pop culture-spewing Genie began this trend in “Aladdin,” and here we get Ray Romano as a wooly mammoth who embodies all the neuroses and idiosyncratic wit of…Ray Romano (his level-headed wife might as well be voiced by Patricia Heaton). Yet his dry barbs are a welcome relief from the shrill spectacle that consumes so much of these pictures.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on October 27th, 2009.
Photo credit: Fox Home Video

To be fair, the first two “Ice Age” adventures had a certain poignancy at their core, as they showed how a nontraditional family can form in the wake of an environmental crisis: starting with the dawn of an ice age, followed by the inevitable meltdown. But this latest installment was so hard up for fresh material that it decided to throw all credibility to the wind, and follow that tired sequel formula: “bigger equals better.” And what’s bigger than a wooly mammoth? Dinosaurs, of course! But how, you might ask, are dinosaurs resurrected during an Ice Age? Well, it turns out they never really were extinct—they just live under the earth’s surface, Jules Verne-style. Uh huh.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on October 27th, 2009.
Photo credit: Fox Home Video

When silly sloth Sid (John Leguizamo) stumbles upon some baby dinos, he foolishly takes them under his wing. When their angry mom shows up, she drags them all to the land of the lost kiddie cliches, with Sid’s friends in hot pursuit. There they meet yet another excessive comic relief: a one-eyed weasel named Buck (Simon Pegg), whose delusional bravado is all-too-reminiscent of “Shrek”’s Puss In Boots. Of course, the real star of “Ice Age” has always been Scrat (Chris Wedge), a squirrel whose single-minded pursuit of his beloved acorn results in oft-inspired wordless slapstick. This film provides Scrat with a love interest, resulting in a silly montage where the acorn weeps out of loneliness. Well, that’s what happens when you play hard to get.

As contemporary children’s films go, “Ice Age 3” is relatively harmless, not to mention painless for adult guardians who aren’t easily prone to headaches. It’s a cinematic souffle as filling and nourishing as a McDonald’s Happy Meal. Unfortunately, the toys are sold separately.

“Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” is currently available in a limited time combo pack offering the movie in multiple formats (Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital Copy). On Blu-Ray, the film is presented in 1080p High Definition (with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio), but it lacks the striking depth of its 3D presentation in theaters. It is accompanied by English, Spanish, French and Portuguese audio tracks, and includes six behind-the-scenes featurettes, unfinished deleted scenes, Live Lookup via IMDb and BD-Live, and a “storybook maker” for kids. There are also two shorts and five featurettes centering on the character of Scrat (clearly Blue Sky’s answer to Mickey Mouse), and a feature-length commentary in which the filmmakers attempt to justify the need for this unnecessary sequel, apart from the obvious motivation to cash in on a lucrative franchise.

‘Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs’ is released by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and stars Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg and Chris Wedge. It was written by Peter Ackerman & Michael Berg & Yoni Brenner & Mike Reiss and directed by Carlos Saldanha & Mike Thurmeier. It was released on October 27th, 2009. It is rated PG.

By MATT FAGERHOLM
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com

DVD Round Up, Oct. 30, 2009: ‘Sauna,’ ‘The Tournament,’ ‘The Butcher’

BrianTT — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0600

CHICAGO – Many editions of the DVD Round-Up have featured a different genre and focus for each title within it. This week seems a little more thematically linked as we have a trio of foreign horror films and a few more independent films than usual. Of course, there has to a holiday comedy to spice things up.

Consider this column informational with synopsis, tech specs, and special features info for titles that might go otherwise unnoticed, but if you’re looking for more critical opinion, we covered “Sauna” when it played at the EU Film Fest, “Medicine For Melancholy” when it was available on IFC Direct, and “Nothing Like the Holidays” when it played in theaters.

“P” and “The Tournament” were released on October 20th, 2009

“The Butcher,” “Medicine For Melancholy,” “Nothing Like the Holidays,” and “Sauna” were released on October 27th, 2009

“Nothing Like the Holidays”

Photo credit: Anchor Bay

Synopsis: “John Leguizamo (Ice Age, Moulin Rouge!), Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under, Bobby), Debra Messing (Will & Grace, The Starter Wife), and Alfred Molina (The Pink Panther 2) lead a hilarious ensemble cast in this humorous and heartwarming holiday story that is “laugh-out-loud-funny and downright touching.” (MoviePictureFilm.com)

It’s Christmastime in Chicago, and the far-flung members of the Rodriguez family are converging at their parents’ house to celebrate the season. During the course of this eventful week, traditions will be celebrated, secrets revealed, old resentments forgotten, familial bonds re-affirmed and the healing power of laughter will work its magic. Nothing Like The Holidays is a “heartfelt” (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times) gift for the whole family.”

“Nothing Like the Holidays” stars John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez, Debra Messing, Alfred Molina, Luis Guzman, Melonie Diaz, Vanessa Ferlito, Jay Hernandez, and Elizabeth Pena. It was written by Alison Swan and Rick Najeira and directed by Alfredo de Villa. The film runs 98 minutes and is rated PG-13. It is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by a Dolby Surround 5.1 audio track.

Special features include “Nothing Like a Family: Cast Reunion,” Audio Commentary by Actor/Producer Freddy Rodriguez, Director Alfredo de Villa, and Producer Robert Teitel, Bloopers, and Theatrical Trailer.

“The Tournament”

Photo credit: The Weinstein Company

Synopsis: “Every seven years, thirty of the world’s most deadly assassins face off against one another for an outrageous cash prize. There’s only one rule: kill or die. As dozens of wealthy gamblers watch via closed-circuit TV, a city is overrun by brutal assassins - all aiming to be the last one standing. Starring Ving Rhames (Mission Impossible films), Kelly Hu (X2: X-Men United) and Robert Carlyle (Stargate: Universe), The Tournament is an explosive, action-loaded thriller where the winner takes all”

“The Tournament” stars Ving Rhames, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly Hu. It was written by Gary Young, Jonathan Frank, & Nick Rowntree and directed by Scott Mann. The film runs 95 minutes and is rated R. It is presented in a matted widescreen transfer and accompanied by an English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track.

Special features include…nothing.

“Medicine For Melancholy”

Photo credit: IFC Films

Synopsis: “Wyatt Cenac (of The Daily Show) and Tracey Heggins star in this love story about two African-American twenty-somethings, their one-night stand, and a revealing day-after in rapidly gentrifying San Francisco - a city with the smallest proportional black population of any other major American city. In his internationally acclaimed and award-winning debut feature, writer/director Barry Jenkins creates a tender yet resonant tale of sex, race, bicycles and modern urban life that became one of the most significant hits of the festival season and remains perhaps the most talked-about independent film of the year.”

“Medicine For Melancholy” stars Wyatt Cenac and Tracey Heggins. It was written and directed by Barry Jenkins. The film runs 88 minutes and is not rated. It is presented in an enhanced widescreen transfer and accompanied by an English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track.

Special features include the trailer and “Director’s Notes: An In-Depth Interview with Barry Jenkins at the London Film Festival”.

“Sauna”

Photo credit: IFC Films

Synopsis: “A chilling horror film, Sauna explores the space between Christianity and paganism. The year 1595 - a long and brutal war is finally over. Brothers Knut and Erik - who are part of a commission marking the border between Finland and Russia - commit a terrible sin as they leave a young girl to die a horrible death. As the commission crosses the uncharted swamp, the girl returns to haunt them. Weary men find solace from the nameless village and find a sauna - the sauna where all sins are washed away. Seeking forgiveness the brothers step in…”

“Sauna” stars Ville Vertanen, Tommi Eronen, and Viktor Klimenko. It was written by Iiro Kuttner and directed by AJ Annila. The film runs 84 minutes and is not rated. It is presented in a 2.35:1 widescreen transfer and accompanied by a Finnish/Russian Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track.

Special features include the film’s trailer.

“P”

Photo credit: Palisades Tartan

Synopsis: “While growing up in rural Thailand, a young orphan girl, Dau, is taught magic by her grandmother. But when her grandmother falls sick, Dau is lured to Bangkok to find work so that she can buy medicine. She finds herself working in a go-go bar, and her journey from naïveté to maturity is swift. She uses the magical skills her grandmother taught her to her advantage, but in doing so makes enemies within the bar. As her magic gets darker, and the consequences increasingly horrific, she gradually loses control, and something evil takes over. ”

“P” was written and directed by Paul Spurrier. The movie runs 110 minutes and is not rated. It is presented in anamorphic widescreen and accompanied by a Thai Dolby Digital Audio 5.1 track.

Special features include Directors Audio Commentary, “Behind the Scenes,” “Soi Cowboy Go-Go Bars” Featurette, Rawang Music Video, Production Photos, and Original Theatrical Trailer.

“The Butcher”

Photo credit: Palisades Tartan

Synopsis: “Told entirely through two POV video cameras, The Butcher throws you into the middle of chaos and death: a handful of people have been abducted and lie bloodied and bound on the floor of a rotting slaughterhouse. Nearby, a team of snuff film producers are discussing their gruesome handiwork: torturing their captives to death, one by one.”

“The Butcher” was written and directed by Kim Jinwon. The movie runs 75 minutes and is not rated. It is presented in anamorphic widescreen with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by a Korean Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track.

Special features include Alternative Ending, Behind the Scenes Photos, Storyboard Sketches, and the Original Theatrical Trailer.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: Teaser Trailer For ‘Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs’ Game

BrianTT — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:52:54 -0600

CHICAGO – All good summer movies come with video game tie-ins and Activision sent over a new vignette from their summer offering, “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” which will ship to retail stores in June for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, DS, and PC. The film, to be released on July 1st, 2009, features voice work by Seann William Scott, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Josh Peck, Queen Latifah, and Ray Romano. Synopsis below the video.

Synopsis: “The Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs video game reunites fans with Scrat, Sid, Manny and Diego in an all-new quest based on the upcoming film from Twentieth Century Fox. As the unlikely herd travels across the tundra and beyond, they stumble upon another world - a lush Dinosaur World teeming with jungles, mysterious plants, fierce dinosaurs, wild new adventures and several new friends. Taking on the role of more than six playable characters, including everyone’s favorite Ice Age friends and newly introduced characters, players master their unique skills and abilities across more than 15 action-packed levels. In addition to the expanded features of the single-player gameplay, for the first time in an Ice Age game, players can team up with friends and family in eight competitive multiplayer mini-games.”

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By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Righteous Kill’ Represents New Low For Talented Actors

BrianTT — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:05:47 -0700

CHICAGO – “Is it killing time or is he just killing time?” If you don’t groan at a line of dialogue that shockingly horrendous then we’ve got a Blu-Ray release for you. Marking a new low in a baffling series of career decisions for two of the best actors of all time, “Righteous Kill” is as much an unqualified disaster on Blu-Ray as it was when critics ridiculed it and audiences ignored it in theaters.

Rarely has a film seemed less a part of the New York scene, but Detectives “Turk” (Robert De Niro) and “Rooster” (Al Pacino) have allegedly been partners for 30 years in the NYPD. They’re nearly ready for retirement when one last serial killer arrives on the scene. The bad guy in question is killing people who got off due to glitches in the system that let them go without jail time. In other words, they kind of deserve it, forcing Turk and Rooster to question whether or not he should really be caught.

Righteous Kill is released by Anchor Bay Home Video on January 6th, 2009.
Photo credit: Anchor Bay Home Video

The whole film is framed with the confession of one of the two men admitting that he was the serial killer, but, of course, there’s a predictable twist to the entire film that nearly everyone will see coming a mile away. Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson co-stars as drug dealer, John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg play detectives, Brian Dennehy the Lieutenant, and Carla Gugino a woman caught in the middle of the whole ugly affair. And I mean ugly.

Righteous Kill is released by Anchor Bay Home Video on January 6th, 2009.
Photo credit: Anchor Bay Home Video

Shouldn’t the actors in a film at least stay awake while the cameras are rolling? You won’t see many more half-asleep performances than Robert De Niro’s mumbling, awful work in “Righteous Kill”. It’s as if director Jon Avnet purposefully plays up the worst habits of his two legendary stars. De Niro’s always mumbled a bit and had trouble displaying too much energy in the second half of his career and he literally looks half-asleep during the majority of “Righteous Kill”.

Pacino, on the other hand, well, we all know Pacino’s weaknesses. They’re the over-the-top tics that have made him so easy to parody. Think “Hoo-Ah!” from “Scent of a Woman”. Pacino has a monologue near the end of “Righteous Kill” that feels like an impersonator doing an impression of this once-great actor. It’s honestly sad to watch.

Pacino and De Niro definitely phone it in, but they’re too talented to take all the blame for “Righteous Kill”. That should be laid at the feet of Jon Avnet, a director who could politely be called uninteresting. After unleashing “88 Minutes” and “Righteous Kill” on the public in one year, it’s clear that he no longer knows how to effectively tell a story, if he ever did. How often can one director not named Uwe Boll take credit for two of the worst movies of one year?

Al Pacino and Robert De Niro sharing the screen again since their magical teaming in “Heat” would have been a dream come true even just a few years ago. The sad fact of the matter is that neither of the best actors of the last thirty years are what they used to be and teaming them with one of the worst directors working today is only a recipe for disaster.

RELATED READING
Read Dustin Levell’s theatrical review of “Righteous Kill”.

The situation is not helped by Overture/Anchor Bay’s lackluster Blu-Ray release. The video in 1080p is no better than it should be and sometimes a little flatter than you would expect on Blu-Ray. The Dolby True HD 5.1 track is good but not great, more than can be said for the movie it accompanies.

And the special features merit nothing more than a shoulder shrug. The behind-the-scenes featurette, “The Investigation,” is dull and “The Thin Blue Line: An Exploration of Cops and Criminals” is about as insightful as a middle school term paper on the subject. Kids who are more testosterone-driven are more likely to become cops? You don’t say. As for the commentary by Avnet, I’ll admit it, I couldn’t bring myself to listen to it. Not only is there no excuse for a movie as bad as “Righteous Kill,” but I couldn’t sit through watching these two great actors demean themselves another time. Once made me sad enough.

‘Righteous Kill’ is released by Anchor Bay Entertainment and stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Carla Gugino, Curtis Jackson, John Leguizamo, Donnie Wahlberg, and Brian Dennehy. It was written by Russell Gerwitz and directed by Jon Avnet. It was released on January 6th, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

‘Nothing Like the Holidays’ Does Nothing to Stand Out From Christmas Movie Crowd

BrianTT — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 07:56:31 -0700

CHICAGO – When it was still called “Humboldt Park” and was probably more closely related to Chicago’s thriving Hispanic neighborhood, Alfredo De Villa’s “Nothing Like the Holidays” was probably a lot more interesting than the cookie-cutter dramedy that ended up on the big screen.

Rating: 2.5/5.0

Just as the title was turned more generic, “Holidays” became a film that we’ve seen dozens of times before. It’s a typical family holiday movie that lives and dies on the likeability of its extensive ensemble cast, but that, unfortunately, sacrifices its believable characters due to its emphasis on quantity over quality. Like last year’s “This Christmas”, every character comes to the dinner table not with a fruitcake but with a problem that audiences can expect to be resolved before the credits roll.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Nothing Like the Holidays” in our reviews section.

There’s something comforting about good holiday movies that make them such an annual staple. We’d all love to think that our family isn’t the only weird or troubled one out there and that the warmth of the holiday season will resolve everyone’s deepest issues just in time for the New Year. But when that believability is pushed to the breaking point with ridiculous behavior and unlikable characters, the subgenre falls apart.

‘Nothing Like the Holidays’ stars Alfred Molina, Elizabeth Pena, Freddy Rodriguez, Humboldt Park, Luis Guzman, Vanessa Ferlito, Melonie Diaz, John Leguizamo, Debra Messing, and Jay Hernandez, ‘Nothing Like the Holidays,’ which was written by Alison Swan and Rick Najera and directed by Alfredo De Villa, opened on December 12, 2008.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Nothing Like the Holidays” review.

Freddy Rodriguez, John Leguizamo, and Vanessa Ferlito star in Nothing Like the Holidays.
Photo credit: Overture Films

Exclusive Red-Carpet Portraits: Luis Guzman, Freddy Rodriguez, Elizabeth Pena For ‘Nothing Like the Holidays’

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:36:54 -0700

CHICAGO – Luis Guzman, Freddy Rodriguez and Elizabeth Pena were in Chicago on a snowy Dec. 1, 2008 for the red-carpet premiere of the new Chicago-filmed movie “Nothing Like the Holidays” at the Music Box Theatre. The HollywoodChicago.com lens captured their exclusive portraits.

“Nothing Like the Holidays,” which opens on Dec. 12, 2008 and was formerly called “Humboldt Park,” stars Debra Messing, John Leguizamo, Luis Guzman, Freddy Rodriguez, Elizabeth Pena and Alfred Molina. “Nothing Like the Holidays” follows a Puerto Rican family living in the area of Humboldt Park in west Chicago as they face what may be their last Christmas together.

Luis Guzman poses for the HollywoodChicago.com lens in Chicago on Dec. 1, 2008 at
the Music Box Theatre for the red-carpet premiere of “Nothing Like the Holidays”.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Freddy Rodriguez poses for the HollywoodChicago.com lens in Chicago on Dec. 1, 2008 at
the Music Box Theatre for the red-carpet premiere of “Nothing Like the Holidays”.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Elizabeth Pena poses for the HollywoodChicago.com lens in Chicago on Dec. 1, 2008 at
the Music Box Theatre for the red-carpet premiere of “Nothing Like the Holidays”.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Like a Bad ‘Law & Order,’ ‘Righteous Kill’ With Al Pacino, Robert De Niro Lacks ‘Heat’

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:37:07 -0600

CHICAGO – Last fall, Francis Ford Coppola made the comment that Al Pacino and Robert De Niro (along with Jack Nicholson) had lost their ambition. Coppola essentially said they have been phoning in their performances and picking safer movies. “Righteous Kill” could be the case study to that argument.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

You have Pacino and De Niro together again. They’re both playing a cop, which is a role they’ve both done time and time again. You give them a script from Russell Gewirtz (who scribed the amazing film “Inside Man”). What could go wrong? As “Righteous Kill” proves, apparently many things.

Read Dustin Levell’s full review of “Righteous Kill” in our reviews section.

View our full, high-resolution “Righteous Kill” image gallery.

Officers “Turk” (Robert De Niro) and “Rooster” (Al Pacino) are partners who have each been with the New York Police Department for 30 years. Their latest case is to catch a serial killer offing the criminals the justice system has let slip through the cracks.

Each serial murder is accompanied with a poem detailing the offenses committed by these lowlifes and why their murder is (sigh) “righteous”. Fellow detectives played by John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg (yes, the older brother of Mark Wahlberg) are also on the case along with Carla Gugino.

She portrays a sexy and sassy officer who’s sleeping with Turk. The story is told as a flashback that’s narrated by video confession by Robert De Niro’s character.

“Righteous Kill,” which stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, John Leguizamo, Donnie Wahlberg, Brian Dennehy, Trilby Glover, Carla Gugino and 50 Cent, opened everywhere on Sept. 12, 2008.

Continuing reading for Dustin Levell’s full “Righteous Kill” review.

Left to right: Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in “Righteous Kill”.
Photo credit: Righteous Productions, Inc.

Carla Gugino in “Righteous Kill”.
Photo credit: Righteous Productions, Inc.

Continuing reading for Dustin Levell’s full “Righteous Kill” review.

M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘The Happening’ a Creepy, Paranoid Ride Through Today’s Environment

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:56:44 -0600

CHICAGO – Trying to understand the thought process of writer and director M. Night Shyamalan is akin to analyzing Jell-O. What keeps it wiggling and what binds it together?

Rating: 3.5/5.0

“The Happening,” which is his latest creepy film, is a modern cautionary tale ripped from the collective sensibilities of life after Sept. 11, 2001 and the status of human beings in their interaction with today’s environment.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Happening” in our reviews section.

View our full “The Happening” image gallery.

Mark Wahlberg stars as Elliot Moore: a sensitive high school science teacher in Philadelphia. When an incident occurs in New York City, the whole northeastern part of the United States is put on alert.

Another teacher, Julian (John Leguizamo), manages to get train tickets for himself and his daughter to a more rural area. He invites Elliot and his emotionally distant wife, Alma (Zooey Deschanel), to travel with them in hopes of staying clear of the impending trouble.

The train is forced to stop because of communication problems and a paranoia of “every man for himself” creeps into the evacuees. Groups split up and start off by car – and then by foot – hoping to hide deeply into rural Pennsylvania.

Episodes of strange, chilling deaths that defy reason and boggle the mind in their shocking destructiveness erupt in major American cities in “The Happening”.
Photo credit: Zade Rosenthal, 20th Century Fox

Elliot (Mark Wahlberg) and Alma (Zooey Deschanel) take a closer look at an encroaching and powerful threat in “The Happening”.
Photo credit: Zade Rosenthal, 20th Century Fox

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “The Happening” review.