Movie News: WILLY WONKA Live-to-Film...in Smell-O-Rama!

John Stamos, “Weird Al” Yankovic and Finn Wolfhard

Lead All-Star Cast in

WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

IN CONCERT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL: A LIVE-TO-FILM CELEBRATION

Featuring Smell-O-Rama!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 and SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Warner Bros. Pictures’ classic, “WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY™” starring Gene Wilder, will be brought to life this November for a special two-night cinematic event featuring John Stamos, Elle King, Finn Wolfhard, and “Weird Al” Yankovic alongside an all-star cast singing iconic songs throughout a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience. Accompanied by multi-instrumental band DeVotchKa, and featuring spectacular animation created by acclaimed painter and illustrator SHAG, this magical show will leave an everlasting impression!

The singing cast includes John Stamos performing "Pure Imagination" as Willy Wonka, Finn Wolfhard (“Stranger Things,” IT) as Charlie, Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad,” “Once Upon a Time”) singing the role of The Candy Man, and Richard Kind (“Gotham,” Inside Out) as Grandpa Joe, with musicians Elle King (“Ex’s & Oh’s”) singing Veruca Salt's “I Want It Now," Ingrid Michaelson as Mrs. Bucket, and “Weird Al” Yankovic as the Oompa Loompas. 

The experience will also be presented in SMELL-O-RAMA with guests receiving exclusive Scratch-N-Sniff Golden Tickets and will kick off with a costume contest hosted by original cast member Julie Dawn Cole, who memorably played Veruca Salt.

The show will also showcase special guest artists such as violin soloist Sandy Cameron; 16-year old pianist Emily Bear performing the Oscar^®-winning Tom and Jerry short THE CAT CONCERTO live-to-film; and Annabella Lwin from Bow Wow Wow singing the perfect party song finale, “I WANT CANDY.”

To Purchase Tickets, Visit: http://bit.ly/wonkabowl

Official Hashtag: #willywonkabowl

Rest in Peace, Tom Petty

Tom Petty (1950-2017)

Blu-Ray Review: THE GAME CHANGER

Starring Peter Ho, Huang Zitao, Guli Nazha, Wang Xueqi, Choo Ja-hyun, Jack Kao, Long Meizi. Directed by Geo Xixi. (2017, 133 min).

WELL GO USA

In the first 20 minutes of The Game Changer, we are hit with a campus riot, two destructive car chases (one of which includes a horse-drawn carriage), a mob shoot-out in the streets of Shanghai, a violent prison escape and more dead gangsters than the entire Godfather trilogy. Then the film settles into its actual story.

Set in 1930, Peter Ho and Huang Zitao are Lin and Fang, who befriend each other during a prison escape. Fang is the adopted son of Mr. Tang (Wang Xueqi), the city's most powerful mob boss. Tang welcomes Lin to the fold, entrusting him to watch over his daughter, Qianian (Guli Nazha), who immediately falls in love with him. This bothers Fang, whose own love for Qianian drives a wedge in their friendship, but the two remain committed to protecting each other because of Lin's apparent loyalty to Tang. Meanwhile, Tang is constantly killing anyone he feels threatened by, even those close to him.

However, Lin is not quite the loyal enforcer he seems to be. As a former member of a secret organization, the Blue Shirt Society, Lin has a damn good reason for wanting to take down Tang. He also discovers his former lover, Lan (Choo Ja-hyun), is still with the organization, working undercover as a cabaret singer in Tang's nightclub.

Being canjoined twins has its challenges.

If all this sounds a lot like a prime time soap opera, that's probably because The Game Changer is based on a popular Hong Kong TV series, Shanghai Bund. And subtle, this movie ain't. The plot is almost inconsequential, mostly there to link numerous action sequences, which are a kinetic combination of well-choreographed stunts, gunplay, close-quarters combat and some none-to-convincing CGI. The Game Changer might also boast highest onscreen body count of any gangster movie since 1983's Scarface.

Everyone dresses to-the-nines in fedoras, trenchcoats and designer outfits, barking dialogue straight out of a pulp novel. The performances are uniformly decent and the main characters are interesting. Ho makes a great anti-hero, favoring action over words, while Xuenqi infuses Mr. Tang with a cold-hearted cruelty that easy to hate.

There isn't a hell of a lot of depth, but for the most part, it is a lot of fun. There's an abundance of stylized action and violence to make up for some of the slower stretches. The Game Changer overstays its welcome a bit and the ending kind-of sucks, but fans of gangster epics should find it quite enjoyable.

EXTRA KIBBLES

TRAILER

KITTY CONSENSUS:

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

Blu-Ray News: CARS 3 - NASCAR Hall of Fame Event

NASCAR community welcomes #95 to a new “Cars 3” exhibit at the NASCAR Hall of Fame as the high-octane hit prepares to cross the finish line on Digital Oct. 24 and Blu-ray Nov. 7

Through May of 2018, visitors to the NASCAR Hall of Fame will get the chance to enjoy an action-packed animation spectacular featuring a full-size, fiberglass replica of Lightning McQueen from “Cars 3,” hands-on kids activities as well as 16 displays that feature renderings, biographies and artifacts from real-life NASCAR personalities who contributed their voices and stories to the movie. Featured legends include Ray Evernham (voice of Ray Reverham), Kyle Petty (voice of Cal Weathers), Jeff Gordon (voice of Jeff Gorvette) and Junior Johnson (voice to Junior “Midnight” Moon), as well as young drivers like Chase Elliott (voice of Chase Racelott), Ryan Blaney (voice of Ryan “Inside” Laney), Daniel Suárez (voice of Danny Swervez) and Bubba Wallace (voice of Bubba Wheelhouse). 

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 28: (L-R) Creative Director Jay Ward, Director Brian Fee, Producer Kevin Reher and NASCAR 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Evernham

“We are honored to showcase the NASCAR stories, characters and locations that inspired the world of ‘Cars,’ in this new special exhibit,” says NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley. “And we’re excited for our friend Lightning McQueen to join us in welcoming guests from around the world, including the next generation of young fans, as they discover the rich history and heritage of NASCAR.”

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 28: Cars 3 voice of "The King"/NASCAR Retired Driver Richard "The King" Petty

“When developing ‘Cars 3,’ we consulted and recruited NASCAR greats, from rookie drivers and legends to the voices behind the sport,” says director Brian Fee. “They revealed what happens behind the scenes of racing and helped bring the film’s characters to life. To see them displayed at the NASCAR Hall of Fame—a shrine to the history and heritage of NASCAR—is a real thrill.”

Blu-Ray News: THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD: New NSFW Trailer

The Hilarious Action-Comedy Starring Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson Arrives on Digital HD November 7 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, and DVD
November 21 from Lionsgate

Leading an all-star cast, Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool, The Proposal) and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Marvel’s Cinematic Universe) take viewers on an outrageous action-packed, comedic adventure in The Hitman’s Bodyguard, arriving on Digital HD November 7 and 4K Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital HD), Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD and On Demand November 21 from Lionsgate. When Michael Bryce, an elite bodyguard, and Darius Kincaid, a renowned hit man, are forced to work together, they don’t just have to avoid getting killed…they also have to avoid killing each other. The film, which was #1 at the summer box office three weeks in a row, also stars Oscar^® nominees Gary Oldman (2011, Best Actor, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Salma Hayek (2002, Best Actress, Frida).

The world’s top protection agent (Reynolds) is called upon to guard the life of his mortal enemy, one of the world’s most notorious hit men (Jackson). The relentless bodyguard and manipulative assassin have been on the opposite end of the bullet for years, and are thrown together for a wildly outrageous 24 hours. During their raucous and hilarious adventure from England to the Hague, they encounter high-speed car chases, outlandish boat escapades, and a merciless Eastern European dictator (Oldman) who is out for blood. Hayek joins the mayhem as Jackson’s equally notorious wife. 

CHECK OUT THE NSFW TRAILER:

Blu-Ray Review: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) - 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Starring Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Keith Wayne, Judith Ridley, Kyra Schom, Russell Streiner, Bill Hinzman, Bill "Chilly Billy" Cardille. (1968, 96 min).

MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT

For those of you keeping score at home, 2017 is not the film's 50th Anniversary. We're a year too early for that, kids. Though rumors have been circulating of-late that Criterion is gearing up a release, if you want the original Night of the Living Dead on Blu-Ray, this disc from Mill Creek is the only game in town...domestically anyway.

Kinda hard to believe, really. Being public domain, NOTLD has literally been re-released hundreds of times on VHS & DVD by various companies over the years. No one thought to give it the Blu-Ray treatment 'till now?

"Dammit, we missed Cupcake Wars!"

It's pointless going into any detail about the movie itself. Every self-respecting horror fan has not-only seen NOTLD (likely multiple times), they know it by heart. They also know that the modern zombie as we know it today wouldn't exist without George A. Romero and his merry band of Pittsburgh pals. Even 50 49 years later, it still retains much of its claustrophobic power.

But aside from including a digital copy, this Blu-Ray doesn't serve up any bonus material, not even a trailer. The picture quality of NOTLD has always been fairly poor and the transfer here is on par with previous DVD releases. So if you already have it on disc, there's little reason to double dip. But if you've never made it part of your collection - and you call yourself a horror fan! - why not do the Blu-Ray? It's dirt cheap, attractively packaged and just in time for Halloween.

EXTRA KIBBLES

DIGITAL COPY

KITTY CONSENSUS:

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

Blu-Ray Review: FLATLINERS (1990): STEELBOOK EDITION

Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin, Oliver Platt, Kimberly Scott, Joshua Rudoy. Directed by Joel Schumacher. (1990, 115 min).

MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT

We'll start by stating the obvious: Flatliners is being re-released on Blu-Ray to coincide with the all-new version, which is not a remake, but an actual sequel (!), complete with Kiefer Sutherland. But since it isn't being promoted as one, it's safe to assume some of those looking forward to the new film aren't even aware the original even exists. So it sort-of makes sense to bring the old one out of mothballs.

Speaking of mothballs, Flatliners is 27 years old and an strange choice for sequelizing. Not that the film is bad or anything. It's slick, well-crafted and entertaining. The film was also fairly sizable hit in 1990, especially since Pretty Woman had recently turned Julia Roberts into a bankable star. But like much of director Joel Schumacher's work, it's undoubtedly a product of its time and typical of the type of high-concept horror favored by major studios, featuring a beautiful cast with great hair who normally wouldn't be caught dead dabbling in the genre.

While I've never run into anyone who didn't enjoy it in the moment, Flatliners was never one of those films people felt compelled to revisit. Hence, there's no cult following or nostalgic reverence. No one kicking around in the 90s has later been heard to exclaim, "Finally! Flatliners on Blu-Ray!"

Big hair saves lives.

However, I don't think this new disc (a Steelbook edition from Mill Creek Entertainment) is really aimed at them. It's for those who may have actually forgotten all about the film until news of a new one reared its head: "Flatliners? Didn't I see that once? I seem to remember it was pretty good." At least that's what I said when my youngest daughter got excited over the new Flatliners trailer. My reaction piqued her interest in the original, which is arguably the other chief reason for this disc.

So my kids and I watched it together. I had forgotten most of it, including a few sex scenes that briefly made it uncomfortable father-daughter time. Elsewhere, Flatliners is arguably the most 80s movie that wasn't actually released in that decade. Its glossy production, sexy sci-fi/horror concept and hot ensemble cast make it play more like Young Guns & The Lost Boys than any serious exploration of what lies beyond death. And that's just fine, because it's still fairly enjoyable in the moment.

Aside from a DVD and digital copy, this Blu-Ray doesn't boast any extras. None of the previous ones did either, so if you're that one fan who's been waiting for the definitive version, you probably already have it. It's a attractively packaged, though, with new artwork and the text printed on a transparent slipcase.

EXTRA KIBBLES

None

KITTY CONSENSUS:

NOT BAD...LIKE CAT CHOW

Blu-Ray Review: TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Josh Duhamel, Laura Haddock, Anthony Hopkins, Stanley Tucci, Isabela Moner, Jerrod Carmichael, Santiago Cabera, John Turturo, Glenn Morshower, Liam Garrigan. Directed by Michael Bay. (2017, 154 min).

PARAMOUNT

I'm pretty certain if you were to remove any scenes of exposition, only the most hard-core fan could differentiate one Transformers movie from another. Such an assertion could be considered praise or condemnation, depending on one's taste. After all, I enjoyed the Final Destination series, but concede it's essentially the same story over and over again.

After an admittedly intriguing prologue - during King Arthur's crusade - that briefly suggests Michael Bay and company might actually try something different, Transformers: The Last Knight returns to business as usual: Two-and-a-half butt-numbing hours of massive destruction, logistically impossible action, seizure inducing editing, a growing cast of superfluous supporting characters (Anthony Hopkins? Really, sir?) and, of course, plenty of Autobots spouting eye-rolling wisecracks.

"Hey...does this look infected?"

I expected all this coming in, but it remains perplexing that, after five movies, Bay - director of all of them -  hasn't come up with anything new to do with this so-called saga. I've done my fare share of Bay bashing over the years and am certainly not a fan, but he has demonstrated flashes of real narrative skill now and again, such as the under-appreciated 13 Hours and the morbidly amusing Pain and Gain. Even in The Island, Bay spent a significant amount of time on the film's themes and characters before igniting his usual visual bombast.

But in the Transformers business (I think business is the right word), Bay treats every action sequence like the climax of a 4th of July fireworks show, overwhelming the viewer with so much hyperkinetic eye candy that it's frustratingly impossible to take it all in. Yet ironically, despite the best CGI money can buy, the special effects call way too much attention to themselves to ever be really convincing. And because these scenes go on forever, they become repetitive & boring. I ended up repeatedly skipping back to catch what I missed because I kept nodding off.

Sir Hopkins takes his tank for a walk.

Acting in a Transformers movie must be as thankless as being the bass player in Metallica. You don't serve a hell of a lot of purpose other than reacting to the action while dodging flying robot appendages. At the same time, I'm continually staggered by the caliber of talent who shows up in these things, and the list just keeps getting bigger. Here, only Stanley Tucci - in a blink-and-you'll-miss-him cameo - rises above the material to give the film's best performance. As for Wahlberg...he does what he does best, which is be Mark Wahlberg, who's admittedly more enjoyable than Shia LaBeouf on a good day. At first, I assumed Anthony Hopkins simply agreed to lend his respected name for an amusing cameo (like Helen Mirren did in Fate of the Furious). But no, it's actually a major role, so maybe those Hannibal Lecter residual checks have finally stopped rolling in.

But I'm fully aware criticizing a movie like Transformers: The Last Knight is an exercise in futility. It isn't intended for people who still cynically bother to question how these machines could even exist in the first place, or who would bother to build them. It's for those who simply want the same over-the-top spectacle they've enjoyed since 2007. After all, I wouldn't want the Final Destination films to skimp on the gore to become character studies. On the other hand, their utter sameness is also why I stopped seeing them in theaters after the second one. Maybe that's one of the reasons The Last Knight wasn't the same box office juggernaut as the others. Still, if you liked the previous films, there's no reason you won't enjoy this one.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES: "Merging Mythologies: The Secret Transformers History"; "Climbing the Ranks: Military Training"; "The Royal Treatment: Transformers in the UK"; "Alien Landscape: Cybertron"; "One More Giant Effin' Movie" (sure it is); "Motors and Magic"

DVD & DIGITAL COPIES

KITTY CONSENSUS:

MEH...SAME OL' KIBBLES

(THOUGH SOME MAY SEE THAT AS A POSITIVE) 

Blu-Ray Review: THE ILLUSTRATED MAN

Starring Rod Steiger, Claire Bloom, Robert Drivas, Don Dubbins, Jason Evers. Directed by Jack Smight. (1969, 103 min).

WARNER ARCHIVE

The Illustrated Man is a sci-fi anthology film based on stories from a book by Ray Bradbury. I vaguely recall it popping up on TV when I was a kid, somewhat floored by the twist ending of the third and final segment. Without giving too much away, I never gave the film another thought until years later, when I first watched The Mist.

No, I don't believe director Frank Darabont consciously ripped-off Bradbury when adapting King's novel, but I'll bet he once read the original story ("The Last Night of the World") or saw this film.

Reviewing The Illustrated Man on Blu-Ray, I was soon struck with another thought (aside from the opinion that it hasn't aged very well): The first segment, "The Veldt," is a futuristic tale about two parents with growing concern over what their children are doing in their "nursery," a VR room that operates very much like the Holodeck in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Not to say Gene Roddenberry is a plagiarist, but the concepts are remarkably similar.

Just sayin'.

As for the film itself, The Illustrated Man is definitely a product of its hippy-dippy decade. It looks, sounds and plays like a bizarre made-for-TV movie from the late 60s. And if you can imagine what The Twilight Zone would've been like if Rod Serling & Richard Matheson passed the bong around before hitting their typewriters, you'll have a good idea of the type of trippy tales in store. The segments themselves aren't bad. Of the three, "The Last Night of the World," is the best story, while "The Long Rain" is the most visually interesting (Planet of the Apes fans might even recognize the spaceship). Rod Steiger and Claire Bloom are featured in all three (playing different characters). Co-star Robert Drivas has supporting roles in two of them.

Here you go, ladies.

The wrap-around story, however, is awful. Again we have Steiger, practically gnashing the scenery as Carl, who's been tattooed from head to tow by a mysterious woman he claims is a time traveler, and his "skin illustrations" are actually visions of the future. When he isn't regaling a young drifter, Willie, with tales behind the tats (the aforementioned segments), Carl behaves like a psychotic vagrant, screaming, ranting and repeatedly removing his shirt (and Steiger ain't exactly known for his physique). He also has a small dog he keeps in a bag (!), which he yells at almost as often as he does Willie, who does little but look dumbfounded by it all. Maybe these wraparound segments make more sense if you're high, but they seem to go on forever without having anything relevant to say. That time would have been put to better use with another classic story from Bradbury's original book.

Still, you don't have to let it sink the entire film. That's why God gave us the skip button. The three tales themselves aren't life-changing, but worth checking out at least once. The Illustrated Man hasn't aged well at all, but it arguably presented a few of Bradbury's nifty ideas decades before more renowned folks claimed them as their own.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTE: "Tattooed Steiger" - a vintage short about the process of drawing the tattoos on the actor.

TRAILER (which is nearly as bizarre as the movie)

KITTY CONSENSUS:

NOT BAD...LIKE LSD-LACED CAT CHOW

Movie News: AMITYVILLE: THE AWAKENING on Google Play 10/12, Select Theaters 10/28

AVAILABLE FOR FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME EXCLUSIVELY ON GOOGLE PLAY STARTING OCTOBER 12, 2017

IN SELECT THEATERS OCTOBER 28, 2017 

EVERY HOUSE HAS A HISTORY. THIS ONE HAS A LEGEND.

Forty years later, something is stirring again as a new family moves into 112 Ocean Avenue in AMITYVILLE: THE AWAKENING, the terrifying revival of the popular franchise. The film will debut exclusively for free for a limited time on Google Play on October 12, 2017 and will also be released by Dimension Films in select theaters on October 28, 2017.

Written and directed by Franck Khalfoun (MANIAC, P2), the film stars Bella Thorne (FAMOUS IN LOVE, SCREAM, SHAKE IT UP), Oscar nominee Jennifer Jason Leigh (THE HATEFUL EIGHT, ANOMALISA, SINGLE WHITE FEMALE), Cameron Monaghan (SHAMELESS, GOTHAM, THE GIVER, VAMPIRE ACADEMY), Taylor Spreitler (MELISSA & JOEY, DAYS OF OUR LIVES), Mckenna Grace (GIFTED, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR) and Jennifer Morrison (ONCE UPON A TIME).

AMITYVILLE: THE AWAKENING was produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions (GET OUT, THE PURGE, INSIDIOUS, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY), Daniel Farrands (THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT) and Casey La Scala (DONNIE DARKO, THE REMAINING).

The film follows Belle (Bella Thorne) and her family after they move into their new home, but when strange phenomena begin to occur in the house, Belle begins to suspect her mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) isn’t telling her everything. She soon realizes they just moved into the infamous Amityville house where between illusion and reality lies evil.

Visit GOOGLE PLAY

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