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Less filling than our full-length reviews but still informative, our DVD capsule reviews offer technical and supplemental information for each release, along with a quick look at whether the title is any good and/or entertaining or enjoyable.
Released in 1984 and directed by Neal Israel, who co-wrote the script with Pat Proft (they collectively wrote some of the "Police Academy" pictures), the film was a big hit among teen and early twenty-something males, no doubt due to its raunchy and sophomoric, party-hearty antics as well as the many scantily clad and/or nude women. While relatively tame compared to much of today's similarly based comedies, the film offers a few laughs, and is interesting to watch simply due to the presence of Hanks in his second starring role ("Splash" was released earlier that same year). Beyond that, however, it's really not that good, unless you currently fall into that never changing target demographic. Other than Hanks, who still somewhat shows his growing pains here of moving from TV ("Bosom Buddies") to the big screen, the rest of the acting is mediocre at best, and often quite awful (even for a stupid comedy). With a low budget look and feel (the post-production dialogue dubbing is often atrocious) and an inane script and related characters, the film may be interesting to those curious about Hanks' early film career, but even he's probably embarrassed about this one.
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Length: 110 minutes
Screen Formats: 1.33:1 (Full Screen) Languages: English Subtitles: English Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Sides: 1 |
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An equal balance of "scary" and not-so-frightening clips of Steve and Terri Irwin's encounters with various animals, the disc contains some amazing video footage, particularly that of Steve nearly becoming a croc's next meal. Designed to educate and entertain kids (and adults, for that matter) simultaneously, the release would be a decent addition to a family's home video library as most everyone in the family will probably find it interesting, if not harrowing at times.
Crocodile Hunter's Croc Files (Volume 1) is now available for purchase by clicking here.
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Length: 94 minutes
Screen Formats: 1.85:1, 16x9, Full Screen (Pan & Scan) Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Thai Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Sides: 1 |
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Marking the Muppets third outing in theaters (after 1979's "The Muppet Movie" and it 1981 sequel, "The Great Muppet Caper"), this 1984 musical - like its Jim Henson created predecessors -- may have been the kid-based inspiration for Disney's animated musicals that followed several years later ("The Little Mermaid" being the first of a long line of such films).
Rebounding from the somewhat disappointing second film, this picture was helmed by director Frank Oz (who created, operated and voiced the Muppets on both "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show") who made his big screen debut with this effort, returning the characters and story to what had worked so well for years.
Featuring plenty of fun and bouncy musical numbers, numerous human performances and cameo roles by the likes of Dabney Coleman, Gregory Hines, Liza Minnelli and even former NY Mayor Ed Koch, and standard issue but rather enjoyable Muppet-style humor, this is the sort of film that kids will find highly entertaining and parents will love for that and will probably enjoy watching with them.
The Muppets Take Manhattan is now available for purchase by clicking here.
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Length: 105 minutes
Screen Formats: 1.85:1 Languages: English, French Subtitles: English, Spanish Sound: Dolby Digital 5.0 Sides: 1 |
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When Guy injects an upbeat rhythm into lead singer Jimmy's (Jonathan Schaech) ballad, the song's undeniable pop power flings the Wonders into a brief whirlwind of success, telling the tale of many American bands who attempted to grab the brass ring of rock and roll in the wake of the British invasion. Also starring Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry, Liv Tyler and Tom Hanks as the band's manager, Mr. White.
This is a wonderfully upbeat movie that showcases and adds the title of director and screenwriter to Tom Hanks' increasingly impressive repertoire. Creating little touches and nuances for the characters and scenes, Hanks brings a great deal of palatable, yet subtle depth to the production, all of which simply makes the film that much more enjoyable. Of course, a nostalgic look at youthful exuberance doesn't hurt either and this movie showcases a time just when America was on the brink of losing its innocence.
The acting's terrific all around, especially from Tom Everett Scott in his first major role that many appropriately equated to the efforts of a young Tom Hanks (who delivers another solid performance himself). Schaech is good as the moody "artist" of the bunch and Tyler is incredibly sweet and gorgeous to behold, but it's Steve Zahn who nearly steals every scene he's in with that enthusiastic zaniness he effortlessly exudes so well
Creating an original song that not only fits in with the period in question, but also happens to be good, is a tough proposition, but Hanks and company did just that with the infectious title track. While you may grow tired of repeatedly hearing it (it's played various times during the film), the upbeat ditty and the rest of the fabricated songs are catchy tunes that will surely have your toes tapping long after you see this delightful picture.
Simply put, this is the sort of entertaining and highly enjoyable film that will put a smile on all but the most hardened of cynics' faces and feels like it gets better with each subsequent viewing. We highly recommend it.
That Thing You Do! is now available for purchase by clicking here.
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