The good news: That gives newbies plenty of time to catch up. True, that’s no salve for the chapped hides of fans, but season four, now on Blu-ray and DVD, was so splendidly rich, a revisit is worth the effort. Plus, once 2012 comes around, you may need the refresher. “Mad Men”’s fourth year — […]
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Posted inMusic
South spark
“Is that what Oklahoma sounds like these days?” he yelled. Yes, it is. Held March 15-17, the first official SXSW showcase for Oklahoma bands, sponsored in large part by the Oklahoma Film & Music Office, went a long way to taking Sooner music out of stereotypes and into reality in listeners’ minds. From the Ramones-esque […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Alien 2: On Earth
Not a sequel, but an unabashed rip-off, Italy’s “Alien 2: On Earth” — or “Alien 2: Sulla Terra,” as the untranslated credits read — takes the Hollywood concept from outer space to an underground cave, some 150 feet below Earth’s surface. There reside blue, breathing rock/egg-like things containing slimy pink creatures able to rip your […]
Posted inArts & Culture
One Week
“How many stages are there?” he asks, not quite comprehending the severity of the situation. “Four,” replies the doc. Ben’s first instinct is to cancel his upcoming wedding to Samantha (Liane Balaban of “Last Chance Harvey,” looking like a taller, thicker-browed Natalie Portman). His second, taking advice from a disposable coffee cup, is to ride […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
Given its success, a sequel was inevitable. Given how quickly its stars are aging, however, a sequel was also rushed. The one-year-later result is “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules.” While it’s still enjoyable and full of goodwill, the quick production schedule shows in the seams. Whereas the original focused on Greg Hefley’s (Zachary […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Resident
And yet that’s just what her supposedly brilliant ER doctor character does in “The Resident,” a thriller barely released in theaters last month. There’s good reason for that: It won’t raise your pulse a single beat. The relaunch of the iconic Hammer Films brand got off to a great start last fall — at least […]
Posted inArts & Culture
In Plain Sight: Season Three
And it’s better than “Monk” was. Sacrilege, you say? Tough. Monk was one character I could not get behind. But Mary Shannon? Totally. It helps — considerably — that she’s played by Mary McCormack, who’s good in everything and cute as the proverbial button. She deserves plaudits that her cable peers regularly get for work […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Galaxina / The Crater Lake Monster
“Galaxina” and “The Crater Lake Monster.” Yet here they are, hand in hand, forever preserved in a “Science Fiction Double Feature” from Mill Creek Entertainment. These are the kind of movies I’d never buy separately, but stick them together in one value package, and my Visa card’s already whipped out of the wallet. “Galaxina” was […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection
This is the one time I hope you didn’t take my advice, because now the glorious package is on Blu-ray. You essentially get the same thing: 14 films spread across five discs, only in the best possible resolution home-video technology has to offer. OK, now you can take my advice: Buy this one instead. You’ve […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Scar 3D
Admittedly unconventional per Hollywood terms, she’s like the thinking man’s Jamie Lee Curtis. Same goes for “Scar 3D,” a 2007 indie just now hitting Blu-ray and DVD from Phase 4 Films. Is it great? No. But for those drawn to such plasma-plastered efforts, it’s good enough. Not even really front-and-center until the second half, Bettis […]