DVD/Blu-Ray
Movies
The Good Dinosaur – The Good Dinosaur is the latest Pixar animated film about an alternate timeline where the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs completely missed and dinosaurs continued to be the top organisms on the planet. What’s not readily apparent from the trailer is that the timeline is supposed to be roughly equivalent to our own present. Basically millions of years of evolution is what’s to blame for the stylistic (and sometimes derpy) looking and talking dinosaurs. After a rainstorm separates the Apatosaurus Arlo when he falls into the river from the rest of this family, Arlo is helped by a human boy named Spot to search for Arlo’s lost family. The movie is basically a western style boy and his dog movie and its many associated tropes while ignoring the greater questions that The Good Dinosaur brings up as to what the rest of the Dinosaur civilization might be like.
The Good Dinosaur has a troubled production history at Pixar. Originally scheduled for November 2013 with a completely different voice cast including Bill Hader, Judy Greer, Lucas Neff, John Lithgow, Frances McDormand, and Neil Patrick Harris. However, The Good Dinosaur was delayed several times and switched its released date with Finding Dory once John Lasseter and others at Pixar stepped in and completely reworked the production and significantly changed the story from what it originally was, to what it is today. Because of the changes involved and having to re-record almost the entire movie on a delayed schedule, The Good Dinosaur has its current cast with only Frances McDormand remaining from what was original cast. Stars Raymond Ochoa, Jack Bright, Sam Elliott, Anna Paquin, A. J. Buckley, Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand, Marcus Scribner, Maleah Padilla, and Steve Zahn. Directed by Peter Sohn. Rated PG.
Moonwalkers – A comedy based on the conspiracy that the Moon Landing was filmed by Stanley Kubrick. A CIA Agent, unable to locate Stanley Kubrick himself, teams up with a rock band manager to film their own version of the moon landing. Stars Ron Perlman, Rupert Grint, and Robert Sheehan. Rated R.
Secret in Their Eyes – The Secret in their Eyes is actually an English remake of a 2009 Oscar-winning Argentinian film based on the book La pregunta de sus ojos. 13 years ago, a pair of FBI investigators, Jess and Ray, discover a body that turns out to be the body of Jess’ daughter. They are forced to let their suspect go when they learn he’s an informant for the US Government. But Ray, ever vigilant, discovers a lead about their killer and tries to track them down to give closer to Jess but then discovers that all might not be as it seems for both of them. Stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Dean Norris, Michael Kelly, Joe Cole, and Alfred Molina. Directed by Billy Ray. Rated PG-13.
My All American – The smallest release of the week, My All American is based on the true story of Freddie Steinmark who played football at University of Texas, Austin for a championship season before getting diagnosised with cancer and having his leg amputated in the early 1970s then passed away. The movie comes out at the same time of a new book called Freddie Steinmark: Faith, Family, Football but for those outside of sports like myself, I found it entertaining I had to search deeper to see what the film is actually about because the summaries give nothing, and while Aaron Eckhart is on the posters, he plays Coach Darrell Royal and has very little to do with the movie. Stars Aaron Eckhart, Finn Wittrock, Robin Tunney, Sarah Bolger, Robin Tunney, Michael Reilly Burke. Directed by Angelo Pizzo. Rated PG.
Spotlight – A film about the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team and their investigation into child sex abuse by Catholic priests in the Boston area and the systematic cover up in the United States. The film has been nominated for 6 different Academy Awards for 2015. Stars Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, and Stanley Tucci. Rated R.
TV
Doctor Who: The Husbands of River Song – The latest Doctor Who Christmas Special with Alex Kingston returning as River Song, who doesn’t recognize the Doctor’s latest incarnation. Not Rated.
Cartoon/Anime
The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar – The return of the Lion King with the series premiere (this includes the first two episodes) as the heretofore unmentioned son of Nala and Simba as he becomes the leader of the Lion Guard, and being the only lion in it. Krista would kill me if I didn’t include this even though not the best value for only 44 minutes. Not Rated.
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! – Season One Part One – This weird version that looks like an abomination of Scooby-Doo exists and sadly replaced Mystery Incorporated which was far better. Not Rated.
Tokyo ESP – A dubbed release from Funimation about a poor high school girl gains the power to pass through solid objects when she sees a penguin and a school of fish flying in the sky. With the help of another boy who witnessed the same thing and also has a new power, they fight people who use their abilities for evil. Not Rated.
No-Rin: The Complete Series – A second dubbed release from Funimation this week! A teen country boy obsessed with a female teen idol he adores is overjoyed when she starts to attend his high school out in the country. Not Rated.
X-Ray & Vav: Seasons 1 & 2 – Crap superheroes try to save the day in another cartoon series created by RoosterTeeth here in Texas. Not Rated.
Video Games
Far Cry Primal – The newest Far Cry game but this time set in 10,000 BC and with no guns. Take that as you will. Available for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Rated M for Mature.
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