The Simpsons Season 12: DVD Review

The Simpsons Season 12: DVD Review

Simpsons Season 12
Cast: Erm, Homer, Maggie, Bart, Lisa, Marge, the cast of Springfield
Rating: M
Roadshow Entertainment
What can you say about the Simpsons?
It's been going for 2 decades now - and many feel the episodes starting to hit a bit of a creative rot somewhere around Season 6.
But these semi regular complete season releases are far from rot.
Lavishly put together, this latest release with Comic Book Guy glaring from the cover, sees the Springfield gang for yet another year's worth of gags, stupidity and general mirth.
The Twelfth Season has packed in 21 episodes - all of which have commentary on them (a rare feat for a season release - after all it's a lot of viewing at 22 minutes a time) which renders each episode a multi layered gem - not only do you get to see the Simpsons in action, the insights give you a chance to enjoy the episode again.
This year sees some classic moments - such as HOMR, wherein the lovable dolt Homer finds out the cause of his stupidity over the years has been due to a crayon lodged in his brain. He consequently has it removed and bonds with his daughter Lisa but starts to doubt his own happiness - truly Homer's never been doused in so much pathos.
Then at the other end of the spectrum, Homer ends up dishing celebrity gossip on his computer while masquerading as Mr X - only once he realizes his exposes have only gone so deep, he begins to make it up (a cautionary tale to all who use the web methinks)
Trilogy of Error sees the Simpsons approach one day from 3 different perspectives; dolphins take over the world in Treehouse of Horror XI, Comic Book guy suffers a heart attack in Worst Episode Ever; the creativeness of the writers is endless in Season 12.
But if the episodes never quite reach the pinnacle of a gag a minute, then the same can't be said of The Simpsons The Twelfth Season set itself.
Gorgeously packaged in the style of a comic book, this set oozes quality for fans of the genre - from the opening animated menus which see the characters waiting to get autographs at a convention run by Comic Book Guy (hence why he's on the cover), it's clear those behind the release have pulled out all the stops for the fans once again.
The wealth of extras guarantees something for every fan of America's favourite family - for fans of the animation, you get behind the scenes access to the drawings which form the episodes, the opportunity to see sketch galleries and how they translated to the screen; it's truly a collector's dream.
Perhaps the nicest extra is the Global Fanfest which sees the writers quizzed on their own show (they don't get everything right) and you can also watch a live orchestra playing the music of certain scenes from the show.
It's the plethora of extras which make this set essential for the true dyed in the wool Simpsons fan - while the family can enjoy the 21 episodes, the true fanatic can delve into a world beyond the TV show and once again revel in the creativity and depth of extras that the Simpsons has to offer.
The only minor gripe is the inner packaging makes it difficult to get the DVDs out without destroying the spines of the beautiful folds - but it's a fan complaint more than anything.
Just make sure you have plenty of time to spare - because you'll be immersed in this set before you realize where the time has gone.
Extras (Too many to list here) - includes Special introduction from Matt Groening, Commentaries on every Episode with actors, writers and directors, Deleted scenes, The commercials, Original sketches, and Comic Book Guy - Best. Moments.Ever

Rating: 9/10

Appaloosa: DVD Review

Appaloosa: DVD Review

Appaloosa
Cast: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Lance Henriksen
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Based on a book by crime writer Robert B Parker, comes Ed Harris' second directorial effort.
Appaloosa is set in the small western town of the same name, where Bragg (Jeremy Irons) is terrorizing the town having dispatched the local sheriff and his deputies.
One day, a pair of peacekeepers known as Hitch and Cole (Mortensen and Harris) ride into town and promise to restore law and order to Appaloosa and track down the killer in return for complete control.
After an initial confrontation, both Hitch and Cole find themselves tested by Bragg's men - and Cole in particular is tested (in a good way) by the arrival of Allie French (Renee Zellweger) with whom he begins a relationship.
However, after getting Bragg tried and convicted, things don't run quite as smoothly for the trio as perhaps they should - and it seems as if Bragg's influence hasn't been shaken as easily as they had expected.
Appaloosa is an odd sort of film - it takes a while to ease into its groove and some may find it a bit slow to get going. It's not your usual Western as well - there's a lot more character driven material than you'd expect and quite a quirky interplay between Cole and Hitch which errs into deadpan comedy at times.
But it's the relationships which keep this story going - and stop you from losing interest - if it's an old school western you're after with guns and shootings and stand offs, then there's a few here - and yet, the stand offs, while tense, end pretty quickly and brutally (the deaths of the sheriff at the start is over as quickly as it takes Bragg the time to draw his gun).
Cole and Hitch's relationship in particular is based on a long standing acquaintance and is at times reminiscent of the kind of banter and reactions you'd expect from a cop film - or a buddy movie.
There's some nice touches here and there which are scattered through the film (the bad guy's arrested coming out of a toilet) but overall, Appaloosa ever so slightly disappoints as its never really hits a high - it's got a good solid performance from its ensemble cast (particularly Lance Henriksen) but unfortunately it never helps it into the classic western category - rather more the curio category.
A smattering of extras include a commentary by Ed Harris, some additional scenes, and a quartet of featurettes.
Rating: 6/10

Is Anybody There? Movie Review

Is Anybody There? Movie Review

Rating 6/10
Cast: Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey
Director: John Crowley
1980s England - and in the stifling atmosphere of an old people's home, we find death and dementia not too far away.
10-year-old Edward (Bill Milner) lives in the care home run by his parents - but to get by on a daily basis, Edward has a morbid fascination with death (perhaps inevitably given where he lives 24-7)
Obsessed by the final moments of some of the residents, Edward spends his time recording their last dying breaths in an attempt to find out what comes after.
One day, while out walking and listening to the exit of an elderly resident on a pair of headphones, he's nearly run over by Michael Caine's ancient magician Clarence.
After this initially frosty meeting Clarence checks into the rest home - and after Clarence succumbs to his suicidal thoughts, Edward is drawn to him as he realizes that he is the only person to have experienced near death - and he could hold the answers to many of the questions Edward's been after.
An uneasy friendship grows and the pair both learn to rage against the dying of the light.
Is Anybody There? is a tear-jerker in parts - but it avoids you rushing for the tissues because of the towering performance of Michael Caine.
Once again, Caine manages to turn what could have been a fairly mawkish script into some truly emotive moments - there's pathos in spades here as Clarence first visits the home; he's shocked to realize that he will ultimately end up here but too weary to fight against the inevitability of his condition.
In any other actor's hands these moments could have been trite and overplayed for tears - but Caine makes Clarence relatable as he begins to wallow in a sea of regret and cantankerousness as he begins his descent down into senility and the grave.
Bill Milner's Edward isn't a bad performance - while his morbid fascination and depressing endless questioning is a product of where he's been brought up, the sense of playfulness and earnest desire to learn about the afterlife and find some meaning in the world make the character rise above what could have been a tearful, doleful mire.
The only unwelcome note in Is Anybody There? is the family marriage melodrama which blights the final portion of the film - it's an unnecessary footnote to what's gone before and seems an unwelcome bookend to the drama (although it's almost forgiven because there's a nice pay off right to the central story at the end.)

Is Anybody There? may be predictable in parts but it's the pivotal performance of Michael Caine and a vein of black humour throughout as both Clarence and Edward tackle the reality of old age and regret which make it just rise above what could nearly have dragged it down.

The September Issue: Movie review

The September Issue: Movie review

The September Issue
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, Sienna Miller
Director: R J Cutler

Vogue's September issue of 2007 was, as editor Anna Wintour proclaimed, the biggest ever. Over 13 million copies of the two kilogram tome were sold.

The September Issue chronicles the intensive process of putting the fashion bible together. But much more pertinently, it offers exclusive access into the hallowed halls of Vogue - the very offices notoriously fictionalised in The Devil Wears Prada in 2006.

You won't see traces of Meryl Streep's defiant Miranda Priestly here. Vogue's infamous editor, Anna Wintour, is a whippet of a thing. She observes those around her behind thick curtains of hair and only her sharp eyes and sly grin belie her incisive intelligence. She approaches her work clinically, culling collections and dismissing models in typically decisive style.

Faced with Wintour's reserve, director R.J Cutler frequently turns to Wintour's colleague, creative director Grace Coddington, to reveal Wintour's character. Coddington has by her own admission earned her place at Vogue and isn't concerned with venting her frequent frustrations. It's Grace who we empathise with when her meticulously planned shoots are dismissed with the wave of a carefully manicured hand.

Grace is the exception to the Vogue rule. Wintour surrounds herself with those who will not test her resolve, who respect the power she wields. It's easy to forget that the journalists and stylists at Vogue are at the top of their field, such is their desperation to appease her. As Grace deftly observes of a male colleague, "He won't say what he thinks in case he gets it wrong."

This is however a rare moment of cynicism. The September Issue is an 88-minute slice of Vogue life, from the often comical fashion shoots, to cover-shoot wrangling and the editing process.

Those expecting a real life The Devil Wears Prada may be disappointed as Wintour has no intention of allowing Cutler to create an expose of Vogue. Instead, she offers a peek into her world without revealing anything of herself - no surprise given she is the matriarch in a world concerned with facades.

Up: Movie Review

Up: Movie Review

Rating: 7/10
Voice Cast: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo, Jerome Ranft, John Ratzenberger
Director: Pete Docter
A Pixar film is always a joy to behold.
You know that animators have spent hours poring over every frame, ensuring every pixel is in place and every moment is perfectly crafted.
But with the level of excellence continuing to rise each time, it's inevitable somewhere that one film will fail to meet the mark.
That's not 100% the case with Up - but the problem with Pixar films, is you inevitably hold them to account with their predecessors.
And in this case, it was the fabulous combo that was Presto, the short tale about a magician's rabbit - and Wall-E, the robot.
Up is the tale of Carl Fredericksen, who, in the twilight years of his life, after realizing he never followed his (and his wife Ellie's dream) of taking a trip to Paradise Falls in South America, decides to do something about it.
So with the bulldozers literally knocking at his door to make way for a development, Carl unveils a roof full of balloons and heads for the skies as he relocates for good.
The trouble is, just prior to his leaving, Carl was visited by Wilderness Explorer, Russell, who's trying to earn his final badge - for helping the elderly - and who was near the house when it took to the skies.
With his unwanted companion, Carl and Russell head off for adventure - even if Carl doesn't want it.
Along the way, the duo cross paths with disgraced explorer Charles Muntz, who's trying to prove he's not a liar to the exploring world by trapping a rare bird and taking it back to civilization.
Will Carl sacrifice his dream to get involved in Russell's new quest?
Up is quite an adult tale - it's a yarn about accepting what's in your backyard and living life to the full; it has a winsome quality and has some truly touching moments.
The first sequence which fully illustrates Carl's life with Ellie before the present day is just beautiful, emotionally stunning. Quite how a 3 minute sequence of animation can reduce this reviewer to near tears is a testament to the human touch these computer animators haven't lost.
But I didn't feel the resolute joy with the rest of Up that I have done with similar Pixar releases - whether it's because this story didn't resonate with me, I don't know exactly how to pinpoint what it was- certainly there's no qualms about the animation and inventiveness on screen.
That said, I do love the fact that Carl loses his purpose in his life after the loss of Ellie - a rare quality for an animated film to portray - and by relocating and following what were his family's dreams, he rediscovers who exactly he is.
Up may not appeal across the spectrum too - it's very wordy at the start (so much so, one poor little darling in the screening shouted "Boring") and there's very little real action until the final 30 minutes of the film - but it's the closest Pixar have ever really gotten to reality - and for that it deserves to be treasured.

However, for every moment of minor misses, there are 1001 visually stunning moments on Up - and at the end of the day, when you're watching animation on the bigscreen, sometimes it's more than enough to simply look up and be impressed.

Due South: Season 3: DVD Review

Due South: Season 3: DVD Review

Due South Series 3
Starring: Paul Gross, Callum Keith Rennie, David Marciano, Leslie Nielsen, Gordon Pinsent
Rating: M
Released by Madman Entertainment.
Cult shows from my youth don't come finer than this - or is it just nostalgia?
Back in the mid 90s, I remember stumbling across Due South, the comedy crime drama series which saw a Canadian Mountie Benton Fraser (Paul Gross) head across the border to Chicago to track his father's killer.
Paired with a cynical cop Ray Vecchio (David Marciano), Fraser, along with his deaf wolf Diefenbaker and dead father who haunted him from the next world, had a series of adventures and cracked crime on the way.
It was quirky, offbeat and centred around the good nature of the Canadian Mountie who used his manners (oft found saying Thank You Kindly) to appeal to the better nature of the crims involved.
Due South Volume 3 collects together the final 26 episodes of the show's last two seasons which brought the curtain down on the gang.
But the last season was a tumultuous one - dumped from US TV because it bombed in the ratings, this Canadian dramedy (created by Paul Haggis who wrote Crash and Million Dollar Baby) did phenomenally well abroad and that saw it commissioned for a final run by a multi national conglomerate of partners (including the BBC).
In its final year, the original Ray Vecchio went undercover, leaving Fraser with a new partner Stanley Kowalski (Callum Keith Rennie, recently seen in Battlestar Galactica and Case 39 on the big screen) who had to adapt to Fraser's way of working.
The joke with Due South has always been a sly nod and wink to the ongoing relationship between the Canadians and the Americans - with the USA seeing them as being a bit slow and Canada exploiting this to their own ends.
Those quirks continue in Series 3 - and finally wraps up some of the long running plot threads - including the riddle of the murder of Fraser's mother.
It's fair to say the cracks were starting to show in the production of the show's final year - and while the partnership between Kowalski and Fraser works well, it never really transcends the tenderness between Vecchio and Fraser which gave the series so much of its appeal. However, that said, it still remains a rare show in that it has family values (which are never preached) and can be watched by all.
The 7 disc set itself is a bit of a mixed bag - it would have been great to have some form of extras or perhaps a doco which show why Due South is so loved nearly 10 years after its release - instead, there's nothing but the bumper 26 episodes (along with Leslie Nielsen's flatulent Mountie Buck Frobisher).
And while that's great, it's just a shame the show which is ardently cared for by fans who view it isn't given the send off that it deserves.
Still, it is great to be able to have the final set released after a long, long wait.
To Madman, I say: Thank you, kindly.

Rating: 7/10

The Soloist: Movie Review

The Soloist: Movie Review

Rating: 6/10
Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander
Director: Joe Wright
Robert Downey Jr plays LA Times columnist Steve Lopez in this true life story about Nathaniel Ayers (played by Jamie Foxx), a musical prodigy whose life didn't go the way he was expecting.
Ayers was on course to make a splash in the music world and was studying at the prestigious Julliard school of music when he developed schizophrenia and ended up homeless on the streets of downtown LA.
Lopez was the journalist who, amid the possibility of cuts on the LA Times and reporter lay offs, ended up finding Ayers (after looking for a story) and forming a friendship with him.
The Soloist is their story - and details the highs and lows of living with mental illness.
Both Downey Jr and Foxx are pretty damn good in their respective roles - Downey Jr continues to cement his reputation as a comeback king with this role which is imbued with humanity and warmth; Foxx manages to expertly convey the reality of living with the condition of paranoid schizophrenia - but it's director Joe Wright who somehow manages to fudge this film and stops it from soaring (even though it does feel at times like a showreel for the 2010 Oscars)
Whereas there are subtle moments which show the toll an illness takes on those around them, there are some moments where it feels like Wright's direction is beating you over the head with a hammer to make a point.
At one key juncture, Ayers is shown to be consumed by his music and transported by his passion (he views Beethoven's music as a series of coloured dots dancing on the black screen) - these are the moments which make you appreciate what Ayers' character is truly like- as opposed to a scene where Ayers is playing cello and a pair of birds soar through the sky and swoop back and forth amongst the cityscapes.
It's at times like that that Joe Wright manages to plumb the stereotypes and drag the overall film down.
It's a very human approach to schizophrenia and manages to work because it doesn't show Lopez having all the answers (and even struggling to realize what exactly he's got himself into)- in fact one of the key moments sees a social worker telling Downey Jr's character that Ayers doesn't need curing or help, he simply needs a friend.
Lopez is an odd character - he simply befriends Ayers to start off with because it makes good copy and sells papers as well as filling column inches - and at times, he manages to come across as naïve as he suggests Ayers needs medicating.
On reflection though, it occurs to me that Lopez's reactions are those of every human being who's a little uneducated to what they've witnessed.
Foxx is heartbreaking to watch as the demons start to set in while at college - these scenes are effective as the whispering voices nag at him and start to overwhelm him.
Even in his moments of clarity, Ayers is still dangerously close to the edge - and Foxx manages to convey it in a haunting and affecting way.

It's thanks to the virtuoso performances of the two lead actors that this film manages to succeed - but it's sadly due to the director that it doesn't soar as much as perhaps it should.