Hollywood Teen’Zine’s junior reporter Natalia also shared her thoughts on the Peanuts Double Feature as she shares her thoughts and giggles in the following YouTube video.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
JAM Reviews Peanuts Double Feature from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment
No Dogs Allowed… Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the gang star in a two-movie DVD release which JAM has reviewed for Hollywood Teen’Zine. Check out JAM’s thoughts on the Peanuts Double Feature right here.
JAM's Review of the Peanuts Double Feature for Hollywood Teen'Zine
HTZ's Natalia Reviews Strawberry Shortcake: Puttin' on the Glitz from American Greetings and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Strawberry Shortcake is back with her brand new release Puttin’ on the Glitz and Hollywood Teen’Zine’s own Natalia is here to share her thoughts on the DVD release right here with another YouTube video.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
JAM Reviews Tangled from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
“Oh what a Tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”
I do not believe Sir Walter Scott had any idea that his quote would be so useful in describing Walt Disney Studios newest release Tangled on Blu-ray, but truly the story lives on the deceptions our main characters live with. Rapunzel deceives her “mother”, Mother Gothel has deceived many people through many years, and Flynn Rider? His name is a deception itself much as the rest of his thieving life. YET throughout all the deceptions, the movie is about family and the quest for so much more than what life has held. But hey, enough about this summary, check out JAM’s full review on Hollywood Teen’Zine right here.
JAM's Tangled Review on Hollywood Teen'Zine
Sunday, March 27, 2011
HTZ's Natalia Reviews Las Estaciones from Whistlefritz
HTZ's Natalia reviews Spanish For Kids Las Estaciones from Whistlefritz. Natalia will take you on a journey to learn about the seasons and expand your Spanish vocabulary.
Friday, March 25, 2011
JAM Reviews A Shine of Rainbows from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
A Shine of Rainbows: DVD: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM
When a young orphan gets a second chance at life, little does he know that his life will change in a myriad of ways in such a short time. When Maire O’Donnell (Connie Nielsen) chooses a young boy named Tomás (John Bell) from the orphanage, his life becomes a brand new adventure. From the magical relationship he finds with his mother Maire to the spiritual relationship with the seals of their cove, everything seems to have turned his way and made his life alongside his new family priceless. But when his adopted mother passes, it is up to Tomás to save his new life and the father Alec (Aidan Quinn) who never truly accepted him. Both the boy and the man find something they needed in each other even with the loss of Maire and their family becomes complete again.
JAMS Ink on A Shine of Rainbows
This was truly an amazing movie. With so much emotion in this movie, it could have easily lost itself and any kind of meaning/story that it was trying to impart. Instead, this story of a boy who has always longed for acceptance, ends up finding it with a mother, dealing with the challenge of a father who has been against him from the beginning is a fantastic masterpiece that holds your heart and your mind as you watch. And it will give you the feeling of completeness and happiness at the end of the film as the father finds the son he needs on the shore of a spiritually charged cove populated by seals, the carriers of messages between us and those lost to us. I HIGHLY recommend this movie for anyone with family and who enjoys emotionally well-done films.
John Bell is an amazing little kid. His conveyance of emotion from the utter highs of his character’s life to the utter lows is amazing throughout the film and our interview on HTZ (here) shows a young actor who is going to go far.
The main actors in this movie messed so well for the story as Connie Nielsen played such an amazing mother with an endless store of energy even as she faced the end before her, Aidan Quinn played the disconnect so well that the tension showed in his dealing with his newly adopted son, and John Bell as discussed
EXTRAS
There is only one extra on the DVD, but it is a good one. A look at the making of the movie called So Many Colours: The Making of A Shine of Rainbows. Behind the scenes’ footage, discussions with those involved, and more makes for a beautiful forty plus minutes of informative goodness on the DVD. From discussions on the location, the script, casting calls and more makes a really cool look into the actual making of the movie.
A Shine of Rainbows will place a lovely light into your heart and soul and shine strongly for all to see. Grab a copy on DVD on March 15, 2011 and shine on.
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
HTZ's Jr. Reporter Natalia's Review of Disney's Tangled
Rapunzel shows off her golden locks on the Blu-Ray and DVD release of Disney's Tangled, available in stores March 29th. Our junior reporter got ahold of an advanced copy of the Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack and shares her thoughts about the movie and bonus features! Watch the video to find out what she thought of this release and be sure to stop by Hollywood Teen'Zine for the latest reviews from Natalia!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
HTZ's Natalia Rocks the Runway at the Nordstrom Spring Fashion Show
HTZ's Junior Reporter Natalia owns the runway in her Oohlala Couture dress and Rockin Diva Couture bow. Check out her adorable moves in the video below.
Friday, March 18, 2011
JAM Reviews Four Lions from Magnolia Home Entertainment
Four Lions: Blu-Ray: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Review by JAM
In a British black comedy from the mind of director Chris Morris, Four Lions examines the lives of five Muslim men who plan on making an impact on British society through the explosive nature of their own deaths.
Five radicalized Muslim men decide to join the fight against the British society they deem as evil and disrupt all that they can in their quest for martyrdom. From the leader Omar (Riz Ahmed) and his not so bright best friend Waj (Kayvan Novak), the token white convert Barry (Nigel Lindsay), bomb maker Faissal (Adeel Akhtar), and the late recruit to the group Hassan (Arsher Ali) each has his quirks and oddities that make them stand out yet blend in with the society of today. But as Four Lions is truly a black comedy, their plans do not reach the outcome they expect. From the crows to the sheep to a Heimlich performer, no one is totally safe from this group especially when they target the London marathon to make their statement. The death toll numbers in the couple as this inept group of friends find themselves fighting for what they think they believe in, but finding doubt in what they are doing to each other.
JAMS Ink on Four Lions
British humor for me can go one of two ways: knockout funny and hard to grasp. Knockout funny was Wild Target, the story of a hitman, a thief, and other undesirables. Four Lions was more of the hard to grasp. The characters covered a number of archetypes that could be found in any country, city, or large group of people which made it touch home. On the same token, the group is so convoluted that failure follows their every move. It is these failures in which the humor takes place whether through the loss of a “trained” crow, the over eager jostling of materials in a walled sheep pen, or the quick actions of a misdirected rocket attack the director seems to make a taboo topic into a satire as much British humor is. I just had a hard time with the British aspects this time.
EXTRAS
Featurettes included on the Blu-ray include deleted scenes which though fairly plentiful really seem to not contribute much overall as well as a couple of featurettes on London and its young Arab males along with an interview with a white Islamic convert about to stand trial. After the seriousness above along with the non-contribution of the deleted scenes, at least there is the behind the scenes look which actually comes off a bit as a gag reel as much as an insightful look behind the scene. I guess the idea of filming a man running as an ostrich is more funny to me than the actual scenes from the movie, but I did enjoy this quite a bit. The behind the scenes look takes in 5 scenes overall and is worth a check. Six panel storyboards for a scene were also shown which can be interesting to the right person and give insight into directorial ideas.
If you are into dark British humor and a look at the idiocies of this group of radicals, Four Lions just might be a movie for you. Check it out on March 8, 2011 when it hits stores near you.
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
Review by JAM
In a British black comedy from the mind of director Chris Morris, Four Lions examines the lives of five Muslim men who plan on making an impact on British society through the explosive nature of their own deaths.
Five radicalized Muslim men decide to join the fight against the British society they deem as evil and disrupt all that they can in their quest for martyrdom. From the leader Omar (Riz Ahmed) and his not so bright best friend Waj (Kayvan Novak), the token white convert Barry (Nigel Lindsay), bomb maker Faissal (Adeel Akhtar), and the late recruit to the group Hassan (Arsher Ali) each has his quirks and oddities that make them stand out yet blend in with the society of today. But as Four Lions is truly a black comedy, their plans do not reach the outcome they expect. From the crows to the sheep to a Heimlich performer, no one is totally safe from this group especially when they target the London marathon to make their statement. The death toll numbers in the couple as this inept group of friends find themselves fighting for what they think they believe in, but finding doubt in what they are doing to each other.
JAMS Ink on Four Lions
British humor for me can go one of two ways: knockout funny and hard to grasp. Knockout funny was Wild Target, the story of a hitman, a thief, and other undesirables. Four Lions was more of the hard to grasp. The characters covered a number of archetypes that could be found in any country, city, or large group of people which made it touch home. On the same token, the group is so convoluted that failure follows their every move. It is these failures in which the humor takes place whether through the loss of a “trained” crow, the over eager jostling of materials in a walled sheep pen, or the quick actions of a misdirected rocket attack the director seems to make a taboo topic into a satire as much British humor is. I just had a hard time with the British aspects this time.
EXTRAS
Featurettes included on the Blu-ray include deleted scenes which though fairly plentiful really seem to not contribute much overall as well as a couple of featurettes on London and its young Arab males along with an interview with a white Islamic convert about to stand trial. After the seriousness above along with the non-contribution of the deleted scenes, at least there is the behind the scenes look which actually comes off a bit as a gag reel as much as an insightful look behind the scene. I guess the idea of filming a man running as an ostrich is more funny to me than the actual scenes from the movie, but I did enjoy this quite a bit. The behind the scenes look takes in 5 scenes overall and is worth a check. Six panel storyboards for a scene were also shown which can be interesting to the right person and give insight into directorial ideas.
If you are into dark British humor and a look at the idiocies of this group of radicals, Four Lions just might be a movie for you. Check it out on March 8, 2011 when it hits stores near you.
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
Friday, March 11, 2011
JAM Reviews 127 Hours from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
127 Hours: Blu-Ray with Digital Copy: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM
What would you do while faced with a life and death situation? What would you be willing to give up if it was the only option and how hard would you be willing to fight for any chance to continue your life? 127 Hours deals with a man Aron Walston (played by James Franco) who literally had to leave a piece of himself behind to save his life and this movie follows the harrowing journey through these 127 Hours.
A daredevil outdoorsman, Aron’s day starts in a way that any man might desire as he heads out to the beautiful canyons in the Utah mountains meeting two beautiful young women (Kate Mara and Amber Tamblyn) who he shares a fun adventure with before continuing on his way alone into the canyons. That is when tragedy strikes as a boulder shifts and traps his arm with no way to escape. The next 127 hours is a testament to the courage of a man who was willing to sacrifice to save himself, even as he was alternately comforted and tormented by dreams and hallucination during his time there.
JAMS Ink on 127 Hours
I often hate real movies. I will be completely honest that when I watch a movie I want to escape the reality that I am in and visit places where I have never been or may never see. This movie is set in reality and I had a bit of a prejudicial mindset when I started this. I was actually completely wrong this time. James Franco plays a character that completely held my attention throughout this movie, even with the reality and morbid realism it shared. I actually highly recommend this movie as watchable and a strong addition to any movie collection.
This movie awakened fears that all of us may hold deep within our psyche. The fear of being alone while facing death without anyone knowing where you are. The claustrophobic fear of the enclosed space between the canyon walls. The utter fear of helplessness and weakness in not being able to budge the rock that pinned Aron’s hand. The fear of losing his family both current and future. The fear of losing your mind in the hallucinations and fever dreams. The fear of needing to do an extreme act in order to survive. And yet this movie, though full of weaknesses, is a true testament to strength in the actions that Aron had to truly undertake in order to survive.
The Blu-ray aspect of this movie is good and bad in some ways. The beauty of the canyons looked amazing in the high definition with the Blu-ray colors. The problem with the Blu-ray aspect is it makes even the gruesome visions look even more real.
EXTRAS
Commentary with the director, writer, and producer is an interesting listen for any one interested in the movie-making ideas as a whole, but also this time for the discussion of how to take a real story yet dramatize it in a way that adds, yet does not detract from the realism of it. The Search and Rescue featurette looks at the people that were actually involved in the real-life story, discussing the behind the scenes actions of those that ended up completing the final rescue of Aron after he completed his initial escape from his entrapment. There are a number of deleted scenes included as well as an outstanding featurette that offers an extraordinary view at the give and take between James Franco and Danny Boyle as well as being able to see where certain scenes were actually filmed. Oh yeah, and for your traveling enjoyment, we have a digital copy of the movie as well so you can take this harrowing adventure anywhere you go, as it should be.
127 Hours makes its way onto DVD and Blu-ray on March 1, 2011. Grab a copy and see true strength, and a man who learns from his mistakes after he gets a second chance in life.
127 HOURS Blu-Ray:
Street Date: March 1, 2011
Screen Format: Widescreen
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD-MA
French Dolby Digital
Spanish Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English and Spanish
U.S. Rating: R
Total Run Time: 223 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
JAM Reviews Love & Other Drugs from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Love & Other Drugs: Blu-Ray with Digital Copy: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM
“I have places to go.
You’ll go there. I just may have to carry you.”
Take one man who can never find what he wants and one woman who may never find what she needs, throw in a little blue pill and a bout of Parkinson’s and you find yourself with the fun little comedy from Twentieth Century Fox called Love & Other Drugs.
Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a man adrift from job to job and woman to woman as he searches for what he really wants in life. Getting a chance at Pfizer as a pharmaceutical sales rep shows him the life he thinks he wants as well as introduces him to Maggie Murdock (Anne Hathaway), a woman that is dealing with a disease that controls her future as well as her present as she makes sure to keep everyone an arms distance away. Needless to say, each of them truly find the drug they are looking for in the other and love blossoms in the end. Besides the amazing performances by Jake and Anne, Love & Other Drugs also stars Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, Josh Gad, Gabriel Macht, and Judy Greer in a whirlwind tour of the carnival of prescription drugs.
JAMS Ink on Love & Other Drugs
This is a fun movie starring two hot young talents that mesh well together onscreen. Jake and Anne seem to have true chemistry on film as they play characters who each have flaws of their own that disappear when they are together. Anne truly elicits sympathy for her plight as a young diagnosed sufferer of Parkinson’s disease and though her character Maggie lives life in a carefree way still, you can see that something is missing. There is an emptiness inside her that she seems to try to ignore while trying to live a roller coaster of a life. Jamie (Jake’s character) has his own crazy issues as his life revolves around sex, women, and sex even as he finds his calling as a drug salesman. But throw in Maggie, and he finds his life completely changing.
If you are into the beauty of the human body, or specifically the beauty of either Jake Gyllenhaal or Anne Hathaway’s bodies, this may be a movie for you. Dealing with two characters that use sex as a tool for what they want or simply as an escape from the humdrum, both Jake and Anne spend much of their time in their birthday suits. Obviously this a movie for discerning adults as it is rated R, but the sex, though plentiful, does not seem to take away from the love story underneath as the two characters find themselves caring about things they never expected in their lives.
This movie is one of those movies that I did not expect to enjoy but found myself rooting for the characters, even as flawed as they were. Jamie finds himself and learns he is a better man than he expects and Maggie discovers that she can trust someone completely even if she may not be able to give as much to the relationship in the future. I recommend it as long as nudity and swearing does not overwhelm your viewing pleasure.
EXTRAS
The extras included on the Blu-ray release are fun, but not life-changing. The deleted scenes included are fun but really do not add much to the film overall, which I am sure is why they were deleted. The other featurettes are interesting for those who would like to hear the stars speak, but really just recap much of what is seen in the film itself. So I would definitely buy the movie for the movie itself, but not so much for the bonus features (except that you do get a digital copy which is always cool to take on the run).
Just like a little blue pill, let Love & Other Drugs give you a rise of your own. Love & Other Drugs from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases on Blu-ray on March 1, 2011 so grab a copy and your significant other and let the natural high of an slightly different romance make its way into your lives.
LOVE & OTHER DRUGS Blu-ray
Street Date: March 1, 2011
Screen Format: Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (English)
5.1 Dolby Digital (Spanish/French/Portuguese)
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional)
Total Running Time: 162.18 minutes
U.S. Rating: R
Closed Captioned: YES
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
EXTRAS
The extras included on the Blu-ray release are fun, but not life-changing. The deleted scenes included are fun but really do not add much to the film overall, which I am sure is why they were deleted. The other featurettes are interesting for those who would like to hear the stars speak, but really just recap much of what is seen in the film itself. So I would definitely buy the movie for the movie itself, but not so much for the bonus features (except that you do get a digital copy which is always cool to take on the run).
Just like a little blue pill, let Love & Other Drugs give you a rise of your own. Love & Other Drugs from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases on Blu-ray on March 1, 2011 so grab a copy and your significant other and let the natural high of an slightly different romance make its way into your lives.
LOVE & OTHER DRUGS Blu-ray
Street Date: March 1, 2011
Screen Format: Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (English)
5.1 Dolby Digital (Spanish/French/Portuguese)
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional)
Total Running Time: 162.18 minutes
U.S. Rating: R
Closed Captioned: YES
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
JAM Reviews Thomas and Friends: Pop Goes Thomas from Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment
Thomas & Friends: Pop Goes Thomas: Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment
Review by JAM
Fun and games fill this new release from Thomas and Friends in Pop Goes Thomas from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Whether it is hide and seek, a little soccer fun, or just a fun picnic time, Thomas and his friends make sure that the fun flows and lessons are learned throughout this fun DVD. Thomas is joined by Percy, Emily and more in these fun adventures in the land of Sodor.
Episodes:
• Pop Goes Thomas
• Jitters and Japers
• Thomas’ Crazy Day
• Pingy-Pongy Pick Up
Bonus Features
“Sodor Hide and Seek” Game
Roary the Racing Car – “Roary’s First Day”
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Type: Home Entertainment Premiere
Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Children/Family/Ages 2-5
Closed Captioned: English Closed Captioned
Format: Full Screen
Feature Running Time: 50 minutes
DVD Audio Status: English, Spanish and French 2.0 Dolby Digital
Website: www.thomasandfriends.com
Thomas & Friends: Pop Goes Thomas is a steaming fun-filled romp through the land of Sodor as it arrives on March 1, 2011. Choo Choo your way on down and grab a copy for your little one today.
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
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