Thursday, June 23, 2011
Natalia's L.A. Kid Hot Spots at The Grove Hawaiian Style
Monday, June 20, 2011
JAM Reviews The Glades: Season One from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM
Premiering on A&E in the summer of 2010, The Glades is another new cable drama that has found its way on to my television screen and into this review as well. Much like many of this reviewer’s favorite cable dramas, The Glades has its strength in interesting characters with back stories and drama within their own lives, even as the drama unfolds daily in this sleepy Florida borough. Detective Jim Longworth (Matt Passmore) leads the drama as a former Chicago cop falsely accused of canoodling around with his boss’s wife. His reward for this false accusation is a shot in the ass and a hefty settlement to move himself down to lazy Florida. Of course, lazy Florida does not stay that way for him.
Working for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Jim is assisted in his cases by Dr. Carlos Sanchez (Carlos Gomez) a forensic pathologist that seems to spend as much time out investigating Jim’s cases as he spends in the lab, Callie Cargill (Kiele Sanchez) a pseudo single mom that assists Jim with the female perspective and with her abilities as a nurse in medical school, Jeff Cargill (Uriah Shelton) Callie’s son who looks at Jim as a big brother type, and Daniel Green (Jordan Wall) a grad student who often provides even more brain power when the quips and quirkiness needs a geek’s touch.
So hitch a ride down to Florida and check out the alligators, the golf, and the goofiness and goodness of The Glades.
JAMS Ink on The Glades
This is one of those shows that I cannot really put my finger on why I enjoy it so much. It’s not the best crime solving show, not the best forensic drama, not the best relationship toting hour on television, but it has a little of all of these and that makes it a fun show to watch. Matt Passmore makes for a really likeable main character who is smarter than he should be, yet not always as smart as he thinks he is. And Kiele Sanchez is someone who I remember since she was on Related, and as the fiery nurse on Sam Axe’s recent Burn Notice movie, and here she rocks as well. Her conflicted character is interesting to watch and keeps the drama going in the drama.
Favorite Episode of Season One – Episode 11 Booty Pirate treasure, treasure hunters, murder on the high seas… It all makes for a really cool episode in which Jam and Callie learn a lot about each other and partake in a search for true pirate treasure. It is off the beaten path for a cop show, yet fits well in the Florida Glades. It is a fun quest for booty alongside two characters learning how to trust each other.
EXTRAS
Grab a few audio commentaries, some deleted scenes, a gag reel, and a couple of featurettes to tie them all together and you have a small package of extras that are a good addition to the release as a whole. The gag reel is pretty fun and the featurettes are cool overall. I like the Sunshine State of Mind: Casting The Glades, showing a little insight into the actors that were actually cast and what they were bringing to the table. The Location For Murder is a pretty good look at the locations involved, and that is an important thing as the location is nearly as important as the characters themselves.
The Glades: Season One from Twentieth Century Fox comes from the swamp on DVD on June 14, 2011. Do not get caught in the muck and grab a copy!
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at www.jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Natalia's L.A. Kid Hot Spots at Noah's Ark
Check out HTZ's Natalia's new video series Natalia's L.A. Kid Hot Spots. In this episode she visits Noah's Ark at the Skirball Center.
JAM Reviews Kingdom of War Parts 1 & 2 from Magnolia Home Entertainment
Kingdom of War Part 1 & 2: Blu-Ray: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Review by JAM
A sprawling epic of stunning visuals and historic event, Kingdom of War tells the story of Thailand’s independence from the yoke of Burmese rule through the life of Prince Naresuan.
Taken from his conquered home as a hostage of war, Naresuan finds himself tutored and trained in the manners of war and the values of a true man while under this captivity. Even though a captive, Naresuan finds himself in favor of the king, looked upon as a foster son and trusted in many ways while he also makes other lifelong relationships in the company of the orphan Bunting and the temple girl Manechan. The first film focuses on the gradual aging of Naresuan through his teen years along with the political meandering behind the scenes and slight segues into battle.
The second part of this Kingdom of War actually has more war in it. Naresuan has become a commander in the army of his “foster” father king, and proves himself to be a supreme strategist. Upon the passing of his king, politics ensue as “brothers” find themselves on opposing sides in a battle for freedom and respect. War takes center stage in much of this film as swords, rifles, and cannons take their place alongside the armies of the land in an epic dance of destruction. Naresuan’s goal is the independence of Thailand from Burma’s control and he is willing to fight for it.
JAMS Ink on Kingdom of War
I was expecting a martial arts epic in which fists flew, knees knocked, leg sweeps landed, and the blood flowed from a thousand wounds. But instead I was treated to a historic epic. The war scenes within the film are epic, showcasing a low budget version of violence and mayhem without the use of overrun CGI, and that I can respect. The moments of battle are riveting and truly the most enjoyable of these films. The politics and maneuvering behind the scenes are drier and harder to watch along with the coming of age scenes in the first portion of the movie. The film set is a truly beautiful look at this historical record and worthy of watching if history and long winded drama are your thing.
BLU-RAY ASPECTS
The pageantry and beauty of the region is enhanced by the clarity of the Blu-ray as brightly colored denizens of the land are on display throughout the film. The war scenes as well are clear and controlled even as cannons blast and rifles fire, giving the viewer a sense of being there. If you are into historical epics of this sort, then BLURAY YES is all I can say.
EXTRAS
There are few extras included when you compare them to the 6 hours of film that you have, but they have a few good ones. On Disc one, you may want to take a look at the Royal Lineage and Characters before even starting. In such an epic film, having an idea of who is who and how they relate to each other would be a great help. Also on Disc One is the Behind the Scenes of Kingdom of War, a look at the historical research done for this film. Disc Two has a Making of featurette, another small behind the scenes look, and a Music Video that is intriguing in a bad way.
Historical canon and blasting cannons, such is the story of the Kingdom of War. Check it out on June 14, 2011.
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.
Help HTZ's Natalia to Rock the Vote for Kids With Food Allergies
Did you know that food allergies affect 5 percent of children under the age of 5 and 4 percent of children aged 5 to 17 years and adults in the United States? Help HTZ's Natalia rock the vote for the Kids With Food Allergies Foundation. You can make a difference by clicking on the link and voting daily!
Click here or on the picture above to vote for this great non-profit.
Friday, June 17, 2011
JAM Reviews White Collar: Season Two from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM
Take one brazen thief with a sense of style and panache (Matt Bomer), a federal agent who plays things by the book (most of the time) ( Tim DeKay), a supporting cast that includes a bumbling, trustworthy criminal friend to the thief (Willie Garson), federal agents Jones (Sharif Atkins) and Barrigan (Marsha Thomason), and a former child star playing the smarter half in the agent’s marriage (Tiffani Thiessen), and now you have White Collar, a show that will steal your time and your thoughts as it paints a surreal picture, a Dali if you will.
Neal Caffrey (played by Matt Bomer) is our former (?) world class thief working alongside FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). As you might remember from the first season of White Collar, Peter seems to have a history with Neal with respect for his talents and the idea that maybe given the right choices, Neal might not make the wrong decisions. So the idea of a partnership is tossed between the two, giving Neal the chance to not have to stay behind the bars that trap him, the chance to live life without having to glance over his shoulder nonstop, and to do the right thing by putting others behind bars who are preying on society. Of course, there are a few catches. An ankle bracelet with GPS locator, a limited range of wandering in the city for a man who has traveled the world, and a hotel room almost as cramped as his cell are all hindrances to Neal’s freedom, but being the opportunistic man he is means the deal is consummated.
Neal is still a smooth operator, living life now with a seeming heart of gold while pursuing those that had killed his ex Kate (Alexandra Daddario). As the season comes to its close, the target lies on Neal’s former mentor Vincent Adler (Andrew McCarthy), a conman extraordinaire himself, on a quest for Nazi gold. Neal and Peter along with the help of the normal crew and Neal’s former flame Alex Hunter (Gloria Votsis) and current interest Sara Ellis (Hilarie Burton) find Adler and work to extract the revenge Neal has long sought. But things take a bit of a crazy turn and Neal may soon be back to his old ways. Can Neal find his way back, or does he even want to? And though Peter may not seem the brains of this operation, he knows Neal better than anyone. How will the next season play out? Catch up on Season Two and see what happens as Season Three is around the corner.
JAMS Ink on White Collar
Season One was Neal’s search to find that which he had lost, Kate, and his search to escape the ties that bind him to Peter and the FBI. Season Two is the search for revenge from those that had really killed Kate. From the pursuit of Fowler (Noah Emmerich) to the search for the key to the music box to the attempted assassination of Mozzie to the final confrontation of Adler, Neal searches high and low and pursues any lead possible while Peter works his own angles. For such an amazing team, they work solo so often that the trust level stays shaky which is probably needed when your main character is a thief, conman, and grifter. It keeps the watcher guessing and the stories fresh.
If you had read my Season One review, I mentioned keeping an eye on FBI agent Diana Lancing (Marsha Thomason) as she was one that I thought might become important. Well, I was right, even though they seemed to change her name to Diana Barrigan now. She is another member of Peter’s team that can keep Neal in his place and the witty banter the two have sometimes even throws the staid Peter off his game.
Since my Keep An Eye on last season worked so well with Diana, keep an eye on Sara Ellis (Hilarie Burton) in Season Three. She and Neal seem to have chemistry onscreen and between their characters as well. They may have some trust issues themselves as though they have attraction, their jobs (thief versus insurance investigator) are going to have many secrets that they cannot share with each other. It will be interesting how they work together as the season starts. I love her character and the episodes she has been in as she is another that keeps Neal on his toes, so I am interested in seeing where the two of them go, especially with the shock ending to Season Two.
Favorite Episode of Season Two – Episode 10 Burke’s Seven. Seeing the main characters on the show come together as a “con” team in order to save Peter and learn more about Mozzie’s attack is a lot of fun. It shows the strength of the ensemble, both as actors and characters themselves. It is also the first we see the faux couple (at the time) of Neal and Sara who will eventually work on the establishment of the actual relationship.
EXTRAS
I actually think these extras were quite a bit better than the Burn Notice extras from this year. I mean, they share the roasts that occupy both discs as each roast each other, but then White Collar takes the cake. The deleted scenes were okay here, but the gag reel included was pretty good. Definitely worth a look. You also have a cool look at Mozzie’s character in Slick Willie as Willie Garson shares as only he can, and if you enjoyed him here catch out the commentary on Forging Bonds since he joins in to the fun. I would also recommend checking out So Here’s the Deal if you are interested in the behind the camera portions of your favorite television shows. It is a pretty good look at things that are not always at the forefront of your thoughts as you are watching your television shows.
White Collar: Season Two from Twentieth Century Fox appeared on shelves on DVD on June 7, 2011. Pay for your copy, but steal some laughs and excitement as you watch one of the best shows on television.
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at www.jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
JAM Reviews Roary the Racing Car from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
Review by JAM
Racing onto shelves on June 7, 2011 is the preschool need for speed himself Roary the Race Car and his friends, coming from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. While you and your preschooler are driving along the Silver Hatch Racetrack, grab a ride with Roary, Dragga, Zizzy and Lugga as they interact with their human friends Big Chris, Marsha, and the always grumpy Mr. Carburettor. You will love as your preschooler learns about making the right decisions and doing the right thing, safety challenges and choices, and positive times with friends. From babysitting to birthday parties and even more, Roary and his friends will have you rolling and racing to grab this DVD for episodes that have not been seen even on TV yet!
Episodes include:
• “Stars and Cars” - Big Chris has been invited to appear on a TV karaoke show. The cars are worried that the success will go to his head and he’ll leave Silver Hatch forever.
• “Rusty Takes a Trip” - Rusty is fed up with sitting in one place. Roary and the other cars plan a special surprise for him, but Rusty soon decides he prefers life without wheels!
• “Big Chris Babysits” - Big Chris has been left in charge of the track and keeping an eye on Roary and Zizzy. But is Big Chris the one that needs looking after?
• “Roary Gets it Wrong” - Farmer Green has given Roary lots of packages to deliver to everybody around the track. How will Roary remember which package belongs to who?
• “Computer Calamity” – Mr. Carburettor has decided that Silver Hatch needs to move with the times and do everything with computers. But Big Chris is a traditional mechanic, so what happens when the two disagree?
• “Big Chris Forgets” – It’s Marsha’s birthday, and Big Chris is in charge of organizing a surprise for her. Why does everybody keep reminding him what he needs to do? He wouldn’t forget anything… would he?!
DVD BONUS FEATURES
• “Roary’s Day at the Seaside” Music Video
Roary the Race Car is going to race his way into your heart, so grab a copy on June 7, 2011 from HIT Entertainment and Lionsgate!
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Title Copyright: © Chapman Entertainment Limited & David Jenkins 2011 © HIT Entertainment Limited. HIT and the HIT logo are trademarks of HIT Entertainment Limited.
Type: TV on DVD
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Ages 2-5
Closed Captioned: English
Format: Fullscreen
Feature Running Time: 55 minutes
DVD Audio Status: 2.0 Dolby Digital
Program Website: www.roarytheracingcar.com
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, June 15, 2011
HTZ's Natalia Reviews Angelina Ballerina Pop Star Girls From HIT Entertainment
Watch HTZ's Natalia dance into your heart as she reviews Angelina Ballerina Pop Star Girls on DVD! Natalia shares her thoughts on this DVD!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
JAM Reviews Rubber from Magnolia Home Entertainment
Rubber: Blu-Ray: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Review by JAM
No Reason.
From the beginning of Rubber from Magnolia Entertainment, this is the central focus that the actors and director convey. Every movie has some part with no reason, so why not make a movie in its entirety with no reason. And it truly accomplishes that feeling.
From the start it is a movie within a movie, a spectacle of events watched by spectators in the guise of a drive thru movie of sorts. A group of people standing in the desert with binoculars, watching the drama unfold as a deadly serial killer of a tire wreaks havoc on a small dusty town, possibly in pursuit of a raven haired beauty. And yes, that sentence seems weird for me to write as well. Watching the tire slowly kill his way through inanimate to smaller living mammals and then all the way to the townspeople makes for an odd movie, yet an interesting premise until everything unravels into a spectacle versus spectators in a tree falling in a forest type of manner. If the spectators are poisoned and killed, does a movie truly have to continue or can the actors go their separate ways? These are the questions that this movie poses as real life and studio life intersect, as spectators dictate and management attempts control.
JAMS Ink on Rubber
This was an odd movie. While preparing to watch, horror and oddball antics were what I expected. I mean, a rolling serial killer tire? Could be cool…
Then I started the film and got an existential look into the role of spectator to film, the role of actor providing for the viewer only or for the craft, and finally a serial killer tire reincarnated into a tricycle. It feels like the movie was trying so hard to make a statement, but it gets lost in the mix of the moment with a virtual potpourri of ingredients added in as we go along. A police lieutenant who breaks the fourth wall and also poisons those who watch him, a studio audience with binoculars taking in the craziness of the trek of a tyrannical tire, a female French traveler thrown in just for eye candy, all add up to a crazy little adventure that has its moments in the sun.
For such an odd little adventure, they chose to make the pictorial aspects of it beautiful. The Blu-ray clarity and color is amazing in the painted desert that our rubber friend lives in and all the gruesome blood and guts is fun to watch in high definition even if it leans far to the campy side.
EXTRAS
The extras included really do not seem to contribute that much to the overall experience of the movie.
Rubber Blu-ray Disc Features:
• Interview with Director Quentin Dupieux – it has got insight if you really want insight into this movie, but it is a little too avant garde for me. Maybe we just do not share the same wavelength.
• Interview with Stephen Spinella – the oddball Lieutenant Chad of the movie shares a bit about the script and the filming itself.
• Interview with Jack Plotnick – the accountant shares his insights, his love for Dupieux’s style and methods. He is enthusiastic at least.
• Interview with Roxane Mesquida – our French female obsession for the psychotic tire itself, she is at least an interesting interview.
• Teaser Camera Tests – little bit of a look at filming in the desert and how to make the look.
Rubber is a movie that will appeal to some and will make others go “What?” So take a look if you want something out of the norm when it comes out on June 7, 2011 from Magnolia Home Entertainment.
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.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
JAM Reviews Burn Notice: Season Four from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Burn Notice Season Four : Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM
Now having the chance to review the fourth season of Burn Notice, it is interesting to see each of the seasons encompassing certain main issues and traits as we follow the life of our main character Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) and his ragtag team of adventurers. Season One seemed to be able the introduction of the character and Michael working towards re-finding himself while he works towards removing his burn notice. Season Two shows Michael discovering that the job he has lost through the burn notice does not define his life as he fights against a female adversary who attempts to control and use him, holding information as a carrot to influence him. Season Three focused on Michael beginning to realize that the people around him are far more important than all the craziness happening in his life. But Season Four leads to the magic phrase of “Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.”, as Michael focuses on the attaining of his long missed occupation. Working with another devil’s advocate type known as Vaughn (Robert Wisdom), Michael will destroy lives while he also attempts to repair lives as well, especially his own. Joined by a fourth team member Jesse (Coby Bell), another former burnt spy by way of Michael himself, the team works to find a powerful coded Bible that holds all the secrets they are searching for.
In my review of Season Three, I mentioned that Michael seemed to be worried about becoming the monster that his file portrays as Season Four is about to begin. And he does. The only question that remains is can he pull himself back out of the abyss that he has fallen within.
Worst feeling for a burnt spy? To burn another innocent spy in the pursuit of your own redemption, and that is exactly how this season starts out for Michael. Throw in crazy turns for Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) as she fights feelings for Michael and Jesse, the standard awesomeness of Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell) Mike’s mom (Sharon Gless), and appearances by a menagerie of former awesome characters from the Burn Notice canon including Barry (Paul Tei), Simon (Garret Dillahunt), and Tyler Brennen (Jay Karnes). Starting with the beginning of the burn of Jesse and ending with the final shootout to save Jesse’s life and the lives of all of Michael’s friends and family. All along the way there are betrayals, violent attacks, assassins and death dealers, and more, all making an awesome season of sweaty BURNing goodness.
JAMS Ink on Burn Notice
This season is a fun mixture of old and new with returning guests galore from the previous seasons as well as a number of new fun characters that do their own best to stick their thorns into Michael’s side. Jesse, Michael’s newest ally is a bit of an enigma though as he searches for those who burnt him while working aside those who burnt him. The final confrontation between the two yields a mutual understanding towards working towards the better good no matter the personal cost. The drama is well played out throughout the season as Jesse finds out the truth halfway in, and deals with the betrayal he feels from those he had trusted.
Favorite Episode of Season Four – Episode 5 Neighborhood Watch. Navi Rawat continues her three episode romp through the show as Kendra, an assassin that captures Michael’s attention and almost his heart in a deadly way and a doctor must deal with viscous drug dealers that have hurt and scared those he would shepherd and heal. The flirty exchanges between Michael and Navi’s character Kendra show a side of Michael he had forgotten about as he enjoys the witty banter much to Fiona’s chagrin. And the ballet of bullets and bombs that they employ to make the doctor look like the master of the hell raining down on the undesirables strikes fear into the hearts of many and establishes a man of healing as a force to be reckoned with. This is Michael’s team at their best, establishing strength within those who need it while working the system against those who take advantage.
EXTRAS
The extras included are a pretty fun set, especially considering the limited amount from last year. Commentaries, deleted scenes, gag reels and more will take more of your time than you anticipated as you peruse this new season. The deleted scenes and gag reels usually tend to be my favorites, but we have a look at Sam Axe on this set and being a Bruce Campbell fan makes this the best gift I could get. Sam Axe’s Guide to Ladies and Libations is as great as it sounds as Bruce shares special insights that only he could share. The Burn Notice and White Collar roasts are okay, but once again they strike gold with a behind the scenes look at the stunts of Burn Notice. All in all, the extras don’t really make me want the set any more than before, but that is because the set is a MUST have by itself.
Burn Notice: Season Four from Twentieth Century Fox appeared on shelves on DVD on June 7, 2011. Grab a copy and feel the BURN! Ok, that was bad, but seriously check it out.
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at www.jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
JAMMIN' Interviews with Young Hollywood at the 2011 CARE Awards
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
JAM Reviews Angelina Ballerina: Pop Star Girls from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
Review by JAM
Time to dance, time to sing, and it’s time for another great Angelina DVD from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment, dancing onto shelves on June 7, 2011! Angelina and her friends continue her CGI adventures in her music school, learning all types of dancing, singing, and performance art as they strengthen friendships and learn to work together. Hip Hop musicals, ballet solos, and fiddle fallacies lead the way in this fun frolicking DVD. Watch Angelina, her friends, and her family learn about responsibility, teamwork, and sharing the stage to make a production stand out even more.
Episodes include:
“Angelina’s Crazy Solo”
“Angelina’s Rock Band”
“Angelina’s Hip Hop Boys Show”
“Angelina and the Giant”
"Angelina and the Broken Fiddle"
Bonus Features
“Dancing Star” Memory Game
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 2010
Title Copyright: © 2011 Hit Entertainment Limited. The Angelina Ballerina name and character and the dancing Angelina logo are trademarks of Hit Entertainment Limited, Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig.
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Animated
Age Target: 2-7 years old
Closed Captioned: English
Format: Widescreen
Feature Running Time: 61 minutes
DVD Audio Status: English, Spanish, and French 2.0 Dolby Digital
Program Website: www.angelinaballerina.com
Angelina Ballerina: Pop Star Girls rocks its way onto shelves on June 7, 2011. Dance on home with a copy for you and your little one.
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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