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August 23rd - 29th Downloads
& DVDs
 

  • The Huntsman: Winter’s War:

    Originally envisioned as a sequel to Snow White and The Huntsman, Kristin Stewart was dropped from the cast (she was in the original) making it impossible to follow the original plan, so this was set up as a prequel to the events in the first film, which make things slightly confusing.  We learn how The Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) became The Huntsman, and we learn how Ravenna (Charlize Theron) rose to power, taking over the kingdom in a brutal fashion.  Emily Blunt is Queen Freya, The Ice Queen, and we learn about the chain of events that left her in that role.  Sara (Jessica Chastain) and Eric (who became The Huntsman) pledge their love for one another despite the Ice Queen’s decree that love shall be abolished in her realm.  Interesting chain of events plays out that allows us to learn why each character became what they are.  Too scary for young children.   Rated 14A.

  • The Nice Guys:

    Russel Crowe and Ryan Gosling star as a pair of private detectives in the ‘70s who begin as bitter rivals, and end up as partners of a sort, in this film that was originally supposed to have been a TV series about James Rockford-like private eyes in years gone by.  No takers on the series idea, so director Shane Black (Iron Man Three, the Lethal Weapon movies) decided to put it on the big screen.  The story revolves around the apparent murder of a porn star who seems to have been tied into something beyond movie-making, but no one is really certain because evidence keeps disappearing.  As the two detectives each try to solve the mystery from different angles, murder lurks at every turn.  Some very funny moments, and some challenging story twists, but a rough, although entertaining film.  Rated 18A.

  • Ratchet & Clank:

    Based on a videogame about a space-going character named Ratchet, who is a creature called a Lombax, a mechanic, and his sidekick, a soft-spoken robot named Clank, this movie tells the origins story that played out in the first PlayStation game in 2002.  For those who are gamers, it will be a welcome opportunity to see their favourite characters on the big screen, as another save-the-world scenario plays out as they work their way around the known galaxy dealing with threats to our existence.  Features the voices of Paul Giamatti, Rosario Dawson, and John Goodman.  Rated PG.

  • Darling (2015):

    This horror-thriller gets a lot of mileage out of mood rather than just its special effects, and it will clearly appeal to those who enjoy such spookers as The Shining, from which it has clearly picked up a few ideas.  Shot in black and white, it's the story of a young woman named ... well, we don't actually know her name - she is just called "Darling" by the owner of what is said to be the oldest house in the city, with a reputation for being haunted.  "Darling" takes on a job house-sitting at the request of the home's owner, known to us only as "Madame," (Sean Young).  Once alone, things begin to build slowly, first with noises in far off corners, next, with parts of the house that are far, far bigger than they have any right to be, and finally with long hallways that shouldn't exist, and some very creepy things that do exist.  If you are prone to dizziness or other issues that come from watching a lot of rapidly flashing strobe-type lighting, know in advance that there will be some of that.  Not a bad chiller at all!  Rated 14A.
M*A*S*H (1970):

If it's been a long, long time since you watched the original, or if all your experience with MASH is through the TV series, here's an opportunity to go back to see what started it all.  Robert Altman directed such stars as Donald Sutherland (Hawkeye Pierce), Elliott Gould (Trapper John), Robert Duvall (Major Frank Burns) and Gary Burghoff (Radar O'Reilly) with Burghoff being the only actor to transcend the movie and go on to the TV series.  Because it's a period piece, set during the Korean War, it holds up very well.  80% of the dialogue was improvised by the actors on the spot, much in the style of director Altman.  The black humour and the laboratory-grade absolute alcohol fuel what is still an excellent comedy.  Director Altman's then 14 year-old son wrote the theme song to the movie, "Suicide is Painless."  Altman was paid $75,000 to direct the film.  His son, because the theme song was picked up for the TV series, earned more than $2 million in residuals - not bad for one little song for a 14 year-old.  Rated 18A.