Janeane Garofalo: If You Will - Live in Seattle (2010)

Janeane Garofalo. Love her or hate her, I admit that I used to listen to her on the defunct Air America via her radio show "The Marjority Report" and have always felt that her comedy was intelligent, self-deprecating and one of those people you want to hang out with because she was like a female version of Larry David. A bit narcissistic and she has this unique perspective towards society and pop culture that I find witty and different from other female comedians.

Although, Janeane Garofalo is known for her television and movie work, may it be from "24', "The West Wing", "Felicity", "The Larry Sanders Show" or "Reality Bites", she was once a stand-up comedian who would go up on stage with her notebook and go into random observations and direct quotes in her act.

It's been several years now but Garofalo made her return on stage via her special "If You Will" shot in Seattle's Moore Theatre and aired on EPIX in June 2010 and now, the special will be released on Blu-ray and DVD.

VIDEO:

"Janeane Garofalo If You Will: Live in Seattle" is presented in 1080 High Definition (1:78:1). The picture quality is solid and there is a good lighting on Janeane, skin tones are natural, blacks are nice and deep. No dizzying editing cuts, we see Garofalo straight on but you don't see a lot of audience reactions to her jokes. Camera angles are stationary towards Janeane via close up, full body or right behind her onto the audience.

AUDIO:

As for the audio, the audio for "Janeane Garofalo If You Will: Live in Seattle" is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Dialogue is clear and understandable, audience reactions and ambiance can be heard through the surround channels. Overall, the lossless audio is well-done.

SPECIAL FEATURES

"Janeane Garofalo If You Will: Live in Seattle" comes with the following special features presented in 1080p High Definition (widescreen 1:78:1) and audio via uncompressed PCM Stereo:

* Pets(6:00) Janeane talks about losing a dog and her love for dogs but this time, having to take care of a female toddler and comparing her to a dog.

* Representative Richard Martin (R) (5:13) A Republican politician wants to be interviewed by Janeane and question her on her liberal beliefs.

JUDGMENT CALL:

For those who are familiar with Garofalo's work on Air America, many wonder if this will be a liberal tongue lashing on stage. And if anything, Janeane keeps things cool and doesn't engage in any politics, party groups or anything that is too racy.

If anything, watching "If You Will", this is a mature Garofalo. A grown up version of what we have seen from her in the 1990's but this time, seeing how her career has changed over the years but also how life has affected her in different ways. She takes on a various topics which include her maturity, misconceptions of her being a lesbian, hear health, her Spanx body shaper, her alcoholism and more. Including an interesting perspective that she has towards Natalie Portman (and Charlize Theron). If anything, Garofalo is quite fun to watch because she is esoteric. She is intelligent, well-versed but she doesn't come off as an egotistical snob.

Garofalo comes onto the stage with her notepad, tatoos on her arms and just goes through a flow of whatever is on her mind and it's a different style of comedy than one typically sees on stage. Of the many stand-up comedy DVD's that I review each year, it's always a pleasure to watch not only a female comedian but also an intelligent one that doesn't pride herself in sexual or moronic comedy.

In one bit, Garofalo criticizes men on their lack of cutting their toenails and dry heels and her delivery is quick and as much as she dishes out, she brings back in and becomes self-deprecating. In one segment she talks about going to Starbucks and the barista telling her, "No offense, but you look like Janeane Garofalo" and another where her manager tells her she needs to have web presence and how she doesn't even tweet.

Her comedy is not for everyone but it's definitely comedy for those who want intelligent comedy for 65-minutes long and no, there is no polemicizing on one's political views. She keeps it to topics surrounding pop culture and life and topics that people can relate too.

The Blu-ray release of "If You Will: Live in Seattle" is a good blu-ray release with solid PQ and good use of the surrounds via the lossless audio. I wished there was a bit more special features but for the most part, these two short comedy segments are fun to watch and for the most part, "If You Will" is a good Garofalo comedy Blu-ray release.

Overall, "Janeane Garofalo If You Will: Live in Seattle" was a fun special and definitely an enjoyable comedy Blu-ray release!

Jeanane at her best. I find I can almost quote something daily from this routine. I never tire of watching.

Buy Janeane Garofalo: If You Will - Live in Seattle (2010) Now

This is a surprisingly good show. As somebody who was never a fan of Janeane's, I think she nailed just about everything here. Highly recommended, funny as hell.

Read Best Reviews of Janeane Garofalo: If You Will - Live in Seattle (2010) Here

I don't submit reviews for artist's performances. I don't consider myself qualified. To call what I'm typing right now a "review" is, therefore, just wrong. I just needed to share how much I enjoyed this DVD. I wanted to just submit a "star" rating alone, but that wasn't possible. Angry red letters appeared below the empty box demanding I "please write my review." I loved it. You might as well. End "review."

Want Janeane Garofalo: If You Will - Live in Seattle (2010) Discount?

I have never seen anyone who has a more organized scatter brain than this girl. I love to watch her stand-ups. I recently saw one of her old ones on HBO Comedy channel and they edited the end of it out. So, I decided to come to Amazon to see if I could find it in it's original form and found this instead. I enjoyed it and recommend it to everyone. We need more of her stuff,(i.e. more stand-ups in other locations).

Save 44% Off

Read More >>

Take Me Home Tonight (2011)

Take Me Home Tonight is a movie for people who love 80's movies. The soundtrack is reason enough to give this movie a go. Excellent picks perfectly placed. Pretty much ever 80's cliche is played out in this movie. The guy trying to get the girl that's totally out of his league, the best friend/comedic relief, the perfectly irritating couple, the awesome party that everyone attends, the crimes that should land you in jail, + the most awesome night of your life. Although not in high school the characters are post college grads instead. With the lead Matt(Topher Grace) struggling to get his life started after college + stuck in a dead end job for fear or failure. His twin Wendy(Anna Faris) is in a similar situation w/ her boyfrind. While his best friend Barry(Dan Fogler) skipped college for a job + is making up for a time he missed. Matt's high school crush Tori(Teresa Palmer) is a success in banking + still far out of his league. The night brings them all together at Wendy's boyfriend Kyle's(Chris Pratt) notorious Labor day weekend party. A bunch of "No Way" type situations make this movie pure 80's gold. One of which being the thieveing of a car from Barry's former employer. I don't want to give too much away cause you'll wanna see it for yourself it's that funny. You can tell that the cast had great chemistry and had fun making this movie which makes it all the better. This is a feel good type movie that will make you leave the theater laughing about your fav scenes. The movie is so much funnier than I expected + I was already expecting funnyness. If the trailer even looks a little funny to you then see this movie, you won't be disappointed.

*check out the music video for "Don't You Want Me" by Atomic Tom it features the cast reenacting classic 80's movie moments*

Last year, we got Hot Tub Time Machine. This year, we get Take Me Home Tonight. It has a nostalgic vibe and it has a great storyline about being true to yourself. It's not laugh-out-loud comedy, but it does have a few hilarious moments. It doesn't over-use sex, but they did have a lot of drugs, especially cocaine. Topher Grace stars as Matt, a guy who doesn't know what to do with his life. His sister, Wendy sent her application to a college, and Matt's friend, Barry just got fired from his job. Matt works at the local video store, and his high school crush, Tori comes in. She tells him that Kyle is throwing a wild party and asks him to come. Throughout the wild and crazy night, Matt tries to get Tori to like him. This is a really fun movie to watch. I highly recommend that you TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT!!!

Buy Take Me Home Tonight (2011) Now

Take Me Home Tonight (film 2011)

Starring Topher Grace and Anna Faris

My rating is 2 out of 5.

Yes, harsh I know. And I usually like 80's throwback movies. The clothes alone are worth watching 80's inspired movies. I rented it from Redbox. I had a free code and it was between this or Bridesmaids. I had heard Bridesmaids was funny, but the lure of seeing 80's clothes and dancing was too strong.

This movie is about this supposedly really smart guy, an MIT graduate, named Matt (Topher Grace) who works at a video store (the actual videos that have brown tape in them that takes 10 minutes to rewind). He does not know what he wants to do with his life, so he's not making any decisions at all. His twin sister Wendy (Anna Faris), who seems really smart too, has applied to graduate school and is too scared to open the letter from the university at the beginning of the movie and instead accepts a marriage proposal from her idiot boyfriend.

First of all, they totally don't use Anna Faris' comedic talent in the movie. Then Topher Grace's character hovers between average and a loser. He sees his high school crush, Tori (who for the whole movie I thought was Kristen Stewart from those Twilight movies and she was actually Number 6 from the I Am Number Four movie), and spends the whole movie trying to woo her without telling her the whole truth about himself.

It was a mediocre movie at best. Not even a good romantic comedy. And Topher's "sidekick" Barry (Dan Fogler) is not even funny. I did not laugh at this movie and the dancing was not 80's enough. Anybody could have played the part of Matt and Wendy. The music was classic 80's and I liked the songs. I knew some of them (not because I was an 80's child but because I listen to the Big 80's Weekend on B98.5 FM out of Atlanta every weekend.) The acting was decent, but the script was not really original in the least. I guess it was supposed to be like the movies from that era, and unfortunately became too much like the movies from that time concerning storyline. So since I've probably seen more 80's movies than people my age (34), I've probably seen this storyline a few times.

I would not recommend this movie nor would I watch it again even if it came on TV and nothing else was on. I didn't give it a 1 out of 5 because I like Anna Faris, even if she was not funny in this one.

Read Best Reviews of Take Me Home Tonight (2011) Here

This movie is well worth your time. It is Dazed and Confused for the 80's. It embraces the 80's; it doesn't poke fun at it. More movies like this should be made. A great throwback to John Hughes' movies. Outstanding cast. You will not regret seeing this movie.

Want Take Me Home Tonight (2011) Discount?

Take Me Home TonightIt's like the trip back to the 1980's that I have been waiting for! This movie is absolutely hilarious and filled with plenty of awesome moments that make you want to hold your own 80's theme party! It's one of the best comedies of 2011!

Save 40% Off

Read More >>

Easy Virtue (2009)

Between world wars, the Whittaker's estate is sinking; only the iron will of Mrs. Whittaker staves off bankruptcy while she awaits her son John's return from the continent. To her dismay, he brings a bride: an American widow who races cars. The bride, Larita, thinks she and John will visit and then go to London, where he'll work and she'll race. But John is to the manor born, and mother is nothing if not a master at plans and manipulation. Soon it's all-out war between mother and bride, with John's father, a burnt out veteran of the Great War, in the bride's corner ineffectually. Mother has a plan to join with the neighboring estate; only Larita is in her way. Based on the original play by Noel Coward, 'Easy Virtue' encompasses sharp wit, romance and drama; and although it is set in 1920s England, it is far from the typical period drama that might be expected. Biel has a captivating presence, bringing classic Hollywood glamour to the movie. A thoroughly enjoyable British comedy.

...I know the cost is going to be a killer. To summarize quickly before a long worded review this is your typical solid Sony BD presentation of a good film, so I suppose one will have to weigh out how much they love the content.

I felt this to be a great comedy presentation of a 1920s Brit piece that came across on Blu beautifully. The English countryside estate (a lovely looking acreage and interior) is filled with a wonderful cast of snobs, naive youth, seasoned work staff, and a comic relief father played perfectly by Colin Firth. He was the strong point of the movie and I laughed almost every time he spoke. The story follows the introduction of an American wife into this mix played adequately by Jessica Biel. As the weeks progress we get to see a spattering of visuals, comedic schticks, and life lessons learned by all until the surprising end. I do not feel the criticism I have read here and elsewhere is valid since this is meant to be a light take on this sociological experiment, yet exquisitely preserved.

The overall colors were a little drab, but some of the landscape exteriors and one interior dance scene showed some vibrancy. The TrueHD was fine, and actually played best when the music was active (which is being interjected often). The supplements were thorough for a film like this, including:

* 5 minutes of 4 deleted scenes would have been fine left in the film.

* 8:30 minutes of bloopers they were actually funny and seemed appropriate for the extras inclusion since this was a humorous film.

* 6 minute New York Premiere Featurette more of an ad plug with some red carpet interviews and too many film clips.

* Commentary by the director and writer this was actually one of the better ones I have heard in some time. The director dominates the track with a plethora of great info, and the writer actually provides a solid back-up to his material; they gelled just right. Was nice to hear a team on a commentary instead of a competition or a mess of constant interruptions.

I liked the film and it plays very well in the store. The display catches a great deal of attention with the props, music and attire, plus everyone performs quite well. Four for the film and one for the extras. Did not see the original material (play, book) to compare so I think all the negative press is misplaced as a stand alone film, and Biel was not that bad she did fine for what the role was. Enjoy.

Buy Easy Virtue (2009) Now

I loved watching this movie. If you have seen some of Noel Cowards work done before (Relative Values), you'll remember the humor he brings to the plate. Stephan Elliot truly had his hands full with four great cast members! You will laugh, you will be upset, you will be astonished and that it what makes this movie such fun to watch! It's been described as "meet the very posh british parents" but I think it's much, much more. And, a great performance of the Tango done by Jessica Biel and Colin Firth!

Read Best Reviews of Easy Virtue (2009) Here

I am always looking for a movie that I can watch that will entertain me and sometimes, help chase away the blues. I am generally not a romance movie fan, so I nearly passed this movie by. I did watch this movie however, and boy was I glad that I did. The plot very entertaining and the scenery, the clothes, the actors were all eye candy. The music selected for the movie helped set the tone. Was it a socially important movie? No, not unless you think that bringing a smile or laugh to someone has value (which obviously I do.) This movie is what it is. You either get it...or you don't. A big thumbs up, in my book.

Want Easy Virtue (2009) Discount?

I saw Easy Virtue 5 times in the theatre when it was in limited release and would have seen it more given the chance! The acting is suberb by the whole cast. Ben Barnes (of Prince Caspian fame) plays love struck young Englishman John Whittaker who marries American race car driver, Larita (an elegant, witty Jessica Biel) bringing her home to his manipulative disapproving mother (the always fabulous Kristin Scott Thomas), vacant war damaged father (Colin Firth in a beautifully natural performance), and provincial sisters Marion and Hilda. Snappy dialogue and machinations ensue on both sides in the battle for John's future.

This is often billed as a comedy and though it IS very funny, there is drama and deeper meaning, as well. Director and co-screenwriter Stephan Elliott (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) manages to find something sympathetic in each character while taking a delicious potshot at upper-crusty English society. Little is left of the Noel Coward play it's based on (thank goodness), but it's witty enough that it sounds like Coward. Elliott creates a visually rich and dynamic piece packed with fun period music (I LOVE the soundtrack!).

Marius de Vries builds a beautiful period score along with some contemporary songs made to sound like period pieces (I especially love "Sex Bomb"). Ben Barnes has a gorgeous voice and besides singing to charm everyone in the movie, provides the soundtrack with two of my favorite songs, "A Room With a View" and "I'll See You Again". Jessica Biel opens the film with a lovely "Mad About the Boy" and helps Colin Firth and Ben Barnes on "When the Going Gets Tough the Tough Get Going".

I highly recommend this gay, bittersweet romp!

Save 50% Off

Read More >>

Keep Your Right Up (1987)

Like so much of Godard, the photographic quality is wonderful and it has been so difficult to see good home video copies of his movies past "Weekend" (and even before). This blu-ray is a great improvement over the dingy Facets version and brings the imagery and the feelings behind it alive.

4 stars for the film, I've got the Facets edition and the subtitles on that are difficult to read at times, I would gladly snatch this Olive Films edition up if I knew that that problem wouldn't be an issue. Judging by other Olive releases I have it probably won't have a subtitle option, but beggars can't be choosers I guess. Thanks Olive Films for releasing JLG, may there be more in the future, for example British Sounds, King Lear, and Wind from the East to name a few.

Buy Keep Your Right Up (1987) Now

Read More >>

The Lost Boys (2008)

As one of two teenage vampire movies released in 1987, (the other was the miserable "Near Dark")"The Lost Boys," is a hip, modern retelling of the vampire myth set in a Southern California setting. Brothers Michael (Patric) and Sam (Haim) are the newcomers to the small seaside town of Santa Clara, which is known as the murder capital of the world due to the mysterious disappearances of many town residents.

At the town's amusement park, Michael gets himself involved with a gang of vampires, who appear as normal street punks. Meanwhile Sam, meets the Frog Brothers, who run a comic book store at night, but are vampire hunters by day. After Michael himself becomes a vampire due to drinking the blood of a vampire, he is determined to find a way to save himself, the girl he loves, and his family from the impending danger that lurks them.

Directed by Joel Schumacher ("Batman Forever," "Batman & Robin," "Flatliners," etc.), the film's appeal to teenagers is due to its young cast, great soundtrack, and great, yet campy storyline. Dianne Wiest is excellent as Michael and Sam's mother, and Kiefer Sutherland in one of his first major roles is wicked as David, the leader of the gang.

Keep an eye out for a pre-"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adveture" Alex Winter as Marco, one of the vampires. This film also marked the first collaboration of the two Cories, Cory Haim & Cory Feldman, in a string of movies they made together in the 1980's ("License to Drive," "Dream A Little Dream," etc.) that capitalized on their teen-idol status. Reportedley, Jason Patric (who is Jackie Gleason's grandson) hates it when fans mention this movie as one of his best works, but the truth is it still remains one of the late 1980's cult classics.

If you like a funny, yet scary movie in the same tradition as "Scram," then check out this movie. It gave me many memories watching it on DVD as it did when I first saw it at the theater.

When this movie came out in the eighties, I dont think many people realized that it would become a classic film from that decade. Its not just a good vampire movie, its a good movie...period.

Jason patric and Corey Haim are brothers whos mother has moved them to be with their grandfather. Their new home is Santa Clara, otherwise known as the murder capital of the world. While there the older brother Michael (Patrick) meets a gang of teenagers who just happen to be vampires responsible for most of the murders. The younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) runs into a couple of self professed vampire killers. The fact that they are twelve doesnt douse their intensity. Michael appears to be on his way to becoming a vampire and the only way to stop it from happening is to kill the head vampire (The identity of which is revealed at the climax of the movie)

The movie flows nicely with a good script. The acting is good, the effects are good, the music is great. The humor throughout the movie adds some chuckles without forcing it. It all gels together into the best vampire movie I have ever seen. (My humble opinion).

The movie is one of my top ten favorites, but I was a little dissapointed with the DVD. There are very few extras, just a trailer and some production notes. Still worth adding to your DVD collection, but I have my fingers crossed for a collector's edition.

Buy The Lost Boys (2008) Now

When a single mother (Dianne Wiest) and her two kids (Jason Patric, Corey Haim) pack up and move from Phoenix to southern California, more specifically, Santa Carla, "the murder capital of the world," they have more than a little bit of adjusting to do. The two teens and their mother move in with their quirky but loveable grandfather (Barnard Hughes), who has an inkling that there is more to this town than meets the eye. At first, things seem different but manageable, until Sam meets the "Frog brothers" at the local comic book shop. They hand him a horror comic about vampires and tell him to think of it as a survival manual. Are these two merely kids with an over-active imagination, or is there some supernatural cause for this odd little coastal town's nickname?

When the older brother, Michael, goes into town for a live concert, he runs into a rather attractive woman named Star (Jami Gertz). Star introduces Michael to her friends, who just happen to be vampires, and they decide to invite Michael to be one of them. Unbeknownst to Michael, he drinks the blood of David (Kiefer Sutherland), the leader of a band of motorcycle riding teenage vampires, thus giving Michael this supernatural dark gift. However, he must make his first kill before becoming a true creature of the night. Only one thing can save Michael from an eternity of bloodsucking. The head vampire must be killed. But who is the head vampire, and can he be found before Michael gives in to temptation? Will Sam and his newfound friends be willing and able to help Michael before it's too late?

This film is a classic, light-hearted 80's foray into the horror genre, complete with horrible wardrobe, glam rock, goofy humor, and a stellar cast performing a great screenplay with a cohesive plot. There are indeed some great lines in this film that are quite memorable. The Frog brothers, in particular, serve as some cute comic relief. The effects and make-up are outstanding, and this is really noticeable in the final, knock-down, drag-out fight in the end of the movie. The cinematography is also really well done (for example, the aerial shots when the vampires are flying towards the house).

This movie is not meant to be taken very seriously, and it is certainly not Anne Rice or Bram Stoker by any means, but it is some great old-fashioned weekend entertainment. Overall this is a great movie that everyone who grew up in the 80's should definitely own. Moreover, it's a great addition to anyone's vampire or horror collection. If you can enjoy a light-hearted romp through vampire mythology, then definitely pick this film up!

A small downside to this DVD is that there are few extras. If you merely want a great movie at a low price, then pick up this DVD. Otherwise, there is a two-disc set coming out soon that should be worth checking out!

Read Best Reviews of The Lost Boys (2008) Here

Flat out, the Blu-ray version of this classic movie is amazing, the picture and sound is as if this movie was just filmed. If you loved the movie back then, you will love it even more now....this is a no-brainer on blu-ray

Want The Lost Boys (2008) Discount?

The Lost Boys is a movie that could only work in the 80s; while sometimes called a classic I don't think I would go that far, but it is a cult classic and one of the most entertaining films I have ever seen. While it is a horror movie there is nothing really scary here. And despite the R-rating it's a very light one at that. The Lost Boys is very much a product of it's time and a damn good one at that. I figured with the release of the sequel The Lost Boys: The Tribe due out this summer I might as well revisit this cult classic.

The screenplay was written by Janice Fischer, James Jeremias & Jeffrey Boam; apparently Fischer & Jeremias wrote the first draft and it was more of a kid's movie that features pre-teens. Richard Donner was the original director, but when production was delayed he dropped out, but stayed on as executive producer, Joel Schumacher was than hired and wanted to make the characters older and I assume that is where Jeffrey Boam comes in. The screenplay though is excellent; the characters are great and almost all of them get enough screen time that we get to know them. Obviously some characters will be more developed than others, but none of them are just simply there.

Director Joel Schumacher who often gets a lot of heat for his work on Batman Forever & Batman & Robin does a great job with The Lost Boys, due to the two Batman movies he's often called a hack and one of the worst filmmakers. Joel Schumacher isn't a great director, but he has made some really enjoyable movies sure he made some mistakes with his Batman movies and even he knows that. But with The Lost Boys he delivers one hell of a fun ride. His scenes are well paced and there really is never a boring moment at all. The comedy works well and the action scenes are extremely well-done and are a lot of fun. There isn't much suspense and tension, but that wasn't the point with this movie.

If anything The Lost Boys is best described as a comedy/fantasy type movie, but since it includes vampires killing people it will throw it into the horror genre. I think every kid and even adults have that fantasy of killing vampires or zombies and The Lost Boys very much plays up to that. The movie runs at 97-minutes and you'll never be bored there's always something happening to hold your interest in the movie.

What The Lost Boys is best known for now is being the very first movie to feature both Corey Haim and Corey Feldman AKA the two Corey's. After this movie they would work together several times before fading away by the end of the 80s; both Corey's work great together here. This is more of a Corey Haim movie since he plays the bigger part and he's really funny, but Feldman possibly steals the show as Edgar Frog along with Jason Newlander as Alan Frog. The Frog Brothers are played straight and serious, which makes it even funnier.

Before he was Jack Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland was David the evil vampire. I'm a huge fan of Sutherland and this is one of his very best roles. He doesn't always have a lot of dialogue, but he has a great presence on camera and makes for one of the coolest vampires to ever appear in a movie. The rest of the cast is also excellent; Jason Patric puts in a solid performance as Michael Emerson trying to fight his vampire urges.

The Lost Boys easily rates as one of the most fun filled movies of the 80s and one of the most fun period; there's never a slow moment The Lost Boys is always funny and a lot of fun. The DVD is excellent with some great features on the 2nd disc. I've seen The Lost Boys several times, but this is the first time I've seen it on DVD and I know there was a DVD out before, but the new one features a brand new HD transfer and the picture quality is excellent. If you own the original disc it's more than worth the double dip for the 2-disc set if not for the extras that at least for the transfer.

Save 50% Off

Read More >>

Mi Verano Con Amanda 2 (Blu-ray)

I recommend this movie will laugh like never.

All very well with this buyer

Go to purchase is movi is very nice :-D

A must see.. Epic demonstration of talent of puerto rican actors! The movie will keep you laughing. It's a sequel about the guys, not the girl, which makes it a refreshing new approach to comedy with an old name!

Buy Mi Verano Con Amanda 2 (Blu-ray) Now

Read More >>