Tag Archives: Forrest Hartman

March 25, 2009 · 7:05 am

Video Verdict expands to new markets

I’m pleased to report that my weekly Video Verdict column was picked up this week by two additional newspapers: The Lansing State Journal (Lansing, MI) and Florida Today (Brevard and Melbourne counties in Florida). So, if you live in those areas, you will now be able to find my DVD reviews in print each week.

Thanks to my friends at both papers for adding the column. If you live outside the markets that carry the column in print, you can always find it right here at ForrestHartman.com. Also, I’m continually looking to add new outlets, so if you’d like to see me in your favorite paper, give management a call and send them to this Web site.

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March 24, 2009 · 7:42 am

It’s worth watching ‘Watchmen’

Malin Akerman, left, and Patrick Wilson play superheroes in "Watchmen."

Malin Akerman, left, and Patrick Wilson play superheroes in "Watchmen."

WATCHMEN
3 stars (out of four)
Rated R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language
162 minutes
Warner Brothers

 

“Watchmen” may be a superhero movie, but it’s got more in common with “Sin City” and “V for Vendetta” than the traditional caped crusader flick. That’s because it’s dark, gritty and built around a traditional detective story. It’s also because the movie is based on a graphic novel written by Alan Moore, who also penned “Vendetta.”

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March 24, 2009 · 6:30 am

Video Verdict: New DVDs for March 24

Bolt the superdog and his pal Rhino in a scene from the Oscar-nominated, animated film "Bolt."

Bolt the superdog and his pal Rhino in a scene from the Oscar-nominated, animated film "Bolt."

This week’s DVD releases include the latest James Bond thriller and two animated films, one for adults and one for the kiddies.

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March 20, 2009 · 7:11 am

A.V.A. opening ballet on Saturday

Alexander Van Alstyne is watching more than four months of hard work come together this week, and the Reno choreographer likes what he’s seeing.

“I’m extremely pleased,” he said of A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s production of “Alice in Wonderland.” “It’s pretty amazing.”

Click here for entire story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009903200388

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March 17, 2009 · 6:53 am

Video Verdict: New DVDs for March 17

Doug Hutchison, rear, and Ray Stevenson in a scene from "Punisher: War Zone."

Doug Hutchison, rear, and Ray Stevenson in a scene from "Punisher: War Zone."

Both of this week’s major video releases are built on fantasy, but the titles are nothing alike in tone or presentation.

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March 13, 2009 · 2:14 pm

Ladysmith Black Mambazo ready for Reno

mambazoLadysmith Black Mambazo won its second Grammy in February, and spokesman and original member Albert Mazibuko sees this as the ultimate honor.

“That’s amazing,” he said. “That’s the best thing that ever happened to the group, because if you talk about the Grammy, there’s no other award in the world that’s above it. That kind of recognition in the world, it’s great. It’s so wonderful.”

Renoites can catch the South African vocal group fresh off its win when it plays the Grand Sierra Resort on Sunday. The concert is a rare non-summer offering by Reno’s Artown festival.

For the full story, click here: http://www.rgj.com/article/20090313/ENT02/903130414/1056/ENT

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March 13, 2009 · 12:28 am

Bassist Edgar Meyer playing in Reno

 

Edgar Meyer

Edgar Meyer

The Reno Chamber Orchestra has been bringing out-of-area soloists to Northern Nevada for most of its 35-year existence, but few have more impressive credentials than bassist Edgar Meyer, who will be featured with the group Saturday and Sunday.

“He certainly is one of the greatest soloists that we will ever play with,” said Scott Faulkner, executive director and bassist with the Chamber Orchestra. “Both in terms of notoriety and just ability, he certainly is at the top of the pile, right up there with the best that have ever played with us. That’s not an overstatement at all.”

Faulkner became one of Meyer’s admirers when he was just a young player studying bass in college.

“I remember the first time that I heard a recording of him,” Faulkner said. “I was like, ‘Oh, my word.’ I couldn’t believe it.”

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090312/NEIGHBORHOODS02/903120313/1247/NEIGHBORHOODS

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March 8, 2009 · 1:12 am

Video Verdict: New DVDs for March 10

Josh Brolin, left, plays Dan White and Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk in the drama "Milk."

Josh Brolin, left, plays Dan White and Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk in the drama "Milk."

It’s an exceptionally busy week on the home video front, with film lovers gaining access to a 2008 best picture nominee, a crude-but-funny Hollywood comedy, a Jason Statham action flick and a handful of notable indies.

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March 6, 2009 · 1:36 pm

Jonas Brothers keep fans happy

SAN FRANCISCO — The Jonas Brothers’ “3D Concert Experience” may not have taken the top box office spot last weekend, but the musical brothers still made a lot of fans happy.

Partnering with NetJets Inc. and Marquis Jets, the three Jonases launched a whirlwind tour that ran Feb. 27 to March 1 and covered more than 6,000 miles. The three brothers made stops in a number of major cities in order to surprise fans at screenings, and they closed the tour Sunday night in San Francisco. While there, they held a brief press conference before walking into an auditorium filled with screaming fans.

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090306/ENT01/903060342/1056/ENT

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March 5, 2009 · 11:34 pm

Are we ready for “Watchmen”?

Malin Akerman in "Watchmen."

Malin Akerman in "Watchmen."

SAN FRANCISCO — The road to the “Watchmen” movie was long, bumpy and routed through rugged, unfamiliar territory. That it finally opened in theaters at midnight Thursday brings that road to an end. But one question still burns: Are audiences ready for an R-rated superhero spectacle that has been described by some as unfilmable?

“There are a lot of reasons, I think, why the movie didn’t get made up until now,” director Zack Snyder said during an interview last week at the WonderCon comic convention in San Francisco. “(Producer) Larry Gordon said, ‘It’s not unfilmable, it’s unfinanceable,’ which I thought was a really interesting distinction. … Culture, I hope, is ready for ‘Watchmen’ now.”

Click here for the full story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990305026

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