Two big-budget sequels anchor this week’s home video releases.
Tag Archives: The Rock
Video Verdict: ‘Despicable Me 2,’ ‘Fast & Furious 6’
Filed under Video Verdict
Video Verdict: ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’
Channing Tatum, left, and Dwayne Johnson play American soldiers in the action film “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.”
It’s a slow week for home video, as the only major theatrical release moving to the small screen is an action film based on the G.I. Joe toy franchise.
Filed under Video Verdict
Video Verdict: ‘Oz the Great and Powerful,’ ‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters,’ ‘Snitch’
Michelle Williams, far left, plays Glinda and James Franco (by her side) plays the title character in “Oz the Great and Powerful.”
This week’s home video releases range from a high-octane action film starring Dwayne Johnson to a modern-day prequel to the “Wizard of Oz.”
Filed under Video Verdict
Snapshot Reviews: ‘Fast & Furious 6’ and ‘Epic’
“Fast & Furious 6” makes its way into theaters today (May 24).
I’m introducing a new feature here at ForrestHartman.com: Snapshot reviews. Please note that I will still write long-form critiques for my Video Verdict column. These are designed to give readers a quick assessment of new movies. Hopefully you find them useful and fun.
FAST & FURIOUS 6
2½ stars
Story: Dominic Toretto and his crew team with U.S. agent Hobbs in order to capture a dangerous mercenary who is at skilled at motorized hijackings as they used to be. Sweetening the pot is the apparent appearance of Dom’s longtime love, Letty, a woman the whole crew thought was dead.
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris and Gina Carano.
Directed by: Justin Lin (“Better Luck Tomorrow,” “Fast Five”)
Bottom line: The plotting is ridiculous and the dialogue is melodramatic, but the stunts are as good as they get.
EPIC
3½ stars
Story: Animated film about a teen girl who discovers a tiny world of forest creatures engaged in a constant battle between good and evil. When she is magically transported into their world, she goes on a fantastic adventure.
Voice cast features: Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Beyonce, Chris O’Dowd, Pitbull, Amanda Seyfried, Christoph Waltz and Jason Sudeikis
Directed by: Chris Wedge (“Ice Age,” “Robots”)
Bottom line: Beautiful 3-D animation coupled with a compelling story. The fantastic writing, and Wedge’s excellent execution, make this the best animated movie since “Rise of the Guardians.”
Filed under Snapshot Reviews
Video Verdict: ‘John Carter,’ ‘Safe House,’ ‘Act of Valor,’ ‘Journey 2’
Taylor Kitsch finds himself in a tight spot playing the title character in “John Carter.”
A thriller starring Denzel Washington and an adaptation of a much-loved science-fiction novel anchor this week’s home video releases.
Filed under Video Verdict
foresthartman.com 