Book Review: 20TH CENTURY FOX - A CENTURY OF ENTERTAINMENT

By Michael Troyan, Jeffrey Paul Thompson & Stephen X. Sylvester. (2017, 736p).

LYONS PRESS

Everything you ever wanted to know about 20th Century Fox, but never thought to ask...

This hefty, handsome volume details the entire history of the iconic studio, from founder William Fox's ambitious beginnings through 2015 (you know...a century). But the book isn't primarily about Fox's movies. Though nearly every noteworthy film is mentioned, most are just briefly discussed within the context of the studio's history itself.

A Century of Entertainment is mostly about the rise of Fox - both physically and as a major Hollywood entity - as well as the moguls, producers, actors and executives who've come and gone over the years. Several chapters take the reader on a detailed tour of Century City, building by building, which include detailed maps and scores of photos. Elsewhere, the text chronicles the studio's highs and lows over the decades, along with the power players behind the scenes. We even learn the origins of Alfred Newman's "Fox Fanfare" music and the evolution of the iconic 'searchlight' logo.

The studio's early days are written about in far greater detail, therefore the most interesting (like most origin stories or biographies). Once it's established that Fox is an entertainment giant that's here to stay, the 1950s-on-forward are summarized more briefly, sometimes becoming a breathless list of notable films released during those eras. Later chapters cover the corporation's expansion into television, such as classic TV shows, the FOX network and cable channels.

In addition to being a fascinating read, this is a beautifully-assembled, hardcover coffee table book filled with hundreds of rare photos to accompany the text. Though it comes with a price nearly as heavy as its weight, 20th Century Fox: A Century of Entertainment is a must-have for serious fans of Hollywood history.

Just don't drop it on your foot.

 KITTY CONSENSUS:

MEE-OW! LIKE BEING TURNED LOOSE IN A BIRD SANCTUARY

Blu-Ray News: GEOSTORM on Blu-Ray/DVD 1/23

We here at FREE KITTENS love disaster movies above all other genres, so this is good news to us. Warner Bros' sci-fi disaster epic, Geostorm, will be available on home video January 23. 

After an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet, the world's leaders came together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. But now, something has gone wrong—the system built to protect the Earth is attacking it, and it's a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a worldwide geostorm wipes out everything...and everyone along with it.

Blu-Ray News: JIGSAW on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD 1/23

In the latest terrifying installment of the legendary SAW series, law enforcement find itself chasing the ghost of a man dead for over a decade, embroiled in a diabolical new game that’s only just begun.  Has John Kramer, the infamous Jigsaw Killer, returned from the dead to commit a series of murders and remind the world to be grateful for the gift of life?  Or is this a trap set by a different killer with designs of their own?

Immerse yourself within Jigsaw’s world with the release’s extensive Special Features, including an all-new 7-Part Documentary, an Audio Commentary with Producers Mark Burg, Oren Koules, and Peter Block, and “The Choice is Yours: Exploring the Props” featurette. The 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray versions feature Dolby Atmos audio mixed specifically for the home, to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray also features Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR), growing Lionsgate’s library of titles featuring both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Dolby Vision transforms the TV experience in the home by delivering greater brightness and contrast, as well as a fuller palette of rich colors. Together with the captivating sound of Dolby Atmos, consumers will experience both cutting-edge imaging and state-of-the-art sound technology for a fully immersive entertainment experience. 

Blu-Ray News: 2 Classic Courtroom Dramas Coming January 9 from Kino Lorber

The event the world will never forget! Winner of two Academy Awards including Actor in a Leading Role (Maximilian Schell, Topkapi) and nominated for eleven Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, Judgment at Nuremberg is a magnificent achievement in filmmaking, boasting brilliant performances by an all-star cast. American judge Dan Haywood (Spencer Tracy, Inherit the Wind) presides over the trial of four German jurists accused of "legalizing" Nazi atrocities. But as graphic accounts of sterilization and murder unfold in the courtroom, mounting political pressure for leniency forces Haywood to make the most harrowing and difficult decision of his career. This masterpiece, considered by many as one of the greatest films of all time, was directed by the great Stanley Kramer (On the Beach) with a stupendous cast that includes Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, Montgomery Clift and William Shatner.

Acting legends Spencer Tracy (Judgment at Nuremberg) and Fredric March (The Iceman Cometh) go toe-to-toe in this thrilling recreation of the most titanic courtroom battle of the century. The great Stanley Kramer (On the Beach) directs this masterpiece featuring Gene Kelly (On the Town) in a rare, critically acclaimed dramatic role. Inherit the Wind is powerful, provocative cinema and a heaping measure of entertainment. The controversial subject of evolution versus creation causes two polar opposites to engage in one explosive battle of beliefs. Attorney Clarence Darrow (Tracy) faces off against fundamentalist leader William Jennings Bryan (March) in a small Tennessee town where a teacher has been brought to trial for teaching Darwinism. The stellar supporting cast includes Dick York, Donna Anderson, Harry Morgan, Claude Akins, Norman Fell and Noah Beery Jr.

DVD Review: FARGO - YEAR 3

Starring Ewan McGregor, Carrie Coon, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, David Thewlis, Goran Bogdan, Michael Stuhlbarg, Shea Whigham, Scoot McNairy, Mark Forward, Andy Yu, Olivia Sandoval, Mary McDonnell. Various directors. (2017, 520 min).

20TH CENTURY FOX

It's still rather amazing that a classic as unique as the original Fargo inspired a television show at all, let-alone one that managed to strike the same balance between labyrinthine thriller, oddball character study and black comedy. That the show remains as endearingly quirky after three seasons is even more remarkable.

Storywise, Year 3 isn't quite as consistently compelling as Year 2. After a couple of intriguing set-up episodes, things meander a bit at times, such as an entire early episode dedicated to the shady past of a recently-deceased character. Aside from a very brief metaphorical moment later on, it has no baring on the rest of the story. Granted, one thing that makes the Fargo universe amusing is the various vignettes that aren't necessarily important to the story, but are interesting nonetheless. However, an entire episode is a bit much.

Ewan gets stuck with the check.

That's a small quip, though, since the rest of Fargo remains as moody, weird and darkly funny as ever. Year 3, like the previous two, tells a completely new story, set at a different time (2010-11) and featuring a different cast of wonderfully weird characters. Ewan McGregor, in a dual role, plays the feuding Stussy brothers (Ray and Emmitt), both of whom eventually get in over their heads when their best-laid plans spiral wildly out of control. Carrie Coon is Gloria Bergle, an Eden Valley police chief who begins to piece together connections between the Stussys and a couple of brutal murders (one of the victims, her father-in-law, also happens to be named Stussy). Mary Elizabeth Winstead is Ray's ex-con girlfriend who instigates much of the bad blood between Ray and his wealthier brother (making her sort-of a well-meaning femme fatale).

Santa leaves behind a little nightmare fuel.

The whole cast is great - and McGregor has never been better - but the best performance is by David Thewlis as V.M Varga, a mysterious, cold-blooded figure who once helped Emmitt (the "Parking Lot King") save his business, but has insinuated himself into company to become a "partner" and use it as a front for money laundering. Not only is he ruthless, Varga is also quite repulsive. From his disheveled appearance, spacey demeanor and grotesque habits - like bulimic binging & purging and picking at his own rotting teeth until his gums bleed - his very presence in most scenes is truly unnerving.

Though there are plenty of wild plot turns, these terrific characters effectively carry the story through some of the rough, slow spots, making this third season of 10 episodes well worth binging over a night or two. None of it may actually take place in or around Fargo this time, but really, the title is more of a brand name now, evoking a quirky brand of storytelling that's hard to resist.

EXTRA KIBBLES

"INSIDE LOOK" (These are all 1-2 minute promos): "First Look"; Ray and Nikki"; Emmit Stussy and Sy Feltz"; "One Actor, Two Characters"; "Gloria Burgle"; Varga"; "Anatomy of a Scene"; "The Digital Age"; "Connectivity and References" (Easter eggs); Locations"; "Noah Hawley"

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS

Blu-Ray News: Vestron's CLASS OF 1999 Coming to Blu-ray 1/30

The ultimate teaching machine spirals out of control when the Vestron Video Collector’s Series releases the sci-fi thriller Class of 1999, arriving for the first time on limited edition Blu-ray™ on January 30 from Lionsgate. A high school principal employs robotic teachers to keep order in an inner-city school, but when the androids become deadly, opposing teenage gangs must unite to save their own lives. Starring Pam Grier, Stacy Keach, and Malcolm McDowell, Class of 1999 is restored & remastered, and packed with all-new special features, including audio commentaries with director Mark L. Lester, interviews with the crew and more! 

Movie News: Disney•Pixar's COCO - Holiday Gift Guitars for the Budding Musician

With Disney•Pixar's smash hit Coco now in theaters it's time to "seize your moment" this holiday season! For families looking for the perfect gift for the little musician in their lives, these Coco related items will touch their hearts as much as the film itself.

Disney∙Pixar Coco Interactive Guitar
Licensee: Mattel
MSRP: $29.99
Retailers: Toys "R" Us and shopDisney.com
Fans of Disney•Pixar’s Coco can recreate music from the movie with this interactive guitar that allows budding musicians to learn and practice, “Remember Me,” a popular song from the film through fully functioning strings, working lights and true-to-movie details. This guitar is topped by a skull that chomps when the first chord button is pressed and also comes with sheet music for kids to practice the day away and become a musician just like Miguel dreams of becoming. 3 “AA” batteries required (included). Ages 3 years and up.

Disney•Pixar Coco x Cordoba Acoustic Guitar
Licensee: Cordoba
MSRP: $169.00
Retailers: Guitar Center and Music & Arts
Embark on a musical adventure with the Coco x Cordoba Guitar, inspired by Coco, a film by Disney•Pixar. Built with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides and durable satin finish, the Guitar sounds clear, warm and melodic, just like the guitars in the film. Its soft nylon strings are perfect for beginners and its smaller body (7/8 size) is comfortable to hold and play. The beautiful laser-etched design is inspired by Miguel’s family history and the guitars featured throughout the film.

Disney•Pixar Coco x Cordoba Mini Acoustic Guitar
Licensee: Cordoba
MSRP: $129.00
Retailers: Guitar Center and Music & Arts
Embark on a musical adventure with the Disney•Pixar's Coco x Cordoba Mini, a fun travel-size nylon string guitar inspired by Coco, a film by Disney•Pixar. Perfectly sized for life's adventures (580mm or 22.8” scale length) and with a durable satin finish, the Mini retains the playability of a full size guitar without losing its impressively loud voice. Built with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides and in standard E tuning, the Mini's tone is bright and full. The beautiful laser-etched design is inspired by Miguel’s family history and the guitars featured throughout the film. Comes with a Córdoba gig bag and guitar strap.

Blu-Ray News: SPIDER-MAN HOMECOMING - Limited-Edition Gift Box + Spidey Suit Auction!

Official Spider-Man: Homecoming Suit Hits the Auction Block Today to Benefit the Marine Toys For Tots Program 

 Spider-Man:  Homecoming Limited-Edition Gift Box Available Today Exclusively at Walmart

  
This holiday, fans can join Spider-Man in sharing the gift of giving to children everywhere.  An official Spider-Man suit worn by Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Homecoming will be auctioned to benefit Toys for Tots.  Fans can celebrate with Spider-Man: Homecoming by participating in the auction to win the suit or by entering a sweepstakes through the Official Spider-Man Facebook Page to win a second official suit.  Fans can also swing into Walmart for an exclusive Spider-Man: Homecoming Limited-Edition Gift Box in stores today, the perfect gift for Spidey fans this holiday.

 
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is providing the first official Spider-Man: Homecoming suit to the ScreenBid online auction site to auction for the benefit of underprivileged kids through the Toys for Tots Foundation.  Fans can bid on the online auction starting today by registering at www.spiderman.screenbid.com.  Bidding will close on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 9 am EST / 6 am PST.  In addition, SPHE will donate Spider-Man^™: Homecoming DVDs to bring Spider-Man home to fans through Toys for Tots.
 
“Finding a present under the tree on Christmas morning is an experience every child deserves," said retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, Vice President of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.  “With this generous support, we will be able to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of less fortunate children who otherwise might be forgotten."

For those who don’t win the suit at auction, a second official Spider-Man^™: Homecoming suit is up for grabs through the official Spider-Man^™: Homecoming Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter.  To enter the sweepstakes, fans can simply take a picture of themselves showing a photo of their purchase of the new Walmart-exclusive Spider-Man^™\: Homecoming Limited Edition Gift Box or any Blu-ray^™, DVD or Digital purchase of Spider-Man^™: Homecoming at retail.  Fans can then post to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #SpidermanHomecomingSweepstakes for their chance to win.   Launching today, the official sweepstakes will remain open throughout the holidays, closing on January 2, 2018 giving fans one more opportunity to bring an official Spidey suit home.  For official rules and more details on how to enter, visit www.spidermanhomecoming.com/WinTheSuit.

A perfect gift for any superhero fan, the new Spider-Man: Homecoming Limited Edition Gift Box is available beginning today exclusively at Walmart and comes loaded with an exclusive Funko Pop! “upside-down” Vinyl bobble-head figure, only available through this limited retail offer.  Also exclusive to this limited edition gift box is a Spider-Man Comic Covers Book called “Through the Years” featuring popular Spider-Man comic book cover art, as well as Spider-Man athletic socks, a collectible Spider-Man enamel pin, and the Spider-Man: Homecoming Blu-ray, DVD and digital combo pack.

ABOUT THE MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS PROGRAM
Toys for Tots, a 70-year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to disadvantaged children during each Christmas holiday season.  The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime.  It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community.  Last year the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7 million less fortunate children in 792 communities nationwide.  Since 1947 over 244 million children have been assisted. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.  For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

Blu-Ray Review: DESPICABLE ME 3

Starring the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Nev Scharrel, Pierre Coffin, Steve Coogan, Julie Andrews. Directed by Pierre Coffin & Kyle Balda. (2017, 90 min).

UNIVERSAL

A funny thing happened on my way through Despicable Me 3...it turned into a sequel to two different movies.

This is, foremost, the third film in Illumination's uber-popular franchise. Gru and his wife, Lucy, are now agents for the Anti-Villain League, but get fired after failing to apprehend former 80's child star-turned supervillain Balthazat Bratt. Gru then gets an invite from long-lost twin brother, Dru, who lives in Freedonia. So Gru brings the whole family along, at which time the film juggles several concurrent stories: Lucy struggling with being a stepmom, little Nev's quest to find a real unicorn and Gru & Dru trying to steal back a diamond stolen by Bratt, who wants revenge on Hollywood by destroying the entire town and needs the jewel to power his giant robot.

"Dammit, Dru, go find a restroom!"

Meanwhile, the Minions, disgusted that Gru was fired from his job, have abandoned him, but end up going to prison. At least a third of the movie is dedicated to their misadventures and in-no-way figures into the main plot, meaning Despicable Me 3 frequently plays more like a Minions sequel. One's enjoyment of these little fellas depends largely on whether or not you've already had your fill of their antics (for this writer, the threat of overkill looms large).

"We're mad as hell and we're not gonna take it anymore!"

With all these subplots padding things out, Despicable Me 3 is narratively the most meandering in the series. Furthermore, despite dedicated voice work by Trey Parker, Bratt isn't a very interesting villain. Having your character embody everything goofy about the 80s isn't really that clever, since people have been poking fun at that decade ever since it ended. Such gags and references will be lost on kids, while their parents have seen & heard it all before.

But that's probably nitpicking. Like the previous films, Despicable Me 3 is colorful, exuberant and just amusing enough to keep it from being a parental endurance test while their kids laugh their butts off. If nothing else, the film knows its audience, which I suppose qualifies as praise.

EXTRA KIBBLES (mostly geared toward kids)

FEATURETTES: "The Making of Despicable Me 3"; "Character Profiles"; "Developing Dru"

SHORT: "The Secret Life of Kyle" (Gru's dog)

"MINION MOMENTS" - Essentially two half-minute shorts.

"DESPICABLE ME TV" & "FREEDONIA VISITORS GUIDE" - Voice-over "Advertisements" made from scenes from the film.

"THE AVL FILES" - An interactive feature profiling several characters.

MUSIC VIDEOS: "Doowit" (sing-along video) & "Yellow Light"

DELETED SCENE

GALLERIES: "Minion Mugshots" & "Wanted Posters"

DVD & DIGITAL COPIES

KITTY CONSENSUS:

NOT BAD...LIKE CAT CHOW

(But enough of the minions, already!)

Blu-Ray Review: BETTER WATCH OUT

Starring Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Aleks Mikic, Dacre Montgomery, Patrick Warburton, Virginia Madsen. (2016, 89 min).

WELL GO USA

Enter our giveaway of this title HERE.

It's difficult to summarize movies like Better Watch Out without providing major spoilers, especially since the plot-twist it heavily depends on occurs during the first act. One major narrative strike against the film is that, due to some heavy-handed and clumsy foreshadowing, said-twist probably won't come as a real surprise.

Still, this Christmas themed horror film presents an interesting take on the home invasion subgenre. Olivia DeJonge is Ashley, an 18-year-old who agrees to babysit 12-year-old Luke (Levi Miller) while his goofy, bickering parents go to a Christmas party. Later, Luke's less-than-responsible best friend, Garrett, shows up. Initially more concerned with an over-the-phone spat with her boyfriend, Olivia soon has much a bigger problem: Somebody begins terrorizing her, cutting the phone lines & internet and threatening to kill anyone who leaves the house.

Kids, Santa's never gonna come if you wait up for him.

To reveal much more would ruin the fun. Suffice it to say, Better Watch Out is not your garden variety home invasion thriller. Though the big plot twist is bungled by obvious exposition, it does lay the groundwork for an off-kilter, suspenseful, sometimes disturbing film with a mean streak a mile wide and a sense of humor as black as coal in your stocking. Of course, horror movies are only as good as their villains. This one has a doozy: a truly sadistic, hateful character that's bolstered by a remarkably unhinged, scenery-chewing performance.

Though not always particularly scary, Better Watch Out is suitably unnerving and sometimes jarringly violent, with better than average performances and a resolution that's both infuriating and cryptically funny. Those game for this type of entertainment might also find themselves laughing at inopportune moments. Make sure not to shut it off when the end credits start to roll.

EXTRA KIBBLES

MAKING-OF FEATURETTE

TRAILERS

HOLIDAY POSTCARD

DVD COPY

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS