Chronicle

Released in February 2012 to the theaters and very recently to DVD, Chronicle is a movie about the drawbacks of suddenly acquiring special powers. When special telekinetic powers are placed in the hands of a few conflicted teenagers, chaos can occur. The film begins with Andrew Detner, played by Dane Deehan, a fast-rising star in the film industry, best known for his role in the TV series In Treatment and also the TV series True Blood, adjusting his new high quality HD camera.
Chronicle (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo +Digital Copy)Amazon Price: $14.99


Andrew is a socially awkward teen, but has creative talent and a love for film production. Andrew already has much baggage in his personal life with his terminally-ill mother being bed-ridden and his alcoholic abusive father making life miserable for him, and then to add to it, he becomes the recipient of newly founded telekinesis abilities which he and his buddies discover in an underground tunnel while at a teenage drinking party.

As with any newly acquired super power, the boys at first reap in the rewards of being immortal with winning first place in the high school talent show (with the use of their new powers, of course) which leads to them getting special attention from the most popular girls in school. They feel unbeatable, invincible, untouchable and at the top of their game. But it does not last when, out of anger, one of the boys uses his new powers to murder someone. This is the start of the downward tailspin for the young teenage men when their more darker sides are revealed.

This movie is rated PG-13 for its intense action and violence as well as sexual content and teenage drinking. It is was important to the filmmakers to keep this movie at a PG-13 and no higher, so teenagers could see it.

Some trivia for you about this movie. The girl in the movie that Andrew was making out with is his actual girlfriend in real life.

One critique and poor attention to detail is with the parking lot scene. The movie was shot in South Africa. However, the movie takes place in the United States. If you look closely at the cars in the parking lot scene, you will see the steering wheel is on the right-hand side of all the cars. In South Africa, as in many European countries, the steering wheel is located on the right side. However, the movie took place in the US where the steering wheel is on the opposite side, the left side.

The flying sequences are well done, and the effects are passable.

However, I have to say, I did not like how the movie ended. I will not give it away, but if you check it out on DVD and watch it, you will see what I mean. Instead of feeling good at the end, you are left with a, “What the...” and “Why did....” notion.

The Gundown

A recently released Western DVD, the Gundown, filmed in Arizona starring Peter Coyote, Sheree Wilson and Veronica Diaz, takes place in the year 1889 when the Old Wild West was full of gunfights, showdowns, hangings, horse nabbing and more. Centered on revenge and justice, a solely reclusive gun-for-hire by the name of Cole Brandt, played by Andrew W. Walker from the TV series Without a Trace and CSI: Miami, moves through the dry hot Arizona Sonora desert, capturing wanted fugitives and bringing them to the law for monetary compensation. Cole is in search of the men who murdered his family half a decade earlier. He travels from one Southwest town to another, seeking revenge on those who took what was most precious to him, his wife and child. When he comes to the small lawless town of Dead River, he is met with conflict. Although Dead River has a sheriff, there is a more powerful, evil force at work. A man by the name of Travis McCain, played by William Shockley from the films Last Will and Suckers and the TV series Nash Bridges, ruthlessly controls Dead River. When Cole Brandt decides to protect the one last establishment in town which is not under the control of McCain, a saloon called The Majestic, he is faced with a decision to stay and fight or leave town with the revenge he came for.

The GunDown
Amazon Price: $5.49

This Western film allowed for some local talent to be a part of a major motion picture for the first time in their careers. Many actors from the Tombstone, Arizona gunslingers played a contributing role in the making of this film.

A couple critics about the movie is that there was too much foul language used throughout the film. Sometime profanity can be necessary to illustrate effect, but in this case, the profanity was completely overdone and unnecessary. I would advise from having young children or church-going grandmothers watch this film.

The other critique is that one of the top billing actors, Peter Coyote, known mostly for his role in the 1980's alien movie E.T., was killed too soon in the film. Peter Coyote's character, Thomas Morgan, is killed in the first few scenes when the Majestic Guard Ike Edwards, played by David Hight, attempts to stop Morgan's attacker.

Nonetheless, if you are looking for a good old-fashioned Western recently released to DVD, The Gundown is a good choice for those that enjoy western movies.

This review written by Stephanie Hill