Nick’s Picks 07/11/12

MOVIE REVIEW

ICE AGE: Continental Drift 3D

In Ice Age: Continental Drift, Scrat’s nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he’s been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences – a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all for Manny (Ray Romano), Diego (Denis Leary) and Sid (John Leguizamo). In the wake of these upheavals, Sid reunites with his cantankerous Granny, and the herd encounters a ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates determined to stop them from returning home. This all-new chapter in one of the most successful film franchises of all time brings together the visually epic and the emotionally powerful; the humorous and the heartfelt – plus the world’s most beloved prehistoric squirrel-rat and the ultimate unconventional herd of this or any Age. Joining our familiar “Ice Age” friends and family (Romano, Leguizamo, Leary, and Queen Latifah) for the new film are some of the entertainment world’s brightest talents, including hip hop sensations Nicki Minaj and Drake, and global crossover star Jennifer Lopez.

The magical ingredient of the franchise is its focus on family. This provides the stories’ rich emotional underpinnings, as well as much of their comedy and adventure. “‘Ice Age’ has always been about family,” says Lori Forte, who has produced the entire series and co-wrote the story for the film. “No matter what the plot is of a given ‘Ice Age’ film, it still comes down to family – and about how Manny, Diego, Sid and the now-extended clan look out for one another. That kind of storytelling and humor appeals to everyone, everywhere.” “From the very beginning this was a franchise defined by its heroes – three animals from different species, with different experiences. They are strangers when they meet and family when we leave them,” adds co-screenwriter Jason Fuchs. “Each film explores what it really means to be a family. Is it just something you’re born into? I think all our characters grapple with that question. And I think it’s Diego who has sort of the essential line of the film when he’s asked, kind of dismissively, what’s the difference between a pack and a family? Diego replies, ‘We have each other’s backs.’ And that’s what it means to be a family, and that’s the heart of this movie and of this franchise.” Interwoven with these epic tales of family exploits are the continuing adventures of Scrat, whose sole purpose in life – whose very existence – revolves around an acorn as elusive as it is cherished. Scrat’s quest for the nut has had consequences; in the first “Ice Age” Scrat’s obsession triggered the Ice Age itself. In ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT, Scrat and the object of his pursuits are nothing less than the catalyst for a cataclysm. Forget what you’ve learned in geology about the continents forming as a result of massive tectonic turbulence and volcanic eruptions tearing land masses apart. Ice Age: Continental Drift reveals that these seismic shifts came about from Scrat’s misadventures.

The film reunites us with Scrat as he’s going about his usual business: he has grabbed the acorn, set it down on the ground – and suddenly a mountain is torn apart and the earth itself opens up, separating land masses into the seven continents. Scrat hurtles toward the earth’s core, triggering massive earthquakes, which in turn isolates Manny, Diego and Sid from the rest of the herd. From his introduction as a breakout character in “Ice Age” to becoming a celebrated movie icon, Scrat has brought joy to countless moviegoers – and to the filmmakers who bring him to life. “There’s no better or more enjoyable character to animate than Scrat,” says director Steve Martino. “Who else can you knock around, smash around – and he just keeps going after that nut?!” Adds supervising animator Nick Bruno: “Scrat is why I’m in animation. His adventure in this movie is like a classic tale, where he sees his goal, goes after it, and gets his butt kicked. But this time, the stakes for him and for the herd couldn’t be higher.”

Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D
Starring: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo and Queen Latifah
Director: Steve Martino & Michael Thurmeier
Company: 20th Century Fox
Now Showing: In Local
Area Theatres
MPAA Rating: PG
Grade: B

DVD REVIEWS

FREE DVD GIVEAWAY

We are doing a Free DVD Giveaway! If you are interested in a chance at winning a free copy of , it is really easy! All you have to do is send me an email at HoustonMovieGuy@gmail.com. The subject line of the email should read DVD GIVEAWAY. In the body of the email, be sure to put your name, full mailing address and which DVD or Blu-ray you would like. Winners will be selected by random drawing. Best of luck!

GI JOE: A Real American Hero – Shout Factory

Yo Joe! G.I. Joe is the code name for America’s highly-trained special missions force. Its purpose: to defend human freedom against Cobra, a ruthless organization determined to rule the world! In 1983 Hasbro made a bold statement when it relaunched its classic toy line of action heroes as an adventure-based team of unique characters, each with his — and her — own specialties. And because it captured the imaginations and hearts of boys and girls aspiring to make a difference in the world, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero was an immediate success lasting over 25 incredible years.

FIGHTVILLE – MPI

Over the past decade, Mixed Martial Arts has grown from a controversial, no-holds-barred sideshow into a billion-dollar phenomenon eclipsing boxing as the dominant combat sport in the world. Fightville shows how MMA has taken hold in the American heartland, where modern-day gladiators battle in strip mall gyms and dusty rodeo arenas desperate for glory and a shot at the big time. In Lafayette, Louisiana, far from the glamorous and lucrative world of Las Vegas bouts, pro hopefuls Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier and Albert Stainback fight tooth and nail for their shot at the American Dream. This thrilling, unflinching and ultimately moving documentary offers a cage-side view of these passionate and powerful athletes as they put their bodies on the line in the quest for fame and fortune.

CHERRY BOMB – WellGo USA

In homage to the action films of the early 1980s, the beautiful Cherry is an exotic dancer who is raped and attacked by a group of sleazy men in the club where she works. The men escape justice and she vows revenge and kills them off one by one. Things start to spiral out of control when a mysterious hit man named Bull is hired to put an end to Cherry’s bloody tirade. She soon realizes that there is more at stake than she ever imagined.

FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES: Season Two – CBS Paramount

In the spirit of “Murder, She Wrote” and “Diagnosis Murder”, this series also features a main character in an unlikely profession for solving murders. Wherever Father Dowling and his assistant Sister Oskowsky go, someone turns up dead. While the local police are usually quick to find a likely suspect, the snooping priest just as quickly finds a good reason to take a closer look.

WWE SUPERSTAR COLLECTION: Zach Ryder – WWE

In February 2011, “Z! True Long Island Story” debuted on YouTube. Little did future “Broski’s” all over the world know, the real story was just beginning. Refusing to be ignored, the sunglass-clad, spike haired Superstar used the power of the internet and social media to catapult himself from relative no-name to online sensation. Fans began chanting “Woo Woo Woo” and other Superstars including John Cena began to echo their support for the man known as “Long Island Iced Z”. Today, Zack competes with the upper-echelon of WWE every week and shows no signs of slowing his momentum. This compilation is the first ever DVD to focus on Zack Ryder, and it collects six of the greatest matches tracing his meteoric rise to fame, most of which have never been released on DVD!

WWE SUPERSTAR COLLECTION: John Cena – WWE

Since ascending to the pinnacle of WWE superstardom, John Cena has stared down an endless gauntlet of doubters, haters, as well as the fiercest challengers WWE has to offer, and risen above them all. His determination and resilience have earned him legions of fans, and nothing brings the members of Cenation to their feet more than seeing their hero rise to the occasion inside the squared circle. With this special compilation, relive some of the greatest battles featuring the most popular WWE Superstar of this generation, including matches never-before released on DVD!

ADVENTURE TIME: Season One – Cartoon Network

What time is it? It’s time for Adventure Time: The Complete First Season DVD. The Cartoon Network’s #1 hit comedy show and Emmy nominated series that centers on the post apocalyptic adventures of Finn, a human boy with a funny hat, and his friend Jake.

ICARLY: Season Four – Nickelodeon

Hold your sauce – Freddie and Sam are officially together! You won’t want to miss all the comedic ups-and-downs of this crazy relationship. Also this season, Carly starts dating a super smart guy, Nora returns in a 2-part episode, the crew gets a visit from a VIP, and lots more to make you LOL!

QUILL: The Life of a Guide Dog – Music Box

The documentary-like story of a yellow Labrador Retriever guide dog for the blind named Quill. We follow Quill from the litter, his selection to become a guide, his life with a foster family until his first birthday, followed by highly specialized schooling in guiding the sightless. He is then paired with a blind man named Watanabe Mitsuru who is at first reluctant to rely on Quill. But Quill s great patience, gentleness and skill eventually wins him over and they become inseparable friends.

BARNEY: All About Opposites – Lionsgate

There’s nonstop fun as Barney and his friends go and learn all about opposites! Everyone helps Baby BopT understand concepts like up and down, in and out, high and low. Hey Diddle Diddle, the kids see that they can be big or little but it’s what’s inside that counts! Then join in as Barney and his friends have a cool time on a hot day in a pretend winter-summer wonderland learning about hot and cold! There’s always Tee-riffic teaching and fun when big dinos and small friends are around!

THOMAS & FRIENDS: School House Delivery – Lionsgate

School’s in session and there are important lessons to be learned on the Island of Sodor. Diesel gets a hero’s welcome when he makes a Really Useful delivery to the schoolhouse. Percy gets a lesson in responsibility after he runs into trouble trying to be like the bigger engines! Henry gets trained in how to handle health and safety emergencies, while Hiro teaches Thomas about his happy homeland. Join the Steam Team for a bright journey to the Head of the Class!

AMERICAN REUNION – Universal

Get ready for flat-out hilarious, raunchy fun as the whole American Pie gang returns to East Great Falls for the first time since their legendary senior year to turn their reunion into the most unforgettable weekend since high school. Old friends will reconnect, old flames will reignite, and everyone will rediscover just how much fun you can pack into one outrageous reunion.

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Posted by FortBendStar on Jul 11 2012. Filed under Nick's Picks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.