Rating: «« out of ««««

Running Time: 102 minutes

Despite the inherent pitfalls and warnings about spending too much time on computers, phones and laptops, it seems we just can’t get away from them, even when we go to the movies. The proliferation of cyber-thrillers appears to be gaining momentum, with the release of the sequel Unfriended: Dark Web last month and this week’s picture.

It certainly isn’t without its faults, but Searching does improve on the previously mentioned feature and manages to avoid a few of the pitfalls seen in other titles.

Telling its story using nothing but computers, phones, security cameras and television news broadcasts, the plot follows David...

Once again, it’s time to take a look at all of the new releases coming to Blu-ray and DVD. This is an incredibly busy week with plenty of flicks both new and old. In fact, there should be something here for just about everyone. So if you can’t make it to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

Big New Releases!

American Animals - Based on a real incident, this heist feature involves a group of unhappy Kentucky university students. Some are looking for creative inspiration, others excitement, while a few just want to rebel. They plot an elaborate heist to steal valuable books from a school library and sell them to a black-market dealer. Reviews were...

Rating: « out of ««««

Running Time: 91 minutes

The latest feature from the late, great Jim Henson’s production company tries to put a spin on Muppet-like characters, allowing its puppets to engage in adult activities and spout four-letter words.

Truthfully, this isn’t the first time this approach has been taken with creations that are more closely associated with children’s entertainment. These include the off-Broadway musical Avenue Q, as well as the Peter Jackson cult flick, Meet the Feebles (1989). Sadly, the newest attempt is The Happytime Murders, a production that doesn’t reach the same demented heights as either of those previous efforts.

In this filmic world...

Rating: ««« out of ««««

Running Time: 133 minutes

The original 1973 feature Papillon is a hard act to follow. The Steve McQueen/Dustin Hoffman prison drama faithfully recreated the horrific conditions of prison in French Guiana during the ’30s and the tireless efforts of the title character to escape its confines. This was a dark and brutal movie that still managed to connect with audiences, becoming a sizable hit and earning an Oscar nomination for its score. Some 45 years after the original, a remake of Papillon has arrived. This effort fares better than many reinterpretations of classic films, although it still can’t quite match its predecessor.

Henri ‘Papillon’...