UFC: Benson Henderson Rising Up DVD review

May 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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91-PW-QJ-UL._AA1500_An incredible jumping kick off a cage was the greatest setback in the fighting career of Benson Henderson, ironically it was a kick of his own that gave him a distinct advantage in his championship win.

Relive the rise of Henderson in the Ultimate Fighting Championship new Ultimate 2-disc DVD release, Benson Henderson: Rising Up. Starting back from the last bout in the WEC where he broke down in tears following losing his championship in front of his hometown fans to Anthony Pettis. Henderson’s brother believes it was the highlight reel kick Pettis delivered that cost Henderson the fight.

Henderson has never received a rematch, but he found his way back to champion status when he made an impactful start in the UFC.

It did not take long before Henderson faced off with Frankie Edgar for the UFC Lightweight Title. If you watch the entire fight, it’s debatable on who won the fight, but the 40-minute plus documentary only focuses on parts where Henderson was in control. An upkick that busted the face and nose of Edgar is looked at as the main offence strike that helped give Henderson the edge in the eyes of the judges.

Henderson’s family life is also a main feature of the doc, Henderson’s love for his mom, his brother explaining how they did not get along growing up but are now closer than ever, and how Henderson was able to take the negative effects his father had in his life and became stronger in spite of it. Watching Henderson talk at a youth centre, throw out the opening pitch at a Arizona Diamondbacks game, it’s a different look that fans do not usually see from a man that wants to be better than Anderson Silva.

Albeit a short featurette on Disc 1, if you’re a big Henderson fan or missed out on some of his early fights this DVD is a great watch. 12 fights from his days in the WEC and now in the UFC, from battling Shane Roller to defending his title against Nate Diaz, you definitely get to see Henderson at his best in the cage.

UFC: Benson Henderson Rising Up

Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada

Run time of 285 minutes

In stores now

 

Fight listing–

VS. Anthony Njokunai WEC 38

VS. Shane Roller WEC 40

VS. Donald Cerrone WEC 43

VS. Jaime Varner WEC 46

VS. Donald Cerrone WEC 48

VS. Anthony Pettis WEC 53

VS. Mark Bocek UFC 129

VS. Jim Miller UFC Live

VS. Clay Guida UFC on Fox

VS. Frankie Edgar UFC 144

VS. Frankie Edgar UFC 150

VS. Nate Diaz UFC on Fox

Filed Under: DVD, MMA, Reviews, UFC, Uncategorized, WEC

WWE: The Best of In Your House Blu-ray review

May 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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91s0s08Z9FL._SL1500_A wrestling pay-per-view every month is status quo in WWE, but that only started in 1995 with a series called In Your House that featured some of the most bizarre, innovative and classic matches in WWE history.

For the first time ever WWE has released a compilation 2-disc Blu-ray set looking back at a few of those moments. The classic Rock VS. Mankind Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship, Undertaker VS. Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon VS. Dean Douglas for the Intercontinental Championship and many more are featured.

Hosted by former WWE announcer Todd Pettengill, whom had a high-pitched voice all the time during his run, now he sounds normal and offers a different perspective on the match selection. Exclusive to the blu-ray is outtakes of Pettengill trying to get his lines right for this set.

To see legends HHH and Stone Cold Steve Austin climbing the ranks of the WWE at this time it’s a nice nostalgic look on how they managed, HHH surviving a Hog’s Pen match against Henry Godwinn and Austin’s battles with the Hart family. Bret Hart and Michaels’ reigns as WWE champion are highlighted well with Hart’s 4th title win shown and some of the best matches in Michaels’ run.

In the end this just a taste of what the fill in the gap between the big four PPVs delivered to WWE fans. Easily WWE could fill up another disc set as there are quite a few matches from that era you’ll be left asking for.

WWE: The Best of In Your House

Rated PG-14

eOne Films

Run time of 9 hours

Released on Apr. 30, 2013

 

Disc 1

Simplistic Yet Brilliant

Bret Hart vs. Hakushi
In Your House * May 14, 1995

Intercontinental Championship Match
Jeff Jarrett vs. Shawn Michaels
In Your House * July 23, 1995

Hey Yo

Intercontinental Championship Match
Razor Ramon vs. Dean Douglas
In Your House * October 22, 1995

Arkansas Hog Pen Match
Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Henry O. Godwinn
In Your House * December 17, 1995

A Sloppy Masterpiece?

WWE Championship Match
Bret Hart vs. British Bulldog
In Your House * December 17, 1995

DISC 2

Memories Flooding Back

No Holds Barred Match for the WWE Championship
Shawn Michaels vs. Diesel
In Your House: Good Friends, Better Enemies * April 28, 1996

WWE Championship Match
Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind
In Your House: Mind Games * September 22, 1996

That’s Why They Play The Game

Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley
In Your House: Buried Alive * October 20, 1996

Buried Alive Match
The Undertaker vs. Mankind
In Your House: Buried Alive * October 20, 1996

Crowning a New Champion

Four Corners Match for the Vacant WWE Championship
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart vs. Vader vs. The Undertaker
In Your House: Final Four * February 16, 1997

Back in the Saddle

10-Man Tag Team Match
The Hart Foundation vs. Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust & The Legion of Doom
In Your House: Canadian Stampede * July 6, 1997

Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
Ground Zero: In Your House * September 7, 1997

A Slobberknocker

Non-Sanctioned 8-Man Tag Team Match
Stone Cold Steven Austin, Owen Hart, Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie vs. HHH, The New Age Outlaws & Savio Vega
No Way Out of Texas: In Your House * February 15, 1998

WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Stone Cold Steve Austin & The Undertaker vs. Mankind & Kane
Fully Loaded: In Your House * July 26, 1998

Intercontinental Championship Match
Ken Shamrock vs. Mankind
Judgment Day: In Your House * October 18, 1998

Victory at All Costs

Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Championship
The Rock vs. Mankind
St. Valentine’s Day Massacre * February 14, 1999

A Trip Down Memory Lane

BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVES

DISC 1

Todd Pettengill Outtakes

In Your House Sweepstakes Winner

DISC 2

#1 Contenders Match
Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
In Your House: Revenge of the `Taker * April 20, 1997

Match to crown first WWE Light Heavyweight Champion
Taka Michinoku vs. Brian Christopher
D-Generation X: In Your House * December 7, 1997

WWE Championship Match
Shawn Michaels vs. Ken Shamrock
D-Generation X: In Your House * December 7, 1997

D’Lo Brown vs. X-Pac
Fully Loaded: In Your House * July 26, 1998

Filed Under: DVD, Reviews, Uncategorized, WWE

Iron Man 3 review

May 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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iron-man-3-2013-download-hdA terrorist known as The Mandarin is attempting to destroy the Western world while the demons caused by adventures with The Avengers leads to the demise of Tony Stark in Marvel’s latest movie release, Iron Man 3.

The trilogy of the armoured superhero brings back Robert Downey Jr. in the role of Stark along with Gwyneth Paltrow as his girlfriend Pepper Potts. War Machine (Don Cheadle) is also back, but he has been re-branded as the Iron Patriot serving the President of the United States.

When the U.S. is powerless against the attacks by The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) and injures Stark’s bodyguard, Stark decides to threaten The Mandarin on live television causing an attack on Stark’s house and the complete destruction of his Iron Man lair.

Headlines read Tony Stark is dead. However, he manages to survive and starts to track down The Mandarin and the secrets behind the terrorist organization. The closer Stark gets he starts to discover his egoistical attitude back in 1999 has come to haunt him in the present. With a prototype suit and panic attacks thinking about his time with The Avengers, Stark has to use all his resources, friends and luck to end the terror plaguing the world.

Presented in 3D, but beside a few moments when there is Iron Man action scenes there is not much use for it. A considerable chunk of the film is talking, which is fine because  Downey again proves why he is perfect in the role as Stark, coming off as an arrogant selfish prick to children, his own friends and significant other. Lots of humour that does not take away from the serious tones as there is healthy balance of the two. There is a fair number of Iron Man scenes, but for the most part Stark is battling with suit issues and trying not to freak out over the New York incident.

If you were disappointed with the 2nd installment fear not as this one is right up there with the first one and can easily be the best comic book flick that comes out this year. It delivers in every way possible, intriguing plot, interesting characters, and exciting action, will probably be one of the best watches of 2013.

Iron Man 3

Rated PG-14

Directed by Shane Black

Marvel Studios

Run time of 130 minutes

In theatres today

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Film, Reviews

WWE: For All Mankind: The Life and Career of Mick Foley DVD review

April 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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foleyA 16-foot fall off a cell was only the start of extraordinaire pain for Mick Foley, he suffered a concussion, lost teeth, thumbtacks covering his body, in the end him and The Undertaker created one of the most barbaric matches in WWE history.

That defining moment is discussed in detail in WWE’s latest home video release, For All Mankind: The Life and Career of Mick Foley. From his peers to his bosses and a bonus commentary track Foley recorded with former Extreme Championship Wrestling voice Joey Styles, fans get a different take on the near 15-year match that is still considered one of the most memorable matches of all-time.

The two-hour plus documentary on disc one takes you through a decent portion of Foley’s wrestling career, his early beginnings, WCW, ECW, WWE, and his eventual retirement. Not every angle, moment, match or standout performance is covered because there are just far too many for a three-disc set. However, Foley did have an amazing career and what is covered is still intriguing and different as WWE for the first time ever had Foley’s friend Shane Douglas comment on Foley making it in the business and talking to his kids that are starting to grow up.

Match selection for this set is also unlike most releases as it features bouts that mostly have never been released on home video by WWE. There is his first WWE match against The British Bulldogs but this time provided with alternate commentary. Only shame is that there is only three bonus commentary tracks, but definitely must listen material. Styles and Foley making fun of Douglas and trying to talk about Foley struggle through his match with Undertaker is quality viewing.

WWE: For All Mankind: The Life and Career of Mick Foley

Rated TV-14

eOne Films

Run time of 6.5 hours

Released on Apr. 16, 2013

Disc 1

A Happy Story
Idyllic Childhood
Huge Fan
Training School
Working the Road
WCW
Sting
Vader
ECW & Japan
Mankind
Dude Love
Hell in a Cell
Mr. Socko
The Rock
Author
Triple H
Commissioner
Going Away
Randy Orton
Making a Difference
Edge
Retirement
Stand Up Comic
A Complete One-Off

Disc 2

Jack Foley / Les Thornton vs. The British Bulldogs
Superstars September 1986
Alternate Commentary: Mick Foley & Joey Styles

Cactus Jack / Gary Young vs. Scott Steiner / Billy Travis
AWA All Star Wrestling October 1988

Cactus Jack Manson vs. Brickhouse Brown
Wild West Wrestling April 1989

Cactus Jack vs. Keith Hart
Power Hour March 1990

Submit or Surrender Match
Cactus Jack vs. Sting
Power Hour November 1991

Falls Count Anywhere Match
Cactus Jack vs. Van Hammer
Clash of the Champions XVIII 21st January, 1992

Barbed Wire Match
Cactus Jack vs. Sandman
Ft. Lauderdale, FL May 1995

Cactus Jack vs. Shane Douglas
CyberSlam February 1996
Alternate Commentary: Mick Foley & Joey Styles

Mankind vs. Rocky Maivia
IYH: Cold Day in Hell 11th May, 1997

Mankind vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley
IYH: Canadian Stampede 6th July, 1997

Disc 3

Dude Love vs. Rocky Maivia
RAW 17th November, 1997

Hell in a Cell
Mankind vs. Undertaker
King of the Ring 28th June, 1998
Alternate Commentary: Mick Foley & Joey Styles

WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Mankind / Kane vs. New Age Outlaws
RAW 13th July, 1998

WWE Championship Match
Mankind vs. The Rock
IYH: Rock Bottom 13th December, 1998

WWE Tag Team Championship
Mankind / The Rock vs. Triple H / Shane McMahon
SmackDown 2nd September, 1999

Mankind vs. Al Snow
SmackDown 16th December, 1999

Hell In A Cell – Retirement Match
Cactus Jack vs. Triple H
No Way Out 27th February, 2000

Filed Under: DVD, ECW, Pro Wrestling Uncensored, Reviews, WWE

Oblivion review

April 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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oblivion_film-izle-afis-resim-picture-movie-posterThe world has fallen, billion of lives have been lost, parts of Earth are uninhabited, yet the memory lives on in one man trying to save it as Tom Cruise stars in new sci-fi thriller, Oblivion.

Several years after the war that nearly destroyed the world, Jack (Cruise) a lone repairmen along with his communications officer Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) have been sent back to the home planet. Together they run maintenance checks in order to make sure the machines harvesting energy are functioning and not under attack. The alien race known as Scavs still inhabit parts of the world and are the main obstacle in the way of Jack completing his mission.

That and Jack’s memories of a place and woman he shouldn’t know.

Following a sudden crash landing of an escape pod, Jack discovers the woman he has been dreaming about, Victoria (Olga Kurylenko). With Victoria’s entrance brings forth a rage of problems for Jack—everything he has been fighting for is put into question and the survival of humanity ends up on his shoulders as a result.

Most of the movie features Jack walking around in a deserted world or surrounded in CGI effects that help bring action to a lot of storytelling. Cruise displays his fantastic acting ability—his portrayal of a confused, lonely, strong-willed workaholic is convincing and his range of emotions is fitting and powerful to watch.

There is a lot of mystery and trickery that keeps you on your toes all the way until the end of the flick. The iMax experience makes the incredible action scenes a true joy to witness. It has been years since a sci-fi movie has stood as one of the premiere films, but this was definitely a great watch for fans of a world in a post-armageddon setting.

Oblivion

rated PG-14

Universal Pictures

Directed by Joseph Kosinski

In theatres now

Filed Under: Film, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Stratusphere Living By Trish Stratus Yoga Fitness DVD Total Mind & Body Workout review

April 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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10-0418 Trish_NEW DVD_vRThe perfect combination of brawn and beauty, Trish Stratus demonstrated it in the pro wrestling ring and now in her yoga total mind body workout DVD, Stratusphere Living.

Get ready for a workout that is going to make you sweat, challenge your flexibility, and put you many different positions quickly. “It flows the entire time,” says Stratus at the very beginning of the DVD and make no mistake if you’re not ready for the change in position you will get lost. Highly suggested to follow Stratus’ advice and familiarize yourself with the poses so when they come up you’re ready for them. Even if you’re ready it’s still going to amaze you how you’re going to have switch into a new position especially if you’ve been squatting.

It’s tough, but definitely rewarding, and if you stick with it you will see results.

The DVD features two workouts, each 50 minutes long, divided into five sections focusing on different muscle groups, lean legs & gluts, toned biceps & triceps, sculpted shoulders & calves, defined chest & back and tight abs with core. One workout has Stratus in a group talking you through each maneuver and the other has Stratus by herself performing all the moves with just the music as sound. The area is completely white with all the exercises performed on a yoga mat.

Consistent movement will keep your heart rate and blood pumping even for advanced yogis. Recommended to start the workout in the order presented in as you will start in different positions in each routine. Also recommended to seek the advice of a trained medical expert before any type of exercise. Stratusphere Yoga always keeps you on the move, going from warrior position one minute and then squats, then hold it, squats again, new position, feel the burn and smile, keep going. Even if you only do 10 minute workouts you can still get a good sweat on. If you have trouble with some of the advanced techniques Stratus does provide a similar one until you are able to advance.

 

 

Filed Under: DVD, Reviews, Uncategorized

Evil Dead review

April 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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evil-dead-leadin-602x396Blood, lots and lots of blood, limbs, pieces of faces, it’s Evil Dead rebooted with a new look and a new gruesome approach in the familiar setting of a cabin in the woods.

There’s no Ash (Bruce Campbell) with his boomstick this time around, the remake centres around five young adults coming together to help Mia (Jane Levy) overcome her drug addiction. While everyone believes she is just acting out her withdraw from her addiction, the book of dead is at work as Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci) unleashes evil into the woods. Mia is taken by the woods in a familiar way to the original, with the evil going right up her private parts.

Mia infects Olivia (Jessica Lucas) starting the brutal blood-filled moments as Olivia rips most of her face off, a reaction that will have many groaning and moaning in anguish. Despite her change, her brother David (Shiloh Fernandez) remains faithful in trying to save her even though his friends around him are dying because of her. Although there are some moments that are like Ash, don’t expect any crazy stunts or quotes that will become epic in movie history. The best lines come from the infected Mia as the humour of Evil Dead comes out while still keeping the serious tone of the flick.

This retelling of a classic horror movie features more gore than scares. Expect for a moment when you suddenly get the view of a hammer coming down on the head of a dog, the shocks mainly come from the pain of mutilation and ripping out nails, needles and shrapnel. This movie definitely delivers in creating an uncomfortable dark setting leaving you with a sick feeling in your stomach as you watch the carnage on screen.

Better than the original? It’s good, not great and to many the original is an all-time classic and is hard to ever reinvent. Regardless, still a quality watch and a solid addition to the franchise and has potential to be a great series with future sequels.

Evil Dead

rated R

Tristar Pictures

Run time of 91 minutes

In theatres now

 

Filed Under: Film, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With:

WWE: Elimination Chamber 2013 DVD review

April 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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91z0ehVcntL__SL1500_The Rock made his first WWE Championship defence with his devastating Rock Bottom against former long reigning champ CM Punk on the last major event stop before WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber 2013.

Similar to the first encounter Rock and Punk had at the Royal Rumble, Punk was in control for the majority of the match with Rock having trouble with his gas tank several times. Punk even mocked Rock while The Great One was down checking his own pulse before delivering a top rope elbow drop. Despite a controversial ending, Punk was unable to alter the destined rematch of Cena and Rock for WrestleMania 29. Punk also never received a rematch against The Rock, in what was likely the last ever match between the two.

In the only Elimination Chamber match on the self-titled show, Jack Swagger came back after disappearing from WWE television for about half a year to earn himself a World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania. Swagger survived Randy Orton in the end by scoring a roll-up after Orton had eliminated Chris Jericho with an RKO. Mark Henry looked as if he was going to win it all as he eliminated both members of Team Hell No Kane and Daniel Bryan and laid out the other remaining chamber participants. However, a collective effort spelled the end for Henry. Easily match of the night.

The all-star team of John Cena, Ryback and Sheamus battled the undefeated Shield in a six-man tag match. Unlike TLC this match was not as exciting as the first time The Shield wrestled in WWE. Most of the match saw Cena laying down on the mat and The Shield just beating on a lifeless body. Quite a few botches, made The Shield look unimpressive, but the finish was unique as Roman Reigns delivered a spear while Ryback had Seth Rollins up for a Shell Shock.

Along with an exclusive DVD interview from Swagger and his manager Zeb Coulter, this release features for the first time the pre-show match for the event as Brodus Clay and Tensai battled Team Rhode Scholars. In the end a solid show, but not the best, the lack of two chamber matches, the lackluster Diva’s Championship match, along with the lack of reaction for the impromptu match of Dolph Ziggler against Kofi Kingston, hurt the overall positive direction of the pay-per-view.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2013

rated PG

eOne Films

Run time of 180 minutes

Released on Mar. 26, 2013

 

 

 

Filed Under: DVD, Pro Wrestling Uncensored, Reviews, WWE

The Call movie review

March 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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callPoor timing on a callback caused the death of a girl that haunts Halle Berry as a 911 operator until she has a chance for redemption when the killer decides to strike again in the new movie The Call.

Berry plays Jordan Turner, a woman haunted by the decision she made that resulted in her caller dying. Six months later she is now teaching the new recruits for 911 operators, until she is forced to take a call. Faced by her fear of making the same mistake over again, Berry fights through it and tries to calm down the kidnapped teen Casey (Abigail Breslin).

Casey has been locked inside a trunk and has no GPS tracking on her cellphone. With Berry’s help she is able to push out one of the lights in the back of the car, and with some handy paint in the trunk she is able to attract some attention from a nearby vehicle. This is when we are introduced to the villain Michael Foster (Michael Eklund) as he brutally beats a man right in front of Casey. Once Berry puts together a connection with Foster and the past murder she realizes he is the same killer, prompting her to get involved herself.

Hyped as a suspense thriller, this flick is more disturbing than it is on twist and turns. A lot of the twists are predictable and cliché, but the death scenes nearly push it into the horror realm. The majority of the movie focuses on Berry overcoming her fear along with Casey. Keep strong as a woman is definitely one of the messages this film presents. The ending is quite odd, it happens suddenly and it’s more about woman fighting back than it is about justice and what happens to all the characters following all the action.

Halle Berry again shows she is a great actor and can carry many movies. Only recommended for fans of Berry and twisted violence.

The Call

Rated R

WWE Studios

Run time of 90 minutes

In theatres today

 

Filed Under: Film, Reviews, Uncategorized

Bret Hitman Hart Dungeon Collection DVD review

March 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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414A72mmo6L__SL500_AA300_Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart, one of the greatest Canadian icons of all-time, is back on home video with a brand new DVD collection featuring rare moments in his career even for diehard fans.

Bret Hitman Hart The Dungeon Collection is a near seven-hour journey with interviews by Hart and matches he hand-picked. Starting back from his days in Calgary to his WWE career and ending with two matches from his run with World Championship Wrestling, Hart took his time deciding what he wanted to showcase delivering a product he knew fans would want to see.

A few of the matches are so rare that the VHS tracking issues are still noticable. Hart’s bouts with Andre The Giant and Buzz Sawyer are not the best video quality, but the matches are so intriguing that it’s worth watching anyways. Sawyer and Hart have a very aggressive realistic wrestling fight and to see Hart battle Andre when Andre was near the end of his career felt like it was one of the last requested matches Andre wanted. This is not to say that all matches on this listing were not shown before as Hart’s matches with The Patriot, Jean-Pierre Lafitte and Diesel were all on WWE pay-per-view years ago. However, all the matches are still unique as they were either the only major encounter Hart had with the men or in the case of Diesel special because of the circumstances surrounding the match, with the IC champ challenging the WWE Champion with Shawn Michaels and Jim The Anvil at ringside.

The stories Hart tells are also worth picking the set up as Hart gives his candid thoughts on Dynamite Kid and the impact Dynamite had on Hart. Hart talks about his memories with The Islanders, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, his brother Owen, and many more. If you’re a fan of Bret Hart this is clearly a must get.

Bret Hitman Hart

Rated PG

eOne Films

Run time of 540 minutes

Released on Mar. 5, 2013

Filed Under: DVD, Reviews
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