STACK #141 Jul 2016

DVD & BD REVIEWS

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The brothers-in-law are back. RIDE ALONG 2

People change. Greeks don't. MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2

Release Date: 07/07/16

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Release Date: 07/07/16

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2014's Ride Along reminded us of Lethal Weapon – and, later Mel Gibson politics notwithstanding, that’s a compliment. The teaming of Kevin Hart’s full-on freneticism as wannabe cop Ben with the supremely chilled Ice Cube as actual cop James, clicked. Obviously they’re back, and with new police recruit Ben about to tie the knot with Angela – who is, of course, James’s sister – the two are getting along slightly better. Well, James hasn’t yet popped a cap in Ben’s backside! The two road trip it to Miami – Ben trying to prove that he’s

Back in 2002, it hit like a tummy upset after overindulging on saganaki. Like that glorious cheesy treat, Nia Vardalos’ My Big Fat Greek Wedding was, well, a wonderfully cheesy treat – and remains arguably the most joyous rom-com ever. It was a huge act to follow, which partly explains the 14 years between grappas. Still, it’s given Toula (Vardalos) and Ian (John Corbett) time to have a daughter, Paris, who’s now teenaged and discovering the innumerable ups and downs of being Greek. Meanwhile, the couple have their issues, from the travel agency

detective material, James trying to disprove it – to take down a crime boss. It’s a complicated case though, made more so by the arrival of fugitive hacker AJ (Ken Jeong). Yes, they’ve gone more specific this time and targeted that Pesci Lethal Weapon 4 – and quite well, too. AF

closing through to coping with Paris’s impending escape to college. But the latest wedding is down to a forgetful priest – Toula’s parents Gus and Maria aren’t actually married! Cue BIG preparations. Get ready to shout “Opa!” and smash some plates, but do eat that yummy saganaki off them first. AF

When everyone is connected no one is safe. CELL

A New England folktale. THE WITCH

DVD&BD

Release Date: 14/07/16

Format:

Release Date: 14/07/16

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A cautionary tale for the digital age – Stephen King style. When a mysterious pulse turns cellphone users into enraged zombies, the scene is set for a post-apocalyptic horror-thriller with a difference. The movie version of King's 2006 novel finally arrives after 10 years in development hell, with director Tod Williams ( Paranormal Activity 2 ) at the helm and stars John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson reuniting for their second King film together, following 1408 . Better late than never – in the decade since its publication Cell has become even more

In 17th century New England, a Puritan family are banished from their village to a remote farm on the edge of an ominous looking forest. Isolation is the least of their concerns when their newborn baby is mysteriously snatched, corn crops rot, goat's milk turns bloody, and suspicion of witchcraft falls upon the oldest daughter. An authentic and nightmarish descent into the olde worlde, complete with archaic language and meticulous attention to period detail, The Witch is a slow burner that doesn't depend on

topical and timely. King's screenplay (with Adam Alleca) offers a horror metaphor for the gestalt-like nature of the online world, and the extent to which smartphone fixation continues to zombify and control society. Don't text, check Facebook or take calls while watching. SH

cheap scares to raise hackles. A palpable sense of dread radiates from every frame – even a rabbit can appear sinister. This disturbing look at religious fervour and the gradual disintegration of a family is an early contender for the year's best horror film. SH

JULY 2016

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