Three more incredible prizes!!

We have just added three incredible new prizes to the Prize Catalog! on Popcornmonsters.com.



Welcome to Antarctica like you've never experienced it. You've seen the extraordinary marine life, the retreating glaciers and, of course, the penguins, but leave it to award-winning iconoclastic filmmaker Werner Herzog to be the first to explore the South Pole's most fascinating inhabitants ... humans. In this one-of-a-kind documentary, Herzog turns his camera on a group of remarkable individuals, professional dreamers who work, play and struggle to survive in a harsh landscape of mesmerizing, otherworldly beauty perhaps the last frontier on earth.



In May 2008, Daryl Hall and John Oates took the stage at the legendary Troubadour for the first time since playing their earliest Los Angeles shows there 35 years before. The best performances from this much anticipated two-night concert, which included hits such as Maneater, Private Eyes, Rich Girl, Sara Smile and Kiss On My List, will be made available in three formats DVD, Blu-Ray, and a 1-DVD/2-CD combo, via Shout! Factory on November 25. Beyond the classic hits, the sold-out shows featured rarely performed fan favorites and deep album cuts, as well as Daryl Hall solo material, with the duo backed by a band comprised of longtime member T-Bone Wolk on guitar and vocals, Mike Braun on drums, Charles DeChant on sax, keys and vocals, Eliot Lewis on keys and vocals, Zev Katz on bass, and Everett Bradley on percussion and vocals. The concerts were filmed by Blaze TV with 10 remote-controlled HD cameras, allowing the viewer to experience the performance as if they were inside the crowded LA club.



This isn't child's play it's just another day in the inner city, where teenage growing pains can often lead to suicide, pregnancy and hot-blooded murder. The film follows 15-year-old Trife, a boy trapped between the world of his school friends, the girl he loves and the draw of his powerful and dangerous uncle. When classes are suspended after a bullied schoolgirl hangs herself rather than face another day of torment, Trife and his crew take to the streets where sex and drugs are a way of life and violence lurks behind every corner. Powerful, disturbing and moving, Kidulthood is as potent as a shot of vodka before breakfast (Daily Mirror), a hardcore look at lost innocence and wasted youth.

The Italian Job Movie Review by Derek_Fleek

The Italian Job Movie Review by Derek_Fleek




Though not familiar with the original 1969 movie of the same name, as a stand-alone film The Italian Job swiftly moves along without any narrative hogwash and sufficiently provides a smooth combination of light humor and top-notch entertainment. With an all-star cast that includes Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Mos Def, Seth Green, Jason Statham, and Donald Sutherland to pump fuel into a mildly predictable action adventure, you end of forgiving any minor flaws.

After pulling off the heist of a lifetime that tallied up to $35 million dollars in gold bricks, Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) and his crew of trained thieves have a greedy member in the family of criminals. Steve (Edword Norton) made a few plans of his own. Subsequently leaving Croker and the rest of his crew broke and supposedly dead, Steve went to live a life of happiness without any remorse, unaware Croker and his crew survived. One year later, Croker and his crew are back to reclaim the gold and get revenge.

This is a well-collected caper flick with an amusing approach on character development, an intelligent script, and large-scale entertainment. The kind of popcorn flick that is reminiscent of a spectacular firework show — explosive, slick-looking, and just a whole lot of fun. The Italian Job uses its good-looking cast superbly, is lock and loaded with high-budget action sequences, and has plenty of energy to spare when it's all over. This is quite possibly one of the most entertaining heist flicks you'll ever see.

Director F. Gary Gray previously proved his ability to manage both comedy and suspense with his two previous hits Friday and The Negotiator. With The Italian Job he mixes comedy, suspense, and action evenly with a clever set-up and awe-inspiring stunt work. This is the work from a versatile director who knows how to supervise his cast, manipulate extraordinary stunt sequences, and please nearly every time around.

Without the use of any CGI work, Gray proves that nothing is more intense that a helicopter maneuvering through a tunnel and playing chicken with a mini cooper. Each actor held their own throughout the film by maintaining the form of an amusing character, but Edward Norton as the backstabbing, ruthless villain was most impressive.

Smart and filmed with charisma, The Italian Job bursts with entertainment from beginning to end. And thanks to a phenomenal cast and a proficient director, the film succeeds on multiple levels.

Special features include a making of featurette explaining the importance of the mini coopers, the intensity of closing down two blocks of Hollywood Boulevard, and the complications with the truck drop. There is an interesting line of features included in the Special Collector's Edition that should amuse fans of this adventurous flick including six deleted scenes and a theatrical trailer. The only thing missing is director commentary. 4/5 stars

Merle Haggard: Legendary Performances DVD available in Prize Catalog

Here is your chance to get country music Legend Merle Haggard on DVD. If you are a country music fan, you know the greatness of Merle. Remember you can get this DVD free from Popcornmonsters.com, just adding movie reviews and other movie content. Visit the Prize catalog at Popcornmonsters.com Prize Catalog


Buy the Movie Poster for Merle Haggard: Lengendary Performances

From the vaults of the Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum, this collection features nearly two decades of Merle Haggard performances in his prime not seen since their original broadcast. Now, for the first time on DVD, experience the hits through a chronology of vintage live performances such as “Branded Man” (Country Music Holiday,1968), “Mama Tried” (Billy Walker’s Country Carnival, 1968) and “Okie From Muskogee” (The Porter Wagoner Show, 1970).

When Merle Haggard left prison in 1960, he went on to achieve 38 #1 hits (to date) and establish himself as one of the greats in country music. But getting out of prison didn’t quite mean leaving his rebel ways behind. His songwriting depicted the truths of a rough-and-tumble life which he fused with a musical style derived from hardcore country, jazz, blues and folk to create a sound no one had ever heard, with lyrics many could relate to.

From the walls of San Quentin to his free-spirited life as an irreverent and unique voice outside the Nashville establishment to his induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Merle Haggard has never left a doubt that he is country’s original outlaw.

The Good Life Movie Review by Derek_Fleek

The Good Life Movie Review by Derek_Fleek


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My dislikes for melodramas emerges as The Good Life begins and ends with a prosaic tone and never recovers from senseless direction and monotonous acting. I hated this film. It's a bore from start to finish, essentially because of the pedestrian plot and below standard chemistry.

Jason (Mark Webber) is a young man determined to make his unsteady family life work, even when things get tough. After meeting a mysterious young woman named Frances (Zooey Deschanel), he begins to understand that his problems result in a cherishable gain.

With nothing more than unnecessary broadcasting of depressing subject matter (death seems to be the primary subject in the film and is repeated consistently throughout) and a widespread of melancholy, the film ultimately becomes joyless. Sure, there are a couple bright moments to be found (the present exchange on Christmas was hilarious and the strange sex scene was oddly funny too). But the barter of depressing dialog and the numerous accounts of distraught happenings is profound and overcomes anything remotely entertaining.

This is the exact definition of low-caliber entertainment. A film that lacks any form of enjoyment. Executive producer Bill Paxton makes a cameo appearance that is neither important nor particularly memorable. Webber's performance, though sympathetic, is dry and lifeless and Deschanel puts forth the same sort of effort. No steady chemistry is found and it becomes frustrating.

Writer/director Stephen Berra carelessly directs and poorly scripts a film that doesn't only misuse a bunch of talented actors, but also leaves you with a senseless aftermath. I like the majority of the actors in this film (Deschanel, Paxton, Patrick Fugit), however each failed to impress — a result from careless direction. Even though the film's length is only 90 minutes, it drags on with a meandering pace and a dispiriting mood.

However you see at it, whether it be the standard drama with no affecting purpose or the film that mishandled nearly every film aspect that springs to mind, The Good Life ends up being one of the worst films of '07. It's considerably predictable at times, overwhelmingly dreary, and dull as dishwater--the sort of film doesn't live long in memory.

The only available special feature on the DVD is a trailer of the film. A good thing if you didn't want to waste your time with special features on a movie you are almost guaranteed to dislike. 1/5 stars

Spin City and The Longshots: New Prizes!

We have just added two great new prizes to the Prize Catalog! on Popcornmonsters.com.



Step inside the inner sanctum of one of the most sharp-witted and funniest political machines ever. Meet Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty and the quirky City Hall staff members from Spin City as they expertly spin their gaffe-prone Mayor Randall Winston and the City out of daily near-misses. From dealing with the Mayor?s problematic wife to catching a nudist roaming inside the City Hall to losing a deceased police dog just hours before the wake, this idiosyncratic office family goes the distance in this popular ensemble television comedy. The critically acclaimed and award-winning television series Spin City draws back the curtain of this dysfunctional City Hall in the biggest city in America and provides a smart and comic take on how much it takes to keep the well-meaning but bumbling Mayor looking good. Season One of Spin City boasts a pedigreed ensemble cast including Michael J. Fox, Carla Gugino (Chicago Hope, Karen Sisco), Barry Bostwick (Law & Order: SVU), Richard Kind (Mad About You, Scrubs), Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller?s Day Off), Michael Boatman (Law & Order), Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), and Alexander Chaplin (Scrubs), alongside notable guest stars Stephen Colbert, Jennifer Garner, Woody Harrelson, Marlee Matlin, Gretchen Mol, Amanda Peet, Luke Perry, George Stephanopoulos, Courtney Thorne-Smith, George Wendt, among others.



Curtis Plummer -- a down-on-his-luck former high school football star -- turns his niece, Jasmine, into the quarterback of the local team, the Minden Browns, and gets his stride back when he becomes the team coach. With Curtis as their new leader and their pigtail-wearing star player, this team of misfits wins its way to the Pop Warner Super Bowl and the small city of Minden, Illinois, is ignited with team spirit, town pride and the glory it once knew.

Space Chimps Movie Review by Derek_Fleek

Space Chimps Movie Review by Derek_Fleek


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With screenwriters Robert Moreland (Happily N'Ever After) and Kirk De Micco (Racing Stripes) at the helm of the scripting, you can't expect a tour de force storyline. What you can expect is a less than mediocre film, or in this case, the worst animated film of the year.

Ham III (Andy Samberg) is a circus monkey who mastered the art of crashing and making a complete fool of himself. He and his crewmates, the collected Lt. Luna (Cheryl Hines) and the serious commander Titan (Patrick Warburton), must complete a near impossible mission to survive a wormhole and free a distant planet of their unkindly ruler Zartog (Jeff Daniels).

Who knows, kids might go bananas over Space Chimps. But kids aside, grunts and groans ensue. You're going to have to find a way to entertain yourself during this one. It simply does nothing right for adults. The dense script, lousy animation, and myriad attempts at making torturous puns humorous becomes nearly unbearable. So while kids might be having a great time watching talking chimps, you're left with an uncontrollable urge to leave the room or off yourself before it ends.

Whether it be the synthetic animation, the irritativeness of a character titled Kilowatt (vexatiously voiced by Kristin Chenoweth), or your ability to withstand the infinite number of lame jokes, nothing can prepare you for the intolerable cruelty that Space Chimps has in store for its adult viewers. Other than Jeff Daniels' unique change in voice, there is an absence of talent, a spew in direction, and a complete mishap in what was supposed to be clever scripting. The play on words seem aged and forced, rather than clever and contemporary. It becomes a burden to not only your viewing pleasure, but also to time you could've spent watching a halfway decent animated film or Kung Fu Panda for the third time. You're best off skipping this one entirely.

So bad it could be used as a torture device in some rare countries, Space Chimps drains and exhausts those forced to sit through it to near death. This is no joke. The film basically devours any expertise involved, leaving you with a sloppy and insufficient lace of bad puns, unfinished animation, frantic nonsense, and inane dialog. If your kids are begging you to rent this for them, I would suggest you pilot them toward any other family flick for your own sake.

Special features included on the DVD is a featurette where the cast, director, and producer describe what makes an animated feature bad (a misstep they mastered with Space Chimps) and the acts to avoid when making an animated feature. It's ironic they failed to follow their own advice. Also included in the special features is multiple trailers (only slightly different from one another) and a photo gallery. 1/5 stars

Mitzi Gaynor, Randy Travis and The Good Life now in the Prize Catalog

We have just added three new prizes to the Prize Catalog! on Popcornmonsters.com.



Jason Prayer (Webber) does not care about football, but that is just one reason he's an outsider in the football-obsessed Nebraska city where he grew up. To escape his dead-end existence, Jason retreats into classic old movies? until he meets the beautiful and mysterious Frances (Deschanel). But when Jason learns that Frances is not as she appears, he makes some drastic decisions in the explosive climax of this drama about one man's search, against all odds, for The Good Life.



In celebration of the 40th anniversary of her first televised special (Mitzi, NBC, 1968) and the 50th anniversary of her break-through Golden Globe nominated performance in the blockbuster film Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, City Lights Home Entertainment in association with Green Isle, Inc. is releasing "Mitzi Gaynor Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years," a new documentary encompassing the ultimate collection of song and dance performances from Gaynor's classic network television specials unseen for three decades. Available on November 18, 2008, "Mitzi Gaynor Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years" provides a reflective and entertaining glimpse into television variety at its zenith and takes a nostalgic trip through Gaynor's special television years in a look at the groundbreaking performances, extraordinary costumes and triple threat talent of Mitzi Gaynor in a wealth of digitally remastered clips, rare photos and footage from Gaynor's personal archive which illuminate the behind-the-scenes stories and impact of these landmark television events. "Mitzi Gaynor Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years" features numbers choreographed by some of film and theatrical dance world's most influential choreographers, including Peter Gennaro (Tony-winner for Annie, and co-choreographer with Jerome Robbins for West Side Story), Danny Daniels (Tony-winner, The Tap Dance Kid), Robert Sidney (The Dean Martin Show) and Tony Charmoli (Woman of the Year).



In this all-new release for the whole family, country favorite Randy Travis presents his first Christmas video release. Enjoy one of music's biggest stars singing holiday favorites both touching and toe-tapping in a warm, natural setting you'll want to visit over and over again! Featured songs include "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Rock Of Ages," "How Do You I Wrap Up My Heart for Christmas," "Forever And Ever, Amen," "Winter Wonderland," "Pretty Paper," "Silent Night," "The Christmas Guest," "The Christmas Song," "Sopapilla," "Christmastime's a Comin'" Special Features: Live version of the smash hit "Three Wooden Crosses" from the concert in Carlsbad, NM. "Storytelling" with Randy sharing stories and jokes to the enraptured audience "River of Lights" feature on the Christmas tradition in Carlsbad, New Mexico. "The Carlsbad Caverns" featurette on filming in this historic landmark "Making of the Concert" featurette with interviews and backstage footage.

Get Smart Movie Review by Derek_Fleek

Get Smart Movie Review by Derek_Fleek


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I’m sure most remember the popular television series Get Smart from the mid-’60s, mainly because of Don Adams’ hilariously silly performance as Maxwell Smart. Taking the role here is Steve Carell, who indeed looks like Don Adams, but does he have the flair to be the bumbling CONTROL agent Maxwell Smart?

After CONTROL becomes infiltrated and the identities of their agents revealed, they promote clumsy Maxwell Smart (Carell) to agent level and send him on a mission with a sexy sidekick known as Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) to reveal the destructive plans of the corrupt organization known as KAOS.

While almost always entertaining and occasionally exciting, Get Smart also manages to be only sporadically funny and sometimes flat thanks to Carell’s performance, which only provides a look-alike quality rather than the distinct personality of the TV show character created by Mel Brooks. A much smarter, less bumbling Maxwell Smart is featured here without the correct “missed it by that much” gesture (in which he used his index finger and thumb to accurately depict how much his missed it by) — a sort of twist in the character that doesn’t work in favor of the film, but slightly against it.

Those who aren’t fond of the sitcom can appreciate this as a stand-alone action comedy and will probably enjoy the film more than those familiar with the series and Don Adams’ standout performance in particular.

Even though Steve Carell fails to deliver most of the funny lines and the accurate kineticism of the original Maxwell Smart character, the supporting cast and exciting action sequences provide enough well-earned laughs and gusto to never be boring.

Anne Hathaway’s looks should distract most from any noticeable faults in her character outline of Agent 99, which she depicted fairly well. However (being the spotlight of the film) Steve Carell was in dire need of more funny lines, for a vast majority of the lines he delivered were flat and just not very funny.

Get Smart works better as an action film rather than a comedy, considering the action marginally overcomes the comedy and is executed better. Full of explosions, gunfire, car chases, and close calls with a small number of jokes wedged in happens to work to a certain degree. Although mildly uneven, when it’s not being funny it has tons of action to keep the entertainment fully intact.

Directed by Peter Segal, who is known for a wide variety of entertaining films such as 50 First Dates, The Longest Yard, and Anger Management, he does here what he does best. He entertains even when the source material doesn’t entirely work. Fast-paced and action-packed, it doesn’t always make you laugh, but it won’t fail to entertain through most of its 110 min running time. It’s just not as funny as it should’ve been. 2.5/5 stars

Prom Qeen Movie Review by star757

Prom Queen Movie Review by star757


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This "movie" is actually an internet TV show. The DVD contains all episodes of Prom Queen and Summer Heat. Each episode is only a few minutes long and then it goes right on to the next. I watched the DVD which I think would be easier than watching on the internet and having to keep clicking to the next episode. It was a fun way to watch it and I found the show fun and different from your average teenage prom flick. The show is about students at Edward Adams High who are looking forward to prom. Danica, a foreign exchange student from England, catches a lot of the students' thoughts on prom on her video diary. A lot of the show focuses on her and you see how all the students interact. Ben keeps getting texts and emails that someone will be killed at prom and he will be the one that does it. Other students are Sadie who at first wants nothing to do with prom, Josh the one with a secret, Lauren whose mom is a teacher, Nikki the ditzy girl who wants to be prom queen, and Chad her soccer star boyfriend. Throughout the show you see that each of them has some hidden secrets. It all comes together at prom when the murder is supposed to happen. Also, on this DVD is Summer Heat. Sadie, Ben, and Josh travel to Mexico for a week where they get into some big trouble. Watch for some of the other characters to show up too. At the end it leaves you wanting to know what happens next so hopefully they'll have another season. I would recommend this DVD. It's fun, suspenseful and not your typical teenage movie. Everyone is not what they appear to be and you get hooked on what's going to happen next. It's a fun show, something different, and worth watching.

Wall Street Movie Review by star757

Wall Street Movie Review by star757


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This movie stars Charlie Sheen as a stockbroker wanting to make his way to the top as quick as he can. Michael Douglas is already at the top and will Charlie Sheen be able to come along with him. This movie is from the 80's so it's funny to see the computers they are working on, but it is all about stockbrokers and Wall Street which may not have changed that much. Charlie Sheen's character, Bud Fox, wants to get the big break that will make him rich and put him on top. Michael Douglas' firm buys only the best stocks and gives Fox the chance to sell him a great stock. The movie follows Fox as he makes it to the top, but can he stay there? Can you keep your values or do you have to sell out to make the most money? This is a good movie that looks at what it takes to make it on Wall Street and if it's worth it.

Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay Review by Star757

Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay Movie Review by star757


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I watched this movie never having seen the first one. There are funny parts, but also some not so funny parts. I watched the unrated version, which has some very crude, disgusting parts. I would not recommend it. I did hear the original version is better without all that stuff. The movie follows Harold and Kumar who are on a plane for Amsterdam when their drug paraphenalia is mistaken for a bomb. They are taken to Guantanamo by a ridiculously dumb Homeland Security agent. Of course they are thought to be terrorists and you can imagine all the jokes they can come up with there. They do escape, make there way to Florida, and head toward Texas where they hope to get help. Kumar's ex-girlfriend, whom he still loves, is about to marry a guy whose dad is big in the gov't, and they hope he can help. The movie follows all their misadventures, and their love-hate relationship as best friends. There are some very funny parts like when they interrogate the parents. Believing Harold's parents to speak Korean they get a translator who can't understand a word they say, although the speak English. Also, watch for Neil Patrick Harris playing himself. This movie is ok, but not something I would go out of my way to watch, and probably stay away from the unrated version.

What We do is Secret Movie Review by Derek_Fleek

What We do is Secret Movie Review by Derek_Fleek


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What We Do Is Secret follows the struggles and corrupt success of punk icon Darby Crash (Shane West) and his band The Germs, from the gathering of band members to the downfall of Crash and his addiction to drugs.

The music is loud and the band is destructive. One band member even jokes about their name being The Germs simply because the music is "so bad it makes everyone sick". Relying on their lack of talent, The Germs were distinguished by the remarkable way the band and its ingenious lead singer reach fame (not by success, but by failure). They redefined punk music with their long shot path to fame. Banned from nearly every club in L.A. and known as a band that couldn't get on stage without starting a riot, this is the exact type of behavior that gained them a cult following.

What We Do Is Secret covers the band's take on certain issues and discussions about groupies, band members, and problems with drummers. These interesting subjects made it so that, even though I hated the music, I was eager to hear the thoughts that this one-of-a-kind band had to say. A sort of appreciation and dignity goes toward the band's audacious way of reaching fame with failure and first-time writer/director Roger Grossman's ability to capture the essence needed to bring this punk legend to life. It's a punk opera of great acting, bad music, and stylish period designs.

The film will be remembered primarily for West's powerhouse performance, which is a good thing considering this will be the center of attention instead of the routine guideline behind it all. The storyline is pretty much standard cliché, chronicling the musician's rise to fame, reaching it, and then the fall. It's strikingly familiar to last year's Control, only more energetic and memorable.

Compelling, vibrantly executed, and well-acted, What We Do Is Secret exceeds expectations by the handful. The music might be bad, but there's no denying that the film is told and done exceptionally well. While most of the performances (Gonzalez and Phillips in particular) are up to par, it's West who steals the show with his dedicated, if somewhat restrained, performance. It's just enough to arouse the audience and keep a sturdy flow of interest throughout. Astonishingly, What We Do Is Secret verifies that painted faces, mohawks, mosh pits, and a glimpse into the punk era is an interesting spread of ingredients that work in a uniquely compelling fashion. And if that wild mixture isn't enough to interest you, the insane concerts should pump adrenaline into your lifeless veins.

The DVD's special features (which really aren't anything I would call "special") include filmmaker and actor commentary featuring Roger Grossman and Shane West, a digital copy of the film, and a theatrical trailer. 3.5/5 stars