The Trades

DVD Review: The Truman Show [Blu-ray]

Robert Bell — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

You are not free. You never were.

DVD Review: Hellbound - Hellraiser 2 - 20th Anniversary Edition

Robert Bell — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

As a further exploration of the perverse psychosexual desires, which deviate from social and heteronormative expectations, in a manner that presents such behaviour as monstrous, the �Hellraiser� sequel lacks much of the development of the original, linking notions of hell to nascent sexuality, but leaving much of the psychology at bay.

Contest: The Spirit - Double Poster Giveaway

R.J. Carter — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:59:00 -0500

Frank Miller's version of Will Eisner's "The Spirit" is currently in theaters, and we've got two cool posters to help you get into the 'spirit' of things.

Book Review: The Joy of Spooking - Book One: Fiendish Deeds

R.J. Carter — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The face of Pollyanna, the soul of Wednesday Addams, Joy Wells is a study in contrasts, and the type of guileless heroine that children's lit begs for.

Editorial: Reflections on 2008: Robert Bell's Top 10 List

Robert Bell — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

A narcissistic rant about the nature of film criticism and my top 10 picks of 2008

Editorial: Saving the Zune By Killing It

Raul Burriel — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Microsoft's Zune has been playing catch-up to Apple's iPod ever since it was introduced. With its collapse on New Years Eve, it's time for Microsoft to throw in the towel and try again.

DVD Review: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Molly Bishop — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Girl power strikes again, but can four strong leading ladies combine for one great movie?

DVD Review: Event Horizon [Blu-ray]

Robert Bell — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

With the suggestion that purgatory exists mainly within the conscience of humankind themselves, manifesting in regret, guilt and developmental destruction, �Event Horizon� covers familiar territory thematically but does so with a fascinating hybrid of horror and Sci-Fi that is simultaneously cheesy, fun and gruesome.

DVD Review: Ghost [Blu-ray]

Robert Bell — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

As far as escapist fantasies go, �Ghost� is decent, even if it has no concept of the complexities of human relationships, at least in those with some depth and intelligence.

Contest: Kemper Crabb, "Downe in Yon Forrest: Christmas From the Middle Ages" DVD & CD Giveaway

Paul Schultz — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:59:00 -0500

Enter our contest here at The Trades to win both the DVD and CD of this unique celebration of Christmas.

DVD Review: The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea [Special Edition]

R.J. Carter — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:00:00 -0500

Meet Ariel's daughter, Melody, in this seagull... er... sequel to the Disney classic.

DVD Review: Ghost Town [Blu-ray]

Robert Bell — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Aware of its own formulaic conventions and contrivances but capitalizing on any potential humor and drama within those confines, �Ghost Town� is leaps and bounds beyond the typical Rom-com yarn, with thoughtful characterizations, genuinely funny moments and a heartfelt core that suggests compassion, even just a little, is necessary in the world of love and human connection.

DVD Review: Ghost Town

Alex Keen — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Are you a Ricky Gervais fan? Step right up!

DVD Review: The Duchess [Blu-ray]

Robert Bell — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Far less romanticized and sweeping than most corset dramas of the Jane Austen variety, �The Duchess� is interesting for its simultaneously detached and passionate, �realist:�, approach to finding breathing room within a confined and stifling system of expectation and obligation.

Contest: Amy Grant, "Lead Me On" 20th Anniversary Edition 2-CD Giveaway

R.J. Carter — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:59:00 -0500

This 2 CD 20th Anniversary Edition features previously unreleased live recordings from the sold-out 1989 Lead Me On tour.

Contest: The Women - DVD Giveaway

R.J. Carter — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:59:00 -0500

Meg Ryan, Annette Benning, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debra Messing, Candice Bergen and Eva Mendes star in this week's prize giveaway!

DVD Review: Passion & Power: The Technology of Orgasm

Robert Bell — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Revealing, informative and certainly worthy of the documentary treatment, �Passion & Power� certainly communicates its point and offers up many amusing anecdotes and informative tidbits but is a little too smug, condescending and aesthetically annoying to be considered a success.

Movie Review: Revolutionary Road

Robert Bell — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Throwing into question the necessity and desirability of the culturally dominant norm and its inherently circular and problematic patterns and limitations, "Revolutionary Road" sharply and sagaciously examines the disintegration of a marriage through disparate ideologies that grow broader over time.

Music Review: Straight No Chaser, "Holiday Spirits"

R.J. Carter — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:00:00 -0500

This a capella group from Indiana University has a bona fide hit on their hands -- and a success story that beggars belief.

DVD Review: Old School (Unrated Edition) [Blu-ray]

Robert Bell — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The variety of comedy styling proves interesting, with Ferrell�s broad, na�ve physical comedy, Luke Wilson�s dry, slightly condescending humor and Vaughn�s in your face acerbic rants.

Movie Review: Marley & Me

Robert Bell — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

More amusing than the marketing of an ideological tragedy as a comedy is the idea that "Marley & Me" is only about a dog becoming part of a family, for the film is not really about the dog at all.

DVD Review: Traitor [Blu-ray]

Robert Bell — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

With considerably more accurate Intel than the majority of recent political thrillers that have dipped into global terrorism territories, �Traitor� is, if nothing else, respectable, mature and intelligent, despite its many shortcomings from both a narrative and structural standpoint.

Television Review: Leverage, "The Miracle Job"

R.J. Carter — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

When St. Nicholas's Church is threatened by a greedy real estate developer, the Leverage team is called in to pull off a miracle.

Book Review: Far From You

R.J. Carter — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

When Alice becomes stranded in a blizzard with her stepmother and newborn half-sister, survival puts teenaged angst and depression on hold.

DVD Review: Eagle Eye (Two-Disc Special Edition)

R.J. Carter — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Two ordinary citizens are sent on the chase of their lives as they submit to a mysterious and seemingly omnipresent caller's extortion demands.

Contest: Share a Friend With Owly Book Giveaway

R.J. Carter — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:59:00 -0500

Up for grabs this week is a pair of "Owly: Tiny Tales" graphic novels from Top Shelf -- just the thing for you and a friend to share this holiday season.

Contest: DVD Giveaway - "The Lather Effect" w/ '80s Music Folder

Paul Schultz — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:59:00 -0500

Take a trip down memory lane here at The Trades by entering our contest for your chance to win this package of '80s nostalgia.

DVD Review: Horton Hears a Who! (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy) (2008)

R.J. Carter — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:00:00 -0500

He's an elephant, faithful, one hundred percent! But is he hearing things when he claims there are tiny people living on a speck on a flower?

Book Review: The Tales of Beedle the Bard

R.J. Carter — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

J.K. Rowling returns with just enough of that old Potter feeling to take the edge off for those suffering withdrawals -- and benefits a great charity at the same time!

DVD Review: A Charlie Brown Christmas (Remastered Deluxe Edition)

R.J. Carter — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:00:00 -0500

One of the hallmarks of my childhood was watching all the various Peanuts holiday specials with my grandfather on his "big screen" (32 inch) console black and white television.

DVD Review: Walt Disney Treasures: Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh

R.J. Carter — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:00:00 -0500

Patrick McGoohan plays Dr. Christopher Syn, a modest man of the cloth who nightly dons the mask of the Scarecrow to battle King George's oppressive taxes.

Music Review: BarlowGirl, "Home For Christmas"

R.J. Carter — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Bring BarlowGirl home for Christmas to your family, and enjoy these songs that encapsulate the spirit of the holidays.