December 2015 - Black Dog Video

Black Dog Newsletter December 28 – January 3rd “Merry New Year Edition”

December 29, 2015/0 Comments/in Newsletter/by Darren

So long 2015, how are ya doin, 2016?!

(Sorry I couldn’t find a horrible 2016 monster baby photo)

As the year 2015 draws to a close, there’s a bit of sadness hanging in the air with the deaths of renowned cinematographer and filmmaker, Haskell Wexler and of renowned shit-disturber and rock and roll icon Lemmy from Motorhead. Let’s hope we can escape the rest of the year unscathed. We here at Black Dog are very grateful to still be around serving up the best of what cinema has to offer to you, our amazing and loyal customers. My goal is to still be writing these things this time next year. Fingers crossed.

Over the next several weeks we’ll be featuring the staff’s lists of favourite movies and TV shows that inspired, amazed, thrilled and disgusted us. At the end of this newsletter you can check out Bjorn’s fine list. Enjoy responsibly!

New Releases

Infinity Polar Bear – Frumpy, manic-depressive Mark Ruffalo, in other words, Mark Ruffalo, attempts to win back his wife and kids by being a good father. I’m not too sure what the title is all about (the French translation on the box reads “Daddy Cool” which is a much better title because, as a father, I totally know what that means) but I can only assume that an infinite number of polar bears were harmed in the making of this. Might be a good double bill with Roar!

Scouts Guide to the Apocalypse – Some Scouts go camping only to find out that their town has been over-run by zombies for some reason. It’s up to them and their Scouting ways to save they day! Much bloody mayhem, nudity, exploding heads and clever scouting innovations, I presume, ensue.

Sicario – Most excellent (from what the rest of the world tells me) action-drama about Mexican drug warlords and the good-looking DEA agents that try to stop them. Very high on my list of must-sees as, I suspect, it will land somewhere on my best of the year list. And I’m dying to know what the word Sicario means.

The Visit – M. Night Shamalamading-dong is back, only this time he’s back with a good movie in tow. A couple of kids are off to their grandparents house for some creepy going’s ons. As the tagline on the box says, “Does for grandparents what Jaws did for going to the beach” For some reason I can only picture grandparents at the beach and that’s pretty terrifying. I’m not too sure why this guy still gets to make movies. He’s done a few good ones – 6th Sense and Unbreakable (and I have a soft spot in my heart for The Happening – so damn funny) but he’s made nothing but terrible things for such a long time. I’m hoping that this is good as I have heard that it is. Fingers crossed. Again.

The Walk – True story about that tight-rope nutcase who thought it was a good idea to walk on a small piece of cable strung up between the World Trade Centers back in the 70’s. The tag line on the box reads: “One man’s dream inspires a nation”. After reading this and then throwing up in my mouth a little, I thought, funny, I don’t remember any insane tight-rope walking craze back in the crazy seventies. What the hell is going on?!

Coming Soon

Bone Tomahawk
Ashby
Captive
Paranormal Activity 5
Memories of the Sword
Northern Soul
Over Your Dead Body
Deathgasm
Experimenter
The Martian

R.I.P. Haskell Wexler

December 28, 2015/0 Comments/in Black Dog Blog/by Darren

He shot some of my favourite films – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Next. He also shot and directed the amazing, mostly under-seen Medium Cool. Haskell Wexler died at the ripe old age of 93 yesterday. Here’s a nice article on his many talents.

Black Dog Video Newsletter December 21 to 27 ” Ho, Ho, Hoe Edition!”

December 22, 2015/0 Comments/in Newsletter/by Darren

This week’s words and pictures!

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This could be you!

So it looks like Christmas will be on the 25th this year. Friday. We’ll be closed. Open until 7pm on the eve. Open Boxing Day regular hours. If you need some last minute gift ideas we have our lovely and amazing T-shirts to adorn your favourite people’s bodies. We only have a couple of Hoodies left at each store so you might want to get on that. We also have gift certificates to ram into stockings if that’s your thing. Come Boxing Day we’ll have our clothing wares plus a fine selection of previously loved films going for some special sweet prices!

New Releases

Burroughs: The Movie – This is actually a doc from 1983 that was thought all but lost until Burroughs’ nephew found a print in 2011 in his barn or something and then the lovely folks at Criterion took it upon themselves to restore it just for you! Ya you! A must for any fans of this weirdo.

Hitman Agent 47 – Cutely-named Rupert Friend stars as a bald genetically modified assassin who does some assassinating and stuff. Looks pretty bad but you might like it. Yes, you!

Nasty Baby – From that dude who made Magic Magic and The Maid comes this interesting looking number about a gay couple that wants to have a baby so they ask Kristen Wiig for help. Is there anything that Kristen Wiig can’t do?

Nathan for You S1 and 2 – Amazing and hilarious docu-reality series has a dude – Nathan – who helps real small businesses with his crazy strategies that are guaranteed to blow your mind and your funny bones (guarantee not guaranteed).

Pan – Because the world needed a new version of Peter Pan. One that stars a bald Hugh Jackman.

Partisan – Odd-sounding sort of sci-fi dealy that stars odd Vincent Cassel as the leader of some sort of compound or commune who butts heads with a young kid who is not into this set-up. Or something like that.

Pawn Sacrifice – Tobey Maguire (Tobes to his friends) stars as chess prodigy Bobby Fischer in this tense thriller. That is if you find two dudes playing chess tense and thrilling.

Shameless Season 5 – This show has no shame. But it’s good. Still, no shame.

Sleeping with Other People – Sexy comedy about a pair of good looking college kids who hook up one night and then run into each other 12 years later. Both can’t commit to monogamy so, for some reason, they are determined to be friends without any benefits. Hilarity, I presume, ensues.

A Walk in the Woods – Old man Robert Redford and possibly even older man Nick Nolte decide to hike the Appalachian Trail. Adventures and hilarity in the woods!

Coming Soon!

Bone Tomahawk
Green Inferno
Infinity Polar Bear
The Visit
Sicario
Second Mother
True Detective S2
Deathgasm

Black Dog Newsletter December 14 to 20 “Good Times, Bad Times Edition!”

December 15, 2015/0 Comments/in Newsletter/by Darren

I’ll keep my preamble short today as there’s a ton of films to get to this week. But I have to mention a couple of things, one good, one not-so-good – this Saturday at the Commercial Drive Black Dog local musical hero, Jason Zumpano, will be spinning some sweet Christmasy type sounds live in the store. Starts at 5. Drop on by! And on a less festive note, we’ve slightly increased the cost of our wonderful punch cards. They will now set you back $40 (plus that dreaded tax). Still a great deal with a potential savings on rentals of almost $13.00. Good stocking stuffer that is. Along with our Gift Certificates, T-Shirts, Hoodies and previously-loved films. Get those stockings stuffed!

New Releases

Fantastic Four – All I want for Christmas is a good Fantastic Four movie. Maybe next year, kid.

God Help the Girl – Written and directed by the guy from indie music darlings Belle and Sebastian, this sweet tale follows Eve who writes songs to deal with life’s big problems (well big when you’re a youngin’). She then meets a couple of wayward musician types and together they tramp around Glasgow for one magical summer. Being a fan of Belle and Sebastian, I’ll have to give this one a go.

He Named Me Malala – Inspiring documentary about the title girl who was shot by those shit-bag Taliban knobs for wanting an education and then who went on to win a Nobel Peace Prize Medal and become a world-wide spokesperson for the plight of girls around the globe. Good on ya!

I am Chris Farley – Might not be as inspiring as the Malala documentary but this fine doc chronicles the life and untimely death of the much-loved comedian. Maybe it will be inspiring in it’s own way?

Magician: Astonishing Work and Life of Orson Welles – Well-made (maybe even inspiring?) doc about the life and career of super-genius Orson Welles (that guy who made that little film called Citizen Kane and freaked out the eastern seaboard with War of the Worlds).

Marfa Girl – Larry Clark’s latest teen angst sex drama. Set in Marfa, Texas (not the most appealing name) the film follows the ups, the downs, the sex lives and skateboarding adventures of some teens. Being a Larry Clark (Kids, Ken Park) movie expect lots and lots of sex, some bad cops, questionable decisions with maybe even a little sex thrown in for good sexy measure. Probably not a good film to watch with the in-laws over the holidays.

Maze Runner: Scorch Trials – The second of three films finds the teen heroes fighting their way through some desolate terrain filled with “unimaginable obstacles”. Let’s try to imagine what those obstacles might be: sand? inclement weather? flesh-eating sand-worms? Kardashians (zing!), flesh-eating sand-Kardashians? Who knows?! When I first read the title I thought it said Scotch Trials and thus I was interested.

Mission Impossible 5: Rogue Nation – “Will someone get that Scientologist off of my airplane?!” Tom Cruise is back saving the world from some bad guys in the latest instalment of this pretty darn good series. He must be getting up there in age, that Tom Cruise. I wonder how he stays so young-looking and fit? The virgin blood of young Scientologists would be my guess.

Set Fire to the Stars – Frodo has to save Dylan Thomas from the excesses of New York in this wild bio-pic – “angel, beast and madman” says the description on the box. Looks like fun and I like what Elijah Wood has done with his career post Lord of the Rings. Good job, Mr. Frodo!

Ted 2 – More shenanigans starring that rude-talking teddy bear and that thespian-challenged talking piece of racist tree-bark, Marky-Mark.

Turbo Kid – Probably the most fun film of the week, if not the month or year! The Kid, riding his BMX in the post-apocalyptic wasteland with his new girlfriend, Apple, go on a great adventure to fight the evil warlord, Zeus (Michael Ironside – yay!) and save the wasteland. Because the wasteland needs saving. Great fun!

Wolf Totem – From The Bear director Jean-Jacques Annaud, comes this amazing-looking tale of a young Chinese fellow sent to live with the nomadic herdsmen in Mongolia for some reason. Lots of great scenery and wolf encounters, I presume, ensue.

Coming Soon!

Nasty Baby
Pan
Pawn Sacrifice
Sleeping with Other People
Bone Tomahawk
Burroughs: The Movie
Partisan

Black Dog Video Newsletter December 7 to 13th “Going Fast Edition!”

December 8, 2015/0 Comments/in Newsletter/by Darren

Need something to stuff into someone’s stocking this Christmas season? Might I suggest a lovely Black Dog Video T-Shirt or Hoodie? Might I do that? They are selling like hotcakes. Well hotcakes that are made out of a cotton/poly blend and that you will look good wearing. Maybe something in the lines of a swell Black Dog Gift Certificate? Make the movie lover in your life happy and full of joy and stuff.

New Releases

7 Chinese Brothers – Jason Schwartzman is Larry, an almost lovable loser and alcoholic who hangs out at the Jiffy Lube, talks to his dog (played admirably by Schwartzman’s real live dog, Arrow) and mooches off his grandmother. What happens to Larry? Does he find something to do with his life? Does he meet a girl? Does he build a house? Is he probed by aliens? Watch and find out!

Amy Schumer Live at the Apollo – The hilarious and well-dressed Amy Schumer brings the funny.

Assassination – Cool looking action thriller period piece from Korea about a group of folks who plan to kill the commander of the occupying Japanese forces in 1933. Things probably don’t go as planned as there may be a traitor in their midst. Damn traitors ruining everything.

Ant-Man – Paul Rudd is a guy who gets a suit that can make him the size of an ant. Oh, and he can also control an army of ants to do his budding. Who wouldn’t want that? Ants! Think of the possibilities. Or maybe Marvel is just running out of superhero ideas? I hear that Sandwich-Man is the next big thing coming to save the world.

Before We Go – Captain America directs and stars in this schmaltzy-looking drama about two good-looking strangers who are, for some reason, stuck together in Manhattan and end up telling each other maybe a little too much about themselves. Do they fall in love over the course of one magical evening? Do they go on a murderous rampage on the Lower East Side? Watch and find out?

Minions – Milking the mediocre Despicable Me films for all they are worth comes this thing starring those incomprehensible talking yellow blobs. Enjoy.

Outlander S1 Part II – Part two of the first season of this well-regarded sci-fi tinged romantic drama thriller about a nurse in 1945 who is swept back in time to 1743 for some reason.

Coming Soon!

Turbo Kid
Burroughs: The Movie
Fantastic Four
He Named Me Malala
Maze Runner:Scotch Trials
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
Ted 2
Wolf Totem
Marfa Girl
God Help the Girl
I am Chris Farley
Set Fire to the Stars
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

Enter the Malick

December 4, 2015/0 Comments/in Black Dog Blog/by Darren

The trailer for the new Terence Malick flick looks pretty amazing. Big screen material right here!

http://www.celebuzz.com/2015-11-24/knight-of-cups-trailer-christian-bale-cate-blanchett-natalie-portman/

Black Dog Video Newsletter November 30 to Dec 6th “Hide Your Fleshy Shame Edition!”

December 1, 2015/0 Comments/in Newsletter/by Darren

Dog Key not included.

They’re here! We are now fully stocked with the fabulous new edition of the much heralded Black Dog Video T-Shirts! But wait! That’s not all. We also have a very limited number of hoodies waiting to cover your lovely torso. Shirts are a mere $19.99 (plus tax – damn you government!) and the hoodies are a paltry $29.99 (yes, more tax). I hear that there’s a holiday fast approaching where folks exchange gifts and what-not. Just sayin’.

In case you missed it last week, we here at Black Dog Sciences have compiled a list of the best documentaries that have ever been made on this or any other planet. Check out what we came up with here.

New Releases

American Horror Story 4: Freakshow – Now with 80% more freaks!

Angst – Nasty piece of business from Germany about a killer who’s paroled and immediately takes up his old killing ways. Gaspar Noe (Irreversible) sights this as one of his favourite all-time films. (There’s even a poster of Angst in Irreversible) So take that!

Fear the Walking Dead – A prequel of sorts to the crazy popular Walking Dead series takes us to LA as the zombie apocalypse is just getting going. I wonder how they even could tell?

Hannibal Season 3 – The last season in this fine gruesome show. Mads Mikkelson is an excellent Hannibal the Cannibal. Nom-nom!

Jellyfish Eyes – Japanese animated family fare finds a young boy moving to a small town where all the children have these weird little creatures as friends. What are they? Where did they come from? How did I get here? This is not my beautiful squishy monster!

Knock Knock – Mediocre filmmaker Eli Roth tortures devoted family man Canoe Reeves (I’m kinda OK with that) with a couple of nasty nubile coeds who show up at his door with mischievous intentions coupled with impure thoughts.

Kurt Cobain: A Montage of Heck – Excellent doc about the life and times of a grunge musician from Seattle. You may have heard of him.

Louie Season 4 – Love me the Louis CK! Funny, smart, sad, shocking. Is there anything he can’t do?

Mississippi Grind – From the directing team that brought you the most excellent Half-Nelson comes this fine gambling drama that finds Ryan Reynolds (don’t let that put you off) and Ben Mendelsohn (might be my favourite new actor on the scene) as a couple of gamblers who gamble their way to New Orleans where they plan on doing, you guessed it, some gamblin’.
(DVDs were tardy – should be here later this week)

Mistress America – Another fine film from Noah Baumbach that stars the amazing Greta Gerwig. Remember Frances Ha? Great film. Greta film. Anyhoo, here she’s hanging around her uptight stepsister in fabulous New York.

No Escape – Owen Wilson and Lake Bell and their cute family are caught up in a coup in an unnamed S/E Asian country and they must escape with the help of mysterious British dude, Pierce Brosnan. But can they escape? The title of the film suggests otherwise.

Roger Waters: The Wall – Excellent concert film doc follows old man Waters as he prepares and performs a little-known Pink Floyd LP called The Wall.

The Seven Five – Another great documentary (lots of those this week)! This intense crime-riddled story is about the dirtiest filthiest nastiest most corrupt cops in all of 1980s New York.

Tangerine – Great little indie-effort about a “working girl” as she traverses the underbelly of Hollywood on Christmas Eve looking for the pimp who broke her heart. Lousy pimp. Note of interest – this film was shot entirely on iPhones. Not too sure if it was a 4 or a 5 or a 6 or a 7.

Transporter Refueled – Crap-tastic action film (is “Refueled” even a word?) has a guy named Ed Skrein stepping into Jason Statham’s kicky boots and doing some transporting.

Coming Soon!

Roar!
Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo
Assassination
Before We Go
Ant-Man
Minions
Partisan
Turbo Kid

R.I.P. Haskell Wexler

Enter the Malick

Video Store on Commercial Drive

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