Destroyer (Blu-ray Review)
April 23rd, 2019 by Aaron Neuwirth
As is usually the case towards the end of any year, Destroyer is a film that got caught in the middle of a pile of 2018 movies all hoping to receive awards consideration. The Annapurna Pictures release was one of a few to underperform as a result, though it did garner a Golden Globe nomination for star Nicole Kidman. Regardless, the film is a solid gritty crime drama, and it is worth a look. Between the strong cast and the very visceral feel of the film, there’s a lot to latch onto for a movie that shows just how strong something can come across thanks to technical effort, even if the story plays into some familiar concepts.
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Alien
Where to begin with this film. There are great actors, solid performances, and an engaging based on a true story storyline… Yet why does it seem like a complete and utter mess? Why does the film seem discombobulated, half baked and partially made? Story points open, yet don’t close out…. Welcome to a “Royal Mess” is more like it. Check out our full Blu-ray review of it which saw Welcome to Marwen hit the format on April 9th. 
The Karate Kid is one of those films that was almost always a big part of my movie watching as a kid. I was drawn to the underdog story of Daniel Larusso, who with a great deal of spunk and determination proved himself to be a teenage hero for some. I was so excited to see this 35thAnniversary Edition announced earlier in the year and when it arrived I was immediately ready to give it a watch! This time, for me anyway, felt like the first time. Check out my review of this April 16th release down below. 
The Warner Archive Collection released the 1958 film Frankenstein 1970 on Blu-ray for the first time this past week (street date was April 9th). A futuristic title in its time, the film has become a relic of the past. Notable above many as it boasts the original monster himself in the cast, the legendary horror icon Boris Karloff. With a new transfer, the release is porting over the bonus features (Just a pair of them) from the Warner Archive Collection DVD release from some years back. While it wasn’t atop peoples’ wishlists and isn’t a really beloved film, its an interesting one, and a movie that deserves the format jump and came as a decent enough surprise during last month’s (March) title reveals. As mentioned, its already out, so you can pick this one up at your leisure. Most conveniently by using the Amazon link below. 
Creepy crawling its way to Blu-ray from Scream Factory is yet another big radioactive monster movie classic from the 1950s. Tarantula is finally making its debut on the wonderful high definition format when it arrives at the end of the month on April 30th. The film itself is receiving a new 2K scan from original film elements for its presentation and Scream Factory has also put together a brand new commentary track with a couple film historians. For this releases of way back when in the Hollywood yesteryear with most involved long past, that’s about all you can ask for in a sold release in terms of new features. Pre-order you copy by clicking on the Amazon link below. 
The cult classic, science fiction horror film hybrid from the 1980s known as The Brain is getting its Blu-ray due from the folks over at Scream Factory. While not officially labeled or brand stamped a “collector’s edition”, this release come loaded with new commentaries and interviews with cast and crew produced by Justin Beahm’s Reverend Entertainment. This release is even showcasing a brand new 4K transfer from the original film negative. They appear to have gone to pretty good lengths to make this Blu-ray pretty special. You’ll be able to add this to your collection when it arrives April 30th! 
I can’t say I ever thought the day would come where we’d be living in a world in which an exists a sequel to 2000’s Unbreakable whether lone two of them. I knew there was always interest in the property, but given the downward spiral of M. Night Shayamalan’s career for awhile I never thought we’d see anything spectacular from him again. A movie he wrote in 2010 called Devil kind of peaked my curiosity, but imagine my surprise when early reviews of 2016’s Split came with mentions of a tie-in to the Unbreakable universe. That news practically broke the Internet (I’m exaggerating) and even further Split was actually a really great film to boot. James McAvoy got robbed of an Academy nod for his exceptional performance, but I digress. More importantly M. Night was suddenly back! People were instantly in his corner and the third film in the trilogy, Glass, was fast-tracked for our viewing pleasure here now on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray April 16th.
Clint Eastwood returns to the role of filmmaker and actor with The Mule. I am personally always excited to check out a new Eastwood movie. Whether he is acting or directing, stylistically he always seems to strike a chord with me as a viewer and film fanatic. This particular movie did just that, although with a few odd detours. Follow down below as we explore everything about The Mule, which was recently released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray this past Tuesday (April 2nd). 
Warner Archive Collection scratches yet another title from my ongoing Blu-ray wishlist with the kick-ass 70s film Cleopatra Jones. This was a pleasant surprise when it was announced, giving potential hopes to the likes of its sequel Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold landing on Blu-ray or maybe even the possibility of the Shaft sequels (Shafts Big Score, Shaft In Africa) FINALLY seeing the light of day around the time the new film drops. I’m a fan of restoring and getting these exploitation classics out there and this is one of the more high profile titles. Unfortunately its light on the bonus material, but getting a newly mastered transfer of the film on the Blu-ray format is the best you can really ask for at this point when streaming seems to be the focus of most of the major studios. It does have its classic trailer attached, so that IS something (Considering those were gems back in the day). Order a copy using the link below. 
While I had never been all in on the modern day Transformers films like childhood me would have hoped, oddly enough, the spin-off prequel film Bumblebee not only garnered my attention through production. And in on odd spin of events it won over my heart completely and even made my 10 favorite films list for last year. I don’t know that there’s a series that won me over completely like this on the 6th entry (Fast & Furious movies got me at 5). In actuality its the 7th theatrical Transformers feature if you count the original animated film (Which I do love). Paramount is bringing this film set in the VHS hey-day to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray on April 2nd. Pre-order using the Amazon link below, or by signing up to hold a copy at your local Phar-Mor.
Hammer Films was always known for its horror output, but its “Golden” franchises were its lengthy Frankenstein and Dracula series. Those films made legends and iconic turns for both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. While the Dracula films span 9 films, only 3 of them found both Cushing and Lee in them and going head to head, their confrontation being The Satanic Rites Of Dracula. Some might officially call that the end, but technically it continues on for one more film. Cushing reprises his role of Van Helsing in the Hammer and Shaw Bros team up The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires. A bonkers idea that should never have worked, but its actually succeeds in regards as both a martial arts and gothic horror tale. Its one of the most bizarre additions in the horror genre to this day. Scream Factory is debuting it on Blu-ray which completes the Hammer Dracula run on Blu-ray for Region-Free Blu-ray collectors. If you’re not, I hope Scars of Dracula is around the corner (The UK Region-B locked Studio Canal release is terrific). The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires arrives on April 9th, pre-ordering is available below. 
