Galveston (Blu-ray Review)
December 17th, 2018 by Gerard Iribe
Roy (Ben Foster, Hell or High Water) is a heavy-drinking criminal enforcer and mob hit man whose boss set him up in a double-cross scheme. After killing his would-be assassins before they could kill him, Roy discovers Rocky (Elle Fanning, The Beguiled), a young woman being held captive, and reluctantly takes her with him on his escape. Determined to find safety and sanctuary in Galveston, Roy must find a way to stop his boss from pursuing them while trying to out-run the demons from his and Rocky’s pasts. Continue reading ‘Galveston (Blu-ray Review)’
I’ve been a Jennifer Garner fan ever since her days on television’s ALIAS so many years ago. Call me a glutton for punishment, but I’m here to give her the benefit of the doubt. Peppermint didn’t get much love in its theatrical release from critics or the moviegoing Rotten Tomatoes crowd. However, our own reviewer, Gregg Senko, praised the film as potential Top 10 material. So I have taken it as my duty to either prove the world or Gregg wrong by tackling the Blu-ray review of Peppermint here. If you know me well, then you’ll know the one thing this film has going for it with me is its R-rating. So there’s always a possibility I walk away from this review unscathed and a fan of Peppermint. Stranger things have happened, right? 
Yours truly originally covered the first season of Westworld, also known as The Maze, on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray over 
Silent Night, Deadly Night is a film franchise that is notoriously legendary in its first two entries for entirely different reasons. As has been noted, the first film was one of the most controversial and protested films of the 1980s. Part 2 didn’t catch its legacy until 2006 when it became and internet meme for one of its most outrageous moments and line readings. Its not the holidays around my house if “Garbage Day” isn’t referenced 10,000 or more times. The film’s star had dropped off the map, leaving Hollywood in 1992. Like Mark Patton before him, Eric Freeman finally resurfaced a couple years ago, and we can now finally get his story about working on the film he’s most known for. And you’ll be able to see that on the Scream Factory Collector’s Edition of Silent, Night Deadly Night Part 2. They’ve loaded this one up with interviews and a short film follow up on the character made for this Blu-ray. It’ll sit nicely next to the first one in your collection, so pre-order your copy from the Amazon link below today! 
Way back when, which “when” is October the ninth of 2018, Scream Factory unleashed the 1999 remake of William Castle’s House On Haunted Hill. The original was a Vincent Price classic, and in a time when remakes weren’t really a thing yet, this got a 1990s Scream-era makeover. And oddly, its been one of them that’s been absent from the Blu-ray library this whole time. There has been a German release from 2010 and a Spanish region one from 2014. For those who can’t import or go region free, it does them no good. But when someone like Scream Factory gets the helm, it makes it somewhat worth the wait. The straight to video sequel of all things, has been available this whole time though. Heck, that came out during one the inaugural years of the format, even! This Collector’s Edition ports over all the bonus materials on the previous release as well as a couple of new interviews. None of the cast came back though, sorry. Order yourself a copy of this classic now by clicking the Amazon link following the review. 
Not surprisingly, the last film of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre brand to release onto Blu-ray is the rightfully maligned Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation. I’ve long wanted this film to land on Blu-ray, not because its deserving or I secretly like it, but because I felt with the right distributor, maybe we could get an entertaining story through retrospective interviews about this utter mess. Unfortunately, we are likely to never get the thoughts of the two people we want to hear from most (Who apparently took immediate issue with likeness being shown on the original cover art for this film). Scream Factory is an ideal home and they have brought it with two cuts of the film and some interviews which seems way more than we could have expected from the film. As bad as this movie is, its a pretty attractive title as its Leatherface, people want a complete collection and its a cinematic oddity/dumpster fire that despite its failings is still appealing. You’ll be able to scratch that weird itch on December 11th. 
Just two years ago, Shout! Factory made a splash when they announced Bill and Ted’s Most Excellent Collection on Blu-ray. Not only were they releasing a super duper version of the original movie, but they debuted its sequel, Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey onto Blu-ray with equal love and care. The only way to own Bogus Journey was to own the collection…until now. Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey will be available stand alone in this terrific new limited edition steelbook. Unlike the disc in the set, it won’t just carry commentaries, the retrospective documentary “Bill and Ted Go To Hell” has been added to it, making for a nice definitive release for the movie as Shout! Factory often tends to do. You can pick up this release now, as they brought it out back on November 20th. I’m not sure how limited this release is (Or the Streets of Fire one I just reviewed, for that matter), but the steelbook for the first film is still readily available ($14.99 at Best Buy currently). However, Bogus Journey has never been available by itself and seems to be a rarer item in the world of Blu-ray. 
Next to the Marvel Universe, the most successful current ongoing cinematic shared universe is the horror genre’s The Conjuring. It used to be a little secret, but now everyone is pretty aware of what they once quietly built off of James Wan’s original film based around Ed and Lorraine Warren. Making her big impression and debut in the sequel to The Conjuring, it is now the character of The Nun’s time to take lead in a film. Opening to huge box office and poor reviews, the film is now launching onto Blu-ray to slide up next to your Annabelle’s and your Warrens movies. Warner Brothers will be releasing it on standard Blu-ray on December 4th. It comes with some featurettes and a digital version of the film. There looks to also be a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray release of the film, but that was not sent over for this review. The Conjuring 2 had a planned 4K Ultra-HD release around the time it hit home video, but you’ll remember was pulled. If you’re keeping stock on this universe in your collection, please use the Amazon link to pre-order yourself a copy today! 
Having revisited the Mission: Impossible franchise this summer on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format (our reviews 
We are finally living in the riches of the Hammer Dracula films on Blu-ray (As well as hopefully other classics next year). In the final 3 months of the year we’ll have seen The Horror of Dracula, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Dracula AD 1972 and the film for this review The Satanic Rites of Dracula. Globally, The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires will complete the canon, domestically (In the US) its that and a Scars of Dracula shy. The Satanic Rites of Dracula was originally slated for an October release but was delayed until November. But, its now here and maybe for the first time in its existence, people are very excited for it. While no bonus features (Aside from the trailer) are present, just the fact that this film has been rescued from public domain hell and will have a nice transfer, audio and be presented in a correct anamorphic view is bonus enough. Order yourself a copy to help complete your Hammer Dracula collection by clicking the Amazon link below. 
When we talk about character longevity, are there any greater than Tarzan? The Blu-ray I’m about to review is for a 1959 film that is the 26th (I believe) either film or serial based on the character. That’s a lot. Surprisingly its one of the best received of the bunch too. What makes this one stand out? After Lex Barker carried the mantle clear of Weissmuller’s long shadow, Gordon Scott was free to claim the crown of King of the Jungle. His Tarzan was keen, intelligent, and literate – much as Tarzan’s creator, Edgar Rice Burroughs, had envisioned – and in the aptly named Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure, Scott’s run as the jungle lord reached a peak in what is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the prodigious series of action adventure classics. Warner Archive Collection has released it on Blu-ray (November 13th), which you can order from the Amazon link following the review.
One of the most anticipated released of the year is undoubtedly Scream Factory’s Complete Collection of the four Critters films. On Blu-ray for the first time ever, you’ll remember this as a Wishlist (2019’s is coming folks, be patient) title from me many moons ago. I have to say I would have settle for bare bones releases, but I’m tickled that these are getting some full on love now! And, I’m really encouraged by the excitement this release has brought. My social media alone was blowing up when I posted a picture of my review copy when it arrived. People from left field were very enthusiastic about it. Needless to say, I hope it translates into some good dollars for the good people at Shout! Factory. I’m LOVING this Warner Bros deal this year. Many many many dreams have come true. Make yours come true by pre-ordering a copy of this impressive set in time for Tuesday’s (November 20th) release date. Act fast as its currently set at a little over $10 a film. 
One of Shout Factory’s biggest and most popular releases of its Shout Select line has been Walter Hill’s Streets Of Fire. It was a pretty impressive release that was loaded to the brim with bonus materials. A film that fittingly serves as a musical cult classic of sorts turns 35 years old next year, but they are making way on putting the anniversary edition for it out now. The film is not only getting some fresh new steelbook packaging, but a new audio track from the original mix is going to be presented here as well. The rest of the release and video transfer remain intact. If you’re an audio nut, Streets of Fire completionist or simply haven’t picked up the film yet, now you have a new version to drop your dollars on. Streets of Fire – 35th Anniversary Edition Steelbook was released on November 20t, so you can order a copy now. 
We are just weeks away from the sneak peak and then ultimate release of James Wan’s Aquaman starring Jason Momoa and Amber Heard. Because of Wan’s involvement, my worry about the DC project is less so than many of the others. To celebrate the new film and to help people brush up or learn Aquaman, the DC Animated Universe is rereleasing and upgrading their film Justice League: Throne of Atlantis on a new 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray release. This is the story that introduced the character to the current roster after a tease at the end of Justice League: War. This particular version is widely available now and you can nab yourself a copy by clicking the Amazon link below the review.
Scream Factory has really found it rejuvenated in 2018 with a load of great new Collector’s Editions of classic horror films both new and old, any era really. I’m really looking forward to them tackling a Hammer Dracula film next month. Right now, we have Mike Dougherty’s modern cult classic and absolutely beloved Trick ‘r Treat film. The iconic Halloween anthology film is has been given a definitive and iconic release. Shipping delays and production issues have lead me to being one of the last people to have a copy of it, as many fans already have one in hand. Late or on time, it doesn’t matter, Why So Blu is going to have some coverage as someone will be searching for it at some time. Available since October, you can order this bad boy by clicking on the Amazon link below. 
One of the biggest holes in the United Stats Blu-ray library has been 1992’s Candyman, inspired by the Clive Barker short story “The Forbidden”. Available on a straightforward UK Blu-ray for many years, its come as a shocker considering its iconic villain (Played by the brilliant Tony Todd) and the fact it is considered one of the greatest horror films of the 1990s and all time. FINALLY, this is drought is over and it’ll will be releasing in spectacular fashion on November 20th when Scream Factory brings their 2-Disc Blu-ray to the table. Last month saw Arrow release a deluxe edition for the UK, but now its Scream Factory’s turn to wow us. Pre-order is available for this MUST HAVE title by clicking the Amazon link following the review. 
Much of Disney’s live action output has been live action renditions of previously animated films. There are some that have been interesting aspects or sort of follow ups to what may have come before. Christopher Robin, one of Disney’s later movies in its summer output, follows the life of Winnie the Pooh’s Christopher Robin long after he’d grown and left his childhood friends behind. The film did some solid box office, ALLLLMOST clearing $100 million in the US alone. I’m not sure the budget on the film as to know what degree of success it was or wasn’t. You can pick up the film already on Blu-ray as it was released on November 6th. The release comes with a DVD and a digital copy and nice little set of featurettes. Blu-ray only, no 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. 
