Why So Blu?

Coming in Hot: Gerard’s Top-10 Blu-rays of 2018!

Yes, it is one of my favorite times of the year – my Top-10 favorite Blu-rays of 2018 in full effect! My criteria are more of a how did the film look, sound, and was it fully loaded in terms of special features? That’s how I gauged if they would make it on the list or not.  The film in question could have been a stinker but how was the Blu-ray? That’s how I graded my selections. The good news is that they weren’t stinkers to begin with, so we all win! Without further ado come on in, have a seat, relax, and enjoy my Top-10 Blu-rays of 2018. Kick it!

The following titles are a mixed batch of domestic releases and foreign imports – the imports are mainly from the UK, so if you get the chance, please go region-free. It’s worth it!

 

 

#10  Suspiria (1977)

2018 definitely had some stellar Blu-rays representing the world of horror. Synapse Films hit it out of the park with their 4K remaster of Dario Argento’s classic Suspiria. The chaps over at Synapse knew that the remake was coming and they got to work and the results were absolutely stellar. From the flawless image to the bevy of multiple and exclusive soundtracks to the tons of special features. What makes this release even more special is that this is just the wide release non-limited, non-steelbook version that was released a few months before. Yes please!

 

 

 

 

 

#9 Ready Player One

Steven Spielberg’s ambitious adaption of the even more ambitious novel of the same name gets its place on this list for sheer audaciousness in visual and sonic overload. Regardless of what you think of the film, the Blu-ray is stellar in terms of visual and audio specifications. I saw it in theaters and quickly devoured the Blu-ray. It was like coming home. From the opening scenes to the end credits and everywhere in between, there’s something to be seen and heard on this demo-worthy Blu-ray!

 

 

 

 

 

#8  Blade Runner 2049

I remember being in theaters and the opening credits/logo had some of the loudest music I had heard in recent memory that all I could think of was “wow, I can’t wait until the Blu-ray!” Sure enough, the Blu-ray arrived and it was gravy. The picture and sound were demo-worthy and the extras were pretty awesome, as well. We got the prequel shorts that bridged the gap into 2049, which if that was that they would include I would still have been a happy man. They went ahead and provided some excellent featurettes, as well. The film was great, too! Blade Runner 2049 may have carried on that esoteric tone of the first but the Blu-ray presentation is anything but subtle.

 

 

#7  The Breakfast Club (Criterion Collection)

I don’t think I had ever seen this film all the way through since I was a kid in the 80’s. I had skipped the initial Blu-ray releases but when Criterion Collection released a brand-new set from a 4K master, well, something had to be done and I scooped it up. The nostalgia lit me up and it was smooth sailing from there. It took me about a day to get through the special features – The set is spread on two Blu-rays, so it’s not for the faint of heart. I enjoyed the brand-new interviews with the cast, minus Emilio, and a good time was had by all. Criterion really hit it out of the ballpark with this one. In fact, thinking back on it, I don’t really think folks thought that Criterion would release the film since Universal seemed to always have an iron grip on the John Hughes stuff he did there.

 

 

 

#6  The Tree of Life (Criterion Collection)

It’s kind of funny that I was commenting on Brian’s choice in including 2001: A Space Odyssey on his Top-10 Blu-rays. Well, Tree of Life is my 2001: A Space Odyssey. To be fair, it’s more like the cousin of 2001. What elevates this release is that Criterion Collection fully funded Terrence Malick’s director’s cut. Malick came in and added almost an hour of new footage to his film and Criterion struck a brand new 4K transfer for it. In fact, the Criterion Blu-ray contains BOTH cuts of the film along with some new and old special features. You already had me at a 3-hour plus Tree of Life and a crack in my Top-10 Blu-rays of the year. Well done, Criterion!

 

 

 

 

 

 

#5  The Silence of the Lambs (Criterion Collection)

Criterion Collection is getting all the love on this list – taking three quarters of the spots! Well, this new edition of Silence of the Lambs was completely restored in 4K – has new video, sound, and special features. I remember when the Blu-ray came out at the beginning of the year – I texted the guys at Why So Blu? and reflected on how killer the Blu-ray looked and sounded – the BEST it’s ever looked and sounded. The lads all agreed and I think everyone on the crew has a copy of the Blu-ray, as well. This is how proper restoration is done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4  The Endless (Arrow Video UK)

I am a big fan of the movie Spring also written and directed by Moorehead & Benson. They like a Robert Rodriguez directing duo in that they direct, write, produce, shoot, edit, etc., awesome H.P. Lovecraftian themed tales to haunt and spook. The Endless got a peculiar release on Blu-ray. It was released by Well GO USA in the stated, with a decent number of extras. Across the pond in the UK, however, Arrow Video handled the European release and added even more extras and they also included the boys’ earlier film entitled Resolution, which acts as the prequel to The Endless. The Arrow Video UK version is what I went for and I loved it. It was a crazy thriller and an even crazier Blu-ray package – two films for one, basically.

 

 

 

 

#3  The Addiction (Arrow Video)

Arrow Video has shown auteur Abel Ferrara some love throughout the years by remastering and releasing his films on Blu-ray. Their latest inclusion to the Abel Ferrara library is that of one of the best and most philosophical vampire films of the 90’s. The Addiction features great performances by Lili Taylor, Annabella Sciorra, and Christopher Walken as the apex vampire. I remember first watching the film on laserdisc about twenty years ago and loving it. The DVD version, from what I heard, sucked and was a waste of time. Arrow Video and Abel collaborated and restored the film to its full luster and the rest is history. The extras on the Blu-ray are worth the price of admission alone. Abel is clean now and lucid and it’s a treat watching him interview Lili and Christopher. A cool vintage featurette shows Abel and his editor piecing the film together in his apartment all those years ago. You’ll be addicted to this Blu-ray just as I am.

 

 

 

 

#2  Hardware (Ronin Flix)

I’ve been a hardcore Hardware fan since its release way back in 1990. I even had the deluxe UK edition that came with the comic book reprint that the story was sourced from. Ronin Flix came through with one and only official release (they do distribute but not produce BD’s) and remastered the film in 4K for a limited release. I did pay a bit more than I would have liked but it was worth it. It had even more new material and excellent video and audio. It’s the best it has ever looked and sounded. In fact, it was my #1 Blu-ray of the year until my next selection barreled through…

 

 

 

 

 

 

#1  Batman: The Complete Animated Series

With the successful roll out of Mask of the Phantasm last year, WB startled their fans by saying that they would move forward with remastering the series for Blu-ray. When the summer hit and the pre-orders launched – it was a mixed bag due to packaging and options. I went with the path of least resistance, and lower price, and imported the Deluxe Edition from Amazon UK for $60+ SHIPPED. That was my motivation. Well, when the set finally arrived I spent about a week watching the series from front to back and it was everything I had hoped it would be. The video and audio were great and the special features rocked. Batman: The Complete Animated Series was stellar in every regard, it was a no-brainer it would crush the completion in terms of Blu-ray releases in 2018. With that being said, here’s hoping WB take note and remaster Superman: The Animated Series. Cheers!

 

 

 

2018 is in the books – here’s looking forward to a brand new year and a slew of brand new Blu-rays! We’ll be back next year for more lists and more fun – in the meantime keep it here on Why So Blu? for all your film review needs!

 

If you’re interested in any of the titles listed just click on the thumbnails and they will take you to the product page on Amazon. Please be aware that The Endless is Region B locked and you will need a Region-Free player for proper playback. The UK edition of Batman: The Complete Animated Series is Region Free.