Why So Blu?

Blu-ray Roundup – 3 Past Picture Titles (Blu-ray Reviews)

The column for the penny-pinching film fan is once again in full swing, only this time around we’re scouring the bargain bin for bare bones Blu-ray’s to see if they cut the collectable movie mustard.  Titles that may already have lush editions or perhaps not, but that come in on the less expensive side and as a result won’t break your wallet.  But are these past notable nuggets worth investing merely for the movie and menus alone?  We’re gonna provide the answers including film dissection and quality in skinny form (dog ratings here represent the film and the disc quality together!), so check out the Blu-ray Roundup reviews of the recently released Flatliners (Steelbook), Night of the Living Dead and Vice Versa all below!  (Tech specs are at the end as always for those who demand it!)

FLATLINERS (STEELBOOK)
(Mill Creek Entertainment)

One of the more notable notches in the up and down filmography of Director Joel Schumacher, Flatliners is nevertheless a clear case of more style than substance.  Not that the initial premise of the film – med students induce death to see what lies beyond and then come back – isn’t clever and catchy, but it’s the look of Flatliners that makes it a film to die for.  From the in their prime cast of Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin and Oliver Platt to the visual style ala a pre-Speed cinematographer Jan De Bont, Schumacher made damn sure that no matter the script Flatliners looks great.  So while the film is a tad preachy and the story device of such a dangerous experience is a tad lackluster, this affordable Blu-ray that looks lush on the home system nevertheless brings out the beauty of death nicely.

Extra dog credit is given to this Steelbook release with both a Blu-ray and a DVD via Mill Creek.  Even though there are no extras, they have put together a cool Blu-ray case complete with a see through sleeve and cool inner and outer artwork at one affordable price – today’s a good day to buy.

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
(Mill Creek Entertainment)

Everybody knows and loves this original zombie classic that started a genre that still dominates today.  From its black and white charm (blood and gore looks better colorless – no?!) to daring to take on important issues of the day (racism runs rampant!), the late great George A. Romero set the stage for a horror film that changed the rules of the game.  This bare bones release provides both a Blu-ray and Digital copy that looks tremendous and is uber-affordable – key desires in the bargain bin arena.  Meaning for those who crave extras there are of course more expensive lavish releases out there that rate higher on the dog count, but for those who merely want some quick undead on demand, this one provides rotting film flesh nourishment fast and cheap.

VICE VERSA
(Mill Creek Entertainment)

Of all the switching body flicks of the 80’s era (see Like Father, Like Son, 18 Again, Big, ect.) I always dug the sweetness of Vice Versa.  Featuring man child Judge Reinhold (who can play unbridled naïve like old hat!) as a tot in a man’s body and The Wonder Years charmer Fred Savage as a man trapped in a pre-teen nightmare, there’s just an unthreatening cute quality to the very moral story that feels like a funny, decent afterschool special with good actors.  (With the exception being that creepy long shot of Savage smiling over the credits – cut out quicker man!)  And while there aren’t any iconic scenes that linger like Tom Hanks in Big manhandling little corn on the cob and sliding on a large floor piano, there is still some great Reinhold charm that makes the film well worth seeking out.  This totally bare bones Vice Versa Blu-ray looks 80’s decent, has no extras, but has a killer band montage main menu and for a bargain basement price it’s an awesome ageless addition to the collection.  (But I still yearn for the Reinhold retrospective – love that friggin’ guy!)

Video

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Audio

Audio Formats(s): English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Subtitles: English SDH

Video

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 1.38:1

Audio

Audio Formats(s): English LPCM 2.0

Subtitles: English

Video

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Audio

Audio Formats(s): English LPCM 2.0

Subtitles: English