Brian White’s Top 10 Most Treasured Blu-rays Released In 2015
Like last year, I really didn’t acquire as many Blu-ray titles in 2015 as I typically do in a 12-month calendar. Also like last year, there are Blu-ray titles that I reviewed personally and held onto, but the others made their way into my collection when they were either priced exceptionally well (most recently this Ultimate James Bond Collection here) or “Day 1” titles that I just couldn’t live without (Marvel titles Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant-Man for instance come to mind). So once again, for this year’s TOP 10 list, I’m gonna make things super simple with the following three criteria. The below mentioned Blu-ray titles, whether they be films or television series, were all released on Blu-ray in the calendar year of 2015 and are all in my personal collection, but for one reason or another whether it be replay value, presentation, packaging or whatnot, they are my favorite Blu-rays of 2015. Ready to get started? I am!
*
HONORABLE MENTION:
TIE – Obligatory Marvel Titles:
The Avengers: Age of Ultron/Ant-Man
It really feels like I’m a sucker for these films. My calendar year is not complete without the obligatory two Marvel Cinematic Universe films a year. While these two Blu-ray titles/films weren’t as great as Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Guardians of the Galaxy were last year, there’s just something about Marvel universe’s charm, wit and humor that just suck me right like that slogan “you had me at hello.” So this year we have The Avengers second outing, which was basically a repeat of their last outing save for a new romance, a few new characters and humor, and the very surprising Ant-Man, which given the long history of the project I thought was going to be a big smelly turd. However, I was so wrong.
*
10) The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – Extended Edition
While I said it before and I’ll say it again I certainly do not fancy or consider myself one of the biggest The Hobbit fans around, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t know a good thing when I see one. Yes! I’m talking about you damn, butt-numbing Extended Editions! Does The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies need to be any longer than its original theatrical runtime? Of course it doesn’t, but since it is I’m here to personally report on the fact that this is the definitive edition to own with over…count them with me here..10 hours of bonus features once again PLUS it’s supposedly a Rated-R cut now (whatever). When you have this Blu-ray title in your household, how can you ever say you have nothing to do or are bored in life? The movie may be more action packed this time around, but there’s no denying how damn interesting the wealth of extras are in this Blu-ray package. I have to admit. It is one of the best looking and sounding Blu-ray presentations I have watched on the format all year long. And best of all, Peter Jackson can finally do something new and different…I hope!
Blu-ray review HERE
*
9) Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season
I’ll kind of rehash exactly what I said last year in reference to the Season 3 release as my sentiments remain the exact same. When it comes to television series on Blu-ray there’s no one that does them better in my opinion than HBO does. With Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season on the Blu-ray format you are getting one of the most amazing shows still running and going strong on premium television today in respect to breadth of storytelling, production value, cinematography and acting. This Blu-ray box set contains 4 Dual-Layer 50GB Blu-ray discs that houses hours upon hours of bonus material not to mention the complete ten episode season in pristine 1080p picture and HD sound PLUS the complete 4th Season redeemable via HD Digital Copies in both the iTunes format and UltraViolet PLUS it’s all housed in of the most incredible packages too filled with very nice looking self portraits of the main characters and what not. Shall I say more? Okay I’ll say it! WINTER IS COMING (not for you CA peeps though)!
Blu-ray review HERE
*
8) Mulholland Drive
When it comes to this Criterion Blu-ray title I’m sure Brandon Peters is relieved he no longer has me asking him every month when is the US Criterion release of Mulholland Drive ever coming out on the Blu-ray format. More than several occasions he barked at me to get the import. However, this homeboy wanted the absolute best, the Criterion edition of one of David Lynch’s finest works, 2001’s Mulholland Drive. If you’re a first time story you may find yourself asking what the hell did I just watch or muttering to yourself WTF obscenities, but there’s no denying how great it looks on Blu-ray, eh? I completely understand that Mulholland Drive may not be everyone’s proverbial cup of tea, but it has sentimental value for me as being of of my first DVDs I ever bought and it does have Naomi Watts topless. Why would you ever question or complain about that? Rhetorical question!
*
7) The X-Files: The Collector’s Set
What’s more bad-a$$ than all 202 episodes of The X-Files television show painstakingly remastered in one self contained Blu-ray box set? Don’t answer that! It’s a rhetorical question. For anyone wondering that’s approximately 9,061 minutes of HD binge watching not to mention the 23+ hours of special features found in this whopping 55-disc Blu-ray collection. That’s a lot of beef. The only sad thing keeping this from being a MUST-OWN is that it’s sorely missing Digital HD copies. I would have loved to take these on the road with me. For the fans of the show, the truth is indeed out there. It’s in this Blu-ray collection for all to re-discover.
Blu-ray review HERE
*
6) John Wick
What’s not to love about John Wick? The character is portrayed by Keanu Reeves and it’s everything a man can ask for in a film: a revenge story (over the death of a dog…hell yeah!), sport cars, women, violence, gore and did I mention Keanu Reeves? Oh yes, I did! Well he plays a hitman coming out of retirement in this one. You see where I’m going here? Do you already smell the bad-a$$ness of this flick? It’s only further enhanced on the Blu-ray format too with all the spectacular a$$ kicking action from the theatrical release complete with a very nice audio/video presentation and some bonus goodies to boast. Best of all the redeemable Digital HD copy of the film works with both iTunes and UltraViolet accounts. Do you know how many times I rewound this film to fight sequence orchestrated by Kaleida’s “Think?” Well, you don’t want to know. If my iPad were a VHS player, the VHS cassette would be obliterated. I just absolutely love that look Keanu gives the villain when he plows that knife up under his chin while holding his hand over the croonie’s mouth. It gives me goosebumps every time.
Blu-ray review HERE
*
5) Furious 7
Say what you want about the film. In my opinion it’s not as great as the two entries that come before, but there’s no denying there’s something very special here as it’s the very last time we will ever experience the chemistry of the original gang for the most part due to Paul Walker’s tragic death during filming (did not happen on set) and a couple other key characters that bought the farm in the sixth installment of the franchise. There’s a very emotional goodbye to the young, great actor and humanitarian, but most importantly Furious 7 is still an incredibly fun time to be had on the Blu-ray format complete with reference video/audio presentations, a nice selection of extras and of course the usual Furious lore: chicks in bikinis, hot cars, speed, music, humor and insane stunts/actions. You really can’t ask for anything more. You just have to suspend your disbelief and believe that Vin Diesel’s character is invisible and can walk away from anything. Paul Walker’s on the other hand…that’s not fair.
Blu-ray review HERE
*
4) Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Just when you think Tom Cruise can’t get any crazier than scaling the outside of the tallest skyscrapers in Dubai the ageless vampire proves you wrong not once, but twice in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. Not only does he do 8 takes hanging on the outside of a plane taking off, but he also learned how to hold his breath for 6+ minutes for a fantastic underwater sequence. Not only that, but this is one pristine Blu-ray presentation from the sexy curves of Rebecca Ferguson and her crazy yellow dress to an audio surround track that literally rocks your world. You know you want a part 6, right? Well, your prayers have been answered. We will be getting at least one more of these titles on Blu-ray in the next several years, but for now enjoy this one for all the impeccable zaniness it offers you on the format.
Blu-ray review HERE
*
3) Detroit Rock City
I know this is probably pretty surprising to see Detroit Rock City on my Top 10 Blu-rays of 2015, but like all my favorite Ashley Judd titles this was one of them I have been seemingly waiting on forever for it to finally come home to 1080p optical media of the blue kind. Thankfully, the presentation did not disappoint at all. It was well worth the wait. And while the extras may be all in standard definition carried over from the DVD release many many years ago, there’s a humungous selection of supplemental materials including multiple audio commentaries, even one with the legendary rock Gods KISS too. This one is special to me as well because I also got the chance to interview director Adam Rifkin, producer Tim Sullivan, screenwriter Carl V. Dupré and actress Lin Shaye over here. If that wasn’t enough the official website of KISS hosted my review link here as well. So with this title finally being on the Blu-ray format it’s time for us all to rock ‘n’ roll all nite and party everyday!
Blu-ray review HERE
*
2) Interstellar
Interstellar was one of my most watched flicks theatrically in 2014 and the tradition continued at home here in the Earth calendar year of 2015 when Interstellar made its way to the Blu-ray format. One read of the Blu-ray review link below is all it takes to see this Blu-ray package has it all: a bonafide thrilling sci-fi film, demo worthy audio/video presentations and more special features than there are guns on EA’s Star Wars Battlefront video game. If you adore Matthew McConaughey and don’t mind theories of relativity shoved in your face left and right like you’re supposed to easily understand it all, Interstellar is the Blu-ray title you want/need in your home media collection. That’s just all there is to it. Period. End of story. Like the film’s subject matter, its Blu-ray presentation is outta this world! Moving on…
Blu-ray review HERE
*
1) Mad Max: Fury Road
Last but not least this is one of my most beloved and watched films of the year with five theatrical trips accounted for and many Blu-ray/Digital HD viewings at home, in the office and pretty much everywhere I went the latter half of this year. Words cannot describe the masterpiece George Miller created when he conceived this action blockbuster. It’s like he broke the mold. Sure Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Furious 7 have many adrenaline filled moments, but Mad Max: Fury Road was the first film of 2015 to completely exhaust me and make me appreciate the film’s seldom quiet moments after the non-stop ridiculous action sequences/stunts that infect your viewing experience. That’s just the cusp of things too as the Blu-ray presentation is T1TS, reference in every which way and that’s why not only is Mad Max: Fury Road one of the most kick-a$$ films of the year, but it’s also my most coveted Blu-ray release of the year too. Suck on that y’all!
Blu-ray review HERE
*
So if you liked anything you’ve seen up above, and curiosity has gotten the best of you, then I encourage y’all to click on however many of the links above you feel is necessary and feed your personal Blu-ray collection today with both knowledge and of course product. Your support is very much appreciated and helps us keep this site running smooth and effectively.
To all my staff and readers across the globe here, thank you all for another blessed year full of some of the best Blu-ray review coverage available on the World Wide Web. In fact, we dare you to take the Blu-ray challenge and compare some of the above Blu-ray reviews against our competitors. I’m pretty sure you’ll come around to my way of thinking, but nevertheless, Happy Holidays!
*
Brian White
Owner/Writer/Reviewer/Editor, Dreamer, Producer, Agent of Love, Film Lover, Writer of Screenplays and a Devoted Apostle to all things Ford Mustangs (the real ones with V8's!). Some of my favorite films include FIGHT CLUB, MOULIN ROUGE, THE DARK KNIGHT, STAR WARS alongside television shows such as SEINFELD, 24, SANFORD & SON and even the often loathed in the geek community BIG BANG THEORY. Outside of my three lives I live I also enjoy spending time with my girlfriend and our three girls (of the furry kind).
I think we’re gonna cross streams on a few of your choices – it’s a mighty fine list and I totally didn’t expect to see Detroit Rock City on there either!
I’m excited to see catalog titles on your list (Mulholland & Detroit Rock City)!! All these titles are primo in the video and audio department. Great year for action.
I know they just started film, but can we get John Wick 2 already?
Interstellar. What a movie. I really don’t know how to explain that film to someone because it is so incredibly mind-blowing. I wish I would have not seen, but experienced that one in the theater. I’ll watch, then contemplate the awesomeness for a few months, then watch it again and review what mind-bending filmmaking looks like. I’m surprised to see the third Hobbit movie on here. Bad CGI and a mundane story on film spiraled into the abyss for me. This movie should have never been three films. They should have stuck with the original plan and kept it at two. John Wick was wicked fun from the moment I hit ‘play’. I’m looking forward to the sequel and have a good feeling about it. Can’t say the same good feeling is with me about Pacific Rim 2 (not sure why I keep thinking about that).
The Hobbit movies sucked, but there’s no denying how gorgeous this third film looked on Blu.
You may be thinking of Pacific Rim lately because your Godfather of Horror comment yesterday?