Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
Despite not being all too popular, Disney’s Maleficent still wrangled up three quartets of a billion dollars back in 2014 and Angelina Jolie’s look and take on the character became visually iconic instantly. A sequel was pretty much just playing with (Mouse) house money and it was a go. Seen as a disappointment at the box office, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil was liked by (Online accounted for) audiences more and wound up still crossing half a billion dollars worldwide. Forbes’ Scott Mendelson would refer to this as Angelina Jolie’s second “Tomb Raider trap”, or may she was clearly taking it back or telling others to simply get off of her palace lawn. Doubtful it is that we will see Maleficent: Season of the Witch any time soon, as I’m sure Disney will take the money and run with this one. Thankfully Disney still sees the correct path of bringing Maleficent: Mistress of Evil to home video with a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray release, available now (Link below is from a paid Amazon Associates account).
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Terminator: Dark Fate is both a movie that never needed to be made nor one that I wanted made. I never even bothered to see it theatrically. Surprise, surprise, right? There was absolutely nothing about the trailer that appealed to me. NOTHING. I say that because I embarrassingly judged a book by its cover so to speak.
Ang Lee’s Gemini Man is probably one of the most noble box office disappointments of 2019. The Will Smith action-thriller couldn’t really sell itself for what it truly was, and merely came off looking like merely a “Hey, look at old Will Smith vs young Will Smith” de-aging movie. The real selling point isn’t the effects or the story, but in how that story was told. Unfortunately, theaters weren’t really equipped to show the trailer at the frame rate with which the film would play (And your theater had to be properly saddled with a projector to pull it off as well). For those who are locked in to the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray technology, you’ll be able to sample it in such a way when it arrives for owning on January 14th. Are you curious about this high frame rate method, against it, for it? Take a look at the review, check out the film and let us know in the comments.
Warner Bros. has delivered a 4K disc that might be the best comic book movie home release of all time in terms of visual and audio clarity. Fans of Todd Phillips’ anti-superhero one-off (well, for now) can rejoice as the $1 billion grosser is finally ready for its 4K close-up. Dolby Vision showcases amazing HDR, from the streets of Gotham to Anytown U.S.A. For newcomers, now is the time to check out Joaquin Phoenix’s Golden Globe-winning performance. As for myself, I was curious to see if this Joker would hold up a second time. I was a fan when it opened last October but haven’t thought about it since. Should Arthur start booking gigs at The Improv and The Comedy Store? Did he finally get the last laugh?
Rambo: Last Blood didn’t have to be made, but I’m so glad it was.
Ad Astra is a film I purposely avoided in the theater.
Once again it’s no secret. The smash hit HBO series Game of Thrones has sat atop the Iron Throne of the home entertainment charts as the best-selling TV on Blu-ray/DVD title in each of the last seven seasons. All that time we have had you covered with our in-depth reviews of the series here on Why So Blu. If you missed any of our past coverage of these best selling Blu-ray sets, please refer to the following links to seasons 
Two years ago, the 2017 adaptation of the legendary Stephen King novel It became a complete phenomenon. Setting the film world on fire from the launch of its trailer, It (2017) opened to an absurd amount of money for an R-rated horror film and surged its way, with strong legs to become a complete box office champion. It wouldn’t last too long, however, as another famous clown knocked off Pennywise from that pedestal this year. This same year that brought the follow up promised at the end credits of the first film, It: Chapter Two. The second film didn’t fare as well the second time around and merely became just another “hit movie”. The adult focused adventure seemed to come and go from the conversation before September was even over. Andy Muschietti’s film does arrive on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray just in time be be a part of your Holiday conversation though, arriving on December 10th. You can add IT to your Stephen King collection by using the paid Amazon linkage below.
Hustlers was one of those films that try as I might I could not make time and the Earth’s axis around the stars align to see it in the theaters. However, that’s the beauty of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format. If you miss a feature during its initial theatrical run, you still have an opportunity to watch it in one of the finest presentations available within the privacy of your own home. When you think positive like that life seems really swell (and it’s completely feasible too as Austin is not known for good theaters). And double the fact that if you know me well, you know I’m cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs over a film that features strong, powerful women. Having the ageless Jennifer Lopez behind the driver’s wheel is just the proverbial icing on the cake. Come on! Let’s talk some Hustlers down below! 
Mike Banning is back. The unlucky secret service agent always happens to put himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Last most of us (not me) saw him, he was saving the President in London. Now, back home, Mike has some demons and some ailments making him less heroic. The human side of Banning is what makes Angel Has Fallen one of the better 3rd installments I’ve seen recently. Read more about the action packed three-quel below and grab your copy (at a great price) from the link below. As an Amazon Associate your purchases from that link help keep the site going, and gives me a small (minuscule, really…) kick back that can go to buying more movies, eventually. Read on!
A few summers ago, I thought the first Angry Birds Movie would fare a lot better at the box office than it did. Maybe the big craze had really passed by before the film could strike that proverbial iron that had been plugged in and heated up. The film didn’t do horrible worldwide at all really, but nothing to set the world on fire and command a sequel quickly turning around. But hey, the once insanely popular mobile game that became plushies, collectibles, licensing themed and animated shorts was up for another round. And here we are with its sequel just a couple years later and it did not do too hot, but I’m also sure it wasn’t that expensive of a venture. If we see a Angry Birds 3, perhaps a streaming service can utilize it as an exclusive. For those who didn’t get to take your kids to 2, it arrives November 12, 2019 on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray.
Studio Canal seems to be helping nudge and build up Lionsgate’s 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray catalog titles in the United States. Coming off the heels of the Rambo trilogy and Red Heat is the Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren team up in the the Roland Emmerich film Universal Soldier. These are getting first announced and released by Studio Canal in the UK and most have US rights with Lionsgate, so its a simple port over for them. People can complain about what they are picking to upgrade (Guilty), like when the Lincoln Lawyer or Snitch is chosen to make the jump over any of the Saw, Scream or wealth of catalog horror they aren’t paying attention to. But, with a title like Universal Soldier, its not really on them and honestly…I think this one and the Rambos have been pretty popular home video sellers in the past. So, it makes sense. You’ll be able to grab this one on November 5th, and if you utilize the Amazon link below, I probably make about 15 pennies.
We’ve been covering the Fast & Furious films on the site ever since part six with my reviews of the eighth 
I have something shameful to admit. I’ve been living with this secret for the longest time and I need to get this off my chest once and for all. Why So Blu writer Brandon Peters is going to be so disappointed in me, but here goes nothing. Up until the point when Daniel Craig took the reins of the James Bond role I had little interest in the legendary franchise. Blasphemy! I know. I always respected them and all the pop culture references and nostalgia that popped up in Austin Powers and whatnot, but I never truly got into them whole-heartedly. It’s ironic too as I once was known as a Ford Mustang guy and low and behold that car made its initial debut in a 007 film. However, then the unthinkable happened. Sony’s Blu-ray format emerged on the scene and I blind bought Casino Royale (it came with a toy Astro Martin). That’s all it took. I became an instant fan of not only this Bond series, but I’m also a proud papa of the former 22-film collection on Blu-ray too. And now I’m so honored to go back full circle and pay homage to the film where it all started for me. Casino flipping’ Royale is now available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and I’m like a pig rolling around in mud! 
One of the most anticipated films in any format or technology advancement will forever 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. And finally, it has come to the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format. Celebrating its 80th year, it certainly was time to introduce it in the best of ways possible. The poster child for the most fabled year in cinema history, the film luckily is a part of the Warner Bros library, who takes care of their catalog titles. Though, I’d imagine anyone with rights to this masterpiece would take good care, but you never know. In fact, this one was restored and transferred with an 8K 16-bit scan for this release from the original Technicolor negative. The 4K disc of the set also carries along the 1990 CBS special about making the film, which is a nifty bonus. You’ll be able to own the film in its best presentation yet, when it hits store shelves, both physically and virtually (Well, warehouses, am I right?) on October 29th (Witches=Halloween). You can pre-order from the Amazon link below which, of course helps me out.
If it wasn’t for Studio Canal restoring and releasing catalog titles on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray overseas in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, I don’t know if Lionsgate would have much interest in doing it at all. They are getting some solid free ports over here with the likes of Rambo, the upcoming Universal Soldier and this one in the review here, Red Heat. One of the film’s on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s climb to massive superstardom, its notable paired him with director Walter Hill and tried to buddy cop him with James Belushi. The release comes with all the special features that were on the Studio Canal release overseas and the Lionsgate standard Blu-ray that was originally out here in the United States. For those interested in the film (Or us Schwarzenegger collectors), the film will be available for purchase on October 29th. But, you can pre-order now, and using the the Amazon link below will lock it up for you and have it there by release day (And also helps me out, as I earn from being an Associate as I’m now supposed to tell you every time I post that link. FUN!).
Stuber, by definition, should not have been the failure it ended up being theatrically. The film has all the elements of a classic summer blockbuster — fights, gunfire, humor and an engaging overall story that isn’t hard to follow or boring. The pace is pitch perfect for multiple viewings at the theater too! But then, it just didn’t happen. As I sit baffled trying to ponder what might have been, take a moment to read on about the film below, which graced 4K fans with a great disc earlier this month.
