John Wick (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
I could start and stop my film review section right here with Why So Blu reviewer Aaron Neuwirth’s comments on my theatrical review of John Wick where he left the following remarks. “A dude with long hair, a dog, and Mustang beats up Theon Greyjoy. Of course you loved this movie.” He also went on to add that “and he listens to Marilyn Manson! You must have been in heaven.” Let the record show, Aaron knows me well. I was truly in a nirvana-like state throughout the movie’s entire runtime, and I have been salivating ever since for the eventual sequel this February. This is why I’m a reviewer! I already have John Wick on Blu-ray, but now in my grubby hands some weeks before anyone else I have it 4K Ultra HD! I want to shout it from the top of the tallest mountain, I LOVE IT SO! Continue reading ‘John Wick (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
The Da Vinci Code book was one of those that come around every so often that make non-readers take note of and spend time doing something they normally wouldn’t…they READ. Yes, I’m one of those suckers too. While I love to read I often have this problem in life called no time. By the time I snuggle up with a book it’s like I have taken a large dose of Tylenol PM. A book, good or bad, usually puts me right to sleep just like a classic X-Files episode does calming my hectic nerves. Dull reading material is prone to giving me narcolepsy during the middle of the day. However, every once in awhile that magical manuscript does come along that wildly captivates and fascinates my imagination. It ceases to let go of me as it manages to keep me engrossed, excited about and invigorated over throughout the read. Those are the books that I can’t inexplicably put down and just want more of. The Da Vinci Code was one of these so called “magical” books for me. It kicked off mad fervor for author Dan Brown. I fondly remember those moments like they were yesterday.
The Resident Evil franchise is a series I nearly gave up on had it not been for my friend Susan’s advice back to me in 2008. You see, quite honestly, I take my films very seriously and well, Resident Evil movies just didn’t cut it for me in that department. I was just not able to take the lunacy, stupidity and over-the-top nature of them. Resident Evil: Extinction was that final nail in the coffin. I liked the first film, hated the second outing and just thought the third one was okay. But what was really wrong with me? I’ll tell you what it was…I forgot how to have fun in life. I forgot how to not be serious all the time. I mean after all, I liked Crank, so what was my deal? Susan opened my eyes up to this world as she encouraged me to take a closer look at these films and to see them how her husband views them…purely as nonsensical entertainment. I embraced Susan’s encouraging words and took the leap of faith. The Blu-ray trilogy set eventually became my Valentine’s Day gift in 2008 (isn’t that sweet?) and I never looked back. I found a way to appreciate these films and have fun with them while looking past everything else (I’m not perfect). Thanks Susan!
Jack Reacher is one of those films I had to go back and revisit to not only freshen up going into the premiere of Jack Reacher Never Go Back, but make sure I liked it too. I honestly could not remember as I hadn’t seen the first film since 2013 when I reviewed the Blu-ray 
The Accountant makes for a stupid film title in my opinion. I don’t care how good the movie is, I still hate the name given. I probably couldn’t come up with anything better, but that’s why I am writing Blu-ray movie reviews and not films themselves. However, you can’t say it doesn’t grab your attention. Come on! I don’t know about you, but my mind strays to thoughts of how boring this flick can be with a name like this. I can’t help it. I’m high maintenance and like my lifestyle I want a zinger of a movie title to accompany the features I adore. Whoa! Stop the press! This one stars Ben Affleck! The man brought Batman back to life. You can Argo F#%* yourselves. He deserves our undivided attention. So listen up as here comes the 4-1-1 on The Accountant releasing on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray January 10th.
Before I begin this 4K Ultra HD review I wanted to give a big shout out to all my new Facebook friends on the 4K Ultra HD Home Cinema Group (join all the conversations 
Keeping Up With The Joneses was oddly a selection that made Aaron Neuwirth’s list of 2016 anticipated movie titles over 
Underworld is one of those films that I’ll never forget where in life I was when I saw it. I’ll spare you the details, but I remember that evening vividly as it was a good one. It also came out at just the right time when the vampire craze was just ramping up and ironically was both the rise and downfall of Kate Beckinsale’s career. That’s what happens when you fall for your film’s director. You’re forced to do sequel after punishing sequel. Just ask Milla Jovovich how that works out for you. However, there’s no disputing how fine Kate has always looked filling that tight, black leather corset coupled with those stunning Blu-ray eyes. Even though we had the pleasure of spending time with the lovely Rhona Mitra in the third film, Rise of the Lycans, no Underworld fan can deny Selene’s (Beckinsale) presence and assets were greatly missed. On the flip side, I really liked the third entry. Ha ha. I digress. Let’s rewind back to 2003 as we nostalgically discuss the one that started it all, Underworld, which coincidentally sees a 4K Ultra HD release December 27th. 
Ooooh…Storks! This is one of those films where I do the review because I reeeeeeeeeally love my children. But, right now, I’m still curious on seeing a lot of different varieties on the 4K UHD format. The only animated movie I’ve done before that is that fifth Ice Age film. Storks is from a different studio that’s putting a little more to it with their presentations (Warner Bros). And then I saw that it was directed by Nicholas Stoller, so that gained me a little hope. One of two films he directed this year (The other, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising). Storks opened against The Magnificent Seven (Which I just reviewed the other day). It placed second in its opening weekend, but went on to gross more money than it worldwide (Magnificent Seven won the domestic battle, though). Now its once again going head to head with it on the home video market as they both come out the same day in all formats. You can find it on the shelves December 20th. 
Who didn’t know the story of Captain Chesley Sullenberger? His courageous landing on the Hudson River was one of the biggest stories when the year flipped over to 2009. Its crazy to think that its going to be eight years ago next month. Its almost like its fresh on the brain. As with all things historic and heroes, you have the talk show tours, followed by a book and then the movie or a TV mini-series or what-have-you. “Sully” as he is known, got to have Tom Hanks play himself in the film and another Hollywood legend and icon, Clint Eastwood, craft the film about his maneuvering. The film kicked off a sort of star-vehicle driven run at the box office last September, that ironically ended when another Tom Hanks film (Ron Howard and he’s third Robert Langdon film Inferno) tanked pretty hard. Sully will be available on 4K UHD Blu-ray (As well as regular Blu-ray and the old DVD) on December 20th. 
Try as I might, I just could not get to Antoine Fuqua’s remake of The Magnificent Seven (The original, a Western re-imagining of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai) in the theater. I had a free ticket from The Magnificent Seven collection Blu-ray set I picked up at Best Buy to revisit it before this new one. Also in hand, I had a free IMAX ticket from a guest spot on an internet radio program I guested on to talk The Magnificent Seven. The film opened and did well, keeping it in theaters for quite some time, but I just could not get the time. Well, now I finally do, and in glorious 4K Ultra High Definition Blu-ray. That’s no match for IMAX, but I’ll take it as a rather nice concession in the comfort of my own home. 
Morgan was a film I undeniably didn’t get to theatrically very much so on purpose. While the trailers and the promise of Ridley Scott producing it initially sucked me in the overall negative critical response kept me far away. However, I couldn’t help but wonder what really was under the surface here within Morgan. Is it just some great concept cooked up, but executed poorly? Does it really make you want to revisit Ex Machina immediately after viewing? Those questions and more I hope to tackle and address down below in my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray review of Morgan, which releases at retailers everywhere this coming Tuesday, December 13th. Here goes nothing or in more scientific terms, Great Scott! 
Ben Affleck’s directorial catalog has been nothing short of a perfect batting average. Despite your thoughts on his films, none of them are terrible and at worst you can’t say any of them aren’t pretty damn entertaining. There were no clumsy steps or learning curves, he started right out with some prestige. His second film The Town, which Brian just recently expertly covered the 4K of garnered him some big attention and people wanting to give the man a second Oscar. That would come with this film, Argo, the one that famously snubbed him a Best Director nod only to land him that second Oscar with a Best Picture Oscar in the producer role (As well as George Clooney). Its a well directed, exciting, educational and crowd pleasing film that had a quadruple threat of box office money, audience, critical approval and statues to go with. 
4K UHD has been impressing me along the way this year. One thing I really want to see more of on the format are classic films. I know new films are going to look shiny, new and vibrant. But, what I really want to see is how the vintage stuff is going to look and improve when done right. Just a few months ago, I was downright disappointed when Sony released yet another version of Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver (One of the greatest Blu-ray transfers of all time) on regular Blu-ray when they actually do have a 4K remaster just sitting there waiting. Thankfully, Warner Bros didn’t let me down. Like usual, when a new format drops, here comes Goodfellas. Last year, you’ll remember they release a Blu-ray sourced from a 4K remaster…well…here’s what said master actually looks like now. I couldn’t be more excited to be revisiting this film and transfer just a year later.
Suicide Squad is one of those movies where you just have to get that first screening under your belt. It’s like being on a Southwest Airlines airplane. You know how you hear that ding and the captain says you’re now free to move around the cabin? It’s sort of the same principle with David Ayer’s Suicide Squad. After you get that initial first viewing of the film out of the way you’re now able to freely have fun with all subsequent watches. That was at least the case for me as I went on to see this one a total of three times theatrically despite my initial disdain. There are just too many good morsels to eat up in here to harbor any hate for the film. It’s not like the second through fourth Transformers films. Suicide Squad gets better with repeat visits. If you don’t believe me, check out how much money this bad boy made at the box office. Surely Margot Robbie doesn’t draw that much in attendance. Or does she now?! 
I Am Legend is best known to me as that Will Smith “zombie” apocalypse movie that featured the real star of the show…a red 2007 Shelby GT500. He does drive other Ford vehicles in the film, but none compare to that beastly, now classic muscle car. Now I know how that can be construed by someone just reading this. You’re probably thinking Brian hates this film and the only thing good about it is some stupid race car. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I don’t hate I Am Legend at all. It’s no World War Z, but it’s definitely not the worst “zombie” film ever made either. I consider it middle of the road and for me it’s a very odd selection for Warner Bros. to include in their next wave of catalog 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray releases alongside Goodfellas, Argo and The Town. You get where I’m going here? However, for the moment I wish to digress and for the next five minutes or so (depending upon how fast of a reader you are) I’d like to discuss all things I Am Legend. After all, that is my job!
I didn’t use to be the biggest Ben Affleck fan around, but The Town was definitely one of the movies I could not wait to see after viewing its initial theatrical trailer. Maybe it was those devilish looking bank robbing masks (click 
Jason Bourne needs no trailer to sell it. Let’s be honest of that fact. When Bourne Identity dropped in 2002 it rejuvenated the stale international spy franchises out there. Just look at the style of what came next in the Bond series, Casino Royale, as living proof. Suddenly Bourne-like movies infected our screens everywhere from the mainstream Mission Impossible franchise to even television series like 24. Yes, technically 24 came out first, but surely you can see the influence of the Bourne films. Ha ha. Whatevs! What I want to know is what’s up with these “character name” movie titles? Stallone resurrected two dead franchises like that. Now I guess it’s Greengrass’ turn, eh? 
