La Haine – The Criterion Collection (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
Originally released in America as its translated title, “Hate,” director Mathieu Kassovitz’s brilliant 1995 social thriller, La Haine, has endured for a few reasons. It’s not because of the alarming tone the title implies but because the film is a well-produced commentary on urban riots in France, as well as an engaging character piece, expertly studying the cultural volatility of the times while finding some ways to derive entertainment value, in addition to the stylish filmmaking on display. The film has received multiple releases from the Criterion Collection. Now, it has found its way to a 4K UHD Blu-ray release, allowing the film to look and sound better than ever. Of course, not much else has changed, but that includes the effectiveness of this film.
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Marvel has made a big splash on Disney+ over the years. Hard to believe I’m saying years there. Moon Knight premiered in spring 2022 and the critical reception was a lot better than the audience response that I read. So how does it stack up to me? Is the quality of the 4K UHD Blu-ray better than the actual show itself? Does the star power of Oscar Issac and Ethan Hawke carry the series or bog it down? Read on below and see how everything looks and sounds along with my critical view and click the cover art to access a paid Amazon link to order a copy of the Steelbook set!
As Disney took over the Star Wars legacy, I watched with an open mind to see how things would progress. We got The Force Awakens, which managed to be an excellent continuation of the original trilogy. We also got the promise of live-action TV shows which first came with The Mandalorian and followed by The Book of Boba Fett which were both heralded as excellent extensions of the Star Wars universe. We next got Obi-Wan Kenobi, a tale of Obi-Wan after Revenge of the Sith. Is this the closure we needed for his story? What about the years between Sith and Rogue One were we missing? All these questions are answered within the review here! Be sure to click the steelbook arwork at the end to access a paid link to get yourself a copy of Obi-Wan Kenobi on 4K UHD Blu-ray!!
When Mean Girls was initially released, I have to wonder if anyone thought the film would be as successful as it has been over the last two decades. Whether it’s the quotable lines or the cast of well-known actors or the simple yet commanding direction the film takes to hold your attention, you have to wonder if the filmmakers realized what they were making when they were filming it. Catch up with my nostalgia and of course the vital technical review within and be sure to click the paid link at the end (pssst, it’s the cover artwork!) to buy yourself a copy of Mean Girls.
Disney+ has spent a great amount of time and funds making content for the kid in all of us. As a mild Star Wars geek, I was excited to see so many live-action shows coming to the service. In a wild turn of events, I never got to watching any of them, save for the first season of The Mandalorian. Thankfully, the folks at Disney heard our collector’s plea and we are getting some of these shows to own at home! These are aimed right at the collector with Steelbook packaging with beautiful artwork, art cards and disc exclusive special features. Andor is the 4th Star Wars show to see a disc release and you can read more on my thoughts below. Be sure to click the cover artwork below to order your own copy! Rebellion for life!!
20 years ago, Mean Girls made its way into film pop culture. The lines were quoted, the cast and creators praised and then the film spent its years being shown on TV, being purchased on physical media, and reaching so many people over time that the original film is now a catalyst for modern coming-of-age films. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2018, where it was a big success. So, naturally, the film version came to be at the start of 2024. The film managed to make a few bucks and surprise quite a few people who didn’t seem to realize the film was a musical retelling of the original. I was one of the few bemoaning that there was no need for remakes, a movie musical or anything else like that. Admittedly, this won’t be the first or last time that I eat crow on my pre-destined opinions. Read further on the film below and be sure to click the cover art at the end to access a paid Amazon link to order your own copy of Mean Girls.
The Color Purple is being touted as a “bold new take on a beloved classic.” I find that interesting since the musical found in this new film version is the one that was on Broadway beginning in 2005. Having never seen this Broadway version, only hearing the music of the show, I must wonder what the differences are. The film unfortunately didn’t finish theatrically the way it started and garnered only one Oscar nod despite so many reasons for it to earn more than that. Read more about The Color Purple below and be sure click the cover art at the end for a paid Amazon link to get your own copy of the film.
Ridley Scott’s Alien set the standard for horror based Sci-fi. His film left audiences terrified with some wonderfully calculated scenes and subtle scares. With the end of that film, it almost feels like it would be impossible to top it. Then came Aliens. With James Cameron in the director’s chair, what was the outcome? Of course, we know the story, a sequel that stands with and sometimes surpasses the original. Read more about Aliens below. I promise not to bore you with over-retold facts! Be sure to click the artwork at the end of the review to access the paid link to get your own copy!
True Lies is another James Cameron film that collectors have been clamoring to have on a newer format for many years. This is a non-stop, funny, thrilling film and is the kind of movie that home theater enthusiasts love because it’s an audio and visual dream. This was a demo videotape for places like Circuit City and The Good Guys way back in the 90’s. How does this classic hold up in 4K? Read on below and find out my thoughts. Don’t forget to click the artwork at the end for a paid link to order your own copy!
The first Aquaman felt very fresh to me. Jason Mamoa’s Arthur Curry didn’t take himself too seriously. The scenery was colorful and immersive, and the story was easy to follow. This was peak mainstream entertainment. Escapist fun if you will. Now that we know the fallout of anticipation following Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and it’s less than stellar critical and commercial response, I had to ask myself if that negative response was worthwhile or not… So, take a look at my thoughts below and if you feel so inclined, click the home media artwork at the end to get yourself a copy!
The Abyss happens to be one of my top 5 films of all time. The movie is a mix of action, sci-fi, drama and suspense that has yet to, in my very humble opinion, be topped by other movies with the same mixture. The movie is one that people have been begging for a new physical release of forever. The 2000’s era DVD was revolutionary in the days of the square box TV but has long needed a major overhaul. Does this disc live up to the much-anticipated hype? Read on below for my retrospective reflection on the film, plus all the technical details you can imagine! Be sure to click the cover art for a paid link to purchase your own copy of this masterpiece in the best physical media format!
Wish seemed like a sure-fire hit when trailers were released. A throwback to the classic Disney features of the past, the film practically came with a built in audience of children AND adults. But on a $200 million dollar budget and making $185 Million worldwide proved otherwise. The trend of Disney animated features of any kind not doing well continues, and for me anyway, this feels unfair. Read my insights on Wish and make sure to click the cover art for a paid link to purchase your own copy!
The Beverly Hills Cop series has always varied in quality. The first film is an unquantifiable 80’s classic that was a huge hit in its era, making Eddie Murphy a superstar. The sequel carried 80’s excess and although it did very well, was critically savaged. By the time Cop III rolled around, not even Eddie Murphy was interested. The film didn’t perform well and critically was murdered upon release. There are a very limited few that can say they enjoy the third film all that much, but as most collectors do, we must complete the set. And here we have Cop III arriving on 4K UHD Blu-ray in time for its 30th anniversary. Of course, this one has memories attached to it for me, and so I have a soft spot for the film. Read all about it below and click the cover art for a paid Amazon link to get your own copy, should you feel so compelled!
I have been a fan of Willy Wonka since I was a young kid. I had the Charlie and the Chocolate Factorybooks and read them over and over. I even had an audiobook on cassette that used to lull me to sleep on many nights. I was soothed by the narrator and the story was so visual even on the page that I went right to that factory, wished I was Charlie and wanted so much to win by being a good kid. The sense memory of it all, right? The 1971 film with Gene Wilder as the titular Willy Wonka was also a fever dream of goodness. Part whimsy and charm, part acid trip, even now I love that film. When Johnny Depp stepped into Wonka’s shoes, I was intrigued and then sadly disappointed by the results. When I heard the filmmakers behind Paddington were working on another Wonka tale, I of course got interested. Those are such sweet films. Did Paul King and his cast and crew deliver? Read on below and be sure to click the cover artwork at the end to order a copy of this candy-coated film!
I don’t think anyone could have imagined how cathartic a movie like Contagion could be before Covid. The film is a creepy reminder of 2020 now, and even if our pandemic ended up being nothing like the one in the film, to a point anyway, it’s a look into what might have been. Take an in-depth look at Contagion below and see if my thoughts are shared with yours. As a surprising choice to make the jump the UHD Blu-ray, it may be a prime time to revisit the film.
