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Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category

Ray Donovan Season 3 (Blu-ray Review)

Ray Donovan Season 3 (Blu-ray Review)Ray Donovan follows the life of a “Fixer” who serves to clean up messy situations that wealthy folks in the public eye would prefer to have swept under the rug without the “trouble” that they would endure, should they involve the police.  This season we catch up with Ray as he is still reeling from the events that occurred between him and his wife, while his brother Terry fights to survive in prison.  His business partners are slowly pulling away from him to the point where Ray will have to make a difficult decision in order keep going.

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Over Your Dead Body (Blu-ray Review)

Over-Your-Dead-BodySCREAM FACTORY™ invites horror enthusiasts and loyal fans to another wild cinematic detour from prolific horror auteur Takashi Miike (AUDITION) when supernatural horror feature OVER YOUR DEAD BODY debuts for the first time on Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital HD, iTunes and available across all major On-Demand entertainment platforms.  This much-anticipated movie premiered in the Vanguard Section of Toronto International Film Festival and has since played in the Sitges Film Festival, Etrange Festival, and the Busan International Film Festival to press acclaim and great audience enthusiasm.  OVER YOUR DEAD BODY is a must-have for movie collectors, horror enthusiasts and loyal fans of Takashi Miike to complete their movie library.  Directed by Takashi Miike, OVER YOUR DEAD BODY is a modern take on one of Japan’s most famous ghost stories.  Taking its cue from the art of Kabuki, the terrifying tale unfolds within the walls of a theatre where a troupe of players are in rehearsals for a production of Yotsuya Kaidan, a 200-year-old tale of murder, betrayal, and phantasmagorical vengeance — and where life comes to imitate art in ultimately shocking ways.  Continue reading ‘Over Your Dead Body (Blu-ray Review)’

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The Walk (Blu-ray Review)

WalkAcademy Award® winning Director Robert Zemeckis, (Best Director, Forrest Gump, 1994) uses cutting edge technology to bring to life the true story of THE WALK, debuting on Digital HD Dec. 22 and on Two-Disc 3D Blu-rayCombo Pack, Blu-ray and DVD Jan. 5 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Looper) stars as Philippe Petit, a young dreamer who brings together a band of unlikely recruits to achieve the impossible: a wire walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. With little more than nerve and blind ambition, Petit and his ragtag crew overcome daunting physical obstacles, betrayals, countless close calls and overwhelming odds to beat the system and execute their mad plan. THE WALK also stars Academy Award® winner Sir Ben Kingsley (Best Actor, Gandhi, 1982), Charlotte Le Bon (Yves Saint Laurent), James Badge Dale (World War Z) and Ben Schwartz (“Parks and Recreation”). Continue reading ‘The Walk (Blu-ray Review)’

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Bone Tomahawk (Blu-ray Review)

Bone TomahawkBone Tomahawk is a little horror-western that arrived in limited release this past year and serves as a nice display of technique from debut writer/director S. Craig Zahler. He managed to rope in Kurt Russell, among others, and tell a story of brutal cannibal savages and the unlikely team on a mission to stop them. The film received high critical praise and has now arrived on Blu-ray. Continue on to learn more about this release and whether or not it actually is worth your time.

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Shameless: The Complete Fifth Season (Blu-ray Review)

ShamelessThe Gallaghers are feeling the heat in Season Five! In the swelter of another Chicago summer, Fiona juggles a crush on her boss with a steamy affair and the return of her ex! Frank balances his brand-new liver against his old unhealthy appetite for liquor, drugs and trouble. Lip heads home from college and struggles to hang with his old South Side friends. Debbie has her first real boyfriend, Ian’s dealing with serious health issues, and Carl’s just dealing. Change is rampant as trendy coffee shops and yoga studios pop up in the hood, and the Gallaghers stumble toward finding out who they are and how to truly love. William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum and a stellar cast kick butt in all 12 seriously hilarious and heart-wrenching episodes.  Continue reading ‘Shameless: The Complete Fifth Season (Blu-ray Review)’

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The House Where Evil Dwells / Ghost Warrior – Double Feature (Blu-ray Review)

Ghost-WarriorScream Factory presents a double dose of samurai action with The House Where Evil Dwells & Ghost Warrior on Blu-ray on January 5, 2016.  These two martial arts- themed thrillers from the 80s are now finally available for the first time on Blu-ray, in a release including a new high-definition transfer for The House Where Evil Dwells.  Both films are a really weird mish mash of noble samurai films, 80s Cannon ninja movies and then Japanese ghost horror stories.  While neither is a film related to the other in terms of story or continuity, they both are a perfect match to be put onto a release together.  Through some cool old effects, throwback fun and sheer hilarity at some of the ridiculousness of both, those willing to take this adventure with Scream Factory should find themselves with some enjoyment. Continue reading ‘The House Where Evil Dwells / Ghost Warrior – Double Feature (Blu-ray Review)’

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True Detective: The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray Review)

True Detective Season 2 Blu-ray ReviewThey say lightning doesn’t strike twice, but I beg to differ…at least in the world of entertainment.  When we’re talking about Hollywood I can think of many second films in a franchise that are just as good as their predecessors with obvious examples being classics such as The Godfather Part II, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Knight, Rocky II and many more.  However, when you’re talking about serial television the list gets narrower for me like 24‘s second season, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena or Game of Thrones, etc.  Television is a tricky arena to succeed because you don’t have two to three hours to wow your audience you have a whole ten plus hours to feed or bore your audience with programming.  An odd commercial break or an uncomfortable cliffhanger can deter some ADD fans.  Have a bad episode or two sandwiched between perfection and who knows how many viewers may have tuned out mid season not giving the latter half any candidacy.  It gets even harder when you’re talking HBO’s True Detective.  That first season was a masterpiece, a work of art.  Did lightning strike twice for HBO in the second season of this anthology series?  Find out down below in my Blu-ray review of True Detective: The Complete Second Season. Continue reading ‘True Detective: The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray Review)’

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The X-Files – The Collector’s Set (Blu-ray Review)

The X-Files Complete Blu-ray Box Set Blu-ray ReviewI can’t tell you how much I used to look forward to Friday nights growing up in my late teens and early twenties.  It wasn’t for the partying, drinking and dates, but instead it was the night that the newest episode of The X-Files would premiere on primetime television (at least for the first four seasons).  I use to record them live on VHS and try my best to also edit out all the commercial breaks (utilizing the pause button) so I could watch them over and over.  So that’s my sad life, but seriously…the truth is really out there…and now it can be found in its entirety as Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment exposes the complete world of The X-Files on Blu-ray for the very first time – just ahead of the series reemerging on Sunday, January 24, 2016.  Just an FYI…The X-Files – The Collector’s Set also features a slot for this upcoming six-episode event series.  It was released on December 8th, and basically gave us fans the chance to own a piece of television history and one of the year’s must-have giftset collections.  However, you can also purchase each season individually on Blu-ray too.  So now that you know the pertinent 411 and my sad young adulthood, let’s check out this HUGE Blu-ray set in more detail down below.  We have a lot of ground to cover. Continue reading ‘The X-Files – The Collector’s Set (Blu-ray Review)’

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Knock Knock (Blu-ray Review)

Knock KnockWhen a devoted husband and father is left home alone for the weekend, two stranded young women unexpectedly knock on his door for help. What starts out as a kind gesture results in a dangerous seduction and a deadly game of cat and mouse. A sexy new thriller from director Eli Roth, Knock Knock stars Keanu Reeves as the family man who falls into temptation and Lorenza Izzo and Ana de Armas as the seductresses who wreak havoc upon his life, turning a married man’s dark fantasy into his worst nightmare.   Continue reading ‘Knock Knock (Blu-ray Review)’

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Marco Polo: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray Review)

Marco PoloThis epic adventure follows a young Marco Polo, who finds himself in the court of the great Kublai Khan and must navigate a world of greed, betrayal and sexual intrigue as the Mongol leader wages a bloody campaign to become Emperor of the World. Re-creating the legendary explorer’s 13th century exploits in the Far East, this historical drama chronicles the intrigues, duplicity and greed running rampant in the court of the Mongolian ruler Khan. Continue reading ‘Marco Polo: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray Review)’

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Stalingrad (Blu-ray Review)

StalingradIt has been called the deadliest battle in the history of all wars, with almost 4 million casualties.  Lasting over 6 months, a major Soviet city was decimated and most of its citizens killed, ordered not to flee by Stalin himself.  It is a monumental story that has never been told like this before, and this December, Synapse Films is proud to present the Blu-ray premiere of STALINGRAD, the critically acclaimed WWII documentary nominated for the 2003 International Emmy Award for Best Documentary.  Filmed from both the German and Russian perspective, the series contains footage shot by soldiers during the siege. The Russian archives opened their doors to the filmmakers, granting them exclusive access to previously unreleased material. The series also contains digitally restored archive film as well as 3-D animation to recreate the city of Stalingrad and plot the course of its destruction.  Originally broadcast in both Germany and Russia in truncated editions, this special edition DVD contains all three STALINGRAD documentaries including THE ATTACK, THE KESSEL and THE DOOM in their original uncut forms and a wealth of extra supplementary materials. Continue reading ‘Stalingrad (Blu-ray Review)’

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Triumph Of The Will (Blu-ray Review)

Triumph-of-the-WillTo some, it is a work of art, an example of cinematic genius of the highest order.  To others, it is perhaps the most dangerous and heinous piece of propaganda ever produced.  TRIUMPH OF THE WILL, Leni Riefenstahl’s classic piece of historical filmmaking, filmed during the 1934 Nazi Party Rally in Nuremberg, Germany, is considered by many to be one of the most important and notorious films ever made.  In 2001 and 2006, Synapse Films released TRIUMPH OF THE WILL on DVD to equal parts acclaim and controversy and now, in 2015, Synapse revisits TRIUMPH with the definitive Blu-ray that shows this motion picture milestone in a whole new light.  This title continues to be one of Synapse Films’ top selling titles and is a hit with schools, universities, and libraries. History buffs and film scholars have celebrated Synapse’s DVD as the best quality version of this film available anywhere.  This all-new remastered version of TRIUMPH OF THE WILL is derived from a new 2K scan, digitally corrected and restored under the supervision of film historian and preservationist, Robert A. Harris (LAWRENCE OF ARABIA; VERTIGO; MY FAIR LADY).  From obscure cult films to film classics, Synapse Films is dedicated to the art of film restoration and we are proud to say that our Blu-ray edition of TRIUMPH OF THE WILL is one of our finest and most significant achievements yet. Continue reading ‘Triumph Of The Will (Blu-ray Review)’

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Thundercrack! – 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)

ThundercrackIn 1975, Curt McDowell and writer/actor George Kuchar created the exceptionally perverse and utterly brilliant THUNDERCRACK!, a film not recommended for those with tender sensibilities. A true cult classic that has shocked, excited and amazed audiences worldwide for 40 years, this presentation is the first ever official North American video release!  A tour de force of underground filmmaking with a plot beyond description, this film fully exposes itself with amazing dialogue and trash-noir lighting through which to peer at the pickles, the puke and the polymorphs.  One of their most anticipated releases ever, THUNDERCRACK! comes to DVD and Blu-ray this December in one of Synapse Films’ most-packed special editions yet!  Without question, THUNDERCRACK! is one of the great underground sleaze epics, and a touchstone for all independent filmmakers to come!” (Shock Cinema Magazine). Continue reading ‘Thundercrack! – 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’

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Minions (Blu-ray Review)

Minions thumbThe breakout stars the world fell in love with in Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me global film franchise headline their own movie for the first time in Minions, available on Digital HD November 24, 2015, and on Blu-ray™Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand on December 8, 2015 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. A much anticipated prequel to the unprecedented worldwide blockbusters Despicable Me and the beloved sequel Despicable Me 2, Minions is an immensely entertaining film for all audiences called “inventive and hilarious” by Julian Roman, Movieweb.com.  The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and Digital HD also come with three all-new mini-movies and even more Minions everyone will want to watch again and again especially during the busy holiday travel season. Continue reading ‘Minions (Blu-ray Review)’

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GOOSEBUMPS Scares Its Way To Blu-ray January 26th!

GoosebumpsKids and parents will believe in monsters when GOOSEBUMPS debuts January 12 on Digital and January 26 on Blu-ray 3D™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD. Based on Scholastic’s worldwide best-selling book series, with over 400 million copies in print, the motion picture adventure stars Jack Black (School of Rock) as Goosebumps author R.L. Stine, along with Dylan Minnette (Prisoners), Ryan Lee (Super 8) and Odeya Rush (The Giver). When Zach (Minnette) unwittingly unleashes magical monsters on the town, he must team with his new friends Champ (Lee), Hannah (Rush) and Stine (Black) to send the ghouls back where they came from before it’s too late. The film is directed by Rob Letterman (Shark Tale, Monsters vs. Aliens) and produced by Deborah Forte (The Golden Compass) and Neil H. Moritz (22 Jump Street). The screenplay is by Darren Lemke (Turbo) based on a story by star screenwriting team Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski (Big Eyes). Continue reading ‘GOOSEBUMPS Scares Its Way To Blu-ray January 26th!’

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THE LAST WITCH HUNTER Starring Vin Diesel Arrives On Blu-ray February 2nd!

Last-Witch-HunterVin Diesel (Fast & Furious and Riddick franchises) battles to protect mankind from the ultimate evil in The Last Witch Hunter arriving on Digital HD on January 12 and Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand on February 2 from Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE company. Diesel stars as the heroic Kaulder, a legendary warrior sworn to protect the modern world from treacherous black magic and prevent the Queen Witch from returning. With stunning special effects, the film also features Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings trilogy), Rose Leslie (HBO’s “Game of Thrones), Julie Engelbrecht (Before the Fall), and two-time Academy Award® winner Michael Caine (Best Supporting Actor, The Cider House Rules, 1999; The Dark Knight franchise), who assist in his quest to save our civilization. Continue reading ‘THE LAST WITCH HUNTER Starring Vin Diesel Arrives On Blu-ray February 2nd!’

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Goodnight Mommy (Blu-ray Review)

Goodnight MommyIn a lonesome house in the countryside in the heat of mid-summer, nine-year old twin brother await their mother’s return from the hospital. When she comes home with her face obscured by bandages, nothing is like before and the children start to doubt whether this woman is actually who she says she is. What ensues is a terrifying struggle with fatal consequences on par with The Shining and Dead Ringers in what The Daily Beast calls “the most terrifying film of the year.”   Continue reading ‘Goodnight Mommy (Blu-ray Review)’

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American Ultra (Blu-ray Review)

American UltraJesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart star in this dynamic thrill ride that mixes explosive action with edgy humor. Mike (Eisenberg) shares a small-town life with his girlfriend Phoebe )Stewart). But Mike’s sleepy world goes wild after he discovers that he’s actually a CIA sleeper agent with lethal fighting skills – and the target of government hitmen. Mike, the ultimate slacker, transforms into an ultra-attacker as he and Phoebe fight to survive in this exhilarating adventure.   Continue reading ‘American Ultra (Blu-ray Review)’

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