Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category
August 4th, 2015 by Gerard Iribe
The Casual Vacancy centers on Pagford, a seemingly idyllic English village with a cobbled market square and ancient abbey. Behind the pretty facade, however, is a town at war: rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils. The story begins with the death of beloved Parish Councillor Barry Fairbrother, leaving a seat on the council vacant. Those running for a place soon find their darkest secrets revealed on the Parish Council online forum, ruining their campaign and leaving the election in turmoil. Continue reading ‘The Casual Vacancy (Blu-ray Review)’
August 4th, 2015 by Brandon Peters
A double feature of insane Italian horror awaits you… On August 25, 2015, Scream Factory proudly presents Metamorphosis and Beyond Darkness, two tales of scary supernatural shenanigans both on Blu-ray for the first time! This marks the second time this year that Scream Factory has dabbled in the Italian horror scene. And it feels like its sorta been a long time coming. Hopefully the previous one (Ghosthouse and Witchery) sold well, as will this one and we can continue to see this road traveled. In my older age, I’m much more a fan of these than I was in my youth. Something about their dream logic goofiness and wonderful use of color wins me over moreso now. Continue reading ‘Metamorphosis / Beyond Darkness – Double Feature (Blu-ray Review)’
August 3rd, 2015 by Brandon Peters
From the writer of Pontypool and Septic Man comes Ejecta, the tale of William Cassidy, a man haunted by a lifetime of alien encounters, searching for answers while evading menacing government agents. With an ingenious structure that stylishly interweaves William’s past and present, this sci-fi horror feature will makes its Blu-ray debut on August 18th, 2015 from Scream Factory, in partnership with IFC Midnight. Directed by Chad Archibald and Matt Wiele, this nerve-shredding film stars Julian Richings in a tour-de-force performance and Lisa Houle and Dee Wallace. Ejecta was produced by Jesse Thomas Cook, John Geddes and Matt Wiele through their genre production company Foresight Features. Continue reading ‘Ejecta (Blu-ray Review)’
August 3rd, 2015 by Brandon Peters
If you’ve never been frightened by anything, you’ll be frightened by this! Scream Factory presents Nomads, the chilling tale of supernatural evil, in its Blu-ray debut on August 18, 2015, complete with new bonus feature interviews. Lesley-Anne Down (Sphinx, Death Wish V) “gives a riveting… performance” (L.A. Weekly) and Pierce Brosnan (GoldenEye, The November Man) is top-notch in “the most stylish supernatural-themed chiller… since Carrie” (Variety)! Also starring Adam Ant (Slam Dance), Mary Woronov (Death Race 2000) and Frank Doubleday (Escape from New York) and written and directed by John McTiernan (Predator, Die Hard, The Hunt for Red October), Nomads is a “chiller thriller [that’s] brimming with menace and suspense” (Judith Crist)!
Continue reading ‘Nomads (Blu-ray Review)’
August 3rd, 2015 by Brandon Peters
When the e-mail for Innerspace came across my e-mail, I got pretty excited. This is a film I hadn’t revisited since the 80s (Maybe early 90s). Its one I remember liking quite a bit. I believe ABC used to run this as their Sunday Night Movie for a couple years straight. I remember really enjoying it, liking all the characters quite a bit, and finding fun in this unique adventure. Then there was the journey through the human body ride/thing at Disney’s Epcot Center that used to make me feel like I was Dennis Quaid in Innerspace. So, the question is, how would this film hold up now, after really truly having never seen this movie since childhood and my memories on exact details being kinda foggy. Continue reading ‘Innerspace (Blu-ray Review)’
August 1st, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
It is nice to see Warner Brothers taking the rights and reaching into the Paramount vault and pulling out a few titles at a time in an effort to convert their library to high definition. That said, that also means taking films that are enjoyed by some, but mostly looked at poorly by others. Virtuosity is not a great film. It is not terrible, as that is near impossible for Denzel Washington to accomplish (save for John Q), but it is a film that shows its age in the worst of ways, while also offering little value as a narrative. With all of that in mind, I was happy to revisit the first film that brought Washington and Russell Crowe together, flaws and all.
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July 31st, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
It is a rarity to get a sequel of this kind. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was a sleeper hit in 2012 and while I may not have been its biggest fan, I can admire a film that features a strong cast and an audience of whatever age rushing out to see it in droves, similar to everyone who flocks to the big blockbusters that were coming out at the same time. With that in mind, the whole gang (with one obvious exception) is back for more in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which is now looking stunning on Blu-ray. Time to figure out how the film measures up.
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July 28th, 2015 by Brandon Peters
This is not your parents’ Justice League! These heroes are not the renowned saviors of the world – they’re more likely Earth’s despotic rulers. Witness the divergent reality where the Justice League protects the planet but answers to no one but themselves. Employing methods of intimidation and fear, this Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman deal brute force in the name of justice. The Elseworlds-style tale features the voice talents of Michael C. Hall as Batman, Benjamin Bratt as Superman, Tamara Taylor as Wonder Woman, Jason Isaacs as Lex Luthor, Paget Brewster as Lois Lane, and C. Thomas Howell as Dr. Will Magnus. Gods & Monsters arrives on Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD combo pack. Continue reading ‘Justice League: Gods And Monsters (Blu-ray Review)’
July 28th, 2015 by Brandon Peters
This summer, brace yourself for explosive action and edge-of-your seat thrills with highly anticipated motion picture prequel to the popular overseas action series Black & White. On August 4, 2015, Shout! Factory will unleash Black & White: The Dawn of Assault on Blu-ray™ and DVD. Delivering blockbuster movie entertainment, Black & White: The Dawn of Assault puts its own spin on the classic buddy cop formula with this outrageous actioner filled to the brim with over-the-top stunts, government conspiracies, and weapons of mass destruction. A must-have home entertainment collection for action movie fans, collectors and world cinema enthusiasts, Black & White: The Dawn of Assaultis available at Walmart stores and online. Continue reading ‘Black & White: The Dawn Of Assault (Blu-ray Review)’
July 27th, 2015 by Sean Wright
After hearing word that his three sons have been killed in the Battle of Gallipoli, Australian farmer Joshua Connor (Russell Crowe) travels to Turkey in order to find their remains and return them home. The uneasy aftermath of World War I and an uncooperative regime in power provide heavy conflict for Connor in his epic search. The film premiered in Australia and Turkey on December 26th, 2014, before seeing wide release in the United States on April 24th, 2015. Continue reading ‘The Water Diviner (Blu-ray Review)’
July 24th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
Nicholas Sparks is responsible for a lot of successful romance dramas. Sure, not all of them have been all that well received (The Notebook seems to be the only film that stands out as generally seen as good), but they cater to a particular crowd that really enjoys them. The Longest Ride arrived this past spring and while it didn’t have the biggest theatrical impact, I am sure there were many who found themselves satisfied with this adaptation. Now the film is on Blu-ray for any romantic out there to enjoy.
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July 24th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
Last year saw the release of X-Men: Days of Future Past. It was met with wide praise and box office success. With that in mind, there has been promise from Bryan Singer to release a different cut of the film that re-inserts a key sequence involving Anna Paquin’s Rogue back into the film. That cut is now here, on this new Blu-ray, which is a huge double-drip, but one well worth it for fans that want everything. Read on to learn more about this packed Blu-ray, featuring both cuts of the film and more.
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July 20th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
What We Do in the Shadows is a mockumentary film about a group of vampires living together as roommates. It has been made in the vain of something like Christopher Guest’s This Is Spinal Tap or Best in Show. The film was written and directed by New Zealanders Jermaine Clement (of Flight of the Conchords fame) and Taika Waititi, who also both star in the film. The film was partially made possible by crowdfunding and thankfully it scored well with all who saw it. Now you can check it out too, as it has a packed Blu-ray to check out.
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July 19th, 2015 by Gerard Iribe
`From The Vault` is a series of live concerts from The Rolling Stones archive which are getting their first official release. `Hyde Park 1969` is the latest addition to the series. It was one of the most highly anticipated gigs of 1969 and it delivered on all the promise and then some. On July 5, 1969, the Rolling Stones hosted their iconic free concert in London`s Hyde Park. Having taken two years off from the road, the show was conceived as the beginning of the band s big return to the live stage. It was also planned as an introduction of their hot new guitar player, Mick Taylor. The former disciple of British blues legend John Mayall had been inducted into the Stones just a month prior. Over 400,000 delirious fans of all ages gathered into the park for the concert. The Stones` concert in London’s Hyde Park would pay homage to the late Brian Jones and usher in the new and extraordinary era of Mick Taylor (1969-74). Bring The Concert Experience Home With Brilliant Picture and Superior Surround Sound Continue reading ‘The Rolling Stones: From the Vault – Hyde Park Live 1969 (Blu-ray Review)’
July 18th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
A western starring Michael Fassbender is good enough to get me excited. Slow West was in limited release this past spring. While it was not a huge hit, it did make a big splash with critics and served as something of a nice distraction in between the bigger budgeted westerns that arrive in theaters every so often. Add the presence of Fassbender and some other strong talent and you have an alternative western with plenty of style to make for an engaging experience fit to be added to the genre. Now the film is on Blu-ray and it looks great.
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July 17th, 2015 by Brian White
There’s something about A24’s Ex Machina that brings warm thoughts to my human mind. Maybe it’s because of their sleeper hit last year, Under the Skin, which I could not get enough of or maybe it’s because this one seeds psychosis within your head, in the way that only a great artificial intelligence film can. Yes, it’s true ladies and gentlemen, the psychological yet stylish thriller Ex Machina will leave you visually, sonically and emotionally enthralled when you give it a spin in your Blu-ray player of choice. It blew everyone away at SXSW this year and now it’s time to be mind blown within the privacy of your own home. I can personally guarantee these claims too. This is my second go around with the flick, and while it’s not action packed like the theatrical trailer may have suggested, the film truly delivers by sucking you into one of the greatest human stories of artificial intelligence in our time, albeit in a slow burning fashion. Ava, the robot in question here, will make you believe and heck, might even make you fall for her. It’s actually hard to decipher what’s the more raw experience here, the interaction between the humans or that with the A.I. Read on you shall! Continue reading ‘Ex Machina (Blu-ray Review)’
July 15th, 2015 by Brandon Peters
Shout! Factory has announced the August 11 Blu-ray release of horror master Wes Craven’s The People Under The Stairs (Collector’s Edition). The Scream Factory treatment of this much-loved film includes several new bonus features. Starring Everett McGill (Twin Peaks, Dune), Wendy Robie (Twin Peaks), Brandon Adams (The Mighty Ducks), Ving Rhames (Piranha 3D, Mission Impossible), A.J. Langer (Escape From L.A.) and Sean Whalen (Rob Zombie’sHalloween II, Hatchet III), this “ambitious…very strange horror movie” (Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide) will grab you when you least expect it… and never let go. This isn’t the film’s first rodeo on Blu-ray, but its definitely the worthwhile double dip, upgrade, enhanced version people who own the previous edition will want to shell out for. Continue reading ‘The People Under The Stairs – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
July 15th, 2015 by Brian White
KISS, one of the most popular rock bands of all time (and my all time favorite too), takes center stage in the latest Scooby-Doo! full-length animated film, Scooby-Doo! And KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery, set for release on Blu-ray by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment July 21st. Starchild (Paul Stanley), Demon (Gene Simmons), Catman (Eric Singer) and Spaceman (Tommy Thayer) join everyone’s favorite teen sleuths in an explosive, new, must-see musical adventure that I personally guarantee you no KISS Army member will want to miss! In Scooby-Doo! And KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery, the Mystery Inc. gang travels to KISS World, an amusement park dedicated to the band, for a special Halloween concert headlined by the legendary rock group. Can you tell how excited I am about this Blu-ray release? I’m frickin’ doing cartwheels over it. Read on and I’ll tell you why! Continue reading ‘Scooby-Doo! And KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery (Blu-ray Review)’
