Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category
June 30th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Last year, mainstream audiences were given the chance to check out Prisoners, a kidnapping drama from director Denis Villeneuve. Many gave praise to Hugh Jackman taking his Wolverine rage and putting it into an average guy who just wanted to find his daughter. I liked Jackman, but it was Jake Gyllenhaal’s turn as Det. Loki who really impressed me. Before making Prisoners, Villeneuve and Gyllenhaal actually teamed up for a much smaller film, Enemy. Seeing this psychological thriller has now led me to believe that this is an actor/director pairing I want to continue to see. This is a bizarre film that may be one of my favorite films of this year that I would have the hardest time of recommending to others, as it basically has a simple idea and extrapolates from there, in an effort to make this haunting look at one’s own identity.
Continue reading ‘Enemy (Blu-ray Review)’
June 30th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Guilame Canet’s Blood Ties is an American-language remake of the 2008 French film Les liens du sang. The film went to Cannes and really didn’t make much noise. It wasn’t a part of the film competition but received screen in the “Out Of Competition” category. And I can tell you it was just a surprise to me to see this thing screen here in the US this year, but of course in the limited variety. When I did the press release for the film it interested me enough on two levels; the cast and the setting of the film. A 70s crime film will always harken back fond memories to stuff from the likes of The French Connection during one of my favorite decades of cinema. No, i didn’t go into thinking it would be THAT good (that’s expecting it to be a perfect film, haha). I was just looking for something to, like always, merely entertain me and have me able to find merits on some level for it. Continue reading ‘Blood Ties (Blu-ray Review)’
June 29th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
I have made it clear in other reviews that I am a big fan of Steve Coogan. Between his great comedic work in England and America, his performances in Michael Winterbottom features such as 24 Hour Party People and The Trip, and his move to more dramatic work in films like Philomena, I think he is a genuine talent all around. Alan Partridge or Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (as it is titled outside the U.S.) is Coogan’s return to the character that gave him plenty of notoriety. This is a film version, based around the fictional news personality, putting him in the place of a radio DJ/former talk show host and an action plot that unfolds around him. It is hilarious and while this Blu-ray limits the great extras that should have come with it, this is a very funny movie for people to check out.
Continue reading ‘Alan Partridge (Blu-ray Review)’
June 29th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
For the past several years, the Oscars hand out nominations to a handful of animated films and while Pixar and DreamWorks tend to be shoe-ins for nominations, there are also a few films that tend to sneak in, despite not being big blockbusters. Ernest & Celestine is just one of those films. This French feature, based on a series of children’s books, had a limited release in America, but was fitted with an English-language track, with many stars lending their voices. It was all quite worth it. Now the film is available on Blu-ray for all to check out.
‘ Continue reading ‘Ernest & Celestine (Blu-ray Review)’
June 26th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
I’ll be the first to admit, when Scream Factory announced they were doing Lake Placid, I was kinda like “Hmm”. For one, it was a newer film (weird to call a 15 year old film that), but as we’ve seen they are starting to explore late 90s and early 2000s films. I remember watching it back when it came out on video and not really caring for it. I haven’t seen it since. It’s spawned some straight to SyFy Channel sequels over the years though. What’s great is that I get to revisit this film with fresh eyes and an older, wiser mind. I don’t think I fully grasped or appreciated films like this back when I was 17, so I feel I obviously went in realizing it was probably on me last time and I may have not been on the same wavelength as this film on my initial outing. Continue reading ‘Lake Placid – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray)’
June 26th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
As everyone knows, I’m a big fan of these VHS to Blu-ray releases. No DVD? No problem. I don’t like films to be lost, missing or unavailable in the physical formats. I also take pure joy in seeing what a film was originally intended to look like when all I’ve had to reference for years was a ratty VHS copy. The Final Terror is a double bonus because its also an early 80s slasher film and I take much joy in watching and collecting them. Scream Factory doesn’t give it a collector’s edition, but it does show this edition plenty of love. Heck, I almost think some of this “smaller” releases they do have enough bonus material on them that I think they could get away with calling them a “collector’s edition” and nobody would raise a finger. Just having it to the format with a trailer and a commentary might be special enough for some of these cult items alone. Continue reading ‘The Final Terror (Blu-ray Review)’
June 25th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Wow, we’re almost nearing the end of getting all the Star Trek: The Next Generation seasons out on Blu-ray. Quite an incredible journey its been through the three seasons of the original crew and now six with TNG. Nine seasons of television with a tenth on the horizon. This sixth season faced a brief delay as it was originally scheduled to come out earlier in the month, but no bother, a couple weeks isn’t much to wait. As per usual, this season is accompanied by a separate, more “sampler”-esque or collector’s item Blu-ray that only contains the in-season two parter, Chain Of Command parts I and II. This penultimate season might be known a bit more for the guest appearance of original series cast member James Doohan reprising his role of Montgomery Scott for an episode. Continue reading ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Six (Blu-ray Review)’
June 25th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
1982 is one of my favorite years in movie history. Not only was I born that year, but we got a lot of goodies that we look fondly back at and revere as “classics” now, even if some may not have been back then. The film we’re talking about today isn’t really one of those I’d be referring to, but like the rest, has achieved success as a cult classic since its rather uninspiring opening and lackluster critic and audience appreciation. Deadly Eyes (also known as Night Eyes according to the print of the film and also elsewhere simply as Rats) is definitely a fun little production that after a few years marinating and from its relevancy becomes a pretty enjoyable film of the midnight movie variety. With a group of the right friends and the right vibes, this one easily can please given the scenario. Dogs in rat suits. What’s not to love? Continue reading ‘Deadly Eyes (Blu-ray Review)’
June 24th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Set in a mythic New York City and spanning more than a century, Winter’s Tale is a story of miracles, crossed destinies and the age-old battle between good and evil. Peter Lake (Farrell) is a master thief who never expected to have his own heart stolen by the beautiful Beverly Penn (Brown Findlay). But their love is star-crossed: she burns with a deadly form of consumption, and Peter has been marked for a much more violent death by his one-time mentor, the demonic Pearly Soames (Crowe). Peter desperately tries to save his one true love, across time, against the forces of darkness, even as Pearly does everything in his power to take him down – winner take all and loser be damned. What Peter needs is a miracle, but only time will tell if he can find one. Continue reading ‘Winter’s Tale (Blu-ray Review)’
June 23rd, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
The Grand Budapest Hotel is a film not only packed with characters, sets, costumes, and all the things that tend to typify writer/director Wes Anderson’s style, it is also packed with story. It is becoming more and more clear to me how much Anderson enjoys having films that are about stories being told to an audience. There are frequent themes that have been present in Anderson’s other films, namely family, which is clearly seen in The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic, Fantastic Mr. Fox and all of his other films as well, which is all well and good, but The Grand Budapest Hotel really goes out of its way to show us that it is a story within a story that is being told to another person. The result is a film that finds a way to present something that will be entirely familiar to everyone who recognizes Anderson’s style, but ends up feeling like a comment on storytelling itself. It is a combination of multiple genres in a rather go-for-broke fashion, with thoughtful regard for its key characters, and now the film is available in a great looking Blu-ray package.
Continue reading ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel (Blu-ray Review)’
June 23rd, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Rob the Mob chronicles the lives of a real-life Bonnie and Clyde who made the bold move to rob and humiliate some of New York City’s most powerful mobsters. Fresh from prison for a small-time crime, reunited lovers Thomas (Pitt) and Rosie (Arianda) find themselves in need of cash. After hearing testimony from John Gotti’s high profile trial that mob social clubs are gun-free, Thomas and Rosie brazenly rob these underground spots operated by major crime families in the City. Unwittingly, they come across something much more valuable than money: a list of every mobster in the families. Now the feds, family members, and rival mobsters are on the hunt for the most notorious lovers since Romeo & Juliet.
Continue reading ‘Rob the Mob (Blu-ray Review)’
June 21st, 2014 by Brian White
I’m sorry, but when it comes to some of the greatest action and martial arts movies of all time, my mind instantly drifts to one particular film in recent memory, The Raid: Redemption. You can say what you want about the weak story and the unrealistic punishment one man can take, but hot damn fudge on the end of Harry Potter’s wand was the fighting ever wild, crowd pleasing and over-the-top, intense when it needed to be. If you didn’t feel some of those blows from your viewing chair, then I’m sorry to inform you of the following diagnosis. You have no central nervous system. You are paralyzed. You might be dead. In my opinion, if The Raid: Redemption had one downfall, it would be that it shared similar DNA in its story with that of Dredd, which was released that same year. So when I learned of news that The Raid was actually part of a planned trilogy, I looked forward to seeing how The Raid 2 would try to emulate the success of the first one, but differentiate itself at the same time. I think you can say Gareth and team succeeded with pleasing me there, but let’s take closer look at things. After you… Continue reading ‘The Raid 2 (Blu-ray Review)’
June 21st, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
This three-part mini series/ (6 episodes) – (set in the late1890s) centers on the friendship of two adventurers, Bill Haskell and Byron Epstein, as they travel Northwest during the Klondike Gold Rush. Along the way they must navigate harsh conditions, unpredictable weather and desperate, dangerous characters. Continue reading ‘Klondike (Blu-ray Review)’
June 20th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
I did not get to see Joe in theaters due to it opening in only handful of cities and the one screening that was in my area was still quite a ways away. I had heard some rumblings about how good he film was and about how good Nicolas Cage was. I’m always glad when I can discover something new on Blu-ray. Joe is directed by David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express, Your Highness), so it was a real surprise to see his name in the credits. It’s also really cool when directors transcend genres. Let us see how Joe stacked up on Blu-ray. Continue reading ‘Joe (Blu-ray Review)’
June 19th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Maybe the most disappointing thing about this film is that it has nothing to do with The Rolling Stones. Gimme Shelter is actually a small scale drama, based on a true story that details a time in the life of a troubled, pregnant teenager, after she ran away from her abusive mother, in an effort to find a better life. The whole thing has the feel of a Lifetime movie, but because it has a slightly better cast and production values, it managed to make its way into theaters. Still, watching certain actors put on their drama face didn’t do a lot to make me appreciate this fairly by-the-numbers story.
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Continue reading ‘Gimme Shelter (Blu-ray Review)’
June 19th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Seeing as The Honeymooners was a show from the 50s, I was obviously not around when it first aired, but it is a show I hold in very high regard. I used to watch and laugh loudly at old reruns of The Honeymooners with my father, when I was very young, and the show has continued to hold up over time. This is a series that uses dialogue and great physical comedy to create classic comedy scenarios that have yet to feel dated. While the show is obviously from a certain time, I think it holds up due to its simplicity and the universal nature of the humor, which is why I was very happy to revisit it on this wonderful Blu-ray set.
Continue reading ‘The Honeymooners: “Classic 39 Episodes” (Blu-ray Review)’
June 19th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Parts Per Billion tells the story of three couples which are forced to make life altering decisions in the face of a disastrous war that threatens to destroy the human race. Inspired and sometimes blinded by their love, Len, Mia, Andy, Esther, Anna and Erik are as flawed and beautiful as any of the billions who are facing this human-made biological disaster.
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Continue reading ‘Parts Per Billion (Blu-ray Review)’
June 19th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Lured by the promise of an Australian holiday, exchange student Paul visits the notorious Wolf Creek Crater. His dream Outback adventure soon becomes a horrific reality when he encounters the site’s most infamous local, Mick Taylor (John Jarratt). When Paul attempts to flee, Mick pursues him across a hostile wasteland and eventually drags him back to his underground lair. After seeing the true magnitude of Mick’s monstrosity, Paul’s only hope of surviving, where no one has before, will be to use every ounce of cunning to outwit the man behind the monster. Continue reading ‘Wolf Creek 2 (Blu-ray Review)’
