Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category
June 8th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
It’s the reboot that seemed an interesting but dangerous venture. The original Paul Verhoven classic is damn near as perfect a movie as you can get. As unnecessary as the reboot sounded, interesting names kept popping into it. At the outset, this was a Darren Aronofsky project, but he exited. Even the eventual director Jose Padilha was kind of an exciting choice. Then the cast of side characters came with friendly names. Robocop himself was an actor that I am a big fan of in The Killing and Snabba Cash’s Joel Kinnaman. And apparently, by rule of Brian White, I must review every Joel Kinnaman film that comes across the desks at Why So Blu. So, unfortunately that meant I had to go back to modern Detroit and visit Alex Murphy again in a movie I have dubbed “Fauxbocop”. I really wanted this movie to be good, but in the end it struggled to battle being generic. My feelings alone and America aside, the film was a pretty solid global hit with a worldwide take of over $242.5 million in box office. Continue reading ‘RoboCop – 2014 (Blu-ray Review)’
June 8th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
My intro here kinda has nothing to do with the film I’m about to review. But, its something I’ve kind of always wondered. When a film has an exclamation point in its title, how are we supposed to talk about the film in a discussion. To appropriately pronounce the film when talking about it would be to raise my voice or shout it as I said it within my sentence. I’ve never seen anyone do that before, but that would be correct, wouldn’t it? I know I’m being facetious and its really not a big deal, but its just one of those silly things a film geek such as myself has wondered over the years. So, I’ll just leave that there and get back to reviewing this MCLINTOCK!!!! Blu-ray. Continue reading ‘McLintock! (Blu-ray Review)’
June 5th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
When it debuted, Ray Donovan was a pretty high profile release. It championed Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight on premium cable in a modern LA-esque Bostonian mob story. The premiere broke Showtime records and became the highest rated debut in Showtime network history. But, somewhere along the line I feel like Ray Donovan floated away from the conversation (maybe I just don’t read Ray Donovan-heavy film/tv sites). Which is strange, because I felt with each episode this series got stronger and stronger with potential to be one of the most intense powerhouse television series in the future. Maybe season 2 will hit it huge again with people catching up. Because this is a really groovy show and has loads of potential to end up being something special if it ends up becoming fully realized. So, yeah, go check out Ray Donovan. Continue reading ‘Ray Donovan – Season 1 (Blu-ray Review)’
June 5th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Long shadows of secrets and murder hang over Absaroka County, Wyoming, jurisdiction of the tough and brooding Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor), in the spell-binding collection of the first two seasons of the hit mystery series based on Craig Johnson’s best-selling novels, presented in stunning 1080p HD on Blu-Ray Disc. Struggling since his wife’s death a year ago, and at the urging of his attorney daughter, Cady (Cassidy Freeman), Walt knows he must turn his life around. Aided by a new female deputy, Vic (Katee Sackhoff) and his oldest friend, Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips), he becomes re-energized about his job and running for re-election – even though his ambitious younger deputy Branch (Bailey Chase) is a rival candidate. The unraveling truth about Walt’s wife death will astonish the stoic lawman and his daughter. While shattering storms darken the skies, Longmire doggedly solves the big crimes of “Big Sky” country.
Continue reading ‘Longmire: Seasons 1 & 2 (Blu-ray Review)’
June 4th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
If 300 was a World War II movie, you would basically get Stalingrad. Currently known as the highest grossing Russian film of all time, Stalingrad is not exactly a great in-depth look at the bloodiest battle in WWII history, but it does have enough in the way of production values and stylish visuals to make it an engaging experience (especially in 3D) that happens to have a fairly traditional romance story to make it epic for all audiences. If you want a more direct approach to the story behind the battle of Stalingrad, this film won’t do much for you, but if you want a technically proficient 3D action flick, Stalingrad is an entertaining experience.
Continue reading ‘Stalingrad 3D (3D Blu-ray Review)’
June 4th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
There is only so much to say about movies like In The Blood. It is a thriller that had minimal exposure upon its initial release and will live in the realm of streaming and cheap Blu-ray bins. That said, as far as these fairly straight-forward action vehicles for lower-profile stars and fun character actors go, In The Blood is a fairly enjoyable experience that constantly rides the line of ridiculous and too ridiculous. Gina Carano continues to find her place as both a professional butt-kicker and as an actress, but even when she struggles, the film has enough going on to make it a decent distraction.
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Continue reading ‘In The Blood (Blu-ray Review)’
May 27th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Do you want to play a game? Ah, not that kind of game, and not that kind of movie. 13 Sins is the latest horror film from director Daniel Stamm (The Last Exorcism) and it features a bit of an ensemble cast. There’s Mark Webber (Scott Pilgrim), Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Rutina Wesley (True Blood), and more. I didn’t know too much about the film going into it, so I was hoping to be surprised, as the premise was pretty intriguing all things considered. How’s the Blu-ray you ask? Keep on reading to find out!
[ Continue reading ’13 Sins (Blu-ray Review)’
May 27th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
A Russian Space station crashes in Amsterdam, releasing a deadly virus that turns everyday citizens into flesh-craving psychopaths. Aziz (Yahya Gaier), his brother Mo (Ouled Radi) and several strangers emerge from jail, oblivious to the mayhem until they team up with a local police officer (Gigi Ravelli). After receiving a desperate call for help, this unlikely band of heroes sets out on an insane rescue mission – and it’s going to take a seriously crazy plan if they want to get out alive… Continue reading ‘Kill Zombie! (Blu-ray Review)’
May 26th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Every now and then you get a batch of older, similarly-themed films released on Blu-ray and Fox has recently delivered Weekend At Bernie’s (Reviewed HERE), Revenge of the Nerds (Reviewed HERE), and Bachelor Party, which I am reviewing now. This is the not-so-classic 80s party film, starring Tom Hanks mere months after finding success with the film Splash, beginning his break away from his TV-stardom and into feature films. It is a simple film that has a mix of Hanks’ natural charm and the rowdiness of these types of movies. Now it is on movies for anyone who wanted to take this movie to the HD level.
Continue reading ‘Bachelor Party (Blu-ray Review)’
May 24th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Take note, Yahoo. Death Spa (known in other countries as Witch Bitch – no joke!) IS exactly what a cult film is. This little exploitation horror film came and went back in 1989, went to video and sort disappeared. MPI has brought it to both Blu-ray and DVD in the US in this new special edition. Its coming to us under their Gorgon Video label. And as an aside, I had never seen anything from the Gorgon Video label in the past. So, let me tell you I was all sorts of amused and loving their logo when it came up before the menu. You win a ton of nostalgia points for that, Gorgon Video. Anyway, this film proves to be an absolute treat and there was an absolute sense of care and importance when it comes to this release. Continue reading ‘Death Spa – Unrated (Blu-ray Review)’
May 24th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Bushido Man is a pretty big deal here for Shout! Factory. In addition to this release, they’ll also be putting out this same film but edited into a web series focusing on each fight as well. That series will be out this Monday, two weeks before the release of this Blu-ray. I have further details regarding the web series version of the film and you can see that by clicking HERE. Bushido man has had quite the cult following overseas, primarily in Japan and Germany. The film was also a big hit at the Fantasia International Film Festival in 2013. If you’re into martial arts films that feature a lot of different fighting styles and disciplines within one film, then this film is definitely the ticket. Its a simple film with a lot of kicking butt. Continue reading ‘Bushido Man: Seven Deadly Battles (Blu-ray Review)’
May 24th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
I’ve always been a pretty solid fan of the Jack Ryan franchise. The first one I saw was Clear And Present Danger, where some friends and I just randomly went to a movie on an afternoon and saw it. It was like my first super adult type movie I think I saw in the theater (or at least it felt like that, a film dealing more in politics and stuff). I was in middle school so it felt much more mature to me. But, I enjoyed it quite a bit, so I went back and watched the other two. And, I also wasn’t a hater of The Sum Of All Fears when Ben Affleck took on the role either. Still found it to be a fun and engaging film. Now, when wind came they were making another one, I was interested. Not super jacked, but I was looking forward to eventually seeing it. And now that time has come. Continue reading ‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (Blu-ray Review)’
May 22nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Kicking off the second month of Scream Factory’s four month long “Summer Of Fear” is the 1999 film Ravenous. This is a pretty big new chapter for Scream Factory as the delve into a later decade in the annals of horror’s past. This is more of a modern vintage release for them. Besides Scanners II/III, I think this is their only 90s release and its coming from the most latter part of the decade. Ravenous is definitely a cult classic. This film bombed pretty hard upon release. It didn’t open in the top ten in wide release, and barely made the top twenty when it came out (#18). The film only managed two million dollars on a twelve million budget. Yeah, that’s pretty much a bomb. It came out in what looks like a pretty loaded spring 1999. But, those who actually gave the movie a chance (likely on home video), loved it and thus a new cult item was minted. Continue reading ‘Ravenous (Blu-ray Review)’
May 20th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
I missed 3 Days to Kill in theaters but all I knew was that it was directed by McG and co-written/produced by Luc Besson, and it starred Kevin Costner. The trailers looked good enough but I was not able to make it in time before the film left theaters. Now I have the Blu-ray and have finally watched it and am here to lay down my thoughts on the Blu-ray. We’ll make this quick, so sit back and relax. We only have 3 Days to Kill. Continue reading ‘3 Days to Kill (Blu-ray Review)’
May 20th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
One of my favorite, if not MY favorite big budget B-movie director Paul W.S. Anderson has returned with his latest spectacle piece in the historical albeit fictional account of the Pompeii volcano eruption more than 2,000 years ago. Armed with an attractive cast and attractive budget Anderson has returned to grace the screen with his latest film that just so happens to be a disaster epic wrapped up in a love story. Will it work, will it suck, and will Kiefer Sutherland sport a Roman-British accent and fail miserably at both? All that and much more in our review!
[ Continue reading ‘Pompeii (Blu-ray Review)’
May 20th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
The Final Terror is another one of those great pickups from Scream Factory that didn’t make it to DVD, but is making its jump from VHS to Blu-ray. Its one of those lost early 1980s slasher films that fans like me covet having a Blu-ray of in our collection. Notable cast in The Final Terror includes young renditions of Daryl Hannah and Joe Pantoliano. This isn’t a Collector’s Edition, but its no slouch in the extras category. It looks like it will be including interviews with the cast as well as a commentary track with the director. This little disc of joy will be hitting the market on July 1, so get you preorder in now. Full details on the release from Scream Factory are included below. This is the first July release in their “Summer Of Fear” series! Continue reading ‘Full Details On Scream Factory’s THE FINAL TERROR Blu-ray Revealed (Out July 1)!’
May 19th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
From the producers and creators of the Underworld franchise comes the next step in monster evolution: I, Frankenstein. I missed this one at the show but was looking forward to the Blu-ray just for the fact that it’s been severely bashed since those first awful looking trailers debuted months ago. I usually don’t judge a film by a trailer until I have actually seen the film for myself. I am also not familiar with the graphic novel series it’s based off of, so my levels of familiarity the world of I, Frankenstein is limited. Let us see how the end product fared. Continue reading ‘I, Frankenstein (Blu-ray Review)’
May 19th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Hilarious performances by Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman make this comedy a “good old, knockdown slapstick” (The Hollywood Reporter)! It sounded like a great weekend away at their boss Bernie’s beachside pleasure palace. But when working stiffs Richard and Larry (McCarthy and Silverman) arrive to find a real stiff – their murdered boss – they’re forced to concoct a crazy scheme to avoid being implicated and/or dead themselves! With Bernie propped up and his death effectively covered up, Richard and Larry’s weekend escape becomes exactly that, as they dodge curious babes, a curtain of bullets and one confused hit man!
Continue reading ‘Weekend At Bernie’s (Blu-ray Review)’
