Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category
June 18th, 2014 by Brian White
It’s been way too long between the amount of time that has passed since 2007 when Warner Bros. brought Roman soldiers with unbelievably chiseled pecs and abs into our living rooms on our early adoption HDTV sets during the Red vs. Blu Wars (HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray). Can you believe it has been that long and for that matter has taken this long to get a sequel out to the fans of the wildly insane, testosterone driven 300? I still remember my first theatrical viewing of that feature. It was quite a visual spectacle to behold and take in. It was like the raw pages of Frank Miller’s graphic novel of the same name just magically came to life on the big screen. Were those chiseled bodies real or CG? Hell no! Gerald Butler and the rest of the gang went through some rigorous training to achieve those astonishing physiques. Now it wasn’t all about the awe, shock and gratuitous violence/sex, it was actually a quite entertaining and solid movie that took us on an incredible journey and did not let go of us leaving us thirsty for even more blood and vengeance by the time the credits rolled. After all, our king, as mighty as he was, had fallen. Vengeance was an instant mandate. And now the time is upon us! Ladies and gentlemen…I proudly introduce to you 300: Rise of an Empire on Blu-ray. Continue reading ‘300: Rise of an Empire (Blu-ray Review)’
June 18th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
I like when science fiction films – at least ones that look high quality make it under the radar for review. I knew nothing of The Machine, with exception to Caity Lotz starring in the film. She may be familiar to some, because she’s in another show that I do not watch called Green Arrow. Ever hear of it? 😉 What little I did read of The Machine was that it was the second coming of Blade Runner and such. Okay, that’s a bold statement but it did pique my interest. After I watched the trailer I was sold and had to review it for Why So Blu?. Keep reading to see if it’s worth your time and money. Continue reading ‘The Machine (Blu-ray Review)’
June 11th, 2014 by Brian White
Let’s get one thing straight from the start. When I went into the press screening earlier this year I was completely against this movie. While it looked unique and looked like it could be fun, I just did not want to invest the time in it and regret it later because you know life’s too short, yada, yada, yada. How could they possibly tie all these different brands together and cohesively make it all work? But then again I thought, what IF this was really good? What IF I would be missing out on something really special? Quite frankly, that’s too many what ifs for me. I must admit that I had a small glimmer of hope that I just might like this one because like the tagline says, it’s the story of a nobody who save everybody. That’s me! And anyway, aren’t all great movies like billed this? So I figured as long as The LEGO Movie can take me on a journey through the eyes of a hero and I fall for his character arc then just maybe I might be able to have a good time with this one. If not, then there was always the promise of popcorn to be had! So as nonsensical as this first paragraph really is, what do you say we talk about some LEGOs…on Blu-ray? Continue reading ‘The LEGO Movie: Everything Is Awesome Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
June 10th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Hey, you’ve seen Brandon Peters’ review for the Spike Lee Joint Collection, Volume 1. Now it’s time for Volume 2, are you ready? Do you want to see it? Well good, because apparently Disney felt the need to put together a number of Spike Lee’s Touchstone produced films into random Blu-ray packages for people to check out in glorious HD. The results are pretty decent from a technical level and the new commentaries are a joy, but what about the films? Volume 2 contains the underrated Summer of Sam and the overlong Miracle at St. Anna, but I am sure Spike Lee fans will be happy to finally add these films to their Blu-ray collection (Note: I’m aware that ‘Anna’ was previously released on Blu-ray, but the new commentary is a nice addition.)
Continue reading ‘The Spike Lee Joint Collection – Volume 2 (Blu-ray Review)’
June 9th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Finally some more Spike Lee “joints” are getting the love on Blu-ray. The Spike Lee Joint Collection features two volumes and four films. I don’t know if there is any more planned beyond these two releases, but I hope its the start of something. This first volume of the set covers 1998’s He Got Game and 2002’s (overlooked for awards) 25th Hour. Both films feature brand spanking new commentaries with Spike Lee himself as well as Edward Norton and Ray Allen. For 25th Hour, the bonus material from the DVD has made its way over as well. These are two films that feature very New York stories as we are accustomed to seeing from Spike Lee, one of history’s more interesting, strong spoken and bravest filmmakers. Continue reading ‘Spike Lee Joint Collection – Volume 1 (Blu-ray Review)’
June 9th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Academy Award® winners Colin Firth (The King’s Speech, 2010) and Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line, 2005) lead an all-star cast in this gripping, heart-wrenching true story that shocked the nation. May 5, 1993. West Memphis, Arkansas. Three young boys playing in the nearby woods never come home for dinner. In the rush to find and convict the killers, police focus on a trio of teenagers suspected of devil worship. As the mother of one of the murdered boys (Witherspoon) tries to come to grips with this unspeakable tragedy, she is desperate to believe that the killers have been found and will be brought to justice. It is only when an investigator (Firth) reveals that the evidence doesn’t all add up, that the community is forced to face the reality that the true killer might still be out there. Continue reading ‘Devil’s Knot (Blu-ray Review)’
June 9th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Alexander! Collectible 10th-anniversary edition includes the never-before-seen Ultimate Cut, The Art of Alexander photo book and insightful filmmaker correspondence. Based on the life of Alexander the Great, the epic historical drama is directed by Oliver Stone and features Colin Farrell in the title role. Two versions of the film will be included in this release – the theatrical cut and the forthcoming “Ultimate Cut.” Also included is the brand New documentary The Real Alexander and the World He Made which reveals how Alexander the Great’s vision of uniting East and West helped shape our modern world, and illuminates how different our lives might have been had his empire not fractured upon his untimely death at the age of 32. Continue reading ‘Alexander: The Ultimate Cut (Blu-ray Review)’
June 8th, 2014 by Brian White
I’ll admit it. I realize that I’m one of the rare fans of 2005 comedy The Ringer who quite honestly has been waiting an awful long time for this one to make it to the Blu-ray format. While it may not be the best that the comedy genre has to offer, there’s no denying that like most films the Farrelly brothers are behind the feature has some heart, bite and merit. You can chalk it up to my past and my involvement with the Special Olympics, on the field volunteering and behind the scenes creating websites for them, but regardless whatever reasons I have for liking this one so much it always comes down to the kids and how special they really are. The comedy is only secondary. Now I realize maybe that’s not the correct way to market this film, but after sitting down with this one again, finally on the Blu-ray format, and taking in all the behind the scenes footage and interviews with cast, crew and athletes the message this one hits home becomes so much more apparent, one of understanding, recognition and above all else, love. This is The Ringer! Continue reading ‘The Ringer (Blu-ray Review)’
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)’
