Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category
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)’
May 18th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
It’s funny how film genres, trends, styles and such tend to come and go. A film like Grand Piano would have possibly or even likely been an A-List title in the 90s. It definitely would have been tops in the Hitchcock era of thrillers as well. Now, this high concept thriller film is best suited to be a festival darling with limited theatrical release and its big wide viewing coming in the Video OnDemand format. For someone like me who still loves this type of film, its sort of bittersweet. I’d like more options like this in the theater, BUT this type of material is only enhancing the VOD new release catalog and making that option more of a force to be reckoned with. Times are changing, and films like Grand Piano are making sure we pay more attention to and take the VOD market a bit more seriously. Some of the year’s more interesting stuff is now falling to that avenue. Continue reading ‘Grand Piano (Blu-ray Review)’
May 17th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
I’m pretty sure I’d never seen this version of Dracula prior to this review. A few things seemed familiar to me, but I wasn’t sure if it was this film I was being reminded of, or just that it was the Dracula story that I knew and other similar Dracula films that were in my brain. Anywho, this televised Dracula classic starring Jack Palance just got a brand new 2K transfer and is coming to your Blu-ray players in the next couple weeks. The Dan Curtis film was a hit when it aired on CBS back in 1974. How does it hold up in the sea of many takes on the legendary Count? How was legendary film actor Jack Palance in the title role? Come along with me as I take a look at this piece of horror television history in the new edition coming May 27th from MPI Home Video. Continue reading ‘Dan Curtis’ Dracula (Blu-ray Review)’
May 17th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Magnolia Home Entertainment is releasing the action-packed adventure, Journey To The West, on Blu-ray and DVD on May 27. I was a fan of both Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer, so I was interested to see what Stephen Chow brings to the table this time. I never saw CJ7 so I really haven’t seen anything from the guy since 2004 with Hustle. Journey To The West definitely has that same vein that Soccer and Hustle had, but heads off for a bigger, more fantastical, more supernatural adventure this time around. I had bit of a problem with the CGI in this one, but I think the idea behind and choreography of the fight sequences was impressive enough that the film is able to overcome some lackluster effects. Continue reading ‘Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons (Blu-ray Review)’
May 14th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Something that I notice does not get enough attention regarding comedies is editing. I am not talking about the pace of a film necessarily, which I see brought up a lot; notably with Judd Apatow-produced comedies lately, which tend to feel a bit shaggy. When I say editing, I am referring more to the structure of scenes and how to create a sense of rhythm that comes from both the delivery of dialogue and actions from the characters involved and the way shots cut back and forth to best achieve a certain level of spark that makes a film click. About Last Night does not rely on much that is new in the realm of romantic comedies, but what it has is great editing that really sells the work done in the script and by the actors to show the chemistry on screen and keep things moving with a near screwball level of zaniness at times and an effectively biting tone at others. As a result, About Last Night easily won me over earlier this year and now I have a review of the Blu-ray to share as well.
Continue reading ‘About Last Night (Blu-ray Review)’
May 12th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
It’s kind of funny, had this been 1986 and local newsletter mag called Why So VHS and Crocodile Dundee come across the table for review, us writers may have been chomping at the bit and fighting each other for the chance to review the tape. Instead, its 2014 and the double feature release of not only the first one, but part 2 included as well, comes as sort of an afterthought. I think it came across as sort of a conceded “sure, I’ll do it”. And that’s wild for a pair of films that were great big hits when they came out. The first film was an absolute phenomenon when it came out. While the box office number on it might make the youth of today shrug, it was massive back in 1986 and made the film sort of a phenomenon with a catch phrase that still gets used today (“That’s not a knife. THAT’S a knife.). How would these two films hold up today? And would I be blinded by any sort of nostalgia viewing them? Continue reading ‘Crocodile Dundee/Crocodile Dundee II – Double Feature (Blu-ray Review)’
May 10th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
It’s really been ten years since Napoleon Dynamite came out and we all had a Jamiroquai song stuck in our heads? Ten years since people were quoting and accenting Jon Heder as Napoleon like kids in the 90s were “Yeah, Baby” and quoting Mike Myers’ Austin Powers character? Dang, ten years ago I was in college with a ton of adventures in life ahead of me. But, hey, that’s where we are. Happy 10th birthday, Napoleon Dynamite. This phenomenon even had a short lived cartoon series on television that regrouped everyone involved in the film a couple years ago. Fox is celebrating that landmark with a new edition of your famous film. Well, lets take a look and see how exactly “new” this is. It does have sweet new liger-skinned packaging though, that’s for sure! Continue reading ‘Napoleon Dynamite – 10th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
May 10th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Continue reading ‘Revenge Of The Nerds (Blu-ray Review)’
May 10th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
One of the greatest sagas in movie history continues. In this third film in the epic Corleone trilogy, Al Pacino reprises the role of powerful family leader Michael Corleone. Now in his 60’s, Michael is dominated by two passions: freeing his family from crime and finding a suitable successor. That successor could be fiery Vincent (Andy Garcia)… but he may also be the spark that turns Michael’s hope of business legitimacy into an inferno of mob violence. Francis Ford Coppola directs Pacino, Garcia, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Eli Wallach, Sofia Coppola, Joe Montegna and others in this exciting, long-awaited film that masterfully explores the themes of power, tradition, revenge and love. Seven Academy Award nominations for 1990 were the result, including Best Picture. Continue reading ‘The Godfather Part III (Blu-ray Review)’
May 10th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Synapse Films has released another film in their Hammer Horror Collection. This time its the Ingrid Pitt-led Countess Dracula, a movie from the later days of the Hammer films classic run. Ingrid Pitt comes into it following her turn in The Vampire Lovers. Hammer tells this tale of horror, basing it off of the actual “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Bathory. The Hungarian Bathory was one of the most prolific serial killers in history, having murdered and mutilated over 100 young women. Later, it was rumored that she bathed in the blood of virgins in order to maintain her youth. That info has been considered sketchy and used to build lore by historians, but the fascinating detail of this macabre is the basis for Countess Dracula. Continue reading ‘Countess Dracula (Blu-ray Review)’
May 9th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Way back in November when I wrote my first wishlist piece with 14 movies for 2014, Sleepaway Camp was right at the top of the list. Then, magically, two days before I was getting ready to post that article, BOOM-Scream Factory announces that they are going to put out a special Collector’s Edition of the film. Later, Justin Beahm announces he’s heading up the special features making this release even more hyped. Needless to say, if you follow me on Twitter or are Facebook friends with me, I was pretty excited. When I did my “Favorite Films Of My Lifetime” retrospective series for my blog this past January it made the list for 1983. I couldn’t wait for this Blu-ray release to come out either. I was checking off the months and Scream Factory releases til we could get to this one. And, it’s finally here, so not only do I get to have this awesome new edition, I get to write about the film too! Continue reading ‘Sleepaway Camp – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
May 8th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
It’s a double whammy of sorts with TWO Steven Spielberg films being released on Blu-ray stateside for the first time. Coming up we will be reviewing The Terminal starring Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones and featuring an all-star ensemble cast with the likes of Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, and more. I’m sure we all have airport horror stories but they compare to Hanks’ tale of being a citizen without a country? We shall see. Continue reading ‘The Terminal (Blu-ray Review)’
May 8th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
In Korea, murder has a statute of limitations and the time is up on a series of brutal slayings that left Lt. Choi (Jae-yeong Jeong) a broken and obsessed man, with a scarred face from their one encounter. Now, a handsome and beguiling young man has come forward, taking credit for the crimes. As the confessed-killer woos media and wins fans, Choi’s rage spins out of control. Is he the killer? Can justice ever be served? Continue reading ‘Confession of Murder (Blu-ray Review)’
May 7th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Once is an Academy Award-winning indie film that blends drama and music in a very charming way. I remember being initially against this film back in 2007, simply because the trailer made it all seem so obvious in terms of the type of indie movie it was. I was very happy to eat crow after finally seeing it, as everything about this film made me smile. The music is fantastic, the performances feel authentic, and the small scale nature of this production have it work as a nice personal story about two people that form a brief bond. Now Once is on Blu-ray, where people can maybe rediscover this acclaimed film from 2007.
Continue reading ‘Once (Blu-ray Review)’
May 5th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
I guess if I had to consider my attachment to the original Veronica Mars series and how it came into play with the viewing of this film, I would say I was in a fairly decent position to review the film, without caving into the pressures of being a fan and alienating those unfamiliar with the show. Sure, I am a fan of the TV series, which I caught on Netflix, years after it was off the air. That said, I have not revisited the series since. Not that I do not have affection for the show, as I think Veronica Mars was a great series at its best, with fine performances from a large portion of its cast, which had a number of interesting characters and relationships, on top of a format that could balance comedy, drama, and mystery all in one. Having a new movie to experience, my best hope was that it could continue in that tradition, without feeling like it was pandering exclusively to those who loved it all those years ago. I never really thought it could stay away from that completely, but fortunately the film has enough sharp writing, aided by some nice lead performances, to make it worthwhile.
Continue reading ‘Veronica Mars (Blu-ray Review)’
May 5th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
The most provocative film from the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW should not exist, and yet it does. Like nothing you’ve ever seen, Randy Moore’s directorial debut is a bold and ingenious trip into the happiest place on earth. An epic battle begins when a middle-aged American husband and father of two learns that he has lost his job. Keeping the news from his nagging wife and wound-up children, he packs up the family and embarks on a full day of park hopping amid enchanted castles and fairytale princesses. Soon, the manufactured mirth of the fantasy land around him begins to haunt his subconscious. An idyllic family vacation quickly unravels into a surrealist nightmare of paranoid visions, bizarre encounters, and an obsessive pursuit of a pair of sexy teenage Parisians. Chillingly shot in black and white, Escape From Tomorrow dissects the mythology of artificial perfection while subversively attacking our culture’s obsession with mass entertainment. Continue reading ‘Escape From Tomorrow (Blu-ray Review)’
May 5th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
When Nick Di Santo learns that his father is not only alive but can possibly reveal the origin of his son’s dark gift, he sets out on a trip that takes him to an abandoned mansion he thought only existed in his childhood imagination. Co-written and directed by Victor Salva (Jeepers Creepers, Jeepers Creepers 2) Dark House may just have something for everyone. Will the film succeed or get locked up in the cellar? Let’s see what happens. Continue reading ‘Dark House (Blu-ray Review)’
May 4th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Another wartime film to celebrate memorial day comes from Olive Films on May 13. This one is the propaganda dogfight film Flying Tigers, starring the legendary John Wayne. This tale of Japanese hunting mercenary pilots taking the sky for some crafty dogfights was a mass hit with critics and general audiences back in 1942. It was also nominated for three Academy Awards (taking home none of them); Best Effects (Howard Lydecker, Daniel J Bloomberg), Best Music (Victor Young) and Best Sound (Daniel J Bloomberg). The film is known for its fantastic dogfight sequences that were a working of using planes, models and actual wartime footage. Continue reading ‘Flying Tigers (Blu-ray Review)’
