Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category
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)’
May 4th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Olive Films will release Home Of The Brave on Blu-ray May 13 in celebration of Memorial Day. No, this isn’t that terrible movie with 50 Cent, Jessica Biel and Samuel L Jackson from 2006. Woof, was that bad. No, this is the Home Of The Brave from 1949. As it stands, there are actually four feature films with the title Home Of The Brave. This one deals with some racial issues during that of World War II. The one bit of interesting that it had from me going in (I’d never seen the film before) was getting to see that of a young Lloyd Bridges. He’s an actor I’m sure our younger readers see the name and go “who”?
. Continue reading ‘Home Of The Brave (Blu-ray Review)’
May 3rd, 2014 by Brian White
Truth be told, had I been living among the stars and privileged in life last year in Los Angeles, Her would have been my #2 film of 2013 easily knocking down The Wolf of Wall Street here. Oh no! The cat’s out of the bag over how much I love this film! Now don’t fret! We’ll spend more time talking about the film in great detail below and why it’s so critically acclaimed, but for now just know this. It’s been quite some time since I have been witness to a movie that has been so deep and undeniably in-tune with the complexities and dynamics of “human” relationships. And don’t get me wrong. I know how absolutely absurd that sounds especially when the main plot of the film is about a brokenhearted sap who has a romantic relationship with his phone, but I think it’s that light sci-fi (my favorite genre) setting that really pushes the envelope and propels this feature into new realms and undertakings that’s really going to surprise first time viewers who were either reluctant to catch it in the theater due to its obscene premise or just weren’t fortunate enough to have it play near them (I know how that feels). Ladies and gentlemen, I present you Her. Continue reading ‘Her (Blu-ray Review)’
April 29th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Love Happy marks the end of the Marx Brothers, kings of comedy in their hay day, as group on film. It was their 14th outing, which is incredibly impressive. Could you imagine trying to convince The Avengers to do 14 films together (I’m sure Marvel has, haha). The film is also noted for having Marilyn Monroe. Monroe is indeed in the film, but doesn’t show up til much later and has a little bit part, but man does she just exude star power. Unlike most Marx Brothers film affairs, the silent one-Harpo gets the lead role with Chico being the lead supporter. While it is their last film as starring players, the three never altogether share a frame (or scene) together once. Olive Films is bringing this final Marx Brothers film over to the Blu-ray format next new release Tuesday, May 6. Continue reading ‘Love Happy (Blu-ray Review)’
April 29th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
The DC animated universe follows up its Justice League: War film with Son Of Batman. This is of course based of the comic arc where Batman discovers he has a son named Damian with Ra’s al Ghul daughter Talia. The film has been available for digital download since last Tuesday. Last week, Why So Blu’s very own Aaron Neuwirth had the privilege and pleasure of getting to see a screening of the film at WonderCon. You can read his thoughts on the film by clicking right HERE. Its pretty cool that he gets to see the film that way since these are really straight-to-video affair. Son Of Batman will street this Tuesday May 6 and you can be sure to pre-order it at the end of this review of mine. Continue reading ‘Son Of Batman (Blu-ray Review)’
April 29th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Ahhh, back to those golden age early 1980s slashers. On the same day Evilspeak releases, Scream Factory also produces another Code Red title on Blu-ray with Final Exam. And I must say my jaw dropped when this one was announce. Final Exam took forever to find a home on DVD, so much that it felt like it was flirting with being one of those VHS titles that never made it to DVD. So, I just chalked this one up to never going to be on Blu-ray. Low and behold, HERE IT IS! I never owned the DVD because I quit buying DVDs long ago, so this was really my first time to see it in its original aspect and not a cropped used up 4:3 pan & scan VHS tape. Scream Factory upgrades the previous DVD release by bringing over its extras as well. Continue reading ‘Final Exam (Blu-ray Review)’
April 28th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
It’s finally upon us. Scream Factory’s highly anticipated “Summer Of Fear”! We begin this wave of greatness with one of two joint ventures with Code Red DVD. We’re talking about the Clint Howard horror vehicle, Evilspeak which revolves around summoning satanists and demons via a computer. Said computer features Vecotr graphics. And as my friend Jim Dietz says “Vector Computer graphics will always be cool. Always.” And as always, Jim Dietz is right. This film is a rather grand horror effects spectacular surrounded by a rather noticeable and strong set of supporting actors. Scream Factory has ported over Code Red’s original supplemental material as well as added a bit of their own flare to go with Evilspeak’s Blu-ray review. Continue reading ‘Evilspeak (Blu-ray Review)’
April 28th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Anchor Bay’s The Art Of The Steal is another one of those movies making the Video OnDemand market even more deserving of your attention. This one even boasts a pretty impressive cast. Nobody is a “wow how’d they get them!?” kinda deal, but as a collection of people its rather enough to peak your interests and sell the film. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and made its VOD debut earlier this year. The film comes from Canadian director Jonathan Sobol of whom I am completely in the dark regarding the other works he has written or directed. But after this one, he’s sure proven himself as someone to keep on your radar, as he shows some real potential with his sophomore directorial effort. Continue reading ‘The Art Of The Steal (Blu-ray Review)’
April 27th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
In the high stakes world of espionage, one Russian FSB operative will do whatever it takes to crack an international money laundering operation and American banker, Alice, is the key. The only problem is that he isn’t the only one after Alice. Now he must find out who he can trust and use everything he knows in order to get to the truth and bring down a powerful Russian oligarch.
Continue reading ‘Möbius (Blu-ray Review)’
April 26th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
2014 is the year of Hercules. We’ll have Hercules starring Dwayne Johnson in the titular role, which will be directed by Brett Ratner. For now we have The Legend of Hercules starring Kellan Lutz and directed by Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, The Long Kiss Goodnight). You know, the more the merrier, I say, since I am a fan of Greek mythology, I do like when films depict the subject. Most of them do not get it right but one can’t say that they’re not at least sort of interesting. Let’s give The Legend of Hercules a spin and see if the film is at least a little bit interesting. Shall we begin? Continue reading ‘The Legend of Hercules (Blu-ray Review)’
April 25th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
A series of brutal murders puts the lives of three men on a collision course: the father of the latest victim now out for revenge, a vigilante police detective operating outside the boundaries of law, and the main suspect in the killings – a religious studies teacher arrested and released due to a police blunder. Quentin Tarantino called Big Bad Wolves the best film of the year (2013) . Okay, I’m in!
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April 25th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Star Trek: Enterprise‘s fourth and final season not only was the end of the show itself’s run, but more importantly hailed the end of an era. From 1987 until 2005, there was always going to be a new episode of some form of Star Trek on the horizon. For 18 years, through The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise, the extended world and characters of Gene Roddenberry’s creation became a television staple like a Law & Order or CSI in its own right. From syndication to network Star Trek always had a spot on the airwaves. Sometimes even two shows were running at the same time. Enterprise ended up being the shortest of those ending on its fourth season while the others went on for seven each. UPN canned it after four seasons, making it the shortest series since the Original back in the 60s, to which many thought were premature and that the show was finally realizing its potential. Continue reading ‘Star Trek: Enterprise – Season Four (Blu-ray Review)’
