Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category
January 19th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
“They call me Mister Tibbs” is one of the most famous lines in cinema history. It comes from the mouth of Sidney Poitier in the 1967 Best Picture winner In The Heat Of The Night (For the remainder of this review known as simply Heat). A film that was an important moment not just for filmmaking, but a an important as an advocate of racial equality. While making a big splash at the Academy Awards, the film also found success in the years after as it became a franchise. Heat ended up serving as the first piece of a Virgil Tibbs trilogy that included the follow ups They Call Me MISTER Tibbs! (1970) and The Organization (1971). Sidney Poitier reprised his role for both films. It then became a television series of the same name that ran for 8 seasons from 1988-1995 over two networks (NBC ’88-’92, CBS ’92-’95). In this era of being obsessed with franchises, I’m surprised we haven’t seen the reboot of Virgil Tibbs. Continue reading ‘In The Heat Of The Night (Blu-ray Review)’
January 17th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
When his late mother appears in a vision and tells him to go to Bucharest, Charlie Countryman immediately boards a plane across the Atlantic. A chance encounter with an ailing passenger leads Charlie to Gabi, a Romanian beauty, changing the course of his entire trip. As he falls head-over-heels in love with Gabi, he realizes that her dark past is riddled with dangerous baggage: namely her gangster ex-husband who has no intention of letting Gabi go. Determined to protect her, Charlie enters into a hallucinatory underworld filled with violence and, strangely enough, love.
Continue reading ‘Charlie Countryman (Blu-ray Review)’
January 17th, 2014 by Sean Ferguson
The original starship Enterprise continues its historic voyage into the final frontier of high definition when Star Trek: Enterprise – The Complete Third Season makes its debut on Blu-ray from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution. After a surprise attack on Earth leaves over seven million people dead, Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) and the crew of the Enterprise swear to find those responsible – the Xindi. Taking off into the uncharted region known as the Delphic Expanse, the crew of the Enterprise must hunt down the Xindi and stop them from enacting their ultimate plan: the total destruction of humanity. Along the way they travel to the year 2004 to prevent a bioweapon attack, fend off the mysterious Sphere-Builders, and even meet their own descendants due to a wormhole mishap – all leading up to a desperate race back to Earth to prevent its destruction. Featuring all 24 episodes from the third season, the six-disc Blu-ray set also includes never-before-seen special features that are exclusive to this release: “In A Time of War,” a new three-part documentary, and a new featurette entitled “Temporal Cold War: Declassified.” Continue reading ‘Star Trek: Enterprise – The Complete Season Three (Blu-ray Review)’
January 15th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Hi, I’m Brandon Peters and I am not an A.C.O.D. My wife is also not a member of the Adult Children Of Divorce. So, I really don’t know what that whole thing is like, even though growing up I’ve had friends and dated women that have had divorced parents. I’ve only witnessed things as an outsider, so I’m not gonna tackle this review pointing out the accuracies and inaccuracies of the topic at hand. Why? I’m not the expert and I’m not gonna act like I am. The stuff in the film seemed real enough to me, but I can’t weigh in on experience. I suppose my experience in life is more closer to Lauren in the film’s, but my parents and grandparents have never celebrated really odd numbered anniversary dates. Continue reading ‘A.C.O.D. (Blu-ray Review)’
January 14th, 2014 by Brian White
Are you hungry? I hope so because the Parker family would love to have you over for dinner. However, let me provide a word to the wise. If you are squeamish at all when it comes to gory moments in horror films, make sure you fill your belly first before viewing We Are What We Are as it may be awhile before you eat again, particularly red meat. Honest to God, I have not taken in a single piece of red meat since viewing this feature On Demand several weeks ago. I suppose I’ll be healthier for it, but this movie conjures a lot of memories in my mind every time I see a silver cooking pot, a soup bowl or a hunk of beef. So maybe I should be thanking the filmmakers here for making me a healthier eater, huh? I suppose I should, but I digress. So today, without further ado, we are here to talk about one hell of a shocking horror film finally making waves on the Blu-ray format after being available On Demand and digitally for weeks now. Ladies and gentlemen…We Are What We Are or as I like to call “We Are What We Eat.” Continue reading ‘We Are What We Are (Blu-ray Review)’
January 14th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Dylan McDermott of the TV Series
Hostages and
American Horror Story, stars as Robert Saunders, a New York City mechanic who is knocked unconscious at his birthday dinner and wakes up to find himself locked inside the restaurant’s walk-in freezer. But why he’s there – and how he’ll survive – will reveal a chilling nightmare of mistaken identity, the Russian mob, a missing $8 million, and a wounded cop (Peter Facinelli of
THE TWILIGHT SAGA) who may hold the key to it all. The temperature is dropping. The fear is growing. And for a man caught between frozen death and vicious thugs, what happens next may lead to the most cold-blooded twist of all.
Continue reading ‘Freezer (Blu-ray Review)’
January 13th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
The Butler tells the story of a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family. Forest Whitaker stars as the butler with Robin Williams as Dwight Eisenhower, John Cusack as Richard Nixon, Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan, James Marsden as John F. Kennedy, Liev Schreiber as Lyndon B. Johnson, and many more. Academy Award® nominated Lee Daniels (Precious) directs and co-wrote the script with Emmy®-award winning Danny Strong (Game Change).
January 12th, 2014 by Brian White
While I’m a huge Stephen King fan, Carrie is oddly one of his novels that I’ve never read for some strange reason as I think about it now. Well, that’s definitely going to get added to the bucket list. I can’t die with that on my conscious. But anyway, that kind of preludes as to why we are all gathered here today to discuss the “re-imagining” of the 1976 film I guess you can say. Now hold up! I know how people feel about the subject of re-imaginings or reboots. We’ve all been there and done this countless more times than we care to admit in the horror genre so that’s why I’m going to forgo making any and all references between this and the 1976 film that horror fans adore so much. There’s no sense in getting into any heated arguments or debates about the taboo topic. Whether you are okay with it or not, you just have to get over the fact that it’s already done and in the can so to speak. ‘Carrie 2013’ has happened and there’s nothing you or I can do about it now. Continue reading ‘Carrie (Blu-ray Review)’
January 12th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Retired black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) reunites his unlikely team of elite operatives for a global quest to track down a missing portable nuclear device. To succeed, they’ll need to survive assassins, terrorists and power-crazed government officials, all eager to get their hands on the super weapon. I really enjoyed the first Red film, so I’m hoping that Red 2 will be as fun and entertaining as the first film. Let us read on and find out! Continue reading ‘Red 2 (Blu-ray Review)’
January 11th, 2014 by Brian White
Of all movies to ever take your parents to see theatrically when they are in town visiting you after having not seen you for almost a year, Bad Grandpa prevailed. I have to say. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I took them there. I was expecting the feature, judging by its trailer, to be a little bit of Jackass mixed with a true, somewhat semi-serious narrative. And I know my parents secretly were laughing at the guys’ antics when I showed them Jackass 3 before so I was just hoping they would not be disturbed or repulsed by what they were about to witness onscreen. And you want to know the kicker of it all? I believe they laughed harder than me. Ha! Go figure! Regardless of how I felt about it several months ago, the day is finally upon us when Bad Grandpa is coming home to the Blu-ray format courtesy of Paramount Media Home Distribution and now the burden lies with me to carry the cross and guide you through the following trek of a Blu-ray review. You ready? Continue reading ‘Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (Blu-ray Review)’
January 11th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
When John Moon (Sam Rockwell) accidentally shoots a young woman and discovers a bag full of cash, the isolated hunter becomes the hunted. His struggle to conceal both the death and the money triggers a cascade of events and encounters that ultimately escalates into a battle for survival. Here’s a film that sort of caught me of guard in that it has a great ensemble cast of actors that I like. I like every single one of them there on that cover art. Let’s hope the film delivers on the epic casting. Continue reading ‘A Single Shot (Blu-ray Review)’
January 9th, 2014 by Brian White
I remember when this film first came out. I never heard of it until a few months before it’s release date. I thought that was odd. Then a star’s name in the billing credits caught my eye and that’s all it took. I didn’t care anymore as to how this film managed to sneak under my radar. Hook…line…and sinker! Yeah, baby! That’s right! Gemma’s in the house again and it’s time to get this party started! So needless to say when I received the press invite to this one, there wasn’t even a second of hesitation. Anything lingering on my calendar, as far as I am concerned, could wait. Gemma needs my love and support. This movie can suck for all I care, but as long as Gemma looks good in it, you already had my money…if I was a paying customer. But let’s talk about that. Is Gemma Arterton and her newest flick worth the price of admission now that it’s out on Blu-ray and DVD? And oh yeah…did I mention Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake also star in this one too? I guess you can say there’s a star in this for every one. So let’s take a closer look and see if you’ll be prone to “run” away from Runner Runner or stick around and play. Shoes all laced up? Good! Let’s hit the ground running… Continue reading ‘Runner Runner (Blu-ray Review)’
January 8th, 2014 by Jami Ferguson
From the creative team behind “Pillars of the Earth,” “The Mentalist” and “Heroes,” “Being Human” is Syfy’s re-imagining of the acclaimed BBC original series created by Toby Whithouse. “Being Human” follows four paranormal, 20-something roommates living in a Boston brownstone – vampire “Aidan” (Witwer), werewolves “Josh” (Huntington) and “Nora” (Hager) and ghost “Sally” (Rath) – as they struggle to resist the temptations of their true natures. As the third season of “Being Human” returns, the four learn that there is a price to pay for getting what they want. Watching the characters hide their dark secrets from the world, while helping each other navigate the complexities of living double lives and trying to be human, viewership for the third season averaged 1.8 million viewers, making “Being Human” a Top 10 Cable Program in its time period among adults 18-49 and 25-54. Season 4 of “Being Human” premieres January 2014 on Syfy. Continue reading ‘Being Human: The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray Review)’
January 6th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
I tend to be happy with embracing a film that not only has a goofy premise, but grabs it by the horns in its title alone. Big Ass Spider! does this well in both title form and actual execution. While we have seen our share of Sharknados and Mega Piranhas debuting on the SyFy channel in recent years, Big Ass Spider! was able to move beyond the realm of cable TV and screen at the SXSW Film Festival, before its limited release in theaters and on VOD. It even managed to receive genuine support from critics, as the movie proved to be exactly what it promised in a very good way. I can now also extend similar praise, as Big Ass Spider! may not be a mega-budgeted blockbuster, but it looks very good for what it is and is also a whole lot of fun.
Continue reading ‘Big Ass Spider! (Blu-ray Review)’
January 5th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Here is the kind of dramatic indie feature that I can happily support, as it manages to hit a lot of familiar beats, while taking some steps in different directions from the norm. The film features a strong lead performance by Brie Larson, solid support from both the adult and younger actors involved, and this is all achieved with a certain level of comfort that allows the film to feel at many times like a docudrama. The sense of realism is there, but writer/director Destin Cretton does a lot of good work making a fully realized motion picture out of this story adapted from his own short film. Short Term 12 is the kind of film that many people should go and seek out. Now that it is on Blu-ray, they can.
Continue reading ‘Short Term 12 (Blu-ray Review)’
January 4th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Scream Factory returns with another double feature disc on Blu-ray. This time they’re ditching the 80s and jumping all the way back to the 1950s. At the end of the month you’ll be able to grab this two B-movie set that features The Beasts Of Hollow Mountain and The Neanderthal Man. Both films are making their debut on glorious Blu-ray and have been given transfers that I’m pretty shocked and awed at (in a good way folks, in a good way, you’ll read about it below). I’ve liked the previous double features that Scream Factory has put out thus far, so let’s see how this one holds up as an addition to that lineup. And as always there is a pre-order link you can click below to have a copy ready for you when the release date hits! Continue reading ‘The Beast Of Hollow Mountain/The Neanderthal Man – Double Feature (Blu-ray Review)’
January 4th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
I always love how each decade seems to have its own approach and unique flavor to what was working with horror. In the 1960s, the world of horror was engulfed stuff like the Hammer Horror films and the Corman Poe movies. People seemed to gravitate to the gothic laced tales of older times. This film Die, Monster, Die! (alternatively retitled as Monster Of Terror at some point) as fits right into that fold event though the setting seems to be taking place in something closer to representing a present day or not that far behind. Horror legend and Frankenstein’s monster himself, Boris Karloff graces the screen here, and I’m sure that’s a prime reason why this one has been dug up and brought back to our attention by Scream Factory. Continue reading ‘Die, Monster, Die! (Blu-ray Review)’
January 3rd, 2014 by Sean Ferguson
From Earth, the Sun cannot be looked at with human eyes. Narrated by Al Roker, 3D Sun gives audiences a chance to see the Sun up close in startling 3D. Stand above the arctic circle and witness the most brilliant auroras on Earth; take a ride on a solar blast from Sun’s surface to Earth’s Magnetosphere, and come to a deeper understanding of what this vast sea of fire means to life here on Earth. In October 2006, NASA launched twin spacecraft from a single rocket in Florida — a spacecraft that would, for the first time in the history of space exploration, capture space-born, high-definition 3D images of the Sun. In 3D Sun, the leading NASA scientists from the mission unveil these images and take us behind the scenes to tell the story of the Sun and why it is of crucial importance to all of us. Mars 3D takes viewers behind the scenes of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission revealing daily dramas, mind-boggling physics and compelling science behind the $820 million dollar NASA project. Behold this celebration of space exploration and the human stories behind the mission, how engineers plunged the depths of gravity and physics to ensure a successful launch an landing and how two 380 pound rovers will bring scientists closer than ever before to solving the mysteries of Mars. Continue reading ‘Galactic Adventures Double Feature: 3D Sun / Mars 3D (Blu-ray Review)’
