Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category
January 2nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
In time for its 30th anniversary, Warner Bros is releasing one-time Best Picture hopeful The Killing Fields. The film did win 3 Academy Awards that year, all of them in what are considered “major” categories (Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography). It did win big with the British Academy Awards including Best Film and 7 other categories which seems like it cleaned house. When it comes to the Best Picture nominees every year, I always wonder how revered and well remembered many of them will be years down the road. Even for the winners. I think it’s a tough enough challenge to recall the nominees from before your time and when you were a child. And these are supposed to be the BEST movies that represent a given year. With The Killing Fields, I had never seen it, and only the title came of any familiarity to me. It never came up as required viewing or studying for me in film classes or in my own personal adventure in learning. But, I always welcome the opportunity to go back and learn more. So here we are. Continue reading ‘The Killing Fields (Blu-ray Review)’
December 31st, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
In the late 1800’s, a beautiful former prostitute (January Jones) is trying to build an honest life with her husband in the rugged plains of New Mexico. When she catches the eye of a sadistic and powerful religious leader (Jason Isaacs), her life is violently turned upside down. She embarks on a bloody course of vengeance with the assistance of a renegade sheriff (Ed Harris) who has violent tendencies of his own. Continue reading ‘Sweetwater (Blu-ray Review)’
December 30th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
Fight everyone and trust no one: it’s the code of survival practiced by martial arts master Casey Bowman (Scott Adkins) after his life of domestic bliss is shattered by a savage act of violence. With the help of his friend Nakabara (Kane Kosugi), the fearless American retrains his responses and elevates his battle skills to seek justice for his wife’s murder. In the ultimate confrontation, Casey must reflect on his teachings to become an invisible warrior worthy of the title Ninja.
Continue reading ‘Ninja II: Shadow of A Tear (Blu-ray Review)’
December 30th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
When a series of eerie murders erupt across Hong Kong, two trouble making cops are assigned to the case. Young maverick WANG (Zhang Wen) is a reckless risk-taker, and grizzled vet HUANG (Jet Li) is fed up with cleaning up his rookie’s messes. After discovering all the victims were former boyfriends of aspiring starlet LIU, the detectives (one now posing as her lover) are caught in a deadly game to lure the killer out. Continue reading ‘Badges of Fury (Blu-ray Review)’
December 30th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
I have never seen the original Cat People film from which this is based. But from what I gather, this is a case in which a remake is a novel concept because the original film wasn’t very good in the first place. Universal was trying to jump on the coattails off the success of the Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake and putting a lot of remakes of older properties into production (sound familiar?). Cat People was one such project as well as John Carpenter’s The Thing. Writer Paul Schrader stepped in to make his 4th feature film and decided to spin this old tale into one of a more erotic horror film. The film was a mild success back in 1982, but has since become a bit of a cult item, even if Paul Schrader doesn’t think it qualifies as one. Continue reading ‘Cat People – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
December 29th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
Taiwanese pop sensation Jay Chou is Wax, a cocky drifter who lives a happy but oppressed life among the rooftops of Galilee. But a chance meeting with his dream girl, Starling (Li Xinai), takes him on a thrilling journey to change his fate. Chou’s second feature film, THE ROOFTOP is a story of friendship, romance, rivalry and destiny, filled with song and dance numbers that will delight audiences for years to come. Continue reading ‘The Rooftop (Blu-ray Review)’
December 29th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
Northeast China, early Northern Song dynasty, AD 986. The Khitan army takes its revenge for a past massacre, abducting General Yang Ye (Adam Cheng) and leaving his wife and seven sons to rescue him – and fall into their deadly trap. Led by the first son (Ekin Cheng), the seven – two of whom have never seen combat – set out with a small band of fighters to face an army of thousands, brave the treacherous Wolf Mountain, face the nemesis of their shared history, and find the way back alive – all to bring their father home. Continue reading ‘Saving General Yang (Blu-ray Review)’
December 28th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
There are a lot of people involved in creating and performing a song. A band or a singer will get a hefty praise for a hit. A producer can become legendary for making many of them. Even guest musicians will find fame on some songs. But, a back up singer? They seem to find no glory, fame or historical relevance when looking back at big songs. 20 Feet From Stardom finally gives them the spotlight. It’s a riveting look at the challenges and the struggles to make it as a back up singer from the roots of gospel and R&B to transitioning into the rock and roll scene. There’s many successes, failures, funny anecdotes and hard times that come with the territory and its all gone over here in great and colorful detail. Continue reading ’20 Feet From Stardom (Blu-ray Review)’
December 28th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
Luc Besson made some of my favorite films of the 1990s; La Femme Nikita, The Professional and The Fifth Element. For much of the previous decade he’s either been missing or taken on many smaller or more localized (for him) projects. I was actually intrigued by him having a new American film coming out this year, especially with players like Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert DeNiro and Tommy Lee Jones attached. The movie pretty much came and went with merely a whimper. So, when it came time for Blu-ray I was eager to give this one a shot and see if maybe it had a weak release date, wasn’t appreciated upon release or was as lackluster as the reviews for it seemed to have suggested. Continue reading ‘The Family (Blu-ray Review)’
December 28th, 2013 by Brian White
I remembered when Don Jon rolled out theatrically this past September I was very nervous going in and partaking in it not because the trailers or television spots looked bad, but because they neglected to screen it for us members of the Austin press. Usually, nine times out of ten, when there’s no screener that’s not a good sign and is frequently an indicator that the film’s a real stinker if you know what I mean. Thankfully, for at least this movie, I’m glad to report that’s not the case and had it not been for the various web clips of the hilarious chemistry between Tony Danza and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s onscreen characters, this Blu-ray would have marked my very first viewing of the flick. Those short clips I found on Fandango virtually sold me on this feature and got me to open up my wallet to see this one theatrically. If you’re reading this marketers, listen up and take notes because everyone in my inner circle that really understands me knows that’s a hard thing to do to get me to open up and spend my hard earned money. So you ready to learn more about Don Jon?! Good, because coincidentally I’m in the mood to talk about it! Continue reading ‘Don Jon (Blu-ray Review)’
December 24th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
Releasing from the Disney Vault in celebration of its 50th Anniversary, creative visionary Walt Disney’s classic shines for the first time on Blu-ray. Starring Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews in her Academy-Award winning role, and featuring iconic toe-tapping songs including “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,”
Mary Poppins is a movie experience your family will enjoy again and again. An all-new digital restoration adds even more magic – helping bring the award-winning songs and amazing picture to life like never before. Share the music; share the magic; share the joy of
Mary Poppins this holiday on Blu-ray Combo Pack & HD Digital for the first time. Julie Andrews (
The Sound of Music, Princess Diaries) as Mary Poppins; Dick Van Dyke (TV’s “The Dick Van Dyke Show,”
Night at the Museum) as Bert/Mr. Dawes Senior; David Tomlinson (
Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Love Bug) as Mr. Banks; Glynis Johns (
The Court Jester, While You Were Sleeping) as Mrs. Banks; Karen Dotrice (
The Gnome-Mobile, Upstairs, Downstairs) as Jane Banks;
Mathew Garber (
The Gnome-Mobile, The Three Lives of Thomasina) as Michael Banks.
Continue reading ‘Mary Poppins: 50th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
December 22nd, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
Alan Rickman stars as legendary NYC club owner Hilly Kristal, who during the 1970s, wanted to create a venue for country, bluegrass and blues music (thus the name CBGB). When those acts became difficult to book, he shifted the club’s focus to local bands playing original music, launching the careers of Patti Smith, Blondie, the Talking Heads and the Ramones and helping to define New York’s punk scene and changing the face of music.
December 21st, 2013 by Brian White
Let’s get one thing straight. Ordinarily, this is not a film I would watch. Right off the bat it has a couple strikes against as far as movies that I would find appealing. Let’s take this flick’s trailer for instance. Yawn. I was bored out of my mind when I first saw it and I think it carried the tag line of movie of the year or some nonsense like that. I wanted nothing to do with it and scoffed at the press invite for this film. However, then the reviews started to pour in. First my eccentric neighbor where I used to live a few months back stopped me and told me how amazing Fruitvale Station was. I nodded my head and pretended like I was interested in what he had to say, but in the back of my mind I know this guy only likes all those independent art house films I could truly care less about. Then came Aaron Neuwirth’s 5-doggie theatrical review which can be found by clicking here. Suddenly, I started to take notice and thought to myself, am I missing out on something truly special here? So when Anchor Bay offered me the chance to review this Blu-ray title, I jumped as soon as I read the words “Hi Brian.” I want to see what all the buzz is about regarding this title firsthand. So here goes nothing. Continue reading ‘Fruitvale Station (Blu-ray Review)’
December 19th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
The man won’t do an Expendables movie, but he’ll be the first in line for middle of the road DTV movies. This is probably because he wants the lead. He is Steven Seagal. A once, I think it’s fair to say “fad” action star in the 90s who had never was able to rekindle the success of his powerhouse Under Siege. He managed a brief comeback in the early 2000s with Exit Wounds, but since has been hanging out in straight to video land with playing the villain in Machete being the exception and not the rule. While The Expendables franchise might not be that great of a series of films (I like the 2nd one, but kind of yawned through the first), it’s by and large Star Wars in comparison to what he’s been doing, including this new film Force Of Execution. Continue reading ‘Force Of Execution (Blu-ray Review)’
December 17th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
Futurama has ended once again. After being resurrected by Comedy Central, the animated, sci-fi-comedy series from creator Matt Groening (The Simpsons) has once again reached its end. However, there is still this final batch of episodes on this Volume 8 Blu-ray release to go over and fortunately it is a good batch. While I have had my issues with the quality of the episodes during the run on Comedy Central, there were certainly a handful of great ones and this final volume has a very solid set of episodes, with a couple that are really funny and a couple really nail the emotional beats, particularly the finale. Read on to dig deeper into this final volume.
Continue reading ‘Futurama: Volume 8 (Blu-ray Review)’
December 16th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
My generation and that before have seen Keanu Reeves come up through his career as a one-trick stoner comedy pony, to really bad surfer actor, to action to star, to blockbuster superstardom to serviceable ensemble actor. In 2013, we take another step. Keanu Reeves: the director. In his directorial debut The Man Of Tai Chi, Keanu showers us with his love for martial arts in this modern take on the 70s Kung Fu genre. The story, tone, performances and plot feel like they walked right out of Bruce Lee or Sonny Chiba’s wheelhouse, but take place in a modern setting and melding modern techniques. It’s an incredible fun film that should have you fully engaged right from the offset. Anchor Bay delivers the first of what will 2 of this year’s Keanu martial arts outputs (the other, 47 Ronin). Continue reading ‘Man Of Tai Chi (Blu-ray Review)’
December 15th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
A treasure trove of hearty laughs is yours when two of the funniest, most action-packed Muppet movies of all time make their Disney Blu-ray debut in a 2-Movie Collection. From the special star-studded lunacy in Muppet Treasure Island to the jewel-heist hilarity of The Great Muppet Caper, these two classic comedy-adventures are packed with mirth, mayhem and, of course, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, Fozzie, Gonzo and all your Muppet favorites. Jim Henson’s whodunit heist-movie The Great Muppet Caper and the silly and swashbuckling high-seas adventure, Muppet Treasure Island, both restored and remastered, are loaded with unforgettable music and sparkling special effects. Two great movies plus a treasure trove of bonus features make the Collection the perfect holiday gift for Muppet fans and the entire family when it finally makes its Blu-ray debut this December. Continue reading ‘The Great Muppet Caper / Muppet Treasure Island 2-Movie Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
December 12th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
Hold onto your donuts! Season 16 of the The Simpsons – the longest-running scripted show in television history – includes all 21 hilarious episodes, tons of meticulously slapped-together special features, plus a veritable who’s who (woo-hoo!) of celebrity guest voices, including Fantasia Barrino, Jason Bateman, Gary Busey, James Caan, Stephen Hawking, Eric Idle, Jane Kaczmarek, Lucy Liu, Liam Neeson, Amy Poehler, Ray Romano and plenty more!
Continue reading ‘The Simpsons: The Sixteenth Season (Blu-ray Review)’
