Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category
November 8th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland and Robert Duvall lead a star-studded cast in this World War II classic based on Jack Higgins’ best-selling novel. A Nazi Strike Force plots to kidnap Winston Churchill while he is resting in a desolate Norfolk village. Colonel Radl (Robert Duvall), Colonel Steiner (Michael Caine) and Liam Devlin (Donald Sutherland) are enlisted to carry out the operation, which if successful, would irrevocably alter the outcome of the war. Disguised as Polish airmen, these paratroopers descend upon England only to be interrupted by an unforeseeable incident which threatens to derail their treacherous mission. Packed with action and suspense, this unrelenting thriller was the final picture directed by the great John Sturges (The Great Escape, The Magnificent Seven). Continue reading ‘The Eagle Has Landed: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
November 7th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
Fresh out of school with a degree in marketing, Scat will do anything to prove that he has what it takes. Armed with a brilliant product concept that gives new meaning to the old saying sex sells, he only has to convince his boss, the beautiful and mysterious 6, that it’s an idea worth millions. The road to success isn’t an easy one, even with a million dollar idea, and Scat soon discovers that image and deception just might be his undoing. Continue reading ‘Syrup (Blu-ray Review)’
November 7th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
80s fashion, comets, end of the Earth, underground science labs, valley girls and of course-zombies make for a damn good time in Scream Factory’s latest resurrection, Night Of The Comet. This is a film I’d like to slap myself for not becoming more familiar with sooner. The movie is a terrific, stylized load of comedy, action and horror. With two strong females taking the reins, this movie strives to be its own and tells a very unique side of zombie fiction that I don’t think has been attempted or matched since. This one had its release date delayed in order to get some bonus features taken care of. And folks, it was well worth your wait. Scream Factory gives it their highly coveted “Collector’s Edition” status, providing hours of entertainment beyond just watching the film. Let’s get to the dirty details on this one, shall we? Continue reading ‘Night Of The Comet – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
November 6th, 2013 by Jami Ferguson
Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson team up to crash the digital world in this laugh-out-loud buddy comedy you’ve been searching for! Trying to reboot their obsolete careers, old-school salesmen Billy (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Owen Wilson) talk their way into an internship program at the state-of-the-art Google campus, vying for a handful of spots among tech-savvy college students who are half their age and twice as smart. The competition is fiercely funny as Billy and Nick break all the rules in a hilarious quest to land their dream jobs!
Continue reading ‘The Internship (Blu-ray Review)’
November 6th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
Legendary cultural icon Bruce Lee continues to be an unstoppable force, unbeatable warrior and an unforgettable star. He is the very face of martial arts mastery, the inspiration for millions to walk an enlightened path and mentor to the greatest stars and fighters the world over. He became a hero to those who knew him in life and, following his death, a legend to all. Since his incredible rise to fame nearly five decades ago, audiences across the globe have been amazed by the supreme talents and undeniable charisma that make Lee such a beloved icon. Loyal fans, movie collectors, pop culture and martial arts enthusiasts will be treated to a whole new home entertainment experience to celebrate the life and brilliance of the late Bruce Lee when The Bruce Lee Legacy Collection 11-Disc Blu-ray+ DVD box set presentation from Shout! Factory. Three feature-length documentaries Bruce Lee: The Legend (and the original version Bruce Lee: The Man, The Legend), the critically acclaimed I Am Bruce Lee and The Grandmaster and the Dragon: William Cheung and Bruce Lee; a special bonus disc with hours of new bonus content exclusive to this set, and four DVDs of aforementioned action-packed classics. A fitting tribute and celebration in honor of the legend, these sumptuous offerings are collected in a deluxe book-style packaging, brimming with 68 pages of archival materials, rare and never-before-released photos, new essay on Lee’s amazing career, and much more! Continue reading ‘Bruce Lee: The Legacy Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
November 5th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
Twelve-year-old Cyril (Thomas Doret), all coiled anger and furious motion, is living in a group home but refuses to believe he has been rejected by his single father (
Summer Hours’ Jérémie Renier). He spends his days frantically trying to reach the man, over the phone or on his beloved bicycle. It is only the patience and compassion of Samantha (
Hereafter’s Cécile de France), the stranger who agrees to care for him, that offers the boy the chance to move on. Spare and unsentimental but deeply imbued with a heart-rending tenderness,
The Kid with a Bike is an arresting work from the great Belgian directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (
Rosetta), masters of the empathetic action film.
Continue reading ‘The Kid with a Bike: Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
November 4th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
Scream Factory’s latest dip into John Carpenter’s catalogue takes us back to the very beginning. Assault On Precinct 13 has already been released on Blu-ray, but this Collector’s Edition takes what was enjoyable about that release and enhances it to become the seminal version to have. John Carpenter’s first feature film shows much more than what you’d expect of what we’d come to expect from the legendary director. The film also holds up very well. If you’re an action fan, a fan of old Westerns or love stuff like the Die Hard movies and have never seen it, you’d do well to go back and revisit. Night of the Living Dead and “trapped horror” enthusiasts will appreciate it greatly too. It’s a suspense driven action film with simple stakes but high end intensity and edge of your seat entertainment. Once again, Scream Factory does very well by Carpenter, so let’s get into what makes this particular representation of one of his movies so great. Continue reading ‘Assault On Precinct 13 – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
November 2nd, 2013 by Brian White
Did the world really need this? Is the world even ready for this? Wasn’t 10+ hours of theatrical cuts (and even more with the extended editions) enough to sit through back in the day and again on Blu-ray? Are we ready for three more consecutive years of a tale that’s mainly self-contained in one book and a few appendices? Of course we are! We’re talking J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings after all. It’s like Star Wars and crack mixed together for fantasy nerds and geeks alike, including myself (not that I have ever partaken in the use of the said recreational drug). So prepare to usher in three butt numbing sessions, which started in 2012, resumes next month and ushers into 2014. There’s a whole new adventure hitting the silver screen…an unexpected journey so to speak…also presented theatrically in an “unexpected” frame rate as well. Of course I’m talking about Peter Jackson’s new, three-part, life consuming project, The Hobbit, beginning with An Unexpected Journey. Surely you heard of it?! Continue reading ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
November 2nd, 2013 by Brandon Peters
“Woah, didn’t this come out like two months ago?” says the ever so faithful Why So Blu? hardcore reader. Yes, yes it did. But, we actually didn’t acquire it for review until just this past week. So, it’s new to us! Rob Zombie’s Lords Of Salem was a film with an ever so soft release earlier in the year. It played as a festival film before that, looking for distribution. That distributor wound up being the wonderful Anchor Bay, and knowing the company it becomes understandable the light wide release it got. Also, Zombie released a novel adaptation of the film with it as well. I won’t be able to comment on that, as I’ve not read it. Why So Blu? colleagues Brian White and Gerard Iribe HAVE read said novel and maybe they’ll give their two cents on that in the comments. Luckily, it played here in Indianapolis, so I was able to see it on its theatrical run. And I think it’s actually beneficial that I’ve now been able to see this film twice this year. Continue reading ‘The Lords Of Salem (Blu-ray Review)’
November 2nd, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
The debut feature by the great Andrei Tarkovsky, Ivan’s Childhood is a poetic journey through the shards and shadows of one boy’s war-ravaged youth. Moving back and forth between the traumatic realities of World War II and serene moments of family life before the conflict began, Tarkovsky’s film remains one of the most jarring and unforgettable depictions of the impact of war on children. Continue reading ‘Ivan’s Childhood: Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
November 1st, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
Pixar’s landmark classic goes full throttle off the screen and into your living room for the first time ever in spectacular Blu-ray 3D! From the acclaimed creators of Toy Story, The Incredibles and Finding Nemo comes a high-octane adventure comedy that shows life is about the journey, not the finish line. Hotshot rookie racecar Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is living life in the fast lane until he hits a detour on his way to the most important race of his life. Stranded in Radiator Springs, a forgotten town on the old Route 66, he meets Sally, Mater, Doc Hudson (Paul Newman) and a variety of quirky characters who help him discover that there’s more to life than trophies and fame. Treat your crew to turbocharged entertainment with this Cars 3D Ultimate Collector’s Edition. It’s flat-out fun with a sensational soundtrack, thrilling bonus features and revved-up picture and sound! Continue reading ‘Cars 3D – Ultimate Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
October 30th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
The greatest fairy tale never told comes to life as never before in DreamWorks’ Shrek The Musical, the highly acclaimed Broadway production based on the smash-hit movie. Featuring a fantastic score of 17 all-new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and stars an amazing celebrated cast including Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), and John Tartaglia (Pinocchio). The film was shot live on Broadway with 10 cameras and directed by Michael Warren. Now you can bring the magic of Broadway to your home and get the best seat in the house the show that received eight 2009 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, winning Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley) and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Show Album as well. Continue reading ‘Shrek: The Musical – Deluxe Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
October 29th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
Ike Evans risks everything in a life and death battle to rid his Miramar Playa Hotel of the mob and Ben “The Butcher” Diamond. Ike’s dangerous plan to defeat Ben takes Ike from Havana’s glamorous casinos to dealings with a new devil – Ben’s boss in the Chicago Outfit. Ike’s wife Vera gets a second chance at her former dancing glory, while sons Stevie and Danny drift farther from Ike – Stevie toward the power and rewards of Ben’s dark world, Danny into the moral righteousness of State’s Attorney Jack Klein. Changes in Castro’s Cuba ripple to the shores of Miami Beach, and a new world order begins to tear the Evans family apart. Even if Ike’s long-shot gamble to take back his hotel succeeds, will the price of victory be too high? Continue reading ‘Magic City – The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray Review)’
October 27th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
In postwar Hong Kong, legendary Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man is reluctantly called into action once more. What began as simple challenges from rival kung fu schools soon finds him drawn into the dark and dangerous underworld of the Triads. Now, to defend life and honor, Ip Man has no choice but to fight – one last time. Well Go USA has brought Ip Man home on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital (VOD). I had seen the trailer for the film not too long ago, and thought it looked great, even for a PG-13 film. This review is for the Blu-ray edition, so let us see how Ip Man – The Final Fight stacks up in high definition. Continue reading ‘Ip Man – The Final Fight (Blu-ray Review)’
October 26th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
A super intelligent, super strong killer robot in the form of a female scientist is on the loose and it’s up to Gregory Hines to stop her. Its also a race to the finish as the robot has a ticking clock nuclear device set to go off inside of her. I really have no recollection of this film at all. However, this is the kind of film watching adventure that makes Scream Factory such a fun and exciting catalog of titles to explore. This little forgotten low budget sci fi action movie could definitely be a lost gem for some people. Now, the film is being resurrected and making the leap to Blu-ray for the first time. While not the greatest, this film is pretty fun and I think it’ll be an entertaining little discovery for those like me who don’t remember the film, let alone knew it existed in the first place. Continue reading ‘Eve Of Destruction (Blu-ray Review)’
October 25th, 2013 by Jami Ferguson
Embrace of the Vampire stars Sharon Hinnendael as Charlotte, a timid and sheltered teen who has just left an all-girls Catholic school for a new life at a co-ed university. But an ancient evil has followed her here, tormenting her with disturbing nightmares and tempting her with forbidden desires. It is a hunger that can only be satiated by sensual pleasures of the flesh…and a thirst for blood. It’s a battle for her soul… and one she’s losing. But Charlotte is a fighter. The chaos and torment threatens to unleash her own inner beast, and anyone even close to her may find themselves embracing their own horrific fate. Embrace of the Vampire is a remake of the 1995 horror flick of the same name. I haven’t seen the original and I can’t speak about how true to it’s predecessor this film is, but I can say that the 2013 version doesn’t make me want to go back and watch the first film. Continue reading ‘Embrace of the Vampire Unrated + DVD Combo Pack (Blu-ray Review)’
October 24th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
John Carpenter’s Body Bags is a an oft forgotten film of his and horror anthology. It was a Showtime movie back in 1993, back when it wasn’t as “cool” to have an original idea on Showtime (Showtime did do Psycho IV as well). In Carpenter’s mind, this was a one shot. But Showtime wanted this to go to series and be their Tales From The Crypt. Carpenter got his way as he didn’t want involved in it if it was going to go to Canada and not shoot in LA. The film itself has been pretty nonexistent in the home media form for over a decade. There was a DVD release from Artisan at the turn of the century but that went out of print rather quickly and Artisan went out of business as well. Thankfully, saving the day as always, is Scream Factory, who gives this film a treatment we never thought possible. And this is a film that upon looking back, is actually deserving. It’s a fun little movie that I think people have forgotten and will be pleasantly surprised when venturing back to it. Continue reading ‘John Carpenter’s Body Bags – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
October 21st, 2013 by Brandon Peters
2013’s highest grossing live action comedy hits Blu-ray in a release loaded with extra humor. Paul Feig follows up his smashing success Bridesmaids with another female driven comedy, this time taking on the buddy cop genre. Up until the recent opening weekend of Gravity, The Heat was Sandra Bullock’s highest grossing weekend of all time. The opening weekend was quite the eye opener, improving upon Bridesmaids opening weekend significantly. But, then again, adding the undeniable star power of Sandra Bullock and rising stock of Melissa McCarthy can give something its extra bump. The film deemed quite popular among moviegoers, finishing as the summer’s 8th highest grosser and just until this past weekend, top 10 for the year. Say what you will about the film’s quality, it proved big enough a success that we’ll be seeing The Heat 2: Your Sister Is A NARC Cop sometime in the next few years. Continue reading ‘The Heat (Blu-Ray Review)’
