The King’s Man (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
It feels like it too forever for Matthews Vaughn’s prequel to his successful Kingsman series, The King’s Man, to finally release. I remember seeing the trailer for it and 1917 back to back a lot in the winter of 2019. Low and behold it wouldn’t arrive until 2 years later in cause of the pandemic. And while I tired of seeing the trailer at pretty much every film I attended in 2021, there was still a desire to see the film. Unfortunately, with the load of quality material coming out in the Christmas holiday window, it was a low priority. But now, in the enjoyment of my own home, I’ve seen it on this 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray which is now available (Release date: February 22nd) and comes with Dolby Atmos sound and a feature length making of documentary. You can order the film now using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
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Dystopian fantasy in a family film… Can it be done? Should it be done? Has the subgenre of dystopia been overdone? Are we ready to see what happens when we rely so heavily on technology? Didn’t we ignore that same scenario in Wall-E? What about the kids? Will they even understand the situation or just go “ooohhh… pretty colors…”. All of these questions and more are answered below in my coverage of The Mitchells Vs. The Machines. Be sure to click the paid link at the end to get a great deal on a copy for yourself! Also, yes, I know this review is ultra-late. Life has happened, but I hope this review is worth the wait.
On February 22nd, a big bucket list title for horror fans and cult cinema lovers is about to get scratched off the ‘ol wishlist for Blu-rays. And not only that, its taking care of the next format, 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, while its at it. Lewis Teague’s Alligator, starring Robert Forster and Robin Riker, makes its debut as a Scream Factory Collector’s Edition after many, many years of being in demand for SOMEONE to put it out. This release features a 4K restoration from the original camera negative as well as the TV cut of the film. Its loaded with great new interviews, including production assistant Bryan Cranston. This 3-disc set is going to be a great collector’s item and one to nab up and own while you can. Its available to pre-order on the Shout! Factory website as well as the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
Warner Archive is bringing one of the many takes on a legendary tale to Blu-ray this month. Even in 1948, The Three Musketeers had already been adapted countless times, but with this George Sidney directed affair came some major star power both of the time and looking at it in the rear view. Warner Archive Collection’s Blu-ray debut features a handful of fun extras and a new 4K scan of the original nitrate technicolor negatives to showcase and bolster this disc. You’ll find it released on February 15th. Pre-ordering is already available and you can do so by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows this review.
For Jazz enthusiasts and those in the music industry, the name Bob James rings true with that of an accomplished musician and composer. For the unfamiliar, it likely sounds as the most common of names. Rest assured that his accomplishments and skill are not of the common variety though. The 4k UHD Blu-ray release, 
The MCU has spent 2021 back in full swing, releasing four films…well…considering end credits scenes, do we count Venom: Let There Be Carnage as five? One of the more anticipated and mysterious films of the bunch was Eternals. The film promised a more complete filmmaker vision from that of Academy Award winner Chloe Zhao to go along with a bunch of character that, lets be honest, nobody really knew who they are. The film didn’t grab your typical Marvel fare by garnering mixed reviews and underwhelming box office. Nonetheless, being different will certainly do that to some films and it appears Marvel is no exception. Its already been on Disney+, but you’ll be able to add it to your home video collection when it arrives on February 15th (Sorry Valentine’s Day gifts). You can order the film by using the paid Amazon Associates link below.
Disney’s latest animated effort, Encanto, has been available in homes since December 24th on Disney+, but physcial ownership is just now around the corner. On February 8th, they’ll be releasing their latest animated musical on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray with a nice host of extras and Atmos surround. While box office numbers weren’t up to snuff with what they may have liked, the legacy of the film surely will carry with its popularity readily apparent if you check social media or talk to any parent. It’ll come with a digital copy to give you more options that Disney plus in the streaming land. You can order yourself a copy using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review. Remember to tell them Bruno sent you. Or wait. On second thought, we don’t talk about Bruno. Tell them Brandon sent you.
One of 2021’s most interesting additions to film came from the past, in the form of Peter Jackson’s ambitious undertaking of putting together all of The Beatles’ footage from the sessions of what would later become the film and album Let It Be. Originally to be a theatrical film released, it wound up being a Thanksgiving weekend streaming release on Disney+ in a 3 part docu-series (I still say its a film). Now its offering the opportunity of ownership for those that collect and want the true comfort of ownership for this piece of history. Releasing on February 8th in a collectible packaging with some cards on standard Blu-ray, that’s your opportunity. Its 3 discs with no bonus features, but the film itself is honestly like a 6 hour bonus feature itself. You can order yourself a copy by using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
Back in 2016, Universal pleased us Hammer Horror fans with the 8-Film Collection set. Beggars could not be choosers in that time. So an incorrect aspect ratio, “good enough” picture quality and no extras had to just be accepted. In 2022, Scream Factory will have completed a full-on revamp of that entire set with Collector’s Editions of every single film. Significant improvements in every aspect have made these such wonderful releases and easy to double dip on and buy as individual titles. This year starts of the three remaining with the Oliver Reed starring Paranoiac. It includes a new transfer and some new interviews and commentary track. The release date is February 8th and you can pre-order it now using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review. Still to come are Nightmare in March and Night Creatures in April.
Stage Fright marks an exciting time in the catalog of Alfred Hitchcock on Blu-ray. The debut of it on Blu-ray means that realistically, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is the only film remaining to be released on Blu-ray. At the very least, its the last of his American output and the last that Warner has in their vault to transfer over to Blu-ray. A few years ago, it seemed like they were rolling out the remainder of his films they carried distribution rights to, but they stopped shy of Stage Fright and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Well, half that is taken care of now as Stage Fright will make its Blu-ray debut on January 25th. Included with the films new 4K transfer is a featurette looking at the making of the film and the original theatrical trailer. Surely, an exciting release for any Hitchock fan. You can order yourself a copy by using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
Celebrating 30 years in 2022 is the directorial debut of Ernest R. Dickerson, Juice. The film also gave us the break outs of Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps while boasting a killer soundtrack and gut punching coming of age story that found itself among a pack of films covering similar territory in the early 90s. Paramount is celebrating this milestone with the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray debut of the film. Released on January 11, this new release carries over everything from the 25th anniversary and displays the film’s 4K transfer proper. No Blu-ray disc comes with it but a redeemable digital code is included. You can order yourself a copy of Juice – 30th Anniversary Edition by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
Pandemic and simultaneous with streaming platform (Peacock) release be damned, Michael Myers still proved to be a killer shark at the box office this past fall. Despite a vocal minority seemingly perplexed by the film, it still waged on and almost made $100 million domestically at the box office, proving to be the second highest grossing film in the 12 entries and counting, 44 year old slasher series. It has arrived on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, released on January 11th, with an extended cut of the film that features an alternate ending. Unlike its predecessor, there are a lot more featurettes and the like on this disc. Also setting it apart, it has a Dolby Atmos track to fill out your room and ceiling. You can order yourself a copy of this divisive Michael Myers terrorizes Haddonfield Halloween movie by using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
Cleaning house with Why So Blu’s 2021 Top Ten lists, Dune might just be the one film we all strongly agreed on here at the site. And we are not alone in our love for one of the most impressive spectacles of the theater-going experience in the last year. Spoiling my review ahead, it absolutely winds up translating here to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray which is another bit of Denis Villeneuve’s impressive talents, whether it be his preference to how people view the film or not (Which, I argue most of these “MUST BE SEEN IN THE THEATER TYPES” strictly are meaning for your first time and if that’s the best available offering). You can now own the film on the current best way to view it, 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, having released on January 11th. It comes with a quaking Atmos tracks and some solid extras to fill out the experience. If you so please and haven’t done so yet, you can order Dune using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
For a few years now, Scream Factory has become the premiere spot for cranking out the Hammer Horror catalog onto Blu-ay. Long releasing at miniscule efforts, since they’ve stepped in, both the quantity and quality of what is coming from the history of one of horror’s most legendary studios has been a relief and a joy to collect. Its even inspired other smaller distributors and studios to up their game, seeing as (duh) its a brand and catalog collector’s are wanting. Though much prior to this, and during their first year of existence, The Vampire Lovers (correct me if I’m wrong) was the first Hammer title put out by the distributor. They are now revisiting it with not only brand new featurettes and a commentary, but a 4K scan of the original negative to boot. Having done Lust for a Vampire in a Collector’s Edition recently, this now has 2/3 of the Karnstein trilogy under the Scream Factory banner. This title released on December 21st and you can order it using the paid Amazon Associates link below. 
