Tenet (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
One of the supposed theatrical events of the year became about as tricky to market, release, and watch as it was to make. Christopher Nolan’s Tenet went from being one of the year’s most anticipated films to a supposed savior of the movie theater experience to something of a muted punchline. Little of this actually reflects on the film’s quality, a globetrotting sci-fi action flick, which I found to be quite enjoyable, and no doubt a work of art when it comes to the technical prowess on display. While many could not experience Tenet in its intended 70mm IMAX experience form, there is, fortunately, a terrific 4K UHD Blu-ray experience that easily delivers the thrilling action ride many are hoping for at home.
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Following up one of the best, most popular and acclaimed television series of all time is a tall task. After five seasons, Better Call Saul has made it look so easy. This penultimate season was delayed due to actor scheduling because they wanted to get the show “right” or how they intended it to go. And of course it was very much worth waiting some extra months. Sony has released the season on Blu-ray, as it came out on November 24th. My review is late as the review copies were delayed. Did everyone who purchased it receive it on time? I’m curious to know if this was a widespread delay on the disc. It comes with commentaries on every episode as well as featurettes that are both VERY insightful as well as just plain fun. Ordering it is as easy as clicking the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
One of Paramount’s most exciting releases this year is Francis Ford Coppola’s revisiting of The Godfather, Part III with a brand new cut entitled The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone. This is coupled with a theatrical release for the revisited edit (Stay at home, folks). Surprisingly, this didn’t get a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray release, nor was it branded on the Paramount Presents line. Luckily, shortly after this announcement, word was given that The Godfather films would be coming to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray next year in a new set. Here’s hoping this revisited edition of the third film is not only included in that set, but also in a true 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray presentation. The Blu-ray for the film released on December 8th, and the Day 1 price is actually pretty darn good just for those curious in checking it out. You can order yourself a copy of the Blu-ray for The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone by using the paid Amazon Associates link below.
Blade’s a very nice pick from Warner Bros to push to the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray for an upgrade. It seems sort of random, being that its now turned 22, but anytime is a good time for a 4K Blade. One wishes that they had just done the trilogy and put that out. Maybe this will be like The Matrix a few years back where the first one came out and then months later they did a full set. Though, it they want to put out just the second one and take their time with the third, I’ll be fine and understand. There aren’t any new bonus features, but they have given the film an upgrade in the audio department with a bursting new Atmos track. This was released back on December 1st. You can order using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
Fans of Hammer Horror have been waiting and wondering for many years now as to where one of them most seminal films in the catalog was on Blu-ray. The Curse of Frankenstein is literally considered “the one that started it all”. Warner Bros held the rights and wasn’t putting it out, leading collectors to seek the film out overseas to satisfy their shelves. Two years ago, Horror of Dracula was released and many thought surely it was around the corner. Indeed it was, just not as quickly as we’d hoped. However, Warner Archive Collection decided to go above and beyond their normal call of duty here with this one featuring a new 4K transfer and bonus features made for this release. If it goes well, they’ve told us to expect more releases similar to this one. If you’re a collector or support the efforts of Warner Archive Collection, be sure to pre-order this one as to show them that this is the kind of thing you want from them more often!
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Warner Bros has lay upon us one of the finest motion picture trilogies of all time as Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy is bestowed upon us. There have been strategies as to how this movies have been rolled out on both DVD and Blu-ray. 4K looks no different. Typically, the theatrical edits of the films have broken the seal with the extended coming later down the line. For 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, we are getting both theatrical and extended right out the gate, but with the bonus features promised to coming sometime next year in 2021. It isn’t complete void of them (See the “Extras” section about that), but physically speaking you are getting straight up 4K discs of the movies here in some standard packaging and that’s it. Hardcore fandom may want to wait, but for someone like me who enjoys them but who’s just cool with owning the movies, this may be the way to go. The Lord of the Rings, along with The Hobbit films are available now (released December 1st). 
Well, it finally happened… We finally have Top Gun in 4K. And now also, we finally get the earlier promised steenbok, too! The iconic action classic finally hits home in the best way to watch films at home. The sights, the sounds, the sweat, the soundtrack. The film is a cultural standpoint for blockbuster filmmaking. There is something special that radiates through this movie that is almost unexplainable. At one point, this was a film I avoided like the plague. Does the film still hold up? How about the transfer? Let’s go in depth below, and don’t forget to click the paid link at the bottom to order your copy of Top Gun 4K Steelbook, available now!
Paramount Presents is fast becoming a favorite catalog collection for me. Some releases are out of the box while others are lovingly reissued in a more deluxe way. While sometimes the features leave a little to be desired, often the new masters make the discs well worth the purchase. With Eddie Murphy’s classics Trading Places and The Golden Child being added to the line this week, I feel like a kid in a candy store. Like Coming To America, Trading Places is also a member of my 100+ viewing club. I can recite the film line for line and still find so much joy in all the classic scenes. Does it stand up now that Paramount has given it the “presents” treatment? Read on below and snag your copy by clicking the paid link at the end!
More Cruise in 4K? Many an enthusiast is probably so excited for Collateral on 4K Blu-ray. I remember my reaction to the film initially being cool. Does the Cruise/Jamie Foxx/Michael Mann mixture work now 16 years later? Check out more with this in-depth review and click the paid link at the end to get your copy of Collateral being released on December 8th!
Coming to America goes on a short list of films I’ve seen over 100 times. This is a film that captures irreverent humor and imminent sweetness in equal doses. This is also the first time the world was given the opportunity to see Eddie Murphy at the height of his powers taking on a romantic lead, but also being tasked with the challenge of taking on different roles under still brilliant makeup work. When the announcement was made that Paramount was bringing some classic Eddie films to 4K and Paramount Presents Blu-ray, this title was the one I was most anxious to check out. Read my thoughts and appreciations in-depth below and be sure to click the paid links at the end to get your copy of Coming to America!
Perry Mason arrived with quite a buzz to HBO Max at launch. Each week, my writing colleagues would be abuzz about the next episode, keeping things exciting and still spoiler free. Me being the physical media purist I strive to be, I waited until this awesome new Blu-ray set arrived to check the series out. Does it hold up to the buzz and the reaction? Is it a victim of the retread blues? Check out my thoughts below and be sure to click the paid link at the end to order your copy!
AH HA! Earlier this year, Paramount release The Beverly Hills Cop Trilogy to standard Blu-ray. It marked the first time the sequels were released on Blu-ray in the United States and boasted new 4K transfers for every film. We all wondered why not a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray release of them, then? Well, Paramount heard us, or the dollars were there for that trilogy set to suggest they knew we loved these movies. So, here we are 11 months later and the original film is getting the upgrade! Hell yeah! I’m okay with that. Its arriving with the same bonus features and audio, just the films 4K restoration is now in its native form. I’m very excited that it is a part of this Eddie Murphy celebration that Paramount is seemingly having on December 1st! You’ll find reviews coming for Coming To America 4K and the Paramount Presents for Trading Places and The Golden Child in the coming weeks on this very site. But, let’s kick things off with some Axel F! Pre-order available from the paid Amazon Associates link below.
One of the many odd titles never on Blu-ray before was Robert Altman’s contribution to the comic book movie lexicon in 1980’s Popeye. Sure, the film isn’t perfect, but its had a legacy of being remembered and stars the late and great screen legend Robin Williams in its titular role. Turning 40 years old, Paramount has now given it the green light for Blu-ray. Surprisingly, this would seem fit for the Paramount Presents label having never been released before and getting new supplemental features, but alas its getting regular release. Kindly enough, its debut price is of the most generous variety – $9.99 at the time of this review. Popeye: 40th Anniversary Edition will arrive (maybe) on shelves and in online stores December 1st.
Whether its movies or the TV series, I consider myself a Mission: Impossible fan. Its one of the best contributions we had from the spy fantasy entertainment phenomenon that took the 1960s by storm. With the breath of life and determination of one Tom Cruise, the series has maintained a pop culture staple for 54 years and counting. We have two more films still on the horizon from the current movie run. Paramount has left the television series absent from Blu-ray until now. On December 1st, they will be releasing every episode from the original 7 season run of the show on Blu-ray for the first time. Despite the massive 46 disc boxed effort, unfortunately no bonus features new or old are coming with it. That’s a damn shame, considering some already do exist. However, at this juncture I suppose we need to be grateful they have restored them and keep them living to die another day in a different format. Pre-orders are available now via the paid Amazon Associates link at the bottom of the review.
During my first year working in DVD quality control, one of the coolest things we worked on were the Warner Bros sets of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection. These things were a master class on the shorts, coming with great bonus material, conversations about racially insensitive material and more. Top to bottom, an entertainment and education in Looney Tunes. They were a hot item too and are now largely out of print. With Blu-ray, Bugs Bunny, Taz, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Wiley E. Coyote and the gang have been quite absent. Now, to celebrate the 80th birthday for Bugs Bunny, the first step has been made. In the Bugs Bunny: 80th Anniversary Collection, 60 original shorts have been restored proper to go with a new documentary, bonus cartoons and much more in this excellent box set from Warner Bros that includes an exclusive Funko Pop. Fans can only hope that maybe they take a character by character approach and a Daffy Duck or Roadrunner set could be on the horizon. This arrives December 1st and can be pre-ordered now from the paid Amazon Associates link below!
