Quantcast

Archive for the 'Blu-ray Reviews' Category

Gattaca – Steelbook (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

A nice surprise from the continued quality output from Sony, was their restoration and release of the cult classic science fiction film Gattaca. Its not hitting a celebratory milestone until next year (Released in 1997, it’ll celebrate 25 years in 2022). The Andrew Niccol film has long been popular on home video since the days of VHS, so its no surprise it will continue to make format jumps with a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray released. Unfortunately, no new bonus materials are being included but the old ones are being ported over. Gattaca has been given a new restoration as well as an Atmos audio mix for this release. In its first iteration, the film will be put into collectible steelbook packaging with some rather groovy orange art. Released on March 23, you can order the film to upgrade your previous disc and add to your collection by using the trusty paid Amazon Associates link at the bottom of this page following the review.
Continue reading ‘Gattaca – Steelbook (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’

Share

The Ten Commandments (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

Ten CommandmentsThroughout film history, Hollywood has produced a number of sweeping epics and generation-defining movies. However, one film – Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments – has stood the test of time. Universally recognized among critics as a cinematic masterpiece, this unforgettable motion picture has also been recognized by The American Film Institute as one of the “Top Ten” epics of all time. From its Academy Award-winning director* and revolutionary Oscar-winning special effects** to its memorable music score and all-star cast, The Ten Commandments presents the story of Moses in all of its stunning glory. Starring Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter and a “who’s who” of legendary screen talent, the film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture of 1956***. The Ten Commandments 4K UHD Blu-ray is available now! Continue reading ‘The Ten Commandments (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

Kingsglaive UHD Blu-rayThe magical kingdom of Lucis is home to the sacred Crystal, and the menacing empire of Niflheim is determined to steal it. King Regis of Lucis (Sean Bean) commands an elite force of soldiers called the Kingsglaive. Wielding their king’s magic, Nyx (Aaron Paul) and his fellow soldiers fight to protect Lucis. As the overwhelming military might of the empire bears down, King Regis is faced with an impossible ultimatum – to marry his son, Prince Noctis to Princess Lunafreya of Tenebrae (Lena Headey), captive of Niflheim, and surrender his lands to the empire’s rule. Although the king concedes, it becomes clear that the empire will stop at nothing to achieve their devious goals, with only the Kingsglaive standing between them and world domination. Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV is now available on 4K UHD Blu-ray! Continue reading ‘Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Defending Your Life – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)

I don’t exactly keep a list of films I need to have on Blu-ray (let alone 4K), but Albert Brooks’ wonderful afterlife romantic-comedy-fantasy film, Defending Your Life, is one I’ve been waiting for a long time to have. Now, not unlike the way the Criterion Collection finally delivered my long-sought-after Ghost Dog Blu-ray, I know have Defending Your Life available in a seemingly definitive home release, and it does not disappoint. Featuring a new 4K digital restoration and a nice collection of extras, one of my favorite movies has been given fine treatment in its after-theatrical life.

Continue reading ‘Defending Your Life – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Monster Hunter (4K Blu-ray Review)

Monster Hunter quietly appeared in homes just before the new year.  With the pandemic seemingly never ending, viewers got a little escape into a not-so-distant future with a fun and escapist fantasy action film.  Does the film stand up to others in its field.  Do Paul W.S. Anderson and his wife and muse Milla Jovavich deliver the goods? Or are we just watching “Resident Evil: Monsters too!” Find out more in our super late coverage below and grab your copy using the paid link at the end!

Continue reading ‘Monster Hunter (4K Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Godzilla (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

In the time since 2014’s Godzilla hit theaters, I’ve only come to appreciate the film more. Set against other Hollywood tentpoles in the years since, while there have been some truly wonderful highlights (Mad Max: Fury Road is the clearest example), it’s the top tier blockbuster filmmaking and unique vision that easily guides one of the oldest of franchises to the top in terms of well-staged delivery. Now the film has finally received its 4K UHD Blu-ray, just in time for the release of Legendary’s epic monster event, Godzilla vs. Kong, and this release does not fail to impress. So, once again, let them fight.

Continue reading ‘Godzilla (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Promising Young Woman (Blu-ray Review)

Now nominated for many prestigious Academy Awards (including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Editing), Promising Young Woman has arrived on Blu-ray. The film has crafted lots of worthwhile praise as well as conversation in this strongly voiced film. This Blu-ray release has brought on the unfortunate conversation about crappy cover art, which I cannot argue with. The film garnered some really cool art and they went with a pretty garbage, generic image to represent this powerful film. Regardless, its getting a commentary and a couple quick featurettes to expand the experience on physical media. It arrived on March 16th and you can order it using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.

.
Continue reading ‘Promising Young Woman (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Isle Of The Dead (Blu-ray Review)

At the end of the month, Warner Archive Collection will debut the Val Lewton produced Boris Karloff horror classic Isle Of The Dead. This was almost released by Scream Factory not too long ago, but the release wound up abandoned with no real clear explanation. Perhaps restoration was too costly, or maybe Warner Bros wanted to do it on their own. Nonetheless, here it is finally. And its had a glorious 4K restoration done to it. There are even a couple of bonus features here as well. Many are excited about this release and they likely won’t be leaving or purchasing it with any disappointment. You can pre-order it now to lock yourself in for a copy when it arrives on March 30th. There is a paid Amazon Associates link below you can use, should you want to help out the site a tad.

.
Continue reading ‘Isle Of The Dead (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Crossfire (Blu-ray Review)

Warner Archive Collection will be unveiling Edward Dmytryk film Crossfire to Blu-ray for the first time this month. Considered one of the peak film noir movies of the hey dey for the genre, it garnered itself five Academy Award nominations. All of which were in the major categories; Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. They’ve also done a brand new 4K restoration for this release, coming from the original camera negative. A commentary and an archival featurette accompany the film on the disc. Crossfire will be coming out on March 16th. Pre-orders are up now and you can do such by clicking the pad Amazon Associates link following the review.

.
Continue reading ‘Crossfire (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Running Time (Blu-ray Review)

vAs big a Bruce Campbell fanatic as I was back in the 1990s, when Synapse Films announced they were releasing his starring film Running Time on Blu-ray for the first time, I had no idea what it was. Awareness wasn’t what it was back then, there was no social media and only a few news sites. Not like we are today with loaded marketing sites masquerading as “news” where we know about everything all time time. Big or small. Nonetheless, I was excited to check it out. Synapse has restored it in 2K and also put a new interview with Bruce Campbell on the disc. Its their first release in a while. It’ll be available on March 16th. But, you can pre-order it now if you so please. And one way to do so is by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows this review. You can also order it straight from Synapse Films by going to their site.

.
Continue reading ‘Running Time (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Harley Quinn: The Complete First And Second Season (Blu-ray Review)

Well, look at that everyone, wishes have been granted and wrongs have been righted as Warner Archive Collection brings Harley Quinn: The Complete First And Second Seasons to Blu-ray! You’ll remember last year I reviewed the DVD for the show which airs in HD on HBO MAX (And formerly the DC Comics streaming service where it had began). And what a joy as Season 2 of the show continues the goodwill from the first season and escalates it to an even greater quality. Seriously, this show is hilarious and the second season even had a bit that was very Monty Python-esque. To which, I have to give it major props. This one is available already, as it came out on February 16th. You can order it from the paid Amazon link below, and it truly gets my recommend. I’ll definitely eat crow on this series, that when it was announced I shrugged. Consider me a big fan!

.
Continue reading ‘Harley Quinn: The Complete First And Second Season (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Rick And Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-4 (Blu-ray Review)

While we eagerly await the next batch of Rick and Morty episodes to be unleashed upon the world, we can always revisit them. Some of you do that OnDemand or by way of Hulu. But us cool kids revisit it on Blu-ray with all the bonus goodies and commentaries. Rick and Morty have had some terrific Blu-ray releases over its 4 seasons. And now, instead of buying them all separate or buying the Seasons 1-3 set and Season 4 together, you can buy all 4 seasons in one fell swoop with Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-4 set. No, nothing new in terms of extras or added presentation. But, you do get some new artwork, shelf space saved and sweet poster for you grandmother’s basement’s wall. This set will be available on March 2nd, but you can pre-order it now to have it for or around the day it releases. You can also used the paid Amazon Associate’s link following the review to do so. If you’re the kind, thoughtful type (Sorry about the grandmother’s basement joke. I’m sure she keeps it tidy for you).
Continue reading ‘Rick And Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-4 (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

She’s Having A Baby (Blu-ray Review)

Through a 5-film Blu-ray collection, Paramount is filling in some gaps in the John Hughes filmography on the format.  Like Some Kind of Wonderful, 1988’s She’s Having A Baby is getting is time in the Blu-ray spotlight finally with this new set as well.  Sadly, no new bonus materials have been done for this one, however, there’s a terrific interview that star Kevin Bacon did with John Hughes from around the time this film came out that is included here (Or ported over).  She’s Having A Baby (I feel like this title needs to be super expressive when you say it) is is another blind spot in my John Hughes watching, so I’m happy to be tackling it on a good format for this review.  You can own the film as part of the John Hughes 5-Movie Collection (Which also has Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Some Kind of Wonderful) when it arrives February 23rd. Its available for pre-order using the paid Amazon Associate’s link following the review.
Continue reading ‘She’s Having A Baby (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Some Kind Of Wonderful (Blu-ray Review)

Through a 5-film Blu-ray collection, Paramount is filling in some gaps in the John Hughes filmography on the format. One of those is the 1987 film Some Kind of Wonderful. Deemed as a response to Pretty In Pink, the film has not made the jump from DVD since it debuted in 2002 (And had a Special Edition in 2006). Conveniently enough, in this same set it is packaged with the Paramount Presents edition of Pretty In Pink that came out last year (A debut on Blu-ray itself). Luckily, thanks to that, they have a new bonus feature of Howard Deutch talking about the film. You can own the film as part of the John Hughes 5-Movie Collection (Which also has Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and She’s Having A Baby) when it arrives February 23rd. Its available for pre-order using the paid Amazon Associate’s link following the review. Continue reading ‘Some Kind Of Wonderful (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Archenemy (Blu-ray Review)

Archenemy Blu-rayMax Fist (Joe Manganiello) is a local drunk who claims to be a superhero from the planet Chromium. He tells anyone who will listen that he was pulled into a wormhole, falling through time and space, and dropped to earth without any of his powers. No one pays any attention to Max except a teenager named Hamster (Skylan Brooks) who can’t get enough of Max’s stories. When Hamster and his sister (Zolee Griggs) get in trouble with a vicious drug syndicate led by The Manager (Glenn Howerton), Max takes to the streets as a brutal vigilante hellbent on proving himself as the hero no one believes him to be. Archenemy is out on Blu-ray February 16, 2021! Continue reading ‘Archenemy (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Random Acts of Violence (Blu-ray Review)

Random Acts Violence Blu-rayRandom Acts of Violence on Blu-ray is set to arrive this week, so how was it? Read the summary: “Comic book creator Todd Walkley, his wife, assistant and best friend, are heading to NYC Comic Con when bad things start to happen—people start getting killed. It soon becomes clear that a crazed fan is using his “SLASHERMAN” comic as inspiration for the killings. And as the bodies pile up, and Todd’s friends become victims themselves, he is forced to face the killer and put an end to his notorious comic once and for all.” Random Acts of Violence is released on Blu-ray February 16, 2021! Continue reading ‘Random Acts of Violence (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Lovecraft Country: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray Review)

In the midst of everything going on in 2020, HBO dropped Lovecraft Country during the summer, and it was a wild trip of a series. Not being aware of Matt Ruff’s 2016 novel at the time, the idea of seeing a story inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft and flipping them on their head by placing black protagonists at the center of all the action was wild. On top of that, producers Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams working with fellow producer and showrunner Misha Green, meant HBO was ready to a series that could have what was needed to deliver on this ambitious series visually and without the restraint. Now the complete first season is available on Blu-ray, and it continues to look and sound great and features several extras to help round out this package.

Continue reading ‘Lovecraft Country: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray Review)’

Share

Chop Shop – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)

For February, the Criterion Collection has decided to honor filmmaker Ramin Bahrani by releasing his first two features on brand-new Blu-rays. Bahrani’s second feature, 2007’s Chop Shop, expands on what he was able to accomplish with Man Push Cart. Already settled into a filmmaking style reminiscent of Italian Neorealism, Bahrani’s sophomore effort tells another deeply felt story about human struggle, focusing on even younger characters and the ongoing struggles they have in trying to stay ahead of their station in life. Thanks to Criterion, the highly praised film now has a new life on a home format to be rediscovered as one of the great indie gems of the 00s, complete with new extras and a remastered audio track.

Continue reading ‘Chop Shop – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)’

Share