Amores Perros – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)
Bursting onto the scene in 2000, after spending years as a radio DJ, Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s first film, Amores Perros, is an exceedingly confident debut, which melded together three stories, all linked by one defining moment, and greater themes connected to life, along with the presence of dogs. The Criterion Collection has done all they could to deliver a release fitting of the power Iñárritu’s crime drama hold, complete with a brand new 4K digital restoration, a new 5.1 lossless soundtrack, and a great collection of extras. Those who own or love dogs will still have a lot of stress to concern themselves with (though none were actually harmed), but Amores Perros is an excellent film given a proper Criterion upgrade.
Continue reading ‘Amores Perros – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
Chernobyl made its 4K UHD Blu-ray debut at the beginning of December. However, as Lethal Weapon character Martin Riggs would say “It’s the silly season” and with my day job and other commitments keeping me busy I wasn’t able to watch thee miniseries as quickly as I’d like. But no worry, as I have for you here my in depth look at Chernobyl. Be sure to check for the paid link below to order your copy
As railroads started bringing scores of passengers—most importantly, businessmen and families with money, natch—into the southwestern United States, it quickly became apparent to enterprising sorts that catering to those weary commuters would be good business. Fred Harvey did just that with his Harvey House Restaurants in the late 19th century, promising good food, a clean place to relax, and efficient yet polite and attractive servers, which sounded like heaven to anyone stuck on a train for lengthy periods. So named The Harvey Girls, these young women tweaked the adage of “Go west, young man” before taking it to heart. They were able to make an honest living on their own and stay in a safe, chaperoned home with other women, which was no small thing for unmarried ladies during the transition away from the “wild” part of the Wild West.
The werewolf sub-genre of horror is quite possibly one of the more frequently explored and quite possibly the one that tends to entice rather easily. Some can take it in a new direction, some can have impressive make-up work and some can be notable if just for a moment in the film. The Wolf of Snow Hollow brings another new and interesting take to the table as it balances as both a comedy and horror film. Its also notable for being one of the final performances and films from the late, great Robert Forster. Warner Bros is giving it a nice Blu-ray release after a little bit of a small theatrical and VOD run this past fall. It comes with some numerous, but fluffy and short bonus materials to make for a pretty nice overall package. The Wolf of Snow Hollow releases to the format on December 15th, and you can order yourself a copy using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
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!
