Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping – Steelbook Edition (Blu-ray Review)
Shout Factory has been putting out some exclusive steelbook releases of films the last couple years to sort of add to their collection. A surprising one to many once it was announced/unveiled last year, was that they would be putting out 2016’s Lonely Island film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. One, it was a a super recent movie for Shout! Factory to be getting their hands on and two, the original release from Universal was already stacked to the max with bonus features and had a terrific transfer. What more could be done? Well, Shout! Factory agrees with you as the exclusivity of this is squarely on the steelbook packaging. Aside from a Shout! Factory logo seen at the disc’s startup, everything is the exact same. But, you gotta admit that steelbook artwork IS pretty killer. You can pre-order it from the Shout! Factory website or by using the Amazon link below (Which goes to benefit Why So Blu’s Associate’s account).
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We’ve been covering the Fast & Furious films on the site ever since part six with my reviews of the eighth 
Synapse Films went back in the Italian fold last month (October) by releasing one the more cult of cult items when it comes to the Giallo sub-genre of horror, Watch Me When I Kill. The 1977 Antonio Bido thriller starring Franco Citti, Fernando Cerulli, Giuseppe Addobbati, Gianfranco Bullo, and Jill Pratt finds itself getting a luscious 4K make-over with a brand new transfer from the original negatives of the film. In addition to the many bonus features stamped on the disc (I’m not sure if they are new or if some are ported over from a previous DVD release as I am a newbie when it comes to Watch Me When I Kill), the soundtrack from the film featuring the prog-rock band Trans-Europa Express is included. You can find the film available from Synapse Films, Diabolik DVD or any online retailer really, including Amazon where a link is readily available for your click (Which I am now obligated to tell you nets me a very small percentage of the purchase).
Warner Archive Collection is a brand to follow when it comes to physical media releases. Rivaling that of reveals from Arrow Video, Criterion Collection and Vinegar Syndrome, we know when in the month that their upcoming titles will be announced but what they will be is an intriguing mystery. And given how large the catalog of Warner Bros (And New Line) is, it could be any number of things. Being that its October, horror is the overwhelming theme with the Blu-ray titles. Rounding out my series of reviews for their October titles is the 1973 made for television movie Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark starring Kim Darby (The mom from Better Off Dead AND from Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers). This one became available on October 22nd. You can order from the link below (Which, I’m obligated to tell you, nets me a very small percentage).
To be honest with you, I’m not too sure I’ve seen very many Japanese zombie films. As a matter of fact, in terms of a pure, traditional walking dead classic that number is likely zero. While sure, we’ve been oversaturated like hell with the horror sub genre over the last 15 years or so to the tune where we have multiple television shows no where we can watching the brain cravers go at humans in a myriad of different ways and tones, something like Undertaker did peak my interest just a little when it came across my desk here at the home offices of Why So Blu following our annual Halloween party festivities (I can’t believe Gerard went as Mike Banning AGAIN!). The film dropped on Blu-ray from Synapse Films on October 29th, and you’re able to snag a copy if you go to the Amazon link (Yes I do make fat extremely small percentage off your clicks and purchases) and order one out.
Warner Archive Collection is a brand to follow when it comes to physical media releases. Rivaling that of reveals from Arrow Video, Criterion Collection and Vinegar Syndrome, we know when in the month that their upcoming titles will be announced but what they will be is an intriguing mystery. And given how large the catalog of Warner Bros (And New Line) is, it could be any number of things. Being that its October, horror is the overwhelming theme with the Blu-ray titles. One of those titles this month is the Roman Polanski comedy, The Fearless Vampire Killers or Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are In My Neck. Which…its just typically called The Fearless Vampire Killers which is a weird little horror comedy he did right after Cul-de-Sac and just before Rosemary’s Baby. You’ll be able to sink your teeth into this fresh new Blu-ray by ordering from the link at the bottom of the review as it is now available having been released on October 29th.
I have something shameful to admit. I’ve been living with this secret for the longest time and I need to get this off my chest once and for all. Why So Blu writer Brandon Peters is going to be so disappointed in me, but here goes nothing. Up until the point when Daniel Craig took the reins of the James Bond role I had little interest in the legendary franchise. Blasphemy! I know. I always respected them and all the pop culture references and nostalgia that popped up in Austin Powers and whatnot, but I never truly got into them whole-heartedly. It’s ironic too as I once was known as a Ford Mustang guy and low and behold that car made its initial debut in a 007 film. However, then the unthinkable happened. Sony’s Blu-ray format emerged on the scene and I blind bought Casino Royale (it came with a toy Astro Martin). That’s all it took. I became an instant fan of not only this Bond series, but I’m also a proud papa of the former 22-film collection on Blu-ray too. And now I’m so honored to go back full circle and pay homage to the film where it all started for me. Casino flipping’ Royale is now available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and I’m like a pig rolling around in mud! 
One of the most anticipated films in any format or technology advancement will forever 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. And finally, it has come to the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format. Celebrating its 80th year, it certainly was time to introduce it in the best of ways possible. The poster child for the most fabled year in cinema history, the film luckily is a part of the Warner Bros library, who takes care of their catalog titles. Though, I’d imagine anyone with rights to this masterpiece would take good care, but you never know. In fact, this one was restored and transferred with an 8K 16-bit scan for this release from the original Technicolor negative. The 4K disc of the set also carries along the 1990 CBS special about making the film, which is a nifty bonus. You’ll be able to own the film in its best presentation yet, when it hits store shelves, both physically and virtually (Well, warehouses, am I right?) on October 29th (Witches=Halloween). You can pre-order from the Amazon link below which, of course helps me out.
Warner Archive Collection is a brand to follow when it comes to physical media releases. Rivaling that of reveals from Arrow Video, Criterion Collection and Vinegar Syndrome, we know when in the month that their upcoming titles will be announced but what they will be is an intriguing mystery. And given how large the catalog of Warner Bros (And New Line) is, it could be any number of things. Being that its October, horror is the overwhelming theme with the Blu-ray titles. From Beyond The Grave comes to us from Amicus Productions. Like Hammer Horror (And to some degree American International Pictures), the United States rights to the films spread across all sorts of holders and studios. Amicus’ bread and butter over the others back in the day was their ability and consistency in putting out horror anthology movies. From Beyond the Grave is one of those, and has been featured in the Twisted Terror Collection (Alongside John Carpenter’s Someone’s Watching Me, Wes Craven’s Deadly Friend and Dr. Giggles). Its available to order now from the Amazon link below.
If it wasn’t for Studio Canal restoring and releasing catalog titles on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray overseas in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, I don’t know if Lionsgate would have much interest in doing it at all. They are getting some solid free ports over here with the likes of Rambo, the upcoming Universal Soldier and this one in the review here, Red Heat. One of the film’s on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s climb to massive superstardom, its notable paired him with director Walter Hill and tried to buddy cop him with James Belushi. The release comes with all the special features that were on the Studio Canal release overseas and the Lionsgate standard Blu-ray that was originally out here in the United States. For those interested in the film (Or us Schwarzenegger collectors), the film will be available for purchase on October 29th. But, you can pre-order now, and using the the Amazon link below will lock it up for you and have it there by release day (And also helps me out, as I earn from being an Associate as I’m now supposed to tell you every time I post that link. FUN!).
Stuber, by definition, should not have been the failure it ended up being theatrically. The film has all the elements of a classic summer blockbuster — fights, gunfire, humor and an engaging overall story that isn’t hard to follow or boring. The pace is pitch perfect for multiple viewings at the theater too! But then, it just didn’t happen. As I sit baffled trying to ponder what might have been, take a moment to read on about the film below, which graced 4K fans with a great disc earlier this month.
Well, we are now almost solid year into Scream Factory giving us a regular dose of classic Hammer Horror films on Blu-ray for the first time (Some the second) in the United States. And I have to say, its been quite a valiant effort. Next up this month of October, more of the more well revered films in the lexicon, The Devil Rides Out (Or as the title card says when you select the standard Play Movie option, “The Devil’s Bride”). This one has the hallmarks of Terrence Fisher and Christopher Lee attached to it as well as Dennis Wheatley. Previous released on a UK Studio Canal Blu-ray (That transfer is offered as a bonus feature here), it carries over those bonus features as well as adding some unique to this release. Its not a Collector’s Edition, but honestly its just as impressive and better than some of those. You can have this one in your Collection by ordering it from the Shout! Factory website or by using the Amazon link at the bottom of this page.
Many US collectors missed the boat on Chuck Russell’s 1988 remake of The Blob. Twilight Time’s limited sales model wound up being a pretty solid success for them and that means it was largely unavailable. Umbrella released a nice (And better than Twilight Time’s) version in Australia that those who don’t fear importing have probably owned for years. Now, more excitement for this classic as Scream Factory takes a swing at it. But before anyone could wonder what another version would entail, the eye-opening laundry list of new interviews and extras were unveiled and this release immediately got our attention (Well, done Reverend Entertainment!). This exciting release is coming in JUST in time for Halloween on October 29th. Make sure you pre-order yourself a copy from Scream Factory’s website or the Amazon link below to ensure you’re able to have it in your clutches to watch on Halloween night this year.
Back in September of 2011 we did an experiment here on the site.
Sam Liu and Justin Copeland bring Wonder Woman to the animated side of the DC Universe in her very own Bloodlines. The film is deftly animated, paced quickly and the voice acting is stellar. But is that enough to make it a DC Cartoon classic? Read on below about Wonder Woman: Bloodlines which is available on 10/22!
Scream Factory has landed themselves one of the most fabled, popular and well revered horror movies of the 1980s in Richard Donner’s The Omen. Not only the original film, but the sequels, television sequel (Never before released on Blu-ray) and that remake starring Liev Schreiber from the director of A Good Day To Die Hard (Just when I had forgotten its existence). There has been a pretty nicely budget set of the theatrically release films on Blu-ray for a while now, but Scream Factory has given it an extensive upgrade in all facets, including packaging, new interviews, lossless mono tracks and a 4K scan of the original film. Series fans and horror collectors should be please with what they are offering, which can be had on October 15th.
The Haunting of Hill House was another one of those Netflix shows where I heard from word of mouth that you should be binging this. And binge that we did! However, unlike say a Stranger Things for example, The Haunting of Hill House is a slow burn. So instead of taking all the episodes in within one 24-hour period like we did with Stranger Things it took about a week to get through this one. That’s not to say it’s not as good as Stranger Things, but instead Hill House takes a lot more dedication and attention because of its intertwining timelines. Therefore, it took a little bit longer to get through. Much like the positive buzz I heard prior to watching all I can do is smirk when I think how well done the horror drama The Haunting of Hill House was. Very rarely do we also get Netflix releases on the Blu-ray format so it’s with great honor that I tackle this October 15th Paramount title for y’all. Here goes nothing. 
