I’ll Take Your Dead (Blu-ray Review)
May 31st, 2019 by Brandon Peters
Shout! Studios continues to emerge and grow and their latest, I’ll Take Your Dead is arriving on Blu-ray June 4th. Directed by Chad Archibald (Bite, The Heretics), and starring Aidan Devine (A History of Violence, Suicide Squad), Ava Preston (DC’s Shazam!, The Kennedys), Jess Salgueiro(Workin’ Moms, Mary Kills People), and Ari Millen (Orphan Black, Rupture), the home entertainment release of I’ll Take Your Dead includes a behind-the-scenes featurette that takes a look at the production of the film along with cast and crew interviews, as well as a script-to-screen comparison piece, deleted scenes, and trailers. Continue reading ‘I’ll Take Your Dead (Blu-ray Review)’
There was no way this 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray journey through the 1989-1997 Batman series wasn’t dive-bombing into a brick wall to finish things off. As we all know, its inevitable that we come to a close on the notoriously despised Batman & Robin. Like the rest of the films in the series, it has been given a proper, caring restoration and charged up with a brand new Dolby Atmos track to pulsate through your viewing area. Along with that, the film carries over the outstanding previous bonus material found on the 2005 Special Edition DVD release (And subsequent Blu-ray editions for that matter). For the fans (?) of this film and the Batman completists (“Well, I might as well complete the set, right?”), the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray of Batman & Robin debuts on the illustrious format June 4th (Next week).
As we close the book on the Tim Burton-helmed Batman era, we set sights on Joel Schumacher’s turn at “bat”. Batman Forever proved the biggest opening weekend and highest grossing live action film of 1995 (Only Toy Story earned more money). It was a pretty stunning bounce back for the caped crusader as it reinvented itself and continued its box office glory, proving it to be THE franchise of the decade. Batman was clearly the James Bond/Star Wars/Indiana Jones of the 1990s. The film is arriving with the rest of the “bat pack” on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray June 4th with a brand new restoration, Atmos track and the terrific extras from the 2005 DVD special editions.
Quite possibly one of the my most personally anticipated sequels of all time, Batman Returns, continues our spin here on this look at the new 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray releases of the 89-97 Batman series. Like the previous film, both the 4K Ultra-HD and standard Blu-ray discs have been given a nice new transfer and restoration to go along with a new Dolby Atmos track. The extras for the film have been ported over from the 2005 Special Edition DVD releases, making it pretty much the definitive Batman Returns package. You can upgrade it and the others when they arrive on shelves June 4th.
The Entity is a much respected and loved horror film that still is probably under the radar for many (Including fans of the genre). Anchor Bay (When owned by Starz) originally released the film in the most barest of bones releases. I’m not talking void of bonus features, this thing had no menu and played like that of a review screener. There are some that roll their eyes on double dips and whatnot, but having a menu for the movie is a massive improvement already. In addition, Scream Factory has loaded it with new interviews and such. You’ll be able to pick it up starting June 11th. 
I don’t even know if I need one hand to count the amount of films to give me as much excited being released on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray as Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman. With the 30th anniversary dropping next month, I had been hoping dearly that the film would get the chance (As well as its sequels-even you, Batman & Robin) to be remastered and shine on the format. The Blu-ray releases had left much to be desired in terms of picture/audio quality (The extras are home video perfection). Alas, we will be dancing with the devil in the pale moonlight to all 4 films in this canon when they arrive on June 4th.
Shout! Factory will be releasing Might Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie as a standalone release on Blu-ray June 4th. Previously, the film made its debut last year as a part of a complete series box set (Featuring the original series on DVD only). Now, for those only interested in owning the Ivan Ooze crisis, your dreams of holding this feature film adventure and debut of the Might Morphin Power Rangers has finally come true to grace your collection’s shelving unit. Featuring some new interviews as a bonus, you can easily pre-order now by using the Amazon link below. Its actually coming in at an unbeatable pricepoint for a Day 1 purchase. Don’t hesitate, lock that price in while you can! 
With the exception of the first Transformers film I can’t be the only one out there that thinks everything else Michael Bay touched (outside Transformers 2-5) is pretty decent, can I? We have such Bay-hem gems out there like the Bad Boys series and Pain & Gain to my all-time favorite The Island. That’s why when 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (or 13 Hours as we’ll refer to it from here on out in this review) was initially released theatrically I didn’t even hesitate. Boom! He had my ticket sale. Even if it just produced smoke, gunfire and other bombastic moments I knew I’d be getting my money’s worth despite his Transformers failures (in my opinion of course). If I could be completely honest with you though, it was the addition of John Krasinski to the cast lineup that really got my butt cheeks in a seat. I wanted to see what he could bring outside of The Office television series. He did not disappoint! 
Get ready for nonstop action from start to finish when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases Arrow: The Complete Seventh Season on Blu-ray and DVD August 20, 2019. Both sets contain all 22 action-packed episodes from the seventh season, plus the show’s 2018 Comic-Con Panel, a crossover featurette, deleted scenes, a gag reel and more! All three DC Crossover: Elseworlds episodes will be available only for fans who purchase the Blu-ray set. The Complete Seventh Season is priced to own on DVD Blu-ray, which includes a Digital Copy (U.S. only). Both sets have an order due date of July 16, 2019. Arrow: The Complete Seventh Season is also available to own on Digital via purchase from digital retailers. 
Lionsgate will be releasing Sebastian Lelio’s film Gloria Bell, starring Julianne Moore on Blu-ray, coming June 11th. Lelio’s film is a reimagining of his original film Gloria from 2013. Gloria Bell premiered at the 2018 Toronto International film festival and was followed by a small release this past March. It actually held the distinction of having the highest per-theater average in grosses in 2019 for any film not named Captain Marvel during that weekend (Albeit in 5 theaters). This Blu-ray will come with a digital copy and a making of featurette. Pre-order now using the link below. 
Scream Factory’s 2019 year of Hammer Horror films on Blu-ray continues in June with a new release of Frankenstein Created Woman starring Peter Cushing. Previously released on Blu-ray by Millennium Media (Like another Scream Factory update, Dracula: Prince Of Darkness from last December), they’ve brought over those features and are doing a new 2K transfer on the film. Unlike Dracula: Prince of Darkness, it doesn’t appear to have 2 different transfers to choose from. It also packs some new features, including an interview and commentary track! 
Dreamworks has had some strong series in their animation wing (Kung Fu Panda, Shrek) and How To Train Your Dragon has possibly been their very best. The Hidden World marks the close to this story (Which also has a television series) and completion of a trilogy. Each of these films has been full of fantasy action, adventure and severely pulls at those heartstrings. The final adventure will be flying through the skies of 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray and blowing beautiful HDR fire into your viewing rooms when it arrives on May 21st. Pre-order for How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World available below! 
Mill Creek has held onto the rights for the classic horror film When A Stranger Calls for many years, in a bare bones 2-pack with Happy Birthday To Me. While Second Sight released a UK set last year (Region Free) that included the sequel, its never had a proper US release until now! Scream Factory is putting out the 1993 Showtime film When A Stranger Calls back that features new interviews with Fred Dalton, Carole Kane and Jill Schoelen as well as the original short film The Sitter that started it all. This is a nice compliment to that bare bones Mill Creek release and one fans should be pretty happy with. They’ve even gone a step above and added the option to watch it in a more theatrical 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Let’s take a look, shall we? 
Accompanying both Shaft sequels’ Blu-ray releases in the month of May (CANNOT WAIT for those!) from Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray debut of 1974 Melvin Frank film The Prisoner of Second Avenue. The Jack Lemmon/Anne Bancroft starrer looks to have been out of print on DVD (Going for $50 on Amazon currently. Oof), so getting the Blu-ray upgrade is both good for the quality and the wallet of those who’d like to add it to their film library. This is an interesting film that wasn’t too hot reception-wise when it came out, but seems like a forgotten film candidate to maybe have another look at. And a nice new presentation is one of the best ways to do that. 
Growing up, 1974’s Earthquake felt like a legendary “big deal” film to me. It was a big time disaster movie, starred a huge star in Charlton Heston and had a ride/theme park attraction at Universal Studio. As time as passed by, I feel its fallen out of public consciousness and sort of is a forgotten blockbuster. As we endure the trend of superhero films now, if you look back at the 1970s, disaster movies were that of its era. And Earthquake is one of the most notable ones of the era. Its also seen 2 bare bones releases on Blu-ray which Shout! Factory is rectifying with this pretty loaded Collector’s Edition featuring a new scan and the TV cut of the film! A must have for blockbuster enthusiasts, it releases on May 21st. Pre-order now! 
Liam Neeson — A name now synonymous with revenge action-thrillers. He will find you, and he will kill you. A fan of the genre will take note right now in their heads of all the films they’ve seen with Mr. Neeson kicking butt and taking names. There truly are quite a few, some good and some bad. Cold Pursuit takes our favorite “wronged man” and puts him in a bleak Colorado winter setting. The results here are like something we’ve seen before, but with a few very welcomed quirks and some unexpected humor. Supported by a strong narrative, some truly interesting plot twists, and the occasional laugh out loud moments, this newest piece feels more like a drama with some action than a knock down, drag out action film. Bundle up for the cold details below on this newest Neeson entry that hit stores May 14th! 
Crank is fondly immortalized in my memories as one of the first elite Blu-ray titles that overwhelmingly wowed and showed off how razor sharp certain 1080p video footage could be.
