Murder On The Orient Express (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
I’ve long been a fan of the works of Agatha Christie, either through actually reading one of the books or checking out an adaptation of one I hadn’t put my eyes to text with. In terms of movie-going, when the trailer dropped for this Kenneth Branagh film, it had an interesting approach to it, but it also looked like both something we have seen in a long time and also like nothing else out there. People agreed as this one was sort of the poor man’s Greatest Showman as this was released during a time when Thor: Ragnarok, Justice League, Daddy’s Home 2, Wonder and Coco were also making some good money (Technically Justice League was making some decent money, they just spent too much on it). With solid reviews and obviously a terrific audience reception, it looks as if we’ll be moving forward with another film in the near future with classic Christie protagonist Hercule Poirot. You can check out this case on the train of his when it releases to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, February 27. Continue reading ‘Murder On The Orient Express (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
I, Tonya was a film I was dying to see ever since it was first announced. It killed me to see fellow Californians have access to it nearly a month before myself in crappy Austin, TX. I was drawn to this movie not only because of my affinity for Margot Robbie as the mischievous Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad, but because I lived during this media-crazy time period. I remember this news story unfolding as vividly as the OJ Simpson Ford Bronco chase that replaced it in the eyes of the media. On top of that I dug the overall vibe of the trailers and the gangster-documentary narrative way this one is ultimately told. It feels the lovechild of a smart gangster movie meets the world of ladies figure skating. What’s not to like? Margot Robbie is exceptionally cast here as Tonya Harding, but it’s Allison Janney who steals the show as her mother. Despite the bleak incident this movie revolves around you can really have a lot of fun with this story and cast. Let’s talk about it some more down below. 
Coming just in time for you to catch it at home, if you weren’t able to make it in the theater, in preparation for the upcoming Academy Awards is Darkest Hour. The film is mostly lauded for its performance from actor Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill (Nominated for Best Actor and already having collected awards during this “season”). Many have said this film makes a great companion to Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk (Also nominated for many awards this year). This Blu-ray comes with a couple bonus features and will be available for you to pick up on the extremely loaded new release day of February 27th. You can pre-order it, as well as the many other titles coming out that day, by finding the reviews or press releases on Why So Blu and clicking the Amazon link. 
This March, we are getting another crack taken at the Tomb Raider game franchise being adapted to the big screen with Alicia Vikander as the new Lara Croft. Let us not forget the early 2000s when much excitement came and the perfect bit of dream casting in that of Angela Jolie in the title role. While the film did solid box office, most found it to be a bit of a disappointment, though still led to a sequel The Cradle of Life. Many will tell you that was a much better and actually good film. However, people didn’t trust their dollars on it after the first and its box office failure effectively shut down the franchise. But, with a reboot comes the great think in that the home video editions of the originals usually see a nice upgrade. And here we are with both Tomb Raider films seeing a 4K Ultra-HD format jump. In this review, its time for the sequel, the lengthy titled Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life. 
This March, we are getting another crack taken at the Tomb Raider game franchise being adapted to the big screen with Alicia Vikander as the new Lara Croft. Let us not forget the early 2000s when much excitement came and the perfect bit of dream casting in that of Angela Jolie in the title role. While the film did solid box office, most found it to be a bit of a disappointment, though still led to a sequel The Cradle of Life. Many will tell you that was a much better and actually good film. However, people didn’t trust their dollars on it after the first and its box office failure effectively shut down the franchise. But, with a reboot comes the great think in that the home video editions of the originals usually see a nice upgrade. And here we are with both Tomb Raider films seeing a 4K Ultra-HD format jump. In this review, we’ll be digging into the first film, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. 
While some have this illusion of some sort of fatigue (Black Panther is laughing HARD about that right now), 2017 was a pretty terrific year for the comic book super hero movies across the board. Marvel’s three offerings all ramped up the fun factor and were as successful with their comedic chops as they were the heroics and action bits. And they led up to the heaviest hitter of the bunch, Thor: Ragnarok. The film’s trailer was crazy loved and built up great hype which then delivered in pleasing critics, audiences and the almighty box office dollar. My kids were quoting “I know him, he’s a friend from work” from the day that trailer dropped all the way to having their butts in the seats on opening night. And We surely can’t wait to relive this one again, and you’ll be able to too on March 6th when it arrives on glorious 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. 
Disney Pixar’s Coco may have kinda faded from conversation with a lot of the Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Jumanji and The Greatest Showman box office triumphs. But, just before those three films dominated, Coco was quite a phenomenon and powerhouse itself. Coco opened to fantastic reviews and almost made three quarters of a billion dollars in its worldwide run. Quite an achievement. This fresh, emotion and charming family drama is making its way to Disney’s slowly growing 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray collection. I’ll have to admit, when I saw it in theaters, throughout the thing I was getting giddy at the prospect of how the HDR was gonna look on the 4K UHD disc. Well, now we can see when it releases on February 27th. 
Daddy’s Home is one of those films I could easily live without. While I love Mark Wahlberg and most everything Will Ferrell does (there are exceptions) I’m just not warm on the PG rating. It was cool when I was a kid, but now I’m an old geezer and I need my F-bombs, gratuitous nudity and raunchy comedy moments. I’m kidding of course, but thankfully despite that family friendly PG rating I gave Daddy’s Home a tryout once it made its debut on the Blu-ray format. I’m glad I did because I still managed to laugh and even had a good time with it all. I must have too because I am devoting my personal time to covering this one. Yep! That’s right the family friendly comedy featuring two of Hollywood’s biggest men (sorry ladies) is getting a 4K Ultra HD upgrade to coincide with its sequel’s release on the format February 20th.
Director Sean Baker had himself a nice little breakout with the acclaimed film Tangerine a few years ago. Here he returns with his follow up, The Florida Project. I thin this one expected a little more love at the Academy Awards this year, but has wound up touting a Willem DaFoe Best Supporting Actor nomination as its big mark. Regardless, another thing that struck me about this film’s Blu-ray release was how quickly it went from being announced to release. It was literally “Here it is and its coming in 2 weeks”. I know some of the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray catalog titles have been quick to the snap, but a brand new movie on standard Blu-ray is pretty rare when it has that fast of a turnaround, especially on a quality project. Alas, you’ll be able to grab it for yourself on February 20th. 
Hell or High Water is one of those films which reminds me of a moment in life that I kick myself for missing out on. The Alamo Drafthouse here in Austin, TX had invited me to cover an advance screening of the film, which included cast members Foster, Pine and Bridges in attendance. To sweeten the pot this is also the screening where Pine got drunk as a skunk at. Why did I miss it? Well boo hoo I did not want to drive downtown and quite honestly knew nothing about the feature. Rest assured this one was one of the last times in life where I let ignorance get the best of me. I did end up catching this one weeks later in the theater and guess what. It landed on my Top 10 list in 2016 over 
The Disney Signature Collection has set its sites on the perfect release for the month that houses Valentine’s Day; Lady and the Tramp. Including new bonus materials as well as the classic features, this new release also allows you to watch the film in three different ways. One thing notable here (And maybe its just the first time I’ve noticed), but Disney has changed from calling this a “combo pack” to naming it “multi-screen edition”. A little, but very interesting change in terms of verbiage for the packaging. We’ll see if any other studios begin to follow suit. This second release of the film on Blu-ray will be seeing your store shelves, physical and virtual, on February 27th. Pre-order links through Amazon have been off and on, so check back if one doesn’t appear here when you’re reading. 
When last we saw old Pinhead and the Hellraiser gang, it was in Revelations. It was the first non-Doug Bradley in the series and heaping pile of flaming turds. The film was made with the sole purpose of hanging onto the rights and it absolutely felt like it. Now, we are here again with Hellraiser: Judgement, a film likely made to hold onto the rights to the cenobites. However, this one appears to have been given more time to get a decent straight to video production done (The last one got whipped together after their plans to remake the original fell apart last minute). As a horror junkie and fan of the series, I can help but not give into my mortal sins of curiosity and check this out. Lowest of the low in expectations, just give me some of the essentials and we can dance. You’ll be able to see for yourself on February 13th, making for a nice bloody Valentine’s Day. 
Like Drag Me To Hell before it, here comes another more “modern” Collector’s Edition version from Scream Factory. Its The Strangers which, doesn’t seem like it, is now ten years old this coming summer. And its taken that long for the film to get a sequel which is arriving very soon. They are updating it with a new HD master of both cuts of the film as well as some new interviews with a few folks (Not Liv Tyler, Scott Speeman or …man it would be awesome…Glenn Howerton). This is one of the spookiest films of the previous decade and I’m glad to see it getting some genuine double dip love here. If you want to pre-order yourself to have it when it arrives next month, click the Amazon link below. It arrives on March 6th, which is just 3 days before the new one comes out! 
Daddy’s Home 2 huh? I’m a bit lukewarm when it comes to the first Daddy’s Home in 2015. It was mildly funny and heartwarming, but I dunno. I just haven’t always been the biggest fan of every Will Ferrell movie, but really for no reason in particular. There’s also no denying his wealth of catalog titles that I do like too. Am I confusing you yet? Ha! Let’s just say the Daddy’s Home franchise of films is nothing I would ever pay theatrically to see. However, in the home front it’s a whole different story. If it doesn’t cost you anything extra, then why not? So here we are a few years later and low and behold we have a sequel. Why not when you can make easy money on a bankable property, right? Absolutely! Money is what makes this world go around. The first was popular, featured a likable cast so here we are again with a bonafide sequel primed to double its money back in Daddy’s Home 2. Let’s take a closer look below at this feature and everything you’ll find here in this February 20th 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray package from Paramount.
