Why So Blu?

1 Lord, 1 Witch, 1 Shogun, And ‘47 Ronin’ (Movie Review)

47 Ronin is an enjoyable hybrid period action/fantasy movie that was much better than I was expecting.  Granted I am generally pretty satisfied with Keanu Reeves action movies, but a lot of the surprise came from how different this very expensive movie played out.  Along with putting the money on screen, this is a film that is very much inspired by samurai films and strives to play like one, in terms of its pacing and devotion to portraying the notion of honor.  With that, the film also blends into other genres as well, most notably a swashbuckling adventure, with some fantasy elements thrown in for good measure.  All of this made for a fun film that felt unlike a lot of expensive action films like it, especially given that its main star is really a supporting character.  It is just too bad it will likely make next to nothing in theaters. Continue reading ‘1 Lord, 1 Witch, 1 Shogun, And ‘47 Ronin’ (Movie Review)’

Scarlet Spider Comes to a Close (sort of)

Marvel books usually tend to leave me feeling like I’ve been let down after I finish reading them. There are very few titles from the mammoth comic book publisher that give me any sense of satisfaction. Why is this? Because Marvel tends to flood the market with underwhelming stories resulting in an empty delivery. Leave it to a Spidey spin-off to be the exception.

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‘Ice Soldiers’ on Blu-ray and DVD February 25th!

The White Queen – “Making Of The White Queen” Bonus Feature

Fresh out of our inbox comes thrilling news courtesy of Anchor Bay’s upcoming Blu-ray and  DVD release of the Starz Original mini-series The White Queen, which will be released on a three-disc Blu-ray with Digital HD Ultraviolet and DVD set on February 4th.  I don’t know about you, but I’m usually a sucker for these Starz shows!  Based on Philippa Gregory’s series of best-selling novels, The White Queen is a vivid re-telling of the classic War of the Roses family feud (York vs. Lancaster) from the viewpoint of the women involved.  The set contains all 10 gorgeous episodes of the drama, plus a bountiful supply of bonus features.  Check out the series’ synopsis, trailer and also a Blu-ray bonus feature below. Continue reading ‘The White Queen – “Making Of The White Queen” Bonus Feature’

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Trailer Debuts

Last week was busy with trailers for many big releases next year (posts can be found HERE and HERE) and this week adds one more hotly anticipated summer film: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.  As I recall, the majority of us at Why So Blu were big fans the 2011 sci-fi prequel/reboot, which combined an interesting take on the Apes franchise with some fantastic visual effects work from Weta Digital.  Details and images have been fairly light on this film, which no doubt comes from both preserving the surprise and because it takes so long to complete these effects, which look amazing.  Now we finally have a trailer for the sequel, which arrives July 2014.  From the look of things, nothing is about to get better for the human race, but at least Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, and Keri Russell are on hand to attempt to deal with Caesar (Andy Serkis) and the rise of his species.  Continue on to check out the trailer as well as view some posters and big ape faces from the film. Continue reading ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Trailer Debuts’

Hill Street Blues: The Complete Series Finally Arrives on DVD This April

Created by award-winning writers/ producers Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll, the critically acclaimed television series HILL STREET BLUES became one of the most seminal drama series by virtue of its powerful writing, gritty realism, emotionally charged storylines and incredible ensemble cast, including Daniel J. Travanti, Veronica Hamel, Bruce Weitz and Betty Thomas, among other notables.  Throughout its seven year run on network television (1981-1987), HILL STREET BLUES took viewers inside the heart of a racially torn, crime-ridden precinct of an urban metropolis.   Each episode charts a day in the life on “The Hill,” balancing the characters’ personal lives with their professional ones.  “Let’s be careful out there,” advises Sgt. Esterhaus every morning at roll call, before sending out his officers and detectives to patrol their city’s streets, where the peace is kept thanks to a tenuous trust between the police and the people they protect.  Yet as dangerous as their precinct is, the men and women of Hill Street often find that their biggest battles involve protecting themselves from the Public Defender’s office, self-serving bureaucrats … and each other. Continue reading ‘Hill Street Blues: The Complete Series Finally Arrives on DVD This April’

Bad Grandpa Hijacks Blu-ray on January 28th

I gotta say.  I did not know what to expect when I took my parents to see Bad Grandpa in the theaters.  I was expecting it to be a little bit of Jacka$$ with a narrative.  I was just hoping my parents would not be disturbed or repulsed by it.  I have to say…I think they laughed harder than me!  So at long last the day is finally upon us!  Paramount Media Home Distribution has officially announced that it will release on Blu-ray Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa…an unrated cut too!  The release will be available for purchase online and in stores across the nation on January 28th.  I’m sold!  Check out the full press release below and pre-order it now! Continue reading ‘Bad Grandpa Hijacks Blu-ray on January 28th’

Gerard’s Top 10 Badass Blu-rays of 2013!

It’s that time again where we come up with our Top-10 Blu-rays of the year. 2013 has come and almost gone and left a path of high definition destruction in its wake. Coincidentally, my Top-10 list features the work of some epic directors, who had a stellar year on the Blu-ray format as most of their back catalog, along with current works, were released in high definition in 2013. My criteria for picking the selections on this list is more in tune with how fully loaded are the Blu-rays chosen, along with demo-worthy characteristics, etc. Film worthiness is also taken into consideration but that it not the main factor. If I want film-worthiness then I will save it for my regular Top-10 list of films, which will post in a couple of weeks. This list is based off of the merits of the Blu-ray for the most part. Without further ado I give you my Top 10 Badass Blu-rays of 2013!  Continue reading ‘Gerard’s Top 10 Badass Blu-rays of 2013!’

Gerard’s Worst Films of 2013!

To compliment my best of the year lists I’ve once again compiled a short “worst of” set of selections. The following are films that I saw in 2013 that sucked and/or did not live up to the hype. I’m not going to include a “dishonorable mentions” list like last year, because it would be a waste of time. The films contained here star A-list actors and most had gigantic budgets to work with. It makes it that much more painful to recap why they sucked. I understand the concept of “guilty pleasures,” and I have many, but these don’t even qualify as guilty pleasures, in my opinion. Shall we begin?  Continue reading ‘Gerard’s Worst Films of 2013!’

‘Ender’s Game’ Scores A Win On Blu-ray This February

Action icon and Academy Award nominee Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones franchise, Star Wars franchise, Best Actor, Witness, 1985), Asa Butterfield (Hugo), Academy Award nominee Hailee Steinfeld (Best Supporting Actress, True Grit,  2010), two-time Academy Award nominee Viola Davis (Best Supporting Actress, Doubt, 2008; Best Actress, The Help, 2011), Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin (Best Supporting Actress, Little Miss Sunshine, 2006) and Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley (Best Actor, Gandhi, 1982) star in the epic adventure Ender’s Game, arriving on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD UltraViolet), DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet), Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View  February 11th from Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE company. The film will also be available on Digital HD January 28, two weeks prior to the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD release. Based on the award-winning best-selling novel by  Orson Scott Card, and written and directed for the screen by Gavin Hood (Rendition, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Tsotsi), Ender’s Game is a visually stunning and thrilling film that has been 28 years in the making.  Read on to learn more about this upcoming release.

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‘Big Ass Spider’ on Blu-ray and DVD January 7th!

Epic Pictures will be releasing BIG ASS SPIDER! on digital download, DVD and Blu-ray on January 7th!  The film stars Greg Grunberg (TV’s Heroes, TV’s Alias, Mission Impossible: III), LOMBARDO BOYAR (Group Sex, Happy Feet I and II) and RAY WISE (X-Men: First Class, TV’s Twin Peaks) and directed by Mike Mendez. An exterminator (Greg Grunberg) and his Hispanic sidekick (Lombardo Boyar) are caught in an epic battle when a military assault fails to contain a giant alien spider rampaging through the city of Los Angeles.   Continue reading ‘‘Big Ass Spider’ on Blu-ray and DVD January 7th!’

‘1’ on Blu-ray and DVD January 28th!

Millennium Entertainment is proud to announce the home entertainment release of Paul Crowder’s documentary feature film 1, the exhilarating true story of the rise of Formula 1^® narrated by Golden Globe® nominee Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave, Prometheus, X-Men: First Class). From the producers of the Academy Award® winning films Undefeated and The Cove,  1 will be available on DVD and Blu-ray^™ beginning on January 28th. Featuring never-before-seen archive footage and the most impressive list of Formula 1^® interviewees ever assembled, including world champions Sir Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel, 1 tells the story of the golden age of Formula 1^®, when the sport became terrifyingly dangerous and the drivers were like rock stars with charisma and raw talent, but with many of them paying the ultimate price.  Continue reading ‘‘1’ on Blu-ray and DVD January 28th!’

‘Charlie Countryman’ on Blu-ray and DVD January 21st!

 Millennium Entertainment is proud to announce the home entertainment release of the romantic adventure film Charlie Countryman. Shia LaBeouf (Transformers series, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps) leads the star-studded cast that also includes Golden Globe Nominee® Evan Rachel Wood (The Ides of March, Thirteen, HBO’s “True Blood“), Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Clash of the Titans, NBC’s “Hannibal“), Rupert Grint (The Harry Potter Series), Primetime Emmy Nominee® Vincent D’Onofrio (The Break-Up, Brooklyn’s Finest, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) and Academy Award Winner® Melissa Leo (The Fighter, Flight, Olympus Has Fallen). Audiences can own Charlie Countryman on DVD and Blu-Ray™ on January 21, 2014.  Continue reading ‘‘Charlie Countryman’ on Blu-ray and DVD January 21st!’

Christopher Nolan’s 2014 Film – Interstellar Teaser Trailer

Some key terms come to mind when I think new Christopher Nolan film – dark, brooding, auteur, IMAX, Zimmer, nonlinear, and Michael Caine of course.  Interstellar is the next film from Nolan and it arrives in theaters November 2014.  Those who saw The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug were treated to a teaser trailer for the film that does exactly that – tease.  The teaser is now online and in this post you will be able to view it.  There are very few details regarding this film so far, but the basics seems to make sense:  solid ensemble cast (McConaughey, Chastain, Hathaway, Caine), use of IMAX cameras, a Hans Zimmer score, and a very secretive attitude revolving around what is really going on here.  Continue on to check out the teaser and see the official logo for the film.

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Gerard’s Top Music Albums of 2013!

I think this is my first Top Music Album list ever. I may have worked on a couple of other music related lists for WSB but they were never about what I thought cut the muster in any given year. The catalyst for this decision is that I received an analog (non-USB) turntable for my birthday earlier this year and I went on a bit of a VINYL binge. It was great! I discovered and re-discovered my love for music, records, and actually full length albums! If it’s one thing about listening to vinyl it’s that you are forced to listen to the record in its entirety. Unless you’re a master with the arm & needle (I am not), you have no choice but to step into the musical journey that the artists have created with their music – in full. This list is made up of vinyl selections, but every album here was released in 2013, and sound quality or whatnot is not a factor. I’m not going to compare CD and Vinyl quality here.  Go ahead and relax, set the needle, get a glass of wine, and enjoy my Top Music Albums of 2013!  Continue reading ‘Gerard’s Top Music Albums of 2013!’

Winnie the Pooh: Springtime With Roo Arrives on Blu-ray March 11

Each year, Rabbit plays Easter Bunny, but this year, he’s decided it’s “Spring Cleaning Day,” and he orders everyone to hop to it: scrubbing, dusting, and mopping. All his pals are disappointed – especially little Roo – until Rabbit learns that putting others first and showing friends how much you care turns every day into a precious gift. Sparkling with unforgettable songs and a never-before-seen bonus treat, this delightful “egg-stravaganza” shows why love, hope and friendship are always in full bloom in the Hundred Acre Wood! Continue reading ‘Winnie the Pooh: Springtime With Roo Arrives on Blu-ray March 11’

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Ships Out On Blu-ray This January

As if Tom Hanks had more to prove, Captain Phillips gives him the chance to truly shine as a performer and deliver one of his best performances of all time.  Not to under credit the rest of the film, the Paul Greengrass docudrama was a fantastic film filled with tension and well worth checking out (my original review found HERE).  I will be curious what kind of awards recognition this film will be getting, among the many others that are out at this time, but that’s a discussion for another day.  On January 21st, everyone will have the chance, as that is the date the film will be released on Blu-ray and other formats.  Read on to learn more about this upcoming release.

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IDW Releases ‘Monster & Madman’ March 2014!

Visionary author and celebrated comic creator Steve Niles is returning to IDW in 2014 and bringing the most nefarious fiends along with him. Debuting in March, Niles weaves together a grave team-up between Frankenstein’s monster and Jack the Ripper in the terrifying new series, Monster & Madman. A lost soul, Frankenstein’s monster seeks refuge from his waking life but finds no comfort in the bitter harshness of his surroundings. He sets out to free himself from his lonely isolation and during this journey he finds himself at the doorstop of a creature more sinister than he could have imagined, the madman, Jack The Ripper.   Continue reading ‘IDW Releases ‘Monster & Madman’ March 2014!’