Thor: Ragnarok (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
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. Continue reading ‘Thor: Ragnarok (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
Dubbed “the franchise’s best film since the original” (Kalyn Corrigan, Bloody-Disgusting) with the biggest worldwide box office in the saga with over $163M, INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY arrives on digital March 20 and Blu-ray and DVD April 3 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Acclaimed horror producers James Wan (The Conjuring, Annabelle) and Oren Peli (Paranormal Activity franchise) return for the fourth installment from Blumhouse of the Insidious-franchise, along with fan-favorites Lin Shaye in her iconic role as Elise Rainier, and Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson as the ghost-hunting duo Specs and Tucker. In INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY , Elise must face her past to confront the most personal haunting of her career – in her childhood home. The film also stars Josh Stewart (Interstellar), Kirk Acevedo (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), Caitlin Gerard (Magic Mike), Spencer Locke (Resident Evil franchise) and Academy Award nominee Bruce Davison (Best Supporting Actor, Longtime Companion, 1989). 
Everyone’s favorite female Super Heroes are left to deal with a new rival when a mysterious high school pops up in the all-new animated film, LEGO® DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment and The LEGO Group, the film – a continuation in the worldwide DC Super Hero Girls franchise phenomenon – will be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) May 1, 2018 on Digital, and on May 15, 2018 on DVD.
The next action-packed chapter of the Star Wars saga – Star Wars: The Last Jedi – welcomes the return of original characters as well as in-depth looks of the saga’s newest members. This release will include a feature-length documentary from Director Rian Johnson that takes fans on an intimate journey into the creation of Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The release will also include two exclusive scenes featuring Andy Serkis as Snoke prior to his digital makeover, scene breakdowns, deleted scenes, audio commentary and more. Families can bring the next chapter of Star Wars home digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD and via Movies Anywhere March 13 and on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray disc March 27. This release will mark Disney’s first title available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in both Dolby Vision™ HDR and Dolby Atmos® immersive audio, delivering consumers a transformative viewing experience. 
The Justice League motion picture is finally getting its deserving shot to win over your living room on March 13th (available now via digital retailers such as 
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. 
Highlighting poignant past film work by way too-few female filmmakers (more please!), who says love and sex have to end with death – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! This week we are waxing nostalgic about a controversial film that raised a ton of eyebrows upon its release. It weaved a simple tale of a girl who takes her new job working at a mortuary very seriously. So seriously in fact that she throws herself into her work – body and soul. Death, sex and a pinch of necrophilia – time to get….Kissed!
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.
Outside of the Black Panther in Marvel’s Civil War my exposure to the character is null and zero. I have no understanding of what his powers are, how he can jump like a cat or even what his weaknesses are. I am assuming it’s all because of that sinister looking, fancy black feline costume he dons, but that’s why I am here today at the press screening of the Black Panther to hopefully find all this out. I want to know what makes me the man tick, the history, his lore, etc. Now say what you want about the Black Panther movie trailers, but so far the one thing I could not get past is Michael B. Jordan’s hairdo. That was the Achilles heel of the marketing push for me. I know I am petty, but hey I am giving this one a chance regardless to win me over despite my angst for the boring and depressing Civil War. So there’s that. However, what really makes me curious is the early reviews of this one. I am not going to lie. From what I read it seems like the Black Panther’s sh1t does not stink and he can do no wrong. That’s what I hope to clear up here down below. Will you join me? 
The indie movie scene is as always loud and proud with this week’s crop of seven films hitting various genre notes for hungry cinema seekers. Sensual stories, coming of age tales, cancer comedies, stressful shindig sagas, mid-life crisis movies, voyeur suspense outings and body jumping terror tales make up the flicks featured and dissected for your convenience. Check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews for Double Lover, Lucky U Ranch, Irreplaceable You, The Party, Golden Exits, Looking Glass and Black Creek below!
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. 
Fire up the home entertainment system and call your buds because the ultimate stoner comedy is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The high-larious cannabis cultural epic breakthrough UP IN SMOKE will “… grab you by the poo poo” all over again when it arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD April 10, 2018 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. A special Deluxe Collector’s Edition, pairing the Blu-ray with the original soundtrack on CD and VINYL LP in deluxe packaging, will arrive the following week on 4/20 from Rhino, featuring a newly recorded “2018 version” of the title song “Up In Smoke.”
Prepare to witness the Dark Knight, alongside many of his most famed allies and infamous foes, in an eye-popping anime display you’ve never seen before when Warner Bros. Japan, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment present Batman Ninja. The all-new, feature-length animated film arrives on Digital starting April 24, 2018, and Blu-ray™ Steelbook, Blu-ray™Combo Pack and DVD on May 8, 2018. The film will be available in 4K UHD for Digital only in a release planned for Summer 2018. Batman Ninja is PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and for some suggestive material.
Nominated for three Academy Awards (Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Film Editing), I, Tonya is a darkly funny and entertaining examination of Tonya Harding, the most controversial figure in the history of figure skating, and the headline-grabbing scandal that mesmerized a nation. I, Tonya is available on Digital and the all-new digital movie app MOVIES ANYWHERE on March 2, 2018 and on Blu-rayTM, DVD and On Demand on March 13, 2018 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Packed with more than 40 minutes of exclusive bonus content, the Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD showcase deleted scenes and in-depth featurettes taking viewers behind the scenes of the film and its captivating story. 
