Archive Page 202
August 31st, 2017 by Jason Coleman
An interesting mix of smaller movie notables this time out (T2-3D aside!) with a few films from previous weeks that I just saw in my humble effort to keep the all ardent cinefiles up to date. (Plus the empty month of August sure has some slim pickins!) Killer robots from the future now in 4K and 3D, comedies about the sanctity of marriage, tales of CIA ‘unlockers” of info, the tough road becoming a classical ballerina, a book that does your killing billing, alien abductions via found footage and second helping hockey comedies all make up the flicks in this edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the short critical views on Terminator 2: Judgment Day 3D, I Do…Until I Don’t, Unlocked, Polina, Death Note, Phoenix Forgotten and Goon: Last of the Enforcers below.
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Seven New Indie Titles’
August 30th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Perhaps the greatest single film Blu-ray release of all time was Warner Bros 5-disc set of Blade Runner. It was perfect. It featured a great (For the time) looking transfer, 5 cuts of the film, lots of extras and a 3 hour documentary retrospective that was engaging, informative and honest. I’ve long said a perfect Blu-ray/DVD release is one where you have no questions or wants after it. So, when it comes to this new 4K Ultra-HD debut of Blade Runner being shy of the new extras, its no bother, because we already have everything we need. And this release comes with all of them minus the workprint. The important factor is how the film is going to perform in the video and audio department with this new format. And, I’ll give you the short here; it looks AMAZING. It comes out September 5th, don’t hesitate to pre-order your copy immediately. I’ll be shocked if anyone is disappointed with its presentation. Continue reading ‘Blade Runner: The Final Cut (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
August 30th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
The first season of Gotham was a disappointment. The second season was a large improvement. That came from the series feeling better about embracing its comic book roots and having more fun with the storylines and characters. It wasn’t perfect, but it was entertaining enough for a Batman show that doesn’t feature Batman. The third season is largely the same, although good work has been done put further emphasis on main story arcs that divided up the season. There’s also significant character work done on the show’s ensemble cast, which plays down the role of Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) in favor of the more colorful players seen here. Now viewers can take in what this third season has to offer in this complete Blu-ray set.
a Continue reading ‘Gotham: The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray Review)’
August 29th, 2017 by Brian White
Before we begin I have to admit something. Other than Batman: Under the Red Hood and most recently Wonder Woman I have never seen another animated DC Animated Universe film despite how heralded most of them are. Isn’t that sad? What got me here for this one though is a combination of three things: I love Harley Quinn, I love The Big Bang Theory and Brandon Peters already reviewed the Limited Edition Blu-ray gift set here so I’m trying to help a brother out. I saw the Harley taking advantage of Nightwing scene online last week and that provided a mild chuckle. LOL. I am a bit sick and twisted like that when it comes to my Harley Quinn. So what do I have to lose other than a couple hours of my life? I’m not that special. Now granted I haven’t heard the greatest of things about this one (although our own Bron Anderson loved it here), but unlike the thought of trying seafood I’ll give this one a chance for Harley that is. So without further ado let’s talk some Batman and Harley Quinn, DC’s first animated adventure on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format August 29th. Continue reading ‘Batman and Harley Quinn (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
August 28th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
This week, Steven Spielberg’s science fiction adventure classic, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, returns to theaters for a 1-week engagement in celebration of the film’s 40th anniversary. The director’s cut has been restored and remastered in 4K, which will be shown on screens, before the arrival of the upcoming 4K UHD release. In anticipation of this release, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of some of the most memorable alien UFO arrival scenes in cinema. While there are a lot of fun options and I went with ones that stuck out the most to me, feel free to add further thoughts in the comments. Continue reading ‘‘Close Encounters Of The Third Kind’ 4K Re-Release & The Top 5 UFO Arrival Scenes’
August 28th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Well here’s a fun surprise, one of the 90s best films and one of the best police stories, in general, is getting a new Blu-ray release on September 26. Enjoy this news about L.A. Confidential. Director Curtis Hanson and a terrific cast serve up a “thrilling tale of police corruption and Hollywood glamour” (Marshall Fine, Gannett Newspapers) in this film based on James Ellroy’s novel. Three cops (Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce), a call girl (Kim Basinger), a mysterious millionaire (David Strathairn), a tabloid journalist (Danny DeVito) and the chief of detectives (James Cromwell) fuel a plot rife with mystery, ambition, romance and humor. The film captured ACADEMY AWARDS® in 1997 for Best Supporting Actress (Basinger) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson). Learn more about this 20th anniversary release in the rest of this post.
Continue reading ‘On The QT: L.A. Confidential 20th Anniversary Edition Arrives On Blu-ray This September’
August 28th, 2017 by Kori Kemerer
I’m so excited to provide this coverage to you guys. Fasten your seat belts as the year’s must-own action-packed thrill ride, BABY DRIVER, which just sped past $100 million at the box office, accelerates home on digital September 12 and on 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray & DVD October 10 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), this fast-paced and furiously stylish heist movie stars Ansel Elgort (The Fault in Our Stars) as a young getaway driver who steers to the beat of his own playlist. With an all-star cast that includes Kevin Spacey (TV’s “House of Cards”), Lily James (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), Jon Bernthal (TV’s “The Walking Dead”), Eiza González (TV’s “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series”), with Jon Hamm (TV’s “Mad Men”) and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (2004, Best Actor, Ray Charles), BABY DRIVER pulls up on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray and digital with over two hours of tricked-out bonus features, including over 20 minutes of deleted and extended scenes. Continue reading ‘Baby Driver Speeds Onto 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray 10-10!’
August 27th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Synapse Films finally dropped their bombshell news we have been waiting almost five years for last week; the US Blu-ray release of their meticulous 4K remaster of Dario Argento’s masterpiece, Suspiria. Lest ye not be forgotten, they do have another Argento classic coming to Blu-ray soon as well. Phenomena was released last year from them in a limited edition steelbook, but its general standard release is now coming from them. This one is basically the two Blu-rays from the limited edition in a standard amaray case. You can grab this one from various retailers like Amazon rather than just the Synapse site or Diabolik. It’ll be released on September 12th (And you surely are the coolest if you pre-order yours from the link below). Continue reading ‘Phenomena (Blu-ray Review)’
August 27th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
We have a sorta fascination with older, aged action heroes nowadays without really knowing it. People have flocked to Liam Neeson movies and there seems to be some interest still there when Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger do a movie. Its come a long way since an aged Roger Moore was vine swinging in India or hanging off a fire engine in San Francisco. Well, one series (Based on a comic book) decided to embrace all that, with the action comedy Red. Lionsgate is continue to consistently dig back into some of its catalog from this decade and make the 4K jump with them. Red and its sequel, Red 2, are next in line, coming out September 5th. If you’re interested in snagging a copy to have when it hits shelves, click on the Amazon link below. Continue reading ‘Red 2 (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
August 27th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
The Disney Signature Collection has been focusing on getting some of their self inflicted out of print titles back out there on the market with some new bonus features and retaining most of the classic ones. Their fifth release in this line is the 1994 phenomenon known as The Lion King. Conveniently, its one of their next titles to get the modern “Live Action” update a la The Jungle Book, Maleficent, Beauty and the Beast and such. This new version will be trying out something a little different when it comes to the classic bonus material; it won’t be featured on the disc. You’ll have to access it by redeeming your digital copy and going that route to find it. The Lion King: Signature Collection will be available on Blu-ray August 29th. Continue reading ‘The Lion King – Signature Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
August 27th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Ahh, another trip to the DCAU. Which, I believe this one isn’t really canon with the sort of ongoing series of what is going on. A sort of one-off side story to highlight the super popular Harley Quinn. This little featurette debuts The Big Bang Theory star Melissa Rauch as the laughy daffy villainess and returns Kevin Conroy (Many’s pick as the best Batman ever) to his iconic role. Loren Lester returns as Nightwing, too. Batman and Harley Quinn was released briefly as a theatrical event, as well, to some pretty scathing reviews from the critical side. It comes out for home video on the 4K Ultra-HD format, but here at Why So Blu, we’re going to be covering the Blu-ray edition for our review, namely the Deluxe Edition, available August 29th. Continue reading ‘Batman And Harley Quinn – Deluxe Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
August 27th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
In this new, Disney-led, era of Star Wars, one of the best joys for me has been the animated follow up to Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels. The program has been a nice bridge, follow up and unique to in its own right, piece of the galaxy. From its own characters to cameos and stories regarding known characters or resurrected “Legends” persons, its been a welcome part of the Star Wars family, What best works though, is how much the show has really delivered on some of those elder Star Wars feelings. Rebels is coming to a conclusion this Fall in its fourth season, but before that you can relive its rather large and eventful third season that sets it up. That season comes to Blu-ray, which you may pre-order below, on August 29th. Continue reading ‘Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Three (Blu-ray Review)’
August 25th, 2017 by Jason Coleman
With the consensus on last week’s past picture selection featuring the wacky wares of the jerky Judge Reinhold being positive, why not keep his everyman appeal going by saluting even more of his meaty comical fare – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! This week it’s time to get down and dirty for a black comedy filled with lust, laughs and ludicrous lads and ladies abound. Seems a high-class woman has been kidnapped and her rich husband will do anything NOT to get her back – a modern marriage to truly admire! Scheming millionaires, shrill housewives, honest electronics salesmen, fashion designers turned criminals, wide-eyed serial killers, two timing mistresses and the stupidest person on the face of the earth are all in their own way…Ruthless People!
Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “Ruthless People”’
August 24th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
The Tick is an Amazon Video series based on the satirical comic book series of the same name. Many will remember the animated series from the 90s and possibly the previous live-action attempt from the early 00s, but it is now back in possibly the most exciting form yet. For those unaware, The Tick (Peter Serafinowicz) is a superhero in a blue bug costume who arrives in a city known as “The City” to help fight crime. However, this take on the series actually focuses more on a former accountant named Arthur (Griffin Newman) who becomes The Tick’s sidekick as they fight various supervillains. I was lucky enough to interview some of the cast members of the series during San Diego Comic-Con. This interview features actor Michael Cerveris, who stars as Ramses IV, a gang ruler conducting crime with flare. Continue on to see the video where I question Michael about what Ramses IV aspires to as the costumed gangster.
Continue reading ‘‘The Tick’ Interview with Actor Michael Cerveris’
August 24th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
The Tick is an Amazon Video series based on the satirical comic book series of the same name. Many will remember the animated series from the 90s and possibly the previous live-action attempt from the early 00s, but it is now back in possibly the most exciting form yet. For those unaware, The Tick (Peter Serafinowicz) is a superhero in a blue bug costume who arrives in a city known as “The City” to help fight crime. However, this take on the series actually focuses more on a former accountant named Arthur (Griffin Newman) who becomes The Tick’s sidekick as they fight various supervillains. I was lucky enough to interview some of the cast members of the series during San Diego Comic-Con. This interview features actor Scott Speiser, who stars as Overkill, a villain who loves bringing death into the equation. Continue on to see the video where I challenge Scott to go over the joys of playing evil.
Continue reading ‘‘The Tick’ Interview with Actor Scott Speiser’
August 24th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
The Tick is an Amazon Video series based on the satirical comic book series of the same name. Many will remember the animated series from the 90s and possibly the previous live-action attempt from the early 00s, but it is now back in possibly the most exciting form yet. For those unaware, The Tick (Peter Serafinowicz) is a superhero in a blue bug costume who arrives in a city known as “The City” to help fight crime. However, this take on the series actually focuses more on a former accountant named Arthur (Griffin Newman) who becomes The Tick’s sidekick as they fight various supervillains. I was lucky enough to interview some of the cast members of the series during San Diego Comic-Con. This interview features actor Jackie Earle Haley, who stars as The Terror, a global super villain. Continue on to see the video where I question just what makes The Terror so terrifying.
Continue reading ‘‘The Tick’ Interview with Actor Jackie Earle Haley’
August 24th, 2017 by Jason Coleman
Only a trio of indie items cinematically covered this week, but as my movie loving Dad always says some is better than none. (Even flawed flicks should have their dissection day!) Family holidays gone awry, what happens after the honeymoon is long over and kidnapping the wrong person all fill the movie void as far as smaller film fare goes. Check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews of Red Christmas, After Love and House On Willow Street below!
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Three New Indie Titles’
August 24th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Plenty of appreciation goes to a film that has me so wrapped up in its urgency that it feels like a jolt when it comes to an end. Good Time presents such an experience. The Palme d’Or nominee presents itself as a modern After Hours, with atmospheric and visceral qualities that call to mind films from around the same time, such as To Live and Die in LA. Rarely halting its journey, Good Time is a movie that manages never to betray its tone, while always feeling like it is improvising new ways to twist its story. It’s a credit to star Robert Pattinson and directors Ben and Josh Safdie that the film can hold together so well, as this crime-thriller has us rooting for certain characters to succeed as well as absorbing us into the alien world that is Queens, New York after midnight.
Continue reading ‘‘Good Time’ Is A Riveting, Neon-Lit, Late Night Crime Odyssey (Movie Review)’
