Archive Page 208
September 5th, 2017 by Blu-ray Brian
I guess it’s a Spider-Man kind of day with news of Homecoming here today. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings back the iconic web-slinger in two must-own collections, SPIDER-MAN LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION and THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION, both swinging onto 4K Ultra HD October 17th. Both collections are available as limited edition Digibooks that feature photos, details about the making of the films and much more for avid fans. Check out all the details down below! Continue reading ‘All Spider-Man Movies Are Coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray October 17th!’
September 5th, 2017 by Blu-ray Brian
Here’s a press announcement it feels like I have been waiting forever for! One of the most beloved and iconic super heroes of all time is back with a fresh, new take on the character for SPIDER-MAN™: HOMECOMING, debuting on digital September 26 and on 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD October 17 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Tom Holland (Captain America: Civil War) stars as Peter Parker, who, with the help of his mentor Tony Stark (two-time Academy Award® nominee Robert Downey, Jr., Best Actor, Chaplin, 1992; Best Supporting Actor, Tropic Thunder, 2008), tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in New York City while fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man. Continue reading ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming Will Spin 4K Webs on Ultra HD & Blu-ray October 17th!’
September 4th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Discovery continues to be a large part of why I enjoy sitting down and watching films released by The Criterion Collection. La Poison comes from writer/director Sacha Guitry, someone I was unfamiliar with, but thanks to the collection of extras on this Blu-ray release, along with the film, I have a new understanding of him and the history he was a part of. That in mind, there is also a great, darkly hilarious film here. It takes on the idea of a marriage gone sour, before devolving into an interesting look at French ethics circa 1950. Intelligent and made with a good level of tension to go with the witty humor, La Poison was an interesting film to catch up with, and it’s now available from Criterion.
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Continue reading ‘La Poison – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
September 4th, 2017 by Brian White
Despite loving Sofia Boutella in Kingsman: The Secret Service I must admit I wasn’t too keen on this newest monster tale reboot when I saw the first theatrical trailer. Yawn! I thought to myself another modern day movie that feels like it has to insert a woman into a leading role normally occupied by a man. I know that’s a sexist way to look at things, but I’m an old, tired man now and sick of all the ultra sensitivity in this world. Ha ha. But seriously, it wasn’t until the second trailer of The Mummy that got me semi-excited for things here. For some reason it just spoke to me more. After all though how could one refute the star power of Hollywood’s ageless vampire, Tom Cruise? That’s a rhetorical question because you can try, but ultimately you’ll fail. The man can do no wrong in modern day action films. By the way I don’t count the Jack Reacher films as action films. However, it was this news here that The Mummy would be the start of Universal’s Dark Universe that really made me take notice of. I’m all about a well planned out, shared universe full of continuity so I’m super stoked to see where things go from here. And truth be told I’m forever thankful that 2014’s Dracula Untold was a one off. Thank the Gods for that!
Continue reading ‘The Mummy (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
September 2nd, 2017 by Brandon Peters
For three seasons now, The Flash has delighted fans of the CW and really taken the networks DCTV universe to new heights and popularity. I think the show has retroactively made people go back and catch up to Arrow as well as jumping right into Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl when they started. Barry Allen is a big deal through all the universes when he shows up. He’s also got an easily loveable team of charachters like Cisco, Catilin, Harrison Wells and Joe West. In this third season, the creators of the show picked up where we last left of and tackle the popular Flashpoint arc from the comic books. Warner Bros Home Entertainment will be releasing the full season, along with some bonus features, on Blu-ray come September 5, giving you ample time to refresh or catch up for the show’s fourth year. Continue reading ‘The Flash: The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray Review)’
September 2nd, 2017 by Brian White
Last night I attended something pretty cool hosted by VUDU here, a watch party of Wonder Woman. Since I purchased the 4K UHD stream of it on August 29th I used the viewing opportunity to review the technical merits of the VUDU presentation. They gave out some really cool prizes too (#jealousy that I did not win any). Now like George Washington once proclaimed “I cannot tell a lie.” Wonder Woman was my number one most anticipated film of the calendar year. Say what? I’m 100% serious and no I’m not on any drugs. This is 80 plus years in the making here, folks! It’s historic! I would be prone to say Justice League is, but I’m weary about how ridiculous Cyborg looks thus far. I’m joking of course. However, I’ll reserve judgement of that until November (as I hear they are working on him in reshoots anyway). For now let me bask in the ever radiant light of everything Gal Gadot (in Hebrew her first name means “wave” and her surname means “shores”) and the Amazonian princess she portrays, Wonder Woman. Call me a sucker, but I just love a strong female protagonist in my action movies, and it doesn’t hurt if they’re hot too. So you’ve all seen my proverbial masturbation over the three DCEU films that have come before, Man of Steel, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, and now it’s time to lasso up Wonder Woman. Wouldn’t that be spectacular to lasso up Wonder Woman, huh (insert dirty evil thought)? Ha ha. Come on! Let’s get started!
Continue reading ‘Wonder Woman (4K UHD VUDU Review)’
September 2nd, 2017 by Brandon Peters
It appears that IFC Midnight and Scream Factory’s latest collaborative effort on a modern horror Blu-ray release has landed them a bit of a gem. One of the best reviewed movies they’ve ever put forth on the format (And I’m not just talking genre-junkie loving review sites and bloggers), this one boasts a very high Rotten Tomatoes score and the words and rating figures to back that up. A bit of a festival darling throughout the calendar last year in 2016, it has been around on streaming platforms for its continuing on in 2017 and expanding to a wider audience. You’ll be able to pick this one up beginning on September 5th on Blu-ray. You can secure yourself a copy of the film and make sure you have it on that release day by pre-ordering from the link below. Continue reading ‘A Dark Song (Blu-ray Review)’
September 1st, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Way back when, in the ye old times of the year two thousand and fourteen, there were two cinematic adventures of the half man half god Hercules at the box office for the enjoyment of those seeking entertainment. One boasted a behemoth, bonafide megastar. The other, Kellan Lutz. Today we’re here to talk about the one with Kellan Lutz, which unlike the one with Dwayne Johnson, is coming to the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format. So…take that, other Hercules movie. You’ll be able to find The Legend of Hercules from Lionsgate when it comes on September 19th. If you are really looking forward to this one, I suggest the Amazon pre-order link at the bottom of this review as the best method to ensure you have a copy when it releases. And hey, as of writing this, its only like $16 right now! Continue reading ‘The Legend Of Hercules (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
September 1st, 2017 by Jason Coleman
Since summer is almost at an end we’re veering into past wet and wild comedy territory as a last hilarious hoorah to celebrate the end the sunny cinematic season – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! This week features an 80’s outing complete with charismatic cads and lusty ladies that also throws a great deal of slapstick and sun in for good measure. Seems some unscholarly unsavory types are chosen by their university to compete in a local rafting race and win – and it’s not a request. Dangerous rapids, cute co-eds, smart dogs, flying banana splits and crows that just won’t shut up make up this shameful blending of Animal House and Porky’s. (And that’s just the cast!) They may have passion, perseverance and even paddles, but these hapless gents are still…Up The Creek!
Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “Up The Creek”’
September 1st, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Looking back through 2017’s Summer movie season, it is hard not to see it as a success. There’s plenty of talk of how box office totals were down, but absent a major August release that took over the charts (think Guardians of the Galaxy or Suicide Squad) and a couple of whiffs from franchises people are fairly tired of (think Transformers), the decline is easy to comprehend. The real thing to note is the quality of films both large and small. As opposed to last summer, where the number of successes was overwhelmed by the number of disappointments, this season featured plenty of well-liked movies. Thoughts on general movie goers and critics aside, people from all sides mostly enjoyed the movies they were able to see. Here’s my list of films I most favored this summer, along with some other notes on the season. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments as well!
Continue reading ‘Aaron’s Top Ten Films of Summer 2017 & More’
August 31st, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is important. It means something. The real wonder of this 1977 sci-fi classic persists to this day, capturing the imagination of many over the last 40 years. Now the film has been restored and remastered in 4K with a one-week re-release that will hopefully bring many back to the theater to see Close Encounters again, let alone inspire newcomers to take in a film so special to many.
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a Continue reading ‘Remastered ‘Close Encounters’ Continues To Deliver The Ultimate In Spielberg Wonder’
August 31st, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Synapse Films is giving you a nice double feature for your schlock loving goodness. Not only will you get the Blu-ray debut of 2014’s Biopic/Documentary The Creep Behind The Camera, but as an added bonus, you’ll get the original 1964 film with which that one is based, The Creeping Terror. Unfortunately, there’s no option to have the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode with which I was familiar. That was during the Mike Nelson era of the fame cult show. The disc is still stacked and DOES contain MST3K alumni and legend TV’s Frank himself, Frank Coniff, on one of the featurettes. This one will be coming out alongside Synapse Films’ other new release (Dario Argento’s Phenomena) on September 12th, so pre-order of them and have yourself a nice little triple feature of terror on new release Tuesday. Continue reading ‘The Creep Behind The Camera (Blu-ray Review)’
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.
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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’
