Past Lives (Blu-ray Review)
October 2nd, 2023 by Brandon Peters
A24 scored big at the Oscars last year, and I feel like they have a nice sleeper here in this year’s Past Lives. Maybe not dominating the awards like last year, but having a pretty solid presence. After a short theatrical and digital run, its now come to the disc land for us collecting enthusiasts. Releasing on September 19th, it opted for standard Blu-ray (boo, no 4K!) and included a featurette, deleted scenes and a commentary with its writer/director and stars. You can order yourself a copy now to check out one of the year’s finest offerings by clicking on the paid Amazon Associates link at the bottom of the page.
Visual Vengeance, a Blu-ray label dedicated to vintage ‘Shot on Video’ and microbudget genre independents from the 1980s though 2000s, reveals its next Blu-ray collector’s edition release for November 2023.
Prepare for the next terrifying chapter in “The Conjuring” universe, when “The Nun II” from New Line Cinema arrives for purchase Digitally at home on October 3. The film is directed by Michael Chaves (“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It”) and stars Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, and Bonnie Aarons, returning in their roles from the first film. The film will also be available to purchase on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on November 14. Along with Farmiga, Bloquet and Aarons, “The Nun II” also stars Storm Reid and Anna Popplewell, surrounded by an ensemble cast of international talent. “The Nun II” is produced by Peter Safran and James Wan, with Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria Palmeri, Gary Dauberman, Michael Clear, Judson Scott and Michael Polaire serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Ian Golding & Richard Naing and Akela Cooper from a story by Cooper, based on characters by James Wan & Gary Dauberman.
Pixar has been on a bit of a rocky road for Disney. Relegating many of their A-tier releases to Disney+ exclusives and taking away a bit of the importance from the brand, the release of Lightyear last summer had many questioning if they could bounce back. And at first, Elemental looked doomed, but slowly and surely it legged out into one of the best holds of the summer. Now, you can own the film on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray with Atmos sound and extras to “hold” in your own hands. There are some different variants of this release, but this review takes a look at the Best Buy limited edition steelbook. 
Disney and their live action remakes have landed upon one of its most important and pivotal titles in the animated history – The Little Mermaid. The live action redo from Rob Marshall made itself some monies this summer, but ultimately underwhelmed and wasn’t the smash they’d been hoping for. The film arrives on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray with Atmos sound and a handful of featurettes. Released on September 19th, there were many store exclusive editions to choose from. This particular reviewer was given the Best Buy limited edition steelbook to cover for this review.
Loki: The Complete First Season coming to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray isn’t just cool because I’d like to own this show I like on the best format available, its more than that. Loki’s debut marks a breakthrough in the programming made specifically for the streaming service Disney+ to be available on a physical, collectible format. It will be followed next month by WandaVision and then the first two Mandalorian seasons in December. For a while it was uncertain what was going on and if these were always going to be beholden to the streamer as an exclusive. Loki: The Complete First Season became available for purchase on September 26th. You can order yourself a copy by using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review. 
Prepare for the action-packed, modern origin story that takes a fresh, fun look at the Super Hero genre in a can’t-miss spectacle of vibrant visuals, humor and heart when “Blue Beetle” arrives for purchase Digitally at home on September 26. The film is directed by Ángel Manuel Soto (“Charm City Kings”) with Xolo Maridueña (“Cobra Kai”) starring in the DC Super Hero’s first-ever standalone feature film. The film will also be available to purchase on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on October 31. The “Blue Beetle” ensemble cast also includes Adriana Barraza (“Rambo: Last Blood,” “Thor”), Damían Alcázar (“Narcos,” “Narcos: Mexico”), Elpidia Carrillo (“Mayans M.C.,” the “Predator” films), Bruna Marquezine (“Maldivas,” “God Save the King”), Raoul Max Trujillo (the “Sicario” films, “Mayans M.C.”), with Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (“Monarch,” “Dead Man Walking”), and George Lopez (the “Rio and “Smurf” franchises). The film also stars Belissa Escobedo (“American Horror Stories,” “Hocus Pocus 2”) and Harvey Guillén (“What We Do in the Shadows”). “Blue Beetle” is written Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, based on characters from DC. The film is produced by John Rickard and Zev Foreman and executive produced by Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman and Garrett Grant. 
Releasing on Blu-ray™ for the first time ever, Blue Steel arrives November 14 on Blu-ray™ + Digital from Lionsgate. Written and directed by Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Point Break), this release will feature updated artwork and new special features. Blue Steel, which Moviehole calls “a captivating and thrilling whodunnit,” will be available on Blu-ray™ + Digital November 14th.
Shout! Studios proudly presents the seven-time Oscar® nominated crime thriller, FARGO [Collector’s Edition] on 4K UHD + BLU-RAYTM
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the heartfelt drama TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, arriving for the first time on 4K Ultra HD as part of the Paramount Presents line on November 14, 2023 from Paramount Home Entertainment. 
Filmmaking duo (and twin brothers) Danny and Michael Philippou of @RackaRacka YouTube channel fame blend a ghost tale with modern sensibilities of a horror-thriller in their debut feature, Talk to Me. The Philippous collaborate with A24 for Talk to Me, arriving on 4K + Blu-ray™ + Digital and Blu-ray™+ DVD + Digital on October 3. Starring Sophie Wilde (The Portable Door), Alexandra Jensen (Beat), Joe Bird (Rabbit), and Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings franchise), Talk to Me will be available on 4K + Blu-ray + Digital, and Blu-ray + DVD + Digital. Talk to Me will also be available at Amazon with exclusive lenticular artwork on 4K + Blu-ray + Digital, and at Walmart with exclusive artwork on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital when it releases on October 3rd.
Hailed as “the biggest and best action movie of the year” (Screen Rant), the edge-of-your-seat, non-stop thrill ride MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—DEAD RECKONING Part One becomes available to buy on Digital for fans to watch at home starting October 10, 2023. The blockbuster hit will debut on 4K Ultra HD SteelBook™, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, and DVD on October 31st. “Tom Cruise is at the top of his game” in “the best ‘Mission’ ever” (KTLA-TV) that’s loaded with “next level action and thrills” (Entertainment Weekly). Certified Fresh with a stellar 96% critic score* on Rotten Tomatoes,® MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—DEAD RECKONING Part One received widespread acclaim and a coveted “A” CinemaScore from fans.
Get ready for a season of haunting entertainment with PARAMOUNT SCARES VOL. 1, Paramount Home Entertainment’s inaugural, limited-edition collection of chilling films, arriving October 24, 2023. Fans can plumb the depths of the horror genre with this collectible box set featuring five unforgettable movies, all in eye-popping 4K Ultra HD, along with over four hours of legacy special features and exclusive collectible items. Housed in deluxe packaging, each of the following films is presented in a special sleeve with artwork exclusive to the collection.
Just in time for Halloween, horror enthusiasts and collectors can experience bone-chilling suspense, ancient dark rituals, and terrifying horror like never before when SCREAM FACTORY™ unleashes three creepy supernatural cult hits on October 3, 2023 with NIGHT OF THE DEMONS Collector’s Edition in a 4K UHD™+ Blu-ray combo pack, NIGHT OF THE DEMONS 2 Collector’s Edition Blu-ray, and NIGHT OF THE DEMONS 3 Collector’s Edition Blu-ray.
Gran Turismo is a video game franchise of which I have owned every title of on every Sony gaming console. That also includes the VR and the portable handheld editions. To say I am a fan of the Gran Turismo franchise is like saying cows love grazing on grass. They live for it and so YES I’m a huge fan! I have fond memories of building out my Mitsubishi Eclipses on the earlier Sony Playstation consoles. Awww…the good ole days. However, let’s be honest with ourselves. Gran Turismo isn’t just a game. Oh no! It’s a full blown racing simulator. And let me be the first to tell you or maybe the second or third depending on how many reviews you have read thus far. This movie proves Gran Turismo is the ultimate racer driving simulator. Definitely do not try any of this at home, but do read my full Gran Turismo review below to find out why. 
