Heat – Director’s Definitive Edition (Blu-ray Review)
In the Fall of 2016, I was able to attend a screening of Heat at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which boasted a brand new 4K restoration of the film, supervised by writer/director Michael Mann. Not that I needed a reminder of how great Mann’s Los Angeles crime saga is, but I was intrigued to see this 90s classic on the big screen, with a better than ever video and audio presentation. Now, this definitive edition of the crime epic has found its way to Blu-ray, along with the Q&A from that screening (which was moderated by Christopher Nolan), and more extras for any fan to enjoy. Not bad for this spectacular cops and robbers movie featuring two of cinema’s greatest actors.
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T2 TRAINSPOTTING, the critically acclaimed sequel to the pop culture phenomenon Trainspotting
Experience extraterrestrial life like you’ve never seen it before, in the heart-pounding sci-fi thriller LIFE, debuting on digital June 2 and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD June 20 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Skydance Productions. Academy Award® nominee Jake Gyllenhaal (Best Supporting Actor, Brokeback Mountain, 2005), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation) and Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) star as a team of scientists aboard the International Space Station who discover a rapidly evolving life form that threatens the crew and all life on Earth. Also starring Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine), Ariyon Bakare (Rogue One), and Olga Dihovichnaya (House of Others), the film was directed by Daniel Espinosa (Safe House) and written by Deadpool screenwriters, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. Hailed by critics as a “non-stop thrill ride, with high stakes, terror, and intense moments around every corner” (Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com), LIFE also features the ultimate twist ending. 
It’s the end of an era! Over the course of its first five seasons, Girls, the hit HBO comedy series created by and starring Emmy® nominee and Golden Globe® winner Lena Dunham, and executive produced by Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner, has continued to be one of the most critically acclaimed and buzzed about shows on television. Now fans can finally find out how this instantly-iconic HBO series ends when Girls: The Complete Sixth Season will be available for Digital Download on May 15, 2017 and on Blu-rayTM and DVD on July 25, 2017. All formats feature exclusive new bonus content, including an extended version of ‘A Goodbye to Girls’ featuring never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, ‘Inside the Episodes’ featurettes and more.
While I have been completely disgusted by what has been transpiring with the divided American public this year (rioting, violence, demonstrations, destruction, etc) since the Presidential Inauguration there’s no doubt about it, the women very much have the power in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Feminists and enemies of President Trump cannot argue that. Without the many women players in this particular outing our titular hero would not have been the smashing success he is. You hear that feminists? Equal opportunities are everywhere in this new Paramount outing, which if you’re keeping score is the third film in this wild xXx action franchise. So now that I have my little political rant off my chest, as I too feel like a piece of meat at times, let’s talk about the good, the bad and the ugly in xXx: Return of Xander Cage.
To celebrate the review this week of Marco Siedelmann’s very cool and comprehensive B-movie book titled 
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic, brought the story and characters audiences know and love to spectacular life and broke box-office records. The release invites viewers to get up close and personal with the filmmakers and cast to see how this beloved animated film was transformed into a new live-action classic, from the first enchanted table read to a fascinating look at how the film was brought to life utilizing lavish sets, elaborately designed costumes and props, and state-of the-art technology. A feature on the amazing women behind the enchanted tale hosted by Emma Watson; and over 10 minutes of deleted scenes along with musical extras, including the “Beauty and the Beast” music video starring Ariana Grande and John Legend, Celine Dion’s heartfelt take on the new song “How Does a Moment Last Forever,” and jump directly to all you favorite unforgettable songs. Bring home the timeless tale beloved by generations on Digital HD, Blu-ray, Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD, and On-Demand on June 6. 
Back in my old quality control days for Blu-ray and DVD, it also included the short lived HD-DVD format. Toshiba’s failed high definition discs did beat Blu-ray to market. In the testing world, I’ve mentioned the first two titles were Goodfellas and Million Dollar Baby. Well, the third was Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven. This was the one that truly showcased how much you could cram on a disc (And even after, that would be surpassed). Now, for the 25th anniversary of one of the greatest Westerns of all time (You could argue THE greatest), its going to dabble in the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format. Not only is it getting a new transfer, but finally it will be equipped with lossless audio carrying over all of the previous bonus material. You can pre-order the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray in time to have it on release day of May 16th. 
Academy Award® nominee Michael Fassbender (Best Actor, Steve Jobs, 2016; Best Actor, 12 Years a Slave, 2013), Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling (Best Actor, La La Land, 2017; Best Actor, Half Nelson, 2007), Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara (Best Supporting Actress, Carol, 2016; Best Actress, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, 2011) and Oscar® winner Natalie Portman (Best Actress, Black Swan, 2011) star in the visually sumptuous, modern love story SONG TO SONG, available on Digital HD June 27 and on 4K UHD + Blu-ray™ combo pack, Blu-ray, DVD and VOD on July 4. The special feature included on all formats (except VOD) is “The Music Behind the Movie” featurette.
A world where the normal course of events could suddenly turn inside out — the imaginary becomes real, and reality is all in your mind. Loyal fans of visionary filmmaker Brett Leonard (Virtuosity, Hideaway) know well the enthralling sci-fi action horror from his 1992 cult classic THE LAWNMOWER MAN, starring Jeff Fahey (Machete) and Pierce Brosnan (The Son). Directed by Brett Leonard (Virtuosity, Hideaway), the film also stars Jenny Wright (Near Dark) and Geoffrey Lewis (The Devil’s Rejects). On June 20, 2017, SCREAM FACTORY™ Home Entertainment is proud to present THE LAWNMOWER MAN Collector’s Edition. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this definitive collector’s edition release boasts The Director’s Cut, theatrical cut and revealing extras. A must-have for movie collectors, sci-fi enthusiasts and loyal fans, THE LAWNMOWER MAN Collector’s Edition 2-Disc Blu-ray set also includes a collectible slipcover featuring newly rendered artwork and a reversible cover wrap featuring original theatrical key art. 
For someone still early in their career, actor 
Nothing is more fascinating to a true movie geek than the history of films told by the folks who lived it. German film critic and author Marco Siedelmann fully understands such a cinematic need and for fans of all things B-movie he’s got you covered. The founder of the online Magazine Hard Sensations and Publishing House Editions Moustache has already created an extensive examination of the Shapiro Glickenhaus Entertainment (SGE) era with his book 
I honestly never saw this happening when I walked out of this one theatrically. My first viewing of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter left me with a giddy smile on my face rather than one of disgust and regret. After covering Resident Evil: Afterlife 
Its not often that I get super hyped for one of the modern movies that Scream Factory & IFC Midnight put out. Some of them, yeah, I look forward to, but catching the trailer on Beyond the Gates grabbed me and had me wanting to skip the rest of it as to not spoil. A film backed and starring legend Barbara Crampton, I was already interested, but when I saw what it was ACTUALLY about, I was thrilled. VCR board games are something that totally fascinated me when I was a kid and still do. I still have me Clue: The VCR Mystery Game in good condition, though nobody will ever play it with me (As was then as is now). Community did an episode on these during their run. Now here comes a sweet looking horror movie about one. Now, if the movie can live up to the excitement I have to watch it. We’ll see, but I have a feeling Scream Factory has another winner on their hands. You can order yourself a copy to check it out by using the Amazon link below. 
A captivating tale of desire and perception, Ido Fluk’s The Ticket will make its Blu-ray and DVD debut on June 6th, 2017 from Shout! Factory. Starring Dan Stevens (Beauty and the Beast, FX series Legion), Malin Akerman (Billions, Watchmen), Kerry Bishé (Halt and Catch Fire, Argo) and Oliver Platt (Chicago Med, Fargo), this emotionally rich drama also features an audio commentary by writer/director Ido Fluk and writer Sharon Mashihi, as well as the original theatrical trailer as bonus features. Fans can pre-order their copies now on ShoutFactory.com.
