Archive Page 252
November 18th, 2016 by Brandon Peters
Home audiences will cheer for Disney’s Queen of Katwe, which has earned widespread critical acclaim. Based on the vibrant true story of a young girl (Madina Nalwanga) from the streets of Uganda whose world changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. It is a remarkable story of perseverance against all odds that will leave viewers feeling humbled and inspired. According to director Mira Nair, “The triumph of the human spirit is not to weep for what we don’t have but to focus on what we do have and allow that to take us to a place we never imagined possible.” Disney’s heartwarming and triumphant tale arrives home on Digital HD on Jan. 10 and Blu-ray™ on Jan. 31. Continue reading ‘QUEEN OF KATWE Becomes The Queen Of Blu-ray January 31st!’
November 18th, 2016 by Jason Coleman
With only two more Friday’s left in November my four weeks of sheer and utter movie embarrassment is almost at an end so let’s finish off this second to last selection in the guilty pleasure series quick – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! Today we’re going into deep, deep character clichés, cornball comedy and stereotypical scenarios for some pure gamey movie cheddar that most would consider sub-par cinema. But for yours truly all of the above B-movie badness is music to the ears with a tale of a man whose dream of finding the right woman comes true – even if she is made of wood, polystyrene and fiberglass. Where can I get a…Mannequin! Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “Mannequin”’
November 18th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
Manchester by the Sea is the equivalent of an arthouse blockbuster. It’s an impressively made drama from acclaimed writer/director/playwright Kenneth Lonergan about a man’s grief, while back in his hometown. It features reserved, but impressive performances from the likes of arthouse favorites Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams, with an expanded running time to make sure we follow all the moving parts to these characters and this story. Manchester by the Sea allows for more resonance when it comes to taking in the emotional payoffs of a feature like this. There’s also the universal nature to the film being shown, which means it has enough heart and humor to go along with the drama and make it ultimately quite rewarding.
Continue reading ‘Hometown Drama In ‘Manchester By The Sea’ (Movie Review)’
November 17th, 2016 by Brian White
Mechanic: Resurrection was a film I never made it to theatrically this year. In fact I never even saw the first film in the series. After reading Aaron Neuwirth’s review of the second one here I took away the fact that I don’t even need to visit the first film for continuity sake at all. Bonus for me! Truth be told though I always felt like you’ve seen one Jason Statham action movie you’ve seen them all. Now I know that is being ignorant and completely not true. I also adore Jason Statham in a lot of his features too. It’s just that some of his outings are so damn generic they’re not memorable one bit to say the very least. However, how often does Jason get paired with Jessica Alba? To top it off this one’s being released in glorious 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. How on Earth can I say no to that combo? It’s a rhetorical question. I cannot! Continue reading ‘Mechanic Resurrection (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
November 17th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
In addition to being a talented journeyman director, 2-time Oscar winner Ang Lee has shown a profundity for technical ambition in his films. 2003’s Hulk, flawed as it, could still be considered one of the more ambitiously made superhero films of the modern age. Life of Pi is one of the few films in this post-Avatar world to properly utilize 3D as more than just a monetary-based gimmick. Now we have Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, a dramatic satire focused on a young Army specialist and how he deals with newfound fame back in 2004 America, following a heroic act while fighting in Iraq. For this, Lee went with the whole shebang, shooting at 120 frames per second in 3D at 4K HD resolution. That is wild just to think about, but the results are a film that is not only overly familiar from a story standpoint, but lacks the essence of what makes me appreciate cinema.
Continue reading ‘‘Billy Lynn’s Long’ Walk Away From Cinema (Movie Review)’
November 17th, 2016 by Jason Coleman
Still in the midst of catching up on end of the year fare (saw a whopping six movies previously missed in the last few days alone!), there’s only a trio of flicks up for dissection this week. (The Edge of Seventeen and Nocturnal Animals were not made available to yours truly, but thankfully covered by my fellow website cohorts!) So keeping a few indie nuggets alive are a dramatic doc, a strange thriller and a revenge flick that’s not standard stuff. Check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews of Peter And The Farm, The Similars and Elle below! Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Three New Indie Titles’
November 17th, 2016 by Brandon Peters
Four weeks to go until we see the first of the three planned Star Wars “spinoff” films, Rogue One. This film about the band of Rebels and spies that steal the plans to the Death Star, kicking into motion the original film, is the kind of spinoff I’m more eager to see from these than younger versions of characters’ we’ve spent many films with origin stories (Though I must say, the Han Solo film is doing and saying all the right thing and seems to be having all the right people). This one features some good footage and behind the scenes, and while being a bit of a softball, still manages to get me really pumped for the film. This is a film that has a lot of questions as what its going to be like. For instance…how does the film open? An opening crawl? They’ve said there’s probably not one. So, then how? These and more questions will be answered on December 16th (But, lets not be silly, we are all going to see it on the 15th). Continue reading ‘Enjoy This New ROGUE ONE: A STAR WAR STORY Featurette! 4 Weeks To Go!’
November 17th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
So Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them was rather delightful. Imagine that? After a successful and unprecedented series of Harry Potter films, the choice was made to develop a spin-off series and this first entry delivered. Not being personally connected to the book series or all that familiar with Potter lore in general, this felt like a “we’ll see” type of situation and see I have. Working well to deliver on setting, spectacle and charm, this film exists in a blockbuster world where films have to play to nearly all audiences and does so without compromise. There are some issues here and there concerning how to balance a couple stories, but it did little to take away from the joy felt in seeing this wizarding world be brought back to life.
Continue reading ‘Where The Wild ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Are (Movie Review)’
November 17th, 2016 by Brandon Peters
Barring some sort of super late rush surprise announcement, 2016 for the year of Blu-ray is pretty much in the books. And as always, looking back, it was another terrific year. Many more Wishlist films from years’ past were granted on Blu-ray and some that were being prepped for this list got announced before it was time to write it and publish it (Punch Drunk Love and Duck Soup, for example-yes, I have this article in mind year round). There were also many other great surprises. 2016 also brought us a new format, 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, which I’ve been fortunate to have been able to dabble with in year 1. Its far too early and easy to do a wishlist for that format, we’ve still got plenty to do for good ‘ol Blu-ray. This year’s list will be only 10 films because I had to scale back at some point, the years are counting up too high! While the picks aren’t all this way, I found myself getting slightly more filmmaker focused this year. Some great directors are missing films from their filmography on the format and would be a great addition to work to complete their catalog and just good movies in general to have on the format. Continue reading ‘Brandon’s Blu-ray Wishlist For 2017!’
November 17th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
I’m excited to finally catch this one. Here’s the deal: Dubbed “… a fun, fast, tightly crafted genre film,” (Daniel Barnes,
Sacramento News & Review), the critically-acclaimed, zombie apocalypse thriller
TRAIN TO BUSAN debuts on digital
December 13 and on Blu-ray
™ and DVD
January 17 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Certified Fresh (96%) on Rotten Tomatoes, horror fans can take a harrowing
TRAIN TO BUSAN, where a group of terrified passengers must fight the zombie hordes to make it to their last bastion of refuge … or so everyone hopes. The film that set the box office ablaze across Asia, smashed box office records in South Korea and became the biggest Korean film of all time. Continue on to learn more about this upcoming release.
Continue reading ‘The TRAIN TO BUSAN Arrives On Blu-ray This January’
November 17th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
Writer/director/fashion designer Tom Ford has certainly proven he knows how to dress up a scene and his characters. Nocturnal Animals presents multiple scenarios, be it characters at home or in the middle of something out of a Cormac McCarthy novel, which feel lovingly crafted for one to observe every detail, as if reading an intense description from a book through one’s eyes. Ideally the style does not overtake the narrative presented and while this film indeed has some strong components to tell an engaging story within the moment, I can’t help but shake a sense of emptiness. Never mind how uncomfortable some of the events in this layered revenge tale managed to make me feel, there was more a nibble than a bite when it came to the impact of Nocturnal Animals.
Continue reading ‘‘Nocturnal Animals’ Show Its Stylish Teeth (Movie Review)’
November 16th, 2016 by Blu-ray Brian
Here’s one I saw in the theaters and I liked quite a bit. So this is what it’s all about. Questioning everything she knows, a woman must face her terrifying past in the wake of a darkly mysterious event to piece together the truth in the provocative thriller, The Girl on the Train. Based on USA TODAY’s 2015 Book of the Year and the #1 New York Times Bestseller by Paula Hawkins, the suspense comes home when The Girl on the Train arrives on Digital HD January 3, 2017 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand January 17, 2017 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures. Continue reading ‘The Girl On The Train Rides On Blu-ray & 4K Ultra HD This January’
November 16th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
The Edge of Seventeen falls under the category of one of the many types of films you expect to get in a given year. This is a coming-of-age comedy drama about a teenager navigating the socially awkward experience that is high school. Generally, when you see good versions of these types of movies come out, John Hughes is among the references to come to mind. It makes sense, as you have a central teen character speaking with confidence and solid dialogue, despite being a mess of emotions. This film does not exactly break any new ground, but it does have its share of charm, thanks to some strong performances.
a Continue reading ‘A High-Strung Teenager’s Life On ‘The Edge Of Seventeen’ (Movie Review)’
November 16th, 2016 by Brian White
Nocturnal Animals is a flick I knew nothing about weeks ago. I never heard of it before so when the press screening invite arrived in my inbox it was very much a surprise to me. I saw that Amy Adams was in it and decided to give the trailer a spin. She has been in everything else this year (BvS, Arrival) so why shouldn’t I continue rolling with her like we’re besties. The theatrical trailer looked very promising and rather Texan (in reference to the cowboy hats and scenery). However, what sealed the deal was the fact that Oblivion‘s Vika (Andrea Riseborough) is also in it. She’s one of my favorites so I signed up without anymore knowledge than that! Therefore I decided to give it a try and the next six paragraphs you’ll spend with me below sums up exactly how my time was with Amy and the rest of the star studded cast of Nocturnal Animals. Continue reading ‘Nocturnal Animals Is A Modern Day Masterpiece (Movie Review)’
November 16th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
In February, Criterion will put out the first-ever box set of Richard Linklater’s The Before Trilogy, a three-part romance and meditation on cinematic time featuring intimate performances by Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke. And that’s just one release in a month filled with extraordinary releases, including beloved films by two cinema giants: Pedro Almodóvar’s Academy Award-nominated Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, a raucous, screwball battle of the sexes starring Antonio Banderas and Rossy de Palma that announced the director to the world; and Ermanno Olmi’s Palme d’Or-winning The Tree of Wooden Clogs, an absorbing and sensual film that faithfully captures the rhythms of a now lost way of life in rural Italy at the turn of the twentieth century. All this plus Michael Curtiz’s noir masterpiece Mildred Pierce, starring Joan Crawford in a career-defining role (which earned her an Academy Award); and, fresh from an acclaimed theatrical run, Kirsten Johnson’s Cameraperson, the noted cinematographer’s deeply personal examination of what it means to train a camera on the world, which the New York Times has called “transfixing” and “unlike anything you’ve seen before.”
Continue reading ‘The Before Trilogy And More In The Criterion Collection’s February 2017 Announcement’
November 15th, 2016 by Blu-ray Brian
Drop the microphone! The movie event of the year is coming to home media next month! Bring the Squad home when “Suicide Squad” arrives onto Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. From director David Ayer (“Fury,” “End of Watch”) comes “Suicide Squad,” starring Oscar nominee Will Smith (Best Actor, 2002, “Ali,” Best Actor, 2007 “The Pursuit of Happyness,”), Oscar winner Jared Leto (Best Supporting Actor, “Dallas Buyers Club,” 2013), Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Focus”), Joel Kinnaman (Netflix’s “House of Cards”) and Oscar nominee Viola Davis (“The Help,” “Doubt”).
Continue reading ‘Suicide Squad Officially Gets Announced For 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray!’
November 15th, 2016 by Blu-ray Brian
 Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and his boys are back to “ball out” in Season 2 of the hit HBO comedy Ballers from the team behind the HBO classic Entourage. Johnson showcases his “movie-star charisma” (The Hollywood Reporter) in the series that looks at the whirlwind lifestyles and real-life problems of former and current football players in sun-soaked Miami. Ballers: The Complete Second Season will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on January 31, 2017 and includes “Inside the Episode” bonus segments that give the play-by-play on all 10 episodes, featuring interviews with executive producer Evan Reilly, star Dwayne Johnson and more. DVD and Blu-ray versions also include a Digital Download. Continue reading ‘Ballers Season 2 Snaps The Ball on Blu-ray This January!’
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November 15th, 2016 by Brandon Peters
Before the highly-anticipated final season kicks off this winter, check out the “spectacular” (Vulture) fifth season of the Emmy®- and Golden Globe-winning HBO comedy Girls. Starring and created by Lena Dunham and executive produced by Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner, the hit series follows the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of girls in their mid-20s—each facing new challenges in life and love. GIRLS: The Complete Fifth Season will be available on Blu-rayTM and DVD January 3rd, 2017. The Blu-rayTM and DVD sets both feature a free digital download of all 10 episodes, plus exclusive bonus content including more than two dozen never-before-seen deleted and extended scenes. Continue reading ‘GIRLS: The Complete Fifth Season Makes Its Way To Blu-ray January 3rd!’
