X-Men: Apocalypse (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
X-Men (along with Blade) is credited with giving launch to the 2nd wave of comic book superhero movies. Its also, cleverly, still going along within its own continuity. Two years ago, Bryan Singer returned to the franchise he gave life with the fun and exciting Days Of Future Past. That film melded together the original cast with the younger First Class team. The film both worked as a sequel to First Class and sort of a cap off to the original crew. That film sort of ended on a clean slate, allowing this universe to cross old territories and new without worry. They decided to begin with the biggest mutant villain there is, Apocalypse, while re-introducing some of the more popular mutants that had been absent for a few films. Continue reading ‘X-Men: Apocalypse (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
Back in the days I used to fashion myself as a pretty big Ghostbusters fan. I lost count how many times I seen the original back in the 80’s, but I can honestly attest to only seeing the second film once. We all know how bad that film is so I won’t even go there. Needless to say a third Ghostbusters film has been rumored to be in the works now for decades. Did they need a third Ghostbusters film? Of course they did not, but you can’t keep a good cash cow down forever. Sooner or later it’s going to rear its ugly head, hence this year’s Independence Day: Resurgence. So that’s where things get interesting. I was convinced that this reboot of the “franchise” was going to suck hard based on my animosity towards the film’s first trailer, but a recent visit with the original Ghostbusters on 4K UHD Blu-ray made me think otherwise. This 2016 entry is an absolute blast! 
I have to admit, even with the ridiculous latest entry in the family, X-Men: Apocalypse, I’m ecstatic to be tackling X-Men: First Class here. Ask me why. I dare you! Well, since you asked, I suppose the only nice thing to do would be to divulge. I’m “ultra” excited for this one simply because ever since they did this First Class I haven’t looked back. With the exception of Wolverine’s character, I had some small issues with the original X-Men films, especially the third one. However, First Class came along and totally made me a fan again with it’s reboot characteristics, vintage “freshness” and fantastic young cast. It’s an absolute blast. Needless to say I’m stoked about First Class making its 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray debut this past Tuesday. So let’s get started! 
The Legend of Tarzan feels like a film that was set up to fail from the very start. How much interest is there really with a modern day telling of Tarzan where your leading man sports blonde locks? The trailers were personally satisfying, but something about it just reeked of stay away to me. That’s why I never saw this one theatrically. Now don’t get me wrong. I love me some Alexander Skarsgard. I grew up watching and adoring him as Eric in True Blood and his casting here had absolutely nothing to do with my staying away from this property theatrically. Admittedly so I’m not much of a Tarzan fan. I could care less really. However, that state of mind all changed after seeing Suicide Squad this past August. I realized something about The Legend of Tarzan I failed to initially see. Margot Robbie is in this one! Hello, Jane! Me Tarzan! 
With their horror centric podcast this week, my WhySoBlu partners in crime decided to go down the haunted hallway of all things monster mash so I’m frighteningly following suit – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick. While my creature feature selection this week is in fact a retelling of a classic 1958 creepy campfire tale (“help me!”), it’s a fright fest that is firmly given a fascinating new stamp by all involved and thus worthy of a revisit. The classic tale of a mad scientist who decides to experiment on himself with horrendous results is given a shot of nitroglycerin in the form of groundbreaking make-up effects and a signature story style from one of the best demented minds in the business. You hear that buzzing? It’s…The Fly!
Those of us who dig cool cinematic coming age stories know that the great ones almost always use era for inspiration. Be it the last day of school in the 70’s via Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused or the 80’s ridden tale of love found and lost with Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything, true tales of teen woe frequently involve a plethora of outside influences. Such is the case with the outstanding new film 
Disney’s live-action epic adventure “The Jungle Book” 3D Collector’s Edition —Jon Favreau’s stunning reimagining of Walt Disney’s animated classic—will be available to own just in time for the holidays. “The Jungle Book” Collector’s Edition offers more than just the bare necessities with collectible packaging and a three-disc set containing the original theatrical release on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™, Digital HD and DVD, along with originally released bonus features and five never-before-seen extras. Bring home the Collector’s Edition on November 15th.
A delirious blend of high-octane action, razor-sharp political satire and full-throttle mayhem, Roger Corman’s Death Race 2050arrives on Blu-ray™ combo pack, DVD and Digital HD January 17, 2017, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The highly anticipated reboot of the cult classic Death Race 2000, the Universal 1440 Entertainment original production straps viewers into the driver’s seat of the ultimate auto showdown, a blood-splattered no-holds-barred virtual-reality show that gleefully pits hardened road warriors against each other — and their audience. Exclusive bonus features reveal how filmmakers transformed the deadliest competition on wheels into a hair-raising, savagely funny game of life or death. 
Every summer folks flock to see the giant superhero blockbusters, the big animated features for the family (That a lot of adults get more out of), large scale epics, Purge movies and some of those small films that click along the way. Forgotten among the ranks sometimes are the straight comedies and rom coms with notable casts. You gotta fill that void a couple times a month and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates was one of those movies. It felt like you couldn’t escape that trailer no matter what you went to see from the Spring until it came out. A trailer that felt it was giving away the best the film had to offer. While I kinda looked at it as one I’d wait for home video on, I still was kinda interested based on the cast. The movie was a decent sized hit while being unfavorable with the critics. But, hey, everyone has a different sense of humor. 
Before visiting The Great Gatsby theatrically, I strongly held the opinion that this was either going to be one of those films you’d love or you’d hate with absolutely no middle ground in the equation. I know I found myself seriously conflicted in how I felt about it for months before I saw it. The first trailer did nothing to persuade me that this was a film I must-see. Other than my infinite love for Baz Luhrmann’s 
In Blood Father, which comes out on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on October 11th, Mel Gibson (Maverick, Payback) effortlessly transcends his troubled public persona to portray a gruff semi-racist man trying to escape his past by telling the only woman is his life to shut up and follow his instructions lest she find herself facing physical violence. Additionally, it has some pretty brutal and fun action scenes and doesn’t take itself too seriously, so it might just be worth a watch. 
This is one I missed in the theater, but was told I would like very much. So call me interested. Here we go! Get in on the action when “War Dogs” arrives onto Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD. From director Todd Phillips (“The Hangover” trilogy) comes “War Dogs,” starring Oscar nominee Jonah Hill (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Moneyball”) and Miles Teller (“Whiplash,” the “Divergent” trilogy). The film also stars Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper (“American Sniper,” “American Hustle”) and Ana de Armas (“Knock Knock”). 
Inspired by President Barack Obama’s first “date” with the First Lady, the touching and inspirational romance, Southside with You arrives on Digital HD 
When my reviewer Gerard Iribe and Aaron Neuwirth (his Comic-Con 2012 coverage 
You can’t keep a good man down! Matt Damon (Bourne Franchise, The Martian) is back and this time it’s personal in Jason Bourne, the action-packed fifth installment of the blockbuster franchise, coming to Digital HD November 15, 2016 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on December 6, 2016, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Nearly a decade since fans last saw the former operative, the explosive return brings Jason Bourne into a whole new era, revealing key secrets about Bourne’s origins to a new generation. The 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD include commentary from the cast, filmmakers, stunt performers and fight coordinators, plus behind-the-scenes features that take viewers inside the making of the film’s intense stunt choreography and one of the wildest car chases in Bourne history.
