Independence Day: 20th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
I’m spending the time before the upcoming holiday weekend to write about the aptly titled Independence Day, now some 20 years old and counting. Fox provided us with a regular Blu-ray version of this 20th Anniversary releases, which Aaron Neuwirth reviewed enthusiastically over here, but today I’m coming at you with the best presentation this film has ever seen on the 4K UHD Blu-ray format. However, I digress for the moment as I want to spend the next few paragraphs talking about what the 1996 science-fiction action flick meant to me. It is my belief that Independence Day accomplished three major things things, if not more. First, it ushered in the era of what all now know of as the obligatory, annual large-scale disaster films that plague the summer box office. Second, it became a star vehicle for Will Smith and opened doors to him in Hollywood I’m sure he never imagined despite the bright, rising star he already was. And finally, Independence Day set the bar for all sci-fi action movies to follow with its then groundbreaking effects. Continue reading ‘Independence Day: 20th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
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When the eventual vampire apocalypse comes, we had better hope that centuries of vampire lore from books, comics, and movies is accurate. It’s the only thing we cling to, with the proper use of garlic, stakes through the heart, and hoping they can’t cross running water. Of course, we’ve seen countless interpretations of vampires in comics over the years, so to bring something new and intriguing to the genre is a challenge to creators. Luckily with Blood Feud from Oni Press, the challenge was accepted and executed very well.
It will make your flesh crawl … 
Spike your hair, throw on your combat boots, and get ready to dive into the mosh pit when the brilliantly crafted thriller Green Room hits Blu-ray (plus Digital HD) and DVD (plus Digital) July 12 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier (who achieved critical success with Blue Ruin), Green Room is a film that critics are calling “the best screw-tightening siege movie of the year” (Rolling Stone). The award-winning film stars Golden Globe® nominee Patrick Stewart (X-Men: Days of Future Past) in a role ”that’s as cool as it is evil” (Bloody Disgusting) and will haunt audiences well past the closing credits. The film also stars the late great Anton Yelchin (Star Trek Beyond), Macon Blair (Blue Ruin), Imogen Poots (Fright Night) and Alia Shawkat (The Final Girls). The Green Room Blu-ray with Digital HD contains a full-length audio commentary with Director Jeremy Saulnier and a behind-the-scenes featurette.
For years, fans have been clamoring for the definite word on the making of George A. Romero’s classic 1982 horror anthology CREEPSHOW, the first of his many big screen collaborations with best-selling novelist Stephen King. Now 34 years later, Synapse Films and Red Shirt Pictures join forces to bring this terrifyingly entertaining story to life in JUST DESSERTS: THE MAKING OF “CREEPSHOW”, a special edition Blu-ray release documenting one of the greatest horror films ever made! JUST DESSERTS: THE MAKING OF “CREEPSHOW” is filled with rare behind-the-scenes footage, photographs and other exciting memorabilia. Featuring over a dozen interviews, including George A. Romero, Tom Savini, Adrienne Barbeau, Ed Harris, Tom Atkins and many others, this Special Edition Blu-ray also contains hours of additional supplemental materials. These are the terrifying stories behind the film that promised you, “The Most Fun You’ll Ever Have BEING SCARED!” 
A young girl finds and unlikely and uplifting friendship with an adorable monkey in this charming, light-hearted film. Rising star Shelby Lyon heads up an all-star cast, including Peyton Meyere (Girl Meets World), Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie), Sean Patrick Flannery (The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles), Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day) and, of course, Crystal the Monkey (Night at the Museum). The film makes its home debut on August 2nd, when Shout! Factory releases it under the Shout Kids label. It features an array of bonus material, including a half hour set of interviews and clips telling the story of making the film. This family film can be yours by scrolling down below and pre-ordering it from the Amazon link below. C’mon, monkeys, Shannon Elizabeth and gymnastics. You want this!
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In The Pack, man’s best friend becomes his worst nightmare when a horde of bloodthirsty wild dogs descends upon a family’s farmhouse. Generating a steadily mounting sense of dread, The Pack cleverly toys with genre conventions before it goes in for the kill. The Pack also includes the featurette “The Making of The Pack” and theatrical trailer as bonus features. Fans can pre-order their copies now by visiting ShoutFactory.com. This film sort of kicks off a kind of werewolf month for the label in July. I don’t know if it was by intention, design or by accident, but there are three lycanthrope related films being released on Blu-ray by them within the coming weeks. This, being the most modern and the other two being vintage films making the Blu-ray jump (Bad Moon and The Boy Who Cried Werewolf out later). Okay, this isn’t werewolves sorta speak (Its just straight up wolves), its canine-esque fueled thriller with people under attack from them. And maybe I spotted a moon here or there. Leave me alone I’m trying to throw this all together somehow. 
Twenty-five years ago, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast broke ground as the first animated feature film to receive an Academy Award® nomination for best picture, and now this tale as old as time joins the Walt Disney Signature Collection. The Blu-ray release will include the original theatrical film; an extended version with the “Human Again” song sequence and a never-before-released on home entertainment sing-along version. The original work-in-progress version will be available digitally and on Disney Movies Anywhere. Relive the magic on Sept. 6 on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere, and on Sept. 20 on Blu-ray™ and DVD.
I’m back with my famed week-ending peek into past pictures worthy of a retro revisit – but now on a brand new site! And being that this is the first official one here at my new home 
This summer, venture into the town of Waterbury with Sarah, a young woman who returns to where she was born, only to find herself the centerpiece in a series of horrifying copycat murders based on the grisly killings of her parents. As the murders escalate, long-buried secrets are revealed, making everyone around her a suspect…or a victim. The thrilling first season of Chiller’s original hit series SLASHER – which recently concluded its run on-air this Spring – stars Katie McGrath (Jurassic World, Dracula,Merlin), Brandon Jay McLaren (Chicago Fire, Graceland, The Killing), Steve Byers (The Man in the High Castle, Alphas, Smallville), Dean McDermott (Ecstasy, CSI) and Wendy Crewson (Saving Hope, Revenge). On July 12, 2016, SCREAM FACTORY™ will release SLASHER: SEASON ONE on Blu-ray andDVD. A must-have for horror enthusiasts, this eerily terrifying series features a generous dose of suspense and blood-curdling violence. Both the Blu-ray and DVD will include a behind-the-scenes featurette. 
First off, I wanted to let everyone know that Warner Bros. did not supply this 4K UHD Blu-ray for me to review, but instead I purchased it myself out of my love and affinity for the Rocky franchise, and most recently Creed in this case (as I simply could not resist that gorgeous, awe-inspiring black slip cover). I’ll admit though that I’m a few months late to this 4K Blu-ray party, but what matters most is that I’m here now, and I’m staying. Thus far the 4K UHD Blu-ray format has been a rewarding experience, but I’ll admit to having a few system hiccups (don’t make the mistake of buying Lionsgate’s Sicario 4K Blu-ray) since my review of the new equipment I possess 
