Archive Page 283
April 19th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
So Leonardo DiCaprio has done it. He has won his Oscar for The Revenant, a film that was incredibly challenging to make and was also awarded Oscars for its terrific cinematography and the directing efforts of Alejandro G. Inarrittu. Now the film has arrived on Blu-ray, with plenty to take in, as far as the visual accomplishments of this film are concerned. See what you are in for, aside from a giant bear attack in this Blu-ray package.
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April 18th, 2016 by Jordan Grout
Things will be heating up this summer. In July, Criterion will bring into the collection films from three of the greatest directors of all time: The New World, the exquisite reimagining of the Pocahontas–John Smith tale by American treasure Terrence Malick, in a deluxe special edition featuring three different cuts of the film; A Touch of Zen, the extraordinary, game-changing martial arts epic by Chinese wuxia master King Hu; and Muriel, or The Time of Return, the excellent French drama about time, memory, and the Algieran War by New Wave master Alain Resnais—as well as new Blu-ray and DVD editions of Resnais’s unforgettable Holocaust documentary Night and Fog. Also coming in July is Arthur Hiller’s beloved, endlessly quotable cult comedy The In-Laws, with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. All this plus new Blu-ray and DVD editions of Herk Harvey’s quintessential independent American horror film Carnival of Souls. Full info on these exciting July releases is below. Continue reading ‘The Criterion Collection July Titles – Terrence Malick, King Hu, Alain Resnais & More!!!’
April 18th, 2016 by Shohan Cagle
Experience life from a unique perspective with the emotionally compelling film, Touched with Fire, arriving on Digital HD May 24 and on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand June 7 from Lionsgate. Katie Holmes (Batman Begins) and Luke Kirby (Mambo Italiano), shine as two people trying to figure out how to balance the brilliance of instability with the realities of life in the passionate story of unexpected love. Hailed as “Katie Holmes’ best performance in years!” by the Huffington Post, the film was an official selection at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival and a New York Times Critic’s Pick. From Executive Producer Spike Lee (Chi-raq) and writer/director Paul Dalio (Faith, Love and Whiskey). Continue reading ‘Touched with Fire arrives on Blu-ray and DVD June 7th!’
April 18th, 2016 by Shohan Cagle
Dark truths come to light when the intense thriller Remember arrives on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD) and DVD (plus Digital) May 3 from Lionsgate. Featuring critically acclaimed performances by Academy Award® winners Christopher Plummer (Best Supporting Actor, Beginners, 2011) and Martin Landau (Best Supporting Actor, Ed Wood, 1994), the captivating drama follows a Holocaust survivor who will stop at nothing to get justice for his family. Theatrically released by A24, the 2015 Venice Film Festival Official Selection was directed by Academy Award® nominee Atom Egoyan (Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, The Sweet Hereafter, 1997). Continue reading ‘Remember arrives on Blu-ray and DVD May 3rd!’
April 18th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
Casting really is everything sometimes. Whether playing an original creation or a fictional character, getting the right actor in the role will lead to an ultimate response from the audiences watching. I’m not sure Michael Shannon would have ever crossed my mind when it comes to casting Elvis Presley, but along with a game Kevin Spacey as President Nixon, a film depicting the meeting of these characters probably could not have gone better.
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Continue reading ‘‘Elvis & Nixon’ And The Delightful Badge Quest (Movie Review)’
April 16th, 2016 by Brian White
Working in the IT industry myself I can’t tell you what a breath of fresh air it is to see people going through the same stress, trials and tribulations as myself in the industry, but presented in a comedic fashion unlike Batman v Superman (sorry could not help it with that jab). I may not be involved directly per se in a tech startup, but I know how things work in corporate America and sometimes HBO’s hit comedy series Silicon Valley hits oh so close to home. You can read all about my take on Season One in my 2014 Blu-ray review over here, but today we’re here to discuss everything Season Two, which is finally making its long awaited, anticipated Blu-ray release on April 19th. What say you? You ready?! Like Lady Gaga, I was flippin’ born to review this one. Here we go! Continue reading ‘Silicon Valley: The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray Review)’
April 15th, 2016 by Shohan Cagle
An exuberant skate doc with a social message,
I AM THALENTE, is currently playing event screenings throughout the U.S., and will release digitally on
May 13th, 2016. This is the inaugural release of the new distribution wing of acclaimed crowdfunding and streaming company Seed & Spark.
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I AM THALENTE follows Thalente Biyela, a 17 year-old homeless skateboard prodigy in South Africa who catches the eye of the professional skate-world when a DIY video of him skating goes viral. A group of top pro-skaters and figures in the skate world, including Kenny Anderson and legend Tony Hawk, offer Thalente support and an opportunity to pursue his dream of skating and competing in the U.S, to rise about his circumstances and help him shape his own future.
Continue reading ‘“I Am Thalente” skates onto Digital Download May 13th!’
April 15th, 2016 by Brandon Peters
Fighting crime is a full-time job and Batman NEVER takes a vacation. That is until he finally agrees to let Batgirl and Nightwing take him on a long overdue trip – leaving Gotham City under the watchful eye of the Justice League in LEGO® DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Gotham City Breakout. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation,DC Entertainment and the LEGO® Group, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on on July 12, 2016 on Blu-rayTM Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. The Blu-rayTM and DVD releases will include an exclusive Nightwing LEGO®figurine, while supplies last.
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Continue reading ‘LEGO DC Super Heroes: Justice League – Gotham City Breakout July 12th!’
April 15th, 2016 by Brian White
The Green Room is one of those films that you’ll hear your colleagues in the business say you have to see, especially if you loved the raw, natural brutality that was the revenge flick Blue Ruin (see our Blu-ray review of it here) a few years back. That’s because the Blue Ruin director, Jeremy Saulnier (listen to our interview with him over here), is back with an all new thriller starring Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) and Patrick Stewart. Yes, that last name may sound odd seeing it outside of a Star Trek film, but it’s indeed Patrick Stewart in a role like you’ve never seen him before. The film is scheduled to be released by the magnificent A24 Films (Ex Machina, Under The Skin) in a limited release on April 15, 2016 before opening wide on April 29, 2016. I was lucky enough to check this film out an early screening at the Alamo Drafthouse this past week. Here’s what I have to say about it all. Continue reading ‘Fight Evil With Feedback In The ‘Green Room’ (Movie Review)’
April 14th, 2016 by Brandon Peters
Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise will boldly go where they have never gone before when STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Director’s Edition arrives for the first time ever on Blu-ray June 7, 2016 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. As part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Star Trek franchise, this classic film has been digitally remastered in high definition with brilliant picture quality and will be presented in both Nicholas Meyer’s Director’s Edition and the original theatrical version. The Blu-ray also includes a brand-new, nearly 30-minute documentary entitled “The Genesis Effect: Engineering The Wrath of Khan,” which details the development and production of this fan-favorite film through archival footage, photos and new interviews. In addition to the new documentary, the STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Director’s Edition Blu-ray is bursting with more than two hours of previously released special features including multiple commentaries, original interviews with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Ricardo Montalban and DeForest Kelley, explorations of the visual effects and musical score, a tribute to Ricardo Montalban, storyboards and much more.
Continue reading ‘STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Director’s Edition Debuts On Blu-ray June 7th’
April 14th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
After mixing it up with bigger stars and budgets with Begin Again starring Kiera Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, writer/director John Carney has taken things back down a notch with the incredibly winning Sing Street. This film takes the sweetness found in Carney’s breakout film, Once, and enlivens the material with an attitude akin to Son of Rambow. As a result, Sing Street is a very charming coming-of-age story, with a number of successful ideas put into action and a killer soundtrack.
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Continue reading ‘‘Sing Street’ Rocks (Movie Review)’
April 14th, 2016 by Wes Middleton
It seems safe to say that Star Wars, The Force Awakens, which currently tops the U.S. box office record, was seen by plenty of folks. If you haven’t seen it, here’s a spoiler that will not at all ruin the movie in any way shape or form. C-3PO, the obnoxiously worrisome sidekick to R2-D2, has a red arm. You couldn’t miss it in the movie, because 3PO goes out of his way to point it out. What we didn’t know until now was why. Star Wars C-3PO is a one off, single issue comic telling the tale of how 3PO acquired his crimson appendage.
Continue reading ‘Star Wars: C-3PO, The Phantom Limb (Comic Review)’
April 14th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
When you have a premise that is as easy-going as watching characters interact in a barbershop, it’s not too much of a wonder to figure why it’s enjoyable. Coming in more than a decade after the last entry in this series, Barbershop: The Next Cut may have changed the setup a bit, but there is a real ease to which we accept the atmosphere of this film. Everyone seems so comfortable in their roles, which is important, as the film balances comedy, honest opinions and social agendas that have a real place in the world of today. This all ends up making The Next Cut the best entry yet in a series that has always been fairly likable.
Continue reading ‘‘Barbershop: The Next Cut’ Is The Best Trip To The Shop Yet (Movie Review)’
April 13th, 2016 by Bron Anderson
The fourth episode of the Why So Blu? Podcast is now live and ready to be heard. Topics for this discussion include a very Spoilerific look at the recent release The Invitation, some discussion about the new trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and a few nods toward upcoming blu-ray reviews. If you haven’t already, find a way to watch The Invitation and listen to these WSBers talk about it.
Continue reading ‘WSB? Podcast Episode 4’
April 12th, 2016 by Blu-ray Brian
I don’t know anything about Marvel’s Doctor Strange, the comic book hero, but I do know this. There’s a new Marvel trailer in town! The brand new teaser trailer for Marvel’s Doctor Strange just debuted on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, introduced by star Benedict Cumberbatch. Check it out below. Continue reading ‘Marvel’s Doctor Strange – New Teaser Trailer’
April 12th, 2016 by Gabriel Bloomer
Well, ladies and gentlemen, another week is upon us, and with it comes a load of great new comic books. We’ve got everything from Vikings, anthropomorphism, and WWII fantasy, to far-future (or past) sci-fi, superheroes, and Victorian-steampunk-kaiju. There are four new #1s this week, as well as the start of a new story arc, and two exciting arcs that are wrapping up. April is off to an epic start and it doesn’t look to slow down next week, either. I know it can’t last, so let’s just ride it for as long as we can. Without further ado, or lily-gilding nonsense, I present my top picks for the week of April 13th, 2016….. Continue reading ‘Weekly Comic Book Recommendations 4/13/16 (Comics)’
April 12th, 2016 by Brandon Peters
The demonic forces of Trigon infiltrate the minds and bodies of the Justice League, turning the veteran super heroes against their youthful counterparts in the all-new DC Universe Original Movie, Justice League vs. Teen Titans. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the film will be available from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on April 12, 2016 on Blu-Ray™ Deluxe Edition, Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack and DVD. The voice cast for Justice League vs. Teen Titans includes several actors reprising their recent Justice League roles – Jason O’Mara (Complications, Terra Nova) as Batman, Jerry O’Connell (Crossing Jordan, Stand By Me) as Superman, Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Rent) as Wonder Woman, Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds) as Cyborg and Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs, Ugly Betty) as Flash. Sean Maher (Firefly/Serenity, Batman: Bad Blood) also returns as Nightwing, as does Stuart Allan (Batman vs. Robin) as Robin/Damian. Making their Teen Titans voiceover debuts are Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story, Wicked City) as Raven, Jake T. Austin (Wizards of Waverly Place, The Fosters) as Blue Beetle, Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series) as Beast Boy and Kari Wahlgren (Phineas and Ferb, Legion of Superheroes) as Starfire. Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead, Daredevil) takes the villainous center stage as Trigon. Continue reading ‘Justice League Vs Teen Titans (Blu-ray Review)’
April 12th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
Seeing is truly believing when watching this live-action remake of The Jungle Book. Featuring one living actor on screen and a plethora of astonishing visuals created by Weta Digital surrounding him, there is plenty here to mesmerize a viewer as if they were staring into the eyes of Kaa. Further adding to the argument that CG visuals can easily invest a viewer if the film works overall, director Jon Favreau has made a fun and exciting all-ages adventure.
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