Child 44 (Blu-ray Review)
August 13th, 2015 by Gerard Iribe
After a friend’s son is found dead, Soviet secret-police officer Leo Demidov (Tom Hardy) suspects his superiors are covering up the truth. When Leo dares to raise questions, he is demoted and exiled to a provincial outpost with his wife (Noomi Rapace). There, Leo soon discovers other mysterious deaths with similar circumstances and convinces his new boss (Gary Oldman) that a derange serial killer is on the loose – and must be stopped before he strikes again in this electrifying thriller. Continue reading ‘Child 44 (Blu-ray Review)’
For the first time in a very long time I’m honestly not even sure where to start with this review. I really never had any interest in the hip hop, rap musical group NWA even though I grew up with them during their rise and as a result, many controversies. I always thought their music was a bit too obscene and controversial for my tastes. At least I knew my parents would have never went for it. However, one thing’s for sure. Universal’s trailer for Straight Outta Compton knocks it out of the ballpark and reels you in, hook, line and sinker with what they put out their on display. It looked like a biopic pic I could really get behind. Perhaps Ice Cube said it best when it comes to this film. He said “I don’t know any other movie where you can mix gangster rap, the F.B.I., L.A. Riots, HIV and feuding with each other.” Ain’t that the truth. Ladies and gentlemen I present to you Straight Outta Compton. 
In what has become a highly anticipated annual tradition for “Walking Dead” fans the world over, Anchor Bay Entertainment will be releasing The Walking Dead: The Complete Fifth Season Limited Edition Blu-ray set on December 1st. As with previous limited editions, McFarlane Toys has once again created a striking, must-own packaging concept. This year’s Limited Edition features an “asphalt” walker, one of the many unforgettable images that have made the AMC series a global phenomenon. Handsomely crafted and intricately detailed, the figurine is based on the original walker designed by award-winning SFX make-up Supervisor and Executive Producer, Greg Nicotero. Packaging also includes a collectible 5-disc Blu-ray™ set digipack with exclusive “walker” cover art available only with this set. Check it out below! 
This fall, the tension-filled, critically acclaimed thriller Backcountry 
In his first film in nearly 15 years, the director of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer harks back to the twisted suspense that made his 1986 debut a horror milestone with The Harvest . Deeply unsettling, The Harvest is a taut psychological thriller that examines that horrors that can lurk in unsuspecting places. Showcasing a powerhouse performance by Samantha Morton that is both utterly monstrous and tragically desperate, The Harvest also features an impressive performance by Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire, Man of Steel) as the subdued suburban father as well as screen legend Peter Fonda as the character in the film Maryann’s grandfather. Not to mention there are some good turns from the young cast members. 
Ahoy there Walking Dead fans and horror ones alike! Here’s a special treat for you all! Hold on to your stomachs. . .for a new full length bonus feature “Rotters In The Flesh” from Anchor Bay’s upcoming home video release of The Walking Dead: The Complete Fifth Season. Executive Producer and makeup effects guru Greg Nicotero, Andrew Lincoln, and Norman Reedus discuss the creation of the burnt out “pavement” walkers featured in Episode 507 “Crossed.” Check it out below and relish in the rotting flesh (insert evil, diabolical laugh here)!
Fans of legendary director Wes Craven (Scream, The Last House on the Left, A Nightmare on Elm Street) know well the terror mayhem inflicted by Horace Pinker, a diabolical mass murderer who harnesses electricity for unimaginable killing powers, from the 1989 horror cult classic SHOCKER. On September 8, 2015, Scream Factory™ is proud to present Wes Craven’s SHOCKER Collector’s Edition Blu-ray, packed with insightful bonus content including, special audio commentary with Wes Craven, all-new interviews with Mitch Pileggi, Cami Cooper, executive producer Shep Gordon, music supervisor Desmond Child and soundtrack artists, new audio commentary with director of photography Jacques Haitkin, co-producer Robert Engelman and composer William Goldstein, retrospective featurettes, original storyboard gallery and much more! A blend of dazzling special effects and an electrifying soundtrack, SHOCKER stars Michael Murphy (X-Men: The Last Stand, Batman Returns), actor/director Peter Berg (actor Smokin’ Aces, director Lone Survivor), Cami Cooper (Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace) and Mitch Pileggi (The X-Files, Sons of Anarchy) as Horace Pinker. 
Fall in love again with the timeless classic EDWARD SCISSORHANDS and celebrate its 25th anniversary with an all-new beautifully remastered, all-new 4k transfer available everywhere on October 13. This special-edition Blu-ray™ giftset with commemorative package and Digital HD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, brings Tim Burton’s 1990 acclaimed work of art back to life just in time for Halloween.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) expands the Supreme Cinema Series line with the addition of two classics from visionary director Luc Besson when THE FIFTH ELEMENT and LÉON: THE PROFESSIONAL debut Oct. 27 on Blu-ray™. Each film will feature the first-of-its-kind, limited edition collector’s packaging with the acrylic “Clear Case.” This limited edition sku includes a 24-page booklet of rare photos and behind-the-scenes detail that will only be available while supplies last. 
I’m really interested in checking out this new Universal Blu-ray release. So let me set things up for you. A corrupt small-town sheriff is on the hunt for two runaway kids who took his car on a joy ride in Cop Car, an unnervingly funny thriller now available on Digital HD and On Demand, and debuting on Blu-ray
Darn! I was kind of hoping for an Unrated one too. So here we are. From the makers of Paranormal Activity and writer/director Leigh Whannell and producer James Wan comes the newest and scariest chapter of the Insidious franchise. The prequel Insidious: Chapter 3 debuts on Digital HD Sept. 22 and on Blu-ray™ and DVD Oct. 6 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Leigh Whannell takes the director’s chair for the third installment, which transports viewers back to the beginning for this prequel. Franchise regulars Lin Shaye (Ouija) as Elise, Angus Sampson (TV’s “Fargo”) as Tucker and Leigh Whannell (Saw) as Specs are joined by Dermot Mulroney (Jobs, The Grey), Stefanie Scott (upcoming: Jem and the Holograms) and Hayley Kiyoko (upcoming: Jem and the Holograms) when Elise, Tucker and Specs team up to help a young teen who inadvertently unleashes something evil. Read all about it below! 
Officer Rose Cooper (Reese Witherspoon) is assigned the task of escorting cartel informant Daniella Riva (Sofia Vergara). The two must team up against the cartel members and corrupt policemen as they travel across Texas. The film received a wide release in the United States on May 8th, 2015. 
If the entire running time of Fantastic Four was a mess and a slog, it would be much easier to write about. But because the film gets so much right in it’s first 45 minutes, talking about it becomes extremely frustrating. The film is a clear example of project that tragically derailed and no one knew how to get it back on track, so they just haphazardly pasted scenes here and there and hoped for the best. The end product mirrors the inter-dimensional planet the titular four travel to: visually interesting, but ultimately lifeless.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes the Shorts Film Collection, an extraordinary new collection of award-winning and beloved short films featuring Disney’s Frozen Fever, starring Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven and Kristoff, and the Oscar-nominated Lorenzo. It will be available early on Digital HD/Disney Movies Anywhere August 11 and you can bring It home on Blu-ray August 18. Enjoy this must-own collection with all-new extras including an inside look at the Disney Animation shorts, featuring introductions and interviews with the acclaimed filmmakers themselves. Fans Can Now Enjoy The In-Home Debuts of the Beloved Animated Shorts “Frozen Fever,” “Lorenzo,” and “Tick Tock Tale.” Also includes Academy Award®-Winning Animated Shorts “Feast” (2014) and “Paperman” (2012), Special Filmmaker Introductions and More!
