Birdman (Blu-ray Review)
February 16th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
Birdman is an ambitious and unpredictable ball of energy that just so happens to be a spectacular film to watch. Currently nominated for 9 Academy Awards, appearing on over 100 Top Ten lists, this was one of the defining films of 2014. I was hugely anticipating the film before its release and was blown away by the results. Michael Keaton leads a tremendous cast in this fantastic film directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu and it now arrives on Blu-ray, looking and sounding great, even if we only get so much to work with in the way of extras. Look no further, if you are seeking a good rundown of the film and quality of this Blu-ray release.
Ah, yes, the My Little Pony DVD with the incredibly long title. I had to look up what exactly it all was. So, this is a fourth generation My Little Pony show. It’s called My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. Just like the Transformers have something like Transformers: Beast Wars. This particular collection of episodes is then dubbed Adventures Of The Cutie Mark Crusaders. Okay, you got all that? This show is pretty well known for its large cult following of males. No, not kidding, look it up, they’re called “Bronies”. Apparently, it has something to do with fandom of one of the head writers of the series. It was intended for young girls 2-11, but the boys have pretty much taken the fandom over. The criss-cross is certainly eye-opening and surprising. I was looking forward to seeing what this was all about and how it could happen. 
There are two things I’ve always been clamoring for on Blu-ray; more Blaxploitation films and more Pam Grier. Which, yeah a lot of that is one in the same. And this new release from Scream Factory covers both! “Dracula’s soul brother”, Blacula is here in high definition. Yes, I’m very aware of the title, but note that these were different times and the Blaxploitation era was all about taking things and making it their own. You’d find many a spin on titles like this. The success of Blacula even spawned a Blackenstein. These Blacula movies are somewhat a relic of another time, but I also find them to be plenty enough of a campy hoot to enjoy. A fun trivia fact, Blacula himself is also the King of Cartoons from Pee-wee’s Playhouse (The guy from the second season onward). 
New Year’s Evil is one of the more better known or higher profile golden age slasher films that has yet to see its release on Blu-ray. That is no longer a thing as Scream Factory is rectifying the situation come February 24. And mainly its in the conscience because its a one of them that got to claim one of the biggest holiday’s in their title. Its a film that is a face paced, race against the clock thriller as a man tries to off a woman for every time zone in the United States’ hits the midnight hour. Yes, that’s all very silly, but its all very fun at the same time. Looking back on this film has become a lot more fun than during the time when it was supposed to be “scary”. Time has been kind to it and allowed us to see it in a different way than maybe it was before. As told on the bonus features, this was a pleasant, happy and fun production to work on and it shows on both the film and this Blu-ray release. 
We have all had our share of “horrible bosses” haven’t we? Maybe we don’t care to admit it, but I believe I’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t have at least own horrible boss story. Let’s look at example from a chapter in my own life. In my current position and prior place of employment I am/had been looked upon in very high regards. However, two jobs ago, I felt like I could never do anything right to please the man. Nothing was ever good enough and in return I was constantly bullied, picked upon and insulted almost every day despite everyone else in the company seemingly loving my work and support I provided. It just goes to show you there are such things as “horrible bosses” in life and having said that this personal prologue serves as a nice segue into the Warner Bros. Blu-ray Combo Pack we’re all gathered here today to discuss, introducing Horrible Bosses 2.
Drug Dealing. Gang Beatings. Prostitution. They’re all part of a typical day for the students of Lincoln High. Take a trip into this academic abyss with Scream Factory’s release of Class of 1984. Available April 14th, 2015, the film makes its Blu-ray debut as part of a Collector’s Edition Combo Pack that comes loaded with bonus features, including new interviews with director Mark Lester, composer Lalo Schifrin and actors Perry King, Lisa Langlois and Erin Noble, new career retrospective interview with Perry King, audio commentary with director Mark Lester, the featurette Blood and Blackboards, which includes interviews with director Mark Lester, actors Perry King and Merrie Lynn Ross, and more!
Alchemy is proudly bringing the film, THE WORLD MADE STRAIGHT to DVD and Blu-Ray this coming Tuesday (February 17). The thriller is based on the 2006 novel of the same title by New York Times best-selling author Ron Rash. David Burris (Executive Producer of CBS’ “Survivor”) directs the talented cast that includes Noah Wyle (The Librarian franchaise, NBC’s “ER”, TNT’s “Falling Skies”), Jeremy Irvine (War Horse, The Railway Man, Now Is Good), Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Pay It Forward) and Minka Kelly (500 Days of Summer, Friday Night Lights, Lee Daniel’s The Butler).
After last week’s dismal screening of Jupiter Ascending I was just about ready to write the remainder of this month off from both attending and reviewing movies. My experience with that film was that bad. I was embarrassed by that $175 million dollar effort, even though I really had nothing to do with it. However, there were two things that sold me on this past Tuesday night’s screening of Kingsman The Secret Service, that infectious Rob Zombie song (one of my favorites from his newest album) employed in the trailer and the positive words of praise from WSB reviewer Aaron Neuwirth, whose full theatrical review of this film can be found 
This throwback horror film just raised the hacked-up bar: Horror legend Kane Hodder and Playboy Playmate of the Year 2012, Jaclyn Swedberg star in this scary, sexy, indie shocker that joins a group of friends just as they emerge from the thick, murky darkness of the marshes tattered, bloody, and lucky to be alive. But they will soon find out that the lucky ones are already dead. MUCK is packed with old-school gore effects and brutal stunts, without any CGI or apologies. Lachlan Buchanan (“Pretty Little Liars”) co-stars in writer/director Steve Wolsh’s searing directorial debut that unfolds like a blood-stained love letter to horror fanatics everywhere! MUCK opens in limited theatrical release on Friday, March 13th, then arrives on Blu-ray & DVD on March 17th. Today we throw you the trailer and a clip (which is NSFW, so you’ve been warned!). Scroll on down for them! 
This spring, let your imagination run free. Sci-fi fantasy and comic book fans will have the chance to embark on a unique journey beyond space, time and known worlds that await us when the highly celebrated live-action, sci-fi anthology METAL HURLANT CHRONICLES: THE COMPLETE SERIES debuts for the first time on Blu-ray™ and DVD on April 14, 2015 from Shout! Factory.
Leighton Meester and Gillian Jacobs star in keenly observant comedy Life Partners arriving on Blu-ray and DVD March 3 from 
From the creator of the internationally-acclaimed action thriller The Man From Nowhere,
