My Best Friend Is A Vampire – Collector’s Series (Blu-ray Review)
The Vestron Video Collector’s Series is one that pops up with a surprise throughout the year then vanishes. There are leaks with them, but nothing the likes of some of the boutique labels can have. A lot of this series has tickled my fancy with bringing titles that I remember VHS boxes at the rental store when I was younger but never actually took to watching. The latest in that is My Best Friend Is A Vampire, whose box boasted a coffin in the place of a high school locker with sneakers under it. Complete with new bonus features, it was released on July 25th. You can order yourself a copy by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows this reviews at the bottom of the page. Go ahead and sink your teeth into it! Continue reading ‘My Best Friend Is A Vampire – Collector’s Series (Blu-ray Review)’
Marvel’s original high risk title that proved to be a phenomenon comes to a close with Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3. The summer kick off movie was James Gunn’s swan song before he takes the helm of the DC universe and marks the end of an era for the MCU. It became on the year’s biggest films and best reviewed blockbusters. Now its arriving on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. Coming with an Atmos track, a pair of featurettes, deleted scenes and the mandatory gag reel, you’ll be able to own this latest piece of MCU physical media when it arrives August 1st. You can pre-order yourself a copy of Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 3 by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
Warner Bros celebrates 100 years and has been doing such with some glorious dives into its historic catalog to bring many classics to the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format for the first time. On August 1st, they’ll be debuting Howard Hawks influential Western, Rio Bravo. Starring John Wayne, Angie Dickinson and Dean Martin, it will carry over the commentary by John Carpenter, but no other bonus features. This is just 4K disc and digital copy only. You can pre-order the film using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review at the bottom of the page.
That’s right, in addition to his monthly ongoing series, the Fish of Khonshu also gets a concurrent mini-series titled Moon Knight: City of the Dead. The five-issue series is penned by David Pepose (Savage Avengers, Hulk Annual) with artwork from Marcelo Ferriera (The Amazing Spider-Man, Strange). I’ll leave it to Pepose’s website (davidpepose.com) to best describe this latest installation in the world of Moon Knight…
Warner Bros has been gifting us some of the catalog titles from its 100 year history in 2023 for said centennial anniversary celebration. We’ve seen the likes of James Dean already with Rebel Without A Cause’s debut on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. On August 1st, we’ll be receiving his breakout and Academy Award nominated performance in Elia Kazan’s East of Eden. The release only carries over the commentary from the previous releases, but does add a Dolby Atmos track. This will only be a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray disc and a redeemable digital code. With the release of Giant last year, you now can own the James Dean trifecta in your collection. Pre-order a copy for yourself to have at or around release day by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review at the bottom of this page.
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the most universally acclaimed film in the Dark Knight’s legendary cinematic history when the newly-remastered animated movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, comes to 4K Ultra HD for the very first time. From Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, the film will be available to purchase on 4K Ultra HD on September 12, 2023. The release will also include an all-new featurette Kevin Conroy: I Am The Knight, which takes a look at the legacy of Kevin Conroy, who voiced Batman for 30 years in film, television, video games and more. Rooted in DC’s acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series and released theatrically on Christmas Day 1993, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm has not only been ranked by Time magazine as one of the 10 best Super Hero movies ever, but is also arguably the core fans’ all-time favorite Batman film. The movie has been rated at the top of the Dark Knight film franchise by such popular entertainment media as Empire, Screenrant and Paste. And in the ultimate mainstream salute for its time, Gene Siskel & Robert Ebert didn’t initially review the film during its theatrical release, but later dedicated a portion of their At The Movies weekly TV series to pay compliment to the film – and voice their regret for not giving it the attention it deserved during its original run – when Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was distributed for home entertainment. 
Ari Aster has been one of the marquee filmmakers in the A24 roster, helping to build up the brand to the following it has today. After Hereditary and Midsommar, 2023 brought us his opus in Beau Is Afraid. The film, of course, was released to divisive reviews and a lower box office. But, Aster had earned this movie for the studio. And its existence is really much of all that matters. It was released on standard Blu-ray on July 11th. Coupled with a making of, the film surely will see some sort of special 4K release directly from the studio down the line should the pattern of these A24 movies continue. You can order yourself a copy by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows at the end of the review.
After accelerating the Blockbuster franchise to over $7 billion in global box office sales, the summer sensation FAST X races onto Digital on August 1st, 2023 and on 4K and Blu-ray™ on August 8th, 2023 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The “high-energy spectacle” (Austin Chronicle) now includes over one hour of bonus content including a gag reel, scene breakdowns with Director Louis Leterrier, two music videos from the original motion picture soundtrack, and more behind-the-scenes featurettes detailing the making of the film from the streets of Los Angeles to the Colosseum in Rome. Collect the franchise by adding FAST X to your library or purchasing the complete Fast & Furious 10-movie collection. 
It was great joy to watch Avatar: The Way Of Water defy the Twitter crowd’s betting against Cameron/”No cultural footprint” movement regarding the Avatar films. The film exploding back to the big screens and the box office and Pandora once again ruled the galaxy. Its rollout was a more traditional one with having staying power in theaters, then heading to rental and then available for purchase. Its 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray paired with the original for release on June 20th. It came with a Dolby Atmos track and a boatload of bonus materials. If you haven’t yet (Yes, I’m a bit late on my review), you can order using the paid Amazon Associates link at the the bottom of this page, following the review.
One of the year’s best reviewed films comes from an adaptation of a book from much long ago, Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The film had a little run at the box office, but now has come to Blu-ray for more to see and go beyond the film with bonus features. Released by Lionsgate on July 11th, Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. comes with a Dolby Atmos audio track, making of, deleted scenes and much much more. You can order yourself a copy by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review at the bottom of the page.
One of the more buzzy flicks of this year is the Finnish action movie Sisu. In a year where many of the more traditional and practical action movies are killing it with audiences, this one is rated toward the top of the heap. After a little theatrical run for the import, Lionsgate has put it out on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ay. Released on July 11th, the film comes with two featurettes and 5.1 TrueHD sound. You can order yourself a copy of this one by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review at the bottom of the page.
Los Angeles, CA – Wanna play? Everyone’s best friend returns as the Child’s Play sequels, Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky, Curse of Chucky, and Cult of Chucky get the Ultra High-Definition treatment with Scream Factory™ 4K UHD + Blu-Ray™ Collector’s Editions on August 29, 2023. These Collector’s Editions bring the sequels of the iconic horror franchise to the 4K format for the first time in North America and will come packed with a wealth of bonus features including new interviews with Alex Vincent, Danielle Bissuti and Tony Gardner.
Prepare for the time-bending adventure of a lifetime when “The Flash” arrives for purchase Digitally at home on July 18. The film is directed by Andy Muschietti with Ezra Miller reprising their role as The Flash/Barry Allen in the DC Super Hero’s first-ever standalone feature film. The film will also be available to purchase on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on August 29. “The Flash” ensemble also includes rising star Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue and Michael Keaton. “The Flash” is produced by Barbara Muschietti and Michael Disco. The screenplay is by Christina Hodson, with a screen story by John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein and Joby Harold, based on characters from DC. The executive producers are Toby Emmerich, Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman and Marianne Jenkins.
The gerne-bending meta-horror, The Blackening, arrives on digital August 15 and 4K Ultra HD™ Combo Pack (+Blu-ray™ & Digital), Blu-ray™ (+DVD & Digital), and DVD on August 22 from Lionsgate. The film features seven friends who reunite for a weekend getaway and find themselves at the hands of a demented killer who wants them to play a game for their survival. Directed by Tim Story (Ride Along, Think Like a Man, Barbershop) and screenplay and screen story by Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip, TV’s “Harlem”) and Dewayne Perkins (TV’s “The Amber Ruffin Show,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), and stars Grace Byers (TV’s “Empire”), Jermaine Fowler (Coming 2 America), Melvin Gregg (House Party), X Mayo (TV’s “American Auto”), Dewayne Perkins (TV’s “The Upshaws”), Antoinette Robertson (TV’s “Dear White People”), Sinqua Walls (TV’s “White Men Can’t Jump”), with Jay Pharoah (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”) and Yvonne Orji (TV’s “Insecure”), The Blackening will be available on DVD, Blu-ray Combo pack, and 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack. 
Get ready to roll out when the adrenaline-fueled adventure TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS becomes available to buy or rent on Digital from Paramount Home Entertainment. Fans can watch all the action at home starting July 11, 2023.
I don’t know if this has ever happened before, but when three of your favorite bands all release studio albums in the same year, that can be ironic, iconic, a sign, or simply coincidence. It’s certainly the most latter of all of those, but it didn’t demean the anticipation any less. Between Paramore’s This Is Why, Metallica’s 72 Seasons, and now Dave Matthews Band’s Walk Around the Moon, Paramore put out the most enjoyable effort, in my humble opinion. Still, there’s an enjoyable rock-engaging experience to be had with each recording. With DMB’s ninth studio album out this past May, it’s time to take a quick look at this 12-song record.
