Archive Page 391
July 19th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Prolific actor Diego Luna (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Rudo Y Cursi) makes his feature film-directing debut with the biopic Cesar Chavez. Luna assembles an ensemble cast of characters to bring the legendary real life story and struggle of the man who would organize the migrant farmworkers of California and demand better working conditions for these people. He formed the first union for farmworkers and it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. I was curious about Cesar Chavez since I didn’t get to see it in theaters due to it’s limited release schedule but am happy to have the opportunity to review the Blu-ray. I present to you Cesar Chavez.
Continue reading ‘Cesar Chavez (Blu-ray Review)’
July 19th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Today we have an interesting circumstance. Something that doesn’t really happen frequently anymore. A film that was cut because of its message and redistributed to try and look like it had a different one. Olive Films is releasing Lewis Milestone’s The North Star, but under its other title Armored Attack. Don’t worry, both films come with this release and have been given fresh high definition transfers. Armored Attack is the 1957 reissue of The North Star that featured a less positive focus on the Russian uprising as they were now American enemies of the time. Its finale features a narration about Hungarians fighting the Red Army during the Hungarian uprising of 1956 instead of what it really is…Soviets rising up against Nazi soldiers. Continue reading ‘Armored Attack / The North Star (Blu-ray Review)’
July 18th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
From the creator of Ghost in the Shell and the director of Appleseed comes the intense post-apocalyptic prequel, Appleseed: Alpha. Left to survive in a post-World War society, two mercenary soldiers – Deunan and her cyborg partner Briareos – are sent on a mission on the outskirts of their war-torn city. During the operation, they run into Iris and Olson, two citizens from the utopian city of Olympus, who might have a way to save the world but the ruthless Talos and the scheming warlord Two Horns have their own plans. It’s up to Deunan and Briareos to safeguard their newfound contacts and help save humanity’s last hope.
Continue reading ‘Appleseed Alpha (Blu-ray Review)’
July 18th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Here’s another little film from last year I was trying to spread the word out on. THE BATTERY is the best zombie film in maybe a decade. Jeremy Gardner takes a very low budget, simplistic approach and comes up with possibly one of the most realistic portrayals of the zombie apocalypse. I can’t sing this movie high enough praises. Everyone was wondering who was going to get to release it on home video and BOOM, like all the other prayers they seem to answer, Scream Factory came through. I can say without a doubt this is THE BEST modern title they’ve put out. Its that damn good. See for yourself on September 16!
. Continue reading ‘Full Details On Scream Factory’s Release Of THE BATTERY Unleashed!’
July 18th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Did you miss me? No? Well eff you too, pal! Haha. Like it or not, I’m back. I had only planned to take one week off and it wound up being too (not by design). For the next 5 weeks we’re going to be doing a ‘Countdown To EXPENDABLES III’ with the Wishlist. Each week we’ll focus on a movie from one of the stars of the Expendables franchise that has not made its way to Blu-ray yet and needs to. All the way up til the opening of Expendables III August 15. I’m fudging a little bit on this first one, but I’ll explain a little below on why I decided to say screw it and do it. So, lets kick some wishlist ass and get this Countdown To EXPENDABLES III started! Continue reading ‘Brandon’s Blu-ray Wishlist – July 18, 2014′
July 18th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
One of the more impressive aspects of The Purge: Anarchy is not really the movie itself, but the fact that how it was sold managed to get me excited, despite the first ‘Purge’ from a year ago finding its way to my ‘Worst of 2013’ list. Fast-tracked sequel or not, ‘Anarchy’ seemed set out to resolve the main issue that the first film created, which was to go a more open world route, given the endless possibilities that the ridiculous basic concept set up. Here is a film that exists in a reality where crime and unemployment are at all-time lows in America, because a 12-hour period exists one night a year, where all crime (especially murder) is legal. It is a very dumb premise if you stop to think about it, but there is so much to do with that concept, which is something this higher-budgeted sequel tries to do. With all of that said, even when considering the couple degrees that separate this film from reality, in an effort to add some level of social commentary, I did not take away much from this film that will likely stick with me no further than a week.
Continue reading ‘The Purge: Catching Fire & Rescue (Movie Review)’
July 17th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
A few years back, writer/director Mike Cahill made a film called Another Earth, which managed to find itself on my top ten list. It was a debut feature and had some rough edges, but it hit me in just the right way and at just the right time (going well with its existential-sci-fi-drama counterpart – Melancholia), providing me with enough to let the film get to me more than I was expecting. Now we have Cahill’s follow up feature, I Origins, which I cannot say I was as enraptured by, but still found to be interesting. The main curiosity I have outside of this film is whether or not audiences will be happy to go along with what is essentially a character journey that does not really decide to engage in a specific plot until more than halfway through the film. There is a sense looseness here that I think can go either way for people, but I did find myself involved in some key moments that led me to admiring I Origins quite a bit.
Continue reading ‘Interesting ‘I Origins’ (Movie Review)’
July 17th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
I guess there is something to be said for a Disney film like Planes: Fire & Rescue that does not try to go for the modern Disney approach of being a film for everyone, rather than just kids. While there is nothing about this theatrical sequel to a film that was originally supposed to go straight to video that makes it essential viewing or even all that innovative, there is also nothing here that really makes it unwatchable either. I may have some quibbles over the implied lessons that Dusty Crophopper learns at the end of this film, but it really makes no difference, as Planes: Fire & Rescue is kiddy stuff, through and through, which is not a bad thing, just something to take into consideration.
Continue reading ‘When Other New Kids Movies Fly Out, ‘Planes’ Flies In (Movie Review)’
July 17th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
I very purposefully avoided catching Brick Mansions in theaters, as I am a huge fan of the original version of this film, the french action flick District B13. That said, this is one of the late Paul Walker’s final films, let alone another reason to see what it looks like when RZA commits to a major acting role. Adding on David Belle, who starred in the original as the exact same character, has me curious as well, so I guess I will now get the chance, with Brick Mansions now hitting Blu-ray on September 9th. It should be noted that this Blu-ray will feature a much longer unrated version as well. Read on the learn more about this upcoming release.
Continue reading ‘The Explosive Brick Mansions Hits Blu-ray This September’
July 17th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
I am not saying this belongs in the “about time” category, but I actually am a big fan of this Oscar-nominated working class comedy featuring a solid cast and some good heart, which makes me happy to finally see it coming to Blu-ray. The Full Monty is about six unemployed men, who are inspired by a touring group of male strippers, and decide they can make a small fortune by putting on a striptease show of their own, but with one big difference. They intend to go “the full monty” and bare it all in front of the world! The film arrives on August 5th. Check out this post to here more about this upcoming Blu-ray release.
Continue reading ‘The Full Monty Revealed On Blu-ray This August’
July 17th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Going into 2014, Transcendence was on my “movies to check out” list. I didn’t really know all too much about it. Mainly, it was the prospect of seeing longtime Christopher Nolan collaborator Wally Pfister make his directorial debut. It was the notion of seeing someone from the Nolan tree branch out was attractive enough to me. The man shot Memento, Inception and the modern Batman trilogy under one of the best working modern directors. Unfortunately, as it got closer to release it looked a bit less interesting. Then the reviews started piling in and it wasn’t pretty. So, I decided to pass until it came to Blu-ray. And now, its here.
. Continue reading ‘Transcendence (Blu-ray Review)’
July 17th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Roger & Me, the highly acclaimed and groundbreaking hit film that launched Michael Moore’s career as a documentary filmmaker and a leading nationwide activist, debuts in a new 25th Anniversary Blu-ray™ edition, DVD and Digital HD on October 7 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Roger & Me is a highly original, personal and satire account of one of America’s greatest urban disasters told against the background of the tough times in Flint, Michigan, Moore’s hometown. The birthplace of General Motors, Flint had been economically decimated by, among other things, plant closings and the elimination of 30,000 GM jobs. In Roger & Me, Moore gives cinematic voice to his razor-sharp, compassionate and often wryly humorous perceptions of what went wrong in Flint, and chronicles his much-thwarted efforts to meet face-to-face with then-GM Chairman Roger Smith. Blending humor with scathing indictment, Roger & Me ignited a national discussion about the cruelties of corporate America and inspired other filmmakers to make films that would be seen by wider audiences.
Continue reading ‘‘Roger & Me: 25th Anniversary Edition’ on Blu-ray, DVD, & Digital HD October 7th!’
July 16th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Evil is brought to life in this psychological thriller starring Zoe Saldana (Avatar) and Patrick J. Adams (TV’s “Suits”). The miniseries event Rosemary’s Baby premiered on NBC and arrives on Blu-ray™ (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and Digital HD August 19, from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Based on the best-selling suspense novel by Ira Levin, Rosemary’s Baby features a teleplay by James Wong (TV’s “American Horror Story”) and Scott Abbott (Queen of the Damned) and is directed by Agnieszka Holland (HBO’s “The Wire”). Also starring Jason Isaacs (the Harry Potter franchise) and Carole Bouquet (For Your Eyes Only), the Rosemary’s Baby Blu-ray and DVD each include two featurettes.
Continue reading ‘‘Rosemary’s Baby’ Miniseries on Blu-ray & DVD August 19th!’
July 16th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
I love this announcement as you’ll remember it appeared on my first wishlist. I’m a big fan of effects legend Stan Winston’s directorial debut. Its a terrific throwback monster/effects movie that is filled with suspense and kills. Its also got a great performance from Lance Henriksen. Pumpkinhead truly is a unique experience and one that I’ve been pining to have on Blu-ray. I would taken a barebones copy, but wow, I feel spoiled with Scream Factory getting it and treating it right. Its got a slew of all new bonus features and I just can’t wait to dig into it! Below you’ll find all the goodies and information about this release as well as a preorder link. Continue reading ‘PUMPKINHEAD Coming To Blu-ray In Awesome Scream Factory Fashion!’
July 16th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
“Welcome to Mayberry” is a phrase my good friend Clint’s stepfather tells me every time I come to visit in Seymour, Indiana. Mayberry has become synonymous with that comfy, cozy, charming lifestyle. And it all derived from The Andy Griffith Show. Its a show that was an iconic piece of American television and still plays through reruns to this day. You know you can whistle the theme song (which in itself is a whistle) like its second nature. I don’t know how familiar the youth of today is with the show, but for my generation and prior at least, its something that comes with your upbringing just like learning to ride a bike or something. Continue reading ‘The Andy Griffith Show: Season 1 (Blu-ray Review)’
July 16th, 2014 by Blu-ray Brian
Get ready as Anchor Bay Entertainment releases The Walking Dead: The Complete Fourth Season on Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet and DVD on August 26th. Each format contains five loaded discs, presenting each episode exactly as it was originally broadcast. The Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet presents the episodes in pristine 1080p high-definition and lossless Dolby TrueHD 7.1 audio. As with previous season releases, The Walking Dead: The Complete Fourth Season will reward fans with hours of bonus features, including never-before-seen production footage, deleted scenes and audio commentaries, with ultra-exclusive content only available on the Blu-ray release, including additional audio commentaries and several “extended” episodes seen for the first time! Check out one of the extras, “Drawing Inspiration,” early down below. It’s a cool extra too! Enjoy! Continue reading ‘The Walking Dead: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Bonus Clip!’
July 16th, 2014 by Blu-ray Brian
Two years ago, filmmakers Howard J. Ford and Jon Ford took international audiences on an unforgettable journey through a zombie-infected African veldt with the critically acclaimed and audience favorite The Dead. Setting a new standard for the zombie film, the Ford Brothers have now raised the survival stakes to new dramatic heights with the September 16th Blu-ray and DVD release of The Dead 2. Seems only natural a sequel should follow, right?! That’s what I think too! So join me in checking out the rest of the press release below for everything you want to know and can expect from this Blu-ray horror title. Enjoy! Continue reading ‘The Ford Brother’s Zombie Epic Sequel THE DEAD 2 on Blu-ray!’
July 16th, 2014 by Blu-ray Brian
Wow! Jessica Alba will be here! Son of a…! The film’s classic cars will also be on display at Petco Park parking lot throughout Comic-Con (July 24-27) against a 102-foot long Sin City skyline. The cars will will include a 1985 Dodge Diplomat, 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1960 Chevy Corvette, 1959 Cadillac el dorado, 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang convertible and 1949 Cadillac Sedanette. There will also be a Sin City style photo booth, a live DJ every day and promo giveaways (t-shirts, poker chips, playing cards, mini posters and books). Continue reading ‘SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR New Poster & Comic-Con 2014 Events’
