Archive Page 394
July 25th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
We continue our ‘Countdown To Expendables 3‘ edition of the Blu-ray Wishlist with a film from the library of Expendables II star and scene stealer Jean-Claude Van Damme. When I was younger I was a pretty big Van Damme fan. He seemed to be the hipster choice of action star when it came to them. Van Damme had not only a fantastic marquee action name, but he also had a great run from the late 80s through the mid 90s (My personal favorite of his adventures being Timecop and Hard Target, but who doesn’t love the sheer ridiculous and craziness of Sudden Death). However, he was definitely with Seagal in that second tier below Arnold/Sly/Bruce. The forte that gave Van Damme a unique edge and introduction was that he was trained in martial arts and actually had movies that focused on the action being professional matches. Today we’re definitely taking a look at one of those. Continue reading ‘Brandon’s Blu-ray Wishlist – July 25, 2014′
July 25th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
In the premise for Lucy, Scarlett Johansson’s character is forced to deliver a package implanted inside of her, only to gain unique abilities after the package is ruptured. I am sure some kind of variation of that description is what got writer/director Luc Besson the means to make this film as a big studio movie, as opposed to a smaller release. With that in mind, it is almost as if Besson was able to pull one over on many, as he may have a film built up to be a slick, easy-to-digest, summer sci-fi/action film, but Lucy has more going on than one may expect. It is unfortunate that the film’s ambition is masked underneath a wavy sense of actual science and Besson’s own penchant for kinetic (and very violent) action beats, but a strong central performance and a very fast pace keep Lucy from ever slowing down in its brief runtime.
Continue reading ‘‘LUCY’ Express (Movie Review)’
July 25th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Either Sony Pictures just could not get enough films together for panels this year or they are still recouping from the expenditures from Spider-Man’s appearance at last year’s Comic Con, but regardless, this was a pretty stripped down affair for a studio that currently has a couple square blocks devoted to a number of their upcoming features (Fury, The Equalizer, The Interview). That said, while one of the two films presented had little to offer audiences, the other managed to have me more excited than I thought I would be. So let’s dive in to this limited panel from one of the major studios appearing at this year’s Comic Con.
Continue reading ‘Comic Con 2014: Sony Pictures Panel: Pixels and Goosebumps’
July 25th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
I was happy to sit in on the Comedy Central panel at Comic Con and following a hilarious panel for the hit sketch show Key & Peele (I reviewed the Blu-ray for the first two seasons HERE), a special look at a new animated series took place. Here’s the official word: Today at San Diego Comic-Con Comedy Central unveiled the first look at “Moonbeam City,” the brand’s newest animated series debuting in 2015. “Moonbeam City” is an absurdist take on the gritty, sex-drenched crime dramas from the 1980s and follows undercover detective Dazzle Novak (voiced by Rob Lowe), a handsome idiot who commits more crimes than most criminals. The show also stars his tyrannical chief, Pizzaz Miller (Elizabeth Banks), who won’t get off his back and hotshot rookie Rad Cunningham (Will Forte) who is dying to see him fail. With the world against him, Dazzle is thrust into a living nightmare: having to do actual police work. “Moonbeam City” is executive produced by Will Gluck’s Olive Bridge Entertainment in association with Titmouse Studios. Comedy Central’s panel at Comic-Con today featured the series’ Executive Producers Scott Gairdner and Tommy Blancha. Continue on to see a clip and some pictures from the show.
Continue reading ‘Comic Con 2014: Comedy Central First Look: Moonbeam City’
July 25th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
There are a lot of things to see at San Diego Comic Con every year and while I am certainly excited to see a number of the high profile panels taking place this year, I am not overstating it when I say that a Hall H panel focused on the 60s Batman television series definitely had my attention. After years of waiting, the entire series is finally going to be released onto Blu-ray and DVD this November and apparently Comic Con was the place to reveal the details of the upcoming set. Not at all hurting was the presence of Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar, who were game to share some stories, while audiences were also treated to clips from the newly remastered episodes.
Continue reading ‘Comic Con 2014: Batman ’66 Panel’
July 25th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
All I knew about the first Rio going into this was that it was the film that topped the box office the weekend Scream 4 was released. It was a huge hit, taking almost half a billion dollars worldwide. In order to properly review Rio 2, I had to watch Rio before this and wow…I’m surprised there was a bunch of buzz regarding what the film is about. It’s basically the story of trying to get 2 birds together to umm…well…let’s not have the birds and bees discussion right now. And there’s also this crazy moment where they use the main character’s wing taking shape for its first flight to symbolize his first erection. I couldn’t believe what I was watching. Craziness. Where would Rio 2 go? Well, let’s go there and find out. Continue reading ‘Rio 2 (Blu-ray Review)’
July 25th, 2014 by Brian White
I’m not sure what happened, but sometime circa the Black Widow’s entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Iron Man 2 and later on in movies such as Don Jon and most recently Under the Skin (my full Blu-ray reviews of those two titles can be found here and here) I have become a HUGE fan of the sexy starlet Scarlett Johansson. Who isn’t, right? However, I’m not too happy that she’s pregnant and in the process kind of shuffled things around on the newest Avengers set with not one but three stunt doubles, but I suppose a girl has to do what a girl has to do. After all, she did give me one very fine looking performance that I’ll never forget in my favorite Michael Bay movie of all-time, The Island, which came out in 2005 before all those aforementioned movies above. So I suppose I will let her surprise pregnancy slip into the farthest, darkest and remotely inaccessible areas of my brain (since I’m using less than 10% of it) because it absolutely gives me great pleasure to chat about Scarlett and her latest action vehicle down below…Lucy! Continue reading ‘‘Lucy’ Mixes With The Matrix Instead Of The Transporter (Movie Review)’
July 24th, 2014 by Blu-ray Brian
Announcements have been ruining rampant all day long at Comic-Con, but here’s one I’m quite interested in as I have yet check the full season of this Showtime show out yet. Of course I’m talking about Eva Green and her hit horror series, Penny Dreadful. Don’t be frightened! Penny Dreadful doesn’t come out until October 7th on blu-ray and DVD so you have plenty of time to find your courage. So join me in welcoming Penny to the Blu-ray format and check out the full press release below from CBS and Paramount. Continue reading ‘Comic-Con 2014: Penny Dreadful Season One Blu-ray Announced!’
July 24th, 2014 by Blu-ray Brian
Every second counts as Kiefer Sutherland returns as Jack Bauer in 24: Live Another Day, which arrives on Blu-ray and DVD September 30th and I couldn’t be happier! When it comes to Jack Bauer, I can NEVER get enough! Best of all this Blu-ray includes “24: Solitary,” the shocking story extension to Live Another Day. How cool is that? I’ll tell you what, I cannot wait for this set! But don’t take my word for it, take Fox’s below with the full press release of this heart-pounding news! Continue reading ‘Jack Is Back! ’24: Live Another Day’ Arrives on Blu-ray September 30!’
July 24th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
I don’t know what it is with the Golden Age of slashers that amuses me so much, but its something I’ve always been fond of and never really tired of. Even bad ones (there’s plenty) I tend to enjoy. There were so many of these things from 1980-1984 its not even funny. So many, that there are a whole lot of them that have gone missing forever. With home video releases over the years we think we’d have them tracked, but some didn’t make it to VHS or went out of print real fast, a lot didn’t make it to DVD and even more have not made it to Blu-ray. However, being the collector’s medium, the slasher films of the 80s have been getting some attention and royal treatment in the past few years. Here today is the Canadian slasher film Curtains, which Synapse Films has rescued and put it onto DVD (by itself) and Blu-ray for the first time ever. Its crazy that this is the first time as Curtains is one of the finest slasher films from the era. But many of you probably don’t even know this one. Continue reading ‘Curtains (Blu-ray Review)’
July 23rd, 2014 by Blu-ray Brian
How cool is this? I am all over this like syrup on a hot, steaming stack of pancakes. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is inviting fans to “Live Another Day” with an interactive drone flying experience at San Diego Comic-Con this week! Jack is back at Comic-Con as 24 invades the Petco Park Interactive Zone where fans will be able to take control of the DJI Phantom Vision 2+ Drones, creating their very own fly-over video inspired by the upcoming 24: Live Another Day Blu-ray and DVD release. Check out below for more details and all the 411! Continue reading ‘Comic-Con 2014: Fox Invites Fans to “Live Another Day”’
July 23rd, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Fargo is a favorite movie of mine. A TV show based on Fargo could have been a disaster, but FX pulled through to deliver one of the best TV seasons of recent years. I am excited for this release: The first instalment of Fargo features an all-new “true crime” story and follows a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder and “Minnesota nice” that made the film an enduring classic. Oscar® winner Billy Bob Thornton stars as “Lorne Malvo,” a rootless, manipulative man who meets and forever changes the life of small town insurance salesman “Lester Nygaard,” played by BAFTA Award® winner and Emmy®-nominated Martin Freeman. Colin Hanks plays Duluth Police Deputy “Gus Grimly,” a single dad who must choose between his own personal safety and his duty as a policeman when he comes face-to-face with a killer. Allison Tolman also stars as “Molly Solverson,” an ambitious Bemidji deputy. Fargo is written by Noah Hawley. Hawley, Warren Littlefield, Joel & Ethan Coen and Geyer Kosinski serve as executive producers.
Continue reading ‘You Betcha This Year’s Most Emmy Nominated Miniseries, Fargo Season 1, Is On Blu-ray This October’
July 23rd, 2014 by Blu-ray Brian
X-Men Unite! The only way to save the future is to go into the past. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment takes you back in time to stop the end of the world with
X-MEN: Days of Future Past on 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD on October 14 and Digital HD September 23rd. Featuring a massive collaboration of legendary actors and the return of director Bryan Singer, “the very best [film] of the franchise since the first X-Men” comes to life in amazing fashion that you’ll have to see to believe (Stephen Rebello,
Playboy). Check out the full press release below and pre-order today!
Continue reading ‘Summer’s Biggest Blockbuster ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Comes To Blu-ray!’
July 22nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Last week I was privileged enough to have a phone interview with both the star and director of one of my favorite films this year, BLUE RUIN. Please note that I don’t much fancy schmancy recording equipment to do all this proper, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Its audible and clear, that’s all you need haha. I had a blast in my short time with these two. Unfortunately the very last minute is gone forever because my recording device overheated. All you’re missing me asking them about Murder Party coming to Blu-ray. They said they want it to happen and have talked about it, but there’s nothing at this time. But they did say to start getting #MurderPartyBlu-ray going and maybe that would help. Anywho, I’ll quit typing so you can listen to me yap with them. I hope you enjoy! Continue reading ‘INTERVIEW: Director Jeremy Saulnier & Star Macon Blair Of BLUE RUIN’
July 22nd, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
It is Comic Con this week and with so much going on, I have to be a bit picky about the press releases I have time to post. That said, something both Comic Con and Blu-ray related makes plenty of sense, so here we have some news about an upcoming
X-Men Blu-ray collection, as well as something very cool to see for those attending Comic Con. Along with being able to pre-order a very exclusive
X-Men movie set packaged inside Professor X’s Cerebro Helmet, an Oculus Rift setup will provide attendees with the chance to be the all-powerful mutant. Continue on to hear more about this neat event taking place down in San Diego.
Continue reading ‘SDCC 2014: 20th CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS ‘THE X-MEN CEREBRO EXPERIENCE’’
July 22nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Scream Factory is importing Jamie Osorio Marquez 2011 military thriller THE SQUAD (aka El paramo) to Blu-ray on October 21 as they have announced today. It joins up with Nightbreed and The Vincent Price Collection Volume 2 as a part of their exciting October release slate. I’ve not heard of this one, but the plot synopsis has me more than intrigued. Below you can check out the details of this exciting release.
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July 22nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Ever since House Of The Devil, Ti West will always have my attention and my dollar. I’m very interested in anything he does. His latest effort, The Sacrament, I caught on VOD a few months ago as it didn’t play in any theaters here. And its a pretty unique little animal he’s constructed. Yes, groan now, it uses the found footage device as its storytelling method. However, it overcomes that with some strong performances from its characters (including Amy Seimetz! yay!) who don’t seem treat it like its a found footage movie. It’s also one of those eerie movies that get right under your skin. Ti West infuses his patience and restraint once again in this slow-burn thriller. Even when everything seems ok in this film, you just don’t trust it and you feel very uncomfortable. You’ll be able to check it out for yourself on Blu-ray in a little under a month. One little complaint…I wish they had used the original theatrical poster for the cover of the Blu-ray. It was so damn cool. This is just, well, mediocre and very “also ran”. Continue reading ‘Ti West’s THE SACRAMENT Will Chill You To The Bone August 19th!’
July 22nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
I called this back on April 3, “but anyway”. Yes, we have another Wishlist title making its way to glorious Blu-ray. The Farrelly Brothers’ severely underrated Woody Harrelson/Randy Quaid/Vanessa Angel/Billy Murray bowling comedy is set to drop in just a few months. And its porting its extras over as well as having some new interviews. Its being sold as a “cult comedy” so it looks like Aaron Neuwirth and myself are not its only fans. This may wind up being just some cheap $9.99 bargain bin Blu-ray in the end, but that $9.99 bargain bin Blu-ray is my X marks the spot gold inside a treasure chest on Skull Island. I’m excited and you should be too, to give this overlooked film another try. To read my plead for it to come to Blu-ray CLICK HERE, and to find all the information on this release scroll down! Just think about 90s Vanessa Angel in high definition for moment, shall we? Continue reading ‘KINGPIN Rolls Onto Blu-ray October 14!’
