Archive Page 422
February 7th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
This is one of those “expectations exceeded” situations. I was already plenty happy to go into The Lego Movie, given the lively and fun marketing presented for this film, along with my knowledge that it has come from the directors or both Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and 21 Jump Street, films I very much enjoy, but the film did not just settle for being an enjoyable animated adventure, it succeeded at going even further. Along with the humor and vast amount of creativity on display, The Lego Movie goes a number of steps further to really make it stand as something special. It has fun with the familiar type of story it is telling and then pushes its own boundaries, adding even deeper levels to a film that features millions of blocks moving around the screen. The added level of cleverness and heart makes this movie not only a lot of fun, but also quite awesome.
Continue reading ‘‘The Lego Movie’ Has Been Built Into Something Awesome (Movie Review)’
February 7th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
For all the great things The Monuments Men brought together in an effort to make an exciting war picture, with a good-natured twist, the film certainly felt pretty lifeless and dull. I tend to make it no secret that I am happy to embrace the marketing of films, in an effort to get me excited for them. A well cut trailer and a solid list of actors and talent behind the camera is plenty to have me happily anticipating a film. The Monuments Men had all of that and even after the film switched from its awards-friendly release date in December to February, I was still prepared to give the film the benefit of the doubt that I would at least find it quite enjoyable. The problem, as it turns out, is that screenwriter/director George Clooney and his co-screenwriter/producer Grant Heslov could not find a way to make this particular WWII story into something with more dramatic weight. There is a good cause being fought for, which is different than the norm in a war movie, but even with A-list talent, the results felt rather inert.
Continue reading ‘‘The Monuments Men’ aka The Nerdy Dozen (Movie Review)’
February 7th, 2014 by Brian White
Let’s get one thing straight from the start. Even going into the press screening this past Saturday I was against this movie. While it looked unique and looked like it could be fun, I just did not want to invest the time in it and regret it later because you know life’s too short, yada, yada, yada. But then again, what if this was really good? What if I would be missing out on something really special? That’s a lot of what ifs, huh? Well, I guess it’s whatever it takes to get me in the seat, but I must admit that I had a small glimmer of hope that I just might like this one because like the tagline says, it’s the story of a nobody who save everybody. Aren’t all great movies like billed this? Well, most of them at least. So I figured as long as The Lego Movie can take me on a journey through the eyes of a hero and I fall for his character arc then just maybe…maybe…I might be able to have a good time with this one. If not, then there’s always popcorn to be had! So as nonsensical as this first paragraph really is, what do you say we talk about some Legos? Continue reading ‘Everything Is Awesome In ‘The Lego Movie’ (Movie Review)’
February 6th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
If you’re going to cheat on your lover, don’t get caught. And if you do get caught, you’d better hope your lover isn’t secretly insane. Kevin (Billy Zane of TITANIC) learns the hard way when his girlfriend Sadie (AnnaLynne McCord of 90210) discovers that he’s having a scorching affair with her best friend (Viva Bianca of Spartacus). Now Sadie has planned a romantic weekend getaway for just the three of them, complete with terror, torture and twisted psychosexual games. The trap is set. The party has begun. And tonight, hell hath no fury like a woman SCORNED. Continue reading ‘Scorned (Blu-ray Review)’
February 6th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Welp, here comes the big mean Warner Brothers machine repackaging another big title for its big anniversary. We saw them do this for The Exorcist and All The President’s Men last year. This one looks to be leaning toward that of The Exorcist‘s release with a nicer case and collectibles inside. And as is par for the course, there’s a new bonus feature in the form of a DVD that comes with it (because the disc with the feature on it is likely the exact same one you can get in stores currently). This is something collector’s are surely going to want to have to replace their previous copy of the film. For me, I wish they’d turn their focus onto stuff they HAVEN’T put out yet and are sitting on instead of repackaging movies that they’ve already put out, but we can’t win them all. This one comes out May 6th and you can pre-order below. If you’ve not seen Blazing Saddles, get on that, its one of the greatest comedies of all time! You’ll laugh pretty hard! Continue reading ‘BLAZING SADDLES: 40th Anniversary – Out On Blu-ray May 6th!’
February 6th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Planes: Fire & Rescue is a new comedy-adventure about second chances, featuring a dynamic crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from raging wildfire. When world famous air racer Dusty (voice of Dane Cook) learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous team, including spirited super scooper Dipper (voice of Julie Bowen), heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero. Directed by Bobs Gannaway (“Secret of the Wings”), “Planes: Fire & Rescue” hits theaters in 3D on July 18, 2014. Check out the new trailer below! Continue reading ‘Planes: Fire & Rescue – “Courage” Trailer Now Available!’
February 6th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Walking With Dinosaurs was a release this Christmas that failed to catch on with audiences in the US. Some might not have even heard of it. This was a big project that opened with a whimper a midst all the Oscar buzzed film and popcorn flicks. It did manage to recoup the budget overseas without factoring marketing. Featuring the voice talents of Justin Long, Karl Urban (yay!) and John Leguizamo, this film didn’t manage to please critics or audiences too much according to online film scoring websites. Those of us who missed it can find out for ourselves next month when it arrives on Blu-ray just in time for Easter. Below you can check out all the details of this release as well as the ever so helpful pre-order link! Continue reading ‘Open The Door, Get On The Floor, Everybody’s WALKING WITH DINOSAURS On Blu-ray March 25!’
February 6th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Academy Award winner Robert Redford stars in ALL IS LOST, an open-water thriller about one man’s battle for survival against the elements after his sailboat is destroyed at sea. Using only a sextant and nautical maps to chart his progress, he is forced to rely on ocean currents to carry him into a shipping lane in hopes of hailing a passing vessel. But with the sun unrelenting, sharks circling and his meager supplies dwindling, the ever-resourceful sailor soon finds himself staring his mortality in the face.
Continue reading ‘All Is Lost (Blu-ray Review)’
February 6th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
It was unfortunate to not see this film take off big, theatrically. I was quite impressed by what I saw in theaters, given my adoration for the book, but the film could not quite connect with the masses in the same way that something like The Hunger Games has proven to do. Based on the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning novel by Orson Scott Card, which is one of my favorites, I walked away feeling really positive about the film, but seeing a sequel does not seem like something that’s in the cards. It matters little though, as the film, even with its minor flaws, was one that I found very satisfying, and I now have a solid Blu-ray to go with it.
Continue reading ‘Ender’s Game (Blu-ray Review)’
February 6th, 2014 by Brian White
I’m sorry, but whenever I think of the title Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season, I can’t help the imagery conjured up in my mind of one of television’s most shocking episodes of all time, “The Rains of Castamere.” Wow! I never saw that coming and rightfully so because I’ve never read George R.R. Martin’s novels either. So with that being said and for so many other reasons as to why, which I’ll get into more below, this third season was one of the best of the series so far for me and so many other countless fans of the HBO show. And get this, in the ten nearly one-hour episodes a piece, we only covered half the terrain that is Martin’s third novel, A Storm of Swords. Can you believe it? That’s almost 10 flipping hours of content, but only half of a book’s length! Continue reading ‘Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray Review)’
February 6th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Back in November I put together an article I had been eager to write for many months since joining Why So Blu. I patiently waited as I didn’t want to “just do it” for the sake of doing it. I wanted it to be at a key time and be relevant. That article was my ‘14 Blu-rays For 2014’ wishlist article (HERE). It was a blast to do and garnered plenty of discussion. I immediately wanted to write another. But that would kind of kill the luster and importance of the first piece. Also it could look like I’m subjecting myself to attention-starving and hit-baiting constantly doing lists. So, I decided that list would be the pilot and I’m now taking it to series. I’m going to do my best and make this a weekly series (popping up on Thursdays), picking 1 title every week that I would love to see released on our wonderful Blu-ray format. Since this is a series now and will be ongoing, I’m also going to make the case for some titles that need merely a Region A release so I can have more possibilities. I hope you enjoy my picks and come back each week to see what else isn’t on Blu-ray yet that should be! Continue reading ‘Brandon’s Blu-ray Wishlist: 1st Week Of February 2014′
February 6th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
CJ Entertainment brings Masquerade to the United States on Blu-ray. This title was originally released on June 11, 2013 as a Best Buy exclusive. On February 11th, that exclusivity is relinquished and it will be available for purchase from other outlets. This historical fiction film is the fourth highest grossing film in Korea’s history. I think its worth noting that in terms of countries South Korea has had possibly the best and most original output for film in general in the last 10 plus years, so this is saying something. Masquerade also swept Korean’s equivalent of the Academy Awards, the Grand Bell Awards, winning in all 15 categories. Continue reading ‘Masquerade (Blu-ray Review)’
February 5th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Takeshi Kitano returns to his yakuza saga, OUTRAGE, but this time a manipulative police crackdown on organized crime has ignited a tricky power struggle in the yakuza underworld. As the police force prepares a full-scale crackdown, anti-gang detective Kataoka wants to start a war between the Sanno crime family and the neighboring Hanabishi crime family in the hopes that they destroy each other. His trump card is Otomo (Kitano) – the rumored-dead boss of a defunct family that was destroyed by the Sanno. Otomo wants to retire from a life of crime, but finds himself drawn back in through Kataoka’s manipulations as the Sanno and Hanabishi clans teeter on the brink of an all-out war. Continue reading ‘‘Beyond Outrage’ on Blu-ray and DVD March 11th!’
February 5th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Korean Rap/Pop Superstar CHOI Seung-hyun (
aka T.O.P of the K-pop boy band Big Bang) plays the son of a North Korean spy who decides to follow in his father’s footsteps in order to protect his little sister in the action-packed spy thriller
COMMITMENT,
debuting on Blu-ray
™, DVD and Digital March 11
th from Well Go USA Entertainment. While attending high school in South Korea, he rescues a girl (KIM Yoo-jeong) when she is attacked. South Korean Intelligence soon discovers the plot and begins closing in on him, while his own government sends a vicious assassin to eliminate him. Directed by PARK Hong-soo, the cast also includes HAN Ye-ri (
Dear Dolphin,
South Bound), JEONG Ho-bin (
Shadowless Sword), and JO Sung Ha (
Pluto,
The Yellow Sea). Bonus materials include a behind-the-scenes “Making-of” featurette.
Continue reading ‘‘Commitment’ on Blu-ray and DVD March 11th!’
February 5th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 acts as a conclusion to the Lords of Shadow story. The new game is set in a modern city tainted by Dracula’s influence and within Dracula’s castle itself. It sees a tortured Dracula charged with engaging Satan in battle once again. This epic sequel boasts a vast open-world environment, user-controlled camera and a truly enormous challenge as the world’s most famous vampire seeks an end to his immortal existence. His story comes to an end in a suitably shocking circumstance. Continue reading ‘‘Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2’ Available for PS3 & X-Box 360 February 25th!’
February 5th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy is one of his films that people love, but does not seemed to get mention nearly as much as his other classics and more “popular” films. I would easily put it in his top 10, if not his top 5. It features another terrific performance by Robert De Niro, in a film that is an incredibly dark comedy about a sad man who desperately wants to be a star. Jerry Lewis co-stars in a rare dramatic role, which easily adds to thematic nature of this film, which is simply great to watch as a lighter, yet similarly surreal companion to Taxi Driver, of all films. Now the film arrives on a 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray on March 25th. Read on to learn more about this upcoming release.
Continue reading ‘Laugh out loud when “The King of Comedy, The 30th Anniversary” arrives on Blu-ray This March’
February 5th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
One of my favorite films of 2013 and another great film from Joel and Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis is a fantastic film about the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. That premise may not automatically interest everyone, but the joy of a Coen brothers film is the way they find ways to make brilliant films out of seemingly any premise. It does not hurt that the songs are fantastic (and I’m not even a huge folk music fan), the acting is great (Oscar Isaac deserved an Oscar nomination), and the film is a joy to look at (I can’t wait to see the look of this film on Blu-ray). Come March 11th, everyone will have the chance to check out this film at home. Read on to learn more about this release.
Continue reading ‘INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS arrives on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital This March’
February 5th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Famed horror director Victor Salva (Jeepers Creepers trilogy) returns in the blood-curdling new film starring Tobin Bell (Saw franchise), From the mind of Charles Agron, the eerie thriller follows Nick Di Santo (Luke Kleintank, “Pretty Little Liars”) who has the chilling ability to foresee how one will inevitably perish by simply touching them. Tormented by this power, Nick learns from his institutionalized mother (Golden Globe®nominee Lesley-Anne Down, North and South) that his father, whom he previously thought was deceased, is actually alive. Hoping that he can reveal the origin of his dark gift, Nick sets off to find his father with his best friend (Anthony Ray Perez, Don’t Pass Me By) and girlfriend (Alex McKenna, “90210”).Along their journey, they are terrified when they realize that every road they take leads them to the same decrepit mansion, one that only previously existed in Nick’s childhood imagination. Finally succumbing to the will of the house, Nick soon finds himself in a horrifying battle with a mysterious, haunting figure (Bell). Continue reading ‘‘Dark House’ on Blu-ray and DVD March 11th!’
This is one of those “expectations exceeded” situations. I was already plenty happy to go into The Lego Movie, given the lively and fun marketing presented for this film, along with my knowledge that it has come from the directors or both Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and 21 Jump Street, films I very much enjoy, but the film did not just settle for being an enjoyable animated adventure, it succeeded at going even further. Along with the humor and vast amount of creativity on display, The Lego Movie goes a number of steps further to really make it stand as something special. It has fun with the familiar type of story it is telling and then pushes its own boundaries, adding even deeper levels to a film that features millions of blocks moving around the screen. The added level of cleverness and heart makes this movie not only a lot of fun, but also quite awesome.
