Archive Page 435
January 4th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
I always love how each decade seems to have its own approach and unique flavor to what was working with horror. In the 1960s, the world of horror was engulfed stuff like the Hammer Horror films and the Corman Poe movies. People seemed to gravitate to the gothic laced tales of older times. This film Die, Monster, Die! (alternatively retitled as Monster Of Terror at some point) as fits right into that fold event though the setting seems to be taking place in something closer to representing a present day or not that far behind. Horror legend and Frankenstein’s monster himself, Boris Karloff graces the screen here, and I’m sure that’s a prime reason why this one has been dug up and brought back to our attention by Scream Factory. Continue reading ‘Die, Monster, Die! (Blu-ray Review)’
January 3rd, 2014 by Brian White
Paramount Home Media Distribution is making me happy by helping to kick off the New Year with an extended, unrated cut of the blockbuster hit comedy Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, which arrived on Digital and Digital HD today! Fans also had the chance today to watch the movie along with the film’s star, Johnny Knoxville, and register for a chance to win great prizes during the live Twitter viewing party, which was held at 5:00 p.m. PT today as well. While this event is in the past, hence the coverage now, complete details for the sweepstakes can be found at www.GrandpasBadBoard.com. And not to sound like a broken record, but before we get down to business…Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa is now available to download or stream at your favorite digital stores including CinemaNow, iTunes, Sony Entertainment Network, Target Ticket, VUDU and Xbox Video. Now let’s get down to the real reason we’re all here! Continue reading ‘Bad Grandpa’s Unrated Digital Release w/Live Twitter Viewing Party’
January 3rd, 2014 by Brian White
After my last go around with Paranormal Activity 4 in 2012, I swore myself off the franchise for good. I made childish comments such as I don’t care how long this franchise carries on, I want nothing to do with it. When they announced the delay of the fifth film this past year from its lavish Halloween spot to a January play date, I just chuckled heavily. What movies play in January? A million arms raise high. I pick the loudest screaming one. The answer they all shout out unanimously is not very good ones. And then the unthinkable happened. Reports as of recent started flooding in on my RSS feeds saying low and behold, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones actually isn’t that bad and that revered writers praised it for reinvigorating their interest in the franchise and further installments. Say whaaat?! I can’t blame this on dirty ears and not hearing the information correctly. I actually read this with my own two eyes on more occasions this past week than I care to openly admit. So you can see my conundrum here, can you not? How can I not see this? Can all my fellow reviewers in the business be so wrong? I just had to take one for the team and take the plunge last night to find out. Continue reading ‘Guns, Gangsters and Brujas! It’s Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (Movie Review)’
January 3rd, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
I have made it no secret that I have been a fan of the Paranormal Activity franchise. While not every entry has been great, they have just the right effect on me, given that I enjoy horror films, but am rarely scared by them. Something about this series has worked well enough to have me tense in the theater, but more so the night after seeing the film. It must be the combination of a good audience experience, some of the clever ideas in creating the buildup and payoffs, and the attempts to keep these entries grounded by using the ‘found footage’ aspect. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones worked for me more than I expected it would. It has to do with some change ups of the format, but I do also continue to enjoy the simplicity of this series, even as it continues to develop its mythology and include bigger special effects.
Continue reading ‘Paranormal Activity: Witches Be Crazy (Movie Review)’
January 3rd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Sam Raimi’s Darkman may already be on Blu-ray, but that release will be entirely amateur compared to what Scream Factory has up their sleeves for it. Its getting their legendary “Collector’s Edition” treatment and they have a big big big grab on this one. Its going to contain a brand new interview with star Liam Neeson made just for this particular release. It doesn’t end there either, as they ‘ve got Frances McDormand for an exclusive interview as well. This release is loaded with bonus material and will feature their “Remix” new key art as well as the option to flip the sleeve and display the original art. Below I’ve got all the nitty gritty down and dirty final specs for the release as well as that pre-order link I really appreciate when you click and purchase off of! Continue reading ‘Turn Out The Lights! DARKMAN Is Coming To Blu-ray February 18th!’
January 3rd, 2014 by Gregg Senko
What an interesting year we had as it presented us with plenty of ammo at both ends of the quality spectrum. We had the horridness known as Machete Kills, as well as the brilliance of films such as J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek sequel. It was also another year of super heroes. Some arrived from the pages of Marvel hoping to smash evil, while others came with a glove and a jersey hoping to smash barriers. Before we hit the rest of the list though, it is important to note there are a few significant films that escaped my grasp in 2013. For starters, I was not able to see The Wolf of Wall Street, Fruitvale Station, Anchorman 2 or Her. I’m sure Wolf would make a strong case for being on my list, so that one was a bummer not to catch in time. Her, while it doesn’t look like my cup of tea, does have Joaquin Phoenix who is pretty incredible in front of the camera. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a week. So without further ado and endless jibber jabber, I present to you my top 10 favorite films of 2013.
Continue reading ‘Gregg’s Top 10 Films of 2013′
January 3rd, 2014 by Sean Ferguson
From Earth, the Sun cannot be looked at with human eyes. Narrated by Al Roker, 3D Sun gives audiences a chance to see the Sun up close in startling 3D. Stand above the arctic circle and witness the most brilliant auroras on Earth; take a ride on a solar blast from Sun’s surface to Earth’s Magnetosphere, and come to a deeper understanding of what this vast sea of fire means to life here on Earth. In October 2006, NASA launched twin spacecraft from a single rocket in Florida — a spacecraft that would, for the first time in the history of space exploration, capture space-born, high-definition 3D images of the Sun. In 3D Sun, the leading NASA scientists from the mission unveil these images and take us behind the scenes to tell the story of the Sun and why it is of crucial importance to all of us. Mars 3D takes viewers behind the scenes of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission revealing daily dramas, mind-boggling physics and compelling science behind the $820 million dollar NASA project. Behold this celebration of space exploration and the human stories behind the mission, how engineers plunged the depths of gravity and physics to ensure a successful launch an landing and how two 380 pound rovers will bring scientists closer than ever before to solving the mysteries of Mars. Continue reading ‘Galactic Adventures Double Feature: 3D Sun / Mars 3D (Blu-ray Review)’
January 2nd, 2014 by Sean Ferguson
Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World continues the big screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s The Avengers, Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos… but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all. Continue reading ‘Thor: The Dark World Arrives on Blu-ray this February!’
January 2nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Anchor Bay sure is hyping this one up. I’m surprised they’re not giving it a full Blu-ray treatment. It seems sort of strange. Today, they’ve released the trailer for the film so we can sort of get the tone for the film and its definitely an exploitative horror-comedy. It looks like it could be some trashy fun, but will it all work? Also below, I’ve got a new promo image from the film and the final box art for the cover of the DVD. This is a Valentine’s Day week. Once again, this thing stars Why So Blu? head honcho Brian E. White’s favorite actor Kevin Sorbo as well as Leslie Easterbrook and Ron Jeremy. There’s a pre-order for it finally up and I have provided the link for it below. Click, order and we’ll watch together. So click the “More” link and let’s get to it! Continue reading ‘SORORITY PARTY MASSACRE Unbuttons A Trailer!’
January 2nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
In time for its 30th anniversary, Warner Bros is releasing one-time Best Picture hopeful The Killing Fields. The film did win 3 Academy Awards that year, all of them in what are considered “major” categories (Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography). It did win big with the British Academy Awards including Best Film and 7 other categories which seems like it cleaned house. When it comes to the Best Picture nominees every year, I always wonder how revered and well remembered many of them will be years down the road. Even for the winners. I think it’s a tough enough challenge to recall the nominees from before your time and when you were a child. And these are supposed to be the BEST movies that represent a given year. With The Killing Fields, I had never seen it, and only the title came of any familiarity to me. It never came up as required viewing or studying for me in film classes or in my own personal adventure in learning. But, I always welcome the opportunity to go back and learn more. So here we are. Continue reading ‘The Killing Fields (Blu-ray Review)’
December 31st, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
In the late 1800’s, a beautiful former prostitute (January Jones) is trying to build an honest life with her husband in the rugged plains of New Mexico. When she catches the eye of a sadistic and powerful religious leader (Jason Isaacs), her life is violently turned upside down. She embarks on a bloody course of vengeance with the assistance of a renegade sheriff (Ed Harris) who has violent tendencies of his own. Continue reading ‘Sweetwater (Blu-ray Review)’
December 31st, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
It was a big year, but somehow I managed to put together a list of my favorite films of 2013. I have to say that this was once again not the easiest list to put together. Theatrically, I have seen 150+ films this year, so there were a lot of films to consider and figure out how to reference in terms of their placement on this list. Some of these films certainly got a bigger response out of me than others, but at the same time, some stuck with me throughout the year and wound up turning into films I enjoyed even more than after my initial viewing. As a result, the only course of action was to do my best to give praise to not just the films in my top ten, but the other films of this year that I really enjoyed, by being sure to have honorable and special mentions for all the films that were in contention or worth mentioning. Still, I am very satisfied by this final list that I have put together, mainly because it is my list and it contains films that I really enjoyed the most this year, for various reasons. So here we go (by the way, lots of Easter Eggs hidden in the pictures).
Continue reading ‘Aaron’s Top 10 Films of 2013 And Other Odds & Ends’
December 31st, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
I think the most exciting part of this press release is the fact that I now finally have a reason to push Detective Dee and The Mystery of the Phantom Flame to the top of my Netflix queue. Regardless, this film just looks like a lot of fun. It is a large scale martial arts/fantasy epic, with a lot of neat looking visuals. I do not know a whole lot else about these films, aside from the descriptions I have read and the trailers I have watched, but I can only hope it is as fun as it looks. On February 11th, everyone will be able to find out what is going on with Detective Dee, as Young Detective Dee will be available on Blu-ray everywhere. Read on to learn a bit more about this upcoming release.
Continue reading ‘YOUNG DETECTIVE DEE on Blu-ray & DVD February 11th’
December 30th, 2013 by Jami Ferguson
Revered filmmaker Martin Scorsese directs the story of New York stockbroker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio). From the American dream to corporate greed, Belfort goes from penny stocks and righteousness to IPOs and a life of corruption in the late 80s. Excess, success, and affluence in his early twenties as founder of the brokerage firm Stratton Oakmont warranted Belfort the title – “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Continue reading ‘The Wolf of Wall Street (Movie Review)’
December 30th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
Fight everyone and trust no one: it’s the code of survival practiced by martial arts master Casey Bowman (Scott Adkins) after his life of domestic bliss is shattered by a savage act of violence. With the help of his friend Nakabara (Kane Kosugi), the fearless American retrains his responses and elevates his battle skills to seek justice for his wife’s murder. In the ultimate confrontation, Casey must reflect on his teachings to become an invisible warrior worthy of the title Ninja.
Continue reading ‘Ninja II: Shadow of A Tear (Blu-ray Review)’
December 30th, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
When a series of eerie murders erupt across Hong Kong, two trouble making cops are assigned to the case. Young maverick WANG (Zhang Wen) is a reckless risk-taker, and grizzled vet HUANG (Jet Li) is fed up with cleaning up his rookie’s messes. After discovering all the victims were former boyfriends of aspiring starlet LIU, the detectives (one now posing as her lover) are caught in a deadly game to lure the killer out. Continue reading ‘Badges of Fury (Blu-ray Review)’
December 30th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
It started off kind of weak and had a slightly mediocre summer (for mainstream movies), but overall 2013 was a really great year for movies. I say that because this Top 10 list was an incredibly difficult task to put together. One of the most challenging things every year is we are so hyped up and “in the now” with the December Oscar hopefuls rush that I think we forget or discount films from the first ¾ of the year that are just as worthy, we just haven’t had them in discussion for so long or watched them in almost a year that we tend to forget them when it comes to the end of the year list. We seem to go off the buzz we just got. In culminating my personal list I sat and focused real hard on trying to not let that aspect of end of the year list making consume me. I factored in what films I’d watched the most times this year, what films I thought were truly just well done, what I had actual “fun” with, what ones grabbed me an never let me go. I wanted my list to reflect all of those things and not just sit and pick the expected prestigious films that make every critic’s list look the same and have no personal flavor to it. Now, yes, my list will contain a few of those, because those films are just that good. Continue reading ‘Brandon’s Rendition Of The Top 10 Films Of 2013′
December 30th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
I have never seen the original Cat People film from which this is based. But from what I gather, this is a case in which a remake is a novel concept because the original film wasn’t very good in the first place. Universal was trying to jump on the coattails off the success of the Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake and putting a lot of remakes of older properties into production (sound familiar?). Cat People was one such project as well as John Carpenter’s The Thing. Writer Paul Schrader stepped in to make his 4th feature film and decided to spin this old tale into one of a more erotic horror film. The film was a mild success back in 1982, but has since become a bit of a cult item, even if Paul Schrader doesn’t think it qualifies as one. Continue reading ‘Cat People – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
