Homeland: The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray Review)
Homeland is an espionage drama series on Showtime that has received a lot of acclaim for the way it pulls together a lot of ideas surrounding counter-terrorism, paranoia, prisoners of war, damaged personas, and what it means to be a hero. Following the highly acclaimed first season, which was met with many awards to honor its success, the second season has now arrived on Blu-ray, with the tough task of following up what it has started. Fortunately, this season of the show was up to the task of providing another completely engaging experience, complete with strong performances from its lead characters, a twisty plot that keeps the viewer guessing, and a finale that has me very excited for what the upcoming third season has in store. Continue on to learn more about this second season Blu-ray release.
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Whenever I hear about a new IMAX film, my ears go up faster than a bloodhound’s on a fox hunt. The latest to arrive on Blu-ray, is Space Junk 3D. If you’re like me, you may have had a difficult time taking that title seriously at first. I mean, it has to be more “look at what we can do in 3D, here’s a satellite flying at your face” effect than anything else, right? Wrong. IMAX isn’t in the business of comedies and this was consistent with their history of a brief, but quality-created documentary. So what’s the big deal about space junk anyway?
It’s not secret that I’m a big fan of the Step Up franchise. No those movies are not going to win any awards for the acting or writing, but then again, that’s not what you watch them for. It’s the dancing that these films are built around that is jaw-dropping, inspiring, and if nothing else, entertaining as hell. With Step Up 5 a year away, what was I ever to do to get my dance fix at the movie theater?
Kino Classics will release Night Tide, a landmark 1961 independent horror film by Curtis Harrington, on Blu-ray and DVD on Blu-ray and DVD on October 15th in new HD transfer from original 35mm film elements and featuring audio commentary with Curtis Harrington and Dennis Hopper. Night Tide tells the story of a sailor on shore leave who becomes fascinated by a woman who poses as a mermaid in an oceanfront carnival. As their relationship blossoms, Johnny (Dennis Hopper) realizes that Mora (Linda Lawson) is more than a sideshow illusionist. She seems to be a descendent of the mythical sirens of the sea, and is under the mesmeric control of a mysterious woman (notorious occultist Marjorie Cameron) who beckons Mora to return to her home beneath the waves. 
Prisoners does such a great job at providing many spooky possibilities for what could have happened to two innocent, little girls that it is a shame the ending does not quite pack more of a wallop. While certainly a dark and heavy kidnapping drama to get through, it is only able to accomplish so much before reaching a final act that settles for more conventional tactics. The film is very well acted by its two leading men, filled with other great actors doing fine work, and great to look at overall, making it the kind of adult-skewing feature that can garner a lot of attention, as it takes all those elements and works it into compelling subject matter. Prisoners is overlong and not a shining example of its genre, but it presents other interesting ideas, strong performances, and an overall tone that certainly makes it watchable, no matter how dark.
Scream Factory’s rendition of John Carpenter’s cult classic Assault on Precinct 13 has finally had its bonus features unveiled. This one features an additional commentary aside from the vintage Carpenter one. This time we get art director and sound effects editor Tommy Lee Wallace. I feel like Wallace hangs out in the lobby of Shout! Factory daily just waiting for his name to be called. The kicker of all the new stuff for me is a new interview with actress and Wallace’s ex-wife, Nancy Loomis Kyes (“Annie” from Halloween). She’s one of my favorite “Carpenter players” and is usually tough nowadays to get to go to conventions and do interviews and such. So this is a real catch for Carpenter fans like myself. I’d really like it if it turned out as a career retrospective interview like some of these Scream Factory ones have been (like the Jamie Lee Curtis one on The Fog). This release hits on, a now stacked for Scream Factory, release date on 11/19 (
This has not been by choice or any reason in particular, but I have not seen too many documentaries so far this year. That said, I was fully willing to embrace a new film from director Sarah Polley, which happens to be a documentary about her family. My initial thought, upon learning about the nature of this documentary, had me wondering why a film like this would need be made, let alone why would it be compelling. It is somewhat surprising that Stories We Tell is as compelling as it is. I say “somewhat” because the film has near universal acclaim, so I would have, if anything, been more surprised to not have liked the film. The film is a documentary, no doubt, but it has a well thought out structure and presents a story with some turns balanced by the earnest nature of the people involved and the fact that they are very likable in their matter-of-fact presentation of the details.
Rush is an incredibly solid drama that features fine film craftsmanship on display, solid performances from the lead actors, and a well-oiled story that respects its audience. While the film is based on facts, it rarely dips into dramatized scenes that lessen the entertainment value to be found in the film. It is the kind of feature that has a little something for everyone, as far as these adult-skewing dramas are concerned. Director Ron Howard has put together a genuinely exciting feature that balances all its parts to great effect and he makes sure that you really hear the engine of this film hum cleanly and loudly.
You ever have those moments in life where you first see a film’s theatrical trailer, having never known anything about it beforehand, and instantly “know” that it’s a film you want to see upon its release with no hesitations or second guessing? Well, that’s exactly how I felt about the film we are all gathered here to talk about today, Prisoners. I explicitly love movies that explore the morality of characters and push boundaries by asking the question how far would you go to save your family? What is a person capable of? It’s times like these when scruples are inconceivably tested and immovable obstacles suddenly become movable. A real man will do whatever it takes to keep his family safe…even if that means compromising his morals and crossing that fine line of what’s right and wrong in life. You know you shouldn’t, but you know no one else is going to do it. You have no choice if you want a shot at saving the one you love. The naysayers are always going to say nay. Go get ‘em tiger! 
I’ve never seen 1984’s Night Of The Comet. Honestly, I didn’t know it existed until Scream Factory announced it a while back. Maybe my video rental stores just didn’t have it when I was growing up. But, I’m looking forward to seeing a old school campy zombie comedy that’s fresh to me. You can correct me in the comments, but it sounds as if its in the vein of Night Of The Creeps. And I love that movie. Today, Scream Factory has provided us with the bonus content that will be on their special edition release. It’s got a whopping 3 commentary tracks and many new interviews with those involved with the film. I have no problem predicting that this will be the definitive version of the film for fans and collectors. A reminder, this title now releases on 11/19. It was originally scheduled for a few weeks earlier but got pushed back. Below is all the details from Scream Factory themselves and a preorder link. 
Prince Of Darkness does not street until next week, but in the meantime, I’ve been provided some clips from Scream Factory to wet your appetite. I’ve already reviewed the film, which you can find that 
For the first time ever, every single film of the Friday the 13th series is available together in a set. Warner Bros has released an impressive 10 disc set spanning twelve films. Where they could have just pumped these films out cheaply and easy, they’ve actually taken some care. Not only is every film fully remastered in HD and looking as sharp as they ever have, almost every bit of bonus content is ported over from previous releases. I think all they missed was a commentary or two. But, if you cared much about it, you’ve probably already listened to it and how often do you go back and listen to a commentary again? This box set is a massive undertaking, so we’ll get to praises and flubs that come along with it. For however long it takes you to read this, I’m about to take you on a journey through this entire set in one reading. I’m not gonna slum it and just do a summary of the set as a whole. No, I’m taking you film by film, disc by disc. I’m covering it all. Bookmark my review; it may take you more than a sitting to read. And for those who do embark on the entire journey with me, you have my biggest thanks in advance. 
