Archive Page 454
September 12th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
It stands to reason that Insidious Chapter 2 exists. The first film became a sleeper hit, as director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannel (the creators of Saw) combined forces with the producers of Paranormal Activity, Oren Peli and Jason Blum, to make a sufficiently scary horror film. Insidious was a spooky film that twisted around a standard haunted house story, by involving astral projection. It was made on the cheap, but put Wan’s directorial talents to good use, as he and his crew were able to make an effective horror film, with lots of emphasis on deliberate camera work and sound design. Now, while James Wan’s other horror film from this year, The Conjuring, is still earning revenue in theaters, Insidious Chapter 2 sets its sights on bringing audiences back into the Further. I only wish the film did not feel so misguided.
Continue reading ‘‘Insidious’: Back 2 The Further (Movie Review)’
September 10th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
A treasure trove of hearty laughs is yours when two of the funniest, most action-packed Muppet movies of all time make their Disney Blu-ray debut in a 2-Movie Collection. From the special star-studded lunacy in Muppet Treasure Island to the jewel-heist hilarity of The Great Muppet Caper, these two classic comedy-adventures are packed with mirth, mayhem and, of course, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, Fozzie, Gonzo and all your Muppet favorites. Jim Henson’s whodunit heist-movie The Great Muppet Caper and the silly and swashbuckling high-seas adventure, Muppet Treasure Island, both restored and remastered, are loaded with unforgettable music and sparkling special effects. Two great movies plus a treasure trove of bonus features make the Collection the perfect holiday gift for Muppet fans and the entire family on December 10, 2013. Continue reading ‘The Great Muppet Caper & Muppet Treasure Island 2-Movie Collection Arrives on Blu-ray December 10th!’
September 10th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
Ever wonder what it’s like to be Tony Stark? Download the one-of-a-kind, interactive experience app hosted by JARVIS to your iPad, iPhone or iPod and find out. Just like the real JARVIS, you will be able to interact with him using your own voice. Create customized alarms to wake you in the morning, download ringtones, check the weather, post to Facebook and more! Sync the app to your Blu-ray™ player to unlock hidden files and suits embedded throughout the disc, and experience the first-ever voice controlled Blu-ray! Continue reading ‘IRON MAN 3 – JARVIS: A Marvel Second Screen Experience App is Now Available!’
September 10th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
Mel Brooks’ legendary 1968 Oscar-winning film The Producers gets its first Blu-ray release from Shout! Factory. From the endlessly funny mind of filmmaker Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein) comes this explosion of pure comic lunacy about low-rent Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) and his high-strung accountant Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder) who is given to fits of hysteria. They discover that by raising a lot more money than they need from a few gullible investors, they can make more money on a flop than on a hit. So armed with the worst show ever written – “Springtime For Hitler” – and an equally horrific cast, this double-dealing duo is banking on disaster. But when their sure-to-offend musical becomes a surprise smash hit, they find themselves in the middle of the greatest Broadway dilemma in history. The Producers: Collector’s Edition is a Blu-ray/DVD combo set that features a new HD transfer and includes a reversible wrap featuring original theatrical art, the documentary “The Making Of The Producers,” a 2012 interview titled “Mel And His Movies: The Producers,” the original theatrical trailer, a deleted scene, and a sketch gallery. Continue reading ‘The Producers: Collector’s Edition (1968) (Blu-ray Review)’
September 10th, 2013 by Blu-ray Brian
In 1927, archaeologists unearthed a major historical find in Turkey. What happened next is the stuff of legend…and nightmares! Just look at that cover! You can’t tell me you don’t want to know more. Well…you’re in luck! Anchor Bay Films presents the September 10th release of The Black Waters Echo’s Pond on Blu-ray and DVD. Two words…Danielle Harris. And even better…thanks to my favorite press lady in the entire universe…we have two Blu-ray copies to giveaway right here to two lucky readers of Why So Blu! Check out the full press release and film’s trailer below and find out how you can win your very own Blu-ray copy. Read on! Continue reading ‘Blu-ray Giveaway for Anchor Bay’s The Black Waters Echo’s Pond’
September 9th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
Blood tells the story of the Fairburn brothers (Paul Bettany and Stephen Graham), detectives who will do whatever it takes to catch the killer of a shocking murder in a small town, while trying to live-up to the reputation of their tough-as-nails ex-police chief father (Brian Cox). But when a suspect’s interrogation spins violently out of control, the brothers must deal with the consequences and the mounting suspicions of a colleague (Mark Strong) seeking the truth. A gritty, electrifying suspense-thriller about the price of duty, the ties of family, and the bonds of Blood.
Continue reading ‘Blood Arrives on Blu-ray September 10!’
September 9th, 2013 by Blu-ray Brian
To coincide with one of the greatest dramas in recent TV history going off air in the next three weeks, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has one hell of an announcement cooking they want us to share with everyone out there in Blu-ray land. The are bring the ULTIMATE Breaking Bad experience to Blu-ray on November 26th with a Collector’s Edition Full Series Set, which features an All-New, Two-Hour Documentary and More Than 55 Hours of Special Features in a Collectible Replica Barrel with Commemorative Memorabilia from show creator Vince Gilligan. Pre-order your barrel now and check out the full press release below from Sony! Continue reading ‘‘Breaking Bad: The Complete Series’ Cooks Up A Full Batch on Blu-ray’
September 8th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
Upon research, I haven’t seen a film from director Luc Besson since 1997’s The Fifth Element. I really did enjoy his 90s films La Femme Nikita and Leon: The Professional a lot. I don’t know why I never sought after more of his catalog before. He has a new film dropping next week (The Family), so this review comes somewhat timely. The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-sec is an incredibly imaginative, visually stimulating adventure film. It’ll remind you of some other films of its type, but it’s mixing them together and our unique main character that bring this world into its own. This universe seems ripe to franchise, but will that ever come to fruition? Either way, this film is fine to stand on its own or act as a launching pad for a bigger narrative. Continue reading ‘The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec Blu-ray – Director’s Cut (Blu-ray Review)’
September 8th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
Building off the end of Psycho II, Norman Bates returns to life as “normal” for another entry into the franchise. This time he would direct the terror in a film that is very enjoyable, but a noticeable step down in terms of quality. As long as Anthony Perkins was still around and still interested, why not keep going and see what lands this time. Nothing is too outrageous, but things play a bit bigger and feel a little more familiar to the slasher boom of the 1980s. There’s also a really memorable turn by Jeff Fahey, in what was only his second major film role at the time. Scream Factory brings the Motel’s 3rd adventure to Blu-ray in a nice collector’s edition that offers a bit more in the exclusive features department than their Psycho II release. Feel free to return once again to book yourself into Room 1 and stay for a nice cold shower. Continue reading ‘Psycho III – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
September 7th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
In 1983, the unthinkable happened. A sequel to Psycho? Blasphemy! How dare they spit on Hitchcock’s grave! That kind of attitude led critics and moviegoers to enter the theater with fists up ready to find any reason to tear the film down. Reviews and feelings from the time this film was released definitely reflect such an attitude. Psycho II is actually quite a good sequel and film in its own right. Its not as perfectly crafted step by step as its predecessor, but we’re talking about following up Hitchcock in his prime here. Psycho II brings one back to a world and characters that feel naturally progressed by 22 years. While the film’s craft isn’t the master stroke of one of cinema’s all time greats, it definitely feels comfortable, at home and within the same world as the first entry. Continue reading ‘Psycho II – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
September 7th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
Don’t miss the fun in this final season of the multiple Emmy Award-winning Dick Van Dyke Show. Generation after generation of TV viewers has fallen in love with this timeless classic! For laugh after laugh, join one of TV’s best-loved couples, Dick Van Dyke as Rob Petrie and Mary Tyler Moore as his wife Laura, along with Rob’s temperamental boss, Carl Reiner as Alan Brady, and his kooky co-workers, Morey Amsterdam as Buddy Sorrell and Rose Marie as Sally Rogers. Now see all 31-season Episodes (airing 1965-1966) in their entirety and in spectacular high-definition – direct from the 35mm negatives! Catch such classics as Laura blurting out Alan Brady’s big secret on national TV in “Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth”; mild-mannered Mel Cooley finally standing up to the boss in “The Bottom of Mel Cooley’s Heart”; and Alan Brady attempting to turn the Petries’ anniversary party into a self-serving documentary in “A Day in the Life of Alan Brady.” Continue reading ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show – The Complete Fifth Season (Blu-ray Review)’
September 6th, 2013 by Blu-ray Brian
Here’s a question…I wonder what’s BIGGER right now? Pacific Rim being announced for a Blu-ray release date of October 15th or its star Charlie Hunnam being casted as playboy Christian Grey in E L James’ Fifty Shades of Grey? Of course, PACIFIC RIM!!! So I’m pleased to make the follwoing news from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment accessible to our faithful readers. Go BIG or go EXTINCT when WB Pictures and Legendary Pictures brings Pacific Rim to Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD and Digital HD on October 15th. The Blu-ray Combo Packs and 2-Disc DVD Special Edition includes hours of new bonus features. Pre-order your copy here and check out the full press release below for more of the MONSTERRIFIC news! Continue reading ‘Pacific Rim Goes BIG On Blu-ray This October!’
September 6th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
Riddick has returned to the big screen and the character continues to bring Vin Diesel to a place where he can walk the line between bad ass and goofy. It is nice to see cheesy, B-movie goodness every now and again. While being entertaining for various reasons does not make up for areas like excessive runtimes or having too many ill-defined characters, I genuinely enjoy the Riddick character enough to want to wander in the dark with him for a time and see if the results are worth it. Fortunately, I was more impressed this time around, than with The Chronicles of Riddick. Riddick is certainly scaled down and has more in common with Pitch Black, which introduced audiences to the character back in 2000. It is by no means a classic and more of an attempt to satisfy those who already are fans, but I was certainly pleased by the areas where this movie shines brightest, even if it meant suffering through some blindingly bad low points.
Continue reading ‘‘Riddick’ Returns To The Dark (Movie Review)’
September 5th, 2013 by Brandon Peters
While I am a horror nut, I don’t watch a whole lot of found footage films. That doesn’t mean I don’t like them. And I’m not against it because I’m some sort of hipster against the current fad sweeping the horror airwaves. Many people claim it to be a genre, but it’s hardly one. Its moreso a tool with which you use to tell your story. The biggest problem with found footage is many have mistaken this as a way to make your movie on the cheap instead of a device to make your storytelling more effective. Frankenstein’s Army is baffling as I have no idea why it was found footage. It looked like they had plenty of money, a solid hook for a story and talent in the effects department to pull off a regular old horror film. The decision to use this method of storytelling actually does much harm to what could have been something rather special. It feels entirely unnecessary and had me questioning why throughout the film and its “Making Of”. Continue reading ‘Frankenstein’s Army (Blu-ray Review)’
September 5th, 2013 by Blu-ray Brian
Another month until I finally get to catch up with American Horror Story’s second season on Blu-ray, but until then I thought I would share the following fun images with our readers that our lovely Fox contact just provided us. These things don’t work on my eyes for some reason (I have always had this problem), but for everyone they do work for…have a blast with the following shareables below courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment. And just a reminder…American Horror Story: Asylum comes out on Blu-ray and DVD October 8th. Until then get your pre-order in now by clicking here now. Enjoy! Continue reading ‘American Horror Story: Asylum – New Shareables!’
September 4th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
Another season of Spartacus has been released on Blu-ray and once again Why So Blu is all over it! Many have come around to appreciating the stylish and blood-soaked action/drama series over the years, as they learned that there was much more to it, beyond the sex and violence, which includes the intriguing story and wonderfully realized characters, but Why So Blu was among those who cherished the series from the beginning. Now we have the latest season’s release on Blu-ray. Spartacus: War of the Damned picks up where the last season left off, which will lead to an inevitable end for the series. Fortunately, this ultimately led to a great build of the season to a fantastic finale, as the show still managed to hold on to its familiar tone, which balances its dynamic and over-the-top action sequences and bloodshed with well-handled characterization and story structure. It only helps that the Blu-ray format is perfect to show off the fantastic video and audio presentation transferred onto the disc, along with a strong selection of extras. Spartacus has returned to Blu-ray and it truly brings the war home to its audience in full force.
Continue reading ‘Spartacus: War Of The Damned (Blu-ray Review)’
September 4th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
It was unfortunate that White House Down did not connect with a bigger audience this past summer. While by no means perfect, it was easily everything one could ask for in a good time at the movies, during the summer movie season. It is filled with action, has a great cast, and a lot of humor to go with all the thrills (Review HERE). Along with Olympus Has Fallen, it was one of the two enjoyable Die Hard movies to come out this year, with neither of those two being actual Die Hard movies. Regardless, audiences will now have a chance to catch up with this Channing Tatum/Jaime Foxx adventure, which features director Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, 2012) doing his best to blow up Washington D.C., as the Blu-ray hits shelves on November 5th. Read on to learn more about this release.
Continue reading ‘White House Down Raises The Roof On Blu-ray This November’
September 4th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
An ideal holiday gift in preparation for the highly-anticipated December 25th debut of the newest thrilling drama starring Chris Pine,
The Jack Ryan Collection arrives on Blu-ray or DVD December 3, 2013 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The exceptional set includes four classic films featuring the legendary CIA analyst created by author Tom Clancy together for the first time on Blu-ray:
The Hunt For Red October starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin,
Patriot Games and
Clear And Present Danger starring Harrison Ford, and
The Sum Of All Fears starring Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman. Each film also includes behind-the-scenes special features, exploring the making of the movies through interviews with cast and crew members.
Continue reading ‘The Jack Ryan Collection Makes its Blu-ray Debut this December!’
