Archive Page 530
January 25th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Up next comes one of the most popular cult films of all time: Sid and Nancy starring Gary Oldman as Sex Pistol’s bassist Sid Vicious and Chloe Webb as his girlfriend and cohort Nancy Spungen. This here is the Blu-ray release of the film, and if there was ever a title that needed to be released in high definition Sid and Nancy was one of them. Director Alex Cox (Repo Man, Walker) crafts a most unlikely love story in Sid & Nancy. It’s been about twenty five years since it was released theatrically, so how will it stack up to today’s more modern scrutiny? That’s what we’re here to find out. Continue reading ‘Sid and Nancy (Blu-ray Review)’
January 25th, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
Ambition seduces and power corrupts in this look at politics from Academy Award nominated director George Clooney (Good Night, and Good Luck). Idealistic campaign worker Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling) has sworn to give all for Governor Mike Morris (Clooney), a wild card presidential candidate whose groundbreaking ideas could change the political landscape. However, a brutal Ohio primary threatens to test Morris’s integrity. Stephen gets trapped in the down-and-dirty battle, discovering himself caught up in a scandal where the only path to survival is to play both sides. The powerhouse cast includes Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling (Best Actor, Half Nelson, 2006), Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (Best Actor, Capote, 2005), Academy Award nominee Paul Giamatti (Best Supporting Actor, Cinderella Man, 2005), Academy Award winner George Clooney (Best Supporting Actor, Syriana, 2005), Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (Best Supporting Actress, My Cousin Vinny, 1992), and Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen, Across the Universe) in the story of a young, idealistic staffer who gets caught up in a political scandal during a presidential campaign. Continue reading ‘The Ides of March (Blu-ray Review)’
January 24th, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
Winner of five Emmy awards including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special for Lynn Whitfield (Eve’s Bayou) and the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV for Louis Gossett Jr. (Academy Award winner, An Officer and a Gentleman), The Josephine Baker Story comes to Blu-ray disc with all new bonus content featuring an audio commentary with Whitfield, writer Ron Hutchinson and associate producer Alisa Taylor. Outrageous, shocking, sensational – Josephine Baker was born poor, but achieved fame and fortune through her sizzlingly exotic and erotic performances. Starting life on the American Vaudeville circuit, success took Josephine to Paris where her semi-nude dancing causes an international sensation. Josephine’s life becomes a roller coaster ride of love and rejection from both her lovers and her country. Whether she is semi-nude or head-to-toe in sequins, in battle fatigues or rags, her beauty and ambition ensured that Josephine Baker will always be remembered as the first, and possibly most loved, truly international star. Continue reading ‘The Josephine Baker Story (Blu-ray Review)’
January 24th, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
It was one of the most emotional documentaries ever aired on the Showtime Cable Network. Now, for the first time, on December 6, fans will have a chance to own The Love We Make, a look back at Sir Paul McCartney and his efforts to plan and perform a benefit concert in the aftermath of the worst day in the history of New York City. The film is directed by Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter) and Bradley Kaplan, the film was shot in stark 16 mm black and white, complete with color concert clips. The Love We Make juxtaposes dramatic images of “The Concert For New York City,” held mere months after 9/11, with scenes of McCartney himself as he walks the streets of the town that his former songwriting partner, John Lennon, loved so much. Continue reading ‘The Love We Make (Blu-ray Review)’
January 23rd, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
I’m pretty sure there are a few people out there that have heard of this one. Monty Python and The Holy Grail is one of the great classic comedies that combined the legendary tale of King Arthur and the quest for the Holy Grail with the outrageous and absurdest humor stylings of the British comedy group Monty Python. Now Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has finally delivered information about the upcoming Blu-ray release of the film, arriving March 6th. Loaded with new, Blu-ray exclusive, special features, this looks to be one of the finest sets assembled in regards to such a hilarious film. Truth be told, I am mostly excited to be able to see an HD quality look at the Black Knight and the killer rabbit, not to mention hear the stunning sounds of Tim the Enchanter blasting away with his magic. Read on to learn more about this upcoming release. Continue reading ‘Prepare Thy Holy Hand Grenade, ‘Monty Python And The Holy Grail’ Doth Come To Blu In March’
January 23rd, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
When Steve Niles (Criminal Macabre, 30 Days of Night) premiered artwork from his upcoming collaboration with artist Menton3 (Monocyte, Proof: Endangered, Crawl to Me) via his Twitter feed, speculation and anticipation spread like wildfire across the Internet. Today, Dark Horse is proud to announce that this new vampiric tale will premiere in Dark Horse Presents! The Black Plague was a time of death and misery . . . except for the undead. For vampires, the Black Death was a welcome relief from being hunted and a time of incredible growth for the undead. On the night of their wedding, two vampire lovers are torn apart and separated for five hundred years, setting off a sequence of events that will bring the modern world to its knees! Continue reading ‘Dark Horse Comics’ ‘The Nosferatu Wars’ due in 2012′
January 23rd, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
It’s always somewhat of a special event when we are graced by anything Queen related on Blu-ray. If there was anything made for the Blu-ray format it would be Queen’s music and Freddie Mercury’s Godlike vocals. Eagle Rock Entertainment has brought Queen: Days of Our Lives to the Blu-ray format, which was originally broadcast by the BBC. The Queen:Days of Our Lives compilation follows the chaps from their humble beginnings, successes, tragedies, to the present. I will advise that you all should hold on tight, because it’s gonna be a rock ‘n roll roller coaster of a whirlwind ride! As it should be. 😉 Continue reading ‘Queen: Days of Our Lives (Blu-ray Review)’
January 22nd, 2012 by Jami Ferguson
From Terence Winter, Emmy Award-winning writer of The Sopranos, and executive producer Martin Scorsese, comes the lavish and addictive HBO drama Boardwalk Empire that re-creates the glitter and decadence of 1920’s Atlantic City at a time when Prohibition proved to be a major catalyst in the rise of organized crime in America. Full of corruption, backroom politics, vicious power struggles and a fierce hunger for wealth, the critically-acclaimed series personifies one of the most colorful and violent time periods in American history. The Great War was over, Wall Street was about to boom, women got the vote and everything was for sale, even the World Series. The undisputed ruler of Atlantic City was the town’s treasurer, Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (Buscemi), a political fixer and backroom dealer who was equal parts politician and criminal and equally comfortable in either role. Because of its strategic location on the seaboard, minutes from Philadelphia, hours from New York City and less than a day’s drive from Chicago, the town was a hub of activity for rum runners. And Nucky Thompson took full advantage. Continue reading ‘Boardwalk Empire: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray Review)’
January 22nd, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
HBO Films’ critically-acclaimed Thurgood was nominated for three Emmy awards including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for star Laurence Fishburne (Oscar nominee, What’s Love Got to Do with It). Shot before a live audience at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater in Washington, D.C., the film is a one-man show that traces the personal and professional history of civil rights pioneer and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. From childhood stories of his family and home life in Baltimore, to his college days at Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., Marshall recollects his triumphs over adversity to pursue a successful career in the judicial system fighting for human rights. Establishing benchmarks in civil rights advancement, Marshall tried the historic case of Brown vs. Board of Education before the Supreme Court, successfully challenging the unconstitutional segregation of black and white students in public schools. His achievements eventually led him to become the first African-American to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. Continue reading ‘Thurgood (Blu-ray Review)’
January 21st, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
For the first time in Blu-ray High Definition, Academy Award winner Robin Williams (Best Supporting Actor, Good Will Hunting, 1997) delivers a tour-de-force performance in the 25th Anniversary Edition of the hit comedy Good Morning, Vietnam! Enjoy the improved digital sound quality of Blu-ray High Definition as Army deejay Adrian Cronauer (Williams) spins a red-hot soundtrack of ‘60s hits. His sidesplitting comedy and rapid fire wit make him a hero to the troops, but quickly get him in hot water with his by-the-book superiors. Featuring a behind-the-scenes look at Williams’ hilarious radio monologues, Good Morning, Vietnam remains the quintessential Robin Williams comedy. Continue reading ‘Good Morning Vietnam (Blu-ray Review)’
January 21st, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Red Tails is like a bad, unironic comic book movie come to life. It could have been a number of different things, including a thrilling war-time action/adventure or a moving depiction of the turmoil faced by African American pilots during wartime, as they had to prove themselves in the face of segregation. The film actually plays out as a really bland, by-the-numbers action/war film that is rife with clichés and one-note characters. There is no real look deeper into its message beyond “racism is bad” and the elaborately designed aerial dogfights feel almost too overproduced to actually have any dramatic weight to them. All of this and I haven’t even mentioned how dreadful the dialogue is. Continue reading ‘‘Red Tails’ Crash Lands’
January 20th, 2012 by John Hitch
Haywire’s protagonist, Mallory Kane, played by statuesque Mixed Martial Artist brawler Gina Carano, looks a lot like a younger version of America’s undisputed girl next door, Sandra Bullock. Too bad in her leading “lady” debut, she has all the charm of the door. Not that any of this will matter to moviegoers not burned out by the “burned spy out for revenge” genre. Continue reading ‘Haywire’s a Misfire’
January 20th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Puss in Boots continues the legacy of Shrek, the #1 animated franchise of all time, with the uproarious and irresitable origin story of the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots. Filled with hilarious action and adventure, the true tail—er, tale—of how Puss became a hero long before he met Shrek delighted audiences of all ages with its non-stop laughs, daring deeds and original story. Boasting an all-star cast of voice talent including Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris, Puss in Boots is a must-own family film with serious cat-itude. Continue reading ‘‘Puss In Boots’ on Blu-ray February 24th’
January 20th, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and Gary’s girlfriend, Mary (Amy Adams), from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze Muppet Studios and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stomping grounds. To stage a telethon and raise the $10 million needed to save the studio, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. Continue reading ‘The Muppets Arrive on Blu-ray March 20th!’
January 20th, 2012 by Blu-ray Brian
Oscar Winner Gregory Peck gives the performance of his career in the timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, available on Blu-ray for the first time ever January 31st. The 50th Anniversary Edition will be digitally remastered and fully restored with over three hours of bonus materials including two full-length documentaries, but better yet…WE HAVE TWO BLU-RAYS TO GIVE AWAY TO TWO LUCKY WINNERS WHO ENTER BELOW! What can be better than that? I know! NOTHING! And best of all…it’s really easy to enter. Check out the full press release below and enter today. Good luck! Continue reading ‘To Kill a Mockingbird: 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Giveaway!’
January 20th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Once again, the month of January has actually managed to deliver some disposable fun, this time in the form of an action thriller from director Steven Soderbergh. Haywire falls into the director’s category of more mainstream, but it certainly boasts a strong cast and enough offbeat qualities to make it stand out a bit. Of course, the main thing to take away from this film is that star (and MMA fighter) Gina Carano can kick all of our asses, and look good doing it, which is especially important, given that the story is stripped down to basics and does not rely on having much complexity or originality in the narrative. Haywire is held together by its cast, authentic and brutal fights, and its style, which feels like a throwback to 70s revenge flicks. Continue reading ‘‘Haywire’ Is Streamlined, Offbeat, And Brutal’
January 20th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
While watching Margin Call, a movie that I overall enjoyed, mainly due to the ensemble cast, I felt like wishing I could appreciate it more, given the subject matter. It is based around the events leading up to the start of the 2007-2008 financial crisis and feels like a film that could be easily watched by someone more clued into economic affairs. Honestly, I am just not that person. Regardless of how I intake my news and grasp on the economy, however, I did manage to approach Margin Call with a level of understanding based on how I can rate the film in regards to its cast, pacing, filmmaking etc. While some elements may feel a bit murky to me, this Blu-ray gave me enough to consider in order to properly review it. Continue reading ‘Margin Call (Blu-ray Review)’
January 20th, 2012 by Jami Ferguson
A once-powerful warrior king takes on a new life as an assassin for hire in the DVD Original The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption, which is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download. The latest chapter in Universal’s enormously popular The Mummy franchise, The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption brings the heroic, larger-than-life saga of the dethroned king Mathayus to face some of his fiercest demons and most vicious rivals—both real and supernatural—ever. In a dangerous, action-packed battle to regain his glory and reclaim the empire, Mathayus’s journey is steeped in intrigue, sorcery and romance. The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption stars Golden Globe winner Ron Perlman (“Sons of Anarchy,”Hellboy II: The Golden Army) as Horus, the powerful King of Egypt and Billy Zane (The Roommate, Titanic) as the villainous Talus. Directed by Roel Reiné, the film also stars Victor Webster (“Castle,” Surrogates) as Mathayus and UFC star Kimbo Slice (Locked Down), Bostin Christopher (Unbreakable); six-time WWE World Champion Dave Bautista, and Temeura Morrison (Green Lantern, Stars Wars: Episode 3 — Revenge of the Sith). Continue reading ‘The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption (Blu-ray Review)’
