Archive Page 533
December 24th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Kung Fu Panda 2, DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s popular follow up to the Academy Award-nominated original debuted on Blu-ray and DVD on December 13, 2011. Combining non-stop action, a fantastic cast, and stunning animation, this sequel delighted viewers of all ages with its engaging story and colorful visuals. Featuring an all-star cast of voice talent including Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride and Jean-Claude Van Damme, the film earned more than $650 million at the global box office, making it one of the top five films of the year worldwide. Continue reading ‘Kung Fu Panda 2 (Blu-ray Review)’
December 23rd, 2011 by Lauren Pacheco
Before I start to tell you about what I have discovered about Charlie O’Connell let’s rattle off some of what Charlie has done in his career thus far. First film that pops into my head is he’s the “Stoner BashingTime” guy in Dude Where’s My Car, his line in that film gets me every time. Then there is The New Guy where he gets to play along side brother, Jerry O’Connell. Later To Kill a Mockumentary came about where he played Judas. Oh and there was The Gentleman’s League which I really took a liking to but that only lasted two episodes. All these roles are comedy roles. Nothing stuck out to me that was super serious or suspenseful like we are all about to see in Huff. Continue reading ‘Huff: The New Villian on the Street’
December 23rd, 2011 by Lauren Pacheco
In this gory-tale film, Huff, the big bad wolf has three step-daughters and the youngest of the three is Shay played by newbie actress Elly Stefanko. On my way up to Santa Clarita I was doing some research on her to see who she was. Little did I know that googling her would lead me to her website where I shockingly found out she is a pop diva. Well, as you will find out ‘Diva’ is not even in Elly’s makeup. Her latest song, “Spoiled” has a great video that spoofs the Jersey Shore kids. As you listen you may think she only sounds good due to the synthesizers and auto-tune on this track but as you click to her other songs, especially her renditions of various Christmas favorites, that is not the case. No auto-tune, no track laid behind her, just a piano and her voice. I am overly impressed. Continue reading ‘Huff: Rising Star Elly Stefanko’
December 23rd, 2011 by Lauren Pacheco
When I saw that Clint Howard was on the call sheet for the day I was to visit the set of Huff I got a little bit of extra giddy in my step. With over 200 titles to his credit he is without a doubt engrained in your memory. Son of Rance Howard and brother to Ron Howard he rounds the family out in true talent. A few titles from memory would be when he played Stanley in Evilspeak which at the time frightened me to see Clint turn into what can only be described as a demonized hog with horns that decapitates people with a sword. Later roles in Austin Powers, Water Boy, Little Nicky, and Apollo 13 all float in my head as I rack my brain. Star Trek, Cinderella Man, Halloween, The Dilemma and a flurry of television shows. The list just doesn’t quit. Continue reading ‘Huff: Interview with Clint Howard’
December 23rd, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
We Bought a Zoo is a movie made to make you feel good. There is no other way around that. It features nice performances, a nice score, stakes that are enough to keep you involved, but never to really put you in a tense place, and an overall sweetness that is enough to make your teeth fall out. It is certainly nothing I hold against the film, especially given that it is based on a true story, but the joyful optimism seen in this film can only take one so far, before the level of interest starts to fade. Still, We Bought a Zoo is perfectly acceptable for families to watch together during the holiday season and at least possesses a confidence in the acting and filmmaking to keep it ahead of other, similar family friendly features. Continue reading ‘‘We Bought A Zoo’ Sure Is Sweet…’
December 23rd, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
As promised, here is my Top 10 FILM list for 2011. I actually had to scramble in compiling this list, because there was one movie that I needed to see before my deadline and I was confident that it would go on my list. Did it, though? That’s what you’re going to have to read to find out. These films are all films that opened in limited or wide release, but that exhibited in 2011. Not all of these films were actually seen at the theater, some were seen on Blu-ray – the point is that they were all seen this. year. With that out of the way, enjoy what I have to offer you in my Top 10 list of 2011 at Why So Blu. Continue reading ‘Gerard’s Top 10 FILMS of 2011′
December 22nd, 2011 by John Hitch
David Fincher’s newest flick, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, features an unforgettable opening sequence reminiscent of star Daniel Craig’s other franchise, which coincidently, is also filled with sex, spy gadgets and wealthy super villains. This movie begins by flashing sort-of-nude dancers writhing to a tune related to the movie, like Octopussy or Goldeneye did before it. Here it’s Trent Reznor and Karen Oh’s industrial update of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” which appropriately gears you up for the craziest events ever to befall Sweden, a tedious land of ice and snow, or more recently, IKEA and Volvo. The song choice, along with the assault of slick effects and rapid-fire editing, remind you this is going to be much more like Se7en than 007. Continue reading ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Movie Review)’
December 22nd, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of director Joe Johnston’s (Captain America: The First Avenger) action-filled and witty movie known as The Rocketeer. Now with state-of-the-art digital restoration and enhanced high definition sound, experience it as it jets off for the first time on Disney Blu-ray. The discovery of a top-secret rocket pack hurls test pilot Cliff Secord into a daring adventure of mystery, suspense, and intrigue! Cliff encounters an assortment of ruthless villains, led by a Hollywood screen star who is a secret Nazi spy. With the help of his actress girlfriend, the young pilot battles enormous odds to defeat his foes who are anxious to use the device in an evil plan to rule the world. The dangerous mission transforms the ordinary young man into an extraordinary hero. Continue reading ‘The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
December 22nd, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
The problem I have with a lot of films that are adapted from plays is how they tend to feel a bit too theatrical, yet limited scope. They are movies that feature big performances from the cast, complete with many key monologues, yet only feel like an expansion from the stage into a larger arena, as opposed to a whole new experience brought to a more cinematic format. There are many exceptions to this, with 12 Angry Men and Glengarry Glen Ross standing out as obvious ones, and I think director Roman Polanski’s adaptation of the play God of Carnage stands on sure footing. It is almost entirely contained in one setting and functions as a scathing comedy. While very limited in scope and possessing very little in the way of a true story arc structure, the film features strong performances from the four leads and is quite funny in a fittingly European way, with tinges of Curb Your Enthusiasm-inspired looniness. Carnage is an interesting departure for Polanski, but entertaining all the same. Continue reading ‘Sink Your Teeth Into Comedic ‘Carnage’’
December 22nd, 2011 by Brian White
It’s that time again. Another year has flown by and I’m still proverbially in the same place and physically in the same chair as I was last year. My how things don’t always change like you want them to, but that’s the beauty of looking forward to next year and all the endless possibilities dreams, hopes and endeavors may bring you. Here’s looking to 2012! But before I “turn the page” (a nod to Bob Seger, not Metallica), it wouldn’t be right without first recapping my favorite movies of the year and cramming down your throat why I think the way I do. Who’s right and who’s wrong when it comes to these? Absolutely no one is. We each have our own opinion, beliefs and value systems. That’s what makes us individuals. But when it’s your day to shine here on Why So Blu, your Top 10 list becomes as powerful as the almighty scriptures of the past. So for today, December 22, 2012…this is the new law being enforced upon you around here. Follow you will! Continue reading ‘Brian’s Unquestionable TOP 10 Films of 2011′
December 21st, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
I might have some more to say about this film next week, when my top 10 films list comes out, but in the meantime, word has hit that Martha Marcy May Marlene will be arriving on Blu-ray and DVD February 21, 2012. Besides having one of the most fun titles to say out loud, Martha Marcy May Marlene is a tense psychological thriller revolving around a young girl, Martha (a fantastic Elizabeth Olsen) who has escaped a cult. The film moves through a nonlinear timeline, exploring Martha’s fragile psyche, as she contends with both the life she lived and the readjusting to a regular society. It is a wonderfully creepy film in a very low-key sense and I am looking forward to checking it out again when it arrives on Blu-ray. Read on to find more from the official press release and to learn out more about the special features present on the disc. Continue reading ‘The Paranoia In ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene Returns’ In February On Blu-ray/DVD’
December 21st, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
After all the lighthearted fun I have had with the adventure films of December, 2011, it is now time to sink to someplace darker. The biggest curiosity I have with the self proclaimed, “feel bad film of Christmas,” is how the three groups of people will respond to it. The groups I refer to are those who have read the books, those who have seen the original films, and those who are completely new to the series. As The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is based on the first book in an internationally best selling series, which has already spawned a popular film, there seems to be plenty of elements to consider. The main reaction I have taken away is that the film is efficiently constructed and features a lot of specific elements that make it very watchable. I have some issues with this film’s personality versus the original, but at the very least, it is a well done, hard-R film, with an atypical female lead, for those who enjoy dense mystery thrillers. Continue reading ‘‘Dragon Tattoo’: An Almost Too Expected Use Of Fincher’s Talents’
December 21st, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Making a Top Ten list of Blu-rays is always a difficult thing for me to do. The fact that there’s so many excellent releases that I haven’t seen yet just makes it even harder because I know a lot of them would be on my list. So I’ve decided to make a list of the Top 10 Blu-rays that I’ve seen and most likely reviewed, and another list of Blu-rays that I would have included on this list if I had seen them. Continue reading ‘Sean’s Top Ten Blu-rays of 2011 / Holiday Gift Guide’
December 20th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Beavis and Butt-Head, America’s favorite culture critics, made their triumphant return to MTV and proved that they are…just as dumb as they ever were. Now the beloved pair of fart-knockers is preparing to blaze a new trail in high definition when Beavis and Butt-Head: Volume 4 arrives on Blu-ray and DVD February 14, 2012. The season premiere of Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butt-Head in October of 2011 ranked #1 in all of cable among all core male demographics and was the most-watched telecast of the night on cable with over three million viewers. Creator Mike Judge has resurrected everything fans loved about the idle teens, but now they have more than just music videos to make fun of: Reality TV, the Internet, and Mixed Martial Arts are all subject to the withering commentary of these savvy television viewers. Continue reading ‘Beavis and Butthead: Volume 4 on Blu-ray February 14’
December 20th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
The record-breaking franchise that has terrified audiences around the world returns with the scariest story yet as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 debuts on January 24, 2012 from Paramount Home Entertainment in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with UltraViolet™ and a Digital Copy. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 will also be available On Demand. “Terrifying” (Time) with “heart-pounding scares” (BloodyDisgusting.com), PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 takes audiences back to where it all began with the masterminds behind the first two films returning to craft a hauntingly chilling follow up. Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, the filmmakers who created the unsettling sensation Catfish, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 achieved the biggest theatrical debut for a horror film ever, ultimately earning more than $200 million worldwide. Continue reading ‘‘Paranormal Activity 3’ on Blu-ray January 24′
December 20th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
I was very excited when it was first announced that Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson would be collaborating on film adaptations of the popular “Adventures of Tintin” comic book series by Hergé. Having long been a fan of the series, both in comic form and in its HBO TV series format, putting these two master filmmakers behind the camera for a new, big screen adaptation was a pretty easy way to get me amped. Now as a friend of mine wisely put it, the popularity of Tintin in America is similar to the popularity of soccer. The character is much more of an international icon and the character’s depiction skews pretty broadly. Opposed to the gritty rough and tumble nature of many American heroes, Tintin tends to find himself in lighthearted adventures and peril resolved with playful coincidences. As a result, The Adventures of Tintin is a fairly lighthearted adventure that happens to be incredibly well made thanks to Spielberg’s directorial handle on a 3D motion capture film. Continue reading ‘‘Tintin’s Adventures Never Cease To Astonish, No Matter How Unexpected’
December 20th, 2011 by Gregg Senko
So many Blu-rays, so little time. If I bought every disc I wanted to see this year, I would’ve gone broke before the summer ended. There were some great releases that didn’t make my list such as Swingers, Attack the Block, and True Blood: Season 3. Then there were the sure-fire films I thought would make the list but missed by a mile, like a really bad video transfer of Gettysburg and an extras-less Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Who releases a big budget feature on Blu-ray with no extras?? Anyway, I’d have to say this was probably the most difficult top ten Blu-ray list I ever had to assemble as it underwent many changes throughout the year, most over the course of the last week. Now that 2011 is just about said and done, here are my favorite picks of the year…
Continue reading ‘Gregg’s Top 10 Blu-rays of 2011′
December 19th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Cary Grant and Grace Kelly light up the screen in director Alfred Hitchcock’s suspenseful and romantic thriller TO CATCH A THIEF, debuting on Blu-ray March 6, 2012 from Paramount Home Entertainment. A delightful classic filled with star power, witty dialogue, breathtaking scenery and plenty of plot twists, TO CATCH A THIEF garnered three Academy Award® nominations and won the Oscar® for Best Cinematography, Color. Starring Cary Grant as John Robie, a reformed cat burglar, and Grace Kelly as an heiress with whom he becomes romantically entangled, the film takes place on the opulent French Riviera as Robie tries to uncover the identity of a jewel thief and prove his own innocence. Continue reading ‘‘To Catch A Thief’ on Blu-ray March 6, 2012′
