Archive Page 535
December 14th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
On the heels of watching Lars von Trier’s Melancholia, I was able to see Another Earth. Apparently I am a sucker for existential sci-fi dramas that revolve around the dilemmas of the main characters as they deal with their own tragedies, along with the presence of another planet coming dangerously close to earth, because as with Melancholia, I really dug this film as well. While there is an intriguing subject in this film that involves the existence of a duplicate world and the chance to communicate with it, most of the sci-fi-ness, like Melancholia, is pushed into the background, as the film moves at a deliberate pace and deals with the drama surrounding the lead characters. As the first feature film from director Mike Cahill, I found Another Earth to be quite well acted and assuredly made; but the notion of thinking what my double would do, alone, managed to keep me involved with the film. Read on to hear more about the film and it’s Blu-ray presentation. Continue reading ‘Another Earth (Blu-ray Review)’
December 14th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
On December 6, 2011, respected filmmaker and three-time Oscar nominee Ridley Scott decided to make his voice heard in an article for Huffington Post in regards to the Blu-ray format. Given that we here at Why So Blu live and die by Blu-ray, I was excited to see such a notable filmmaker share his high regard for the format and provide a full article detailing his respect for it. I tip my hat to a great director and his admiration for the format and greatly anticipate his upcoming return to science fiction, with Prometheus due out June 2012. Continue on and you will find the entire article originally posted by Scott. Continue reading ‘Ridley Scott Gives Two Big Thumbs Up To Blu-ray!’
December 14th, 2011 by Brian White
It’s that time of the year already. I have been through so much this year so I thought f$&k it. I want to try something new this year. In the past few years, I had this complex algorithm where I weighted a disc by its film score, audio/video presentation and how many special features it had. In the past, that meant discs that I loved that didn’t have hefty quantities of special features (which I usually tend to ignore anyway) generally fell short on my lists. That’s bullsh!t. I’m not being that fake person anymore. I don’t care. This is my list dammit. These are the Blu-rays I personally own and are proud to call my favorites of the calendar year 2011. If you don’t agree with any of my selections, then A) I have to ask myself why are you reading this and/or B) that’s what the comment fields are there for. Hit me with your best shot. Let’s get this party started! Continue reading ‘Brian’s TOP 10 Blu-ray Picks of 2011′
December 14th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
The Victorian boys are back in town. Sherlock and Watson are back and this time they are wrapped up in a deadly game of shadows, as the threat of Professor Moriarty looms in the background. The first film, from 2009, turned out to be a lot of fun, given the new take on the character and universe. Mixed with the fun performances from Downey, Jr. and Law and the stylish direction of Guy Ritchie (not to mention Hans Zimmer’s wonderful score), Sherlock Holmes was able to get by on charm and wit, as much as it did by blockbuster spectacle. This sequel certainly goes the “bigger is better route” but does not lose sight of what made the first film enjoyable. Continue reading ‘‘Holmes’ Meets His Match In This Shadowy Sequel’
December 14th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
An imaginative fusion of live action, state-of-the-art puppetry, prosthetics and CGI, Farscape, produced by The Jim Henson Company in association with RHI Entertainment, featured mind-boggling alien life forms, dazzling special effects, edge-of-your-seat thrills, irreverent humor and unforgettable characters — all brought to rich life by the creative minds at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Strap in and hold on tight for the extraordinary adventures of astronaut John Crichton, (Ben Browder) who, after a freak accident, finds himself surrounded by hostile aliens and soaring through the cosmos aboard Moya, a glorious living space ship. Hunted by the relentless Peacekeepers, he allies himself with Moya’s crew — Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black), Luxan warrior Ka D’Argo (Anthony Simcoe), azure priestess Zhaan (Virginia Hey), spritely Nebari thief Chiana (Gigi Edgley), Dominar Rygel, the deposed royal ruler of the Hynerian Empire and Pilot – to search for a way out of this inconceivably alien world and return home. Continue reading ‘Farscape: The Complete Series (Blu-ray Review)’
December 13th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Tsukiko (Moe Arai), who belongs to a photography club at high school, always feels inferior to her elder sister, Tomie (Miu Nakamura). Tomie is breathtakingly beautiful and popular among the male students, including Toshio, whom Tsukiko is secretly in love with. One day an awful accident kills Tomie right in front of her younger sister. Since then Tsukiko suffers from a nightmare night after night. A year later Tsukiko and her parents are surrounding a birthday cake to celebrate dead Tomie’s 18th birthday. Suddenly they hear an eerie knock at the door. Unbelievably, it is Tomie. She’s back. The father and mother blindly welcome Tomie in tears, but Tsukiko feels instinctive fear. Tomie gradually reveals her true face, but only when she is with Tsukiko. Now Tsukiko’s nightmare becomes reality, and the terrifying days begin… Continue reading ‘‘Tomie Unlimited’ on Blu-ray in the UK January 23′
December 12th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Ambition seduces and power corrupts in a nerve-wracking thriller 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 all-star cast includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood. Continue reading ‘The Ides of March Comes out on Blu-ray January 17!’
December 11th, 2011 by Jami Ferguson
Dylan (Justin Timberlake) is done with relationships. Jamie (Mila Kunis) decides to stop buying into the Hollywood clichés of true love. When the two become friends they decide to try something new and take advantage of their mutual attraction – but without any emotional attachment. Physical pleasure without the entanglements. Sounds easy enough for two logical adults, right? Not so much. They soon realize romantic comedy stereotypes might exist for a reason. Directed by Will Gluck (Easy A), and starring Justin Timberlake (The Social Network) and Mila Kunis (Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actress, Drama, Black Swan, 2010) Friends With Benefits also boasts hilarious performances by Woody Harrelson (Zombieland), Emma Stone (Easy A), and Andy Samberg (“Saturday Night Live”). Continue reading ‘Friends With Benefits (Blu-ray Review)’
December 11th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, and Martin Balsam lead an all-star cast in this suspenseful film based on the sizzling best seller by John Godey. A gang of thugs who have hijacked a subway train near New York’s Pelham Station threaten to kill one hostage per minute. Forced to stall the assailants until a ransom is delivered or a rescue made, transit chief Lt. Garber (Walter Matthau) must somehow ad-lib, con and outmaneuver one of the craftiest, cruelest villains (Robert Shaw) ever. It’s a race against time, and no one knows whether things will end heroically or tragically in this pulse-pounding thrill ride! Continue reading ‘The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) (Blu-ray Review)’
December 10th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
This past year has been notable to me in the way nostalgia has been informing many films. Hugo, The Muppets, The Illusionist, Midnight in Paris, and Super 8, among many others I could make arguments for have all had this theme running through them. Now we have The Artist, an incredibly likable film that serves as a tribute to the silent film era by literally embodying the genre. The film plays out just as a silent film would, leaving the audience to react accordingly, given only the black and white images see on screen (accompanied by a great musical score), with only small instances that break the realm of the genre. Added benefits to the story, which is purposefully melodramatic as well as reflective on its own subject matter, are the incredibly charming performances. Those with knowledge of film can certainly see what this film is doing quite easily, but that shouldn’t stop all from acknowledging how entertaining, stylish, and well put together The Artist truly is.
Continue reading ‘‘The Artist’ Speaks Volumes As A Likable Ode To The Silent Film Era’
December 10th, 2011 by Jami Ferguson
For six eye-opening seasons, The Girls Next Door dropped the towel to reveal all the goings-on at the Playboy Mansion and beyond, from exotic European escapades to sexy and scary camp-outs in the “wilds” of the Mansion’s backyard, from tender moments among friends and lovers to the occasional friendly rivalry among the Playmates. The Girls Next Door: The Complete Series captures it all in 35 glorious hours, centering around the three original girls – Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson – as well as newcomers Crystal Harris (who came this close to becoming the next Mrs. Hef) and the centerfold twins Kristina and Karissa Shannon. Continue reading ‘The Girls Next Door – The Complete Series (DVD Review)’
December 9th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Two of the most inept detectives that ever bungled a case find themselves way over their heads in this wacky action adventure that leads them from Los Angeles to Rome and Venice. Trying to reunite a pair of misplaced lovers, our incompetent duo begin a crazed caper with two Italian families–feuding for 1,700 years! These misguided Americans solve no crimes, but provide an outrageous good time. The movie stars David Landsberg and Lorin Dreyfuss and was directed by Philip Otonni. Filmed partly on location in Italy, this movie also provides some interesting locations for chases as well. Continue reading ‘Detective School Dropouts (DVD Review)’
December 8th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Based on the novel “Shotgun” by William Wingate, this drama depicts an ex-CIA hit man on the run from the government who stumbles into a real-estate swindle/murder plot in Oregon. The movie stars Burt Reynolds, Cynthia Gibb, Scott Wilson, Lauren Hutton, Cliff Robertson, Kenneth McMillan and was directed by Harley Cokliss. This movie is being released through a Manufacturing on Demand program that gives movie fans an option to get older movies that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to purchase. I was curious to see how those discs turned out and because I’m a fan of Burt Reynolds, I asked to review this movie. Read on to discover how it turned out… Continue reading ‘Malone (DVD Review)’
December 8th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Senior Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) finally has it all. He’s running with the cool kids and dating the hottest girl in high school (Imogen Poots). But all hell breaks loose when charming Jerry Dandridge (Colin Farrell) moves in next door. Charley thinks there’s something odd about him, although no one – including his mom (Toni Collette) – seems to notice. But after too many of his classmates vanish under bizarre circumstances, Charley comes to an unmistakable conclusion: Jerry is a vampire preying on his neighborhood! Continue reading ‘Fright Night 2D / 3D Arrives on Blu-ray December 13!’
December 8th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
Along with having one of my favorite titles to say out loud of the year (the other being Martha Marcy May Marlene), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy also boasts one of the best ensemble casts of the year. It is very delightful to report that the cast is certainly not wasted either, as everyone in this espionage-themed film has a chance to shine. As a whole, the way the film plays out, it is very deliberately paced and all the more nuanced in the way it presents information. Describing the basic plot is simple, but the complexity lies in the details presented. This is very much a film that needs full attention paid to what the characters are saying and what is being shown in order to grasp all the detail in what is unfolding. The film’s presentation easily harkens back to 70s spy thrillers, where it does not rely on action, but instead the notion of paranoia through many introspective characters. Attention is key, as making one’s way through this film can be quite the challenging puzzle. Continue reading ‘Methodical Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Thrills’
December 8th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
I would like to think that actor Michael Fassbender and director Steve McQueen have fun personalities when they are not on the set of their respective films. Given the intense natures of characters that Fassbender has portrayed, particularly in regards to the two films he and McQueen have collaborated on thus far, it would be nice to know that the two also like to have a good time as fun drinking buddies for example. Shame is certainly not a cheery film. It takes focus on the life of a man who is burdened with a crushing addiction and is forced to abuse himself to find relief, despite the effect it has on those around him. Continue reading ‘No ‘Shame’ In Witnessing Bold Performances On Display’
December 7th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
The Last Circus, or as originally entitled, La Balada Triste De Trompeta (The Sad Ballad of the Trumpet) is up there in terms of visual storytelling, graphic and brutal violence, and insane sexual situations. Did I mention that this is all contained within the two minute theatrical “red band” trailer? See, this is what marketing is all about when it comes to the business of film. A cool trailer will get people like me interested in your product by making me go out and buy said product. That’s exactly what I did with The Last Circus. I bought the film on Blu-ray based off of the trailer alone. I’ve done this in the past, but I’m a very good judge of film and also pretty good at blind buying films. Oh, and the film is about killer clowns wielding weapons of varying degree set during the Spanish Civil War and so forth. What have I gotten myself into? Step right up and find out for yourself. Tickets please! Continue reading ‘The Last Circus (Blu-ray Review)’
December 7th, 2011 by Matt Goodman
This movie is not very good. That’s a good way to start off something like this! Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption is a very lackluster flick, and ultimately fails in giving the viewers anything new or exciting. Hell, the zombies in the television show Community (in a Halloween themed episode) had richer makeup. Is this movie Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) terrible? Not at all, but the concept of zombies has been an interest of mine since Boyle’s 28 Days Later, so watching a bad zombie movie is not a delight! To put it in more simple terms: if this had a wide release, it would receive one to two lukewarm reactions, with thousands of hater reviews. Continue reading ‘Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption (DVD Review)’
