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Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season Arrives on Blu-ray March 6!

Game of Thrones, one of the most elaborate and visually striking series on television, makes its highly-anticipated Blu-ray, DVD and digital download debut on March 6, 2012.  Based on George R.R. Martin’s best-selling series A Song of Ice and Fire, the sweeping fantasy saga instantly became one of HBO’s biggest hits and won two 2011 Emmy awards including Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage).  The drama follows kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and noblemen as they vie for power in a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime.  Two powerful families are engaged in a deadly cat-and-mouse game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. As betrayal, lust, intrigue and supernatural forces shake the four corners of the Kingdoms, their bloody struggle for the Iron Throne will have unforeseen and far-reaching consequences. Continue reading ‘Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season Arrives on Blu-ray March 6!’

Going Places (Blu-ray Review)

Going Places aka Les Valseuses (The Testicles) is one of Kino’s latest offerings in the realm of classic films, this being a classice French film in the sense of it being one of the highest grossing films of 1974, and the film that propelled Gerard Depardieu to stardom. I am a lover of all things French and it was a no brainer tackling this Blu-ray for review. I love French cinema, so we will see if Going Places stands up to scrutiny. You know, this is a thirty seven year old film, so it may suck, right? Sorry, that was me being sarcastic for those that don’t like “old” films. With that little jab out of the way let’s see how it goes with Going Places on Blu-ray. Entrez!  Continue reading ‘Going Places (Blu-ray Review)’

30 Minutes or Less (Blu-ray Review)

I was a little apprehensive about going in and reviewing the Blu-ray of 30 Minutes or Less, because I never cared for the trailer or marketing materials that were released for it. It looked like a try-hard comedy film. Hey, but you gotta do what you gotta do when reviewing films, right? That’s what I did. I settled down, popped in the Blu-ray and hoped that the sights and sounds would take me away to this magical world of laughs and hijinx. It also helped that the guy who directed Zombieland also directed 30 Minutes of Less. Let us now see if this flick was worth the grueling one hour and twenty three minute running time. Strap yourself in!  Continue reading ’30 Minutes or Less (Blu-ray Review)’

The Hangover Part II (Blu-ray Review)

Unbeknown to anyone else beside myself, at the beginning of the year I decided there were a total of three movies I was really looking forward to in 2011.  The first, not a critic’s choice by any means, is the Independence Day sequel (joking), Battle: Los Angeles.  Unlike the majority of critics, I was able to enjoy myself immensely throughout the film.   Wait!   That doesn’t sound right.  LOL.  Anyway, the second was Transformers: Dark of the Moon.  Why was I looking forward to this?  Well, being a huge fan of the first film, I was really curious to see if Michael Bay could knock this one out of the ballpark and totally redeem himself for that POS he put out in 2009 or if he would fail miserably much like most of his horror produced films do. And needless to say, I would rather not converse about the outcome in this format.  However, neither one of these two flicks compare to the loving endearment and the overwhelming anticipation I had reserved in my heart for The Hangover Part II.  You know how people always warn you to get your hopes up?   Well, let’s talk about that some more here. Continue reading ‘The Hangover Part II (Blu-ray Review)’

‘Moneyball’ Slides Home On Blu-ray, DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack This January

I remember being all excited about Moneyball (review here), when it was coming out back in September.  The film based on a true story, staring Brad Pitt as Oakland A’s manager Billy Beane, had a lot of good ingredients to make for a solid feature.  I was happy to find that the movie was pretty solid as well.  Featuring strong performances and a way of presenting statistics and what goes into managing baseball in an entertaining way.  Now, come this January, everyone will have the chance to catch up with this potential award contender.  Moneyball arrives on Blu-ray January 10th in a variety of combo pack formats as well and looks to be filled with special features.  Read on to find out more details about this film’s home media release. Continue reading ‘‘Moneyball’ Slides Home On Blu-ray, DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack This January’

Tora! Tora! Tora! Blu-ray Giveaway!

Wow!  We are back with yet another Blu-ray contest!  Aren’t freebies a great way to live life?  I think so!  So should you!  Up for grab this weekend for two lucky winners we have the Blu-ray of Tora! Tora! Tora! which comes out this Tuesday, December 6th.  This classic Pearl Harbor epic, one of the most spectacular action films ever made, meticulously recreates the stunning attack on U.S forces by the Japanese.  Tora! Tora! Tora! (The Japanese signal to attack) features a joint U.S. and Japanese production team, chronicling both sides of the unforgettable Pearl Harbor story with awe-inspiring accuracy and explosive action.  Read on to find out how to win a Blu-ray copy below! Continue reading ‘Tora! Tora! Tora! Blu-ray Giveaway!’

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas Special Edition (Blu-ray Review)

Celebrate the most magical time of the year with this Special Edition of the irresistible holiday movie inspired by Disney’s beloved classic. For the first time in spectacular Blu-ray High Definition this captivating gem reunites the original voice cast!  Share the wonder as Mrs. Potts recounts another “tale as old as time” about a Christmas past that almost wasn’t – thanks to the scheming of former court composer Forte, who is determined to keep Belle and Beast apart forever.  This enchanting adventure boasts exciting bonus features, delightful songs, spellbinding visuals and enduring themes of hope, friendship and love. Your family will enjoy the spirit of the season all year long with the timeless magic of  Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas. Continue reading ‘Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas Special Edition (Blu-ray Review)’

Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s Magical World Special Edition (DVD Review)

From the “tale as old as time” comes a new Special Edition inspired by the original classic, Beauty and the Beast.  Join Belle, Disney’s spirited princess, Beast, Cogsworth, Lumiere, plus some charming new friends, as they discover how teamwork and friendship can turn a once-gloomy castle into a dazzling palace fit for a princess! Bundled with bonus features, your favorite characters and enchanting songs, this lesson-filled, sequel is sure to entertain and teach young children.

Continue reading ‘Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s Magical World Special Edition (DVD Review)’

Friday the 13th: The Ultimate Collection (DVD Review)

In the horror genre, upstart sub-genres may come and go—you’ve got “torture-porn”, “zombies”, “vampires”, “werewolves”, “Olsen Twins Musicals”, and many more—but the “slasher” sub-genre will always reign supreme.  Indeed, when one thinks of “horror”, one generally thinks of characters like Freddy Krueger, Jason Vorhees, Leatherface, and Michael Meyers (the stabby one, not the Shrek one).  Recently, Paramount released a somewhat-limited-edition “Ultimate Collection” for Jason’s Friday The 13th series, and fans of the long-running franchise might be interested to know that the Friday The 13th Ultimate Collection might be the best gift for the slasher-horror fan in your life this Christmas.  I mean, nevermind all these extras (and the 8 films the boxed set comes packaged with).  Instead, imagine the joy that finding a (slightly-scaled down) Jason mask under the Christmas tree will inspire.  If that doesn’t shriek “Happy Holidays!”, I dunno what does.  Continue reading ‘Friday the 13th: The Ultimate Collection (DVD Review)’

Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-Up Revolution (DVD Review)

I was pretty open to taking a chance on this Comedy Central stand-up series, hosted by Mexican-American comedian Gabriel Iglesias.  As with a lot of comedians who seem to have a known presence on Comedy Central, it can be hit or miss by the time that particular person is given the chance to be seen weekly with their own series.  It has worked in the past for comedians like Dave Chapelle (Chapelle’s Show) and currently with Daniel Tosh (Tosh.0), but has also missed for people like Jeff Dunham (Jeff Dunham Show).  So given my open mind and the desire to laugh at some stand-up, I gave Gabriel Iglesias’ Stand-Up Revolution a shot and checked out the entire seven-episode series on DVD. Continue reading ‘Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-Up Revolution (DVD Review)’

Flypaper (Blu-ray Review)

Two gangs of robbers descend on the same bank, but hearts are what may be stolen instead in Flypaper, a madcap crime comedy from the screenwriters of the blockbuster The Hangover. Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy) stars as a nervous customer with a crush on beautiful teller Ashley Judd (Double Jeopardy, Crossing Over). They and the other staff and customers become hostages when two very different groups of crooks hit the bank simultaneously: a high-tech trio who plan to break into the vault and a pair of small-timers whose idea of a big score is knocking off the ATMs. When people begin mysteriously dying one by one, everyone involved begins to wonder if there’s someone else in the bank up to no good. Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother, Where Art Thou?), Mekhi Phifer (Dawn of the Dead) and Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development) also star in this comic blast of a mystery.

Continue reading ‘Flypaper (Blu-ray Review)’

Michael Jackson – The Life of an Icon (Blu-ray Review)

See Michael Jackson, one of the most recognizable and popular entertainers of all time, like never before in the feature-length tribute Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon. Known to millions of fans worldwide for his record-breaking albums, groundbreaking music videos, mesmerizing dance moves and humanitarian efforts, his true story has never really been told…until now. This unprecedented look into the King of Pop’s fascinating life includes all-new interviews with his mother Katherine Jackson as well as siblings Tito and Rebbie Jackson, family, friends and music legends such as Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick and many more. Continue reading ‘Michael Jackson – The Life of an Icon (Blu-ray Review)’

Make a Quick Getaway with DRIVE on Blu-ray This January!

I think it’s pretty safe to say that Drive is a 2011 staff favorite film of many here at Why So Blu.  And why would’t it be?  The movie kicked a$$!  So without further ado, I am happy to announce that Drive will be debuting on the glorious Blu-ray format next January 31st.  Drive‘s all-star cast includes Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman and Christina Hendricks.  Bonus features include four behind-the-scenes featurettes and a filmmaker documentary.  Rush, don’t go slow, as you click the pre-order link to bring this MUST-OWN film of the year home just in time for the Super Bowl next year. Continue reading ‘Make a Quick Getaway with DRIVE on Blu-ray This January!’

Star Wars: The Old Republic (Beta Test Review)

The wait is nearly over.  On December 20th, PC gamers will finally be able to get their hands on an official copy of the latest MMO (massive multiplayer online) title to hit store shelves; Star Wars: The Old Republic.  A few weeks back, I had the opportunity of being selected as a beta tester.  This past weeked, I managed to grab a few hours of adventure in a galaxy far, far away…

Continue reading ‘Star Wars: The Old Republic (Beta Test Review)’

West Side Story (Blu-ray Review)

If only we could solve all our problems through interpretive dance. In this modern day adaption of Shakespeare’s classic tale Romeo & Juliet, which was adapted from Ernest Lehman’s Broadway production, it’s a singing and dancing group of gangs. There are two gangs pitted against each other in this town, first being the Jets, a group of hard-banging American-teens, and the Sharks, a group of Puerto Rican immigrants. For the time it took place/was filmed in, West Side Story looks, and sounds fantastic, and that was BEFORE the Blu-ray conversion. And I thought my trashy old DVD copy sounded great… West Side Story is a massive achievement in American cinema, so much so that it won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way!   Continue reading ‘West Side Story (Blu-ray Review)’

WWII in HD Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)

The only people to see the war like this were the ones who lived it. Until now.  Seventy years in the making. Three thousand hours of color footage no one knew existed. The first documentary to show original color footage of World War II in immersive high definition, WWII in HD uses the journals and accounts of those who served in the war’s biggest battles to create a personal, introspective and detailed look at life on and off the front lines.  Follow twelve unforgettable Americans, and experience the war through their eyes, in their own words, as it really looked and sounded.  Culled from over 3,000 hours of rare color film found in a two-year worldwide search and converted to HD with meticulous technique, WWII in HD provides a picture of World War II as it has never been seen before.  Also included in this ultimate edition is The Battle For Iwo Jima, an immersive look at the momentous battle using gloriously restored, full-color footage, some of which has never seen before and WWII in HD: The Air War, the untold story of the American 8th Air Force’s bloody battle to defeat the German Luftwaffe in the months leading up to D-Day. Continue reading ‘WWII in HD Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’

Whimsical Charm Runs Through Scorsese’s ‘Hugo’ Like Clockwork

I feel that there are two ways to really delve into Martin Scorsese’s 3D adventure/drama Hugo.  On the one hand, I could address the fact that this is less a film for children, as the marketing would imply, and more a loving tribute to the creation of magic via the film format during the early days of cinema.  While the film does revolve around a young boy going on an adventure to unlock a secret (a fairly generic one line summary), the whole things feels much more geared towards cinema history enthusiasts.  Now on the other hand, I could talk more about the way Scorsese uses 3D in this film.  Simply put, this is the best use of 3D in a live-action film I have seen (Avatar included) and I would be plenty willing to recommend seeing it in that format.  As a whole, I would say this is a splendid film through and through, given both the heartfelt story and the technical accomplishment that Scorsese pulls off in its colorful creation. Continue reading ‘Whimsical Charm Runs Through Scorsese’s ‘Hugo’ Like Clockwork’

Scrooged (Blu-ray Review)

Celebrate Christmas past, present and future with an uproarious and contemporary take on Charles Dickens’ classic tale when Scrooged made its Blu-ray debut on November 1, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment.  Starring Bill Murray as a television executive with a heart of stone, the film takes viewers on a darkly comic adventure populated by an all-star cast including Karen Allen (Raiders Of The Lost Ark), John Forsythe (“Dynasty”), Bobcat Goldthwait (Shakes The Clown), Carol Kane (The Pacifier), Robert Mitchum (The Big Sleep), Alfre Woodard (“Desperate Housewives”) and Jamie Farr (“M*A*S*H”).  A network TV president is perhaps the most cold-hearted man ever, but his holiday spirit is given a painful booster shot by three vengeful ghosts.  In this comedic update of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, Bill Murray portrays Frank Cross, an evil, crass executive who caters to the lowest-of-the-lowest common denominators while firing people at will for the flimsiest of reasons.  To change his cruel and tasteless ways, Cross is taken on a trip through his past to his future so that he can achieve redemption. Continue reading ‘Scrooged (Blu-ray Review)’