Archive Page 542
October 23rd, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
The film features an all-star vocal cast including Owen Wilson who reprises his role as hotshot race-car Lightning McQueen. Larry the Cable Guy provides the voice of Mater (proprietor of Tow Mater Towing and Salvage), Lightning McQueen’s best friend and the heart and soul of Radiator Springs. Bonnie Hunt is back as Sally, the baby-blue Porsche 911 Carrera whose motor races for Lightning. Acclaimed actor Michael Caine makes his Pixar debut as Finn McMissile, a top British spy who mistakes Mater for an undercover American agent with a genius disguise. Emily Mortimer brings charm, cleverness and cachet as Holley Shiftwell, a rookie field spy who knows every trick in the manual. Versatile actor John Turturro gives a free-wheeling performance as Francesco Bernoulli, the world-renowned Italian racing champ who is Lightning’s chief rival. Tony Shalhoub, Bruce Campbell, Joe Mantegna, Peter Jacobson, Jason Isaacs, Eddie Izzard, Paul Dooley, Cheech Marin, John Ratzenberger, Franco Nero and Vanessa Redgrave also lend their vocal talents. Continue reading ‘Cars 2 3D/2D (Blu-ray Review)’
October 22nd, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
It is easier to latch onto some horror series than others. Much like what people laugh at in comedies, things that can scare someone differ from person to person. For me, the Paranormal Activity movies have been quite effective, both in the theater and then later at home, when I am left to sleep during the quiet night in my room. While the initial experimental quality of the first has worn off, along with the simplicity of its plotting, which I really admired, this third entry still effectively makes me worrisome for the things that go bump in the night. Continue reading ‘Back to the ‘Paranormal’: Part III’
October 21st, 2011 by Brian White
How far is too far? That’s often the question I find myself asking lately in life. Besides medical or operation scenarios, scenes of graphic war/poverty or innocent animals/humans being tortured, there’s very little that truly offends me, but as luck may have it; my humanity was violated not once, but twice this month. The first violation occurred with my theatrical viewing of The Human Centipede 2. Despite my love for the first film, there’s truly no reason for this movie to exist. It’s gross, wasteful and solely exists for shock value, which after 30 minutes of it, I grew very numb of. The second, being a native of Ohio, happened just this week in a small town known as Zanesville. More exotic animals than I care to quantify within this review fell to the lethal arms of the city’s policemen. Rather than use tranquilizers, most of the animals were all euthanized just because their owner decided to cash out early, and ultimately his pride and joy in life, his exotic animal collection, felt the sharp end of the knife too. Continue reading ‘A Serbian Film (Blu-ray Review)’
October 21st, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
It seems like there was one type of phrase that came to mind during the making of this movie: “This is not your father’s Three Musketeers”. In the era of blockbuster filmmaking that audiences now live in and in the wake of somewhat self-aware period action films like Pirates of the Caribbean and Sherlock Holmes, the clear logic was to take this latest adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas novel and apply a steampunk-style reinterpretation of the material. This new adaptation from director Paul W.S. Anderson, who is content with slumming in C-movie filmmaking, is a pure exercise in style-over-substance, filling the screen with excessive explosions, slo-mo, and very campy characters and storytelling (and all filmed in glorious 3D of course). Strangely, I also have to add that the film is, at times, genuinely entertaining. There are certainly better ways to appreciate this story, but I can’t deny the small amount of appeal that this film does have. Continue reading ‘‘The Three Musketeers’ Is Junk Food, Like The Candy Bar’
October 21st, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
It is not rare to see a new independently made thriller every so often, but it certainly is satisfying to see one that is well acted, rich with intrigue, and full of disturbingly quiet tension. The tongue twistery-titled film Martha Marcy May Marlene is one that unfolds skillfully, telling a story set within two timelines that involves a young girl’s plight while under the control of a cult and her struggle to assimilate back into normal life after escaping it. The overall narrative does not supply any more information than it has to and plays out like a slow burn, but there is a strong level tension that boils under the surface and a number of uncomfortable scenes that work very well with the story that is presented. Along with the breakout work from the lead actress, the rest of the effort to put together Martha Marcy May Marlene was strong enough to have the film creep its way into being one of my favorites of the year. Continue reading ‘‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’ Is Quietly Chilling’
October 20th, 2011 by Blu-ray Brian
Revenge is definitely a beautiful genre, especially when you’re talking about the Zoe Saldana thriller Colombiana. The never-before-seen unrated version arrives on Blu-ray with UltraViloet and DVD on December 20th, and I for one, couldn’t be happier about it! Colombiana is a scandalous blend of action, sex and violence and if you haven’t experienced it before, then what better way than to make Blu-ray your first time. Here’s to hoping you fall in love with Colombiana like I did. Check out the full press release below for more details. Continue reading ‘‘Colombiana’ Unrated Version Shoots It Out On Blu-ray’
October 20th, 2011 by Matt Goodman
The thing about the hypnotic band Yes is that it is a love-it or hate-it type of band. I wouldn’t classify myself as a hater per say, but I’m not at all a fan of their style of music. I find the whole “hippie” style of music quite irritating and way oversold to an extent that it becomes even unbearable (especially at its insane running time of 194 minutes). However, I did enjoy a couple of their songs and the Blu-ray features great video and audio, but again, with all of these Eagle Rock Blu-rays, it lacks in the special features department. Continue reading ‘Yes: Symphonic Live (Blu-ray Review)’
October 20th, 2011 by Brian White
Like it or hate it, its Halloween season and you know what that means. No! It’s not another Saw movie. I think we all kind of had enough of those after the last stinker. Instead, it’s the new Saw-like franchise of the 10’s that took the world by storm in 2009, Paranormal Activity. That’s right ladies and gentleman. Paranormal Activity, aptly titled Paranormal Activity 3, is back with a vengeance, but this time around the third outing serves as a prequel, set some 18 years prior to the events of the first two connected films. The low budget, supernatural horror film hits theaters this Friday, October 21st, but you can read all about my first impressions below before heading out in this never-ending rainy weather, depending upon where you live of course. In hindsight, I suppose the dreary weather most of us are experiencing serves a purpose as a most righteous backdrop for horror films and Halloween. ‘Tis the season! Continue reading ‘‘Tis The Season: ‘Paranormal Activity 3’ (Movie Review)’
October 20th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
From Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes all the fun, epic adventure and humor that ignited the original. Johnny Depp returns as as the one and only Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. A tale of truth, betrayal, youth, demise – and mermaids! When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penélope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love or if she’s a ruthless con artist using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Forced aboard the ship of the most feared pirate ever, Jack doesn’t know who to fear more – Blackbeard (Ian McShane) or the woman from his past. The first movie in a proposed second Pirates trilogy, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides as directed by Rob Marshall, is filled with eye-popping battle scenes, mystery and all-out wit. Continue reading ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 3D/2D (Blu-ray Review)’
October 19th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
The feisty Late, Late Night host is bringing the laughs to your living room in this feature length comedy concert DVD that is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone and plenty of other things. *snare* Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said is brisk in content running time, only a mere 65 minutes in length, but that’s more than enough time to get your laugh on. Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said is also NOT RATED, so you best believe the Scotsman will bring it all to the stage. Let’s keep it going. Continue reading ‘Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said? (DVD Review)’
October 19th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
When a newspaper offers Steve Coogan (24 Hour Party People, Tropic Thunder, and Around the World in 80 Days) the chance to review a series of fine restaurants in the English countryside, he thinks it will make for a lovely getaway with his girlfriend Mischa (Margo Stilley, the daring star of Winterbottom’s 9 Songs). When Mischa backs out, Rob Brydon (TV’s Little Britain, Oliver Twist) – Coogan’s best friend and source of eternal aggravation – fills in as a less-than-ideal travel companion. In semi-fictional performances using largely improvised dialogue from these two real-life friends (the co-stars of Winterbottom’s similar reality/fiction mash-up Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story), Coogan and Brydon can’t help but try to outdo each other as they endure long car rides between meal after meal. Continue reading ‘The Trip (DVD Review)’
October 19th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Led by the fiery Dr. Gillian Magwilde (Julie Graham), an intrepid team of archaeologists finds mud, blood, and death-defying adventure when they start digging. Combining historical mysteries with modern forensics, each episode focuses on a particular period in history, from the Crusades to Joan of Arc, King Arthur, and soldiers fighting in World War I. Set in the beautiful ancient city of Bath, England, the series blends modern forensics with historical mysteries for exciting entertainment. Broadcast on BBC, this 2008 action-adventure series follows a motley team of archaeologists as they unearth secrets from the past. The first-rate ensemble cast features Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Iris), Julie Graham (Survivors, The Bill, At Home with the Braithwaites), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Undercovers, Larry Crowne, Doctor Who), and Adrian Lester (Hustle, Primary Colors), with guest stars Eamonn Walker (Oz) and Burn Gorman (Torchwood). Continue reading ‘Bonekickers (Blu-ray Review)’
October 18th, 2011 by Blu-ray Brian
Here’s a movie that my jaw is still laying on the ground over and I STILL find myself grasping at straws when I try to describe just how powerful this film really is. Never in a million years would I have believed you if you told me in January that Rise of the Planet of the Apes would be my favorite film of 2011. NEVER! But here we are. And here I am. Not one film, in my opinion, has swayed my vote for #1 film of the year thus far. Sure, I’m not being ignorant and saying that there are not better films out there, but instead, I’m simply saying that you can’t change my mind no matter how hard you try. Whether it’s the beautiful leading lady, Freida Pinto, or the immense emotional stakes this movie tackles, I don’t care. I don’t have to defend myself. This is my post. And this is my film of the year and I am ecstatic to announce that the evolution becomes one with the Hi-Def revolution when the critically-acclaimed $432 million worldwide box office smash arrives and takes the Blu-ray world captive on December 13th. Continue reading ‘Bring Caesar Home on Blu-ray’
October 18th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
An actress, screenwriter and bestselling author (“Postcards from the Edge,” “The Best Awful” and “Wishful Drinking”), Carrie Fisher is the daughter of the late singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds, known as “America’s Sweethearts” in the late ‘50s. She became a cultural icon at age 19 after starring as Princess Leia in the first “Star Wars” trilogy in the 1970s. Despite growing up with “Hollywood royalty” and experiencing early fame of her own, Fisher’s life had its challenges, as she reveals in this uproarious and sobering account. Combining wry wit and raw facts, Wishful Drinking reveals her own hilarious slant on the not-so-glittering side of being a celebrity. It’s a show where she’s circling the drain singing. Continue reading ‘Wishful Drinking (DVD Review)’
October 17th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Who’s in the mood for some controversy, violence, brutality, gore, and a few other things? Getting The Woman screener in the mail was a pretty hysterical experience, because it actually came with a doggie bag just in case I wanted to have a vomit. C’mon, after watching Martyrs and A Serbian Film back-to-back was The Woman really going to make me throw up? Well, keep on reading to see if the doggie bag was utilized. Why So Blu? is proud to present: The Woman. Continue reading ‘The Woman (Movie Review)’
October 17th, 2011 by Matt Goodman
Full confession alert: I highly dislike the Pretenders. I believe they are a moronic, pretentious, and overall unentertaining band. I wasn’t totally engrossed with the idea of watching this on Blu-ray, but I sure wasn’t rejecting it. So I went in open-minded to this, and it ended on a disappointing note. After that, I had to watch the special features, which were just as dreadful as the film itself. On top of that, Pretenders Loose In L.A. features unimpressive video and audio quality. An all-around failure. Continue reading ‘Pretenders: Loose in L.A. (Blu-ray Review)’
October 17th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
Amidst the many R-rated comedies of 2011, Bad Teacher managed to become a pretty decent sized hit. It crossed over the $100 mil mark and seemed to prove that Cameron Diaz can draw in a crowd. I still wish it was a better movie though. Instead of playing out as a clever satire about a teacher who does not care or as a spin on the teacher who comes into the lives of students and makes a difference in an unorthodox way, this movie is simply a feature-length sitcom. The film plays as an R-rated, raunchy comedy, where logic does not really apply and the overall plot is incredibly contrived and conventional. Still, I did laugh quite a bit, thanks to the efforts of the cast. While not adding a whole lot, the Blu-ray for the film does also provide an attempt to further lay out some laughs with all the outtake centric features. Continue reading to find out more. Continue reading ‘Bad Teacher (Blu-ray Review)’
October 15th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Whysoblu.com in association with Comedy Central is offering THREE lucky readers the opportunity to win a copy of Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said? on DVD! To enter the giveaway, readers simply need to fill out the entry form in its ENTIRETY. To enter a second time in the contest, readers who have previously entered on the WSB website need only add the official Why So Blu? Facebook page to their list of “Likes.” Entrants must have a valid US address within the lower 48 states. Readers are eligible for a maximum of two entries in the giveaway (one via this contest post, one via Facebook “Like”). This giveaway will close on Sunday October 23rd at 11.59am EST, and THREE randomly selected winners will be chosen soon thereafter. Please remember that this contest is only open to readers within the lower 48 states. Good luck! Continue reading ‘WIN ‘Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said?’ on DVD!’
