Archive Page 553
August 20th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
I am happy when my optimism is met with pleasing results. The idea of remaking the 1985 vampire horror/comedy Fright Night seemed like fairly solid idea in my eyes. There’s a structure to that story that could easily serve as a template for a modern update. I can’t say that I was initially sold on the trailer, as I thought the original’s tone may have been lost in the shuffle; however the buzz that was building and the panel I saw at San Diego Comic Con kept me hopeful. Now having seen it, I can easily say this new take on Fright Night was one of the more enjoyable films I have seen this summer in terms of having a fun, R-rated time at the movies, with both thrills and laughs being spread around. Continue reading ‘Go Forth And Have The ‘Fright Night’ Of Your Life’
August 19th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
All good things come to those who wait. That’s what they say, right? Well, I’ve been patiently waiting for my favorite director of all time to make a full feature film for about ten years now and here we are ten years later with the master of horror’s newest feature film entitled The Ward. After a couple of false starts, mainly due to an overseas error on the import Blu-ray release, we were subjected to a Fall delay. Then the flood gates opened up and a domestic distributor stepped up and took charge. John Carpenter’s The Ward had it’s VOD premiere last month (or two) along with a limited theatrical release across the United States, before finally being released on the might Blu-ray format. All of this within a 2-3 month time span. I could not be happier. So how was the movie? How was the Blu-ray? Grab some adult diapers and enter if you dare. John Carpenter’s The Ward is now admitting. Continue reading ‘John Carpenter’s ‘The Ward’ (Blu-ray Review)’
August 19th, 2011 by Blu-ray Brian
I just got this yesterday from my favorite PR person. So you know it’s obviously a MUST-SHARE! Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, the exciting STARZ Original series, is ready for battle when Anchor Bay Entertainment releases the prequel to the acclaimed Spartacus: Blood and Sand on Blu-ray and DVD September 13, 2011. The two-disc collection contains a muscular amount of bonus features including never-before-seen featurettes, bloopers and behind-the-scenes footage (including a set tour with star Lucy Lawless). The Blu-ray is even mightier with extended episodes, audio commentary on all six episodes and a mind-blowing battle sequence in 3D – a first for a TV on Blu-Ray release! Continue reading ‘SPARTACUS: Gods of the Arena – Blu-ray Featurettes “Battle Royale” & “Weapons”’
August 19th, 2011 by Gregg Senko
While it’s not quite The Terminator, remaking any Schwarzenegger movie is always going to add a great bit of skepticism amongst fans of the original. Case in point, the 2011 version of Conan the Barbarian. In the 21st century trend of Hollywood remaking films, film execs apparently figured this would be another cult classic worthy of refreshing. Was it worth the risk?
Continue reading ‘‘Conan the Barbarian’ Reboot Swings a Dull Blade’
August 19th, 2011 by Patrick Bellante
Let me start out by saying that films are out of my expertise, I am an in your face gamer. However, I was fortunate enough to attend an advance screening of the film in 3-D. I would much rather see a film the regular way not only do I think 3-D is stupid but it’s a waste of money but again it was free, so who am I to argue. Fright Night is a remake of the 1985 Tom Holland film of the same name. Not seeing the original I really wasn’t sure what to expect all I knew was that I did not want to see any glittery vampires (sorry Mary). Continue reading ‘‘Fright Night’ Scares Up Frights’
August 19th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
You wanted some non-sparkling vampires, well now you got them! Priest is the latest graphic novel-to-film-adaptation to hit the big screen with a pretty strong and familiar cast. The original graphic novel is Korean and was created by Hyung Ming-woo. The cast of Priest is comprised of Paul Bettany, Karl Urban, Cam Gigandet, Maggie Q., Stephen Moyer, and Christopher Plummer. Now with a cast like that how does Priest fare on Blu-ray? Will you be able to sink your fangs into Priest or will it have you craving for the early morning dawn to turn you into ash? Let us enter the world of Priest and find out! Continue reading ‘Priest (Blu-ray Review)’
August 18th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
I am a big fan of filmmaker Robert Rodriguez; however, I never quite made the plunge to go and see his “kids” films. While Rodriguez has made some pretty hard R-rated features in his time (Desperado, From Dusk til Dawn, Sin City), he has also let his wild imagination carve himself out a niche in the kid friendly category as well. With his Spy Kids films finally hitting Blu-ray (in anticipation for the 4th film in the franchise), it seemed like a good opportunity to force myself to finally see this side of Rodriguez’s filmography. Having heard good things about the first two, I was excited to get a chance to check these flicks out. Unfortunately, I now know why I only heard good things about the first two films in this series, as the third film really drops the ball. Continue reading ‘Spy Kids 3: Game Over (Blu-ray Review)’
August 18th, 2011 by Gregg Senko
This past spring I had the luxury of attending one of the many Glee Concert performances. Yes, I am a gleek and the weekly series holds the #2 spot on my list of favorite shows. Regardless of how the show’s storyline would carry over to the stage was mostly irrelevant to me. I just wanted to see and hear the talented cast in person. I left the event a very happy gleek, minus the salsa splattered on my white dress shirt from one clutzy fellow concert-goer. Now take that same show and put it on the big screen. Will it carry the same song and dance one-two punch?
Continue reading ‘Glee 3D Concert Movie a Mostly Solid Performance’
August 18th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
It is nice to see more films from director Brian De Palma making there way to Blu-ray. September already has people looking forward to the release of
Scarface, but everyone will now also see the arrival of another De Palma thriller.
Dressed To Kill makes its way to Blu-ray this September and it is apparently packed with extra features. This dark psychological thriller has been one of the De Palma films to have alluded me for many years, so I am happy to finally have a chance to check it out. The film stars Michael Caine as a psychiatrist who becomes involved in extreme situations, after a mysterious blonde woman in sunglasses murders one of his patients. The only witness is a prostitute (Nancy Allen), who soon becomes the target of the mysterious blonde. Sure to be filled with all of the tension of a De Palma film, learn more about this upcoming release by reading further.
Continue reading ‘Get ‘Dressed To Kill’ This September’
August 18th, 2011 by Jami Ferguson
Something Borrowed is one of those movies that I saw previews for and thought I didn’t need to see it in the theaters and would wait and rent it. I’m sorry I waited because it is my new favorite chick flick, and I’m so thrilled to own it because it’s the kind of movie I’ll watch over and over again. It’s a pretty stereotypical romantic comedy, although it does not star Matthew McConaughey like most of them do. If romantic comedies are not your thing, then this movie isn’t for you. If you enjoyed films like the Wedding Planner, Made of Honor, 27 Dresses, and Failure to Launch, this may be your new favorite chick flick. I was excited to find out that the cast includes John Krasinski (The Office and other movies I can’t remember right now) but I was pleasantly surprised as a new guy, Colin Egglesfield, entered my radar and found a place on the list of hot young actors that I admire. Continue reading ‘Something Borrowed (Blu-ray Review)’
August 17th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
I am a big fan of filmmaker Robert Rodriguez; however, I never quite made the plunge to go and see his “kids” films. While Rodriguez has made some pretty hard R-rated features in his time (Desperado, From Dusk til Dawn, Sin City), he has also let his wild imagination carve himself out a niche in the kid friendly category as well. With his Spy Kids films finally hitting Blu-ray (in anticipation for the 4th film in the franchise), it seemed like a good opportunity to force myself to finally see this side of Rodriguez’s filmography. Having heard good things about the first two, I was excited to get a chance to check these flicks out. The 2nd Spy Kids film manages to continue with the same fun and creative nature that made the first film so entertaining. Continue reading ‘Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (Blu-ray Review)’
August 17th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Celebrating twenty-five years of the need for speed, the action-packed, sexy and breathtaking thrill-ride Top Gun is now available on a Blu-ray/Digital Copy Combo from Paramount Home Entertainment. The story of an elite group of pilots competing to be the best in their class and earn the title of “Top Gun” captured the imagination of a generation and earned a worldwide box office of over $350 million. Tom Cruise is superb as the cocky but talented pilot known as Maverick and Kelly McGillis sizzles as the civilian instructor who teaches Maverick a few things you can’t learn in a classroom. Featuring a sensational soundtrack with unforgettable songs from the 80s including Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” and Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone”, the film also stars Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards and Meg Ryan. Continue reading ‘Top Gun (Blu-ray Review)’
August 16th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
It’s time for another edition of Donnie Darko for home media consumption. There has been a previous couple DVD releases, followed by a Blu-ray release back in 2009. Now we have the four-disc set, dubbed the “10th Anniversary Edition”, which features the same Blu-ray set, but also includes the original DVD, as well as a digital copy of the film. Regardless, I now get to write a bit about the film again (although I managed to use some old notes I had). Donnie Darko is an 80’s teenage angst movie, with a few twists. It involves a bright kid with an eccentric side, a creepy bunny, time travel, and a trippy plot that keeps you wondering as well as entertained. Continue reading ‘Donnie Darko 10th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
August 16th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
I am a big fan of filmmaker Robert Rodriguez; however, I never quite made the plunge to go and see his “kids” films. While Rodriguez has made some pretty hard R-rated features in his time (Desperado, From Dusk til Dawn, Sin City), he has also let his wild imagination carve himself out a niche in the kid friendly category as well. With his Spy Kids films finally hitting Blu-ray (in anticipation for the 4th film in the franchise), it seemed like a good opportunity to force myself to finally see this side of Rodriguez’s filmography. Continue reading ‘Spy Kids (Blu-ray Review)’
August 16th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Take a trip to Bedford Falls to experience the life-affirming message of director Frank Capra’s enduringly popular classic all over again when IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE gets its wings in a new two-disc Blu-ray™ Shadow Box Gift Set on November 1, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Starring James Stewart (Mr. Smith Goes To Washington), Donna Reed (From Here to Eternity), Lionel Barrymore (Key Largo), Thomas Mitchell (Three Wise Fools) and Henry Travers (The Bells of St. Mary’s), the film has made an indelible impact on popular culture and continues to be a beloved part of many families’ holiday tradition. Continue reading ‘‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ Debuts on Blu-ray November 1st’
August 16th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Celebrate Christmas past, present and future with an uproarious and contemporary take on Charles Dickens’ classic tale when SCROOGED makes 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”). Continue reading ‘‘Scrooged’ Debuts on Blu-ray November 1st’
August 16th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Surely everyone will want to own three of the funniest comedies of the 1980s in high definition. Thankfully, PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, AIRPLANE! and THE NAKED GUN: From the Files of Police Squad make their Blu-ray debut exclusively at Best Buy on September 25 from Paramount Home Entertainment. And don’t call me Shirley. Written and directed by John Hughes, the hilarious classic PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES stars Steve Martin and John Candy as a businessman and traveling salesman forced together by circumstance as they try to get home in time for Thanksgiving. The Blu-ray features a brand new, in-depth retrospective on John Hughes’ career that includes new interviews and explores his indelible impact as a writer and filmmaker. Additional features include “Getting There is Half the Fun: The Story of Planes, Trains And Automobiles”, “John Hughes For Adults”, a tribute to John Candy and a deleted scene. A masterpiece of off-the-wall comedy, AIRPLANE! tells the story of an ex-fighter pilot who takes control of an airliner when the crew is incapacitated—and skewers airplane disaster flicks, religious zealots, television commercials and everything else in its path along the way. Continue reading ‘‘Airplane,’ ‘Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,’ and ‘The Naked Gun’ Debut on Blu-ray September 25th’
August 15th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
Bad Teacher turned out to be a decent-sized hit during this summer, which featured many R-rated comedies. I thought it was fun enough (review HERE), but now people will have their chance to own it for themselves, as Bad Teacher comes to Blu-ray on October 18th. As you may recall, the film stars Cameron Diaz as a foul-mouthed teacher who is more focused on landing the rich husband of her dreams, opposed to actually teaching her students anything. The film costars Justin Timberlake and Jason Segel, along with a number of funny supporting actors as well. The Blu-ray actually includes both theatrical and unrated versions of the film, so be prepared to enjoy additional footage of this raunchy comedy this October. Read on to see all the details about this release. Continue reading ‘The Syllabus States That ‘Bad Teacher’ Is Due This October’
