The Hurt Locker (Blu-ray Review)
January 13th, 2010 by Gregg Senko
Over time, there have been several upon several World War II and Vietnam films; some good, some not so good. As the war on two fronts in the Middle East continues, we have seen a scattering of films here and there highlighting these new conflicts. As time goes on, we will likely see more. One such film that fills the current void and made it’s Blu-ray debut this week is The Hurt Locker. In short, this picture follows an EOD team in Iraq. Continue reading ‘The Hurt Locker (Blu-ray Review)’
I am going to sound ignorant here, but I admit to knowing nothing about the film Precious. However, it is billed as deserving a place among 2009’s best films. The film has 3 Golden Globe Nominations for Best Picture – Drama, Best Actress – Drama and Best Supporting Actress – Drama. It must have done something right! Well anyway, today I got the email in my inbox from my favorite movie studio Lionsgate announcing a March 9th Blu-ray release date for this award winning film. 
It’s no secret that some of here at WSB are huge fans of HBO’s smash-hit True Blood. We provided coverage of the True Blood panel at last year’s 
Perhaps in one of the biggest stories of yesterday we learn that plans for a Spider-Man 4 installment featuring the dream team duo of Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire have been scrapped. Rumors speculate either a rushed production schedule or a disagreement over the film’s next villian as the primary cause for the duo’s separation from the project. Whatever the case may be, it looks like all signs point to a complete reboot of the franchise. 
If anyone has ever watched Southland, you know that this is not just another cop show. I don’t know how else to stress the second half of that sentence. After a brief stint on network television, TNT had the sense to pick up this dramatic series. Southland takes place in the wonderful, yet tension-filled city of Los Angeles, California. As the opening sequence points out, “Only 9,800 police officers patrol the city of Los Angeles, an area of 500 square miles and 4 million people.” 
Let’s cut straight to the chase here. I realize that I am probably going to lose credibility points amongst the masses for having nothing but good things to say about this Blu-ray release, but today I became something I never thought I would ever be…a “gamer.” Yes, that’s right, today I fell in love with the world of gaming, particularly Lionsgate’s upcoming Blu-ray title, Gamer. 
The Duke has made his way to Blu-ray. The John Wayne classic The Green Berets recently hit store shelves on Blu-ray disc, which for many, was a long awaited arrival. It’s a positive thing to see studios focusing not only on current films, but those from the past as well. Let’s not waste any more time on an introduction and find out the verdict on John Wayne in 1080p! 
True Blood, The Vampire Diaries, Twilight and a forthcoming Underworld film. Vampires are indeed hip again. It takes me back to the not so distant days of the 90’s when vampire stories and the occasional production were all the rage. History certainly does repeat itself. Here we are in a very young 2010 and brothers Michael and Peter Spierig have brought us another blood-soaked brick in the wall of vampire masonry, Daybreakers. 
You kind of knew this would be the case didn’t you? Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and New Line Home Entertainment have announced the original classic A Nightmare on Elm Street will hit the Blu-ray format just in time to almost conincide with the remake which hits theaters on April 30th. The classic horror film will hit retail shelves on April 6th giving new fans of the franchise ample time to catch up on the origins of Freddy Krueger before the new movie either botches it up or totally redeems the character. 
You can’t beat this deal! Now through January 29th, Universal Studios is giving away 2,010 Blu-rays to lucky winners. And all you have to do is become a fan today on Facebook and check back everyday to enter their give-away. Yep, that’s right, you can visit their Facebook page 
It seems like only yesterday I was sitting there watching Cameron Diaz and James Marsden talk about their newest upcoming sci-fi thriller The Box. You can read all about it 
Can you believe it? We are now almost 3 months away from one of the biggest movies that will drop this year…KICK-ASS! Yes, Avatar and Iron Man 2 may have been the talk of the town during Comic-Con 2009, but the real hidden gem that made it’s presence known with ferocity and comedic genius was that of Matthew Vaughn’s KICK-ASS, based on the best-selling comic by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. 
It’s the end of the world as we know it on the Blu-ray format when 2012 hits your big screen this March. Sony Pictures has issued a March 2nd D-date for the Mayan apocalyptic disaster film 
Let me start off by saying that I am a huge Mel Brooks fan. I have been so for as long as I can remember, but it has been a long time, admittedly, since I have sat down and viewed one of his films. When recently given the opportunity to review The Mel Brooks Collection on Blu-Ray, specifically the film Spaceballs, I was nevertheless ecstatic. I was excited not only to watch some of these comedy classics again, but also to see what kind of remastering efforts and extras were included on the Blu-ray releases. 
It is with a great sigh of relief that studios have realized the entertainment and preservation value of transferring many of the old black and white classics to Blu-ray. The accomplishment is two-fold. First, it keeps these movies from falling into obscurity. They are now re-marketed, and quite often, these films gain a new following from new audiences. Second, it cleans up an otherwise grainy picture littered with ‘visual noise.’ 
I feel the need to get something off my pulmonary cavity before I even begin here. Make no mistake; I am a gargantuan fan of the Diablo Cody horror comedy film Jennifer’s Body. Since owning the Blu-ray disc last Tuesday it has frequented my Blu-ray drive a total of seven majestic times. I just can’t seem to get enough of it. Like most movies I have seen this past year, the second viewing at home has been the most crucial in determining its cultural relevance within my life and usually the most applauding, as is the case here. 
If 2010 proves to be a year scarred by a multitude of bad films (which I don’t think will be the case), I will always have the Broadway-based Nine to make my top ten list. Starring Daniel Day Lewis as the overworked and oversexed film director Guido Contini, the man is surrounded by a barrage of talented and gorgeous female co-stars. Before I run down the roster of who’s who in the film, let me inform you that these women didn’t just act in the film, they danced and did their own singing as well. 
