Archive Page 63
February 21st, 2022 by Aaron Neuwirth
This was an entirely fitting choice. Miller’s Crossing is one of the ultimate kinds of Criterion films in many ways. It’s a neo-noir, low-budget yet heavy on style and influence, one of the early efforts from the Coen brothers, a cult favorite for audiences, despite receiving plenty of acclaim at the time from critics then and now, and just old enough to feel like a bridge between older and younger cinephiles. I don’t know all that goes into the selection process, but I do know that Miller’s Crossing is a gem of a picture, and I’m happy to see this feature get the deluxe treatment on Blu-ray.
– Continue reading ‘Miller’s Crossing – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
February 16th, 2022 by Peter Paras
Sony Pictures’ Uncharted looks to be Spider-Man star Tom Holland’s next box office hit this weekend. Based on the beloved PlayStation series by developer Naughty Dog and directed by Venom’s Ruben Fleischer, this mid-budgeted adventure flick leans more towards pleasing fans of Holland (and, to a lesser degree, co-star Mark Walhberg) than fans of the videogame. Arguably, this is a smart move for a new franchise looking to appeal to anyone, although, in the end, the quality of the thing is still the thing. In other words, is this modern day adventure debut any fun?
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Continue reading ‘Sony’s ‘Uncharted’ Film Lacks PlayStation’s Fun (Movie Review)’
February 15th, 2022 by Aaron Neuwirth
Mystery lurks this May with a missing man in San Francisco’s Chinatown in Wayne Wang’s Chan Is Missing, a mistaken identity in World War II-era Paris in Joseph Losey’s Mr. Klein, and the sinister scheme in hard-boiled LA that put film noir on the map in Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity. Plus: The maker of Tampopo, Juzo Itami, takes on the Japanese way of death in The Funeral, and Mira Nair’s modern cross-cultural romance, Mississippi Masala, gets a long-awaited restoration.
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Continue reading ‘Double Indemnity 4K, Mississippi Masala & More Coming to The Criterion Collection May 2022’
February 14th, 2022 by Adam Toroni-Byrne
Global espionage, a lethal mission and a powerhouse cast — Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong’o and Bingbing Fan star in The 355! When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, wild-card CIA agent Mason “Mace” Brown (Jessica Chastain) joins forces with rival German agent Marie (Diane Kruger), former MI6 ally and cutting-edge computer specialist Khadijah (Lupita Nyong’o), and skilled Colombian psychologist Graciela (Penélope Cruz) on a lethal mission to retrieve it. The unlikely team must also stay one step ahead of a mysterious woman, Lin Mi Sheng (Bingbing Fan), who is tracking their every move as the action rockets across the globe.
Continue reading ‘The 355 Slam Bangs Onto Blu-ray February 22nd’
February 14th, 2022 by Adam Toroni-Byrne
The highly anticipated follow-up to the beloved classic Coming To America makes its Blu-ray and DVD debut when COMING 2 AMERICA arrives March 8, 2022 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Akeem and Semmi are back for a brand-new, hilarious adventure! In COMING 2 AMERICA, newly crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) traverse the globe from their great African nation of Zamunda to the borough of Queens, New York when Akeem learns he has a long-lost son in the United States. In addition to Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, the outrageously entertaining film features an incredible cast including James Earl Jones, John Amos, Louie Anderson, Shari Headley, Wesley Snipes, Tracy Morgan, and Leslie Jones.
Continue reading ‘Coming 2 America is Coming 2 Blu-ray March 8th’
February 14th, 2022 by Adam Toroni-Byrne
Dystopian fantasy in a family film… Can it be done? Should it be done? Has the subgenre of dystopia been overdone? Are we ready to see what happens when we rely so heavily on technology? Didn’t we ignore that same scenario in Wall-E? What about the kids? Will they even understand the situation or just go “ooohhh… pretty colors…”. All of these questions and more are answered below in my coverage of The Mitchells Vs. The Machines. Be sure to click the paid link at the end to get a great deal on a copy for yourself! Also, yes, I know this review is ultra-late. Life has happened, but I hope this review is worth the wait.
Continue reading ‘The Mitchells Vs. The Machines – Katie Mitchell Special Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
February 12th, 2022 by Gerard Iribe
In APEX, serving a life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit, ex-cop Thomas Malone is offered a chance at freedom if he can survive a deadly game of Apex. Six hunters pay for the pleasure of hunting another human on a remote island, but once Malone arrives all hell breaks loose. Laying traps and playing mind games, Malone tries to turn the tables and fight for his life and his future. Apex is now available on Blu-ray!
Continue reading ‘Apex (Blu-ray Review)’
February 11th, 2022 by Peter Paras
Just in time for our second pandemic Valentine’s Day, Universal Pictures is releasing a love letter for fans of Jenifer Lopez and, to a lesser degree, Owen Wilson. Marry Me, a high concept “will they won’t they” rom-com, debuts in theaters as well as exclusively on Peacock during this time of romance. Over twenty years ago, the same studio delivered a massive hit with Julia Roberts playing a movie star who smiled like Julia Roberts and fell in love with an affable Hugh Grant playing an “ordinary” version of the English charmer in Notting Hill. Will a 2022 offering with J. Lo starring as a pop star who marries a down-to-earth stranger played by Wilson have audiences saying ‘I do’? I’d bet for most, the answer is probably more a “maybe,” but for diehard fans of Hustlers’ leading lady, this lightweight rom-com is an easy “yes!”
Continue reading ‘Old School Star Power Elevates ‘Marry Me’ (Movie Review)’
February 10th, 2022 by Brandon Peters
From the imaginative filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Searchlight Pictures arrives an electrifying film noir, Nightmare Alley. Available on Digital March 8 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on March 22. The suspenseful psychological thriller is nominated for 4 Academy Awards® including Best Picture, 8 Critics’ Choice Awards, a Screen Actors’ Guild Award for Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett, and BAFTA, SDSA, MPSE, ADG, CDG, VES, and WGA Awards.
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. Continue reading ‘Academy Award Best Picture Nominee NIGHTMARE ALLEY Appears On 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray March 22’
February 9th, 2022 by Brandon Peters
On February 22nd, a big bucket list title for horror fans and cult cinema lovers is about to get scratched off the ‘ol wishlist for Blu-rays. And not only that, its taking care of the next format, 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, while its at it. Lewis Teague’s Alligator, starring Robert Forster and Robin Riker, makes its debut as a Scream Factory Collector’s Edition after many, many years of being in demand for SOMEONE to put it out. This release features a 4K restoration from the original camera negative as well as the TV cut of the film. Its loaded with great new interviews, including production assistant Bryan Cranston. This 3-disc set is going to be a great collector’s item and one to nab up and own while you can. Its available to pre-order on the Shout! Factory website as well as the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
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Continue reading ‘Alligator – Collector’s Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
February 9th, 2022 by Peter Paras
Five years later, Kenneth Branagh dons the ‘stache once again as Inspector Hercule Poirot. Following the 2017 hit, Murder on the Orient Express, Branagh’s Poirot is back for the Egyptian-set sequel, aptly named Death on the Nile. The third filmed adaption of Agatha Christie’s bestselling 1937 novel features a large cast, including Wonder Woman herself, Gal Gadot, along with Branagh, Armie Hammer, Annette Bening, Letitia Wright, and more. Murder on the Orient Express took in an impressive $352 million globally. Hopes are high that this non-comic book studio release entices audiences ready to figure out whodunit. Set (mostly) on a luxury steamer ship, Branagh shot the film in 70mm as he did with Express. Will fancy costumes, wide compositions, and a strong ensemble be enough for another go at an old-fashioned murder mystery?
Continue reading ‘Hercule Poirot Investigates Stylish ‘Death On The Nile’ (Movie Review)’
February 8th, 2022 by Brandon Peters
Warner Archive is bringing one of the many takes on a legendary tale to Blu-ray this month. Even in 1948, The Three Musketeers had already been adapted countless times, but with this George Sidney directed affair came some major star power both of the time and looking at it in the rear view. Warner Archive Collection’s Blu-ray debut features a handful of fun extras and a new 4K scan of the original nitrate technicolor negatives to showcase and bolster this disc. You’ll find it released on February 15th. Pre-ordering is already available and you can do so by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows this review.
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. Continue reading ‘The Three Musketeers (1948) (Blu-ray Review)’
February 8th, 2022 by Gerard Iribe
This epic fantasy tale, about the history of a land that never was, begins when an ambitious young man steals forbidden knowledge from a sacred plant. He falls to its darker temptations and in so doing, unleashes ages of suffering onto mankind. As his power grows over the years, it falls to people of different ilk and culture to attempt to stop him. Among those who stand against him are a daring tomb-robber, star-crossed lovers, a maniacal necromancer, winged assassins, and an undying guardian. The Spine of Night is now available on 4K UHD Blu-ray! Continue reading ‘The Spine of Night (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
February 7th, 2022 by Gerard Iribe
In SILENT NIGHT, Nell and Simon have invited their closest friends to join their family for Christmas dinner at their idyllic home in the English countryside. As the group comes together, it feels like old times – but behind all of the laughter and merriment, something is not quite right. The world outside is facing impending doom, and no amount of gifts, games or Prosecco can make mankind’s imminent destruction go away. Surviving the holidays just got a lot more complicated. Silent Night is released on Blu-ray March 8, 2022! Continue reading ‘‘Silent Night’ on Blu-ray March 8, 2022!’
February 7th, 2022 by Gregg Senko
For Jazz enthusiasts and those in the music industry, the name Bob James rings true with that of an accomplished musician and composer. For the unfamiliar, it likely sounds as the most common of names. Rest assured that his accomplishments and skill are not of the common variety though. The 4k UHD Blu-ray release, Feel Like Making LIVE! Bob James Trio, both recaps his background and highlights his band’s talent, with a certain emphasis on the latter. Let’s delve into the DNA of this ultra high definition disc and breakdown the anatomy of its delivery.
Continue reading ‘‘Feel Like Making LIVE! Bob James Trio’ (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
February 6th, 2022 by Gerard Iribe
In SUPERHOST, Teddy and Claire are travel vloggers who run a channel called “SUPERHOST” where they travel and share their experiences in and around vacation homes, and until recently, had become successful doing it. With a dwindling subscriber count, they find the perfect opportunity to create content that people want to see when they meet Rebecca, the host of their most recent trip. Slowly they start to realize that something isn’t right with Rebecca, and as they investigate it further, they unlock a horrifying truth. She doesn’t just want a great review, she wants something far worse. Superhost is now available on Blu-ray! Continue reading ‘Superhost (Blu-ray Review)’
February 5th, 2022 by Aaron Neuwirth
Just in time for Black History Month, my favorite film of 2021, Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), has arrived in physical form. Yes, outside of Hulu and digital, I regret to say the film is currently only available in the DVD format. With that said, I have such a strong passion for what this documentary has to offer as both a piece of entertainment and a historical document. Two hours’ worth of footage concerning a concert nearly lost to time, and the context surrounding it provided me a lot of joy, and I can only continue to emphasize how much of a great experience this film is.
– Continue reading ‘Summer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (DVD Review)’
February 5th, 2022 by Gerard Iribe
Brothers Yipao (Yuen Biao) and Taipao (Leung Kar-yan) are a couple of down on their luck con-men. After getting soundly defeated by the kung fu master, Silver Fox (Lau Kar-wing), the brothers realize it would be in their own self-interest if they learn how to fight, and they ask him to train them. Unfortunately, their new master is actually a ruthless killer, and when the brothers realise this, one of them is murdered. To get revenge, the surviving brother must learn a unique form of kung-fu from an unlikely source, a beggar who just happens to be a master fighter! Knockabout is released on Blu-ray April 25, 2022! Continue reading ‘‘Knockabout’ on Blu-ray April 25, 2022!’
