Archive Page 64
February 14th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – the gripping, hard-edged thriller based on the first of Stieg Larsson’s suspenseful and spell-binding “Millennium” trilogy – arrives on one-disc DVD and three-disc Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (includes two Blu-ray discs with UltraViolet™ + one DVD) on March 20th. This highly anticipated motion picture from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings together an all-star ensemble cast led by Daniel Craig (James Bond franchise), Rooney Mara (The Social Network), Golden Globe® nominee Robin Wright (1994, Best Actress, Forrest Gump), Stellan Skarsgård (Thor), Golden Globe® winner Christopher Plummer (2012, Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role, Beginners) and Joely Richardson (TV’s “Nip/Tuck”).
Continue reading ‘‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ on Blu-ray March 20th’
February 14th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Here we are once again bringing you the latest in Blu-ray reviews and as luck would have it – our second silent film review in a day. What are the odds? The Phantom of the Opera has hit the Blu-ray format in a nice package that contain three different versions of the film. There are two 1929 reissue versions along with the original 1925 version in it’s entirety. We’ll get into it some more in the review. Oh, and just to reiterate, this is the ORIGINAL Phantom of the Opera, not the recent Joel Schumacher version with Gerard Butler. This stars the man of a thousand faces: Lon Chaney Sr. With that out of the way let’s see how The Phantom of the Opera stacks up on Blu-ray. Vamos! Continue reading ‘The Phantom of the Opera (Blu-ray Review)’
February 14th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
It’s been nearly thirty years since Giorgio Moroder’s somewhat controversial version of Metropolis was released in theaters. It’s also been quite a few years since the long out of print VHS and Laserdisc copies went out of print and until then most of the curious fans out there had to settle for awful bootleg copies and cost prohibitive laserdisc copies. That’s all over now, because the good folks over at Kino Lorber have gone to the vault and dusted off the film for a high definition release. Now you can experience for yourself what all the hoopla was about all those many years ago. Geez, it was 1984, yo! Anyways, let’s get our groove with Giorgio Moroder’s Metropolis! Continue reading ‘Giorgio Moroder Presents Metropolis (Blu-ray Review)’
February 13th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
We’re going to take it way back to the early 90’s for our next review in which actor Denzel Washington and Director Spike Lee team up to bring the story of Malcolm X to the big screen. Spike Lee’s grand opus about the controversial figurehead of the nation of Islam in the 60’s has finally made its way to the Blu-ray format in a deluxe edition brimming with extras and even a collector’s book. The film clocks in at over three hours, so will the origins of Malcolm X be a fascinating tale of intrigue, deception, and murder or will it be a bloated mess of a film that is too self indulgent for its own good? We shall see. Continue reading ‘Malcolm X (Blu-ray Review)’
February 12th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
I’d caught word about a little zombie tale called The Dead due to it being released on Blu-ray in the UK a few months ago. I almost imported it myself, but decided to wait a bit. Once the announcement by Anchor Bay was made on them acquiring it for distribution here in the states, I jumped at the chance to review it. That was actually a good thing due to it saving me twice what it normally would cost me to import, and it being a blind buy. I had seen the trailer for The Dead and thought it looked decent enough. Zombies in Africa with a hint of Resident Evil 5 – what’s not to like? Well, that’s what we’re going to find out. Continue reading ‘The Dead (Blu-ray Review)’
February 11th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
One of the year’s best reviewed films, and headlined by a stellar ensemble of actors including Golden Globe® nominee Kirsten Dunst (All Good Things), Alexander Skarsgård (“True Blood”) Charlotte Gainsbourg (Antichrist), Golden Globe winner Kiefer Sutherland (“24”), Stellan Skarsgård (Thor), and Academy Award nominee John Hurt (The Oxford Murders), visionary writer/director Lars Von Trier’s (Dancer In the Dark) newest film, MELANCHOLIA, is heralded as “a spectacle impossible to turn away from” (The Village Voice). Deemed “one of the year’s best” (New York Times) films and “a giant achievement” (Entertainment Weekly), MELANCHOLIA will arrive on Blu-ray Disc and DVD March 13 from Magnolia Home Entertainment. Continue reading ‘‘Melancholia’ on Blu-ray March 13th’
February 7th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Paramount Home Media Distribution invites you to revisit the halcyon days of high school in the ‘90s; a time filled with camaraderie, chaste dances and fervent study…AS IF. Instead, kick off your designer shoes and enjoy the whip-smart comedy of the contemporary classic CLUELESS when it debuts May 1, 2012 on Blu-ray. Written and directed by Amy Heckerling (Fast Times at Ridgemont High), CLUELESS stars Alicia Silverstone in a break-out performance as Cher, a beautiful and self-absorbed high school student who spends her days focused on assembling the ideal fashion ensemble, talking her way out of bad grades and searching for the perfect boyfriend. What Cher discovers is that popularity only gets you so far, looks can be deceiving and love is sometimes found where you least expect it. Whatever. Continue reading ‘‘Clueless’ on Blu-ray May 1st’
February 3rd, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
A brilliant and bittersweet comedy about the harsh realities of growing up, YOUNG ADULT debuts on Blu-ray and DVD (both with UltraViolet™) on March 13, 2012, as well as On Demand and for Digital Download on March 9, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Nominated for a 2012 Golden Globe® for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture—Comedy or Musical, Charlize Theron is “a comic force of nature” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) as Mavis Gary, a former prom queen and current writer of young adult novels who returns to her hometown in order to win back her now-married high school sweetheart. The film reunites director Jason Reitman (Up In The Air) with screenwriter Diablo Cody, whose work was nominated for Best Original Screenplay by the Writers Guild of America and the Broadcast Film Critics Association. Hailed as a “one-of-a-kind comedy” (Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly), YOUNG ADULT also stars Patton Oswalt as one of Mavis’ former classmates, a role that earned him nominations for Best Supporting Actor from the Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto and Broadcast Film Critics Associations. Continue reading ‘‘Young Adult’ arrives on Blu-ray and DVD March 13th’
January 30th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Renowned director Martin Scorsese’s groundbreaking and original adventure HUGO makes its highly-anticipated debut on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD, all with UltraViolet™, On Demand and for Digital Download on February 28, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Recipient of more Academy Award nominations than any other film, HUGO was honored with 11 total—including Best Picture and Best Director—and has already won Martin Scorsese the Golden Globe for Best Director, was named the best film of 2011 by the National Board of Review, and was cited by more than 150 critics as one of the top 10 films of the year including writers for Associated Press, New York Times, Rolling Stone, Time, Entertainment Weekly, New Yorker, New York Daily News and The Hollywood Reporter, among others. Called “magical and enchanting” (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times) and “one of the wonders of the world you need to see” (David Edelstein, New York Magazine), HUGO is bursting with dynamic action, sumptuous imagery and a heartwarming and magical story that audiences of all ages can enjoy. Continue reading ‘‘Hugo’ debuts on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD on February 28th’
January 30th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
One of the most controversial horror films of the last year is has finally hit the Blu-ray format and she is known as The Woman. We have already covered the theatrical cut of the review, but now comes time to review the Blu-ray itself. Since I reviewed the film a few months, and after watching the Blu-ray in action, my original thoughts still stand and have been re-printed in their entirety in the film review portion of this article. Brand new to this review are the video, audio, and special features rundown. Let’s see if you’re man enough to take on The Woman on Blu-ray! Continue reading ‘The Woman (Blu-ray Review)’
January 25th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Up next comes one of the most popular cult films of all time: Sid and Nancy starring Gary Oldman as Sex Pistol’s bassist Sid Vicious and Chloe Webb as his girlfriend and cohort Nancy Spungen. This here is the Blu-ray release of the film, and if there was ever a title that needed to be released in high definition Sid and Nancy was one of them. Director Alex Cox (Repo Man, Walker) crafts a most unlikely love story in Sid & Nancy. It’s been about twenty five years since it was released theatrically, so how will it stack up to today’s more modern scrutiny? That’s what we’re here to find out. Continue reading ‘Sid and Nancy (Blu-ray Review)’
January 23rd, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
When Steve Niles (Criminal Macabre, 30 Days of Night) premiered artwork from his upcoming collaboration with artist Menton3 (Monocyte, Proof: Endangered, Crawl to Me) via his Twitter feed, speculation and anticipation spread like wildfire across the Internet. Today, Dark Horse is proud to announce that this new vampiric tale will premiere in Dark Horse Presents! The Black Plague was a time of death and misery . . . except for the undead. For vampires, the Black Death was a welcome relief from being hunted and a time of incredible growth for the undead. On the night of their wedding, two vampire lovers are torn apart and separated for five hundred years, setting off a sequence of events that will bring the modern world to its knees! Continue reading ‘Dark Horse Comics’ ‘The Nosferatu Wars’ due in 2012′
January 23rd, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
It’s always somewhat of a special event when we are graced by anything Queen related on Blu-ray. If there was anything made for the Blu-ray format it would be Queen’s music and Freddie Mercury’s Godlike vocals. Eagle Rock Entertainment has brought Queen: Days of Our Lives to the Blu-ray format, which was originally broadcast by the BBC. The Queen:Days of Our Lives compilation follows the chaps from their humble beginnings, successes, tragedies, to the present. I will advise that you all should hold on tight, because it’s gonna be a rock ‘n roll roller coaster of a whirlwind ride! As it should be. 😉 Continue reading ‘Queen: Days of Our Lives (Blu-ray Review)’
January 20th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Puss in Boots continues the legacy of Shrek, the #1 animated franchise of all time, with the uproarious and irresitable origin story of the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots. Filled with hilarious action and adventure, the true tail—er, tale—of how Puss became a hero long before he met Shrek delighted audiences of all ages with its non-stop laughs, daring deeds and original story. Boasting an all-star cast of voice talent including Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris, Puss in Boots is a must-own family film with serious cat-itude. Continue reading ‘‘Puss In Boots’ on Blu-ray February 24th’
January 15th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
In the continuing pursuit of music excellence, Eagle Rock has gone ahead and released the now legendary performance of The Rolling Stones from their unique Some Girls tour of 1978. I say unique, because the tour was a roller coster ride of stadiums, arenas, and halls. This Texas show had an audience of only 2,500, so that’s a bit odd to see, considering they were playing crowds of up to 90,000 people. Some Girls has been given a full restoration, according to the enclosed booklet. The video and audio have been remastered in high definition, so let us see how the legendary band’s performance holds up today. Continue reading ‘The Rolling Stones: Some Girls – Live in Texas ’78 (Blu-ray Review)’
January 15th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
The low budget juggernaut phenomena that took the horror film world by storm just two years ago has returned with part 3 in the uber successful franchise known as Paranormal Activity – this is part 3 of the franchise. What separates this chapter from the previous installments is that it’s a prequel. This chapter will fill you in on how it all started. Paranormal Activity takes place in the late 80’s and as if that wasn’t scary enough, the journey is all captured on gigantic shoulder mounted consumer camcorders. I know we all remember those, right? Alright, so turn off the lights, if you dare, and don’t forget to program your VCR, because it’s going to be a bumpy ride. This is Paranormal Activity 3. Enjoy! Continue reading ‘Paranormal Activity 3 (Blu-ray Review)’
January 13th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
I’ve been on a real Todd Haynes trip as of late. It seems that I have always been a fan of his work even though I haven’t seen every single film that he has ever directed. Pretty weird, huh? A couple of months ago I reviewed a documentary that featured lots of well known and not so well known filmmakers and Haynes was part of the crew. I really enjoyed what he had to say about the way he works, how he takes on these different projects, etc. I had recently just seen Velvet Goldmine and I’m Not There, so when word came that his latest HBO miniseries was set to be released on Blu-ray I had to jump at the opportunity to review it. Let’s not forget that I’m Not There was released on 2007, so it’s been a while. Let us see how the transition from film to television went. Enjoy Mildred Pierce. Continue reading ‘Mildred Pierce (Blu-ray Review)’
January 11th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Called “crazily inventive and totally irresistible” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone), the touching, beautiful and romantic drama LIKE CRAZY debuts March 6, 2012 on Blu-ray and DVD with UltraViolet™, for Digital Download and On Demand from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Director Drake Doremus expertly captures the thrilling exuberance and heartbreaking fragility of first love in “the rare love story that honestly conveys the giddy joys and sorrows of two people besotted with each other” (Claudia Puig, USA Today). Featuring “star-making performances” (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times) by the incandescent Felicity Jones—who was given Breakthrough Awards by the National Board of Review and the Gotham Awards, as well as a Special Jury Prize at Sundance for her performance—and the terrifically earnest Anton Yelchin—who received a Spotlight Award at the Hollywood Film Festival and Special Recognition for a Breakthrough Performance at the Hamptons International Film Festival— LIKE CRAZY explores how a young couple faces the very real challenges of being apart…and of being together. Continue reading ‘‘Like Crazy’ on Blu-ray March 6′
