Archive Page 66
December 13th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Tsukiko (Moe Arai), who belongs to a photography club at high school, always feels inferior to her elder sister, Tomie (Miu Nakamura). Tomie is breathtakingly beautiful and popular among the male students, including Toshio, whom Tsukiko is secretly in love with. One day an awful accident kills Tomie right in front of her younger sister. Since then Tsukiko suffers from a nightmare night after night. A year later Tsukiko and her parents are surrounding a birthday cake to celebrate dead Tomie’s 18th birthday. Suddenly they hear an eerie knock at the door. Unbelievably, it is Tomie. She’s back. The father and mother blindly welcome Tomie in tears, but Tsukiko feels instinctive fear. Tomie gradually reveals her true face, but only when she is with Tsukiko. Now Tsukiko’s nightmare becomes reality, and the terrifying days begin… Continue reading ‘‘Tomie Unlimited’ on Blu-ray in the UK January 23′
December 7th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
The Last Circus, or as originally entitled, La Balada Triste De Trompeta (The Sad Ballad of the Trumpet) is up there in terms of visual storytelling, graphic and brutal violence, and insane sexual situations. Did I mention that this is all contained within the two minute theatrical “red band” trailer? See, this is what marketing is all about when it comes to the business of film. A cool trailer will get people like me interested in your product by making me go out and buy said product. That’s exactly what I did with The Last Circus. I bought the film on Blu-ray based off of the trailer alone. I’ve done this in the past, but I’m a very good judge of film and also pretty good at blind buying films. Oh, and the film is about killer clowns wielding weapons of varying degree set during the Spanish Civil War and so forth. What have I gotten myself into? Step right up and find out for yourself. Tickets please! Continue reading ‘The Last Circus (Blu-ray Review)’
December 6th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Halloween came and went, but if you stayed around for the after party, you would have known that your friends here at Why So Blu were going to keep it going with the brand new horror anthology film called Chillerama! From those whacky kids I will affectionately call out as Green, Rifkin, Sullivan, and Lynch comes Chillerama – a tour de force of cheesiness with a dash of bad taste sprinkled in. Don’t worry, I’ll be using their full names in the course of the full review. I gotta tease this out, yo! In the tradition of Grindhouse, but with a nostalgic attitude of the 50’s, Ed Wood, and good ‘ol fashioned Americana sensibilities thrown in for good measure, comes the cult hit film of the year. What makes it even better is that we will be talking about the Blu-ray, so you know that you’re in for a treat! Take a bathroom break, grab a snack, get some soda pop, put on your bomber jacket, because it’s going down! Literally. 😉 Continue reading ‘Chillerama (Blu-ray Review)’
December 6th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Region-Free Blu-ray enthusiasts unite! Arguably the defining cult film of the Reagan era, the feature debut of Alex Cox (Sid & Nancy, Walker, Straight to Hell) is a genre-busting mash-up of atomic-age science fiction, post-punk anarchism, and conspiracy paranoia, all shot through with heavy doses of deadpan humour and offbeat philosophy. After quitting his dead-end supermarket job, young punk Otto (Emilio Estevez) is initiated as a “repo man” after a chance encounter with automobile repossessor Bud (Harry Dean Stanton). An illicit, high-voltage life follows, including an adrenalised search for a mysterious ’64 Chevy Malibu loaded with radioactive – and extragalactic – cargo… With an iconic soundtrack (Iggy Pop, Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies), stunning Robby Müller cinematography, and iconoclastic direction, Repo Man remains one of the great debuts of the 1980s. Continue reading ‘‘Repo Man’ Released in the UK on February 20, 2012′
December 5th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Going Places aka Les Valseuses (The Testicles) is one of Kino’s latest offerings in the realm of classic films, this being a classice French film in the sense of it being one of the highest grossing films of 1974, and the film that propelled Gerard Depardieu to stardom. I am a lover of all things French and it was a no brainer tackling this Blu-ray for review. I love French cinema, so we will see if Going Places stands up to scrutiny. You know, this is a thirty seven year old film, so it may suck, right? Sorry, that was me being sarcastic for those that don’t like “old” films. With that little jab out of the way let’s see how it goes with Going Places on Blu-ray. Entrez! Continue reading ‘Going Places (Blu-ray Review)’
December 5th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
I was a little apprehensive about going in and reviewing the Blu-ray of 30 Minutes or Less, because I never cared for the trailer or marketing materials that were released for it. It looked like a try-hard comedy film. Hey, but you gotta do what you gotta do when reviewing films, right? That’s what I did. I settled down, popped in the Blu-ray and hoped that the sights and sounds would take me away to this magical world of laughs and hijinx. It also helped that the guy who directed Zombieland also directed 30 Minutes of Less. Let us now see if this flick was worth the grueling one hour and twenty three minute running time. Strap yourself in! Continue reading ’30 Minutes or Less (Blu-ray Review)’
November 23rd, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
The stunning Edwige Fenech (THE CASE OF THE BLOODY IRIS, THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH) stars in this infamous shocker that packs more grisly violence and sexual depravity into each frame than most any other film in the entire giallo genre. There’s succulent flesh aplenty as a mysterious killer dressed in black leather and wearing a motorcycle helmet begins butchering beautiful young fashion models with no mercy and one deranged request: STRIP NUDE FOR YOUR KILLER! Continue reading ‘‘Strip Nude For Your Killer’ on Blu-ray March 27th, 2012′
November 21st, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
That high flying duo known as J.J. Abrams and some guy named Steven Spielberg are back with their latest coming-of-age/science fiction story in Super 8. The trailers and promotional material did absolutely nothing to quench the thirst of the uber geeky. All we saw was a bunch of kids making a super 8 film, a train crash, and something that may have been in a top secret government container escape. That’s it. Considering that you have J.J. Abrams directing and Speilberg producing, the stakes would be kind of on the high side. Well, the time has come for you to see what all the fuss is about on Blu-ray. Why So Blu presents: Super 8. Continue reading ‘Super 8 (Blu-ray Review)’
November 18th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
I am a big David Lynch fan, but I have never seen Blue Velvet before which makes reviewing the Blu-ray that much more exciting. The Blu-ray is being marketed as a “25th Anniversary” edition, but what seems to be sealing the deal is that it contains nearly an hour of deleted scenes that were thought to be lost forever. These scenes have been remastered in high definition, but warned, David Lynch’s final cut of the film is what you have already seen, so don’t hold your breath for a three hour cut, because that will never happen. With that out of the way let’s sample the “fabric” that is Blue Velvet. Continue reading ‘Blue Velvet (Blu-ray Review)’
November 14th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
In the tradition of Pulp Fiction, Traffic and Go, and from the producers of Machete and 16 Blocks, Anchor Bay Films takes aim with the December 20th release of Catch .44 on Blu-ray™ and DVD. Oscar® winner Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland, “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior”), Bruce Willis (the Die Hard films, Red, The Expendables) and Malin Akerman (Watchmen, The Proposal, Couples Retreat) lead an all-star cast in this suspense thriller where everyone has an agenda…and a Magnum to back it up! Continue reading ‘‘Catch .44’ Debuts on Blu-ray December 20, 2011′
November 14th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Outlaws beware! The gun-slinging action continues when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases Justified: The Complete Second Season on Blu-ray® and DVD January 3rd. Timothy Olyphant serves up his own brand of justice as U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, in the critically acclaimed FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television series on FX, based on the short story “Fire in the Hole” by crime novelist Elmore Leonard and developed for television by Graham Yost. The second year garnered an Emmy® win for Margo Martindale (Win Win) as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Mags Bennett. The exceptional ensemble cast also features Nick Searcy (Moneyball), Joelle Carter (TV’s “Prime Suspect”), Jacob Pitts (TV’s “The Pacific”), Erica Tazel (TV’s “Jericho”), Natalie Zea (TV’s “Person of Interest”) and Walton Goggins (Straw Dogs). Jeremy Davies (TV’s “Lost”) guest stars. Continue reading ‘Justified: The Complete Second Season arrives on Blu-ray January 3rd, 2012’
November 13th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
One of my favorite directors of all time has returned to his documentary roots with Cave of Forgotten Dreams which chronicles his exploration of the Chauvet Cave in France that contain cave drawings that date back 35,000 years and are twice as old as any other known to exist. Werner Herzog has been given incredible access to the cave, but this access comes great responsibility and limitations. Only Herzog and a small group of his technicians are allowed into the cave and with very minimal equipment. Cave of Forgotten Dreams also marks Herzog’s first venture into the world of 3-D filmmaking. Yes, this IS a documentary, so you know Werner Herzog will be pulling out all the stops. Get ready to be thrilled and entertained as only incomparable Mr. Herzog can do. Continue reading ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams (Blu-ray Review)’
November 12th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
It’s a real treat, and suffice to say, and even and honor to review films in general, but there are those moments where a title flies under the radar and lands firmly on my lap that makes my whole day. Great Directors is one of these films; a documentary, in fact, that brightened up my day. Director and actress Angela Ismailos has traveled the world to interview several directors (auteurs, really) about their craft. Some of these people you may be very familiar with and some you may never have even heard of them, but know their work without thinking twice. Yes, Great Directors is a documentary, but is it your ordinary “talking heads” fluff piece or is it something more? Remember, this is a Kino Lorber release we’re talking about and we all know that they don’t mess around, so let’s see what happens. Continue reading ‘Great Directors (DVD Review)’
November 10th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Paris in the morning is beautiful. In the afternoon it’s charming. And in the evening, enchanting. But after midnight, Paris is magic! Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen’s critically acclaimed romantic comedy, arrives on Blu-ray™ and DVD December 20th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The delightful and whimsical Sony Pictures Classics release, shot against the gorgeous backdrop of the most romantic city in the world, features an all-star ensemble cast including Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes), Academy Award® winner Kathy Bates (Best Actress, Misery), Academy Award winner Adrien Brody (Best Actor, The Pianist), Carla Bruni, Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard (Best Actress, La Vie En Rose), Michael Sheen (TRON: Legacy; Frost/Nixon) and Owen Wilson (Cars 2; Hall Pass). The film, which opened this year’s Cannes Film Festival, was produced by Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, and Jaume Roures and executive produced by Javier Mendez (all Vicky Cristina Barcelona). Blu-ray and DVD both contain a special featurette, Midnight in Cannes, and exclusive to the Blu-ray are cast and crew photo galleries. Midnight in Paris will be available on Blu-ray for $35.99 and on DVD for $30.99. Continue reading ‘‘Midnight in Paris’ Arrives on Blu-ray December 20th, 2011′
November 7th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
We’re gonna keep it going full steam – as Revolver Entertainment has graced us with another feature of the creepy-thriller-horror variety in Tony. In some circles you can call him Tony: London Serial Killer, because that’s exactly what this bloke is. It’s pretty astounding how many horror films get past me at any given time considering I’m a horror film enthusiast. I guess that saying of “so many horror films, so little time” does ring true in my case. Well, fear not, as I’ve come equipped with some more coverage on Tony. Let’s have us a spot of tea, shall we? Continue reading ‘Tony (DVD Review)’
November 4th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Martin, a mentally disturbed loner who lives with his nagging mother on a bleak London council estate, where loud neighbours and squalid living conditions threaten to plunge this victim of sexual and psychological abuse over the edge. Working the night shift as an attendant at an underground car park, he indulges his obsession with The Human Centipede (First Sequence) watching the film over and over on a laptop in his office and meticulously examining the scrapbook he has lovingly filled with memorabilia from the film, including the ass-to-mouth surgery instructions made famous by Dr. Heiter, the mad scientist from Martin’s favourite movie. Pushed to the brink by his harridan mother and haunted by the teasing voices of his abusive and imprisoned father, Martin sets into motion his plan to emulate Heiter’s centipede by creating his own version. In a rented warehouse, he begins to acquire victims, including his loud, violent neighbour, a prostitute and her lecherous client, and several more… including Martin’s pièce de résistance, one of the actresses from The Human Centipede (First Sequence). Although lacking the medical skills of his hero, Martin soldiers on with grotesque DIY gusto, along with a healthy supply of duct tape, household tools and staple guns! Continue reading ‘‘Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence’ is released on Blu-ray in the UK November 21, 2011′
November 4th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
A “mission” more than a decade in the making. Tom Cruise is IMF Agent Ethan Hunt, one of the greatest action heroes of all time, in the adrenaline-pumping suspense-filled blockbuster series Mission Impossible. Filmed in the most exotic locations around the world by the biggest directors in Hollywood, including Brian De Palma, John Woo and J.J. Abrams, the Extreme Trilogy collection presents every explosive moment in state-of-the-art sound and picture quality. Your mission should you choose to accept it – experience the best action film collection. The DVD set will be available for $19.99, and the Blu-ray set will be available for $29.99. Continue reading ‘Mission: Impossible – Extreme Trilogy Collection on Blu-ray December 6th, 2011’
November 3rd, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Up next on DVD, we have Revolver Entertainment’s Anuvahood (Another Hood) which is a UK urban comedy film that may or may not bring to light how it goes down on the block aka the ghetto or the projects. Anuvahood is an interesting selection for coverage, because it hits closer to home. I am from the block, so you know how I do it. I don’t mince words and I don’t take any foolishness. Kind of like some of the characters in the film, but this is from the UK, bruv, so you know it’s going to go down a bit differently than your average American counterpart. Will Anuvahood sink or swim in the world of urban comedies? That notion is a bit vexing, innit though? Continue reading ‘Anuvahood (DVD Review)’
