‘F9’ Is More Pace Car Than Photofinisher (Movie Review)
Has summer movie season finally begun in the U.S.? Universal’s ninth entry in their blockbuster series, the aptly named F9: The Fast Saga, hits theaters in the states this weekend (although it’s been playing across the globe for a month now). The box office has been surprisingly good for the theater-only release of A Quiet Place: Part II but sadly not good for In the Heights (which rules, btw). As Dom and his family rev up for the latest installment, there were never any plans to go the streaming route. Originally slated for April of 2020, was the wait to witness high octane thrills at your local IMAX worth it? Has #Justice4Han been served? Does John Cena fill the void left by Dwayne Johnson? Did Cars in Space really happen? Finally, where does this rank before we get to the eventual tenth entry?
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When a mysterious beast ravages the countryside, two unlikely heroes are called in to fight the evil in the cult favorite horror fantasy Brotherhood of the Wolf. And now, their battle against dark, unspeakable terror is even more gripping with a daring extended version of the film that showcases more of the breathtaking martial arts action and hours of in-depth bonus features.
The age of heroes is upon us when the Warner Bros. Pictures and DC full-length HBO Max Original feature film “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” arrives on 
Watch as Javicia Leslie takes on the mantle of DC Super Hero Batwoman, when Batwoman: The Complete Second Season arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on September 21, 2021 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Strap yourself in for a thrilling ride with all 18 episodes from the second season, plus never-before-seen bonus content including deleted scenes and a gag reel. Batwoman: The Complete Second Season is priced to own on DVD and Blu-ray, which includes a Digital Copy (U.S. only). Batwoman: The Complete Second Season is also available to own on Digital via purchase from digital retailers, and to stream on HBO Max starting July 27, 2021.
Paramount Presents has only been around for a year, but they have a heck of a track record so far. With fantastic presentations of films never before on the Blu-ray format and ones that are getting better versions than they had before, its covering a wide range. They come in a nifty little signature case and slip cover and feature great restorations. In June (back on the 15th to be exact), Paramount Presents is welcoming the John Sturges western Last Train From Gun Hill with Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn to the collection. Not much is added to the bonus features, but this has also never been on Blu-ray before. And woo-golly is this picture restoration a delight to behold. You’ll really need to see this with your own eyes! Its available now, and you can order it using the Amazon Associates link below the review.
I’m not alone when I say that Batman: The Long Halloween is one of my favorite and best tales of the Dark Knight ever laid to paper. So, it was with great excitement when I not only found out that the DCAU was producing an adaptation of it, but that they were also splitting it into two parts and trying to give the story a full appreciation. You’ll recall that Christopher Nolan and David Goyer were influenced a bit by this story when crafting the first two films in their Batman trilogy, but this is the one that is pulling it straight from the page. With a voice cast that boasts Jensen Ackles as Batman and Josh Duhamel as Harvey Dent, this summer is all about the pumpkins as Part One will land on Blu-ray June 22nd. Part Two will be arriving on August 10th. Both are available for pre-order and you can use the paid Amazon Associates link following the review to nab yourself a copy. Or you can wait for the 4K release that combines both parts later in the year.
Action flicks are in a rather good place nowadays. We seem to have moved into an era with relatively solid directors. Films that aren’t reliant on post production shaky cam or ones that know how to appropriately utilize the tactic for good effect. John Wick being the current mainstream posterchild for big action greatness, anything with someone associated is going to garner attention. Now comes Nobody from the guy who wrote John Wick. This pandemic blockbuster hit theaters and did a decent global haul considering the low budget and environment it came out it. Its also a perfect picture for the drive-in during this time. Now its coming to glorious 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, where I’m sure more people are going to see and fall for this little gem. It arrives on June 22! You can order it using the paid Amazon Associates link below.
Low and behold, for the 40th anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark, we are gifted all the of the Indiana Jones film on the glorious 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format. Sure, there will be a future set with the not yet as of now named Indiana Jones 5 filming for release in the summer of 2022. This new set is essentially what we were given for standard Blu-ray, with new transfers, audio and packaging providing the appeal. All previous bonus materials have been ported over. And if you’re thinking, “well, that’s not enough new or bonus for me”, then you haven’t had a look at these stunning new transfers (Along with the updated color timing and revamped image for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull). The set was releases on June 8th, but had some replication delays and has slowly been being dispersed around. So its very possible you’ve had this in your hands and watched it 3 times over before I could get this review up. And if not, please use the paid Amazon Associates link below to land yourself a copy. 
Back in March, far too many fans of the King of the Monsters and the Big Ape didn’t have the opportunity to experience their epic brawl, Godzilla Vs. Kong on IMAX (or any traditional theater, really) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most, if not everyone I knew in Los Angeles, avoided the big screens unless it was a drive-in. Fortunately, the fourth film in Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse was available, like other major releases from Warner Bros. this year, simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max for one month. For those of us with 4K TVs, this meant a pretty pristine – although small no matter how big your television was – presentation. And this is assuming you had a fast internet to stream that fancy 4K Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos. So does this traditional boxed version hold up? Is it noticeably superior to what you saw on HBO Max? Let’s find out!
The terrifying new chapter in the book of Saw comes home when Spiral arrives on Digital July 13 and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, and On Demand July 20 from Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures. Spiral: From the Book of Saw is directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, Repo! The Genetic Opera) and written by Josh Stolberg (Jigsaw, “Avatar: The Last Airbender”) & Peter Goldfinger (Jigsaw, Piranha 3D). It stars Chris Rock (“Fargo,” Top Five), Max Minghella (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” The Ides of March), Marisol Nichols (“Riverdale,” “Teen Wolf”) and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Snakes on a Plane).
Following the overwhelming response to last year’s award-winning Volume 1 collection, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is proud to debut six more acclaimed and beloved films from its library on 4K Ultra HD disc for the first time ever, exclusively within the COLUMBIA CLASSICS 4K ULTRA HD COLLECTION VOLUME 2, available September 14. This must-own set includes cherished star-studded favorites from six iconic and distinctive filmmakers: ANATOMY OF A MURDER, OLIVER!, TAXI DRIVER, STRIPES, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and THE SOCIAL NETWORK. Each film is presented in 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range.
He can see the future. But can he escape it? On July 27, 2021, Scream Factory proudly presents the classic psychic thriller from Stephen King and David Cronenberg The Dead Zone in a definitive Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release, featuring a brand-new 4K scan of the original camera negative. The release comes loaded with bonus features including new interviews with actress Brooke Adams, production manager John M. Eckert and associate producer Jeffrey Chernov, alongside four new audio commentaries with director of photography Mark Irwin and film historians Michael Gingold, Dr. Steve Haberman, Constantine Nasr, and Daniel Schweiger.
It doesn’t feel like it happens a lot anymore, but in the case of The Courier, titles can be changed from theatrical release to home video or whatnot. Sure, some get subtitles or shortened versions of their titles when they come to home video/digital. But, The Courier premiered at Sundance about a year and half ago and it was at that time titled Ironbark. That’s a much more interesting title, though The Courier is safer and does suit the film as well. So Ironbark is arriving on Blu-ray as The Courier and comes with a nifty little featurette on the making of the film along with the DVD and a digital copy of the movie. The film was released on Blu-ray on June 1st and you’re able to order it using the Amazon link below. 
Prey. Slay. Display. On July 13, 2021, Scream Factory proudly presents the modern cult classic House of Wax (2005) in the ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release, featuring a new 2K scan of the interpositive. The release comes packed with bonus features including new interviews with actors Paris Hilton and Robert Ri’Chard, composer John Ottman and makeup effects artist Jason Baird. Fans who order from shoutfactory.com will also receive an exclusive poster featuring brand-new artwork, while supplies last.
Experience every bone-crunching, sword-clashing, blood-spattering moment when “Mortal Kombat” arrives for Premium Digital Ownership at home on June 11. The film is directed by award-winning Australian commercial filmmaker Simon McQuoid, marking his feature directorial debut. The film will also be available on 4K, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD beginning on July 13. The ensemble includes Lewis Tan (TV’s “Into The Badlands”) as Cole Young, Jessica McNamee (“The Meg”) as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson (“The Little Death”) as Kano, Tadanobu Asano (“Battleship”) as Lord Raiden, Mehcad Brooks (TV’s “True Blood”) as Jax, Ludi Lin (“Power Rangers”) as Liu Kang, with Chin Han (“The Dark Knight”) as Shang Tsung, Joe Taslim (“The Raid: Redemption”) as Bi-Han and Sub-Zero, and Hiroyuki Sanada (“The Wolverine”) as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion. Also featured are Max Huang as Kung Lao and Sisi Stringer (“Bloody Hell”) as Mileena. 
