Godzilla (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
March 21st, 2021 by Aaron Neuwirth
In the time since 2014’s Godzilla hit theaters, I’ve only come to appreciate the film more. Set against other Hollywood tentpoles in the years since, while there have been some truly wonderful highlights (Mad Max: Fury Road is the clearest example), it’s the top tier blockbuster filmmaking and unique vision that easily guides one of the oldest of franchises to the top in terms of well-staged delivery. Now the film has finally received its 4K UHD Blu-ray, just in time for the release of Legendary’s epic monster event, Godzilla vs. Kong, and this release does not fail to impress. So, once again, let them fight.
Now nominated for many prestigious Academy Awards (including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Editing), Promising Young Woman has arrived on Blu-ray. The film has crafted lots of worthwhile praise as well as conversation in this strongly voiced film. This Blu-ray release has brought on the unfortunate conversation about crappy cover art, which I cannot argue with. The film garnered some really cool art and they went with a pretty garbage, generic image to represent this powerful film. Regardless, its getting a commentary and a couple quick featurettes to expand the experience on physical media. It arrived on March 16th and you can order it using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
Hold on tight for a rush of pulse-pounding thrills, breathtaking stunts and unexpected romance in a film you’ll want to see again and again. Keanu Reeves stars as an L.A.P.D. SWAT team specialist who is sent to diffuse a bomb that a revenge-driven extortionist (Dennis Hopper) has planted on a city bus. But until he does, one of the passengers (Sandra Bullock) must keep the bus speeding through the streets of Los Angeles at more than 50 miles per hour – or the bomb will explode. A high-octane chase of suspense, nonstop action and surprise twists, “Speed” is a joyride sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!
Relive the unforgettable exploits of world-renowned, globetrotting hero Indiana Jones in spectacular 4K Ultra HD when the INDIANA JONES 4-MOVIE COLLECTION arrives in a new 4K Ultra HD set June 8, 2021 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Entertainment. The cinematic classic that started it all—Raiders of the Lost Ark—celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, having first introduced audiences to the man with the hat on June 12, 1981. Forty years later, the legendary hero continues to captivate new generations of fans. Now, for the first time ever, all four films are available together in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision® and HDR-10 for ultra-vivid picture quality and state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos® audio*. Each film has been meticulously remastered from 4K scans of the original negatives with extensive visual effects work done to ensure the most pristine and highest quality image. All picture work was approved by director Steven Spielberg. 
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic adventure “Raya and the Last Dragon” arrives on all major digital platforms beginning April 2, and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD beginning May 18. Consumers can enjoy 
Shout! Select will release Explorers [Collector’s Edition], a new Blu-ray™ release of the 1985 film Explorers, starring a young River Phoenix (Stand By Me, Sneakers) and Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Reality Bites), on May 25, 2021. Bonus features include new interviews with director Joe Dante, screenwriter Eric Luke, star Ethan Hawke, and much more.
At the end of the month, Warner Archive Collection will debut the Val Lewton produced Boris Karloff horror classic Isle Of The Dead. This was almost released by Scream Factory not too long ago, but the release wound up abandoned with no real clear explanation. Perhaps restoration was too costly, or maybe Warner Bros wanted to do it on their own. Nonetheless, here it is finally. And its had a glorious 4K restoration done to it. There are even a couple of bonus features here as well. Many are excited about this release and they likely won’t be leaving or purchasing it with any disappointment. You can pre-order it now to lock yourself in for a copy when it arrives on March 30th. There is a paid Amazon Associates link below you can use, should you want to help out the site a tad.
The first-ever Academy Award® winner for Best Animated Feature, SHREK, celebrates its 20th anniversary this spring. SHREK is a hilarious adventure comedy that stars the voice talents of Mike Myers (AUSTIN POWERS franchise), Eddie Murphy (THE NUTTY PROFESSOR), Cameron Diaz (CHARLIE’S ANGELS) and John Lithgow (“THE CROWN”). The incredibly original and unique blockbuster film that launched three sequels, a spin-off, TV series, holiday specials, theme park attraction and more has stayed a fan favorite and a must own for all ages! Universal Pictures Home Entertainment celebrates with SHREK 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION available on 4K Ultra HD for the first time ever on May 11, 2021 as well as Blu-ray™ and DVD. Adventure into over four hours bonus material including a bonus disc that comes with five episodes from “The Adventures of Puss in Boots” television series and ten shorts including Scared Shrekless, The Pig Who Cried Werewolf, The Ghost of Lord Farquaad and more!
Warner Archive Collection will be unveiling Edward Dmytryk film Crossfire to Blu-ray for the first time this month. Considered one of the peak film noir movies of the hey dey for the genre, it garnered itself five Academy Award nominations. All of which were in the major categories; Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. They’ve also done a brand new 4K restoration for this release, coming from the original camera negative. A commentary and an archival featurette accompany the film on the disc. Crossfire will be coming out on March 16th. Pre-orders are up now and you can do such by clicking the pad Amazon Associates link following the review.
Uncover the disturbing secrets in the search for a killer terrorizing the city when “The Little Things” arrives on Premium Video on Demand (PVOD), Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. The film is directed by John Lee Hancock (“The Blind Side,” “Saving Mr. Banks,” “The Founder”) and stars Academy Award winners Denzel Washington (“Training Day,” “Glory”), Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club”).
vAs big a Bruce Campbell fanatic as I was back in the 1990s, when Synapse Films announced they were releasing his starring film Running Time on Blu-ray for the first time, I had no idea what it was. Awareness wasn’t what it was back then, there was no social media and only a few news sites. Not like we are today with loaded marketing sites masquerading as “news” where we know about everything all time time. Big or small. Nonetheless, I was excited to check it out. Synapse has restored it in 2K and also put a new interview with Bruce Campbell on the disc. Its their first release in a while. It’ll be available on March 16th. But, you can pre-order it now if you so please. And one way to do so is by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows this review. You can also order it straight from Synapse Films by going to their site.
Relive the romance, music, and comedic charms of the indelible classic MY FAIR LADY, debuting on 4K Ultra HD May 25, 2021 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Winner of eight Academy Awards*, including Best Picture, MY FAIR LADY also won the Best Picture Golden Globe® and was selected for the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. Adapted from the Broadway stage hit, the film stars Rex Harrison as Professor Higgins, a role that earned him the Oscar® for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Audrey Hepburn as the unforgettable Eliza Doolittle.
Well, look at that everyone, wishes have been granted and wrongs have been righted as Warner Archive Collection brings Harley Quinn: The Complete First And Second Seasons to Blu-ray! You’ll remember last year I reviewed the DVD for the show which airs in HD on HBO MAX (And formerly the DC Comics streaming service where it had began). And what a joy as Season 2 of the show continues the goodwill from the first season and escalates it to an even greater quality. Seriously, this show is hilarious and the second season even had a bit that was very Monty Python-esque. To which, I have to give it major props. This one is available already, as it came out on February 16th. You can order it from the paid Amazon link below, and it truly gets my recommend. I’ll definitely eat crow on this series, that when it was announced I shrugged. Consider me a big fan!
While we eagerly await the next batch of Rick and Morty episodes to be unleashed upon the world, we can always revisit them. Some of you do that OnDemand or by way of Hulu. But us cool kids revisit it on Blu-ray with all the bonus goodies and commentaries. Rick and Morty have had some terrific Blu-ray releases over its 4 seasons. And now, instead of buying them all separate or buying the Seasons 1-3 set and Season 4 together, you can buy all 4 seasons in one fell swoop with Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-4 set. No, nothing new in terms of extras or added presentation. But, you do get some new artwork, shelf space saved and sweet poster for you grandmother’s basement’s wall. This set will be available on March 2nd, but you can pre-order it now to have it for or around the day it releases. You can also used the paid Amazon Associate’s link following the review to do so. If you’re the kind, thoughtful type (Sorry about the grandmother’s basement joke. I’m sure she keeps it tidy for you).
