In The Heights (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
One of the unfortunate box office disappointments this summer was Lin-Manuel Miranda’s big offering of the musical In The Heights. One of the best reviewed movies of the year (And judging from social media reaction, it was very well received), it failed to strike anything at the box office. In addition, the numbers of its simultaneous HBO MAX release were underwhelming as well. Perhaps with it available through digital purchase and rental as well as physical media, it can begin to build a cult audience and shine on for years to come. Said physical media release is getting a boffo 4K disc with an Atmos track and plenty of extras and watching options (Sing-Along) to enjoy the film by. You can pre-order the film using the paid Amazon Associates link below so you can have one when it releases on August 31st.
Elvira’s back and she’s fabulous! On October 5, 2021, Scream Factory proudly presents the camp classic Elvira’s Haunted Hills from the iconic horror host in a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release. The Blu-ray features a brand-new 4K scan of the original camera negative and comes loaded with bonus features including a new introduction by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, all housed within limited-edition collectible slipcase packaging, while supplies last. Fans who order their copies from 
Ever since the trailer for Candyman dropped last year with the slowed-down version of Destiny’s Child’s 90s hit “Say My Name” used to underscore his return, I’ve been eager to see this new take. Jordan Peele was producing (and co-wrote the script!,) and hot new director Nia DaCosta (Little Woods) had just been announced to be helming Marvel’s The Marvels. If Kevin Feige and Peele had faith in this new talent, how could I not be excited to return to my hometown of Chicago’s Cabrini Green for an update to the iconic 90s slasher flick? Alas, COVID happened, so Universal had to shelve the pic until 2021. It was definitely a smart move on the studio’s part to wait to release the film in theaters. Seeing dumb teens and adults with questionable judgment say his name fives times in the mirror is better with an audience. But, is the essence of his hookedness return worthy of buzz like his loyal bees? You have gotta say his name to find out…
In what seems like an incredibly perfect match, Shout! Factory will be releasing new digitally remastered versions of the first four films from the wonderful stop-motion animation studio, LAIKA. Those films include Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls and Kubo and the Two Strings. In addition to the new restorations, every release will feature new bonus features while carrying over the old ones. Also, a booklet is included inside the packaging. For today’s review, we’ll be taking a look at 2014’s The Boxtrolls, which really pushed their animation team to some all new levels which really pushed and challenged them in evolving their aesthetic. The Boxtrolls and Coraline are the first two arriving from Shout! Factory on August 31st. The other two films will be following them with a September release. You can land yourself a copy of The Boxtrolls by clicking the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
As summer movie season comes to a close this Labor Day weekend, the MCU is releasing their first “only in theaters” experience (not experiment) since the pandemic, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It’s also another first of sorts for Marvel, starring a predominantly Asian cast. Disney screening the film for critics nearly three weeks before its release in North America would seem to be good sign. This reviewer actually had to change flights to my hometown of Chicago to see if
In August, Warner Archive is dipping into the 80s teen comedy genre with the classic One Crazy Summer that loaded up a cast of John Cusack, Demi Moore, Bobcat Goldthwait and Curtis Armstrong. This feels like it could been an easy bargain bin title for Warner Bros many moons ago, but alas, in 2021 it is making its first appearance on Blu-ray. There’s a commentary from the DVD edition (That was re-issued by Warner Archive back in 2016) featuring director Savage Steve Holland, Goldthwait and Armstrong that is carrying itself over to this new Blu-ray release. Aside from that, no other bonus materials are found or have been commissioned for this disc. It arrived on the format back on August 10th. You can land yourself a copy by clicking on the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
Warner Archive Collection turns to the legendary Sidney Lumet this month for one of its titles. Prince of the City was a police corruption drama based on a book of the same name. It received an Academy Award nomination for its screenplay and launched the career of one Treat Williams. This new Blu-ray edition comes with the previously available The Real Story mini documentary about the subject matter and book with which the movie itself was based on. You can order the film, which is releasing on August 24th, using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
Warner Bros., STUDIOCANAL,
When stone cold home video classics hit milestones, you damn well know they are going to be taken advantage of with a brand new release. Thus, the second release of Labyrinth on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray for its 35th anniversary. However, this isn’t just the same discs in fancy new clothes. They’ve also gone back and tweaked the transfer, added the stereo track in lossless form and supplied new bonus material in the form of deleted scenes and never before seen audition tapes. I have to say, they’ve put quite the marvelous package together which includes nifty packaging and a booklet. You can order the new edition from the paid Amazon Associates link below as it arrived back on August 17th.
20th Century Studios’ action-comedy “Free Guy” debuts on all major digital platforms on Sept. 28 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on Oct. 12. Consumers can enjoy 
Known as the second most fruitful and successful cinematic universe, The Conjuring series has done so quite effortlessly and as casual as ever. It hasn’t been until recently that it was really even being tagged as such a thing. The Warren-led films as the well to which to return, but Annabelle, The Nun and other upcoming spin offs are making some ground on their own. Entry number three, The Devil Made Me Do It has been one of the films this summer that has shared a day and date theatrical and streaming release to rather solid success as it was available for one month as a part of HBO MAX when it released to theaters. It now comes to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, making it the first with the Warrens to be on the format but second in the series after The Nun (Of note: there was a planned but scrapped 4K release of the second Conjuring). This possession horror film will be hitting shelves on August 24th and you can pre-order it using the link below.
With episode 16 and thus season one of Disney’s The Bad Batch in the books, now seemed like an appropriate time to review where Dave Filoni’s latest creation took us over the past few months. Initially making their debut in the final season of The Clone Wars, the Bad Batch refers to five reject clone troopers and one somewhat mysterious clone that only bear slight physical resemblances to their mass-produced brethren. Each one of the specialized platoon featuring a unique attribute. Fives, originally a normal clone, is now cybernetic. Wrecker possesses abnormally great strength. Crosshairs is the sniper that cannot miss. Tech knows his way around any gadget or computer system. Hunter is the John Rambo of the group, both in leadership and appearance. And last but not least, Omega, who we are still getting to know.
Your favorite Super Heroes are back, and this time, they’re out of this world! The fate of the universe is in their hands as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Sixth Season on Blu-ray and DVD on November 9, 2021. Buckle up for a wild ride with all 15 rollicking one-hour episodes from the sixth season, plus enjoy the epic extra content including several featurettes, deleted scenes and a gag reel. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Sixth Season is priced to ownon DVD and Blu-ray, which includes a Digital Copy (U.S. Only). DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Sixth Season is also available to own on Digital via purchase from digital retailers.
The Fast family returns in the latest adrenaline-charged installment with a never-before-seen Director’s Cut of F9. The blockbuster film has generated more than $600 million worldwide and now fans can own the global box-office phenomenon that features “unbelievable, jaw-dropping action” (io9) on Digital September 7, 2021 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 21, 2021 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Featuring the original theatrical release, the Director’s Cut and more than an hour of exclusive bonus content – including a behind-the-scenes look at the gravity-defying stunts and nitro-charged cars, a gag reel and even more justice for Han – fans can now add F9 to their collection to watch again and again!
Witness the epic adventure of NBA champion and global icon LeBron James alongside timeless Tune Bugs Bunny when “Space Jam: A New Legacy” arrives for Premium Digital Ownership at home on Sept 3. The film is directed by Malcolm D. Lee and (“Girls Trip,” “Night School”) from a screenplay by Juel Taylor & Tony Rettenmaier & Keenan Coogler & Terence Nance and stars LeBron James and Oscar nominee Don Cheadle (the “Avengers” films, “Hotel Rwanda”). The film will also be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD beginning on Oct 5.
Disney’s “Jungle Cruise,” starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, arrives on all major digital platforms on Aug. 31 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on Nov. 16. “Jungle Cruise” fans can set sail on a rollicking thrill ride in stunning Ultra HD quality and immersive Dolby Atmos audio, with never-before-seen bonus footage, including 11 deleted scenes, bloopers and featurettes. In addition, families can watch the adventure in a fun, exciting new way with Expedition Mode.
The bounce from month to month for the Paramount Presents series is a lot of fun. It really moves and shakes from different eras, genres, stars and filmmakers. There’s really no bias here at all. Mommie Dearest is getting to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year with a debut on Blu-ray into this collection’s catalog. The chesse-fest classic was released back at the start of June (the 1st actually), but there were some issues/delays/whatever with the replication for it and it appears review copies are now just starting to find their way out their to us writers. Better late than never nonetheless. It features a new 4K transfer, commentary and Filmmaker Focus featurette to go with plenty of legacy bonus features. You can order the film to have a copy for yourself by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows this wonderful review.
