A Richard Donner Tribute – Top Five Films
The iconic director Richard Donner has passed on, and for any fan of movies, his distinctive body of work is a stellar reminder of what the best of Hollywood can create. From franchises to important dramatic works, Richard Donner was an old school filmmaker with a serious knack for not only putting together casts that kill but creating a cinematic story that sells. A master craftsman, well-deserving of a tribute, I have fittingly highlighted here five of my favorite films – the best of Donner. And while there are films not featured here that are still highly memorable (The Omen is one creepy decapitating outing!), fun as hell (Maverick was just a joyride!) and worth watching (Radio Flyer is a hard watch but a worthy one!), what’s selected below are flicks that showcase a filmmaker who will be sorely missed. In loving memory of the late great Richard Donner, here are his …Top Five Films.
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Witness the chilling terror and unknown evil when “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” arrives for Premium Digital Ownership at home on July 23. The film is directed by Michael Chaves (“The Curse of La Llorona”) and stars Vera Farmiga (“Annabelle Comes Home,” TV’s “Bates Motel”) and Patrick Wilson (“Annabelle Comes Home,” “The Nun”). The film will also be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD beginning on August 24. “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” was produced by James Wan and Peter Safran, who have collaborated on all the “Conjuring” Universe films. The film also stars Ruairi O’Connor (Starz’ “The Spanish Princess”), Sarah Catherine Hook (Hulu’s “Monsterland”) and Julian Hilliard (Wandavision, TV’s “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” and “The Haunting of Hill House”). 
This Halloween will be like no other…. It’s coming to you in 4K UHD! It’s been 43 years since the John Carpenter’s 1978 classic Halloween hit theaters and changed the horror genre forever. Now it – and its immediate sequels – can be experienced like never before as it is presented in the best video and audio quality ever. Scream Factory™ has announced 4K UHD releases of the first 5 Halloween films, marking the North American 4K UHD debut for Halloween II, III, 4 and 5. In an exciting nod to fans, Halloween (1978) (Collector’s Edition) (4K UHD) features a return to the original camera negative for the first time! Each of these beloved, iconic films will be released in a limited-edition rigid slipcase, and will include a Blu-ray™ of the film as well as previously existing bonus features. 
Boogie is another in a long line of “sports dramas.” The price of fame, romance, and the inevitable showdown at the end… Yep, it’s all there. But does it hold up the formula or bring it down? Eddie Huang breaking out of his producer’s chair to write and direct has delivered this entry, which became available on Blu-ray way back in early June! Check out my thoughts as I go in depth, and if the mood strikes you, go ahead and click the link at the end to get yourself a copy of Boogie.
Escape to the beautiful Italian seaside town of Portorosso when Disney and Pixar’s “Luca” arrives on digital, 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on Aug. 3. The release touts a variety of bonus features including never-before-seen featurettes, deleted scenes and two alternate openings.
The other western coming this month from Warner Archive Collection is the 1968 Anthony Quinn/Charles Bronson starring film Guns For San Sebastian. To contrast with the other western Blu-ray coming out this month from Warner Archive Collection (There Was A Crooked Man…), Guns For San Sebastian is spaghetti western production. Little be it known that this was one of the few actually shot in Mexico instead of Italy. The release comes with a little vintage featurette and the trailer in its debut. You can land yourself a copy by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
A new edition to the Vestron Video Collector’s Series, the tongue-in-cheek vampire film Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat arrives on Blu-ray™ (plus Digital) August 17 from Lionsgate. Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat stars Golden Globe® nominee David Carradine (2005, Best Supporting Role – Motion Picture, Kill Bill: Vol.2), Maxwell Caulfield (Grease 2, “The Colbys,” A Prince for Christmas), Morgan Brittany (Gypsy, Gable and Lombard, TV’s “Dallas”), Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness, TV’s “Ash vs Evil Dead”), and Golden Globe® nominee Jim Metzler (1983, Best Supporting Role – Motion Picture, Tex). Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat will be available on Blu-ray™ (plus Digital) on August 17th. 
Warner Archive Collection in the month of June once again has itself a nifty lineup of classics. And that group that includes some westerns and musicals also features a Humphrey Bogart film making its way to Blu-ray for the very first time. Bogey this time will have the Sturt Heisler helmed film Chain Lightning debuting. It was base on a story written by famous black listed writer Lester Cole. You’ll be able to grab this one when it arrives on the format on June 22nd. And if you’re wanting to pick this one up while also feeling so very generous to the site, you can use the paid Amazon Associates link following the review to land yourself a copy.
Warner Archive Collection continues its seemingly effortless crusade to do some of the finest restoration on classic cinema of all eras and genres and bring it to Blu-ray for the first time month in and month out. Plenty of westerns of all types have been given their due in this line. A few of them come this month of June. One of which is 1970’s There Was Crooked Man… starring Kirk Douglas. Considering the big cast of Douglas, Henry Fonda, Burgess Meredith, Lee Grant, Warren Oates, Michael Blodgett, John Randolph paired with it being directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz; I’m surprised it took this long to make its way to the format. Nonetheless, it made its debut on June 8th. You can order yourself a copy today using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review. 
Incredible to think Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is 50 years old. So obviously its time for its candidacy for the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format to come to present itself. Warner Brothers is giving us a brand new edition, though its mainly for the new 4K transfer of the film. It looks as if they’ll just be carrying over the previous edition’s standard Blu-ray which is where you’ll find the extras. All well enough, what more can folks say about it on the bonus materials (Aside from wondering who the hell wants this Timothee Chalamet prequel thing they are dumping money into). The Gene Wilder classic arrives on the format June 29th. It’s available for ordering now and you can do so by using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
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. 
