Jason Coleman’s Top Ten Memorable Movie Openings
Having recently witnessed the glorious opening slow-motion spectacle of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, complete with full man of steel angst and long-reaching death howl, it inspired me and reminded me just how powerful an effective opening scene can be. Sometimes as the only saving grace of a flawed flick and sometimes an appetizer of tasty things to come, a good first scene impression is always welcome in the world of movie magic. So I’m taking some time out to pay a little tribute to some of MY favorite first scenes that have long lingered with me even after the flick finished unspooling. Take heed – these may not be the best film openings of all time (hence no Jaws, The Dark Knight, or 2001: A Space Odyssey here!), but these are the ones that personally made me excited both then and now. So run hot, choose life, drive fast, feel melancholy, check the calendar, get arrested, prepare for 100% Alabama ass-kicking, get into a knockdown brawl, grab some hot jewels, and gain some serious deep reflection – here are my own…TOP TEN MEMORABLE MOVIE OPENINGS!
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Monster Hunter quietly appeared in homes just before the new year. With the pandemic seemingly never ending, viewers got a little escape into a not-so-distant future with a fun and escapist fantasy action film. Does the film stand up to others in its field. Do Paul W.S. Anderson and his wife and muse Milla Jovavich deliver the goods? Or are we just watching “Resident Evil: Monsters too!” Find out more in our super late coverage below and grab your copy using the paid link at the end!
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.
