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Some Kind Of Wonderful (Blu-ray Review)

Through a 5-film Blu-ray collection, Paramount is filling in some gaps in the John Hughes filmography on the format. One of those is the 1987 film Some Kind of Wonderful. Deemed as a response to Pretty In Pink, the film has not made the jump from DVD since it debuted in 2002 (And had a Special Edition in 2006). Conveniently enough, in this same set it is packaged with the Paramount Presents edition of Pretty In Pink that came out last year (A debut on Blu-ray itself). Luckily, thanks to that, they have a new bonus feature of Howard Deutch talking about the film. You can own the film as part of the John Hughes 5-Movie Collection (Which also has Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and She’s Having A Baby) when it arrives February 23rd. Its available for pre-order using the paid Amazon Associate’s link following the review. Continue reading ‘Some Kind Of Wonderful (Blu-ray Review)’

Catch Big Fish on 4K UHD Blu-ray, May 2021!

Arriving on 4K UHD Blu-ray May 4th, 2021: Throughout his life, Edward Bloom (Ewan McGregor) has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales. In his later years, portrayed by five-time Best Actor Oscar® nominee Albert Finney (Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Erin Brockovich, 2000), he remains a huge mystery to his son, William (Billy Crudup). Now, to get to know the real man, Will begins piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of his amazing adventures in this marvel of a movie.

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‘HAHA’ is No Joke

A six-part mini-series from Image Comics that began in mid-January, HAHA focuses each separate issue on one clown’s story. The approach is not conducted in the vain of something like the Joker or killer clowns, rather, HAHA brings forth what are very grounded, real world tales but still fiction. As the series is currently two issues into its run, readers have become aware that while each issue can stand on its own, they are also connected, leaving some wonderment as to how this will all end once the sixth and final issue gets released.

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Archenemy (Blu-ray Review)

Archenemy Blu-rayMax Fist (Joe Manganiello) is a local drunk who claims to be a superhero from the planet Chromium. He tells anyone who will listen that he was pulled into a wormhole, falling through time and space, and dropped to earth without any of his powers. No one pays any attention to Max except a teenager named Hamster (Skylan Brooks) who can’t get enough of Max’s stories. When Hamster and his sister (Zolee Griggs) get in trouble with a vicious drug syndicate led by The Manager (Glenn Howerton), Max takes to the streets as a brutal vigilante hellbent on proving himself as the hero no one believes him to be. Archenemy is out on Blu-ray February 16, 2021! Continue reading ‘Archenemy (Blu-ray Review)’

Random Acts of Violence (Blu-ray Review)

Random Acts Violence Blu-rayRandom Acts of Violence on Blu-ray is set to arrive this week, so how was it? Read the summary: “Comic book creator Todd Walkley, his wife, assistant and best friend, are heading to NYC Comic Con when bad things start to happen—people start getting killed. It soon becomes clear that a crazed fan is using his “SLASHERMAN” comic as inspiration for the killings. And as the bodies pile up, and Todd’s friends become victims themselves, he is forced to face the killer and put an end to his notorious comic once and for all.” Random Acts of Violence is released on Blu-ray February 16, 2021! Continue reading ‘Random Acts of Violence (Blu-ray Review)’

Lovecraft Country: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray Review)

In the midst of everything going on in 2020, HBO dropped Lovecraft Country during the summer, and it was a wild trip of a series. Not being aware of Matt Ruff’s 2016 novel at the time, the idea of seeing a story inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft and flipping them on their head by placing black protagonists at the center of all the action was wild. On top of that, producers Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams working with fellow producer and showrunner Misha Green, meant HBO was ready to a series that could have what was needed to deliver on this ambitious series visually and without the restraint. Now the complete first season is available on Blu-ray, and it continues to look and sound great and features several extras to help round out this package.

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Fast Times, Shanghai, Nightmare Alley & More Coming to The Criterion Collection May 2021

This May, Hou Hsiao-Hsien will join the Criterion Collection with a new, director-approved restoration of his ravishing chamber drama Flowers of Shanghaia period reverie that confirmed his status as one of the world’s great filmmakers. Hailed as one of the best teen movies ever made, Amy Heckerling’s generation-defining classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High will appear in a new, restored 4K digital transfer. Tyrone Power stars in one of the most haunting and perverse film noirs of the 1940s, Nightmare Alleymaking its first appearance on Blu-ray. Dorothy Arzner explores addiction, nonmonogamy, and sexual liberation in her bracingly ahead-of-its time pre-Code triumph Merrily We Go to Hellstarring Fredric March and Sylvia Sidney. And Ahmed El Maanouni’s Trancesan enveloping portrait of the renowned Moroccan band Nass El Ghiwane, will appear in stand-alone Blu-ray and DVD editions.

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EVENT HORIZON – Collector’s Edition Arrives On Blu-ray March 23rd!

“Where we’re going, we won’t need eyes to see.” This spring, bring home the terror that is Paul W.S. Anderson’s blood-soaked sci-fi thriller Event Horizon with the new Collector’s Edition Blu-ray from Scream Factory. Available March 23, 2021, this collector’s edition of the cult classic boasts a new 4k scan of the original camera negative as well as a bevy of brand-new bonus features, including an interview with director Paul W.S. Anderson, an interview with writer Philip Eisner, interviews with actress Kathleen Quinlan, actor Jack Noseworthy and actor Peter Marinker, an interview with production designer Joseph Bennett and much, much more! Fans can pre-order their copy now by visiting ShoutFactory.com.
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Black Radiant Glimmers in Debut

Image released their newest super hero title today, Black Radiant, and it’s already garnering plenty of five-star reviews, not to mention it is simply one of the most attractive comic book covers I have come across in recent memory. Appearances aside, the book itself does a great job for setting the stage of our main character while being cautious not to overflow the premier issue with too many additional characters. It also closes things out on the final page with a wide open sandbox for the writer and artist to play in. So what’s the book about, you may ask? Well don’t look at me. Comixology describes it as…

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4K UHD Is Good, But It Can Be Better With WONDER WOMAN 1984 March 30th!

It’s time for a hero when “Wonder Woman 1984” arrives on Premium Video on Demand (PVOD), 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. The film is directed by Patty Jenkins and stars Gal Gadot (“Wonder Woman”) in the title role. “Wonder Woman 1984” also stars Chris Pine (“Wonder Woman,” the “Star Trek” films) as Steve Trevor, Kristen Wiig (“Bridesmaids,” “The Martian”) as Barbara Minerva, Pedro Pascal (TV’s “Game of Thrones,” “The Mandalorian”) as Maxwell Lord, Robin Wright (TV’s “House of Cards,” “Blade Runner 2049”) as Antiope and Connie Nielsen (“Wonder Woman,” TV’s “I Am the Night”) as Hippolyta.

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Chop Shop – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)

For February, the Criterion Collection has decided to honor filmmaker Ramin Bahrani by releasing his first two features on brand-new Blu-rays. Bahrani’s second feature, 2007’s Chop Shop, expands on what he was able to accomplish with Man Push Cart. Already settled into a filmmaking style reminiscent of Italian Neorealism, Bahrani’s sophomore effort tells another deeply felt story about human struggle, focusing on even younger characters and the ongoing struggles they have in trying to stay ahead of their station in life. Thanks to Criterion, the highly praised film now has a new life on a home format to be rediscovered as one of the great indie gems of the 00s, complete with new extras and a remastered audio track.

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JUSTICE SOCIETY: WORLD WAR II Lands On 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray May 11th!

The Flash speeds into the middle of an epic battle between Golden Age DC Super Heroes and Nazis in Justice Society: World War II, the next entry in the popular series of the DC Universe Movies. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the feature-length animated film will be released on Digital starting April 27, 2021, and on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Blu-ray on May 11, 2021. The film is rated PG-13 for violence and some bloody images. Justice Society: World War II will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Blu-ray as well as on Digital. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in 4K with HDR, a Blu-ray disc featuring the film in hi-definition, and a digital version of the movie. The Blu-ray features a Blu-ray disc with the film in hi-definition and a digital version of the movie. Continue reading ‘JUSTICE SOCIETY: WORLD WAR II Lands On 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray May 11th!’

Elysium (4K Blu-ray Review)

Neill Blomkamp really struck a chord with District 9. It was an interesting, funny and thought provoking take on current world and equality issues.  Sometimes, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, the film evoked some savage reality even in a Sci-fi realm.  Elysium followed in 2013.  Not carrying over the humor, the District 9formula is once again used, but differently. Did Blomkamp bite off more than he could chew? Was branching off from Peter Jackson a help or a hindrance.  I weigh in below on what could be yet another reference disc from Sony. Click the link at the end to order your copy, and if you feel so inclined, let me know what you think of the film!

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Man Push Cart – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)

For February, the Criterion Collection has decided to honor filmmaker Ramin Bahrani by releasing his first two features on brand-new Blu-rays. In this post, Bahrani’s first feature, Man Push Cart, tells a simple story serving as an update of the “Myth of Sisyphus.” With that in mind, Bahrani was praised early on for his style fitting into the realm of Italian Neorealism, given the minimalist nature of the filmmaking, combined with a focus on the conditions of a lesser everyday life, utilizing mostly non-professional actors. Now, looking at this film, having seen Bahrani’s work since, it remains a fascinating effort from a filmmaker harnessing his talents.

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Pump Up The Volume (Blu-ray Review)

Warner Archive Collection’s February lineup dug into a lot of very early classic Hollywood stuff, but one title stood out from the pack. 1990’s Pump Up The Volume was the most “recent” film from this month’s catalog to make its debut on Blu-ray. The Christian Slater pirate radio teen drama is a cult favorite and seems a little past due for release. Unfortunately, it doesn’t carry more than a trailer in terms of bonus materials, but having the film look and sound great finally, 22 years after it came out on DVD, is a fair compromise to have and keep from begging. Sure, it had a reissue on DVD a couple years ago, but this thing came out in 1999. Yes, it had a snap case. This arrives on Blu-ray February 23rd. And you can pre-order your copies now. You may use the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review if you so choose.

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Freaky – Killer Switch Edition (Blu-ray Review)

It surely sucks not being able to get to see movies I’m very excited about in the theater. Freaky is one of those films. Yes, it did have a theatrical release, but I’m not heading back to the theater anytime soon. Luckily this was a Blumhouse film and theatrically did well considering its budget. It likely did terrific on its VOD premiere, which is how I saw it back in December.  Now, its arriving for even more consumption on Blu-ray, where I’m sure its going to be getting plenty of spins in this house. It has nice swath of short featurettes and a commentary from director Christopher Landon included as well as a digital code and the standard DVD version. The film arrives on Blu-ray February 9th. That gives you plenty of time to still pre-order it. You can do so by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.

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Sundance Film Festival 2021 – Fourteen Encapsulated Movie Reviews

The 2021 Sundance Film Festival has officially closed its virtual curtains and it was an interesting one to say the least.  On the positive side one could not only check out various film fare from home but also skip past the way too revealing programmer intro so going into the movie cold was a blissful reality.  Downside is even though it was impossible to see everything (wasn’t able to see Coda and I missed the screening time for Knocking!) what I did see was a mixed bag.  While there were a couple of serious standouts, there were also some dismal outings that warranted a zero dog rating from yours truly.  It’s a strange thing to see such subpar stuff coming out of the iconic Sundance and maybe marks a need for a shift in those who program the fest.  (Weird doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better people!)  In any case taking on the good, so-so and very ugly I was able to check out a whopping fourteen titles over a week and the opinions are now live.  Docs about getting to the truth, tales of female empowerment, love during quarantine, the effects of trauma and so much more – check out our Sundance Film Festival 2021 Encapsulated Movie Reviews below!

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Do The Right Thing (4K Blu-ray Review)

Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing came out at just the right time.  Released in 1989 with a new wave of social commentary on the injustices of racism in America, the groundbreaking classic breathed new life into an old, ever relevant topic.  Now, 32 years later, the film still feels as fresh and timely in 2021 and is making its 4K Blu-ray review too! Find out my thoughts on this brilliant film below, and be sure to click the paid link at the end to get your copy!

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