Archive Page 89
October 15th, 2020 by Brandon Peters
Turning five years old this year, Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash has received a home video upgrade by moving to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. The film was an Oscar darling, garnering five nominations in big categories. It landed J.K. Simmons a Best Supporting Actor win, which was basically his to lose the entire awards season. One of the most fun bits of trivia is that Whiplash is also a Blumhouse film. You could argue that J.K. Simmons IS quite scary in it if you wanted to. Sony will be giving this a 4K make-over and a new Dolby Atmos track for this release. Extras are the same as its the previous Blu-ray disc that’s included. The film will also come with a digital copy code. Sony released it on September 22nd, so its available to order now. You can use the paid Amazon Associates link at the bottom of this review to do so, if you’d like.
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Continue reading ‘Whiplash (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
October 15th, 2020 by Brian White
District 9 has been called a lot of things over the years. It has been said that the movie will blow your mind and that it is a must see movie. Harry Knowles of Aint It Cool News once went on record as saying he was mind f*#ked by the movie. Heck, when last checked today, the film still holds a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. I remember my first viewing with it. I didn’t really care for it. However, I fell in love with it after only a second watch. It is gut wrenching to watch though. I’m a sucker for feeling terrible the way the aliens within are treated. So I am going to spend the next several paragraphs giving you a quick history lesson about District 9 and convincingly try to explain why your mileage may vary with this one. It’s not for everyone.
Continue reading ‘District 9 (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
October 15th, 2020 by Gerard Iribe
RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, along with Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, will release the horror film MONSTRUM on November 17, 2020 on VOD, Digital HD, DVD and Blu-ray. MONSTRUM stars Hyeri Lee (“Hyde, Jekyll, Me”), In-kwon Kim (C’est Si Bon), Myung-Min Kim (Closer to Heaven) and Woo-sik Choi (Parasite). The film was directed by Jong-ho Huh (Countdown, The Advocate: A Missing Body), who co-wrote the film with Heo-dam. RLJE Films will release MONSTRUM on DVD for an SRP of $27.97 and Blu-ray for an SRP of $28.96.
Continue reading ‘‘Monstrum’ on Blu-ray November 17, 2020!’
October 15th, 2020 by Aaron Neuwirth
In January, the Criterion Collection presents a mischievous chronicle of a rock icon’s most extravagant tour from one of our greatest filmmakers—Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese makes its home-video debut in an edition featuring never-before-seen concert footage, a new interview with Scorsese, and more. Also appearing for the first time on home video is Bing Liu’s award-winning documentary Minding the Gap, an extraordinary, heartrending story that tracks the coming-of-age of two friends in the skateboarding community of Rockford, Illinois. Larisa Shepitko’s Soviet masterpiece The Ascent, a harrowing Christian allegory set in wartime Belarus, will make its Blu-ray debut in a new 4K restoration. And that’s not all: A new Blu-ray box set gathers the three final films by Luis Buñuel in a feast of non-sequitur surrealism and cutting satire: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, The Phantom of Liberty, and That Obscure Object of Desire.
Continue reading ‘Scorsese, Buñuel, Minding The Gap & More Coming to The Criterion Collection January 2021’
October 15th, 2020 by Gerard Iribe
“In the summer of 1953, it was announced that an atomic bomb of foreign origin had been exploded somewhere outside of the United States… This is the story of that explosion. ” Starting with a nuclear explosion and only escalating from there, Hell and High Water is a white-knuckle Cold War thriller that would have a huge influence on the future of blockbuster cinema (Steven Spielberg was so enamoured with the film that he kept a print in his car for many years). When military intelligence suggests a secret atomic base is being covertly set-up on an island near Japan, former US Navy commander Adam Jones (Richard Widmark) is sent on a covert mission to prevent a nuclear attack that could trigger World War 3. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Samuel Fuller’s Hell and High Water on Blu-ray from a stunning 4K restoration. Hell and High Water is released on Blu-ray December 7, 2020! Continue reading ‘‘Hell and High Water’ on Blu-ray December 7, 2020!’
October 14th, 2020 by Brandon Peters
Adaptation was a big deal in 2002, following the well lauded Being John Malkovich. The Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman combination went to bat again. Though it wasn’t nominated for Best Picture or Director, it had a good presence in major categories with Best Adapted Screenplay (Charlie Kaufman), Best Actor (Nicolas Cage) and Best Supporting Actress (Meryl Streep) nominations. Chris Cooper took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for this movie. Shout Select is adding the film to their line. No, its not getting a collector’s edition or even a new transfer. They are, however, bringing back some old features that didn’t make the original Blu-ray (From the DVD) and adding an image gallery for the film. You can pre-order this edition by using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review. Shout! Factory has Adaptation slated for release on October 27th.
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Continue reading ‘Adaptation – Shout Select (Blu-ray Review)’
October 14th, 2020 by Brandon Peters
There’s a clear focus currently over at Warner Bros and Warner Archive Collection in restoring the old works of the Hanna Barbara animation that became a lengthy pop culture phenomenon starting in the 1960s. One of their greatest achievements was The Flintstones. Sure, we all know the theme, the characters, tag lines and more. But, think about what impact they’ve had in the fact that we still have Fruity Pebbles as common everyday breakfast cereal and who hasn’t preferred to have Flintstones vitamins when they were a little tyke? No, they don’t have the dominance they once had, but people have never forgotten The Flintstones and they still pass on from generation to generation. Warner Bros is bringing out every episode of the original series that introduced us to them (There were many spin offs as well) onto a beautifully restored Blu-ray release that also includes 2 movies as well (NO, not the live action ones we want to forget). You’ll be able to own it all starting October 27th! Continue reading ‘The Flintstones: The Complete Series (Blu-ray Review)’
October 14th, 2020 by Gerard Iribe
“What about Japan? ” asked Zanuck. “Would you like to shoot a picture there? ” “Holy mackerel, Darryl, now you re talking! ” When offered the opportunity to film an entire movie in Japan, (Fox would be the first major American studio to do so) Samuel Fuller jumped at the opportunity and the result is House of Bamboo, a lushly photographed, cold-as-ice film-noir like no other. Japan, 1954. A military train is robbed of its cargo by a ruthless gang of professionals led by the sadistic, but brilliant, Sandy Dawson (the incomparable Robert Ryan). Weeks later, one of the thieves lies dying in a Tokyo hospital, shot by his own accomplices. Recently released convict Eddie Spanier (Robert Stack) arrives in Tokyo, and joins up with the gang, impressing Sandy so much he quickly becomes his “ichiban” (number one man), greatly displeasing the former favorite, Griff (Cameron Mitchell). But is Eddie all he seems? Also starring the beautiful Shirley Yamaguchi, House of Bamboo is a stunning, brutal masterpiece, featuring incredible widescreen photography by Joe MacDonald, and hard-boiled dialogue and action that is the Fuller trademark. House of Bamboo full is presented in full 1080p on Blu-ray from Fox’s 2K restoration House of Bamboo is released on Blu-ray December 7, 2020! Continue reading ‘‘House of Bamboo’ on Blu-ray December 7, 2020!’
October 14th, 2020 by Gerard Iribe
Featuring a staggering central performance from the young Petr Kotlár alongside a star-studded international ensemble including Udo Kier, Stellan Skarsgård, Harvey Keitel, Julian Sands and Barry Pepper. The Painted Bird has won ecstatic acclaim, with The Guardian’s Xan Brooks describing the film as “a monumental piece of work” rewarding the film with a five-star review. The film follows the journey of a boy, entrusted by his Jewish parents to an elderly foster mother in an effort to escape persecution. Following a tragedy, the boy is on his own. Wandering through the desecrated countryside, the boy encounters villagers and soldiers whose own lives have been brutally altered, and who are intent on revisiting this brutality on the boy. When the war ends, the boy has been changed, forever. Shot in crisp black and white 35mm – Václav Marhoul’s The Painted Bird does far more than simply depict the horror of war. It is an unflinching examination of the very worst of humanity. The Painted Bird is released on Blu-ray in the UK November 16, 2020! Continue reading ‘‘The Painted Bird’ on Blu-ray November 16, 2020!’
October 14th, 2020 by Gerard Iribe
RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, will release the sci-fi/thriller 2067 on November 17, 2020 on DVD and Blu-ray. 2067 stars Kodi Smit-McPhee (X-Men Apocalypse, Let Me In) and Ryan Kwanten (“True Blood,” “Sacred Lies”) and is written and directed by Seth Larney (Tombiruo) RLJE Films will release 2067 on DVD for an SRP of $29.96 and Blu-ray for an SRP of $29.97. By the year 2067, Earth has been ravaged by climate change and humanity is forced to live on artificial oxygen. A mysterious illness is slowly killing the worlds’ population and the only hope for a cure comes in the form of a message from the future: Send Ethan Whyte. Suddenly Ethan, an underground tunnel worker, is sent to the future where he must face imminent and unknown dangers as well as the possibility of never returning home. 2067 is released on Blu-ray & DVD November 17, 2020! Continue reading ‘‘2067’ on Blu-ray & DVD November 17, 2020!’
October 14th, 2020 by Brandon Peters
About one year ago we were getting to revisit the world of Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad in the more present tense or “post-Breaking Bad” once more with El Camino. We’ve currently been living in the pre-Breaking Bad world with the phenomenal Better Call Saul the last five years or so, but now its time to check up on where things were left off. El Camino was a Netflix exclusive film, but as per usual, one year later, you can own it on physical media to go with your Breaking Bad Blu-ray collection. Sony is putting the film out first in a Steelbook Edition. There are plenty of bonus features to go with this beautiful looking package as well, including two commentaries. This was released on October 13th, so its currently available now. Sure, you could always stop in on and watch it on Netflix, but will you always be able to stop in and watch it on Netflix? Make sure that’s not a worry and order yourself a copy from the paid Amazon Associates link at the bottom that follows the review. Continue reading ‘El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie – Steelbook Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
October 14th, 2020 by Brandon Peters
William Shatner’s relationship with Star Trek has been pretty well chronicled and quite a journey for 54 years now. From his contentious relationship with fellow castmates, not understanding the deep Star Trek fan devotion to reconciling and figuring it out and embracing it in his life. He’s also made some films to reflect on his journey and the mentality and study of the series as a pop culture staple. Shout! Factory is putting together these film as a set. It includes The Captains in its film form and extended episodic one. Shatner’s tale of Star Trek: The Next Generation getting off the ground in Chaos On The Bridge. Finally, his tribute to the fandom of the series, his own version of Trekkies, called Get A Life! These will all feature some bonus material and be coming out on October 20th. This is a very nice little set for any Trek fan to have as a bonus to all the episodes and films they likely already have in their collection and the second such Trek documentary item Shout! Factory has put out in the past year.
Continue reading ‘The Captains Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
October 13th, 2020 by Gerard Iribe
Death, dementia, dark arts… it’s just another day in the forbidding and fascinating world of the Inner Sanctum! Get ready for unlimited thrills and chills as all six classic Inner Sanctum Mysteries come to Blu-ray in the UK for the first time ever! Based on the popular radio shows of the 1940’s, horror icon Lon Chaney, Jr. (The Wolf Man), gives timeless performances in six spooky feature-length films. Inner Sanctum Mysteries will be released in the UK on Blu-ray December 7, 2020! Continue reading ‘‘Inner Sanctum Mysteries’ on Blu-ray December 7, 2020!’
October 13th, 2020 by Gerard Iribe
On October 11, 1975, Saturday Night Live, a topical comedy sketch show, made its debut on NBC. Created by Canadian-born comedy writer Lorne Michaels, it would go on to become a renowned launch pad for generational talent and unforgettable characters and become the longest-running, highest-rated show on late-night television. The first five years of Saturday Night Live featured some of the most beloved cast members of all time, including Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman and they set the stage for some of the most hilarious live television comedy American audiences had ever seen. Continue reading ‘Saturday Night Live: The Early Years on DVD Now!’
October 13th, 2020 by Brandon Peters
4K BLUsday reigns supreme again! Who has their Friday the 13th boxed set from Scream Factory already? Not me, I have mine coming from Amazon hopefully Thursday as scheduled. Announcements this week include the huge announcement of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies coming in time for the holidays on 4K. Oh annnnnd…I’m giving away a copy of the new Back To The Future trilogy (On standard Blu-ray…but hey, its a GIVEAWAY!) On the latest episode of 4K BLUsday on The Brandon Peters Show, I go over all of this and more. Listen to the podcast version then watch here or head over to YouTube to see the video companion where I showcase some of today’s new releases as well as new review arrivals for me and more. Remember to subscribe to whatever avenue you choose and not miss out on making this stuff fun to share! Continue reading ‘4K BLUsday for 10/13/2020! BACK TO THE FUTURE GIVEAWAY!’
October 13th, 2020 by Jason Coleman
Are you fright film fans ready for more blood and gore galore? We’re keeping our coverage going fast and furious of the amazing SCREAMFEST HORROR DRIVE IN FILM FESTIVAL 2020 (go to www.screamfestla.com for more details!) currently taking place October 6th – 15th right from the safety and comfort of your own car at the Regency Theatres – The Plant Drive In (7876 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys CA 91402) and there is a ton of scary and fun content to be witnessed. This time out we’re giving our critical skinny on a little bit of everything including three features, fourteen shorts and even ten student shorts that have all had their day of the dead at Screamfest this year. So light the pumpkin candles and grab your cinematic treat bags as we prepare for your consideration even…More Film Reviews!
Continue reading ‘Screamfest 2020 – More Film Reviews’
October 12th, 2020 by Gerard Iribe
Four years after South Korea s total decimation in TRAIN TO BUSAN, the zombie thriller that captivated audiences worldwide, acclaimed director Yeon Sang-ho brings us PENINSULA (on 4K UHD Blu-ray), the next nail-biting chapter in his post-apocalyptic world. Jung-seok, a soldier who previously escaped the diseased wasteland, relives the horror when assigned to a covert operation with two simple objectives: retrieve and survive. When his team unexpectedly stumbles upon survivors, their lives will depend on whether the best or worst of human nature prevails in the direst of circumstances. PENINSULA, available early on Digital October 27 in time for Halloween or on 4K UHD Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD November 24 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Continue reading ‘‘Peninsula’ on 4K UHD Blu-ray November 24, 2020!’
October 12th, 2020 by Brandon Peters
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced today that 1998’s Blade will be released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and Digital on December 1. Directed by Stephen Norrington (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) and written by David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight trilogy), the film stars Wesley Snipes and the half-vampire, half-human vampire hunter Blade, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, N’Bushe Wright, Donal Logue, Udo Kier, and Sanaa Lathan. Blade was produced by Peter Frankfurt, Wesley Snipes, and Robert Engelman, and is based on the Marvel “Blade” created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan. Ultra HD* showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before. Blade will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and includes an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature film in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc with the feature film and special features. Fans can also own Blade in 4K Ultra HD via purchase from select digital retailers beginning on December 1st. Continue reading ‘Daywalk Your Way To Owning BLADE On 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray December 1st!’
