Why So Blu?

TOP 10: Brian White’s Most Obsessed Over Blu-rays of 2014

Unlike recent years, I really didn’t acquire as many Blu-ray titles in 2014 as I typically do in a 12-month calendar.  Sure there are Blu-ray titles that I reviewed and held onto, but the others made their way into my collection when they were either priced exceptionally well (mostly horror sets I never grabbed before) or “Day 1” titles that I just couldn’t live without (X-Men: Days of Future Past and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For instantly come to mind).  However, for this TOP 10 list, I’m gonna make things super simple with the following three criteria.  The below mentioned Blu-ray titles, whether they be films or television series, were all released in the calendar year of 2014 and are all in my personal collection, but for one reason or another whether it be replay value, presentation, packaging or whatnot, they are my favorite Blu-rays of 2014.  Let’s get started!

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10) The Big Bang Theory The Complete Seventh Season 7

I know I’m in the minority here at Why So Blu when it comes to loving the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory.  However, I just can’t help it.  I understand that the show may not be the most accurate in its representation and portrayal of the geek community, but make no mistake about it, The Big Bang Theory makes me laugh and that’s all that matters to me.  The characters on the show are all rich, bold and outright hilarious and with the exception of Penny’s hair in Season 8, I wouldn’t change a damn thing about the series.  Couple that with an outstanding looking Blu-ray presentation and a healthy amount of extras the fans of the show will devour, and you have condiments on the table as necessary as ketchup and mustard.  I make that comparison solely because Kori and I watch the included UltraViolet episodes of this show every night during dinner.  Thank you Warner Bros.

Blu-ray review HERE

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9) The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition 3D 

While I certainly do not fancy or consider myself one of the biggest Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit fans around, that doesn’t mean that I don’t know a good thing when I see one.  Yes!  I’m talking about you damn Extended Editions!  Does The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug need to be any longer than its original theatrical runtime?  I certainly don’t think so, but since it is I’m here to personally report on the fact that this is the definitive edition to own with over…count them with me here..10 hours of bonus features.  When you have this Blu-ray title in your household, how can you ever say you have nothing to do or are bored in life?  The movie may have its lulls at time, but there’s no deny how damn interesting these wealth of extras are (the wannabe filmmaker in me eats them up), and the extended/extra scenes aren’t too shabby either.

Blu-ray review HERE

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8) Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season 

When it comes to television series on Blu-ray there’s no one that does them better in my opinion than HBO does.  Let’s take Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season as an example, that coincidentally resides on my TOP 10 Blu-ray list here.  You are getting one of the most amazing shows on television today in respect to breadth of storytelling, production value, cinematography and acting.  Let’s also not forget the 9th episode of this season that’s perhaps one of the most shocking episodes ever to air on television.  This Blu-ray box set contains 5 Dual-Layer 50GB Blu-ray discs that houses hours upon hours of bonus material not to mention the complete ten episode season in pristine 1080p picture and HD sound PLUS the complete 3rd Season on 2 DVD discs PLUS a redemption code for HD Digital Copies in both the iTunes format and UltraViolet PLUS it’s all housed in of the most incredible packages too filled with very nice looking self portraits of the main characters.  Shall I say more?

Blu-ray review HERE

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7) TIE – Marvel Phase 2 Titles:

Captain America: The Winter Soldier/Guardians of the Galaxy

Lately I’m a sucker for these films.  Just slap the Marvel logo on the film and I’ll watch it no matter what, case being Big Hero 6.  Now I know Thor: The Dark World came out on Blu-ray earlier this year too, but I get nowhere near the replay value as I do with these two Marvel flicks, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy.  The simple fact that I like the former so much is ironic for me because I disliked the first Captain America flick.  Maybe it has something to do with Black Widow or the man crush I have on Frank Grillo, I dunno.  But I do know this!  It’s my second most watched Blu-ray this year right behind a title we’ll get to very soon in this TOP 10 list.  As far as the Guardians of the Galaxy goes, I knew it would be a hit so no explanation is necessary there.  James Gunn delivered on an action-packed space opera that brings the Marvel Universe as close as it possibly can come to my love of all things Star Wars.  While both these Blu-ray packages boast exceptional audio/video presentations, sadly they offer very little in the way of extras.  But we buy them for the movies, right?  I do!  And I also recommend picking these up as 3D sets as you get the Digital Copy of the film you can take anywhere with you.  Don’t tell me you never get in the mood when you’re away from home to catch a little Winter Soldier or Guardians.  If you’re telling me no, I can see right through your lies.  The new iPhone 6 Plus sports a 1080p screen yo!  You have no excuses now!

Blu-ray reviews HERE and HERE

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6) The LEGO Movie: Everything is Awesome Edition

You didn’t think the title of this Blu-ray set was just a clever marketing gimmick, did you?  It could very well be, but I’m here to set the record straight.  EVERYTHING REALLY IS AWESOME with this one from the brilliantly crafted story and reference audio/visual presentation all the way down to the extras you’ll grab coupled with the pride you will harness and possess from simply just owning this Blu-ray gem.  You cannot refute the facts. It belongs in your Blu-ray collection.  The LEGO Movie is a crowd pleasing good time for both young and old audiences alike and magic like this just doesn’t transpire all the time.  And believe me, going into 2014 never in a million years did I ever think I’d have this title in one of my TOP 10 lists.  It’s just a “bricking” good time to be had!  That is all.

Blu-ray review HERE

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5) Under the Skin 

I dub this my “Prometheus” film of 2014.  You see, back in 2012 there was this little science-fiction film called Prometheus.  I liked what I saw the first time out, but the big problem was that I did not love it like I wanted to.  Well that all changed once it was released on Blu-ray and I found myself owning two different versions of the film on the format simply to watch the 3-hour documentary, which was only housed on the Blu-ray 3D version, but I digress.  While I did not catch Under the Skin theatrically that did not stop me from eating this one up and whether it’s due in large part to Scarlett Johansson being naked throughout or not this Blu-ray title went on to become my most watched film of the year on our blessed HD format of choice.   In my belief, as you can read in the Blu-ray review itself, it was the informative extras that ultimately made me succumb to the beauty of this one, not my initial viewing.  I may not have understood or knew what I was watching the first time around, but the supplemental features on the Blu-ray disc did a great job at filling in all the gaps and arming me with much needed knowledge.  Now if I could just figure out who that guy on the motorcycle really was, life would almost be complete.

Blu-ray review HERE

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4) Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

When a sequel gets compared to that of Star Wars: the Empire Strikes Back in the same sentence, you know you have a winner on your hands, right?  Well that sentimentality is exactly how a lot of reviewers have described Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and who am I to argue with their logic?  I absolutely love this film!  With approximately two hours of special features, this Blu-ray is practically guaranteed to make a perfect holiday gift for any action film junkie.  It’s jam-packed with behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes, including interviews with Andy Serkis on how he masterfully created Caesar, an audio commentary featuring Matt Reeves and much more.  So now answer me this.  How can you go wrong here?  Exactly!  You cannot!  And oh yeah, the picture and audio presentation are pretty outstanding on this puppy too.  Merry Christmas from Fox, indeed!

Blu-ray review HERE

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3) True Detective

This is hard one to write about because HBO broke some serious ground when they aired these eight episodes of I guess what can be best described as an anthology series.  True Detective is a slow building dual-character study from the moment you turn it on until the final seconds as we follow the trials and tribulations of two detectives (portrayed by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson) assigned to a grisly and cultish murder case in the Louisiana bayou country, which takes place over a lengthy period of time.  What you’ll find under this Blu-ray set’s surface, should you decide to scratch it, is so much more complex and intricately woven that it presents a great case for being called some of television’s finest hours.  In typical HBO fashion they deliver A+ scores across the board with this Blu-ray set right down to its robust packaging.  Want to appreciate intricately, beautifully crafted storytelling?  Look no further than this Blu-ray set!  I have watched this three times now!

Blu-ray review HERE

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2) Halloween: The Complete Collection 

I’m not stupid.  I know there is a much superior set released this year dubbed Halloween: The Complete Collection Limited Deluxe Edition.  However, we did not get that set to review, we got this one.  Halloween: The Complete Collection may have all the movies, but it’s missing two essentials which Brandon Peters discusses in his Blu-ray review of this set, the Bonus Disc (reviewed HERE) and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers – The Producer’s Cut (reviewed HERE).  As for the latter of those “essentials,” I say thank God this cheaper set here is missing The Producers Cut.  I thought it was atrocious, but that’s only my opinion, Brandon.  Don’t have a coronary on me.  Under our Founding Fathers I’m entitled to purge once a year and I also have freedom of speech on my side.  As a huge fan of Michael Myers, and most of the films in the franchise, this one fit my price point for owning all of these movies on Blu-ray and with that being said I’m ecstatic to have Michael finally home where he belongs, no not in Haddonfield, but on the Blu-ray format.  Welcome home!

Blu-ray review HERE

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1) Gravity

I don’t know about you, but what an experience seeing Gravity in IMAX 3D was for me.  It was absolutely incredible!  I felt every bump and bruise Sandra Bullock’s character encountered while thrashing around at times in the should be serenity of outer space.  Just like the million of stars in the night sky, I think I can give you a million and one reasons why  Gravity is a MUST-OWN on the Blu-ray format.  However, on the odd chance you would forget them all let me highlight 5 MAIN reasons why you HAVE to own this on Blu-ray: 1. The Story, 2. Reference Video, 3. Demo Audio, 4. Hours of Incredible Extras and 5. Because I said so!  How’s that for selling you on this one?  There’s a reason why James Cameron says “I think it’s the best space photography ever done, I think it’s the best space film ever done.”  It’s Alfonso Cuaron’s 7-year opus and in my opinion it’s worth its 7-year wait in beauty and breathtaking awe on the Blu-ray format.

Blu-ray review HERE

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So if you liked anything you’ve seen up above, and curiosity has gotten the best of you, then I encourage y’all to click on however many of the links below you feel is necessary and feed your personal Blu-ray collection today.  Your support is very much appreciated and helps us keep this site running smooth and effectively.

To all my staff and readers across the globe here, thank you all for another blessed year full of some of the best Blu-ray review coverage available on the World Wide Web.  In fact, we dare you to take the Blu-ray challenge and compare some of the above Blu-ray reviews against our competitors.  I’m pretty sure you’ll come around to my way of thinking, but nevertheless, Happy Holidays!

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