Into the Blu

Francis Ford Coppola returns to filmmaking after a 10 year hiatus of winemaking. While I admit I do enjoy his wines, it is nice to see the man returning to his other, well, hobby at this point.  For his return, he has chosen to tell a tale based on a Romanian novel and via his own financing at a lower-budget. The end product is a quiet, dramatic look at man’s life and how he may relive it if given the chance. Part WWII period-piece, part superhuman sci-fi (yes, you read that correctly) the film doesn’t quite live up to Coppola’s masterpieces but is still a decent addition to his cannon of films. Continue Reading

Cuba? What the hell…?

What’s next Norbit 2? Please noooooo!!!!

I don’t get it, why does this movie exist? What’s the thought process? Let’s take an already mediocre movie (Daddy Day Care) and make a less inspired, poorly conceived sequel. I miss the days when only good movies got less inspired, poorly conceived sequels.
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When Space Ace showed up on my doorstep, I kicked me heels in a fit of joy. OK, maybe I’m not athletic enough to actually do that anymore, but you get the point. I had seen the previous Dragon’s Lair Blu-ray/HD DVD release and was very curious about the quality, but never took the plunge myself. This was probably due to all of the mediocre PC and console releases I’ve seen and played over the years which had left *mostly* a bad taste in my gaming mouth. But I had high hopes for Space Ace and I am more than pleased with the results.
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Do you enjoy a little Beethoven with your ultraviolence? Stanley Kubrick’s controversial A Clockwork Orange has arrived on Blu-ray Hi-Def (as the TV adds now like to call our BD format). Often imitated, sometimes misunderstood, A Clockwork Orange is a classic no matter your opinion of the film. Personally, this isn’t my favorite Kubrick film (that would have to be 2001), but it’s essential viewing nevertheless. Whether you choose to view it on this Blu-ray might be another?story….

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Let’s say we take one of the greatest (if not the greatest) female novelists of all time, and reduce her life into a romantic fluff piece aimed squarely at fans of modern chick-lit? We’d get something close to Becoming Jane. That may be a bit harsh for this light-hearted tale of a young Jane Austin. I wasn’t completely underwhelmed by the film, more like just *whelmed*.? Fortunately, this Blu-ray Disc is a nice surprise otherwise with superior video transfer and a nice audio track to boot. So, all is not lost, you husbands of women who force such films upon you.
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This could be either one of the greatest home cinema experiences of your lifetime, or you may be bored to tears. Thus is the dilemma of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Either way, go buy this Blu-ray, that way you can at least feign serious film collector.

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WHAT TIME IS IT? Well, actually it’s about 2:30pm EST during a snowstorm where I’m sitting, but had I asked the same question to either of my kids, or likely any preteen of the female gender, I may have been answered with: SUMMERTIME! followed by the rest of the theme from High School Musical 2, which has already been so ingrained into their very being, they have no choice but to break into song on cue. Yep, that even includes my 3 year old. You might think I’m a sad excuse for a parent, but maybe I’m just looking for ANY possible alternative to grown men singing about fruit salad. So yeah, we’re cool with HSM at my house, and it’s only easier to justify on Blu-ray.
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I remember feeling quite enthusiastic when I heard about a big screen adaptation of one of my favorite childhood cartoons was coming. I also remember the bile raise in my gut when I actually saw the trailer for Underdog. How could I not assume the worst when my quirky, retro hero had been turned into another attempt at live-action, talking animal film? Admittedly, I wanted nothing to do with this remake, but when I sat down with my family to watch Underdog for this review, a funny thing happened. Not only did I find myself enjoying this fresh new take, catching many references to the original series, but my children actually sat still.
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Merry Christmas from intotheblu! Let me bring you a little holiday cheer with a new Blu-ray review today. I’ll have to admit that I had never actually watched the previous two Santa Clause films, so before I ventured into new territory, I took the time to watch the first two because I am just that dedicated to you, the reader (or maybe my family forced me to sit through them as they played relentlessly on cable). Either way, I’m prepared to bring you the latest (and hopefully last) entry into this tired series. Continue Reading

Though comic scribe Alan Moore may want little to nothing to do with this film adaptation of his graphic novel of the same name, From Hell manages to be an entertaining, pulpy, if not a little overblown thriller. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when Johnny Depp plays the lead and directors the Hughes Brothers work hard to break from the norm of their previous efforts (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents). Having only viewed this movie upon its original DVD release, and feeling mixed about the results, I found myself enjoying From Hell more than I expected or remembered. Maybe the great transfer on the Blu-ray Disc had something to do with it. Continue Reading

As a kid, I always hoped for more attention for my favorite superheroes. Yeah, we had the MEGO action figures, Underoos, and a few cartoons and made for TV movies of questionable quality, but that’s not close to what is available to fans today. With new toys, clothes, and big-budget movies hitting us rapidly, depending on one’s perspective, it is either a very good time to be a comic book fan, or a very bad time. What I mean to say is that with more mainstream attention being paid to our heroes, our expectations are not always met. Continue Reading

Apparently, Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Envall (Blue Collar Comedy Tour) made a movie. Who knew? No offense to their fans, but I’ve never quite appreciated their “comedy” so I wasn’t exactly looking forward to viewing this release. Before I’m called a biased yank, let me say I grew up in southern Tennessee and my family lives in Georgia. Also another bit of education: a “hillbilly” was originally a term used to describe a group of farmers who settled in lower Michigan. Guess where I spent my high-school years? So I think I’m quite qualified to make a judgement on this movie. So there you go. And guess what, this movie ain’t half bad neither. Continue Reading