Into the Blu

There was a time where spoofs were memorable and engaging films. Classics like Naked Gun, Hot Shots, and Scary Movie come to mind but nowadays the market is flooded with all too many of these films with all too little laughs. About every movie and genre gets its own spoof but this movie pretty much puts all its eggs in one basket, a very popular basket; the Twilight franchise. Vampires Suck is directed by the same guys who brought us Date Movie, Epic Movie, Meet the Spartans, and Disaster Movie. I’ll let you decide if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Continue Reading

Heist films are a dime a dozen or so it seems. However, every now and then a real good one comes along. The good ones, in addition to a fine cast and excellent performances, feature a tight and fasted paced script and a subplot, somewhat independent of the main plot, to keep you interested and involved in the fate of the characters. All this and more is found in the subject of this review, The Town. Continue Reading

You know when you are getting old when you saw a movie celebrating its 45th anniversary during its original theatrical run. Such is the case with The Sound of Music which is the first movie I can really recall seeing as a kid with my parents. I was wowed by the scope and color of the film as a kid but have been disappointed with all of the previous home video releases of this classic. Thankfully, the first Blu-ray release of this film can only be described as spectacular, both visually and sonically. All I can say is that it is about time! Continue Reading

As anyone who has been following this website or Blu-ray in general knows that 2010 has been quite a year for releases on Blu-ray. There have been several highly anticipated catalogue releases this year (Including the recently released Alien Anthology and Toy Story 3). One of the releases that has been at the top of many film fans’ wish list has been Back to the Future, which has undergone a restoration and new transfer for its debut release on Blu-ray. Was it worth the wait? Continue Reading

There is no question that Beauty and the Beast was an eagerly awaited title when Disney announced their support for the Blu-ray format. That eagerness was understandable, given that Beauty and the Beast is a great film and involved some what was at the time, considered at the time, rather revolutionary animation techniques. Well, Beauty and the Beast is on its way to Blu-ray and I can assure you that it was worth the wait, well worth the wait. Continue Reading

There is no question that animated films have universally looked great on Blu-ray, whether they be computer based animation such as the Pixar films, hand drawn films or stop action animation. Unfortunately, the subject of this review, James and the Giant Peach is an exception to this general rule. Continue Reading

Rambo, Rambo: The Extended Cut, Rambo IV,John Rambo or whatever you want to call it is Sylvester Stallone’s follow-up, some 20 years later, to the successful Rambo franchise of the 80’s.  Unlike its predecessor, this film kicks a$$ in all four of my major action/war critical requirements: realism/believability, brutality, heart pounding action sequences and satisfying necessary emotional ties.  However, this time around, Lionsgate provides us Blu-ray customers with an alternate Director’s Cut version of what many peeps may call Stallone’s best entry into the franchise since the original film. Did we really need another cut of the successful 2008 film or should the question simply be did the fans really want another version?  I can’t speak for everyone, but in the case of the last question my answer would be a loud hell yeah, bring it on!  But perhaps the real question here is whether this new Extended Cut is really better than the theatrical presentation?  That was the firs thing that was on my mind as I sat down to watch/review this Blu-ray disc.  So give me a few minutes of your time and I will give you my two cents on this important issue/debate. Continue Reading

Showgirls will always be a cult classic favorite of mine.  I have owned this film on all available video formats as they have been released.  I imagine when holographic movies are released; I will be the first person standing in line eagerly awaiting this title.  I remember having to sneak this VHS rental home from Blockbuster back in late 1995.  I gave it a very quiet basement viewing after my parents went to sleep one night. I just had to see what was so controversial about the performance of Saved By The Bell’s sweetheart teen actress Elizabeth Berkley.  And wow, was I ever surprised at what I saw.  That wasn’t the Jessie Spano I knew and loved all these years.  My girl had grown up fast and oh, what moves she has learned.  And that word “moves,” can take on many different contextual meanings here. Continue Reading

When Elektra, a spin-off from 2003’s Daredevil, was first announced so many years ago my heart filled with overwhelming anticipation.  Back then; I guess you could say I had a small crush on Jennifer Garner.  She was, after all, in prime physical form for her hit TV series Alias, not to mention that sexy vixen outfit that adorned her promiscuous curves opposite Ben Affleck in 2003’s Daredevil.  So I guess you could say that I was looking forward to seeing her fill that uniform once again and kick some ninja clan a$$. There was only one small problem.  Didn’t she die in Daredevil?  How would they ever bring her back?  Inquiring minds wanted to know.  I can’t tell you how many sleepless nights I laid awake contemplating this.  It was horrible. Continue Reading

When of the benefits of doing reviews of Blu-ray films is the chance to revisit old gems, films that you loved but may have forgotten about or not having seen in a long time. One of those films for me is Cocoon which has recently been released on Blu-ray. It has been many years once I have seen this film and was one I couldn’t wait to check out once it was released on Blu-ray. How would it hold up all these years later? Continue Reading

The original The Stepfather was an early favorite of mine, featuring an amazing performance by Terry O’ Quinn as a man struggling to find the perfect family. He is so determined in his quest that he has no problem killing anyone who stands in his way. I heard news of a remake awhile ago and was rather discouraged by the news, especially after I heard it was being made by the same people, director Nelson McCormick and writer J.S. Cardone, who brought us last year’s unremarkable and ultimately forgettable Prom Night remake. Still, I decided to watch it with an open mind.

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Toy Story 2 was an eagerly awaited sequel prior to its first theatrical run in 1999, in part because of the success of Toy Story and in part, by the incredible success of Pixar’s second full length feature, A Bug’s Life. After A Bug’s Life, it was apparent that Pixar, in addition to being technical wizards, were master story tellers as well in the tradition of the old Disney masters. There were clear advances made in the Pixar CGI effects in A Bug’s Life, and it would be interesting to see how those improved techniques would be employed in Toy Story 2, to improve on what were already considered to be stellar images in the original. It would also be interesting to see how they could possibly improve on the original in terms of the actual story. Needless to say, Pixar outdid themselves in both areas on Toy Story 2, which has now finally made its way to Blu-ray, and it the subject of today’s review. Continue Reading