Into the Blu

I was surprised when I saw Jackass 3 on store shelves when it wasn’t released in 3D, considering the industry is hoisting 3D up as a savior for staggering box office performances I would assume that they would try and take that same approach with home media release. I’m guessing they’re going to wait a while and release the 3D Blu-ray down the road… So is the film worthwhile without the extra dimension?

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I  feel the need to get something off my pulmonary cavity before I even begin here.  Make no mistake; I am a gargantuan fan of the Diablo Cody horror comedy film Jennifer’s Body.  Since owning the Blu-ray disc last Tuesday it has frequented my Blu-ray drive a total of seven majestic times.  I just can’t seem to get enough of it.  Like most movies I have seen this past year, the second viewing at home has been the most crucial in determining its cultural relevance within my life and usually the most applauding, as is the case here.  Let’s take a closer look to see why Jennifer’s Body may not have been the most successful film at the box office last year, but why it will live on in the hearts of many as an instant cult classic in their home video collection. Continue Reading

Every now and then, a movie comes out of nowhere to become a big hit, catching the critics and studios by surprise. This summer it was the subject of this review, The Hangover. Perhaps audiences were looking for some lighthearted comedy in today’s tough economic times. Whatever the reason, this film was a huge commercial success, grossing well over 10 times its cost of $35 million. I guess I was one of the few who didn’t see The Hangover in theaters as I can’t say that the subject matter appealed to me very much. However, when the Blu-ray arrived for review, I didn’t hesitate to pop the disc into the player to see what the fuss was all about. Much to my surprise, I found the film to be enjoyable although far from a comedy classic. Continue Reading

In late 2008, I was just leaving the movie theater and had to rub my eyes with vigorous surprise to make sure I was not seeing a movie poster mirage.  Right there in front of me was a large advertisement for Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li.  They couldn’t be serious.  In February of this year, I reviewed the original Street Fighter movie that starred Jean Claude Van Damme.  That piece of…ahem…excuse me, that piece of work was one of the most ridiculous films I had ever set my eyes and ears upon.  In short, it was rubbish.  I think it’s safe to say that another film, although not a sequel, was a serious gamble.  You will find two versions of this movie on disc 1 of the three-disc set; theatrical and unrated.  I chose the unrated path.  Let’s see how it fairs. Continue Reading

I admit to being intrigued by Miss March right from the start when I saw that wonderful cover art.  I hate being so shallow sometimes.  I guess I am a sucker for judging a book by its cover, but I also should know better.  I once thought I would have loved Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy, but was I ever wrong.  So when I read Aaron Peck’s review, over at High Def Digest, and he gave the film a score of 0, I just had to see for myself what all the fuss was about.  I immediately contacted the site owner here begging to let me review this film.  Now granted, it has been several weeks since Aaron’s post, but I finally mustered up the courage this past Tuesday night to sit down with Miss March.  Is it as terrible as the Aaron makes it out to be?  Well I’ll be honest, I have seen much worse.  Allow me a few minutes of your time and I will explain why this Blu-ray disc should be given a rental before buying it solely over its sexy cover. Continue Reading

Comedies have always been a great escape for audiences, time away from our daily grind to have a few laughs; after all they say laughter is the best medicine. But not all comedies are created equal as you well know, first off there are different branches of comedy; some prefer more sensible laughter like in a Wes Anderson film, others enjoy action mixed with their comedy, really the variations of the genre are quite limitless. Often times some of the most hysterical movies are the stupidest ones, the slapstick randomness and crude humor of movies like Old School, Animal House, and even this summer’s blockbuster The Hangover. While I hardly think I’ll be able to compare the lesser known Fired Up to some of these classics, I have in no way written it off and hope to find a few good laughs amongst this apparently absent minded comedy. Continue Reading

What an intro paragraph this is going to be.  There’s nothing like raw brutal honesty to create a catalyst spark.  With that being said welcome to my 42^nd Blu-ray review.  So let’s cut out the pleasantries and be real here.  Seth MacFarlane’s Cartoon Cavalcade of Comedy: Uncensored! was one of the worst Blu-rays I have ever had the displeasure to sit down to watch, not because of the horrid picture/audio quality, but because of the lackluster content.  To say the content was a bore would be an understatement.  To put it into quantitative terms, it translates to 54 minutes of my life that I can never get back.  I know you are probably thinking what a way for me to start off a review.  Quite frankly, unless you have dire interest in this Blu-ray release, I encourage you to stop reading this review right now or else it could equate to 5 minutes of your life you’ll never reclaim, and I honestly don’t want to bear that burden.  Continue Reading

For the most part, when I begin the review process of a Blu-ray disc, I have either seen the film in the theater or have a pretty good understanding of what the film is all about from reading media reports. This is not the case with Sin City. I was not familiar with the graphic novels by Frank Miller on which the film is based and had no understanding at all about what this film was all about. I went into this review with my eyes wide open looking to, hopefully, enjoy a film for what is is, namely entertainment. What I found was a very gritty, interesting, compelling, fascinating and original film that was a great cinematic experience and a real eye opener in more ways than one. Continue Reading

It was a decade ago when Pitch Black was released in theaters.  Little did we know at the time that the character of Riddick would be expanded upon with another film and content outside of both movies.  For now though, we’ll focus on the movie that started it all with nighttime baddies galore, Pitch Black. Continue Reading

The character Riddick, played by Vin Diesel, made its big screen debut in 1999′s Pitch Black.  In 2004, the hard-nosed, no-nonsense, intergalactic convict, made his return in The Chronicles of Riddick.  Upon unleashing this Blu-ray in my PS3, I was prompted by a Riddick screen that asked me to choose between the uncut director’s version or the theatrical release.  Not one to have previously seen this film, I opted for the director’s cut.  I will say, I was open-minded yet apprehensive going into this film.  Pitch Black certainly did not light my fire or most of the movie-going public for that matter.  After all, it pulled in a dismal U.S. gross at under $40 million.  Nevertheless, let’s give The Chronicles of Riddick a shot because here come the Necromongers! Continue Reading

Role Models kind of hits home for me.  Why, you ask?  It has a bit to do with the main character, Danny, portrayed by the always-funny Paul Rudd.  He wakes up one day, at the ripe age of 35, and wonders where the past 10 years of his life have gone.  He also questions why he is not happy and how he is not doing what he would like to be doing in life, while all his other friends have these prestigious jobs and such.  I swear, envy is one of the most dangerous traps people can fall into.  “Be careful what you wish” for is my new motto in life.  I don’t mean to sound like I am not grateful for all the good things I have in life, but like the character of Danny in the film, I cannot help feeling like I have not found my calling in life as of yet.  I was put on this Earth to do grand things right?  In many ways, Role Models is a biopic of my life minus the relationship storyline.  Anyway, this is not a self-help clinic so let’s move onto discussing the film itself. Continue Reading

Saw IV initially left a sour taste in my mouth, but nonetheless I drudgingly went out and bought the Blu-ray release of it when it came out that first week.  Of course, I justified that purchase with the notion that I had a $25 Target gift card burning a hole in my pocket.  On a cold October day, with great reluctance, I was dragged to the theatre to check out the latest installment of the Saw horror franchise, Saw V, despite hearing so many friends and co-workers tell me how horrible it was.  Despite my lack of desire to see how the rest of the Saw franchise played out, my wife had scheduled a couple’s night out at the movies with her co-worker.  I kindly asked my wife to pay the price of admission for us, as I was not the one who initiated wanting to see this.  After all, I have strict principles to uphold.  Anyway, every time she does pay for a movie, I end up loving it.  I think I am starting to see a trend here.  Hmm…I wonder if that would have worked on the latest Friday the 13^th movie, if I had let her pay.  Let’s get back on subject, shall we? Continue Reading