Wow. There isn’t even a contender for the number one slot this week that can stand up to my top pick. I mean, I dearly love some of the other films newly available on Blu today but man, the top pick rules them all!
In addition to one of the most necessary Blu-ray purchases of the year hitting the shops today, you’ll also find some genuine classics from the 70s and 80s, some of which are new to Blu, others available for the first time outside of boxed sets. It’s quite a good crop of discs today!
1. M
This may very well be the year of Fritz Lang. With the newly restored, extended version of his classic film Metropolis making the art-house rounds now and expected on Blu in a few months time, we all need to sit up and take notice of another Lang masterpiece available for the first time in North America on Blu-ray today. M is a stunning film, starring Peter Lorre in a creepy performance in this, his first speaking role. In fact, this was Lang’s first “talkie” film, and the one that he considered his finest work. M stands high, even today, as the ultimate psychological thriller, providing the blueprint for those who would follow in his footsteps. Highly recommended!
Oh, wait. Did I mention that this is a Criterion Collection release with an absolutely stunning transfer and tons of bonus features? Yeah…SUPER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
2. THE KARATE KID, THE KARATE KID II
What more can I say about The Karate Kid that I haven’t blathered on about in my review already? Well, first, let me remind you of how much I love these shmaltzy 80′s films and how impressed I am with Sony‘s wonderful treatment of them on Blu. Second, let me recommend to you that you pick up the 2-disc boxed set of both films, which nets you all the Karate Kid action you’ll ever need for a pretty good discount (currently $27.96 on Amazon!). WAX ON!
Read more: The Karate Kid (1984) Blu-ray Disc Review
Amazon: $17.46, $22.49
Boxed set: $27.96
I haven’t had a chance to check out Edge of Darkness yet but I hate to admit that I’m excited as hell to dig into it! I, like most people, have developed a particular aversion to Mel Gibson of late. But this film has so much more to offer! A great setup, much like last years hit Taken, a fantastic supporting actor (Ray Winstone of Sexy Beast fame) and a director who can deliver a taught action thriller (Martin Campbell, who helmed Casino Royale and Goldeneye and who is currently filming Green Lantern!) And as this is a brand, spanking new film, I expect the transfer to be pretty great.
4. THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN COLLECTION
This is a four disc set containing The Magnificent Seven, Return of the Magnificent Seven, Guns of the Magnificent Seven and The Magnificent Seven Ride! and you need to own this. But, as you’d expect, you’re actually buying the set for the first, original film, famously adapted from Akira Kurosawa‘s The Seven Samurai and stunning here in its high-def debut. High bitrate encode, lots of extras and all the sequels – I can’t say I see anything wrong with this set, outside of the fact that the sequels are nowhere near as good as the original and you probably won’t return to them as often. If the higher price tag doesn’t scare you away, grab this up immediately. If you’re a little gun shy, hold out for the eventual single release of the first film on Blu.
If you love the Ramones, if you love Roger Corman‘s cheap, low-rent style of filmmaking, you won’t want to miss out on Shout Factory‘s brave new release of Rock N’ Roll High School. This is not the type of film that will shine on Blu-ray but every effort seems to have been made to polish up the musty, mistreated print to look better than it deserves to. The disappointment of the mono-only audio is somewhat assuaged by the delicious bounty of special features on the disc. Recommended for fans and cult enthusiasts!
SPECIAL MENTION: New Action/Fantasy Vampire/Angel films with Blue Covers! BLUE COVERS!!!
ALSO AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK
Clicking an image will take you to Amazon.com where you can learn more about and purchase the Blu-ray disc:
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