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Top 5 New on Blu

Top 10 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of June 14

It’s another big week of Blu-ray releases but there’s very little from the mainstream that sticks out. A couple of Criterion releases and some solid catalogue titles make it a busy week for collectors and fans but those looking for sparkling new Hollywood fare worth their hard earned dollars have little of true value to choose from.

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1. BATTLE: LOS ANGELES

Battle: Los Angeles (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2011)


    For years, there have been documented cases of UFO sighting around the world – Buenos Aires, Seoul, France, Germany, China. But in 2011, what were once just sightings will become a terrifying reality when Earth is attacked by unknown forces. As people everywhere watch the world’s great cities fall, Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind in a battle no one expected. It’s up to a marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his new platoon to draw a line in the sand as they take on an enemy unlike any they’ve ever encountered before.

Imagine the kind of alien invasion story you saw in Independence Day shot in the style of Blackhawk Down and you’ll get a solid sense of what you’re in for in Battle: Los Angeles. This is far from the finest film ever made. In fact, what it lacks in plot it tries to make up for in character and action, failing miserably in the former yet winning the viewer over with healthy helping of the latter. As much as there’s an attempt to aquatint you with the soldiers (read: cannon fodder) early in the film, it’s the well staged, immersive fight sequences that keep the film alive. Battle: Los Angeles took a critical bludgeoning during its theatrical run but deserves a second look on home video, as what it does best it does better than most. It deserves the number one spot on the list this week for being one the most genuinely exciting action films released so far this year and for being the biggest, most commercial release of the week.

As you’d expect from Sony, the Blu-ray is reference quality work all around. The transfer appears without flaw, exhibiting incredible amounts of detail, vivid colours and deep blacks. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is dynamic and fully immersive, able to rattle your china with explosive lows while convincingly placing the viewer in the middle of a battlefield, bullets zipping by your head through the very active surround channels.

Extras are plentiful and well thought out with the Command Control picture-in-picture track being the most compelling feature available. Filled with storyboard-to-film comparisons and interview snippets, the track also allows you to bounce out and watch over 20-minutes of ‘Focus Points’ which can also be viewed separately. Be aware that there are two flavours of this release out there – one with a bonus DVD copy of the film (as pictured above) and one that includes a demo of Sony’s Resistance 3 videogame for the PS3. Both are valuable but unnecessary additions to an already excellent Blu-ray package.

Special Features:

  • Exclusive playable game demo of the first-person shooter PS3 game Resistance®3
  • Command Control – Command and control your viewing experience by watching Picture-in-Picture, Storyboard Comparisons and Battle Points within the context of the movie.
  • Featurettes:
    • Behind The Battle
    • Aliens in LA
    • Preparing for Battle
    • Creating L.A. in LA
  • movieIQ

AMAZON: $17.99


2. THE MAKIOKA SISTERS

The Makioka Sisters: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray] (1983)

    This lyrical adaptation of the beloved Japanese novel by Junichiro Tanizaki was a late-career triumph for world-class director Kon Ichikawa (The Burmese Harp, Fires on the Plain). Revolving around the changing of the seasons, The Makioka Sisters (Sasame-yuki) follows the lives of four sisters who have taken on their family’s kimono manufacturing business, over the course of a number of years leading up to the Pacific War. The two oldest have been married for some time, but according to tradition, the rebellious youngest sister cannot wed until the third, conservative and terribly shy, finds a husband. This graceful study of a family at a turning point in history is a poignant evocation of changing times and fading customs, shot in rich, vivid colors.

In terms of my love for the films on this weeks list, The Makioka Sisters should own the number 1 spot. This is, without question, the finest film hitting Blu this week. But it’s staid, poetic style (not to mention the lengthy runtime and subtitles) will keep a lot of folks from experiencing it. It’s pretty far from a mainstream release. But if you’re a film lover, as I am, and you don’t mind longer, foreign releases, this new Criterion disc is where you should spend your $20 today.

For more detail on the disc, read my full review here: The Criterion Collection: The Makioka Sisters Blu-ray Disc Review

AMAZON: $19.99


3. THE DECLINE OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE (Canadian Exclusive)

Decline of The American Empire - 25th Anniversary Edition (Le Déclin de l'empire américain - Édition spéciale 25 ans) (Blu-Ray)

    What do women really think of men? What do they talk about when men aren’t around? What about men, what do they talk about? Fantasies, temptation, desire, indiscretions, infidelity, confessions, acrobatics and everything else that makes sex the only subject worth talking about. Every taboo is hilariously exposed in this unforgettable classic about modern relationships.

Is Denys Arcand‘s The Decline of the American Empire the best Canadian film ever made? Well, I wouldn’t go so far as to claim that, although countless others have since its release in 1986. But it’s certainly significant, winning 9 Genie awards (Canadian Oscars) and an Oscar nod and spawning a sequel in 2003 (The Barbarian Invasions) that would ultimately walk away with the golden statue. Arcand assembles here a chatty yet riveting, frank collection of discussions and debates on the nature of men, women and sex that frame a drama between a group of eight friends, crisscrossing relationships that span several years.

The Decline of the American Empire makes its Blu-ray debut in stellar style on a Canadian exclusive Blu-ray disc release from eOne films (Seville). This is undoubtedly the finest this film has ever looked on home video. In fact, it looks so fresh and clean that it’s quite often hard to believe this is a twenty-five year old film. But that cleanliness is sometimes troubling, as grain comes and goes from shot to shot, exhibiting an all around inconsistent look to the transfer. It’s possible that a heavy hand was employed on the digital scrubbing here, or that the original elements exist in varying states. nevertheless, the overall image is quite pleasing to watch and most scenes are fairly film-like.

I would advise avoiding the Dolby Digital 2.0 English dub of the film for the more well-rounded French DTS-HD 5.1 track. Though most of the sound comes at you through the center channel in this conversational drama, the original soundtrack is more dynamic and, it goes without saying, true to the film. Extras are, sadly, presented in French only but consist of a half-hour look back at the making of the film at its 15th Anniversary mark and a shorter retrospective on its 25th.

Recommended!

AMAZON: $20.99 CDN


4. THE CINCINNATI KID

The Cincinnati Kid [Blu-ray] (1965)

    Steve McQueen brings his cool fire to the role of the Cincinnati Kid, a small-timer eager to take his chances in high-stakes poker. He gets his chance. Regal, ruthless Lancey Howard (Edward G. Robinson), the elite gambler called the Man, accepts the Kid’s challenge. Norman Jewison (“In the Heat of the Night”, “Moonstruck”) directs this taut exploration of back-room gaming, building suspense with each turn of a card. And Ann-Margret, Karl Malden, Rip Torn, National Board of Review Best Supporting Actress Award winner Joan Blondell and many more comprise a full house of talent. Grab a chair and ante up.

I just can’t get enough of Steve McQueen. And though he’s not busting heads or driving fast cars here in The Cincinnati Kid, he’s all kinds of card playing cool. This is Jewison as a young filmmaker and the work reflects that – more classical and tentative in production than his later cocksure efforts. But it really comes alive with its stellar cast. I’m telling you, I could watch any number of these performers sit quietly in a room on their own for hours and be entertained. Rip Torn and Edward G. Robinson simply light up the screen every time the camera turns to them. And don’t get me started on how sexy Ann Margaret and Tuesday Weld are here. What a powerhouse cast.

Warner has done a bang-up job on this Blu-ray disc. The transfer is perfectly film-like, with a nice sheen of grain, tons of detail and vivid colours that pop right off the screen. There doesn’t seem to be a hint of unnecessary digital tampering here. The DTS-HD Master Audio track is mono only but serves the dialogue-heavy film quite well. Extras are ported over from the previous DVD edition of the film and consist of an energetic and enjoyable commentary from Jewison, scene specific commentary from the hosts of Celebrity Poker Showdown (guess what they chat about?), a 6-minute vintage featurette and a trailer.

Recommended!

AMAZON: $13.99


5. INSIGNIFICANCE

Insignificance: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray] (1985)

    Four unnamed people who look and sound a lot like Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, and Joseph McCarthy converge in one New York City hotel room for this compelling, visually inventive adaptation of Terry Johnson’s play, from director Nicolas Roeg (Walkabout, The Man Who Fell to Earth). With a combination of whimsy and dread, Roeg creates a fun-house-mirror picture of cold war America that questions the nature of celebrity and plays on a society’s simmering nuclear fears. Insignificance is a delirious, intelligent drama, featuring magnetic performances by Michael Emil (Tracks, Always) as “the professor,” Theresa Russell (Bad Timing, Black Widow) as “the actress,” Gary Busey (The Buddy Holly Story, Lethal Weapon) as “the ballplayer,” and Tony Curtis (Sweet Smell of Success, Spartacus) as “the senator.”

Oh boy. This is a tough one for me. I’m such a fan of director Nicolas Roeg. I just want to love everything he does but if I’m going to be honest, Insignificance just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe it’s my natural aversion to all things ‘theatrical’ (the film is an adaptation of Terry Johnson‘s stage play) or the wantonly existential nature of the dialogue in the film but I find sitting through it a hard slog. Or perhaps it’s that I just never believe that Theresa Russell is Marilyn Monroe or that Gary Busey ball player Joe DiMaggio, the famous movie-star’s one-time husband. Or that either of them would wax intellectual about the nature of space time in a hotel room with Einstein (well embodied by Michael Emil.) Tony Curtis is the highlight here, as far as I’m concerned, chewing scenery in the role of Senator Joe McCarthy. Though Roeg goes to great lengths to move the story from the stage to celluloid it never manages to transcend the proscenium arch of the theatre, remaining an unnecessarily ponderous treatise on the fleeting nature of celebrity, science and life.

Thankfully, Criterion knocks the Blu-ray presentation out of the park. The transfer is rich and film-like, with vivid colours and a ton of detail. Audio is presented in lossless mono and is clean and clear, while limited to the nature of the source. It would be nice to hear Stanley Myers and Hans Zimmer‘s music on a larger, more dynamic stage but nevermind. This is a faithful soundtrack. Supplements are present in the form of several interviews (around 45-minutes worth), the theatrical trailer and a nice 24-page illustrated booklet.

AMAZON: $27.99


6. HARRY POTTER: ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Ultimate Edition) [Blu-ray] (2007)Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Ultimate Edition) [Blu-ray]


I love these Harry Potter boxed sets! I really do. They feature the films, a ton of bonus material, a gorgeous hardcover book and a bunch of goo-gaas in packaging that looks like a series of hardbound library books. I only received review copies of the DVD editions of these latest two editions in the series, so I can’t comment on the discs themselves but the content seems to replicate previous home video editions with the addition of the hour-long chapter of the World of Harry Potter documentary series. It should be noted that the 43-minute The Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter doc is no longer included in the Order of the Phoenix set, so completists will want to hold onto the previous Blu-ray disc.

AMAZON: $33.99, $29.99


7. 36TH PRECINCT

36th Precinct [Blu-ray] (2004)

    In this action-packed cop thriller a gang of armed robbers have committed seven deadly robberies within a year. When two lieutenants are told that whoever stops the gang will become the next Chief of Police, the competition between them becomes increasingly ruthless, blurring the lines of morality, until there is no difference between the police and the criminals they chase.

Described as a French version of Michael Mann‘s Heat, 36th Precinct finally makes its way to Blu-ray here in North America. Palisades Tartan released the 2004 film on Blu in the UK early last year and it’s been available in France for about two and a half years now. I haven’t seen the disc myself but we can assume the transfer will match the excellent image on the Gaumont transfer from France (also used for the UK disc) and the punchy DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 French language soundtrack. Extras are plentiful and include a ‘making-of’ doc, an interview with the director, featurettes on weapons and wardrobe and trailers.

AMAZON: $13.99


8. POINT BREAK

Point Break [Blu-ray] (1991)

    Young FBI agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) goes undercover at the suggestion of his partner (Gary Busey) to learn if a group of wild surfers is actually a gang of bank robbers. He soon comes under the dangerous spell of the surfers’ charismatic leader, Bodhi (Patrick Swayze), a mystical mastermind who’ll do absolutely anything for a thrill – and expects his followers to do the same.

Point Break makes the move from Fox to Warner in a new release of the classic surfers-who-rob-banks thriller, starring Keanu and Swayze in a couple of their now iconic roles. It’s pretty hard to take this film seriously, filled as it is with laughably over-the-top or simply bad performances. Swayze rules both the beach and the film here, as the presence that not only holds the plot together but the performance that keeps the film from feeling bargain basement cheap. He’s electric every time he’s on screen and nearly worth the price of admission all on his own.

The new BD from Warner appears identical to that of the previously issued disc from Fox, suffering only from the quality of the source material. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack also seems identical, with clean and clear dialogue and a limited dynamic range. Extras have been ported over and include additional scenes, 4 featurettes and the theatrical trailer. A couple of additional trailers and a photo gallery have been excised for this edition and are not missed.

AMAZON: $13.99


9. HEAVY METAL

Heavy Metal [Blu-ray] (1981)

    Based on the fantastical illustrated magazine Heavy Metal, producer Ivan Reitman enlists the help of some of Hollywood’s animation masters to create the otherworldly tale of a glowing green orb from outer space that spreads destruction throughout the galaxy. Only when encountered by its one true enemy, to whom it is inexplicably drawn, will goodness prevail throughout the universe. Richly and lavishly drawn, the vignettes of the orb’s dark victories include the character voices of John Candy, Harold Ramis and a pounding soundtrack by Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Cheap Trick, Devo, Donald Fagen, Don Felder, Grand Funk Railroad, Sammy Hagar, Journey, Nazareth, Stevie Nicks, Riggs, and Trust. Highly imaginative and full of surprising special effects, Heavy Metal set the standard for alternative contemporary animation. An intoxicating experience not be missed!

This classic animated film has been available on Blu-ray as Best Buy exclusive since February but is available in wide release today. Fans of the film will no doubt be happy to have Sony’s faithful transfer to high-def but should be prepared for the ugly details revealed by the bump up to 1080p. A pretty decent DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound track presents the ’80s music in all its due grandeur. Extras are limited but pretty cool, including an entire early cut of the film with optional Carl Macek (the late father of Robotech!) commentary.

AMAZON: $14.99


10. RED RIDING HOOD

Red Riding Hood (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011)

    In a medieval village a beautiful young girl falls for an orphaned woodcutter, much to her family’s displeasure. When her sister is killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village, the people call on a famed werewolf hunter to help them kill the wolf. As the death toll rises with each moon, the girl begins to suspect that the werewolf could be someone she loves. Panic grips the town as she discovers that she has a unique connection to the beast–one that inexorably draws them together, making her both suspect…and bait.

Well, I had to fill the list out with something, right? I’m still waiting for my review copy of Red Riding Hood but, as much as I’m told of its suckitude, the stills and trailers I’ve seen for this thing look stunning. I’m really looking forward to seeing it in full 1080p on my 110″ projector screen. Extras include an Alternate Cut of the film, a picture-in-picture commentary track, deleted scenes, a gag reel and more.

AMAZON: $22.99


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:

Hall Pass (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011)Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (Bluray + DVD Combo) [Blu-ray]Haven: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray] (2010)Kill the Irishman [Blu-ray] (2011)



Supernatural: The Complete Second Season [Blu-ray]Johnny Mnemonic [Blu-ray] (1995)Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son [Blu-ray] (2011)The Image (Blu-ray)



Kingdom of War Part 1 and Part 2 [Blu-ray] (2006)Kingdom of War Part 1 [Blu-ray] (2006)Kingdom of War Part 2 [Blu-ray] (2006)Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]



Boondock Saints (Truth & Justice Edition) [Blu-ray] (1999)N-Secure [Blu-ray] (2010)Demon King Daimao Complete Collection [Blu-ray]Dance in the Vampire Bund: Complete Series (Limited Edition) DVD/Blu-ray Combo



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One comment for “Top 10 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of June 14”

  1. Ugh, really!? Battle LA is your #1 pick this week!? That movie was awful. No matter how good the disc features are, it surely doesn’t deserve to be your top pick.

    And if Doug saw you stick Point Break at a lowly #8, I think he’d cry…

    Posted by Philip Miresco | June 14, 2011, 9:51 pm

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