Max Von Sydow

Paramount brings Scorsese's Shutter Island to Blu-ray in June

By Brenden ⋅ April 24, 2010 ⋅ One comment

I really wanted to love Shutter Island. The performances are fantastic, the production design and photography are pitch perfect and the music is wonderful. It’s got all the right ingredients to be a spooky thriller but in the end, it just doesn’t manage to add up to the film I want to see from Martin Scorsese. And I think it’s because the “dream” sequences are too plentiful and too “on-the-nose” for my tastes. The story might have been better adapted by someone like David Lynch, who seems to be able construct creepy scenes from the most mundane of moments. Despite my disappointment with the film, I’m looking forward to giving Shutter Island another shot when it hits Blu on June 8th. …Continued…

Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of April 20

By Brenden ⋅ April 20, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

Remember how I had trouble getting inspired to pick up one of last weeks new Blu-ray releases? Well, let me tell you, that’s so far from being an issue this week. There’s actually just way, way too many quality discs coming out over the next few days, from a couple of new Criterion releases, an Oscar winner and the biggest box office blockbuster of 2009. This is a going to hurt my wallet something fierce. …Continued…

Universal bringing Flash Gordon and Darkman to Blu-ray

By Brenden ⋅ March 18, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

Stone’s head must be exploding right about now! You see, he’s such an over-the-top fan of the 1980 Flash Gordon film that his bachelor party consisted of renting out the Montreal Dollar Cinema for a private screening (along with Road House and some big screen Rock Band action…yeah, it was pretty awesome!) And now, to see that Universal is about to unleash Flash in all his cheesy, 80s glory onto Blu-ray disc…well, friends, I’d say that Stone is probably having a pretty good day today. Aside from his exploding head and all. Oh yeah, and Sam Raimi’s pretty-decent Spiderman-warm-up film, Darkman also hits Blu on the same day, June 15th. It’s going to be a pretty good day… …Continued…

Minority Report Blu-ray Announced

By Brenden ⋅ January 25, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

I remember not being the biggest fan of Minority Report when it was originally released. But it seems it’s one of those films that kind of gets better with age. While the mystery at the heart of the film is predictable and the structure a bit pedestrian, the look and the tech of it continue to fascinate. I can’t speak for you but I know I’m looking forward to the day when I can interface with my computer via a giant translucent piece of plastic, with but a swipe of my hand, the way Tom Cruise does in the film (perhaps Apple’s rumoured iSlate/iPad tablet will make my dreams come true!) Until then, here’s hoping that LaserPacific’s new 4K encode of the film doesn’t dissapoint when it arrives on Blu-ray April 20th! …Continued…

RT @CRITERION Death on the rocks: check out this new behind-the-scenes photo gallery for The Seventh Seal

By Brenden ⋅ June 24, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

RT @CRITERION Death on the rocks: check out this new behind-the-scenes photo gallery for The Seventh Seal! http://bit.ly/q1xSP #film Related posts Blu-ray Picks for the Week of June 16 – The Seventh Seal (1) Amazing, intimate piece on Bergman in W Magazine (0) Twenty questions with Criterion designer Eric Skillman (0) Trailer for Renoir's LA [...]

Blu-ray Picks for the Week of June 16 – The Seventh Seal

By Brenden ⋅ June 17, 2009 ⋅ One comment

Yes, it’s another Criterion week! I’m not going to waste your time with another impassioned rant about the quality of their work and why you should be snatching up every single one of their Blu-ray releases. Let’s cut to the chase and talk about Bergman and the Seventh Seal. …Continued…