Spielberg’s War of the World Blu-ray Announced and Detailed

By brenden ⋅ March 10, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds started out pretty great, if you ask me. It felt like it was going to be a ramped up version of Close Encounters, which is pretty far from a bad thing. However, after a solid half-hour or so of teasing with well structured scenes, with well written, well performed characters, the film seemed to me to devolve into cheap, modern action fare. I really wanted to love it but ultimately felt a bit let down by the film. That was a lot of years ago now. And I think I’m finally willing to give it a second chance. War of the Worlds comes to Blu-ray on June 1st! Details below: …Continued…

Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of March 9

By brenden ⋅ March 9, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

Man, I can’t escape those damn Oscars!! Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in…to writing about..them? (Sigh…I shouldn’t try to be witty or cleverly try to incorporate movie quotes into these intros, should I?) There are a couple of stand-out Hollywood titles here this week, both represented at the 82nd Academy Awards. Outside of those discs and an outstanding anime on Blu debut, this is a pretty barren week. It’s days like these that make me glad I didn’t decide to make this list a Top 10 every week. …Continued…

The Godfather: Part II Blu-ray Disc Review

By karl ⋅ March 2, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

I have strong feelings about The Godfather: Part II and I’m not sure where to start talking about them.

First, I guess I want to address the popular opinion that it’s a better film than its predecessor. It is not. It is inferior in many ways; the story is at times confusing and unnecessarily convoluted for the sake of adding ‘intrigue’; the characters behave insincerely, their actions often in service to the movement of the plot rather than their own hearts, and the ending is weak and unsatisfying. …Continued…

UPDATED: Paramount brings Saving Private Ryan, Escape from L.A. and K-19: The Widowmaker to Blu-ray

By brenden ⋅ February 10, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers have become a single entity in my mind. I have a hard time recalling what events, what story-points are covered in which film/show. Both the film and the series have the same creative teams at their core and feel very similar, from the way they were shot to the music behind them. That being said, I’m a big fan of both. And very excited to tell you about Paramount’s upcoming Sapphire Series release of Saving Private Ryan, timed to be released just days before V-E day. …Continued…

The Godfather Blu-ray Disc Review

By karl ⋅ February 8, 2010 ⋅ One comment

You don’t need me to review the story of The Godfather for you. Chances are, you’ve seen it and you already know that it’s Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece and arguably one of the best films ever made. The last scene of the film is one of my favourite movie endings of all time, and it still gives me chills after countless viewings. …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…

The African Queen comes to Blu-ray in March

By brenden ⋅ January 13, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

It seems like we’ve been waiting an eternity for John Huston’s The African Queen to be available on disc - first DVD and now Blu-ray. In fact, it’s the only film on AFI’s original Top 100 Films list to remain unavailable on DVD to this day. I’m excited to tell you that the wait for The African Queen is finally over! Paramount will be releasing a newly restored edition of the film to home video on March 23rd, in both single disc and multi-disc collector’s editions. …Continued…

Star Trek: The Original Series Season Three Blu-ray Disc Review

By brenden ⋅ January 12, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

I wish I could tell you that the Star Trek: The Original Series Season Three Blu-ray disc set is as wonderful and virtually flawless as its two predecessors but I can’t. Relative to those first two outstanding efforts, this set falls short. On its own merits, however, it’s absolutely wonderful and a must own for any Star Trek collector! …Continued…

Blu-ray Picks for the Week of December 29

By brenden ⋅ December 30, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

It’s almost the end of 2009 but the year has a few more choice Blu-ray releases for us! …Continued…

Blu-ray Picks for the Week of December 15

By brenden ⋅ December 16, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

I’m a day late getting my Blu-ray picks posted. Sorry ’bout that. Yesterday was pretty packed with news and with the limited time I had, I could only squeeze so many posts in. But here we are now, a little light on titles overall but with some quality Blu-ray discs nonetheless. Guess which boxed set I’m most excited about this week… …Continued…

Star Trek (2009) Blu-ray Disc Review

By brenden ⋅ December 5, 2009 ⋅ 3 comments

This is probably my favourite new title of the year. Yes, I’m a nerd. But while my Trek-loving tendencies may be to blame in part for my enthusiasm, this new film is so all-around entertaining that everyone I know who had a chance to see it enjoyed J.J. Abrams’ re-imagining of Star Trek immensely. I just watched the new Blu-ray edition of it and to be honest, I can’t wait to watch it again! …Continued…

Forrest Gump Blu-ray Disc Review

By brenden ⋅ November 30, 2009 ⋅ One comment

Paramount’s Sapphire Series line of Blu-ray discs lives up to its promise with the release of Best Picture Oscar winner Forrest Gump - a beautiful, well realized, perfectly film-like disc sporting a plethora of special features. …Continued…

Galaxy Quest Blu-ray Disc Review

By brenden ⋅ November 24, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Released this week to coincide with the arrival of the new Star Trek film on Blu-ray, Galaxy Quest is the ultimate love letter to the television adventures of the crew of the starship Enterprise. If you’re a fan of Captain Kirk and crew you’re bound to love this film. Even if you’re not, you’re bound to get a kick out of it. And it’s never looked or sounded or better than on this fine, new Blu-ray disc. …Continued…

[VIDEO] Star Trek Blu-ray Preview: The Gag Reel

By brenden ⋅ November 17, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Have you picked up your copy of Star Trek on Blu-ray yet? If the answer is no, allow me to introduce you to one of the multitude of fantastic special features on the disc - the gag reel. …Continued…

Blu-ray Picks for the Week of November 17

By brenden ⋅ November 17, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

It’s Tuesday and once again we’re faced with a potential wallet-emptying video store/amazon shopping experience! I hope you’ve been saving up because today is a doosey! …Continued…

[VIDEO] Wish List: Animated G.I. Joe Resolute on Blu-ray

By brenden ⋅ November 8, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Argh! This is where it’s at! Nevermind that I enjoyed the crap out of the live action G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. This animated adventure, the 58 minute G.I. Joe Resolute bests it in almost every way. Its only problems - it’s too damn short and it’s not on Blu-ray. Like I said, “Argh!” …Continued…

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra Blu-ray Disc Review

By brenden ⋅ November 8, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is one of the silliest, most ridiculous films to come out of the blockbuster cinema season of 2009. It’s also one of the best, most mindlessly enjoyable action-romps you’ll have the pleasure of suffering through all year! …Continued…

[VIDEO] Star Trek (2009) Blu-ray Preview - Deleted Scene: Diora Baird as Orion Slave Girl

By brenden ⋅ November 5, 2009 ⋅ 5 comments

I’m sorry to disappoint you, skin fans. But this is the infamous Diora Baird (The Wedding Crashers, Young People Fucking) cut scene from the upcoming Star Trek Blu-ray disc. One line of dialogue. No boobs. I mean, the scene is actually pretty funny, when taken in context of the film. But I think when it was announced that she would be playing a green-skinned Orion Slave Girl in the film, a lot of you had been getting your hopes up for something more along the lines of Ms. Baird’s previous clothing-optional celluloid appearances. Sadly, this was not to be. But hey, that’s what sequels are for right? …Continued…

[VIDEO] Star Trek (2009) Blu-ray Preview - Deleted Scene: Nero vs. Klingons

By brenden ⋅ October 28, 2009 ⋅ One comment

I won’t watch this scene. Not yet. I’m waiting for the Star Trek Blu-ray to show up, so I can bury myself in it for two full weeks. I want my experience to be fresh. That being said, I’m so tempted to check out this deleted scene of Romulan ship Captain, Nero being interrogated by the Klingons! This Star Trek Blu-ray is going to be sooooo good! I apologize in advance if my review of the disc is biased in any way. It simply can’t be helped… …Continued…

Aeon Flux: The Complete Animated Collection Blu-ray Amazon Exclusive

By brenden ⋅ October 24, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

TV Shows on DVD.com dug up a pretty great scoop last night. It seems that Amazon.com will be releasing an exclusive Aeon Flux: The Complete Animated Collection Blu-ray set on November 23rd. …Continued…