Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of June 1

Oh geez. I’m all confused here. There are just too many titles hitting shelves again this week but no obvious “must-buy” disc, as far as I’m concerned. The new Hollywood blockbuster remakes all stumble in the storytelling department, the catalogue titles feature far-from-perfect presentations and there are just no damn Criterion titles as far as the eye can see! But don’t fear, if none of the brand spanking new titles do it for you this week, I’m sure you can find something in the massive batch of Eastwood newly released or re-released, as the case may be, on Blu-ray! Seriously, how many movies did has that guy made?! …Continued…

Minority Report Blu-ray Disc Review

Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report is one of those rare films that has managed to grow on me over the years, despite my initial misgivings of its star and of its execution. Like a fine wine, it just seems to be getting better with age. And Paramount’s incredible release of the film on Blu just accentuates that fact. …Continued…

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

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…

Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of March 30

I would say this is an “underwhelming” week but that I truly love the top two films on my list. It’s just that beyond that, the pickin’s get a little slim, unless you’re into b-grade horror, kids fliks or anime. There aren’t really any surprises hidden here, so if you don’t see anything you like after a quick perusal, I’d recommend hitting up the Amazon sale lists. …Continued…

Collateral Blu-ray Disc Review

Three coyotes, a Foxx and a scary silver-fox get the HD treatment in the Blu-ray release of Collateral – a 2004 thriller where a mostly spineless cabbie (Jamie Foxx) picks up a dangerous fare (Tom Cruise) whose poofy, silvery-grey hair used to prove nearly as distracting to the audience as the digital video the film was shot on. A lot has changed since 2004 and while our eyes have since become accustomed to HD Cam footage, Cruise still looks wrong sporting a grey coif. …Continued…

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

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…

Minority Report Blu-ray Announced

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…

Magnolia announced for Blu-ray, Boogie Nights to follow in 2010

I love P.T. Anderson’s films. I agree that, yes, he could probably use a stronger hand in the editing suite but the man always delivers. And Magnolia was no exception. Maybe I love this movie more because I’ve been an Aimee Mann fan since Much Music came to Canadian cable. I remember loving Mann’s band, ‘Til Tuesday. Particularly the song Voices Carry. And I think that love of her music influenced my affection for Magnolia, which is steeped in it. Nevertheless…great movie, great songs. That’s why I’m excited that Warner plans to release the film on Blu-ray. …Continued…

Valkyrie Blu-ray Disc Review

I think I’ve got a lot of Tom Cruise baggage. That must be it. I’m not sure if it’s the scientology, the Nicole Kidman-break-up or the uber-fake, aggressively-jolly persona he puts on for the media but damage has been done to my perception of the man. And that damage, of course, carries over to my desire to see him in films.

So, there I am, holding the Valkyrie Blu-ray in my hand, considering whether it might not be better to pass the disc off to someone else for review, when my roommate storms in, “Is that Valkyrie? Oh, sweeeet! Put it on!” And just like that, it was out of my hands.