“Groove” is a film that really came and went in 2000. Directed by Greg Harrison, this hip at the time, druggie, rave film, which appealed to a limited audience. I honestly haven’t thought about this film in over 25 years, not sure why its getting a 4K release but here we are.

Official Premise: You are invited to the hottest party of the year. GROOVE is the hip, hilarious hit of the 2000 Sundance Film Festival that has audiences and critics raving from coast-to-coast. As the sun goes down on Saturday night, rave kids Colin and Harmony take their relationship to the next level, veteran clubgoer Leyla surfs the Internet for a lift to the rave and workaholic David just wants to make it home in one piece. By sunrise, romances ignite, hearts break and lives are changed forever.

The 2160p transfer is good for the indie film, I mean it looks better than VHS, obviously that’s what I saw it on last. It comes from a scan of the film’s original camera negative. Music is very important in the film and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track works well.

Special features are surprisingly decent. There is an audio commentary track with writer/director/editor Greg Harrison, producer Danielle Renfrew, and cinematographer Matt Irving, four featurettes including deleted scenes and a music video included. The set also comes with a digital HD code, which is a nice bonus.

Tennessee Williams 4-Film Collection is one of the latest in the Warner Archive Collection. It continues the trend of filling up your library of classic films, without killing your wallet. It includes the following films Baby Doll (1956) / Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) / Sweet Bird of Youth (1961) / A Streetcar Named Desire (1951). If you are a Tennessee Williams fans, this is a great collection of his body of work.

Official Premise: From the pen of one of the 20th century’s greatest playwrights comes a collection of four stage adaptations with this TENNESSEE WILLIAMS 4-FILM COLLECTION. Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh lead the cast in the unforgettable A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor create screen electricity in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, and Newman co-stars with Geraldine Page in the poignant SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH. Karl Malden and Eli Wallach give supersuperb performances under the direction of Elia Kazan as Carroll Baker plays the titular role in BABY DOLL.

The 1080p transfers are solid on this older films, nothing short of near perfect presentations. The aspect rations range from 2.35:1 on Sweet Bird of Youth, 1.85:1 on Baby Doll, 1.78:1 on Cat on a Tin Roof, and lastly 1.37:1 on A Streetcar Named Desire. The stays the same on each release and delivers the goods with it’s DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track.

Nothing really special in the special features department except for Streetcar. Baby Doll includes a 2006 featurette and trailer. Tin Roof features a solid commentary track by Donald Spoto. There is also a DVD quality short featurette. Sweet Bird only features two short featurettes and a trailer. Streetcar features solid extra including a commentary track, a feature length documentary that aired on PBS and narrated by Eli Wallach, six featurettes, outtakes, and trailers included.

This new 4K release is timed to coincide with Moneyball’s 15th anniversary. Like I said this is a 4K UHD release but this film doesn’t have a new HDR grade or even a Dolby Atmos remix attached. Other than a native 4K upgrade in video, this release is same as previous ones.

Official Premise: Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) challenges the system and defies conventional wisdom when his is forced to rebuild his small-market team on a limited budget. Despite opposition from the old guard, the media, fans and their own field manager (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Beane – with the help of a young, number-crunching, Yale-educated economist (Jonah Hill) – develops a roster of misfits and along the way, forever changes the way the game is played.

There is a digital copy included as well a new slipcover based on one of the original posters. The special features are the same as previous releases also there are some deleted scenes, five featurettes and a trailer included. Unless you’ve never owned this film at home, this is a real skip for me.

Lucifer: The Complete Series covers all six seasons of this sleek and polished series. Even though the Vertigo comic book that it is based on remains more expansive, the television series earned its place through character-driven storytelling and emotional fullness. This show was canceled originally and fueled by devoted fans who brought it back. Tom Ellis’ portrayal of the title character became iconic and grew separate from the comic interpretation.

Official Premise: Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar abandoned his throne and retired to the city of Angels where he has teamed up with LAPD detective Chloe Decker to take down criminals. Charming, charismatic and devilishly handsome, Lucifer has a way of manipulating people into confessing their deepest, darkest secrets, which helps Detective Decker deliver justice!

The 1080p transfers in 1.78:1 aspect ratio looks solid. The audio track, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, is solid as well but could have been a little bit better for this show. Over three hours of special features are ported over from previous season releases including Character profiles, featurettes, Comic-Con panels, and gag reels. Sadly there is no digital copy included as well. If you don’t already own the seasons on DVD/Blu-ray, this would be for you, if you already do then skip this for sure.

Bringing the steamy trilogy of films together including the first film, ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, which was directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, while the second and third installments, ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ and ‘Fifty Shades Freed’, were directed by James Foley. The trilogy was based on the popular novels by E. L. James, The films star Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele, playing opposite Jamie Dornan’s Christian Grey. Never got into the hype of these films. The books were so different and unique and this feels just like a regular movie with typical sex. Never raises the bar.

Series Premise: Ana (Dakota Johnson) is an inexperienced college student tasked with interviewing enigmatic billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). But what starts as business quickly becomes an unconventional romance. Ana soon finds another side to Christian as she discovers his secrets and explores her own dark desires. What results is a thrilling romance as Christian and Ana test the limits of their relationship.

There are two cuts included in this release: Theatrical and Unrated in this six-disc set (three 4K UHD discs and three Blu-ray discs). A Digital Code, redeemable via Movies Anywhere, is also included. The 1080p transfers on Blu-ray are on point but the 4K 2160p transfers don’t really overly wow. I mean they are good but not better than the Blu-ray. The DTS:X Master soundtrack is, like the video quality, perfectly decent but doesn’t feel different from the soundtrack in the previous Blu-ray release. 

The special features though are a different shade. They definitely don’t disappoint. There are roughly 15 featurettes spread out over the three sets. There are a ton of deleted scenes as well as music videos. There is also a 360 degree tour of Christian’s apartment that is pretty cool. Includes plenty of content with E.L. James discussing the books and the film adaptations.

• PROJECT HAIL MARY
• Starring:  Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller and James Ortiz
• Directed by:  Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
• Rated:  PG 13
• Running time:  2 hrs 36 mins
• Amazon Studios/MGM

Our score:  5 out of 5

There’s a great line in “The Hunt for Red October” where Jack Ryan, after having given a briefing to the powers that be, mumbles to himself “next time Jack, write a G.D. memo.”  I’m guessing high school teacher Ryland Grace (Gosling) never saw that film.

Beautifully shot, with a true stand-alone performance from Gosling, “Project Hail Mary” tells the story of the possible threat to Earth from an unknown subject and the mission to prevent it from happening.  Grace is a one-time, and disgraced, former NASA employee, whose name is well known in the scientific world, just not for anything good.  Now teaching high school science, Grace is approached by a former colleague to discuss the current situation and ask for his assistance.  Grace looks forward to the day when everyone involved is trained and he can just walk away.  But, as often happens, fate steps in and soon Grace finds himself with a new, but unusual, friend.

Leave it to the team behind the amazing “The Lego Movie” to create a film as exciting as “Star Wars” and as beautiful as “2001.”  The film is buoyed by an award-worthy performance from Gosling who, with the exception of some flashback scenes, pretty much carries the film.  I was going to say “carries the film alone,” but Dr. Grace makes a friend with the oddly shaped alien he names “Rocky.”  As voiced by Mr. Ortiz, Rocky is a friendly type who has been trying to get back to his family for years.  Creating a device to let both understand each other, Grace and Rocky seem resigned to their fate as they both work to solve their mutual problems.

Visually the film is stunning, with the filmmakers using the opportunity to show places in the galaxy never before portrayed on screen and using their imagination to make them extraordinarily wonderful.  The script, by Oscar nominee Drew Goddard (“The Martian””) and the book’s author, Andy Weir, is both dramatic and funny, with nary a false note on either side.  The musical score, by Best Song Oscar nominee Daniel Pemberton, is the perfect accompaniment for the on-screen adventure.

I know the year is young but I’m sure by year’s end “Project Hail Mary” will still be considered one of the year’s best.

On a scale of zero to five, “Project Hail Mary” receives ★★★★★ 

Warner Archive Collection brings us Broadway on the Big Screen Collection, which includes six musical favorites that weren’t featured in previous sets. We get 1954’s Brigadoon, 1955’s Guys and Dolls, 1957’s The Pajama Game, 1958’s Damn Yankees, 1962’s Gypsy, and 1971’s The Boyfriend. This is a pretty solid collection of musicals spanning over the years and includes all the great including Cyd Charisse, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly.

Synopsis: 6 big stage musical favorites are brought together for this dazzling collection of musical favorites. Frank Loesser’s GUYS AND DOLLS starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood star in GYPSY, the dynamic choreography of Bob Fosse adds zing to Doris Day in THE PAJAMA GAME and Gwen Verdon in DAMN YANKEES, Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse shine in Lerner and Loewe’s BRIGADOON, and Ken Russell’s wild imagination creates an homage to the genre as Twiggy stars in THE BOY FRIEND.

The technical specs vary on each of these releases but generally I would give them a pretty solid 4/5 score. The 1080p transfer are crisp and captures the musicals colors very well. It would have been nice to have seen a bump in the audio tracks but we are still given a decent DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track for each film. In terms of special features, there is some but not much included from previous releases of these films.

Brigadoon includes some deleted scenes and trailer included. Guys and Dolls features a bit more including a few featurettes including, From Stage to Screen and focused individual Musical Performances. The Pajama Game goes back to deleted scene and trailer. Damn Yankees includes two trailers. Gypsy includes two deleted scenes and trailer and The Boyfriend features a Vintage Featurette called All Talking . . . All Singing . . . All Dancing.

Resident Alien, based on the Dark Horse Comics property of the same name created by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, arrive on Blu-ray. All 44 episodes are included in this ten-disc set that includes the four previously issued complete season releases. This show started on Syfy and ended on USA Network for season four only.

The series follows fan-favorite actor Allen Tudyk (‘Firefly’) as an extra-terrestrial living among humans in the town of Patience, Colorado as he works to complete an “evolving” mission. Along the way he finds love, learns to be a parent, builds friendships, and discovers what it means to be human.

Through the seasons, the series would feature a variety of guest stars include: Linda Hamilton (The Terminator), Clancy Brown (Highlander), Stephen Root (The Man in the High Castle), Star Trek alums George Takei and Nana Visitor, fellow Firefly vets Nathan Fillion and Jewel Staite, and Brent Stait (Rev Bem) from Andromeda.

The 1080p transfers look great for the show and it’s format. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track also is good for the show. The technical specs for this release are impressive…but that doesn’t say the same for the special features. There is only an assorted collection of deleted scenes on seasons 2 and 3…and that’s about it. Very disappointed in this release not giving us anything new at all from previous releases.

Cobra Kai was one of the rare IP revivals that actually was a success. They continued the timeline of iconic movie trilogy on the small screen. This show had great success from the start when it started out on YouTube Red/Premium but later moved up to Netflix. During the shows six-season run that began in 2018 and wrapped up in 2025. It is a rare show that actually holds up through the seasons and stays good from beginning to end. A long with a bunch of new faces, Cobra Kai reintroduced us to Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), John Kreese (Martin Kove). It was interesting to see where their paths have gone since the movie trilogy.

Official premise: Bitter enemies. Warring dojos. New blood. Daniel and Johnny reignite old West Valley rivalries in this follow-up series to the Karate Kid films. Created for Television by: Josh Heald & Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg. Based on the Characters Created by: Robert Mark Kamen. Cast: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Peyton List, Jacob Bertrand, Gianni, DeCenzo, Dallas Dupree Young, Vanessa Rubio, Thomas Ian Griffith, with Martin Kove as John Kreese

The shows 65 episodes are spread out over 13 discs. Season One (Discs 1-2), Season Two (Discs 3-4), Season Three (Discs 5-6), Season Four (Discs 7-8), Season Five (Discs 9-10) and finally Season Six (Discs 11-13). Even though we all are a bit disappointed that we had no 4K UHD release, this time around, they still delivered solid 1080p transfers in the original aspect ratio: 1.78:1. Same goes for the audio, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks sound just as good as one would hope.

The special features are good but honestly could have been a little more amped for this 65 episode series. Season one brought us commentary track only on the pilot episodes. There are some brief deleted scenes and featurettes on the music. Season two-five features deleted and extended scenes, blooper reels, Easter eggs, and two featurettes on the characters and fight choreography. Wrapping it up with season six, there is one more commentary track on the series finale and about 25 minutes in deleted and extended scenes.

Oded Fehr is known for his role of Ardeth Bay in “The Mummy” franchise. He has a new creature feature called “Grizzly Night”. The film is a dramatization of the 1967 “Night of the Grizzlies” attacks in Glacier National Park. Media Mikes had a chance to chat about the film with Oded and also get a sneak peak at “The Mummy 4”.

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller and James Ortiz
Directed by: Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 156 minutes
Amazon MGM

Our Score: 4 out of 5 Stars

Sometimes you need a pick-me-up. My 2026 has begun with several funerals and a smattering of other bad news. I won’t bog you down with the details, but as I walked into “Project Hail Mary,” I expected something entertaining from Phil Lord and Chris Miller. What I didn’t expect was a film that would not only let me forget my personal hurdles, as well as the chaotic world outside the theater, but also give me something I haven’t felt in a while: genuine hope.

“Project Hail Mary,” based on the novel by Andy Weir (who also wrote “The Martian), follows science teacher turned humanity’s last hope Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling). When we first meet Ryland, he wakes up aboard a spaceship called the Hail Mary with no memory of how he got there or why he’s millions of lightyears from Earth. Worse yet, his crew hasn’t survived the journey, leaving him alone to slowly piece together both his mission and whether he’s even capable of completing it. Through flashbacks we learn the stakes: a mysterious microbe is consuming stars across the galaxy and our sun is next on the menu.

Dystopia and science fiction usually go together like spaghetti and meatballs or Tommy Wiseau and cinematic disaster. That’s what makes “Project Hail Mary” feel refreshing. Even when it leans into familiar tropes, including the introduction of an alien that channels shades of Spielberg and “WALL-E,” or an AI system that’s sometimes more annoying than helpful, the film focuses on themes that feel surprisingly sincere.

At its core, the story explores chosen family and unlikely connection. On Earth, Ryland is portrayed as an introverted loner. In space, he becomes the only human for tens of millions of miles. When he encounters an alien trying to solve the same cosmic mystery, the film pivots toward something warmer: a partnership built on curiosity, communication and survival. Their friendship becomes the emotional engine of the story and a reminder (one that feels especially relevant right now) that collaboration with those we don’t understand often beats going it alone.

Those ideas fit neatly into the wheelhouse of Lord and Miller, whose past projects like “The LEGO Movie,” “21 Jump Street” and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” balance comedy with surprising emotional depth. Here they bring that same lightness to what is technically an end-of-the-world scenario. The humor eases the tension while quietly setting up the emotional stakes that pay off in a third act full of action, twists and genuine heart.

“Project Hail Mary” has the scale of a big, bombastic sci-fi film, but its true strength is how intimate it feels. Like Ryland, we’re awed by the vastness of space, but the real spectacle isn’t the universe. It’s watching an unlikely hero overcome isolation, fear and self-doubt through curiosity and connection.

In the end, “Project Hail Mary” offers more than visual wonder. It delivers a surprisingly personal science-fiction story about cooperation, empathy and resilience. Ryland Grace may be flawed, but his curiosity and willingness to reach out lead to peaceful cosmic dialogue, a deeper understanding of existence and (as these things tend to go in movies like this) saving the world.

• CRIME 101
• Starring:  Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Halle Berry        
• Directed by:  Bart Layton
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  2 hrs 20 mins
• Amazon Studios/MGM

Our score:  4 out of 5

First off, even though this film features Thor, the Hulk and Storm, “Crime 101” is not the latest entry into the MCU world.  What it is is a tightly made, action packed crime thriller bolstered by fine performances and great action scenes.

Davis (Hemsworth) is living the good life.  A beautiful house on the beach, wonderful cars and, when he needs money, the ability to pull of high stakes robberies with very little trouble.  His trademark: no violence.  However, when his benefactor gives what should have been his last job to the wrong person, Davis must use all of his skills to not only save himself but others close to him.

The story starts out with three main chapters that eventually come together.  There’s Hemsworth’s Davis, calm and, as the late Stuart Scott would say, “cooler then the other side of the pillow.”  Balance him against a rumpled Mark Ruffalo, who plays a police detective that has been on the hunt for Hemsworth for years, failing to convince his superiors that he is the one person responsible for the string of burglaries  that have plagued the area.  With his hair askew and choice of clothing, Ruffalo reminds one of the popular Lieutenant Columbo from the 1970s, played to perfection by Peter Falk.  Berry is an insurance broker, worried about her career path and the possibility of being replaced by a younger version of herself.  Once everyone’s paths cross, the action begins to ramp up to a fever pace.

Credit the films’ director and co-writer, Mr. Layton, for keeping the film moving and finding inventive ways to make what could have been a standard Hollywood car chase a true rollercoaster ride for the audience.  Lots of practical effects here and they are greatly appreciated when achieved.  Action fans will not be disappointed.

On a scale of zero to five, “Crime 101” receives ★★★★

Humphrey Bogart is one of the greats. This Warner Archive Collection includes four of Bogart’s classic films including “They Drive by Night” / “Passage to Marseille” / “Conflict 1945” / and “Chain Lightning”. The four films released from 1940-1950 are solid and are still a joy to watch. Just seeing Bogart in Blu-ray transfers is a trip in its own. I love seeing classic films getting a new life.

Official Premise: There was only one BOGART. Perhaps Warner Bros.’ most famous leading man during Hollywood’s golden age, Humphrey Bogart’s star shines bright in four classic dramas from the 1940s. Bogie shares the screen with George Raft, Ann Sheridan and Ida Lupino in THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT, while Bogie takes on the Nazis under the direction of Michael Curtiz in PASSAGE TO MARSEILLE. In the suspense thriller CONFLICT, he takes on a more off-beat role co-starring with Sydney Greenstreet and Alexis Smith, and he’s a former WWII flier playing opposite the lovely Eleanor Parker in the exciting CHAIN LIGHTNING.

The 1080p transfers for these old films are really sharp. The 1.37:1 aspect ratios with side mattes display the black and white films extremely well. The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 also are fantastic – 4/5. There are no special features included for these films, which is not shocking but could’ve had a historian record a audio commentary track for the bonus footage.

Wally Gator was always a favorite cartoon of mine growing up. Hannah Barbera always delivered the goods for me. Wally Gator, voiced by Daws Butler, is a character that doesn’t get enough love. That is why I am in love with Warner Archive for keeping this show alive with this release. Including Wally Gator, there are also shorts from Touché Turtle, and Lippy the Lion. Classic HB characters.

Official Premise: A true people-person alligator, Wally is driven by his excessive curiosity and his bon vivant inclinations to seek out new experiences beyond the city zoo where he hangs his porkpie hat. Donning a variety of hilarious disguises, Wally escapes the care of dedicated zookeeper Twiddle only to end up crying Oh, fuddle-dee-doo! as he lands himself in a series of ever more ridiculous (and dangerous!) jams!

Similar to other cartoon’s out of the 60’s, the show packs a tight five-minute running time throughout its 52 episodes. And delivers the goods. The shows look and sound fantastic for its age. The DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio tracks deliver. The original source materials for Wally Gator, Touché Turtle, and Lippy the Lion were from 16mm original camera positives rather than 35mm. Sadly there are no extras included in this set but for the price is a must own for Hannah Barbera fans.