Actors: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, Tadanobu Asano
Directors: Martin Scorsese
Rated: R
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: March 28, 2017
Run Time: 160 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

I feel for the movie “Silence”. It was Scorsese’s big film that he’s been trying to get made for a decade. It packs a solid cast including Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver.Scorsese is a directing genius and a legend but the film never grabs the audience. Obviously everyone is aware that this film is nearly 3 hours long and since the film is titled “Silence” don’t expect any dance/musical sequences in here or pretty anything a lot of anything. It is well done don’t get me wrong. It looks beautiful and the acting is superb but not a film that audiences want to see cause the enjoyment level is not high here, folks.

Official Premise: Silence tells the story of two Christian missionaries (Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield) who travel to Japan in search of their missing mentor (Liam Neeson) at a time when Christianity had been outlawed. Captured and imprisoned, both men are plunged into an odyssey that will test their faith, challenge their sanity and, perhaps, risk their very lives.

“Silence” comes as a combo pack with a UV digital copy and definitely carries Scorsese’s signature look to it and the 1080p transfer shines in terms of visual aspects. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 also carries the rather quiet film well and gives it a good narrative. The special features are a let down for sure, like I am sure the film ‘s success was to Scorsese. There is only one extra included. “Journey Into ‘Silence” is a 20+ minute trip into the production and road to getting this film made over the decade Scorsese was trying.

Actors: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton
Directors: Garth Jennings
Rated: PG
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: March 21, 2017
Run Time: 108 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Sing” is a film that like a fine wine has grown better with age. When I saw this in theaters from the makers of “Despicable Me”, I was quite disappointed. I wanted more, more, more from them…but my four year old loved it in fact. She kept asking to listen to the soundtrack non-stop and after a few more viewings of the film. I have to admit, I am big fan now. I love the tunes and I have grown to love this film. It is not the best picture to come out of Illumination Entertainment but it is still certainly better than turds like “Hop”, ouch. Get your families together, cook up some popcorn and make this film your Saturday night movie night choice and you will not regret it.

Official Premise: From Illumination Entertainment, the studio that brought you The Secret Life of Pets comes an animated comedy about finding the music that lives inside all of us. Sing stars Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon, an eternally optimistic koala who puts on the world’s greatest singing competition to save his crumbling theater; Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon as Rosita, an overworked and underappreciated mother of 25 piglets desperate to unleash her inner diva; Scarlett Johansson as Ash, a punk rock porcupine with a beautiful voice behind her prickly exterior; and Taron Egerton as Johnny, a young gangster gorilla looking to break free of his family’s felonies. Sing is the musical comedy event of the year!

The 1080p transfer is beautiful with the CG animation and vibrant colors. The Dolby Atmos works perfectly with 85 hit songs that the film has throughout. I loved music in this film. Just so much fun and the track works so well with it. To kick off the special features, there are three new mini-movies, which has become a staple for Illumination Blu-rays. The first focuses around Gunter, the next around Miss Crawly and the last around Eddie. Honestly, these are fun and worth checking out for sure if you like the film. There is also a short featurette called “The Making of the Mini-Movies” included.

Other than the shorts, there are a few short featurettes included. The first is a behind-the-scenes look into the film in “The Making of Sing”. “Finding the Rhythm: Editing Sing” focuses on the editing process. There are Character Profiles for each character. There are a ton of music videos including some lyric videos. Lastly there is a five-part collection of promos called “The Sing Network” and a clip collage called “The Best of Gunter”, which I believe the studio realized is the fan-favorite character in the entire film. Gunther is definitely our household’s favorite.

Actors: Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, Sienna Miller
Directors: Ben Affleck
Rated: R
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: March 21, 2017

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

I was flat out surprised with the lack of success around Ben Affleck’s “Live by Night”. Personally, I think it was affected by his nonstop headlines with his role of Batman. Fans are torn on him now between popularity. This film I enjoyed. I love Affleck in it as well as his script and his direction. Affleck does best when he is in control of his story and shots. I also loved the supporting cast including Elle Fanning and Brendan Gleeson. This film also came out a tough time of the year during award season. The studio wasn’t pushing this film for awards hard enough and it ended up hurting the film as it disappeared like other missed attempts like “Silence”.

Official Premise: Taking fatherly advice is not in Joe Coughlin’s nature. Instead, the WWI vet is a selfproclaimed anti-establishment outlaw, despite being the son of the Boston Police Deputy Superintendent. Joe’s not all bad, though; in fact, he’s not really bad enough for the life he’s chosen. Unlike the gangsters he refuses to work for, he has a sense of justice and an open heart, and both work against him, leaving him vulnerable time and again—in business and in love. Driven by a need to right the wrongs committed against him and those close to him, Joe heads down a risky path that goes against his upbringing and his own moral code. Leaving the cold Boston winter behind, he and his reckless crew turn up the heat in Tampa. And while revenge may taste sweeter than the molasses that infuses every drop of illegal rum he runs, Joe will learn that it comes at a price.

Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Richardson (“The Aviator”, “Hugo”) captures the film’s time setting perfectly within its 1080p transfer. Surprisingly this film has a Dolby Atmos available to choose from, which don’t get me wrong is amazing but seems overkill. There is also a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track. The special features are lacking including the rather boring of the audio commentary track with Ben Affleck, Director of Photography Robert Richardson and Production Designer Jess Gonchor. There are three featurettes focusing on the characters, cast interviews and the car chase scene. Lastly there are some deleted scenes included optional commentary.

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Actors: Kate Mara, Shia LaBeouf, Jai Courtney, Gary Oldman, Clifton Collins Jr.
Directors: Dito Montiel
Rated: R
Studio: LIONSGATE
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Run Time: 90 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

How did a film like “Man Down” sneak onto Blu-ray with no one really knowing. This film packs a solid cast with Jai Courtney, Gary Oldman, Kate Mara, and Clifton Collins Jr…and yeah I guess Shia LaBeouf is the star but he just honestly urks me these days and he is just too damn weird. The only thing that interested me in this is because it is set in a post-apocalyptic America but neither the talent or the setting can save this rather bland/boring film.

Official Premise: When U.S. Marine Gabriel Drummer (Shia LaBeouf) returns home from his tour in Afghanistan, he finds that the place he once called home is no better than the battlefields he fought on overseas. Accompanied by his best friend Devin Roberts (Jai Courtney), a hard-nosed Marine whose natural instinct is to shoot first and ask questions later, he searches desperately for the location of his estranged son, Johnathan (Charlie Shotwell), and wife Natalie (Kate Mara). In their search, the two intercept Charles (Clifton Collins Jr.), a man carrying vital information about the whereabouts of Gabriel’s family. As we revisit the past, we are guided in unraveling the puzzle of Gabriel’s experience and what will eventually lead us to finding his family.

The combo pack comes with a Blu-ray + Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer looks good enough for this film. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 works well with the action/suspense. The special features are boring and empty like the film. There is only an audio commentary included with the director Dito Montiel and Military Advisor Sergeant Nick Jones Jr.

Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Abbie Cornish, Colin Farrell, Matt Gerald
Directors: Afonso Poyart
Rated: R
Studio: LIONSGATE
Release Date: March 14, 2017
Run Time: 102 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

“Solace” was originally supposed to be a sequel to the 1995 film “Se7en”. I guess when they realized that it wasn’t up to the par of its predecessor they dropped the connection. They are only giving it a push now because of the fame that Jeffrey Dean Morgan brings from “The Walking Dead”. Anthony Hopkins and Colin Farrell co-star and along with Morgan they all give great performances but the film itself isn’t very memorable.

Official Premise: When FBI Special Agent Joe Merriwether (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is unable to solve a series of homicides, he enlists the help of a former colleague, Dr. John Clancy (Anthony Hopkins), a retired physician with psychic powers. Soon, Clancy realizes that his exceptional intuitive powers are no match for the extraordinary powers of the vicious murderer (Colin Farrell) on a mission.

The combo pack comes with a Blu-ray + Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer presented with an aspect ratio of 2.41:1 looks perfect for this cat/mouse thriller. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 also nails the suspense down pat! The special features are a bit of let down only featuring an audio commentary track with Director Afonso Poyart and a short featurette called “Visions and Voices: The Making of Solace” and a trailer.

Actors: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement
Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall, Chris Williams
Rated: PG
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Run Time: 107 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

“Moana” is one of my favorite movies of 2016. I love the story, the music, the characters. Everything about it is perfect. I have not stopped listening to the soundtrack since before the film came out. This is one strong female character film as well. With having a nearly five year old daughter, this is very important. My daughter as well hasn’t stopped dancing around the house to the songs from this film and even has a full Moana costume that she frequently dresses up in. We need more films like this!

“Moana” stars Auli’i Cravalho as the voice of Moana, Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Maui, Temuera Morrison (“Once Were Warriors”) as Moana’s father, Chief Tui; Rachel House (“Hunt for Wilderpeople”) as Moana’s Gramma Tala; and Nicole Scherzinger (Grammy®-nominated singer) as Moana’s mother, Sina; Jemaine Clement (“What We Do in the Shadows,” Flight of the Conchords) voices the crab, Tamatoa; and Alan Tudyk (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Big Hero 6”) voices the rooster Heihei.

Official Premise: From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana”, an epic adventure about a spirited teen who sets sail on a daring mission to save her people. Along the way, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once mighty demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), and together they cross the ocean on a fun-filled, action-packed voyage. Bring home the movie full of heart, humor and oceans of bonus extras!

Disney is releasing this film as a combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer is gorgeous. I love the use of colors in this film. It is so bright and vibrant. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 also works perfectly with the film’s beautiful songs and score. The special features are amazing like the film itself. There are two shorts included. The first was the theatrical short film “Inner Workings” that premiered before the film. There is also an all-new Maui mini-movie called “Gone Fishing”, which is a blast to watch.

The rest of the special features are just incredible. “Voice of the Islands” looks into how the Pacific Island people and cultures inspired the story. There are features about the cast/stars, the musical team Opetaia Foa’i, Mark Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda and the making of the music also. There is a fun hidden images throughout the film in “Fishing for Easter Eggs”. “The Elements of” is a series of short behind-the-scenes in the production.

There is a deleted song called with “Warrior Face” with introduction by songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda. There are a bunch of deleted scenes with intros from the directors. There is a music video for “How Far I’ll Go” – Performed by Alessia Cara as well as a Multi-language collection of the song. Lastly there is a must-listen audio commentary track again with directors with great insight view into the production from all aspects.

Actors: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen
Directors: Scott Derrickson
Rated: PG-13
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Run Time: 115 minutes

Film: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Doctor Strange” is easily of the best films that I have seen. It is definitely one of the best Marvel flicks that I have seen in a long time. I am honestly getting a little or more like a lot superhero fatigued. This film deals with time-traveling, world-bending and supernatural powers, which really interested me a lot. A must see for any fan. Cumberbatch is perfect in the role and I can’t wait to see what he does in “Avengers: Infinity War” and hopefully “Doctor Strange 2” on day soon.

Official Premise: From Marvel Studios comes “Doctor Strange”, the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident renders his hands useless. When traditional medicine fails him, he travels to remote Kamar-Taj in search of a cure, but instead discovers the mystical arts and becomes a powerful sorcerer battling dark forces bent on destroying our reality.

“Doctor Strange” is a visual marvel (no pun intended). I love this film and the way it looks is just perfect. The 1080p transfer looks amazing on Blu-ray. I am sure it looks even better in 4K. I personally prefer this film in 3D, which just looks so amazing. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 is amazing. I believe that this is in the running for top Blu-ray A/V merits for this year already.

The special features are quite awesome. Kicking off with a exciting and fun audio commentary track with director Scott Derrickson, which gives awesome into into the film and it’s production. It was recorded a day before the film was released, I would have preferred to have Scott cover more post release tidbits from fan requests etc otherwise it is great.

There are five featurettes that dive into the production. The first is “A Strange Transformation” which covers the basics – the cast, locations, story etc. “Strange Company” dives more into the character development. “The Fabric of Reality” looks at costumes and set construction. “Across Time and Space” looks into the stunts and digital effects.  Lastly there is “The Score-Cerer Supreme”, which focuses on Michael Giacchino’s score.

There is a piece called “Marvel Studios Phase 3 Exclusive Look” which looks at the films in the phase and Doctor Strange’s place within them. “Team Thor: Part 2” is follow up to the short film that nearly broke the internet last year! Can’t wait till “Thor 3”! Lastly there are a few deleted and extended scenes  included as well as a fun gag reel.

Actors: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges
Directors: Kenneth Lonergan
Rated: R
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Run Time: 137 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

“Manchester By The Sea” is a very rare film that I was unable to finish. I made it halfway through this film twice but I cannot finish it. I couldn’t stand it from the moment it started. This doesn’t mean that the acting isn’t good. Casey Affleck definitely did a great job. Was he better than Denzel Washington in “Fences”? No way! People have loved this movie I am sure but I am not one of them and its not the first time I heard someone else say that they couldn’t finish it either. Congrats to Amazon Studios but I will take a pass on this.

Official Premise: Casey Affleck heads a powerhouse cast in this acclaimed and deeply moving film from award-winning writer-director Kenneth Lonergan. After a solitary Boston janitor (Affleck) unexpectedly becomes the sole guardian of his 16-year-old nephew, he must come to terms with a past that separated him from his wife (Michelle Williams) and his hometown, as uncle and nephew unite for an unforgettable journey of love, community, sacrifice, and hope.

The Blu-ray presentation are solid but at the same time nothing special. The 1080p transfer doesn’t have any visual aspect that wowed me very much at all. It looks good though. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sounds good with the music and score but again nothing groundbreaking. The special features are rather weak as well. There is a “A Conversation with Director / Writer Kenneth Lonergan”, which is more like an audio commentary but I didn’t listen much there. There is also an EPK “Emotional Lives: Making Manchester by the Sea” and some deleted scenes included.

Actors: Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes, Janelle Monae, Mahershala Ali
Directors: Barry Jenkins
Rated: R
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Run Time: 111 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

First of all let’s start with a BIG congrats to “Moonlight” for winning Best Picture during the 2017 Oscars and also to Mahershala Ali for winning Best Supporting Actor, in which he deserves for another impressive performance.  This wasn’t a film that I originally rushed out to see and it features some great acting. Personally not my cup of tea and definitely not the best picture of 2016, but worth checking out for the performances.

Official Premise: A timeless story of human connection and self-discovery, Moonlight chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami. Anchored by extraordinary performances from a tremendous ensemble cast, Moonlight is profoundly moving portrayal of the moments, people, and unknowable forces that shape our lives and make us who we are.

The Blu-ray looks fantastic. I really love the way that this film was shot. The 1080p transfer is presented with a 2.38:1 aspect ratio. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is also very effective with the film’s score. The special features are decent and worth checking out if you enjoyed the movie. There is an audio commentary with the film’s director Barry Jenkins. I enjoyed this during a second viewing to get some great insight. There are also three featurettes on the production. The first is “Ensemble of Emotion: The Making of Moonlight”, next is “Poetry Through Collaboration: The Music of Moonlight” and last is
“Cruel Beauty: Filming in Miami”. Overall pretty solid release!

Starring: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris, Simon McBurney, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Betts
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Rated: R
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Run Time: 124 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“Allied” is a solid film with a solid cast and a solid director but doesn’t deliver a completely satisfying film. “Allied” is what I call a one timer. I definitely enjoyed it but it is no likely to be something that I would watch again. I like the way that film was shot. Pitt and Cotillard really look the parts from the makeup to their attire. There was alot of detail put into this production to capture the specific era.

Original Premise: Oscar winners Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard star as Max Vatan and Marianne Beauséjour, two of the world’s deadliest spies, who fall in love while undercover on a top-secret mission and marry during World War II. But when Max learns his wife may be secretly conspiring with the enemy, he has only 72 hours to prove her innocence and save his family before he must do the unthinkable.

The combo pack comes with a Blu-ray and UV/iTunes digital copy. The 1080p transfer works perfectly with the way the film is shot and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is on point with the film’s score and dialogue. The special features consist of ten featurettes covering the entire production from the story to the costumes to the vehicles, music and much more.

Actors: Steven Seagal, Russell Wong, Jemma Dallender
Directors: Keoni Waxman
Rated: R
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Run Time: 90 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

I have to admit I have a sweet spot for anything with Steven Seagal. “Contract to Kill” though just feels like him collecting a paycheck for really no effort. This film is lazy as is Seagal’s performance. It’s hard to critique him because I am a fan but he just is sleep walking through this film and it really shows. Hopefully his next role (aka cash-in check) will be better. I will still loyally watch, I am sure.

Official Premise: Action star Steven Seagal stars as a government enforcer investigating a terrorist plot that leads him and his team to Istanbul. There, they uncover an extremist plan to use drug-smuggling routes to bring deadly weapons — and leaders — into the U.S. To prevent an attack on America, Harmon must turn these two savage forces against one another before his time — and luck — runs out.

Lionsgate is releasing this film as a Blu-ray and Digital HD combo pack. The A/V on the Blu-ray aren’t anything special. The shaky camera used in the film makes it annoying to watch and keep track of Seagal. Like the film itself, there isn’t much content in the special features department. The other extra included is “The Making of Contract to Kill” featurette, which is a brief look into the production.

Actors: Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Directors: Tom Ford
Rated: R
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Run Time: 116 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

“Nocturnal Animals” is easily one of the worst films I saw in 2016. I was so damn bored watching this movie. The story was so interesting at first but after a little bit it just lost me and I was left waiting for a big payoff that might have not made me feel like I wasted two hours of my life…but it never came. Acting wise the film is a hit, Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are all outstanding and that is where the two stars came from in my rating. If you are a hardcore Tom Ford fan, you might enjoy but I am not and I didn’t. Hard pass on this one folks!

Official Premise: Susan (Amy Adams) is living through an unfulfilling marriage when she receives a package containing a novel manuscript from her ex-husband, Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal). The novel is dedicated to her but its content is violent and devastating. Susan cannot help but reminisce over her past love story with the author. Increasingly she interprets the book as a tale of revenge, a tale that forces her to re-evaluate the choices that she has made, and reawakens a love that she feared was lost.

Universal released “Nocturnal Animals” as a combo pack including Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer looks solid. I did like the way the film was shot. It was very well done. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track works well with the score to build up suspense. The special features are a bit of a let down three-part featurette called “The Making of Nocturnal Animals” including the following “Building the Story,” “The Look of Nocturnal Animals,” and “The Filmmaker’s Eye: Tom Ford.” No commentary with the cast/crew or anything else included.

Actors: Billy Bob Thornton, Brett Kelly, Tony Cox, Kathy Bates, Christina Hendricks
Directors: Mark Waters
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Broad Green Pictures
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Run Time: 94 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

Billy Bob Thornton, Brett Kelly, Tony Cox all return for the completely unnecessary sequel. The 2003 film was a great film and that’s it. We never needed a sequel to this…did they see what happened to “Anchorman 2” or “Zoolander 2″…they didn’t learn. Kathy Bates and Christina Hendricks are to the cast but add no value, in fact I usually love Bates but she was flat out terrible in this. A few funny jokes but overall this just shouldn’t have happened.

Official Premise: Fueled by cheap whiskey and greed, Willie Soke (Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton), teams up once again with his angry sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity run by curvaceous Diane (Christina Hendricks). But the arrival of Willie’s horror story of a mother, Sunny (Academy Award-winner Kathy Bates), and “the kid” – Thurman Merman – may upset their plan. You better watch out, Bad Santa 2 is coming to town!

The Blu-ray presentation is nothing special but works for what it is. No complaints. If you want a Digital HD copy of this film included, you would need to shell out for the 4K Ultra HD release…but I wouldn’t waste your money. The special features aren’t anything special either. There are two versions of the film included. The Theatrical Version runs 1:32:16 and the Unrated Version runs 1:34:50. So it is really nothing extra included here making this worth it.

The special features included are “Thurman Then & Now” is as look into the actor between the two films. Next is “Just Your Average Red Band”, which looks at how raunchy the film is.  “That’s My Willie” Original Animated Series is a collection of animated shorts. “Jingle Balls” is (not a shocker her) the song “Jingle Bells” giving a dirty twist. Lastly there are a few deleted scenes, an alternate opening/ending and gag reel included.

Actors: Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick, Haley Lu Richardson
Directors: Kelly Fremon Craig
Rated: R
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 14, 2017
Run Time: 105 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

I am honestly surprised that “The Edge of Seventeen” didn’t get more attention. It packs some really solid performances from Woody Harrelson and Hailee Steinfeld. Woody has had a really nice comeback recently and I am glad to see him getting some great roles. Same goes for Hailee Steinfeld, she was amazing in this film. She is a far better actor that she is a singer. Typically coming-of-age aren’t my bag but this one is definitely worth checking out.

Official Premise: In the vein of classic coming-of-age films like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, The Edge of Seventeen is a poignant and hilarious look at what it’s like to be a teenager today. Growing up is hard, and life is no easier for Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), who is already at peak awkwardness when her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson, Ravenswood) begins dating her all-star brother Darian (Blake Jenner). All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever. With the help of her reluctant sounding-board (Woody Harrelson), she soon discovers that what feels like the end of the world may just be the beginning of growing up.

Universal delivers “The Edge of Seventeen” as a combo pack including Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet copy. The 1080p transfer is nothing special but looks good enough for a coming-of-age film. The surprise here is the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track. It works with the film’s music but doesn’t really get used to it’s full potential. In terms of special features, this release is a major let down only including a gag reel and three very short deleted scenes.

Actors: Joe Alwyn, Kristen Stewart, Chris Tucker, Garrett Hedlund, Makenzie Leigh
Directors: Ang Lee
Rated: R
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 14, 2017
Run Time: 113 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

Ang Lee’s latest film, “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” was one that came and went so fast, but no one even noticed. Especially with a supporting cast including Co-starring Kristen Stewart, Chris Tucker, Garrett Hedlund, Vin Diesel and Steve Martin. I mean are you serious? This film was also the first 4K presentation of the film to be showed at 60 FPS…but watching it on Blu-ray you are missing most of the “experience”. The 4K Ultra HD (with 3D) is where this film would shine more…but we did not receive that version to feature. If you can get your hands on that edition, it is worth watching one. Not anything that I would see again but I did enjoy the performances.

Official Premise: The story is told from the point of view of 19-year-old private Billy Lynn (Joe Alwyn) who, along with his fellow soldiers in Bravo Squad, becomes a hero after a harrowing battle in Iraq and is brought home temporarily for a victory tour. Through a sequence of flashbacks, the truth about what really happened is revealed – contrasting the realities of the war with America’s distorted perceptions of heroism.

The standard Blu-ray’s 1080p transfer with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track are still both impressive not faults there at all but when you look at the potential of this film it is like watching it on VHS tape. You missing a lot of the purposeful detail. The special features are not great either. There are a few deleted scenes and four featurettes included about the production. Again, the 4K Ultra HD disc has more content.

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