Blu-ray 3D Review “Warcraft 3D”

Actors: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Toby Kebbell
Directors: Duncan Jones
Format: 3D
Rated: PG-13
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: September 27, 2016
Run Time: 123 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
3D: 5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

There is no shortage of talent behind this film. It was directed by Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) and stars Travis Fimmel (“Vikings,” Maggie’s Plan), Paula Patton (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Deja Vu), Dominic Cooper (Captain America: The First Avenger, Need for Speed) and Ben Foster (Lone Survivor, 3:10 to Yuma). The film was not a big hit domestically but worldwide it did pull in a pretty penny. I loved it and I would recommend it highly for an action packed wild ride. I hope they continue the series for sure, since it is setup so well for future installment.

Official Premise: The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: Orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, an unlikely group of heroes is set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their families, their people and their home.

If the games fans would have given this movie a chance they would have realized how epic and awesome it is. The visual effects on this film were simply amazing. I LOVED the 3D effects, in fact they were the best that I have seen in a movie since “Edge of Tomorrow” with Tom Cruise. It literally blew me away. The Blu-ray transfer looks outstanding on my TV and the 3D was extremely effect. The colors were also perfectly displayed and delivered a great viewing experience.

The Blu-ray 3D combo pack also comes with a standard Blu-ray and a digital HD copy. The special features are loaded up with over 90 minutes of bonus content, including deleted scenes, an exclusive stop-motion Warcraft comic, and several behind-the-scenes looks at stunts, visual effects, story origins, and more. First up here have “WARCRAFT: Bonds of Brotherhood”, which is an awesome never-before-seen motion comic. “The World of Warcraft on Film: The “World of Warcraft” focuses on the world that is created for the film and how it differs from the game and it focuses on the talent as well as the outstanding VFX.

“Outfitting a World” gives costume designer Mayes Rubeo the spotlight to discuss how the film’s weaponry and armor were created. “The World of MOCAP” discusses the creation of the Orcs. “The World of Stunts” looks deeper into the VFX and fight scenes in the film. Lastly there is a featurette on Madame Tussauds, the original teaser from San Diego Comic-Con in 2013, as well as a few deleted scenes and gag reel included.

 

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Blu-ray Review “Now You See Me 2”

Actors: Morgan Freeman, Jesse Eisenberg, Daniel Radcliffe, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo
Directors: Jon M. Chu
Rated: PG-13
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: September 6, 2016
Run Time: 129 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“Now You See Me” was a good film…but it was not a film that was asking for sequel in any way. The only thing that the unnecessary sequel does is enlarge its cast. This time only with Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers), Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games franchise), Dave Franco (Nerve), Michael Caine (The Dark Knight) and Morgan Freeman (The Shawshank Redemption). We get Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter franchise), Lizzy Caplan (Cloverfield) and Jay Chou (The Green Hornet) added to the magic show. Unfortunately it doesn’t have much magic up it sleeves like the first film.

Official Premise: The Four Horsemen (Eisenberg, Harrelson, Franco, Caplan) return for a second mind-bending adventure, elevating the limits of stage illusion to new heights and taking them around the globe. One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, the illusionists resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate. The man behind their vanishing act is none other than Walter Mabry (Radcliffe), a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack comes with a DVD anda also a Digital HD of the film. The 1080p transfer showcases the razzle dazzle of Las Vegas very well in its stylized feel. The Dolby Atmos track works great with the scale of the film and the presentation definitely delivers the magic unlike the film itself. In terms of special features, there is an audio commentary with the director as well as three behind-the-scenes featurettes, which dive into the making of the film and how the cast/crew learned the film’s magic tricks.

Blu-ray Review “Equals”

Actors: Nicholas Hoult, Kristen Stewart, Bel Powley, Guy Pearce
Directors: Drake Doremus
Rated: PG-13
Studio: LIONSGATE
Release Date: September 6, 2016
Run Time: 93 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

When I started watching “Equals”, I got very excited because it has this really cool futuristic feel to it that I was digging. Unfortunately by the end it wasn’t able to hang on tightly to that vibe and ended up feeling very generic and forgettable. Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult star and deliver some pretty solid performances. I also really enjoyed Stewart in a film that no one saw a while back called “Camp X-Ray” also. The stylized word that was created here was a neat idea and I would have loved to see it fleshed out a bit more.

Official Premise: A seemingly utopian world, “The Collective” has ended crime and violence by genetically eliminating all human emotions. Despite this, Nia and Silas can’t help noticing a growing attraction between them, leading them to a forbidden relationship — at first tentative, but then exploding into a passionate romance. As suspicion begins to mount among their superiors, the couple will be forced to choose between going back to the safety of the lives they have always known, or risking it all to try and pull off a daring escape.

The Blu-ray combo pack also comes with a digital HD copy of the film. The 1080p transfer looks great with the utopian future that is displayed. The score is subtle yet carries the film well. The special features are a little light. There are three featurettes focusing on the behind-the-scenes, “Switched On”, “The Collective” and “Utopia” with cast/crew discussing the film. Lastly there is also an audio commentary with Director Drake Doremus, Cinematographer John Guleserian, and Editor Jonathan Alberts. There was some solid information about the film here and a few points that I actually wasn’t happy with the film was even addressed here.

Blu-ray Review “Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Two”

Actors: Taylor Gray, Vanessa Marshall, Tiya Sircar, Jr. Freddi Prinze, Steve Blum
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
Release Date: August 30, 2016
Run Time: 484 minutes

Season: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

When the first season of “Star Wars Rebels” started, my daughter and I were all in. We watched religiously and enjoyed the first season. Honestly, I did enjoy the second season but I wasn’t overall blown away by it and I don’t feel that IN WHOLE it superseded the first. The best part of the season was the return of Ahsoka Tano, Darth Maul and the introduction of animated Darth Vader. For me those three things saved the season. Otherwise, I honestly don’t even remember much else from it. Hopefully season 3 kicks off with a bang and delivers a better run to keep my interest in this show.

Official Premise: As Ezra Continues his journey to become a Jedi under Kanan’s guidance, the crew of the Ghost bands together with a secret rebel cell and ex-soldiers from the Clone Wars to join a fledgeling alliance to restore peace and freedom to the galaxy. But the dark side looms large as Darth Vader dispatches new Inquisitors, setting the stage for a climactic showdown in which terrible truths will be revealed and the lives of our heroes will be changed forever.

There is no shortage of great talent in this show. The series features the voices of Freddie Prinze Jr. (“I Know What You Did Last Summer”) as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall (TV’s “Young Justice”) as Hera, Steve Blum (“The Boxtrolls”) as Zeb, Tiya Sircar (“The Internship”) as Sabine, Taylor Gray (TV’s “Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures”) as Ezra, Ashley Eckstein (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) as Ahsoka Tano, Dee Bradley Baker (“Phineas and Ferb”) as Captain Rex and EVERY clones (that’s right EVERY CLONE), David Oyelowo (“The Butler”) as Agent Kallus and Sarah Michelle Gellar (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer”) as The Seventh Sister Inquisitor.

The 1080p transfers looks good with the animation and colors perfectly for the TV series. My main issue with the presentation is the audio tracks. I am very disappointed that Disney only is giving us DVD-quality Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks for these episodes. This really feels like a mistake and a real missed opportunity. The special features are decent and worth checking out if you enjoyed the season and looking for some fun extras. “From Apprentice to Adversary: Vader vs. Ahsoka” is an exclusive to Blu-ray extra with Executive Producer Dave Filoni reflecting on the climactic ending of the season with Ahsoka Tano and Darth Vader. “Connecting the Galaxy: Rebels Season Two” looks into easter eggs and other Star Wars connections from the show. Lastly “Rebel Recons” features 20 episode recons with behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with cast and crew, and more!

Blu-ray Review “The Jungle Book (2016)”

Actors: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o
Directors: Jon Favreau
Rated: PG
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
Release Date: August 30, 2016
Run Time: 106 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

I have to admit right off that I didn’t love this film. Before you jump, the visuals were amazing and at times it was almost difficult to see the line between real and CGI with the characters but I wasn’t grabbed in. I have the fonded appreciation for director Jon Favreau and his work. He updated this 50+ year old film with some outstanding technology but overall, the film feels too dark for me and doesn’t have that cheer of the original.
The voice cast is extremely strong here including Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Bill Murray, Christopher Walken, Scarlet Johansson, Lupita Nyong’o, Garry Shandling and Giancarlo Esposito. These are some A-list names here and they all do a great job especially with Murray and Walken singing there respective tunes. So once again, I didn’t love this film but I did like it. I just was hoping to leave with more of a smile.

Official Premise: Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.

Despite my opinions on the film itself, the Blu-ray is nearly perfect. Since the visuals in the film are so outstanding it is only expected that the 1080p transfer would deliver it perfectly. From the CG characters to the landscapes there is so much detail through this film. From the water to the hair on the characters, it is all beautiful done and shows up amazing on Blu-ray. I would be curious to see how this looks on 3D Blu-ray. The same goes for the film’s DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 which delivers a wonderful experience with from the subtlest sounds to the massive battles. Kudos to John Debney’s score for delivering a very well-rounded score.

“The Jungle Book” doesn’t come jam-packed with extras but there is a solid making-of extra, two featurettes, and an audio commentary from director Favreau. Also a DVD copy of the film and a Digital HD code are included. The commentary track is very insightful. Favreau goes into depth on the production and delivers a highly recommended track, I appreciated the film a little more after listening to this track. “The Jungle Book Reimagined” runs just over 30 minutes and looks into the making-of the film from the visual effects to the voice casting etc. Lastly there are two quick featurettes included. The first is “I Am Mowgli” which focuses on casting Neel Sethi and the second is “King Louie’s Temple: Layer by Layer”, which break down the film’s key scene.

Blu-ray Review: “The Commitments” 25th Anniversary Edition

Starring: Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne and Angeline Ball
Directed by: Alan Parker
Number of discs: 1
Rating: R
Studio: RLJ Entertainment
DVD Release Date: August 30, 2016
Run Time: 118 mins

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

Can it really be 25 years since that rowdy group of musicians from Dublin, Ireland that called themselves The Commitments first burst upon the scene? Sadly (for me anyway) yes it has.

The film tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte (Arkins), a young man who longs to be a successful music manager. Check that. Jimmy wants to be the next Brian Epstein. He’s had some hits and misses but he’s set his sights on putting together the greatest soul band ever created. He holds auditions at his home, asking each aspiring performer what their musical influences are. Rest assured, the ones that answer “Barry Manilow” or even Ireland’s own U2 do not get invited in. Eventually he puts together a band that was, to quote “Duck” Dunn in “The Blues Brothers,” “powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.”

Of course, as things begin to go well for the group they also go bad. Infighting, bruised egos and the fact they aren’t making money begins to get to everyone. Finally, they book a major gig and are told that Wilson Pickett, who is currently touring Ireland, will join them on stage. But can the group stay together for that crucial show?

Directed by the great Alan Parker, who surely knows his way around music having directed “Fame,” “Pink Floyd The Wall” and “Evita” among other films, “The Commitments” is full of young musicians with both talent and drive. The only familiar face in the cast is Colm Meaney, who plays Jimmy’s father, an Elvis man true and true. Music fans may also recognize Glen Hansard who, in 2008, co-wrote the Academy Award winning Best Song “Falling Slowly” from the film “ONCE.” In 2012 he co-wrote the words and music for the Broadway musical version of “ONCE,” which won the Tony Award that year for Best Musical. Ironically, Hansard was not nominated for his musical score. “The Commitments” earned an Oscar nomination for Best Editing and swept the BAFTA’s, winning four awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

The extras on the disc are also pretty impressive and include a commentary by director Parker and a look back with the cast. What amazed me the most was that Andrew Strong, who plays the groups lead singer, was only 16 years old when cast.

If it’s been 25 years since you saw “The Commitments,” I urge you to see it again. If you haven’t seen it yet….what are you waiting for?

Blu-ray Review “Narcos: Season One”

Actors: Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Pedro Pascal, Luis Guzmán, Bruno Bichir
Directors: Andrés Baiz, Fernando Coimbra, Guillermo Navarro, José Padilha
Number of discs: 3
Rating: TV-MA
Studio: LIONSGATE
DVD Release Date: August 23, 2016
Run Time: 352 minutes

Season: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I have Netflix but I never checked out this Pablo Escobar drug cartel drama. I received this Blu-ray and figure out I give it a chance and I am glad I did. The show is extremely engaging and locks you in from the very first episode. Wagner Moura (“Elysium”) really nails the role of the legendary Escoba. As does the supporting cast, Boyd Holbrook (Gone Girl), Pedro Pascal (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”), Luis Guzmán (TV’s “Code Black”), Bruno Bichir (TV’s “The Bridge”), and Ana de la Reguera (TV’s “Jane The Virgin”). I am now looking forward to the second season on Netflix.

Official Premise: Narcos: Season One, produced by Gaumont Television, stars Wagner Moura (Elysium) in a Golden Globe-nominated performance as the legendary Escobar, following him as he attempts to evade the two DEA agents that brought the famed Medellín Cartel to its knees. With electrifying performances and action sequences charged with heart-pounding suspense, this Golden Globe-nominated series follows the true-life story of the rise of international cocaine cartels — and the battle waged by law enforcement to stop them. At the center of the conflict are Pablo Escobar (Moura), the notorious Colombian drug kingpin, and the two DEA agents sent to take him down: Steve Murphy (Holbrook) and Javier Peña (Pascal).

“Narcos: Season One” packs an impressive Blu-ray presentation. The 1080p transfer in 1.78:1 showcases the episodes extremely well. From the tropical rain forests to the cocaine processing labs, the locations are beautifully showcased and look amazing. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 also delivers a nice punch for each episode and sounds great.  Pedro Bromfman’s score wasn’t my favorite of the year but is works great with the show and sounds amazing with its surround materials.

There is one audio commentary on each of the three discs. The first is on the episode “Descenso with Actor Wagner Moura and Executive Producer/Director Jose Padilha. The second is on “Explosivos” with Executive Producer Chris Brancato. The last one is  on “Despegue” with Executive Producer Eric Newman and Director Andi Baiz. There are a few interesting featurettes included also. The first is “Establishing the Route” which focuses on the start of this series. “The Colombian Connection” dicusses shooting in Colombia. “The Language Barrier” focuses on challenges with making a bilingual show. Lastly there are some Deleted Scenes included.

DVD Review “Castle: The Complete Eight and Final Season”

Actors: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Susan Sullivan, Molly Quinn, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever
Number of discs: 5
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
DVD Release Date: August 23, 2016
Run Time: 946 minutes

Season: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I have been a hardcore “Castle” fan since the very first episode. It is really hard for me to close the book on this series with “The Complete Eight and Final Season”. I feel like this show still had a lot of great life in it. I loved EVERY SINGLE episode and the chemistry between the cast was like no other show I have ever seen. I also fee like even though this season gives the show a fitting ending, I still can’t believe that it is over. I have been a huge Nathan Fillion for years before this show and I can’t wait to see what he is going to do next (other than his upcoming role on “Modern Family”). At least we have these DVD releases to revisit the show forever! (Even though I would have preferred Blu-ray).

Official Premise: Their fiery love affair has kept your pulse pounding week after week for the past eight seasons. Now, the heartfelt final chapter of Rick Castle and Kate Beckett comes to an end as one of the most beloved couples in television history match wits with their ultimate rival in a fight that will define their future. The season begins with a bang as a call from a mysterious stranger puts Beckett on the run and sets off an explosive chain of events. The action heats up when Castle’s daughter, Alexis, joins her father to solve the case of a lifetime. Fresh faces and unforgettable characters from the past join the precinct in a year full of devastating twists and turns. It all leads to the stunning series finale that will keep you on the edge of your seat and close the book on the incredible story of Castle and Beckett.

The DVD includes a collection of special features. There are audio commentaries included on a few of this seasons episodes as well as bloopers and deleted scenes included. “The Great Escape” is a really fun feature that puts the whole cast of the show locked in a room and sets a ticking clock. They have to hone their skills that they have learned from working on the eight seasons of the show to solve mystery and escape! So fun and a great way to see the cast work together on a case on last time! Let’s hope that ABC will eventually release these on Blu-ray or at least a really cool box set collector’s edition.

 

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Blu-ray Review “Ash vs Evil Dead: The Complete First Season”

Actors: Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, Ray Santiago, Lucy Lawless, Jill Marie Jones
Number of discs: 2
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Release Date: August 23, 2016

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

I am one of the biggest “Evil Dead” franchise” fans. I have met Bruce Campbell and the cast of the three films in the franchise numerous times. I think I did a double back flip when I saw that we were getting a continuation in the franchise with this new series for Starz. The season is jam packed with enough amazing fanboy head explosion moments to satisfy any hardcore fan. A few of the episodes wonder a bit but overall I see an insane amount of future opportunities in this series and I have a feeling it will stick around for a long time! I am just happy that Ashley J. Williams is back and kicking Deadite ass! Can’t wait for season 2 this October!

The first season of “Ash vs Evil Dead” consists of 10 half-hour episodes and consists as a follow-up to the classic horror film franchise “The Evil Dead” The series is executive produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, and Bruce Campbell, the original filmmakers of the franchise, and Craig DiGregorio (“Chuck”), who serves as executive producer and showrunner. Other than Bruce, who is literally gold with every word he speaks, the supporting cast is great as well with Xena herself, Lucy Lawless, plays a very important role. Also up-and-comers Dana DeLorenzo, Ray Santiago show that they can kick some ass as well and work well with Bruce.

Official Series Premise: The series follows Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons –personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its “Evil” grip. The cast is led by Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, Lucy Lawless as Ruby a mysterious figure who believes Ash is the cause of the Evil outbreaks, Ray Santiago as Pablo Simon Bolivar, an idealistic immigrant who becomes Ash’s loyal sidekick, Dana DeLorenzo as Kelly Maxwell, a moody wild child trying to outrun her past and Jill Marie Jones as Amanda Fisher, a disgraced Michigan State Trooper set to find our anti-hero Ash and prove his responsibility in the grisly murder of her partner.

Starz is a great place for this show because they are able to show the gritty shit that other network stations would be afraid to. The Blu-ray includes impressive 1080p transfers. The show is shot digitally and even though it doesn’t have that gritty feel we all love from the franchise films, it looks amazing. Topped only by the outstanding Dolby TrueHD 7.1 presentation for each episodes, which kicks ass with the intense soundtrack and awesome surround chainsaw-welding effects. I should also mention that the slipcover for this release is a sweet lenticular cover!

The first Blu-ray includes audio commentaries on all episodes from cast and creators with some additional extras included on disc two. Sadly, there are no DVD or digital versions of the show are included. I would have expected at least digital since Anchor Bay does include for their releases like “The Walking Dead”. The commentaries are fun and you can tell that the cast really enjoyed working together for this series. Other than the commentaries there are only three other features. The first is “Ash Inside the World” which gives skim details on each episode with behind the scenes details. “How to Kill a Deadite” features Bruce Campbell talking about the title feature. Lastly there is a compilation of Bruce Campbell’s best moments from this season in “Best of Ash”. Honestly expect a little more from these extras.

Blu-ray Review “Clown”

Actors: Andy Powers, Peter Stormare, Laura Allen, Elizabeth Witmere
Directors: Jon Watts
Rated: R
Studio: Anchor Bay Studios
Release Date: August 23, 2016
Run Time: 100 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

Who isn’t scared of clowns?! They just strike fear into the hearts of everyone. “Clown” had a lot of potential but doesn’t achieve it fully. The idea is there for this to be really creepy and scary but it ends up being neither. The story doesn’t really flesh out and walk around a bit.   The film stars Laura Allen (“The 4400″), Andy Powers (“ER”, “Oz”), Peter Stormare (“Fargo”) and produced by Master of Horror Eli Roth (“Hostel”, “Cabin Fever”). Unfortunately, Stormare (whom I LOVE) pops in here and there and doesn’t do much. I’ve seen this twice and it doesn’t get any better to be honest, probably recommend skipping this and re-watching “Stephen King’s IT”.

Official Premise: The story of a loving father who dons a clown outfit and makeup to perform at his son’s sixth birthday, only to later discover that the costume – red nose and wig included– will not come off and his own personality changing in a horrific fashion. To break the curse of the evil outfit, the father must make grim choices with his own family facing danger.

The Blu-ray comes with a digital HD copy, which was a bit of a surprise honestly for a film like this. The 1080p transfer isn’t terrible but also doesn’t feel amazing either. The film feels really low-budget and not well shot, so I am not shocked. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is decent as well. I could have seen this film rocking much more with a sweet 80’s synth score or something like that. It would have really made the mood much better. There is only one special feature included here (besides the digital HD copy) called “Making ‘Clown’ Featuring Producer Eli Roth” and the title sums up the 6 minutes extra talking about the process of this coming from fan-made trailer to feature film.

DVD Reviews “Power Rangers Megaforce & Power Rangers Super Megaforce: The Complete Seasons”

Actors: Andrew Gray, John Mark Loudermilk, Ciara Hanna, Azim Rizk, Christina Masterson
Directors: Jonathan Tzachor, Jonathan Brough
Number of discs: 5 (per set)
Rated: Not Rated
Studio: LIONSGATE
DVD Release Date: August 16, 2016
Run Time: 460 minutes (per set)

Seasons: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Some may not know but the “Power Rangers” series has never faded or slowed down in its success over the last 20+ years. The last two seasons were “Power Rangers Megaforce” and “Power Rangers Super Megaforce”. These two DVDs are each of the complete seasons included with a digital HD copy of each and some fun extras.

Power Rangers Megaforce: The Complete Season Synopsis: When the evil Warstar aliens plot a massive invasion of our planet, Earth’s supernatural guardian, Gosei, mobilizes a team of five extraordinary teens with the talent and attitude to oppose them: the Power Rangers Megaforce!

Power Rangers Super Megaforce: The Complete Season Synopsis: In order to stop ruthless Prince Vekar and his massive alien Armada, the Rangers have only one hope: to unlock the special keys — and harness the amazing powers of Legendary Rangers of the past!

Personally, I haven’t watched “Power Rangers” in a long time but watching these parts of this season I was easy drawn back in. I really enjoyed what they delivered. They were fun, cheesy and action packed. “Power Rangers Megaforce” includes the following special features Character Gallery, Zord Gallery and Power Rangers Morph Through 20 Years’ Video. Power Rangers Super Megaforce” also includes a featurette “Power Rangers: A Legacy”.

Blu-ray Review “11.22.63”

Starring: James Franco, Josh Duhamel, Sarah Gadon, Michael Izquierdo, Kevin Dennis, Daniel Webber
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Rated: Not Rated
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: August 9, 2016
Run Time: 450 minutes

Series: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

“11.22.63” is a great Stephen King novel, which was ruined in it’s TV expansion by casting James Franco as the star. This show has such potential. The story is so interesting and yet it is ruined by the ridiculously overacting of Franco, who just looks confused and stoned the who series. Chris Cooper was amazing and I wished we could have seen more of him. Behind the show was some major power with executive producer J.J. Abrams and the Master of Horror himself, Stephen King. I wish this could have been done better because I had really high expectations for 11.22.63. The next King adaptation will be “The Dark Tower” and I hope that does not follow in this series’ path.

Official Premise: Viewers hurtle deep into the unpredictable darkness of the American dream. James Franco stars as Jake Epping, a high school teacher at a loss with his life, who wants to make a difference and do something meaningful. Encouraged by his ailing friend (Chris Cooper), Jake journeys back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The story transports audiences into the world of 1960s Texas as Jake explores the multiple mysteries surrounding the alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald (Daniel Webber). But Jake’s mission faces threats not only from Oswald, but from Sadie (Sarah Gadon), a beautiful librarian he falls in love with, and from the Past itself… which doesn’t want to be changed. And if the Past doesn’t want to be changed, it will push back ­– often violently. With something for everyone, this edge-of-your seat mystery offers an epic and emotional thrill ride.

This Hulu Original cast includes James Franco (127 Hours, Milk), Sarah Gadon (Dracula Untold), Cherry Jones (Erin Brockovich), Lucy Fry (Game of Thrones, Pirates of the Caribbean), George MacKay (Defiance), Daniel Webber (K9), T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy), Kevin J. O’Connor, with Josh Duhamel (Transformers films) and Chris Cooper (American Beauty). The Blu-ray features nothing special in terms of audio/video, typical 1080p transfers and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks. DEcent, no complaints. There is only one special feature included here (besides a Digital HD copy) called “When the Future Fights Back”, which features the producers and Franco talking about turning the novel into the series.

DVD Review “Halt And Catch Fire: The Complete Second Season”

Actors: Scoot McNairy, Kerry Bishé, Toby Huss, Lee Pace, Mackenzie Davis
Rated: Not Rated
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
DVD Release Date: August 9, 2016
Run Time: 434 minutes

Season: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Halt and Catch Fire” is really a hidden gem that not a lot of people know about. It is also features two of my favorite actors that also are hidden gems Scoot McNairy and Lee Pace. These actors are truly amazing! They have been in a lot of high profile projects but aren’t given the true credit that they deserve. They both turn any project them are in into gold. This show is one of them. Maybe it’s because, I work in the IT film but this show is a blast to watch. I love how this show has evolved since the first season as well. It is a really deep show and not for those looking for something light and distracting. I found myself really involved with this show and it’s characters. I really hope that season 3 is around the corner!

Official Premise: Halt and Catch Fire is about the costs of daring to dream big at the dawn of the Information Age. Season Two, which takes place in early 1985, centers on the rise of Mutiny, Cameron and Donna’s start-up company, which is built upon the most disruptive idea of the modern era the Internet. In short order, Joe, Gordon, and Bosworth, too, are caught up in the online wave remaking the tech landscape all around them, even as they attempt to heal old wounds and deal with the fallout of Season One. Halt and Catch Fire Season Two explores themes that tap directly into the modern zeitgeist such as the thin line separating genius from self-delusion, the fragility of human connection, and everyone s desire, especially in today’s tech-obsessed world, to leave a meaningful mark and do something that truly matters.

Even though Anchor Bay did not give this season a Blu-ray release like season 1 it still delivers some special features worth checking out. There are Inside Episodes for each of the 10 episodes included this season. There are two featurettes focusing the show’s background “History of Now” and “Joe’s Strategic Benchmarks”. There is also a “Tour of An 80s Startup”, this is a fun one! Lastly there is a “Set Tour With Lee Pace And Scoot McNairy”. Did I already mention that these two guys can do no wrong?! Check out “Halt And Catch Fire”!

Blu-ray Review “Supergirl: The Complete First Season”

Starring: Melissa Benoist, Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh, Jeremy Jordan, David Harewood, Calista Flockhart
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: August 9, 2016
Run Time: 880 minutes

Season: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

The first season of “Supergirl” was a failure on a lot of level. But that doesn’t mean though that it doesn’t have potential. The show was essentially cancelled from CBS and moved to The CW, which is where it originally belonged. I actually stopped watching this show on two different occasions since I was just fed up with it going nowhere in the season. After deciding to finish it since I was wanted to see “The Flash” crossover, I do see that it might having a better chance in it second season now that it established itself a bit. Time will tell but I only see them able to improve after this lackluster season.

“Supergirl” stars Melissa Benoist (“Glee”), Chyler Leigh (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Mehcad Brooks (“About Last Night”) and Jeremy Jordan (“Smash”), with David Harewood (“Homeland”) and Calista Flockhart (“Brothers and Sisters”). Season One features some great guest stars including former Superman himself Dean Cain, Peter Facinelli, Jenna Dewan Tatum, Laura Benanti and Helen Slater from the 1984 “Supergirl” movie.

Official Premise: Born on the doomed planet Krypton, Kara Zor-El escaped at the same time as her cousin, Superman, but didn’t arrive on Earth until years later after being lost. Raised by her adopted family, the Danvers, Kara grew up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex, and learned to hide the phenomenal powers she shares with her famous cousin. Years later, at age 24, living in National City and working as an assistant for Catco Worldwide Media mogul Cat Grant, Kara has spent so many years trying to fit in that she forgot to ever stand out. All that changes when she decides to embrace her superhuman abilities and become the hero she was always destined to be. With the help of Daily Planet photographer James Olsen, her bioengineer sister Alex, and the research of the super-secret, off-the-grid Department of Extra-Normal Operations (DEO), who are tasked with keeping the Earth safe from aliens, Kara takes to the skies to protect her world.

The Blu-ray presentation is solid like most Warner TV Blu-ray releases. The 1080p transfer worked well with the shows visual effects, nothing major since it was a lower budget TV but still solid. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks showcased the shows few action scenes well. The special features include the “2015 Comic-Con Panel” as well as a gag reel and some deleted scenes. Lastly there are two documentaries, the first “The Man From Mars” which focuses on J’onn J’onzz and Supergirl. The second “A World Left Behind: Krypton” is based on Kara Zor-El’s home planet of Krypton.

DVD Review “Demolition”

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: 20TH CENTURY FOX
DVD Release Date: July 19, 2016
Run Time: 100 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal has been very consistent with his choice of roles (since Prince of Persia). They are usually very craft specific and meatier roles. One of his last film, “Southpaw” was one gritty and intense film. This film is lighter yet also heavier as well. It is bit depressing and a downer but it also has a lighter side. The performances though are key for “Demolition” both Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts knock it outta the park! Would I watch this again? Probably not might be worth checking out if you like the actors and have nothing else to watch. DVD comes with a digital HD copy.

Official Premise: Grieving investment banker Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) returns to work after losing his beloved wife in a tragic car accident. After writing a letter to complain about a vending machine, Mitchell receives a phone call from Karen (Naomi Watts), a customer service rep from the company. Karen becomes moved by his complete honesty, while Davis finds someone to lend a sympathetic ear. As his new friendship with Karen and her son grows, Mitchell finds the strength he needs to rebuild his life.

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