Starring: Tara Reid, Ian Ziering, John Heard
Director: Anthony C. Ferrante
Rated: Unrated
Studio: The Asylum
DVD Release Date: September 3, 2013
Run Time: 90 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I have always been a fan of B-movie films about sharks and I personally have seen them all not matter how bad. From “Swamp Shark” to “Super Shark” to the “Mega Shark” series, they are all fun films. Are they great pieces of cinema? Hell no! But still very entertaining and very fun. I think it was “Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus” that really raised the bar for these films and created worldwide recognition for this genre. “Sharknado” is just such a fun title that you can’t help but say “What the *$#$” when just hearing it. The film works the exact same way, take it for what it is just plain stupid fun.

The film became a cult classic and a cultural phenomenon before it even aired on Syfy. But honestly with a title like that how could it not. It literally has become a huge hit since it has aired and developed a growing and devoted fan-base since then. No this is not the best movie ever, in fact it is quite bad but like a car accident you can’t look away. I like to describe this movie as “the best movie of the year…yet also the worst”. So if you are looking for a good time, this will definitely be the flick to watch to do so.

Official Premise: Produced by The Asylum, “Sharknado” is the story of beachside bar regulars including owner Fin (Ian Ziering, “Beverly Hills 90210″), bartender Nova (Casie Scerbo, “Make It Or Break It”) and local drunk George (John Heard, “Home Alone”) as they team up with Fin’s ex-wife April (Tara Reid, “Scrubs”) to investigate the ecological nightmare that has sharks swimming through the streets of Los Angeles and falling from the skies.

So if you read the cast below, you see pretty decent names in this cast. Ian Ziering is just so much fun in the film. He knows this film is a gag and really just has fun with its. He is also great in a recent film called “National Lampoon’s The Legend of Awesomest Maximus”. Tara Reid plays it a little too serious for me and tries to “act” too hard. John Heard aka the dad from “Home Alone” has an all too brief role but gets some good lines in. Casie Scerbo is one of the cast that I wasn’t too aware prior but she easily took away some of the best lines in the film. That is another thing, I see this film being quoted for years to come. “They took my grandfather. So I really hate sharks.” Classic!

The Blu-ray itself, I have to admit I was expecting much more. With all the hype surrounding this film, I would have hoped that The Asylum would have given this some extra love but instead it gets a typical pretty typical release. The 1080p transfer works for the most part giving the film is not perfect. The film goes from dark skies to a sunny day in one sec, so if you get get past that. The transfer works for what it is given. The audio is impressive though with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

The special features are a decent but I would have loved to see them really capitalize on the fandom surrounding the film. There is a brief behind-the-scenes looks with “The Making of Sharknado”, as well as gag reel included. Lastly there is a cast & crew commentary track, which is fun and definitely worth the repeat viewing. If they took a little more time on this release, they could have included some of the fandom that this film has developed like artwork etc. I also think it would have been fun to attend a screening when this was shown in theaters and filmed a bit there as well with fan interviews. I would have loved to see more of that as well.

If you want more don’t worry Syfy is bringing it to you. There is already plans for a sequel called “Sharknado 2: The Next One”, which will be set in New York City and premiere on the Channel in July 2014. There is also a contest going on to be in the film and killed by a shark, so if you are in NYC and love this film that is a must to seek out. So get ready to roll those eyes as the madness continues with these very fun films.

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Actors: Lori Cardille, Terry Alexander, Richard Liberty, Joseph Pilato
Directors: George A. Romero
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Shout! Factory
DVD Release Date: September 17, 2013
Run Time: 101 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

I have always loved “Day of the Dead” but it is a very hard act to follow! “Dawn of the Dead” is easily one of the best horror films ever. But “Day” still has a ton of life in it (get the pun?!) and still holds up today even after almost 30 years. With TV shows like “The Walking Dead” and  films like “World War Z”, zombies have never been hotter, so this is a great time to revisit this classic. You also get to see “The Walking Dead” Director/Co-Executive Producer/Special Effects Make-Up Artist Greg Nicotero start off in the business with his first acting role. “Scream Factory, which is part Shout Factory, is finally giving this film the release that it deserves with this Collector’s Edition Blu-ray. This film has never looked so good and shines with this release. If you own Starz/Anchor Bay rather bland 2007 release of this film, it is definitely worth the upgrade. No question!

Official Premise: The concluding part of George A. Romero’s cult horror trilogy opens with the undead roaming the planet freely. The living have been forced underground, where they make their base in a hidden missile depot, helping with the experiments of scientist Doctor Logan (Liberty), who hopes to domesticate the zombies. However, the military faction of the human survivors favour a more direct approach, and with food stocks becoming ever more depleted, they decide to take action. What folllows is the final showdown between the forces of the living and the armies of the dead.

Scream Factory gave this film a lot of love with a brand new high-def transfer…and it looks stunning. I have the older 2007 Blu-ray and the comparison is really amazing.  Top that with a solid DTS-HD Master Audio track and this release is kicking on all cylinders. There is also some fantastic special features including two brand new extras. “World’s End: The Legacy of “Day of the Dead” is a brand new documentary, which is easily worth the purchase of the disc alone. “Underground: A Look into the ‘Day of the Dead’ Mines” is another new feature looking into the film’s shooting location.  There are two audio commentary tracks, the first with writer/director George A. Romero, Special Make-up Effects artist Tom Savini, Production Designer Cletus Anderson and actress Lori Cardille. The second is with filmmaker Roger Avary.  There is some great behind-the-scenes footage coming straight from Tom Savini’s personal archives. Lastly there are Photo Galleries, Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots included.

Actors: Josh Duhamel, Dan Fogler
Directors: Kevin Goetz, Michael Goetz
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Vertical Entertainment
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Run Time: 86 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out 5 stars

I was drawn to “Scenic Route” due to its cast starring Josh Duhamel (“Safe Haven”, “Transformers”) and Dan Fogler (“Kung Fu Panda”, “Balls of Fury”). But I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  “Scenic Route” was such a wild gripping ride.  It packs some really stunning performances from Duhamel and Fogler. When I think of Duhamel, I think about action star or romantic lead and when I think of Fogler, I think comedy.  “Scenic Route” packs some serious dramatic moments and keeps you on the edge of your seats.  Did I mention the entire film take place in the desert. Totally blown away here. Highly recommend this little gem!

Official Premise: Mitchell (Josh Duhamel) and Carter (Dan Fogler), life-long friends who have drifted apart, are on a road trip when their old pickup breaks down, leaving them stranded on an isolated desert road. Nobody can pick apart a man like his best friend, and as the relentless elements of the desert grind them down, they start to attack each other’s life decisions with unwavering brutality. As they question who they are and who they could have been, their agitation leads to physical confrontation and ultimately knife-wielding madness, and what begins as an inconvenience becomes a very real life or death struggle.

Vertical Entertainment delivered a very sharp Blu-ray release, which includes a Vudu digital streaming copy. The film is shot on a small scale but really has this wide wide since it’s background is the whole desert. It feels open yet still claustrophobic. The transfer is very clear and sharp.  Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which really adds a lot to the film as well from the dialogue to the haunting score. In terms of special features there is an audio commentary track included with the directors and Josh Duhamel.  I was very suprised to see him on the track but I am glad he is cause I really enjoyed it and it make it definitely worth the repeat viewing.

Actors: Christian Slater, Brendan Fehr, Amy Matysio, Michael Therriault
Directors: Roger Christian
Rated: Unrated
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Run Time: 88 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

You would think that director Roger Christian would have learned better after helming “Battlefield Earth” to stay away from the sci-fi genre. He does get props for me since he was a part of the Academy Award-winning team that art-directed the first “Star Wars”. Let’s not bullshit around here, “Stranded” is a sci-fi generic recycled piece of crap….but I still enjoyed it. Christian Slate does a good job as usual and carries the rest of the cast on his shoulders. The film tries really hard to be a blend of “Alien” meets “The Thing”. The special features are just ok but due to its low-budget it is quite impressive. I would recommend to sci-fi/horror junkies like myself.

Official Premise: When the isolated U.S. military moonbase is bombarded by a rogue meteor storm, Colonel Gerard Brauchman (Christian Slater) and his small crew are cut off from Earth with their life support failing. Before long, the crew discovers the meteors harbored alien spores…and they’re replicating. Now a vicious, shape-shifting predatory life form is loose inside the crippled facility, picking off victims one by one. Locked in a desperate fight for survival, Brauchman and the terrified remaining astronauts have one final mission…keep the creature from escaping the moon and finding a new food supply on Earth.

Image delivers a very sharp Blu-ray presentation for this low-budget film. I have to admit, I loved the 1080p transfer for this film. Even though, the film is quite dark, it is well shot and really well done. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 also scores a home run as well. It works with suspense and action. The special features are not the greatest but at least they have some extras included, so props there. “The Making of Stranded” is a pretty solid 15 minutes behind-the-scenes look into the film with interviews from the cast/crew. “Life on the Moon: The FX of Stranded” is also a great feature with makeup effects artist Emersen Ziffle but I just wish it ran a little longer to show off the impressive visual and practical effects.

Actors: Zhao Wei, Jaycee Chan, Kun Chen
Directors: Jingle Ma
Rated: TV-MA
Studio: Funimation
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Run Time: 115 minutes

Film: 3 out 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

I can’t help it (and I am sure I am not the only one), whenever I think about “Mulan”, I can’t help but think about the 1998 Walt Disney animated film. Well before watching “Mulan: Rise of a Warrior”, you must separate that connection because it is two very different film. There is no smart-talking dragons here, sorry Eddie Murphy. The director Jingle Ma, who is known for action films like “Tokyo Raiders” and “Seoul Raiders”, really had a vision for this and for the most part he is successfully in making it work. The film itself seemed a little too long for me but it is packed with great performances and impressive action sequences. So I think it is worth recommending to check out for a renter at least.

Official Premise: When barbarian hordes threaten her homeland, the brave and cunning Mulan disguises herself as a male soldier to swell the ranks in her aging father’s stead. The warrior’s remarkable courage drives her through powerful battle scenes and brutal wartime strategy. Mulan will be no stranger to sacrifice as she rises to become one of her country’s most valuable leaders. She’ll lose dear friends to the enemy’s blade—but can she win the war before her secret is exposed?

I originally though that this was an odd title for Funimation to be releasing since they are primarily known for releases some of my favorite Japanese animes. But I give them credit for rescuing this film, which was shot back in 2009, and gave it a proper Blu-ray release. In fact, they released this as a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack, which is a real treat. The 1080p transfer works with the epic feel that this film brings especially in the battle scenes. This release also comes stocked with both a Mandarian Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track and also an English dub with same specs. I preferred the original language track for sure over the dub but I still like having the preference.

There is no much in terms of quantity for the special features but there is great content. The “Making of Mulan” runs the length of a feature film just over 70 minutes. I enjoyed this quite a bit, there is a lot of great footage included in here. You really get a feel for the depth of the production within this feature. The other extra is a collection of interviews with the cast and crew, which runs about 15 minutes, also worth checking out for sure. Both extras are presented in Mandarin with English subtitles. So like I said no a lot of extras but they pack a solid punch. Great job overall, Funimation! Hope to see more live-action entries in your upcoming library as well, as your normal kick-ass animes.

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Actors: Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Tobias Santelmann, Gustaf Skarsgård, Jakob Oftebro
Directors: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Run Time: 96 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I heard about “Kon-Tiki” came to my attention during the Oscars earlier this year. It was nominated for the 2013 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Feature Film (Norwegian). I am also a sucker for a good film at sea and this really seemed exciting and entertaining. I have to say I was blown away and this film no question should have deserved the award. Due the success of this film, the Norwegian directors Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg’s next project is going to be the fifth “Pirates of the Caribbean”, so they hit it big already. The film is extremely visual and packs some of the best special effects, I have I seen recently in a non-big budget film. Highly Recommended.

Official Premise: Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl (Pal Sverre Hagen) crossed the Pacific ocean in a balsa wood raft in 1947, together with five men, to prove that South Americans already back in pre-Columbian times could have crossed the sea and settle on Polynesian islands. After gathering financing for the trip with loans and donations, they set off on an epic 101 day-long journey across 8,000 kilometers, all while the world was watching. Kon-Tiki tells about the origin of Heyerdahl’s idea and the events surrounding the group’s voyage. Earlier this year, Kon-Tiki was selected to represent Norway in the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 85th Academy Awards.

It recently came to my attention that the US theatrical cut was in fact edited from 119 minutes to 96 minutes. So this a little bit disappointing that we do not get the extended cut, especially since this version was the one that was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Foreign Feature Film. Anchor Bay did gives this film some love delivering the film as a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack. They both also come with the original Norwegian language track, as well as an English dub. No question, I prefer the original. The 1080p is crystal clear and plays well off the films amazing CGI effects and gorgeous cinematography.

I have to have the special features may not be much but they are still worth checking out, especially for the “Visual Effects Featurette”, which runs just under 10 minutes. Great detail before and after CGI effects focused on the Great White scene. I originally watched this online and I knew I immediately had to see this film just based on this one featurette. “Kon-Tiki: The Incredible True Story” is a 25 minute extra focusing on the actual expedition that Thor Heyerdahl made in 1947 and its legacy. I would have loved to see a commentary track included by our directors taking about making this visual masterpiece.

Actors: Ray Liotta, Dominic Purcell, Michael Pare
Directors: Uwe Boll
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Nasser
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Run Time: 90 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

“Suddenly” is a remake of the 1954 film, which starred Frank Sinatra, which was also just released on Blu-ray last December. This remake is directed by Uwe Boll, known best for his video game films “Blood Rayne”, “Postal” and “House of the Dead”. But before you go freaking out, Uwe has really stepped us his game in the last few years. “Assault on Wall Street” was easily his best film to date, which coincidentally also starred Dominic Purcell. The film is set in modern time, with Boll even hiring an Obama double to play the President. In the original, Sterling Hayden was the Sheriff and Frank Sinatra was the bad guy. In this film, Ray Liotta is the sheriff and Dominic Purcell is the bad guy. I was really impressed with this. Of course it doesn’t come anywhere near the original but it is fun to watch and I recommend you give it a chance.

Official Premise: Tod Shaw, a small-town cop, is a former Marine who lost his best friend in battle. Now unable to deal with the label war hero, he turns to alcoholism, which costs him his job. But after news hits that the President is coming through their town of Suddenly, he’s allowed to remain on duty- and it couldn’t come at a better time. Three assassins posing as Secret Service Agents have not only taken over his late friends’ home, but has also taken his family hostage and it will be up to Shaw to come to grip with his demons and save not only them, but the President of the United States.

I have always had a sweet spot for Uwe Boll’s film but this is definitely one of his best. It is well shot and packs some solid suspense. I think Boll got stuck in the idea that he can only do cheesy horror video game films but he really knows have to direct action quite well. The Blu-ray presentation works for the action in the film with a solid 1080p transfer and a decent DTS-HD Master Audio track. After speaking with Boll personally about this film, read our interview here, I would have loved to see some special features included, with perhaps a featurette or commentary track but here we are delivered a bare-bones Blu-ray release.

Starring: Hiroshi Tachi
Director: Shunji Oga
Number of discs: 6
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Sentai Filmworks
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Run Time: 1250 minutes

Series: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

“Golgo 13” has been around since its manga days going back to 1969, which was written and illustrated by Takao Saito. I was first introduced to this series with “Golgo 13: The Professional”, which was released in 1983 and fell in love with it. “Golgo 13” currently shows no signs of slowing down as it is currently the oldest manga that still in publication today. This Blu-ray release including the complete collection of the TV series for “Golgo 13”, which was produced by The Answer Studio back in 2008-2009. There are 50 episodes in this series, so there is some substantial content here to be had. This is no OVA, so get ready for some action packed spy insanity. If you love this “Golgo 13” from the manga or past films, this series is a must! It is fun, kick-ass and a great addition to this brand!

Official Premise: His targets never see it coming and he’s never caught. If there’s a witness to the kill, that poor SOB winds up dead too. People say he’s a ghost. A machine. A monster. But he’s Golgo 13, the most feared assassin in the world, the professional’s professional, and the killer of killers. And now he’s back with 50 targeted missions that will keep you glued to the screen and away from the windows. Load up for high-powered, bullet-riddled action with Golgo 13.

Sentai Filmworks gave this show a great Blu-ray treatment.  The episodes are sharp with it’s 1080p transfer and the animation looks very impressive. In the OVA from 1998, “Golgo 13: Queen Bee”, our lead is voiced by John DiMaggio (aka Finn the Dog from “Adventure Time” and Bender from “Futurama”). But in this series, he is voiced by David Wald who is a well-known voice actor for Funimation Entertainment and ADV Films but doesn’t deliver like DiMaggio. In fact, I have to admit if it was DiMaggio voicing Golgo, I would have favored the English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. But with this release, I would have to recommend the Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, with Golgo voiced by Hiroshi Tachi, for this release no question.

In terms of special features, there really isn’t much here. There is a clean opening and closing animation, which is nice to see once but nothing worth wild really. I was hoping for perhaps a featurette on the voice recording for the English dub or even a commentary track. Besides that there is just some additional trailers for upcoming Sentai titles. But the real sell for me anyway on this release is having all 50 episodes on high-def Blu-ray, so it is worth the purchase for that alone.

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Actors: Trine Dyrholm, Pierce Brosnan
Directors: Susanne Bier
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Run Time: 116 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“All you need is love (all together, now!)
All you need is love (everybody!)
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need (love is all you need)”

No ones says it better than The Beatles, right? Although this film is unrelated to the film, I couldn’t help it but make the connection here.  And also what is it about films set in Italy that make they so beautiful and very romantic? I am Italian, so I have grown up with a big Italian family but have never made the trip. Normally I am not a big “romantic comedy” fan but set in Italy, the city of love, I just couldn’t resist.  I also have found a new found love for Brosnan since he rocked it hard on “Mamma Mia”. The film is well directed and well-acted.  I recommend this for any couple to enjoy on a date night.  It is a little cheesy but it will definitely score you point men! Take my word for it!

Official Premise: From Susanne Bier, director of the Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning film In A Better World (2011, Best Foreign Language Film) comes a romantic comedy set in Sorrento, Italy. Philip (Brosnan), an Englishman living in Denmark, is a middle-aged widower and estranged single father. Ida (Dyrholm) is a Danish hairdresser who’s just been left by her husband for a younger woman. The fates of these two souls are about to intertwine as they embark for a trip to Italy to attend the wedding of Patrick and Astrid, Philip’s son and Ida’s daughter. It’s a story about seeking love and having the courage to change your life – even when you think it’s too late.

Sony delivered an impressive Blu-ray release. The 1080p transfer really captures the beauty of the film’s surroundings and looks very sharp. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks works with what is it given, there is nothing special but it is clear for the dialogue. The special features are decent as well. I was excited to see that there was an audio commentary with Pierce Brosnan, as well as the director Susanne Bier. This makes for a great revisit to this film. There is a Q&A included with Pierce Brosnan, Trine Dyrholm, Susanne Bier & Anders Thomas Jensen. There are additional cast interviews from the 2012 Venice Film Festival and also a Behind-the-Scenes with Trine Dyrholm from Venice Film Festival 2012.

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Starring: Ron Perlman, Katey Sagal, Kim Coates, Mark Boone, Jr., Charlie Hunnam, Maggie Siff
Creator: Kurt Sutter
Number of discs: 3
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Run Time: 917 minutes

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

I have to admit, I have not been a fan of “Sons of Anarchy” from day one.  I came onto this show late but had a blast catching up with past seasons. Season five was easily the best season of the show, no question.  It really took us all by surprise and keep you guessing where it was going to hit next. Sutter is really one kick-ass creator, he has a lot of love for this show and it shows with each episode.  This Blu-ray releases comes stocked with some awesome extended episodes for our favorites from this season. This is easily are worth the purchase alone. At Media Mikes, this season we had the priviledge of casting with various of the cast members this season including Ashley Tisdale, Drea de Matteo, Harold Perrineau, Kurt Sutter, Ron Perlman and Attika 7’s Rusty Coones. Read all of them here. I cannot wait to see what Sutter has drummed up for the sixth season, which premieres on September 10th, 2013. This Blu-ray is a great way to hold you off until then!

Official Premise: From creator Kurt Sutter comes the adrenaline-charged Sons of Anarchy, featuring extended episodes and kicking into high gear with its biggest, most explosive season ever! As SAMCRO’s new president, Jax is surrounded by ruthless enemies and gut-wrenching betrayal. With Gemma fighting for control of the family and a bloodthirsty Clay out for revenge, Jax finds himself haunted by the sins of his past. Alliances are forged, friends are murdered, and loyalties are put to the ultimate test. Now, with the truth in sight, Jax must do whatever it takes to secure the legacy of brotherhood and protect his family — even if it costs him everything.

20th Century Fox delivered a very impressive Blu-ray release. Each of the episodes are stunning with their 1080p transfer. It really captures the grittiness of the show. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which delivers in terms of the action, the music and the dialogue very well. The special features are just as impressive as the season itself. There are two commentary track included the first on the episode “Darthy” featuring Peter Weller and the second on “Sovereign” featuring Kurt Sutter, Paris Barclay, Katey Sagal, Maggie Siff and Dayton Callie. “Kurt Sutter: Creating Anarchy” gives us a up-close and personal look at the show with the creator himself. There is featurette on Charlie’s character “Opie Winston”. There is a Fan Concert at The Club House”, which is a fun feature that I would have loved to attend. Lastly there are tons of great deleted scenes scattered over the discs and a Gag Reel included.

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Actors: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alice Eve, Simon Pegg
Directors: J.J. Abrams
Number of discs: 3
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Run Time: 132 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
3D: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“Star Trek Into Darkness” was easily one of my most anticipated films of 2013. After finally seeing it and calming down, it became easily my favorite film of the film. I actually loved its 2009 predecessor and it improved upon it in nearly possible way. “Star Trek Into Darkness” is a great blend of aspects from both the original series and the feature film that introduced us to the franchise’s most memorable villain, KHAN! Sorry kind of a spoiler…but if you were going to see this film you would have seen it already.  Did I mention Khannnnn!!!! yet? The film is action-packed to the brim with some of the best visuals I have seen in any film this year.  How the rather dull “Iron Man 3” made more money than this just proves that despite how good the movie is, people tend to stear clear from “Star Trek” franchise. Highly recommended “Star Trek” fan or not!

Official Premise: When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew

I have to admit, I am not the biggest Chris Pine fan. He does a great job playing Captain Kirk though with that arrogant persona. Zachary Quinto was fantastic in this film. Even though Vulcan’s aright suppose to show emotions, his character really had a lot of depth and his performance was spot on. what can I say about Zoe Saldana, except she is completely bad-ass. Benedict Cumberbatch played a fantastic Khan, hard to compare to Ricardo Montalbán but he is damn good. What a reveal too! J.J. kept going back and forth that I was never 100% sure. Alice Eve was a great addition to the cast as well and she like Zoe is not hurting on the eyes. Lastly and easily my favorite character in this new series is Simon Pegg playing Scotty. His role in this film was just amazing, everything from the rants and raves to the red shirt joke. Priceless.

Paramount delivered an all-star Blu-ray presentation with this release. The combo pack included a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy and UltraViolet. So we get all the grounds covered here. The 1080p transfer is easily up there as one of the best for a Blu-ray release this year. Let’s get to the 3D aspect of this film now, it is good but it also isn’t really required to enjoy the film. It adds some good depth to certain scenes, like the volcano scene, warp speeds and the final battle but other than that it is a little idle in between. The film itself wasn’t shot in native 3D instead it was converted in post production. So luckily though the conversation to 3D doesn’t hurt the film, I just wouldn’t really care less if I was watching it in either format, which just adds to the fact of how amazing this film is. The Dolby TrueHD 7.1 is just as epic as the film itself. I loved Michael Giacchino’s score as well, which really delivers the true meaning of what a “Star Trek” film should sounds like. A+ guys!

The slight downfall of this releases comes within the film’s special features, or lack there of in terms of “blow-you-away extras”. There are a eight short yet still sweet featurettes included. There are no extras presented in 3D either. The featurettes include “Creating the Red Planet” talks about shooting in Hawaii and creating Nibiru and of course the volcano set. “Attack on Starfleet” looks into the film’s crucial scene and epic finale. “The Klingon Home World” looks into the incorporating of the Klingons. “The Enemy of My Enemy” looks into everything behind the villain Khan. “Ship to Ship” looks into this amazing sequences, from pre-viz to final scene. “Brawl by the Bay” chats with Zachary Quinto on the intense scene. The last two extras “Continuing the Mission” and “The Mission Continues” can be skipped all together.

Starring: Liliana Komorowska, David Hewlett, Deborah Raffin, Valérie Valois, Yvan Ponton, Steve Parrish
Director: Christian Duguay
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Run Time: 199 minutes

Scanners II: 3 out of 5 stars
Scanners III: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1/2 out of 5 stars

“Scanners” is one of my favorite horror flicks and one of the best films from David Cronenberg. The film was so unique, still holds up today and has spawned two sequels. “Scanners II” is a standalone from the 1981 film and has a different cast but still similar story. It has a hard act to follow-up but is a pretty decent film. The same can’t be said for “Scanners III”, which is not the greatest film but it still fun to watch (or at least it was when I was kid). Sort of reminds me a “Jaws 3-D”, terrible yet I still always watch it. This double feature is brought to us by Scream Factory, who is really coming to the aid of horror fans in need of obscure horror titles this year.

“Scanners II” Official Premise: Sequel to David Cronenberg’s 1981 feature, about a fringe group of humans who have developed telepathic powers. When a corrupt police commander (Yvan Ponton) decides to use the scanners to help take over the city, he convinces evil scientist Dr Morse (Tom Butler) to help him. Morse has plans to use a new mind-controlling drug on the telepaths, but has not reckoned with a rogue scanner who is determined to stop them.

“Scanners III” Official Premise: Second sequel to David Cronenberg’s 1981 horror, about a group of telepathic people, known as ‘scanners’, operating on the fringes of human society. Young Helena Monet (Liliana Komorowska) has exceptional telepathic abilities, but when she tries an experimental drug developed by her father she turns into a deranged killer, using her abilities to cut a murderous swathe to the top of her father’s pharmaceutical company. On her quest to dominate the world, Helena takes over a television station, and the only man who can stop her is her scanner brother Alex, recently returned from honing his skills in a Thai monastery.

Scream Factory delivered this double feature in a combo pack with Blu-ray and DVD of both films. “Scanners II & III” each located on one Blu-ray disc and one DVD. The transfers of these films are good but not out of this world. These films were never shot were not given a new touched up transfer for this release, so they both show their age a bit. Nonetheless, they both deliver what they need to in order to make the presentations worth checking out. They each come with a DTS-HD Master Audio track, which also work for what each film delivers. In terms of special features though there is no much hear except for Theatrical Trailers. But I am sure that some of you will just take “Scanners II” and consider “Scanners III” an optional bonus feature.

Actors: Karel Roden, Alexander Mercury, Joshua Sasse, Robert Gwilym
Directors: Richard Raaphorst
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Dark Sky Films
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Run Time: 84 minutes

Film: 4 out 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Flesh-and-metal “Zombots”. Period. That is really all you need to know about “Frankenstein’s Army”, which should be enough to sell you. If that isn’t enough this film contains all  practical creature effects. Now take a look at the Blu-ray cover or the film’s poster and know that there are some crazy cool creatures created for this film. I am a super big fan of practical effects, which is not common in the age of digital but it really adds a lot of character to the film. I should also mention that the team that worked on this film also did the make-up effects on a few little known films in “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” franchise. Karel Roden (“Hellboy”) stars as Frankenstein and delivers a creepy yet powerful performance. If all that isn’t cool enough this was even filmed at abandoned World War II sites in Prague and throughout Europe. The first 20 minutes are slow but once it gets rocking…watch out!!! A must see for any fans of original and unique horror.

Official Premise: In the dying days of World War II, a battalion of Russian soldiers find themselves lost in enemy territory. Stumbling upon a village decimated by an unseen terror, they re lured into the secret lab of a deranged scientist (Hellboy’s Karel Roden) and forced to face off against his army of horrific flesh-and-metal war machines. Leaderless and faced with dissention amongst their dwindling ranks, the Russians must find the courage to face down this terrifying new menace or die trying. A nightmarish fantasy thrill ride unlike any other, Richard Raaphorst’s “Frankenstein’s Army” is a delirious plunge into the darkest depths of insanity.

The Blu-ray release from Dark Sky Films really looks awesome with its 1080p transfer.  The film has a handheld feel but captures the gritty feel to this crazy film. The creatures effects also look amazing under this.  There is a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which really delivers with the war action and creepy score. The special features are not out of this world but worth checking out. The main sell is a very in-depth “Making-Of” featurette, which clocks in just over 30 minutes. Everything is covered in this film from pre-production and onwards. It is a must watch There are five (very short) creature spots for each of these baddies including “Burnt Match Man”, “Mosquito Man”, “Propellerhead”, “Teddy Bear Woman” and “Razor Teeth”. I would have loved to seen more in depth on these creatures, even though we do cover that some in the featurette. Lastly there is a trailer gallery.

Starring: Emma Roberts, Liam Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, Nikki Reed, James Ransone, Michael Angarano
Director: Dito Montiel
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Release Date: September 3, 2013
Run Time: 94 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

With Dwayne Johnson popping up in practically about every film this year and Liam Hemsworth role with “The Hunger Games” behind him, I am surprised that this film didn’t make it into theaters. But I guess look what just happened to Hemsworth’s “Paranoia” in theaters and he has Indiana Jones co-starring with him. “Empire State” is definitely not what I expected but is pretty cool crime-thriller and it is also based around a true story. Like you would expect from Johnson, the action is here and he kicks some ass (like usual). Not my favorite film of the year but still worth a rent and would recommend this for fans of Dwayne Johnson.

Official Premise: After failing to get into the police academy, Chris Potamitis (Liam Hemsworth), settles for a security guard job with the “Empire State” Armored Truck Company. Chris makes the mistake of mentioning the company’s lax security to his best friend, Eddie (Michael Angarano), and is soon unwittingly drawn into an elaborate scheme to rob the abundant amounts of cash being stored there – resulting in the largest cash heist in U.S. History. As the stakes continue to rise, Chris and Eddie must outwit James Ransone (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), the veteran NYPD Detective that is hot on their trail, as well as the local crime bosses that want to know who pulled a job on their turf, or suffer the consequences.

Lions Gate is releasing this film as a Blu-ray + UltraViolet combo pack. The 1080p transfer works with the film’s action. The film has a pretty rocking DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track as well, which keeps the tension high throughout the film. The special features are decent and definitely worth checking out. There is commentary track from the director Dito Montiel. There is are behind-the-scenes interviews with cast/crew. The best extra is “Anatomy of a Heist: Interview with Chris Potamitis – The Mastermind Behind the Robbery”, which is featurette about the actual guy who the film is based on. Lastly, there a few deleted scenes included.

Actors: Sheri Moon Zombie, Bruce Davison, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Ken Foree, Dee Wallace
Directors: Rob Zombie
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Run Time: 101 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

“The Lords of Salem” is easily Rob Zombie’s best films to date, read our interview with him here. When it comes to original and unique horror films, they are pretty rare in this market. After Rob’s last film “Halloween II”, he really gets back to his roots with this gritty and very creepy and goes balls-to-the-wall with this one. It is not your typical horror flick though since it is thought provoking and actually needs you to think after watching it.  So it is not a brainless gore flick. I think people are going to shun away from this film but they need to give it a chance because it grows on your with each viewing. No question one of my favorite films of the year, so far! Great work Rob! Can’t wait to see what you have planned next!

If you are a horror fan, than this should be your dream cast. Rob’s wife, Sheri Moon Zombie (“Halloween”, “The Devil’s Rejects”) takes the lead in this film and gives her best performance to date, read our interview here. The three modern day witches in the film are amazing including Patricia Quinn (“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”), Dee Wallace (“The Howling”, “Cujo”) and Judy Geeson (“To Sir, with Love”). They are just amazing together. But the one that steals the show is easily Meg Foster (“They Live”, “Masters of the Universe”). She gets a full transformation on this film and really gets into the role 110%, read our interview here. Of course then there is a few cameos from Rob’s regulars as well. Great ensemble!

Official Premise: From the singular mind of horror maestro Rob Zombie comes a chilling plunge into a nightmare world where evil runs in the blood. “The Lords of Salem” tells the tale of Heidi (Sheri Moon Zombie), a radio station DJ living in Salem, Massachusetts, who receives a strange wooden box containing a record, a “gift from the Lords.” Heidi listens, and the bizarre sounds within the grooves immediately trigger flashbacks of the town’s violent past. Is Heidi going mad, or are the “Lords of Salem” returning for revenge on modern-day Salem?

Anchor Bay is releasing this film as a combo pack with Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet. There is also limited edition collectible packaging available. The film was shot on a very low budget  but the 1080 transfer looks pretty sharp, thanks to Brandon Trost, who also working with Zombie on “Halloween II”. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track works perfectly with John 5 haunting score.  The special features on this release are a bit of a disappointment though.  There is only an audio commentary track with writer/producer/director Rob Zombie. The track is solid though since Zombie talks us through his labor of love. I just would have loved to seen featurettes on the production itself, specifically Meg Foster’s transformation and the witch burning scene.