Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection First Time Ever on Blu-ray!

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, A LANDMARK COLLECTION SHOWCASING THE LEGENDARY MONSTERS IN MOTION PICTURE HISTORY

UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS: COMPLETE 30-FILM COLLECTION AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY™ ON AUGUST 28, 2018 FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Universal City, California, August 22, 2018 – Thirty of the most iconic cinematic masterpieces starring the most famous monsters of horror movie history come together on Blu-ray™ for the first time ever in the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection on August 28, 2018, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Featuring unforgettable make-up, ground-breaking special effects and outstanding performances, the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes all Universal Pictures’ legendary monsters from the studio that pioneered the horror genre with imaginative and technically groundbreaking tales of terror in unforgettable films from the 1930s to late-1950s.

From the era of silent movies through present day, Universal Pictures has been regarded as the home of the monsters. The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection showcases all the original films featuring the most iconic monsters in motion picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Starring some of the most legendary actors including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester in the roles that they made famous, these films set the standard for a new horror genre and showcase why these landmark movies that defined the horror genre are regarded as some of the most unforgettable ever to be filmed.

Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes a 48-page collectible book filled with behind-the-scenes stories and rare production photographs and is accompanied by an array of bonus features including behind-the-scenes documentaries, the 1931 Spanish version of Dracula, Featurettes on Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce, 13 expert feature commentaries, archival footage, production photographs, theatrical trailers and more. The perfect gift for any scary movie fan, the collection offers an opportunity to experience some of the most memorable horror films of our time.

The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes Dracula(1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Werewolf of London (1935), Dracula’s Daughter (1936), Son of Frankenstein (1939), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Invisible Woman (1940), The Mummy’s Hand (1940), The Wolf Man (1941), The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), The Mummy’s Ghost (1942), The Mummy’s Tomb (1942),Invisible Agent (1942), Phantom of the Opera (1943), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), Son of Dracula (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), The Mummy’s Curse (1944), The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944), House of Dracula (1945), She-Wolf of London (1946), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954, and includes a 3D version), Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955), Revenge of the Creature (1955 and includes a 3D version) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956).

 

BONUS FEATURES:

  • Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries
  • 3D Versions of Creature from the Black Lagoon and Revenge of the Creature
  • 1931 Spanish Version of Dracula
  • Featurettes on Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce
  • 13 Expert Feature Commentaries
  • Archival Footage
  • Production Photographs
  • Theatrical Trailers

 

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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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3D Blu-ray Review “Jupiter Ascending 3D”

Directors: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Sean Bean, Douglas Booth, Terry Gilliam
Number of discs: 3
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: June 2, 2015
Running Time: 127 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
3D: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

Let’s start with the fact that “Cloud Atlas” was my favorite film of 2012 (and I liked “Speed Racer a lot), so I am definitely a big fan of The Wachowski films. I heard some really rotten things about this film before seeing it but I still kept an open mind when I finally got it see it. Let’s start with the fact that it is a very busy 2-hour mess of action and visual effects…but I also really liked it. It is not perfect but I thought it was just very visually entertaining and just plain stupid fun. Maybe a little too ambitious but still a really cool looking flick and entertaining flick. The Wachowski’s honestly have a vision for their films that are never understood and this one is no different. Guys, if you are looking for a cool, stylized mindless action flick starring the beautiful Mila Kunis…look no further. Ladies, Eddie Redmayne and Channing Tatum are in this…enough said.

Official Premise: Jupiter Jones (Kunis) was born under a night sky, with signs predicting that she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning other people’s houses and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine (Tatum), a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along—her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos.

Other than being a great flick, this also gets props for being one of the best Blu-ray I have viewed to date this year. The 1080p transfer is absolutely brilliant. The colors are so vibrant and pop right of the screen (partly due to the excellent 3D effects, of course). You can tell that a lot of time and effort went into polished these visual effects and it paid off in my opinion.  Now for me the real winner of this release is the audio presentation. There is an outstanding Dolby Atmos track includes (with it’s core delivering a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround track). This track is insane and really shakes the walls.

The 3D presentation on the Blu-ray is also fantastic. First of all who doesn’t love the idea of a 3D space/sci-fi flick. I would easily just at the idea. Luckily this one actually works out and uses the effects to enhance the crazy non-stop action. There is nothing cheesy here with the effects, it just really adds some great depth and the extra dimension works well with the space scenes. I really enjoyed it and it is definitely my preferred choice for this film, but on a good note, that 2D presentation is equally as impressive to watch and that gets bonus points from me.

The special features are decent as well for this release but nothing outstanding. They consist of seven features that run between 5-10 minutes tops. The first is “Jupiter Jones: Destiny Is Within Us”, which is a chat with Kunis and Lana and Andy Wachowski talking about the female lead. “Caine Wise: Interplanetary Warrior” focuses on Channing Tatum’s character. “The Wachowskis: Minds Over Matter” talks about the filmmakers and their work on the film. “Worlds Within Worlds Within Worlds” digs a little deeper into the film’s background and details. “Genetically Spliced” looks into the alien creatures created for the film. “Bullet Time Evolved” looks into the visual effects and the action sequences from the production. Lastly “From Earth to Jupiter (And Everywhere in Between)” goes more into the film’s storylines and subplots.

Own “Jupiter Ascending” on Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on June 2nd

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Explore the Universe When “Jupiter Ascending” Arrives onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on June 2 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment



Burbank, CA, April 6, 2015 – From the creators of “The Matrix” Trilogy comes “Jupiter Ascending,” an original science fiction action adventure from filmmakers Lana and Andy Wachowski, arriving onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on June 2 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

Channing Tatum (“Magic Mike,” “Foxcatcher”) and Mila Kunis (“Oz the Great and Powerful”) lead a cast that includes Sean Bean (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy), Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”), Douglas Booth (“Noah”), Tuppence Middleton (“The Imitation Game”), Doona Bae (“Cloud Atlas”), James D’Arcy (“Hitchcock”) and Tim Pigott-Smith (“Alice in Wonderland”).

From the streets of Chicago to far flung galaxies whirling through space, “Jupiter Ascending” is written and directed by the Wachowskis. Award-winning producer Grant Hill, with whom they have collaborated since “The Matrix” Trilogy, produced the film, together with Lana and Andy Wachowski. Roberto Malerba and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers.

“Jupiter Ascending” will be available on Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack for $44.95, Blu-ray Combo Pack for $44.95 and 2-disc DVD Special Edition for $28.98. The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in 3D hi-definition, hi-definition and standard definition; the Blu-ray Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray; and the DVD features the theatrical version in standard definition. All versions include a digital version of the movie in Digital HD with UltraViolet. Fans can also own “Jupiter Ascending” via purchase from digital retailers.

SYNOPSIS
Jupiter Jones (Kunis) was born under a night sky, with signs predicting that she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning other people’s houses and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine (Tatum), a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along—her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS
“Jupiter Ascending” 3D Blu-Ray and Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following special features:
· Jupiter Jones: Destiny Is Within Us
· Jupiter Ascending: Genetically Spliced Caine Wise: Interplanetary Warrior
· The Wachowskis: Minds Over Matter
· Worlds Within Worlds Within Worlds
· Bullet Time Evolved
· From Earth to Jupiter (And Everywhere in Between)

“Jupiter Ascending” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:
· Jupiter Jones: Destiny Is Within Us
· Jupiter Ascending: Genetically Spliced

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3D Blu-ray Review “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”

Starring: Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Aidan Turner, Cate Blanchett
Director: Peter Jackson
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Run Time: 144 minutes

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

I am a huge fan of both “The Lord of Rings” and “The Hobbit” film series. I have to admit though, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is easily the weakest entry in Peter Jackson’s entire six-chapter saga. Now it is not terrible at all but in terms of the scale of the other films it just does not live up to be the closing chapter in a six film saga. We all know that “The Hobbit” was a very short book and these three films have been expanded to enable a trilogy but this third film just feels too stretched out. There is like an hour long battle scene, which I wouldn’t never think this would happen but it just feels boring. This film could have easily been summed up in the second film and probably made that a better film also. The cast are still top notch and both Richard Armitage and Martin Freeman really shine here.  Honestly a little sad to see this chapter close but who knows maybe their will be future Middle Earth adventures in the future (hopefully).

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” brings to an epic conclusion the adventure of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and the Company of Dwarves. The Dwarves of Erebor have reclaimed the vast wealth of their homeland, but now must face the consequences of having unleashed the terrifying Dragon, Smaug, upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. As he succumbs to dragon-sickness, the King Under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, sacrifices friendship and honor in search for the legendary Arkenstone. Unable to help Thorin see reason, Bilbo is driven to make a desperate and dangerous choice, not knowing that even greater perils lie ahead. An ancient enemy has returned to Middle-earth. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends as five great armies go to war.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is releasing this film as a 5-disc combo pack with a 3D Blu-ray + Standard Blu-ray + DVD and also Digital HD copy. The 3D on this film was good but I wasn’t blown away like the second film actually. I didn’t really feel like it added much to the film other than some depth. The 1080p transfer though was fantastic. This series has excelled in the audio and video department since the very first “The Lord of the Rings”. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track is also perfect. Since the film is basically one long fight scene, this track really stands up and delivers an action packed adventure at every turn. From dragons spewing fire to metal clanging, this track is exciting and intense.

Like previous releases in this trilogy, the initial Blu-ray special features have not been outstanding. It is the Extended Edition releases set for each Fall that have impressed. This Blu-ray includes some decent extra still. First up is “New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth Part 3”, which is an overview of the third film and its shooting locations. “Recruiting the Five Armies” looking into the casting, costumes and everything else involved with creating this army. “Completing Middle-earth: A Six-Part Saga” is an interview with Director Peter Jackson introduces discussing the last film, as is also “Completing Middle-earth: A Seventeen-Year Journey” taking about the saga as a whole. “The Last Goodbye: Behind the Scenes” looks into the creating the film’s end credits with actor Billy Boyd’s “The Last Goodbye.”, also included is the music video as well.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies arrives onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, 2-Disct DVD Special Edition and Digital HDÔ on March 24th from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

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Win Passes to the Kansis City Premiere of “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” in 3-D [ENDED]

Media Mikes has teamed up with Warner Brothers/New Line Cinema and MGM to give (25) readers and their guests a chance to be among the first to see the final film in Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” in 3-D!

The screening will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the Cinemark Merriam 20 Theatre in Merriam, Kansas and will start at 7:00 p.m.

All you have to do is go to: http://www.gofobo.com/main/sweepstakes/TheHobbitMediaMikes and register. On Monday, December 8, (25) random entries will be chosen and those chosen will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening. Winners will be notified via email on Tuesday, December 9.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” opens nationally on Wednesday, December 17, 2014

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Win Passes to the Kansas City Advance Screening of “Exodus: Gods and Kings” in 3-D [ENDED]

Media Mikes has teamed up with 20th Century Fox to give (50) random readers (and their guest) a chance to attend the advance screening of Ridley Scott’s new epic, “Exodus: Gods and Kings” in 3-D.

The screening will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the Cinemark Theatre in Merriam, Kansas. The screening begins at 7:00 p.m.

All you have to do is go to http://www.gofobo.com/main/sweepstakes/mediaexodus and register. On Tuesday, December 9, 2014, (50) random entries will be selected and those selected will receive a pass for (2) to attend this special screening.

“Exodus: Gods and Kings,” starring Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton, opens on Friday, December 12, 2014

 

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3D Blu-ray Review “James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge 3D”

Actors: James Cameron
Directors: John Bruno, Ray Quint, Andrew Wight
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Millennium Entertainment
Release Date: November 11, 2014
Run Time: 91 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
3D: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

When you are Academy Award® winner James Cameron, after you make classics like “The Terminator”, “Titanic”, “Avatar”; what do you do next? Well, for Cameron he has been working with the “Deepsea Challenger”, a state-of-the-art deep-diving submersible designed to reach Earth’s lowest known point. This documentary focuses on his successful voyage from March of 2012 to Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, which reaches a depth of over seven miles. If you love James Cameron and his under the sea adventures, this is both entertaining and educational…and of course in 3D.

Official Premise: As a boy, filmmaker James Cameron dreamed of a journey to the deepest part of the ocean. This film is the dramatic fulfillment of that dream. It chronicles Cameron’s solo dive to the depths of the Mariana Trench—nearly seven miles beneath the ocean’s surface—piloting a submersible he designed himself. The risks were astounding. The footage is breathtaking. “Deepsea Challenge 3D” is a celebration of science, courage, and extraordinary human aspiration.

Since it is James Cameron, I expected this to be in 3D. The 3D is definitely the best part of this release. Millennium is releasing this as a combo pack with a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD, so there are plenty of options here. If you can watch this in 3D, I would certainly recommend that for sure. The 1080p transfer is stunning with the underwater footage. It is framed at 1.78:1 aspect ratio and the film has extremely sharp image detail and vibrant colors. The audio is also impressive with an DTS-HD 5-1 Master Audio track.

In terms of special features, there is really not much included. There are two short featurettes included, which add to just over 5 minutes for both. The first is a look at the final dive before it happens and the second a post-dive wrap up. There is also a trailer included for the film. If you are looking for more, I would recommend the Special Collector’s Edition, which features a 36-Page book with imagery of production artwork, stills from filming, charts, depth measurement diagrams.

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3D Blu-ray Review “Hercules 3D”

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Rufus Sewell, Aksel Hennie, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal
Director: Brett Ratner
Number of discs: 3
Rated: PG-13 / Unrated
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Running Time: 98 / 101 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
3D: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Even the great get a pass every now and then right? Dwayne Johnson is definitely the kind of Hollywood action films right now but this one is not one of the best. It does get some props for having some pretty epic battles and impressive visuals but it is not a film to me that really screams repeat viewing. When I think of “Hercules”, I think about epic world of gods and monsters but here we get more human war battles. It is not necessarily bad since like I said the action is solid but it is not very memorable either.

Official Premise: Both man and myth, Hercules (Johnson) leads a band of mercenaries to help end a bloody civil war in the land of Thrace and return the rightful king to his throne. A tormented soul from birth, Hercules has the strength of a God but feels the suffering of a human. Unimaginable villains will test the mythical power of Hercules in Director Brett Ratner’s gritty take on one of the most epic action heroes of the ages.

Paramount is releasing “Hercules” in a combo pack with a 3D Blu-ray, standard Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD copy. This release includes bot the theatrical version of the film in both 3D and 2D, as well as an extended cut (but only in 2D) with exciting new action not seen in theaters. I am torn because I liked the film in 3D but the extended cut plays better as a film. The 3D transfer is solid and works great with the visual effects. The film also works in 2D but any epic battle scenes or creature scenes are lacking that extra punch. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is a huge success and delivers the epic feel of this film very well.

The special features are solid and start with “Brett Ratner and Dwayne Johnson: An Introduction”. There is an audio commentary by director Brett Ratner and producer Beau Flynn on the theatrical version. “Hercules and his Mercenaries” looks into the team assembled for the film. “Weapons!” is a self explanatory extra, which focuses on action scenes and training. “The Bessi Battle” looks at the film’s major action sequence. “The Effects of Hercules” is a look at the film’s visual effects. Lastly there are 15 deleted/extended scenes.

 

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3D Blu-ray Review “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D: Extended Edition”

Actors: Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans
Director: Peter Jackson
Number of discs: 5
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: NEW LINE HOME VIDEO
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Run Time: 186 minutes

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

If you are a fan of Peter Jackson, then it is no surprise that he is a big fan of releasing extended cuts of his films. “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”. The new Extended Cut includes 25 minutes of additional content that extends individual scenes making this a must see for fans of the film. Sone extras scenes include much more of Mirkwood, as well as more of Dol Guldur and Thranduil and of course, more Stephen Fry, who is just simply awesome…amongst much more. This film is no question of my favorite films of last year and only gets better with each viewing. This 5-disc 3D Extended Edition also includes more than nine hours of new bonus features. This should at least hold you off until “The Battle of Five Armies” hits theaters this December!

Official Premise: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company travels East, encountering along the way skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant Spiders in the treacherous forest of Mirkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous Wood-elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all–a creature more terrifying than any other; one which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself–The Dragon Smaug.

Warner Bros is bringing this film home with a combo pack including a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + UltraViolet Digital HD copy. Like the previous Blu-ray release for “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”, the Extended Edition is no different. I enoyed the 3D in “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” but this film really shines with the added effect. The scale of the film is so large and Smaug is just a cinematic marvel. If you watch this film, especially the Extended Edition, I would absolutely recommend doing it in 3D. The 1080p transfer is simply outstanding, as is the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track. Easily, this is one of the best Blu-ray presentations that I have seen all year.

The Extended Edition extras include a new audio commentary track with Director/writer/producer Peter Jackson and writer/co-producer Philippa Boyens discussing the new cut etc. “New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth, Part 2” features Jackson and his team traveling through the film’s locations. “The Appendices Part 9 & 10” is the next two installments in Jackson’s sprawling “Appendices” documentary showcase this massive production. Combine these extras with the special features that were included in the first release of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” on Blu-ray and we finally got a winning package here.

The other extras include: “Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set” is a two part look into the behind-the-scenes on this production. There are four Production Videos featurettes including “Introduction to Pick-Ups Shooting,” “Recap of Pick-Ups, Part 1,” “Recap of Pick-Ups, Part 2″ and “Music Scoring.” “Live Event: In the Cutting Room” is a recording of the March 2013 worldwide live event where Jackson answered fans questions and gave a tour of his production facilities. “New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth, Part 2″ gives a follow up look into the locations. Lastly there are Trailers & Previews and Music Video for “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, the newest epic in The Hobbit trilogy arrives on Blu-ray 3D™ and Blu-ray™ November 4th from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. The Extended Edition features a 25-minute longer cut and more than nine hours of new special features.

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3D Blu-ray Review “Dragonfly Squadron”

Starring: John Hodiak, Barbara Britton, Chuck Connors, Bruce Bennett, Fess Parker
Director: Lesley Selander
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Olive Films
Release Date: October 14, 2014
Run Time: 83 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
3D: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1/2 out of 5 stars

When it comes to 50’s 3D films, I am always curious to see them. “Dragonfly Squadron” was actually never released in 3D ever in theaters. The film was completed in late ’53 and released early ’54 after the decline of the format, so it ended up only being released in 2D.  So this Blu-ray makes the first time that this film is ever available in stereoscopic 3-D, as originally intended, due to the wonderful work done by the 3-D Film Archive team. You have to give props to Olive Films for taking on this huge task. If you are a fan of this film, this is a must own.

Official Premise: In 1950, as the Korean peninsula is drawn closer to war, a stern Air Force Major (John Hodiak), is assigned to train a squadron of South Korean pilots, making them combat-ready in half the usual time. At the air base at Kongju, Brady comes face to face with a former flame (Barbara Britton), the wife of an army medical officer (Bruce Bennett). When enemy forces invade, most of the American personnel are evacuated, but Brady remains behind with the barely-trained South Korean troops, and bravely diverts the Russian-backed North Korean army.

The Blu-ray contains both the 3D and 2D versions on a single disc. The 1080p transfers, presented in 1.66:1, certainly look their age and not presented fullish polished and crystal clear, especially during the stock footage scenes. There is grain throughout but overall, it doesn’t overpower the viewing experience. The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono also isn’t perfect but it also sounds quite impressive with sound effects like the soaring plane and bombs exploding. The only special feature here included is a theatrical trailer. I would have loved to see featurettes on the film’s restoration. This is a real missed opportunity.

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3D Blu-ray Review “Live. Die. Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow”

Actors: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson, Kick Gurry
Directors: Doug Liman
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Run Time: 113 minutes

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

When I watched the trailer for “Edge of Tomorrow” immediately I was hooked. I mean “Alien crossed with Groundhog Day”…sign me up! Let me tell you though, the trailer does no justice at all for the film. “Edge of Tomorrow” is in fact, my favorite film of the year so far. It is very underrated and deserves much more attention. “Transformers: Age of Extinction” is a decent movie and it made a billion dollars, so obviously quality doesn’t win in terms of success. Tom Cruise is completely badass, as is Emily Blunt who was outstanding. The visual effects are the best I have seen all year and the film is not only NON-STOP (that’s right all in caps) but also funny as all hell! This is a must see movie and I highly recommend it.

Official Premise: The epic action of Edge of Tomorrow unfolds in a near future in which an alien race has hit the Earth in an unrelenting assault, unbeatable by any military unit in the world. Major William Cage (Cruise) is an officer who has never seen a day of combat when he is unceremoniously dropped into what amounts to a suicide mission. Killed within minutes, Cage now finds himself inexplicably thrown into a time loop, forcing him to live out the same brutal combat over and over, fighting and dying again and again… and again. But with each battle, Cage is able to engage the adversaries with increasing skill, alongside Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski (Blunt). As Cage and Rita take the fight to the aliens, each repeated encounter gets them one step closer to defeating the enemy.

Warner Bros is releasing this film under a new title to hopefully drum up some new business  “Live. Die. Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow”. They are bringing this together in a combo pack with a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet digital copy.  The 3D is some of the best and most relevant that I have seen in theaters in a long time. It is well placed and adds tons of depth and even a few good scares in the film. On Blu-ray, it translates just as well. The 1080p transfers is simply outstanding. The film feels like a live-action video game in many scenes. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 is also mind-blowning. I love the score to this film and it really is represented well with the crazy amount of action.

The special features are good but I would have loved to had an audio commentary track as well. “Storming the Beach” features director/producer Doug Liman taking us behind- the-scenes featurette for the film. Along with this feature is a three-minute alternate Adrenaline cut of one of the “Operation Downfall” sequences. “Weapons of the Future” features cast and crew talking about weapons. “Creatures Not of This World talks about creating the film’s aliens and their story.  “On the Edge with Doug Liman” is a fantastic nearly 45 minutes in-depth documentary on the production. Lastly there are seven deleted scenes included.

Own “Edge of Tomorrow” on Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, and Digital HD on October 7th

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3D Blu-ray Review “Thunder and The House of Magic”

Starring: Cinda Adams, Edward Asner, George Babbit, Murray Blue, Kathleen Browers, Joey Camen
Directors: Ben Stassen, Jeremie Degruson
Distributed: Shout! Factory
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Running Time: 85 minutes

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

“Thunder and The House of Magic” is the latest family movie from the directors Ben Stassen and Jeremie Degruson, who are behind other international films like “A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventure” and “Fly Me to the Moon”. This film has a fantastic original music by composer Ramin Djawadi (“Game of Thrones”) and also from pop-star Selena Gomez. The film is clever and the visuals are definitely easy on the eyes, though the story does deliver much magic. Kids would definitely dig it and parents should be able to stomach it.

Official Premise: Thunder, an abandoned young cat seeking shelter from a storm, stumbles into the strangest house imaginable, owned by an old magician and inhabited by a dazzling array of automatons and gizmos. Thunder must learn how to get along with the other animals living there. When the magician gets into a car accident, however, the pets must join forces against an evil nephew who tries to sell his house.

Shout! Factory delivered this film with a two-disc Blu-ray™ 3D Combo Pack (including a Blu-ray 3D and 2D, DVD and digital copy). The digital copy though is outdated since it is not through Ultraviolet. The 3D in the film is great and executed very well with otherwise impressive depth. The DTS-HD Master Audio track also works well with the film’s music.

This release is currently only available exclusively at Walmart stores everywhere. There are some special features included but nothing special. “Origins” is a look into the how the film was born. “Character Animation” looks into the style used to create these fluffy stars. “The Making of the Soundtrack” dives into the tunes for the film. Lastly there is a teaser and trailer included.

 

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3D Blu-ray Review “Transformers: Age of Extinction”

Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Jack Reynor, Nicola Peltz
Directors: Michael Bay
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Run Time: 164 minutes

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

When I saw “Transformers: Age of Extinction” in theaters, I was very optimistic that this was going to “reboot” the franchise. In a sense it did but it also fell right back into the same old thing while doing so. The story like the past “Transformers” films is just chaos. There is so much going on that you just need to dumb down and just watch the action the pretty colors on the screen. That is what I believe will make you enjoy this film. It is also extremely over long. But all that aside, it is still a fun ride. It is also the year’s only $1 billion worldwide blockbuster. So expect a “Transformers 5” real soon.

“Transformers: Age of Extinction” picks up four years after the battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons left Chicago in ruins. Due to this there is an all our war and hunt against the Transformers. The humans are hunting them down under the command of Harold Attinger (Grammer). All Transformers have gone into hiding. We meet Cade Yeager (Wahlberg), a struggling investor, who comes across an old truck while looking for a way to make some money to help save his house and send his daughter (Peltz) to college. What he finds is a very injured Optimus Prime. After fixing him, the race is on to reunite with the remaining Autobots and find out the truth behind the hunt on them.

This review will focus on the Blu-ray features of this release, so if you want more about the film read our film review here. Paramount is releasing this film as a combo pack with a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet digital copy. “Transformers: Age of Extinction” may not be the year’s best film but it is definitely one of the best Blu-rays. The film simply delivers a stunning 3D presentation. I loved this aspect in the theaters and I love it more at home. It is also mixed with a ton of 1.78:1 IMAX footage, which makes it even more cool, last Blu-ray to this was “The Dark Knight”. This is definitely a film that needs to be viewed in 3D and on a nice big screen. This is a very visual film and it is a marvel to watch in this format.

This Blu-ray for “Transformers: Age of Extinction” also comes stocked with the first EVER brand new Dolby Atmos surround track for ultimate presentation. The track is describes with the following “This audio presentation is mixed specifically for Dolby Atmos® enabled receivers and speaker configurations to produce full, multidimensional sound without channel restrictions in the home — even overhead. Dolby Atmos is compatible with current generation Blu-ray players. Also select this option for Dolby 7.1 TrueHD speaker configurations. For Dolby Atmos playback, set your Blu-ray player to bitstream out and disable secondary audio”. All I have to say is WOW just WOW! I spoke with a composer named Steven Price, who just won the Oscar for “Gravity” and he spoke nothing but amazing things for Dolby Atmos and it’s future.

“Transformers: Age of Extinction” also comes stocked with a nothing short of mind-blowing 7.1 TrueHD track. It is just extremely amazing. When I was watching this film, I couldn’t help but say out loud how much I loved this score. Steve Jablonsky did an amazing job of delivering a really epic score for this film. What I loved is that it is seriously go from soft to freaking insane and still blend so very well. Everything from the constant explosions (we all know how well Bay likes to blow shit up) to the transforming. This track is just plain and simple perfect. Make sure that your picture frames are secured cause this one will give those nails a run for their money.

The special features are almost just as awesome as the audio/video presentation. There are over three hours of bonus content here. First up is “Bay on Action”, which is easy enough the director talking about his craft. There is a super epic, eight-part making-of feature called “Evolution with Extinction”. It dives into everything from casting to filming locations to digital effects. It is runs cumulatively around two hours all by itself. “Just Another Giant Effin’ Movie” shows the lighter side of the production. “A Spark of Design” looks into the creation of Grimlock. “T.J. Miller: Farm Hippie” is a funny set visit with the actor. Lastly there are some trailers and fun spoofs with “Kre-O” and “Angry Birds” included.

Here is a clip from the “Rise of the Dinobots” featurette:

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    3D Blu-ray Review “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”

    Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Dane DeHaan, Jamie Foxx, Sally Field, Colm Feore
    Director: Marc Webb
    Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
    Studio: Sony
    Release Date: August 19, 2014
    Running Time: 142 minutes

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

    After the first “Spider-Man” in 2002, I was not a huge fan of the other two sequels, so when the reboot came around, “The Amazing Spider-Man”, I was not thrilled. When I finally saw it though, I was very pleasantly surprised, flawed but definitely a cool flick. So I had a some going into the second one. I have to admit, the film has got it all. This is what a Spider-Man flick should be like. It is a visual marvel and just a shit-ton worth of fun. There is a bit too much going on her but overall, it works out and makes this film a slick action-packed summer popcorn flick. The villains are good but since there are technically three of them in the film it gets a little crowded. Even though, I liked this film, though like the first one it is also a bit flawed and think Sony knows they need to reboot this series again if they want to keep everyone happy. More importantly, I say bring on the “Sinister Six” guys!!

    Official Premise: We’ve always known that Spider-Man’s most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) finds that a greater conflict lies ahead. For him, there’s no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: OsCorp.

    Whether you like “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” it is easily one of the best Blu-ray’s release to date this year. Sony really knows how to deliver and amazing release for it’s films without fail. This film comes as a combo pack with a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet Digital HD copy. The 3D in this film is absolutely amazing. When I saw this in theaters, I was literally blown away. With the Blu-ray, I was curious how it was going to transfer to home release but holy smokes it is just as amazing. This 3D Blu-ray was the first film that I used on my Playstation 4 with the newly added 3D support on my also new curved 65′ TV and I literally was blown away by the presentation. The depth is outstanding and really works with the non-stop action scenes, especially the finale.

    In 2D, this film also stands up, it loses that certain depth but it is still watchable for sure. So 2D or 3D, this film just has some unbelievable visual effects and looks just amazing. The clarity is perfect and the colors are so crisp. What I don’t like about this is that the box stated that this Blu-ray was mastered for 4K video but if you read closely it is only for the 2D, which is a bit of a downer to be honest.  For such a big film, I was expecting a 7.1 track but I remember Sony wasn’t as big on them, luckily the given DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround track is just perfect. From the action to the music to the dialogue, everything here is spot on and really makes this film even better.

    “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” comes stocked with some great special features as well. They even have an audio commentary available on the 3D disc, as well as a trailer for the first film in 3D, so that is something at least. The audio commentary is with Writers Alex Kurtzman and Jeff Pinkner and Producers Matt Tolmach and Avi Arad. If you liked the film you need to listen to the track because it is quite entertaining and educational about the series.  Next up are nine Blu-ray exclusive deleted & alternate scenes with one of them has Peter meeting his father, so that is an interesting aspect that was not included in the film. These are available with optional commentary from Director Marc Webb. “The Music of Amazing Spider-Man 2 with Director Marc Webb” has the director talking about the score and working with Hans Zimmer. There is a music video for “It’s On Again” by Alicia Keys.

    The real winner of this release is “The Wages of Heroism: Making The Amazing Spider-Man 2”, which is over 100 minutes long and comprised of six parts looking into the making of the film. The first is “Lessons Learned: Development and Direction”, which goes into the characters and design. “Heart of the City: Shooting in New York” talks about the city being a character of its own. “Triple Threat: Attack of the Villains” simply looks into the films baddies. “A More Dangerous World: Transforming Goblin and Electro” did a little deeper into the work taken to create these characters. “Bolt from the Blue: Visual Effects” goes into the visual effects used for many of the film’s major scenes. Lastly “Spidey Gets His Groove Back: Music and Editing” looks again into the film’s music and how it works with the film.

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    Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 2, 3d, amazing, bluray, review, spiderman, ...
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