Win a Blu-ray of Paul Rudd & Amy Poehler’s “They Came Together” [ENDED]

To celebrate the release of Paul Rudd & Amy Poehler’s “They Came Together”, Media Mikes is excited to giveaway one (1) copy of the film on DVD to our readers. If you would like to enter for your chance to win one of this prize, please leave us a comment below or send us an email with your favorite Paul Rudd film. This giveaway will remain open until September 12th at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to all of our Media Mikes readers worldwide. One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Media Mikes will randomly select winners. Winners will be alerted via email.

When Joel (Rudd) and Molly (Poehler) meet, it’s hate at first sight: his big Corporate Candy Company threatens to shut down her quirky indie candy shop. Plus, Joel is hung up on his sexy ex (Smulders). Amazingly, they fall in love, until they break up about two thirds of the way through, and Molly starts dating her accountant (Helms). But then right at the end…well, you’ll just have to see. (Hint: Joel makes a big speech and they get back together.)

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

Starring: Laura Vandervoort, Greyston Holt, Greg Bryk, Paul Greene, Steve Lund, Michael Xavier
Number of discs: 4
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Entertainment One
Release Date: August 12, 2014
Run Time: 572 minutes

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

You know when you watch a show and you know right away that you are either going to love it or hate it.  “Bitten” fell into the latter category from the very first episode. I am not sure what it was since I definitely like Laura Vandervoort. She is very easy on the eyes and quite naked right from the very first episode 😉 but I just didn’t dig it. The show’s plot never developed into what I thought it could have and it ended up being very predictable. I am sure this series has a following, so it’s fans will be at least happy to know that this release includes all 13 UNCUT featuring footage not seen on American television.

Official Premise: Desperate to escape both a world she never wanted to be part of and the man who turned her into a werewolf, Elena abandons her Pack and takes refuge in a new city, starting over with a hot new romance and a successful photography career. But when bodies turn up in the werewolf sanctuary, Elena is torn between the life she s building and the wild and dangerously unpredictable one she thought she left behind. Based on the Women of the Otherworld novels by #1 New York Times best selling author Kelley Armstrong.

Entertainment One, like usual with their Syfy TV series releases, delivered us an impressive Blu-ray despite my feelings on the series itself. I would just wish that they would get on board with the digital HD copies and start bringing their Blu-ray releases to the digital age. The colors are sharp and the details are well presented. The CGI isn’t ground breaking but looks good for what it is worth. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is actually in my eyes the star of the release. It is one fine track. This show is carried well by the music and cue’s used throughout, especially through the action scenes.

In terms of special features, we are back to the disappointing end of the release. There are three audio commentaries on the pilot episode, “Summons” “Bitten”, and the finale, “Ready”. They feature Executive Producer J.B. Sugar, Executive Producer/Writer Daegan Fryklind and star Laura Vandervoort. There is a short behind-the-scenes looks into the series. My favorite is definitely “VFX – Behind the Wolf”, which goes into the CGI in depth…sort of…since it only runs about 4 minutes. Lastly there is a feature on the show’s Stunt Choreography and a bunch of Deleted/Alternate Scenes included.

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Blu-ray Review “The Walking Dead: The Complete Fourth Season (Limited Edition)”

Actors: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Scott Wilson
Directors: Ernest R. Dickerson, Guy Ferland, Greg Nicotero
Number of discs: 5
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
DVD Release Date: August 26, 2014
Run Time: 696 minutes

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

Just when you thought that “The Walking Dead” couldn’t get any crazier…main characters getting killed off, pushing the limits of cable TV…we get season four, which takes it up yet another notch. Season four was a very impressive season for this show and easily my favorite to date. The season is split into technically three parts. The first half is the take down of the prison, the second is the group solo and getting back together (in some sense) and the third is the arrival at Terminus. Season five is being setup to kick off what is guaranteed to be the best season yet. With the show getting more and more popular with each episode, it is becoming an unstoppable force. If you love this show, this Blu-ray should hold you off until “The Walking Dead” season 5 returns on Sunday, October 12th.

Official Premise: In the new season, we see Rick and the group of survivors fostering a thriving community in the safe haven of the prison only to have it short-lived as the group loses everything, their home, family, and friends to the threat of the walkers, outside threats and the hidden dangers brewing inside the fences. The group of survivors are broken apart and sent on divergent paths, unsure of everyone else’s fate as they are exposed to new dangers, new enemies, and heartbreaking choices. They will have their faith thoroughly tested — a faith that breaks some of them and redeems others.

This season show not great but literally outstanding performances from everyone in the cast including. Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Emily Kinney, Chad Coleman, Sonequa Martin-Green, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. and Scott Wilson. Speaking of Scott, we lost our beloved Hershel this season but his spirit will live on. He was a hard person to lose and easily one of my favorite characters on the show. Last season, I absolutely hated (and I am sure I am not alone) Carl but this season, Chandler really knocked it out the park. The VIP of the season easily has to be Melissa McBride! WOW! Looking at flowers will never be the same! Where is her damn Emmy nomination!?

Anchor Day has been amazing with giving “The Walking Dead” Blu-ray amazing Limited Edition sets. The first season was more basic but the second season was the large zombie head with the screwdriver in the eye and the third was The Governor’s tank. The fourth season’s limited edition release includes an exclusive McFarlane Toys Tree Walker Case. The Tree walker’s head and arm move when you remove the Blu-ray set. It is quite epic and a must have for any hardcore collector. You look at the quality of work that comes with this release and you will be convinced that it is worth the extra money. But get it while it is available because like the other seasons, this is sure to become an expensive collectible.

Like the past seasons, The Blu-ray presentations comes with outstanding 1080p transfers with even better Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround tracks. Literally this are GOLD! I love watching this show on TV when it airs but the Blu-ray presentations are so much better to enjoy. When the Governor storms through the prison in their tanks, my surround sound system was screaming for a break. From every gunshot to zombie roar, the sound is just outstanding. You literally forget you are watching TV series, as this show feels so theatrical.

The special features for this series have always been amazing! This season is no different. To start, we have Blu-ray exclusive extended episodes for “After” and “The Grove”. There are six cast and crew audio commentaries included on this set. The first is on “30 Days Without An Accident”  with Executive Producer and Showrunner Scott M. Gimple, Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager Tom Luse and Executive Producer/Special Effects Make-Up Supervisor/Director Greg Nicotero. Next is “Internment” with Executive Producer and Showrunner Scott M. Gimple and Actor Scott Wilson (Hershel). “After” includes Greg Nicotero, Co-Executive Producer Denise Huth and Actor Danai Gurira (Michonne).

There are two tracks for the episode, “Still” the first with Director Julius Ramsay and Actor Emily Kinney (Beth) and the second with Writer/Producer Angela Kang and Actor Norman Reedus (Daryl). The last track is “The Grove” (Ep14) with Scott M. Gimple, Denise Huth and Actor Andrew Lincoln. I cannot say enough good things about these tracks. I loved everyone of them. The ones with Greg and the other producers are super technical and you get tons of great information about the show. If you love this show, you cannot miss these. All gems.

Next up we have eight outstanding Behind-the-Scenes Production Featurettes. First up are “Inside The Walking Dead and “The Making of The Walking Dead”, which are self-explanatory. These are great for fans wanted an inside look in how the show is created. “Hershel” and “The Governor Is Back” are character based featurettes on two of our favorite characters to bit it this season. “Drawing Inspiration” and “Society, Science & Survival” look into the preparation taken for this season. “Inside KNB EFX” dives into the work of Greg Nicotero and his creations. Lastly “A Journey Back to Brutality” is a look back at the season and there are some Deleted Scenes included as well.

Here is the Comic-Con trailer for what we can expect for Season Five!

 

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Blu-ray Review “The Possession of Michael King”

Actors: Shane Johnson, Julie McNiven, Ella Anderson, Cara Pifko, Dale Dickey
Directors: David Jung
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Run Time: 83 minutes

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

Found footage meets Exorcism, sounds good but has been done before, with “The Last Exorcism” coming to mind.  Surprisingly, “The Possession of Michael King” is a decent entry. Not groundbreaking or genre changing but overall decent. It comes from the producers of “White Noise” and “The Haunting in Connecticut”, so that is a plus in its corner. The film fails with its narrative and wide open ending that answers basically nothing but it definitely had some solid scares and kept my attention the whole film. Plus it run just over 80 minutes, so that works in its favor as well. Shane Johnson is a good lead and has solid co-stars including Dale Dickey (“Iron Man 3”), Tomas Arana (“Gladiator”), and Julie McNiven (“Mad Men”). Worth a rent if you got nothing else to do this week.

Official Premise: Michael King (Shane Johnson) doesn’t believe in God or The Devil. Following the sudden death of his wife, the documentary filmmaker decides to make his next film about the search for the existence of the supernatural. Michael decides to make himself the center of the experiment – allowing demonologists, necromancers, and various practitioners of the occult to try the deepest and darkest spells and rituals they can find on him – in the hopes that when they fail, he’ll once and for all have proof that religion, spiritualism, and the paranormal are nothing more than myth. But something does happen. An evil and horrifying force has taken over Michael King. And it will not let him go.

Anchor Bay is releasing this film as a combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet HD Digital copy included. Honestly, it is really rare for Anchor Bay to be releasing digital copies for it’s smaller releases, so this is a real treat. Not that I loved the film enough to watch it again but it hopefully means going they are going to do so. The 1080p transfer is what it is since we are working with found footage here. The picture is clear and the dark scenes are balanced well. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track sound solid and works well the film scares for sure. There are no special features at all included on this release, which is definitely a let down.

 

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Blu-ray Review “Once Upon a Time: The Complete Third Season”

Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Josh Dallas, Emilie De Ravin, Colin O’Donoghue, Lana Parilla, Jared Gilmore, Robert Carlyle, Michael Raymond-James, Rebecca Mader
Director: Victor Nelli Jr.
Number of discs: 5
Studio: ABC Studios
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Run Time: 946 minutes

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

When this show first aired, the first season was a good draw but the second season lost some focus and was just full of tons of fairy tale character cameos with no main goal for the show. The third season was a nice return to the focus of the first season and the show seems to be on the right track going forward especially with introduce the “Frozen” gang into the fourth season. This show is sure to double its viewers easily. Luckily, it is already coming off a strong season. The first half of this season focuses on the characters from Peter Pan and the second introduces the new villain, the Wicked Witch of the West. So I enjoyed this season quite a bit and I can’t wait to see where they take us next.

This show has a fantastic code including Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming, Emilie De Ravin as Belle, Colin O’Donoghue as Captain Hook, Lana Parilla as Evil Queen, Jared Gilmore as Peter Pan, Robert Carlyle as Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin, Michael Raymond-James as Baelfire and this season also introduces the Wicked Witch of the West played perfectly by Rebecca Mader.

Official Premise: Can five heroic characters set aside their personal grudges and private demons to rescue Henry — and themselves — from the ultimate evil? The stakes are higher than ever in a Neverland that’s the stuff of nightmares. At the dark heart of its mystery is Peter Pan, an ageless entity with a diabolical agenda and a chilling secret. For Emma, Henry, Hook, Rumple, Regina, Charming and Snow, Pan’s actions have far-reaching consequences that will change their lives forever, create new alliances and introduce both Storybrooke and the Enchanted Forest to a powerful new villain of legendary wickedness: the Wicked Witch.

“Once Upon a Time: The Complete Third Season” includes the 22 episodes from the season with beautiful 1080p transfers. As this show progresses, it is getting much more polished and pretty and these transfer are benefiting from that. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround tracks are also top notch and deliver the charm that this show has. I would have loved Disney to hook us up with digital copies of this season like they have been with their DisneyMoviesAnywhere.com website, but I guess the key word is in the URL and they haven’t crossed over into TV yet.

In terms of special features, there are three featurettes included to start. The first is “Wicked Villains: What makes the villains of Once Upon A Time tick?”, which looks into the shows baddies. “The Tale of Ariel” looks into the character and her development. The next is a Blu-ray exclusive featurette called “Inside the Writer’s Room: The Next Big Character”, which gives us an inside look into the writer’s process. There are cast and crew audio commentaries included, which are a great way to re-visit specific episodes. There are also some deleted scenes and a gag reel included titled “The Fairest Bloopers of Them All”.

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Blu-ray Review “The Legend of Hell House (1973)”

Starring: Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Gayle Hunnicutt, Clive Revill, Roland Culver, Peter Bowles
Director: John Hough
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Run Time: 95 minutes

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

I remember as a kid seeing the VHS box for this film and never renting it. In fact, I still had never seen the film prior to this Blu-ray release. “The Legend of Hell House” has a sort of Hammer feel to it but takes too long to get going and the pay off is not worth the wait. There is a point when not seeing anything gets old. I expected some of that and then some reveal but it never came. Roddy McDowall is always great to watch though. Hardcore horror fans might dig having this on Blu-ray.

Official Premise: A team consisting of a physicist, his wife, a young female psychic and the only survivor of the previous visit are sent to the notorious Hell House to prove/disprove survival after death. Previous visitors have either been killed or gone mad, and it is up to the team to survive a full week in isolation, and solve the mystery of the Hell House.

I feel like Shout! Factory could have done a bit more with this release to be honest. It is not being released as a combo pack just a Blu-ray. The transfer is good but nothing spectacualr for the age of the film it looks ok but feels a little bit muted to me. The DTS-Master Audio Mono track does work with the successful score and the dialogue. The special features are bit lacking as well. There is a new interview with Director John Hough as well as a new audio commentary With actress Pamela Franklin. Both are good but we usually get more from Shout! Lastly there is an original theatrical trailer included.

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Blu-ray Review “Toy Story of Terror!”

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Carl Weathers, Stephen Tobolowsky, Timothy Dalton
Director: Angus MacLane
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Run Time: 22 minutes

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

One of the best things to happen to “Toy Story” was the continuing of the franchise through Toy Story Toons. These are short and absolutely amazing mini-stories that have been shown in front of Pixar and Disney films since “Toy Story 3”. “Toy Story of Terror!” is the longest of the group and was planned as Halloween special last Fall. The film sees the original talents returning including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Timothy Dalton, Don Rickles, Kristen Schaal, Wallace Shawn and Carl Weathers as series newcomer Combat Carl.  The film is a little scary but definitely another great installment in this franchise.

Official Premise: What starts out as a fun road trip for the Toy Story gang takes an unexpected turn for the worse when the trip detours to a roadside motel. After one of the toys goes missing, the others find themselves caught up in a mysterious sequence of events that must be solved before they all suffer the same fate.

The Blu-ray edition of Toy Story of Terror! comes in a Combo pack with a Blu-ray and Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer is gorgeous like you would expect from the Toy Story franchise and Disney/Pixar. It crazy to believe but this special also comes with an epic DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track. I am really impressed with this track.

Toy Story of Terror! Blu-ray doesn’t come alone either as it is comes with three of Toy Story Toons shorts including “Hawaiian Vacation”, “Small Fry” and “Partysaurus Rex”. It also includes some never-before-seen bonus features as well. There are three Vintage Toy Commercials, which can be viewed as act breaks during the film or separately with Director Introductions. There is also an Audio Commentary, Deleted Scenes with Editor Introductions and “Team of Specialists,” in which director Angus MacLane goes behind the scenes.

“Toy Story of Terror!” isn’t the only Toy Story Toons short to get extras though, “Hawaiian Vacation”, “Small Fry” and “Partysaurus Rex” also come with audio commentary tracks. So if you think about you aren’t just buying this for “Toy Story of Terror!”, you are getting much more as well. Lastly there is also a D23 Teaser included. Disney/Pixar is tackling Christmas this year with the new special, “Toy Story That Time Forgot”, so I can’t wait for that and also up next is a new Toy Story Toons short, “Mythic Rock”.

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Blu-ray Review “Without Warning”

Starring: Jack Palance, Martin Landau, Cameron Mitchell, Kevin Peter Hall, Neville Brand, Sue Ane Langdon
Directors: Greydon Clark
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: August 5, 2014
Run Time: 89 minutes

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

“Without Warning” is a lost horror film that has never received a home release for the last 30+ years. We are even talking VHS here. Thanks to Scream Factory, this film has been given the Blu-ray treatment and rescued from a dark shelf. This 1980 alien horror flick stars Academy Award winners Jack Palance and Martin Landau in early roles. This film is not the greatest entry to come out the 80’s. The aliens looks laughable but for the budget they had in the film, it is acceptable. Worth checking out if you’ve never seen. Leave it to Scream Factory to deliver the classics to their fans for sure!

Official Premise: A group of teenagers head out to the lake for a relaxing camping trip in the mountains. They ignore the warnings of the local truck stop owner and head to their destination. Things go terribly wrong when they run into an extraterrestrial who throws deadly discs that suck the blood of their victims. The group heads back to the truck stop for help from the eclectic group of residents: a crazy war veteran (Martin Landau, Ed Wood) and a determined hunter (Jack Palance, Batman).

Scream Factory (child label of Shout! Factory) delivers this film as a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack. The 1080p transfer in 1.85:1 aspect ratio is not perfect but fairly decent for a film that cost next to nothing in 1980 and has been forgotten about since then. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 surround track, which works well with the film has going. Not a huge fan of the score though.

The special features are solid though. There is a great interview with Christopher S. Nelson and Tarah Nutter called “Greg and Sandy’s Alien Adventures”. “Producers vs. Aliens” is another great interview with the producer of the film, Daniel Grodnik. “Hunter’s Blood with Greg Cannom” focuses on the (laughable) make-up effects. “Independents Day with Dean Cundey” is another interview with the cinematographer. There is an Audio Commentary track with Producer and Director Greydon Clark, which is decent but not amazing. Lastly there is a theatrical trailer and still gallery.

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Blu-ray Review “Motel Hell”

Starring: Rory Calhoun, Paul Linke, Nancy Parsons
Director: Kevin Connor
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Shout! Factory
DVD Release Date: August 12, 2014
Run Time: 101 minutes

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

Back in 2005, there was an amazing, no a perfect, TV station called Monsters HD. It gave us all our favorites and many lost horror films available in new HD transfers for the first time all in one channel. Of course it didn’t last very long because there is never any love for horrors channel, i.e. FearNET but there are 100+ different reality channels. Either way, on there was the first time that I caught this 80’s classic “Motel Hell”. It is a mix of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” with “Psycho”. The film is still good for a few laughs and is quite of fun but not really one of my favorites.

This film has one very simple premise and it is either that it or leave it. “A brother and sister use their remote motel to turn tourists into sausage”. HAHA, it doesn’t get anymore basic than that. Classics 80’s slasher horror. It stars Rory Calhoun (“Angel”), Nancy Parsons (“Porky’s”), Nina Axelrod (“Cobra”) and John Ratzenberger (“Cheers”), and is directed by Kevin Connor (“From Beyond The Grave”, “At The Earth’s Core”).

Shout! Factory is releasing this film as a Collector’s Edition including a Blu-ray + DVD. I would love to see them everything start breaking into the world of Digital HD since having some of these films digitally would be great in the future. I have to admit though, The 1080p transfer is quite issue ridden. I was not blown away at all. It felt like I was watching it on a TV, where it was not full HD and there is tons of grain showing throughout. The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 isn’t as bad as the video and sounds rather decent, especially Lance Rubin’s score.

The special features, like always for Scream Factory’s releases, deliver the good for horror fans. “It Takes All Kinds: The Making of Motel Hell” is a nice brand new collection of interview and behind-the-scenes retrospective. “Shooting Old School with Thomas Del Ruth” is chat with the film’s cinematographer. “Ida, Be Thy Name: The Frightful Females of Fear” talks about the lead female horror villain. “From Glamour to Gore: Rosann Katon Remembers Motel Hell” is an interview with the star, same goes for “Another Head on the Chopping Block: An Interview with Paul Linke”. There is a brand new audio commentary with director Kevin Connor, moderated by filmmaker Dave Parker, that is worth checking out. Lastly there is a trailer and some photo galleries included.

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Blu-ray Review “Only Lovers Left Alive”

Actors: Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Mia Wasikowska, Anton Yelchin, John Hurt
Directors: Jim Jarmusch
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Run Time: 123 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

If you aren’t familiar with the work of Jim Jarmusch…let’s just say his films are an acquired taste. Very arty and poetic usually filled with his unique humor. “Only Lovers Left Alive” is no different. This is definitely a visual trip with some great underground music and amazing performances from Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston. They are also backed with great supporting cast including Mia Wasikowska, Anton Yelchin and John Hurt. With those people fed up with the overflow of vampire flicks, this is a unique and interesting spin the genre. Probably not a film that I can watch every day but definitely enjoyed it and worth checking out just for performances.

Official Premise: The tale of two fragile and sensitive vampires, Adam (Tom Hiddleston) and Eve (Tilda Swinton), who have been lovers for centuries. Both are cultured intellectuals with an all-embracing passion for music, literature and science, who have evolved to a level where they no longer kill for sustenance, but still retain their innate wildness. Their love story has endured several centuries but their debauched idyll is threatened by the uninvited arrival of Eve’s carefree little sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska) who hasn’t yet learned to tame her wilder instincts. Driven by sensual photography, trance-like music, and droll humor, Jim Jarmusch’s “Only Lovers Left Alive” is a meditation on art, science, and the mysteries of everlasting love.

Since the film is being released on Digital HD, I would have hoped that Sony Pictures Classics would have included an Ultraviolet code but that is a negative. The studio did the same thing with The recent documentary “Jodorowsky’s Dune” as well. The Blu-ray does includes a solid presentation including a very well shot 1080p transfer. You know that Jarmusch had a specific look he was aiming for this film and it is executed perfectly. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track works with the dialogue and the great music. The special features are a bit of a let down though. There is a spotlight on the director with “Traveling at Night with Jim Jarmusch”, a few deleted and extended scenes and a music video for Yasmine Hamdan’s “Hal”

 

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Blu-ray Review “Phantom of the Paradise”

Starring: Paul Williams, William Finley, Jessica Harper, Gerrit Graham, George Memmoli, Robin Mattson
Director: Brian De Palma
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: August 5, 2014
Run Time: 92 minutes

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

When I first discovered “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” in the early 90’s, I set out to find what else was like that film. In my searching I came across the 1974 cult classic “Phantom of the Paradise”, which is Brian de Palma’s take on “The Phantom of the Opera” mashed-up with “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and “Faust”. All of the film’s songs were written and performed by legendary singer/songwriter Paul Williams. The music is always such a blast to review for this film. I got for years without hearing and I can pick it up and continue like I last here it yesterday. Finally, this horror/thriller classic is getting a great treatment on Blu-ray thanks to Shout Factory!

Official Premise: Brian De Palma’s glam rock version of the famous Phantom of the Opera story stars singer-songwriter Paul Williams as Swan, a music business tycoon who steals the work of talented composer Winslow Leach (Finley), along with his girlfriend Phoenix (Harper). Leach plans to get revenge, but his plans soon go horribly wrong and he ends up with a terrible facial disfigurement. Assuming a mask to hide his injuries and his identity, Leach’s next move is to sign a pact with a Swan to write a rock opera version of ‘Faust’.

“Phantom of the Paradise” looks stunning on Blu-ray for film that is literally 40 years old. This film has received several European Blu-ray releases in the past and this one is definitely the best one of the bunch. Shout! has delivered a solid 1080p transfer that is deserving of this epic film. They also includes two audio tracks inclduing a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and also 2.0 track. The music really benefits from the 5.1 track and honestly is a no contest when compared to the 2.0 track.

Shout! Factory is releasing this Collector’s Edition as a combo pack with Blu-ray and DVD. They really have given this release the works and added tons of great special features on both disks. “Brian De Palma Backstage at the Paradise” is a great brand new interview with the director reflecting on the film. “Paul Williams Soul Inspiration” is another great brand new interview with the man behind the film’s music. “Behind the Mask with Tom Burman” is yet another brand new interview with the film’s special effects supervisor on the Phantom.

There is a solid brand new audio commentary with Jessica Harper, Gerrit Graham and the Juicy Fruits (consisting of Archie Hahn, Jeffrey Comanor and Harold Oblong aka Peter Eibling). This is a quite entertaining trip down memory lane for the group. There is also another brand new audio commentary with Production Designer Jack Fisk. It is a bit more technical and not as exciting but still a nice addition. There is an interesting look at 11 alternate takes and are shown in split screen with the final version. Lastly there is a stills gallery includes as well as outtake footage from “Swan Song” and the story behind it from the film.

Normally, I would have been happy with just those extras but Shout! decided to go ahead and include a another slew of special features on the DVD as well. There is an awesome documentary called “Paradise Regained” with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. There is an awesome interview with Paul Williams that is moderated by Guillermo del Toro. There is a 2004 interview with Costume Designer Rosanna Norton. An Interview with Producer Edward R. Pressman and another with Drummer Gary Malaber. “Alvin’s Art and Technique: A Look at the Neon Poster” is a cool piece on poster designer John Alvin. Lastly is “Phantom of the Paradise Biography by Gerrit Graham”, “William Finley and Toy” & some promotional materials.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, paradise, phantom, review

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, ...

Blu-ray Review “Muppets Most Wanted: The Unnecessarily Extended Edition”

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz
Director: James Bobin
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: August 12, 2014
Run Time: 107 / 119 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

“The Muppets” was easily one of my favorite films of 2011. It may have been a little cheesy but also nostalgic and plain fun, plus the music. I mean Bret McKenzie went on to win the Oscar for the win. I still listen to the soundtrack. So now that the franchise was rebooted, I am sure everyone was dying for a sequel…well unfortunately we got “Muppets Most Wanted”, which really feels like a downgraded version of “The Muppets”. The cast doesn’t do it for me at all either. Not a Tiny Fey fan, Never watched Ty Burrell in “Modern Family” and Ricky Gervais is too good for this film. It is a fun movie don’t get me wrong. There are some good laughs and song good songs but overall it is very forgettable. I guarantee it you I will not be re-watching or singing along to the music over two years later with this one.

Official Premise: There’s plenty of fun for the whole family as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Animal and the entire Muppets gang head out on a world tour. But mayhem follows the Muppets, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper. Now Kermit is behind bars at the mercy of prison warden Nadya (Tina Fey), and the World’s Number One Criminal, Constantine — a dead ringer for Kermit — has taken his place. As Constantine and his dastardly sidekick Dominic (Ricky Gervais) plot the robbery of the century, they are pursued by Sam Eagle and Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon (Ty Burrell). Will Constantine get away with his nefarious scheme? Will Kermit escape in time to save the day?

“Muppets Most Wanted” is being released with an The Unnecessarily Extended Edition, which included a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD Ultraviolet Copy . There are two versions of the film are included: the 107-minute theatrical version and a 119-minute extended cut. The extended cut is a hit and miss, to be honest. The 1080p transfer is good just like “The Muppets”, this has a slightly bigger feel to it and benefits from that aspect. Disney is trying out a new surround track for this release, which is a 2.0Mbps, DTS-HD High Resolution 7.1 track. It is good but not amazing like I would have expect from this kind of a track. The special features are also a let down as well. There is a 10 minute gag reel titled “The Longer Longest Blooper Reel in Muppets History”. “Rizzo’s Biggest Fan” is a Rizzo complain to director James Bobin about screentime. Lastly there is a deleted Statler & Waldorf scene and a music video for “I’ll Get What You Want” by Bret McKenzie.

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

LIVE. DIE. REPEAT.

EDGE OF TOMORROW EXPLODES ONTO BLU-RAY 3D COMBO PACK, BLU-RAY COMBO PACK, DVD and DIGITAL HD ON OCTOBER 7 FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Blu-ray and Digital HD include Over 90 minutes of adrenaline-pumping special features!

Burbank, CA, August 13, 2014 – Live, Die, Repeat when “Edge of Tomorrow” arrives onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on October 7 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Directed by Doug Liman (“The Bourne Identity,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”), “Edge of Tomorrow” stars Oscar® nominee Tom Cruise (“Born on the Fourth of July,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Magnolia”) and Emily Blunt (“The Devil Wears Prada,” “The Adjustment Bureau”).

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ sci-fi thriller “Edge of Tomorrow” was directed by Liman from a screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie and Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth, and based on the novel entitled “All You Need is Kill” by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. “Edge of Tomorrow” is the first motion picture to be shot at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.

“Edge of Tomorrow,” was produced by Erwin Stoff, Tom Lassally, Jeffrey Silver, Gregory Jacobs and Jason Hoffs, alongside executive producers Doug Liman, David Bartis, Joby Harold, Hidemi Fukuhara and Bruce Berman, with Tim Lewis and Kim Winther serving as co-producers.

Supporting Cruise and Blunt is an international cast that includes Bill Paxton (“Aliens,” HBO’s “Big Love”), Brendan Gleeson (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1”), Noah Taylor (“Lawless”), Kick Gurry (Australian TV’s “Tangle”), Dragomir Mrsic (“Snabba Cash II”), Charlotte Riley (“World Without End”), Jonas Armstrong (BBC TV’s “Robin Hood”), Franz Drameh (“Attack the Block”), Masayoshi Haneda (“Emperor”) and Tony Way (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”).

“Edge of Tomorrow” will be available on Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack for $44.95 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99.  Both include a digital version of the movie on Digital HD with UltraViolet.* Fans can also own “Edge of Tomorrow” in Digital HD on October 7 via purchase from digital retailers.

 

SYNOPSIS

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. But with each battle, Cage becomes able to engage the adversaries with increasing skill, alongside Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski (Blunt). And, as Cage and Rita take the fight to the aliens, each repeated encounter gets them one step closer to defeating the enemy.

 

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS

“Edge of Tomorrow” Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack contain the following special features:

  • Operation Downfall – Adrenaline Cut
  • Storming The Beach
  • Weapons Of The Future
  • Creatures Not Of This World
  • On The Edge With Doug Liman
  • Deleted Scenes

“Edge of Tomorrow” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

  • Weapons Of The Future
  • Creatures Not Of This World

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Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: 3d, 7, bluray, combo, digital, dvd, ...

Blu-ray Review “Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy”

Starring: Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey DeLisle, Mindy Cohn
Directed By: Paul McEvoy
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Warner Bros. Animation
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Run Time: 74 minutes

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

Warner Bros seems to be comes out with a new Scooby Doo original movie a few times a year now. They are usually all decent. The last one, “Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery” was quite awesome actually bringing the gang together with the WWE Superstars. “Frankencreepy” is a decent new movie but it doesn’t reach the level that the one before did. This is obviously aiming to attract the market looking for a Halloween flick to watch but coming out in August is just a little too soon for me to get into it. Might revisit closer to the holiday but overall, it felt like just the typical “Scooby Doo” movie, nothing special.

Official Premise: Scooby-Doo and those “meddling kids” Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma are back in an all-new original movie. Velma discovers she’s inherited her great-great-uncle Dr. Von Dinkenstein’s cursed castle in the terrifying town of Transylvania… Pennsylvania, that is. Just when the Gang persuades Velma to go claim her inheritance, the ghost of Dinkenstein Castle blows up the Mystery Machine as a warning! Now the Crew must spring back into action, but this time it’s personal! Who’s responsible for the Dinkenstein monster? What family secret has Velma been hiding? Will Fred recover from the loss of his beloved Mystery Machine? Can any helpless snack survive Scooby and Shaggy’s monster-sized appetites?

Warner Bros is delivering “Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy” as a Blu-ray/DVD combo with a HD Digital Ultraviolet copy included. Like all recent 1080p transfer for this franchise, they are very impressive. The animation style is very solid and looks great. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks works perfectly with the mystery/action aspect of the film. In the special features department are a step down from the extras in “Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery” as well. There are only two bonus episodes: “A Gaggle of Galloping Ghosts” and “To Switch a Witch”. Episodes were themed right for this release but not enough to leave you satisfied.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, frankencreepy, review, scoobydoo
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