Blumhouse Productions (Insidious, Sinister, Paranormal Activity, The Purge) has become known for micro-budget horror films that go gangbusters at the box office. With Dark Skies, Blumhouse combined their well-honed approach to horror with a sci-fi twist, namely a threat from extraterrestrial beings. While it’s certainly not the biggest money-maker for the production company, Dark Skies might be my favorite of their films so far. Not only does it feature an exceptional cast in Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton, Dakota Goyo, Annie Thurman and J.K Simmons, but writer-director Scott Stewart combines the best of Steven Spielberg’s family-centric films with a hint of Stanley Kubrick’s psychological horror. Now that Dark Skies is available on Blu-ray, you can check it out for yourself. Hit the jump for my Blu-ray review.
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Although Walt Disney never got a chance to see his own version of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz stories brought to the screen before his death in 1966, director Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful makes a valiant attempt at recreating Disney’s vision. The big-budget, 3D reimagining of Baum’s collection of stories introduces small-time magician turned prophecy-fulfilling wizard, Oscar Diggs (James Franco) as he’s swept up into the magical world of Oz where must sort out the intentions of three very attractive witches (Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz). Accompanied by a flying monkey and a china doll (voiced by Zach Braff and Joey King respectively), Diggs must discover the goodness within him if he’s to save the people of Oz from the tyranny of the wicked witch.
Now available on Blu-ray, Oz the Great and Powerful is a visually dazzling addition to the Oz films that acts as a prequel to 1939′s The Wizard of Oz. While it comes nowhere near the caliber of that classic tale, this new imagining is a welcome journey back into the Emerald City and the unique lands that surround it. Hit the jump for my Blu-ray review.
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Here’s a look at this week’s new Blu-ray releases:
In many ways, Tom Cruise never escaped the fallout from that infamous 2005 ride on Oprah’s couch. His box office returns have gradually slipped and the sheen of “Scientology Weirdo” still hangs around him in the public mind. It’s quite unfair because 1) the man’s private life is still his own business and 2) the quality of his films in recent years has been quite good. From his brilliant cameo in Tropic Thunder to the slick thrills of Valkyrie and the unexpected triumph of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, he’s pretty much firing on all cylinders these days… despite comparatively poor box office. Jack Reacher is a sad testament to the bind he finds himself in: a smart, intelligent action thriller that got lost amid bad timing. The Blu-ray release is a perfect opportunity to catch what you probably missed. Hit the jump for my full review.
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Here’s a look at this week’s new Blu-ray releases:
I had little idea of what to expect going into a viewing of Roman Coppola’s A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III, having only seen these suggestive posters. What I found was a surprisingly charming tale of a gifted man obsessed with beautiful possessions who is having trouble letting go of his latest love. It was the cast that really drew me in, sporting Charlie Sheen, Jason Schwartzman, Patricia Arquette, Katheryn Winnick, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aubrey Plaza and Bill Murray, plus the written and directorial effort from the Oscar-nominated Roman Coppola. It’s a fun little gem of a picture you probably missed in theaters, so hit the jump to check out my review of the film on Blu-ray to see if it’s right for you.
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Here’s a look at this week’s new Blu-ray releases:
Ray Stevenson is a great actor. So, when I heard that he would be playing the villain on Season 7 of the Showtime drama series Dexter, I was very intrigued, and he definitely didn’t disappoint. As Isaak Sirko, the ruthless leader of the Koshka Brotherhood, Stevenson gave a complex and layered performance of a character where there was certainly more than meets the eye.
During this recent exclusive interview with Collider, actor Ray Stevenson talked about how he came to be a part of Dexter, how he wished his character could have gotten Dexter (Michael C. Hall) on a kill table, that he loved working with such a great cast and crew, what it was like to work on such a secretive show, and just how much more villainous a stone cold killer can get when you break his heart. He also talked about being a part of the Marvel universe as Volstagg in the Thor films and the challenges of wearing such an extensive fat suit, as well as what appealed to him about Divergent, in which he’s playing Marcus. Check out what he had to say after the jump, and be aware that there are some spoilers.
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Here’s a look at this week’s new Blu-ray releases:
Considering that the film was bumped around from September to January due to a national tragedy, it would be nice to feel a little sorry for Ruben Fleischer’s Gangster Squad. The period film, which casts Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling as cops going against Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) for control of Los Angeles, has a great cast and period setting. On top of that, The Untouchables is a great film and it wouldn’t be the worst thing to see more films like it. And yet, Gangster Squad is a total miss. My review of the Blu-ray follows after the jump.
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At first glance, the stand-alone release of Star Trek: TNG - The Best of Both Worlds on Blu-ray looks like typical double dipping. The Season Three Blu-ray includes the first half of the two-part episode, but not the second, forcing Trekkies the world over to either pick this set up or wait until later this summer for Season Four to arrive. Why not get a few extra bucks out of the folks who can’t wait? The set certainly doesn’t justify any extra expense… but it does make an easy option for more casual fans who don’t want to invest in two expensive season collections. Hit the jump for the full review.
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In celebration of the Guillermo del Toro-produced horror film Mama debuting on Blu-ray and DVD today, we were invited along to take a tour of the darker side of Hollywood. Sure, it’s all fame and fortune for the relative few who make it in this town, but the ones who came close – and the stars who think themselves invincible – sometimes meet a grisly end. In this city of glitz and glamour there’s plenty of gruesome gore to be found, and the folks at Starline Tours know just where to look. Hit the jump to come along on our recap of the tour that took us through some of Hollywood’s most famous haunts and be sure to check out writer-director Andres Muschietti’s Mama, now available on Blu-ray and DVD.
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Here’s a brief look at this week’s new Blu-ray releases:
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Director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) turned in one of the year’s most stunning visual epics with his adaptation of Life of Pi and was rewarded with an Oscar for his work. Now you can enjoy the beautiful spectacle and powerful message of the story in the comfort of your own home with the movie’s release on Blu-ray. Life of Pi is one of those rare films where the 3D component actually complements the viewing experience in a noticeable way, which is why it’s drawn comparisons to James Cameron’s Avatar. This description works just fine on a superficial level, but Life of Pi has so much more to offer; new discoveries both on screen and embedded within the story make repeat watching a rather rewarding experience. Hit the jump for my review of Life of Pi on Blu-ray.
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Christopher Guest is one of a kind. The writer/director/producer/actor carved out a niche of his own in the filmmaking community with the brilliant 1984 comedy This Is Spinal Tap, directed by Rob Reiner, and went on to helm a string of comedy hits himself in his distinctive “mockumentary” vein. Though all of his films have something great and unique to offer, there’s something particularly special about 2000’s Best in Show. The film’s characters are ridiculous and at times loathesome, but there’s a sincerity to the picture that prevents things from ever becoming too cynical. The result is a delightfully hilarious comedy classic. Hit the jump for my review of Best in Show on Blu-ray.
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Editorial: 5 Things I Would Like to See in MAN OF STEEL 2
Possible Casting Breakdown for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Revealed
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Mary Jane Cut from THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 [Update: Role May Be Recast]
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