Blu-ray Review - "You're Next"

The horror movie formula is a very difficult genre to reinvent. No matter which way you take it in, comedy, torture porn, thriller or just a flat out gore fest, the core dynamic remains which is that for the next couple of hours the audience is going to sit there watching people they either care or don't care about being dispatched one by one. While the new horror film You're Next still succumbs to that formula, it interjects enough new ideas as well as some truly surprising twists and turns that might lead you to forget you are watching the same horror story you have seen countless times before, just with a fresh coat of paint. Read the full review after the break.

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Blu-ray Review - "Riddick"

They say if you want something to either stay or go away, to speak with your wallet. Unfortunately last September audiences said they were pretty much done with the Riddick franchise as this third installment landed with a gigantic thud when it was released in theaters. The reason this turn of events is so unfortunate is that despite whatever your feelings were about the last entry (Chronicles), Riddick is a really fun popcorn flick with some decent action, interesting characters and a neat Sci-fi world that was full of danger.

However, much like 2012's most overlooked film Dredd (which was also released in September), Riddick has now been released on Blu-ray which will give it a second chance to lure in those reluctant audiences who are more willing to throw down a couple dollars than a full priced ticket. Those daring individuals will find a film that on the surface is very similar to the original film Pitch Black, but is different enough to justify covering familiar territory. While it isn't as solid a film as Dredd is, Riddick has a good chance of succeeding on Blu-ray where it failed in theaters. Read the full review after the break.

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Blu-ray Review - "World War Z"

If there was film released this past summer that everyone had written off as a sure-fire bomb, it was World War Z, the Brad Pitt zombie picture based off the Max Brooks novel (in name only though). Imagine everyones surprise when it was released to mostly positive reviews, ended up earning back its enormous budget (over $200 million) and became a bonafide international hit (its total gross beat out Man of Steel!).

Now the highly anticipated Blu-ray release of the zombie apocalypse blockbuster has arrived, complete with an all new unrated cut that apparently was "too intense for theaters!" and a bevy of extras that depending on where you buy your copy at, will vary in quality. Read the full review after the break.

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The FP - Blu-ray Review

THE FP

Purchase The FP through Drafthouse Films Now!

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: June, 19 2012

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Crazy, Stupid, Love - Blu-ray Review

CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE

Crazy, Stupid, Love (+ UltraViolet Digital Copy) [Blu-ray] (2011)

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: November 1, 2011

I avoided this movie upon its initial release mainly because it didn't appear as though it was trying anything different. It looked as though it was just going through the motions of your stereotypical romantic dramedy where we get to see a small group of people whose love lives intersect in unconventional ways. While it certainly doesn't break any new ground in this regard, its very appealing cast adds just enough flavor to spice up its more tiresome romantic tropes.

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Super 8 - Blu-ray Review

SUPER 8

Super 8 [Blu-ray/DVD combo + Digital Copy] Amazon price $24.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: November, 22 2011

I absolutely love this movie to death. No other movie this year or even the past few years has gotten me in touch with my inner child quite like J.J. Abrams Super 8 has. It has taken some time for me to realize not everyone will ever love it as much as I do but let's be honest here, if you don't at least appreciate it for what it is then you are most likely dead inside. As for the blu-ray, well beyond winning the award for worst cover art of the year it actually comes pretty stuffed with some nice extras. Go ahead and skip on down below if you wanna see what is in store for you and if you still need some convincing on whether or not to see the movie itself then I highly suggest you check out my spoiler-free review for it as well.

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Mimic: Director's Cut - Blu-ray Review

MIMIC

Director's Cut

Mimic: Director's Cut [Blu-ray + Digital Copy] Amazon Price: $11.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: September 27, 2011

Mimic feels almost like a lost film to me anymore. I remember it quite fondly but it never seems to get brought up very often or at all which is just a crying shame. I have always had a special place in my heart for Mimic for many reasons but the real selling point here are those three words directly following the title, "The Director's Cut". Why is there a new version of the film? It gets kind of complicated but I will try my best to convey what the heck is going on with this release.

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Paul - Blu-ray Review

PAUL

Paul (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: August, 9 2011

I really liked Paul, it has a certain warmth and charm to it that just seeps into your subconcious and makes you feel good. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have a lot to do with that though both in front and behind the camera as stars and writers on the film. There is just something about those two that make you want to snuggle up with a loved one on the couch and go on journey with them. While Paul is not exactly the family film I am painting it as (it is rated R for a reason after all) it is probably one of the few films that abuse obscenities like nobodies business that still comes off as innocent somehow. If you are a fan of the Pegg/Frost duo and are looking for another fix then Paul should fill that bill nicely...just make sure the kids are in bed before you put it on though.

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Bloodrayne: The Third Reich - Blu-ray Review

BLOODRAYNE

THE THIRD REICH

BloodRayne: The Third Reich (Unrated Director's Cut) [Blu-ray] Amazon Price $25.99

BloodRayne: The Third Reich - Director's Cut (Unrated) DVD Amazon Price $12.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: April, 5 2011

Finally, the third chapter to the Bloodrayne saga is upon us. All your questions will be answered such as is Rayne bi-sexual? Does she randomly visit brothels for no apparent reason? Does she have sex on more than one occasion? Is she bi-sexual? Does this movie have anything at all to do with vampires? Does she get naked? Most importantly though does she have sex?

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Your Highness - Blu-ray Review

YOUR HIGHNESS

Your Highness [Blu-ray + Digital Copy] Amazon Price $29.99

Your Highness [DVD] Amazon Price $14.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: August 9, 2011

Your Highness doesn't shoot very high with its particular brand of comedy but its grasp far outweighs its reach in this case. Even on a second viewing (completely sober and non-intoxicated mind you) I still find myself laughing my ass off at the crude but spot on humor. I still do not understand the hatred many feel towards the movie, I understand that perhaps they expected something a little more highbrow than what is given to us but that doesn't mean the film misses its target. With some great action sequences, some dazzling effects and a Minotaur penis how could anyone go wrong with this harmless piece of fluff.

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Insidious - Blu-ray Review

INSIDIOUS

Insidious [Blu-ray] Amazon Price $22.49

Insidious [DVD] Amazon Price $18.49

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: July 12, 2011

I loved watching this in the theater with a large crowd of people. This type of movie just begs to be seen with a theater full of screaming women and guys yelling at the screen. I was a little unsure how well the experience would translate to the home theater though. While it isn't nearly as entertaining as it was upon my first viewing, the solid script, fantastic cast and the unique premise still held up much better than expected. And it still has that unnerving effect that any good scary movie should have where it has you double checking your doors and windows are locked, the closet is empty and that nothing is under your bed. I am surprised at how well this has held up as a home experience and implore everyone out there looking for a spooky night at home with a loved one to seek it out immediately.

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Summer Wars - Blu-ray Review

SUMMER WARS

Summer Wars [Blu-ray] Amazon Price $19.39

Summer Wars [DVD] Amazon Price $12.49

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: February, 15 2011

It took me a while to get around to seeing this one. I have had it in my pile of unseen Blu-rays for quite some time now and just never found myself in the right mood for it. Then the other day I woke up in the mood for a little anime and promptly but the disc in the player, sat back and reveled in one of Japan's greatest art forms for the next two hours.

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Rango - Blu-ray Review

RANGO

Rango (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) Amazon Price $19.99

Rango (DVD) Amazon Price $15.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: July 15, 2011

Rango is the only movie this year to truly come out of nowhere for me. Not so much that I didn't know about it but just by defying the odds and not being everything I thought it would be, which is your garden variety animated movie for kids. It is so much more than just another movie for kids, heck I think most kids might even find this chameleon's extraordinary journey to be slightly boring. If you missed it in the theaters for the same reasons I almost did then do yourself a favor and pick this one up immediately and discover why not everything animated needs to be geared towards the little ones. And a quick word for anyone interested in the extended cut with the never-before-seen-ending (which runs at 111 minutes in comparison to the theatrical cut at 107 minutes both of which are included here), it is good but other than the 3 minute extended ending nothing else added here changes the film dramatically. That being said I will probably pop the extended version in first if given the option.

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13 Assassins - Blu-ray Review

13 ASSASSINS

13 Assassins [Blu-ray] Amazon Price $17.99

13 Assassins [DVD] Amazon Price $10.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: July 5,  2011

I had heard many great things about this film. That is was one of the best samurai movies ever made and even drew praises that compared it favorably to those Kurosawa classics. But there was no way this could ever live up to the hype built up around it. Everyone was blowing things out of proportion right? Oh how wrong I was and how great it felt to be so wrong.

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Sucker Punch - Blu-ray Review

SUCKER PUNCH

Sucker Punch (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) Amazon Price $22.99

Sucker Punch (DVD) Amazon Price $14.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: June, 28 2011

If you're going to fail then fail big...at least that seems to be the mantra writer/director Zack Snyder was shooting for with his very first original film. There really is nothing more heartbreaking to a film geek like myself when you see such potential in something that should have been a monster hit and then see it all turn out so poorly. You had guns, girls, mutant samurais, killer robots, dragons, goblins, giant anime inspired mech suits, steam powered zombies and even robust musical numbers but some how it all fell flat and ultimately became a waste of time for everyone involved from the people behind the camera to those of us in front of the television screen. Sucker Punch is without a doubt my biggest disappointment of the past couple years.

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Burlesque - Blu-ray Review

BURLESQUE

Burlesque (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) Amazon Price $18.99

Burlesque (DVD) Amazon Price $16.49

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: March 1, 2011

This film was beaten to death when it was released last year. It currently has a 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and has been thanklessly thrown out with the garbage it seems. I was eagerly awaiting it's release and wanted to check it out but with such a backlash (and very little time on my part) I missed it during it's theatrical run. Which is quite a shame now in hindsight because despite all the negativity I found the film to be every bit as entertaining as I had initially hoped it would be.

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The Adjustment Bureau - Blu-ray Review

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

The Adjustment Bureau (Blu-ray) Amazon Price $22.99

The Adjustment Bureau (DVD) Amazon Price $16.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: June, 21 2011

I think I have come to appreciate this movie a lot more in hindsight. Partly due to it just clicking with me better upon a second viewing but mostly due to all the other films that have come out since it was released. There is just so little imagination out there anymore (granted, this is a loose adaptation of a book) and this film just feels so fresh and alive compared to most everything else I have seen in the past few months. It's mish mash of genres coupled with two fantastic lead actors prove that being unconventional is sometimes the perfect medicine for those re-hash blues.

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Battle: Los Angeles - Blu-ray Review

BATTLE: LOS ANGELES

Battle: Los Angeles (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) Amazon Price $24.99

Battle: Los Angeles (DVD) Amazon Price $16.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: June, 14 2011

Battle: L.A. is not a fantastic or even great movie. It has many problems (mostly concerning the characterizations) but even after a third viewing I find that it accomplished what it set out to do. Which is to be as a realistic a take on the alien invasion movie formula that has ever been attempted before. The action is well done, the actors all embody what I consider to be your stereotypical grunt and the aliens themselves were fairly unique. I think a lot of people that didn't care for it upon their initial viewing might end up liking it a little better on a second viewing once they have come to grips with what the movie is as opposed to what they wanted it to be.

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True Grit - Blu-ray Review

TRUE GRIT

True Grit (Blu-ray/DVD Combot + Digital Copy) Amazon Price $17.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: June, 7 2011

Watching this film again at home has only solidified it as one of the best films to come out in the last few years, the fact that it is a western only makes it that much more special. It is also notable for giving us what I believe to be one of the best debut performances by an actor ever with the discovery of Hailee Steinfeld. I still hold true that she gave the best performance of last year no matter what anyone says. I have also found a new appreciation for the ending of the film which I was initially lukewarm on but after understanding the novel a little more I have come to like it. This is an amazing movie filled with amazing performances across the board that will please just about anyone who gives it a chance.

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The Green Hornet - Blu-ray Review

THE GREEN HORNET

The Green Hornet [Blu-ray/DVD] - Amazon Price $19.99

The Green Hornet (Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD) - Amazon Price $ 24.99

The Green Hornet [DVD] - Amazon Price $15.99

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: May 4, 2011

I was surprised by The Green Hornet when I saw it in the theater. Going in with modest to low expectations for a film has a way of shaping your initial reactions to it. So I was eager to see how it played on a second viewing and while I found some other issues that I hadn't noticed before (the opening scenes are quick but not very cohesive) I still had a lot of fun watching it. Once again your mileage will vary depending on your feelings towards Seth Rogen and his style of comedy.

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