Showing posts with label Blu-Ray Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blu-Ray Review. Show all posts

Monday, October 3, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates



Rated R; 99 minutes; $39.99; Amazon

Now available to purchase on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is the outrageous comedy Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. Directed by Jake Szymanski, the film stars Zac Efron, Anna Kendrick, Adam Devine, Aubrey Plaza, and Stephen Root.

The film centers on two hard-partying brothers, Mike (played by Adam Devine) and Dave (played by Zac Efron) Stangle, who are both told by their father (played by Stephen Root) to find "respectable" dates for their sister Jeanie's (played by Sugar Lyn Beard) wedding in Hawaii.

Since they had never dated "nice girls" before, they have no idea where to find any. So they post an all-expense-paid trip to Hawaii ad on Craigslist. The ad goes viral quickly, leading the brothers to appear on n The Wendy Williams Show.

This is where best friends Tatiana (played Aubrey Plaza) and Alice (played by Anna Kendrick) comes into the picture. They see Mike and Dave on television, and the girls decided they are going to be their dates, though all they want is a free trip to Hawaii.

After a brief meeting, Mike and Dave pick Tatiana and Alice as their dates. However, once they arrive in Hawaii for the wedding, they start realize the girls are wilder than them.


Blu-ray Special Features includes:

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: The Neon Demon


Rated R; 117 minutes; $34.99; Amazon
Arriving today on Blu-ray and DVD from Broad Green Pictures is the horror-thriller The Neon Demon. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, the film stars Elle Fanning, Kapl Glusman, Jena Malone, Bella Heathcote, Abbey Lee, Christina Hendricks, and Keanu Reeves.

The Neon Demon centers on Jesse (played by Elle Fanning), a teenager who had left her small Georgia town in the hopes of becoming a fashion model in Los Angeles. During her first photo shoot, Jesse befriends Ruby (played b Jena Malone), a makeup artist, who later takes her to a party where she meets two other models Gigi (played by Bella Heathcote) and Sarah (played by Abbey Lee). Let's just say the models aren't exactly nice to her; both judging her natural beauty.

Jesse quickly gets signed by a modeling agent (played by  Christina Hendricks) by telling the woman she is nineteen-years-old instead of her real age - sixteen. This leads to her landing a test shoot with the famous photographer Jack (played by Desmond Harrington), which outrages Gigi and Sarah.

Despite her possible rise to stardom in the fashion world, Jesse is still living in a ruined down motel, managed by the creepy Hank (played by Keanu Reeves). She tries to begin a relationship with aspiring photographer Dean (played by Karl Glusman), but her narcissism ruins everything.

Unfortunately for Jesse, she's about to learn that the saying, "Beauty is more than skin deep," means nothing in the high-fashion modeling world.

Blu-ray Review - CELL


Rated R; 98 minutes; $24.99; Amazon

Arriving on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD) and DVD (plus Digital HD) today from Lionsgate Home Entertainment is the horror-thriller CELL, based up n the novel by Stephen King.

Directed by Tod Williams, the film stars John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Owen Teague, Clark Sarullo, Anthony Reynolds, Erin Elizabeth Burns, and Stacy Keach.

CELL centers on a graphic novel artist Clayton "Clay" Riddell (played by John Cusack) who is on a business trip in Boston when "The Pulse" is released, an unknown signal that spreads across all cell phones around the world that turns humans into mindless zombie-like killers. After barely escaping Boston Common from the "phoners," he crosses path with a subway worker Tom McCourt (played by Samuel L. Jackson), and later a teenager named Alice Maxwell (played by Isabelle Fuhrman).

Clay, Tom, and Alice travel together, trying to avoid the "phoners" as they make their way to Maine to search for Clay's estranged wife and son.

From left to right: Samuel L. Jackson ("Tom McCourt," left), Isabelle Fuhrman ("Alice Maxwell," center) and John Cusack ("Clay Riddell," right) star in Lionsgate Home Entertainment's CELL.

Special Features on the Blu-ray includes:

  • Audio Commentary with Director Tod Williams
  • To Cell and Back: The Making of the Film


Saturday, September 17, 2016

Blu-ray Review - Disney's Beauty and the Beast: 25th Anniversary Edition



Rated G; 85minutes (theatrical version);$39.99; Amazon
Being released this Tuesday from Walt Disney Home Entertainment is Disney's Beauty and the Beast: 25th Anniversary Edition Signature Collection 2-disc set (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD, featuring four different versions of the film - Original Theatrical, Special Edition, and a Sing-Along version (on Blu-ray and Digital HD & Disney Movies Anywhere)). A Work-In-Process version is available on Digital HD & Disney Movies Anywhere.

Originally released to theaters in 1991, Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to receive an Academy Award nomination for best picture. Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, the film features the voice talents of Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, Angela Lansbury, Bradley Michael Pierce, Rex Everhart, Jesse Corti, Hal Smith, and Jo Anne Worley.

Based on the fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of a Prince Adam who had refused to let a beggar into his castle; in return for his rudeness a curse was put upon him, turning him into a beast. The beggar gives him a magic mirror and a magical rose. He has until his 21st birthday to find a woman that will fall in love with him, despite his beast-like looks. If he fails to do so, he will remain a beast forever.

Ten years later, a man named Maurice takes shelter inside the castle, but unfortunately this upsets the Beast, who tosses the man inside a dungeon. Shortly later, the man's daughter, Belle, finds his horse, Phillipe, and goes searching for him. She stumbles upon the castle and finds her father, but she also finds the Beast. Being a loving daughter, Belle offers to replace her father as prisoner, and the Beast agrees to her terms.

After being put in the dungeon very briefly, the Beast has a change of heart and gives Belle her own room. This is where she learns that a curse had been put on the Beast's servants (Lumière the candlestick, Cogsworth the clock, Mrs. Potts the teapot, and her son Chip the teacup) too. All the servants instantly like Belle, and they all help her see the good side of the Beast.

Friday, August 26, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: The Jungle Book


PG; 106 minutes; $39.99; Amazon

Arriving on Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday August 30th from Disney Home Entertainment is this year's mega-blockbuster The Jungle Book. The film is already available on Digital HD. Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man 1 & 2), the film stars Neel Sethi as Mowgli, along with the talented voice-cast of Billy Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, and Christopher Walken.

Based on the classic novel of the same name by Rudyard Kipling and the1967 Walt Disney classic animated film, The Jungle Book tells the tale of a young orphan boy, Mowgli (played by Neel Sethi) who is saved by a black panther named Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley) and is given to a clan of Indian wolves to be raised by.

Years later, a deadly Bengal tiger named Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba) threatens to kill the man-cub, which leads Bagheera to make the decision to take Mowgli to the man-village. However, on their journey there Shere Khan attacks them, and Mowgli and Bagheera become separated.

Despite being raised a by wolves, Mowgli's chances of surviving the dangers of the jungle (including an encounter with the python Kaa (voiced by Scarlett Johansson)) are slim, well, until he is rescued by a sloth bear named Baloo (voiced by Bill Murray). It doesn't take long for Mowgli and Baloo to become best friends, though the bear is sorta using the man-cub to help him gather honeycombs.

Unfortunately, King Louie's, a giant orangutan (voiced by Christopher Walken), army of monkeys have plans for Mowgli, which leads Baloo to team up with Bagheera to rescue the man-cub.


Blu-ray & HD Digital Special Features includes:

  • “The Jungle Book” ReimaginedFavreau sits down with producer Brigham Taylor and visual effects supervisor Robert Legato to discuss “The Jungle Book” and reflect on the years they devoted to the reimagining of this timeless tale. Discover how Rudyard Kipling’s original stories and the classic animated film influenced their unique approach, witness the technical wizardry that enabled the team to create a believable and thrilling movie-going experience, and learn how they borrowed a page from Walt Disney’s innovation playbook to make it all happen. Lastly, meet the all-star voice cast who help bring the film’s colorful characters to life, as well as the musicians who accent the adventure with a majestic music score. 

Monday, August 22, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: The Titanic: The Epic Mini-series Event


NOT RATED; 174 minutes; $14.98; Amazon


When you hear the name Titanic, many us probably think of the James Cameron's 1997 Oscar-winning blockbuster starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. However, over a year before it's release there was a two-part miniseries called "The Titanic" that aired on CBS. Directed by Robert Lieberman, the mini-series starred Peter Gallagher, George C. Scott, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Eva Marie Saint, Tim Curry and Marilu Henner.

The Titanic: The Epic Mini-series Event is finally available on Blu-ray and DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment.

Similar to the 1997 film, The Titanic is a romantic-disaster movie, just with a much smaller budget. This story centers on four different characters, Isabella Paradine (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones), Wynn Park (played by Peter Gallagher), Jamie Perse (played by Mike Doyle) and Aase Ludvigsen (played by Sonsee Ahray).

Jamie is a young thief who steals himself a ticket on the fatal Titanic voyage, taking on a new identity to start a new life. There he meets the very religious Aase and the two quickly fall in love (Sounds familiar!). Unfortunately, Jamie's old criminal pal, Simon Doonan (played by Tim Curry) is working on the ship, and he wants Jamie to help him steal from rich passengers.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: Ash vs Evil Dead: The Complete First Season



TV-MA; 294 minutes; $49.99 - Blu-ray; $39.98 - DVD
Arriving on DVD and Blu-ray tomorrow from Anchor Bay Entertainment is Ash vs Evil Dead: The Complete First Season, featuring all 10 episodes from the hit STARZ Original series. 

Set 30 years after the original Evil Dead trilogy, Bruce Campbell returns as Ashley "Ash" Williams, the hero from film series. Despite being a little older, he's still the same old Ash with the same dead end job as a stock boy. 

After a drunken night trying to impress a woman, he accidentally recites the incantation from the Book of the Dead and unleashes the Kandarian Demon, again. Of course, Ash is determined to fix his deadly mistake by seeking out a book dealer who might be able to read the Necronomicon, but with the evil awaiting for him around ever corner, he going to need some help this time.

Yep, this time Ash has two sidekicks - Pablo Simon Bolivar (played by Ray Santiago), a young co-worker who thinks Ash is a hero, and Kelly Maxwell (played by Dana DeLorenzo), a new co-worker who was just trying to get home to her father, but ends up tagging along with Ash.

With his house trailer attached to his Oldsmobile, Ash, Pablo and Kelly head out to stop the Kandarain Demon, if they can outrun a state trooper, Amanda Fisher (played by Jill Marie Jones) and a stranger named Ruby (played by Lucy Lawless), who will do anything to get a hold of the Necronomicon.


Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Blu-ray Review - The Blacklist: The Complete Third Season



NOT RATED; 980 minutes; $75.99; Amazon
Arriving on Blu-ray today from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is The Blacklist: The Complete Third Season. Created by Jon Bokenkamp, the series stars James Spader, Megan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff, Ryan Eggold, Amir Arison, Mozhan Marno, Hisham Twafiq and Harry Lennix.

The Blacklist debuted on NBC in 2013 and quickly became a hit with audiences and critics. The series centers on the "FBI Most Wanted" criminal Raymond "Red" Reddington (played by James Spader), surrendering himself to the FBI. He makes a deal with them that they would not press charges against him in exchange for him helping them locate and apprehend other criminals. He also insists on working with Elizabeth "Liz" Keen (played by Megan Boone), a rookie FBI profiler.

At the end of the second season, Liz is accused of assassinating  a U.S. Senator. With the help of Red, she escapes the authorities and becomes one of the FBI Ten Most Wanted. Season Three finds Liz and Red still on the run from the FBI. Instead of skipping the country, they go on the hunt for the clues that will unravel who had framed Liz.

With Assistant FBI Director Harold Cooper (played by Harry Lennix) under investigation, Agent Donald Ressler (played by Diego Klattenhoff) is left in charge of the FBI Task Force assigned to capture Liz and Red, but of course they are always one step ahead of the FBI.

Blu-ray Exclusives includes:
  • Deleted & Extended Scenes
  • Creating the Stunts: Script to Screen
  • From the Shadows: Villains of Season 3
  • Episode Commentaries

Other features includes:
  • Outside the Box: Making The Blacklist Comic Book
  • All About Aram
  • Red's Gems: Favorite Lines From Season 3

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: Green Room


Rated R; 95 minutes; $24.99; Amazon

Now available to own on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment is the gritty thriller Green Room. Written & directed by Jeremy Sauliner, the film stars the late Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, Joe Cole, Callum Turner and Patrick Stewart.

Green Room centers on a small punk band called The Ain't Rights (Pat (played by Anton Yelchin), Sam (played by Alia Shawkat), Reece (played by Joe Cole) and Tiger (played by Callum Turner)), taking a gig at a bar outside of  Portland. The band is used to playing to rough crowds, but this bar is full of a neo-Nazi skinhead, making it a little difficult to finish their set of songs.

After they exit the stage, the band is in a hurry to leave the bar, but the unexpected happens when Sam goes back to the green room to get her phone. There she finds the body of a young woman on the floor with a knife sticking out of her head.

Not wanting the police to get involved, the bouncers, Gabe and Big Justin (played by Macon Blair and Eric Edelstein), won't let the band members leave the bar. Gabe informs the bar's owner, Darcy Banker (played by Patrick Stewart), of the situation, who immediately takes action by closing the bar down for the night.

Locked in the green room with the other witness, Amber (played by Imogen Poots), the band is forced to fight for their lives when Darcy unleashes his henchman and dogs upon them, in the attempt to clean up the situation.

Specials Features on the Blu-ray includes "Into The Pit: Making Green Room" Featurette and Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Jeremy Saulnier.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: The Other Side Of The Door


Rated R; 96 minutes; $29.99; Amazon
Available now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is the horror-thriller The Other Side Of The Door. Directed by Johannes Roberts, the film stars Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead) and Jeremy Sisto (Law and Order; Suburgatory). Special Features includes deleted scenes, "Behind The Door," a gallery, and the theatrical trailer.

Set in India, the film centers on a grieving mother, Maria (played by Sarah Wayne Callies) who had lost her young son Oliver (played by Logan Creran) in an accident, where she was only able to save her daughter Lucy (played by Sofia Rosinsky), and ever since she has blamed herself for his death.

After a failed suicide attempt, Maria's housekeeper, Piki (played by Suchitra Pillai-Malik) offers her chance to say goodbye to Oliver. To do so, Sarah must travel to a temple in Piki's village, scatter Oliver's ashes on the temple's steps and lock herself inside. Then she must wait until dark to hear Oliver's voice one last time. The one thing that she is instructed not do, is to leave the open the door for her son.

However, things don't and exactly as planned when Maria leaves the door open and releases a supernatural force that is hellbent on destroying her family.


Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: Vigilante Diaries



Rated R; 108 minutes; $26.99; Amazon


Arriving today on Blu-ray and DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment is the action-packed flick Vigilante Diaries. Directed by Christian Sesma, the film stars Paul Sloan, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Michael Jai White, Jason Mewes and Michael Madsen.

Vigilante Diaries centers on a Punisher-like character called "The Vigilante," an urban avenger who becomes a worldwide celebrity after a filmmaker (played by Jason Mewes) follows him around and puts the videos on the internet.

Unfortunately, "The Vigilante" is kidnapped and tortured by the Mexican cartels. His sidekick, "The Kid" (played by Kevin L. Walker) puts together a rogue team of Special Forces to help him save "The Vigilante."


However, things don't exactly goes as planned when the American mob gets involved with the situation, which leads "The Vigilante" on a international quest for revenge.

The only featurette is the Vigilante Diaries: Behind The Scenes.


Saturday, July 2, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: Kung Fu Panda 3


PG; 95 minutes; $36.99; Amazon

Now available to purchase on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD from DreamWorks Animation is this year's hit animated-comedy Kung Fu Panda 3. Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni, the sequel features the voice talents of Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, J. K. Simmons, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, David Cross, Kate Hudson, James Hong, Randall Duk Kim and Jackie Chan.

Po the Dragon Warrior (voiced by Jack Black) has his life shattered when Master Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman) announces his retirement and that Po would be replacing him as the new Kung Fu teacher.

Of course Po is excited about his new role at first, but after one training lesson with the Furious Five members Tigress (voiced by Angelina Jolie), Crane (voiced by David Cross), Mantis (voiced by Seth Rogen), Viper (voiced by Lucy Liu), and Monkey (voiced by Jackie Chan, all his students get injured. This is when he begins to question his role as teacher.

Out of nowhere, a panda named Li Shan (voiced by Bryan Cranston) arrives in the village in search of his long-lost son, which just happens to be Po.

While Po is excited to see his father, the reunion is cut short when a powerful enemy named Kai (voiced by J. K. Simmons) escapes the Spirit Realm and returns to the real world to steal the chi from other Kung Fu masters. Since he has never mastered the art of chi, Po follows his father to a secret panda village to train for the upcoming battle against Kai.


Special Features/Bonus Extras includes:

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: Eddie The Eagle


PG-13; 105 minutes; $39.99; Amazon
Now available to own on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD from Twentieth Fox Home Entertainment is the feel-good movie Eddie The Eagle. Directed by Dexter Fletcher, the film stars Taron Egerton (Kingsman: The Secret Service) and Hugh Jackman (The Wolverine).

Based upon the real 1988 British Olympic skier Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, Taron Egerton stars in the title role, a young man who has always dreamed of winning an Olympic gold metal ever since he was a ten-year-old! While at first his goal was to find a sport that he was good at to participate in a future Summer Games, he quickly finds out that he isn't good at anything. However, that doesn't stop him as he sets a new goal to participate as a skier in a future Winter Games, but first he will have to learn how to ski.

As an adult, Eddie is now a great skier, but he is rejected by British Olympic officials. Most people would give up by now, but Eddie is determined to go to Olympics no matter what. He comes up with the idea to be a ski jumpier, but he will have to teach himself how to jump. Against his father's wishes, he heads off to the training facility in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Sadly, Eddie slowly learns that jumping from a high distance isn't as easy as it looks. After several failed attempts at jumping the 40-meter (130 ft) hill, Eddie enlists Bronson Peary (played by Hugh Jackman), a former skier turned drunken snow groomer, to train him. Due to a loophole in the British Olympic rules, Eddie qualifies for the Winter Games by jumping 61 meters (200 ft).

Special Features includes:
  • Let The Games Begin: Soaring With Eddie The Eagle
  • All Or Nothing: The Hero's Heart
  • An Unlikely Friendship: Eddie Peary
  • Attitude Is Altitude: Filming The Ski Jumps
  • Gallery

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: The 5,000 Fingers Of Dr. T


G; 89 minutes; $14.98; Mill Creek Ent.; Amazon

Everybody knows the Dr. Seuss, one of the greatest children's book authors of all time, but many of you (including me) probably didn't know that he also wrote the screenplay (under his real name, Theodor Seuss Geise) for the 1953 musical-fantasy film The 5,000 Fingers Of Dr. T.

For the first time ever, the film will be arriving on Blu-ray today from Mill Creek Entertainment. Directed by  Roy Rowland, the film starred Tommy Rettig, Mary Healy, Hans Conried and Peter Lind Hayes. There are no special features or extras on the single-disc.

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T centers on a young boy named Bart Collins (played by Tommy Rettig) who hates getting piano lessons from his stranger teacher, Dr. Terwilliker (played by Hans Conried). Despite his complaints to his mother, Heloise (played by Mary Healy), he is forced to put up with Dr. T.

While practicing the piano, Bart falls asleep and dreams of being tapped inside the Terwilliker Institute, which is operated by the evil dictator, Dr. T, who has built a large piano that will take 500 boys (5,000 fingers) to play it. Bart's mother has been hypnotized into becoming Dr. Terwiliker's personal assistant and future bride.

Bart must some how save his mother, but first he must try to outrun Dr. T's guards. His only hope lies in the plumber August Zabladowski (played by Peter Lind Hayes) to help rescue his mother and stop Dr. T's mad plan.

Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, as well as flopping at the box-office, it did receive a earned a 1953 Academy Award nomination for "Best Scoring of a Musical Picture" for the score by Frederick Hollander with lyrics by Dr. Seuss.

Blu-ray Review - Jarhead 3: The Siege


R/Unrated; 89 minutes;


Arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD From Universal Pictures Home Entertainment today is the action-flick Jarhead 3: The Siege, featuring both the unrated and rated versions. Directed by Will Kaufman (The Hit List), the film stars Charlie Weber, William Kaufman (24) and Scott Adkins (The Bourne Ultimatum).

The film centers on Marine Corporal Evan Albright being assigned to a security team at an U.S. embassy in the Middle East. To him it's a boring job, but he tries to do his job as best as he can.

Out of nowhere, a militant group attacks the embassy and kills most of the soldiers. Albright and few of the remaining soldiers must retrieve and protect a bag full of evidence that is locked in a safe that is located in the embassy. Then they must try to survive.

There is only one featurette:

  • Making of Jarhead 3: The Siege - Go behind the scenes of Jarhead: The Siege for an inside look at the making of the film. Hear from the cast as they discuss why they were interested in joining this enthralling franchise, what it was like to shoot the battle scenes, and how the filmmakers’ vision and collaboration brought this impactful war film to life. We’ll also hear from the actors on what it was like working with one another while playing soldiers who have to overcome differences and come together for the greater good.


Monday, June 6, 2016

Blu-ray Review - Zootopia


PG; 108 minutes; $39.99; Amazon

Arriving on Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD from Disney Home Entertainment this week is the mega-hit Zootopia. Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, the film has grossed over one-billion dollars at the box-office.

Set in a world full of anthropomorphic mammals, Zootopia centers on a Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin), a rabbit who has always dreamed of becoming a police officer. Despite her small size, she is accepted into the police academy and later graduates at the top of her class. She says goodbye to her home in Bunnyburrow and heads to the big city of Zootopia to work as the police department there.

Sadly, the chief and none of the officers takes her very seriously. Instead of getting assigned to one of the missing animal cases, she is assigned to parking duty. This is where she first runs across the con artist Nicholas P. "Nick" Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman).

Eventually, Judy is assigned to find out what happened to Mr. Otterton, who had vanished into thin air. She persuades (well, more like blackmail) Nick into helping her solve the case.


The Blu-ray Bonus extras includes:
  • Zoology: The Roundtables - Ginnifer Goodwin hosts an in-depth look at the movie’s characters, animation, environments and more. The artists at Disney Animation give a rare and in-depth look at the complexities of bringing an all-animal world to life from the ground-breaking technology behind the characters’ fur and clothing to the varied and vast environments of Tundratown, Sahara Square and the Rainforest District as well as the deep thought and research given to bringing 64 unique animal species to life through animation.
  • The Origin of an Animal TaleFollow the story’s development from its origins to a big story shift that turned the film upside down. In this feature-length documentary, filmmakers give a candid look into the difficulties of creating the story of Zootopia and the bold decision to switch the main character late in the production process, putting one resolute rabbit center stage. 
  •  Research: A True-Life AdventureThe filmmakers traveled the globe to find inspiration for the diverse characters and amazing city of Zootopia. They reflect on the importance of research and how a deep dive into animal behavior at Disney Animal Kingdom theme park and a deep immersion into animal society on the African savanna shaped and inspired the characters of Zootopia and changed the filmmakers’ lives forever. 

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: The Boy


PG-13; 98 mins; $34.98; Amazon
Now available to own on Blu-ray & Digital HD combo pack from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the horror flick "The Boy." Directed by William Brent Bell, the film stars Lauren Cohan (The Walking Dead) and Rupert Evans. There are no special features or bonus extras on the single-disc.

Like many horror movies today, The Boy is rated PG-13. The plot centers on a woman named Greta (played by Lauren Cohan) leaving her home in Montana for for the UK, where she would be taking a job as a nanny for the Heelshire family (played by Jim Norton and Diana Hardcastle). Upon arriving she quickly realizes this isn't any ordinary job as the boy she is babysitting is in fact a  porcelain doll!

The Heelshire's real son, Brahms, died in a fire in 1991, and ever since then they have treated the doll as their own son. They even call it Brahms. With the Heelshires leaving town for awhile, Greta will have take care Brahms by herself and must follow a set a rules that are left behind.

While at first it might seem like a bit of fun to live in the big mansion, Greta quickly learns that there is some sort of supernatural force among her. Even the grocery deliveryman,  Malcolm (played by Rupert Evans), believes something weird is occurring there. Soon she starts to believe that Brahms might be real.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: Forsaken



Rated R; 89 minutes; $32.98; Amazon
I believe that I have mentioned a time or two on here about my love for the western genre (books & movies). Unfortunately, this is a dying genre, with exception of the occasional theatrical film, the only way to find a decent "wild west" movie is to look for the ones that go direct-to- VOD or direct-to-DVD.

Last month, Momentum Pictures released the western Forsaken to DVD and Blu-ray. Directed by Jon Cassar (24), the film stars Kiefer Sutherland (24), Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games films), Brian Cox (X2: X-Men United), Michael Wincott (Alien: Resurrection), Aaron Podle (The Scent of Rain and Lightning) and Demi Moore (Ghost

The only special feature on the single-disc Blu-ray is the Making-of Featurette.

Forsaken follows a very familiar plot that occurred in countless western flicks of the 1950s, in which the prodigal son returns home after the Civil War. In this film,  John Henry (played by Kiefer Sutherland) returns to his hometown in search of a more meaningful life. He left home many years ago to join the Civil War, but found himself drifting around to town to town afterward; eventually his wild ways led to a death of an innocent, so he put away his guns and came back home.

Sadly, John's homecoming is not a pretty one as he learns about his mother's death upon arriving at his family's small farm. His father, Reverend William Clayton (played by Donald Sutherland), doesn't exactly have welcoming arms for him, but, nevertheless, the Reverend prays that John will stay away from his gunsling ways.


Sunday, April 3, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: My Boyfriend's Back



PG-13; 85 minutes; $9.98; Amazon
I grew up in a small Missouri with nothing to look forward to on the weekends except for watching whatever movies that the cable channels were playing. Remember, this was the 90s and there weren't as many cable channels. Back then you could actually find a decent movie to watch; whereas now as days the only thing that is on television is horrible reality shows.

Anyhow, the first time I watched the 1993 horror-comedy My Boyfriend's Back was on cable (with commercials) during my teenage years. I vaguely recall what the film was actually about, well, until I viewed the film on Blu-ray last month.

Mill Creek Entertainment released My Boyfriend's Back on a single-disc Blu-ray on March 1st. There are no special features or extras.

Directed by Bob Balaban the film centers on a unpopular teenager Johnny Dingle (played by Andrew Lowery), who finally gets the courage to ask his crush, Missy McCloud (played by Traci Lind), on a date after she had broken things off with her boyfriend (played by Matthew Fox). Unfortunately, Johnny gets killed in a convenience store robbery before he could go on a date with Missy.

Luckily for Johnny, he rises from his grave shortly after the funeral, but there is one little problem  - he is now a zombie!

Monday, March 21, 2016

Blu-ray Review - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2


PG-13; 137 mins; $39.99; Amazon
Being somewhat of a movie buff, I had nearly forgotten the fact that the final installment of The Hunger Games franchise, Mockingjay - Part 2, was released to theaters last November. I recall seeing a few advertisements for the film, but between the Spectre (the 24th James Bond flick) and the Star Wars madness last year, it totally slipped my mind.

Despite being judged for the studio's decision to split the final installment into two films, Mockingjay - Part 2 was a commercial success; taking in $653 million at the box-office, thought it was the least profitable of the franchise.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 will be arriving on Blu-ray Combo Pack tomorrow, March 22nd, from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Also being released tomorrow is The Hunger Games Complete 4-Film Collection on Blu-ray and DVD. The Digital HD was released on March 8th.

Based on the best-selling book series by author Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 picks up where the previous film had ended. The rebels had rescued Peeta Mellark (played by Josh Hutcherson), but he's been brainwashed by the Capitol, resulting in his hatred for Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence).


Against orders from President Alma Coin (played by Julianne Moore), Katniss sneaks aboard a supply ship that will take her to the Capitol. Upon arrival, Commander Paylor (played by Patina Miller) assigns Katniss to the Star Squad, a team lead by Boggs (played by Mahershala Ali). Basically, they will film Katniss as a hero at the same time the rebels take control of the Capitol; though their mission is put into jeopardy when Peeta joins their team.