Hi, Bryan Here…
A tad late bringing this past week’s cool blu-ray picks to you, but it’s here and this coming week’s releases should be on time later today. There are some great child-hood nostalgic films for this week. It was a delight. Anywho, let’s jump right in and get to all the goodies. As usual in this article, you will get some info about the disc and the extras that come with the movie as well as a personal opinion about the movie and a link to purchase the film over at AMAZON where you can save quite a bit of money, and it will give a small percentage kick back to this site so we can continue bringing you excellent stories and bizarre tales. So click on the pictures and start saving.
Enjoy and Here We Go!!
ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING (BLURAY)
I just love this film. From the moment I saw it all those years ago. And it was my first love in life. I’m of course talking about Elizabeth Shue. She was the perfect girl. She could walk high on a beam, stop a gang fight, sing the blues, and take care of a bunch of people. This will always be one of my favorite films, and I’m glad it’s on bluray. That being said, there are no extras on this disc. I was very disappointed with that. I hope in the near future, there will be an ultimate edition with tons of extras and a cast reunion of some sort. Teenager Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) would rather party with her boyfriend, but when her beau breaks their date she reluctantly accepts a babysitting job. It isn’t all TV and icebox-raiding when Chris’ best friend Brenda (Penelope Ann Miller) calls her to announce that she’s stranded at the bus station. With her youthful charges in tow (one of whom, 15-year-old Brad (Keith Coogan), has a hopeless crush on the babysitter), Chris heads into downtown Chicago to go to Brenda’s rescue. Thus begins a roller coaster ride of comic mishaps, unexpected perils and hairbreadth escapes. IN one bit, blues singer Albert Collins refuses to allow Chris and company to leave the nightclub they’ve wandered into until they agree to sing along with a song borrowed from, of all things the 1939 B-picture Nancy Drew, Reporter! . Screenwriter and Steven Spielberg protégé Chris Columbus made his directorial debut with Adventures in Babysitting.
BLUE LIKE JAZZ (BLURAY)
Don, a pious nineteen-year-old sophomore at a Texas junior college, impulsively decides to escape his evangelical upbringing for life in the Pacific Northwest at one ofthe most progressive campuses in America, Reed College in Portland. Upon arrival, Reed’s surroundings and eccentric student body proves to be far different than he could possibly imagine from the environment from which he came, forcing him to embark on a journey of self-discovery to understand who he is and what he truly believes. Not a bad film.
EXTRAS
- Commentary with author/co-writer Donald Miller, cinematographer Ben Pearson, and co-writer/director Steve Taylor
- 7 behind-the-scenes featurettes
- Deleted scenes
- Photo gallery
- Theatrical trailer
BLUES BROTHERS 2000 (BLURAY)
I’d avoid this, just because I’m not a huge fan of this film. However, I love the original. Dan Aykroyd and John Landis teamed to script this sequel to The Blues Brothers (1980), which they also co-scripted. With Landis once again at the helm as director, Aykroyd re-creates his role of rhythm-and-blues man Elwood Blues, and the film’s numerous R&B performances and production numbers include Aretha Franklin singing her classic “Respect”. Released from prison after serving 18 years for the havoc depicted in the first film, Elwood learns that while he was serving time, his pal Jake Blues (John Belushi) has died, as did their hi-de-ho music mentor Curtis (Cab Calloway). Times have changed, but the blues beat goes on. Elwood visits Mother Mary Stigmata (Kathleen Freeman), who runs the orphanage where Elwood and Jake were raised, and she puts 10-year-old Buster (J. Evan Bonifant) in Elwood’s care. Seeking a loan, Elwood visits Curtis’ son, Cabel Chamberlain (Joe Morton), and Buster picks Cabel’s pocket. Now, 18 years after the original “mission from God,” Elwood attempts to reorganize the Blues Brothers Band, beginning with bartender Mighty Mack McTeer (John Goodman) as a replacement for Jake. With the Russian Mafia in hot pursuit, Elwood, Mack, and Buster head cross-country, locating band members as they travel pell-mell toward a scheduled battle of the bands in Louisiana where the Blues Brothers Band competes with the Lousiana Gator Boys Band (Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Dr. John, Travis Tritt, Steve Winwood, Clarence Clemmons, Isaac Hayes). Filmed in Toronto and Chicago, this movie reunited Aykroyd and Goodman, who were seen previously in the 1996 video, The Return of the Blues Brothers, a performance taped January 24, 1995 at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Elsewhere, the Blues Brothers are kept alive in a half-dozen or so websites, such as the House of Blues, and live stage productions. In England, the stage show A Tribute to the Blues Brothers began in 1991. At the request of Aykroyd and Judy Belushi, the title of that production was changed to The Official Tribute to the Blues Brothers. With various cast members in the roles of Jake and Elwood (Con O’Neill, Warwick Evans, Brad Henshaw, Simon Foster), the show toured Britain throughout the 1990s. The “original Blues Brother” (who coached John Belushi and originated some of the blues raps used by Belushi) is Curtis Salgado (of the Robert Cray Band). One cast member of Blues Brothers 2000, bluesman Junior Wells, the last of the great Chicago harmonica players, died in January 1998, only days before the film was released.
EXTRAS
The Making of ‘Blues Brothers 2000’ featurette
THE BOOGENS (BLURAY)
An 80’s horror film of sorts that does not keep up. This seldom-seen, well-crafted monster movie involves the reopening of a Utah silver mine which had been closed for nearly 70 years after a catastrophic cave-in, the circumstances of which remain one of the nearby town’s most legendary mysteries. When attempts are made to explore the mine shaft, the investigating party never returns. It seems the mine’s collapse had served to seal in a nest of weird, multi-tentacled, bloodsucking creatures — which are now free to seek new prey on the outskirts of town. This simple but intense horror film benefits from good performances and genuine suspense — providing only quick, spooky glimpses of the title beasts — building to a thrilling showdown in the treacherous mine shafts. If you love the nostalgic aspect, get it, if not, don’t.
CLUE (BLURAY)
Finally, this movie is on bluray. I’ve been waiting for this. This film is viewed best with a bunch of your friends late on a Friday night. I loved screening this at midnight at the movie theatres over the past several years. Huge cast. In this spoof of McCarthy-era paranoia and 1950s wholesomeness, the characters and plot are drawn from the popular Parker Brothers board game of the same name. On a dark and stormy night in 1954, six individuals with ties to Washington are assembled for a dinner party at the swanky mansion of one Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving). Boddy’s butler, Wadsworth (Tim Curry), assigns each guest a colorful name: Mr. Green (Michael McKean), Col. Mustard (Martin Mull), Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan), Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd), Miss Scarlet (Lesley Ann Warren), and Mrs. White (Madeline Kahn). Two additional servants, the Cook (Kellye Nakahara) and Yvette, the maid (Colleen Camp), assist Wadsworth as he informs the guests that they have been gathered to meet the man who has been blackmailing them: Mr. Boddy. When Boddy turns up dead, however, the guests must try to figure out who killed him so they can protect their own reputations and keep the body count from growing. Three separate endings were filmed for Clue and shown in different theaters; all three are collected for the video edition. Although the film is set in the 1950s, the original Clue game was actually devised by Anthony Pratt, a clerk in Leeds, England, to pass the time during World War II air-raid drills. First released in 1946 under the name Cluedo by British manufacturer Waddington’s, Clue was renamed and released in the U.S. in 1949. Today, Clue/Cluedo is marketed in 70 countries around the world and has been adapted into a British game show and an off-Broadway musical. Definitely worth getting. Plus you get all the alternate endings.
EXTRAS
- Three alternate endings (play all or random)
- Theatrical trailer
DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX (3D BLURAY+2D BLURAY+DVD+DIGITAL COPY+ULTRAVIOLET)
The 3D-CGI feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a boy as he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. This is charming enough but loses steam and is only good for a couple of viewings. The sound and picture are astounding, plus tons of extras. The kids will enjoy this more than the adults.
EXTRAS
- Audio Commentary
- Featurettes
- Interactive Game
- Mini-Movies
- Interactive Games
- Sing-Along
- DVD Copy
- UltraViolet Digital Copy
- My Scenes
- News Ticker
- pocketBLU app
- D-Box Motion Code Enabled
- Deleted Scenes
FAMILY GUY: BLUE HARVEST (BLURAY+DIGITAL COPY)
Here is the Family Guy mini movie ‘Blue Harvest’. Only Blue Harvest is included in this bluray. The laughs come full “Force” when the Griffin clan puts a freakin’ sweet spin on the greatest sci-fi saga ever told! With Peter playing the swashbuckling Han Solo, Lois as the sexy Princess Leia, Chris as an adolescent Luke Skywalker, Brian as a well-spoken Chewbacca and Stewie finally embracing his dark side as Darth Vader, who knows what will happen? Filled with outrageous gags, spaced-out droids and more intergalactic satire than you can shake a lightsaber at, this epic spoof is a must-own for every fan of Family Guy !
FULL METAL JACKET: 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (BLURAY DIGIBOOK)
I can’t believe it has been 25 years. This film is so great and I’m glad it got the ‘Clockwork Orange’ treatment in digibook form. I hope that all of Kubrick’s films either get the Criterion treatment or this ultimate edition treatment. Highest recommendation. The story of an 18-year-old marine recruit named Private Joker – from his carnage-and-machismo boot camp to his climactic involvement in the heavy fighting in Hue during the 1968 Tet Offensive. Looks amazing.
EXTRAS
- Audio commentary by Adam Baldwin, Vincent D’Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey and critic/screenwriter Jay Cocks
- Full Metal Jacket: Between Good and Evil featurette
- Theatrical trailer
- Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes Documentary
- 44-page digibook with a personal letter and intimate reflections from star Matthew Modine, as well as behind-the-scenes photos specifically selected for this release
GRIMM: SEASON 1 (BLURAY+ULTRAVIOLET)
The classic Grimms’ fairytales come to life like never before in this “dark and imaginative” (Mike Ayers, CNN.com Entertainment) series from the producers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Portland homicide detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) discovers he’s descended from a long line of “Grimms,” who are charged with keeping balance between humanity and the creatures of myth. With newly awoken abilities to detect the evil lurking among us, Nick struggles to keep his old life separate and safe as he becomes ever more entrenched in the ancient rivalries of the Grimm world. I enjoy this series, but I know more of you out there enjoy it more than I do. Good 1st season, plus good extras.
EXTRAS
- Deleted Scenes
- Gag Reel
- The World of ‘Grimm’
- Highlight Reels
- Making Monsters
- Grimm Guide
GROSSE POINT BLANK (BLURAY)
“10 YEARS!!!” Well, more like 15 years since this film graced our theatres. I love this film and love everyone in it. Dan Aykroyd is brilliant. Most people have trouble deciding what to say when they’re asked what they’ve been doing with their lives at a High School reunion, but Martin Blank (as played by John Cusack) has a different problem than most — he has to make his career sound less interesting than it actually is. Martin is a former CIA operative who is now a freelance hit man, making good money for killing people he doesn’t know. However, Martin’s game has been a bit off lately; he’s no longer happy in his work, and both his secretary Marcella (Joan Cusack) and his psychiatrist, Dr. Oatman (Alan Arkin), who is more than a bit nervous about having a hired assassin as a patient, think that Martin should accept an offered assignment in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, his old home town, which would conveniently coincide with his ten year high school reunion. While in Grosse Pointe, Martin discovers that his high school sweetheart, Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver), is still living in town, and still holds a grudge against him for standing her up on prom night. While Martin tries to sort out his past and tie up loose ends with Debi (whom he still loves), he discovers someone in Grosse Pointe is out to kill him; he’s also confronted by the highly unstable Mr. Grocer (Dan Aykroyd), a fellow hit man who wants Martin to join forces with him and form a union and isn’t keen on taking no for an answer. Grosse Pointe Blank was a pet project for star John Cusack, who co-wrote the screenplay and also served as co-producer. Even though it only has a trailer as the only extra, I definitely recommend this.
EXTRAS
– Trailer
HIGH FIDELITY (BLURAY)
One of the best films of all time. A man discovers that there’s more to love than a good mixed tape in this dramatic comedy about music and relationships. Rob (John Cusack), an obsessive record collector in his mid-thirties, is struggling to reconcile his adolescent enthusiasm for pop music with adult responsibilities and a more mature outlook. He runs a record shop with his friends Barry (Jack Black) and Dick (Todd Louiso), who are known to drive away customers whose taste in music doesn’t match their exacting standards — which may have something to do with why the shop is losing money. But Rob’s biggest problem is his failing relationship with Laura (Iben Hjejle), a lawyer who needs more out of the relationship than Rob is capable of giving. To Rob’s horror, Laura starts dating Ian (Tim Robbins), his upstairs neighbor, known throughout the building for his long and noisy sex sessions. Rob, on the other hand, finds himself catching the attention of singer/songwriter Marie DeSalle (Lisa Bonet), as he tries to deal with his breakup by tracking down his previous ex-girlfriends and taking a fresh look at what he’s been doing wrong. Based on the acclaimed novel by Nick Hornby, High Fidelity also features Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lili Taylor, and Joelle Carter as three of Rob’s ex-lovers, and Sara Gilbert as Dick’s new girlfriend, who gets a crash course in U.K. punk bands that influenced Green Day. This receives my highest recommendation as well.
EXTRAS
- Conversations with John Cusack and Stephen Frears
- Deleted Scenes
- Theatrical Trailer
THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPIT (BLURAY)
Before ‘Roger Rabbit’ there was Mr. Limpit. A must see for the younger generation. Live-action and 2-D animation combine to tell the story of a man who longs to be a fish after he is classified by the Navy as an F4 – “too small and too weak to be a soldier.” When his dream of being a fish becomes a reality, Henry uses his underwater prowess to become the Navy’s strongest secret weapon.
MARLEY (BLURAY)
A documentary you must see if you are a fan of music. Bob Marley’s universal appeal, impact on music history, and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. MARLEY is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, legend, and the man, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, never before seen performances, previously unreleased music, and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best. A must buy.
EXTRAS
- Commentary with Director Kevin MacDonald and David “Ziggy” Marley
- Visit Jamaica
- Also from Magnolia Home Entertainment
- Around the World
- Extended Interview with Bunny Wailer
- Children’s Memories
- Listening to “I’m Loose”
- Photo Gallery
- Theatrical Trailer
- SiriusXM: Ziggy Marley’s Legends of Reggae
- Marley Soundtrack
MR. HUSH (BLURAY)
I’m a sucker for any horror. I’ll see it all at least once. Horror icon Stephen Geoffreys (Fright Night, 976-EVIL) returns to classic horror in Mr. Hush. Holland Price is a devoted husband and loving father. But unbeknownst to him, evil and darkness have him a marked man. An idyllic, small Pennsylvania town serves as the background for this epic battle between good and evil. Also starring Brad Loree (Halloween: Resurrection) and Steve Dash (Friday the 13th, Part 2). Give it a whirl.
EXTRAS
- Introduction by director David Lee Madison and Brian O’Halloran (Clerks, Mallrats)
- Outtakes / Bloopers
- “Mr. Hush” Music Video from the band “Visitor” (featuring Bill Gibson & Mario Cipollina from Huey Lewis & the News and Tal Morris from Creedence Clearwater Revisited)
- Audio Commentary from director David Lee Madison & Edward X. Young
- Original Theatrical Trailers
SPACEBALLS:25TH ANNIVERSARY (BLURAY)
One of the funniest films of all time. I can’t believe it has been 25 years. When the evil Dark Helmet (Moranis) attempts to steal all the air from planet Druidia, a determined Druish Princess (Daphne Zuniga), a clueless rogue (Pullman) and a half-man/half-dog creature who’s his own best friend (Candy) set out to stop him. But with the forces of darkness closing in on them at ludicrous speed, they’ll need the help of a wise imp named Yogurt (Brooks) and the mystical power of “The Schwartz” to bring peace and merchandising rights to the entire galaxy! There are new extras on this bluray so, you know you will have to pick this up again. It’s worth it.
EXTRAS
- Commentary by Mel Brooks
- Storyboard-to Film Comparison
- Trailers
- Additional Commentary Tracks (Mawgese and Dinkese)
- Spaceballs: The Documentary featurette
- In Conversation: Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan featurette
- John Candy: Comic Spirit featurette
- Watch the Movie in Ludicrous Speed featurette
- Still Galleries
- Film Flubs
- Farce Yourself! Spaceballs and the Skroobing of Sci-Fi featurette
STRIKE BACK: SEASON 1 (BLURAY+DVD+DIGITAL COPY)
I never watched this until I got this bluray set. I was wholly impressed. It’s like they took Bruce Campbell and the violence of 300 set in a modern day era and mixed it all together. Tons of fun. I can’t wait for the 2nd season. A high-octane, globe-spanning thriller with storylines ripped from today’s headlines, Strike Back is a one-hour drama series that focuses on two members of a top-secret anti-terrorist organization known as Section 20: Michael Stonebridge, a British sergeant in the ultra secret Section 20 anti-terrorist team, and Damien Scott, a Delta Forces operative who was disgraced and discharged on the eve of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
EXTRAS
Audio commentaries from stars Philip Winchester, Sullivan Stapleton, Liam Cunningham, Amanda Mealing and executive producer Daniel Percival
That’s it for this past week folks. Stay tuned for this week’s releases. Coming soon.