List of February Blu Ray Releases

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Written by: admin at 8:20 pm on January 24, 2009

The Bourne Trilogy Coming to Blu-ray!

Filed under: — News, Trailers

The Bourne Trilogy – BluRay U Control

The Bourne Trilogy – Background info

The Bourne Trilogy – Behind the Scenes

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Written by Admin - Visit Website
I'm the Blu Ray Authoritay admin and I rock!

Written by: Ashtyn at 8:56 pm on January 18, 2009

BD Review: The Duchess

Filed under: — Drama, Reviews

Movie Info:
Writer: Anders Thomas Jensen, Saul Dibb, Jeffrey Hatcher
Director: Saul Dibb
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Keira Knightley, Hayley Atwell, Simon McBurney, Dominic Cooper
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: September 10, 2008
DVD Release Date: December 28, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $26.99

Period pieces are hit or miss with me. Ever since I had to read Jane Austen novels in High School, I’ve detested the storytelling of Austen and others like her (the Brontes, for example). By default, I find the majority of the movies about these novels to be absolutely boring to watch. Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Eyre, and the list goes on and on.

I can’t sit through these types of period pieces. They are trite, boring, stifling and intolerable. I have no stomach for boring Brit Lit from the 18th and 19th century. I’m not sure what it is about it, but it nearly bores me to tears. Add in some history, great acting, and a strong protagonist and that boring period piece becomes a masterpiece. That’s how I felt about The Duchess. Originally, I thought I wouldn’t like this film, but after watching it, I’ve come to appreciate the work that went into making it.

It’s hard to say this movie would be as good without Keira Knightley. She is simply sensational as the protagonist of the film, former real life Duchess Georgina of Devonshire. A lesser actress couldn’t have carried the role. Knightley is actually quite good in period pieces. In fact, she would be the main selling point for me to bother watching a movie like Pride & Prejudice, even though I find the story to be rather trite.

Of course, the rest of the cast put in excellent, supporting performances. Ralph Finnes did well, as always, as the Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish. It’s always good to see Charlotte Rampling, who plays Georgina’s ambitious mother, Lady Spencer (and yes, the Spencers are related to the late Princess Diana). I had only seen Dominic Cooper before in Mamma Mia! but he continues to impress here as the man Georgina loves, Charles Grey. Of course, one of the best performances is given by Hayley Atwell who plays the third in the Duke and Duchess’ relationship, Bess Foster. It would have been more interesting if the creators of this movie had explored the menage a trois between the Duke, Duchess and Bess, but the movie is still good without it.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Written by: Dominick at 1:02 am on January 15, 2009

BD Review: Babylon A.D Raw & Uncut Special Edition

Comments (1)

Filed under: — Action, Reviews, Sci-Fi

Movie Info:
Writer: Mathieu Kassovitz, Eric Besnard
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Cast: Gerard Depardieu, Michelle Yeoh, Vin Diesel, Mark Strong, Lambert Wilson
Rating: R
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: August 29, 2008
DVD Release Date: January 6, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $27.99

I’m probably one of the few reviewers on the planet who still likes Vin Diesel. I think the guy has a bum rap as an actor. He studied theatre, so he has to know a little bit about acting. Many times, he’s typecast in the action roles that don’t really show off his versatility. Everyone knows if it’s a Vin Diesel movie, he’s going to be kicking ass in it. If not, it’s a lame movie (The Pacifier anyone?!) he only took to try and get out of that typecasting box. He’s had no true blue drama opportunities, save for, Find Me Guilty, that have come his way.

That being said, I like a good action flick. I enjoy the movies with Bruce Willis when he’s all actionfied. Bruce can also act, but then he had that Moonlighting gig in the 80s, which I believe helped save him from being typecast too much. I’m a fan of Sylvester Stallone, especially in Rambo, even if you can’t understand a friggin’ word he says. I can appreciate the action genre and Vin has had some pretty awesome, high tech action flicks, like Pitch Black and The Fast and the Furious.

What makes Babylon A.D unique from other Diesel films is the inclusion of someone as stunning as Michelle Yeoh. I didn’t know that she was going to be in this movie, but her talent is just unspeakable. It’s kind of sad that director/writer Mathieu Kassovitz had so much trouble with 20th Century Fox, to get the story he wanted to tell told, because Yeoh’s talent is wasted. This movie truly could have been magnificent, but it’s not and I believe we have the studio to blame.

Written by: admin at 12:42 am on

BD Review: Swing Vote

Filed under: — Comedy, Family, Reviews

Swing Vote Blu Ray Disc Box Art Movie Info:
Writer: Jason Richman, Joshua Michael Stern
Director: Joshua Michael Stern
Cast: Kevin Costner, Madeline Carroll, Paula Patton, Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Stanley Tucci, George Lopez, Judge Reinhold, Charles Esten, Richard Petty, Willie Nelson, Mare Winningham
Rating: PG 13
Studio: Touchstone Pictures

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: August 1, 2008
DVD Release Date: January 13, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $25.99

There was a brief point in time when Kevin Costner movies and I just didn’t get along. Maybe I was just being too picky. Then again, maybe he went through some weird movie mid-life crisis sort of thing. Either way, for some time, when I heard Kevin Costner alongside the words “new film” I would cringe. With that in mind, paired with the fact that this looked like a lighthearted family comedy, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. Being completely honest, my expectations were pretty low for Swing Vote. They couldn’t have been much lower unless RuPaul had been one of the presidential nominees. Luckily, that was not the case.

The thing that convinced me to want to see Swing Vote was more about the supporting cast than it was the main cast. Knowing people like Stanley Tucci, Nathan Lane, George Lopez, Judge Reinhold, and a host of others were in this made me want to see it, even if my body initially rejected the idea. Now that I have seen it I have to say that despite it not being my normal cup of tea, it was actually pretty good.

Swing Vote has an interesting, though fictional story, good acting, and an fun feeling to it. It’s suitable for the whole family, but it’s something that adults can enjoy without any problem on their own. There are light elements of romance, but it’s more of a character driven comedy. Political aficionados should enjoy this to some extent as it shows the occasional absurdities of politics.

It’s not the kind of movie that will spend hours afterwards making you think, but it will offer a good time and it’s certainly worth seeing more than once. Swing Vote is a feel good movie and there is nothing wrong with that!

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Written by Admin - Visit Website
I'm the Blu Ray Authoritay admin and I rock!

Written by: Ashtyn at 5:42 pm on January 8, 2009

BD Review: Dexter: The Complete First Season

Filed under: — Reviews, TV Shows

Movie Info:
Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Michael C Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Lauren Velez, David Zayas, James Remar, CS Lee, Christina Robinson, Erik King, Preston Bailey
Rating: TV MA
Studio: Showtime

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: 2006 – Present
DVD Release Date: January 6, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $37.99

I love anything to do with true crime and serial killers. If I didn’t have a family I would have highly considered a job working with the FBI. I’m intrigued by Criminal Justice, the mind of a serial killer and forensics. When I heard that Showtime would be bringing a show about a serial killer with a moral code to their lineup, you didn’t even have to ask me. I was already in! So begins my long-lasting relationship with the fair Dexter Morgan.

I loved Dexter from the very first moment the show aired. I’m one of the people who has watched this show from the very beginning. I don’t know what it is about Dexter, but he is one of the most enthralling and entertaining characters to watch on television. I can’t miss an episode of this show. It is literally THAT addicting.

I’ve seen the first season of Dexter more than once, but never as good as I see it here, in Blu Ray. The show is absolutely rockin. You see blood spattering in a way not possible on standard DVD. Dexter Morgan becomes even more vicious in high definition. This is the type of television show that benefits tremendously from a Blu Ray transfer. I’m so glad that Paramount and Showtime decided not to wait too long before releasing the Complete First Season of Dexter on Blu Ray.

Written by: Ashtyn at 8:12 pm on January 7, 2009

BD Review: Last Holiday

Filed under: — Miscellaneous

Movie Info:
Writer: Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman
Director: Wayne Wang
Cast: Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton, Giancarlo Esposito, Alicia Witt, Gérard Depardieu, Jane Adams, Michael Estime, Susan Kellermann, Jascha Washington
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment

Release Info:
DVD Release Date:December 30, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

My movie styles vary quite a bit. While my favorite genres tend to be horror and drama, I occasionally watch chick friendly movies. My mother is a lover of all things chick. She also loves Queen Latifah. From the minute she first saw commercials for the movie Last Holiday, she asked me if I could get a copy of it for review. After I reviewed it, the movie would then become hers.

Well, I couldn’t get Last Holiday in standard edition. She ended up watching it on television and stored it on her DVR. Well, that is until I did the next best thing. I was able to get her Last Holiday in Blu Ray. She told me I’d love the movie and while it wasn’t on my list of high priority movies to watch, I happened to catch it while it was on television.

I have to say I didn’t hate this movie. In fact, I thought it was pretty good. I don’t always like the chick-friendly movies, but I do like Queen Latifah. I’ve also been a fan of LL Cool J for years. What more could I want in a lighthearted comedy? That being said, what I believe makes this movie is the acting. The comedic timing of the cast, especially Queen Latifah, is a major part of why this movie so enjoyable. A lesser cast would have made this movie trite and humorless.

Written by: Dominick at 1:09 am on January 4, 2009

BD Review: The Truman Show

Filed under: — Miscellaneous

Movie Info:
Writer: Andrew Niccol
Director: Peter Weir
Cast: Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Holland Taylor, Natascha McElhone, Noah Emmerich, Peter Krause
Rating: PG
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment

Release Info:
DVD Release Date:December 30, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

I’m really not a fan of Jim Carrey. Sure, I like a few of his movies, but as an actor, I’m really not super excited when he comes out with a new movie. I’m not one of his fan boys nor have I ever been. While Jim Carrey seems to be a one trick pony, in the vast majority of the films that he’s been in, occasionally, there comes a movie where he actually proves he just might know how to act. The Truman Show is one of those movies.

I didn’t want to see this movie initially. I had seen Ace Ventura, and while I found the movie stupid-funny, I thought Jim Carrey was kind of dumb. My oldest nephew is only six and a half years younger than me. As you might have guessed, he was a huge Jim Carrey fan. I don’t know if he still is, but he was when he was a kid.

My nephew and niece would visit our house for a month, every summer. My brother would often go to Cedar Point with them and I ended up having to go to the movies with them, instead. I know that totally wasn’t a fair shake, but I got over it. Being the nice uncle I am, I let them pick the movie, even if I knew I was going to regret it. That is how I ended up seeing Titanic at the theater, four times in one summer! All I remember is how huge that boat looked. I also remember sneaking my niece into a movie that was rated R. I think there was some partial nudity in it or something (it probably would be rated PG-13, these days). Since I was over 18 and her “guardian” at the time, we got to go in, no sweat!

Written by: Ashtyn at 6:20 pm on January 2, 2009

BD Review: Ghost

Filed under: — Chick Flicks, Reviews, Thriller

Movie Info:
Writer: Bruce Joel Rubin
Director: Jerry Zucker
Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, Tony Goldwyn
Rating: PG 13
Studio: Paramount

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:
DVD Release Date: December 30, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

Ghost is one of those movies that I’ve seen more than once. While it’s a good movie, I haven’t seen it in quite some time. Part of the reason for this is that I never owned Ghost on DVD before. It’s not that I don’t like this movie enough to own it on DVD, because I do. It just wasn’t one of those movies I thought about owning.

The other reason why I haven’t seen Ghost in a while is because I haven’t managed to catch it on television recently. The movie was on TV quite a bit throughout the 90s, but now, I just haven’t happened upon this movie on television. So, when I learned that I’d be getting Ghost in Blu Ray, I was actually quite happy. I do like this movie, so it’s nice to finally have this collection.

Ghost received mixed reviews from critics, initially, but grossed hundreds of millions of dollars both domestically and worldwide. These days, the film is rated more favorably by today’s critics. The movie went through a series of actors before Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg were cast. In fact, Whoopi would not have been cast had it not been for Swayze, who demanded she be placed in the role of Oda Mae.

Written by: Ashtyn at 6:30 pm on January 1, 2009

BD Review: Eagle Eye

Filed under: — Action, Reviews

Movie Info:
Writer: John Glenn, Travis Wright
Director: D.J. Caruso
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Anthony Mackie, Ethan Embry
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: September 26, 2008
DVD Release Date: December 28, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $18.99

You might want to call me biased. Going into this film I was pretty certain I was going to like it. I like the fast-paced, action style dramas. I also like movies with Shia LaBoeuf in them. Many people think he’s overrated, but I believe he’s quite an entertaining performer. The amount of comedy he can bring to any movie is reminiscent of many old, famous comedic actors such as the Marx Brothers. He just has that kind of humor, even when he is in a serious role. Word on the street is he’s quite the joker on the set, too.

This movie is the ultimate thriller. While I’ve never seen a story done quite in this way, the greater plot for the story has been told before. Basically, a guy has no choice but to help an unknown source or face the consequences. Of course, there is an assassination in the works, a subplot involving a woman and her young child, a dead twin, and several chase scenes between the main protagonists and the authorities.

There are some surprises awaiting viewers in Eagle Eye. The plot isn’t as predictable as you’d expect. Sure, you can guess good conquers evil and you probably are right, but isn’t that just about every movie out there these days? It is how the plot unfolds that is the true mystery of this film. There are many twists, turns and the actor’s energy keeps the film going. The cast all work well together with many, recognizable faces including Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson and Ethan Embry.