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Today on Blu-ray - November 24th
Posted November 24, 2009 10:57 AM by Josh Dreuth
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By all indications, 'The Da Vinci Code' was a box office smash. While top critics almost universally panned the film, the controversy surrounding the film's fictitious subject matter (and its subsequent validation through opposition) helped generate over $750M in worldwide box office revenue. After such amazing commercial success, a sequel was inevitable, and both director Ron Howard and actor Tom Hanks returned for 'Angels & Demons', which is being released on Blu-ray today.
Staff reviewer Martin Liebman commented in the Angels & Demons Blu-ray review, "Superior to The Da Vinci Code in every regard, Angels & Demons still isn't great cinema, but it does make for passable entertainment that has on its side a decent if not predictable story, a good performance from a legendary actor, and strong technical elements that accentuate the film's gorgeous locations and sets." He continued, "Boasting a strong 1080p transfer, a fabulous lossless soundtrack, and a plethora of extra content spread over three discs, fans of the film or author Dan Brown's story should have absolutely no qualms about making this title a permanent member of the Blu-ray collection."
After their plans to escape to sunny Fiji are snowed-in, Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) are forced to do the unthinkable - spend the holiday season with their families. With both sets of parents now divorced, they will have to celebrate 'Four Christmases' in one day. Packed with talent galore, including roles by Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, and Jon Voight, the film does more to stomp violently on the holiday than the title suggests.
In the Blu-ray review of 'Four Christmases', staff reviewer Ken Brown found similar problems with the film's end product. "What Four Christmases lacks in holiday spirit, it more than makes up for with mean-spirited characters, lame dialogue, and contrived gags." He continues, "Warner's Blu-ray release fares better -- its video transfer and TrueHD audio track, though flawed, help justify the cost of a rental -- but its hollow collection of special features are a waste of time."
For his latest effort, Judd Apatow decided to tackle a much darker theme that his previous films. In 'Funny People', Apatow somewhat distances himself from the sex, drugs, and fart-joke humor he has been known for to focus on something on a more personal level. Audiences seemed confused by what they saw, and the filmed failed at the box office. But as Ken Brown states in his Blu-ray review of 'Funny People', the film "is a fantastic film whose only misstep involves a disconnected, somewhat anticlimactic endgame. Still, regardless of its closing woes, I can't help but recommend it to any Apatow, Sandler, or Rogen fan." With regards to the quality of the Blu-ray presention, he continues, "It offers a faithful video transfer, a convincing DTS-HD Master Audio track, and a massive collection of supplemental content."
While anime maintains a dedicated underground in the US, there are still a vast majority who has yet to experience what these films can uniquely provide. One of the two films recommended to those new to the genre (the other being 'Akira') has recently been reproduced using more modern techniques to bring us 'Ghost in the Shell 2.0', which is out on Blu-ray today. Not to be confused with the sequel 'Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence', the film has been updated, in a sense, to reflect a more modern look and feel. As staff reviewer Martin Liebman comments in his Blu-ray review of 'Ghost in the Shell 2.0', "A release by Starz subsidiary Manga Home Entertainment, this Blu-ray version of Ghost in the Shell should thrill established fans of the film, newcomers, and home theater buffs alike. Featuring a wonderful 1080p picture, a reference-quality lossless soundtrack, and a decent array of extras, Ghost in the Shell 2.0 comes highly recommended."
HBO today releases 'The Sopranos: The Complete First Season' on Blu-ray, while Criterion gives fans 'Gomorrah'. And if you happen to have any little ones running around, be sure to pick up a copy of 'Santa Buddies'. Everyone loves to see little talking puppies running around in Santa hats.
For a complete listing of all the Blu-ray titles released today, click here.
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Source: Blu-ray.com |
Permalink
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Relevant for:
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soul embrace
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Nov 24, 2009
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nothing for me today but have 3 pre ordered that comes out next tuesday.... |
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TheFatalPhenom
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Nov 24, 2009
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Picked up Angels and Demons, and Funny people . |
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jcarys
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Nov 24, 2009
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Angels & Demons is certainly one of the worst big budget pictures of the year, along with Transformers 2. Both movies made me want to simply stand up and leave the theater, but friends kept me there to the very (painful) end. |
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Chaotic
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Nov 24, 2009
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Just picked up Angels & Demons |
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suspiria10
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Nov 24, 2009
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Picked up "Angels & Demons" and "Heat". Also got my mother "Santa Buddies" for Christmas. |
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zwoodz
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Nov 24, 2009
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What about Monsters Squad, Cujo, Angel Heart, and other Lions Gate films. Forgot to mention? |
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TheZoof
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Nov 24, 2009
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Wow... I actually thought Angels and Demons was one of the most enjoyable theatre experiences I had this year. I was entertained from start to finish.
I will pick it up. |
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Chaotic
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Nov 24, 2009
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Someone's a little cranky this morning |
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zaxtrax
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Nov 24, 2009
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whoops! forgot to mention the excellent John Adams on blu-ray. a rare modern treasure. |
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snickerskicker
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Nov 24, 2009
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Looks like it'll just be "Gomorrah" for me. Luckily I'll get another Criterion release with "A Christmas Tale" coming out next week. Oh and "The Green Mile" will be getting it's wide release next week as well. |
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gamma626
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Nov 24, 2009
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Zaxtrax, are you forgetting the release of one of the best films ever made last week, Gone With the Wind? And gasp! How dare a studio release a day and date film! Classic films are released on blu-ray. Just not every week. Also, would you rather have them release the classics in poor quality now, or wait and get the best blu can offer? |
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met1128
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Nov 24, 2009
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I bought monster squad, The only goof flick that came out this week. CLASSIC!!!! |
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zaxtrax
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Nov 24, 2009
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yes snickerskickr. i mentioned Gone With The Wind. check out my msg again |
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RedSoxNation
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Nov 24, 2009
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.... In addition to the 6 movies you already listed, critically acclaimed movies and television such as "Up", "Star Trek", "Sopranos Season 1", "Snow White", "Heat", "Fight Club", "The Green Mile", "Forrest Gump", "It's a Wonderful Life", and "Love Actually" have come out within the last month or so (and there are probably others i'm forgetting)... I guess I'd have to ask, What are you talking about?? In my opinion, this has been one of Blu-Ray's finest months. Yes, we're all waiting for more classics to be released but i'm sure they'll come.. be patient!! With recent movie and player price drops combined with several recent quality releases 2010 looks as though it will be a banner year for Blu-Ray. And by the way, "Funny People" isn't my favorite movie, but Judd Apatow movies do not suck; "The 40 Year Old Virgin" is one of the decade's funniest movies. Have you seen it? |
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