Posted in: News and Opinions by Archive Authors on July 25th, 2007
Hah. Looks like the format wars are over, from DVD Dossier, via Engadget.
We called the store to verify this and were told that, yes, they were wiped out of Blu-ray Discs on Sunday, about seven thousand bucks worth.
Posted in: News and Opinions by Archive Authors on July 25th, 2007
Two interesting movie-related bits have popped up on BoingBoing already today.
The Color of Money: BB points to an analysis of the colors used in top grossing movie posters. Restrictive ratings and big earners are dark and fleshy colored. [from BB]
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 25th, 2007
Streets of Fire is yet another welcome addition to the ever growing number of high def titles. This movie, self-described as a rock and roll fable, was first made in 1984 and stars Diane Lane, William DaFoe, Michael Pare and Rick Moranis in a rare serious role. Diane Lane plays Ellen Aim, who has returns to an old haunt that looks much like the Battery of New York City, to give a charity concert. After the conclusion of her first song, Ellen is kidnapped by a biker gang. Her manger, Billy Fish wants her back. Enter the film’s hero, a soldier of fortune named Tom Cody (Michael Pare).
Cody is reluctant due to his history with Ellen. He agrees to help after Fish offers him $10,000. The rest of the movie follows the rescue attempt as well as a hilarious over-the-top fight and a great closing concert scene.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 25th, 2007
In Good Company is a 2004 film from the director of About a Boy. It tells the story of Dan Foreman, an experienced 50 something head of an ad agency. His comfortable and familiar world is torn apart when a young executive impresses and is promoted to the job Dan held, despite the agency having its best period in 20 years. That young man is Carter Duryea, played by Topher Grace. Upon his arrival, he tries his best not to upset the balance, attempting to befriend Dan and his family. Corporate politics force his hand into firing people for profit balancing. Eventually he invites himself over to the house of Dan for dinner and meets his daughter, Alex. Alex is the one who sees something different in him and Carter begins to change. The rest of the movie concerns Carter, Dan and their shaky friendship, teetering on the knowledge that he is dating Alex. Along with a top corporate visit and more lay-offs, Carter is on shaky ground, vying for success and loyalty at the same precarious time.
The movie is billed as a romantic comedy, but as the relationship does not begin until well into the film, it seems like more of a drama, especially with the aspect of his wife. Interestingly, the film was originally titled Synergy until it was revealed that 9 out of 10 test goers did not know the meaning of the word.
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Posted in: Site News by Archive Authors on July 24th, 2007
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Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 24th, 2007
The latest in Lionsgate's line of movies about nice black people (see Daddy's Little Girls and Akeelah and the Bee), Pride presents a well-tread story with a few tweaks.
Its formula is the sports team underdog winning against all odds. The sport is swimming, which I don't think we've seen much of in the past. All of the usual players are here, though: the frustrated coach inspired to lead, the unlikely athletes who are too poor and too black to succeed, the rival team too rich and too white to be beaten, the crusty old guy who helps out and the token love interest for our protagonist coach.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 23rd, 2007
Shooter is based upon the Stephen Hunter novel Point of Impact, and although there are multiple similarities, readers of the book can look forward to a modern rehash of the Hunter story. Since the release of the trailer I have been looking forward to this one, especially now that its being released on HD DVD, how does it turn out?
Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg, The Italian Job) is an elite Marine sniper and patriot. But that all changes when his commanding officer abandons him behind en...my lines, his best friend and spotter dies and Swagger narrowly escapes. Naturally Swagger turns to a life of solitude in the minuteness wilderness of Wyoming, where he shares a log cabin with his dog.
Posted in: Highly Defined, News and Opinions by Archive Authors on July 23rd, 2007
So who knows how Harry Potter ended?
The big disc news this week is New Line’s announcement that they’ll be coming out with next-gen titles, even if the first title is the current musical of Hairspray. Lord of the Rings, here we come? Aside from that, the biggest disc release news appears to be related to discs that don’t have street dates attached to them yet. Warner says that there will be a box set of the first five Harry Potter films on HD DVD and Blu-ray, and there’s even pricing f...r them, but a date has yet to be announced, along with he extras (although expect lossless soundtracks for at least some). Much is the same for Blade Runner as well, including a massive five-disc treatment. For more normal material, Black Book comes to Blu-ray from Sony on 9/25 (along with Underworld and Memoirs of a Geisha), and a week later, Starz/Anchor Bay drops Dawn of the Dead, Evil Dead 2, Day of the Dead and Halloween. They also bring Volumes 1 and 2 of the Masters of Horror sets on 10/16, with Volume 3 coming out on November 13 and Volume 4 on December 11. Speaking of fourth quarter titles, the classic 20 Million Miles to Earth comes to Blu-ray on 12/4. Format neutral parties get to decide what version they want to see the Warner films The Wild Bunch, Gods and Generals and Wyatt Earp, all of which will be appearing on 9/25, along with Gothika. And finally, Cars will finally arrive on 11/6. Discs this week are an eclectic bunch, with HD DVD exclusivos seeing Scent of a Woman, Streets of Fire, The Bourne Identity, The Contract, In Good Company and Nutty Professor 2. Blu-ray campers decide if they want to pull the trigger on Season Two of Weeds, while format neutralities can decide on Purple Rain, Out For Justice and The Host.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 21st, 2007
Synopsis
Honestly, the only thing that I remembered from watching For Your Eyes Only was that Sheena Easton sang the title song (qualifying her as probably the most attractive Scotsperson out there) and that there was a sprawling chase scene involving Roger Moore on skis that was cool. But that’s it. And now that I’m wrapping up this long winding once over for all the James Bond Ultimate Edition DVDs and I get a chance to see everything again, it turns out that this film is a pretty good one.
![Streets of Fire [HD DVD] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/streets-of-fire-hd-dvd-large.jpg)
![In Good Company [HD DVD] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/in-good-company-hd-dvd-large.jpg)
![Shooter [HD DVD] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/shooter-hd-dvd-large.jpg)
