Posted in: Tuesday Round Up by J C on September 19th, 2017
You probably heard that we had a very unwelcome visitor blow through town last week. And while UpcomingDiscs HQ is still standing, we did experience some stressful moments and a power outage that caused us to go off the grid for about a week. Fortunately, things are starting to get back to normal and we appreciate you bearing with us as we play catch up.
One of Irma's casualties was last week's Tuesday Round Up, which is why we are doubling up this week! The slew of Sept. 12 releases we wanted to tell you about includes Universal's The Mummy (4K), which served as the launch of the studio's Dark Universe. Universal also phones home with the UHD release of E.T. (4K), while Film Movement keeps its Soul on a String. Warner Brothers smartens up with Big Bang Theory: Season 10 and CBS with Scorpion: Season 3. HBO makes a profane mockery out of politics with Veep: Season 6 and invests in Silicon Valley: Season 4. Fox mixes music and drama with Empire: Season 3 and combines happy tears with sad tears in the great This is Us: Season 1.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on September 18th, 2017
“Seems like a new boatload of expatriates gets dumped here every day.”
In The Moderns, “here” happens to be 1926 Paris, a time and place that immediately conjures joie de vivre images of lavish parties and complete artistic freedom. And while both of those things are technically on display in filmmaker Alan Rudolph's 1988 drama, the movie turns down the volume on the Roaring Twenties to explore the tricky and transactional connection between art and commerce...and how it can extend to personal relationships.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on September 15th, 2017
“What can you tell me about African Americans and science?”
Anyone who even halfway paid attention in their high school science class knows that a polio vaccine was developed in the 1950s. And if you were especially attentive, you even know the vaccine was developed by American researcher Jonas Salk. Unfortunately, the story that is far less commonly told in classrooms is that of Henrietta Lacks, the poor black woman whose “immortalized” HeLa cell line gave birth to the biomedical industry. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks takes a curious approach: instead of merely shining a light on its worthy subject, this powerful (and overstuffed) HBO film is about *the quest* to bring Henrietta back to life.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on September 7th, 2017
“Rebels have friends always rushing to the rescue.”
The Star Wars universe is famously vast, and that’s before even going down the Expanded Universe rabbit hole. Though it's been precisely 40 years since the fourth first Star Wars film premiered, the army of artists who have taken on George Lucas’ iconic creations haven’t even come close to running out of material to explore. Disney XD’s Star Wars Rebels debuted three years ago as an engaging, thoroughly zippy, kid-friendly contribution that has blossomed into a thoughtful, vibrant, and vital part of Star Wars lore.
Posted in: Tuesday Round Up by J C on September 5th, 2017
Despite the fact that quality TV offerings can be found year-round on practically every channel (and streaming service) these days, there's still something to be said for tradition. With that in mind, the start of the network Fall TV season will be here in a flash. Warner Bros. revs us up for The Flash: Season 3 and battles inner (and outer) demons with Supernatural: Season 12. CBS hangs ten with Hawaii Five-O: Season 7 and profiles some Criminal Minds: Season 12. Elsewhere, Shout! Factory brings Just Shoot Me: The Complete Series back in style, while HBO relives The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
But it's not all TV all the time. Universal tells the true-life story of Megan Leavey, while Lionsgate is offering a trio of past hits on UHD: Cabin in the Woods (4K), Red (4K), and Red 2 (4K). This is the start of a new month, but I'm going to give you the same ol' reminder: if you’re shopping for anything on Amazon and you do it through one of our links, it’ll help keep the lights on here at UpcomingDiscs. See ya next week!
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on September 1st, 2017
“The sheer beauty of China manifests itself in so many different ways, in so many remote corners. It sometimes feels like another world.”
To help celebrate Earth Day each year, Disneynature — the independent film unit at the Mouse House dedicated to making nature documentaries — has gotten in the habit of immersing us in a different corner of the animal kingdom. While it's a bit surprising that it took nine movies to finally arrive in China, the wait was absolutely worth it for fans of cuddly critters and breathtaking landscapes. The country's otherworldly beauty makes up for some off-kilter narration and less-than-thrilling (invented) storylines.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on August 30th, 2017
“We need Harley Quinn.”
Warner Bros. still has a bit of a ways to go before its stable of DC Comics superheroes catches up to Disney’s dominant Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, Warner and DC have long had the upper hand on both the small screen (Smallville, Arrow, The Flash) and with their animated, direct-to-video offerings. Before Wonder Woman saved the day earlier this summer, one of DC's recent big-screen highlights was the way Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn enlivened the supervillain mash-up Suicide Squad. And while I'm fully aware that Harley's appeal lies in being a strong, sexy, wisecracking nutjob, I wish the makers of this well-deserved small-screen showcase had taken her a bit more seriously.
Posted in: Tuesday Round Up by J C on August 29th, 2017
With school back in session and summer pretty much in the rearview mirror, this seems like an odd time to head back to the beach. Well thanks to Paramount, the beach is coming to us! This week, we’ll be analyzing the gleaming abs, heaving bosoms, and schlocky special effects of Paramount's Baywatch (4K). Meanwhile, Universal has its sights set on the cheesy TV show’s original star with Killing Hasselhoff, and RLJ Entertainment confronts the Evil in Us. Warner Bros. vamps it up with The Originals: Season 4 and checks in with Charlie Brown and Co. thanks to Peanuts: School Days. Warner also brings us a double dose of everyone’s favorite Caped Crusader with Gotham: Season 3 and the animated flick Batman and Harley Quinn. Elsewhere, CBS is on the case with Elementary: Season 5 and NCIS: Season 14. Finally, Disney gets in touch with its wild side thanks to nature doc Born in China and transports us to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars Rebels: Season 3.
Before signing off for the week (and for August), here’s the usual reminder: if you’re shopping for anything on Amazon and you do it through one of our links, it’ll help keep the lights on here at UpcomingDiscs. See ya next week!
Posted in: Tuesday Round Up by J C on August 22nd, 2017
It was almost 40 years ago that director Ridley Scott brought the first film in the Alien franchise to theaters and taught us that in space no one can hear you scream. Then again, maybe all they need in space to hear us is the latest Oppo player and a sweet UHD home theater set-up. Fox delivers some out-of-this-world thrills with Alien: Covenant (4K). On top of that, Warner Bros. looks up in the sky for Supergirl: Season 2 and goes down below for a devilishly good time with Lucifer: Season 2. Finally, CBS is on the case with NCIS: Los Angeles — Season 8 and keeps it in the family with Blue Bloods: Season 7.
Before you run off until next week, here's for your customary reminder: if you’re shopping for anything on Amazon and you do it through one of our links, it’ll help keep the lights on here at UpcomingDiscs. See ya next week!
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on August 21st, 2017
If you've visited our site at any point throughout the last five years, you know who Brent is. Besides being our resident gorehound and an invaluable contributor to this website, Brent is also the fifth member of the 500 club here at Upcomingdiscs! If you haven't already, be sure to check out his past reviews...and keep an eye out for what he has to say about your favorite movie in the near future.
Here's to the next 500 reviews!
