Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on May 18th, 2017
“Sometimes...if there's too many white people, I get nervous.”
Some of the very best horror films/psychological thrillers succeed by taking a relatable source of anxiety and cranking it to 11. For example, The Exorcist can be viewed as the worst-case scenario for anyone suffering a crisis of faith, while The Shining taps into the madness of being cooped up with your family for too long. Get Out works because it uses the nerve-wracking experience of meeting your significant other's parents for the first time as a jumping-off point to tell a subversive, insightful, and entertaining story that mashes together Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and The Stepford Wives.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on May 17th, 2017
“Look, as lousy as the marriage is, the divorce is going to be much, much worse.”
The subject of divorce isn't exactly a laugh riot in real life, so the makers of HBO's comedy series tracking the dissolution of a decade-long marriage had their work cut out for them. Divorce (not surprisingly) takes a darkly comic approach to the hostile material; the problem is the show seemingly forgot about the part where we're supposed to want to spend time with these people every week. The series also marks the HBO return of star/executive producer Sarah Jessica Parker...call this new show No Sex in the Suburbs.
Posted in: Tuesday Round Up by J C on May 16th, 2017
The surprise box office smash of 2017 has arrived at UpcomingDiscs HQ! (You might not believe me, Elaine, but it's true.) Universal was generous enough to send along a copy of Get Out, Jordan Peele's socially-conscious thriller. We'll have a review of the movie's Blu-ray release later this week. Meanwhile, Eagle Rock Entertainment does it their way with The Frank Sinatra Collection: The Timex Shows Vol. 1 and 2, while Entertainment One keeps things cool with Ice: Season 1. Finally, Warner Bros. gets animated with Wonder Woman: The Commemorative Edition, which spotlights the Amazonian icon in cartoon form a few weeks before she is set to hit the big screen.
But wait...there's more! We'll also have an out-of-this-world review for Alien: Covenant shortly after Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi opus hits theaters this Friday. Now it's time for your customary reminder before signing off for the week: 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 May 9th, 2017
The official start of summer is only a couple of weeks away, so it's no surprise that things are starting to Heat up around UpcomingDiscs HQ! Michael Mann's classic cops-and-robbers action drama — starring screen legends Robert De Niro and Al Pacino — gets a spiffy new release with Fox's Heat: Director's Definitive Edition. Meanwhile, Universal aims to make things a little steamier with 50 Shades Darker in 4K, while CBS prowls the Streets of San Francisco: The Complete Series. IndiePix Films introduces us to Millie and the Lords, while HBO squabbles and haggles throughout Divorce: Season 1. Finally, this weekend brings a new spin on a very familiar legend as Guy Ritchie's take on King Arthur: Legend of the Sword hits theaters, so be sure to check back for our review.
One last reminder before signing off for the week: 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: No Huddle Reviews by J C on May 4th, 2017
“I thought it was dull...unless it was supposed to be a satire.”
Television has been trending toward shorter, more self-contained stories. Successful shows like American Horror Story, Fargo, American Crime, and others reboot themselves every year with new characters and storylines in an attempt to offer viewers something fresh each season. The Affair seemed ready-made for that formula: each season could've followed different adulterous encounters in a wide variety of settings. Instead, the perspective-shifting Showtime drama is determined to chronicle the far-reaching effects of a single Long Island dalliance. So while the show brushes up against some interesting relationship dynamics, it feels like it has stretched a thin concept beyond its breaking point.
Posted in: Tuesday Round Up by J C on May 2nd, 2017
This week's Round Up stars a group of muscle-bound action movie all-stars like we've never seen them before! Lionsgate was kind enough to spare copies of The Expendables and The Expendables 2 in 4K, so be sure to check back soon for our reviews. And speaking of icons of yesteryear, Paramount has taken (dance) steps to ensure that John Travolta's big screen breakout stays alive thanks to Saturday Night Fever: 40th Anniversary Director's Cut. (Our longtime friend Michael Durr came out of retirement to review this one.) Time Life goes to war with Bob Hope Salutes the Troops, while Passion River Films gets in touch with its artistic side in Saving Banksy. Finally, CBS/Paramount rolls the dice with Vega$: The Complete Series, while Universal spotlights some four-legged friends with A Dog's Purpose.
Now it's time for your weekly reminder before signing off: 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 April 25th, 2017
It's a jungle out there, my friends. And judging by at least one noteworthy arrival this week, it also happens to be a jungle in here at UpcomingDiscs HQ! Warner Bros. was kind enough to send us a copy of Animal Kingdom: Season 1, which is based on the acclaimed Aussie crime drama. Meanwhile, Film Detective is out for blood with The Vampire Bat, and CBS/Paramount carries on The Affair: Season 3. Finally, you can already read our take on Sony's action-packed The Marine 5: Battleground.
Here's your weekly reminder before signing off until May: 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 April 20th, 2017
“As it turns out, there’s a virtually unprecedented tie in the Electoral College.”
If you thought the latest U.S. presidential election cycle was a soul-crushing and unpredictable mess, you should take a peek at what's happening on Veep. (At least we got a definitive real-life result...eventually.) The show's outstanding fifth season begins with President Selina Meyer — who assumed the office after her predecessor resigned — locked in a frustrating Electoral College tie as she seeks to become the first woman to be *elected* to the highest office in the land. President Meyer sums up her predicament in a manner befitting HBO's caustic, constantly-cussing comedy: “didn't those Founding F---ers ever hear of an odd number?!”
Posted in: Tuesday Round Up by J C on April 18th, 2017
Hello, my name is John and I am your regular Tuesday Round Up host. But back in my college days, I temporarily adopted an alter ego called “Bruce” when I was heavy into ballroom and swing dancing. (I wish I were kidding.) My two separate personas were absolutely peanuts compared to the 20-something distinct personalities that battle for supremacy inside the mind of Kevin, the main character in Split. M. Night Shyamalan's latest psychological thriller was the director's biggest hit in years...and today it arrives on Blu-ray. Be sure to keep an eye on the site for our take. Elsewhere, Candy Factory brings about the end of the world with Apocalypse Child. We'll also have some Reel World reviews as a pair of new movies hit theaters: things are sure to heat up with the arrival of Free Fire, and we'll venture to the ends of the Earth (and the ends of the alphabet) to find The Lost City of Z.
One last reminder before signing off for the week: 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 April 13th, 2017
“Think inside the box.”
One of the major through lines in season 3 of Silicon Valley is that our heroes at Pied Piper have created a product so ahead of its time that it is failing to connect with consumers, which puts the start-up company in peril. Fortunately, HBO’s brainy and bawdy tech comedy hasn’t had any problems connecting with its audience: the show’s confident and hilarious third season seamlessly mixes talk of “compression algorithms” with outrageous sight gags involving horses getting, um, familiar with each other.
