It’s that time of year again, when all the studios are cranking out the films they are hoping will get some awards attention.  This is usually the time of year where I’m getting a bit excited, because usually around this time (in theory) some of my favorite films of the year will be released.  But a strange thing has happened this year. Though there have been several good films to come out this year, there hasn’t been one that truly separates itself from the pack and I can say “this is the best picture”.  Instead this year has been rather lackluster, and with a film like On The Basis of Sex, despite all the talent surrounding the film, lackluster is simply what is delivered to the audience.

Just in case the documentary RBG wasn’t enough Ruth Bader Ginsburg for you, Hollywood has churned out a legal love story just in time for the holidays.  Rather than produce another film that spans the career of Ginsburg, On the Basis of Sex instead sets its focus on her early years from being a Harvard law student to her taking a case where her client is being denied tax deductions because he is a man. Despite Ginsburg having such a long career in the legal system, it’s a shame the film chooses to focus on such a minimal amount of time with her career. What’s worse is the pacing of the last hour of the film plays out like a boring episode of Law and Order.

In 1983 when Krull first came out it was riding the wave of sci-fi and sword-and-sorcery films that were attempting to cash in following the success of Star Wars.  I didn’t see this in theaters, but I did eventually see it once it was on VHS.  My memories of the film were vague at best, but what I never could forget was the “glaive” weapon that you see displayed on the cover art.  For many, though, I can understand if you are just now hearing about Krull for the first time considering the film’s age and its lack of commercial success.  While Krull isn’t a great movie, it’s still a silly (unintentionally) yet fun movie that was directed by Peter Yates.  In case you need a little reminder, Yates is responsible for a little-known film some may have heard of called Bullitt.  So, after three decades, how does the film hold up?  Well, saddle up; I’m about to tell you.

In the opening moments we get an opening shot in space, and we are watching a massive ship pass across the screen (no, this is not Star Wars). Not to be too judgmental so early on, but it does bother me that the spaceship looks like a giant log in space.  The ship lands on the planet on Krull. It’s here where Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall) is marrying Princess Lyssa (Lysette Anthony).  As luck would have it, the wedding is crashed by The Slayers, a violent futuristic race that decides to kidnap the Princess and kill Colwyn’s father-in-law, the King of planet Krull.  With no other options, Colwyn gathers up a group of men to assist him on his journey into The Black Forest to kill off The Slayers along with their leader and hopefully rescue the princess in the end.  I wouldn’t call this an original concept by any stretch, but it’s a fun way to kick off this campy adventure film.

Cinedigm is offering us River Runs Red on UHD-Blu-ray. That's 4K for all of our film fans out there. The film stars Taye Diggs as the father of a young man shot by corrupt police officers. When he can't get justice through the system where he's a respected judge, he teams up with George Lopez who also lost a son to the same cops. They get their revenge in a bloody confrontation. You can own it in 4K. Be sure you have a 4K television with HDR and a UHD player to enjoy this film.

To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.

Hey Moe. Hey Larry. Those happy little elves at Time-Life are at it again. each year they've given us some very cool prizes for our contests. They've become a Christmas tradition here at Upcomingdiscs. They've given us 3 copies of The Best Of The Three Stooges on DVD to give away. This is a fantastic collection that includes a 9-hour documentary on the Stooges by Moe's son. You get 13 discs filled with all of the nyuk's and chuckles you can stand. I've kept a copy for myself, and I love this collection. Just about every Three Stooges short ever made can be found in this collection.

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Our buddies over at Acorn TV and RLJE Studios get this whole party started with Murdoch Mysteries: The Christmas Cases. You get a triple-dose of Detective Murdoch with three Christmas cases on DVD. The specially festive package includes A Merry Murdoch Christmas, Once Upon A Murdoch Christmas and Home For The Holidays. If you thought those Christmas shopping crowds were murder wait until you get your hands on this little package. It's a decidedly British Christmas full of mystery and thrills.

To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.

We will be continuing one of our best traditions this year. We will post a brand new contest for each and every one of the 12 Days Of Christmas. With the help of some of our friends in the industry, this is going to be the best contest blowout ever here. Check back and enter EVERY DAY. Just our way of saying thanks for visiting us here at Upcomingdiscs.

We hope you  enjoy the massive giveaway. Please tell your friends, and remember us when you buy from Amazon (use our links to get there). It's the only way we can continue to bring these great prizes to you all year long.

"Predators don't just sit around making hats out of rib cages. They conquered space."

In 1987 Predator became somewhat of a milestone film for many reasons. The movie would anchor a franchise, thanks mostly to a wonderfully original Stan Winston creature design and the performance of Kevin Peter Hall under the suit. Both Winston and Hall have since passed, but the alien hunter that they created together is still going strong. The film also featured two stars who would later go on to become governors of their states. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jessie Ventura made their mark in politics. The film also featured Rocky's Carl Weathers. It also featured Shane Black in a small role that might not have contributed to the blossoming franchise then, but he has made his own impact by writing and directing the latest installment of that franchise The Predator.

By John Delia, Jr.

The world of the Transformers is back with more action, adventure, and science fiction fun for everyone. The most loved Autobot from this world has a history that explains where these troubled characters all began. As the battle of Cybertron comes to a conclusion, the Autobots make their move to flee from the Decepticons to an unknown location to later meet up and regroup. Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) tells B-127/Bumble Bee (Dylan O’Brien) that he must flee and head to earth and hide until it is safe to meet up again. Once on earth, Bumble Bee must find a place to be unnoticed. He must find a secure safe location for his fellow Autobots and defend earth until Optimus Prime returns. During his landing on to earth, he encounters a team of soldiers training for battle called Sector 7. This team led by Agent Jack Burns (John Cena) fear for their lives when the capsule transporting B-127 crashes in the forest nearly on top of his team.

“My father was a lighthouse keeper. My mother was a queen. But life has a way of bringing people together. They made me what I am.”

It’s been a rough year for the DC Universe, losing both Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck as Superman and Batman respectively. In a time when Marvel is heading towards a big finale of sorts, this should be when DC goes full steam towards capitalizing on any residual momentum. The loss of two members of the Justice League is going to put a crimp in that plan; however, thanks to the release of Aquaman, DC does not have to start from scratch. Jason Momoa returns as the titular character in this origin story of sorts. One of the breakout stars of the critical failure that was the Justice League movie, Momoa proves that he was made to command the seven seas.

Hardbodies is a sex comedy; there is no other way of putting it. This is a hard R movie; I wasn’t really expecting that. However, between the gratuitous nudity, there is a love story unfolding, and to be honest, the other subplots are secondary to this point. Not exactly my kind of film, mainly due to it being from before my time, but I still found it to be moderately entertaining. Needless to say, this is more of a guys’ movie, as I don’t know of a woman who would not have an opinion or two about this movie, especially given the current climate. Then again, Fast Times at Ridgemont High remains a classic to this day. I’m not putting this on that same level, but in my opinion it deserves a fair shake and to be paid the respect of the time period.

Scotty is your typical California beach bum, doing whatever he can to get along. That is until he is evicted from his apartment for not paying his rent. Down on his luck, desperate to maintain his way of life, he soon finds three older men who have a lot of money, but they do not have a trait that Scotty possesses, his abilities with women. They agree to let Scotty stay with them at their beach house and pay him a monthly stipend if he returns the favor by teaching them how to pick up women.