Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on August 30th, 2017
Alien Covenant is a perfect example of making a plan and sticking with it, because if you don’t you may be infected by an alien organism that will explode out of your chest. Graphic, I know, but informative, right? The latest installment in the Alien franchise picks up sometime after Prometheus and continues to pursue the critical question that was posed in the previous film: who created life? An intergalactic colonial expedition comes to face to face with their worst nightmare. It’s ironic how a mission to preserve life results in so much death.
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: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on August 29th, 2017
"I'm Dr. Jason Bull. I'm not a lawyer. I'm an expert in what's called trial science. I study the jury's behavioral patterns. I know what they're thinking before they do. Everything my team learns gets plugged into a matrix, which allows us to assemble a shadow jury that is scary in its predictive efficiency. The verdict you get depends on me, and that's no bull."
When Michael Weatherly left NCIS after 13 seasons, it's not like he didn't have a pretty wide safety net.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on August 29th, 2017
"From the day we arrive on the planet and blinking, step into the sun, there's more to see than can ever be seen. More to do than can ever be done. There's far too much to take in here. More to find than can ever be found..."
There's a period in the 1990's that has often been referred to as the second golden age of Disney animation. The studio had fallen from its once mighty perch, and most film historians tend to agree there was a creative dark ages through the 1980's.
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: No Huddle Reviews by Jeremy Butler on August 28th, 2017
Tragedy has a way of tearing families apart, and that is the case in Oxenfree, a story about three foster brothers who reunite at their family’s vacation lodge. As expected, their reunion is not a happy one, as old wounds are reopened and differences are brought to the forefront. But beyond that, Oxenfree displays a childlike wonder that you cannot help but enjoy as the three embrace the better parts of their childhoods via the retelling of a ghost story passed down from generation to generation, as well as an epic battle for a makeshift fort. It is definitely a film worth seeing, and a wholesome experience that the entire family can enjoy.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Brent Lorentson on August 24th, 2017
It seems there is no end in sight for comic book properties being bought and turned into movies or television series. Lucifer is one of the newer properties getting the television treatment, and personally this was a title I was looking forward to. With Tom Kapinos (Californication and Dawson’s Creek) at the helm, this seemed like it would be a good fit, though one thing did nag at me. When you have a show called Lucifer and it is about the devil taking a vacation on Earth, is broadcast television really the proper outlet? As a fan of Californication I was excited to see what Kapinos would do with the material and for the most part the show doesn’t disappoint.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Dan Holland on August 24th, 2017
The blues has had a tremendous impact on our contemporary popular culture, as it is largely the foundation of what we have come to understand as “pop music.” Without the blues, cultural phenomena such as Rock N’ Roll, Beatlemania, the British Invasion, heavy metal, hip-hop, gangsta rap, grunge, and contemporary pop would have evolved much differently. Even as I look over that list, I can’t make an argument for any one of those cultural shifts to be as impactful or as lasting as the blues. Perhaps I am a little biased as a rock enthusiast and musician, but every good guitar player knows that most of their stylistic flair can be traced right back to the Deep South.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Brent Lorentson on August 23rd, 2017
I used to be a basketball fan back in the '90s when Michael Jordan was a God on the court and you had Larry Johnson as “Grandmama” before Madea was ever a thing. Every year, some sort of inspirational sports story seems to come out. And for the most part it seems, whether it's basketball or another sport, it’s generally the same story. But every once in a while one of the films will break the mold and give us something special. Don’t get to excited: I’m not saying Wolves is one of those films, but it is at least better than most of the other films of its ilk.
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!







