Girls: The Complete Fifth Season (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on January 11th, 2017
“I don’t want to be in this relationship anymore, and I don’t know how to get out.”
A TV show’s fifth season is around the time it starts to feel like you have to see things through to the bitter end. I mean, it seems downright irresponsible to ditch a series after five years of investing in its characters’ lives, no matter how flawed and frustrating they are. And there’s no doubt the self-absorbed millennials on HBO’s Girls are among the most flawed and frustrating people on TV; so I was delighted to find that the series produced one of its strongest seasons as it nears its conclusion.
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Blair Witch (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on January 10th, 2017
In 1999 The Blair Witch Project was released, and it was a horror film that created a stir like I had never seen before. I remember going to Tampa Theatre to see it opening week. The line was wrapped around the building for the sold-out screening. Discussions were going on in the line about the film actually being real, some even talking about how they heard the bodies of the three filmmakers were never found. It’s this kind of mindset going into the film that made it such an impact as I walked out of that first showing. At the time I knew I had seen something unique, but I never would have expected it to spawn an entire style of genre filmmaking that would be copied over and over again.
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Sleepy Hollow: Season 3
Posted in No Huddle by Gino Sassani on January 10th, 2017
“Evil has returned to Sleepy Hollow.”
With the big bad finally destroyed and an apocalypse averted, the dynamic duo of Sleepy Hollow have gone their separate ways. Abby is now with the FBI, while Crane has gone into seclusion and ends up in jail for trying to sneak an artifact into the country from his homeland of Scotland. Abby gets him out of trouble only to discover that the tablet Crane found in his family crypt back in Europe holds more prophesy for the pair of witnesses. The two have to come back together to save the world from yet another end of times
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Tuesday Round Up: January 10, 2017
Posted in Tuesday Round Up by J C on January 10th, 2017
We’re only a couple of weeks away from the start of tax season, so it won’t hurt to have your trusty accountant nearby. Fortunately for us, Warner Bros. was kind enough to send a copy of The Accountant, the action hit that stars Ben Affleck as a math savant/killing machine. Elsewhere, Comedy Central yuks it up (and lights up) with Broad City: Season 3.
One last reminder before signing off for the week: if you’re shopping for anything on Amazon — maybe a present or two — and you do it through one of our links, it’ll help keep the lights on here at UpcomingDiscs. See ya next week!
31 (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on January 9th, 2017
There is something about a Rob Zombie film that will always be a draw, and it is always the realism that he brings to the screen. Whether it’s The Devil’s Rejects or his version of Halloween, he always presents it in a way that I feel is grounded in reality. Perhaps it’s also because I live in Florida, and there are some small towns that you don’t want to break down in at night for fear of crossing some crazed backwoods types. To put it out there, I was a fan of Rob Zombie before he was putting out movies, and I have all of his albums; he’s just a guy who does stuff that I really dig. That being said, I can be objective in saying his films have been a bit all over the place, but Lords of Salem was a piece of work that I simply loved, and I felt it showed a lot of growth from his previous films and worked well as a slow burn.
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The Ultimate Legacy
Posted in No Huddle by Jeremy Butler on January 9th, 2017
And the Ultimate Legacy makes three, marking the third installment in what will undoubtedly become known as the “Ultimate” series. Please don’t misunderstand my meaning; I say that as a good thing. Granted, before I watched the film I would have likely said that sardonically, but I must admit to being genuinely touched by the story and have gained an appreciation for the message behind it. Given this is the third go-around for the franchise, the themes and some of the cast is already well established by this point, which opens it up to becoming boring and stagnant; however, despite those obstacles it remains fresh and engaging. It is definitely a movie that should be shared with the whole family.
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12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 12: Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe By Robert Matzen
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on January 5th, 2017
On The Twelfth Day Of Christmas GoodKnight Books Gives To You:
Mission: Jimmy Stewart And The Fight For Europe. You’ve been hearing a lot about this wonderful book by Robert Matzen. I had the opportunity to talk with him. You can revisit that chat Here. We also made it one of our unpaid Holiday Gift Guide Spotlights. Now you’re going to have a chance to win a copy for yourself. We truly saved the best for last. Thanks to our new friends at GoodKnight Books I have a hardbound copy to give to one Upcomingdiscs reader. If you enter just one of our contests this year, make it this one.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – What was the best Christmas/Holiday gift you ever got.
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is Rosalie
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
The Killing of America (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on January 4th, 2017
“America is the only industrialized nation with a higher murder rate than countries at civil war.”
2016 might technically be in the rearview mirror, but it feels like last year left an indelible mark on the psyche of the United States. In addition to the most polarizing presidential election in a very long time, last year was marked by the deadliest shooting in U.S. history about an hour away from where I’m currently sitting, along with other highly-publicized instances of gun violence. So it feels like an appropriate time to revisit The Killing of America, a 1981 documentary that was never granted a commercial U.S. release after being deemed too exploitative.
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12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 11: The Odd Couple: Season 1 On DVD From CBS
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on January 4th, 2017
On The Eleventh Day Of Christmas CBS Gives To You:
The Odd Couple: Season 1 on DVD. First it was Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathau. Later it would be Tony Randall and Jack Klugman. An early 1980’s black version featured Ron Glass and Demond Wilson. In 1998 the original pairing of Lemmon and Mathau reprised the roles. Now it’s Thomas Lennon and Matthew Perry. Of course, I’m talking about Felix Unger and Oscar Madison from Neil Simon’s brilliant The Odd Couple. CBS has brought back the popular concept now heading into second season. They’ve given us 2 copies of the complete first season to give away to a couple of Upcomingdiscs readers.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – Are you the OCD Felix or the sloppy Oscar?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winners are Dawn Ballo & Judy Hunting
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
Tuesday Round Up: January 3, 2017
Posted in Tuesday Round Up by J C on January 3rd, 2017
The first Tuesday Round Up of 2017 is getting the New Year off to a spooky start. Lionsgate ventures back into the woods to meet up with the Blair Witch, while Fox makes us lose our heads thanks to Sleepy Hollow: Season 3. Finally, Reel Gore Releasing has a bloody good time with The Orphan Killer. Meanwhile in non-horror news, Cinedigm leaves behind The Ultimate Legacy, while HBO takes us back to the Big Apple (with a detour to Japan) to hang out with Girls: Season 5.
It might be a new year now, but you’re going to get the same weekly reminder before we sign 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!
12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 10: Noma & Entertainment On Blu-ray From Magnolia
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on January 3rd, 2017
On The Tenth Day Of Christmas Magnolia Home Entertainment Gives To You:
Noma: My Perfect Storm & Entertainment on Blu-ray. Magnolia has been a powerhouse this Christmas for Upcomingdiscs and for all of you guys. I have 1 copy each of these films on Blu-ray. Noma: My Perfect Storm: Noma is the name of the award-winning Copenhagen restaurant operated by Chef Rene Redzepi. The film dips into Redzepi’s origin story. Entertainment: An aging comedian ends up on a tour of dive venues while attempting to re-connect with his estranged daughter.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – Which title would you want?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winners are Jim Gardner & John H
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
Never Open The Door (Blu-ray)
Posted in No Huddle by Brent Lorentson on January 2nd, 2017
Since we are knee-deep into the holidays, it would only be fitting to discuss the independent horror film Never Open the Door; after all it takes place on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a shame we don’t have more horror films to watch during turkey day, but for some this new title may be a nice fit to change all that. When I picked up the title I hadn’t heard a peep about it, but I’m a sucker for horror, and seeing that it was shot in B&W just made it all the more enticing. Now, when I watch a title like this, one thing has to work. It has to have a story that engages me; story is what matters with these smaller films, because the budgets tend to not have room for big makeup FX or big-name actors. The limitations placed upon the filmmakers seem to force their hand and have them get more creative with the execution of scenes, whether this means creative camera work or unique storytelling.
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Road To The Well
Posted in No Huddle by Dan Holland on January 2nd, 2017
Road to the Well is about what you would expect from an independent thriller: atmospheric and character-driven, sporting a slow pace. While the pacing was indeed slow, it was most certainly deliberate and aided in the storytelling. I can’t necessarily say that I would watch the film again, but I can say I understand why it has won awards while on the festival circuit, especially given the fact that it is writer/director Jon Cvack’s first feature length film. It is a good movie. It satisfies. And even though good movies have their faults, Road to the Well succeeds in balancing its failures with tremendous amounts of successful feats.
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12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 9: Blu-rays & DVD’s From Magnolia
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on January 2nd, 2017
On The Ninth Day Of Christmas Magnolia Home Entertainment Gives To You:
It’s another huge bag of goodies from Magnolia. They’ve given me copies of the following titles on Blu-ray and DVD: The Last King. Imagine if Three Men and a Baby was remade with just two guys, a baby, a battle axe, and a bunch of arrows. Despite its exceedingly generic Americanized title, The Last King has a little something different to offer action-weary movie watchers. Then there is A War. This one is about a Danish commander and his weary, overwhelmed young soldiers fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Finally we have Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The True Story Of National Lampoon. That’s six total winners for this contest. Odds look pretty good thanks to our Holiday heroes over at Magnolia Home Entertainment.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – Your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – What movie are you most looking forward to in 2017?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is Leslie Crosbie
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
Thanks to John Ceballos for some of the prize descriptions.
12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 8: National Geographic DVD’s From Fox
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on January 1st, 2017
On The Eighth Day Of Christmas Fox Home Entertainment Gives To You:
A huge collection of National Geographic television DVD sets. You get Mygrations Season 1, which follows a group of humans migrating across the Serengeti. In Return From The Dead Dr. Steven Laureys investigates death and the human brain. When Sharks Attack Season 3 continues to look into shark attacks across the world. Animals Gone Wild Season 3 takes us from jungles to the depths of the ocean where animals reveal fierce natures. Finally there’s Missing Dial which looks into the case of Cody Roman Dial, who vanished in 2014. It’s all going to one lucky winner thanks to Upcomingdiscs and Fox Home Entertainment.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – Your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – What would you like us NOT to change here at Upcomingdiscs?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is Forrest Johnson
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 7: Time Life Bag Of Goodies
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on December 31st, 2016
On The Seventh Day Of Christmas Time-Life Gives To You:
A wonderful bag of vintage entertainment. One lucky winner is going to receive Bob Hope: Hope For The Holidays on DVD. It’s the 1993 special where Bob Hope looks back at some of his classic holiday moments. You also get The Red Skelton Hour In Color. This 3 DVD set features full color episodes of the classic show. Guests include John Wayne and Mickey Rooney. Add Hee Haw Salute, which gives you another 3 DVD set this time featuring vintage moments from the old show featuring performances by Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn. Finally, it’s The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson Featuring Jerry Seinfeld. Catch some wonderful moments with Johnny and Jerry. It’s where the star got his start. You get all of this free thanks to our wonderful friends at Time-Life.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – Your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – What would you like to see changed here at Upcomingdiscs?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is Darla
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
Snowden (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on December 30th, 2016
It’s been just about four years since Savages (2012) hit the big screen. For me Savages was Oliver Stone simply having a blast, shooting an over-the-top action film fueled by sex, drugs, and violence. Now it seems Stone has stepped back into the paranoid, government-conspiracy form that he seems to be best known for with Snowden. Whether you view him as a traitor to the United States or a self-sacrificing lamb to expose the government and its illegal wiretapping, it’s a choice that is up to you going into this film. Personally, while I feel his intentions were good, still, he did betray his government and committed treason. What I had hoped with this film is that Oliver Stone would capture both sides of the coin, but as the title would suggest, Edward Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is front and center on this ride, and that’s not my only problem here.
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12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 6: Greenleaf Season 1 From Lionsgate
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on December 30th, 2016
On The Sixth Day Of Christmas Lionsgate Gives To You:
Greenleaf Season 1 on Blu-ray. Greenleaf is a show that points out that even the most righteous and respected have their flaws, and we get a glimpse at how this family confronts these indiscretions for better or for worse. You can check out Brent’s review Here. Then enter to win a copy for your family. Thanks to the happy elves over at Lionsgate.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – What was the best television show of 2016?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is J
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 5: Presenting Princess Shaw & Sunset Song On DVD From Magnolia
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on December 29th, 2016
On The Fifth Day Of Christmas Magnolia Home Entertainment Studios Gives To You:
Two titles on DVD. First up is Presenting Princess Shaw, the amazing story of struggling musician Princess Shaw, who made her dreams a reality by inspiring a Youtube star to work with her and change both of their lives. The second title is Sunset Song, based on the heartwarming novel by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. It tells the story of a young woman’s struggles against the world of World War I Scotland. I have two copies of each film to give away thanks to our Holiday pals at Magnolia Home Entertainment.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – Your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – Which film would you like to win?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winners are Alyssa Christian & Nancy
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
La La Land
Posted in The Reel World by Brent Lorentson on December 28th, 2016
When the closing credits rolled the first time I saw this, I was stuck in my seat paying some attention to members of the cast and crew, but mostly I was sitting there in awe. I’m honestly struggling to think of a film that has affected me on the screen so deeply, and the closest I can get is The Shawshank Redemption. While I’ve certainly seen many good films over the years, and I’ve seen some I would even call great, La La Land is something more, something special that came along that achieved what few would even dare to believe. It is an achievement that writer and director Damien Chazelle deserves the many accolades that he will soon be showered with as we enter into the award season as 2016 comes to a close. Just what is it that he managed to capture? In my most humble opinion, he captured all that was and is great from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
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Dog Eat Dog (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on December 28th, 2016
Writer/director Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver and Auto Focus) has been a guy I can’t help but root for. His films are filled with the kind of raw grit that I like to see in films. His knack for shining a light onto the outlaws of society is something I don’t feel anyone does as well. Usually we see these characters celebrated, or simply put, they get the Hollywood treatment. Schrader seems to always go the other direction and depict them with an unflinching eye that captures the character with honesty and dignity, even as their lives tailspin into darkness. Dog Eat Dog may not be an original work by Schrader, but the film certainly carries many of the staples that embrace his celebration of the anti-hero while filming the manic insanity of the reality they live in.
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12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 4: Storks In 3D From Warner Brothers
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on December 28th, 2016
On The Fourth Day Of Christmas Warner Brothers Gives To You:
Storks in 3D on Blu-ray. You have to have a 3D player and television in order to play this 3D disc. Storks don’t deliver babies anymore, but someone forgot to tell Tulip. The zany computer-animated feature film stars the voices of Andy Samburg, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Aniston, and Katie Crown as Tulip.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – Your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – What is your favorite animated Christmas special of all time?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is Elizabeth Brooks
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 2: Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Collector’s Edition From Shout Factory
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on December 26th, 2016
On The Second Day Of Christmas Shout Factory Gives To You:
2016 World Series Champions: The Chicago Cubs on Blu-ray. Cubs fans have been waiting 100 years for a World Series championship. Now the fans won’t have to wait near that long to have the entire series on Blu-ray. This collection includes all 7 games plus plenty of bonus material. The Cubs overcame being down 3 games to 1 and gave baseball it’s most exciting finish in decades. You also get game 6 of the NLCS. All games are complete. You won’t miss a single pitch. You don’t have to be from Chicago to win this wonderful prize.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – What is your favorite sports team of any sport? There’s a super bonus World Series disc in it for someone who can guess Gino’s favorite football team.
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winners are Bob Trimple and Leslie Crosbie guessed my team as the Vikings and gets the single disc version.
You could have found that info in several reviews. Way to go Leslie!
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 1: Sully On Blu-ray From Warner Brothers
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on December 25th, 2016
It’s back. Upcomingdiscs proudly presents our annual 12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways. We’re running a new contest for each of the 12 Days Of Christmas.
On The First Day Of Christmas Warner Brothers Gives To You:
Sully on Blu-ray. It’s the latest from Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks. Sully tells the true story of airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who made an emergency water landing on the Hudson River. Everyone survived. You can bring home the real story thanks to Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – Your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – Will you/did you go anywhere for the holidays this year? If so, where?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is Carrie Rae Brown
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
Congratulations To Jeremy Butler And His New Family
Posted in Site News by Gino Sassani on December 23rd, 2016
You haven’t heard much from Jeremy Butler for a while. That’s because he spent a few weeks in Japan and didn’t even bring me a pet Godzilla when he returned. What did he do upon his return? He got married… to two women. Actually he married Jessica, who has a young daughter Nalyce, and the three of them made it official today. I have it on good authority that Jessica has excellent taste in music as well as men. Please join me in welcoming Jessica and Nalyce to the Upcomingdiscs family. We wish them many years of memories and movies together. Congrats guys!
