FROM THE BACK OF THE BOX:

A reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White, a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother, who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom.

FROM THE BACK OF MY BRAIN:

“Carrie” is one of my favorite teen movies. That being said, I wasn’t against a third trip to the well. So many people forget that misguided TV-Movie that was attempted in the early 00s. It’s fair to say that the newly released Carrie (2013) fares better. Larry Cohen’s original script is used as a skeleton to setup scenes with Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa splashing what he needs into the mix. It’s not the worst thing, as modern technology and emerging trends in bullying are well incorporated into the film. However, it feels like something is amiss.

There’s something about tampering with an adaptation that can always come back on you. If you’ve seen the movie, you know that I’m talking about the ending. In the 1976 and 2013 adaptations, Chris Hargensen is our major survivor who experiences a legendary nightmare at the end of the film. However, the film seems to pick the wrong time to break with the best loved version of the tale. Chris was pregnant in the book, but her condition is glossed over in the previous two adaptations. I get the tie-ins with the carefully crafted opening for the 2013 version, but you lose something when the focus of the closing horror is placed back on Chris. She’s turned into a self-identifying victim without any closure being brought to the horror she participated in against Carrie White. Honestly, it’s a little demented.

The Blu-Ray comes with a DVD and Digital HD copy. The special features range from behind-the-scenes featurettes to deleted scenes, commentary and alternate ending. The A/V Quality is strong enough with a 1080p transfer that actually shows off the amazing cinematography of Steve Yedlin. The DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track is presentable and helps to make the prom freakout blow your speakers up. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

FROM THE BACK OF THE BOX:

86-year-old Irving Zisman takes a trip from Nebraska to North Carolina to take his 8 year-old grandson, Billy, back to his real father.

FROM THE BACK OF MY BRAIN:

“Bad Grandpa” was a mild gamble for the Dickhouse crew. Creating a semi-narrative and throwing a Knoxville creation that has had maybe 15 times combined screen time didn’t always seem like it was going to pan out. Now, the film has made nearly 6 times what it cost and it’s staring down an Oscar nomination on Thursday morning. That’s pretty amazing for a Candid Camera style stunt movie that opened in the wake of “Gravity”. I could bring up the kid that played Billy or how Catherine Keener was snuck into the film in what amounts to a brilliant cameo played as set dressing. But, I’ll move on.

Whatever Jackass does at this point, I feel that they can keep moving forward. They made a narrative work, they’ve taken the actual Jackass stunts to new levels and they’ve actually breached the mainstream. Still, I can’t help but feel the nagging suspicion that the appeal of pranking people in elaborate setups or throwing Steve-O against wall and seeing if he sticks will eventually run its course. As a fan, I hope I’m wrong. That being said, I did see a few cracks emerge in the prolonged striptease segment.

The Blu-Ray comes with a DVD and Digital HD copy. The special features range from behind-the-scenes featurettes to deleted scenes. The A/V Quality is strong enough with a 1080p transfer that actually shows off the shifts in film stock when they were shooting some of their covert elements. The DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track is presentable and helps to sell the bigger jokes. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: 01/28/2014

FROM THE BACK OF THE BOX:

Swing back into action with Sterling Archer – the world’s greatest spy – and the agents of ISIS for another hilarious season of cocktails, carousing and animated awesomeness! Follow the team around the globe, from the mysterious Bermuda Triangle all the way to the Vatican, as they bicker, backstab and bumble their way through assassination plots, an ill-advised marriage, an unexpected pregnancy, and a venomous snake bite in a very, very bad place! Packed with terrorist threats, sexual shenanigans, and all things inappropriate, Archer Season Four comes fully loaded with outrageous top-secret extras!

FROM THE BACK OF MY BRAIN:

“Archer” is a show I watch more for the supporting characters than the lead. The idea of a dumb American James Bond figure is a little played out. However, you’ve got to love what a never-ending Cold War has done to the American workplace dynamic. Somewhere between Pam’s brutal hilarity and the general depravity of Cheryl; the heart of the show is found. That show is soaked in vodka and full of more references than Dennis Miller having a stroke on the floor of a Druthers, cha-cha.

This season did prove why the upcoming series shift was needed. While the adventure with the Pope and the undersea shenanigans were fun, it took forever for this year to really get going. It was cute seeing the nods to Bob’s Burgers and the efforts to provide Mallory with some sort of stability. However, it felt like there were too many ideas onscreen and only about 50% of them didn’t seem like they came out of a bong. But, we got a random reference to New Mutants character Cypher. I have to support anyone that shares my love of classic New Mutants.

The Blu-Ray comes with a special Anime short featuring Krieger and what appears to be a live read by the cast. The A/V Quality is great with a truly impressive DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track. You also get the same stunning 1080p transfer that you’ve come to expect from the series on Blu-Ray. Ultimately, what needs to be said? You’re going to buy this! I’m going to make you. When you’re checking out at Amazon, you’re going to feel a sudden tickle in the back of your brain. That’s me, reminding you to make it happen.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

THE UNIVERSE IN 3D: A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION, takes a mind-bending look at Earth and the universe it inhabits. CRASH LANDING ON MARS explores how events might play out if humans were stranded on the red planet. Could astronauts survive dust storms and space radiation or find vital resources like water? WORST DAYS ON PLANET EARTH vividly imagines how our seemingly hospitable planet has been shaped through utter chaos and destruction. Experience in dramatic 3D how giant volcanoes scorched the Earth and darkened skies, and how asteroids the size of Everest slammed into the ocean. In GOD AND THE UNIVERSE, physicists and theologians discuss whether the seemingly miraculous creation of a universe calibrated to support life proves the existence of a creator, or are explained by the laws of physics.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“The Universe in 3D” is a compilation disc that sports documentaries ranging from Mars, the Universe and the destruction of the Earth. It’s pretty crazy, but we get a wide variety of examinations of celestial matters. I had qualms about the God and the Universe documentary. The fact that we even have to keep bringing up issues like that is a testament to the Religious Right’s inability to let stuff go.

The History Channel has been creating some excellent documentaries in 3D. The heavy use on CG recreations and the big camera pushes actually help to sell the effect. I bet that was unintentional, but it’s neat to have that for a TV production. The whole affair runs slightly over two hours and it’s on par with an informative Reddit read. If you want more than that, then go crack a book.

The Blu-Ray comes with no special features. However, you get three documentaries presented with stunning 1080 3D transfer. The field of depth is amazing. Plus, I can’t tell if it was post converted or initially shot that way. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: 01/14/2014