Author: Michael Durr
Chess Story (DVD) Review
Films about World War II and Nazism are hard for me to watch. No matter how well-intentioned they maybe, I can barely make it through Schindler’s List or Dunkirk or even something like Inglorious Bastards(I do however find The Producers to be hilarious). Most of the time, it hits a little too close to home. For you see, my Polish grandfather (may he rest in peace), his parents were taken away to a concentration camp. So anytime I watch a film set in that time period, I think, well what if he had been taken away. It’s not like those horrible people showed any sort of restraint on children and then where would my grandfather be? Or my mother? Or myself? Anyway, I got lured into Chess Story by the promise of a thriller with the game of Chess as the backdrop. Unfortunately, by the end I was reminded of the horror, but also that there is still great modern moviemaking even with Nazis. Let’s take a look.
The original copy of this review can be found at: https://upcomingdiscs.com/2023/05/08/chess-story/
Justice League X RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsman Part One (4k UHD) Review
Most people who know me know that I adore Scooby Doo. Some of my favorite episodes of Scooby Doo are those where they have famous guest-stars solving mysteries. Addams Family, Harlem Globetrotters, Batman, etc. Classic Scooby goodness with characters that I enjoy and always wondered how they would work in another universe. Today, I have the benefit of seeing how Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and other Justice League members will look and react in the RWBY world of Remnant. Let’s take a look.
The original copy of this review can be found at
https://upcomingdiscs.com/2023/05/01/justice-league-x-rwby-super-heroes-huntsman-part-one-4k-uhd-review/
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Depeche Mode – Memento Mori CD Review
Rating – 4 1/2 stars out of 5
Andy Fletcher, co-founder and keyboardist of Depeche Mode died on May 26th, 2022 to shock of almost everyone at only 60 years old. Most fans of the longtime band were in disarray, and truly wondered if the band would continue with new music. After all, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 (finally) and honestly could have toured on their old music until they wanted to retire with no problem whatsoever.
Thankfully, prior to that dreadful occurrence, there was music already in the works from Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Richard Butler (formerly of the Psychedelic Furs). After Fletcher’s death, work began on polishing the album and creating additional music with his spirit in mind. Without further adieu, let’s dive into this album, it’s utterly fantastic.
Rio (1939) (Blu-Ray) Review
If someone were to read my biography below, one would probably learn one of two things, I have an unhealthy obsession with Alyssa Milano movies and I deeply appreciate Basil Rathbone, the man who popularized Sherlock Holmes’ films. While many would argue who the best Holmes would be (Downey, Brett, Cumberbatch, etc), my heart will always go to Basil. So naturally, when I saw the movie Rio with him in the starring role had come to blu-ray, I jumped at the opportunity to review it. Let’s take a look.
The original version of this review can be found at:
The Man on the Train (Blu-Ray) Review
Even though I consider myself to be well-rounded when it comes to films, I admit my personal viewing history of French film to be a little lacking. Go Google any top 20 list of French film and I’ve probably seen maybe 2 or 3 of the films. This is very contradictory to say Chinese, Japanese, English (UK), Australian, etc where I’ve seen hundreds of films. But I’m always willing to expand my repertoire so I jumped when I saw there was a French crime thriller named L’Homme Du Train or The Man on the Train available for review. Let’s see how it plays out.
The original version of this review can be found at:
https://upcomingdiscs.com/2023/04/21/the-man-on-the-train-blu-ray/
New Gods – Yang Jian (Blu-Ray) Review
Most anime fans, particularly those in the west would probably consider Cowboy Bebop one of the greatest series of all time. Before it got bastardized in a clueless live action remake, it was a wonderful story of a bounty hunter crew down on their luck who never made any money but always had one hell of an adventure. Set to some wonderful jazz numbers. So naturally, when I heard about a new anime movie about an once powerful god who is now down on his luck as a penniless bounty hunter, my curiosity was certainly peaked. Let’s check out New Gods: Yang Jian.
The original version of this review can be found at:
https://upcomingdiscs.com/2023/04/18/new-gods-yang-jian-blu-ray/
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The Super Mario Bros. Film Review
My family enjoys going to the movies as most families do. Currently we are limited to family friendly affairs as my son is only seven. Unfortunately, even though I saw several “R” rated movies by the time I was ten, I try to do right for my child. Anyway, so animated kid movies tend to be seen most frequently. I was just entering college when the last Super Mario Bros movie came out in 1993 and while I won’t go into any real details, it was probably one of the most disappointing films I have ever been to. It took thirty long years for a proper Super Mario Bros movie to happen, and thankfully it finally has. Let’s take a look.
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Dragonslayer (4k UHD) (Steelbook) Review
Chances are if Dragon is in the title, I probably enjoy the movie. Dragonheart, Enter the Dragon, Flight of the Dragons, even Pete’s Dragon are all very enjoyable. I even kinda liked Double Dragon but I don’t speak about that in mixed company. But today, I’m very excited to share with you perhaps my favorite Dragon-titled movie of them all, Dragonslayer. Back in 1981, it was considered a flop by many standards and up until this year, there was only a DVD release from 2003. Now, not only do we have a blu-ray release, we also have an absolutely gorgeous 4k disc. More inside, let’s check it out.
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Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation CD Review
Rating – 4 1/4 stars out of 5
I know what you are thinking. You wouldn’t expect me to review a Miley Cyrus album. Seeing that high of a rating front and center, maybe I have lost my mind. Well the truth is, I have a lot of different tastes in my music library and actually own Miley’s 2010 release, Can’t Be Tamed (and a cd single of the title song as well).
Most people when you say Miley Cyrus immediately think of her 2013 album, Bangerz or the easily made fun of tune, Wrecking Ball. Either that or they want to throw back to her Hannah Montana days. However, in-between doing something for the sake of a reaction or bubble gum pop lies a true musician. She understands the process, knows her musical history quite well (just look at her covers), and has a passion for this industry that you can honestly see once you get beyond her scandals and controversies.
Fresh off her divorce to Liam Hemsworth in 2020 and her last album with RCA Records, Plastic Hearts, Miley set off to create an album that was made as a love letter to Los Angeles with the first half representing AM or representing what’s to become, and the second half representing PM to rest, recover and experience her wild side. With that said, let’s take a look at the twelve songs that make up this album.
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Musings and Nonsense for March 8th, 2023
Well, much like 2022, this year is starting off with a whimper when it comes to reviews or anything else. The website I traditionally write for is pretty dead with releases and I was hoping I would at least get Boxtrolls and Kubo on Steelbook (or even plain 4k) to review (since I got Coraline and Paranorman). No such luck, radio silence. It’s not my webmaster’s fault, I’ve been friends with him for years. There is a complete lack of product coming in.
I do have several things on pre-order as I’ve built up something of a list for March through May and will list them below. I have zero issue posting reviews here, I generally try and post at Upcomingdiscs since that’s where I get my review discs from. However, if I’m buying the darn things, then I don’t have that same liability.
In late March, I am receiving the Dragonslayer 4k steelbook. Dragonslayer is the classic 1981 film and to this point had only been available on DVD. It’s the one with Peter MacNicol, Caitlin Clarke. and Ralph Richardson. Actually was nominated for 2 Academy Awards (Visual Effects, Music). I haven’t watched it well since I bought the DVD (so mid 2000’s), so I’m pretty excited. Problem is I’m concerned that since it is Paramount, they have a sketchy history with their 4k’s. Take a look at Planes, Trains, and Automobiles 4k if nothing else.
Next I have two titles coming in April, one in the beginning, one in the end. April 4th, I have the Big Easy on Blu-Ray from the folks at Kino. Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, 1986, my wheelhouse when it comes to films.
April 25th comes something I’m extremely excited about, Police Story III or the stateside name, Super Cop in 4k from the people at 88 Films. This should be a very impressive boxset and I will probably need to re-visit my copies of Police Story I and II (Criterion release). If you are curious why I did not get the Eureka 4k trilogy, well UK releases are not exactly easy to get anymore and it’s really hard for me to part with Criterion releases. I still have not upgraded my Criterion blu-ray releases of such movies like Silence of the Lambs or Dressed to Kill even though they each have fine 4k releases. Also, I have the Chinese Blu-Ray 4k Remaster release of Police Story III and will do my best to do comparisons. Though I’m willing to bet this release from 88 films blows it out of the water.
Finally, I have a Blu-Ray audio pre-order for May 12th of Tears for Fears’ first album, The Hurting. SDEShop (TheSDEShop.com) is having a pre-order for it through the 17th. Vinyl copies have already sold out, but the Blu-Ray audio does remain available. It’s important to note that there were other Blu-Ray audio copies of this album but they have long since sold out. Now they go for $75-$100 dollars on Ebay or Amazon. So the fact that they are doing a re-release with new tracks at less than half the price is huge.
So in a nutshell, that’s what this site has to look forward to. At the very least, I’ll do reviews of those, and maybe throw something else in that compliments them. For example, when I do Tears for Fears Blu-Ray Audio, maybe I’ll also do my reviews of my blu-ray audio copies of Songs from the Big Chair or Tipping Point. Seeds of Love was unfortunately stuck in a giant box set and didn’t get a separate release to my knowledge :(. Anyway, yes the site is still alive, it’s just a matter of work and well things to review. Take care and enjoy.
