BluTuesday - August 16, 2016
What’s going on, ProFans? I’m taking a break from the torrential downpours we’ve been getting as of late to bring you the latest releases to home media for August 16, 2016. In this week’s episode, we discuss two video game movies, the worst city to raise a child in, workin’ on the railroad, fairytales come to life, and the pretty soldier for love and justice. We have quite a few titles to get to, so let’s just jump right in.
The Angry Birds Movie (PG)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 43%
Why are the Angry Birds so…angry? Well, this movie aims to find out. Perpetual outsider Red (Jason Sudekis), the bird with the temper, teams up with the speedster Chuck (Josh Gad) and the “explosive” Bomb (Danny McBride) to take on an army of green piggies who threaten to take over their island home. This film, which also stars Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, and Peter Dinklage, is available in a three disc 4K UltraHD/Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version and a single disc DVD version. This film would’ve been a sight to behold about four years ago, back when the games were rocketing in popularity. At this point, though? The franchise is an afterthought, and this movie should’ve followed suit as well.
Ratchet & Clank (PG)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 16%
Based on the video game franchise of the same name, this movie tells the story of unlikely heroes Ratchet (James Arnold Taylor) and Clank (David Kaye) as they go up against the villainous Chairman Drek (Paul Giamatti) and his superweapon that threatens to destroy the Solana Galaxy. Along the way, they learn more about themselves and what it takes to be a hero. This film, which also stars John Goodman, Bella Thorne, and Rosario Dawson, is available in a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version and a single disc DVD version. This is a cute movie that doesn’t require a lot of concentration, but it’s something that’s fun for the entire family. Give it a go.
Gotham: The Complete Second Season
The second season of the reimagining of Batman’s confidante starts with the villains on the rise. The Penguin (Robin Lord) is gaining control of Gotham’s underworld, and James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) is feeling his moral compass waver under the stress. Alongside Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), they have to continue to fight for the soul of Gotham. This series, which also stars David Mazouz, Sean Pertwee, and Jada Pinkett Smith, is available in a four disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version and a six disc DVD version. This series has been very divisive from the beginning, but there are some good things in there if you go searching for it. If you’ve been following since day one, give it a watch.
Hell on Wheels: Season 5, Volume 1
The fifth season of this acclaimed AMC series finds Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) going to work for the Central Pacific Railroad. Their goal is to build the transcontinental railroad over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Along the way, he befriends the Chinese workers on the railroad, including Mei (Angela Zhou), a woman working the tracks as a man named Fong. But, work on the railroad is halted by corruption, and the first part of the season ends in a cliffhanger no one saw coming. This series, which also stars Colm Meaney, Christopher Heyerdahl, and Jennifer Ferrin, is available in a two disc Blu-ray version and a two disc DVD version. This show doesn’t hold anything back when it comes to the conditions of the day, and it’s intriguing to watch this show and the historical story it’s telling. It’s worth a watch.
Once Upon a Time: The Complete Fifth Season
Welcome back to Storybrooke, Maine; a sleepy New England town where every citizen is a fairytale character under a curse, and it’s up to Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) to save them all. Well, that’s how the story is supposed to go. Emma has been corrupted with an ancient darkness, and the people have to seek out Merlin (Elliot Knight) of Camelot in order to save the day. Meanwhile, King Arthur (Liam Garrigan) is looking to change the fates of light and dark by using Excalibur, and a trip to the Underworld puts everyone face to face with Hades (Greg Germann). This series, which also stars Hank Harris, Sam Witwer, and Ginnifer Goodwin, is available in a five disc Blu-ray version and a five disc DVD version. If you’ve seen this show since the beginning, you know what you’re in for. Check it out.
Sailor Moon “Crystal” Set 1
Sailor Moon “Crystal” is the retelling of the original manga by Naoko Takeuchi for a modern audience. With the power of the Silver Crystal, eighth grader Usagi Tsukino transforms into the pretty guardian of love and justice in a sailor suit, Sailor Moon! Along with her four fellow Sailor Guardians (Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter), they go up against the evil Queen Beryl and the Dark Kingdom for the fate of the known universe. This series is available in a four disc Blu-ray/DVD version and a four disc Blu-ray/DVD “Limited Edition” version. If you came to the legend of Sailor Moon via the manga, this is the show for you. If your exposure to the show was based on the original anime, then you’re in for a shock. It’s still a very entertaining show, but you have to know what you’re getting yourself into when you press “play.”
That’s all I’ve got for this week. Got any questions or comments? Did I miss something you wanted to discuss? Feel free to hit me up in the comments section below.
Until next time…
