BluTuesday - January 12, 2016
What’s going on, ProFans? I’m taking a break from my relentless apartment hunting to bring you the latest releases to home media for January 12, 2016. In this week’s episode, we discuss spooky sequels, lost astronauts, a haunting family, and more found footage. There’s a few titles here waiting to be discussed, so let’s discuss them.
Sinister 2 (R)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 14%
In this sequel to 2012’s sleeper hit, Courtney Collins (Shannyn Sossamon) moves her twin sons Dylan and Zach (Robert and Dartanian Sloan) into a sufficiently creepy house that’s been marked for death. When the deputy from the previous movie (James Ransome) discovers this, he rushes to save this family from certain doom. This film, which also stars Lea Coco, Tate Ellington, and John Beasley, is available in single disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version and a single disc DVD version. From my understanding, the original movie was good, so it almost makes a bit of sense to pump out a sequel. But, when the sequel is lackluster, it almost appears that this was a waste of time. If you like horror, it can’t hurt to Redbox this and see if it’s worth your time; otherwise, find something else to check out.
The Martian (PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93%
What was supposed to be a routine manned mission on Mars was disrupted when a storm comes out of nowhere, forcing their crew to evacuate. Unfortunately, Mark Watney (Matt Damon) gets left behind and presumed dead. With meager supplies and a can-do attitude, the titular Marian must figure out how to survive on a barren landscape, let NASA realize he’s still alive, and keep his wits while waiting for his comrades to rescue him. This film, which also stars Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Jessica Chastain, is available in a two disc 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a two disc 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, a single disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD version. Whereas I don’t care for either Matt Damon or Ridley Scott for their unabashed whitesplaining and bigoted ways of thinking respectively, I have to give credit where credit is due: this is an absolutely beautiful and powerful movie to watch. This is my pick of the week, and - if you can divorce the people from the roles, then you’ll be in for a great time.
Hotel Transylvania 2 (PG)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 55%
Look, everyone! Adam Sandler really IS capable of doing something that’s not wildly offensive! In this sequel, Drac (Sandler) is worried that his half-human, half-vampire grandson isn’t showing any vampire tendencies. So, when his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) is away, he takes it upon himself to bring out the hopefully dormant vampire inside. This film, which also stars Steve Buscemi, Andy Samberg, and Kevin James (of course), is available in a three disc 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD version, and a single disc DVD version. This is an adorable film that’s fun for the whole family. Have at it.
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (R)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 13%
In what promises to be the final film in the Paranormal Activity franchise - until they start running out of money and decide to make more, yet another family is being haunted by denizens from beyond the grave. This film, which stars Chris Murray, Brit Shaw, and Ivy George, is available in a three disc 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD version. Listen…they didn’t give me much to work with here. If you’ve been in for all of the prior shows, then you’ll be in for this one. I’m not, so I won’t be. Have fun with that.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for this week. Got any questions or comments? Did I miss something you wanted to discuss? Please feel free to hit me up in the comments section below.
Until next time…
