BluTuesday - July 19, 2016
What’s going on, ProFans? I’m taking a break from dodging the heat to bring you the latest releases to home media for July 19, 2016. In this week’s episode, we discuss one of the most divisive movies of the year, the Juice being loose, cloning blues, a different type of Big Brother, space-born humans vs. Earth-born humans, and magic. We’ve got a few things to talk about, so let’s get to it.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition (R - NOTE: The theatrical release was PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 27%
Fearing the unchecked powers of a god-like superhero, Gotham’s vigilante Batman (Ben Affleck) takes on Superman (Henry Cavill) while the rest of the world wonders what kind of hero they really need. But, while these two titans are duking it out, another threat is rearing its ugly head and threatening to destroy the world as we know it. This film, which also stars Gal Gadot, Jesse Eisenberg, and Amy Adams is available in a 4k UltraHD/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a three disc Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a three disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, and a two disc DVD version. Okay, so…I didn’t hate this movie. It wasn’t the game changer DC and Warner Bros. wanted it to be, but it wasn’t the worst thing on celluloid. I mean…Adam Sandler is still making movies. So, it’s far from the worst. However, I will freely admit it missed the point of DC’s version of the Holy Trinity (Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman). I hope they get it right soon, though.
ESPN 30 for 30 - O.J.: Made in America
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 100%
In ESPN’s acclaimed 30 for 30 series, the network takes a look at one of the most controversial figures in America: Orenthal James Simpson. This documentary takes a look at his murder trial in 1995 for the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman through the eyes of race relations in Los Angeles. This documentary is available in a five disc Blu-ray/DVD version. Everyone of a certain age can tell you where they were during the Ford Bronco chase, during the trial of the century, and during the reading of the verdict. This documentary also takes a look at race relations in this country, not only between the Black and White communities, but also within the Black community itself. This documentary is my pick of the week, and I couldn’t recommend it higher if I tried.
Orphan Black: Season Four
When Sarah (Tatiana Maslany) returns from Iceland to find Beth Childs (Tatiana Maslany) - the clone that started it all, she discovers a new enemy waiting in the wings. She now has to try to save herself and the fellow members of her sisterhood before this new threat threatens to kill them all. This series, which also stars Tatiana Maslany, Jordan Gavaris, and Maria Doyle Kennedy, is available in a two disc Blu-ray version and a three disc DVD version. This show has been consistently great, and this season was no exception. I highly recommend it.
Person of Interest: The Complete Fifth and Final Season
In this, the fifth - and final - season of this acclaimed series, the battle between rival artificial intelligences The Machine and The Samaritan is over, and The Samaritan has come out on top. Meanwhile, Harold Finch (Michael Emerson) the creator of The Machine, is considered dead, Sameen Shaw (Sarah Shahi) is missing, and Lionel Fusco (Kevin Chapman) is flying by the seat of his pants. Will the team ever find its footing again? And, if The Machine is rebuilt, will it still be the same AI it was before? This series, which also stars Jim Caviezel and Amy Acker, is available in a three disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version and a three disc DVD version. This series has been beloved since the beginning, and this is a very well done coda to a very well done series. Fans of the show should pick this up immediately.
The 100: The Complete Third Season
Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor) and the survivors of the space station Ark have had a rough go at it. After fighting the intense battle against Mount Weather and coming out on top, the survivors tried to find a sense of normalcy. But, their peace is short-lived, as new threats come along and threaten to destroy everything they hold dear. This series, which also stars Isaiah Washington, Henry Ian Cusick, and Paige Turco, is available in a four disc Blu-ray version and a four disc DVD version. This series, based on a book series by Kass Morgan, has been captivating since the very beginning, and this season is no different. Give it a watch.
The Magicians: Season One
Based on the series of books by the same name, this series tells the story of Quentin Goldwater (Jason Ralph), a brilliant grad student who joins Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy in upstate New York. Along with his fellow twenty-somethings, they learn exactly how real the realm of magic truly is, and what kind of threat it poses to the rest of the world. This series, which also stars Stella Maeve, Halle Appleman, and Arjun Gupta, is available in a three disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version and a four disc DVD version. This series was very well-received, and has a very vocal fandom that enjoys seeing their favorite book series come to TV in a respectful manner. I recommend this show very much.
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…
