BluTuesday - July 25, 2017
What’s going on, ProFans? I’m taking a break from school prep to bring you the latest releases to home media for July 25, 2017. In this week’s episode, we discuss the best Batman ever, an anime classic brought to life, fatherhood, more animated hijinks, a romantic thriller, a retelling of a literary classic, and the merciful end of a series. As you can see, we have a lot to get to, so let’s not dawdle.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (PG)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 82%
Metascore: N/A
Batman (Kevin Conroy) is in trouble. A lot of Gotham City’s most notorious criminals are being eliminated, and he’s being blamed for it. But, when a mysterious foe only known as the Phantasm appears with a connection to his past, Batman has to use his detective skills to solve who Phantasm is, elude the police, and clear his own name. This film, which also stars Stacy Keach, Dana Delaney, and Mark Hamill, is available in a single disc Blu-ray version. This is by far one of the greatest Batman films of all time. IT has a great story, beautiful action, and phenomenal storytelling. If someone wants to learn more about the appeal of the Caped Crusader, this is the one to show them, and it’s coming to Blu-ray for the first time ever. I highly recommend this film.
Ghost in the Shell (PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 45%
Metascore: 52
In the future, the Major (Scarlett Johansson) is a unique case; she was saved from a horrific car crash and turned into a cybernetically enhanced soldier who is devoted to stopping the world’s most dangers criminals. However, when she finds out more about her past, she is devoted to finding out more about her past and discover who did this to her. This film, which also stars Takeshi Kitano, Christopher Obi, and Michael Pitt, is available in a two disc 4K UltraHD/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD version. This was…well, this was a movie. Good, bad, or indifferent, it existed in a maelstrom of controversy and dislike, but it got made anyway. It’s certainly pretty, and it would be a good film to show off your 4K TV, but…don’t look for anything of substance.
Gifted (PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 69%
Metascore: 60
Frank Adler (Chris Evans) is a single man raising his niece, a brilliant child prodigy named Mary (Mckenna Grace). When Frank’s attempts to give his niece a normal life are thwarted by not only Mary’s mathematical skills but also his mother Evelyn’s (Lindsay Duncan) machinations, Frank has to fight to keep his family intact. This film, which also stars Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate, and Glenn Plummer, is available in a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version and a single disc DVD + Digital Copy version. This is an adorable movie with a nice message, and it’s also proof that Chris Evans can do more than sling a shield. It’s an adorable family film.
The Boss Baby (PG)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 52%
Metascore: 50
Tim (Miles Christopher Bakshi) is a typical 7 year old with a loving family and a vivid imagination. However, when a new baby (Alec Baldwin) shows up in a taxi wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase, Tim learns that the new arrival is actually a spy on a secret mission. Together, the two sibling rivals have to put their differences aside in order to save the world. This film, which also stars Steve Buscemi, Jimmy Kimmel, and Lisa Kudrow, is available in a two disc 4K UltraHD/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD + Digital Copy version. This would probably be a good movie to plop your kids down in front of if you needed a quick nap. Otherwise, I can’t reasonably recommend it.
Unforgettable (R)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 26%
Metascore: 45
Rosario Dawson, Katherine Heigl, and Geoff Stults star in this thriller about jealousy and the perils of moving on. Katherine Heigl plays Tessa Connover, a woman coming to grips with her divorce from husband David (Geoff Stults). Complicating things is Julia Banks (Rosario Dawson), the new woman in David’s life and eventual stepmother to Tessa’s daughter Lilly (Isabella Rice). Things come to a head as Tessa makes it her life’s mission to make Julia’s life a living hell. This film, which also stars Whitney Cummings, Cheryl Ladd, and Simon Kassianides, is available in a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version. I love Rosario Dawson, but there is no reason for me to ever watch this movie as long as the MCU still exists on Netflix. For me, this is a hard pass, but your mileage may vary.
Emerald City: Season One
Metascore: 47
After being swept away by a tornado, 20 year old Dorothy Gale (Adria Arjona) wakes up to find herself in another world. She finds herself at the whim of a great and powerful ruler (Vincent D’Onofrio) who rules with an iron fist, outlawing magic. With the tides beginning to turn in the world, Dorothy has to help unite the disenchanted witches and wizards in order to restore the realm to its era of glory. This series, which also stars Mido Hamada, Ana Ularu, and Joely Richardson, is available in a three disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version and a three disc DVD version. The great failing of this TV show is that not everything needs a gritty remake. Live and learn, I suppose.
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…
