BluTuesday: October 9th, 2012

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‘Ello, there! Joseph here, and I’m bringing you the new Bluray releases for October 9th, 2012. This week’s episode features singing plants, Wolverines, Reese’s Pieces, mysterious writers, aliens, the world’s most interesting karaoke flick, and one of TV’s hottest forensic scientists. Did I get you psyched up enough? Yeah? Then, let’s do this!

Little Shop of Horrors: Director’s Cut (PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 89%

Released on December 19, 1986, this film - an adaptation of the off-Broadway musical comedy of the same name, which ITSELF is an adaptation of a 1960 Roger Corman film - is the story of nerdy florist Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis) who stumbles upon a weird talking plant. Dubbing it Aubrey II (Levi Stubbs), in tribute to his co-worker Aubrey - the girl of his dreams (Ellen Green), he has to deal with his new addition’s bloodlust, all while combating Aubrey’s psychotic dentist boyfriend (Steve Martin), the greedy flowershop owner (Vincent Gardenia), and a host of other unfortunate events. This movie gets the full Bluray treatment, with a beautiful 1080p transfer, two versions of the movie, including an alternate ending that’s never been seen in anything but black and white, and a whole host of special features. This movie is a classic, and I can’t wait to see it in glorious high definition.

 

 

Red Dawn (PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 53%

When this movie was released on August 10, 1984, it had two things going for it: the Cold War and the first ever PG-13 rating. When Communist paratroopers descend on a high school football field in Colorado, a group of the school’s students wages an all-out guerrilla war to save their town - and their country! An all-star cast, including Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen and Harry Dean Stanton, delivers powerful performances in this gripping story of courage and patriotism. This movie is getting a Bluray release just in time to be fresh in everyone’s minds for the upcoming remake. This is one of those “America! Fuck yeah!” movies, and it’s a good look at the fears that were permeating through the minds of everyone at the time.

 

 

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Anniversary Edition (PG)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 98%

Released on June 11, 1982, this movie helped to cement Steven Spielberg’s legacy as a fantastic director, as well as John Williams’ legacy as a phenomenal composer. Captivating audiences of all ages, this timeless story follows the unforgettable journey of a lost alien and the 10-year-old boy he befriends. Join Elliot (Henry Thomas), Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and Michael (Robert MacNaughton) as they come together to help E.T. find his way back home. Now digitally remastered with enhanced picture and sound for its 30th Anniversary, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is one of the great American films (Leonard Maltin) that forever belongs in the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere. This being the 30th anniversary of the movie, it gets the full Bluray treatment, including trailers, special features, and a gorgeous digital remaster. This is a movie that everyone should see, and it is my pick of the week.

 

 

 

The Raven (R)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 21%

Released on April 27, 2012, this…this is the movie we didn’t ask for, and we didn’t need. John Cusack and Luke Evans star in this blood-curdling tale of terror that’s as dark and haunting as the legendary master of the macabre who inspired it - Edgar Allan Poe. Baltimore, 1849. While investigating a horrific double murder, police detective Emmett Fields (Evans) makes a startling discovery: the killer’s methods mirror the twisted writings of Edgar Allan Poe (Cusack). Suspecting Poe at first, Fields ultimately enlists his help to stop future attacks. But in this deadly game of cat and mouse, the stakes are raised with each gruesome slaying as the pair races to catch a madman before he brings every one of Poe’s shocking stories to chilling life…and death. This movie gets its first release on Bluray, and…I’m sorry…I’m sure it may have been interesting, and John Cusack is a very good actor, but I can’t be buggered with this one. Maybe someone else out there can, but I’ll pass.

 

 

 

Prometheus (R)
Rotten Tomatoes rating:

Released on June 8, 2012, this movie - starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green, and Charlize Theron - features a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race. This movie comes in DVD only and Bluray/DVD + Digital Copy versions, and it comes with the standard special features. I’m a sci-fi fan, but I’m not a sci-fi fan who likes horror mixed in. Therefore, I skipped this movie. If you like the Aliens franchise, give this a go. It can’t hurt.

 

 

Rock of Ages (PG-13)

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 41%

On , this musical comedy – based on the Broadway play of the same name – rocked out to theaters. Director Adam Shankman (Hairspray) has assembled a winning cast to tell the story of an aging rock legend, Stacee Jaxx (played with deadpan aplomb by Tom Cruise), against the I-wanna-be-a-star yearnings of a newbie, Sherrie (Julianne Hough). This movie’s story is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake, and more. The movie also stars Catherine Zeta-Jones (Patricia, a belter with style), Paul Giamatti (Paul, a jaundiced rock promoter apparently intent on quashing everyone’s dreams), Mary J. Blige (Justice, the owner of a strip club), and Alec Baldwin, whose Dennis is a rawk-on club owner and head-banger from way back. This movie is set to be released in a Bluray only version and a DVD only version. This is a karaoke rocker’s wet dream. Everyone else? Eh. I recommend watching this and getting blitzed. That’ll give you a real headbanger’s ball.

 

 

Bones: Season 7 (TV-14)

From Amazon.com:

Experience People’s Choice Awards nominee Bones in a whole new way with never-before-seen footage not available anywhere else! While she tackles some of her most gruesome homicide cases yet, Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) also faces the delicate demands of motherhood, and a deepening relationship with FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz). The thrills escalate this season when a pastor’s wife goes missing, shipping clerks go postal, and the squints go Hollywood. But the biggest shocker of all comes when clues left by a deranged cyber genius tag Brennan as a murder suspect. Here are all 13 Season 7 episodes with plot twists, mystery, romance and humor to die for!

I got suckered into this one around the same time I got suckered in to House (the benefits of having no cable), and I loved this show. It was witty, funny, and it has the non-Magical Pixie Girl Deschanel. Pluses all around! This is a fun procedural, and I recommend giving it a go if you’ve never seen it before.

 

Well, that’s a wrap for this week. Did I miss anything? Got any questions, comments, or shrieks of admiration? Hit me up in the comments below!

Until next time…