I’m not as interested in buying movies I already own (either in DVD or Blu-ray). Of those classics worth re-investing in, only a handful exists:
By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)
According to CableTV.com, 2020 is the year to embrace the 4K (UltraHD) for your television viewing needs. A 55″ unit is considered reasonably priced. The infrastructure exists for broadcasters to push the digital content, but the alliance industries are not ready unless people pay the cost of this extra data bandwidth usage instead of them.
Anyone buying a TV during the Black Friday (Cyber or Boxing Day) sales will be in for a treat. I’m enjoying the format so I can view crisp CGI over live-action. Nature documentaries are the best. Some films truly shine whereas others really do not need it.
The modern classic, written and directed by Academy Award®-winner Damien Chazelle and starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons in an Oscar®-winning performance, is newly remastered in stunning 4K with High Dynamic Range and Dolby Atmos audio. Andrew Neyman is an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory. Terence Fletcher, an instructor known equally for his teaching talents and his terrifying methods, discovers Andrew and transfers him into his band. Andrew’s passion to achieve perfection soon spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher continues to push him to the brink of both his ability and his sanity.
BONUS MATERIALS
Commentary with Writer/Director Damien Chazelle and J.K. Simmons
An Evening at the Toronto International Film Festival with Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons and Damien Chazelle
Timekeepers: Famous Drummers Discuss Their Craft and Passion for Drumming
Whiplash Original Short Film with Optional Commentary
Deleted Scene
Theatrical Trailer
SPECS
Run Time: Approx. 107 minutes
Rating: 14A
Feature: 2160p Ultra High Definition/2.40:1
Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 compatible), English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, French (Par), English Audio Description Track 5.1 Dolby Digital
I was left asking a lot of questions after Blackout Invasion Earth. Whether the next work examines and answers what War (What is it Good For?) will help bridge the cliffhanger like ending.
Shout! Factory
Available on VOD and Home Video June 2, 2020
Since the dawn of civilization in the Russian-made film, The Blackout, an alien agency manipulated the future of Earth for their own agenda. For the international release, titled Blackout Invasion Earth, the plan is not about conquering but rather preparing how this planet will fall. An opportunity is missed to make this film distinctly Russian. When this country is vast, a few mysteries like where the Volgogard Discs came from or why those people camping on Dyatlov Pass were found dead could have been explained before the action begins.
Main protagonists Alyona (Lukerya Ilyashenko), Olya (Svetlana Ivanova) and Oleg (Aleksey Chadov) learn about the ancient alien agenda when they subdue Eid (Artyom Tkachenko). He claims to “come in peace.” Thankfully, he sides with the humans.
To anyone who has not heard of Sound! Euphonium, a primer about this series is in order. It was originally a series of novels by Ayano Takeda which was quick to become a franchise. After its initial publication in 2013, a manga soon followed, along with an animation series and now movies. Our Promise: A Brand New Day follows Kumiko in her second year at Kitauji High School. Not only does she have to make the new band of recruits in this high school symphony work in harmony, but also has to deal with a certain romance potentially coming into her life.
Altogether, I could not help but be reminded of the National Film Board of Canada’s documentary, That Higher Level while watching this anime. We are examining what makes these characters unique, and where they will go next when they have graduated from Kitauji High School.
This summer, brace yourself for non-stop action, suspense, and edge-of-your-seat thrills as something unknown strikes all life on earth. Shout! Studios is bringing the action-thriller The Blackout: Invasion Earth, directed by Egor Baranov (Gogol Viy), on VOD, digital, and home entertainment. His move from fantasy to science fiction should be worth examining.
His film was originally released on Nov 21, 2019 in Russia with mixed reaction. As for how international fans of Baranov’s work will react, only time will tell. Those anxious to see just what kind of aliens the Iron Curtain is hiding will be in for a surprise. In this movie’s case, it is about what remains of one of Earth’s forces. Also, who is Ra? Could this individual be of Egyptian pre-history? A lot of questions are asked, and fans of Russian made cinema won’t have long to wait.
From the official press release:
When the end comes for civilization, it will not be terrorism or nuclear war that causes it, but The Blackout.
An unexplained phenomenon has struck the Earth. Contact between most towns on Earth has been severed. A small area in Eastern Europe is the only location that still has electricity. When military forces venture outside, they discover a shocking truth — corpses everywhere. In stores, in cars, on roads, in hospitals and railway stations. Who or what is destroying all life on Earth? And how long can the last outpost of mankind endure?
Not every movie that Robert Downey Jr., is in will do great theatrically; Dolittle has a lot of wonderful set design and may perform better in the rental/home video market.
Disney’s reimagined Dolittle arrives on home video today, and it could do with some editing to bring down its lengthy run time. I admit to falling in love with the former version starring Eddie Murphy. It was lively, funny and entertaining. His on screen charm made those films a delightful watch.
This newest version with Robert Downey Jr. has a feel of him trying to be a different kind of Sherlock. It’s more adventure than playful. After playing Tony Stark, I’m sure this actor wanted a role other than this egotistical billionaire. That’s the last thing he wants, and I still feel his best performance is as Chaplin. He nailed the pathos of Charlie easily, and tries to do something different for this latest role.