One, Two gonna write a review. Three, Four hope you don’t think it’s a bore. Five, Six it’s time for a horror film fix. And why not have it be the one film that jumped started a new dimension in the telling of horror films. I remember seeing this film way back when and not being able to sleep for days without waking up in a sweat. Now, much older and wiser I have watched it again. This classic has come to a true telling with this new Blu-Ray edition. If you thought seeing this film on the big screen or even on VHS/DVD before, you are in for a surprise. In the HD, 7.1 surround format, Wes Cravens nightmare of a creation comes out more vivid than ever before.

Wes Craven has been delighting and scaring us whether we are awake or in our dreams since his first cult classic ‘The Last House on the Left’ in 1972. His penchant for writing characters that delve into the human psyche are unmistakable with the one that anyone, even if they’ve never seen the film knows, Freddy Krueger. Now most know the story of ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’, an accused child molester is burned by a couple locals and he comes back to wreak revenge on the children of those who did the burning. He’s weapon of choice, their dreams.

I’m not going into details of the plot or the ‘oh my god that was so fake’ but rather the interesting aspects of the creation of this film as this is the Blu-Ray edition. Having seen the original back in the day I decided to watch the Focus Points version of the movie. During the movie, a disk flashes and when you press the ‘enter’ button it cuts away too many aspects of the preproduction, mutli-angle takes, different versions of the same shot or insight from specialist about dreams. It was quite humorous to find out the character of ‘Freddy’ was named after a bully of Craven’s named Fred and Krueger because he thought a German name would be frightful. How many of you wanted to know how they created the face in the wall effect, spandex. (Yes it can be used for something other than clothes and I still stand behind spandex is a privilege not a right.) Or that even today doctors are still trying to understand the meaning and process of dreams.

What I found the most interesting is how the use of dreams was based on the theory that if you die in your sleep you die in real life and that of articles Craven came across about mysterious deaths among Hmong tribesmen. The tribesmen were stricken by an unexplained illness that caused them to die in their sleep in such a horrible way; people thought it was their dream that killed them. It was between these two happenings that Craven was able to piece together a story that can be told as a ghost story. To boot ‘Freddy’ was based on a true character as well. He may have been named for a bully but his actions are that of a drunken man Craven had run into when he was a child. He had the hat and the bugged out, expressive eye’s that one actor made famous.

 What about those actors? How can you forget Robert Englund? A classically trained actor who was chosen to play what would become an icon in the horror genre. Englund took all the words and advice from Craven and added the fact that he would have to show up hours before anyone else to get ready and put that emotion, that anger into one of the most menacing characters on film. To fuel that emotion he had on screen was some of the ‘beautiful’ actors in the film, Namely Heather Langenkamp who played the lead heroin Nancy Thompson and a young man making his debut, Johnny Depp. Yes, THE Johnny Depp. A fun fact was that Craven was looking at potential actors for the part in which Depp would play, Glen Lantz, and when his daughters saw his picture they said, “Dad, you have to use him. He’s hot!” Wonder how many others they have been able to lead to stardom?

You will enjoy this production for many reasons. You have two different commentary tracks, alternate endings or the trivia track. The extra content in the special features is also fun and entertaining for any movie buff or anyone wanting to know more about dreams; Never Sleep Again is a making of the film; The House That Freddy Built is a history of what the Elm Street franchise became; Night Terrors an inside look with professionals on the study of dreams.

To put it simple this is a must for any true collector of the horror genre. This film set a standard that many have tried to duplicate but none have been able to do. Craven is a master of suspense, storytelling and messing with the human psyche. He is quoted as saying, “Horror films don’t create fear. They release it.” Well you should see this film in its new format and be ready to check your heart rate after. Seven, Eight watch this movie with a date. Nine, Ten, what’s this, déjà vu again?

The game is afoot! The world’s greatest sleuth dons his miniature deerstalker hat and puts his extraordinary deductive ability into animated action when The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery in the Mist Edition comes to DVD on April 13, 2010 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. In the greatest little mystery in Disney history, the renowned Basil of Baker Street takes on his archenemy, the evil genius Dr. Ratigan, and this time the battle is for the entire city of London! With fresh and exciting bonus features, The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery in the Mist Edition will thrill audiences with an exciting game of “mouse and mouse” that’s not elementary by a long shot!

Inspired by the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes, The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery in the Mist Edition marks the directing debut of now legendary filmmakers Ron Clements and John Musker, creators of such Disney animated blockbusters as The Princess and the Frog, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. As Basil sniffs out one clue after another with unmatched ingenuity, kids and adults will delight in a heartwarming and suspenseful adventure that goes from Baker Street to the tower of Big Ben in the charmingly downsized London of Mousedom.  An intriguing mystery, spectacular animation and unforgettable characters make The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery in the Mist Edition a devilishly clever family gift!

Viewers can test their own powers of deduction and go behind the scenes of the movie with bonus features that include:
• So You Think You Can Sleuth? — An animated look at the history of detective work, complete with a crime-solving puzzle for the entire family.  
• The Making Of “The Great Mouse Detective”
• “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind” Sing-Along Song

When talented toymaker Hiram Flaversham is mousenapped, his winsome daughter Olivia turns to the most famous mouse detective of them all, Basil of Baker Street. Accompanied by his assistant and confidante, Dr. David Q. Dawson, Basil uncovers a villainous plot by the “slimy, contemptible sewer rat” Dr. Ratigan to replace Moustoria, Queen of Mice, with a look-alike robot and take control of the entire rodent population of London. Based on Eve Titus’s book Basil of Baker Street, The Great Mouse Detective channels the spirit of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous creation into a richly  animated, Sherlock Holmsian tale set in Victorian-era London’s underground mouse kingdom.

(Check out this clip from the DVD!)

The special features on the DVD are pretty sparce, including a Sleuth adventure for the kids So You Think You Can Sleuth?), along with a rehashed Making of the Great Mouse Detective for the adult. It was a nice trip back in time to see the 80s clothes and crazy hair styles.

If you are an animation collector or just a fan of a fun entertaining story, the Great Mouse Detective is definitely a film you should pick up. You will not regret it.

I was so excited when I found out The Lord of the Rings trilogy was finally getting released on Blu-Ray.  After all, this is one of my favorite film series, and I still consider the previously released DVDs to be amongst the best DVD releases ever.  I could only imagine how spectacular these films would be on Blu-Ray, and eagerly awaited the magnificent wealth of bonus features sure to be included.  This is why I find it so upsetting to report that the actual release is a colossal disappointment, lacking in everything that made the DVD releases so special.

I found myself questioning the set right from the beginning as I realized that it only contained the Theatrical Editions.  As most Lord of the Rings fans already know, director Peter Jackson painstakingly integrated approximately 30 minutes of extra footage into each of the films for the previously released DVDs.  These scenes were not superfluous like most Directors Cuts.  They fleshed out the films, bringing greater depth and insight into the stories and the characters.  I expect a lot from Blu-Ray, and I naturally assumed we would be getting the stronger versions of the films.  I don’t know why we only get the shorter versions (possibly a more elaborate Blu-Ray release is planned for the future?), but for this reason alone I would recommend bypassing this set.

Even with the lesser versions of the films, it would be easier to get excited about this release if the extras were any good.  Unfortunately, nothing new was created for this set, and the material that is included is monumentally inferior to the material from the previous sets.  Almost all of the features are taken from televised specials designed to promote the films.  The set has six Blu-Rays in total, each movie taking one disc, and then one disc associated with each film. 

There is very little actual insight into the creation of the films.  The features are almost entirely comprised of the cast and crew talking about how great the movies are (or rather, are going to be, as most of these segments were filmed prior to the film’s actual release).  There is the occasional interesting interview or entertaining behind-the-scenes sequence, but there is nothing that isn’t covered in more detail and in a more cohesive way on the DVD release. 

As I pored through all of the extras, I began to realize how repetitive the material was.  As almost all of the features were put together for various networks, stories are recycled, and footage is occasionally reused.  There are specials that were made for Fox, the Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy), the WB (now the CW), and even National Geographic.  This last one is the only one that actually proved compelling and didn’t seem to be a commercial for the films.  Hosted by John Rhys-Davies (Gimly in the film), this segment explores the films from a more intellectual perspective.  Rather than showing us the cast snowboarding like the WB special, this segment focused on the themes, the concept of myth, the story in relation to our history, etc. 

But one interesting segment doesn’t make for a satisfying collection.  I couldn’t believe how much of this set was just filler.  The box boasts that there are over 7 hours of extras, but there is nowhere near this much material if you compress all of the content that covers the same ground.  It’s not all the same footage necessarily, but in watching these features you hear the same things over and over again.  I know I’ve spent a lot of time talking about the DVD releases, but those extras were brilliantly mapped out.  Every aspect of pre-production, production and post-production was covered on those films.  They were informative, obviously designed to enhance the appreciation of the films after they’d been seen. 

This set feels very slapped together.  It’s as if they took whatever specials they found laying around and just stuck them on the disc.  They even include Sean Astin’s short film, “The Long and the Short of It.”  This film was made in New Zealand during a break from filming and a significant number of Lord of the Rings crew members contributed to the production.  Unfortunately, Astin is a better actor than he is a filmmaker.  This felt like a student film, and not a good one at that. 

Considering how unsatisfactory the extras are on this set, the least they could have done would be to include the theatrical trailers. I love movie previews, and this franchise (especially Two Towers) has some of my favorites.  They didn’t include a single one.  Rather, every single television ad is on the set.  They also include the music videos from Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.

Overall, the films are still great.  The versions included here aren’t as strong as the Director’s Cuts, but they are still amazing movies.  The transfer is fantastic, and the movies themselves look and sound better than ever.  However, the DVD releases looked great too.  If you’re looking to add these films to your collection, definitely go with the DVDs.  If you already have the DVDs and are thinking about upgrading, don’t bother.  It’s really not worth it.  In fact, this set contains commercials for each of the DVD special editions.  Even those who put this set together must realize they have the inferior product.  Despite my love of the films, this is one of the most disappointing Blu-Ray releases to date.

Also Available On Demand and For Download  (iTunes: http://bit.ly/SCT_LordOfTheRings)

Disaster films have been around for some time, however when you are on land there are several ways you can save yourself. What happens when you are in the middle of the one thing that covers ¾ of the Earth’s surface? Your instincts better kick in. Wolfgang Petersen (Troy, The Perfect Storm) has taken the classic novel of Paul Gallico and weaved a new version that brings a modern twist to this classic tale.

Just what would you do if you are on an amazing luxury ship and you are hit by a freak of nature called a rogue wave? A wave so powerful that in actuality one out of 100 ships a year are lost at sea to such a wave. This story is based on Gallico’s personal experience with one such wave that he then took and expanded upon and was first presented on the big screen as “The Poseidon Adventure” in 1972. Petersen did not wish to do a remake but more of a re-imagination of the story. As Petersen notes in one of the special features, “Why would I want to remake such a well done classic film? There is only one Shelly Winters. You cannot have someone redo her role, so I wanted to have different characters deal with the situation at hand.” And that is where we begin our journey of survival.

Peterson brought together a star studded cast of Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama, Glory Road) as the professional gambler with a history on ships, Kurt Russell (Sky High, Miracle) as the former Mayor of New York who is on board with his daughter and her secret fiancée played by Emma Rossum (The Phantom of the Opera, Mystic River) and Mike Vogel (Miami Medical, She’s Out of My League), Jacinda Barrett (Ladder 49, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason) as the single mother with a son played by Jimmy Bennett (Evan Almighty, Star Trek 2009), and the always charming,  no matter what movie he does, Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, Mr. Holland’s Opus) as the eccentric business man who feels he has lost everything. Not to mention great parts by Mia Maestro (The Box, Deepwater), Kevin Dillion (Hotel for Dogs, Platoon), Andre Brougher (The Mist, Men of a Certain Age) and even am appropriate little role for Stacy Ferguson (Nine, Grindhouse), yes Miss Fergie herself.

Now we know the story, so let’s get to the details. This was a production more like old school Hollywood. Huge lavish sets, on several soundstages on the WB lot, with one big problem, the sets have to be upside down. You could say the ship and the sets that represent the ship are the star of this film. Since no cruise line company is going to just allow you to flip and sink their ship, Petersen assembled a masterful group to create not only huge physical sets but some of the most creative digital effects work of the time. A huge ballroom that is upside down and eventually is flooded to one of the longest single shot of digital created film at the time, 2:30 minutes, to open the film. We will also not forget that Petersen strives to bring out the best in people. The actors took to his thoughts like any true student would listen to their master of art. When it came to doing stunts, in most cases the actors did it themselves. Being a student of Scuba Diving and continuing to learn it brings a new found respect for these actors to lean more of their craft than just saying a few lines and pretending to be in harm’s way. Congratulations go to those individuals who took the time to help teach them to be safe while performing.

To really enjoy the process of this film and what went into its grandeur there are three fun filled special features. First we have ‘Poseidon: Ship on a Soundstage’ where we get that in depth look at the filming process, from the multiple soundstages, to the costumes, to the special effects crew and their countless testing for that right water effect. It is here that we also learn of Petersen’s passion for 11 o’clock soup. Don’t ask watch the feature and see how passionate he is about keeping his crew happy. Second we take a look at filming through the eyes of a production assistant or PA as they are know as in the industry in ‘A Shipmates Diary’. And last but definitely not least is ‘Poseidon: Upside Down Unique Set’. This is where you get to meet the set designer, special effects technicians, production designer and computer effect designers who put countless hours and test all of their knowledge of film making to bring us this adventure. As an added bonus to the Blu-Ray there is included the History Channels presentation of ‘Rogue Waves’, a scientific look at the phenomena of these sometimes, killer waves.

In the end sit back relax and why not watch both films and see for yourself that they truly are different in their own right. The one thing that will stand clear in both films is that you can never know when something tragic may cross your path. We all have in us the instinct to live and solve any problem that may compromise that instinct. “Poseidon” also showcases that you can never be to prepared. I say this in that not one person or persons knows the answer to a problem. Sometimes you have to step back and look at the big picture and work together and you can accomplish just about anything. For me, one thing that I may do from now on is carry a bottle of Spare Air with me on a cruise. That’s a scuba joke.

Imagine a world of incredible color and beauty. Of crabs wearing jellyfish for hats. Of fish disguised as frogs, stones and shag carpets. Of a kaleidoscope of underwater life. Now, go explore it! The makers of Deep Sea and Into the Deep take you into tropical waters alive with adventure: the Great Barrier Reef and other South Pacific realms. Narrated by Jim Carrey and featuring astonishing camerawork, this amazing film brings you face to fin with Nature?s marvels, from the terrible grandeur (and terrible teeth) of a Great White to the comic antics of a lovestruck cuttlefish.

Writer/director Howard Hall’s fourth IMAX film (after Into the Deep in 1994, Island of the Sharks in 1999, and Deep Sea in 2006), Under the Sea follows the award-winning documentarian and his talented team to the shores of Papua New Guinea, beneath the seas of South Australia, along the Great Barrier Reef, and into the flourishing waters of Indonesia. At each stop, Hall captures colorful footage of spongy frog fish, rare sharks, stingrays, venomous sea snakes, dazzling octopi, burrowing shrimp, cuttlefish, and clever chameleons of all shapes and sizes. His cameras are privy to some truly remarkable sights — a school of reef squid laying a cluster of eggs, swaying fields of garden eels, a massive turtle happily dining on a deadly jellyfish, predators prowling their favorite hunting grounds, endangered creatures that continue to endure the rugged underwater terrain, and a family of affectionate sea lions who take a moment to introduce themselves — many of which are lent endearing personalities courtesy of the director’s cheery script and Jim Carrey’s affable narration. Eels don’t mindlessly feed, they dance in the current; a turtle doesn’t merely survive, it relishes a tasty delicacy; a shrimp doesn’t dig a tunnel, it acts as a skittering contractor for a generous client; sea lions don’t simply swim together, they trot out their best tricks and showcase their skills for an adoring public.

With Hall at the helm, Under the Sea is both a visual and auditory treat on Blu-ray. The crispness, detail and color of the source material are faithfully reproduced here in a stunning 1080p hi-def presentation. Blu-ray and IMAX are perfectly suited, as the full capacity of the IMAX image is given room to play in your living room, thanks to the hi-def format. DTS-HD Master Audio mixes don’t often get the workout they deserve, but I’m happy to say that this mix doesn’t disappoint. The music is soothing and understated for the most part, but also breaks free from time to time, most noticeably during the rendition of “Octopus’s Garden” that plays near the end of the feature. When atmospheric effects or Carrey’s narration are given center stage, the audio mix is always well-balanced and immersive, helping the viewer to lose themselves in the gorgeous footage before them.

The supplements on Under the Sea let viewers get behind the scenes on the production with the filmmakers through a brief  “making of” featurette and a series of webisodes, labeled here as “expeditions” that grant a peak into the often taxing IMAX underwater filmmaking process.

The supplements provided on this release are:

Behind the Story:
Filming IMAX: Under the Sea (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 0:07.17)

Expeditions:

#1: Papua New Guinea — New Britain (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 0:01.45)
#2: Papua New Guinea — Mine Bay (1.78:1;1080i/60; 0:02.07)
#3: South Australia (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 0:02.02)
#4: The Great Barrier Reef (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 0:03.28)
#5: Indonesia (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 0:02.44)

Under the Sea doesn’t bring anything new to the IMAX fold, but its Blu-ray release certainly does. While similar documentaries have been crippled by mediocre AV presentations, Warner has granted Hall’s fourth underwater adventure a stunning video transfer and a satisfying DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. I’m sure documentary fans would have appreciated some more substantial special features, but anyone who picks up Under the Sea will be too entranced by their screen and speakers to care about a lackluster supplemental package.