Tag Archives: Blu-ray reviews

Video Verdict: ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2,’ ‘The Change-Up’

Daniel Radcliffe plays the courageous title character in the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.”

This week’s major home video releases include a raucous R-rated comedy starring Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds and the final film in the Harry Potter franchise.

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Video Verdict: ‘Water for Elephants,’ ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love,’ ‘Cars 2’

Robert Pattinson, left, and Reese Witherspoon star in the romantic drama “Water for Elephants.”

This week’s home video releases include an offbeat comedy featuring Steve Carell, the latest animated film from Pixar and a drama starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.

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Video Verdict: ‘Captain America,’ ‘Winnie the Pooh’

Chris Evans plays the title character in the latest Marvel Comics superhero film, “Captain America: The First Avenger.”

Only two major theatrical releases are hitting home video this week. One of them updates the adventures of a classic children’s storybook character while the other paves the way for Marvel Comics’ upcoming “Avengers” movie.

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Video Verdict: ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,’ ‘Bad Teacher,’ ‘Red State,’ ‘Monte Carlo’

Johnny Depp, left, and Penelope Cruz search for the Fountain of Youth in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”

This week’s major home video releases range from a risqué R-rated comedy featuring Cameron Diaz to the latest installment of the uber-popular “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.

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Video Verdict: ‘The Tree of Life,’ ‘Horrible Bosses,’ ‘Green Lantern,’ ‘Judy Moody,’ ‘Zookeeper’

Ryan Reynolds plays Hal Jordan, an adventurous test pilot who becomes the heroic title character in “Green Lantern.”

A lot of theatrical releases are making their way to home video this week, and they range from a big-budget superhero flick to a poetic drama from one of the film industry’s maverick directors.

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Video Verdict: ‘Fast Five,’ ‘Scream 4,’ ‘African Cats’

Emma Roberts stars in “Scream 4,” a revival of director Wes Craven’s popular horror franchise.

This week’s home video releases are anchored by the latest entries to a couple well-known franchises.

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Video Verdict: ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’

The Autobot Bumblebee gets ready to rumble in the Michael Bay action film “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.”

The only major theatrical release making its way to home video this week is a big-budget action film from director Michael Bay.

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Video Verdict: ‘Bridesmaids’

Left to right, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, Rose Byrne, Wendi McClendon-Covey, Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig star in “Bridesmaids.”

We’ve entered a slow period for home video because, for the second week in a row, only one major theatrical release is making its way to the small screen. The good news? That one release was a huge hit in theaters.

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BFCA: Best of Blu-ray winners

20th Century Fox's 40-Year-Evolution "Planet of the Apes" box set was selected as a top Blu-ray release by the Broadcast Film Critics Association.

Regular readers know that I’m a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), which doles out the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards every year. Recently, the membership completed voting on the inaugural Critics’ Choice Best of Blu-ray competition, and the winners were announced this week. For the competition, several major studios submitted their favorite Blu-rays released between 2006 and 2011, and BFCA members voted on those titles, choosing “bests” for each year.

It’s important to note that not every studio competed in this competition and the nominees were self-selected by the movie studios.  The BFCA membership then chose its favorites from among the studio-selected nominees. Because the field of competitors was limited, it’s hard to call this an exhaustive best-of-the best list, but I do feel that all winners are worthwhile and serve as excellent examples of Blu-ray at its finest.

Following is a press release from the BFCA Web site with all winners announced …

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Video Verdict: ‘Thor,’ ‘Star Wars’ the Complete Saga on Blu-ray

Chris Hemsworth plays the title character in Director Kenneth Branagh’s superhero drama, “Thor.”

Only one big-budget theatrical release is making its way to home video this week, most likely because the Blu-ray debut of “Star Wars” is grabbing most of the media attention.

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