Top Blu-rays

Lists of the best blu-ray releases.

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Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 10 Avengers: Endgame

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

10. Avengers: Endgame (Best Buy Exclusive Steelbook)

It’s been 5 years since Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the world suffered a catastrophic defeat at the hands of the Mad Titan Thanos. Thanos has successfully eliminated half of all life on Earth.

After the return of Scott Lang (Ant-Man) The Avengers believe they have a way to not only bring all the people they have lost, but to defeat Thanos as well. But will the fractured group put their differences aside to defeat Thanos?

The single most amazing accomplishment in movie history is Marvel’s 22 film woven narrative that culminated with Avengers: Endgame. Not only is the movie fun, it hits several crowd-pleasing moments in the heat of a climactic battle with Thanos.

The fact that Marvel pulled this off is amazing unto itself, the fact the Endgame is a satisfying and fitting conclusion is even more impressive. Nothing will replace the experience I had with this film on opening night, when (SPOLIERS!!!!!!) Black Widow sacrifices herself to possibly save the world. I will never forget looking at a woman sitting down and to the right of me bawling her eyes out. Also, I cried like a baby as well when Spider-Man made his triumphant return and everyone in the theater erupted in the loudest cheer I have ever heard in a movie. Avengers: Endgame was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had at a movie. The experience was not lessened at home, Endgame packs one serious punch.

Avengers: Endgame soars onto UHD with an impressive video for your home entertainment system. The movies scope is gigantic and CGI heavy, but the UHD transfer is sharp and full of detail. The colors pop and the textures look incredible.

Endgame blasts its way home with a sonic boom of Dolby Atmos. Everything crunches with clarity. Dialogue is heard and is crystal clear. The music soars and it’s like you can actually feel the punches.

The UHD does not contain any extras, but there is a second blu-ray disc that houses most of the bonus features.

Blu-ray disc one includes an intro from the Russo Brothers as well as a commentary that features the brothers and writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. I highly recommend this track as it covers not only Endgame but walks you through the MCU process.

Disc two contains almost an hour of bonus material in the form of featurettes. The Stan Lee tribute is a favorite and tear jerker. What makes the bonus features unique is it spans not only Endgame, but focuses on Iron Man, Captain America and their journey through the MCU.

The Steelbook from Best Buy is slick looking with a big purple and gold Avengers logo behind the characters who survived Infinity War and a “snapped” away Avengers logo on the back with the heroes that were lost in Infinity War. If you get past the somewhat photoshop-y look of the package it is pretty solid.

Incredible movie, incredible UHD Avengers: Endgame is a most own.

Film: A+

Video: A

Audio: A+

Extras: A

Steelbook: B+

Overall: A

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Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 11 Spider-Man: Far From Home

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

Number 11: Spider-Man: Far From Home (Best Buy Exclusive Steelbook)

The events of Avengers: Endgame have taken their toll on the Friendly Neighborhood Wall-Crawler. Burdened with the death of Tony Stark and returning to a world that thought he was dead for five years, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) just wants to be normal.

Peter decides to go abroad with his school. Along for the trip are his best bud Ned (Jacob Batalon) and his secret crush MJ (Zendaya). Peter thinks this is a perfect opportunity to tell MJ how he feels. All this is thrown for a loop when Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) asks for Peter’s help as Spider-Man to stop The Elementals a powerful group of monsters from another universe.

Fury has enlisted Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) and a super-hero known as Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) to help stop the threat. Peter balks, saying he isn’t going to help, but soon Peter must choose between having a social life or living up to his responsibility as Spider-Man when everything isn’t what it appears.

Spider-Man: Far From Home is another home run for Marvel and Sony. I am totally biased here but this movie is a helluva good time. Tom Holland is the best Spider-Man. His youthful playfulness and his sense of responsibility are captured perfectly in this film.

The world needed a Spider-Man movie after the amazing and emotional toll Avengers: Endgame had. Far From Home scales the scope back but never loses the weight that Peter carries.

Gyllenhaal is awesome as the hero(?) Quentin Beck/Mysterio. Although most comic book fans will see the twist coming, (he is the master of illusion after all) it is done in such a fun way that the whole time I was watching the movie I kept saying to myself, “Holy Cow, they actually pulled off Mysterio in a movie.”

The action is spectacular, the emotional beats are tear inducing, Spider-Man: Far From Home is an amazing adventure.

Spidey swings onto UHD looking sensational. The colors are vibrant and pop right off the screen. The level of detail on all the costumes can be seen, right down to Night Monkey’s fuzz on his costume. This is one of the best looking UHD’s of the year.

Spidey lands punches with some serious pop with a Dolby Atmos track the brings the thwips. Dialogue comes through crystal clear, especially when Mysterio launches his (spoilers!) attacks on Spidey. The score is one of my favorites from the year and the UHD disc brings the music to life.

Although it’s not quite as robust as I would hope, Far From Home does pack in a little over an hour of cool bonus features. The most fun being Peter’s To Do List, which is a short film comprising of cut footage that you might recognize as from the original trailer. It’s about 4 minutes and is a good time. All the other features give you a behind the scenes peek of making the film, from Spidey suits to the locations used in the movie. Also about 6 minutes of deleted and alternate takes round out the package.

Spider-Man: Far From Home is another winning Spider-Man film. A fun villain, great character moments and of course Spider-Man make this one of my favorite films from last year. The UHD release of Far From Home spins one fantastic web and Best Buy’s exclusive blu-ray although busy is looking is also sharp and a must for Spider-Man collectors.

Film: A

Video: A+

Audio: A

Extras: B+

Steelbook: A-

Overall: A

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Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 12 Fright Night (1985)

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

Number 12: Fright Night (1985)

A vampire lives next door! His name is Jerry!

That’s what horror obsessed teenager Charley (William Ragsdale) believes. Of course, no one believes him. So, it’s up to him, his friend Ed (Stephen Geoffreys) his gal pal Amy (Amanda Bearse) to take down Jerry (Chris Sarandon).

Charley enlists the help of his favorite TV host Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall), who hosts a late-night horror show called “Fright Night” to defeat Jerry once and for all.

Fright Night is such a fun movie. It has gore, laughs and intrigue. The actors are all great, with Sarandon as the evil vampire Jerry and McDowall as the twitchy late-night fright host delivering the goods. Geoffreys as “Evil Ed” is also spot on, delivering his lines with over the top zest.

The practical effects are a lot of fun as well It’s always a blast returning to horror films from the 80’s and reliving the icky-goopy effects.

Fright Night was released in 2011 on a limited edition blu-ray from Twilight Time. Sony has now made this film available on demand for the masses and I couldn’t be happier. Twilight Time is a really neat boutique blu-ray company but they release such little quantities that if you miss out you’re pretty much S.O.L. unless you want to pay a ridiculous sum on the secondary market. Sony’s license for the film returned and they rewarded us fans with the definitive blu-ray of Fright Night.

Sony slays Fright Night with an impressive video quality. The tones are all sharp and retain a nice film quality throughout the picture. The effects really pop as well, seeing the cuts, the blood in crystal clear high definition.

Sony stakes its audio in the heart with a really front-loaded experience. Dialogue is clear and precise, the music thumps well. The mush of blood and transformations sound excellent.

Besides being a favorite 80’s film of mine, the biggest selling point of this blu-ray is the amazing set of extras that it contains. Carried over are some that have been previously available but I have never seen so the whole experience was new to me.

The best feature to sink your fangs into is the nearly 2.5 hour documentary, You’re So Cool, Brewster! It covers all areas of the film from the script, director and cast. It is a treat and could’ve been a separate release all on its own. Also included are two commentary tracks, a panel from Fear Fest 2, interviews with director Tom Holland, cast and crew members, a retrospective on the late actor Roddy McDowall, a feature called Choice Cuts with Shock Till You Drop and Tom Holland, a vintage EPK with behind the scenes, and a pair of trailers, a “G” rated one and a “R” rated one.

I can’t recommend this blu-ray enough. If you are a fan of the film this is a must own. If you like gory, funny movies this is a must own. Pretty much everyone should own Fright Night. Hats off to Sony for giving this cult-classic a worthy blu-ray. Although it’s part of Sony’s on-demand discs, you would not know by the sheer love and attention that this film has been given.

Film: A

Video: A-

Audio: B+

Extras: A+

Overall: A

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Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 13 The Jetsons: The Complete Original Series

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

Number 13: The Jetsons: The Complete Original Series

Warner Archive Collection has released the 24 original episodes of the “futuristic” classic cartoon in one amazing 3-disc set!

The Jetsons reside in Orbit City. The family consists of George, his boy Elroy, daughter Judy, Jane his wife (try not to sing the theme) and their adventures in a futuristic world. George works at Spacely Space Sprockets, ran by his overbearing boss Cosmo Spacely (one of my favorite characters). Jane stays at home and takes care of the kids. In the first episode The Jetsons get their sassy robot-maid Rosie and a few episodes later they get their loyal dog, Astro.

The Jetsons plays like a traditional sitcom (complete with a laugh track) but with really fun 1960’s aesthetic of the future. For every push button breakfast and dinner, there is the classic sitcom troupe of George trying to get out of a PTA meeting to watch the big game.

I have fond memories of The Jetsons. Growing up I was always more drawn to the older cartoons and TV shows. While my brothers loved He-Man and GI Joe, I was rocking out to The Flintstones and The Jetsons. I vividly remember going over to my grandparent’s house and watching The Jetsons in their bedroom where the second TV was. I would lie on their bed for hours watching these cartoons just soaking in the classic sitcom charm.

The Jetsons seem to have aged really well for a show about the future from the 1960’s, and besides relatable characters, it makes watching these original episodes so much more fun. The self-propelled vacuum before there was an iRobot which we enjoy today.

Watching the 24 episodes put a smile on my face that instantly brought me back to my childhood. And as an adult watching them reminded me how smart writing never goes out of style.

Warner Archives brings The Jetsons to the 21st Century with a stellar fresh scan of the show. I have never seen The Jetsons look better. Bright colors, smooth line work highlight an impressive video transfer. Although some scratches and dirt flecks do pop up, they are so far in between I couldn’t even remember which episode and which scene they occurred in. Once again Warner Archives shows everyone how a animated HD transfer should be done.

The audio also zooms by with an impressive upgrade. Dialogue, music and effects are crystal clear. I heard no scratches or pops throughout my journey in Orbit City.

Although not too robust, The Jetsons does have several bonus features worth digging into. The best of the bunch in my opinion is the two commentaries by Janet Waldo, the voice of Judy. On the episodes, “Rosie the Robot” and “A Date with Jet Screamer” Waldo goes into the production of the show and working with the other cast members. Truly delightful. Also included are 4 featurettes totaling about 20 minutes, the best being “The Jetsons: The Family of the Future.”

Once again Warner Archive is allowing me to enjoy and relive my childhood. The Jetsons: The Complete Original Series offers a fun trip down memory lane. With out of this world video and audio, The Jetsons is a must own!

Film: A

Video: A+

Audio: A

Extras: B

Overall: A

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Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 14 Mary Poppins Returns

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

Number 14: Mary Poppins Returns Best Buy Exclusive 4K Steelbook

It’s been over 50 years since the world was introduced to the practically perfect nanny Mary Poppins. In Mary Poppins Returns, however about 25 years have passed since the Banks’ children first met Mary and things appear dire. Michael (Ben Whishaw) has children of his own, John, Annabel and Georgie. Their mother has passed away and Jane (Emily Mortimer) has come to 17 Cherry Tree Lane to help Michael out. Michael is not only in a fragile state emotionally but the he is about to lose his house to the bank in one week.

Enter Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt). She is determined to help the children and the adult Banks’ recapture the love of life. Mary enlists the help of a lamplighter named Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) to help in her quest.

Truth be told I love the original Mary Poppins.  I did not know how much I loved it until I watched this movie. When Mary appears on screen floating down, a tear welled up in my eye. I had to stop and think, “Really?” But yes, really. I love Mary Poppins and that my favorite actress Emily Blunt was playing her made this film an easy winner for me. Of course I am bias but I don’t care. The film itself is an explosion of color and imagination, with every actor bringing their A-game.

Emily Blunt absolutely dominates the screen as Poppins. I read in interviews that she was very nervous about taking the role over for Julie Andrews, and I totally understand that. Ms. Andrews’ portrayal of Mary Poppins is iconic and it netted her an Academy Award. Blunt however is astonishing. She brings her incredible acting chops to the screen and she can also sing! Blunt is so charming and so lovely in the film, she deserves a heap of praise for making Poppins her own with a little bit of Andrews added in.

I did cry once more, seeing Dick Van Dyke dancing and having fun was everything this Mary Poppins fan could possibly want.

Mary Poppins Returns dazzles on Ultra HD. Where the film really shines in 4K is the colorful animation segments and in the details throughout Mary’s world. When the film shifts to a foggy London it never loses its sharpness or clarity. It has a stable beautiful picture throughout.

Mary Poppins Returns sings stunningly on Ultra HD. The surround sound is out to the test not only in the musical numbers but also in bringing London alive. Birds chirp, cars and citizens add to the ambiance of the film. Dialogue and singing comes through crystal clear. I like how the film isn’t overly aggressive in its sound design, it’s practically perfect.

The UHD does not have any extras but the accompanying Blu-Ray has several fun and informative featurettes. Feel like singing there is a Sing-Along mode, bloopers and deleted scenes. Also included is a deleted song “The Anthropomorphic Zoo”. The meat of the bonus content is two separate making of, one that focuses on the construction of the songs and how they were shot for the film. The other, ‘The Practically Perfect Making of Mary Poppins Returns” is an enjoyable behind the scenes documentary. And for the nostalgic fans the best of the bunch is a quick look at the return of Dick Van Dyke in “Back To Cherry Tree Lane: Dick Van Dyke Returns”. Van Dyke is always such a joy to listen to and his and the cast’s enthusiasm about his return is infectious.

The Steelbook for Mary Poppins Returns is a fun colorful addition to your Disney library, with blues and reds being the prominent colors. The Steelbook has an almost painted quality to it that makes it very attractive.

Although I may be biased, Mary Poppins Returns is a winning film that is given an all-star treatment on UHD. Although the standard packaging for the film is great too, I love the colors and the painted quality of Best Buy’s exclusive Steelbook.

Film: A

Video: A

Audio: A

Extras: A-

Steelbook: A

Overall: A

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Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 15 Tammy and the T-Rex

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

Number 15: Tammy and the T-Rex

Vinegar Syndrome is a very interesting boutique label of Blu-Ray’s. Not in a bad way, but in I can’t believe they put this on Blu-Ray and it is awesome! In 2016 they released a midnight favorite of mine Jack Frost (about a killer snowman, not the Michael Keaton one), and in 2019 they released the almost too insane to make up Tammy and the T-Rex.

Tammy and the T-Rex, or how the opening credits call it, Tanny(?) and the T-Rex. Stars Denise Richards and Paul Walker, who are high school sweethearts Tammy and Michael. Tammy likes Michael but there is a problem, Tammy’s jealous ex-boyfriend Billy!

Also there is an evil scientist with an animatronic Tyrannosaurus who wants to put a brain in it to do something! Bwahahaha!

One night, Michael sneaks into Tammy’s room. Billy finds out and arrives at Tammy’s house with his gang. Michael escapes at first but is captured and taken to an animal rescue where he is mauled by a lion and on death’s door!

While in the hospital Michael is in a coma but alive, this gives the evil Dr. Wachenstein a brain to place in his T-Rex! The doc kidnaps Michael, cuts out his brain and places it in the T-Rex. And now the T-Rex is alive and pissed! Carnage ensues, charades are played by a Tyrannosaur and Tammy is on a quest to save Michael and his brain.

Nope the description of Tammy and the T-Rex is not made up. It is a real movie. As you watch it you can’t help but think, “Is this real?” And the answer is “yes”. It’s not a good movie at all. Tammy and the T-Rex does get by on the absolute insane plot and scenes. I was never really sure what the evil doctors intentions were, why did he want an animatronic T-Rex with a human brain? You will laugh at a huge T-Rex “hiding” at his/Michael’s funereal as it cries. Brad told me about this movie and everything he described was accurate and insane to watch. The only way you will enjoy Tammy and the T-Rex is if you turn of your brain and let the absurdity of it guide you. If you do that you will have fun, I promise.

Watching Tammy and the T-Rex, I cannot believe how great it looks. Seriously it looks stunning. The case says it’s a new 4K scan sourced from the original camera negative and boy it delivers. Colors and rubber on the dino pop and the disc has a great film quality to it. No crushed colors, every detail shines on this release.

While not as amazing as the video transfer, Tammy and the T-Rex definitely roars in high definition. It is a very loud movie, which it should be because there is a dinosaur in it. Dialogue is crisp and clear and can be easily heard.

Tammy and the T-Rex also has some tasty extras to bite into. The PG-13 cut is included, but it makes the movie almost unwatchable because the sheer craziness of this movie is taken away. It’s great that’s it’s included but watching it once is enough. An interview with the director Stuart Raffill is very interesting and worth a watch. An interview with Denise Richards is included and she talks about being emotional with a rubber dinosaur. Richards seems to have a fun time talking about this film. An interview with Sean Whalen is light hearted and fun. The best interview by far is with George Pilgrim, who is very candid and talks about the dangers he and other cast members were subjected to while working on the film. The other interviews are good but I love it when actors or crew members get real.

Tammy and the T-Rex has to be seen to be believed. From watching a Tyrannosaur stomping someone flat to seeing it shed tears at a funeral words don’t do the film justice. The movie isn’t great but the Blu-Ray by Vinegar Syndrome is top notch. Stunning video transfer and great features make this a must own for fans of weird, violent not good movies.

Film: C

Video: A+

Audio: A

Extras: A

Overall: A

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Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 16 Willard (2003)

As 2019 comes to a close I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

Number 16: Willard (2003)

Scream Factory finally unleashes the underrated, and awesome remake Willard on Blu-Ray

Crispin Glover stars as Willard, a meek and quiet man. Willard lives with his sick mother Henrietta (Jackie Burroughs) and cares for her. Willard works at his family company but that has been taken over by Frank his verbally abusive boss, (the late great R. Lee Ermey). Willard soon finds friends in the rats that live in his house, with one rat named Socrates being a favorite. Willard soon finds a large rat he names Ben, who seems to be one evil rodent. Willard also learns that he can communicate with the rats and uses them to do his bidding. Sometimes with murderous results!

Willard is a remake but don’t let that scare you it is done really well and does a great job following the same structure of the original, but where it sets itself apart is it turns up the horror factor big time. The original ‘Willard” has its moments of horror but it is played more sympathetically, where 2003’s “Willard” is unsettling. Glover steals the movie. He commands the screen with equal parts pathetic and psychotic.

X-Files alum James Morgan handles his first directing job with flair. Crazy angles and a moody atmosphere sell the tale. Just like the original Morgan makes the home a character as well with its dusty rooms and decaying walls.

“Willard” is a fun time. New Line Cinema did a really great job with this remake and in the same year unleashed their great remake of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”.

Scream Factory gives “Willard” a brand new 2K scan, and boy does it look amazing. I have the original DVD release of “Willard” and I can tell you this scan blows that one out of the water. Colors look outstanding, with the house looking even more decayed and rotten. Also the costumes look sharp and have much more fine detail. This is a great transfer.

The audio scurries up the pipe with precise sounds and crystal clear dialogue. The sound design for “Willard” is a character by itself and is so important when you are dealing with an animal menace. The mix is so good that you will keep checking behind you to see if your house in infested with rats.

“Willard” is so jam packed with extras that I am surprised that Scream Factory did not give this release its Collector’s Edition brand. Carried over are all the special features that can be found on New Line’s Platinum Release of “Willard”. New to this release are some truly great interviews, one with Director Morgan titled “The Road to “Willard” which is a comprehensive look at Morgan’s career and his involvement in “Willard” Next is my favorite new feature, “Destination “Willard” in which the cinematographer Robert McLachlan who details not only his involvement in “Willard” but other cool horror films like “Freddy vs. Jason”.  There are also 3 commentary tracks, including one with Boone’s Animals for Hollywood employees that is really fun to listen to as they describe the process in making the rats do rat things. After a final count there is over 4 hours(!) of bonus content, not including the commentary tracks!

Any fan of horror or animal attack movies or for strange films should pick up “Willard”!

Film: B+

Video: A+

Audio: A+

Extras: A+

Overall: A

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Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 17 Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

As 2019 comes to a close I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

Number 16: Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Jumping out of the extremely fun 2016 six-issue miniseries, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a fun and exciting entry into DC’s animated films starring the Dark Knight.

The Foot Clan have appeared in Gotham City and Batgirl observes four mysterious being, which she believes are metahumans. Batgirl informs Batman and they set out to Powers Industrial. While there Batman meets The Shredder. Batman and Batgirl soon meet the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as well.

After a brief misunderstanding, Batman and the Turtles soon realize that they have the same enemy and they team up to take down The Shredder and Foot Clan.

Batman vs. TMNT is a lot of fun. I am a fan of most of the Batman animated films as they do a really great job adapting popular comic stories and giving them their own platform to shine. The action in this film is top notch as each fight is choreographed well. Batman’s fight with The Shredder is an early highlight as too is the confrontation between the Ninja Turtles and Batman.

The story is fun as it plays on Batman’s trust issues and he needs The Bat-Family’s help to understand why it is sometimes necessary to trust people you do not know.

The video for Batman vs. TMNT is solid. The colors of each individual Turtle pops against the dark, inky black shadows of Gotham City. The DC Animated films tend to lean a little into simplistic design but that helps make each scene pop and lends itself well in the animation of the characters. There are a few jagged edges here and there but they are really few and far in-between.

On the audio side, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles delivers quite a punch. All dialogue is crystal clear and each punch lands with a crunch. The soundtrack is a lot of fun too. The synths add a lot to the film giving it a cool 80’s vibe.

Batman vs. TMNT offers up two pretty good behind the scenes look at the film and about a ten minute preview of Batman; Hush. First up is Cowabunga Batman!, which gives an overview of both Batman and TMNT with interviews with the people who brought the film to life. Fight Night in Gotham is a behind the scenes look at the fights and storyboards that brought them to life. Both featurettes are a fun look into the making of the film.

Batman vs. TMNT is a great addition to the DC Animated Universe. It’s fun, exciting and it brings in a lot of characters without ever bogging down pace. I highly recommend this Blu-Ray to any fan of Batman and the Ninja Turtles.

Film: A-

Video: B+

Audio: A-

Extras: B+

Overall: A-

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The Best 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 19 Popeye the Sailor The 1940s Volumes 2 & 3

As 2019 comes to a close I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their came with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

19. Popeye the Sailor: the 1940s Volume 2 and 3

Popeye the Sailor is always trying to win the heart of his beloved Olive Oyl. His arch nemesis, Bluto too is after the heart of Olive, which leads to many conflicts and fights with Popeye.

At their most basic, Popeye cartoon shorts are rather simple. Boy loves girl, girl somewhat ignores advances of said boy. Another suitor comes along which leads to a fight. Which in turn leads to Popeye using spinach to gain super strength to best his rival. And while not too many of the cartoons featured on these sets deviate from that standard formula, they are a lot of fun.

If you’ve been following me at all on the show or through my articles you will know I am a sucker for cartoon shorts. Warner Archive has blessed us with two Popeye releases this year following the success of the first volume in 2018. There is a lot of fun in these two discs and each are a really fun showcase of Popeye in the 1940’s. Popeye might never be as popular as Looney Tunes or Mickey Mouse but he makes up for it by being a lovable and funny character. And Famous Studios was always willing to cast Popeye in several different roles from a cowboy to a caveman and a spaceman to Mars, Popeye was sure versatile.

Volume 2 contains 15 classic Popeye shorts, which are;

House Tricks?, Service with a Guile, Klondike Casanova, Peep in the Deep, Rocket to Mars, Rodeo Romeo, The Fistic Fling, The Island Fling, Abusement Park, I’ll Be Skiing Ya, The Royal Four-Flusher, Popeye and the Pirates, Wotta Knight, Safari So Good, All’s Fair at the Fair.

Volume 3 contains 17 classic Popeye shorts, which are;

Olive Oyl for President, Wigwam Whoopee, Pre-Hysterical Man, Popeye Meets Hercules, A Wolf in Sheik’s Clothing, Spinach vs. Hamburgers, Snow Place Like Home, Robin-Hood-Winked, Symphony in Spinach, Popeye’s Premiere, Lumberjack and Jill, Hot Air Aces, A Balmy Swami, Tar with a Star, Silly Hillbilly, Barking Dogs Don’t Fite, The Fly’s Last Flight

In terms of the cartoons I would have to give a slight edge to Volume 2 as being slightly better as Volume 3 contains clip shows (of cartoons shorts? I didn’t even know those exist) but each are very funny and a lot of fun.

The biggest reason to buy these sets is Warner Archive has remastered these shorts to stunning results. Both Volumes contain new 4K restorations from the original nitrate negative. It will blow your mind watching these cartoons that were produced in the 1940s look as if they were drawn yesterday. Colors absolutely pop and there is no signs of artifacts which lead to some of the best looking cartoons in high-definition.

The audio are beautiful. No hissing or damage can be heard in either Volume. And while the cartoons do show their age in sound design it is no fault of the masters, but more in line with what the artists had to work with 70 years ago.

The only bummer with these Popeye sets is there is no bonus materials included.

Popeye the Sailor: 1940’s Volumes 2 and 3 are winners. Being a Golden Age Animation fan these are must own blu-rays and hit all the right nostalgic buttons. It is a bummer that Warner Archive did not include any bonus features on the discs, but they make up for it with new 4K transfers that are stunning. Warner Archive is the gift that keeps giving. Visit their website to purchase these discs and some other truly remarkable releases. If you’re an animation fan Popeye the Sailor 1940s Volume 2 and 3 are a must own.

Movie: Volume 2: A/Volume 3: A-

Video: Volume 2: A+/Volume 3: A+

Audio: Volume 2: A /Volume 3: A

Extras: Volume 2: F/Volume 3: F

Overall: Volume 2: A/Volume 3; A-

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