Showing posts with label Sony Home Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sony Home Entertainment. Show all posts

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

DVD TRAILER AND RELEASE NEWS: Lake Placid Vs Anaconda - Sony Home Entertainment

Hail Mighty Readers,
We're a sucker for a giant monster fight and we think we're in for a treat shortly with Lake Placid Vs Anaconda starring Robert Englund, Yancy Butler as well as blog friend Corin Nemic.

Here's the DVD blurb:
Anacondas large enough to crush an SUV. Crocodiles strong enough to leap onto speedboats. When they’re not hunting for human prey, they’re more than willing to take on each other. Get ready for a non-stop bloodbath unlike anything you’ve seen before in this heart-pounding battle between mutated crocodiles and genetically engineered anacondas. Packed with hot sorority girls, big guns, and jaws massive enough to swallow a human in one bite, this is one screaming good time! 


As well as the trailer:



We can't wait until the 7th of September to see which of the behemoth's will triumph.



Gareth and Lady Eleanor

Monday, 4 March 2013

DVD REVIEW: Lost Girl Season One - Sony Home Entertainment

Release Date: 25/02/13
Publisher:  Sony Home Entertainment

SYNOPSIS:

Having grown up thinking she was just a normal girl next door, Bo (Anna Silk) now suspects that there's nothing normal about her. After learning that she's a Succubus, a mythical being that drains its sex partners of life, Bo fights to control her powers while searching for the truth about her mysterious past.


REVIEW:

Fantasy is something that can be very hard to get right. You need to have solid world building, a set of rules for the magick’s involved, a convincing history and then you have to work out your various cultures giving them an identity. All that and more were carefully added within this title and when Francis backed that up with a great storyline, top notch prose alongside a cast that really adds flavour all round makes this a cracking debut.

I really can’t wait to see what develops in future instalments and here’s hoping that the second book curse doesn’t strike as this is going to give me something to look forward to. Great stuff.



Tuesday, 19 February 2013

DVD REVIEW: Resident Evil: Retribution - Sony Home Entertainment

Release Date: 28/01/13

SYNOPSIS:

The Umbrella Corporation’s deadly T-virus continues to ravage the Earth, transforming the global population into legions of the flesh eating Undead. The human race’s last and only hope, Alice (Jovovich), awakens in the heart of Umbrella's most clandestine operations facility and unveils more of her mysterious past as she delves further into the complex. Without a safe haven, Alice continues to hunt those responsible for the outbreak; a chase that takes her from Tokyo to New York, Washington, D.C. and Moscow, culminating in a mind-blowing revelation that will force her to rethink everything that she once thought to be true. Aided by newfound allies and familiar friends, Alice must fight to survive long enough to escape a hostile world on the brink of oblivion. The countdown has begun.

Special Features:

• Director and Cast Commentary
• Director and Producer Commentary
• Drop (Un)Dead: The Creatures of Retribution
• Outtakes


REVIEW:

Whilst I was originally a big fan of the Resident Evil Franchise, the more recent films have failed to impress me, its not because of a lack of budget or effects but more for the fact that a lot of it feels like its there to confuse with some weird twists without providing any real credible idea’s. Don’t get me wrong, I still love watching Alice kick butt, I still love watching the various characters fight the mutated but when it really isn’t doing much for the viewer other than to provide weak links between combat its really time to call it a day.

All round, its more of the same and if you just want something to watch that doesn’t require much brain power its an entertaining enough film to enjoy with a few beers and a pizza, but if you start looking too deep it falls apart. All round, definitely pleased that I saw it and I’m hoping that the next one will be the last in the franchise as this title appears to have set itself up for a real combative conclusion that may well take us all back to the originals with some new monsters (I want more of those Popokarimu (the flying things you see at the end.)



Monday, 4 February 2013

DVD REVIEW: Hotel Transylvania - Adam Sandler, Andy Sambery, Selma Gomez - Sony Home Entertainment

Release Date: 04/02/13

SYNOPSIS:

Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed. One special weekend, Dracula (Adam Sandler) has invited all his best friends – Frankenstein and his wife, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Werewolf family, and more – to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis’s (Selena Gomez) 118th birthday. For Dracula catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem
but the party really starts when one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and changes everything!


REVIEW:

OK, so I wasn’t exactly working in my lab late one night but this definitely was an eerie sight when I opened the package to discover this cracking CG Anime from Sony. Featuring all the great monsters of the movies, this title had a simple premise but a lot of fun added to make it something that is not only unique but something that I had a lot of fun watching. Yes, the casting worked very well but whilst I was sat there, I was waiting for a few things that didn’t happen. First off I expected Monster Mash in there somewhere (which didn’t materialise and with a name like Hotel Transylvania, they could have rewritten a certain similar sounding song by the Eagles.)

But even that didn’t detract from the laughs as human meets monster in a nicely turned concept as the fears and predjuces of their kind comes to light. Add to this some wonderful vocal work from some big names, some emotional turmoil and a certain special birthday which all round left it as a fun piece to view.

Perhaps not something for the kids straight away but I know that this is something that my nephews will get a real blast from pretty soon. (One of them is Monster Crazy.)


If you’d like to win some Hotel Transylvania goodies, check out the MONSTER ME Facebook competition. You could win a Micro Scooter for the kids by uploading a video of them doing monster impressions from the film, enter if you dare!



Wednesday, 26 December 2012

DVD REVIEW: Total Recall - Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Len Wiseman - Sony Home Entertainment

Release Date: 26/12/12

SYNOPSIS:

Prepare for non-stop excitement and pulse-pounding thrills in this “smart, sexy and action-packed” (Scott Mantz, Access Hollywood) action thriller. Colin Farrell stars as Douglas Quaid, a factory worker who visits Rekall, a revolutionary company that can turn his superspy fantasies into real memories. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, the line between fantasy and reality blurs as Quaid becomes a man on the run and the fate of his world hangs in the balance.

Co-starring Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel and Bryan Cranston, Total Recall is bursting with mind-blowing action sequences and spectacular visual effects, the ultimate high-energy thrill-ride!


REVIEW:

There are times when you want a film that gives you loads of action and has a real science fiction feel. That’s what I expected from this modern remake of what I consider to a fun film of the 90’s. Yet what I got from this was something that was not only sadly lacking but one that really didn’t work on so many levels.

Quaid needed to be vulnerable yet smart, an action hero and a guy that you would care about winning. Yet Farrell really didn’t bring that across for me as a viewer and to be honest that made it difficult to care about what was happening throughout. Add to this a plot that really ddn’t sell itself and felt poorly conceived alongside a sadly lacking script.

All round the effects were reasonable and with a couple of homages to the original within it did raise a smile or two when you spotted them. Yet when you look at it deeply its not a great film and one that I’ll not be watching again for quite some time choosing, my 90’s version instead.



Wednesday, 28 November 2012

DVD NEWS: Amazing Spiderman Peter Parkour hits London - Sony Home Entertainment

Hail Mighty Readers,
Our friends at Sony Home Pictures have teamed up with camera experts GoPro and free-running experts Parkour Generations to take Spidey out of the Big Apple and onto the streets of London!

Here we have the resulting VBlog and boy does it look good:


So Excelsior dear readers and enjoy the DVD, plus don't forget that a Spiderman is not just for Christmas its all year round. LOL

(The Amazing Spiderman was released on Monday 26th November from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field.)


Gareth and Lady Eleanor



Monday, 8 October 2012

DVD REVIEW: Resident Evil: Damnation - Sony Home Entertainment

Release Date: 24/09/12

SYNOPSIS:

United States special agent Leon S. Kennedy sneaks into a small Eastern Europe country to verify rumors that Bio Organic Weapons (B.O.W.s) are being used in war. Right after his infiltration, the US government orders him to leave immediately. Determined to uncover the truth, Leon ignores the order and enters the battlefield to end the chain of tragedies caused by the B.O.W.s.

Bonus Material

• Las Plagas: Organisms of War Featurette
• ”The DNA of Damnation”
• Gag Reel

The Resident Evil: Damnation DVD comes equipped with a host of killer bonus features, including the Las Plagas: Organisms of War featurette, voice bloopers, and a making of featurette “The DNA of Damnation.”


REVIEW:

Computer graphic DVD’s are becoming the norm now and when you’ve got a well-known franchise to fall back on, such as the Resident Evil one, you know that it’s not only going to be popular but also something that has the ability to present the viewer with high budget effects alongside cracking storytelling in order to move the next chapter forward.

Within this DVD the vocal talent was solid, the storyline something that I found engrossing and for me the double dealing behind the scenes of the players and the played really makes this something fun to watch. Add to this some great animation, a reasonable pace and all in it more than hit all the buttons for me.



Wednesday, 12 September 2012

DVD REVIEW: Starship Troopers: Invasion - Sony Home Entertainment

Release Date: 27/08/12

SYNOPSIS:

A distant Federation outpost Fort Casey comes under attack by bugs. The team on the fast attack ship Alesia is assigned to help the Starship John A. Warden stationed in Fort Casey evacuate along with the survivors and bring military intelligence safely back to Earth. Carl Jenkins, now ministry of Paranormal Warfare, takes the starship on a clandestine mission before its rendezvous with the Alesia and goes missing in the nebula. Now, the battle-hardened troopers are charged with a rescue mission that may lead to a much more sinister consequence than they ever could have imagined...


REVIEW:

As a certain Sarah Brightman (with Hot Gossip) once sang, I lost my heart to a Starship Trooper, so when I have the chance to view the latest offering in the franchise I jumped at the chance. Now whilst this does feature characters from the original, the viewer is treated to a full computer graphic spectacular which whilst entertaining, is definitely showing as something a little dated with negligible plot and sadly very little acting to help bring the film over.

Add to this an over excessive use of gratuitous boob shots, some sadly lamentable death sequences as well as a plot that had quite a few huge holes in it and all in this could have been so much better.

Don’t get me wrong it was watchable and it did fill a gap in my schedule but to be blunt, I was expecting something so much more, especially when you have so many options available to help not only expand their dark future but also when other franchises have delved into Space Hulks that can scare without ever really getting into showing what’s going on.

All in it was OK but personally I’d have had a few more twists and turns setting it more on the hulk with danger round every corner be it from the Bugs or perhaps even other space dangers which could have made this not only more atmospheric but also given it a greater grounding as well as pace.



Monday, 9 January 2012

DVD Review: Arena - Samuel L Jackson and Kellan Lutz

Release Date: 09/01/12

SYNOPSIS:

How do you make a fortune from the bloodlust of millions? One sadistically savvy businessman (Samuel L. Jackson) has created an empire with his brutal, fight-to-the-death gladiator website. His newest warrior is David Lord (Kellan Lutz), a kidnapped fireman, now imprisoned and forced to fight for his life. To buy his freedom, Lord agrees to do a series of lethal bouts. But as the body count escalates, and with his most challenging battle remaining, Lord unleashes a torrent of bloody carnage and reveals a secret that threatens to tear down the entire enterprise. Also featuring Daniel Dae Kim (TV’s Lost) and Nina Dobrev (TV’s The Vampire Diaries).


REVIEW:

OK, there are times when you want a film that you don’t have to think with. You want blood, you want combat and you want a crime edge to it. So what do you do? Well for a child of the Video, you know the concept pretty well where a guy ends up fighting in an arena for his life against all comers. It’s an often used plot with films such as American Samurai, Unleashed as well as TV shows such as Angel (The Ring), A-Team (Pro’s and Cons) alongside the original series of Star Trek (Arena) all utilising it to their own ends. So what does this film add?

What this offering from Sony presents to the viewer is a film with some decent effects, a simplistic storyline and to be honest some wooden acting from the principle cast which clearly demonstrates that it isn’t intended for much more than a glut of blood. OK, that said, on the plus side I wanted something to watch with a beer and this did the job, yet with Samuel L Jackson staring I did expect something a little more than what I was presented. All in its OK but don’t expect anything Oscar worthy for your cash.

Sunday, 11 December 2011

DVD REVIEW: The Smurfs

Release Date: 08/12/11

SYNOPSIS:

When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours--in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.

REVIEW:

OK, I was at a loose end today so when the Smurfs film landed I thought, that I’d give it a go, especially as I have fond memories of my Smurf House, collecting the little blue creatures, from the Petrol Station (with Tokens, yes you know you do too, LOL) and of course fond memories of the comics.


So whilst I realised that a lot must happen to help bring it to a more modern audience, I did hope that some of my favourites were present as well as giving the viewer a little something special with some of the newer cast. Well, this adaptation has something for everyone, peril, adventure and of course Gargamel trying as usual and failing miserably. Add to this the wonderfully animated cat, the usual cast of Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brains backed with Grumpy, Clumsy (our tales hero) with the cracking Kilt Clad Gutsy Smurf (who was my personal favourite, voiced by Alan Cummings.)

Whilst the story is simplistic with the moral of staying true to your heart, it’s a sentiment that works well for the modern audience and when you add peril, places that the viewer will recognise and a whole host of hilarious chaotic encounters, it’s a story that will endear itself to the younger viewer. Great fun all in and let no Smurf be left behind.

Finally to bring things up to date, here’s the link to the fun launch at Tower Bridge that we told you about last week.

Friday, 2 December 2011

NEWS: The Smurfs Invade Tower Bridge

Hail Mighty Readers,
Our friends at DnA have let us know that they're going to have a smurftastic time at Tower Bridge on Sunday 4th December.

After all the worlds largest inflatable Smurf will be in attendance to help promote the release of the DVD. Theres going to be loads of fun, plenty of blue people (although that could be due to the cold LOL) and a whole host of fun and games to be had.

So if you're in the area and fancy hanging out with "Big Blue" then the fun begins at 12pm.

Monday, 2 May 2011

DVD REVIEW: The Green Hornet - Seth Rogan, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz,

Release Date: 02/05/11

SYNOPSIS:

Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) is a slacker by day, party animal by night... until he finds a serious career that's seriously cool: crime-fighting action hero. As the Green Hornet, he teams up with gadget wiz and martial arts master Kato (Jay Chou) to take down LA's underworld. Even Britt's assistant Lenore (Cameron Diaz) doesn't suspect this mismatched pair is the masked duo busting the city's toughest thugs led by Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz). With style, swagger and an arsenal of awesome gear, the Green Hornet and Kato are doing justice their way, making every mission a mix of over-the-top action and outrageous comedy.


REVIEW:

For me Seth Rogan as an actor is a bit hit or miss, at times he can be blisteringly funny whereas at others I’m left feeling luke warm and wander what was the point of having him in the film. So when I originally heard about him portraying The Green Hornet I was a little apprehensive, after all I had fond memories of his appearance in the Batman TV series (Episodes "A Piece of the Action" and "Batman's Satisfaction") and of the story where Burt Ward had to face Bruce Lee in a fist fight. So to say I was a little apprehensive is perhaps an understatement.

What actually arrives on the screen is, whilst part comedy, is a wonderful addition in the spirit of the original Green Hornet Radio series as well as a tip of the hat to the short lived TV series of the sixties. It had some decent characters and Seth’s ability to play a straight role with some twists actually brought the whole thing more into what the viewer expects from a modern superhero. Add an inspired casting of Jay Chou really brought the martial art aspect to the fore and with the rounding out of the cast with Cameron Diaz made this film highly enjoyable.

All in it had great action sequences, some wonderful inventions and when teamed up with a decent script as well as a superb cast made it an enjoyable film. Finally add decent pace and a villain that you’ll just love to hate and I got two hours of pure entertainment from this title especially when you look at the extra’s included on the disc which includes:
Filmmakers' Commentary
"Awesoom"-Gag Reel
Writing The Green Hornet
The Black Beauty: Rebirth of Cool

And I was pretty satisfied. A great hero requires a great set of wheels and whilst they could have utilised a brand new sporty model the chose to stick with a true American Classic. Great stuff.