We're The Millers Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


David Burke (Sudeikis) is a small-time pot dealer whose clientele includes chefs and soccer moms, but no kids – after all, he has his scruples. So what could go wrong? Plenty. Preferring to keep a low profile for obvious reasons, he learns the hard way that no good deed goes unpunished when he tries to help out some local teens and winds up getting jumped by a trio of gutter punks. Stealing his stash and his cash, they leave him in major debt to his supplier, Brad (Helms).

In order to wipe the slate clean – and maintain a clean bill of health – David must now become a big-time drug smuggler by bringing Brad's latest shipment to the U.S. from Mexico. Twisting the arms of his neighbors, cynical stripper Rose (Aniston), wannabe customer Kenny (Poulter), and the tatted-and-pierced streetwise teen Casey (Roberts), he devises a foolproof plan. One fake wife, two pretend kids and a huge, shiny RV later, the “Millers” are headed south of the border for a Fourth of July weekend that is sure to end with a bang.





**VIDEO QUALITY**


We're The Millers arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1. - I was pleasantly surprised that this was a natural and highly detailed presentation unlike a lot of modern day comedies. Colors have beautifully balanced saturation with some striking primaries. The orange hues of the New Mexican desert, the steely grey interior of the RV, and the garish clothing of the Fitzgerald family that befriends the Millers. Fleshtones have a natural look to them. Black levels were quite deep with some good shadow delineation in a night time camping scene and later at a carnival bathed in shadows and light.

Detail was striking in close ups and overhead shots that track the RV's progress on the highway a few times. All the work that went into clothing the characters for their cover is shown off here with textures of fabric, buttons and floral patterns in eye popping clarity. I never saw any signs if edge enhancement or noise. 9.5/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - The LFE channel gets a workout with some bass heavy music cues that include some choice R&B and Hip-Hop tracks. The score from Ludwig Göransson and Theodore Shapiro shines in the Mexico border scenes with rich and super deep bass notes. Surrounds are used well whether it's a sudden down pour filling the room with rain drops, fireworks bursting bursting all around, and some really nice environmental effects in outdoor scenes. Dialogue is front and center and was always crisp and clear. 9/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Miller’s Unleashed – Outtakes Overload (HD, 7min38sec) - Cast & Crew discuss the fun they had improvising on the film. Some really funny line variations are on this featurette.

* Stories from the Road - These basically boil down to amusing and brief EPK style featurettes with lots of clips from the film and some insight from cast & crew. They are as follows:
- Extreme Aniston (HD, 2min20sec)
- The Miller Makeovers (HD, 3min44sec)
- Road Trippin’ with the Millers (HD, 2min48sec)
- Don’t Suck Venom (HD, 2min18sec)
- Getting Out of Sticky Situation (HD, 2min42sec)
- I Am Pablo Chacon (HD, 1min38sec)
- Rollin’ in the RV (HD, 1min53sec)

* Livin’ It Up with Brad (HD, 3min46sec) - Ed Helms along with cast & crew discuss the work in bringing his wealthy douche bag character to life.

* When Paranoia Sets In (HD, 3min16sec) - A tongue in cheek look at whether the film was a "front" for "drug smuggling". The cast is deadpan funny.

* Deleted Scenes (HD, 16min18sec) - Some interesting variations on certain scenes and a couple new ones. They include "Go Stall Him: The Emergency Fund", "Go Stall Him: I'll Enjoy This More Than a 1000 Pesos", "Go Stall Him: David Go Pay Him", "Chacon Finds Transmitter", "I'm Never Going To was These Hands", You'll Always Be My Special Lover", "Cuz We're The Millers", "Waterfalls".

* Gags & More Outtakes (HD, 3min1sec) - Here you get some more comical moments from the game cast.

The Internship Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson team up to crash the digital world in this laugh-out-loud buddy comedy you've been searching for! Trying to reboot their obsolete careers, old-school salesmen Billy (Vaughn) and Nick (Wilson) talk their way into an internship program at the state-of-the-art Google campus, vying for a handful of spots among tech-savvy college students who are half their age and twice as smart. The competition is fiercely funny as Billy and Nick break all the rules in a hilarious quest to land their dream jobs!





**VIDEO QUALITY**


The Internship arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.35:1. - This is a bright and colorful presentation. Colors really pop with lush greens and crisp whites, bold blues and with no bleeding. Black levels were good with a few instances of a washed out look in darker scenes. Fine detail was superb with crisp linens, patterns on dress shirts and the fascinating Google work environment. No signs edge enhancement were noticed. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - A front heavy track for the most part. Dialogue was crisp and clear throughout the movie. LFE kicks in to add some heft to music cues, especially during a scene in a booming club. Surrounds were used for environmental effects at certain times and to open the halls up at Google. No pops, cracks or hisses were heard.8/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Audio Commentary with Shawn Levy - The Director goes into a lot of detail of the challenges filming on location, casting and the work that went into getting the film off the ground in the first place.

* Any Given Monday (HD, 17min52sec) - A funny look at the work that went into bringing the Quidditch to screen.

* Deleted Scenes (HD, 8min26sec) - Nothing that is missed not being in the unrated or theatrical cuts but there are a few giggle worthy moments.

* Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2min26sec)

Own Prisoners on Blu-ray Combo Pack December 17

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be bringing home the hit thriller Prisoners to Blu-ray Combo Pack on December 17, 2013. The film was directed by Dennis Villeneuve and stars Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, Maria Bello and Viola Davis. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Below are the official details:





Burbank, CA, November 7, 2013 – A man who’s lost everything is capable of anything in “Prisoners,” arriving onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on December 17 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. A gripping thriller starring Oscar® nominees Hugh Jackman (“Les Miserables”) and Jake Gyllenhaal (“Brokeback Mountain”) and directed by Dennis Villeneuve (Oscar®-nominated “Incendies”), “Prisoners” follows a distraught father as he takes matters into his own hands and hunts down the man he suspects abducted his daughter and her friend.

Led by Jackman and Gyllenhaal, “Prisoners” features an all-star cast including Oscar® nominee Viola Davis (“The Help,” “Doubt”), Golden Globe Award nominee Maria Bello (“A History of Violence,” “The Cooler”) and Oscar® nominee Terrence Howard (“Hustle & Flow”), with Academy Award® winner Melissa Leo (“The Fighter”) and Paul Dano. Villeneuve directs the film from an original screenplay by Aaron Guzikowski (“Contraband”). Academy Award® nominee Broderick Johnson (“The Blind Side”), Kira Davis, Academy Award® nominee Andrew A. Kosove (“The Blind Side”), and Adam Kolbrenner are the producers, with Edward L. McDonnell, John H. Starke, Robyn Meisinger, Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson serving as executive producers.

“Prisoners” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and on DVD for $28.98. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray, and the DVD features the theatrical version in standard definition. Both the Blu-ray Combo Pack and the DVD include UltraViolet which allows consumers to download and instantly stream the standard definition theatrical version of the film to a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players.


**SYNOPSIS**


How far would you go to protect your family? Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) is facing every parent’s worst nightmare. His six-year-old daughter, Anna, is missing, together with her young friend, Joy, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a dilapidated RV that had earlier been parked on their street. Heading the investigation, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) arrests its driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), but a lack of evidence forces his release.

As the police pursue multiple leads and pressure mounts, knowing his child’s life is at stake the frantic Dover decides he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family?


**BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Prisoners – Every Moment Matters
* Prisoners – Powerful Performances

Historic Academy Award Winner Sunrise coming to Blu-ray January 14

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be releasing the first ever Academy Award Winner for Best Picture Sunrise to Blu-ray on January 14, 2014. The film starred George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Audio will be provided by an Original Fox Movietone Score DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0, Olympia Chamber Orchestra Score Composed and Conducted by Timothy Brock track. Below are the official details:





***SYNOPSIS***


F.W. Murnau’s story of betrayal and redemption earned Oscars® at the first Academy Awards® ceremony in 1929 for the most “Unique and Artistic Picture,” Best Actress (Janet Gaynor) and Best Cinematography. The love and loyalty of a farmer and his wife are put to the ultimate test in this classic silent film. Sunrise used the groundbreaking Fox Movietone sound system, making it one of the first studio films with a true soundtrack, featuring music and sound effects.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**

* Original Fox Movietone Version and European Silent Version
* Commentary by ASC Cinematographer John Bailey
* Outtakes with Commentary by John Bailey
* Original Theatrical Trailer
* Original Scenario by Carl Mayer with Annotations by F.W. Murnau
* Original Sunrise Screenplay
* Restoration Notes

Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake star in Runner Runner on Blu-ray and DVD January 7

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be bringing the thriller Runner Runner to Blu-ray and DVD on January 7, 2014. The film stars Ben Affleck, Justin Timberlake and Gemma Arterton. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Audio will be provided by a DTS-HD Master 5.1 track. Below are the official details:





***SYNOPSIS***


Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck star in this high-stakes crime thriller where the lure of easy money is the riskiest bet of all. When Princeton grad student Richie Furst (Timberlake) believes he’s been swindled by an online poker site, he heads to Costa Rica to confront gambling tycoon Ivan Block (Affleck), the man he thinks is responsible. But Richie will soon face the ultimate power play as he finds himself caught between Block’s promises of unlimited wealth and the zealous FBI agent (Anthony Mackie) trying to bring him down.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**

* House of Cards: The Inside Story of Online Poker
* Deleted Scenes

Man Of Steel Krypton Infographic

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be releasing the worldwide blockbuster Man Of Steel to Blu-ray on November 12, 2013. Check out my review at http://blurayjournal.blogspot.com/2013/11/man-of-steel-blu-ray-review.html The film directed by Zack Snyder stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russel Crowe and Michael Shannon

**SYNOPSIS


A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

Don Jon out on Blu-ray and DVD December 31st

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be bringing the hit dramedy Don Jon to Blu-ray and DVD on December 31, 2013. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Audio will be provided by a DTS-HD Master 5.1 track. Below are the official details:





***SYNOPSIS***


Jon Martello (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a handsome, good old-fashioned guy known as Don Jon for his ability to bed beautiful women at will. But ironically, even the finest fling doesn’t compare to the bliss Jon finds alone—watching porn on his computer. Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson) is a gorgeous, good old-fashioned girl raised on romantic movies, and she’s determined to find her Prince Charming. Wrestling with expectations of the opposite sex, Jon and Barbara struggle against false fantasies to find true intimacy in this unexpected comedy written and directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.


**Blu-ray Exclusive Features**


* Making Of Don Jon
* Don Jon’s Origin
* Joe’s Hats
* Objectified
* Themes & Variations

**Blu-ray & DVD Special Features**


* HitRECord Shorts
- My Favorite Things: Request Video
- My Favorite Things Remix: Film Preservation, Love of Objects
- Vinegar
* Theatrical Trailer and Previews

Man Of Steel Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.





**MOVIE REVIEW**


Let's be honest, Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve created an iconic film over 30 years ago and was the symbol of Superman representing "Truth, Justice and the American Way". When I heard that Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan were going to reboot the Superman franchise with a modern take I was hesitant to get hyped up but after the sensational first trailer I was hooked on their new vision. We start on Krypton and it is a magical but dying planet due to the greed of it's people. Which leads Jor-El to send his only born son to earth so he may live and one day bring Kyrpton back, but his plans are almost thwarted by General Zod who is played with intensity by Michael Shannon. Zod and his team of militants are sent to the Phantom Zone.

We join little Kal in his ship and then cut to a bearded and strong looking man who rescues workers from an exploding oil rig and moves on protecting people from there. We know it is Superman but he isn't that man , yet. Flashbacks fill in the blanks of his life with Johnathan and Martha Kent and it is a treat to see young Clark saving children from a drowning school bus. Amy Adams as strong willed reporter Lois Lane has been tracking this do gooder for some time and tracks him down as the military finds something buried deep in ice. This turns out to be a scout ship and becomes Kal's Fortress Of Solitude and this is when he puts on the iconic blue & red suit and becomes Superman. The pure joy we see on his face as he flies faster than a jet over plains, mountains, canyons and orbiting Earth then goes back down to Smallville with after burning effect was a goose bump moment for me. General Zod then invades Earth and tells them to hand over the citizen that has been hiding on their planet for 33 years. Superman does show up and from that moment on the last hour of the film is non stop action and chaos that few films have achieved before. The battles between the Zod's crew and Superman as well as the U.S Army is thrilling with the final battle taking place in Metropolis with Zod and Supes one on one. They fly and swing their fists with a speed and ferocity that astounds, crushing buildings (hopefully empty) in their wake. I won't spoil the ending but will say Clark Kent makes an appearance at the Daily Planet.

The film was perfectly cast with Henry Cavill becoming the new vision of Superman before our very eyes and he does a superb job saying more with his eyes and facial features. Michael Shannon is a memorable "villian" as Zod , who is doing what his purpose for being created was which is protecting Krypton , even if that means destroying human life first and then terra forming the planet. I for one can't wait to see what the creative team does with the sequel which is set to feature Ben Affleck as Batman. 10/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Man Of Steel arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1. - A stunningly detailed and crisp viewing experience. Colors are stylistically kept more on the muted side with bursts of deep red and blue, as well as a yellow bus and lush green fields shining through. Skintones have a very natural appearance. Fine detail was revealing to say the least. Every ridge and stitch of fabric in Superman's costume is visible, a moment where the makeup crew put to much makeup on Amy Adam's right cheek is seen as well as her adorable light freckles, the almost bone like structures on Krypton it's weapons and ships are really shown off. Black levels were inky and deep throughout with good shadow delineation. 10/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track. - From the opening note of Hans Zimmer's percussion heavy and masterful score I was enveloped in the world of Krypton and then Earth. This is a track with an almost constant 360 degree sound field with smooth panning effects and surrounds engaged to depict choppers, ships, an oil rig blowing and make them feel like they just flew right past you and on top of you. LFE response is in a word thunderous. Bass crashes and bellows with authority throughout the film and the battle sequences at the end of the film had me checking to see if anything fell off the book shelf, it also drives the deep notes and bass of of the already mentioned score. Through all this action dialogue was crisp and clean. No hisses, pops or cracks were heard. Demo worthy material in the highest sense. 10/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


**DISC 1**


* Strong Characters, Legendary Roles (HD, 29min59sec) "Explore the legendary characters of the Superman mythology and how they have evolved in this new iteration of the Superman story." - We get insight from Director Zack Snyder, principal cast and crew and David. S Goyer. They speak of their inspirations in creating this new Superman and all the history of the character that lead them here. Some nice behind-the-scenes footage with some bright crisp images of comic book panels of past Superman comics are used to tell the story.

* All-Out Action (HD, 26min2sec) "Go inside the intense training regimen that sculpted Henry Cavill into the Man of Steel and Michael Shannon and Antje Traue into his Kyptonian nemeses. Includes interviews with cast and crew." - I really enjoyed this fun look at the grueling six month training program that Mark Twight and Jim Jones put Henry Cavill, Michael Shannon and rest of the cast involved in any kind of action scenes. We see Cavill dead lift 435 lbs, wow. Then it moves on to the stunt choreography used for the dramatic fights and we learn that 95% of the Smallville battle was actually practical effects done on location. Stunt coordinator Damon Caro gives insight into the fighting styles used.

* Krypton Decoded (HD, 6min42sec)– "Dylan Sprayberry (Clark Kent, age 13) gives the lowdown on all the amazing Krypton tech, weapons and spaceships featured in Man of Steel.” - The young Clark Kent gives a brief look at Krypton's destruction, the Scout Ship, Kryptonian display technology which the director dubbed "liquid geo", Kryptonian armor & weapons, the Phantom Zone, and the ship Black Zero that Zod and his crew use to get to Earth.


**DISC 2**


* Journey of Discovery: Creating “Man of Steel” (HD, 2hrs54min5sec) – "This immersive feature-length experience allows you to watch the movie with director Zack Snyder and stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane and others as they share the incredible journey to re-imagine Superman." - This is a massive undertaking and well worth taking the time to sit down and enjoy. There is tons of behind-the-scenes footage that plays some times full screen and other times in a separate window while other video windows show conceptual drawings, pre visual animatics, cast or crew interview discussing a particular scenes, and the finished film. One of the most fascinating things for me was all the work that went into creating the glyphs and language for Krypton.

* Planet Krypton (HD, 17:18) "The world’s first exploration of Krypton and its lost society." - Shot and told in the format of a History Channel documentary like "Ancient Aliens" this is a fascinating look at the planet Krypton and it's culture, tech and ultimate downfall. It is told as though you are really in the world after General Zod has broadcast his message and every one now knows we are not alone and that a Superman exists and is here to save us all. Fun stuff.

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK PHOTOS - Man Of Steel Blu-ray Combo Pack Unboxing

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be releasing the worldwide blockbuster Man Of Steel to Blu-ray on November 12, 2013. Will be posting a review by end tomorrow. The film directed by Zack Snyder stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russel Crowe and Michael Shannon. Below are official details from the press release:

**SYNOPSIS


A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.


**BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES**


“Man of Steel” Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and 3D Limited Collector’s Edition contain the following special features:

* Journey of Discovery: Creating “Man of Steel” – This immersive feature-length experience allows you to watch the movie with director Zack Snyder and stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane and others as they share the incredible journey to re-imagine Superman.

* Strong Characters, Legendary Roles – Explore the legendary characters of the Superman mythology and how they have evolved in this new iteration of the Superman story.

* All-Out Action – Go inside the intense training regimen that sculpted Henry Cavill into the Man of Steel and Michael Shannon and Antje Traue into his Kyptonian nemeses. Includes interviews with cast and crew.

* Krypton Decoded – Dylan Sprayberry (Clark Kent, age 13) gives the lowdown on all the amazing Krypton tech, weapons and spaceships featured in “Man of Steel.”

* Planet Krypton – The world’s first exploration of Krypton and its lost society.


“Man of Steel” DVD 2-disc Special Edition contains the following special features:

* Strong Characters, Legendary Roles
* All-Out Action
* Krypton Decoded