Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans Blu-ray Review

**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.





**VIDEO QUALITY**


Sunrise arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 1.20:1. - This is not a stunning restoration due to the original print being no longer available. There are some blemishes and white specks that show up in the image. Black levels were solid and contrast was an upgrade from the 2003 DVD release. Clarity was good with some moments of softness that was the artistic choice of the director. A layer of grain is seen throughout the film's running time. 7.5/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track. - This track is the original Fox Movietone score by the great Hugo Riesenfeld. The track is clear with no noticeable pops or hisses. Also included is a Dolby Digital 2.0 track featuring a fine score by Timothy Brock. Rich and deep notes are a highlight of this particular track. 8/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Original Fox Movietone Version and European Silent Version
* Commentary by ASC Cinematographer John Bailey - Quite a unique listen that explores the films visuals, it's quite informative.
* Outtakes with Optional Commentary by John Bailey (SD, 10min1sec) - A nice bunch of clips with commentary form the game John Bailey as an option.
* Original Scenario by Carl Mayer with Annotations by F.W. Murnau (SD, 3min) - You can select one page at a time or an auto feature that plays in sequence.
* Original Sunrise Screenplay
* Theatrical Trailer (SD, 1min51sec) * Restoration Notes - A nice look at the restoration and remastering of the original score as well as the print used to make the new transfer.

Gravity on Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD February 25th

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be bringing home the blockbuster Gravity to Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on February 25, 2014. The film was directed by Alfonso Cuarón and stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Below are the official details:





Burbank, CA, January 17, 2014 – Experience space like never before in the Academy Award®-nominated “Gravity,” arriving onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on February 25 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. A heart-pounding thriller starring Academy Award winners Sandra Bullock (“The Blind Side”) and George Clooney (“Syriana”), and stunningly directed by Academy Award-nominee Alfonso Cuarón, “Gravity” pulls you into the infinite and unforgiving realm of deep space.

“Gravity” was written by Alfonso Cuarón and Jonás Cuarón and produced by Alfonso Cuarón and David Heyman (the “Harry Potter” films), with Chris deFaria, Nikki Penny and Stephen Jones serving as executive producers.

“Gravity” will be available on Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack for $44.95 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99. Both include a digital version of the movie on Digital HD with UltraViolet.* Fans can also own “Gravity” in Digital HD on February 25 via purchase from digital retailers.

“Gravity” has become one of the most honored films of the year, garnering 10 Academy Award nominations**, including Best Motion Picture of the Year, Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Sandra Bullock, and Achievement in Directing – Alfonso Cuarón. The film has also received 11 BAFTA Award nominations and 10 Critics’ Choice Award nominations, both including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress (Bullock)**. Cuarón recently received a Golden Globe Award for Best Director. “Gravity” has also won Best Picture awards from several prestigious critics organizations, including the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and has been included on 395 critics’ and critics groups’ top ten lists, as well as being named one of the AFI’s ten best films of the year. It was also announced as the year’s best reviewed film by the website Rotten Tomatoes.


**SYNOPSIS**


Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney) in command. But on a seemingly routine mission, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalski completely alone—tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the darkness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**

* Collision Point: The Race to Clean Up Space (Narrated by Ed Harris)
* Aningaaq - A short film by Jonás Cuarón
* Gravity Mission Control
- It Began With A Story
- Initial Challenges: Long Shots And Zero G
- Previsualizing Gravity
- The Hues of Space
- Physical Weightlessness
- Space Tech
- Sandra and George: A Pair in Space
- Final Animation
- Complete Silence
* Shot Breakdowns
- Behind the Visor
- Fire in the International Space Station
- Dr. Stone's Rebirth
- The Sound of Action in Space
- Splashdown - Shot Breakdowns
* Gravity: Silent Space Version
* Sandra’s Surprise!

Archer: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Review

***SYNOPSIS***


Swing back into action with Sterling Archer — the world’s greatest spy — and the agents of ISIS for another hilarious season of cocktails, carousing and animated awesomeness! Follow the team around the globe, from the mysterious Bermuda Triangle all the way to the Vatican, as they bicker, backstab and bumble their way through assassination plots, an ill-advised marriage, an unexpected pregnancy, and a venomous snake bite in a very, very bad place! Packed with terrorist threats, sexual shenanigans, and all things inappropriate, “Archer” The Complete Fourth Season comes fully loaded with outrageous top-secret extras!


***SERIES REVIEW***


The fourth season of this outrageous spy comedy has some excellent episodes. I found myself laughing out loud during any given episode of the 13 episodes included. The voice actors are in top form. The guest stars are a trip and quite a few are a surprise. The new season just stated on FX so if you haven't caught up on this brilliant series now is the time to do so. Highly recommending this one. 9/10

***VIDEO QUALITY***


Archer: Fourth Season comes to Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The visual style of the show is classy and looks spectacular on Blu-ray. Colors were warm and inviting with beautiful primaries. Black levels are rich and inky. The presentation was razor sharp and highly detailed. 9.5/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The superb voice acting is represented well with crisp and clear dialogue throughout. Surrounds were used well to make the action scenes come alive with bullets whizzing by, environmental effects were good as well. Bass is pretty deep and rumbles the room when things go boom. 9/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***


* Fisherman's Daughter (HD, 3min28sec) - A fun little short featuring the unstable Dr. Krieger.

* Archer Live! (HD, 20min3sec) - Shows footage of cast answering fans questions and being funny at an event in New York City. This was shot at the Irving Center in front of a live audience of Archer fans.

CARRIE (2013) Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


Carrie is a reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White (Chloë Grace Moretz), a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother (Julianne Moore), who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom.


**MOVIE REVIEW**


I'll start off stating that I'm not a fan of remakes but was entertained enough by the film. Chloë Grace Moretz who shocked audiences with her Hit Girl character in Kick Ass does a fine job making the role her own as the outcast and bullied Carrie. Julianna Moore is as always excellent as Carrie's religious nut job Mother. The remake stays pretty close to the same when comparing to the original besides the expected jumps in clothing and technology to make it relevant to a modern audience. Overall if you're a horror fan this one is worth watching. 8/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Carrie arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.35:1. - Colors are bold and perfectly saturated. The reds that pop up in the prom scene are to die for. Black levels were solid with good shadow delineation in darker scenes. The image exhibits striking clarity and fine detail really makes textures of furniture and clothing pop. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - This was a lot a fun to listen to. Surrounds are used to startling effect to make every creak, whisper and scare to envelop the viewer and bring them into the setting on screen. Bass is deep and bellows and rumbles when called for. Dialogue was consistently crisp and clear even during more chaotic moments of terror. 9.5/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Feature Film With Alternate Ending - You can watch either the theatrical version or the film with the alternate ending that is introduced by the director.

* Commentary by Director Kimberly Peirce

* Creating Carrie (HD, 21min7sec) - An interesting featurette that explores the desire to do the remake , talk about the Stephen King novel, and the work that went into the visual effects. Behind the scenes footage is also shown. Principal cast and crew provide insight.

* Deleted/Extended Scenes with Optional Commentary by Director Kimberly Peirce (HD, 10min18sec - There are a total of 9 scenes to watch individually or with a play all option. Scenes include 'Hail', 'Chris and Tina Kiss', 'Billy's Wild Ride', 'Carrie Levitates Margaret', 'Drive to Pig Farm', 'Carrie and Tommy Kiss', 'Billy Kisses Chris', 'Margaret Cuts Herself', 'Tina on Fire'

* The Power of Telekinesis (HD, 4min2sec) - Cast and crew share their thoughts on telekinesis and whether they feel it is real or a hoax.

* Tina on Fire Stunt Double Dailies (HD, 2min18sec)

* Telekinetic Coffee Shop Surprise (HD, 2min39sec)

* Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1min56sec)