September 19, 2015

Entourage The Movie Blu-ray Review






**SYNOPSIS**



Movie star Vincent Chase (Grenier), together with his boys, Eric (Connolly), Turtle (Ferrara) and Johnny (Dillon), are back…and back in business with super-agent-turned-studio head Ari Gold (Piven). Some of their ambitions have changed, but the bond between them remains strong as they navigate the capricious and often cutthroat world of Hollywood with hilarious antics.





**MOVIE REVIEW**



Entourage as a series ended it's eight season run on HBO on September 11, 2011. 4 years later Entourage The Movie brings Vincent Chase and his friends back in what feels like an amped up episode with a ton of cameos, the best being Liam Neeson and his reaction Ari Gold when they are both at a stop light. The guys do grow a bit during the film with Eric becoming a father and Vince getting acclaim directing his first movie. Drama finally gets the respect he has always craved. Part of the plot involves Billy Bob Thornton's T rich Texas investor and his goofball son played to perfection by Haley Joel Osment.

The women get some good screen time as well with Ronda Rousey starting a relationship with the now trim and rich Turtle, she shows a natural warmth during one scene that will serve her well if she pursues acting more in the future. For fans of the show the movie can at times feel kind of like a massive episode with the volume turned up which may irritate some but for most they will enjoy seeing the gang back again and living the lifestlye of the rich and famous. 7.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**



Entourage The Movie arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 - Being set in sunny LA the color palette pops with lush primaries, blue skies and crisp whites. Warmer earth tones at a investors Texas home look great too. Skin tones appear natural. The image is crystal clear with fine detail in the beautiful cars and the beautiful people looking exceptional. Black levels are deep and rich. There were zero signs of edge enhancement or artifacts. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**



Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - The snappy dialogue is crisp and clear throughout. Surround channels help to expand the music tracks and add a sense of environment whether that's on a yacht full of partying, a red carpet, or the few quieter scenes of the guys at home on the deck. LFE performance was robust during the scene of Hyde that Arie watches. Bass was solid during rest of the movie adding nice depth to the music.9/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**



* The Gang - Still Rockin’ It (HD, 14:18) - Director Doug Ellin is joined by actors Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara to discuss the series and why they wanted to bring it to the big screen. Mark Wahlberg adds some insight in a separate interview.

* Hollywood, Baby! (HD, 08:28) - The cast and producers discuss upping up the ante for the movie. The Cadillac CIEL concept car that is driven by the guys during a couple scenes in the movie was chosen specifically by them to use for the movie. Doug Elling says that HBO wouldn't let any of them keep all the high dollar cars, clothes and tech that was seen during the shows run or for the movie. Armie Hammer, Ronda Rousey, Bob Saget and Russell Wilson talk about their cameos.

* The Making of Hyde (HD, 04:34) - An interesting in character behind-the-scenes look at Vincent Chase making his directorial debut with the film Hyde, a reimagining of the classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

* Deleted Scenes (HD, 18:39) - A collection of six deleted/extended scenes. There is no option to watch the scenes separately.

* Gag Reel (HD, 02:46)

* Meet the Newest Member of Entourage (HD, 02:16) - Director Doug Ellin's son Lucas is asked what it was like to play Ari Gold's son Jonah in the film.

* Lucas Ellin is Jonah Gold (HD, 01:59) - Doug Ellin and son Lucas are interviewed on the red carpet.

Vacation Blu-ray November 3rd






Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be releasing Vacation to Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on November 3, 2015. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Below are the official details:





**SYNOPSIS**



The next generation of Griswolds are on the road again for another hilarious, ill-fated family adventure. Following in his father’s footsteps, a grown-up Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms) surprises his wife, Debbie (Christina Applegate), and their two sons with a cross-country road trip back to America’s “favorite family fun park,” Walley World. What could go wrong?

Own Vacation on Blu-ray Combo Pack or DVD on November 3rd or Own It Early on Digital HD on October 13th!


**SPECIAL FEATURES**



* Return to Walley World
* The Griswold Odyssey
* Gag Reel
* Deleted Scenes
* Georgia

September 13, 2015

Gotham: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review






**SYNOPSIS**



Before there was Batman, there was Gotham City. Everyone knows the name of Commissioner Gordon, but what of his rise from rookie detective to Police Commissioner? What did it take to navigate the layers of corruption in Gotham City, the spawning ground of the world’s most iconic villains? Gotham tells the story of the world’s most iconic DC Comics Super-Villains and vigilantes from the very beginning, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. From executive producer Bruno Heller (The Mentalist, Rome), this crime drama follows GCPD Detective James Gordon’s rise through a dangerously corrupt city, while also chronicling the genesis of one of the most popular DC Comics Super Heroes of our time. Although the crime drama follows Gordon’s turbulent and singular career, it also focuses on his unlikely friendship with the young Bruce Wayne – with his mentorship a crucial element in developing the mythology of Gotham City.





**SEASON REVIEW**



The first season of Gotham builds a world with Batman many years away from becoming the hero it needs as he is still a young man dealing with his parents murder. Detective James Gordon played by Ben McKenzie is the main character of the show, McKenzie was a great choice for the role as he can play a straight laced cop with a hard edge in his sleep. My favorite character of this debut season was Fish Mooney played by Jada Pinkett-Smith, the role calls for a bit of camp and she has a lot of fun with it. Robin Lord Taylor plays Oswald Cobblepot as a jittery, friendly but sinister criminal mastermind who is only getting started.

The 22 episodes included are easy to binge watch. There are some inconsistencies with character motivations and plotting but overall I was entertained by Gotham and will be watching Season 2 when it returns on September 21st. 8/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**



Gotham: The Complete First Season arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 1.78:1 - Gotham is a moody and dark show at times and it is reflected in the color palette that uses darker tones. There are moments where a brighter color will pop and looks great in contrast. Skin tones appear lifelike. Black levels were deep, rich and inky. Fine details on clothing, paper littered desks, and the seedy underworld of Gotham are crisp and revealing. No signs of edge enhancement or artifacts. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**



Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - Dialogue reproduction was perfect on this collection of 22 episodes, crisp and crystal clear throughout. LFE performance adds significant weight to gun shots, explosions, and the score. Surround activity includes great use of directional and environmental effects. No signs of popping or hissing. 9/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**



The special features explore various aspects of the production and does include some good insight into what it took to bring the series to television. While a commentary track or two would have been welcome this is still a nice collection of extras. 8/10

* Gotham Invented: Building Our Gotham (HD, 13:19) - The Executive Producers of Gotham serve as our guides into the unique world they created and the new characters which emerged.

* Gotham Invented: Paving the Way for the Caped Crusader (HD, 6:56) - It is the gritty crime-ridden world before the arrival of Batman that provides the right balance of characters, location and crime to sound the call for a savior.

* Gotham Invented: Fractured Villains of Gotham (HD, 11:13) - The new breed of villain is willing to step over the boundaries and be a true and proper threat to Gotham society. From the Red Hood to the Ogre, we see what happens when evil personified attacks the city.

* Designing the Fiction (HD, 20:01) - Designing the fiction takes you from the concept to cration of the gritty streets and dark skylines of Gotham city.

* The Game of Cobblepot (HD, 26:25) The Game of Cobblepot examines the gamesmanship of Oswald Cobblepot as he ascends to the top of Gotham's underworld.

* GOTHAM: The Legend Reborn (HD, 21:37) - Go behind the scenes of the thrilling Gotham pilot, from it's comic book origins to the cutting-edge production.

* DC Comics Night at Comic-Con 2014 Presenting Gotham, The Flash, Constantine and Arrow (HD, 29:31) - Cast and producers from WB Television and DC Entertainment discuss the exciting upcoming slate of shows.

* Character Profiles:
- Detective James Gordon (HD, 02:29)
- Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth )HD, 02:34)
- Detective Harvey Bullock (HD, 01:35)
- Fish Mooney (HD, 01:39)
- Oswald Cobblepot (HD, 02:05)
- Dr. Leslie Thompkins (HD, 02:07)
- Killer Character (HD, 02:57)

* Gag Reel (HD, 04:55)

* Deleted Scenes

Pitch Perfect 2 Blu-ray Review






**SYNOPSIS**



Beca (Anna Kendrick), Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and the Barden Bellas are back to pitch slap the world! After a scandal threatens to derail their last year at Barden, the three-time defending champs worry that they've lost their harmony for good. With one chance left at redeeming their legacy, they must face off against the toughest competition on the planet: German super group Das Sound Machine, and fight for their right to win at the World Championships of A Cappella. It will take the power of sisterhood to find their voice and see what it takes to be the world's top pitches!





**MOVIE REVIEW**



Pitch Perfect was a modest hit at the box office but became a phenomenon on home video which lead to a sequel three years later. The first half hour of Pitch Perfect 2 is kind of a mess with the Bellas out of sync after a wardrobe malfunction causes humiliation for their school and themselves. Thankfully things pick up once the girls decide to enter the World Championships of A Capella. The main protagonist this go around is the German group Das Sound Machine and they provide many of the best laughs in the film. Fat Amy and Bumpers relationship builds and leads to a fun duet. The song choices are interesting and most of them are well adapted to an A Capella version. Pitch Perfect 2 takes a little patience but once it gets rolling it's quite enjoyable. 7.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**



Pitch Perfect 2 arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 1.85:1 - Colors burst with lush and bold primaries. Saturation was near perfect throughout. Black levels were deep and inky with good shadow detail in some of the night scenes outdoors. Detail in close ups, costuming and textures was excellent. The image was bright, cheerful and sharp. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**



Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - The clarity in the musical performances is what makes this track a cut above most comedy film tracks. The World Championships performance features a thrilling A Capella version of Fall Out Boy's "My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light Em Up) by Das Sound Machine and it features tight and precise bass, crisp vocals and excellent fidelity. Dialogue was consistently crisp and clear, handling thicker accents without a problem. Bass kicks in for the music performances as well as music cues that play over rest of the film. 9/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**



Bonus Songs Performed by the Treblemakers (HD, 03:27)

* Extended Musical Performances
- Bellas (HD, 01:58)
- Das Sound Machine (HD, 01:23)
- Bellas: The Finale Clap-Along (HD, 00:44)

* Das Sound Machine Finale Breakdown
- All Vocals (HD, 02:06)
- Background Vocals Only (HD, 02:06)
- Beat Box Only (HD, 02:06)
- Lead Vocals Only (HD, 02:06)

* Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes
- Jesse Drops off Jessa at Work - Extended (HD, 01:46)
- Treble Party - Alternate (HD, 01:00)
- Bumper Arrives at the Treble Party - Deleted (HD, 01:18)
- Treble Party - Extended (HD, 01:04)
- Car Show: 'Farter' - Deleted (HD, 00:56)
- Intro to Mansion - Extended (HD, 01:35)
- Beat Box - Extended (HD, 01:21)
- Setting up Tents - Deleted (HD, 01:50)
- Amy and Bumper Make Up - Alternate (HD, 01:32)

* Gag Reel (HD, 03:08)

* Line-Aca-Rama (HD, 03:36)

* Green Bay Rap (HD, 00:52)

* Elizabeth Banks' Directorial Debut (HD, 05:20)

* The Bellas Are Back (HD, 06:13)

* Aca-Camp (HD, 05:04)

* The Making of the Riff-Off (HD, 06:02)

* The World Championships of A Capella (HD, 09:30)

* Snoop is in the House (HD, 02:53)

* Residual Heat Internship (HD, 02:26)

* An Aca-Love Story: Bumper and Fat Amy (HD, 05:26)

* Legacy: Hailee Steinfeld (HD, 06:04)