A Dog's Purpose Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The 100-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad – Frozen, Angry Birds) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love. A narrative with “genuine heart, humor and a real message of love” (Michael Heaton, The Plain Dealer), the family film told from the dog’s perspective also stars Britt Robertson (Tomorrowland, The Longest Ride), KJ Apa (“Riverdale”), John Ortiz (Silver Linings Playbook, American Gangster), Juliet Rylance (Sinister, “The Knick”), Luke Kirby (“The Astronaut Wives Club”), Peggy Lipton (When in Rome, Twin Peaks), Pooch Hall (“The Game,” “Ray Donovan”) and Dennis Quaid (Far From Heaven, The Rookie).








**MOVIE REVIEW**


A Dog's Purpose is a cute and effecting movie for the whole family. Josh Gad is terrific as the inner monologue of the adorable dogs his soul travels to after each passing. Brief but fine work from Dennis Quaid. There are some textbook tearjerker moments but I will let it slide since the movie as a whole is charming and great for all ages. 7.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


A Dog's Purpose arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 - Bright primaries look lush and vibrant. The Rockwell era look at the start exhibits beautiful reds, yellows and gorgeous fields of green. Contrast was excellent while black levels were consistently deep. Fine detail in the various canines fur, wrinkles and freckles in faces were crystal clear. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio track. - Dialogue and narration was clear and prioritized to the center channel. This is no action movie stunner but there is a chase scene halfway through on a bridge that makes great use of the surrounds and LFE channel. Speaking of LFE performance it is mainly used to add depth to the pleasing score. No problems to bark at with this presentation. 8/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Deleted Scenes (HD, 09:24) - A total of 15 scenes are included here. Nothing terribly missed in the main feature but fun to watch at least once.

* Outtakes (HD, 02:11)

* Lights, Camera, Woof! (HD, 08:46) - A very cute approach to the making of the movie.

* A Writer’s Purpose (HD, 04:44) - Learn the story behind W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved best-selling novel.

CHIPS Blu-ray June 27th

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will release CHIPS to Blu-ray and DVD on June 27, 2017. The Blu-ray specs are set to be 1080p video in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and we await details on the audio track. Below are the official details:








**SYNOPSIS**


Jon Baker (Dax Shepard) and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello (Michael Peña) have just joined the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Los Angeles, but for very different reasons. Baker is a beaten-up former pro motorbiker trying to put his life and marriage back together. Poncherello is a cocky undercover Federal agent investigating a multi-million-dollarheist that may be an inside job—inside the CHP.

The inexperienced rookie and the hardened pro are teamed together, but clash more than click, so kick-starting a real partnership is easier said than done. But with Baker’s unique bike skills and Ponch’s street savvy it might just work…if they don’t drive each other crazy first


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* This Is Not Your Dad’s CHIPS
* Practical Pursuit
* Ducati: The Perfect Bike
* Director’s Commentary
* Deleted Scenes

Logan 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray May 23rd

Fox Home Entertainment has officially announced they will release Logan to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on May 23, 2017. The 4K Blu-ray specs are set to be 2160p video in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and a Dolby Atmos track for audio. Below are the official details:








**SYNOPSIS**


Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings Hugh Jackman’s celebrated seventeen-year run as Wolverine to a close when the box office phenomenon Logan arrives on Digital HD on May 16 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD May 23. Sir Patrick Stewart (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Star Trek: The Next Generation), Stephen Merchant (Hello Ladies, The Office), Boyd Holbrook (Narcos) and newcomer Dafne Keen join Jackman in the iconic character’s final chapter, directed by James Mangold (The Wolverine, Walk the Line).

Touting an R-rating, allowing fans to finally see Logan’s legendary berserk rage unleashed, Mangold brings a visceral and gritty realism to the story, based on one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters. In the near future, a weary Logan (Hugh Jackman) cares for an ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart) in a hideout on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are upended when a young mutant (Dafne Keen) arrives, being pursued by dark forces. In addition to nearly 90 minutes of original content, including deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes documentary, the Blu-ray™ will also include Logan Noir, a black and white version of the film that gives the acclaimed story an all-new look.

"During production of LOGAN I took many black and white photographs and noticed how striking and dramatic our gritty settings and characters appeared in monochrome,” said Mangold. “The western and noir vibes of the film seemed to shine in the format and there was not a trace of modern comic hero movie sheen. Then, while editing, Fox and I started posting some of the black and white stills online and fans also began to respond enthusiastically, many hoping that they would get a chance to see the finished film in carefully timed, high contrast black and white. Well. Sometimes hope becomes reality."

To celebrate the release of Logan Noir, Alamo Drafthouse will be bringing the film to the big screen in all of its monochromatic glory for one night only starting at 8 PM EST on Tuesday, May 16th. The event screenings will also be accompanied by an exclusive, live streaming Q&A featuring director James Mangold. Attendees in every location of the screening will be able to participate in the live discussion with Mangold via Twitter using the hashtag #askalamo. Los Angeles fans will also get the chance to see Logan slash through the big screen as Alamo Drafthouse and Fox co-present LOGAN NOIR with American Cinematheque for a screening at the Egyptian Theatre. Tickets for all screenings are available now at drafthouse.com/logannoir.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Logan Noir – black and white version of the film
* Audio commentary by Director James Mangold
* Deleted scenes with optional audio commentary by James Mangold (Blu-ray only)
* Making Logan – behind-the-scenes documentary (Blu-ray only)

Big Little Lies Blu-ray August 1st

HBO Home Entertainment has officially announced they will release Big Little Lies to Blu-ray and DVD on August 1, 2017. The Blu-ray specs are set to be 1080p video in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for audio. Below are the official details:








**SYNOPSIS**


Become a part of the conversation and “prepare to be obsessed” (Vogue) with the new HBO® hit limited series Big Little Lies, starring some of the biggest names in show business, including Academy Award®-winner Reese Witherspoon, Academy Award®-winner Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley, just to name a few. Due to make its home entertainment debut on Blu-ray™ and DVD on August 1, 2017 and via Digital Download on May 1, 2017, Big Little Lies includes all seven episodes from the “exquisitely conceived and structured” (The Washington Post) limited series as well as six fascinating “Inside the Episode” pieces and an exclusive extended “About Big Little Lies” piece featuring never-before-seen cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

Big Little Lies is based in the tranquil seaside town of Monterey, California, where nothing is quite as it seems. Doting moms, successful husbands, adorable children, beautiful homes: What lies will be told to keep their perfect worlds from unraveling? Told through the eyes of three mothers – Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste (Nicole Kidman) and Jane (Shailene Woodley) – Big Little Lies paints a picture of a town fueled by rumors and divided into the haves and have-nots, exposing the conflicts, secrets and betrayals that compromise relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and friends and neighbors.

The cast also includes Alexander Skarsgård, Emmy®-nominee Laura Dern, Adam Scott, Zoë Kravitz, James Tupper and Jeffrey Nordling. Big Little Lies is written for television and created by David E. Kelley (seven-time Emmy® winner for “Picket Fences”, “LA Law”, "The Practice” and "Ally McBeal”; “Goliath") and directed by Jean-Marc Vallée (“Dallas Buyers Club”; “Wild”; “Demolition”).

A Cure For Wellness Blu-ray June 6th

Fox Home Entertainment has officially announced they will release A Cure For Wellness to Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on June 6, 2017. The Blu-ray specs are set to be 1080p video in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track. Below are the official details:







**SYNOPSIS**


From the director of The Ring comes this psychological thriller and “fantastically creepy experience” (Kyle Smith, New York Post) about an ambitious young executive sent to retrieve his company’s CEO from a remote and mysterious “wellness center.” When he begins to unravel the retreat’s terrifying secrets, his sanity is tested, as he finds himself diagnosed with the same curious illness that keeps all the guests there longing for the cure.

Featuring hauntingly mesmerizing performances from Dane DeHaan (Chronicle), Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter films) and Mia Goth (Everest), the Blu-ray and DVD includes a deleted sequence, a behind-the-scenes look at the scoring of the film and individual meditations from the wellness center.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Deleted Sequence: “It’s Wonderful Here”

* Meditations
- Water is the Cure
- Air is the Cure
- Earth is the Cure

* The Score

* Trailers
- Theatrical trailer
- Red Band trailer
- International trailer