Riverdale: The Complete First Season DVD Review

“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the DVD I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own.”

**SYNOPSIS**


Based on the characters from Archie Comics, Riverdale gives a subversive take on small-town life. Things aren’t always what you expect in Riverdale. As a new school year begins, the town is reeling from the tragic death of high school golden boy Jason Blossom. The summer’s events made all-American teen Archie Andrews realize that he wants to pursue a career in music, but his fractured friendship with Jughead Jones, and Josie McCoy’s focus on her own band leaves Archie without a mentor. Meanwhile, girl-next-door Betty Cooper is not ready to reveal her true feelings for Archie, and new student, Veronica Lodge, has an undeniable spark with Betty’s crush. And then there’s Cheryl Blossom, Riverdale’s queen bee, who stirs up trouble amongst Archie, Betty and Veronica. But is Cheryl hiding something about the mysterious death of her twin brother, Jason? Riverdale may look like a quiet, sleepy town, but there’s so much more to the story.





**VIDEO QUALITY**


Riverdale: The Complete First Season arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in the aspect ratio of 1.78:1. - Color saturation was excellent and exhibits a warm palette. Flesh tones have a mostly natural appearance. Blacks levels were just okay and would benefit from more depth. Speaking of details close-ups and the wardrobes all look crisp and defined. 8/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. - Dialogue was crisp and clear throughout the 13 episodes. The LFE channel adds a fair amount of heft to the music. Surround channels are used for very subtle environmental effects and music, otherwise a bit front heavy. 8/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Riverdale: 2016 Comic-con Panel
* Riverdale: The New Normal
* Riverdale: The Ultimate Sin
* I Got You - Music
* These Are the Moments I Remember - Music
* Deleted Scenes
* Gag Reel

Close Encounters of the Thrid Kind 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray September 19th

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially announced they will release Close Encounters of the Third Kind to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on September 19, 2017. The 4K Blu-ray specs are set to be 2160p video in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for audio. Below are the official details:








Following its exclusive one week engagement in theaters across the country starting September 1, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment celebrates the 40th anniversary of legendary director Steven Spielberg’s epic adventure CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND on September 19 with the new 4K restoration available on 3-disc 4K Ultra HD, a Limited Edition 3-disc 4K Ultra HD “Light and Sound” Gift Set, and in high-def on 2-disc remastered Blu-ray. A must-own for all true fans, the highly collectible Limited Edition Gift Set features illuminated packaging that plays the iconic 5-tone motif. Also included is an expanded booklet with rare archival photos. Both Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD releases include all three restored versions of the film, including the 1977 theatrical version, the 1980 Special Edition and the 1997 Director’s Cut.

In addition to the legacy bonus materials, the CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND Blu-ray comes with new bonus content, including rare, never-before-seen home movies and gags from the set, and the all-new featurette “Three Kinds of Close Encounters.” This featurette includes a new interview with director Steven Spielberg on the legacy of the film, as well as new interviews with directors J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Denis Villeneuve (Arrival) on the impact of Close Encounters.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND is presented with an all-new 4K restoration, fully restored from the 35mm original camera negative, thereby utilizing in 4K the full resolution, detail and color depth inherent in the film. 4K Ultra HD brings the full power of this restoration into the home, featuring four times the resolution of high definition, high dynamic range (HDR)--which produces brilliant highlights, vibrant colors and greater contrast on compatible displays. The Blu-ray will also utilize this new restoration at HD resolution. Both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray versions will feature all three versions of the movie and the original restored 5.1 DTS-HD MA audio.

Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws), Teri Garr (Tootsie), Melinda Dillon (A Christmas Story) and acclaimed French film director François Truffaut star in the story of a group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Nominated for eight Academy Awards®, including Best Director (Spielberg) and Best Supporting Actress (Dillon), CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND won for Best Cinematography (Vilmos Zsigmond) with Frank E. Warner taking home a Special Achievement Award for sound effects editing.


**SYNOPSIS**


After an encounter with U.F.O.s, a line worker feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.

Written and Directed by Steven Spielberg, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND was produced by Julia Phillips and Michael Phillips.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* All three versions of the film: 1977 Theatrical Version, 1980 Special Edition & 1997 Director’s Cut

* ALL-NEW: “Three Kinds of Close Encounters” Featurette

- New interview with Director Steven Spielberg on the legacy of the film, as well as new interviews with directors J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Denis Villeneuve (Arrival) about the impact of Close Encounters.

* ALL-NEW: “Steven’s Home Movies & Outtakes”

* Rare never-before-seen home movies & gags from the set of Close Encounters.

* Close Encounters of the Third Kind Making-of Documentary

* “Steven Spielberg: 30 Years of Close Encounters” Featurette

* Deleted Scenes

* 1977 Featurette “Watch the Skies”

* Storyboard to Scene Comparisons

* Extensive Photo Gallery

* “A View From Above”

* Theatrical Trailers

The House Blu-ray October 10th

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will release The House to Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on October 10, 2017. The Blu-ray specs are set to be 10800p video in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for audio at the very least. Below are the official details:








Get lit, win big. Then go home to the kids when “The House” arrives onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. The comedy stars Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler in their first big-screen pairing.

From New Line Cinema and Village Roadshow Pictures, “The House” also stars Jason Mantzoukas (“The Dictator,” TV’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Nick Kroll (“Vacation,” TV’s “Kroll Show”), and Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner (“The Hurt Locker,” “The Town”), as well as a supporting ensemble including Allison Tolman, Michaela Watkins, Ryan Simpkins, Jessie Ennis, Rob Huebel, Christina Offley, Rory Scovel, Lennon Parham, Cedric Yarbrough, Kyle Kinane, and Andrea Savage.

Andrew Jay Cohen makes his feature film directorial debut with “The House.” The script was written by Brendan O’Brien and Cohen, whose previous collaborations include the hit comedy “Neighbors.” The film was produced by Nathan Kahane, Joe Drake, Brendan O’Brien, Andrew Jay Cohen, Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Marc S. Fischer, Chris Henchy, Spencer Wong, Toby Emmerich, Richard Brener, Michael Disco, and Bruce Berman served as executive producers.

“The House” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and 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. The Blu-ray Combo Pack includes a digital version of the movie. Fans can also own “The House” via purchase from digital retailers beginning September 26.


**SYNOPSIS**


When Scott and Kate Johansen’s daughter gets into the college of her dreams it’s cause for celebration. That is, until Scott and Kate (Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler) learn that the scholarship they were counting on didn’t come through, and they’re now on the hook for tuition they can’t begin to afford.

With the help of their friend and neighbor Frank (Jason Mantzoukas)—also in need of a major payday—they decide to open an illegal casino in his suburban house, risking everything together on a Vegas-style bacchanal where money flows, inhibitions are checked at the door, and all bets are off.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* The House: Playing with a Loaded Deck - Pranks, practical jokes and unpredictability. Watch Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzoukas and a full house of all-star comedians go all in during this hilarious and highly inappropriate look backstage that you won’t be able to unsee.

* If You Build The House They Will Come - Discover how the cast and crew transformed an ordinary quiet suburban house to a full-blown underground Vegas-style casino complete with high-roller tables, a pool party and Fight Night, and how the cast went to poker school, learning to place their bets from the pros.

* Deleted Scenes

* Extended/Alternate Scenes

* Gag Reel

* Line-O-Ramas

Batman vs. Two-Face Blu-ray October 17th

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will release Batman vs. Two-Face to Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on October 17, 2017. The Blu-ray specs are set to be 10800p video in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for audio. Below are the official details:








Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment bring together two of pop culture’s all-time heroes – TV’s original Batman and Captain Kirk, Adam West and William Shatner, respectively – to voice the title characters in the full-length, animated feature film, Batman vs. Two-Face. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will make the all-new movie available October 10, 2017 on Digital and October 17, 2017 on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98 SRP).

As the sequel to the 2016 hit animated film Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, the all-new Batman vs. Two-Face finds Batman and Robin back in classic 1960s action, protecting Gotham City from some of the most nefarious villains in comics history. But when the mutilated master of multiplicity, Two-Face, begins staging a daring crime wave across Gotham, the Caped Crusaders must work double-time to discover his mysterious secret identity before they can halt his evil-doing – all the while combating the likes of Catwoman, Joker, Riddler, Penguin, Bookworm, Hugo Strange and King Tut!

The late Adam West leads the star-studded cast in his final performance as Batman. The beloved actor delivers an inspired turn opposite fellow pop culture icon William Shatner (Star Trek) as the criminally conflicted Harvey Dent/Two-Face. This is only the second production of any kind to feature the two titans of the fanboy realm together. West and Shatner first teamed in the 1963 “Alexander The Great” television series that never made it past the pilot.

The cast also boasts two more pop culture icons of the 1960s. Burt Ward is back for more “holy” fun as the Boy Wonder himself, Robin, and Tony Award winner Julie Newmar reprises her role as the fiendish feline, Catwoman.

The voice cast includes Jeff Bergman (Joker, Bookworm, Desmond Dumas), Sirena Irwin (Dr. Quinzel), Thomas Lennon (Chief O’Hara), Lee Meriwether (Lucilee Diamond), William Salyers (Penguin), Lynne Marie Stewart (Aunt Harriet), Jim Ward (Hugo Strange, Commissioner Gordon), Steven Weber (Alfred, Two-Face henchmen) and Wally Wingert (Riddler, King Tut).

The core Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders filmmaking team reprises their roles for Batman vs. Two-Face. Rick Morales (LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Cosmic Clash) directs from a script by Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!) and James Tucker (Teen Titans: The Judas Contract). Tucker and Jelenic and also Supervising Producer and Producer, respectively. Sam Register is Executive Producer. Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan are Executive Producers.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* “The Wonderful World of Burt Ward” – Spotlighting Burt Ward’s life away from acting – particularly his many benevolent activities, and his lifelong devotion to the health and welfare of dogs.

* Adam West Tribute Panel/2017 Comic-Con International 2017 – At the 2017 Comic-Con International in San Diego, a panel celebrated the life and times of the late Adam West, the legendary “Bright Knight.” Fans laughed, cried and cheered as actress Lee Meriwether (Catwoman from the 1966 Batman movie), director/writer/actor Kevin Smith, actor/radio personality Ralph Garman, producer James Tucker and moderator Gary Miereanu captivated the audience with anecdotes and tales about Adam West.

* Actors Burt Ward and Julie Newmar - They discuss various aspects of their lives, ambitions and inspirations.