The Leftovers: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


Based on the 2011 bestselling novel by Tom Perrotta, The Leftovers is seen primarily through the eyes of police chief Kevin Garvey, played by Justin Theroux, as he experiences life post “the Departure.” After what can only be explained as an instance similar to the biblical rapture, the people of Mapleton, New York, are suddenly shaken to their core as many of their loved ones disappear into thin air. With roughly 140 million people actively missing — 2% of the world’s population — the world starts to question everyone and everything. Will people turn to cynicism, paranoia, and cult-like fanaticism, in order to survive? The eerie and thought-provoking series leaves viewers riveted, second-guessing theories from episode to episode.





**SERIES REVIEW**


The Leftovers first season is based on the novel by Tom Perrotta. Damon Lindelof from LOST fame and the writers adapt the series for HBO with some interesting twists and a shocking ending that will lead the show in a new direction for it's second season and past the novel.

The cast is lead by the brooding Justin Theroux. His police chief character is one who is trying to hold it all together after the loss of a member family, separation from his wife, and keeping the town safe from the annoying but supposedly pacifist and silent group The Guilty Remnant. Christopher Eccleston is excellent as Reverend Jamison who's character has the best episode of the season in "Two Boats and a Helicopter". The second season currently airing on HBO has been firing on all cylinders so make sure to pick this set up and catch up or revisit the first season of ten episodes. 9/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


The Leftovers: The Complete First Season arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 1.78:1 - The color palette has a natural appearance as do skin tones. Primaries are lush. Blacks levels were consistent in their richness and depth. Fine detail was quite impressive highlighting textures in the wardrobe and all the lines and tiredness in faces. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - Dialogue reproduction was perfect, crisp and clear. The show has a number of environmental effects that easily breathe through the mix utilizing the surrounds effectively. The score has great fidelity. LFE performance includes deep, rich bass notes for the music and more powerful punch when guns are fired. No problems to report with these tracks. 9/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Pilot Audio Commentary - Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta provide an insightful and interesting listen.

* Making The Leftovers (HD, 28:56) - HBO created featurette on the origins of the show.

* I Remember: A Season One Conversation with Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta (HD, 15:11) - In this informal, entertaining discussion, Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta share insights about the challenges telling a complex, daring story that blends sci-fi, religion, and social commentary to tackle universal themes.

* Living Reminders: The Guilty Remnant (HD, 8:50) - Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta reveal the origins of the series' most mysterious antagonists. Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Liv Tyler and Ann Dowd describe the acting challenges presented by playing scenes in which characters do not speak or reveal their motives.

* Beyond the Book: Season Two (HD, 4:15) - Damon Lindelof, Tom Perrotta, Justin Theroux and others provide a tantalizing preview of some of the twists and turns ahead in The Leftovers Season Two.

* Finale Audio Commentary - Commentary is provided by Damon Lindelof, Tom Perrotta, and Executive Producer/Director Mimi Leder. T

The Man from U.N.C.L.E Blu-ray November 17th

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be releasing The Man from U.N.C.L.E to Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on November 17, 2015. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio and a Dolby Atmos 7.1 track at the very least. Below are the official details:





Burbank, CA, October 14, 2015 – Danger has never seemed so alluring when “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” arrives onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. Henry Cavill (“Man of Steel”) stars as Napoleon Solo opposite Armie Hammer (“The Social Network”) as Illya Kuryakin in director Guy Ritchie’s action adventure “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” a fresh take on the hugely popular 1960s television series. “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on November 17. The film will also be available early on Digital HD on October 27.

“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” also stars Alicia Vikander (“Ex Machina”), Elizabeth Debicki (“The Great Gatsby”), with Jared Harris (“Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows”), and Hugh Grant as Waverly.

The screenplay was written by Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram, who previously collaborated on re-imagining the classic detective Sherlock Holmes in two hit films. The story is by Jeff Kleeman & David Campbell Wilson and Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram. John Davis (“Chronicle”), Steve Clark-Hall (“RocknRolla,” the “Sherlock Holmes” films), Wigram and Ritchie produced the film alongside executive producer David Dobkin.

**SYNOPSIS**


Set against the backdrop of the early 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” centers on CIA agent Solo and KGB agent Kuryakin. Forced to put aside longstanding hostilities, the two team up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization, which is bent on destabilizing the fragile balance of power through the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology. The duo’s only lead is the daughter of a vanished German scientist, who is the key to infiltrating the criminal organization, and they must race against time to find him and prevent a worldwide catastrophe.

Own The Man from U.N.C.L.E. on Blu-ray Combo Pack or DVD on November 17 or Own It Early on Digital HD on October 27!


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Spy Vision: Recreating '60s Cool
* A Higher Class Of Hero
* Metisse Motorcycles: Proper-And Very British
* The Guys from U.N.C.L.E.
* A Man of Extraordinary Talents
* U.N.C.L.E: On-Set Spy

San Andreas Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


After the infamous San Andreas Fault gives, triggering a magnitude 9-plus earthquake in California, a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife (Carla Gugino) make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter.

But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning. And when they think the worst may be over…it’s just getting started.





**MOVIE REVIEW**


San Andreas is a film that reminds a lot of mi 90's effects blockbusters like Independence Day and Twister where there is a major disaster and all hell breaks loose but the characters keep you interested and engaged as well. Dwayne" The Rock" Johnson of course oozes natural charisma and he makes a great action hero who believes in everything he says and shows some range some more emotional moments of the film. The cast is rounded out by enjoyable performances by Carla Gugino as the soon to be ex wife who he still loves and Alexandra Daddario who plays his daughter. Paul Giamatti gives a strong performance as Lawrence Hayes, the man who predicts the San Andreas fault line is about to send a devastating string of Earthquakes from L.A. to San Francisco.

The film hardly takes a moment to catch a breath but when it does there are some nice character eats. It must be stated that it is refreshing to watch a movie where the characters in a disaster show intelligence and creativeness in the worst possible scenario and not just a bunch of cardboard cutouts standing around and crying the whole time. The CGI and practical effects look pretty seamless and the action sequences are thrilling. San Andreas deserved to be a lot bigger hit at the box office than it was, hopefully people will see that now that it has arrived on Blu-ray.9/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


San Andreas arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 - The films has a very natural looking color palette and it features cool blues, lush greens and orange hued sandstone. Black levels were rich and inky with good performance in shadows. Fine details in stitching, close-ups, natural outdoor environments look superb. Clarity in the overall image was excellent. 9.5/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a Dolby Atmos 7.1 track. - Wow! You may want to install a seat belt to your recliner or favorite couch when watching this one as it is one of the most aggressive and enthralling action tracks I've heard. From the opening moments where a car crashes and goes over a deep canyon drop with a rescue chopper swooping in and filling the soundstage with startling ferocity. Surrounds are used brilliant and feature silky smooth pans and lifelike effects. LFE performance was among the very best with bone rattling depth when the earthquakes grow in their destruction. Bass remained precise and powerful throughout the film. Dynamics and fidelity are pretty much flawless. Dialogue was crisp and easily heard during all the chaos happening around the characters. 10/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Audio Commentary - Commentary by Director Brad Peyton

* San Andreas: The Real Fault Line (HD, 6:23) - A quick look at the how some of the most amazing moments of the film were done with practical effects. Cast and crew give insight to their experience on set.

* Dwayne Johnson to the Rescue (HD, 9:24) - Cast and crew discuss how authentic Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is and how game he was to do the lead hero stunts. Some nice behind-the-scenes clips of the car rescue, roof top rescue and the underwater rescue after the tsunami hits.

* Scoring the Quake (HD, 6:13) - Composer Andrew Lockington talks about how he envisioned the score to complement the film and coming up with the main hero theme. They used real world sounds of the fault line for the bass line to the score.

* Deleted Scenes (HD, 4:40) - A collection of eight scenes are included. There is an option to watch these with commentary from director Brad Peyton.

* Gag Reel (HD, 1:22)

* Stunt Reel (HD, 2:56) - A fun highlight reel showing clips of the San Andreas stunt department doing some wild stunts and having a blast doing their job.

Shameless: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray December 29th

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be releasing Shameless: The Complete Fifth Season to Blu-ray and DVD on December 29, 2015. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Below are the official details:





**SYNOPSIS**


In season five of Shameless, the Gallaghers are feeling the heat! In the swelter of another Chicago summer, Fiona (Rossum) juggles a crush on her new boss (Dermot Mulroney) with a new husband (Steve Kazee) and the return of her old boyfriend (Justin Chatwin)! Frank (Macy) balances his brand new liver against that old healthy appetite for liquor, drugs and trouble. Lip (Jeremy Allen White) heads home from college and struggles to hang with his old South Side friends. Debbie (Emma Kenney) has her first real boyfriend, Ian’s (Cameron Monaghan) dealing with real health issues, and Carl’s (Ethan Cutkosky) just dealing. Personal and urban renewal runs rampant as organic coffee shops and yoga studios invade the hood, and the Gallaghers stumble toward finding out who they really are and who to truly love. Don’t miss another moment with the lovable, irreverent Gallagher gang. A stellar cast shines in all 12 seriously hilarious and heartbreaking season five episodes.

Episodes

1. Milk of the Gods
2. I’m the Liver
3. The Two Lisas
4. A Night to Remem-Wait, What?
5. Rite of Passage
6. Crazy Love
7. Tell Me You Fucking Need Me
8. Uncle Carl
9. Carl’s First Sentencing
10. South Side Rules
11. Drugs Actually
12. Love Songs (in the Key of Gallagher)


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Shameless (sex) love (Featurette)
* Gentrify This!!! (Featurette)
* Audio Commentary
* Deleted Scenes