FILMonBLU-RAY: Wreck-It Ralph (Review)

Wreck-It Ralph
2012 - Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Released on Blu-Ray/DVD on March 5, 2013.

# of Discs: 2 (Blu-Ray, DVD)
Runtime: 108 Minutes

When Litwak's Arcade closes for the night, the video game characters are free to leave their arcade game roles and travel to other games and meet up with other characters.

Ralph (John C. Reilly) is part of the arcade game, Fix-It Felix, Jr. in the role of the building wrecking bad guy, but has grown dissatisfied with the lack of appreciation given to him by the game's citizens.

Taking it upon himself to reinvent his image and prove he can earn a hero's medal of his own Ralph goes game jumping, unaware of the consequences his journey would have on his game and the games he visits.

Along his journey Ralph crosses paths with a no-nonsense Sci-Fi space marine, Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch), and an annoyingly cute candy racer glitch, Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) all the while his arcade game counterpart, Felix (Jack McBrayer) desperately seeks to bring Ralph back to their game.

This mismatched crew of characters find themselves working together to save the entire arcade in this fun and charming family animated film.

The different worlds of WRECK-IT RALPH are some of the most visually stunning locations to see on Blu-Ray, whether it be Calhoun's dark dystopian bug-infested world on Hero's Duty, Vanellope's bright and colorful made of candy world of Sugar Rush, or Ralph and Felix's old school building world in Fix-It Felix, Jr.

There are also the ample amount of references/cameos of authentic video game characters besides the ones originally created for the film. Bowser from Super Mario Bros., Doctor Eggman and Sonic from Sonic the Hedgehog, characters from Q*bert, Pac-Man & Street Fighter and many more.

Besides the deleted scenes and commercials made for the film, there are some really fun extras included on the disc that surpass expectations. First, Disney paired with WRECK-IT RALPH the newly Academy Award winning animated short, PAPERMAN. Second, there is a lengthy featurette going into the creation of the film and the worlds and characters in it. And thirdly, there is a fun segment hosted by Chris Hardwick where he points out gamer related things in the movie that you may have missed during your watching of it.

Disney has hit another home run with WRECK-IT RALPH. Reincarnating the fun and wonder that Pixar first introduced to toys with TOY STORY into the video game world and taking the stereotypical villain character and turning him into a genuine three dimensional character that can carry the responsibility of being the protagonist in the story and win over your heart in the process. A must see film for animation, Disney, and movie fans everywhere, the visuals take it to a whole other level on Blu-Ray.

You can buy the WRECK-IT RALPH Blu-Ray on Amazon for $27.49

FILM: New Images from Disney Pixar's Brave (News)

If the past 15 years is any indication, a feature-length animated film release from Disney Pixar is almost certainly to be a critical success. Yet before this year I had never been truly excited by a Pixar film prior to its release.

That has changed with BRAVE, which looks fantastic and amazing and made it a necessity to share these two images that have hit the web.

Princess Merida is the focus of both images and you can get a real sense of depth the film has with a fun moment between her and her father and then a much more serious point in the film.

BRAVE journeys into theaters on June 22, 2012.

FILM: Mass Effect: Paragon Lost Teaser (News)

The video game franchise MASS EFFECT from Bioware/EA is slowly spreading its wings outside the realm of just gaming. There have been novel and comic book releases over the years and now they are stepping into the world of animation.

Titled MASS EFFECT: PARAGON LOST, the animated film comes from Funimation and serves as a prequel of sorts to MASS EFFECT 3 in that it focuses on the early career of Alliance Marine James Vega, one of the main squad members of the last game.

Synopsis:

Vega leads an elite Special Forces squad into battle against a mysterious alien threat known as The Collectors. Stationed at a colony in a remote star system, Vega and his soldiers must protect the civilians from a ruthless invasion determined to capture the population for unknown purposes.

TV: Beware the Batman Teaser (News)

Over the last year there has been a noticeable focus by DC Entertainment to create a big presence on Cartoon Network with their animated properties. YOUNG JUSTICE premiered last year, GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES this year and now in the pipeline is a new Batman series.

Debuting next year and titled, BEWARE THE BATMAN, the series seems to follow the same CG animation style of the new Green Lantern series if the short teaser that hit the web can be any indication.

FILM: Despicable Me 2 Teaser Trailer (News)

A film that surprised me with its brilliance when it came out in 2010 was Universal Pictures 3D animated film, DESPICABLE ME, and its story about a criminal mastermind finding himself adopting three girls and discovering that not even evil can defeat the power of love and family.

So I have been eagerly anticipating the sequel, DESPICABLE ME 2, that was announced and was excited to discover the release of the teaser trailer online just recently. And as a treat the teaser focuses on the minions characters that everyone came to love in the first film.


DESPICABLE ME 2 schemes its way into theaters on July 3, 2013.

FILM: New Poster + Trailer for Disney Pixar's Brave (News)

Inching closer to its release date, Disney Pixar's BRAVE, had its poster hit the web along with a new trailer.

The trailer is more of an extended clip, giving fans more than two minutes of content from this summer's big animated film.

Directing BRAVE is Mark Andrews (ONE MAN BAND), and it stars Kelly Macdonald (HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2) as Princess Merida, Emma Thompson (NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS) as Queen Elinor and Julie Walters (GNOMEO & JULIET) as the Wise Woman.

BRAVE journeys into theaters on June 22, 2012.

FILM: A Look at Disney Pixar's Brave (News)

A new year, another new animated feature film release from the crew over at Disney Pixar. The trailer and poster were unveiled last summer for BRAVE and now images from the film have been released online.

The first image shows Lord MacGuffin (Kevin McKidd), Lord Macintosh (Craig Ferguson) and Lord Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane) and the second has the star of the story, Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald).

BRAVE hits theaters on June 22, 2012.

FILMonBLU-RAY: All-Star Superman (Review)

All-Star Superman
2011 - Warner Home Video
Released on Blu-Ray/DVD on February 22, 2011.

# of Dics: 2 (Blu-Ray, DVD)
Runtime: 76 Minutes

A near disaster instigated by Lex Luthor (Anthony LaPaglia) on a ship exploring the sun that was saved by Superman (James Denton) gives Luthor the victory he was craving, as the intense exposure to solar radiation has mortally poisoned Superman.

With his time living running out, Superman seeks to fulfill his dreams including revealing the truth to his love from afar, Lois Lane (Christina Hendricks). But a couple of Kryptonian visitors and the overzealous Luthor keep Superman from going out quietly, instead requiring one more heroic battle to save Metropolis.

After revealing his identity to Lois, Superman takes her back to his Fortress of Solitude where she gets an up close view of the marvelous items inside, including the weapons he has taken from his enemies, a pet Sun-Eater he feeds with small suns he creates with a hammer and anvil, his crew of robot helpers, the Bottle City of Kandor and some relics, like the statue of his parents.

But Superman's secretive nature and Lois' exposure to alien chemicals leads to her paranoia and attack on Superman with a deadly kryptonite laser. But that did not put a hamper on Superman's gift for Lois, a 24-hour liquid dose of his powers, turning her into Superwoman. That of course led to an unwanted adventure with Atlas and Samson, and an encounter with the Ultra-Sphinx. This film was a nonstop roller coaster of serious, funny, and action.

And of course Clark's visit to Lex in prison gave the story that dose of intellectual discussion, a clear vision of Luthor's psychosis and his anger even in the midst of a rampaging Parasite and prison brawl. The parallel of a confident Luthor boasting in prison, and a weakened Clark continuing to fool him right in front of his eyes.

DC and the WB did a great job as always packing their animated film with a bundle of extras, including two featurettes with Grant Morrison, the writer of the comic series ALL-STAR SUPERMAN was based off of. The Morrison featurettes fully explore his vision for the Superman character, one going into the sketches he developed over the years that became the eventual story and the other more on how Superman was revamped for a contemporary audience.

The rest is a usual package for DCU films: commentary, digital comic, a preview of the next DCU film, and two cartoon episodes selected by Bruce Timm. A fun treat for animation, comics, and DC fans.

ALL-STAR SUPERMAN is a masterful stroke of storytelling. While it is not an all out action bonanza, the methodical pace to the story helps illustrate the emotional weight carried by Superman now that he is seeing his end coming. What does a "super" man do when death approaches? An inspiring story of spreading love, peace and happiness from the big red blue hope.

Look to buy the ALL-STAR SUPERMAN Blu-Ray disc exclusive version on Amazon for $25.99

FILMonBLU-RAY: Cars 2 (Review)

Cars 2
2011 - Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios
Released on Blu-Ray/DVD on November 1, 2011

# of Discs: 5 (3D Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray x 2, DVD & Digital Copy)
Runtime: 106 Minutes

Star race car and four-time Piston Cup champion Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) finds his time at home in Radiator Springs away from the race track cut short when his best friend Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) gets him involved in an international racing series, the World Grand Prix.

However the race to the championship is not the only thing on their minds as Mater finds himself mixed up with international espionage, meeting two British secret agent cars, Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer), who are investigating a plot to sabotage the race.

While the trailers focused on the spy action of the movie, I was happy to see some time spent in Radiator Springs and its residents, albeit briefly. The global span was really felt as the movie went along, further developing the world of Cars and the real world translations that comes with it. Tokyo, Japan was the location of the first race and the assortment of cultural traits came along for the ride, from drifting cars to geisha cars and the bright lights of the city.

Then a shift in environs comes as the second race of the World Grand Prix is staged in Italy, and again in the third race that is located in England and each culture is clearly represented with scenes at villas and an inclusion of a few royal guards amongst the assortment of inclusions.

Blu-Ray is put to great use when it comes to animation, and action-packed films, and for Disney Pixar to combine the two lead to a non-stop visual bonanza that really sucked you into the story and the characters without a struggle.

CARS 2 was not only packed with great visuals, exciting action and fun comedy, but also plenty of special features a viewer can get lost in. Throw in the Toy Story short 'Hawaiian Vacation', where the toys create a vacation experience for a left behind Ken and Barbie, and a Cars short 'Air Mater', that continues the tradition of short, funny Cars shorts and helps introduce the world of Planes along with the teaser trailer that is also a part of the extras.

This movie surpassed my expectations and renewed my trust in Disney Pixar making quality films above anything else and the Blu-Ray release is the perfect way to watch the movie. The visual quality leaps above the previous Cars film and the tone is different as well but the nice blend of action, drama and comedy help push Lightning McQueen and Mater across the finish line once again. Give it a chance if you have yet to.

Look to buy the CARS 2 3D 5-disc Blu-Ray combo over at Amazon for $41.94.

FILM: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Trailer (News)

Next in line for movie adaptation from the vast library of Dr. Seuss, following the likes of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, THE CAT IN THE HAT, HORTON HEARS A WHO! is DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX, a cg animated film from Universal coming out in early 2012.

THE LORAX stars Zac Efron (CHARLIE ST. CLOUD) as the voice of Ted, an idealistic young boy living in Theed-ville who the story centers around. Taylor Swift (VALENTINE'S DAY) gives voice to the girl of Ted's dreams, Ed Helms (THE HANGOVER) plays the reclusive Once-ler and Danny Devito (LA CONFIDENTIAL) is the Lorax and the film is being directed by the team of Chris Renaud (DESPICABLE ME) and Kyle Balda.



Synopsis:

The 3D-CGI feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a boy as he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.

DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX illuminates theaters on March 2, 2012.

FILM: Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chip-Wrecked Trailer (News)

The animated film franchise starring three adorable chipmunks is returning with its third installment of family fun in ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIP-WRECKED.

Jason Lee (MY NAME IS EARL) returns as Dave Seville, the father figure of Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Along with the Chipettes, they take a trip on a cruise. Hijinks ensue and the chipmunks find themselves stranded on an island with Dave left behind to search for them.

Each Chipmunks film has had a new director and this one is no different, with Mike Mitchell (SHREK FOREVER AFTER) helming the film.



ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIP-WRECKED lands in theaters December 16, 2011.

FILMonBLU-RAY: Despicable Me (Review)

Despicable Me
2010 - Universal Studios
Released on Blu-Ray/DVD on December 14, 2010

# of Discs: 3 (Blu-Ray, DVD + Digital Copy)
Runtime: 95 Minutes

Gru has earned the title of the world's no. 1 supervillain but when a new upstart named Vector steals the Pyramid of Giza, Gru falls out of favor with the Bank of Evil that funds his schemes putting his plan to shrink and steal the moon in doubt.

Even with the help of his army of Minions and the elderly Dr. Nefario, it takes the adoption of three young orphan girls to get Gru's plan off the ground. But what starts as a means to further his evil plan, becomes a new life direction for Gru: being a dad.

The entire film is 95 minutes of gorgeous animation but the moments that show it off best would be the discovery of the stolen pyramid from the very beginning of the film where the young boy falls on the inflated disguise and seeing what seemed like a gigantic stone monument deflate like a popped balloon.

Only the scenes surrounding the possession of the crucial shrink ray top the pyramid scene with first Gru and his Minions stealing it from a laboratory only for Vector to steal it from them and shrink their ship with them inside it. That leads to Gru's attempt to get it back which involved cookie robots and a very angry shark. Hysterical entertaining and visually captivating, a repeating theme in the movie.

DESPICABLE ME is packed with tons of special features, including three mini-movies featuring Gru's Minions: Orientation Day, Home Makeover & Banana. There are also a look at the voices from the movie, how the world was created along with the music made. There are also a few small games that are included that are a bit tricky to operate well with a remote but gives several moments of entertainment.

Yes, this might not be an animated film from Disney/Pixar or Dreamworks, but do not let that keep you from giving DESPICABLE ME a look because it is a film that can rival any from those other studios in terms of a quality story and great look and feel to the world it takes place in. There has not been any other animated film to put the parenting element of life into the crux of the story like this, giving a heartwarming feel that might not have been expected at first glance. A must get in my book.

Look to buy the DESPICABLE ME Blu-Ray over at Amazon for $14.99.

FILM: The Muppets Poster (News)

THE MUPPETS movie is fast approaching and Disney wants to make sure you are aware of it. During the summer there were a bunch of trailers made inspired by films that were coming out and now that it is fall the time has arrived to unveil some posters for the movie.

Several have hit online but my favorite has to be the group one included in this post.

THE MUPPETS hit theaters on Thanksgiving, November 24, 2011.

FILM: Despicable Me 2 Poster (News)

Film studios more and more seem interested in preparing their customers for not only the next summer releases but also the summer after that. Universal is no different and after the success of their Summer 2010 animated feature film, DESPICABLE ME, it is no surprise that a sequel is in the works but not on the immediate horizon, Summer 2013.

That does not deter from the first poster of DESPICABLE ME 2 to get released, featuring one of the lovable Minions from the first film.

DESPICABLE ME 2 is scheduled for release into theaters on July 3, 2013.

FILM: Toy Masters Documentary Preview (News)

News of an interesting documentary came out during San Diego Comic-Con last month along with a video preview that is now also available online.

Titled TOY MASTERS, the documentary aspires to be the first ever feature-length documentary on the billion dollar toy franchise "Masters of the Universe". Featuring interviews with creative personnel from every version of the toy line and incarnation of the franchise on tv, film, stage and print, including J. Michael Straczynski, a staff writer of the original animated series and Alan Oppenheimer, the voice of the big baddy, Skeletor.


TOY MASTERS is still currently in production but the end of the preview does mention 2012 as a target release date.

FILM: D23 Expo - Wreck-It Ralph (News)

One last tidbit to mention on the blog from Disney's D23 Expo that happened earlier this month in Anaheim would be the presentation of WRECK-IT RALPH, an animated feature film coming in late 2012.

Unfortunately the four and a half minutes of footage shown at the presentation is not available online but there is a video of the game the movie's main character, Wreck-It Ralph, is from in a display at the show in an arcade cabinet.


Synopsis:

Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) longs to be as beloved as his game’s perfect Good Guy, Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer). Problem is, nobody loves a Bad Guy. But they do love heroes… so when a modern, first-person shooter game arrives featuring tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch), Ralph sees it as his ticket to heroism and happiness. He sneaks into the game with a simple plan—win a medal—but soon wrecks everything, and accidently unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game in the arcade.

Ralph’s only hope? Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman), a young troublemaking “glitch” from a candy-coated cart racing game who might just be the one to teach Ralph what it means to be a Good Guy. But will he realize he is good enough to become a hero before it’s “Game Over” for the entire arcade?

WRECK-IT RALPH smashes into theaters on November 2, 2012.

FILM: D23 Expo - First Look at Mike and Sulley in Monsters University (News)

Disney's D23 Expo happened this past weekend down in Anaheim, CA and as a convention for fans of everything Disney a lot of news is coming out from the Expo - like yesterday's post about TANGLED EVER AFTER. Another such news item from the Expo would be the progress Pixar has made with MONSTERS UNIVERSITY, the prequel to their 2001 hit animated feature film, MONSTERS INC.

As the new film is a prequel, Pixar animators have been tasked with the chore to tweak the looks of the main characters, Mike and Sulley, to fit with their younger personas being at a university, well before their time at Monsters Inc. Among the changes made, they were both slimmed down, Sulley getting a shaggier look than his older self while Mike has brighter skin and is wearing a retainer.




MONSTERS UNIVERSITY puts a scare into theatergoers on June 21, 2013.

FILM: D23 Expo - Tangled Ever After Poster (News)

Disney's D23 Expo is going on in Anaheim, CA this weekend and as a convention for fans of everything Disney a lot of news is coming out from the Expo. One exciting tidbit is that the TANGLED universe will be coming together one more time in the form of an animated short much like the TOY STORY one that was in front of CARS 2 earlier this summer and the other TOY STORY short scheduled to be in front of THE MUPPETS movie this fall.

Directed by the feature film team of Nathan Greno (TANGLED) and Byron Howard (TANGLED), the short, named TANGLED EVER AFTER is scheduled to premiere on the Disney Channel sometime during Spring 2012. The poster unveiling the return of most if not all of the characters from the feature film, including the Stabbington Brothers, has been released online.

TV: Avatar - The Legend of Korra Trailer (News)

Fans of the hit Nickelodeon animated series AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER have a reason to rejoice. A followup series is on its way, focusing on the story of the next Avatar after Aang. AVATAR: THE LEGEND OF KORRA takes place 70 years after the last series and follows the adventures of a Waterbender, Korra, the new Avatar.

Avatar: The Last Airbender
Get More: Avatar Episodes,Avatar,Avatar Games

AVATAR: THE LEGEND OF KORRA bends onto Nickelodeon in 2012.

FILM: Batman - Year One Trailer (News)

Just on the horizon for Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment is the continuation of Warner Premiere's series of animated films based on DC Comics properties. The next direct-to-DVD release will be BATMAN: YEAR ONE, based off Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's 1987 landmark storyline in the pages of BATMAN. Here is the trailer:

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

As part of the much successful line of DC animated films, fans should expect more of the same stellar quality with this feature. BATMAN:YEAR ONE brings together a very geek friendly voice cast. Bryan Cranston (BREAKING BAD) plays Lt. James Gordon, Eliza Dushku (DOLLHOUSE) is Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Katee Sackhoff (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) is Detective Sarah Essen and Ben McKenzie (THE O.C.) is the voice of Bruce Wayne/Batman.