Blu-Ray – Page 7 – StuffWeLike

Code of Honor – Blu-ray Review

Code of Honor

Ah, the revenge story. From Greek mythology to a Shakespearean tragedy, from Charles Bronson in Death Wish (1974) to Marvel’s The Punisher, stories depicting individuals enacting vengeance on those who have wronged them or their loved ones have been a staple of storytelling for generations. Audiences love the thrill of living vicariously through characters who take matters into their own hands and seek justice when no one else will make things right. Such is the case in the latest Steven Seagal flick, Code of Honor.

Seagal has been an action movie icon for nearly three decades. And while most know him from films like Under Siege (1992), he has been in dozens and dozens of action flicks since his first film, Above the Law in 1988. In Code of Honor, Seagal once again takes on the corrupt, the unjust, and the unlawful with his own brand of kick-ass action complete with gunfire, explosions, and plenty of martial arts action.

Mr. Seagal plays Colonel Robert Sikes, a retired Special Ops operative who has taken it upon himself to rid his city of the dregs of criminal society. No scumbag or thug is off limits as Sikes enacts his own brand of justice on the evildoers that plague his world. His vigilante actions make him a target of law enforcement that are on a mission to stop him while he does his best to stop the criminals he has vows to eradicate. Will Sikes avoid the law and complete his mission, or will his vengeful action be thwarted before he reaches his goal?

With plenty of action and thrills, Code of Honor is an enjoyable revenge flick. Seagal is at his stoic best, and the solid supporting cast is a nice balance to his character’s larger-than-life presence. If you like big action, gunfights, and explosions, Code of Honor will not disappoint.

I do wish there was a behind-the-scenes featurette, but we only get the film’s trailer and other trailers for upcoming films in the Special Features section.

I recommend Code of Honor to Seagal fans and action movie fans alike. It’s action-packed entertainment!

Code of Honor is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.

What’s your favorite Seagal movie? Leave a comment and let us know!

Cohen Media Group: Under the Sun of Satan – Blu-ray Review

Under the Sun of Satan

Can one who perceives themselves as a failure in the eyes of God find redemption in the end? This and many more intriguing questions are posed in the religious drama, Under the Sun of Satan, a 1987 French film that explores one priest’s journey to find his true purpose within the Church.

Gérard Depardieu is Donissan, a priest who sees himself as an abject failure, socially awkward, and disliked by the parishioners of the church he works at. His desperation to be a true man of God leads him to torture himself both mentally and physically. A walking journey to another church leads him both literally and figuratively down a path that will forever change his perception of himself and his relationship with both the Church and God.

Gérard Depardieu

It his through this journey that Donissan comes to realize his true destiny, his true spiritual powers, and how temptation from Satan can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. As he grows as a priest, his trials and tribulations enrage some, baffle others, and cause him to pay the ultimate price as he realizes his true purpose.

Under the Sun of Satan is a thought-provoking piece of cinema directed and co-written by French filmmaker Maurice Pialat. The performances are understated yet powerful, and Depardieu delivers a strong, multi-layered character.

Along with the restored version of the film, the Blu-ray edition includes a number of special features: a 2012 Interview with star Gérard Depardieu; a 2012 Interview with cinematographer Willy Kurant; a 2012 Interview with production designer Katia Wyszkop; Deleted Scenes; Behind the Scenes Footage; and the Original and 2015 Re-release Trailer.

While French cinema may not be to everyone’s liking (it is subtitled in English so if you don’t speak French you will have to read), Under the Sun of Satan is a powerful film that resonates long after viewing.

Under the Sun of Satan is available NOW on Blu-Ray!

Roots: 40th Anniversary – Blu-ray Review

Roots: 40th Anniversary

Gripping. Heart-wrenching. Intense. Dramatic. These and many other words can be used to describe the emotional journey taken while watching the 1977 mini-series, Roots. This special 40th Anniversary Edition takes viewers behind-the-scenes of what was once the most-watched show in TV history.

In 1977, Roots consumed audiences with its story of a young African man, Kunta Kinte (LeVar Buron), who is ripped away from his peaceful home and loving family only to be brought the United States and thrown into the vile and deplorable bonds of slavery. The mini-series follows Kunta Kinte and his family through generations of enslavement, and the lessons learned through his experiences offer a sobering look at a past a mere century-and-a-half old.

Roots dominated in the ratings with an estimated audience between 130 million and 140 million viewers. In 1977, with the U.S. population at 221 million, this meant that between 66% and 80% on TVs were tuned the eight-part series when it originally aired between January 23 and January 30, 1977. It’s no wonder that Roots is a definite classic and a must-watch.

This special edition blu-ray is packed with excellent special features, which include:

Roots: The American Story Continues

A discussion of the impact the mini-series had on American culture in 1977.

Roots: The Cast Looks Back

The cast reminisces about making the mini-series and how it affected them personally both during production and over the decades since Roots initially premiered.

Crossing Over: How Roots Captivated an Entire Nation

A look at the social and cultural impact that Roots had on nationwide audiences in 1977 and how it led to new perspectives on race and genealogy.

Connecting with the Past

An in-depth analysis about the importance of knowing where your ancestors came from and how that can have an impact on your present and your future.

The Struggle to Make Roots

Take a look behind-the-scenes of how this amazing mini-series went from script to screen and the challenges that were faced and surpassed along the way.

LeVar Burton: Original Screen Test

Alex Haley Interview by David Frost

Roots: One Year Later

A documentary aired one year after the initial airing of Roots that discusses the impact the mini-series. Hosted by Louis Gossett, Jr.

This special anniversary edition also includes a supplemental booklet with info about each episode and a list of the mini-series’ cast members.

My one issue with the set is the color choices for the Menu buttons. The basic color and the one used when selecting are so similar it’s hard to see if you have selected what you want. Other than that, this is an excellent box set.

Roots left a lasting impression on audiences that continues to have an impact to this day. Now that I have read Alex Haley’s remarkable novel and seen the adaptation of his work I strongly, strongly recommend that you read and watch both. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

Roots: 40th Anniversary is available now on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Download.

Jarhead 3: The Siege – Blu-ray Review

Jarhead 3: The Siege

With plenty of action, gunfire, and a high body count, Jarhead 3: The Siege is a decent action flick that delivers. When a Middle East-based U.S. embassy is attacked by a group of ISIS fighters, an elite squad of Marines stationed there battle to keep the U.S. Ambassador and other civilians safe while everyone’s lives hang in the balance.

It’s a bloody battle to the finish line complete with explosions, body armor, thousands of rounds or ammunition, and dozens of intense action sequences. Once it gets going, Jarhead 3 becomes a continuous maze of bullets, blood, and backbone as out Marine heroes fight for their lives and the lives of others caught in the crossfire of those who wish to destroy them.

Starring a young, energetic cast the includes Charlie Weber (How to Get Away with Murder), Erik Valdez (Graceland, General Hospital), and Sasha Jackson (Fuller House, One Tree Hill), along with Dennis Haysbert (24, The Unit, the spokesperson for All-State Insurance), and Scott Adkins (Zero Dark Thirty, The Expendables 2, Criminal), Jarhead 3: The Siege offers plenty of kick-ass action and excitement!

The Blu-ray includes both the rated (R) and unrated versions of the film, along with the Bonus Feature: Making Jarhead 3: The Siege. This featurette is about five minutes long and gives you some cool insight into the cast and the making of a action flick of this nature.

I recommend Jarhead 3: The Siege to fans of modern military movies or action films in general.

Jarhead 3: The Siege is available June 7, 2016 on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Download!

What’s your favorite military-themed movie? Leave a comment and let us know!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Blu-ray Review

Fast-paced and fun, nostalgic and new, Star Wars: The Force Awakens dominated the holiday box office in 2015, taking in over $2 billion worldwide. Fans young and old packed theaters excited to meet the new characters that would take us through the next trilogy about a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

If you’re buying the Blu-ray, chances are you’ve already seen the film or read about the film, or had the film spoiled for you thanks to Facebook, Internet memes, or that one friend who likes to spoil movies for you because they can. Since you already have an opinion or opinions about the film itself, let’s take a look at the special features included on the Force Awakens Blu-ray.

I love special features. From the commentary to all the behind-the-scenes featurettes, special features give us an inside look at the complexity of filmmaking. It truly is amazing how hundreds, if not thousands, of people are able to work together to create on single film through what can only be described a harmonic synchronized chaos.

The Force Awakens has its special features on their own Blu-ray disc, and there’s a myriad featurettes to choose from.

Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey

Explore how the creative team and cast jump-started the Star Wars franchise once again in this mesmerizing hour-long special that takes us from initial concept to final product. Find out just what it takes to create a film of this magnitude, scope, and scale, and meet the creative minds behind it all.

The Story Awakens: The Table Read

A look at the initial table read of the script for The Force Awakens with the primary cast. It’s pretty cool to see the cast in street clothes reading what would eventually become one of the second highest-grossing film of all time (before inflation)!

Building BB-8

No, it wasn’t CG! Take a look at how the creative minds behind the film created, designed, and performed the newest droid in the Star Wars universe: BB-8.

Crafting Creatures

Check out the wide variety of practical effects used to bring the many creatures in the Force Awakens to life. From traditional puppetry to complex animatronics, the creative team guides us through the process of bringing these characters to life for the big screen.

Blueprint of a Battle: The Snow Fight

It’s a behind-the-scenes look into the dynamic climactic lightsaber showdown between good and evil that punctuates the final act of the film. See how they brought all the elements together into a visually stunning finale.

John Williams: The Seventh Symphony

The man. The music. The legend. If you’ve ever seen a Spielberg or Lucas film, you’ve heard his music. Check out this great interview with the masterful composer as he waxes nostalgic about his decades-long journey writing and conducting scores for seven Star Wars films.

ILM: The Visual Magic of The Force

Industrial Light and Magic has been a mainstay of big-budget, effects-heavy cinema for decades. Have a look at how they used their magic and wizardry to bring the continuing world of Star Wars to life once more.

Force for Change

How has Star Wars influenced people around the world to be more charitable to their fellow humans? Find out in this inspiring featurette.

Deleted Scenes

Was there something in the film that wasn’t explained? Perhaps the answer can be found in one of these deleted scenes.

Any film, no matter how big or small, has a small army of dedicated people working together to bring a common vision to their viewing audience. Through the special features, we get the opportunity to meet these creative people and in a small way truly appreciate the hard work and dedication that they bring to their jobs each and every day.

I highly recommend Star Wars: The Force Awakens. However, if you’ve never seen the previous six films, check those out first THEN see his movie. You’ll be glad you did!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is available NOW on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Download!

Which of the seven Star Wars films has been your favorite? Leave a comment and let us know!