The United States during the 20th century was full of many notable historical figures. One of, if not the most notable figures is J. Edgar Hoover, a man known both for his dedication and loyalty to his job as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and as a sneaky little man with basically everyone’s secrets willing to air their dirty laundry at the drop of a hat. Director Clint Eastwood and star Leonardo DiCaprio have teamed up to bring this highly controversial man’s life to audiences with expert detail and dramatic intensity. J. Edgar is now out in a special Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack and if you are curious about this mysterious man’s infamous life, then now is your chance to learn about him in crystal-clear high definition, no less.
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Lady and the Tramp: Diamond Edition
Walt Disney was a true visionary. His story ideas helped shape a generation and entertained millions upon millions of people. Through his films and theme parks, he has captured the spirit of youth in not just children but in adults as well. His legacy continues to live on with his production company and the films he is responsible for. One of those legendary films is 1955’s Lady and the Tramp, a sweet tale (pun intended) about love and acceptance. It is now out on Blu-ray/DVD yet again, this time in Disney’s Diamond Series. The film is lovely and so is the packaging so if you want to revisit this classic film, then picking it up might not be such a bad idea.
Nude Nuns with Big Guns
“Hell hath no fury like a nude nun scorned.” All kidding aside, Nude Nuns with Big Guns is quite simply a bad movie. It’s an action film that tries so hard to follow in the footsteps of Quentin Tarantino but fails miserably. Not only is the film violent but it’s highly offensive, featuring priests and clergymen as corrupt, evil murderers and drug-pushers. This train wreck is now out on Blu-ray, but we strongly advise against purchasing it.
Beavis and Butt-Head: Volume 4
Uh huh huh, uh huh huh, cue music. It’s been 14 years but those lovable idiots Beavis and Butt-Headare back! The show was pop culture phenomenon and a ‘90s hit featuring two unintelligent teenagers bashing music videos and creating general mayhem in their neighborhood. Creator and voice of the titular characters Mike Judge is also back and it seems as though he never left. This new revived season continues Judge’s unique and disturbing brand of humor. This time in addition to providing commentary behind music videos, they are also insulting reality shows such as Jersey Shore and 16 and Pregnant. Thanks to MTV for bringing this funny and irreverent show back to television; fans will certainly rejoice, especially now that this brand new season is out on Blu-ray.
Rampart
Woody Harrelson has had and continues to have a very interesting and eclectic career. Ever since the mid-‘90s (Natural Born Killers, The People vs. Larry Flynt), the actor has picked roles which are sometimes dark, controversial and not the norm for a Hollywood leading man. His latest film Rampart is further proof of the unique thespian’s tendency to choose unorthodox roles. Filmmaker Oren Moverman reunites with Harrelson who worked together in 2009 with The Messenger. Rampart is another cinematic experience that showcases flawed characters faced with moral and ethical dilemmas.
The Piano
In 1993, film audiences were given a truly moving gift. That gift was The Piano, a romantic drama about love, secrets, family and passion. The film starred Holly Hunter in an Academy Award-winning role, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill and True Blood’s Anna Paquin also in an Academy Award-winning role at the tender age of 11. The Piano is now out on Blu-ray and if you are in the mood for an erotic tale full of beauty and suspense, then I highly recommend checking out this unique film.
Texas Killing Fields
Crime-thrillers are a common form of cinematic entertainment. Stories of missing people and/or murder seem to attract many an audience. Texas Killing Fields is no exception. It has all the bells and whistles of a predictable, melodramatic whodunnit. It features a rather solid cast led by Avatar’s Sam Worthington. The action and mystery elements make Texas Killing Fields a somewhat riveting and suspenseful yarn and it is now out on Blu-ray so you can now experience the film for yourself.
Good Morning, Vietnam: 25th Anniversary Edition
For over three decades, funny man Robin Williams has enjoyed a very lucrative career. His reputation as a wild and erratic comedian has pushed him into superstardom and his talents even occasionally transfer over to dramatic roles. His first shift into drama was a smooth and almost seamless one. It occurred in 1987 with director Barry Levinson’s bittersweet wartime dramedy Good Morning, Vietnam. In it, Williams earned his first Academy Award nomination playing real-life military disc jockey Adrian Cronauer. This terrific film is now out on Blu-ray for its 25th anniversary and if you are a fan of Robin Williams or just good movies in general, then I highly recommend checking this one out.
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Vampires
For some odd reason in recent times, vampires and the culture they make up have been extraordinarily popular. Franchises like Twilight and HBO’s hit series True Blood have featured bloodsucking beings as rich and interesting characters. These undead individuals seem to make up the bulk of supernatural fiction these days. A clever mockumentary was actually filmed surrounding these sexy and unusual “people”. The mockumentary is aptly called Vampires and it is now out on DVD so you can sink your teeth into it.
The Divide
Movies about the end of the world usually feature everyday citizens rising above challenges and protecting others. The Divide doesn’t follow this standard cinematic formula. In this bleak and extremely disturbing film, the characters fall deep into dark psychotic places. The Divide is psychological thriller that explores the human mind and how far people will go when rules and ideas of normalcy no longer apply.
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