Summer Blu-Ray/DVD Review Round-Up Part 1

There is still time to gather the buds at your place for a last big party before you hit the books again. If a movie marathon is on your party planning list, we’ve checked out a bunch of the latest buys/rentals on the shelves.

First off, let’s serve up a scary fearfest, a sci-fi-ish thriller, an animated western and a surfer girl inspirer:

From  Paramount  Home Entertainment

Rango – Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital combo pack)

Johnny Depp voices, Rango, a bored chameleon living in a terrarium who has to put on plays to fill his lonely days. When he becomes lost in the desert, he stumbles upon the town of Dirt, “peopled” by lizards, owls, mice and all kinds of varmints.. all living their lives like a great American western story.

Calling himself Rango, our chameleon finds his bliss as the town sheriff, out to solve a mystery water crisis while falling for a rancher’s daughter. Facing tons of villains, Rango finally solves the mystery, saves the town and, of course, gets the girl.

Special Features: Lots. You get an “Extended version” of the film with a really cool last scene that is pretty different from the movie. Hint: A town without water gets tons… think water park. An Audio “Commentary” by director Gore Verbinski and filmmakers is informative.

The featurette “Breaking the Rules: Making Animation History” is really cool, exploring the special kind of awesome animation used in the movie. There are ten “Deleted Scenes” , another featurette called  "The Real Characters of Dirt," focuses on the real animals of the desert who inspired the crazy-looking characters in the movie. Loved it.

There is a picture-in-picture feature (in the theatrical version) that is a storyboard reel. In "A Field Trip to Dirt," you can choose which part of town to visit and get details on.

Wrapping Up: This beautifully-animated and fun film starts out a little slowish but once you get to “Dirt” and get to know the looney characters, you really start to root for them and for Rango to pull off his macho game. If you are a big fan of Western movies, you’ll see lots of references to famous ones. Not a cartoon laugh riot every second but a rich story full of super creative characters and hey, Johnny Depp is amazing whether he’s Captain Jack or the voice of a bent-necked chameleon!  I say buy or definitely rent this one.

From Sony Home Entertainment

Insidious – DVD

From the guys who scared you silly with Paranormal Activity  comes a movie with a plot much like the Spielberg classic Poltergeist. There is an average couple (Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson) who slides into deep depression when their young son Dalton falls off a ladder and goes into a coma that docs can’t explain. After a while, really weird stuff starts happening and mom and dad think their house is haunted but moving to a smaller new one doesn’t help. The ghost or demon or..?? just follows them.

The boy’s grandmom (Barbara Hershey) brings in some ghosthunter types to “clear” the house. Everything traces back to Dad’s ability to astral project himself out of his body. Seems his son also has this ability and is locked and lost in a horrible parallel world. It’s up to dad to go in and get the boy out and back into his earthly body. Needless to say, there are some really creepy beings trying to stop him.

Special Features: If the movie scares you, “On Set With INSIDIOUS” will make you laugh as cast and crew have a blast goofing around on set; lead actors joke and extras do a dance that mimics “Thriller”. Fun extra.  “Insidious Entities” is a featurette detailing the unusual actors playing the ghosts and demons; there is a little person playing a ghost boy etc. This again makes the movie less scary and more friendly when you see behind the scenes. Very good.

Wrapping up: I really enjoyed this film. It’s not blood and guts horror at all, just psychological with some hop at out you scares and neat creature work. Great for a PG-13 scare that is really entertaining and not lame at all. Definitely worth a rental. Don’t wait for Halloween.

Soul Surfer Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack

In this inspiring film based upon a true story,13-year-old surfer Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) grows up in the water more than on land. When her arm is literally bitten off in a shark attack, the teen beats the odds by not only going back in the water but not blaming the shark, surfing again and winning at competitions!  We got to meet the real Bethany at a press day for the film and she is beyond awesome.

Special Features:   Several that go behind-the-scenes and feature the real Bethany Hamilton as well as Anna-Sophia Robb. "The Making of Soul Surfer" is a general wrap up of getting the movie made. "Surfing for the Screen: Inside the Action" is a short, more action-oriented piece centering on the cast hitting the waves. A fun featurette is "Becoming Bethany" exploring the relationship between actress AnnaSophia and the real Bethany and what inspiration AnnaSophia took from her. Cool. 

You get two documentaries. One “Heart of a Soul Surfer” is the real Bethany’s story and features interviews and explanation of the real event and Bethany’s recovery. Very heart-warming and inspiring. The new short  "Bethany Hamilton on Professional Surfing," features Bethany on her career, deciding to go pro etc. Interesting.

Wrapping Up:  Some critics focused on Bethany’s faith being laid on too thickly in the film but no matter what kind of God you do or don’t believe in, you’ll be inspired by this teen’s amazing battle, strength and great attitude in the face of horrible tragedy that might have downed the average person.  The surfing is fun to watch, all actors (including Helen Hunt as mom and Dennis Quaid as dad) do nice work. The movie is a must watch for anyone who wants to see a teen triumph and that should be all of us. If you haven’t seen it, rent it at least!

From Universal Home Entertainment

Limitless (Blu-Ray/Digital combo pack)

Wow, straight A's here you come! What if you could take a pill that would allow you to use 100 percent of your brain? You would be brilliant!  This is what happens to blocked novelist Eddie (cute Hangover star Bradley Cooper). When his ex- bro-in-law supplies him with an expensive pill that makes him fire on all cylinders, he’s smart, can recall everything and figure out everything. He whips out a brilliant novel in record time but of course, the pill wears off and Eddie will do anything to get more.

This leads to run-ins with thugs, loan sharks who also want the secret drug and a job as a brilliant financial wizard in great demand. Eddie’s ex-girlfriend (Abbie Cornish) is happy to take him back since he’s cleaned up his act. Downside is getting more pills and facing the fact that the drug has some serious, creepy and debilitating side-effects.

Special Features: A “Director’s Commentary” seems to be more about the cool shooting style and look of the film than the actors or story but interesting. “A Man Without Limits” is a short featurette with Bradley Cooper and crew talking about the awesome concept of using all of your brain and other tidbits. Okay “Taking it to the Limit: The Making of Limitless” is the typical behind-the-scenes making of piece with interviews with cast and director. An “Alternate Ending” seems more hopeful for Bradley to me but not much different. You get the Extended version of the film which is just a little more toward “R” than the PG-13 version. No biggie.  

Wrapping Up: Taking drugs to get sharp isn’t a good idea but this movie is a cool exploration of what would happen to an average guy if he did so and it moves really fast and is very visually cool. When Cooper’s character isn’t on the drug, the colors are washed out and dull. When he is, wow, those big blue eyes just pop bigtime and everything is in Technicolor. There is a downside to this fabulous “gift” and a lesson to learn but this is a smart and fun movie for older teens. Definite rental or a buy for Bradley Cooper fans especially,