HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Hailed as “fun, action-packed and exciting” (Scott Mantz, Collider), director Travis Knight’s thrilling new film BUMBLEBEE lands on Digital March 19, 2019 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD April 2 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.
Boasting an impressive 93% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, BUMBLEBEE is filled with “personality, wit [and] imagination” (David Fear, Rolling Stone). The Digital*, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray releases are packed with over an hour of exciting special features, including an all-new BUMBLEBEE motion comic following the beloved AUTOBOT on his next adventure. Plus, check out deleted and extended scenes you didn’t see in theaters, including the original opening of the movie, enjoy hilarious outtakes, and see G1 (Generation 1) TRANSFORMERS robots on CYBERTRON through the eyes of BUMBLEBEE with exciting Bee Vision.
The perfect gift this Easter, BUMBLEBEE on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack or Blu-ray Combo Pack also includes an exclusive printed version of the new motion comic featuring BUMBLEBEE in a standalone side story (for a limited time only).
The 4K Ultra HD disc
and 4K Ultra HD Digital releases** feature Dolby Vision®, which
brings entertainment to life through ultra-vivid picture quality with
spectacular colors, highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks
that are 10 times darker. The film also boasts a Dolby Atmos®
soundtrack remixed specifically for the home to place and move audio anywhere
in the room, including overhead***. In addition, both the 4K Ultra HD and
Blu-ray Combo Packs include access to a Digital copy of the film.
Synopsis
CYBERTRON has fallen.
When OPTIMUS PRIME sends BUMBLEBEE to defend Earth, his journey to become a
hero begins. Charlie Watson (Hailee Steinfeld), a teenager trying to find her
place in the world, discovers and repairs the battle-scarred robot, who’s
disguised as a Volkswagen Beetle. As the DECEPTICONS hunt down the surviving
AUTOBOTS with the help of a secret agency led by Agent Burns (John Cena),
BUMBLEBEE and Charlie team up to protect the world.
BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD COMBO, BLU-RAY COMBO & DIGITAL*
Sector 7 Archive
Agent Burns: Welcome to Sector 7
Sector 7 Adventures: The Battle at Half Dome (All-New Motion Comic)
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Outtakes
Bee Vision: The Transformers robots of Cybertron
Bringing Bumblebee to the Big Screen
The Story of Bumblebee
The Stars Align
Bumblebee Goes Back to G1
Back to the Beetle
California Cruisin’ Down Memory Lane
The BUMBLEBEE DVD includes the feature film in standard definition.
BUMBLEBEE will also be available as part of a BUMBLEBEE & TRANSFORMERS 6-Movie Blu-ray Collection arriving on April 2.
A di BONAVENTURA
PICTURES Production A TOM DESANTO/DON MURPHY Production
A BAY FILMS Production
“BUMBLEBEE” HAILEE STEINFELD JOHN CENA JORGE LENDEBORG JR.
JOHN ORTIZ JASON
DRUCKER PAMELA ADLON
Music by DARIO
MARIANELLI Costume Designer DAYNA PINK Edited by PAUL RUBELL, ACE
Production Designer
SEAN HAWORTH Director of Photography ENRIQUE CHEDIAK, ASC
Executive Producers
STEVEN SPIELBERG BRIAN GOLDNER CHRIS BRIGHAM EDWARD CHENG
Produced by DON MURPHY
& TOM DESANTO LORENZO di BONAVENTURA MICHAEL BAY MARK VAHRADIAN
Based on HASBRO’S
TRANSFORMERS™ ACTION FIGURES
Written by CHRISTINA
HODSON Directed by TRAVIS KNIGHT
You might already know that Aftershock Comics is on a roll. In just three years, they’ve won Diamond’s Publisher of the Year award (for publishers under a certain market share) and have pushed several properties forward to media deals. It’s a publisher that seems to attract smart talent and then provides the support and freedom to create strong work.
Aftershock Comics’ tagline is “The Year of Reading Dangerously.” That has the sense of urgency and the zing that the entire industry needs. In fact, I’ve been hearing John Siuntres talk about Aftershock on his excellent Word Balloon podcast (Aftershock is a sponsor). An interview with creator of Moth & Whisper inspired me to pick up a series I probably wouldn’t have otherwise, in fact.
One of Aftershock’s most recent debuts was Oberon #1. The
king of the fairies, Oberon, may be best known for his role in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, but it turns
out the character was a part of mythology long before that.
This story is about the journey of a smart young girl,
Molly, who is introduced to the world of fairies and finds an alternative to
her humdrum life. But all isn’t as it
seems, as both Molly and the readers struggle to understand the truth and the
reasons behind all the character’s seemingly-sinister motivations.
Writer Ryan Parrott weaves an adventure that has the threads of many tales. But with his urgent pacing and true-to-the-ear dialog, he never lets the reader feel as if it’s simply a rehash of anything we’ve read before.
The art is compelling and fresh. Serbian artist Milos Slavkovic employs a breezy, engaging style that propels the story along and is gorgeous to view. He’s not much on inky blacks, but his various line weights delight the eye. He offers a varied visual texture for fans who want to either rush through the adventure or just leisurely linger. It’s all evocative of Michael Kaluta, Walter Simonson and J.H. Williams, with a veneer of Terry and Rachel Dodson to give it all a silky smoothness.
Slakovic also provides innovative panel layouts, without being overwhelming. He also offers a lovely pallet of colors, especially leveraging a lot of purples, and oranges to set Oberon apart from the crowd.
Of note: Aftershock provides several pages of their next
series, Stronghold, as a preview so
it feels as if there’s a back-up story in this comic. This
marketing tool gives the whole thing a little more substance and value to the
reader.
All in all – a compelling first issue. I’m a bit worried about
Molly and will keep reading to ensure she’s all right. But I’m not entirely
sure she will be.
ome times, the sequel is better than the original. That seems to be the case with Disney’s Ralph Breaks the Internet.
You can determine that for yourself by winning as Blu-ray Combo Pack from our friends at Walt Disney Home Entertainment.
All you need to do is tell us what Ralph should break next and why.
All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Monday, February 18. The contest is open to North American readers only and the decision of the ComicMix judges will be final.
The combo pack will go on sale February 26.
BONUS FEATURES: *
Blu-ray
& Digital:
How We Broke the Internet –Go behind
the scenes at Walt Disney Animation Studios to get an in-depth look at how
the filmmakers brought a world to life that billions of people visit every
day but never actually see – the internet. Take a front-row seat as the
team reveals the inspirations for the story and what it took to bring it
to the screen. Discover all that went into developing the characters of
the film including netizens like KnowsMore as well as characters like
Double Dan. See the lengths the team took to create the car chase scenes
in Slaughter Race and much, much more.
Surfing for Easter Eggs – Surf the
web for the near-countless Easter Eggs, inside jokes and references hidden
throughout the movie.
The Music of Ralph Breaks the Internet – Take a look at the music of Ralph Breaks the Internet with
appearances by Imagine Dragons, Julia Michaels, Alan Menken, Sarah
Silverman and more.
Deleted Scenes – Five deleted scenes with
intros from directors Rich Moore and Phil Johnston. Scenes include Into
the Internet, Opposites, Domestic Hell, Bubble of One & Recruiting
“Grandma.”
BuzzzTube Cats – Many videos were created by
the animators to fill the screens of the Internet world…and lots of them
are of cats! Check out the BuzzzTube to watch this hilarious cat
compilation.
Music Videos – “Zero” by Imagine Dragons
and “In This Place” by Julia Michaels.
Digital
Exclusive:
Baby Drivers – Slaughter Racing School – Take a spin behind the wheel with the artists behind Ralph
Breaks the Internet as they go to race car driving school.
DVD:
Music Videos – “Zero” by Imagine Dragons
and “In This Place” by Julia Michaels.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS: Product SKUs: Digital = 4K Ultra HD, HD, SD Physical = 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (4K Ultra HD+Blu-ray+Digital), Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray +DVD+Digital) and DVD
Feature Run Time: Approximately 112 minutes Rating: PG in U.S., G in CE, and G in CF Aspect Ratio: 16 x 9; 2.39
Audio: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray: English Dolby Atmos, Spanish & French 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish & French 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital DVD: English, Spanish & French 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital 4K Ultra HD Digital: English Dolby Atmos (some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital Digital HD: English 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus (some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital Digital SD: English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital
Languages/Subtitles: 4K Ultra HD: English SDH, Spanish & French Blu-ray: English SDH & ESL, Spanish & French; DVD: English SDH & ESL & Spanish Digital: English SDH, French Canadian, Latin Spanish Digital & DVD Captions: English
Burbank, CA, March 26 – The ocean comes alive when Aquaman arrives on 4K UHD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD Special Edition and Digital. From Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, DC and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, Aquaman , starring Jason Momoa (Justice League, Frontier, Game of Thrones) in the title role.
Aquaman also stars Amber Heard (Justice League, Magic Mike XXL), Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe (Platoon, Spider-Man 2), Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring films, Watchmen), Dolph Lundgren (The Expendables films), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Get Down), Oscar winner Nicole Kidman (The Hours, Lion), Ludi Lin (Power Rangers) and Temuera Morrison (Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Green Lantern).
Wan directs from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (The Conjuring 2) and Will Beall (Gangster Squad, Training Day). The story is by Geoff Johns, Wan and Will Beall, based on characters from DC’s Aquaman created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger. Aquaman is produced by Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, with Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Jon Berg, Geoff Johns and Walter Hamada serving as executive producers.
Wan’s behind the scenes team includes Oscar-nominated director of photography Don Burgess (“The Conjuring 2,” “Forrest Gump”), five-time editor Kirk Morri (“The Conjuring” films, “Furious 7,” the “Insidious” films) and production designer Bill Brzeski (“Furious 7”). They are joined by costume designer Kym Barrett (“The Matrix” trilogy, “The Amazing Spider-Man”) and composer Rupert Gregson-Williams (“Wonder Woman”).
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Safran Company Production, a James Wan Film, Aquaman. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
All versions of Aquaman”will include a three minute sneak preview of Shazam, the upcoming live action feature film starring Zachary Levi as the DC Super Hero. The film will be released in theaters on April 5, 2019.
The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of Aquaman will feature Dolby VisionTM HDR that dramatically expands the color palette and contrast range and uses dynamic metadata to automatically optimize the picture for every screen, frame by frame. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of Aquaman will also feature a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers are required, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar. Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.
Aquaman” will also be available on Movies Anywhere. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts.
Fans can also own Aquaman via purchase from digital retailers beginning March 5.
SYNOPSIS
The Atlantean child Orin, son to the Queen of Atlantis (Nicole Kidman), was abandoned as an infant and left to die; however, he was rescued and raised by a kindly lighthouse keeper. The keeper (Temuera Morrison) adopted the boy as his own son, renaming him Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa). Able to survive the harshest depths of the ocean and on the surface world above, the child of two worlds grew to be a hero to both eventually returning to Atlantis to become their King in addition to being a founding member of the Justice League as Aquaman!
BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS
Aquaman 4K UHD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD Special Edition contain the following special features:
BURBANK, CA (February 6, 2019) – The fate of the planet rests on the shoulders of a reluctant Green Lantern and an unstable hero from the future in Justice League vs. The Fatal Five, the next entry in the popular series of DC UniverseMovies. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC, the feature-length animated film arrives from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting March 30, 2019, and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack on April 16, 2019.
Justice League vs. The Fatal Five will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack ($39.99 SRP) and Blu-ray Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) as well as on Digital ($19.99 HD, $14.99 SD). The 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc featuring the film; the Blu-ray Combo Pack features the film in hi-definition. The 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack include a digital version of the film.
Justice League vs. The Fatal Five finds the Earth’s
future hanging in the balance when the Justice League faces a powerful new
threat – the Fatal Five. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman seek answers as the
time-traveling trio of Mano, Persuader and Tharok terrorize Metropolis in
search of budding Green Lantern, Jessica Cruz – whom they need to free remaining
Fatal Five members Emerald Empress and Validus in order to carry out their
sinister plan. But the Justice League
discover an ally from another time in the peculiar Star Boy – brimming with
volatile power, could he be the key to thwarting the Fatal Five? An epic battle
against ultimate evil awaits!
The Justice League vs. The Fatal Five all-star cast is led by Elyes Gabel (Scorpion, Game of Thrones) as Thomas Kallor/Star Boy and Diane Guerrero (Orange is the New Black, Jane the Virgin, DC Universe’s upcoming Doom Patrol) as Jessica Cruz/Green Lantern. Reprising their Justice League/Justice League Unlimited roles as Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman, respectively, are Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: The Killing Joke), Susan Eisenberg (Injustice 2, LEGO DC Super Heroes – Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis) and George Newbern (Superman vs. The Elite, Scandal). Providing the voices of the villainous Fatal Five are Peter Jessop (Mass Effect, Fallout 4, Resident Evil) as Tharok, Matthew Yang King (Batman Ninja, Supah Ninjas) as The Persuader, Sumalee Montano (S.W.A.T., This Is Us) as Emerald Empress, and Philip Anthony Rodriguez (Grimm, The Secret Life of the American Teenager) as Mano. (Note: Validus does not speak)
Other
members of the voice cast include Daniela Bobadilla (Anger Management, The Middle) as Miss Martian, Kevin Michael
Richardson (Family Guy, The Simpsons)
as Mr. Terrific, Noel Fisher (Shameless,
Castle Rock) as Brainiac 5, Tara Strong (Batman: The Killing Joke, Teen
Titans, Teen Titans Go!) as Saturn Girl, and Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Bloodsport.
Producer Sam Liu (Reign of the Supermen, Gotham by Gaslight) also directs Justice League vs. The Fatal Five from a script by Eric Carrasco (Supergirl, Justice League Action) and Jim Krieg (Batman: Gotham by Gaslight) & Alan Burnett (Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay). The film is based on a story by Carrasco. Burnett and Krieg are also co-producers. Amy McKenna (The Death of Superman) is producer. Co-Executive Producers are Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan. Executive Producers are Sam Register and Bruce Timm (Justice League/Justice League Unlimited, Batman: The Animated Series).
“Justice League vs. The Fatal Five is an important addition to the DC UniverseMovies, spotlighting two unlikely young heroes with real-world issues facing off against a daunting quintet of futuristic villains,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “We’re also are proud to have Kevin Conroy, Susan Eisenberg and George Newbern reprising their seminal roles as DC’s Trinity in the Justice League & Justice League Unlimited animated series, and believe the fans will be equally pleased with their return to these characters.”
Justice League vs. The Fatal Five Enhanced Content
Ultra
HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital
Battling the Invisible Menace (Featurette)– This featurette will explore the nuanced hero as many characters must deal with the everyday feelings of anxiety, depression, and other incapacitating emotions that we all must battle and overcome.
Justice League vs. Fatal Five: Unity of Hero (Featurette) – A look at how the pantheon of DC heroes has never been more diverse and inclusive, as writers and artists break boundaries and smash stereotypes.
Audio Commentary – Bruce Timm, Sam Liu, Jim Krieg and Eric Carrasco share their thoughts and insights on Justice League vs. The Fatal Five.
A Sneak Peek at the next DC Universe Movie, Batman: Hush – An advance look at the next animated film in the popular DC Universe Movies collection.
Sneak Peek Revisited: A Preview of Justice League Dark – John Constantine leads a group of misfit characters that use magic to vanquish their opponents. This is the dark version of The Justice League taking on the malevolent forces that go beyond our plane of existence.
Sneak Peek Revisited: A Preview of Justice League vs. Teen Titans – A glimpse into the characters known as the Teen Titans.
From the DC Vault: Justice League Unlimited, “Far From Home”
From the DC Vault: Legion of Superheroes, “Man of Tomorrow”
The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of Justice League vs. The Fatal Five will feature Dolby VisionTM HDR that dramatically expands the color palette and contrast range and uses dynamic metadata to automatically optimize the picture for every screen, frame by frame. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of Justice League vs. The Fatal Five will also feature a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers are required, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar. Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.
Justice League vs. The Fatal Five will also be available on Movies Anywhere. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts.
Fans can also own Justice League vs. The Fatal Five via purchase from digital retailers beginning March 30, 2019.
BASICS
PRODUCT SRP
4K UHD Combo Pack $39.99
Blu-ray Combo Pack $24.98
Blu-ray Languages: English, French
Blu-ray Subtitles: English, French
Running Time: 87 minutes
Rating:
PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence, some bloody images, language and
partial nudity.
You have to give J.J. Abrams credit. For the last eleven
years, he’s been surprising audiences with films he manages to make under the
radar and then unleashes them on an unsuspecting audience.
The most recent was November’s Overlord, which had trailers that lulled you into thinking Abrams
was producing his first war film. But, after the soldiers are dropped into Nazi-occupied
territory, the creepy stuff starts and then you know you’re in for a horror thriller.
Operation Overlord, of course, was the code name for D-Day,
June 6, 1944, a turning point in World War II and ripe for exploration, or in this
case, exploitation. Once director Julius Avery plops Private Boyce (Jovan
Adepo) and Corporal Ford (Wyatt Russell) behind enemy lines to disrupt the supply
lines and mess with communications, things proceed apace. However, once they
enter a church, things get creepy. Heinous activities have been happening
beneath the holy structure, the kinds of things that would give even Dr. Josef
Mengele nightmares.
The men gain help from a young local woman (Mathilde
Ollivier) and they set to work to dismantle the experiments and complete their
assigned mission. Of course, things go awry from here and Avery amps up the
pace and the horrors begin. We shift from war to horror and there’s nary a let
up
This is a pure horror film and there’s mayhem and gore
aplenty, with a score to match the special effects, a concert of mayhem you don’t
usually associate with a Bad Robot production.
The film, out this week from Paramount Home Entertainment,
is an uneven production, marred by a tedious middle and nondescript characters
so you don’t feel much for the leads. It’s really a throwback B film that has superior
production values. If you like this sort of stuff, it’ll be a thrill ride. For
the rest of us, it’s more meh than eek.
The film is out in a variety of formats including the newly
regular 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital HD combo pack. The 4K disc certainly
has sharper colors and depth, a noticeably superior image to the Blu-ray (which
is an excellent 1080p transfer). For a film of this nature to work best, the
audio track has to be superior and here, Paramount delivers a brilliant Dolby
Atmos soundtrack.
Note that the 4K disc comes with no extras but the Blu-ray
contains a six-part behind-the-scenes The Horrors of War: Creation (11:04), Death
Above (7:18), Death on the Ground (9:16), Death Below (6:25), Death No More
(1080p, 12:19), and Brothers in Arms (5:03). There’s some interesting stuff in this
51-minute making of lore but it’s interesting there are no deleted scenes.
One of the all-time greatest comics characters comes home when the Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms and Blood & Iron double featurearrives on 4K Ultra HD™ Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray™ and Digital) April 2 from Lionsgate. Voiced by the very same actors from the popular live-action films, including Ron Perlman as Hellboy, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, and John Hurt, Sword of Storms and Blood & Iron arrive on 4K Ultra HD™ just in time for fans to catch up on the iconic franchise before the new reboot of the live-action film hits theaters on April 12. Experience four times the resolution of full HD with the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, which includes Dolby Vision® HDR, bringing entertainment to life through ultra-vivid picture quality. When compared to a standard picture, Dolby Vision can deliver spectacular colors never before seen on a screen, highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are 10 times darker. The 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack also features Dolby Atmos® audio mixed specifically for the home to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. Available for the very first time in this absolutely stunning format, the Hellboy Animated double feature 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack is packed with special features and will be available for the suggested retail price of $22.99.
HELLBOY ANIMATED: SWORD OF
STORMS OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS
In the first animated feature from director Tad
Stones (Buzz Lightyear of Star Command), a folklore professor becomes
unwittingly possessed by the ancient Japanese demons of Thunder and Lightning.
But when The Bureau of Paranormal Research & Defense dispatches a team of
agents to investigate, a cursed samurai sword sends Hellboy to a supernatural
dimension of ghosts, monsters, and feudal mayhem. Now, while pyrokinetic Liz
Sherman and fishboy Abe Sapien battle one very pissed-off dragon, a lost and
cranky Hellboy must find his way home. Even if he can survive the perilous
journey, how much crap does a guy have to put up with from the two most
vengeful and ferocious spirits of Japanese legend?
HELLBOY ANIMATED: BLOOD
& IRON OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS
When Hellboy, Liz Sherman, and Abe Sapien are
assigned to investigate the ghost-infested mansion of a publicity-hound
billionaire, they uncover a plot to resurrect a beautiful yet monstrous vampire
from Professor Bruttenholm’s past. But before they can stop her bloodbath,
Hellboy will have to battle harpies, hellhounds, a giant werewolf, and even the
ferocious goddess Hecate herself. How much crap does a guy have to take from a
Hungarian Blood Countess before he and his surrogate father can avenge the
souls of the damned? It’s going to take more than just a horde of very
pissed-off demons for our heroes to see the light in this animated adventure
from creative producers Guillermo Del Toro and Mike Mignola.
4K
ULTRA HD SPECIAL FEATURES
“A
New Breed: Creating the New Hellboy” Featurette
“Conquering
Hellboy: The Actor’s Role” Featurette
“A
View from the Top: The “Heads” Sequence” Featurette
“Tales
from the Tomb: A Look Inside Blood & Iron” Featurette
“’Iron
Shoes’ with Introduction by Mike Mignola” Featurette
Sword
of Storms Audio Commentary
Featuring Hellboy Creator Mike Mignola, Supervising Producer-Director
Tad Stones, and Director Phil Winstein
Blood
& Iron Audio
Commentary Featuring Mike Mignola, Tad Stones, and Vic Cook
“Reversal
of Fortune, Professor Bloom’s Story” Featurette
CAST
Ron Perlman TV’s Hand of God, Hellboy, Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Selma Blair TV’s American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson, Anger Management, Hellboy, Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Doug Jones Star Trek: Discovery,” Hellboy, Hellboy II:The Golden Army
and John
Hurt That
Good Night, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 & 2,
Hellboy, Hellboy II: The Golden Army
HELLBOY ANIMATED: SWORD OF STORMS PROGRAM INFORMATION
One of the smarter moves the DC Animated Universe did was
begin to build interlocking storylines, characters, and voice artists. This has
allowed them to build off previous events and let the status quo consistently
evolve rather than feel static. (Amazing animation can do this far more easily
and effectively than the film division.)
As a result, we are now emotionally invested in this incarnation of the classic heroes and villains, which allowed the redone Death of Superman film in 2018 work so well. This also paved the way for the sequel, Reign of the Supermen, which has received quite the promotional bump.
Out on home video today from Warner Home Entertainment, the
87-minute adventure rarely lets up and is more satisfying than previous installments.
While it takes the name from the 1993 storylines that followed the Man of Steel’s
death, it bears little resemblance. This is wholly set in the new framework and
fits quite nicely.
As the world adjusts to the absence of Superman, four beings
wearing the S-shield arrive, each claiming to be the hero reborn. As we meet the
teen version, armored hero, cybernetic edition, and cold goggled killer, it’s
clear none of them are the real deal. When they tussle with one another, they
are betraying the Action Ace’s ideals, doing his legacy a disservice in the name
of senseless violence.
But just seeing the S-shield gives others hope. For the
members of the Justice League, it raises questions. And for a grieving Lois
Lane (Rebecca Romjin), it makes her heart ache.
All the pieces are in place, but then we struggle with
juggling four distinct Supermen, those they interact with, and what’s the real
threat. In the comics, it was the arrival of Mongul, resulting in the destruction
of Coast City. Here, continuing previous animated threads, it’s Darkseid (Tony
Todd) and his minions (which are bordering on being overused across all media).
During the Parademons’; first assault, it’s great seeing the JLA, especially
Hawkman and Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), in action. Then they stand stupidly
stock still as Darkseid sends a boom tube to remove them from the playing
board.
Instead, Cyborg Superman offers mankind the ability to be
their own heroes and those who accept, are transformed into variations of the
OMACs from The OMAC Project comic.
They are all being controlled in order to create the massive boom tube Darkseid
needs to arrive in splendor. Or something. Co-writers James Krieg and Tim
Sheridan could have done more with the exposition and learn that a Mother Box
is a sentient device, not a laptop.
Meantime, Lois is busily investigating what’s going on at
Project Cadmus, running afoul of Dabney Donovan (Trevor Devall) and Lex Luthor
(Rainn Wilson). Slowly, we are given hints that maybe Superman isn’t dead
since, after all, his body has vanished, and we see activity in the Fortress of
Solitude.
When the next attack comes, it’s Superboy (Cameron Monaghan),
Steel (Cress Williams), and the Cyborg Superman (Patrick Fabian) (secretly controlled
by Darkseid) to defend humanity (apparently the Teen Titans were off that
week). Showing how truly cowardly he is, Luthor refuses to get involved on more
than one occasion until he comes to realize why Earth needs a Superman (Jerry O’Connell).
For all its faults, Justice
League did a much better job handling Superman’s resurrection and public return
than what happens here, robbing the movie of the Wow moment it had been
building up to. In fact, the entire climax occurs aboard the JLA Watchtower
with just Lois as witness, reducing the magnitude of the moment.
Still, as the dust settles, it resets the animated universe’s
status quo for the future. When that comes remains to be seen. For now, this is
a lot of fine individual moments, marred by a jumbled overall story.
The movie has been released in the usual assortment of
formats including the popular Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD combo. The 1080p,
AVC-encoded disc does an excellent job capturing the brilliant hues and fervent
activity. The 5.1 soundtrack, encoded in lossless DTS-HD MA, nicely complements
the visuals.
There is a paucity of bonus material here, perhaps because later this year, Death of and Reign of will be combined, with extra footage, in one massive disc. What we get here is acceptable, just not thrilling. We get the obligatory Sneak Peak, this one being Justice League vs. The Fatal Five (9:29), which is designed to fit the Justice League Unlimited version of reality than the current animated universe. Me, I can’t believe my favorite Legionnaire, Star Boy, will be getting the spotlight and they introduce us to an animated Jessica Cruz.
There’s Lex Luthor: The Greatest Nemesis (16:08) with artist
Jon Bogdanove and former Superman editor Mike Carlin among those chatting about
what makes Lex so evilly delicious.
Rounding out the extras are episodes taken From the DC Comics Vault: Superman: The Animated Series, “Heavy Metal” (20:52), introducing Steel, and Justice League Unlimited, “Panic in the Sky” (23:04).
SANTA MONICA, CA (January 8, 2019) – The action-packed epic adventure Robin Hood arrives on Digital February 5 and on 4K Ultra HD™ Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital), Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, and On Demand February 19 from Lionsgate. Directed by BAFTA Award Winner Otto Bathurst (2014, Television Craft – Director – Fiction,“Peaky Blinders”), this rich story is brought to life for today’s audiences using stunning special effects, thrilling battle sequences, and mind-blowing fight choreography. Robin Hoodstars Taron Egerton (Kingsman franchise, Sing, Upcoming: Rocketman), Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained, Law Abiding Citizen, Ray), Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Dark Knight Rises, Ready Player One), Eve Hewson (Bridge of Spies, Blood Ties, Enough Said), and Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades franchise, The Fall, Anthropoid).
Returning home from the Crusades, Robin of Loxley (Egerton) finds his country oppressed by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Mendelsohn). With the help of Moorish warrior Little John (Foxx), Robin transforms into the heroic outlaw Robin Hood, taking up arms to fight the sheriff and win the heart of his love, Maid Marian (Hewson).
The Robin Hoodspecial features include an in-depth, never-before-seen, 7-part documentary; multiple outtakes; and deleted scenes, all of which show what it took to put a new spin on everyone’s favorite hooded hero. Experience four times the resolution of full HD with the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, which includes Dolby Vision® HDR, bringing entertainment to life through ultravivid picture quality. When compared to a standard picture, Dolby Vision can deliver spectacular colors never before seen on-screen, highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are 10 times darker. The 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack also features new HDR10+ technology, making for an enhanced viewing experience on next generation displays by using dynamic tone mapping to reflect frame by frame variations in brightness, color, saturation, and contrast. Additionally, the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack and Blu-ray feature Dolby Atmos® audio mixed specifically for the home, to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. The Robin Hood 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack,Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99, and $29.95, respectively.
4K UHD / BLU-RAY / DVD / DIGITAL SPECIAL FEATURES
“Outlaws and Auteurs: Reshaping Robin Hood” (7-Part Documentary)
When I first saw the trailer for Bumblebee last June, I liked a lot of what I saw. The fact that the hero is a Volkswagen Beetle instead of a Camaro. The more faithful robot designs. I also liked the idea of the focus on a single character, since it suggested a stripped-down type of story, which after the cacophony of twisted metal that was the Michael Bay film series, was a welcome prospect. I had wanted to see this film earlier, but with all the holiday goings-on and other films to watch, it kinda got lost in the shuffle until now.
It was pretty good. Aside from the kid next to me that wouldn’t shut up because his typically discourteous parent wouldn’t do the right thing by instructing his child that you’re not supposed to talk during a movie (which are often found in theaters I frequent today), it was an enjoyable experience. It didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it was what the first Transformers movie should’ve been.
Storywise, the plot is a fairly straightforward prequel set in 1987, using the classic troubled-child-meets-alien framework, which evokes films of the era like E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Reagan era pop culture references abound, and it’s clear that 1987 was chosen not just to establish the Transformers on Earth before they met Shia LaBeouf, but to call back to the era that saw that first wave of the Transformers franchise, when the first comics filled my back issue bins (actually an old white bureau that I still own), the action figures populated the shelves of a healthy company called Toys R Us, and Orson Welles was literally a planet. Songs from the 1980s fill the soundtrack, providing not just a sense of time, but some in-jokes for Transformers fans, and for that matter, current Internet culture. I imagine that the choice of time setting may also have made it easier to write some of the film’s scenes. Without the ubiquity of cell phones, a nighttime prank carried out by characters can plausibly be pulled off without it being filmed. And without the Web to instantly learn everything about Earth history and culture, the titular hero has to learn it through his interactions with his primary contact on Earth, a talented but troubled teen tomboy (say that three times really fast) named Charlie Watson, who is given a beat-up old 1967 Volkswagen Beetle on her 18th birthday. As a prequel, the film does a good job of establishing how the Cybertronians came to Earth and why Bumblebee doesn’t talk, and answers a number of other continuity-related questions.
Hailee Steinfeld does a good job of portraying Charlie’s angst, her conflict with family and peers, and her wide-eyed astonishment at her new friend. She’s a dedicated mechanic, but sullen and withdrawn, owing to unresolved bereavement, until meeting the eponymous robot whose damaged memory and voice synthesizer helps her to confront her demons. John Cena also goes a good job as Lt. Jack Burns, a U.S. Army Ranger who comes into conflict with the Cybertronians. While I surmised from the trailer and Cena’s interviews that his character was a typical one-dimensional hardass authority figure, Cena and screenwriter Christina Hodson dial down the jingoism that might normally be on display in one of the earlier films. Burns’ actions are understandable, given the circumstances, and he is at times overzealous, but is not the cartoonishly obtuse horror movie sheriff-type that often populate films like this. There are moments when he is depicted to be as skeptical of the Decepticons as he is of Autobots, and even genuinely sympathetic. Angela Bassett and Justin Theroux voice Shatter and Dropkick, the two main villains in the film, Decepticon triple-changers who follow Bumblebee to Earth, and who easily earn the label “evil” from their surprisingly grotesque treatment of humans, including innocent bystanders.
I mentioned my hopes for the Transformer designs from the trailer, and the film doesn’t disappoint. If you were a fan of the Transformers when you were a kid like me, then you’ll appreciate that right from the opening war scene on Cybertron, you can tell which character is which. Ratchet. Arcee. Brawn. Optimus Prime. Soundwave. Shockwave. And it’s not like they copied the animated series designs slavishly. The designers struck a nice balance between the simple designs of the animated Transformers, and the greater detail needed for a modern HD theater screens. If a character had a completely red arm in the comics or animation, for example, in this film their arm might consist of a red panel on top and maybe on the sides, and then an underside of detailed mechanics. The result is a gorgeous realization of what the Transformers should look like, a welcome change from the ugly mess of Erector Sets coughed up by a wood chipper that characterized the look of the Michael Bay Transformers. This isn’t just a question of aesthetics, mind you; these designs also exhibit a greater clarity, with the greater amount of color panels making it not only easier to identify characters at a glance, but to discern what’s happening during fight scenes. Instead of an incomprehensible tangle of twisted metal that typified robot-on-robot fights in the Bay films. I also especially liked the human-looking fight moves that Bumblebee displayed in one scene, which left me to wonder if there was a scene left on the cutting room floor of him watching martial arts movies and professional wrestling on Charlie’s television that had been intended to set this up.
I will say on the issue of clarity, however, that the film’s opening scene could’ve benefited from a more lucid layout of the geography of the battle. We open on an aerial shot of Cybertron, where tracer fire is blasting in half a dozen different directions from as many sources, making it difficult to discern any particular “front” between opposing forces. This wouldn’t be a big issue if it were the intention of director Travis Knight to convey a disorganized and decentralized collection of factions scattered across the Cybertroninan landscape (cyberscape?). But after we are introduced to the good Autobots and the evil Decepticons, Autobot leader Optimus Prime tells his forces to “fall back,” which is a bit confusing, since it wasn’t clearly established what was “forward” for them to begin with. Still, it’s a relatively minor point, since the story immediately moves to focus on Bumblebee, who is sent to Earth, where he’s the sole protector of humans against the two Decepticons who seek to use the planet’s satellite system to summon the entire Decepticon army to Earth. This provides a more intimate conflict, with greater breathing room for character work for both Charlie and Bumblebee, or simply Bee, as she comes to call him. The motivations are simple to understand, and action flows naturally from the conflict.
If you’ve been turned off by the last several Transformers films, and prefer a more accessible and likable story, try to catch this one before it’s gone completely from theaters.
