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Mondo Releases BATS Posters, Catwoman Action Figure

Today Mondo falls back into Gotham City with a celebration of all things BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. Kicking things off are a couple of brand new posters by Phantom City Creative for the episodes “Dreams in Darkness” and “Harley’s Holiday.” Full disclosure: Mondo originally planned on having their second BATMAN: THE ANIMTATED SERIES x Phantom City Creative gallery show in May, but given the state of things, they’ve instead decided to pivot and release the posters created for that show in a series of online drops over the coming months.

Nobody has a grip on this iconic series quite like Phantom City Creative (PCC). Six years, dozens of posters, a gallery show, and a vinyl box set later… this still remains one of Mondo’s favorite artist/property pairings ever. PCC still have so much to say and plenty of episodes to spotlight… and this is just the beginning, Mondo can’t wait to share what else is cooking in the Bat-kitchen.

Posters go on sale at 11 am (CT) via THE DROP. Be sure to keep an eye on Mondo’s social media channels for any updates and on sale info.

DREAMS IN DARKNESS

“Episodes featuring the Scarecrow always allowed for some great surrealist imagery because of his fear toxin, and Dreams in Darkness features the best hallucination sequence of all. There’s an amazing sequence where Batman hallucinates each of his villains morphing from one to the next. It’s nightmarish stuff, and I wanted the poster to emulate that, ” said Phantom City Creative.

Dreams In Darkness by Phantom City Creative

18″ x 24″ Screenprinted Poster, Edition of 250 (regular), 125 (variant)

Printed by DL Screenprinting.

Expected to Ship in May 2020.

Ships to Addresses in the US, Japan, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, & US Military Bases.

Regular – $45

Variant – $65

HARLEY’S HOLIDAY

“Harley Quinn is a fan favorite, and this episode is one of her best. Finally deemed “sane” by the doctor’s at Arkham, Harley is free to enjoy her life. But after a small misunderstanding in a store, her day spirals out of control and causes havoc for Gotham. With this poster, I took inspiration from vintage travel posters, but instead of idyllic vistas and scenery we see the wreckage caused by one little mixup,” said Phantom City Creative.

Harley’s Holiday by Phantom City Creative

18″ x 24″ Screenprinted Poster, Edition of 250 (regular), 125 (variant)

Printed by DL Screenprinting.

Expected to Ship in May 2020.

Ships to Addresses in the US, Japan, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, & US Military Bases.

Regular – $45

Variety – $65

Based on the seminal BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, the Catwoman 1/6 Scale Figure stays true to the animated classic. Sculpted to match the iconic style of the show with a paint scheme evoking the bold, graphic look of an animated cel. Designed by Joe Allard, sculpted by Ramirez Studios, and painted by Jason Wires Productions, the figure features packaging designed by Brent Ashe with art by Phantom City Creative. Catwoman comes fully equipped to slink into your collection, and maybe take something from it…

Figure Includes:

– Regular Head

– Smirking Head

– Sneering Head

– 5 pairs of hands

– Isis the Cat (sitting)

– Coiled Whip

– Flexible Whip

– Spy Camera

– Bat Cuffs

– Large Diamond

– Bag of Loot

– Jeweled Necklace

– Approx. 30 points of articulation

Mondo Exclusive includes an unmasked Selina Kyle head, and a lounging Isis the Cat!

The figure goes on sale Thursday, April 16 at 11 am (CT) via mondoshop.com. Be sure to keep an eye on Mondo’s social media channels for any updates and on sale info.

Catwoman 1/6 Scale Figure (Mondo Exclusive)

Features an unmasked Selina Kyle head and a lounging Isis the Cat.

Approx. 11.5″ in height, Approx 3lbs, Materials: PVC, ABS. Artists: Ramirez Studios, Joe Allard, Jason Wires Productions, Brent Ashe, Phantom City Creative.

Expected to Ship by June 2020. Ships Worldwide.

$165

The Hunt Targets Homes for Streaming in May, Disc in June

Universal City, California, April 15, 2020 – Who is the hunter and who is the hunted? Decide for yourself! From producer Jason Blum (The Invisible Man, Halloween), director Craig Zobel (Z for Zachariah, The Leftovers) and writers Damon Lindelof (Watchmen, The Leftovers) and Nick Cuse (Maniac, Watchmen) comes a “clever, gory, often very funny” (Ty Burr, The Boston Globe) film that has “all the makings of a cult classic” (Forbes), as THE HUNT arrives on Digital May 26, 2020 and on Blu-ray™ and DVD June 9, 2020 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Featuring “a seriously cool action performance” (William Bibbiani, The Wrap) from Betty Gilpin (Glow), THE HUNT includes behind-the-scenes featurettes on the making of this suspenseful thriller.

Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are, or how they got there. They don’t know they’ve been chosen… for a very specific purpose … THE HUNT.

In this subversive satire, a group of elites gather for the very first time at a remote Manor House to hunt ordinary Americans for sport. But the elites’ master plan is about to be derailed because one of The Hunted, Crystal (Gilpin), knows The Hunters’ game better than they do. She turns the tables on the killers, picking them off one by one as she makes her way toward the mysterious woman (two-time Oscar® winner Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby) at the center of it all.

THE HUNT features an outstanding supporting cast including Emma Roberts (“American Horror Story”), Ike Barinholtz (Blockers), Justin Hartley (This is Us) and Ethan Suplee (My Name is Earl). The theatrical version of the film is currently available for early viewing on a wide variety of popular on-demand services as a premium rental offering.

BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAYTM, DVD AND DIGITAL:

  • CRAFTING THE HUNT – Filmmakers and cast discuss how costumes and props were used to highlight the political commentary of this slaughterous thriller.
  • DEATH SCENE BREAKDOWNS – THE HUNT’s talented special effects and make-up teams give you an inside look on how they carried out some of the goriest death sequences.
  • ATHENA VS CRYSTAL: HUNTER OR HUNTED? – Go behind the scenes to check out the intense training and choreography actresses Betty Gilpin and Hilary Swank had to master in order to execute this epic fight scene.

THE HUNT will be available on Blu-rayTM, DVD and Digital.

  • Blu-rayTM unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.

MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States.

FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Ike Barinholtz, Betty Gilpin, Justin Hartley, Glenn Howerton, Emma Roberts, Ethan Suplee, and Hilary Swank
Costume Designer: David Tabbert
Edited By: Jane Rizzo
Production Designer: Matthew Munn
Director of Photography: Darren Tiernan
Executive Producers: Craig Zobel, Nick Cuse, Steven R. Molen, Couper Samuelson, Jeanette Volturno
Produced By: Jason Blum, Damon Lindelof p.g.a.
Written By: Nick Cuse, Damon Lindelof
Directed By: Craig Zobel

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY:
Street Date: June 9, 2020
Selection Number: 61201639 (US) / 61201862 (CDN)
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2:39.1
Rating: Rated R for some strong bloody violence and language throughout
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish Subtitles
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, English Dolby Digital 2.0, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish DTS Digital Surround 5.1
Run Time: 1:29:55

REVIEW: V the Final Battle

Once upon a time, when there were just three major networks, the schedules would be filled with glossy, interesting, high-concept miniseries, usually aired during the vital November, February, and May sweeps periods when the ratings were used to set advertising rates. This is what gave us great concepts like ABC’s Roots or, in 1983, V.

Metro subways and bus stations were plastered that spring with red-suited people, wearing sunglasses and big smiles, wrapping their arms around ordinary folk and we were assured: “The Visitors are our Friends”.  A few weeks later, they were replaced with replicas but now a spray-painted V covered them and we got a hint of the Visitors’ true, reptilian nature.

The V miniseries, wonderfully written and directed by Ken Johnson (he of Incredible Hulk fame) was a taut two-night affair that presented the aliens coming to Earth and befriending us before their true intentions were revealed and a resistance movement began. Johnson carefully varied both the humans and aliens so there were differing perspectives and allegiances. The show turned Marc Singer into a star and introduced the world to Robert Englund.

The May ratings were a smash, so NBC ordered a sequel entitled V: The Final Battle, a three-part epic for May 1983 that is now available on Blu-ray for the first time from Warner Archive.

Johnson was once more the mastermind although he and the network began to clash over the creative direction and he left the production.

The overall plan is that the aliens need the world’s water and are befriending humanity in an attempt to gain converts to their cause or a cowed populace who will not stand in their way. In their human disguises, they beguile, bribe, and seduce many to their cause, manipulating the media, and steadily taking control city by city.

The action in both miniseries is limited to Los Angeles, letting the novels and DC Comics adaptation (which I edited for a stretch), see what was happening elsewhere. The rebellion is led by TV reporter Mike Donovan (Marc Singer) and Juliet Parrish (Faye Grant), more or less opposed by Diana (Jane Badler) and John (Richard Herd). The sequel continues where we left off but there are new complications. First, Diana’s failure to secure the planet according to schedule means her superior, Pamela (Sarah Douglas), arrives to take charge. Joining the rebels are CIA operatives Ham Tyler (Michael Ironside) and his burly sidekick Chris Farber (Mickey Jones).

Teen Robin Maxwell (Blair Tefkin) was impregnated by the Visitor Brian (Peter Nelson) during the first miniseries so of course, she will be giving birth here. The crossbreeding, ordered by Diana, resulted in hybrid fraternal twins, a reptilian boy with blue eyes, and a human girl with a forked tongue. When Parrish, a doctor, conducts an autopsy, she discovers a strain of bacteria that killed the boy and could be turned into a weapon, dubbed Red Dust, to repel the invaders.

It’s all very good for its day, with some strong acting, good makeup, and a fast-paced story. The V phenomenon was nicely continued here.

Sadly, NBC decided to follow it with a disastrous weekly series the following season. In the hands of Dan Blatt and Robert Singer, they were making it up as they went along, ignoring internal logic or, you know, science.

Anyway, the two-disc Blu-ray looks good with a fine, If not perfect, transfer, retaining its broadcast 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is perfectly adequate. There are no special features included beyond network teasers.

REVIEW: Hilo: All the Pieces Fit

Hilo: All the Pieces Fit
By Judd Winick
210 pages/RH Graphic/$13.99

Receiving the sixth volume of a continuing series to review can be a daunting task if you have not read the previous five, especially if there is no recap section preceding the story (a complaint I have about most series).

That said, this volume, wrapping the initial storyline takes a little time to get one’s feet wet then you are propelled through the action, figuring things out along the way. Credit to Judd Winick for being adept at doing this so by the end, you’re not just accustomed to the characters but emotionally invested in the team of protagonists trying to protect the world.

The series kicked off in 2015 so readers of this mid-grade series can grow up with the characters and if they’ve outgrown it after this volume, they will be satisfied. And for those who are just finding it, be assured volume seven and a new story arrives in 2021.

Hilo is an android built to resemble an elementary school student and drops from the sky onto Earth. He was befriended by D.J. and Gina and over the course of the series, they learn about him and his extradimensional origins as well as the threat presented by Razorwark. What does this red-armored being want with Hilo and Earth?

This volume has the first in-person confrontation between Hilo and Razorwark with the fate of the world at stake. Gina finds herself playing a significant role as magic comes into this mostly SF story and there’s a heroic sacrifice that will no doubt require tissues for the younger readers.

Winick, no stranger to graphic storytelling, evolves the status quo so the end of book six leaves everyone different from book one, which is a good thing. His writing is breezy and his open, cartoony style is filled with kinetic motion and letting big moments take whole pages. It becomes a quick-paced read after the first 30 or so pages as we build momentum.

There’s a lot to recommend in this all-ages series, but you must start with book one.

 

Reimagined The Invisible Man Appears at Home in June

THE INVISIBLE MAN, an intense, modern-day psychological thriller, becomes available to own for the first time on Digital May 12, 2020 and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray™ and DVD on May 26, 2020 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From iconic producer Jason Blum (Halloween, Split, Get Out, Us) and director Leigh Whannel (Saw, Insidious, Upgrade), this psychological thriller modernizes Universal’s shapeshifting, classic monster against a backdrop of an empowered woman facing her tormentor. “A cutting, contemporary work of socially conscious horror” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone), THE INVISIBLE MAN comes home with never-before-seen bonus content.

THE INVISIBLE MAN follows a modern tale of obsession inspired by Universal’s classic monster character. Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) slowly begins to rebuild her life after the death of her abusive ex-boyfriend (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). But before long, she begins to question whether or not he is truly gone. In addition to the feature, THE INVISIBLE MAN delivers up twenty minutes of exclusive bonus content, including a chance to better get acquainted with the film’s leading actress: Elisabeth Moss, feature commentary with the writer/director and deleted scenes you won’t want to miss.

Hailed as ‘Certified Fresh’ on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 91%, THE INVISIBLE MAN stars two-time Emmy®-winner and two-time Golden Globe®-winner Elisabeth Moss (Us, The Handmaid’s Tale). Accompanying Moss is SAG®-winner Aldis Hodge (Black Mirror, Straight Outta Compton), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Haunting of Hill House), Storm Reid (Don’t Let Go, Euphoria). The theatrical version of the film is currently available for early viewing on a wide variety of popular on-demand services as a premium rental offering.

BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAYTM, 4K ULTRA HD and DVD:

  • DELETED SCENES
  • MOSS MANIFESTED – Elisabeth Moss describes the physical and emotional challenges she faced while portraying Cecilia, a woman whose truth is constantly questioned by those around her.
  • DIRECTOR’S JOURNEY WITH LEIGH WHANNELL – Director Leigh Whannell acts as tour guide through principal photography, from day 1 to day 40.
  • THE PLAYERS – Filmmakers and cast provide an in-depth analysis of each character and how they interact with the unseen terror of THE INVISIBLE MAN.
  • TIMELESS TERROR – A behind the scenes look at how writer/director Leigh Whannell re-imagined this iconic character through the lens of modern technology and socially relatable themes.
  • FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH WRITER/DIRECTOR LEIGH WHANNELL

THE INVISIBLE MAN will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-rayTM, DVD and Digital.

  • 4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
  • Blu-rayTM unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
  • MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States. For more information, visit https://moviesanywhere.com.

FILMMAKERS
Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, Michael Dorman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen
Casting By: Terri Taylor C.S.A, Sarah Domeier Lindo C.S.A, Nikki Barrett C.S.A, C.G.A
Costume Designer: Emily Seresin
Music By: Benjamin Wallfisch
Edited By: Andy Canny
Production Designer: Alex Holmes
Director of Photography: Stefan Duscio A.C.S.
Executive Producers: Leigh Whannell, Couper Samuelson, Beatriz Sequeira, Jeanette Volturno, Rosemary Blight, Ben Grant
Produced By: Jason Blum p.g.a, Kyle Du Fresne p.g.a.
Screenplay and Screen Story By: Leigh Whannell
Directed By: Leigh Whannell

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:
Street Date: May 26, 2020
Selection Number: 61210164 (US) / 61210163 (CDN)
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Rating: Rated R for some strong bloody violence and language
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French Canadian (Dolby Digital 5.1) and Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Run Time: 2:04:20

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY:

Street Date: May 26, 2020
Selection Number: 61210711 (US) / 61210712 (CDN)
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2:39.1
Rating: Rated R for some strong bloody violence and language
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (Dolby Atmos), French Canadian (Dolby Digital 5.1) and Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Run Time: 2:04:12

TECHNICAL INFORMATION 4K ULTRA HD:
Street Date: May 26, 2020
Selection Number: 61210161 (US) / 61210160 (CDN)
Layers: BD-100
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Rating: Rated R for some strong bloody violence and language
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (Dolby Atmos), French Canadian (Dolby Digital 5.1), and Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1)
Run Time: 2:04:12

REVIEW: Birds of Prey

I pity Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn for not being able to find its audience, having the misfortune of opening just as the pandemic entered the news. Shunted to streaming, it’s languished and honestly, it’s entertaining and fun.

It’s not as good as anticipated.

Long in development, the movie was the brainchild of Margot Robbie, who immortalized the live-action version in 2016’s Suicide Squad misfire. Her role was largely inspired on the New 52/Rebirth take on the character, more Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti than Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. She was certainly the best thing about the movie so a spinoff featuring her and some of DC Comics’ other heroines sounded great.

She bonded with screenwriter Christina Hodson, best known for her solid work on Bumblebee (and credited as the writer of the still unfilmed Flash), and they crafted a gonzo story that picked up where the other film ended, hence the “emancipation” portion of the mouthful of a title.

Harley Quinn has severed her ties with the Joker and is adrift, wallowing in self-pity, leaving a trail of destruction on a large scale. A regular at the Black Mask Club, run by Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor), she befriends Dinah Lance (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), a torch singer turned Sionis’ personal driver. She’s on hand to witness Sionis’ thug Victor Zsasz (Chris Messina) picking up a valuable diamond, only to have it snatched from him by the teen thief Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco). Elsewhere, Detective Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) is investigating Harley’s actions while a female vigilante (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is killing criminals. And we’re off.

The diamond is the magnetic McGuffin that brings the women together to oppose Sionis and his criminal forces climaxing in an amazing battle at an abandoned Fun House.

Review: ‘Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey’

The various women all get their backstories told in various flashbacks and Hodson gets credit for playing with the story structure so we’re getting multiple points of view, flashbacks, and voiceovers (with Harley not the most reliable of narrators). Still, we learn Dinah is the daughter of Black Canary who, we gather, was protecting Gotham City before Batman arrived. The entire sense of legacy is cool but tossed of in a line and never picked up so we never fully understand Dinah’s reluctance to embrace her sonic powers and fighting skills.

Cassandra is there in name only, serving the fans and doing a massive disservice to the fans of her four-color source. What we have here is closer to a female Short Round with a potty mouth.

As underwritten as the women are, the men are worse off with Szasz, a deadly opponent in the comics, is reduced to being a sidekick thug who never comes off as menacing. Sionis’ comics origins were creepier and he was far more threatening in comics than here. McGregor was miscast or misdirected because he never rises to a true threat or memorable screen villain. At best, he’s a wanna-be Bond villain, at worst, he’s just boring.

Gotham City’s edges are the focal point of the story but Gotham, when well-used, is a character in its own right and the film’s production design fails to accomplish this until we get the final quarter, both at the amusement park and then at a pier. Until then, it’s a generic city which is not Gotham, home to the Bat. His presence gets a shout out but never seems to influence the cops or the criminals.

Where the film excels is energy, with some of the best stunts and action sequences yet found in a super-hero film. Kudos to the stunt team and the actors who just let it rip and looked like they were having a ball.

Director Cathy Yan gets credit for bringing a loose sense of verve to the proceedings but I wish a little more care went into characterization and its place in the greater DC filmed universe.  She and Robbie hope for a sequel with Poison Ivy, which could be fun, but the box office forecast makes that an iffy proposition at best.

The movie can be rent or bought on your favorite streaming service. The copy reviewed via MoviesAnywhere.com nicely captured the range of colors and tones from daylight to foggy night. The audio at home was just fine so overall, watching from the home screen wasn’t an issue.

The film is accompanied by a routine assortment of special features which, light the film,  keep things bright and always on the surface: Birds Eye View Mode, the entire film with pop up trivia and commentary offering some interesting tidbits and insights; Whip it Real Good (:55), a shorter version of the Skating piece; Birds of a Feather (8:26), everyone gushes; Romanesque (4:57), a look at Roman Sionis; A Love, Skate Relationship (4:29), a brief look at the real world roller derby women who participated in the film and the stunts on wheels; Grime and Crime (10:38), exploring the production design; Sanity is sooo last Season (7:39), a look at costumes and accessories; Wild Nerds (6:03), all about the unusual approach to storytelling including the visual effects, notably scenes with Bruce the hyena; and Gag Reel (2:02).

Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen Arrive Home in April

Get lit in the stylish ensemble caper, THE GENTLEMEN, a star-studded, sophisticated action-comedy written and directed by Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, Snatch). This engaging and unpredictable film is available now on Digital, lighting up on On Demand April 14, 2020 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on April 21, 2020, from STXfilms and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Set in the underworld cannabis industry in London, Ritchie makes a grand return to his signature, kinetic style, enthralling and surprising audiences with every scene, made even more dynamic by the performances of its star-powered ensemble cast. The home release includes exclusive bonus content bringing audiences deeper into the provocative world of the film.

THE GENTLEMEN follows American expat Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club), who built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business forever, it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his lucrative domain out from under him.

Featuring an all-star cast, THE GENTLEMEN stars Oscar® winner McConaughey, alongside Charlie Hunnam (Pacific Rim, Sons of Anarchy), Golden Globe® nominee Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey, Good Behavior), Golden Globe® winner Colin Farrell (The Lobster, In Bruges), Henry Golding (A Simple Favor, Crazy Rich Asians), Golden Globe® winner Hugh Grant (The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Love Actually), Jeremy Strong (Succession, Molly’s Game) and Eddie Marsan (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Atomic Blonde).

BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVE TO 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY™️, DVD & DIGITAL:

  • Behind-the-Scenes of THE GENTLEMEN – Get up close with the talented cast of THE GENTLEMEN as they give an inside look at the making of the film and share their experiences working with legendary director Guy Ritchie.
  • Best Gentlemanly Quips – A selection of some of the funniest lines from THE GENTLEMEN that spotlights the witty writing behind the film.
  • Glossary of Cannabis – Viewers are given a fun educational montage highlighting the numerous nicknames of Marijuana shown throughout the film.
  • Photo Gallery

THE GENTLEMEN will be available on 4K Ultra HD in a combo pack which includes 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray™️ , Blu-ray™️  and Digital. The 4K Ultra HD will include all bonus features on the Blu-ray™️ disc.

  • 4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
  • Blu-ray™️  unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.

FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan with Colin Farrell and Hugh Grant
Casting by: Lucinda Syson
Music Composed by: Christopher Benstead
Make-up and Hair Designer: Christine Blundell
Edited by: James Herbert
Costume Designer: Michael Wilkinson
Production Designer: Gemma Jackson
Director of Photography: Alan Stewart
Co-Producer: Max Keene
Executive Producers: Bob Osher, Matthew Anderson, Andrew Golov, Alan Wands, Robert Simonds, Adam Fogelson
Produced by: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Bill Block
Story by: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson & Marn Davies
Screenplay by: Guy Ritchie
Directed by: Guy Ritchie

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – 4K ULTRA HD:
Street Date: April 21, 2020
Selection Number:  64211369
Running Time: 1 hour, 53 minutes
Layers: BD-66
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Video: 2160p UHD HDR10 Widescreen 2.39:1
Rating: Rated R for violence, language throughout, sexual references and drug content
Sound: English Dolby Atmos, English Dolby Digital 2.0
Language/Subtitles: English SDH and Latin American Spanish Subtitles

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY™️:
Street Date: April 21, 2020
Selection Number: 64209711
Running Time: 1 hour, 53 minutes
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Rating: Rated R for violence, language throughout, sexual references and drug content
Sound: English Dolby Atmos, English Dolby Digital 2.0
Language/Subtitles: English SDH and Latin American Spanish Subtitles

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:
Street Date: April 21, 2020
Selection Number: 64209710
Running Time: 1 hour, 53 minutes
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Rating: Rated R for violence, language throughout, sexual references and drug content
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby Digital 2.0
Language/Subtitles: English SDH and Latin American Spanish Subtitles

Lego DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters is Coming in June

BURBANK, CA (April 6, 2020) – Youth, truth and trust are central to the latest brick-tastic adventure when DC’s Justice League welcomes its newest – and youngest – member in LEGO® DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters, an all-new, full-length animated feature film in the LEGO DC series. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and the LEGO Group, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting April 28, 2020, and on Blu-rayTM Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98 SRP) on June 16, 2020.

LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack (USA $24.98 SRP; Canada $29.98 SRP) and DVD (USA $19.98 SRP: Canada $24.98 SRP) as well as on Digital. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features a Blu-ray disc with the film in hi-definition, a DVD with the film in standard definition, and a digital version of the movie. The Blu-rayTM Combo Pack and DVD releases of LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters feature an exclusive LEGO Minifigure of Shazam (while supplies last).

In LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters, 10-year-old Billy Batson shouts a single word and, with lightning bolts flashing, he transforms into Shazam!, a full-fledged adult Super Hero. It doesn’t take long for Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and the rest of the Justice League to take notice and invite the earnest do-gooder to join the team. But to become a member, Billy must reveal his true identity. While fighting off the evil Mr. Mind and Black Adam, Billy learns that he must trust others – and that nothing creates trust like helping those in need. Join the good fight with this giant-sized LEGO DC adventure!

Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings franchise, The Goonies) leads a stellar cast as the voice of title character Shazam. Astin is joined by Troy Baker (Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman: Arkham Origins) as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Nolan North (Young Justice, Pretty Little Liars) as Superman/Clark Kent & Alfred, Grey Griffin (Scooby-Doo franchise, DC Super Hero Girls) as Wonder Woman & Lois Lane, Christina Milizia (Bunsen is a Beast) as Green Lantern Jessica Cruz, James Arnold Taylor (Star Wars: The Close Wars) as The Flash & Dummy, Imari Williams (Transformers: Rescue Bots) as Black Adam & Teth Adam, Fred Tatasciore (Batman Ninja) as Lobo & Oom, Ralph Garman (Family Guy) as the Wizard, Zach Callison (Steven Universe) as Billy Batson & Jimmy Olsen, Dee Bradley Baker (American Dad) as Jeepers, Dr. Sivana & Crocodile Man, Jennifer Hale (Mass Effect franchise) as Mary Batson & L.N. Ambassador, Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as The Penguin & Perry White, Jonny Rees (The Lion Guard) as Mr. Mind, Erica Lindbeck (DC Super Hero Girls) as Greeter & Farmer, and Josh Keaton (The Spectacular Spider-Man) as Executive & Terrance.

LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters is produced by Rick Morales (LEGO Scooby-Doo!: Haunted Hollywood) and directed by Matt Peters (LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman – Rage of Atlantis) from a script by Jeremy Adams (Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans). Liz Marshall (Unikitty!) is producer and Jim Krieg (Batman: Gotham By Gaslight) is co-producer. Sam Register and Jason Cosler & Jill Wilfert are executive producers.

“LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters brings another beloved Super Hero into the Justice League fold, perfectly spotlighting his magical abilities and strength with his kid-empowering attitude to create a terrific match for action-packed LEGO fun,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Senior Vice President, Originals, Animation and Family Marketing.

LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters Special Features (Previously Released)

Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD

From the Warner Bros. Animation vault:

  • Teen Titans Go! episode: “Little Elvis”
  • Unikitty! episode: “Spoooooky Game”
  • Unikitty! episode: “Pool Duel”

LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters 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.

BASICS

PRODUCT                                                       SRP

Blu-ray Combo Pack                                     $24.98 USA, $29.98 Canada

DVD                                                                 $19.98 USA, $24.98 Canada

Blu-ray Languages: English, French – Parisian, Spanish-Latin, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish

Blu-ray Subtitles: English, French-Parisian, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish

DVD Languages: English, Portuguese-Brazilian, Spanish-Latin, French-Parisian

DVD Subtitles: English, French-Parisian, Portuguese-Brazilian, Chinese, Korean

Running Time: 81 minutes

REVIEW: The Current War The Director’s Cut

REVIEW: The Current War The Director’s Cut

The Current War Charges for Home March 31I contend the world changed more between 1875 and 1900 than any other quarter-century in recorded history. From Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone to Thomas Edison’s phonograph and motion pictures, the masses were suddenly able to communi9cate and entertain in new ways. The world shrank and night was eliminated thanks to the light bulb.

It’s a fascinating period and one that has been overlooked until recently. First came, Graham Moore’s The Last Days of Night, a historical novel from 2016 that carefully detailed the battle between Edison and George Westinghouse for setting the electrical standard for America. Of course, alternating current won, but not without losses on both sides.

A year later, director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon tackled the same subject matter in The Current War, pitting Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch) against Westinghouse (Michael Shannon). In both stories as in history, the mad genius of Nikola Tesla (Nicholas Hoult), is a naïve innocent, trapped between sides.

Michael Mitnick made this story his life’s work, first as a musical then as a screenplay, going through sixty drafts, earning its way onto the infamous Black List of great, unproduced scripts. It slowly lurched towards production in 2016 and shown at the Toronto Film Festival in 2017 where it was met with distaste. Gomez-Rejon trimmed ten minutes and shot ten minutes that added depth to the main characters. Then the Weinstein Company disintegrated in the wake of Harvey Weinstein’s exposure as a serial rapist. After the studio and its assets bounced around, the movie, now called The Current War The Director’s Cut, finally arrived last fall.

Out now in streaming and available on disc in May, the bottom line is: read the novel.

I don’t know who should get the blame, Mitnick or Gomez-Rejon, but the film never breathes. It’s a series of short scenes in a staccato style so we’re lurching from place to place, event to event, never really getting to know either man. What they share in common is that they love their wives, and when Mary Stillwell Edison (Tuppence Middleton) dies early on, we feel for Edison. But we don’t know the men, or Edison’s number two (Tom Holland) or financier J.P. Morgan (Matthew Mcfadyen), and why he backed the wrong industrialist. The most misused character s Tesla seen as a hapless immigrant, consistently taken advantage of. He is misplayed by Hoult and is robbed of Tesla’s mangled English, adding to his otherworldliness.

What should have been a riveting story about which man got to change the world, has been reduced to a disinteresting story that merely hints at what was.

The film was seen on MiviesAnywhere.com and its high definition stream carefully captures the subtle colors of the era, especially the night scenes. There’s a nice, crystal quality to the visual and the audio was just fine. No special features accompanied the digital version.

Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island Arrives on Disc Unrated, Theatrical

Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island Arrives on Disc Unrated, Theatrical

SYNOPSIS
In Blumhouse’s FANTASY ISLAND, the enigmatic Mr. Roarke (Michael Peña) makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort. But when the fantasies turn into nightmares, the guests have to solve the island’s mystery in order to escape with their lives.
Directed by Jeff Wadlow, Blumhouse’s FANTASY ISLAND is written by Jeff Wadlow & Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs and is produced by Jason Blum, Marc Toberoff and Jeff Wadlow.

BLU-RAY, DVD AND DIGITAL BONUS MATERIALS
• Deleted Scenes
• Unrated and theatrical versions of the movie included
• Unrated Director and Cast Commentary: Audio commentary by Director Jeff Wadlow and Cast (Unrated Version Only)

CAST AND CREW
Director: Jeff Wadlow
Written By: Jeff Wadlow & Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs
Producers: Jason Blum, Marc Toberoff, Jeff Wadlow
Executive Producers: Couper Samuelson, Jeanette Volturno
Cast: Michael Peña (Ant-Man and the Wasp), Maggie Q (Divergent), Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars), Austin Stowell (Battle of the Sexes), Jimmy O. Yang (Silicon Valley), Portia Doubleday (Carrie), Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars), and Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy)

SPECS
Run Time: Approx. 109 minutes
Theatrical Version Rating: PG-13 for violence, terror, drug content, suggestive material, and brief strong language
Feature: 1080p High Definition/ 2.39:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, French, Spanish, English—Audio Description Track 5.1 Dolby Digital