Ah, another Tuesday, and another round of new home video releases!
I try not to make too much of these promotional bits, but I think it’s part of a public service ‘round here to pump up my readers with a bit of consumer opportunities. We like Science Fiction and Fantasy; we promote Science Fiction and Fantasy; and we purchase Science Fiction and Fantasy items. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, and there are far worse things in life to be addicted to.
In any event, I’ve scanned the releases slated for today – October 5th – and it’s kinda/sorta light on genre entries. (For the uninformed, I tend to check out Blu-ray.com once a week mostly for upcoming titles but every now and then read a review or two.) Immediately, the LeBron James box office disaster – the sequel to Space Jam titled Space Jam: A New Legacy – hits the shelves today, and I suppose that’s the big name.
Any others worth a mention?
Well, there’s the Arrow Video release of David Lynch’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune (1984). It’s billed as a 4K Ultra Blu-ray set with a bunch of features, but I’m not seeing it listed on Amazon.com. I believe I read that there were some issues with the pressing previously – I want to say that this one has been scheduled and delayed more than once, but I could be confusing it with something else. Personally, I never much cared for this one: outside of some winning visuals, it really bogs down in the storytelling department.
Otherwise, I do see a Blu-ray release for the 2002 remake of H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, this one starring Guy Pearce. That’s another one that disappointed me. Don’t remember much of it, to be honest, and that’s rarely a good sign. I think I do recall the funny Orlando Jones as a computer interface as well as Jeremy Irons as the lead baddie, but otherwise that one just didn’t leave an impact on me.
Furthermore, I do see a new Blu-ray pressing from Well Go USA – an outfit I used to have a lot of respect for but not so much anymore (long story, won’t trouble you with specifics) – of the Horror staples Phantasm I and Phantasm II. Nothing wrong with picking that up if you’re in the market for a solid double dipping.
Also, Paramount+’s recent Stephen King adaptation of The Stand is available for purchase today. I’ve been a huge fan of the novel since I read it back in high school in the 1980’s. Great epic storytelling. I enjoyed the 90’s miniseries adaptation as well, though I know my opinion on that is in the minority. Sure, it could’ve been bigger and bolder, but it was nice to see someone take a swing at the material, especially given how dark it is. I believe I caught an airing of this version’s first episode on some freebie channel: it looked alright, but it was only a single episode. Hard to make more of it than that.
Lastly, I’m giving a plug to a Blu-ray pressing of 2011’s The Awakening. I had the good fortune of seeing this one thanks to the Cohen Media Group, and I even penned a review you can check out right here. Though I’m no huge fan of traditional ghost stories, this one has two good leads, but they’re paired with a story that tries too hard to have a twist ending. Sadly, the twist didn’t quite work for me, but it’s a good enough attempt that I’d recommend it chiefly for fans of ghost stories.
As is always good advice: let the buyer beware.
-- EZ
I try not to make too much of these promotional bits, but I think it’s part of a public service ‘round here to pump up my readers with a bit of consumer opportunities. We like Science Fiction and Fantasy; we promote Science Fiction and Fantasy; and we purchase Science Fiction and Fantasy items. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, and there are far worse things in life to be addicted to.
In any event, I’ve scanned the releases slated for today – October 5th – and it’s kinda/sorta light on genre entries. (For the uninformed, I tend to check out Blu-ray.com once a week mostly for upcoming titles but every now and then read a review or two.) Immediately, the LeBron James box office disaster – the sequel to Space Jam titled Space Jam: A New Legacy – hits the shelves today, and I suppose that’s the big name.
Any others worth a mention?
Well, there’s the Arrow Video release of David Lynch’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune (1984). It’s billed as a 4K Ultra Blu-ray set with a bunch of features, but I’m not seeing it listed on Amazon.com. I believe I read that there were some issues with the pressing previously – I want to say that this one has been scheduled and delayed more than once, but I could be confusing it with something else. Personally, I never much cared for this one: outside of some winning visuals, it really bogs down in the storytelling department.
Otherwise, I do see a Blu-ray release for the 2002 remake of H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, this one starring Guy Pearce. That’s another one that disappointed me. Don’t remember much of it, to be honest, and that’s rarely a good sign. I think I do recall the funny Orlando Jones as a computer interface as well as Jeremy Irons as the lead baddie, but otherwise that one just didn’t leave an impact on me.
Furthermore, I do see a new Blu-ray pressing from Well Go USA – an outfit I used to have a lot of respect for but not so much anymore (long story, won’t trouble you with specifics) – of the Horror staples Phantasm I and Phantasm II. Nothing wrong with picking that up if you’re in the market for a solid double dipping.
Also, Paramount+’s recent Stephen King adaptation of The Stand is available for purchase today. I’ve been a huge fan of the novel since I read it back in high school in the 1980’s. Great epic storytelling. I enjoyed the 90’s miniseries adaptation as well, though I know my opinion on that is in the minority. Sure, it could’ve been bigger and bolder, but it was nice to see someone take a swing at the material, especially given how dark it is. I believe I caught an airing of this version’s first episode on some freebie channel: it looked alright, but it was only a single episode. Hard to make more of it than that.
Lastly, I’m giving a plug to a Blu-ray pressing of 2011’s The Awakening. I had the good fortune of seeing this one thanks to the Cohen Media Group, and I even penned a review you can check out right here. Though I’m no huge fan of traditional ghost stories, this one has two good leads, but they’re paired with a story that tries too hard to have a twist ending. Sadly, the twist didn’t quite work for me, but it’s a good enough attempt that I’d recommend it chiefly for fans of ghost stories.
As is always good advice: let the buyer beware.
-- EZ
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