Tag Archives: Warner Bros

4K, Capsule Reviews, Film reviews, Warner Bros

Warner Bros 4K Releases: North by Northwest, Blazing Saddles, and The Terminator

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What’s better than reliving cinematic nostalgia? Continuing the collection of physical media! While we live in a time whenphysical media is limited, Warner Bros 4K Releases offer a combination of films that are surreal and unforgettable. From running from planes in North by Northwest, laughing with cowboys in Blazing Saddles, and seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger play the hero in The Terminator—there is an excitement and an adrenaline rush that lasts for ages. These are classic 4K releases that are worth the time, the money, and the energy to enjoy either for the first time or the tenth.

North by Northwest is a film I have watched four times in my life. The first experience was in a classroom, the second experience was in the cinema (in standard definition), the third was also in the cinema (in print projection), and the fourth was the 4K physical release. The layers of investigative purpose in this movie dive boldly, and still ignite my love for the film. Each cut or new restoration serves to brighten the suspense. The 4k experience makes the chase scenes more exciting as does wondering who is at fault in the film’s many suspenseful moments.

As a die-hard fan of Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles is one movie that always makes me laugh out loud. It reminds me of a time when comedies were much more successful. Originality back in the day served a greater purpose and had a greater impact. The sound quality makes the laughter heighten the atmosphere which in turn causes the comedy to whirl around in circles leading to entertaining revelations. It is easier and more interesting to experience the humor in the audibles of Blazing Saddles in 4K.

Finally, there is James Cameron, a director who has always navigated his writing and craftsmanship with the skill of a champion. The Terminator is the beginning of a franchise that boils into many layers that demonstrate what filmmaking is all about. The 4K cut is one-of-a-kind. The many aspects of thecinematics and the characters fuel the fire of success in the 4K version. The quote, “I’LL BE BACK,” is the perfect message toremind viewers of the nostalgia in revisiting this classic.  

Film reviews

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

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A monumental story of a legend and an inspirational icon who never gave up. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is an insightful documentary that is deeply mesmerizing in part because Christopher’s children tell his story. Alexandra Reeve Givens Matthew Reeve, and Will Reeve go into detail about how their father truly was a hero. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story loops back much of the archived footage of Christopher playing Clark Kent/Superman and other roles. The film also includes scenes from many of the events he attended as an advocate. Despite being paralyzed in an accident, he made it his goal to change the world.

The authenticity of Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is its chronological direction. It smoothly weaves the days of Christopher being in plays, to being in big movies, and then being paralyzed. There is an important message that learning to thrive no matter what our circumstances is what every individual should do every day of their life. There is a saying in the film “waves of humanity” which is linked to the friendship that Christopher had with Robin Williams from their days together in theatre. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is filled with empathy and connection that made me feel like I was a participant in Christopher’s story of fighting for change.

The stories shared by Alexandra, Matthew, and Will elaborate on how their father was always there for them. They also go into detail about the sacrifices their lives entailed to care for him. The family created a foundation which is still going strong. The theme of never giving up by finding areas of purpose is powerful in Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. The phrase, “I will walk again,” paints the portrait of how much Christopher did to feel like he was still “walking.” He reminded people they can still live their best life possible—even if it has limits or deficits.

The power of connection resonates in this film. The audience will feel like they get a true glimpse into Christopher’s mind. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story soars with sadness, triumph, and hope. A life filled with transitions made him an icon who defines the best of both worlds as an inspirational hero. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story will invigorate audiences with its positivity and make them feel like they can fly. Four out four stars.

Film reviews

Juror #2 Review

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From director Clint Eastwood comes a courthouse film of detrimental misdirection. Juror #2 is one of the most authentic and stressful films of thought. It presents a layer of underlying issues that is being tossed around repeatedly. Eastwood knows characterizations and perspectives. Eastwood’s use of directing to get the full scope of a conflict lies out all kinds of emotions. If this is Eastwood’s last film, it is both monumental and tainted. “Tainted” by the fact that its release is so limited due to his disputes with Warner Bros. That is besides the point, but to elaborate, not everyone may get the chance to see it in the theatrical format (which is how it should be seen).

The film gears on Justin Kemp (played by Nicholas Hoult). Justin a normal man with a lot to live for, he has a happy relationship with his wife Allison Crewson (played by Zoey Deutch), and they are on their way to having their first child. Justin has jury duty and finds himself taking part in a trial of murder that carries a strong following. With serving on a jury with a retired police officer, Harold (played by JK Simmons), Marcus (played by Cedric Yarbrough), Denice (played by Leslie Bibb), and more, there is a lot of moving parts. The most stressful aspect is that Justin feels he is the one who caused the crime to happen. Despite the case of having a victim of a violent past, Justin’s memories come back to him. He is on the jury of a case he may have been the cause of. With two high-end attorneys Faith Killebrew (played by Toni Collette) and Eric Resnick (played by Christ Messina), justice is a puzzle that Justin keeps trying to spin around in circles. 

The case keeps linking back to the victim as one who did a killing, but he may have not. It may have been Justin, but no one knows this for sure, and neither does Justin. The mental stressors of Juror #2 present characterizations that keep the stressors mounted—keeping calm to find justice is not an easy task. The performance of Hoult shines of guilt while also trying to find a safe way for him to return to his life without feeling such admissions of guilt. There is no easy way for that to happen.

With Hoult and Collette in a performance by Eastwood, this is the second time they play two individuals not (always) seeing eye-to-eye. Collette played the mother of Hoult in About a Boyback in 2002. In that classic, they played a mother and son not finding common ground, twenty-two years later it is a juror and an attorney trying to find the pieces of where the deceit lies. Both of which play their roles so faithfully well. The court dynamics of facts, politics, seniority, and fairness keep tumbling over each other in the context of sacrifice. “Sacrifice” is a heavy aspect from Eastwood. With being just over nine decades old, the characterizations of truth still fight hard to find the correlations. The spellbinding notion of Juror #2 is the no excuses vibe of seriousness that flows from what started the whole case. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.