4K Digital Review of The Roses

 

The Roses is a modern take on The War of The Roses that came out in 1989. That movie starred Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. This version stars Olivia Colman as Ivy and Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo. We see the two meet in London, where Theo's architectural firm is having a confab at a restaurant, where Ivy is the chef. It's love at first sight and the two move to Southern California, get married and have children. 

Suddenly, Theo's career tanks, while Ivy's skyrockets. As their relationship begins to fall apart, the dream home that Theo designed for Ivy becomes an obsession for both characters. And while there are differences between the source book and the first film, the rough outline of the story is similar. It falls apart with the sidekicks of this version. They actually bring the movie to a screeching halt rather than helping it propel forward. Sadly, this version never captures the magic of the first one. 

Video:

The 4K streaming video is fairly solid. Fabric textures on clothing and skin tones look fantastic. The Roses' home looks amazingly detailed as well. Some of the blue screened backgrounds though do not blend in as seamlessly as they should but this is a minor issue.

Audio:

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is solid. Dialogue is clean and clear. There is a lot of environmental effects which makes good use of the side and rear channels. The soundtrack is lively and immerses you. 

Bonus Materials

• Bloopers
• Featurettes:
• A House To Fight For – A behind-the-front-door look at the epicenter of both beauty and acrimony. See the construction of the Roses’ home, hear from the designer and the filmmakers on their vision, and discover the actors’ wish to take everything from the house home with them.
• The Roses: An Inside Look – Hear from the cast and filmmakers about making The Roses. Learn about the actors’ connection and chemistry, and join the grounded, satirical, British, wry wit that only Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch can pull off.
• Comedy Gold – This cast is stacked with comedy talent bringing Tony McNamara’s witty dialogue to life with Jay Roach directing. Even Olivia Colman had to ask about this special cast, “How the F did we get them?”

Conclusion:

This remake of The War of The Roses has great performances from Cumberbatch and Colman. Technical specs are solid and some decent bonus materials make this a good recommendation to add to your library.

The Roses is out on digital now and out on Blu-ray and DVD November 25th. 

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review and my review is strictly my opinion.*

4K Digital Review: The Rocky Horror Picture Show: 50th Anniversary

 The Rocky Horror Picture Show Celebrates it's 50th Anniversary. It follows a newly engage couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon). They experience car trouble in a fierce rainstorm and seek shelter in a castle. The castle owner is the drag-clad Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). His minions, aliens from another planet, are singing and dancing throughout the movie. You get jealousy, murder and a musical all in one movie. This cult classic brings you pretty much everything!  

Video:

This 4K streaming video makes The Rocky Horror Picture Show look the best it ever has. There are so many fine details such as makeup, garters, hairstyles and more. Wait until you see how razor sharp the details are in the castle and in the lab. Colors also really shine here such as reds, as well as skin tones. Blacks are nice and inky.

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos audio track really delivers here. Much of the audio is front and center but it opens up for the song and dance numbers. Vocals are prioritized over the music. A solid audio mix from Disney. 

Bonus Features:

• Audio Commentary featuring Richard O’Brien and Patricia Quinn
• Trivia Track: 50 Years and Still Kicking!
• Vintage Callback Track (Unrated)
• Rocky-oke: Sing It!
• Alternate Version with Black and White Opening (HD 1:40:04)
• Deleted Song “Once In A While” (SD 3:08)
• Outtakes (SD 10:02)
• Alternate Credit Ending (SD 3:45)
• Misprint Ending (SD 1:44)
• The Midnight Experience with the 35th Anniversary Shadowcast
• Search for the 35th Anniversary Shadowcast
• Rocky Horror Double Feature Video Show (SD 36:25)
• The Time Warp Music Video (SD 4:36)
• Bacon Theater, New York City - 10th Anniversary (SD 5:20)
• Trailers

Conclusion:

The cult classic has never looked or sounded better. There is a wealth of bonus material as well. This is a highly recommended addition to your library.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is now available on digital.

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review and the review is strictly my opinion*

Digital Review of Disney's Freakier Friday

 

Twenty years after Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan starred in a remake of Freaky Friday, comes Freakier Friday. Anna Coleman (Lindsay Lohan) is now a single mom and a music producer raising her teenage daughter Harper (Julia Butters). Anna's mom Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) is also there to help her daughter. 

Life takes a turn when Anna falls in love with Eric Reyes (Manny Jacinto) who also has a daughter Lily (Sophia Hammons). After a reading from a fortune teller, there is a strange tremor that leaves Anna and Harper, and Tess and Lily to swap bodies. 

The film brings laughs, chaotic adventure, and a reminder that the best way to understand someone is to walk in their shoes. 

Video:

For the first time in forever, the digital stream is in 1080p and not in 4K. But the colors and detail here are still wonderful. Primary colors pop and there is a lot of detail in clothing. There is also a lot of bright, sunny Southern California scenes that really shines as well. Overall, a great presentation of the movie.

Audio:

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is put to good use here. The transformation sequence brings in some fun immersive action. The dialogue is clear throughout the movie even when you get all four major characters together.

Digital & Blu-ray Bonus Materials*

• Deleted Scenes – Check out the scenes that didn’t make the final cut.

• Trevor's New Song
• Extended Dance Lesson 
• Anna Cancels Wedding 
• Pickleball Team Announcements 
• Beta Girl Backs Up Lily 
• Intensity Of The V's 
  Blake Doesn't Like What She Hears 
• Malibu 
• Eric Reads Tess's Books 
• School Pickup 

 

• Featurettes:

• Making Things Freakier – More than two decades later, the band is back together! Go behind the scenes as returning cast members talk about reprising their roles. Learn about the stunts, taking on each other’s mannerisms – and how this film is a love letter to Los Angeles.

 

• Where Were You When... – Join the original cast as they reflect on the fun and magic of the 2003 production and learn where new cast members were in 2003. Writer Jordan Weiss shares a great anecdote that reveals the fandom and staying power of the earlier classic.

 

• Flashback Friday – This playful, narrated piece reveals the hidden nods to 2003’s Freaky Fridayalong with some “freakier” fun facts about the sequel.

 

• "Baby" Lyric Music Video – Catch this heartfelt lyric video that combines clips from the movie with behind-the-scenes production footage.

Conclusion:

A fun movie that plays a lot on nostalgia. Strange to not see this as a 4K release but there is outstanding video and audio along with some fun bonus content that will make this a fun addition to your library.

Freakier Friday is available on digital, DVD and Blu-ray now. 

*The movie was sent by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review and the review is strictly my opinion.*

4K Digital Review of The Sound of Music

 

The Sound of Music Celebrates arrives in a stunning restored and remastered 4K version for its 60th Anniversary. It is one of my favorite movies of all-time. I don't think I have ever seen a movie that is more joyful or optimistic. Here you can believe in the possibilities of love, that good will triumph over evil and the power of song.

Based on a true story that is known the world over, Julie Andrews plays Maria, who may never become a proper nun. She is sent to Salzburg to become the governess to the seven von Trapp children. Their father, Georg (Christopher Plummer), is a widower and a former Navy captain. He runs the household with strict military discipline. Maria wins over the children by letting them be children. They learn to sing and enjoy life. The Captain begins to see the change in his children and his heart begins to open. He even breaks off his engagement to the cold Baroness Schraeder (Eleanor Parker) to marry Maria. But there is danger out there. The Nazi threat looms over Austria and the von Trapps. The Nazis want the captain for their Navy and he makes a desperate escape with the entire family to safety over the Swiss Alps.    

Video:

The 4K Digital video is stunning. The 4K scan is from a brand new 8K scan with color correction and restoration work done. The details are absolutely eye-popping. A few examples include, the individual blades of grass as Maria sings at the opening of the movie, the details of the fabric on all the clothing and the stonework on the von Trapp home. The Sound of Music has never looked better.   

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is an equally stunning upgrade to go along with the video. The enhancement is immediately noticeable with the opening song. You will be completely surrounded by Maria's crystal clear vocals and the orchestration. Outdoor atmospheric ambiance is placed smartly. Dialogue is clean and clearly placed. An outstanding audio effort to accompany the amazing video.

Bonus Features (Bonus features vary by product and retailer)

• Sing-Along Version 
• Commentary by Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charmian Carr, Dee Dee Wood & Johannes von Trapp 
• Commentary by Robert Wise
• The Sound of a City Documentary - Julie Andrews returns to Salzburg, Austria
• A City of Song - Filming locations in Salzburg, Austria
• Musical Stages - The songs, the show & the family
• Vintage Programs - The Sound of Music, Rodgers and Hammerstein, location interviews, and audio interviews
• Rare Treasures - Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall: The Pratt Family Singers, The Julie Andrews Hour: Julie Andrews and Maria Von Trapp, Screen Tests, 40th Anniversary DVD Introduction by Julie Andrews, and galleries
• Publicity - Fox Movietone News - Academy Awards,®, trailers and teasers, TV spots, and radio spots

Conclusion:

One of my favorite films of all-time has never looked or sounded better. While the bonus features have been ported over from other Anniversary sets, this version is still highly recommended.

The Sound of Music is available now on digital.

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review and the review is strictly my opinion.*