4K Digital Review of Alien: Romulus

 

The Alien franchise has been one of my favorites for years. The combination of sci-fi and horror has captivated me for decades. While the more recent takes on the franchise have been less than stellar, Alien: Romulus is a return to form. While it is a standalone film set between the first two movies, it pays homage to the first three movies while carving out its own narrative. 

The story takes place on a remote mining planet. A group of young colonists are joining an expedition to salvage a space station and use it as their opportunity to escape from their livelihood. Little do they know that the station was once a bio-lab where deadly experiments took place. As the station comes back online, so do the creatures that that were meant to be left behind.

Director Fede Alvarez creates an atmosphere that fits the aesthetic of when the original movie was made. It doesn't feel like a harsh leap in technology. It feels rough and gritty like the original movies. Alvarez sets the tone perfectly. The young cast also helps with stellar performances. Led by Rain (Cailee Spaeny), the entire cast is solid and do not try to recreate the performances of any other actors in the franchise.

Video:

The 4K Digital transfer here is stunning. It intensifies everything from the close-ups of the Xenomorphs to the claustrophobic interiors of the space station. The shadows are inky black and the details of the station are crystal clear. The sharpness of the video adds to the intensity of each scene and only adds layers to the creepy atmosphere. 

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos track only adds to the the terror. The sound design is immersive from the acid blood dripping around you to the shrieks of the creatures stalking their prey. The film's score adds to the tension and fear.

Bonus Features:

Return to Horror: Crafting Alien: Romulus

• The Director’s Vision – Discover how one of today’s greatest horror directors, Fede Alvarez, collaborated with master filmmaker Ridley Scott to craft a new, heart-pounding chapter in the Alien franchise.
• Creating the Story – Learn what inspired the story of Alien: Romulus and see the many easter eggs from previous Alien installments that you may have missed.
• Casting the Faces – Meet the stars of Alien: Romulus as they take us inside the hearts and minds of their characters. Explore the parallels between Rain and the iconic franchise heroine, Ripley, and learn how filmmakers brought back a face from the past.
• Constructing the World – Explore the massive, practical sets of Alien: Romulus that hearken back to the futuristic style established in the '80s and get up close and personal with a hoard of practically built facehuggers, chestbursters, and xenomorphs.

Inside the Xenomorph Showdown – Experience the film’s climactic zero-gravity sequence from every angle as filmmakers break down what it took to make the moment spectacular. From sets and performances, to wirework, stunts, and VFX, see how it all came together.

Alien: A Conversation – A special conversation with Ridley Scott and Fede Alvarez for the Alien 45th Anniversary theatrical re-release.

Alternate / Extended Scenes – Check out scenes that didn't make the final cut.

*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer

Alien: Romulus is now available on digital and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on December 3rd.

Conclusion:

Alien: Romulus delivers all of the tension, fear and horror that one expects from an Alien movie. The 4K Digital release only heightens all of these to another level. Extremely detailed video and exceptional audio make this the definitive way to experience the movie. A welcomed addition to your movie library. 

4K Digital Review of Sideways

 

For its 20th Anniversary, Sideways got a 4K Digital release. When the film came out in 2004, it started a cultural movement about wine. And much like the wine, the film has only gotten better with age. 

The story centers around Miles (Paul Giamatti) and his old college roommate Jack (Thomas Haden Church), who is about to get married. They are out on a pre-wedding bachelor trip for wine and a mid-life crisis. Miles is fresh from a divorce and a series of rejections for his unpublished novel. Jack, on the other hand, is ready for his last hurrah. He wants one last fling before he gets married.

Then things begin to take a turn when they meet Maya (Virginia Madsen) and Stephanie (Sandra Oh) who both work at wineries they two men visit. Jack begins a torrid affair with Stephanie while Miles takes a much slower approach with Maya. 

In the end, both men must deal with some hard truths about their lives, their choices and their futures. Life is unpredictable and not always smooth sailing. The fears of aging, regret and second chances all hit home.   

Video:

If you have never seen the film before, then there is no better to experience it. The 4K transfer is stunning and the lush landscapes of California's Wine Country sparkle and shine. The natural light and earthy tones will make you feel like you are right there in wine country. 

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos audio mix also really immerses you into the film. The ambient sounds of the backgrounds, the subtle clinking of wine glasses, the crystal clear dialogue and the wonderful jazz score make you feel like you are right there with the actors.

Bonus Features:

    All of the bonus features are from the previous release.

    Audio Commentary from Paul Giamatti and Thomas Hayden Church

    Behind-The-Scenes Featurette

    Theatrical Trailer

    Deleted Scenes

Conclusion:

On the 20th Anniversary of the release of Sideways, the movie ages like fine wine. Incredible performances, humor and heartache make this a modern classic. Whether it is your first time or your 20th time watching it, this 4K release is the definitive way to experience the movie. A fantastic addition to your movie library.

Sideways is available for the first time at digital retailers (Fandango, Prime Video and Apple TV)

*the copy of the film was sent by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of the review and the review is strictly my own opinion*

4K Digital Review of Deadpool & Wolverine

 

The third installment of the Deadpool franchise and the 14th X-Men film is the perfect send off to the 20th Century X-Men movies and hopefully a huge new beginning in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) has said goodbye to his alter ego Deadpool until he is taken from his timeline by the TVA. The TVA's Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) offers Wade a future on Earth 616. Wade accepts but then realizes that his timeline is deteriorating on Earth 100005, he sets off to save his universe by restoring its anchor being, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Paradox sends the two heroes to the Void, a wasteland of pruned people, places and things sent there by the TVA. 

Video:

The 4K transfer is one of the best I have ever seen! Everything is crisp and clear and colors pop off the screen. Details such as the textures of the costumes really shine here. The level of detail is extraordinary and the 4K visuals are a triumph! 

Audio:

Equally impressive is the audio quality. It felt as good as the theater experience. Dialogue is normalized through the center channel and you do not need to adjust the volume. Action sequences make great use of the surround channels. The audio is perfectly mixed for big action pieces and quieter moments. You feel immersed into the movie. 

Bonus Features:

• Finding Madonna: Making the Oner – Director Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds break down a historic scene in the film: the “Oner,” which highlights the first fight in which Deadpool and Wolverine finally unite.
• Practical Approach: Celebrating the Art of Ray Chan – A tribute to longtime Marvel Studios collaborator Ray Chan, who sadly passed away in 2024 – the cast and crew recall anecdotes and echo the resounding positive effects of filming on the set he helped design, full of intricate details and Easter eggs.
• Loose Ends: The Legacy Heroes – Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, and the cast and crew go through some of the mind-blowing cameos and the characters who finally get their deserved endings. They cover the intensive choreographed sequences, updated costumes, and assembling the iconic team.
• Wolverine – Hugh Jackman describes the return to his iconic role as Wolverine. Cast and crew discuss how he picks up his yellow and blue suit for the first time, brings variety to the role, and continues his legacy from previous films.
• Filmmaker Commentary – Listen to audio commentary by director Shawn Levy and actor Ryan Reynolds.
• Gag Reel – Watch some hilarious outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Deadpool & Wolverine
• Deleted Scenes
  • Elevator Ride – Paradox explains the sacred timeline to Deadpool as they walk around the TVA.
  • Do Nothing – B-15 instructs Paradox to stay out of trouble, rejecting his efforts to take action.
  • Daddy’s In Love – B-15 and Peter strike up a romance. Peter announces he is in love to his friends, Headpool and Kidpool.
• “Fun Sack”
  • Dr. Deadpool – Dr. Deadpool, Ph.D. very kindly informs us of the risks of testicular cancer and tries to convince Hugh Jackman to do a live checkup.
  • Product Review – Deadpool shows off some toys and trinkets from the franchise, including one top-secret item that may or may not be a spoiler.
  • Wade is Back – Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman promote a movie...but Ryan misleads Hugh on just exactly which movie they are there for.

Conclusion:

Easily my favorite live-action movie of the year comes home in a video and audio presentation that rivals the theater. Complete with wonderful bonus features including an incredible audio commentary with Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy makes this a must add to your home movie collection! 

Deadpool & Wolverine is now available on digital, DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K UHD.

*The digital copy was sent for review purposes by Walt Disney Home Entertainment and the review is strictly my own opinion*

4k Review of Kinds of Kindness

 

Kinds of Kindness is available on digital and out on Blu-ray and DVD on October 8th.

The movie features three stories, starting with a man trying to take control of his life, a policeman whose wife was missing-at-sea has returned and seems like a different person, and a woman who is determined to find a person with a special ability and destined to become a spiritual leader. 

Now, the films of Yorgos Lanthimos have an acquired taste. Some of his films stay within the realm of understanding while others are offbeat and require some patience to understand the perspective. Kinds of Kindness is far from being offbeat. There is little to no setup to what is happening as you sit there and try to figure out what is unfolding. And as we have come to expect from Lanthimos, this film uses sexuality to help the story. If you are not a fan of graphic nudity and sexual situations then this is a movie to avoid. While the film will more than provide a lot of discussion, the pay off at the end isn't worth the very long runtime. At times it is a tough film to watch and definitely not a film for everyone. 

Video:

The streaming 4K presentation is nearly perfect here. Color reproduction and skin tones are practically flawless. The blacks and shadows are inky and stand out when combined with mixed content.  

Audio:

The audio mix is very front heavy as to be expected with this type of movie. Dialogue, music and sound effects are crystal clear. There is very little use of the surround channels but when utilized create an enveloping experience. 

Bonus Features:

Featurette

• It Takes All Kinds: The Vision of Kinds of Kindness

• Join cast and crew for a behind-the-scenes look at this unique triptych story written by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou. See how the sets, costumes, cinematography and music amplify the film's themes, and discover — maybe — what RMF stands for.

 

Deleted Scenes

• Robert ignores the SatNav

• Liz isn't recognized

 

Conclusion:

Kinds of Kindness is another bizarre and perplexing film from Yorgos Lanthimos. The 4K Digital version features excellent video and audio along with a few bonus features. The film is definitely not for everyone but I do recommend it for Lanthimos fans or those that enjoy different types of films. 

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