4K Digital Review of A Complete Unknown

 

Robert Zimmerman (Timothee Chalamet), a complete unknown 19 year old, hitchhikes his way to New York. He is trying to meet his idol Woodiy Gurthie (Scoot McNairy). Zimmerman finds him in a hospital in New Jersey where Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) is keeping Woody company. Woody is near death and Zimmerman, soon to change his name to Bob Dylan, plays a song of his. Seeger becomes Dylan's mentor and introduces his to other stars such as Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). 

Here we enter the evolution of popular music. The radical changes from the music after the World War 2 era. We see the rise of Rock and Roll and the growth of "folk music". The popularity of "folk music" in the 1960s with its powerful messages and how Dylan helped shaped and influence that music for years to come.  

Video:

The 4K streaming video is beautiful. The movie was shot using Sony's CineAlta cameras that gives the movie more of an actual shot on film look. There is a graininess that gives the movie the look and feel of a documentary from the time period rather than being a modern digital movie. The level of detail is still phenomenal from close-ups to wide shots taking in all the scenery. Another solid transfer from Disney.

Audio:

The streaming Dolby Atmos audio mix is impressive. The music is such a huge part of this story and the audio mix takes full advantage of the speakers in front of you and behind you. The live performances immerse you into the movie. The surround channels are very activate for not only the music but the environmental sounds. The dialogue is rich and clear from the front channels. Just an elevated audio experience from Disney. 

Bonus Feature:

• The Making of A Complete Unknown
• The Story
• Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan
• The Supporting Cast
• The Design
• Audio Commentary by James Mangold

Conclusion:

A solid movie with powerful performances that not looks at the music and the early days of Dylan, but the incredible world of changes happening around these events. A solid video and audio package with two wonderful bonus features makes this a highly recommended addition to your library. A Complete Unknown is currently available on digital.

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

4K Digital Review of Mufasa: The Lion King

 

After the success of the live-action The Lion King in 2019, another movie was more than likely. Who knew that it would be a prequel of how Mufasa became king. 

The film opens where The Lion King ended, with Simba as King. As he and Nala expect a new cub, they leave their first-born Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter) with Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogan). When a huge storm hits, Rafiki (John Kani) comes to help calm Kiara. Then Rafiki begins to tell the story of how Mufasa and his adoptive brother Take (Kevin Harrison Jr.) leave their homeland when the evil Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen) arrives. Heading towards the land of mythical land of Milele, they meet new friends Sarabi (Tiffany Boone), Zazu (Preston Nyman) and a young, wise baboon. 

The story and the characters grow and develop as they discover what it means to be family. The animation has greatly improved from the 2019 The Lion King. Everything from the foliage, the fur, the scenery all look incredibly photorealistic. All help to tell the story and make you a part of this world. A fine prequel to the legacy of The Lion King.

Video:

The streaming 4K video is stunning. The level of detail has vastly improved since the live-action versions of The Jungle Book and The Lion King. The fine details of the fur, the feathers, the plants and the scenery are breathtaking. The visuals are borderline true to life. There is a depth and a weight to the characters that wasn't felt in the 2019 movie. The colors are gorgeous and the blacks and shadows bring that weight and depth alive. Another fantastic video transfer from Disney.

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos mix here is solid. The dialogue is crisp and clear. The Lin-Manuel songs are catchy and fun and really fill the surround channels. The mix really shines in the various environments. The grasslands feel vast, the snowy mountains feel cold and windy, and you can feel the rumble of the loud crashes of falling rocks and the elephant stampede. Another fine audio mix from Disney. 

Bonus Features:

Full Length Sing-Along – Sing along with your favorite songs while watching the movie with on-screen lyrics.

 

Finding Milele: The Making of Mufasa: The Lion King – Join visionary director Barry Jenkins and the cast of Mufasa: The Lion King on an epic journey to create a brand-new chapter in the story of The Lion King. Explore how the story was developed and the technology used to make Mufasa's world come to life.

 

Songs of the Savanna – Director Barry Jenkins and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda sit down to discuss the excitement and challenges of creating the music for Mufasa: The Lion King.

 

Ostrich Eggs with Timon & Pumbaa – Timon and Pumbaa reveal fun facts and some of the hidden references in the movie.

 

Outtakes – Watch the cast having fun in the recording booth.

Deleted Scenes:

• Who's the Mole Rat?
• What Do You Feel in There?
• Have Faith in Her
• Taka's Dream

 

Music Video: "I Always Wanted a Brother" – Join Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast of Mufasa: The Lion King as they perform "I Always Wanted A Brother" backstage at a film shoot.

 

Song Selections:

• Milele (First Rain)
• I Always Wanted a Brother
• Bye Bye
• We Go Together
• Tell Me It’s You
• Brother Betrayed

 

Protect the Pride – Learn how Disney and The Lion Recovery Fund are working to protect the pride and conserve lions in the wild.

Conclusion:

I wasn't sure that this was a film that we needed, but I was wrong and Mufasa: The Lion King ended being a great movie. The story was engaging and the more emotive characters looked photo-real. The 4K transfer along with the Dolby Atmos audio mix are stunning. As always, I wish there were more substantial bonus features like an audio commentary. Mufasa: The Lion King deserves a place in your library. The movie is available on digital now.  

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

THE “LILO & STITCH” TRAILER IS HERE!!!

 

Your first look at “Lilo & Stitch” is here! The eagerly anticipated film, a live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, will open exclusively in theaters May 23, 2025. 

“Lilo & Stitch” is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Dean Fleischer Camp, with a screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, and stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis, and introducing Maia Kealoha. “Lilo & Stitch” is produced by Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a. and Dan Lin, with Tom Peitzman, Ryan Halprin, Louie Provost, Thomas Schumacher serving as executive producers.

 

“Lilo & Stitch” opens exclusively in theaters nationwide May 23, 2025.

Disney’s MUFASA: THE LION KING Makes Its Streaming Debut on Disney+ on Mar. 26

 

Streaming audiences around the world will finally get to experience the epic adventure, unforgettable music and cinematic visuals of Mufasa: The Lion King again and again as the film journeys to Disney+ on March 26.

Directed by Oscar®-winning director Barry Jenkins and featuring all-new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda – including the viral sensation, “I Always Wanted a Brother” – Mufasa: The Lion King became a sensation, earning over $700 million at the global box office and becoming one of the top 10 biggest global releases of 2024.

Critics and fans alike have praised Mufasa: The Lion King as “adventurous” (Brian Truitt, USA Today), a “dazzling musical” (Kevin Maher, The Times), and “visually stunning” (Pete Hammond, Deadline Hollywood). It comes to Disney+ – the exclusive streaming home of the film – and joins other titles from the iconic franchise including The Lion King (1994), The Lion King (2019), The Lion Guard, and the recently-released The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl concert special. 
 
Now through March 30, new and eligible returning customers can subscribe to the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic for $2.99/month for four months – a $32 savings compared to the regular monthly price for four months – by visiting www.disneyplus.com.

ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR “DISNEY’S SNOW WHITE”

 

Advance tickets for “Disney’s Snow White,” the live-action musical reimagining of the studio’s classic 1937 film, are now available for purchase at Fandango (Fandango.com/Disney SnowWhite) or wherever tickets are sold. A new clip from the magical music adventure which journeys back to the timeless story with Rachel Zegler in the title role and Gal Gadot as her Stepmother, the Evil Queen, is now available to download and share. “Disney’s Snow White” opens exclusively in movie theaters on March 21, available in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, Cinemark XD, 4DX, and premium screens everywhere.

 

“Disney’s Snow White” is directed by Marc Webb, written by Erin Cressida Wilson, and produced by Marc Platt, p.g.a., and Jared LeBoff, p.g.a., with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer, and features all-new original songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, including Waiting on a Wish, the recently released first single from the film’s original soundtrack. Waiting on a Wish is available now digitally on Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify.

DISNEY+ SHARES SPECIAL LOOK & BRAND-NEW POSTER FOR LUCASFILM’S“ANDOR” SEASON 2

 

Disney+ released an exciting special look and unveiled a brand-new poster and images for the highly anticipated second season of Lucasfilm’s Emmy®-nominated thriller “Andor,” which returns for its long-awaited conclusion on April 22. The special look, available now on Disney+ and YouTube, offers a glimpse at the making of Season 2 of the compelling series, in which the characters and their relationships will intensify as the horizon of war draws near and Cassian becomes a key player in the Rebel Alliance. Everyone will be tested and, as the stakes rise, the betrayals, sacrifices and conflicting agendas will become profound.  

 

Rife with political intrigue, danger, tension, and high stakes, the series is a prequel to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which portrayed a heroic band of rebels who steal the plans to the Empire’s weapon of mass destruction: The Death Star, setting the stage for the events of the original 1977 film. “Andor” sets the clock back five years from the events of “Rogue One” to tell the story of the film’s hero, Cassian Andor, and his transformation from disinterested, cynical nobody into a rebel hero on his way to an epic destiny.  

 

The final season will unfold over 12 episodes broken down into four chapters of three episodes each. The first chapter will premiere April 22, with subsequent chapters debuting each week.  

“Andor” Season 2 stars Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O’Reilly, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, Elizabeth Dulau, Alan Tudyk, with Ben Mendelsohn and Forest Whitaker. The series was created by Tony Gilroy, who also serves as an executive producer along with Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna, Luke Hull and John Gilroy. Tony Gilroy wrote the first three episodes, with Beau Willimon writing episodes 4-6, Dan Gilroy penning episodes 7-9 and Tom Bissell putting pen to paper for episodes 10-12. The directors for the series are Ariel Kleiman (Eps. 1-6), Janus Metz (Eps. 7-9) and Alonso Ruizpalacios (Eps. 10-12). 

RACHEL ZEGLER FROM “DISNEY’S SNOW WHITE” PERFORMS FILM’S FIRST SINGLE WAITING ON A WISH AT ROPPONGI HILLS ARENA IN TOKYO

 

Rachel Zegler, the star of “Disney’s Snow White,” was in Tokyo to perform Waiting on a Wish, the first single from Walt Disney Records’ original soundtrack. She was joined on-stage by local actress and singer Sakura Kiryu, who provides the Japanese dubbing voice of Snow White, at Roppongi Hills Arena, where they performed for hundreds of fans who lined the red carpet.

 

“Disney’s Snow White,” the live-action musical reimagining of the studio’s classic 1937 film, is a magical music adventure which journeys back to the timeless story with Rachel Zegler in the title role and Gal Gadot as her Stepmother, the Evil Queen. The film opens exclusively in theaters March 21, 2025. “Disney’s Snow White” is directed by Marc Webb, written by Erin Cressida Wilson, and produced by Marc Platt, p.g.a., and Jared LeBoff, p.g.a., with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer.

 

Waiting on a Wish is available now digitally on Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify. The original soundtrack of songs from “Disney’s Snow White” will be released March 14. Waiting on a Wish was written by EGOT® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with additional lyrics by Jack Feldman.  The song was produced by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Ian Eisendrath and Dave Metzger, and is performed by Rachel Zegler. 

4K Digital Review of Moana 2

 

It has been eight years since Moana hit theaters and the sequel takes us back into the world almost effortlessly. The sequel picks up three years after the events of the first film. Maui (Dwayne Johnson) is out on a quest to find the god Nalo, who has placed a curse of the hidden island of Motufetu, once a place that brought the people of the ocean together. Moana's (Auli'i Cravalho) ancestors summon a comet for her to follow to take her to Motufetu. She puts a crew together, reunites with Maui and they face Nalo.

Just like in the first movie, Moana 2 is filled with fun and memorable songs, stunning animation and a strong voice cast. Returning and new cast deliver outstanding performances. Moana 2 focuses on the importance of friends and family. It is a wonderful family film to sharer with loved ones.

Audio:

The streaming Dolby Atmos track is solid. Voices are crisp and clear. The surrounds are filled with the musical score and environmental sounds. Another great effort from Disney.

Video:

The 4K Dolby Vision video is stunning. The colors of the ocean are filled with rich blues and greens. Skin tones, clothing and hair look realistic and move fluidly. The animation is crisp and clean. A beautifully stunning transfer from Disney.

Bonus Features:

Full Length Sing-Along – Sing along with your favorite songs while watching the movie with on-screen lyrics.

Call of the Wayfinder – Celebrate Pacific wayfinding with the Moana 2 filmmakers as they meet real-life navigators from the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Hear from Nainoa Thompson, CEO of PVS, and other crew members as they discuss the cultural renaissance of wayfinding.

A New Voyage – Join the filmmakers and artistic leads for a deep dive as they reveal the development of this sequel and discuss the impact that the first film had across the globe. Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson talk about what it means to them to return.

Songs of the Sea – Sit down with songwriters Abigail Barlow & Emily Bear, Pacific Islands music legend Opetaia Foa‘i, and composer Mark Mancina as they discuss making the music. Get to know this talented team as they share insight into writing each brand-new song.

Kakamora Chronicles – Ever wanted to know more about the Kakamora? Gather ’round while Moni, everyone’s favorite Motunui historian, tells the tales from real Solomon Island folklore surrounding the mysterious and unforgettable beings known as the Kakamora.

Fun in the Booth – Step inside the recording booth with the brilliant and talented actors of Moana 2 for some creative fun as they bring their characters to life.

Deleted Scenes – Overall introduction to Deleted Scenes by directors David G. Derrick Jr, Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller.

• Call to Motufetū
• Late to the Party
• Crew’s In for a Bruisin’
• Help Wanted
• Odd Birds
• Reunited
• Simea’s Chant

Song Selection:

• “We’re Back”
• “Beyond”
• “Finding the Way”
• “What Could Be Better Than This”
• “Get Lost”
• “Can I Get a Chee Hoo”
• “Mana Vavau”
• “Beyond” Reprise
• “Finding the Way” Reprise

Conclusion:

Moana 2 is a wonderful sequel bringing us back familiar friends and a host of new ones. The film is packed with fun and delightful songs and stunning animation. The video transfer is stunning and the audio track is another winner. A must have in your collection.

Moana 2 is available on digital now, and will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K UHD March 18th.

*The movie was provided for review purposes by Walt Disney Home Entertainment but my review is strictly my own opinion*

LUCASFILM CELEBRATES 2OTH ANNIVERSARY OF “STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH” WITH THEATRICAL RE-RELEASE

 

Today, Lucasfilm announced the return of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith’’ to the big screen on April 25 to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary. The film will run in U.S. theaters and select international territories for one week only and will be available in several formats, including, for the first time,  4DX.  4DX features high-tech motion chairs that sync with over 21 effects, all designed to complement the narrative of the film. 

 

Renowned graphic artist Matt Ferguson created an exciting new poster for the re-release event.

 

“Revenge of the Sith” takes place years after the onset of the Clone Wars,  when the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists. When the sinister Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic Empire. Jedi Hero Anakin Skywalker is seduced by the dark side of the Force to become the Emperor’s new apprentice – Darth Vader. The Jedi are decimated, as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Master Yoda are forced into hiding.

 

The film stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz as Yoda, Jimmy Smits, Peter Mayhew, Ahmed Best, Oliver Ford Davies, Temuera Morrison, Anthony Daniels, Silas Carson, Kenny Baker with Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu and Christopher Lee as Count Dooku. George Lucas wrote and directed the film.

DISNEY+ UNVEILS SEASON 2 TEASER TRAILER & POSTER FOR LUCASFILM’S ACCLAIMED SERIES “ANDOR”

 

Disney+ released the teaser trailer and poster for the highly anticipated second season of Lucasfilm’s Emmy®-nominated thriller “Andor,” which returns for its long-awaited conclusion on April 22.  Season 2 will see the characters and their relationships intensify as the horizon of war draws near and Cassian becomes a key player in the Rebel Alliance. Everyone will be tested and, as the stakes rise, the betrayals, sacrifices and conflicting agendas will become profound. 

 

Rife with political intrigue, danger, tension, and high stakes, the series is a prequel to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which portrayed a heroic band of rebels who steal the plans to the Empire’s weapon of mass destruction: The Death Star, setting the stage for the events of the original 1977 film.  “Andor” sets the clock back   five years from the events of “Rogue One” to tell the story of the film’s hero, Cassian Andor, and his transformation from disinterested, cynical nobody into a rebel hero on his way to an epic destiny. 

 

Says creator and executive producer Tony Gilroy, “One of the great thrills of making ‘Andor’ is the scale of the story and the number of characters we’re able to meet -- ordinary people, Imperial overlords, passionate revolutionaries. They are real people making epic decisions, all of them staring down questions with terrifying consequences. Cassian’s journey is the soul and spine of our story, but it’s the choir that makes the show. I’m so excited for audiences to see where we go in Season 2.”

 

The final season will unfold over 12 episodes broken down into four chapters of three episodes each. The first chapter will premiere April 22, with subsequent chapters debuting each week. 

 

“Andor” Season 2 stars Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O’Reilly, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, Elizabeth Dulau, Alan Tudyk, with Ben Mendelsohn and Forest Whitaker. The series was created by Tony Gilroy, who also serves as an executive producer along with Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna, Luke Hull and John Gilroy. Tony Gilroy wrote the first three episodes, with Beau Willimon writing episodes 4-6, Dan Gilroy penning episodes 7-9 and Tom Bissell putting pen to paper for episodes 10-12. The directors for the series are Ariel Kleiman (Eps. 1-6), Janus Metz (Eps. 7-9) and Alonso Ruizpalacios (Eps. 10-12). 

SPECIAL LEGACY FEATURETTE FOR “DISNEY’S SNOW WHITE” AVAILABLE NOW

 

A brand-new legacy featurette on “Disney’s Snow White,” the live-action musical reimagining of the studio’s classic 1937 film, is now available to download and share. The magical music adventure which journeys back to the timeless story with Rachel Zegler in the title role and Gal Gadot as her Stepmother, the Evil Queen, opens exclusively in theaters March 21, 2025. 

 

The stunning featurette includes interviews with cast and filmmakers, behind-the-scenes footage, and clips from the studio’s 1937 animated classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

 

“Disney’s Snow White” is directed by Marc Webb, written by Erin Cressida Wilson, and produced by Marc Platt, p.g.a., and Jared LeBoff, p.g.a., with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer. The film features all-new original songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and an original score composed by Jeff Morrow. The film also stars Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, Andrew Barth Feldman as Dopey, Tituss Burgess as Bashful, Martin Klebba as Grumpy, Jason Kravits as Sneezy, George Salazar as Happy, Jeremy Swift as Doc, and Andrew Grotelueschen as Sleepy.

 

“I am so excited for audiences and fans around the world to see this sneak peek and to revisit the magical world of Snow White,” says Webb. “Our goal has always been to honor the original animated film, and we are extremely grateful to the team of amazing artists – from puppeteers to voice actors and motion capture technicians – for bringing these magical, charming characters to life in such a unique way.”

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Celebrates 60th Anniversary on March 2 - Newly Restored and Remastered 4K to Debut This Year

 

BURBANK, CA (February 20, 2025) – This March 2, 2025 will mark 60 years since the tunes of Rodgers & Hammerstein brought theatrical hills alive with the cinematic treasure The Sound of Music. This year, fans of all ages will experience the heart-warming sights and sing-along sounds of the classic film in a beautifully restored and remastered version to be released in 4K image resolution, courtesy of the precise work endeavored by the Walt Disney Film Restoration team. Over the course of 9 months, the restoration team oversaw digital scanning of preserved film footage and expert clean-up efforts to correct any dirt, warping or other issues encountered. “Our team is honored to care for and re-deliver this classic film to audiences around the world so they can enjoy it in all its originally intended visual and audio glory,” says Kevin Schaeffer, Director, Restoration & Library Management. Weaving artistic skills with innovative technology in a process more delicate than the petals of an edelweiss, the 60th anniversary restoration of The Sound of Music sings with both vibrant color and resounding melody, sharing the cinematic legacy anew for generations to come.

“This enhanced version of The Sound of Music is a testament to the enduring power of this iconic masterpiece. As we enter the 60th year, the restoration will safeguard our beloved classic for generations to come,” says Imogen Lloyd Webber, who oversees the Rodgers & Hammerstein brand as EVP Marketing and Communications for Concord Theatricals and Originals.
 
“The Walt Disney Company couldn’t be a better partner to bring to life an amazing international celebration of The Sound of Music’s enduring and meaningful impact on culture,” adds Sophia Dilley, EVP of Concord Originals.

In this true-life story, Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, a spirited young woman who leaves the convent and becomes a governess to the seven unruly children of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Her warmth, charm and songs soon win the hearts of the children and their father. But when the threat of war rises, Maria is forced to attempt a daring escape with her new family. A five-time Academy Awards®-winning classic, and one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, The Sound of Music features unforgettable Rodgers & Hammerstein treasures like “Edelweiss,” ”My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” and “Do-Re-Mi.”
 
Watch for future announcements on the rollout of 60th anniversary celebration for The Sound of Music and brush off your do-re-mi skills in the meantime!

MARVEL STUDIOS DEBUTS NEW TRAILER & POSTER FOR “THUNDERBOLTS*” DURING TODAY’S BIG GAME

 

Today during the Big Game, Marvel Studios released a new trailer and poster for the upcoming feature film “Thunderbolts*.”  

 

Marvel Studios also announced the exciting news that Son Lux will be scoring “Thunderbolts*.” The three-member, American experimental band was Oscar® and BAFTA- nominated for their score for 2022’s best picture “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”  

 

In  “Thunderbolts*,”  Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes — Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?

  

Returning to their Marvel Cinematic Universe roles are Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The cast also includes newcomers to the MCU—Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer and Wendell Edward Pierce.

 

Jake Schreier directs “Thunderbolts*”with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek and Jason Tamez serve as executive producers.

 

Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” opens in U.S. theaters on May 2, 2025. 

MARVEL’S FIRST FAMILY LAUNCHES “THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS” INAUGURAL TRAILER & POSTER

 

Take a look at the teaser trailer and one of the teaser posters for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. 

4K Digital Review of A Real Pain

 

A Real Pain follows the story of two cousins, David (Jesse Eisenberg), and Benji (Kieran Culkin), going on a trip to Poland after their grandmother passed away. She was a Polish Holocaust survivor, and the two cousins are on a Holocaust tour to pay tribute and honor her memory. At one time the cousins were as close as brothers but over time they drifted apart. David went on to get married and have a child and also have a successful career, while Benji lives in a basement and has no motivation in life. 

Culkin won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting  Actor and for good reason. His character Benji is a complex person. He can make you love him and then he can make you hate him. You never know what to expect from him. He can make you laugh and he can make you cry. David is shy and reserve with Eisenberg giving a solid performance. 

The video quality is fantastic here. The colors, the lighting brings a depth to every scene. The cinematography reflects the slower pacing of this film and does not draw attention to itself. 

The audio quality is perfect. The ambient sounds play in the background while the dialogue is front and center and is crystal clear. The beautiful score is almost entirely from the works of 19th century composer Frederic Chopin. 

Bonus Features:

• Beautiful Fate: Making A Real Pain – Take a tour through the heart and history of Poland while going behind the scenes of A Real Pain. Explore the themes of family and connection with Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. Experience all the humor and humanity that brought this story to life.

Conclusion:

A Real Pain is a truly special dramedy. A rare film that blends both drama and comedy to tell a heartfelt story of two cousins who fully understand one another and at the same time not understand each other at all.

A Real Pain is available on digital now and on Blu-Ray on February 4th.

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

TRAILER FOR MARVEL ANIMATION’S “YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN” SERIES

 

Disney+ released a brand-new trailer, key art and images for Marvel Animation’s upcoming, original series “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.” The 10-episode animated series launches one month from today—January 29, 2025—exclusively on Disney+.

 

“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming a hero, with a journey unlike we've ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.

 

The talented voice cast includes Hudson Thames, Colman Domingo, Eugene Byrd, Grace Song, Zeno Robinson, Hugh Dancy and Charlie Cox. The head writer is Jeff Trammell and Mel Zwyer is the supervising director. Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt and Trammell serve as executive producers.