The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
I thought the first two “Magic Mike” films served two different purposes, but they were entertaining and fun in different ways. The first “Magic Mike,” directed by Steven Soderbergh, was more artistic and character driven. It was a good film with great performances and cinematography. In “Magic Mike XXL,” we got some comedic touches to the material, and it was a charming and fun journey. “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” features style but very little substance and almost none of the charm of the second film. Instead, we are left with a film which really serves no purpose. I really hope it is Magic Mike’s last dance because what else is left to explore with this franchise at this point?
Mike Lane (Channing Tatum) has fallen on hard times after his furniture business went under because of the pandemic. He is now a bartender in Miami and trying to keep a low profile. It’s not that he is ashamed of his past, it’s just that he is looking to leave it behind and move forward. While bartending, one of Mike’s former clients recognizes him, but she plays it cool because she is with her husband. This information gets passed onto Maxandra Mendoza (Salma Hayek Pinault) who offers him $6,000 for a dance. He initially asked for $60,000, but they were able to settle on $6,000. After he dances for her, she offers him a chance to earn that $60,000 in London, but she leaves out the details.
While in London, we discover Max is in the middle of a divorce and is now in possession of the Rattigan Theatre. She wants Mike to choreograph dance elements into “Isabel Ascende,” a play which was being run there before she arrived and shut it down. When Mike and Max come together, they come up with the idea of incorporating erotic dance into the production in a way which will spice things up around town. This, however, does not come without problems from her ex-husband, Roger (Alan Cox). Max believes Mike can find a way to put something magical out there, even if it is for only one night, as he really made an impression on her back in Miami with his dancing.
One of the biggest problems with this film is the fact it does not feature the previous crew of dancers such as Kevin Nash, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer and Adam Rodriguez. They are only shown here on a brief Zoom call, where Mike promises to get them their money back after the furniture business they invested in with him went out of business. The film was really missing their presence and chemistry together as a group. Overall, the film does have some great dance numbers, especially the one in the beginning between Mike and Max and some big numbers at the end. It is everything in the middle which just seems unnecessary and unimportant to the viewers.
I liked the chemistry between Tatum and Hayek Pinault. I wanted their relationship to develop more on screen from a character perspective instead of just being a physical attraction. I thought her personal assistant, Victor (Ayub Khan-Din), had some great one-liners and used his screen time wisely. More of his character would have been appreciated. Max’s adopted daughter, Zadie, played by Jemelia George in her first film role, also showed tremendous timing and screen presence. There is a genesis for an entertaining film here, but at nearly two hours long, it’s a real slog to sit through from start to finish. The first two films were better than I expected them to be, but this one is a drag. There is not a lot of enjoyment to be had here as this sequel is really flat and uninspired.
* * out of * * * *
Blu-ray Info: “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” is released on a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It has a running time of 112 minutes and is rated R for sexual material and language. This combo pack comes with the Blu-ray, DVD, and a digital copy of the film as well.
Video Info: The 1080p High-Definition transfer looks really, really good here. I’ve always been a big fan of the look and feel of Steven Soderbergh’s films, and this is no exception here. It has a crisp, clear look, but it also knows when to light up during the dance numbers. This is a really, really good-looking Blu-ray.
Audio Info: The DTS-HD MA: English 5.1 audio transfer is also top notch with flawless sound. It also comes on the following audio formats: Dolby Digital: English Descriptive Audio, French, and Spanish. Subtitles are in English, French, and Spanish.
Special Features:
Magic Mike’s New Moves
Deleted Scene
Should You Buy It?
I understand they wanted to do something different with the third film. They took it to London and added Hayek Pinault. They had good intentions here. After all, this is Tatum’s baby, and he’s a producer on the film. However, they left behind the boys from the first two films, and they are such a big part of this franchise. They added the flavor and the fun factor. The film also takes itself too seriously with these voiceovers which come across as too self-important. There are good intentions here, as I mentioned, but the execution is very poor. There is no meat on the bone with the screenplay here. I did not feel like I knew any of the other dancers all that well, and I wanted to know more about Hayek Pinault’s character besides the fact she is getting divorced from a wealthy businessman. If this is on HBO one night, you can check it out. I would not go out of my way to see it or buy it.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
James Dean only made three major motion pictures in his short career: “East of Eden,” “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Giant.” Unfortunately, he tragically passed away in a car accident at only twenty-four-years old. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest “What ifs?” in Hollywood history. However, when people say the name James Dean or think of the man, they think of how naturally cool he was and how he was able to connect with a younger audience that was yearning to be seen and heard. Dean had the ability to speak their language and get across that intense emotion and pain on screen. Perhaps no film of his does a better job of this than “Rebel Without a Cause,” which still holds up incredibly well today.
The film is set in Los Angeles during the mid-1950’s, and as soon as the audience sees Jim Stark (James Dean) on screen, they know he is troubled and dealing with a lot of issues at home. It is one of the reasons he is arrested for public intoxication. His father, Frank (Jim Backus), is trying to connect with his son and be there for him, but Jim doesn’t exactly look up to him. He sees the way his father is afraid of his wife, Carol (Ann Doran), and how she bosses him around. Quite frankly, he doesn’t see his father as much of a man. While Jim is showered with material items, he is looking for something more out of his parents, and they are unable to provide that because they are always bickering with one another. His mother’s solution to their problems is to always move to a new city.
No matter where they live, Jim never truly feels like he fits in or is living an authentic life. There is a tremendous line in the film from Jim Stark which sums up his feelings on life, “If I had one day when I didn’t have to be all confused and I didn’t have to feel that I was ashamed of everything. If I felt that I belonged someplace. You know?” Even though he might partake in bad behavior, Ray (Edward Platt), a police officer in the juvenile unit, sees something in Jim and wants to help him and make sure he stays on the straight and narrow. Ray knows it’s not easy considering the life Jim has at home with his parents. On the surface, everything looks fine and dandy with his parents. Jim, however, sees through the façade his parents show to the world, and he is not buying it. As his friend Plato puts it, Jim is sincere.
There are two other kids he connects with through the juvenile ward in prison and at Dawson High, and they are Plato (Sal Mineo) and Judy (Natalie Wood). Plato has mental health problems and is without a family or friends. Jim is his friend, though, and Plato looks up to him as a father figure. Judy is dealing with problems at home as well, as her father is not too happy with the fact his sixteen-year-old daughter is growing up. He calls her a tramp and is disconnected from her. The three of them form a tight bond and kinship after some time. One of the other kids at Dawson High, Buzz (Corey Allen), is looking to make life a living hell for Jim, first by challenging him to a knife fight and then to a dangerous game with fatal consequences. This does not end well for Buzz, and it leaves Jim with some serious questions about what is the right thing to do in the aftermath of this accident. When he looks to his parents for advice and guidance, they give him answers which are not in line with Jim’s strict moral code of what is right and wrong.
Buzz’s gang is looking for revenge against Jim, and they are also concerned about the consequences they might face from the police. This whole ordeal brings Judy, Plato and Jim closer together, as they all share a common bond: feeling misunderstood from the world that has been presented to them by their families. Plato has been left behind. Yes, he gets money, but Plato would trade it all for the love of his parents instead of living with a caregiver. Judy wants her father to understand she is growing up and not his little girl anymore, and he is fighting this at every turn. With Jim, he has no respect for a father with no backbone and a controlling mother. Together, they have their own little family, and it is quite beautiful to see as an audience member. It reminds me of the old saying, “Friends are the family you choose.” This is a very powerful motion picture in so many ways, and it really struck a chord with me considering the lack of understanding and involvement my parents had in my own life growing up.
If you love acting as much as I do, you will love the acting of Dean and Wood as they are so tender and gentle together on screen. If Dean had lived a lengthy life, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that he would have been the next Marlon Brando. Even though he is playing someone who is cooler than the other side of the pillow, he is also vulnerable, sensitive and relatable without ever coming across as weak. He is simply human. Wood, in addition to being a real Hollywood beauty on screen, is tough but sweet, and she and Dean work perfectly together. There is a scene where they are talking about love, and the way she is rubbing her chin on his face is simply beautiful and movie magic.
As soon as I finished this movie, I couldn’t wait to sit down on my laptop and start writing this review. It was a film I had not seen in ages, so I felt like I was watching it for the first time. It is directed by one of my favorite directors, Nicholas Ray, whose films include “In a Lonely Place,” “Bigger Than Life” and “They Live by Night.” “Bigger Than Life,” in particular, is one of my favorite films of all time. It deals with the side effects of medication that was way ahead of its time. The films I’ve seen of Ray’s have all left me speechless as a viewer. I give a slight nod to “Rebel Without a Cause,” but “Bigger Than Life” is also a really, really good film which I recommend you check out as soon as possible as it is part of the Criterion Collection. With “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Bigger Than Life,” I almost feel like Nicholas Ray is speaking to me directly.
* * * * out of * * * *
4K Info: “Rebel Without a Cause” is released on a two-disc 4K/Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It is rated PG-13 for some violence and thematic elements and has a running time of 111 minutes. It also comes with a digital copy of the film.
Video Info: This is another fantastic release from Warner Brothers as they dig deeper into their rich history of classic films for their 100th year anniversary. The film is simply electric on Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range. There were scenes here and there which looked a little grainy, but they were cleaned up quickly and did not linger, so they were not massive issues. James Dean and Natalie Wood look GREAT on 4K, and the film itself is a stunner with rich, vivid colors which pop off the screen.
Audio Info: Thankfully, we are treated to a great Dolby Atmos track with this 4K release, and I am really happy about that because out of the three films I received to review (“Rebel Without a Case,” “Cool Hand Luke” and “The Maltese Falcon”), this film was my favorite, and it received the best audio track. All of the sizzling dialogue is on display here, and it really pops with the Dolby Atmos track. Subtitles are included in English, French and Spanish as well.
Special Features:
Commentary by Douglas L. Rathgeb
“James Dean Remembered” (1974 TV special)
“Rebel Without a Cause: Defiant Innocents” (featurette)
“Dennis Hopper: Memories from the Warner Lot” (featurette)
Screen Tests
Wardrobe Tests
Deleted Scenes
Should You Buy It?
HECK YES!! If you have never seen any of James Dean’s films, this is the place to start, without question. As a matter of fact, after watching “Rebel Without a Cause,” I bought “Giant” on Amazon, as I want to own as many of Dean’s films in 4K as possible. I am such a fan of actors who put so much of themselves and their histories into their films. I didn’t know a lot about Dean’s backstory, but I knew he used a lot of his childhood to tap into this performance. It shows in each and every scene as he is so raw, real and vulnerable for the camera. He likes the camera, and the camera likes him. This film perfectly captures the disconnect between teenagers and their parents during this era without ever being preachy or too on-the-nose. It hits all the right notes. The late, great Natalie Wood is also a movie star on screen. I am such a fan of this period of Hollywood where actors were taking chances and putting their blood, sweat and tears into their performances. The film comes with the previously released Blu-ray special features, so there is not anything new as far as documentaries on Dean. The Dolby Atmos track is a very nice touch and, despite a few rough patches, the 4K video transfer is just about perfect. It is a red-hot movie in 4K, and I loved getting to watch it in this format. This is a day-one purchase without any hesitation, whatsoever.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
“The Maltese Falcon” is a film I imagine I will enjoy a lot more on a second viewing, as this was my first time watching it. The reason I say this is because there are a lot of moving pieces in this film, and it is never boring. However, at times, I found myself trying to follow the story and the plot instead of being as immersed in the story as I would have liked to have been. Many people have called it the first-ever film noir. Film noir is a genre that Humphrey Bogart excelled in throughout his career. He had a rough look and a gruff voice. He wasn’t going to take any nonsense from anyone, and no matter how dire a situation was, he always seemed to know what was going on, and he was not going to be rattled by the circumstances around him.
Humphrey Bogart plays a private investigator named Sam Spade. He is in business with his partner, Miles Archer (Jerome Cowan). One day, a woman walks into their office by the name of Ruth Wonderly (Mary Astor), claiming her sister ran off from New York to San Francisco with a man named Floyd Thursby. She is hoping that Spade and Archer can help her find her sister. Archer agrees to look into it, but he ends up dead along with Floyd Thursby. This captures the attention of Sam Spade, who is beginning to wonder the validity of her story. Before long, he discovers that her real name is actually Brigid O’Shaughnessy.
Throughout all of this mystery and intrigue, Sam finds himself in the crosshairs of Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre), who offers Sam some money for a highly valued falcon statue. There is also a young man named Wilmer (Elisha Cook Jr.) who is keeping his eyes on Sam along with Kasper Gutman (Sydney Greenstreet), a rotund money man who will stop at nothing to get his hands on this bird. Throughout all of the twists and turns, Sam isn’t sure who to believe, who to trust, and who is telling the truth. He stays in control and makes smart decisions, even when people are pointing their guns at him or he’s suspected of murder by the police.
One of the strong points of “The Maltese Falcon” is the running time. At 100 minutes, there is not a dull moment in the film. It is paced perfectly and directed with great skill by John Huston. It has the look and feel that one would expect from a film noir. You have your femme fatale in Mary Astor. She’s brilliant here, as she’s able to go from vulnerable and naïve to cunning and savvy in the blink of an eye. Of course, you have Bogart, who made a living in Hollywood playing this type of character. Guys liked and respected him, and women were drawn to his tough exterior. As mentioned earlier, he is always able to stay level-headed, even in life-or-death circumstances. He still seems to know what to do and what to say to get himself out of a jam.
In the end, I respected and admired “The Maltese Falcon” as a film. I can’t say I enjoyed it a ton because of the storytelling. It’s not an overly complicated film, but at times, there are too many twists and turns happening at once. That being said, I think the more I watch this film, the more I will enjoy it and have a better understanding of everything. Because of the deception happening on screen and characters coming and going, it’s not that it was hard to follow, it’s more that I was keeping up with the plot instead of getting lost in it. I look forward to watching this film many more times in the future, as I think I will gain an even greater appreciation for the skilled acting and directing on display.
* * * out of * * * *
4K Info: “The Maltese Falcon” is released on a two-disc 4K/Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The film has a running time of 100 minutes. It also comes with a digital copy of the film. As far as the film’s rating, it is not rated, but that is not because it’s a raunchy film. It was released in 1941 and is very tame.
Video Info: Ultra High Definition HDR always stands out on older films. A lot of movie buffs like to talk about how older films are enhanced by a 4K transfer, and that is certainly the case here. From the swift movements of the characters to the deep blacks, this is a stunning transfer of a black and white film. Right now, 4K is doing some truly amazing work with classic Hollywood films.
Audio Info: The film is presented on the following audio formats: DTS-HD MA: English 2.0 Mono and Dolby Digital: Spanish. Subtitles are included in English and Spanish as well. The audio is crisp, clear, and all of the great dialogue you would expect from a film noir is easy to digest while watching this film.
Special Features:
Commentary by Humphrey Bogart Biographer Eric Lax
“Warner Night at the Movies”
“Sergeant York” Trailer
“New Highlights of the Roosevelt Churchill Parley” (newsreel)
“The Gay Parisian” (1941 WB short)
“Meet John Doughboy” (1941 WB cartoon)
The Maltese Falcon: One Magnificent Bird
Becoming Attractions: The Trailers of Humphrey Bogart
Breakdowns of 1941 (WB short)
Make-up Tests
2/8/43 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast
9/20/43 Screen Guild Theater Broadcast
7/3/46 Academy Award Theater Broadcast
Trailers
1936 “Satan Met a Lady”
1941 “The Maltese Falcon”
Should You Buy It?
I don’t feel like I am really giving this film the credit it deserves, but keep in mind, this was my first time watching it. I have always been a big believer that you need to watch a great film a few times in order to fully appreciate it. It doesn’t always strike on the first chord. There is a lot to like, especially the acting and the pacing of the plot, but the story took me out of it at times. With all of that being said, if you are a fan of “The Maltese Falcon,” you owe it to yourself to buy it on 4K. It looks fantastic here in black and white and in high dynamic range with its 4K transfer. It’s such a moody film noir that truly gets a boost from 4K. The special features are transferred over from the previously released Blu-ray, so if you are looking for anything new here, you are not going to find it, but I don’t expect anything new from a film that was released in 1941 as most, if not all, of the actors have passed away. If you are a first-time viewer like myself, I still think you should buy it as you will get the slipcover and might enjoy it more than I did. If you love the film and have seen it many times, you will enjoy it even more on 4K. I look forward to seeing what else Warner Brothers is going to be releasing throughout the year during their 100th year anniversary.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
WRITER’S NOTE: The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
When I think of a movie star, I think of someone who possesses the “it factor” and stands above the rest of the pack. Paul Newman was a movie star, and I would argue it was never more prevalent than in the film “Cool Hand Luke.” Of course, many can talk about his mesmerizing performances in films such as “The Verdict,” “The Hustler,” “Slap Shot” or “The Sting.” However, in “Cool Hand Luke,” he burns up the screen and you can’t take your eyes off of him. It’s such a minimalistic performance, but it is captivating, spellbinding and intense. There is no wasted moment or line of dialogue from this legendary actor here. When I think of Newman, I think of this film.
After World War II, Luke (Paul Newman) finds himself knocking over parking meters while under the influence of alcohol, which lands him a two-year stay in prison. Upon entering the chain gain of prison, Luke keeps to himself, but he has this unique and magnetic presence about him without even trying to do anything out of the ordinary. There is an aura about him which keeps people interested in him and talking about him. There is a story behind the man, but the film allows those layers to unfold throughout. Many of those working on the chain gang in this prison camp seem to fall in line and follow orders. Luke, on the other hand, is not a fan of authority. He likes to ruffle their feathers, especially when it comes to Boss Godfrey (Morgan Woodward) and the Captain (Strother Martin).
He endears himself to his fellow prison mates by playing cards, trying to escape, and even having a contest where he says he can eat fifty eggs in an hour. They start to see hope and light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to Luke. As the title says, he is cool. Every little thing about him is cool and laid-back. Even when his attempts to escape don’t go as planned, he flashes that famous Paul Newman smile with those baby blue eyes and rolls with the punches. He refuses to be defeated or get angry about his situation. Instead, he is looking for solutions. One of his closest friends there is Dragline, played by George Kennedy, in an Academy-Award winning performance.
Throughout the prison, we also see legendary actors such as Dennis Hopper and Harry Dean Stanton, which I really appreciated as I’m a huge fan of their careers. Director Stuart Rosenberg knows how to show the mundane of prison life without ever making it feel boring or uninteresting. Much like Newman, he doesn’t waste a single scene or shot here. Everything here has a rhyme and a reason to it. The film has a lot of outdoor scenes, and they look absolutely stunning in 4K. This is truly one of the best-looking 4K films I’ve watched in a while. The sunshine and the light symbolize what Luke brings to the prisoners. He lets them know there is more to life than digging ditches.
I don’t think the anti-hero has ever been portrayed as well on screen as it is here by Newman. The fact he’s not trying to be liked is what makes us, as an audience, like him even more. It’s all natural. This is a man who is in prison along with a host of prisoners that have done various crimes. They admit that. The film is able to make us like all of them, Dragline especially, and really root for them to get out from under the thumb of this rigid prison and its rules. In many ways, I feel like “Cool Hand Luke” was a film in 1967 that was ahead of its time.
There are so many great quotes from the film that I could spend a good portion of my review reciting them. I’ll stick to the famous one, which is, “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” This quote was also used in the opening of the Guns N’ Roses song “Civil War”. This film is a powerful masterpiece. As someone who is a big believer in anti-establishment and someone who doesn’t always like to play by the rules, “Cool Hand Luke” is a film which resonated with me. You might knock Luke down and you might have him on the ropes, but he is not going to go down without a fight. He is also going to smile in your face, no matter what happens to him or how much you push him. He’s never going to lose that smile.
* * * * out of * * * *
4K Info: “Cool Hand Luke” is released on a two-disc 4K/Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The film has a running-time of 126 minutes and is rated PG. Keep in mind, the ratings system was run much differently during this time. It’s not an overly violent film, and I don’t recall a ton of curse words in it. It also comes with a digital copy of the film.
Video Info: “Cool Hand Luke” never looked bad on Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range. The film looks stunning and crystal clear. As I mentioned, a good portion of the scenes take place outside, and it’s a colorful and bright looking film without being too bright where it’s going to hurt your eyes. They did a tremendous job of cleaning this picture up, as I loved every second of this beautiful transfer. I tip my cap to the fine folks over at Warner Brothers on this one.
Audio Info: The same can be said for the audio which comes on DTS-HD MA: English 2.0 Mono and Dolby Digital: Spanish and French. Subtitles are also included in English, Spanish, and French. The audio is crystal clear throughout, and all of the tremendous dialogue can be heard without any issues whatsoever.
Special Features:
Commentary by Historian/Paul Newman Biographer Eric Lax
A Natural-Born World-Shaker: Making Cool Hand Luke
Trailer
Should You Buy It?
You are buying this for the movie itself as well as the audio and visual aspects that Warner Brothers have put together for this tremendous release. You are not buying it for the special features, which I’ve talked about in previous reviews. I’m a big believer in preserving film history, and I love that it is the 100th anniversary of Warner Brothers because they are digging deep into their archives with releases of some of the greatest films ever made. They are also taking the time to make sure they are seen and heard in the highest video and audio quality possible. They are not just upgrading these films to re-release them. They are making sure, as a viewer, you are not only going to enjoy a classic film, but that you are going to enjoy it in 4K with a transfer worthy of the film itself. Because of this, it is up to us, as film collectors and lovers, to support and purchase films like “Cool Hand Luke” on 4K. It ensures us that we will get more great physical media releases in the future. I can’t recommend this film and this visual presentation any further. Buy it right now!
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
When it comes to the genre of underdog sports films, they don’t make them any better than the original “Rocky.” It was a film that came along at the right place at the right time and with the right actor. After all, Sylvester Stallone was the writer of the original “Rocky” script, and he demanded to star in the film even though the studio wanted a big name. Stallone was unknown at the time. It’s been 47 years since “Rocky” came out, but its staying power will last forever. It is why I was extremely pleased to hear Warner Brothers was going to be releasing a collection of the first four “Rocky” films in 4K and in a set. It was one of my most anticipated releases of the year so far.
Many of you who are reading this review might be asking, “Where is ‘Rocky V?’ What about ‘Rocky Balboa?’ The ‘Creed‘ movies?” I heard rumblings that there are possible director’s cuts coming out for “Rocky V” and “Rocky Balboa.” As far as the “Creed” movies, I would imagine they will get a separate release, as they are part of their own universe. Now with all that out of the way, this review is going to focus on the first four “Rocky” movies and how they are available on 4K for the very first time.
The original “Rocky,” released in 1976, was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won Best Picture. When revisiting the film, which I’ve seen a number of times, it is easy to see why it has such staying power. It starts with the relationship between Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and a shy young woman named Adrian (Talia Shire) who works at a pet store. For my money, “Rocky” is a love story, first and foremost, and it is a sports movie second. The interaction Rocky and Adrian have with one another in his apartment is one of the most tender and genuine love scenes I’ve ever seen on film.
Rocky Balboa is a local southpaw boxer in Philadelphia where he makes little to no money, and he takes a lot of abuse in the process. He also collects for a local loan shark named Tony Gazzo, played by Joe Spinell. He hangs out at a local pub with his friend Paulie (Burt Young), who also happens to be Adrian’s brother. Paulie isn’t always the easiest guy to get along with, but Rocky is a very patient and understanding individual. As a matter of fact, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone that doesn’t like Rocky. It’s a well-known fact these days that Stallone was not someone the studio wanted to portray Rocky. However, the script was written by him, and he knew this character inside and out. He went on to write and direct “Rocky II, III and IV” which are also included in this set, along with “Rocky Balboa.”
That’s the beauty of this film. Stallone was an underdog actor at the time he sold his script, and the film is about an underdog boxer who is given a chance to fight the heavyweight champion of the world, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), after Creed’s original opponent ends up injured. Creed, being the shrewd businessman that he is, figures it would be a great idea to give an underdog a shot at the title in order to create a marketable gimmick and make some money. Rocky Balboa knows this is his chance to prove he can go make something of himself and stand out as a winner. He is trained by the cranky yet seasoned Mickey (Burgess Meredith), who is finally willing to give Rocky a chance. The two of them joust verbally back-and-forth with one another for some great comedic relief.
In “Rocky II,” Rocky is dealing with life after the big fight with Creed. Even though he didn’t win, he went the distance with the champion which shocked the world. He lasted all fifteen rounds and lost based on the decision of the judges. Regardless, many people think Rocky was the true winner of the fight. He has to figure out how to live a normal life now that he’s a well-known figure not only in Philadelphia, his hometown, but around the world as well. He starts to do commercials and even ends up with a manual labor job, but he realizes his true calling is as a boxer.
Apollo Creed also has a score to settle with Rocky. He wants to knock him out and prove to the world and himself that he’s truly the world heavyweight champion. Creed wants to show everyone that what happened in their previous fight was a fluke. Rocky, on the other hand, might go blind if he gets in the ring again after what happened in their last fight. He took quite a beating, but he came back for more. He knows he’s a fighter, and he knows the risks, even though he has to think of Adrian now and their child. Mickey has devised a plan for Rocky which he thinks will allow him to win the fight and protect his eyes at the same time.
In “Rocky III,” Rocky is forced to handle success. He learns that Mickey has been protecting him from the really good fighters out there because he wants to keep him safe and look out for him. This causes Rocky to feel like a paper champion and question his manhood. There is also a tough challenger coming for him by the name of Clubber Lang (Mr. T) who is hellbent on embarrassing Rocky in the ring and becoming heavyweight champion of the world. This time, though, he has a new trainer in Apollo Creed. Rocky once again must learn a new fighting style: it is one based on endurance and speed. Clubber Lang is bigger and stronger than Rocky, so it will take everything Rocky has in him in order to defeat him.
“Rocky IV” is where it gets very interesting, as there are two cuts of the film featured here on one disc. There is the original “Rocky IV” theatrical cut and also “Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago,” which is the ultimate director’s cut. This time, Rocky finds himself having to fight his biggest opponent yet in Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), who is a foot taller and thirteen years younger than him. He also must train in Russia as the fight will be taking place there on Christmas Day. Rocky will not only train like he never has before, but he will have to win in enemy territory against “The Russian,” as he’s referred to many times throughout the course of the film.
I didn’t want to give four full-length reviews for these films, as I imagine almost anyone reading this has seen and knows them fairly well, much like myself. If I were to give my ranking of the films featured in this set, I would go with the original “Rocky” as the best, “Rocky II” as the second best, “Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago” as the third best, and “Rocky III” as the fourth best. I would really advise you to check out the ultimate director’s cut of “Rocky IV” over the theatrical cut. It’s only two minutes longer, but the film is more serious, intense, and flows in a much more effective manner. It’s all in the tone of the film, and I loved the tone of the ultimate director’s cut. It really gave me a new appreciation for the fourth “Rocky” film.
As soon as this set arrived, it only took me two days to go through all four films. It was truly a treat to revisit them. I understand why they released these four films in a set together. It makes sense after watching them. You can also buy them as standalone steelbooks at your local Best Buy, but I believe they have different release dates. This set is out right now and while it is far from perfect, I’ll explain why later, if you are a “Rocky” fan, you have to buy this set for your collection. The original “Rocky” will always be a great, great piece of cinematic history. The second film is very, very good as well. The third one is good, but not great. “Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago” is also much improved with the ultimate director’s cut.
4K Info: “Rocky: The Knockout Collection” is released on 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. This set features five discs. The first three films are on their own individual discs and “Rocky IV” has the theatrical cut and the ultimate director’s cut on it. There is also a Blu-ray disc of special features. The set also comes with a digital code to have all of them in your digital library on 4K. “Rocky” has a running time of 119 minutes, “Rocky II” has a running time of 120 minutes, “Rocky III” has a running time of 100 minutes, and “Rocky IV” has a running time of 91 minutes (theatrical cut) and 93 minutes (ultimate director’s cut). All the films are rated PG. The set comes in a flipper case with a thick cardboard slipcover, so the discs are not stacked on top of each other and can be flipped through with their own slot. On one hand, I would have loved it if they released these films in four separate cases with slipcovers in a box set. However, for space reasons, this set works for me as it’s easy to put on the shelf with all four films together on five discs (including the Blu-ray special features disc) in a single set which isn’t much bigger than your average 4K film with a slipcover. All of the films come with Dolby Vision as well, which I was VERY happy with as a 4K collector.
Video Info: Let’s talk about the look of these films. The original “Rocky” is probably the worst looking film out of the bunch. I say this because of the age of the film and its low budget. It doesn’t look awful or terrible, but I don’t think it’s ever going to be a film that looks spectacular or blows you away. There is noticeable grain here, but in many ways, it adds to the gritty nature of the original film. That being said, if you are looking for a major upgrade with the first film on 4K, you probably are going to be disappointed. “Rocky II” looks very, very good. It’s a clean transfer which is smooth looking and crystal clear. The boxing scenes, in particular, look the best I’ve ever seen them look. This is when you can see the Dolby Vision and the HDR really, really stand out. This is a major upgrade. For “Rocky III,” the transfer is above average. It’s better than “Rocky,” but it’s not as good as “Rocky II.” There was noticeable grain, but it didn’t have the same old-school charm as the original look of the film. The best-looking film out of the bunch, far and away, is “Rocky IV.” I wish the majority of the films looked like this. This counts for both the ultimate director’s cut and the theatrical cut. You can see everything on their faces, and they really cleaned up this film. It looks beautiful and modern.
Audio Info: The following audio formats were used: English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, English/Spanish/French Dolby Digital, and 2.0 Dolby Digital with subtitles in English, French, and Spanish. I’ve read from a lot of people online that are unhappy with how the films sound. Personally, I don’t think the audio issues are as bad as advertised, and the problems don’t take away from the viewing experience. At times, the films can fluctuate in audio, but the dips are not that frequent. They are here and there throughout the four films. Truth be told, I would not have ever noticed these issues unless they were pointed out to me. Overall, though, I think it’s much to do about nothing.
Special Features:
“Rocky” 4K Special Features:
Audio Commentary featuring Sylvester Stallone.
Audio Commentary featuring John G. Avildsen, Irvin Winkler, Robert Chartoff, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Burt Young, and Garrett Brown.
Audio Commentary featuring Lou Duva and Bert Sugar
Bonus Features Disc:
The Making of Rocky vs Drago: Keep Punching
8mm Home Movies of Rocky
3 Rounds with Lou Duva
Steadicam: Then and Now
Staccato: A Composer’s Notebook
The Ring of Truth
Tribute to Burgess Meredith
Stallone Meets Rocky
Trailers
* * * ½ out of * * * *
Should You Buy It?
This set was delayed in getting to me as it had a street date of February 28th, and I imagine a lot of that had to do with people complaining about the audio issues. I’m not a film snob by any means, but I am very particular about the audio and visual quality of 4K releases, as I’ve invested heavily into the 4K format. With all that being said, the pros outweigh the cons. Yes, not all of the films look great, but this is the best they have ever looked, with “Rocky II” and “Rocky IV,” in particular, looking fantastic. Yes, the audio is problematic at times, but it’s not so noticeable that it impacted my ability to hear the films or enjoy them. Right now, the set is going for about $53 plus tax, and I think for four films in 4K that are hugely popular, it’s a good value for the price. I would say this set is imperfectly perfect, as I enjoyed watching the films and the quality of them when they were flying on all cylinders. For film fans or Rocky fans, I think there is A LOT more to like than dislike with this collection. You can buy this set with confidence and try to ignore all of those folks out there who are analyzing every little detail to death. I think people are getting way too particular with 4K films, and this is coming from someone with high standards. The key is watching and enjoying the films with quality video and audio, and I felt I was able to do that more often than not. As far as the films themselves, many would argue these are the best films in the franchise, so it’s fine that “Rocky V” and “Rocky Balboa” are not included. “Rocky Balboa” is enjoyable nostalgia, and I imagine it will get a proper 4K release along with “Rocky V” at some point. As I often bring up, the special features are old special features. It’s hard to get people to sit down and do special features anymore, I feel like. At the end of the day, buy this set and enjoy it!
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
It has been a long time since I have sat down and watched “Training Day” from start to finish. Upon hearing about its 4K release from the fine folks over at Warner Brothers, I was looking forward to sitting down and revisiting it and seeing how it would hold up twenty-two years later. Denzel Washington can always be counted on to give a powerful performance, and he does not disappoint here in a role that earned him an Oscar. Ethan Hawke is one of Hollywood’s most underrated actors, and the pairing of these two together was something I looked forward to with great anticipation. When you throw in the direction of Antoine Fuqua, a frequent collaborator with Washington, everything seemed to be in order for a great film.
“Training Day” opens up by introducing the audience to Jake Hoyt, played by Hawke. Jake is a young up-and-comer on the police force who is looking to make a name for himself in the Los Angeles Police Department. But before he’s considered for a promotion, Jake must spend a day under the watchful eye of Detective Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington) who will see if he’s cut out for the big leagues. Jake is looking to clean up the streets and get rid of the drugs and crime in the Los Angeles area. He’s eager to learn from Alonzo, but he’s not exactly sure what to make of him as Alonzo has a big personality. Also, Alonzo doesn’t always play by the rules.
In Alonzo’s mind, he has to do what is necessary to survive out there in Los Angeles as a detective. The great director William Friedkin used to talk about how there was a fine line between the police officer and the criminal as well as the good guy and the bad guy. Alonzo is someone who definitely falls under that category. However, the more time Jake spends with Alonzo, the more Jake realizes he didn’t exactly sign up for Alonzo’s unique style of being a detective. Alonzo has got an edge to him, and it is something which makes Jake quite uncomfortable at times.
Make no mistake about it, this is Washington’s movie. It is a big performance from the actor as he finds himself in many situations where he seems to be in control of things, but he’s also losing his sense of reality. When certain people get into a position of power, they don’t always know when to stop or reel it in before it ends up biting them in the behind. Washington is captivating on screen, and he hits all of the right notes without ever being too over-the-top. Yes, it’s a showy, loud and in-your-face performance, but this is what the film needs in order for the character to come across the way writer David Ayer and Fuqua drew him up to be.
Hawke, on the other hand, is subdued for most of the film, but you can also see the anguish on his face. He’s uncomfortable by this whole situation, but he’s not in a position of power where he can do anything about it. In the last forty-minutes, Hawke gets his chance to shine, and he delivers in a meaningful and intense way. He’s one of those actors who knows how to make big moments count. In many ways, Jake is waiting in the wings and waiting for his chance to pounce and take over. Jake is not corrupt or out for money like Alonzo. He truly wants to be a good cop and help people. Their car rides provide for fascinating dialogue as we see the hardened and rough Alonzo interacting with the young and prideful Jake as he tries to fight off the cynicism and charisma of Alonzo.
Overall, “Training Day” is far from a perfect film. The acting, though, is flawless. Every single actor on screen is at the top of their game. We even get scenes with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. The soundtrack is also really, really good. However, I found the script to be a little bit repetitive in certain instances. After a while, we get the idea of what’s happening with Alonzo and his moral compass. We know what to expect from him and, at times, it seems like it’s the same scene just played out in a different setting and with different actors. I was looking for more character development as well from the supporting cast. The two leads could have been fleshed out more too.
In the end, the performances from Hawke and Washington mixed with a violent and brutal final act are what make this film worth watching and worth recommending. I think it’s a good cop movie, but it could have been a great cop movie. It’s a good movie with great performances, and I wish it was as good as the performances from its leads. As mentioned previously, the third act features some really, really gripping material which stayed with me. The middle act, however, tends to drag and seems to be spinning its wheels. I liked “Training Day” a lot, but I didn’t love it.
* * * out of * * * *
4K Info: “Training Day” is released on a two-disc 4K combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It comes with the 4K, Blu-ray and a digital copy of the film as well. I found it interesting, however, that the 4K and Blu-ray are in Blu-ray packaging as opposed to a black 4K case. It was different, and I didn’t mind it, but it is worth noting. It also comes with a really nice slipcover. The film has a running time of 122 minutes and is rated R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, drug content and brief nudity. The 4K looks really, really good with its HDR. When the film gets darker, it has a really grim and moody look that makes it worth the upgrade. This is the best I’ve seen this film look, and I was very impressed with the finished product.
Audio Info: We are treated to a Dolby Atmos track, and it really packs a big wallop here during the more intense and violent scenes. However, it’s not so loud and overwhelming that it’s distracting or you need to look for your remote. It’s perfect.
Special Features:
Pharoahe Monch’s “Got You” music video
Nelly’s “#1” music video
Deleted Scenes
Commentary by director Antoine Fuqua
“Training Day:” Crossing the Line Featurette
Alternative Endings
Should You Buy It?
Considering the memorable moments and performances, “Training Day” is a film I firmly believe you should add to your 4K collection. As per usual, we get the same special features that have been transported over from the Blu-ray release. I can’t be disappointed by this anymore, as it’s to be expected. At this point, if you don’t own “Training Day” at all, or if you own the Blu-ray, you are wondering if you should upgrade to 4K. In my eyes, it’s a no-brainer. I loved the dark and murky look of it. It’s an unsettling film (in a good way) and the HDR transfer really encapsulates the dread and moodiness. If you haven’t seen the film before, there is a lot to like from Hawke and Washington on screen. Washington shows why he is one of the greatest actors of his generation as he crushes it here. Hawke, one of my favorite actors, gives a very subdued, conflicted and under-the-radar performance which only gets better with age. This is a film which, if you are going to own it, you have to own it on 4K.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
“Bones and All” is a film I must admit I was not familiar with until I heard of its upcoming release on Blu-ray. After hearing about its premise and the actors involved, I was immediately interested in checking it out. It is an intimate little film which is unique in the way it tells its love story, and it’s filled with great performances and beautiful scenery. We live in a cinematic world where it’s all too commonplace for a film to be a remake, a sequel, or a copy of another film. It is something to admire when a project like “Bones and All” comes along and decides to take an ambitious and outside-the-box approach on young love and mix it with cannibalism. Director Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me by Your Name” and the “Suspiria” remake) is always on the cutting-edge of filmmaking.
The film opens by introducing us to Maren, played by the immensely talented Taylor Russell. Russell has an incredibly expressive face throughout the course of this movie, and she plays this part just right as she balances the vulnerability of Maren along with the inner strength she has been forced to possess because of her situation in life. Her father keeps her under lock and key and for good reason: she is an eater. He never knows when she might decide to eat someone. She first did it to her babysitter when she was younger, and it was something which caused her mother to pull away from her. We find out why later in the film.
Maren’s father is played by André Holland, and he makes the most out of his limited screen time. However, this is really the story of Maren and, later, of Maren and Lee, played by Timothée Chalamet. While on her journey to discover more information about her mother and why she left her and her father, Maren meets Lee in Kentucky. Lee is charming, charismatic, and an eater. For the most part, eaters do not eat other eaters, but they can smell when someone is an eater. The reason they meet is because Maren’s father decided there is nothing else he can do to protect his daughter. He has done all he can for her, and she’s become a threat to anyone she encounters even though she’s very nice, shy, and soft-spoken.
Along the way, the bond between Maren and Lee grows even stronger. This is the first time she has really been outside the house this much and been allowed to interact with people around her age. She likes him, and he likes her. They try to follow a moral code when it comes to the individuals they eat, but they do not always know their backstories, which can sometimes lead to Maren feeling like she’s a bad person. Lee is more experienced in this field and, because of this, he knows he needs to do whatever is necessary to survive.
There is also an older eater named Sully (Mark Rylance) whom Maren runs into earlier in the film. He seems to mean well, but Lee is not exactly sure what to make of him because of the age difference and his overall demeanor. Maren tries to distance herself from Sully, but he seems to be around the corner at every turn. Is he just a harmless old man? Is he a threat to her and possibly Lee? I was fascinated by the cannibalism angle of this film, as it does not really make a judgement on the characters. Cannibalism is part of them, but they are seen as human beings and not monsters. They are trying to live with it as best as they can and forge meaningful friendships and relationships.
“Bones and All” is one of those under-the-radar gems which is shot in such a naturalistic way by Guadagnino . It really allows the audience to spend time with the main characters, get to know, understand and feel for them. The love story between Chalamet and Russell is the lifeblood of this film. It is what makes this film tick. Both on their own and together, they make movie magic on screen. They have strong chemistry from the moment they meet each other, and it only increases as they are put together in various scenarios. Rylance does a fantastic job of keeping the audience guessing as we are left to figure out what his true intentions are with Maren.
This film is truly a journey with its running time of 131 minutes. At certain points, it can lag a little bit and feel a bit disjointed. During other scenes, the pacing is exactly right as it allows things to breathe and have time to resonate with the audience. The more and more I thought about “Bones and All,” the more I liked it. It is not perfect, but the things which work, such as the relationship between the main characters, the gorgeous cinematography and direction are top notch. This is a unique film that packs a powerful punch and is worth seeking out.
* * * ½ out of * * * *
Blu-ray Info: “Bones and All” is being released on a single-disc Blu-ray from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The film is rated R for strong, bloody and disturbing violent content, language throughout, some sexual content, and brief graphic nudity. It has a running time of 131 minutes, and it also comes with a digital copy of the film as well.
Video/Audio Info: I really wish this film would have received a 4K release, as it’s a film shot with such scope and beauty. I am a 4K guy and am always going to prefer a 4K release. The Blu-ray, however, is still pretty good, picture-wise. It comes in 1080p High Definition. For the audio, we got a Dolby Atmos track which is really impressive. Subtitles are in English, French and Spanish.
Special Features:
A Look Inside
Luca Guadagnino: The Vision of Bones and All
Meet Lee
Meet Maren
Outsiders in Love
Should You Buy It?
As a firm believer in physical media and independent cinema, I think this is a film worth adding to your collection. Sadly, the special features are noticeably short as they run around two minutes or less. I would have enjoyed a little more detail with them. However, with a film like this, maybe less is more as it allows the audience to come up with their own conclusions as it pertains to how they feel about the film. I am also disappointed about the lack of a 4K release as it would have looked perfect in that ultra-high definition format. The Blu-ray looks good, but a 4K of “Bones and All” would have been stunning. As far as the film itself, if you are like me and enjoy being challenged by a unique story with powerful performances and great cinematography, you will find a lot to like with here. As of right now, the film is going for $27.99, which is a bit pricey for a Blu-ray. If that were the price for the 4K, I would say you should buy it immediately. As it stands, you should buy it, but I would wait for the price to drop.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
I always make sure to preface my review of any superhero film by informing the reader that I go into these films as a novice. I do not know anything about the backstories, the characters, or if it’s true to its source material. However, I am a firm believer that if a film is good, it can be enjoyed without an audience member knowing anything about the superhero. It should be able to stand on its own merits. There is no denying the movie star appeal of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, but I do have serious questions about some of the film roles he has picked for himself. He has proven both in wrestling and in certain films like “Central Intelligence” that he has a charisma very few can match. He is an authentic human being who is filled with charm for days, and I would like to see more of that in his future projects. This film, though, called for a different type of performance out of him.
“Black Adam” is initially set in 2600 B.C. where a crown was created by Ahk-Ton of Kahndaq in order to give him the powers of a demon. The film then moves to the present day, and it shows Kahndaq in a state of distress at the hands of Intergang, a crime syndicate that doesn’t like to play by the rules. Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi) is looking to obtain the Crown of Sabbac, and she has enlisted the help of her brother, Karim (Mohammed Amer), along with their associates Samir (James Cusati-Moyer) and Ishmael (Marwan Kenzari). It should be noted she has good intentions for the Crown. Once Adrianna gets her hands on the crown, she awakens Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson) from a lengthy slumber. She is under the impression that he is the hero of Kahndaq after he saves her from Intergang. Government officials from America, however, believe Teth-Adam is dangerous and not a hero, and they bring in the Justice Society to make sure he will not inflict any harm on anyone.
The Justice Society consists of Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo). However, Adrianna’s son, Amon (Bodhi Sabongui), believes there is good inside of Teth-Adam as, after all, he saved his mother from Intergang. There might be some darkness and a past to Teth-Adam, but Amon believes if Teth-Adam can come up with a cool catchphrase and harness his powers for the right cause, he can be a really special superhero. There is a past with Teth-Adam, one which still haunts him to this day, and he is a complex character with an interesting backstory and more layers than one would expect.
I found the story of “Black Adam” interesting, layered and geared more toward adults than children. I cannot imagine this is the kind of superhero film that will appeal to many children. The first half does a good job of laying out the stakes, allowing the characters to develop, and letting us spend time with them where we get to know them. This is a more restrained performance from Johnson. As soon as you find out his backstory and what happened to him in his past, you understand why. This is not the Dwayne Johnson we are used to seeing in his other films, and he gives a solid and understated performance. He has to express a lot of emotions throughout the film, and he does a great job with that. Sarah Shahi is really, really good here and shows just the right amount of powerful vulnerability and humanity throughout.
With the Justice Society, the standout performer was clearly Aldis Hodge. I have been enjoying his work for a while now, and he holds his own with Johnson and even steals a few scenes. I felt like Pierce Brosnan was not given a whole lot to do with his role as Doctor Fate, but he does come across as wise and insightful with his performance. He is an observer of what’s going on and trying to come to terms with what he knows is going to happen because he’s aware of when people are going to die. The younger actors, Quintessa Swindell and Noah Centineo, are very, very effective, but again, they are not given enough screen time to really shine and show off their acting chops. I liked what I saw from them, but I wanted to see more.
Overall, “Black Adam” is an entertaining superhero film with a dark backstory that I enjoyed. The special effects, action, and pacing are lacking, however, and they hold the film back. I wish they had a tighter script as the last forty-five minutes are really lagging and keep everything from ending on the right note. I see elements of a really, really good superhero film here, but they don’t all come together. There are actors, moments, and scenes where I said to myself, “Now, this is working. Let’s stay here.” Other times, I was thinking to myself, “This is sound and fury, signifying nothing.” It is an average film but with good to great signs of life sprinkled throughout its running time.
* * out of * * * *
4K Info: “Black Adam” is being released on a two-disc 4K/Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The set also comes with a digital copy of the film. It has a running time of 125 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, intense action, and some language.
4K Video Info: We do get Dolby Vision here, but I have to say, I was pretty let down with the visuals of this film. Don’t get me wrong, it is very clear and crisp, but it doesn’t quite pop like it should. I understand the film is called “Black Adam,” and it’s supposed to have muted and hushed tones, but there is a way where you can use these to create an interesting 4K transfer with great visuals. I thought it looked just OK. There was not anything which really impressed me or stood out.
4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track brings the power. It really enhances the action scenes without being too loud or overpowering to where it is distracting and you are reaching for your remote to turn the volume down on your soundbar.
Special Features:
The History of Black Adam
Who is The Justice Society?
From Soul to Screen
Black Adam: A Flawed Hero
Black Adam: New Tech in an Old World
Black Adam: Taking Flight
Kahndaq: Designing a Nation
The Rock of Eternity
Costumes make the hero
Black Adam: A new type of action
Should You Buy It?
I do not think “Black Adam” as a film or as a 4K disc is something you need to add to your collection at its current price. It was entertaining for two hours, but it did not reinvent the wheel or leave me with any lasting impressions which stayed with me after the credits rolled. I did not hate it nor did I love it. It was an entertaining superhero film which, of course, is fine, but I think fans are looking for something a little more than just “fine.” There are some good special features here, though. I was disappointed with how the film looked on 4K, as I was expecting an impressive and powerful transfer. It is just OK as well. The audio is really good, as I mentioned earlier. I can see what they were going for here and what their intentions were, but the pacing and the special effects really stop this film dead in its tracks. I recommend you check it out on HBO Max, but I would not add it to your collection.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit Correspondent, Tony Farinella.
“Don’t Worry Darling” is a film that immediately caught my attention when I saw the trailer for it back in the summer. I was impressed with Olivia Wilde’s feature film debut in 2019’s “Booksmart,” and the trailer for “Don’t Worry Darling” made me excited to see what she was going to do with her sophomore directorial film, especially considering the actors she had attached to the project. The trailer didn’t give away too much, but it looked stylish, interesting and worth checking out. However, as I’m sure many of you reading this are aware of, the film was not without controversy. If you are interested in gossip (personally, I’m not), you can Google it and read about it. I’m going to be reviewing the film on its own merits.
Florence Pugh plays Alice, a 1950’s style housewife, and she’s madly in love with her husband Jack (Harry Styles). Her days are routine and structured, but she always looks forward to the moment Jack comes home from work at Victory Headquarters, so they can be together. They have a healthy and active sex life. When the subject of having children is brought up, her friend Bunny (Olivia Wilde) is quick to shoot it down, as she proclaims they only have time for each other. Jack works a lot in this utopian experimental society where all the men work and all the women cook, clean and shop. It is the 1950’s to the core. The men seem happy and the women seem happy as well.
However, it is all turned upside down when Margaret (KiKi Layne) is shunned from their community for not following the rules. There is a very specific set of rules for women. They are not to ask too many questions about their husband’s work or venture off to the headquarters. Margaret has done something to leave her on the outside looking in when it comes to this community. Alice meets their leader Frank, played by Chris Pine, in a chilling performance. He is a charismatic cult leader, and all of the men are looking to impress him and stay on his good side. He has a personality where people are drawn to him and his every word. Pine really leans into this, and he’s magic on screen. Alice, however, is starting to suspect that something is not right about Frank or Victory Headquarters.
“Don’t Worry Darling” is truly a tale of two movies. You have the first hour, which is a little sluggish and bland, but it’s necessary to set up this world the filmmaker and writers have created. You have the second half where things are revealed to the audience, and the film starts to let us take a peek into the inner workings of the characters and their backstories. As a viewer, I admired the fact they didn’t spell everything out to us. The ending is even ambiguous, which I appreciated. All in all, though, I found the film to be Wilde paying homage to a film like “The Stepford Wives” or the works of Jordan Peele. She touches on themes of toxic masculinity, obedience and the price people will pay for the good life.
The strongest part of the film, far and away, is the performance of Florence Pugh. She’s one of the finest young actresses working today, and she is intense, emotional and incredibly powerful in each and every scene. In my opinion, it’s a performance worthy of an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Without her performance, this film doesn’t stand a chance. She’s the star here, and it’s a performance which is so raw and vulnerable. The cinematography is also beautiful, and, in 4K, it is colorful, vibrant and full of life. It’s a great-looking film.
DON’T WORRY DARLING
(L-R) OLIVIA WILDE as Bunny and NICK KROLL as Dean in New Line Cinema’s “DON’T WORRY DARLING,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The film is flawed, however, as there are pacing issues and it does have a lot of ideas but doesn’t always know where it wants to go with all of them. When the film works, it works extremely well. When the film doesn’t work, it’s a bit of a slog to sit through and a little too stylish for its own good. They had a lot of ideas here, as mentioned, but not all of them are fully fleshed out or given the time to really shine on screen. Overall, though, I admired the ambition behind this film, and I left the experience feeling like I had seen a thought-provoking and multifaceted film that doesn’t get everything right, but the things it does get right are quite impactful and meaningful. If they had a clearer vision for this film, I would have liked it a lot more.
* * * out of * * * *
4K Info: “Don’t Worry Darling” is released on a two-disc 4K/Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It is rated R for sexuality, violent content, and language, and has a running time of 122 minutes. It also comes with a digital copy of the film.
4K Video Info: The HDR is mesmerizing on this film. A lot of the film uses natural light, and it looks fantastic in 4K. The movie stars look like movie stars, and you also get to feel like you are really living in this world with eye-popping visuals.
4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos soundtrack was the right choice for this flick. There are a lot of great bubblegum pop love songs played throughout this film, and they sound flawless here. The dialogue-heavy scenes are also easy to understand and hear without any issues. Subtitles are included in English, French and Spanish.
Special Features:
The Making of “Don’t Worry Darling”
Alice’s Nightmare Deleted Scene
Should You Buy It?
This is a tough one. I have a feeling this film might gain cult status down the line, but as of right now I can’t recommend you buy it at full retail price. When it goes on sale, I think it’s worth picking up. This is an example of a film which was doomed from the start because some audiences and critics made up their mind on it before they ever sat down and watched it. It’s a shame because this is a good movie, and I liked it. Not everything here works, but it’s hard to deny the work of Florence Pugh and the directional eye of Olivia Wilde. It’s far from perfect, but I think with repeated viewings, it is a film that people will appreciate in the future. There is a lot to like here, but I also can’t ignore the bloated plot. It is a stylish looking film, but at times, it has too much style and not enough substance. It would have benefited from a healthy balance of both. The 4K looks and sounds really, really good. I was very impressed with what Warner Brothers did with this 4K release. The lack of special features is not surprising, considering the drama surrounding the film. For now, I’d recommend you stream it on HBO Max and buy it in the future.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
It has been eighteen years since I first watched “The Polar Express,” and quite frankly, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect because of the length between viewings. I remembered the film had stunning visuals and great computer-animated graphics. However, I did not remember what the film was about or how ir unfolded. So, in a sense, I was walking into this film as a total newcomer. It was directed by legendary director Robert Zemeckis, and it reunited him with actor Tom Hanks as they had worked together previously on “Forrest Gump” and “Castaway.” This was clearly a different project for the two of them, but they still were able to produce movie magic on screen.
Hero Boy, one of six characters voiced by Tom Hanks, is starting to wonder if Santa is real as he gets a little older. He’s even started to put doubts into the head of his younger sister. His parents have even noticed he’s not staying up all night anymore on Christmas Eve to wait for Santa. This doesn’t bring any joy to Hero Boy, but it’s the reality he’s living in at this point in his life. His skepticism is put to the test when the Polar Express train arrives outside his house with the Conductor (also voiced by Hanks). The Polar Express will take him directly to the North Pole along with other children on Christmas Eve.
On the train, he meets Hero Girl (Nona Gaye), a young girl who has never, ever stopped believing in Christmas. The Christmas spirit is alive and well with her. He also meets Know-It-All (Eddie Deezen), and he certainly lives up to his name with his mouth that runs a mile a minute with various facts and statements about trains and Christmas. Along the way, the Polar Express picks up Billy (Peter Scolari). He’s shy, lonely, and has had some bad luck on Christmas. Because of this, he’s struggling to find any joy or satisfaction on Christmas, whatsoever. Between Hero Boy, Hero Girl, and Billy, they form a friendship and help each other as they try to get to the North Pole.
On the way to the North Pole, there are dancing waiters that bring out hot chocolate (who doesn’t love hot chocolate around the holidays?), a hobo on top of the train (voiced by, you guessed it, Hanks), a mean-spirited puppet (Hanks again), and numerous other trials and tribulations. Along the way, Hero Boy is starting to think that maybe Santa is real after all and maybe, just maybe, he should start to regain his spirit and believe again. After all, considering all he has gone through on his way to the North Pole, it’s getting harder and harder to believe that Santa isn’t real. The things that are happening are so fantastical and so magical, it has to be the work of Santa.
“The Polar Express” absolutely blew me away. The film runs at 100 minutes, and there is not a dull moment to be found here. What I loved most about the film was its ability to make me, as an audience member, feel something. Even at age thirty-seven, this is a film which had me teary eyed and emotional. The great thing about this is that none of it was forced. It all worked out because of the out-of-this-world visuals, the big heart of this film, and the epic direction of Zemeckis. There is no stone left unturned in this film. It feels like a big, sweeping epic Christmas story which matters. It also understands the importance of Christmas and believing.
I love a good old-fashioned Hollywood story told the right way. That is exactly what “The Polar Express” is, and it gets all of the details right. At first, the life-like nature of the characters is a little peculiar and even creepy, but before long, it adds to the charm. I absolutely loved this movie, and it was such a pleasant surprise for me. I have seen a lot of Christmas movies in my lifetime, but very few have captured the grand scale of the event like “The Polar Express.” Leave it to Hanks and Zemeckis to get it right. It’s rare that I’m watching a film and I get completely lost in the story. With each and every adventure, I was captivated and in awe.
This film warmed my heart and made me feel good. Films like this are rare. When they are released, they need to be praised, valued and appreciated. This is a big screen Christmas movie that knows exactly what needs to be done and how to do it. It’s about tugging at your heartstrings in a way that is not manipulative or cheap. It is about making us, the audience, believe, without being too corny or silly. It is about making us smile without ever pandering to us or trying to pull the wool over our eyes. “The Polar Express” is a Christmas classic and my kind of Christmas movie. I wish I could stand on top of a mountain and scream, “I love this movie!”
* * * * out of * * * *
4K/Blu-ray Info: ‘The Polar Express” is released on a two-disc 4K/Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The film is rated G and has a running time of 100 minutes. It also comes with a digital copy of the film.
4K Info: I recommend you watch this film with the lights off. I noticed a vast improvement in the picture quality when I watched the movie in the dark. It’s absolutely gorgeous in 4K HDR. It just added to my enjoyment of the film. When people talk about films that were made for 4K, they are talking about films like “The Polar Express.” I couldn’t believe the attention to detail on this transfer. They really put their heart and soul into the making of this film, and there were times where I was completely and utterly blown away by what I was watching on my TV screen. It was a work of art.
Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track also enhances the viewing experience as it’s a big, booming soundtrack. For a movie like this, which is a big movie, you expect it to look and sound big. They accomplished both of those tasks here.
Special Features:
You Look Familiar
A Genuine Ticket to Ride
True Inspirations: An Author’s Adventure
Behind the Scenes of “Believe”
Flurry of Effects
Smokey and Steamer
Josh Groban at the Greek
Meet The Snow Angels
Theatrical Trailer
THQ Game Demo
Should You Buy It?
Yes, yes, and YES. “The Polar Express” is a top-of-the-line 4K film, and it is also top-of-the-line with its audio and visuals. Everything here is 4 out of 4 stars, except for the fact that the special features are transferred over from the previous Blu-ray. Normally, I wouldn’t mind this, but I felt the special features were a little lacking here, and there are so many questions regarding this film and especially the filmmaking process. I would have loved a commentary track with Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis, for example. I know it can be hard to track people down these days with so much going on, but for a film of this scale, it would have been worth it. Despite these minor issues, this film gets the highest recommendation I can give a 4K film. I was watching it on a day where I was feeling a little down, and it instantly cheered me up. That is the highest praise I can give to a film. I don’t feel like enough people talk about “The Polar Express” in the same fashion they do other Christmas films, and they should, because it’s a Christmas classic in every sense of the word.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The Ultimate Rabbit 