New Blu-ray Reviews

Rattle Conducts Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky & Rachmaninov Blu-ray Movie  

EUROARTS | 2010 | 104 min | Not rated | Jun 29, 2010 | Jeffrey Kauffman

Every year, the Berliner Philharmoniker hold a kind of classical-music fête with a bright, cheerful concert to end the season. In 2009 about 22,000 people had come together at the Berlin Waldbühne to enjoy the traditional summer picnic concert. The theme of the evening was “Russian rhythms”, and star conductor Sir Simon Rattle, the Berliner Philharmoniker and Yefim Bronfman, one of the most famous pianists in the world today, presented a superb selection of Russian music.

Music

Crossing Over Blu-ray Movie  

Vivendi Visual Entertainment | 2009 | 113 min | Rated R | Jun 01, 2010 | Jeffrey Kauffman

Thoughtful drama weaves together several stories as it examines immigration in Los Angeles, providing a harrowing look at border crossing, document fraud, asylum seekers, naturalization, counterterrorism and the clash of cultures in America.

Drama

Step Up 2: The Streets Blu-ray Movie  

Dance-Off Edition

Disney / Buena Vista | 2008 | 98 min | Rated PG-13 | Jul 15, 2008 | Casey Broadwater

When rebellious street dancer Andie lands at the elite Maryland School of the Arts, she finds herself fighting to fit in while also trying to hold onto her old dream of dancing with an underground Baltimore street crew. When she joins forces with the school's hottest dancer Chase to form a crew of classmate outcasts to compete in Baltimore's underground dance battle "The Streets," she ultimately finds a way to live her dream while building a bridge between her two separate worlds.

Drama / Music / Romance / Teen

Callas: assoluta Blu-ray Movie  

Arthaus Musik | 2010 | 97 min | Jun 29, 2010 | Jeffrey Kauffman

We know that Maria Callas literally brought opera back to life. This film sets out to do the same with Maria Callas' art and life. It is a resurrection of the diva which brings back to life the period of the great Callas.

Documentary / Music

Living Landscapes: Bali Blu-ray Movie  

Digital Environments | 2007 | 60 min | Not rated | Jan 13, 2009 | Jeffrey Kauffman

Bring the exotic sights and sounds of Bali's island paradise into your home with the sounds of nature and beautiful Balinese Music. Experience the magical water temples of Bali as sacred springs feed 10,000 gallons a minute through ancient pools adorned with intricate fountains, carvings, and statues. See dragonflies, birds, butterflies and frogs amid beautiful tropical flowers. High Definition close-ups reveal Bali's wildlife and the intricate beauty of nature's most beautiful living jewels. Visit the mother temple of Besakih. Absorb the serenity of Tanah Lot's ocean temple. Share in the sacred rituals that make Bali one of the most vibrant places on earth.

Documentary / Nature

Rumor Has It... Blu-ray Movie  

Warner Bros. | 2005 | 97 min | Rated PG-13 | Aug 01, 2006 | Jeffrey Kauffman

Jennifer Aniston portrays Sarah Huttinger, whose return home with her fiance convinces her that the sedate, proper, country-club lifestyle of her family isn't for her, and that maybe the Huttinger family isn't even hers. Join Sarah as she uncovers secrets that suggest the Huttingers are neither sedate nor proper - and as Kevin Costner, Shirley MacLaine and Mark Ruffalo join the fun. The story is rumor. The laughs are real!

Comedy / Drama / Romance

Purcell: The Fairy Queen Blu-ray Movie  

Glyndebourne Festival

Opus Arte | 2009 | 230 min | Jun 29, 2010 | Jeffrey Kauffman

No synopsis for this title.

Music

The Dukes Blu-ray Movie  

Koch Entertainment | 2007 | 98 min | Rated PG-13 | May 04, 2010 | Casey Broadwater

The Dukes,(Chazz Palminteri and Robert Davi) a Doo Wop group, were on top of the world at 17, now are struggling for survival in 2008. Their manager (Peter Bogdanovich) is desperately trying to get them work but is met with failure at every turn. Finally pushed to the extreme , they pull a heist only a fool would attempt, which leaves them even more desperate. When all seems lost, they find themselves. Underneath the laughter, "The Dukes" is a film that explores the intricacies of re-defining yourself; not only dealing with lost fame but applies to anyone whoever found themselves at the bottom of the mountain looking up where they once were; and how ,in changing times, to hold onto your true self.

Comedy / Crime / Drama / Music

One Night in Turin Blu-ray Movie    

Kaleidoscope Entertainment | 2010 | 97 min | Rated E | May 31, 2010 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

One Night in Turing is a fascinating documentary film chronicling England's performance during the FIFA World Cup in Italy, in 1990. It is directed by James Erskine and narrated by award-winning British actor Gary Oldman.

Documentary / Sport

White Wall Blu-ray Movie  

Well Go USA | 2010 | 95 min | Not rated | May 25, 2010 | Dustin Somner

In this post-apocalyptic thriller, a virus has devastated the world's population, forcing survivors to eke out a harsh existence behind a huge white wall. There, reformed bounty hunter Shawn Kors (James Boss) must accept one last job to protect his quiet life. Kors is trapped between the militia that rules the cities and a rival gang, and as the violence escalates, he is tormented by memories of the brutal beginnings he thought he had overcome.

Action / Mystery / Sci-Fi / Thriller

Dark Nature Blu-ray Movie  

Troma | 2009 | 80 min | Not rated | Jun 01, 2010 | Dustin Somner

A mother and daughter's trip to an isolated community turns into a nightmare.

Thriller

Brothers Five Blu-ray Movie  

五虎屠龍 / Wu hu tu long

Well Go USA | 1970 | 102 min | Not rated | Apr 27, 2010 | Dustin Somner

The 5 Kao brothers, separated since childhood, are unaware that the master Teng Lung Manor, Lung Chen-feng has killed their father. All five, however, seek to defeat the vicious gangsters at the Manor.

Action / Martial arts / Foreign

Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Live At Montreux 1997 Blu-ray Movie  

Eagle Rock Entertainment | 1997 | 91 min | Jun 22, 2010 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

English prog-rock collective Emerson, Lake & Palmer skyrocketed in the 1970s as a bona-fide supergroup, headlining arenas and selling over 40 million records. After a hiatus, keyboardist Keith Emerson (of The Nice), vocalist/bassist Greg Lake (of King Crimson), and drummer Carl Palmer (The Crazy World of Arthur Brown) reunited in the early 90s. Just after the release of their Black Moon album, they went on tour and hit up the Montreux Jazz Festival on the way.

Music

Circle of Pain Blu-ray Movie  

Lionsgate Films | 2010 | 90 min | Rated R | Jun 15, 2010 | Dustin Somner

Following a fighting accident, Dalton Hunt retired from the world of MMA at the top. Unable to outrun his guilt, he lost his family, his title, and his way. But when a crooked promoter lures him back into a fight against the current undefeated champ, Dalton must enlist the aid of an enigmatic trainer to turn him back into a warrior so he can stand tall and do battle once again.

Action / Drama

Appleseed Blu-ray Movie  

Sentai Filmworks | 2004 | 105 min | Rated TV-14 | May 18, 2010 | Dustin Somner

Set in a post-apocalyptic 2131 A.D.A.D., girl mercenary Deunen Knute finds herself spirited away from the badlands to the gleaming utopian city of Olympus. There she's reunited with her ex-b.f. Briareos, now half-man, half-cyborg. Deunen learns from new handler Hitomi that Olympus' serenity is founded on the use of bioroids, genetically engineered clones who hold key positions in the city's government. Hitomi herself is one. Superpowerful computer Gaia monitors all, through the mediation of seven Yoda-esque elders. When a shadowy faction opposed to the bioroids' civic control start blowing stuff up, Deunen and Briareos team up to protect the city.

Action / Adventure / Anime / Sci-Fi / Comic book / Foreign

Chickenfoot: Get Your Buzz On - Live Blu-ray Movie  

Dc3 Music Group | 2009 | 97 min | Not rated | May 04, 2010 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

Chickenfoot brings together the talents of ex-Van Halen members Sammy Hagar (guitar & vocals) and Michael Anthony (bass), Red Hot Chilli Peppers drummer Chad Smith and legendary guitar hero Joe Satriani. Coming together initially in late 2008 they released their eponymous debut album in the spring of 2009 to unanimous critical acclaim and spectacular sales. With their combined pedigree they were always going to be a great live band and the album release was inevitably followed by tour dates in Europe and North America. This show was filmed at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.

Music

Wizards Blu-ray Movie    

Eureka Entertainment | 1977 | 80 min | Rated BBFC: PG | May 24, 2010 | Casey Broadwater

Avatar is the kindly, eccentric sorcerer-ruler of Montagar, a rainbow paradise inhabited by elves and fairies. Avatar's evil brother Blackwolf dominates Scortch, a bleak land of goblins and wraiths. When the power-hungry Blackwolf attacks Montagar, Avatar, accompanied only by a spirited young woman and a courageous elf, must enter the darkness of Scortch to save his world.

Action / Adventure / Animation / Fantasy / Sci-Fi

Close-Up Blu-ray Movie  

کلوزآپ ، نمای نزدیک / Nema-ye Nazdik / includes "The Traveler" (1974)

Criterion | 1974-1990 | 2 Movies | 98 min | Not rated | Jun 22, 2010 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

The intriguing true story of Hossain Sabzian, a semi-employed Iranian who took advantage of a family's kindness by claiming to be a famous filmmaker.

Biography / Crime / Documentary / Drama / Foreign

Plastic City Blu-ray Movie    

蕩寇

New Movie Trading Co. Ltd | 2008 | 95 min | Not rated | May 26, 2010 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

The story of Plastic City revolves around an aging Chinese-Brazilian gangster, Yuda, who has made a fortune selling pirated goods in the city of Sao Paolo. In recent years, however, globalization has seriously hurt Yuda's business. Powerful Chinese, American and Russian gangs have brought better goods and lower prices, and Sao Paolo has become a jungle where former partners are now fierce competitors.

Drama / Thriller / Foreign

Eyeborgs Blu-ray Movie  

Image Entertainment | 2009 | 102 min | Not rated | Jul 06, 2010 | Casey Broadwater

In the near future as fear of terrorism escalates, privacy is a luxury of the past. Now, in people’s homes, on the streets, in the workplace, everyone is constantly being watched by mobile robotic cameras known as “Eyeborgs.” But are the cameras just watching…or are they up to something else? As an increasing number of people die in bizarre ways, federal agent Gunner Reynolds is determined to find out after he realizes that a camera has recorded an event much differently than he recalls.

Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi