Ah, the slow weeks. A chance to give your wallet a much deserved reprieve from the weekly onslaught of Blu-ray purchases that feed your everlasting urge for high definition wonderment. A time to sit back and realize that those 16 sealed Blu-ray movie simply aren't going to watch themselves. Or possibly, a time for Dexter fans to pick up
Dexter: The Complete Fourth Season on Blu-ray and catch up on the series before its fifth season debuts in September.
For the
Blu-ray review of Dexter: The Complete Fourth Season, staff reviewer Ken Brown commented, "Four seasons in, Dexter is as compelling a series as ever. The Complete Fourth Season not only dissects and dismembers its mainstays, it introduces a variety of new characters, among them John Lithgow's volatile, disturbing Trinity Killer." He continues, "Paramount's release of Dexter: The Complete Fourth Season isn't perfect. While it impresses with a fantastic video transfer and rousing TrueHD audio mix, it stumbles with yet another barebones supplemental package."
It's sad to say, but the Miley Cyrus gravy train is about to run out of steam. Like numerous Mouseketeers before her, it won't be much longer before she leaves the House of Mouse for more "serious" work, which ends up being even crappier movies that show off more of her –ahem- assets. For now, we get
The Last Song where the Hanna Montana star tries to break away from the teeny bopper genre with a more serious role. Unfortunately, the overly dramatic script puts this film the crosshairs of a very niche group – teeny bopper Hanna Montana fans.
Staff reviewer Ken Brown concludes in his
Blu-ray review of The Last Song, "Sappy, manipulative, and bubbling over with tacky sentiment, it's everything I expected it to be and less. Regardless, those who decide to take the plunge via Disney's Blu-ray release will at least get their money's worth. It offers a solid video transfer, a strong DTS-HD Master Audio track, and a semi-decent supplemental package."
But alas, there is still hope (assuming you aren't a Dexter or Hanna Montana fan, in which case there is already a smile on your face). Warner today releases Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of
Hamlet in digibook packaging. Clocking in at over four hours, this film isn't for the tame of heart, but those who dive in will witness an Oscar-nominated performance that they will not soon forget.
In the
Blu-ray review of Hamlet, staff reviewer Ken Brown concludes, "Kenneth Branagh's take on the Bard's foremost tragedy doesn't speak to me as clearly as other filmmakers' adaptations, but it's nevertheless a rousing, unabridged, award-winning production worthy of your consideration. Sadly, the Blu-ray edition of Branagh's Hamlet has its share of issues. While its supplemental package and four-hour audio commentary will be a boon for filmfans and literary students alike, its video transfer is over-polished and underwhelming, and its DTS-HD Master Audio track has a few problems of its own."