Home-Video Tuesdays: ‘BlacKkKlansman,’ ‘The Incredibles 2,’ & Kurt Russell

We’re beginning another new series this week. Moving forward, watch for our picks for new Blu-Rays and DVDs every week. Our first week kicks off with some of the summer’s biggest hits, including BlacKkKlansman and The Incredibles 2. However, if you want collectors editions and some box sets, there are plenty of new features to check out!

Pick of the Week

BlacKkKlansman

RT Score: 95%

Metacritic Score: 83

AJ’s Review

One of the very best films of the year comes along at exactly the right moment. It is not an accident it will release on the day voting closes. Whether or not your party wins, the racial issues in America are a systemic problem that continues decades later. Bringing a film like BlacKkKlansman, the latest Spike Lee joint, into your home on this day carries significance. A fun and socially conscious film like this one is a must-see, and should also bring you to the church of John David Washington. He’s a star and delight.

Runner-up: 

The Incredibles 2

RT Score: 94%

Metacritic Score: 80

AJ’s Review

Whenever Pixar rolls out a new feature, it is always one to watch for. The latest work from the studio brings together everyone’s favorite superhero family for a series of adventures. Ms. Incredible (Holly Hunter) takes center stage this time around while Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) takes care of the kids. With Brad Bird directing, we have some of the coolest action work of the year. A huge box office and some stellar animation make this one the frontrunner for Best Animated Feature.

Throwback Movie of the Week:

The Thing

Rotten Tomatoes: 83%

Metacritic: 57

Not sure what is going on with that MetaScore, but The Thing is simply a transfixing, beautiful horror film. One of the hidden gems of the 1980s, the John Carpenter film has become known for its outlandishly good special effects. Some of the prosthetics used here are insane, especially when it comes to the creature creation. Yet The Thing is about much more, including a distrust of our neighbors and the fear of the unknown that lives inside of each of us. This is probably Kurt Russell‘s greatest performance, and this one simply sings. The Thing is one of the greatest horror films ever made, without question.

Big Box Sets: 

The Harry Potter Collector’s Edition Steelbook Box Set (4K)

In what might be the deepest week we ever reward this prize, Harry Potter clearly was going to take the top spot. The story of a young boy learning he is a wizard launched one of the great franchises in film history. There’s a lot to be said about the achievement alone, but looking over the cast reminds you that an all-star list of the greatest British, Irish, Welsh, and Scottish actors in the world were involved in this film franchise. Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson, Domhnall Gleeson, Kenneth Branaugh, Emma Thompson, Imelda Staunton, and Jim Broadbent are just some of the royalty involved. The breakout stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Tom Felton would grace the screen. A simply astonishing achievement, the pop culture world would never be the same.

TV of the Week 

Stranger Things Season 2 

Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

Metacritic: 78

AJ’s Review

A great blockbuster followup to the first season, Stranger Things cemented its legacy in Season 2. The show has become one of the great action and adventure shows ever to grace streaming platforms. That might make it an odd choice for TV show of the week, but this one is a gimme. A pop culture behemoth, both in its own right and how it calls back to the 1980s, the show deserves to be owned by the diehard fans.

Fun Finds

The Shape of Water (4K)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92%

Metacritic: 87

AJ’s Top Ten of 2017 Entry

Aaron’s Top Ten of 2017 Entry

Christopher Robin

Rotten Tomatoes: 71%

Metacritic: 60

Grindhouse (4K)

Rotten Tomatoes: 83%

Metacritic: 77%

All three of these movies have some special place in my heart. Obviously, Aaron and I were rather high on The Shape of Water last year, which ended up winning Best Picture. Again, I reiterate there is far more to this movie than the fish/human relationship. Instead, talk about how it was the first film centered on a woman to win Best picture in over a decade. It showcases a killer cast and an amazing crew. Guillermo Del Toro is a master storyteller and this one helps to cement his legacy.

Christopher Robin is another fun Disney film to check out. The revival of the story of a bear and his owner. Winnie the Pooh is one of the great characters in the history of animation, and Jim Cummings is simply amazing. It’s a fun film, a morose film, and a bit predictable. Yet watching these characters come to life is worth it 100% of the time.

Finally, Grindhouse brings B-movies back to the zeitgeist. Both of the films, including Planet Terror and Death Proof, gorge on B-movie zaniness. Planet Terror is directed by Robert Rodriguez and features all the gore you would ever need. It’s a fun zombie action flick, and also the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever seen. Meanwhile, Death Proof delivers another career-defining role for Kurt Russell and might be the most underrated film of Quentin Tarantino’s career. However, despite some strong high points parts of the film really struggle. However, being able to watch both films back-to-back makes for a fun time.

Other Films to Check Out! 

The Planet of the Apes Trilogy (2011-2017)

The Rocky Heavyweight Collection

Superman: The Movie (4K)

Air Force One (4K)

Wreck-It Ralph (4K)

The Transformers Box Set (4K)

Train to Busan

What other new releases would you like to grab? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 

Potential New ‘Harry Potter’ RPG in Development at Warner Bros. and Avalanche

In what must feel like a nonstop loop of Harry Potter and Wizarding World news to the Muggles of the world. In the past two weeks, we’ve had a look at a new ride at Universal Orlando, but no actual reveal. We also had the final trailer drop for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. For non-Potter fans, it’s a lot. Luckily, I’m a huge Potter fan, so it’s been a good time.

Now, it looks like a Harry Potter video game may be in development at Warner Bros. and Avalanche. Rumors have swirled for some time, but a recent leaker on Reddit may have spilled the beans on the project. According to Variety, the footage of the game appears to be relatively far along in the process. We’re still talking pre-Beta, but with the mechanics of the game getting fleshed out, we may find ourselves in Hogwarts in a game that feels awfully reminiscent to the Fable and Knights of the Old Republic franchises. Color me extremely interested.

The Reddit User, VapeThisBro, also got away with the synopsis to the game. Straight up, this gives me a ton of flags in both legitimizing the game and making me believe it doesn’t exist at all. So first up, why would I believe it? Because 1) Warner Brothers already took down the footage. When I reached the Variety article, the post had been live for 23 minutes. The YouTube Clip was gone. 2) Demand was clearly high and viral component will now make people seek it out. 3) It feels as if Warner Bros. is faking the leak, gauging quick interest, and then boom, we get the announcement in the coming months with a far more complete game. Perhaps in the next six weeks when 4) a new movie is due to hit theaters… 5) This tactic is not unprecedented. Remember the leaked Deadpool that definitely did not come from Ryan Reynolds?

Second, this also makes me question if any of this is real at all. I’m not going to lie, I’ve been burned on this kind of thing before. I’ll give credit to the indie gamers of the world, who can mock up something like this. We’ve seen fan trailers that felt real. The same goes for video games, and frankly, the two images we get are not overly unique. The character customization screen is perhaps the easier of the two to fake. Hundreds of these exist across hundreds of games. There also seems to be a battle sequence or at least a blown up bridge. Looks dope, but the mechanics for the hundreds of spells the game will need could be tough. That said, there were dozens of gadgets in each of the Arkham franchise games. Same goes for Skyrim, Fallout and other massive RPGs in the world today. This could be accomplished with relative ease.

Overall, I’m not sure this game exists. But in my heart, I’m going to believe it does. That makes this one of my most anticipated upcoming games, and as a Harry Potter nerd, I’ve been begging for this game for years. We got a taste of an open world Wizarding World game with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix game, as well as the first three official games of the movies. Hell, even Lego Harry Potter delivered on some of these goods. But give me the ability to become a Dark Wizard? I’m definitely in for this.

Here’s the (unofficial) synopsis promised above:

“Set in the 19th Century (1800’s) Wizarding World, this 3rd person open-world action RPG game centers around your character with unique abilities who has eared (sic) a late acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You are a newly arrived 5th year student to Hogwarts that demonstrates a latent gift for magic with a unique ability to track and identify remnants of a pottant (sic) ancient power.

Upon arrival, strange events begin to materialize In the Forbidden Forrest and trouble begins o (sic) brew within the castle walls. Together with Professor Elezar Fig, you embark on a journey through both familiar and never before seen locations to bring to light the truth behind these mysterious occurrences.

On your quest you will craft potions, master new spells, and discover fantastical beasts. You will battle Dark Wizards, Goblins, and other supernatural enemies and uncover the truth about your destiny – the Fate of the Wizarding World lies in your hands.

FEATURES

– Journey to Hogwarts to become one of 8 different Wizard types

-Experience Hogwarts, make new friends, uncover new secrets, and change the fate of the Wizarding world.

-Experience a new magic system that creates countless possibilities to master magic.

-Freely explore the Wizarding World for the first time, Choose your house and friends at Hogwarts, and decide to pursue a path of good or evil.

-Create your own witch or wizard, and experience a (sic) all new story separate from the books or films.

One last bit of pure speculation. Dumbledore attended Hogwarts in the 19th century. Which also means Grindelwald is somewhere in the world. Also other Dumbledores, Gaunts, Potters, and Blacks (Phineas Nigellus Black becomes Hogwarts Headmaster until 1925). Even if we don’t get some of the fan favorite characters, still expect some links to the larger Wizarding World.

What do you think of the potential for a Harry Potter video game? Is this up your alley? Let us know in the comments below!