Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Rick And Morty: The Anime Blu-ray Disc Review

Rick And Morty: The Anime is it’s own thing complete with different English and Japanese Voice Talent providing our heroes with distinct speech that helps to set it apart from the main series. This is a standalone 10 episode arc by Takashi Sano, who directed two episodes previously for the Adult Swim Digital Platform.

The disc on Blu-ray contains all ten episodes presented in their original broadcast aspect ratio in glorious 1080p Full HD with an engaging English DTS-HD MA Soundtrack along with Japanese Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired. The run time is 207 minutes.


Rick And Morty: The Anime is available on Blu-ray Disc and DVD, but sold separately now retailers on and offline courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment.


(C) Copyright 2025 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.


Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Dune: Prophecy: The Complete First Season on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Set Review


Dune Prophecy: The Complete First Season
is the HBO MAX/ Warner Brothers Discovery series loosely adapted from the Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson prequel novel, Sisterhood of Dune and is set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. We are in the rule of the Empire under House Corrino from the Planet Salusa Secundus. The planet is quite different from what we saw in Dune Part One with beautiful vistas and a bustling Imperial Capital City near by. 

When the mysterious Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) arrives at court on the eve of a royal marriage unifying the Great Houses Corrino and Richese.  Events surrounding his presence captures the attention Reverend Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) with their interactions illustrating how formidable both characters are. Fimmel plays crazy so well that one can almost imagine that he has built his whole career playing these types of characters.


What follows is a kind of Chess game between different factions and agendas for control of the Imperium. 


The production value value of the series is captured beautifully on a 4K ultra HD Blu-ray Disc and the Dolby Atmos soundtrack also is quite atmospheric and discrete at the same time. What I also like about these discs as well as the original series when it aired this past November 2024 is that we get to see things that Dune fans are aware of from reading the books, but have never seen dramatized in any other format that I am aware of. 


This is a slow burn, which means that you do need to have some patience, but it will reward viewers by the end. I highly recommend watching this program and now that it’s on 4K Ultra HD, it’s it more than easy to be able to watch it on physical media, which is the best way to view something with the highest possible picture, quality And sound quality available for home users.


The five exclusive extended featurettes appear to been derived at least partially  from what was originally provided by MAX when the episodes originally premiered. The disc come packaged in a four disc black keep case with two discs on one side and two discs on the other for safe transport. There are no inserts containing episode information. The packaging is understated, but does the job. English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired are provided along with its Dolby Atmos surround soundtrack.


Dune: Prophecy: The Complete First Season is available now on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray Disc and DVD, but the formats are sold separately, at retailers on and offline courtesy of Warner Brothers Discovery Home Entertainment. Get your copy now. The spice must flow.


(C) Copyright 2025 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

BAMBI: THE RECKONING The Twisted Childhood Universe Welcomes Bambi

LOS ANGELES (May 15, 2025) - From Jagged Edge Productions and ITN Studios, the makers of Winnie-The-Pooh:Blood and Honey 1 & 2, comes Bambi: The Reckoning, the newest entry in the Twisted Childhood Universe. Directed by Dan Allen and written by Rhys Warrington, Bambi: The Reckoning arrives in theaters on July 25, 2025 by Seismic Releasing.


The official synopsis for Bambi: The Reckoning reads: After a mother and son get in a car wreck, they soon become hunted by Bambi, a mutated grief-stricken deer on a deadly rampage seeking revenge for the death of his mother.

"We are excited to bring the first live-action Bambi film ever to the screens...of course, a horror version," notes Stuart Alson, President of ITN Studios. Tickets to see the haunting new take on the classic tale will go on sale July 10, 2025.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Warner Bros. Discovery Announces Max to Become HBO Max this Summer

May 14, 2025 – At the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront presentation in New York today, it was announced that Max, the company’s premier streaming platform, will be rebranded HBO Max this summer.   


WBD’s streaming business has incredible momentum, turning around its profitability by almost $3B in just two years and scaling globally with 22M subscribers added over the past year, with a clear path to over 150M+ by the end of 2026. This is thanks to an enormous amount of hard work, investment and re-focusing the strategy on the programming that is working best like HBO, recent box-office movies, docuseries, certain reality series, and Max and local originals, and de-prioritizing other genres that drive less engagement or acquisition. 

This evolution has also been influenced by changing consumer needs, and the fact that no consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers are saying they want better content. With other services filling the more basic needs with volume, WBD has clearly distinguished itself through its quality and distinct stories, and no brand has done that better and more consistently over 50+ years than HBO.   

Returning the HBO brand into HBO Max will further drive the service forward and amplify the uniqueness that subscribers can expect from the offering. It is also a testament to WBD’s willingness to keep boldly iterating its strategy and approach – leaning heavily on consumer data and insights – to best position itself for success.

David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “The powerful growth we have seen in our global streaming service is built around the quality of our programming. Today, we are bringing back HBO, the brand that represents the highest quality in media, to further accelerate that growth in the years ahead.”

During the WBD Upfront on stage at Madison Square Garden, JB Perrette, President and CEO of Streaming, and Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, provided further details on the upcoming change.
 
Perrette: “We will continue to focus on what makes us unique – not everything for everyone in a household, but something distinct and great for adults and families. It’s really not subjective, not even controversial – our programming just hits different.”

Bloys: “With the course we are on and strong momentum we are enjoying, we believe HBO Max far better represents our current consumer proposition. And it clearly states our implicit promise to deliver content that is recognized as unique and, to steal a line we always said at HBO, worth paying for.”

HBO Max® is the premier global streaming platform from Warner Bros. Discovery that delivers the most unique and captivating stories, ranging from the highest quality in scripted programming, movies, documentaries, true crime, adult animation, and live sports and news (where available). HBO Max is the destination for prestigious entertainment brands such as HBO, Warner Bros., Max Originals, DC, Harry Potter, A24 Films, as well as iconic shows like “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory,” all in one place.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

THE DREW CAREY SHOW: THE COMPLETE SERIES Available Now on DVD and Digital The Official YouTube Channel for The Drew Carey Show Also Launches Today, All in Celebration of the Series’ 30thAnniversary

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

TV’s Favorite Everyman Returns!

 

THE DREW CAREY SHOW: THE COMPLETE SERIES 

Available Now on DVD and Digital

 

The Official YouTube Channel for The Drew Carey Show Also Launches Today, All in Celebration of the Series’ 30thAnniversary


BURBANK, CA (May 13, 2025) – Get ready to laugh out loud and relive one of television’s most beloved sitcoms when Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment brings The Drew Carey Show: The Complete Series to DVD. For the first time ever, all nine hilarious seasons* will be available in a collectors’ boxset starting May 13, just in time to celebrate the series’ 30th anniversary. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, this collection is the ultimate way to experience the comic genius of Drew Carey and his misfit crew. 

 

In addition to the DVD, The Drew Carey Show: The Complete Series is also available now to purchase Digitally from AppleTV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and more.

 

To top it off, fans and newcomers alike can explore classic moments and some of their favorite episodes on the Official YouTube Channel for The Drew Carey Show, which also launches today, May 13. 

 

The Drew Carey Show was created by Drew Carey and Bruce Helford and starred Carey, Diedrich Bader, Christa Miller, Ryan Stiles, Kathy Kinney, Craig Ferguson, John Carroll Lynch, Cynthia Watros, and many more throughout its nine seasons.


The series was produced Mohawk Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. 

 

SYNOPSIS:

Actor, comedian, author and television comedy sensation Drew Carey stars in The Drew Carey Show as an average, single everyguy struggling to stay financially and romantically afloat in an unpredictable era. Whether he’s getting roped into a hilarious prank war with his buddies or trying to survive the outrageous of his nemesis, Mimi, Drew and his mishaps will keep you entertained. This average Joe’s life is anything but ordinary! 

  

PRODUCT                                   

DVD and Digital 


SPECIAL FEATURES

Previously released Life inside the Cubiclefrom the Season 1 DVD

 

Audio: English

Subtitles: English 

Running Time: Approx. 86 hours

Rated: PG


*The following (4) special episodes are not included in this collection: Drew’s Dance Party Special, Drew Carey’s Back-to-School Rock ‘n’ Roll Comedy Hour – Parts 1 & 2and What’s Love Got to Do with it?

Musical compositions in certain episodes of this series have been replaced or altered from their original broadcast versions.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Fallout: Season One is coming to Blu-ray & DVD on July 8 from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. A limited edition 4K UHD Steelbook will also be available exclusively at Amazon.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

The Critically Acclaimed Video Game Adaptation That Has Garnered 2 Emmy® Award Wins!


FALLOUT: SEASON ONE

 

Coming to Blu-ray™ & DVD on July 8, 2025

Limited Edition 4K UHD Steelbook 

Will Be Available Exclusively at Amazon

 

Pre-order Your Copy Today!


Box Art Link


BURBANK, CA (April 22, 2025) – Based on the best-selling global video game franchise, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment brings you the most bombastic and delightful post-apocalypticaction mission to ensure the survival of humanity with the release of Fallout: Season One on Blu-ray & DVD on July 8. A limited edition 4K UHD Steelbook will also be available exclusively at Amazon. The 4K UHD Steelbook and Blu-ray sets will both include a set of 6 Collectible Art Cards (available while supplies last). Get ready to binge all 8 episodes of the phenomenal series, plus go behind the scenes with over an hour of bonus content. Pre-order your copy today!


The series comes from Kilter Films and executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. Nolan directed the first three episodesGeneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner serve as executive producers, creators, and co-showrunners. 


Fallout stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Aaron Moten (Emancipation), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), and Walton Goggins (The White Lotus). Athena Wickham of Kilter Films also executive produces, along with Todd Howard for Bethesda Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks. The series cast includes Moisés Arias (The King of Staten Island), Sarita Choudhury (Homeland), Michael Emerson (Person of Interest), Leslie Uggams (Deadpool), Frances Turner (The Boys), Dave Register (Heightened), Zach Cherry (Severance), Johnny Pemberton (Ant-Man), Rodrigo Luzzi (Dead Ringers), Annabel O'Hagan (Law & Order: SVU), and Xelia Mendes-Jones (The Wheel of Time).


SYNOPSIS:

Based on one of the greatest video games of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. Two-hundred years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind—and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird, and highly violent universe waiting for them.

 

PRODUCT                                  

Blu-ray & DVD (4K UHD Steelbook exclusive to Amazon)


SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Commentary (exclusive to the physical release)
  • Animated Content - A step-by-step career walkthrough with a focus on what really matters, produced by Vault-Tec executive Bud Askins.
  • Becoming The Ghoul - Award-winning actor Walton Goggins plays not one but two central characters in Fallout. This in-depth look highlights the dichotomy of The Ghoul and Cooper Howard, and their long journey from past to present.
  • Console to Camera - The Fallout universe has a rich legacy with tens of millions of fans around the world. Go behind-the-scenes of Prime Video’s new series and explore how and why, after nearly three decades, it was the perfect time to make the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. leap from game to screen.
  • Creating the Wasteland - The VFX team for Fallout breaks down the various ways, mostly practical, they brought the Wasteland to life.
  • Inside Season One Go inside the making of Season One.
  • Meet the Filmmaker (and fanatic) Jonathan Nolan - Todd Howard and Bethesda Game Studios waited over 25 years to find someone with the ‘Profile’ to bring their iconic universe to life.
  • Prosthetics & Makeup Gone Nuclear - Let’s face it - when it comes to Prosthetics and Makeup design in Fallout, Gore and Ghouls go hand-in-hand.
  • Safe and Sound - Composer Ramin Djawadi and the team behind the sounds of Fallout reflect on the many musical notes of Season One.
  • Set Your Sets on 2296 - Inside the cinematography and production design for Fallout, and how Jonathan Nolan and team achieved a very specific (and unforgettable) look for post-apocalyptic Los Angeles
  • The Costumes of Fallout - Costume designer Amy Westcott and the Fallout producers unpack how they brought the Fallout factions to life.
  • Welcome to the World of Fallout - An atomic past creates wild new futures. The cast and filmmakers of Fallout discuss the unique tone, characters and vast world of the post-apocalyptic sci-fier, based on the beloved video game franchise.
  • Writing for the Wasteland - Showrunners Geneva Robertson Dworet and Graham Wagner describe how they created the ultra-unique tone of Fallout.       


Audio: English

Subtitles: English 

Running Time: 475 minutes

Rated: TV-MA