Space Battleship Yamato: TV Series: Season One: Part One: Perfect Collection Laserdisc Box Set Review

 Wow! I just finished watching the Space Battleship Yamato: TV Series Season One: Part One: Perfect Collection Laserdisc Box Set and I loved it! Completely in Japanese with no English Subtitles at all, despite how the title of the set sounds, this is the entire Quest For Iscandar First Series all be it a little different from the American counterpart Star Blazers, which I own and reviewed long ago on DVD. The picture quality is equal the American Voyager releases from the early 2000s. I grew up watching Star Blazers as a kid in the 1970s and have accumulated the entire three series and all the animated feature films as well as documentary on the making of the series. I also own the Japanese live action feature film released in 2010 on Blu-ray Disc so rest assured I am a huge fan and the opportunity to see the series in it’s original broadcast form from Japan was sublime. 

Compared to modern anime, Star Blazers AKA Space Battleship Yamato is as dated as comparing the Hannah Barbera Superfriends to Bruce Tim’s Justice League Unlimited, but I still love it. If you are a super fan don’t let the lack of English subtitles deter you from watching this set. I hope I can get the other two series and the animated movie collection one day, but regardless of what happens, I am grateful to have both the U.S. domestic DVDs and the Japanese first series on laserdisc. 

The picture quality and mono sound are spot on too. If you love the show and don’t mind following the action even if you can’t understand what they are saying, Space Battleship Yamato: TV Series Season One: Part One: Perfect Collection Laserdisc Box Set is something worth seeking out.

(C) Copyright 2020 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.

Off The Cuff Unboxing of George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead 4K UHD Blu-ray Disc Box Set

 

Click on the link below to see the unboxing.

https://youtu.be/FUJBEmD7Zic

Jiu Jitsu arrives on DVD December 22nd

 Release Dates:                Now In Select Theaters, On Demand and Digital

                                           On DVD December 22, 2020

Starring:                            Alain Moussi, Frank Grillo, Rick Yune, Marie Avgeropoulos, Juju Chan with Tony Jaa

and Nicolas Cage

Directed By:                     Dimitri Logothetis

Written By:                      Dimitri Logothetis & James McGrath

Produced By:                   Martin Barab, Chris Economides, Dimitri Logothetis

Synopsis:                          An ancient order of Jiu Jitsu fighters faces a vicious race of alien invaders in an epic battle for the survival of Earth. 

Genre:                               Action, Sci-Fi

Run Time:                         102 minutes

Rating:                               R 

 

ELIZABETHTOWN debuts on Blu-ray February 9th

 

Newly Remastered Under the Supervision of Cameron Crowe, 
Classic Romantic Comedy Starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst 
Arrives on Blu-ray^™ for the First Time

14^th Title in the Paramount Presents Line Debuts on Blu-ray^™ February 9, 2021 with New Bonus Content, Including Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes and an Alternate Ending

 

Oscar®-winning^* director Cameron Crowe’s beguiling romantic comedy ELIZABETHTOWNarrives for the first time ever on Blu-ray in time for Valentine’s Day gift-giving as part of the Paramount Presents line on February 9, 2021from Paramount Home Entertainment.

 

The limited-edition Paramount Presents Blu-ray Disc™ includes the film newly remastered from a 4K transfer supervised by Crowe.  The disc is presented in collectible packaging that includes a foldout image of the film’s theatrical poster, and an interior spread with key movie moments.  TheELIZABETHTOWN Blu-ray also includes a new Filmmaker Focus with Crowe, never-before-seen deleted scenes, and an alternate ending with an introduction by Crowe.  Along with access to a Digital copy of the film, the Blu-ray also includes previously released special features, including deleted and extended scenes with an introduction by Crowe, “On the Road toElizabethtown,” “The Music of Elizabethtown,” “Meet the Crew” featurette, “Training Wheels” featurette, a photo gallery and more.

 

Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbeanfranchise) and Kirsten Dunst (Spider-Man) star in this heartfelt romance set against a fantastic rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack.  Hot-shot designer Drew Baylor’s (Bloom) life becomes completely unraveled when he loses his father and his job on one fateful day. En route to Elizabethtown to visit his family, Drew meets Claire (Dunst). She’s beautiful, unstoppably positive, and just the gal to guide Drew on his journey back home and to teach him what it means to live and love along the way.  The film also stars Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin, Judy Greer, and Jessica Biel.

  

HBO Gives Series Order To THE LAST OF US; Craig Mazin And Neil Druckmann Write And Executive Produce

HBO Gives Series Order To THE LAST OF US; Craig Mazin And Neil Druckmann Write And Executive Produce Carolyn Strauss, Evan Wells, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan Also Executive Produce; A Sony Pictures Television Co-Production; Word Games, Naughty Dog, PlayStation Productions To Produce

HBO has given a series order to the drama THE LAST OF US, it was announced today by Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming. Craig Mazin (HBO’s “Chernobyl”), Neil Druckmann (“The Last of Us” and “Uncharted” video game franchises), and Carolyn Strauss (HBO’s “Chernobyl” and “Game of Thrones”) are executive producers along with Naughty Dog’s Evan Wells and PlayStation Productions’ Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan. Written by Mazin and Druckmann, the series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television. PlayStation Productions, Word Games, and Naughty Dog produce.    “Craig and Neil are visionaries in a league of their own,” said Orsi. “With them at the helm alongside the incomparable Carolyn Strauss, this series is sure to resonate with both die-hard fans of ‘The Last of Us’ games and newcomers to this genre-defining saga. We’re delighted to partner with Naughty Dog, Word Games, Sony and PlayStation to adapt this epic, powerfully immersive story.”   “We’re thrilled to be working with HBO and this fantastic creative team to bring ‘The Last of Us’ series to life,” said Jeff Frost, President of Sony Pictures Television Studios and Asad Qizilbash, Head of PlayStation Productions. “PlayStation’s innovative storytelling and ingenuity is a natural complement to SPT’s creative focus. Our collaboration is a great example of our ‘One Sony’ philosophy at work. We look forward to developing even more iconic game IP in the future.”   Based on the critically acclaimed video game “The Last of Us,” developed by Naughty Dog exclusively for the PlayStation® platforms, the story takes place twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse across the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.    “The Last of Us” will be available on HBO and to stream on HBO lMax.

 

Adam Sandler: Funny Guy now available.

 

Get Inside Adam Sandler’s Comedy Magic in First Trailer for 

"Adam Sandler: Funny Guy”

Critics may not always love Adam Sandler, but fans sure do. The boy from Brooklyn did not need showbiz connections to become a global superstar. Sandler has left his comedic mark on three decades of stage, screen, and song. 

Adam’s lasting appeal has earned more than $2 billion at the box office. TV audiences got to know him as a writer and performer on SNL during the early ‘90s. Forty-four films include Billy Madison (1995), Happy Gilmore (1996), The Waterboy (1998), The Wedding Singer (1998), Big Daddy (1999), Mr. Deeds (2002), 50 First Dates (2004), The Longest Yard (2005), Click (2006), Grown Ups (2010), Just Go With It (2011), Grown Ups II (2013), Blended (2014) and Murder Mystery (2019), that achieved the biggest opening weekend for a film in the company’s history (source: Netflix).

Adam Sandler remains a consistent favorite among fans who are comforted that they will always have a good time. Get the inside story on this fascinating actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, husband, father, and forever FUNNY GUY.

The feature-length biography ‘Adam Sandler: Funny Guy’ is now available on Amazon Prime.  https://amzn.to/2IS9xcX

Directed by Danielle Winter, produced by Dana Webber, ‘Adam Sandler: Funny Guy’ is distributed by Legacy Distribution. 

YouTube Trailer: https://bit.ly/33hAXAb

Warner Bros. Pictures’ WONDER WOMAN 1984 Flies To Historic Simultaneous Release In Theaters And On HBO Max In The U.S. On Christmas Day

 

Warner Bros. Pictures’ WONDER WOMAN 1984 Flies To Historic Simultaneous Release In Theaters And On HBO Max In The U.S. On Christmas Day Film To Debut Theatrically Starting On December 16 In International Markets

Today, Warner Bros. Pictures announced that its highly anticipated superhero tentpole film WONDER WOMAN 1984 will be released simultaneously in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming platform in the U.S. on December 25, while debuting theatrically in international markets a week earlier starting on December 16. The film will be available for a month on HBO Max in the U.S. included at no additional cost to subscribers.   “As we navigate these unprecedented times, we’ve had to be innovative in keeping our businesses moving forward while continuing to super-serve our fans,” said Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO, WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which includes Warner Bros. Pictures. “This is an amazing film that really comes to life on the big screen and, working with our partners in the exhibition community, we will provide that option to consumers in the U.S. where theaters are open. We realize that a lot of consumers can’t go back to the movies due to the pandemic, so we also want to give them the option to see WONDER WOMAN 1984 via our HBO Max platform.”   “We appreciate how patient audiences have been and given the great anticipation around WONDER WOMAN 1984 we are grateful to be able to make this terrifically entertaining movie widely available in these challenging times,” said Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.   Fast forward to the 1980s as Wonder Woman’s next big screen adventure finds her facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah.    With director Patty Jenkins back at the helm and Gal Gadot returning in the title role, “Wonder Woman 1984” is Warner Bros. Pictures’ follow up to the DC Super Hero’s first outing, 2017’s record-breaking “Wonder Woman,” which took in $822 million at the worldwide box office. The film also stars Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Kristen Wiig as The Cheetah, Pedro Pascal as Max Lord, Robin Wright as Antiope, and Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta.    Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Patty Jenkins, Gal Gadot and Stephen Jones are producing the film. Rebecca Steel Roven Oakley, Richard Suckle, Marianne Jenkins, Geoff Johns, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo and Wesley Coller are the executive producers.    Patty Jenkins directed from a screenplay she wrote with Geoff Johns & David Callaham, story by Jenkins & Johns, based on characters from DC. Joining the director behind the scenes are several members of her “Wonder Woman” team, including director of photography Matthew Jensen, Oscar-nominated production designer Aline Bonetto (“Amélie”), and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“Topsy-Turvy”). Oscar-nominated editor Richard Pearson (“United 93”) is cutting the film. The music is by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“Dunkirk,” “The Lion King”).    Warner Bros. Pictures Presents an Atlas Entertainment/Stone Quarry Production, a Patty Jenkins Film, “Wonder Woman 1984.” Set to open in domestic theaters on December 25, 2020 in 2D and 3D in select theaters and IMAX, it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.  The film will also premiere on HBO Max in the U.S. on December 25, 2020.   This film is rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence.

EXPERIENCE THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF TOP-SELLING BLUES GUITARIST JOE BONAMASSA GUITAR MAN On Video-On-Demand and Digital December 8, 2020

 HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Discover the extraordinary story of legendary bluesman Joe Bonamassa in the inspirational documentaryGUITAR MAN, arriving on Video-On-Demand and for Digital purchase December 8, 2020 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

 

From average Joe by day to guitar hero at night,GUITAR MAN tells the incredible rise of blues-rocker Joe Bonamassa, whose hard work and determination have made him one of today’s top-selling blues artists. With more #1 Blues albums than anyone else in history, Bonamassa pulls back the curtain on his incredible career, allowing us to see his remarkable musical achievements and pioneering style. Featuring behind the scenes interviews and live concert footage showcasing some of the biggest names in music, kick back and enjoy the exhilarating soundtrack of his phenomenal life.

 

GUITAR MAN showcases Bonamassa’s astounding talent from his childhood as a "wunderkind" discovered and mentored by Blues legend B.B. King.  At the age of only 43, Bonamassa has an illustrious career spanning over three decades.  Through highs and lows, Joe persevered, taking his musical journey into his own hands to overcome challenges and reach his goals. In 2009, Bonamassa fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall and was joined on stage by Eric Clapton, marking a pivotal moment that elevated his music to the next level.

 

Filled with an abundance of music, live concert footage, and interviews with music industry legends, GUITAR MAN chronicles a musician growing in his craft, traveling the  globe, collaborating with top artists from across the world of music, and ascending to the heights of inevitable success.

COMING TO BLU-RAY™ & DIGITAL DECEMBER 8

 Just in time for the 30^th anniversary of The Godfather: Part III, director/screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola has re-edited the final film in his epic Godfather trilogy. 

 

This new version, entitled Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, achieves Coppola and screenwriter Puzo’s original vision for the finale, which has been meticulously restored for the finest presentation of the Corleone saga’s last chapter. 

 

Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone will be available on Blu-ray & Digital December 8from Paramount Home Entertainment.

 

SYNOPSIS | Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone follows Michael Corleone, now in his 60s, as he seeks to free his family from crime and find a suitable successor to his empire.

 

Runtime | 157 Minutes

Rating | R for violence and language

 

#GodfatherCoda

Release Dates:              Now in Select Theaters, On Demand and On Digital

                                       On DVD December 15

Directed By:                   Seth Savoy

Written By:                    Kevin Bernhardt, Jason Miller, Seth Savoy

Starring:                         Patrick Schwarzenegger, Gilles Geary, Hayley Law, Jacob Alexander, Oliver Cooper, Kate Linder, Lesley Ann Warren, Alex Pettyfer, Michael Shannon

Synopsis:                       Two-time Academy Award® nominee Michael Shannon (Knives Out) stars in this gripping crime-thriller with pulse-pounding twists and turns. Recent college graduate Lance Zutterland (Patrick Schwarzenegger) leaves school in debt, realizing everything he had worked towards was built on a lie. When he is pulled into a criminal operation, he finds his peers fighting the system by stealing from the rich and giving to…themselves. With nothing to lose, they leave behind a trail of destruction but with the cops closing in, tensions mount and Lance soon discovers he is in over his head with no way out.

Genre:                            Thriller, Action

Run Time:                      94 Minutes

Rating:                           R for drug use and pervasive language

 

Paramount Anniversary Editions Now Available!

 HE GRIFTERS

30th Anniversary on December 5^th

 

Oscar winner Anjelica Huston, John Cusack and Annette Bening star in this acclaimed hit, directed by Stephen Frears (The Queen). When small-time cheat Roy Dillon (Cusack) winds up in the hospital following an unsuccessful scam, it sets up a confrontation between his estranged mother Lilly (Huston) and sexy girlfriend Myra (Bening). Both Lilly and Myra are ruthless con-artists playing the game in a league far above Roy... and they're always looking for their next victim.  Soon, it's a question of who's conning who as Roy finds himself caught in a complicated web of passion and mistrust.

 

GENRE:             Drama, Thriller

CAST:                Anjelica Huston, John Cusack, Annette Bening

KEY QUOTE:      Laws are made to be broken, aren't they?

·       Independent Spirit Award for Best Film

·        Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes

·       Directed by Stephen Frears and produced by Martin Scorsese

·        Based on the novel by Jim Thompson

 

Available now on Digital.

 

THE FIGHTER

10th Anniversary on December 10^th

 

Mark Wahlberg stars in this biopic following the remarkable rise of Massachusetts-born lightweight title winner "Irish" Micky Ward. A determined pugilist whose career in the ring was shepherded by his loyal half-brother, Dicky (Christian Bale) -- a hard-living boxer-turned-trainer whose own career in the ring was nearly sent down for the count due to drugs and crime -- perennial underdog Micky rebounded from a disheartening series of defeats to win both the WBU Intercontinental Lightweight title and the WBU Light Welterweight title thanks to a fierce combination of determination and hard work.

 

GENRE:             Drama, Sports

CAST:                Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo

KEY QUOTE:      This is your time, all right? You take it.

·       Golden Globe Winner – Best Picture, Drama

·       Directed by David O. Russell (American Hustle)

 

Available now on Blu-ray^™, DVD or Digital.

 

POPEYE

40th Anniversary on December 12^th

 

The beloved anvil-armed sailor of the seven seas comes magically to life in this delightful musical starring Robin Williams as Popeye and directed by Robert Altman (Nashville). Shelley Duvall is Popeye's devoted long-limbed sweetie, Olive Oyl, one of many loveable characters who join the “sailor man” in his adventures in the harbor town of Sweethaven.

 

GENRE:             Family, Comedy, Musical

CAST:                Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall, Ray Walston

KEY QUOTE:       I yam what I yam.

·        Robin Williams’ first starring film role 

·         Directed by Oscar^® winner Robert Altman

 

On Blu-ray for the first time December 1 with new Bonus Content.  Also available on DVD or Digital.

 

WHAT WOMEN WANT

20th Anniversary on December 15^th

 

A successful advertising exec, Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) has the world and its women at his fingertips. Or so he thinks. The world of advertising is fast becoming a woman's world and slick-talking, chauvinistic Nick is out of touch. Enter Darcy McGuire (Helen Hunt). Darcy is hired by the ad agency as Nick's superior to bring a woman's perspective to the waning firm, in a bid to win new clients from the untapped women's market. But Nick's problems are just beginning. To his dismay, a freak accident allows Nick to hear the thoughts of all the women around him.

 

GENRE:             Comedy, Romance

CAST:                Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei, Alan Alda, Judy Greer, Bette Midler

KEY QUOTE:      What kind of knight in shining armor would I be if the man I love needs rescuing and I just let him walk out my door?

·         $374 Million Worldwide Box Office

·       Directed by Nancy Meyers (Something’s Gotta Give)

     

Available now on DVD or Digital.

 

LOVE STORY

50th Anniversary on December 17^th

 

One of the most romantic movies of all time is still as impactful as ever.  Nominated for seven Academy Awards^®, including Best Picture, and based on Erich Segal’s bestselling novel that defined a generation, it’s a timeless, unmatched tale from the heart. Oliver (Ryan O’Neal) and Jenny (Ali MacGraw) come from opposite backgrounds, but they share a chemistry they cannot deny—and a love they can’t ignore. Despite Oliver’s wealthy father threatening to disown him, the young couple marries and begins to build their new life together. But fate has other plans, and soon Oliver and Jenny face a crisis only the strongest of loves can endure.

 

GENRE:             Drama, Romance

CAST:                Ali MacGraw, Ryan O'Neal, John Marley, Ray Milland, Tommy Lee Jones

KEY QUOTE:      Love means never having to say you’re sorry

·        $136+ Million Worldwide Box Office

·        The success of this film, and later The Godfather, saved Paramount from bankruptcy 

·        Nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture 

 

Newly restored version coming in 2021.  Available on Digital now.

 

 

ARTISTS AND MODELS

65th Anniversary on December 20^th

 

Martin and Lewis run amok with spies, models and Shirley MacLaine! Artist Dean Martin can't come up with ideas for his horror comic-book series. Luckily, his mild-mannered roommate Jerry Lewis dreams 'em up (literally). Jerry talks in his sleep, Dean takes dictation and everybody's happy... until Jerry's dreams turn telepathic and Russian spies get in on the act! Martin and Lewis tear through one of their zaniest comedies, tossing one-liners, songs and sight gags around like confetti.

 

GENRE:             Comedy, Musical

CAST:                Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Shirley MacLaine, Dorothy Malone, Eva Gabor

KEY QUOTE:      Lady, if I'd known he was going to kiss you, I wouldn't have sent a boy to do a man's job.

      ·         One of the most beloved Martin and Lewis movies

 

Available now on Digital.

 

 

 

TRUE GRIT (2010)

10th Anniversary on December 22^ND

 

Reimagined by the Coen Brothers, the powerful story of vengeance and valor earned 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is determined to avenge her father's blood by capturing Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), the man who shot and killed him for two pieces of gold. Just 14 years old, she enlists the help of Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a one-eyed, trigger-happy U.S. Marshall with an affinity for drinking, and hardened Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) to track the fleeing Chaney. Despite their differences, their ruthless determination leads them on a perilous adventure that can only have one outcome: retribution. 

 

GENRE:             Western, Drama

CAST:                Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin

KEY QUOTE:      There is nothing free except the grace of God.

·         Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 96% score

·         Directed by the Coen Brothers

·         Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture

 

Available now on Blu-ray, DVD or Digital.

 

WES CRAVEN PRESENTS:DRACULA 2000

20th Anniversary on December 22^nd

 

Master of horror Wes Craven (Scream) presents a sexy, modern-day, adaptation of the classic gothic thriller. When a team of techno-savvy thieves break into a high-security vault, they don't discover priceless works of art… they find a crypt unopened for 100 years. Suddenly, the ancient terror of Dracula is unleashed, and his first destination is America and the exotic city of New Orleans – a place where he feels right at home.

 

GENRE:             Horror, Action

CAST:                Gerard Butler, Christopher Plummer, Jonny Lee Miller, Jennifer Esposito

KEY QUOTE:      I don't drink... coffee.

                    ·      Cult classic, spawning two additional films

 

Available now on Digital or in the Dracula 3-Movie Collection on DVD.

 

                    

DAKOTA

75th Anniversary on December 25^th

 

In 1871 Dakota, two crooked businessmen oppose the local wheat farmers and the railroad development in order to control the town of Fargo. Under John Devlin's (John Wayne) direction, the farmers organize and engage in a fierce shootout in the midst of wheat fields set ablaze by the gang.

 

GENRE:             Western, Drama

CAST:                John Wayne, Vera Ralston, Walter Brennan

KEY QUOTE:      Where we're going, there are only two parties: the quick and the dead.

·         A John Wayne classic from the Republic Pictures library

 

Available now on Digital or on Blu-ray or DVD from Kino Lorber.