ARRIVAL -- Blu-ray Review by Porfle

 Originally posted on 2/19/17

 

There are at least two kinds of sci-fi movies that I love.  One is the slam-bang space opera with explosions in space, spaceships having dogfights in space, and/or space monsters destroying the world before returning to outer space.  These are awesome and I wouldn't dream of looking down my nose at them because they're just so much dumb fun.

The other kind of sci-fi movie I love is the kind that's good because it's just so much smart fun.  Movies such as 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, DEEP IMPACT, and CONTACT.  I love them because they present scintillating scenarios and ideas which are often both illuminating and, in the best cases, mind-expanding.  And they explore these things in relation to how they would affect humanity in the really-real world. 

With ARRIVAL (2016), you get all that in addition to the kind of intensely emotional situations that can only exist in science fiction.

Upon the arrival of 12 massive egg-shaped spaceships which park themselves over various locations around the world, linguistics expert Louise Banks (Amy Adams, THE MASTER, SUNSHINE CLEANING, STILL STANDING) is pressed into service by the government to help establish contact with the aliens, an experience that will dovetail in ways she can't yet imagine with the tragic death of her daughter Hannah, whom we see in fleeting flashbacks. 

Director Denis Villeneuve turns this into a gorgeously-photographed dreamlike journey for her and us in which we're never really able to recover from the disorienting unreality of the situation. 

The hard-edged military protocol of the base camp adjoining one of the ships (embodied by Forest Whitaker's no-nonsense "Colonel Weber") and all the scientific mumbo-jumbo that's thrown around only serve to make Louise's entry into the mysterious craft and her attempts to communicate with its ultra-strange occupants seems even more breathlessly surreal.

Memories of her daughter keep haunting her throughout the experience, visions which are seemingly unstuck in time as Louise is drawn into the aliens' non-linear concept of past, present, and future.  Scenes of her inside the cavernous spaceship, interacting with her otherworldly counterparts on an increasingly emotional level, are among the most compelling and thought-provoking of any I've seen in any sci-fi film.

In addition to this ARRIVAL deals in a fascinating way with the catastrophic effects such an event would have on humanity on a global scale.  Much of this is conveyed by news reports of violent societal upheaval (without, for once, a bunch of CNN personalities playing themselves badly) and the growing paranoia of various government leaders who are inching toward war against the outworlders. 

The juxtaposition between the genuine desire for peaceful understanding and empathy shown by Louise and her science-expert cohort Ian (Jeremy Renner, "Hawkeye" in the AVENGERS movies) and the increasingly hostile attitude displayed by Earth's military leaders is jarring.

It also leads to some of the film's most suspenseful and disturbing moments, especially when a mutinous faction within Colonel Weber's own ranks devises a plot to sabotage the ship.

But despite the dramatic urgency of this global countdown to interplanetary war, much of the story is devoted to diligent cerebral research and detective work along with Louise's own intense emotional journey through the whole experience and how profoundly it changes her life. 

Amy Adams is a joy to watch as she fully inhabits the role of the pensive yet passionate Louise, with Jeremy Renner providing capable support as Ian.  Forest Whitaker (THE MARSH, PAWN, CATCH .44, HURRICANE SEASON), of course, is pretty much a national treasure by now and can do no wrong.

SPFX are as fine as modern CGI can devise, but it's the full-scale ship interior that's most impressive.  I won't go into the appearance of the aliens or the nature of their written language, which both Louise and Ian struggle mightily to make sense of, but both are sufficiently bizarre.  All other aspects of the production are first-rate. 

The Blu-ray from Paramount Home Media Distribution is widescreen with Dolby 5.1 stereo in English, French, and Spanish and subtitles in English.  Also included is a download code for a digital HD copy.  Bonus features consist of lengthy featurettes (over 80 minutes total) including "Xenolinguistics: Understanding 'Arrival'", "Acoustic Signature: The Sound Design", "Eternal Recurrence: The Score", "Nonlinear Thinking: The Editing Process", and "Principles of Time, Memory, and Language."

ARRIVAL is slow and thoughtful, but continuously fascinating--it never lags or loses interest for those serious sci-fi lovers who are truly along for the ride.  And the ending delivers the kind of thought-provoking yet deeply emotional payoff that should leave them contemplating certain mysteries of life, love, and the universe for some time to come.  


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ARRIVAL -- Blu-ray Review by Porfle

XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE -- Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD Review by Porfle

 (Originally posted May 17, 2017)

Whatever you may think about Vin Diesel's brand new chapter in the "XXX" series, XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE (2016), it does serve a vital purpose. 

Namely, to give my DVDs of all those cool hardcore action flicks from the 80s and 90s a breather.  You know, back when they knew how to make kickass, uncomplicated, manly action epics that delivered the goods without taking themselves too seriously.

That's exactly what this--what's that word--"high octane" blast of damn-near nonstop action does from the very first minutes when Vin's Xander Cage character, whom we thought was dead but merely faked his death, starts out doing something wildly unbelievable which we know the movie's going to have to top.  And which it most definitely will, repeatedly.

 

With Xander's former boss Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson) currently indisposed, it falls to icily efficient intelligence exec Jane Marke (Toni Collette, THE DEAD GIRL, THE SIXTH SENSE) to recruit the reluctant ex-agent to help stop a plot in which a stolen remote control device called "Pandora's Box" is sending satellites crashing into cities with devastating effect. 

Eschewing the brawny military types assigned to him in the most exquisitely dismissive manner imaginable, Xander gathers his own team of badasses, each with his or her own special skills.  They'll need them, too, because they're going up against an equally insane group of adversaries which includes the likes of both Tony Jaa (the ONG BOK series) and team leader Donnie Yen (KILL ZONE, IP MAN). 

Needless to say, this paves the way for some of the most intense, mind-blowing action sequences in years, with excellent fight and stunt choreography, and direction  (by D.J. Caruso, THE DISAPPOINTMENTS ROOM, DISTURBIA) and editing that make things snap without using too much Shaky-cam or incomprehensibly quick cuts. 

 

The plot, which manages a few interesting surprises here and there, moves briskly along with few slow spots and a pleasant balance between "serious" and "comedy."  Vin, of course, is an old hand at this sort of thing and, knowing a good thing when he's in it, makes the most of this chance to be the ultimate Mr. Cool once again.

This means we might as well go into it knowing that (a) Xander is going to be unbelievably, superhumanly cool and able to do anything, including jumping out of a doomed airplane without a parachute, and (b) the situations and dialogue are going to be totally over-the-top and, at times, a little bit dumb.  But you know what?  Sometimes dumb is fun, and vice versa.

So okay, XXX is the toughest, the most badass, the most virile (he plows his way through a whole group of sex-starved babes and leaves them all slumbering contentedly in the morning), the most insanely resourceful S.O.B. when the chips are down--basically, the most everything. 

 

What makes this acceptable is the fact that the film knows it's over-the-top and even kind of silly, which it totally works like crazy because, in addition to being a straight action movie, it's also basically a giddy-fun, spoofy exaggeration of straight action movies. 

I'm sure some less enthusiastic viewers will be glad to point out all the ways in which this movie is unforgivably dumb.  As for me, I love the gritty, highly improbable action, the rogue's gallery of fascinating characters (played by a terrific international cast), the dazzling fight choreography, the amazing stunts, the Bond-level gadgets, and the cool special effects (including, fittingly enough, some "iffy" wirework). 

Mostly, I like XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE because it's just plain fun, and will make a worthy addition to my roster of "go-to" old-school action flicks.

-----------



Tech Specs 
 
This Paramount feature comes in a combo pack with Blu-ray and DVD discs along with a code to download a digital HD copy.  The Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD compatible), French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. 

The DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.

Bonuses on the Blu-ray consist of the featurettes "Third Time’s the Charm: Xander Returns", "Rebels, Tyrants & Ghosts: The Cast", "Opening Pandora’s Box: On Location", "I Live for This Sh#t!: Stunts", and a gag reel. The DVD contains the feature film in standard definition.

Street Date:            May 2, 2017 (Digital HD)
May 16, 2017 (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD)   
U.S. Rating:       PG-13 for extended sequences of gunplay and violent action, and for sexual material and language
Canadian Rating:    14A violence, language may offend

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XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE -- Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD Review by Porfle

BEN-HUR -- Blu-ray/DVD Review by Porfle

 

Originally posted on 12/13/16

 

First things first--there's this Best Picture-winning classic from 1959 called BEN-HUR, and any remake of it is likely to suffer in comparison.  As will anyone else who plays the title role besides the great Charlton Heston, or anyone else who plays Judah Ben-Hur's adoptive brother Messala besides Stephen Boyd, or any other spectacular climactic chariot race that isn't the original spectacular climactic chariot race.

If, however, you can manage to get past all that (which I myself eventually managed to do to one degree or another), while remembering that the 1959 version is itself a remake of the equally spectacular silent version with Ramon Navarro and Francis X. Bushman, then the 2016 remake of BEN-HUR (Paramount Home Media Distribution) can be a rewarding as well as delightfully entertaining experience.

Based on General Lew Wallace's wildly-successful 1880 novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ", the story takes place in A.D.33 Jerusalem and is all about the loving yet highly competitive relationship between Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston, SHROOMS), a Jew, and his adoptive brother Messala (Toby Kebbell, WILDERNESS), a Roman, during a time when the Roman occupation is becoming ever more oppressive.

Complications ensue when Judah and his family are blamed for an attempt on the life of Pontius Pilate (Pilou Asbæk, LUCY), and Messala, now an officer in the Roman army, is forced to take sides against them.  With the brothers now mortal enemies, Judah's family disappears into captivity while he himself begins the drudgery-filled dead-end life of a galley slave. 

But a twist of fate allows Judah to escape during a sea battle against the Greeks, whereupon he is taken in by African entrepreneur Ilderim (Morgan Freeman, THE DARK KNIGHT, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION) and allowed to enter the man's chariot in a thrilling race which will pit him against his brother Messala, the Roman champion. 

If that chariot race is the main thing you're curious about, you're not the only one.  I was chomping at the bit throughout the entire film leading up to it, and when it finally got under way, it proved to be exceptionally well-done and exciting.

 

The oval track itself was built on the Cinecittà Studios lot in Rome (much of the rest of the film was done at Cinecittà as well) and filled in with CGI to create a suitably majestic backdrop for this breathtaking sequence.  Jerusalem itself is an actual city in Italy that serves as a stunning representation of the ancient setting.

As always, the use of digital effects detracts from the kind of real-world splendor and excitement we got in the pre-CGI days, but here, the effects are integrated well enough into the live footage to augment it very well. 

As for the stunts, the sequence is loaded with visceral thrills that make it, if not superior to previous versions, at least worthy to stand alongside them. Younger viewers unfamiliar with the story will no doubt see here the inspiration for the podrace sequence in THE PHANTOM MENACE.

 

The film boasts other notable action scenes as well.  Earlier in the story, we see glimpses of furious battles during which Messala rises within the ranks of the Roman military.  Later comes the spectacular sea battle, most of which we see from Judah's limited point of view as the galley slaves, toiling at the oars, experience a grueling ordeal of terror and death while unseen carnage rages around them.  Again, the CGI in this sequence is superb. 

There's a modicum of romance, mainly between Judah and his great love Esther (Nazanin Boniadi, IRON MAN), the daughter of a slave.  Most of the film's true sentiment, however, is focused upon the relationship between the two brothers, Judah's attempts to locate his missing mother and sister, and, most importantly, his spiritual awakening. 

Here, his life intersects poignantly at key points with that of a humble, peace-loving carpenter named Jesus Christ, whose eventual crucifixion as an enemy of Rome gives the film one of its most heartrending sequences.

As Judah, Huston is no Heston, but for this more modest version of BEN-HUR--relatively speaking--it makes sense to have more of a smaller-than-life hero.  Morgan Freeman plays his usual "sage old mentor" character while looking a bit like a cross between Whoopi Goldberg and the alien from PREDATOR.  The rest of the cast perform adequately. 

Direction by Timur Bekmambetov (ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER) is good although I would've preferred less "jittery-cam" and more traditional camerawork.  As mentioned before, the Italian locations are stunning, and well-served by their digital augmentations.  There are some amusing anachronisms in the dialogue, as when Judah cries out during some early horseplay, "ARE WE HAVING FUN NOW, BROTHER?" and later when a dazzled Messala exclaims "Wow!"

The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from Paramount Home Media Distribution contains a Blu-ray disc with special features, a DVD disc with the film by itself, and access to a Digital HD version of the film.  The Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  The DVD in the combo pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.

Extras consist of the featurettes "Ben-Hur: The Legacy", "The Epic Cast", "A Tale for Our Times", and "The Chariot Race", along with deleted & extended scenes and related music videos.

While seldom on the same epic scale as its predecessors, this latest retelling of BEN-HUR does benefit from an earnest sincerity in its dramatic scenes, even when they don't quite move us to the degree intended.  And--most importantly, of course--the action scenes deliver exactly what we're looking for when we watch a movie like this, and plenty of it.

BEN-HUR -- Blu-ray/DVD Review by Porfle

LOVING -- Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD Review by Porfle

 Originally posted on 2/5/17

 

Subtlety is hardly the hallmark of your usual racially-charged potboiler about injustice in the late 1950s-early 1960s American South.  Which is why LOVING (2016), the fact-based account of a black woman and a white man arrested in the state of Virginia in 1958 for the crime of being married, is such a rare experience. 

As the title proclaims, it's a love story, although the love between Richard and Mildred Loving is one they have to fight for.

The trouble is, these simple country people aren't warriors.  Richard is a bricklayer, quiet and unassuming.  Mildred, homemaker and soon-to-be mother, shares these qualities.  They just want to live their lives together and raise a family in the place where they themselves were born. 

After a Virginia court forces them out of the state lest they go to prison on felony charges, the two take up residence in Washington, D.C., but their hearts yearn for home and family.  This gets them into trouble when they return in order for Richard's mother, a professional midwife, to deliver Mildred's first child. 

In a film with no broad, melodramatic strokes, there's a day-to-day realism that gently draws us in and lead performances which are quietly effective.  Joel Edgerton (REVENGE OF THE SITH, THE GIFT, OPEN WINDOW) plays Richard as utterly well-meaning, taciturn almost to a fault, and dedicated to nothing more than providing for his family.

Physically, Edgerton, with his blonde buzzcut and guileless face, reminds me of a cross between Dennis Quaid and the kid who played "Phil" in the "Mr. Bungle" educational film that Pee Wee Herman used to show.  He's often similarly childlike and naive, and doesn't understand why the state of Virginia can't just leave him and his wife in peace.

 

As Mildred, Ruth Negga ("Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.", WORLD WAR Z) shares this reserved disposition until the burgeoning civil rights struggle of the early 60s compels her character to replace passivity with a growing resolve.  It begins with a letter to Bobby Kennedy, who passes it along to a zealous young ACLU lawyer named Bernie Cohen (Nick Kroll) with an eye toward taking the case to the Supreme Court and, just maybe, changing the Constitution.

But LOVING isn't a courtroom drama, and most of the legal matters occur in the periphery as Richard and Mildred continue trying to make the best of things, secretly taking up residence close to their birthplace in Virginia where they dream of finally settling down.

Constantly, the specter of intolerance hangs over them as in the person of a cold, unyielding sheriff (Marton Csokas, LORD OF THE RINGS, ROMULUS MY FATHER, JACK BROWN GENIUS) and various other potentially threatening townspeople. 

Despite the film's stately pace and lack of sensationalism, we're kept on edge with the knowledge that the idyllic existence the Lovings so desperately desire is susceptible to violent attack at any moment. 

Still, we're spared most of the dreadful, lurid excesses of so many other films of this nature, allowing writer/director Jeff Nichols (MIDNIGHT SPECIAL) to indulge himself and us in a sweetly and deeply emotional exploration of the symbiotic relationship between the two main characters--Mildred, quietly supportive but increasingly assertive in the face of adversity, and Richard, who defers to her as long as he can simply continue to lead his life as a good husband and father. 

Much of the backdrop for this story consists of actual locations and the period atmosphere is impeccably rendered.  (Classic car lovers will have a field day.)  The film is pictorially rich, and Nichols directs with a skill and restraint that always best serve the story without calling attention to his craft. 

The 2-disc set from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment contains Blu-ray and DVD versions of the film as well as instructions for downloading a digital HD copy.  Soundtracks and subtitles are available in English, Spanish, and French.  Bonus features include a thoughtful director's commentary as well as the following featurettes: "Making Loving", "A Loving Ensemble", "Loving v. Virginia", and "Virginia: A Loving Backdrop."

The historical importance of this story, of course, is legendary, yet LOVING is the kind of heartfelt personal drama that works its magic with a slow, deceptive subtlety whose cumulative impact is only realized in its final moments.  Indeed, it wasn't until the epilogue, when I felt tears rolling down my cheeks, that I suddenly realized just how effective LOVING really is.  

Buy it at Amazon.com:
Blu-ray
DVD

This title will be released on February 7, 2017.

LOVING -- Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD Review by Porfle

Brad Pitt in "ALLIED" - Now Available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs

“Magnificent.  Immensely entertaining.”
— Scott Mantz, “Access Hollywood”

“Brilliant in every way.”
— Mark S. Allen, ABC-TV

BRAD PITT AND MARION COTILLARD STAR IN DIRECTOR ROBERT ZEMECKIS’ INTENSE THRILLER

Epic Drama Arrives on 4K Ultra HD™ and Blu-ray™ Combo Packs February 28, 2017
Digital HD Debuts Two Weeks Early on February 14

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.  – Hailed as “gripping, powerful, and epic ” (Scott Mantz, “Access Hollywood”) Academy Award®-winning* director Robert Zemeckis’ (Forrest Gump, Cast Away) seductive thriller ALLIED makes its home entertainment debut on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand February 28, 2017 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.  The film arrives two weeks early on Digital HD February 14.

Oscar® winners Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard star as Max Vatan and Marianne Beauséjour, two of the world’s deadliest spies, who fall in love while undercover on a top-secret mission and marry during World War II.  But when Max learns his wife may be secretly conspiring with the enemy, he has only 72 hours to prove her innocence and save his family before he must do the unthinkable. 

The film features an outstanding supporting cast  including Lizzy Caplan (“Masters of Sex”), Jared Harris (“The Crown”), August Diehl (Inglourious Basterds) and Matthew Goode (“Downton Abbey”).  In addition, ALLIED’s sumptuous and unforgettable costumes earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design.

The ALLIED 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs include over an hour of behind-the-scenes special features, with in-depth looks at the film’s production design, costumes, cast, visual effects, vehicles, music and more.

ALLIED Blu-ray Combo Pack
The ALLIED Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  The combo pack includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film as well as the following:

Blu-ray
⦁    Feature film in high definition
⦁    Bonus Content:
⦁    Story of Allied
⦁    From Stages to the Sahara: The Production Design of Allied
⦁    Through the Lens: Directing with Robert Zemeckis
⦁    A Stitch in Time: The Costumes of Allied
⦁    ‘Til Death Do Us Part: Max and Marianne
⦁    Guys and Gals: The Ensemble Cast
⦁    Lights, Pixels, ACTION! The Visual Effects of Allied
⦁    Behind the Wheel: The Vehicles of Allied
⦁    Locked and Loaded: The Weapons of Allied
⦁    That Swingin’ Sound: The Music of Allied

ALLIED 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Fans can enjoy the ultimate viewing experience with the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, which includes the Blu-ray detailed above, as well as an Ultra HD Disc presented in 4K Ultra HD with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description with English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The Combo Pack also includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack and 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack available for purchase include a Digital HD Version of the film that can be accessed through UltraViolet™, a way to collect, access and enjoy movies.  With UltraViolet, consumers can add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them—reliably and securely—to a variety of devices.   

ALLIED Single-Disc DVD
The single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  The disc includes the feature film in standard definition.

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Paramount Pictures presents a GK Films production of a Robert Zemeckis film:  Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard “Allied.”  Music composed and conducted by Alan Silvestri.  Executive producers Patrick McCormick, Steven Knight, Denis O’Sullivan, Jack Rapke and Jacqueline Levine.  Produced by Graham King, p.g.a., Robert Zemeckis, p.g.a. and Steve Starkey, p.g.a.  Written by Steven Knight.  Directed by Robert Zemeckis.

About Paramount Home Media Distribution
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), home to premier media brands that create television programs, motion pictures, consumer products, and digital content for audiences in 180 countries and territories.  The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment and transactional digital distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles.  PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and transactional distribution across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies. 

ALLIED
Street Date:            February 28, 2017 (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand)
            February 14, 2017 (Digital HD)
U.S. Rating:       R for violence, some sexuality/nudity, language and brief drug use
Canadian Rating:    14A for sexual content, violence

“ACADEMY AWARD®” and “OSCAR®” are registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Brad Pitt in "ALLIED" - Now Available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs

"HACKSAW RIDGE" Now Available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD

“The best war film since Saving Private Ryan”
⦁    Rex Reed, New York Observer

Nominated for Three Golden Globes Including
Best Motion Picture - Drama

From Academy Award®-Winning Director Mel Gibson*, the Inspirational WWII Film Arrives on Digital HD February 7 and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-rayTM Combo Pack and DVD on February 21 from Lionsgate

SANTA MONICA, CA (December 19, 2016) – Based in the incredible true story of one man’s faith, strength and courage during one of the bloodiest battles of WWII, the Golden Globe®-nominated Hacksaw Ridge arrives on Digital HD on February 7 and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital HD), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD and On Demand February 21 from Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE Company. From Academy Award®-winning director Mel Gibson (Best Picture, Braveheart, 1995), with  screenplay by Robert Schenkkan (The Quiet American) and Andrew Knight (The Water Diviner), Hacksaw Ridge features breathtaking visual effects and stunning production design and has been nominated for three Golden Globes®: Best Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture, and Best Actor – Motion Picture for Andrew Garfield. Garfield (The Amazing Spider-man) gives a moving performance as American hero Desmond Doss, alongside an all-star cast, including Sam Worthington (Avatar), Luke Bracey (Point Break), Teresa Palmer (Warm Bodies), Hugo Weaving (The Lord of the Rings franchise), Rachel Griffiths (Saving Mr. Banks), and Vince Vaughn (HBO’s “True Detective”).

Hacksaw Ridge is the extraordinary true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun. He was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, as he believed that while the war was justified, killing was nevertheless wrong. As an army medic, he single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers, was wounded by a grenade, and hit by snipers. Doss was the first conscientious objector to ever earn the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital HD releases feature an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the film in “The Soul of War: Making Hacksaw Ridge,” a comprehensive documentary detailing the making of the film, including the real-life people and story, casting, filming, special effects and stunts with interviews from Mel Gibson, Andrew Garfield and others. In addition, the release will contain deleted scenes and a special Veterans Day Greeting from Mel Gibson. The DVD will feature the special Veterans Day Greeting. The 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray discs of Hacksaw Ridge will feature Dolby Atmos audio remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. Hacksaw Ridge will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99 and $29.95, respectively.

4K/BLU-RAY/ DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES
⦁    “The Soul of War: Making Hacksaw Ridge” Documentary
⦁    Veterans Day Greeting with Mel Gibson
⦁    Deleted Scenes

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
⦁    Veterans Day Greeting with Mel Gibson

*Best Director, Braveheart, 1995

                         Watch the Trailer:


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Facebook: facebook.com/HacksawRidge
Instagram: @HacksawRidge
Twitter: @HacksawRidge

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 2016
Title Copyright: © 2016 Cosmos Filmed Entertainment Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Type: Theatrical Release
Rating: R for Intense Prolonged Realistically Graphic Sequences of War Violence Including Grisly Bloody Images
Genre: Action, War, Drama
Closed Captioned:  N/A
Subtitles: Spanish, English SDH
Feature Run Time: 139 minutes
4K UHD Format: 2160p Ultra High Definition 16x9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
BD Format: 1080p High Definition 16x9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
DVD Format: 16x9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
4K UHD Audio: English Dolby Atmos, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio Optimized for Late-Night Listening
BD Audio: English Dolby Atmos, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio Optimized for Late-Night Listening, English Descriptive Audio
DVD Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English Descriptive Audio

ABOUT DOLBY ATMOS
Dolby Atmos delivers moving audio — sound that can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in three-dimensional space, including overhead. It brings entertainment alive all around the audience in a powerfully immersive and emotive experience. To learn more about Dolby Atmos, visit dolby.com/Atmos.

ABOUT LIONSGATE
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) is a vertically integrated next generation global content leader with a diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, premium pay television networks, home entertainment, global distribution and sales, interactive ventures and games and location-based entertainment.

With the acquisition of Starz, Lionsgate adds to its portfolio of businesses the flagship STARZ premium pay network serving nearly 25 million subscribers and the STARZ ENCORE platform with over 31 million subscribers.  The combined company will operate five over-the-top (OTT) streaming services and the Starz app delivering content directly to consumers.

The Company’s feature film business spans eight labels and includes the blockbuster Hunger Games franchise, the Now You See Me and John Wick series, the Golden Globe-nominated La La Land, Hacksaw Ridge and Hell or High Water (in partnership with CBS Films),  Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween, Roadside Attractions' critically-acclaimed Manchester by the Sea, Codeblack Films’ concert film Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain and Pantelion Films’ Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

One of the largest independent television businesses in the world, Lionsgate’s slate of premium quality series encompasses nearly 90 shows on more than 40 different networks.  These include the ground-breaking Orange is the New Black, the fan favorite Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show, the acclaimed drama The Royals, the acclaimed Casual, the breakout success Greenleaf and hit Starz series including Outlander, Black Sails, Survivor’s Remorse and Power, the second highest-rated premium pay television series of 2016.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates.  Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of more than 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate, Summit Entertainment and Starz brands are synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com

"HACKSAW RIDGE" Now Available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD

"ARRIVAL" - Now Available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs

“Big, grand and marvelous.” — Tom Shone, Newsweek

“A stunning, stellar masterpiece.” — Mara Reinstein, Us Weekly

NOMINATED FOR EIGHT ACADEMY AWARDS® INCLUDING  BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR & BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

AMY ADAMS AND JEREMY RENNER STAR IN  ONE OF THE MOST CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FILMS OF THE YEAR   

Director Denis Villeneuve’s Mind-blowing Movie Arrives on 4K Ultra HD™ and Blu-ray™ Combo Packs February 14, 2017 -- Digital HD Debuts Two Weeks Early on January 31

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.  – Hailed by critics as “mesmerizing” (Peter Travers,  Rolling Stone), “amazing” (Brian Truitt, USA Today) and “the best film of the year” (Christopher Orr, The Atlantic), director Denis Villeneuve’s (Sicario) phenomenal tour de force ARRIVAL makes its home entertainment debut on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and  On Demand February 14, 2017 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.  The film arrives two weeks early on Digital HD January 31.  ARRIVAL received eight Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing.   In addition, ARRIVAL has been named one of the best films of the year by the American Film Institute, National Board of Review, New York Times, USA Today and many more.
  
Five-time Academy Award® nominee* Amy Adams “delivers one of her best performances” (Brian Truitt, USA Today) as expert translator Louise Banks.  When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team races against time to decipher their intent. As tensions mount between fearful governments, Banks discovers the aliens’ true purpose and, to avert global war, takes a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity. Oscar® nominee** Jeremy Renner and Academy Award® winner***  Forest Whitaker co-star in this epic film with “a mind-blowing ending” (Brian Truitt,  USA Today) that “you will want to see again and again”(Brian Formo, Collider).  The ARRIVAL 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs include over an hour of engrossing special features, with in-depth explorations of the film’s subject matter, sound, score, editing and more. 

ARRIVAL Blu-ray Combo Pack
The ARRIVAL Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles.  The combo pack includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film as well as the following:

Blu-ray • Feature film in high definition • Bonus Content: o Xenolinguistics: Understanding Arrival o Acoustic Signatures: The Sound Design o Eternal Recurrence: The Score o Nonlinear Thinking: The Editorial Process o Principles of Time, Memory & Language

ARRIVAL 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack 
Fans can enjoy the ultimate viewing experience with the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, which includes the Blu-ray detailed above, as well as an Ultra HD Disc with the film presented in 4K Ultra HD with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, and English Audio Description with English, English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. The Combo Pack also includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack and 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack available for purchase include a Digital HD Version of the film that can be accessed through UltraViolet™, a way to collect, access and enjoy movies.  With UltraViolet, consumers can add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them—reliably and securely—to a variety of devices.    

ARRIVAL Single-Disc DVD
The single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, and Spanish subtitles.  The disc includes the feature film in standard definition.

*Best Actress in a Leading Role: American Hustle (2013); Best Actress in a Supporting Role: The Master (2012), The Fighter (2010), Doubt (2008) & Junebug (2005) **Best Actor in a Supporting Role: The Town (2011); Best Actor in a Leading Role: The Hurt Locker (2010) ***Best Actor in a Leading Role: The Last King of Scotland (2006)  

                           Watch the Trailer


http://www.ArrivalMovie.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArrivalMovie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArrivalMovie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ArrivalMovie
Amazon: http://j.mp/BuyArrival
iTunes: http://j.mp/ArrivalWebsite

Paramount Pictures presents in association with Filmnation Entertainment and Lava Bear Films, a 21 Laps Entertainment Production, a Denis Villeneuve film: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner “Arrival.”   Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tzi Ma.  Visual effects supervisor Louis Morin.  Costume designer Renee April.  Music by Johann Johannssson.  Editor Joe Walker, A.C.E.  Production designer Patrice Vermette.  Director of photography Bradford Young, A.S.C.  Co-producer Michael A. Jackman.  Executive producers Stan Wlodkowski, Eric Heisserer, Dan Cohen, Karen Lunder, Tory Metzger, Milan Popelka.  Produced by Shawn Levy, p.g.a., Dan Levine, p.g.a., Aaron Ryder, p.g.a. and David Linde, p.g.a.  Based on the story “Story of Your life” written by Ted Chiang.  Screenplay by Eric Heisserer. Directed by Denis Villeneuve.

About Paramount Home Media Distribution  
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), home to premier media brands that create television programs, motion pictures, consumer products, and digital content for audiences in 180 countries and territories.  The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment and transactional digital distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles.  PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and transactional distribution across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.  

ARRIVAL Street Date:      February 14, 2017 (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand)    January 31, 2017 (Digital HD) 
U.S. Rating:    PG-13 for brief strong language
Canadian Rating: PG, not recommended for young children, violence

“ACADEMY AWARD®” and “OSCAR®” are registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

"ARRIVAL" - Now Available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs

"THE BFG" Comes To Digital HD, Blu-ray, and Disney Movies Anywhere Nov. 29th

“Instant Family Classic” – Peter Debruge, Variety

STEVEN SPIELBERG’S IMAGINATION AND DISNEY MAGIC COME TOGETHER
TO BRING ROALD DAHL’S BELOVED CLASSIC TO LIFE

“The BFG” comes to Digital HD, Blu-ray™ and Disney Movies Anywhere NOV. 29

This magical tale of an extraordinary friendship loaded with exciting extras is the perfect gift for the whole family this holiday season!

SYNOPSIS:    Disney presents a Roald Dahl classic directed by Steven Spielberg. In an imaginative tale filled with magic, wonder and unexpected friendship, a young girl is launched on an enormous adventure when she crosses paths with a mysterious being called the Big Friendly Giant.

BONUS*:                 BLU-RAY & DIGITAL HD:
⦁    Bringing “The BFG” to Life – Ruby Barnhill (Sophie) hosts a phizz-whizzing journey through the making of “The BFG.” This behind-the-scenes documentary details the film’s progression through interviews with Roald Dahl’s daughter Lucy Dahl, screenwriter Melissa Mathison, executive producers Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Kristie Macosko Krieger, and numerous members of the talented cast and crew.
⦁    The Big Friendly Giant and Me – Sophie wasn’t the first “bean” in Giant Country—many illustrations were created as if drawn by a little boy who was there long before Sophie.  This charming, in-world short will bring the drawings to life with animation and narration, recounting the friendship and the dreams shared between the boy and the Big Friendly Giant.
⦁    Gobblefunk:  The Wonderful Words of The BFG – A whoopsey-splunkers tutorial on the meaning of the gloriumptious gobblefunk in “The BFG.”
⦁    Giants 101 – Jemaine Clement (Fleshlumpeater) and Bill Hader (Bloodbottler) introduce us to the loathsome giants in “The BFG,” along with movement choreographer/motion capture performer Terry Notary, who collaborated with the actors and Director Steven Spielberg prior to filming to develop their movements and character traits.
⦁    Melissa Mathison: A Tribute – An homage to Melissa Mathison, the extraordinary, Oscar®-nominated screenwriter of “The BFG” and “E.T.,” whose talent and heart were as immense as the giants in “The BFG.”

DIGITAL/VOD:
⦁    John Williams: Scoring A Dream – A journey through the film’s concept art and memorable moments, interwoven with the sights and sounds of legendary composer John William’s scoring session.

DVD:
⦁    Gobblefunk: The Wonderful Words of The BFG and Melissa Mathison: A Tribute

RUN TIME:    Approximately 117 minutes

RATING:                PG in U.S., PG in CE, and G in CF

ASPECT RATIO:            Blu-ray Feature Film = 1080p High Definition / Widescreen 2.39:1
                    DVD Feature Film = Widescreen 2.39:1

AUDIO:                      Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA & 2.0 Descriptive Audio, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Tracks
DVD = English, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Tracks, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio

LANGUAGES &            Blu-ray = English SDH, Spanish and French
SUBTITLES:                DVD = English SDH, Spanish and French

SOCIAL MEDIA:           
Facebook: Facebook.com/TheBFGmovie
Website: Movies.Disney.com/The-BFG
Twitter: Twitter.com/BFGmovie
Website: Instagram.com/BFGmovie

CAST:    Mark Rylance as the Big Friendly Giant; newcomer Ruby Barnhill as Sophie, the orphan who befriends him and is swept into a world of rampaging giants; Penelope Wilton as The Queen; Jemaine Clement as Fleshlumpeater, the most fearsome giant from Giant Country; Rebecca Hall as Mary, The Queen’s handmaid; Rafe Spall as Mr. Tibbs, The Queen’s butler; and Bill Hader as Bloodbottler, another unruly giant from Giant Country.

DIRECTOR:    Steven Spielberg, p.g.a.

PRODUCERS:    Steven Spielberg, p.g.a., Frank Marshall, p.g.a., and Sam Mercer, p.g.a.

EXEC PRODUCERS:    Kathleen Kennedy, John Madden, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Michael Siegel

SCREENPLAY BY:        Melissa Mathison (based on the book by Roald Dahl)

RELEASE DATE:            November 29, 2016

PRODUCTS:    Digital HD/SD, Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy), Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD and Video On-Demand SD/HD

ABOUT DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE (DMA):
Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) is an engaging and family-friendly cloud-based digital movie service that makes it easy to buy Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars movies once and watch them anywhere. Viewers can enjoy their digital movies from the comfort of their living room and across multiple mobile platforms by simply adding the free DMA app or channel to their devices, such as iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android mobile phones and tablets, Android TV, Amazon’s Fire tablets, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Roku, and Xbox 360, and connecting to their DMA account with participating providers including iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV and Fios by Verizon. DMA users can explore Disney’s library of over 450 digital movies, discover hours of new and exclusive short-form content, redeem Digital Movie codes found in eligible Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars product, and earn Disney Movie Rewards points with every digital purchase.

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS:
For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

ABOUT ABMLIN PARTNERS:
Amblin Partners is a content creation company formed by DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, Reliance Entertainment and Entertainment One (eOne). The company develops and produces films using the Amblin, DreamWorks Pictures and Participant banners and includes Amblin Television, a longtime leader in quality programming.

©2016 Disney
**Bonus features may vary by retailer

"THE BFG" Comes To Digital HD, Blu-ray, and Disney Movies Anywhere Nov. 29th

"THE UNSPOKEN": Opening Theatrically in NY, LA and Major Cities (And on VOD) on October 28

THE UNSPOKEN

In Theaters and on Digital HD October 28, 2016 from Starz Digital, and on
DVD December 6, 2016 from Anchor Bay Entertainment

Opens theatrically on October 28 in New York (Cinema Village), Los Angeles (Noho 7) and regional territories including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, Orlando and more.

From the Executive Producer of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY and INSIDIOUS comes THE UNSPOKEN, starring Neal McDonough (Suits, Arrow) and Jodelle Ferland (Silent Hill). Directed by Award-winning filmmaker Sheldon Wilson (Kaw, Shallow Ground), THE UNSPOKEN is an eerie thrill ride into the horror that lurks in an unsuspecting small town.

In 1997 the close-knit Anderson family vanished from their country home without a trace without an explanation. No bodies were ever found and for 17 years the house has remained undisturbed...until now. A sinister tale of haunting and murder, THE UNSPOKEN is a refreshing twist on the horror genre just in time for Halloween.

Executive Producer: Steven Schneider (Paranormal Activity, Insidious)

Written & Directed by: Sheldon Wilson (Kaw, Shallow Ground)

Starring: Jodelle Ferland (Silent Hill), Neal McDonough (Suits, Arrow)
Sunny Suljic and Matt Bellefleur.

Not rated, Runtime 90 minutes (Canada/USA)

"THE UNSPOKEN": Opening Theatrically in NY, LA and Major Cities (And on VOD) on October 28

Warner Brothers New Red2Blu Upgrade your old HD-DVD's to Blu-Ray!

http://www.red2blu.com/

It's really simple.

You select the title, mail the original HD-DVD cover art to a processing center and in 4-6 weeks get your new Blu-ray title.

All the details are available at the above link.

Warner Brothers New Red2Blu Upgrade your old HD-DVD's to Blu-Ray!

HK AND CULT FILM NEWS and HD.

Check out the Amazon Product of the Day for the reason I'm going HD-DVD! Transformers. Hopefully, with ad revenue (which is what the links to items at Amazon in each relevant story is for , so please feel free to use them :) ), we can afford to review more HD titles. Blu-Ray owners don't fret as we also have a Blu-Ray reviewer too. We plan reviews for both formats.

So if you can please use or Amazon associate links when buying goods as the revenue we get will be used to get more DVDs and HD-DVDs to review.

HK AND CULT FILM NEWS and HD.

Cro-Cop Goes HD in BCI's Ultimate Force!

Buy it at Amazon.com Ultimate Force HD to help support HK and CULT FILM NEWS.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SUPERSTAR MIRKO “CRO COP” FILIPOVIC KICKS ACTION UP TO THE NEXT LEVEL – HIGH DEFINITION!

ULTIMATE FORCE STARRING

MIRKO “CRO COP” FILIPOVIC

BOWS ON HD-DVD AND BLU-RAY

NOVEMBER 13TH

Both HD releases with exclusive bonus feature content

Los Angeles, CA – On November 13th, BCI, a Navarre Corporation Company, gives the hard-hitting thrills of Mixed Martial Arts superstar Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic unprecedented clarity with the HD-DVD and Blu-ray high definition releases of Ultimate Force, the debut major motion picture of the renowned UFC and Pride Champion. An unstoppable barrage of cutting edge action and adventure, Ultimate Force is molded in the pulse-pounding tradition of Enter the Dragon and The Professional. In addition to the bonus features available on the standard DVD, the Ultimate Force HD-DVD and Blu-ray releases boast rare, behind-the-scenes training footage of Mirko Filipovic – available only on the high definition versions! SRP is $19.98 for the HD-DVD and $24.98 for the Blu-ray. Order date is October 5th.

In Ultimate Force, Filipovic stars as Axon Rey, a heavily decorated war hero and former tactical police officer who has been recruited by a covert government organization to fight enemies of the State. Schooled in martial arts and the latest high-tech weapons, Rey, now code named Sphinx, is an elite member of the Sanction Division of SATO (State Anti-Terrorist Organization), a clandestine collective of assassins under the direct control of SIN (State Intelligence Network).

Sphinx failed his last assassination mission. Normally, the state dealt with such a failure easily—it executed the executioner. Since Sphinx is their top assassin, his controller, Janus (Igor Galo), declines to eliminate him, sending him instead to a rehabilitation island called Gulag 7. Sphinx must now face 5 opponents: other government operatives who have been sent to the island for various reasons. Refusal to fight means death. Now, he must fight his way off the island. It’s kill or be killed….

Ultimate Force HD-DVD and Blu-ray Special Features:

* “Making of” Featurette
* Interview with Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic
* Theatrical Trailer
* HD-DVD and Blu-ray exclusive extra feature: Footage of Mirko training

Black Belt Magazine called Ultimate Force “Universal Soldier meets The Bourne Supremacy” and Jean-Claude Van Damme dubbed Filipovic “the new Charles Bronson.” Want non-stop bone-crunching action? Look no further than Mirko “Cro-Cop” Filipovic in Ultimate Force – now in crystal-clear 1080 high definition!

Cro-Cop Goes HD in BCI's Ultimate Force!