PHOTOS FROM THE WORLD PREMIERE OF “STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU” IN HOLLYWOOD

 

Cast and filmmakers from Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” walked the massive red carpet on Hollywood Blvd. Thursday evening, before heading inside the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX for the film’s world premiere. In attendance were Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jonny Coyne, Steve Blum, Hemky Madera, Brendan Wayne, Lateef Crowder, Jon Favreau (director/co-writer/producer), Dave Filoni (co-writer/producer), Noah Kloor (co-writer), Kathleen Kennedy (producer), Ian Bryce (producer), Ludwig Göransson (composer), John Knoll (visual effects supervisor), Andrew L. Jones (production designer) and Doug Chiang (production designer). They were joined by a number of guests, many from the Star Wars Universe, including Ming-Na Wen, Manny Jacinto, Timothy Olyphant, Katee Sackhoff, Clancy Brown, Ahmed Best, Eman Esfandi, and Emily Swallow, among numerous others. The all-new Star Wars film opens exclusively in theaters May 22.

 

The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu. Directed by Jon Favreau, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” is written by Jon Favreau & Dave Filoni & Noah Kloor, and is produced by Kathleen Kennedy, p.g.a., Ian Bryce, p.g.a., Jon Favreau, p.g.a., and Dave Filoni, p.g.a., with Karen Gilchrist, John Bartnicki, and Carrie Beck serving as executive producers. The music is composed by Ludwig Göransson.

4K Digital Review of Pixar's Hoppers

 

Pixar's Hoppers introduces us to Mabel (Piper Curda), an animal lover since childhood, who wants to save a glade that is important to her. This puts her at odds with the town's mayor, Jerry (Jon Hamm), who wants to put a highway through the middle of the glade. The animals of the glade have left due to the construction, but Mabel believes if she can get them to return, then the mayor might have a change of heart.

Mabel discovers one of her professors has invited a "hopping" technology that would allow her to enter the body of a robotic beaver and then communicate with other animals. Mabel hopes this will bring back the animals to the glade. Along the way, Mabel becomes friends with other beavers including King George (Bobby Moynihan), who shows Mabel what it means to be a beaver and trust those around you.

This is a different film for Pixar and yet one of their best films, and funniest, in years. Director Daniel Chong was the shot-in-the-arm that Pixar needed to tell a bold story that still had the heart of Pixar. 

Video:

The streaming 4K video is pristine. The details from the fur on the animals, the clothing on people, the ripples in the water and the woods themselves look amazing. The colors are stunning. Another exceptional transfer from Disney and Pixar.

Audio: 

The Dolby Atmos track here matches the exceptional video. The front channels delivery crystal clear dialogue. The surrounds envelope you in the atmospheric sounds. A wonderful audio mix as one would expect.

Bonus Features:

• The Critter Diaries: Wander behind the scenes with director Daniel Chong and the Pixar creative team as they explore Yellowstone, study wildlife, and find real-life inspiration for our favorite new animated characters from Hoppers.
• Hopping In: The Making of Hoppers: Hop into the making of the movie as filmmakers, cast, and crew share how their ideas, collaboration, and creative process brought the story, animation, and lovable characters to life in Pixar’s Hoppers.
• "Meet King George" Scene Breakdown: Dive deep with director Daniel Chong and the filmmaking team as they reveal the craft of making King George’s Superlodge. Get insight into the directing process, editing, VFX, animation, and production design.
• Beaverton Revealed: Explore Hoppers to find surprising Pixar film cameos, hidden references, and plenty of fun, behind-the-scenes facts.
• Dam Good Bloopers: Laugh along with your favorite voice actors from Hoppers as they have fun bringing their characters to life in the recording booth.
• Deleted Scenes: Check out these scenes that didn’t make the final cut, as introduced by director Daniel Chong and editor Axel Geddes.
• Cold Open
• The Glade
• The Mission
• Kings Arrive
• George's Bachelor Pad
• Helicopter Ride

Conclusion:

One of the best films to come out of Pixar in years. A film full of heart and one of their funniest films to date. Some fun bonus features make this a highly recommended addition to your library.

Hoppers is available on digital now and on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD June 2nd.

*The film was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review. The review is strictly my own opinion.* 

4K Digital Review of Psycho Killer

 

Psycho Killer is directed by Gavin Palone and has a great cast featuring Georgina Campbell, James Preston Rogers (as the Satanic Slasher) and the legendary Malcolm McDowell. It runs in a very quick paced 91 minutes. 

On the surface, the film seems like your run-of-the-mill horror movie. A person is seeking revenge for the death of a loved one. This is not reinventing the wheel but they do have a different take on the lead character. Jane Archer (Georgina Campbell) is a Kansas highway patrol officer who is also expecting. Her husband Mike (Stephen Adekolu) has been killed and she is out to hunt down his killer. She finds out the killer is a notorious serial killer called the Satanic Slasher, who has ties to a mansion owned by Mr. Pendleton (Malcolm McDowell). 

The movie falls apart with something that should have made for a different take on the genre. We focus on Jane and the Satanic Slashers motivations to complete their mission. This should have made for an incredible movie, but instead is edited down to try to create a fierce pace but forgets about plot points that never get resolved. 

Video:

The streaming 4K video is very crisp as to be expected. Details are sharp and clear. It is a very dark movie so the blacks are inky. 

Audio:

The 5.1 audio mix is good. Dialogue is clear from the front channels. The score and atmospheric sounds fill the surround speakers. 

Bonus Features:

 There are no bonus features.

Conclusion:

The 4K video is crisp and the audio mix creates the horror atmosphere but the lack of story makes this a one-time watch if you are into horror films.

Psycho Killer is now available on digital.

*The film was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review. The review is strictly my opinion.*

4K Digital Review of Avatar: Fire and Ash

 

The world of Pandora has returned once again in Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third film in the Avatar franchise from James Cameron. Avatar: Fire and Ash is now available on digital. It will be available on DVD, 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and 4K UHD on May 16th. 

In this third film, we find Jake and Neytiri still mourning the loss of their oldest son. At the same time, there is a new threat, the Metkayina clan, also known as the Ash people. Their leader, the ruthless Varang, has moved away from the peaceful way of the Eywa, and instead has moved to the way of fire and violence. Joining the cause of the Ash people, the RDA helps them to fight the rest of the clans.  

This is a much darker story than the previous films. We see how the different clans interact and clash with one another. We also see the focus on the younger generation of Na'vi. The constant danger in the world and seen through the yes of the children gives the film real emotional heart. What will happen to the Sully family as well as the fate of the clans?  

Video:

The streaming 4K video is close to reference quality. You can see how the details such as ultra-realistic skin textures and clothing have vastly improved over the last two films. Colors are vibrant from the jungle, to the ocean and the volcanic areas. This is a new standard for CG and will be something you show off your 4K TV with.

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos 5.1 audio mix is solid and compliments the amazing video. The mix makes incredible use of the surround channels to immerse you into the world of Pandora. 

Bonus Features:

English Family Audio Track (3:17:09) – All objectionable language removed.

Igniting The Flame: The Making of Avatar: Fire and Ash Play All (2:55:40)

1. Writing the Sequels (13:38)
2. Pandora Design (18:33)
3. RDA Design (18:38)
4. The Women of Pandora (11:40)
5. Varang and the Mangkwan (15:40)
6. Capturing Performance (16:44)
7. Stunts (13:04)
8. Editing and Virtual Camera (7:42)
9. WETA FX (16:45)
10. ILM (7:41)
11. Score (13:32)
12. The Art and Impact of 3D (10:04)
13. Home in New Zealand (12:01)

Jon Landau Tribue (21:40)

RDA Orientation Play All (13:39)

1. Na’vi 101: The RDA’s Official Language Orientation (5:06)
2. Pandora Intelligence Brief (8:32)

Marketing Materials & Music Video Play All (8:35)

1. “Dream As One” Music Video – Miley Cyrus (3:31)
2. Theatrical Trailer 1 (2:27)
3. Theatrical Trailer 2 (2:37)

Conclusion: 

Avatar: Fire and Ask continues the epic story of family and survival. It also continues to push the visuals and audio. With hours of bonus features to accompany an already three hour and fifteen minutes movie, this is a welcome addition to your library if you are a fan of the Avatar franchise. 

*The movie was sent by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose of this review. The review is strictly my own opinion.*