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Tag: 4K Reviews

  • Marry Me 4K Review: Jennifer Lopez & Owen Wilson Movie Finally in UHD

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    February is always a great time to revisit romantic comedies, as who doesn’t want to see charming and beautiful people fall in love around Valentine’s Day? That’s why the Marry Me 4K release was well-timed, as the 2022 Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson movie is finally available on ultra high-definition four years after it was originally released. The film isn’t a classic of the genre by any means, but it is a fun time and an intriguing rewatch ahead of director Kat Coiro’s second film (You, Me & Tuscany) coming out soon.

    “A betrayed pop star (Jennifer Lopez), slated to marry her pop star fiancé (Maluma) on stage, instead marries a stranger from the audience — a high school math teacher (Owen Wilson). Against the odds, their sham relationship develops into something real, but can their love survive the limelight?” says the official description.

    Romantic comedies often have rather ridiculous plot lines, but Marry Me has a very melodramatic start, even for the genre’s standards. The film begins with Jennifer Lopez’s Kat Valdez about to be married to a fellow musician during a live concert until she finds out he’s been cheating on her. What happens next is that she has a mini-meltdown on stage and decides to randomly marry Owen Wilson because he was carrying a sign that read, “marry me.” Is it goofy? Certainly, but once the film gets past its initial setup, it actually winds up being more fun than it initially seems.

    A lot of that is a credit to its cast, as both Lopez and Wilson give charming performances and develop a cute chemistry together over time. Solid supporting performances from Sarah Silverman, John Bradley, and Chloe Coleman add depth to the film, and there are some musical numbers by “J-Lo” and Colombian singer Maluma for good measure that really shine in 4K and sound great with its Dolby Atmos audio track. The movie is at its best during its quieter moments, though, as the time spent watching Wilson and Lopez fall in love is the real treat.

    The Marry Me 4K release also features a pretty varied selection of bonus features. Cairo and producer Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas provide a fun audio commentary, while there’s a wide range of featurettes totalling over 30 minutes that take a look at Lopez’s character, the making of the film, its usage of music, and actually shooting in Madison Square Garden during an actual concert by Maluma. Throw in a lyric video for the song “On My Way,” plus five minutes of deleted scenes and a gag reel, and you’ve got a lot to dig into after watching the film.

    Marry Me 4K Review: Final Verdict

    While Marry Me isn’t the best film in either star’s filmography, it is a charming and easy watch. With some hilarious moments and a romance that winds up being more impactful than it initially seems, Kat Coiro’s rom-com winds up being plenty of fun. Thanks to a solid transfer and a solid array of special features, the Marry Me 4K release is a solid addition to any fan’s collection.

    Disclosure: ComingSoon received product from the distributor for our Marry Me 4K review.

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    Tyler Treese

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  • Hearts of Darkness 4K Review: Apocalypse Now Documentary Is a Must-Watch

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    Lionsgate’s new Hearts of Darkness 4K release allows fans to own the acclaimed documentary by Fax Bahr and George Hickenlooper that was shot by Eleanor Coppola. It is an inside look into the making of Francis Ford Coppola‘s Vietnam War movie masterpiece, Apocalypse Now. Showing a chaotic filming period and the sheer ambition of Coppola, it’s a remarkable look at what goes into making an epic film.

    “Hearts of Darkness chronicles the chaos and turbulence from disastrous inclement weather to actors’ health crises to local political upheaval that plagued the marathon production of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. Filmed by filmmaker-screenwriter Eleanor Coppola, this extraordinary documentary features behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with cast and crew, and secretly taped conversations with the tormented Coppola as he grappled with every imaginable (and unimaginable) obstacle,” says the synopsis.

    “We were in the jungle, there were too many of us, we had access to too much money, too much equipment, and little by little, we went insane,” says Coppola of the Apocalypse Now’s production. There’s never been a more honest look at how a film was made, especially with a production as troubled as the 1979 classic (a trend Coppola continued with Megadoc last year). Taking a warts-and-all approach, this is a remarkable film that shows how the film almost destroyed Coppola’s career by going completely off the rails. It’s a remarkable watch and one that every fan of Apocalypse Now should experience.

    The Hearts of Darkness 4K release is the best the film has ever looked at home, with HDR and Dolby Vision support included. Some of the footage isn’t quite as detailed, just due to how the footage was captured, but the overall look is often quite impressive. The audio is also stellar, as it features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that gives a clear listening experience and a really immersive one whenever clips from Apocalypse Now are shown.

    The only area where the Hearts of Darkness 4K release disappoints is when it comes to bonus features. There’s one addition here, The Making of Hearts of Darkness. This is a meaty 37-minute video that gives a lot of background on how the documentary was produced. However, there’s no commentary track included, which is a shame since the previously recorded one had both Eleanor and Francis discussing the film. So it’s not quite the definitive release in that regard.

    Hearts of Darkness 4K Review: Final Verdict

    The Hearts of Darkness 4K release is a wonderful way to experience one of the greatest documentaries ever made. The only unfortunate part is the lack of bonus features, as other releases have had a more robust offering. However, it looks and sounds great and is a doc you’ll want to revisit.

    Disclosure: ComingSoon received product from the distributor for our Hearts of Darkness 4K review.

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    Tyler Treese

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  • The Curse of Frankenstein 4K Review: Classic Horror Movie Has Never Looked Better

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    While Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein has brought the iconic scientist and his creature back into the public consciousness, there’s been a ton of worthwhile adaptations of Mary Shelley’s book over the years. One of the best films is 1957’s The Curse of Frankenstein, which is now available on 4K from Warner Archive. Hammer Films’ dark film starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee is well worth revisiting and receives a deluxe release.

    “Driven by obsession and defying the laws of nature, Baron Victor Frankenstein dares to reanimate the dead, creating not just life, but a monstrous force beyond his control. As his experiments spiral into madness, Frankenstein must confront the consequences of playing God in a world unprepared for the horrors he unleashes. A milestone in cinema, The Curse of Frankenstein launched Hammer’s iconic Gothic horror cycle and redefined the genre with shocking colour, psychological intensity, and unforgettable performances. This new 4K UHD Deluxe Collector’s Edition boasts a new 4K HDR restoration from Hammer Films in association with the Warner Archive Collection. The film is presented in 3 different aspect ratios, and is accompanied by hours and hours of new special features,” says the official description.

    What’s most interesting about The Curse of Frankenstein as a film is that it focuses mainly on Victor Frankenstein. Sure, he gets around to creating a monster (who doesn’t emerge until much later in the movie), but it’s mainly about Frankenstein’s quest for knowledge and his obsession with the idea of life. Wonderfully played by Peter Cushing, Frankenstein is the real monster as he eventually uses his creature (played by Christopher Lee!) for murder. It’s a bleak retelling of a classic tale, and it helps this adaptation feel fresh despite the many stabs at it.

    As usual, Warner Archive has done a wonderful job on The Curse of Frankenstein 4K release. First off, there are three separate versions of the movie (the UK theatrical 1.66:1, a 1.37:1 open matte release, and the 1.85:1 US theatrical) across the two 4K discs. The picture quality is wonderful, with the film’s shadows looking great and HDR10 making the colors really pop (the blood on Frankenstein’s creature looks particularly great). The audio quality is also great, as there’s a DTS-HD 2.0 mono mix that is faithful to the original, while a new 5.1 surround sound mix has been created that works well. There are a ton of options at the viewers’ disposal, and that’s an incredible thing to see.

    The three-disc set features two 4K discs and an additional Blu-ray disc that is purely bonus features. There’s a staggering amount of bonus features with four commentary tracks (featuring a wide range of film historians), plus a wonderful tribute to Cushing, a look at the restoration, an in-depth look at the film’s makeup, plus documentaries on everything from screenwriter Jimmy Sangster to the film’s legacy and how the film was made. There’s more than four hours of content here outside of the commentaries, so you’re really getting a full history of the film.

    The Curse of Frankenstein 4K Review: Final Verdict

    Filled to the brim with different options and great bonus features, The Curse of Frankenstein 4K release is a must-own for horror movie fans. Not only is the 1957 film a classic that left a mark on horror movies going forward, but it’s also fun to revisit (especially with this many versions and commentary tracks). This is Warner Archive’s most in-depth and best 4K release yet.

    Disclosure: ComingSoon received product from the distributor for our The Curse of Frankenstein 4K review.

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    Tyler Treese

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  • The Fugitive 4K Review: A Glorious Update for the '90s Classic

    The Fugitive 4K Review: A Glorious Update for the '90s Classic

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    I loved The Fugitive when it stormed into theaters in 1993. At the time, it was one of those rare movies you knew you would watch a million times over. As the years have passed, I enjoy the Andrew Davis action thriller even more than I did as a kid. And why shouldn’t I? The Fugitive is a taut, superbly acted, impeccably directed motion picture that grabs you from those kick-ass opening credits (amidst James Newton Howard’s incredible score) and doesn’t let go until Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) and Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) drive away together in a squad car towards an uncertain future.

    The Academy Award-nominated film landed on VHS and Laserdisc on March 10, 1994, and eventually found its way to DVD in 1997. I owned the VHS and DVD, which were essentially the same, quality-wise. For years, I endured this version. Then, in 2006, Warner Bros. saw fit to release the pic on Blu-ray, replete with a few snazzy special features, namely a commentary by Davis and Jones. Negative reviews forced WB to repackage the picture in time for its 20th anniversary, this time with a more refined 1080p transfer and a few nifty audio features.

    This version removed artifacts and provided stronger detail, particularly in close-ups. Now, The Fugitive doesn’t boast stunning cinematography. Instead, cinematographer Michael Chapman opts for a more realistic approach, capturing the grime and grit of Chicago’s wintry streets. The 20th-anniversary Blu-ray did a fine job presenting the film in crisp detail; honestly, I was happy with that version.

    Jump ahead another decade, and behold The Fugitive’s 30th Anniversary Ultra-HD Blu-ray, crafted from an 8K scan of the original 35mm camera negative, boasting a cinematic 1.85:1 aspect ratio—now the de facto version of this legendary feature film.

    The visuals are sharp, immaculate, and exquisitely polished. Shadows and darkness are strikingly contrasted, especially in iconic scenes like the classic train sequence and the grand finale. Furthermore, the overall appearance is remarkably natural. Unlike earlier versions that leaned towards a colder tone with desaturated colors, this 4K rendition of The Fugitive radiates a vibrancy that makes it appear as if crafted just yesterday.

    The 30th-anniversary edition comes packaged with a new eight-channel Dolby Atmos soundtrack powerful enough to shuffle the furniture in your house during action sequences. James Newton Howard’s score rumbles across the bass, while dialogue is easily distinguishable from the raucous sound effects.

    Special features are, unfortunately, thin, but that’s expected in this day and age. Featurettes are carryovers from previous packages. There is a commentary by Davis or Jones, but it’s the same as before.

    No matter. The Fugitive remains the best example of a big-screen adaptation of a TV show and perhaps the greatest cat-and-mouse thriller ever conceived. All these years later, the hunt still thrills.

    SCORE: 9/10

    As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 9 equates to “Excellent.” Entertainment that reaches this level is at the top of its type. The gold standard that every creator aims to reach.

    Disclosure: ComingSoon was sent a review copy for our The Fugitive 4K review.

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    Jeff Ames

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