Vacation is a movie that I’ve seen numerous times and it still manages to make me laugh. In regards to this 4K UHD release, the video transfer is adequate but hardly amazing and the hour-long documentary is missing.
Halloween Kills is an ill-conceived follow-up to 2018’s Halloween which itself was an ill-conceived sequel to the 1978 original. There’s not much here to admire outside a couple technical aspects, and it doesn’t give me much hope for Halloween Ends.
Sixteen Candles is another home-run from John Hughes, further proving his amazing influence on the 1980s that still resonates to this day. This Blu-ray release from Arrow Video offers up great video and audio transfers to go along with some good bonus material.
Weird Science might be a lesser movie from the great John Hughes filmography but that’s hardly a slight against the film as it does have some great heart at its core alongside a great cast.
Live by Night was Ben Affleck’s passion project that, ironically, lacked a whole lot of passion on screen mixed in with a hodgepodge of a plot, far too many side characters and performances that didn’t quite connect on screen despite the talent assembled.
Results is a quirky if not uneven romantic comedy with a couple fine performances, particularly Kevin Corrigan and Guy Pearce. The writing isn’t the best and by the end I can’t say it’s very memorable either way. The Blu-ray released by Magnolia is basic with slim bonus material and good video/audio transfers.
Double dips isn’t anything new from studios and no doubt this 30th Anniversary Edition of The Breakfast Club is no different where what’s different from the release five years might not be enough to warrant a purchase if you already own that version. However, at a good price, the upgrade to a new video codec from the original 35MM film print might make it worthwhile.
Dead in Tombstone is the usual Danny Trejo action vehicle with a supernatural/western twist but everything else is standard quo. The acting is average although Anthony Michael Hall and Mickey Rourke seem to have a hell of a time (pardon the pun) and there isn’t enough of the revenge plot to keep the energy going until the end. I guess if you’re a fan of Danny Trejo, this might be the movie for you, otherwise you can outright skip it.
National Lampoon’s Vacation is as funny as ever with a great cast, hilarious jokes and an all around fun storyline filled with a mix of low-brow and even, for the time, risqué humor.
Sexy Evil Genius is a fun low budget film propelled primarily on the cast and their interactions with one another than anything else. The story itself, though, does at least keep you on edge just trying to figure out what the main character’s ultimate goal is. I wouldn’t say this was a memorable film or anything, but it is worth a one-off viewing at least. The DVD itself has acceptable video/audio transfers while the features are underwhelming, though the commentary is enjoyable.