Alan's Top 10 Most Anticipated Upcoming Blu-Ray Releases

10. Rosemary's Baby

'Rosemary's Baby' is released October 30th, 2012, courtesy of The Criterion Collection. Not only is it one of director Roman Polanski's most famous pieces of work, it's also a horror aficionado must have. 

9. Pet Sematary

Stephen King movies can really only go one of two ways. They're either really good or really bad. An example of bad being '1408', which was just boring drudge basing it's scares on cheap imagery, and an example of good being 'Pet Sematary'. Though not 100% faithful to the novel (which was actually scarier than the movie), it is one of the most faithful King adaptations to come out. 

8. Cinderella

You can't go wrong with classic Disney. 'Cinderella' is a nice trip down memory lane, and with Disney's other high def transfers, one could expect 'Cinderella' to look just as amazing. With that said, though I have a fondness for the film, it's not one of my absolute favorites in the Disney catalog, compared to 'Beauty and the Beast' or 'The Lion King'. Nonetheless, it's a must own for Disney completists. 

7. The Amazing Spider-Man

For people that were really wanting a continuation of Raimi's 'Spider-Man' series, 'Amazing...' can somewhat disappoint. It's like taking the basic story of our favorite web shooting wall crawler and going all 'Batman Begins' on us, trying to make it a bit darker than Spider-Man stories typically are. However, despite me not liking it as much as the original trilogy, it was a good start to a new series and an enjoyable flick. The special effects were just as awe inspiring as 'Spider-Man' was the first time it graced the big screen. 

6. The Dark Knight Rises

What can be said about this movie that has not already been said? It was excellent. Not as good as it's predecessor, but it didn't miss it by much. 'The Dark Knight Rises' was a very fitting and well done conclusion to the darker Batman series. 

5. The Cabin in the Woods

Possibly one of the most surprising horror movies ever made. It's witty, smart, funny and creepy. If you ever get in the mood to watch a scary movie, but can't decide where to go, go to 'The Cabin in the Woods'. It really has it all. 

4. E.T. The Extra Terrestrial 

'E.T.' is making it's blu ray debut in October, and with the hype of this release, it's bound to be stellar. To make things even better, Spielberg put the original version on the release, instead of the walkie-talkie toting special edition release that came out a few years ago on DVD. 

3. Titanic

It was the ship of dreams, and now you'll be able to enjoy it in glorious HD video. I personally love the movie, but for even the naysayers, no one can deny the amazingly beautiful cinematography of this flick. In my opinion, 'Titanic' is our generations' 'Gone with the Wind'. It was an instant classic. You can expect it's upcoming blu release to be treated as if it's a classic as well. 

2. Marvel's The Avengers

The biggest movie of the year is bound to become the biggest blu event of the year as well. 'The Avengers' has crushed the box office, and several records on the way, and rightfully so. With a perfect ensemble cast, great script and story, and insane special effects, 'The Avengers' will likely hold on to it's records until it's inevitable sequel comes out. 

1. Little Shop of Horrors

Really. This cheesy musical from 1986 is my most anticipated upcoming blu-ray of the year. Frank Oz, director, has hinted at the eventual release for a few years now, saying that his Director's Cut would make it's debut. On the original 'Little Shop' DVD release, the original ending that was filmed was included as an extra in black and white. The studio didn't have the rights to include that material and the DVD was pulled off the shelf within days, and it has since become a huge collector's item. But on this release, we finally get both the theatrical version and the director's cut (in color mind you, though it was for a long time thought that there were no color versions in existence) in high definition. With a fun cast, colorful and fun sets, and catchy tunes, this blu-ray is sure to be top of the line. 

Alan Hasn't Got a 'Clue' in this Cult Classic Whodunit

Starring

• Tim Curry

• Eileen Brennan

• Lesley Ann Warren

• Michael McKean

• Christopher Lloyd

• Madeline Kahn

• Martin Mull

Original Theatrical Release Date: 12/13/1985

Running Time: 94 mins

Synopsis: Six guests are invited to a strange house and must cooperate with the staff to solve a murder mystery.  --From IMDb

Review: I really don't know which direction to take this review. It's highly likely that it will encourage people to see it as well as deter others. And I say that not because 'Clue' is a bad movie, but because it is a dumb movie. But it's almost so dumb that it's brilliant. 

Let's start off with the plot. Six people are invited to a dinner party at the Hill House mansion. All of the guests are invited via a letter that instructed them to use an alias at the dinner party. The six find out that the one thing they have in common is that they are being blackmailed by Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving), the seventh guest to arrive:

1. Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd) is being blackmailed for his affair with a female patient which cost him his license to practice.
2. Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan) has been accepting bribes to help her Senator husband's votes.
3. Mrs. White (Madeline Kahn) has been paying Mr. Boddy to keep speculation of her husband's mysterious murder out of the public eye. 
4. Miss Scarlet (Lesley Ann Warren) runs a whorehouse in DC.
5. Colonel Mustard (Martin Mull) has some scandalous photos hanging over his head.
6. Mr. Green (Micheal McKean) is a closet homosexual, and that information leaking would cause him to lose his job with the State Department. 

Wadsworth (Tim Curry), the butler of Mr. Boddy, has gathered all the guests  in an effort to confront Mr. Boddy so he can be turned in to the police. Wadsworth's reasoning? Mr. Boddy had been blackmailing his wife which resulted in her taking her life. 

Mr. Boddy does not seem to care too much for this plan and hands all of the guests a box, gift wrapped, with a weapon inside. He says in order to keep their secrets, Wadsworth is the one that needs to die. He precedes to cut off the lights so no one will know who commits the act, and as the sound of a thud is heard, and the lights are cut back on, it is Mr. Boddy who lies dead on the floor. 

That's when the guests decide to search the mansion to try to find the killer. As they do, more bodies are discovered, and the group grows more wary of the company they are in, as they all know, that one of them did it!

Let's start first with what is wrong with this picture. The actual plot, especially as it progresses, is quite weak. But in all fairness, what are you expecting from a movie based on a board game? There are several continuity errors throughout the film, that even contradict many of the outcomes in the ending of the film. (There are three endings actually, and only one of them somewhat plausible if you were really paying attention to the movie.) So far. doesn't sound so great. 

Here's where the movie wins. The cast could not be more perfect for such a movie. And the script is so darkly humorous that you almost get to a point where you feel like you're watching only to see what someone says or does next. The acting was zany, as I think it was intended to, and it worked so well for this movie. The performances from Madeline Kahn and Tim Curry alone made this worth a viewing, as they were pitch perfect. 

Would i recommend 'Clue' to a friend? Absolutely. I feel like I may have to warn them of the absurdity of it upfront, because if you've seen the film. You'll understand. Some people just won't get the point. And truth be told, there isn't much of one, nor does there need to be one. It's just a fun movie, plain and simple. Now, someone starts talking a 'Monopoly' movie? I'm out. 

Score: