Justice League: Doom (Blu-ray) Criticize This! Pick of the Week – With every new DC Universe title released the quality of both the animation and the story seems to get better. Justice League: Doom is no exception, and the film had me intrigued and glued to my screen right from the start. The story follows Justice League members Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and Flash, along with fellow hero Cyborg, as they go up against Vandal Savage and the team of bad guys he’s assembled to kill the JLA, which includes Bane, Star Sapphire, Metallo, Ma’alefa’ak, Mirror Master, and Cheetah. Directed by Lauren Montgomery, the film is a wild ride for fans of these characters that puts a lot of big screen Hollywood superhero films to shame (Green Lantern for instance). Be warned though, although it’s animated it is extremely violent and dark and is not for kids. The Blu-ray is excellent quality and is definitely the way to go if you plan on checking it out. Special features include audio commentary with the creative team, a preview of the next DC Universe film Superman vs. The Elite, two extra cartoons from producer Bruce Timm, a digital comic, and more. A regular DVD and digital copy of the movie are included as well. Film **** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).
Puncture (Blu-ray) – Based on a true story, Chris Evans plays Mike Weiss — a drug addict lawyer who takes on a case against a health supplier unwilling to switch to a new safety needle even though close to a million nurses are pricked each year. If you’re into TV shows about lawyers (or medical dramas for that matter), Puncture is a decent watch with a great performance by Evans. While we wouldn’t recommend you run out to buy it, it is worth watching and will open your eyes to how the hospital industry works. The Blu-ray release has a nice image and sound mix, but is not required viewing for this movie. No special features are included. Film *** Blu-ray ** (out of 5 stars).
Hugo (Blu-ray) – I’ve been hard on Hugo since seeing it in the theatre and feeling completely letdown by it. I despised it so much that I even called it one of the worst films of 2011. I took the abuse from friends and readers who disagreed with my hate and I watched it a second time to try and see the good in it, to see why it was nominated for an 11 Oscars. I still don’t get it. It’s pretentious, boring, poorly acted, and doesn’t know if it wants to be a kids movie or a movie about the history of film. At least watching it at home I didn’t have to put up with the crappy 3-D it was presented in at the theatre. Please go back to gangsters and guns Martin Scorsese and leave the pseudo sentimental Hollywood crap to Spielberg. If you’re a fan of the film the Blu-ray does look and sound outstanding. Special features include making-of featurettes and more. A regular DVD and digital copy of the film are included as well. Film ** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).
Johnny English Reborn (Blu-ray) – Was Johnny English Reborn supposed to be a comedy? Because, my God, I’d rather have needles repeatedly stabbed into my eyeballs while someone hit me in the face with a hammer than have to watch that garbage again. The first one was at least somewhat entertaining. This one should never have seen the light of day it’s so horrendous. Why doesn’t Rowan Atkinson just go back to doing more Mr. Bean? That’s all the world really wants from him. Gillian Anderson, Rosamund Pike, and Dominic West also star. This movie is pointless on Blu-ray so don’t waste your time. Special features include making-of featurettes, and more. A regular DVD and digital copy of the film are included as well. Film * Blu-ray * (out of 5 stars).
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Top image: A scene from Justice League: Doon. Courtesy Warner Home Entertainment.
