Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope (Blu-ray) Criticize This! Pick of the Week - Morgan Spurlock knows how to make an entertaining documentary and Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope is probably his most fun film to date. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the fans who attend San Diego’s giant comic and pop culture convention each year while also positioning the con as one of the most exciting things on the planet (it is considered a Mecca to some). The film is also a very humanistic portrayal of these “geeks” and “dweebs” and you get a real sense of their passion and what makes them tick. The Blu-ray release looks and sounds great and is a must-have for fans of geek culture. Special features include extended interviews, deleted scenes, and more. A regular DVD is included as well. Film **** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).
The Hunter (Blu-ray) – The Hunter is an intense thriller about a man hired to find the last remaining Tasmanian tiger, an animal that is believed to be extinct. Willem Dafoe gives one of his greatest performances in the lead and is mesmerizing to watch in every scene. Frances O’Connor and Sam Neill are also great in their supporting roles, but it’s the atmosphere of the overall film that makes it work so well and will keep you on the edge of the couch. The Blu-ray has a great image transfer and the 5.1 DTS-HD sound mix will haunt you. Special features include a making-of featurette. A regular DVD of the film is included as well. Film **** Blu-ray *** (out of 5 stars).
American Reunion (Blu-ray) – If you’re a fan of the original American Pie films and are feeling nostalgic, American Reunion is a pretty funny watch that delivers everything you’d expect from a movie that reunites all of the original cast members. That said, it can be extremely annoying at times and a lot of the gags felt forced, especially when dealing with the obnoxious eternal frat boy Stiffler (Seann William Scott). In the end I laughed more than I thought I would and it made me want to go back and revisit the first American Pie again, which is a good thing. The Blu-ray release has a clean, crisp 1080p image and a very decent 5.1 DTS-HD sound mix. It’s not an essential addition to your collection but is worth checking out. Special features include audio commentary with writer-director team Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, deleted scenes, an unrated cut of the film and more. A regular DVD and digital copy are included as well. Film *** Blu-ray *** (out of 5 stars).
Also out this week to Watch @ Home is the indie drama Margaret, Flowers of War, starring Christian Bale, Being Flynn, starring Robert De Niro and Paul Dano, and Chariots of Fire on Blu-ray.
Top image: A scene from Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope. Courtesy eOne Films.
