Latest from Geek Vibes Nation
Geek Vibes Nation
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Lord Of Illusions' 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review - Clive Barker Makes Magic A Reality In Bloody Supernatural Thriller
From best-selling author and celebrated director Clive Barker (Candyman, Nightbreed) comes a supernatural thriller that rips apart the boundaries between sanity and madness, and between the art of illusion and the terrifying forces of magic. Harry D'Amour (Scott Bakula, Quantum Leap) is a private detective on a seemingly routine investigation in Los Angeles. But Harry gets more than he bargained for when he encounters an enigmatic performer (Kevin J. O'Connor, Deep Rising) whose amazing illusions captivate the world … but are they really just illusions? Harry isn't so sure as he is thrust into a nightmare of murder and deception from the dark beyond. Famke Janssen (GoldenEye, X-Men) also stars in this thrilling supernatural mystery. Barker's illuminating Director's Cut is now presented in Ultra High-Definition with all-new Special Features. For thoughts on Lord Of Illusions, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: Video Quality Scream Factory presents Lord Of Illusions on 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a stellar 2160p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 4K restoration of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR. This release contains Clive Barker's Director's Cut of the film, but the theatrical cut is not provided. There is also no accompanying Blu-Ray provided like the label typically provides. The film was previously released by the label on Blu-Ray in 2014 from a dated master. We do not have that release to compare the level of improvement, but we can say with some degree of certainty that this is the best the film has ever looked. The natural film grain remains faithfully intact and brings out all of the unique flourishes in the background. The grain resolves exceptionally with nothing ever feeling splotchy even within the shadowy environments. The deployment of Dolby Vision/HDR for dazzling and pinpoint color output elevates things to ideal levels when it comes to depth and nuance. Audiences can now discern much more shadow detail with figures properly defined instead of blending into the unformed background. Black levels are first-rate with nothing in the way of crush or banding present even in the dark corridors. Highlights are firm with no semblance of blooming in the brightest moments. This disc handles every subtle environmental change with ease. There are no egregious digital anomalies such as compression artifacts or any other such shortcomings. There are some cool, disgusting practical effects at play, but you will also spot some dated digital effects that do not hold up well. This is accurate to the source, though, and not an issue with the transfer. All specks of damage have been cleaned up thanks to the restoration. This presentation is a knockout from the team at Scream Factory. Audio Quality The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track which both accomplish everything you could want. The score from Simon Boswell has never sounded clearer and more full of life, and it is used deftly to establish the tone of the story. There is never a moment when it threatens to overshadow the competing sounds, and it maintains a respectable balance so that dialogue comes through crisp and clear. This narrative typically delivers a multifaceted approach to sound design that becomes very immersive with the surround mix. Both tracks provide a capable soundscape that accurately captures the artistic intent with a fidelity that is effortlessly translated. Environmental sounds such as fire and gasps from the crowd are rendered well alongside everything else. There do not seem to be any egregious instances of age-related wear and tear. Scream Factory has put forth a great effort for fans. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Director Clive Barker provides a very informative commentary track in which he discusses the film in minute detail from his motivations with the disturbing opening credits, his additions to the director's cut, and the journey to the ending. Flesh Is A Trap: Scoring Lord of Illusions – Interview with Composer Simon Boswell: A new 22-minute interview with the composer in which he discusses his background and career around the time of this production, working with Clive Barker, inspirations for the tone of the score, and more. Drawing Boards – Interview with Storyboard Artist Martin Mercer: A 12-minute interview with the artist who discusses getting involved with the project, working with Barker to bring his world to life, memorable moments, and more. A Gathering of Magic: An 18-minute vintage featurette that takes a look at the production of the film through interviews with writer/director Clive Barker, producer JoAnne Seller, and actors Scott Bakula, Famke Janssen, and Daniel von Bargen. Original Behind-The-Scenes Footage: A 62-minute collection of footage that shows some on-set interviews and attempts to create some of the most grotesque moments of the film. Deleted Scenes: A nearly four-minute glimpse at some footage that didn't make the final cut in an unfinished form and commentary from Clive Barker. Photo Gallery (15:53) A Note from Clive Barker: A two-minute text screen message from the director. Theatrical Trailer (1:05) Final Thoughts Lord Of Illusions is somewhat more straightforward for a Clive Barker film, but that does not mean it does not have an edge to it. The gritty film noir about deadly illusionists has many disturbing moments that fit right in line with the output from the filmmaker, and even the presence of some dated special effects does not undercut this. Despite our general appreciation of his work, we are not sure if Scott Bakula was the right choice for the lead, but all of the character actors are suitably memorable. It is a mixed bag of a film, but it is well worth the journey into madness. Scream Factory has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that boasts a first-rate A/V presentation and a welcome collection of special features. Recommended Lord Of Illusions (Collector's Edition) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Scream Factory has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Geek Vibes Nation
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
‘Happy Gilmore 2' Review - Insanely Silly And Heartwarming Fun
Take this with a grain of salt, but upon closer analysis, Netflix's Happy Gilmore 2 reveals a comedy that is smarter than it seems. For one, the original Happy Gilmore was about challenging the elitism of a stuffy, purist golf culture that needed a shake-up. A sort of lowbrow Caddyshack—if such a thing is possible—it was a blue-collar redemption story where talent and heart mattered more than etiquette. Which brings me to my point about Happy Gilmore 2: it revives that same working-class story in a setting the titular character once brought to golf—a world that has now gotten way, and I mean way, out of hand. Sandler is back with a sensibility only he can bring to the screen. This time, however, he has cleverly satirized commercialization and the modern evolution of golf. Particularly, the marketing of sports often clashes with tradition. Oh, and the movie happens to be funny, insanely silly, and heartwarming fun. The story picks up years after Happy Gilmore's (Adam Sandler) successful golf career. He's now married to the love of his life, Virginia (Modern Family's Julie Bowen, reprising her role from the original—a recurring theme in the film). They have five kids together, including four rough-and-tumble boys. Their youngest, Vienna (You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah's Sunny Sandler), is an aspiring ballet dancer. Oh, and John Daly hilariously lives in Happy's garage. Happy wants to retire, but Virginia believes he won't be—well, happy—without the game he loves. However, after a family tragedy, Happy quits golf, turns to drinking, and loses all his money. Happy now works at a grocery store to support his family (and apparently John Daly). That is, until Vienna accepts a prestigious ballet academy in Paris. Great, right? Well, hold on, because the tuition bill of over $300,000 is too much for them to afford. That is, until Frank Manatee (Benny Safdie—Sandler, rewarding him for directing Uncut Gems) approaches Happy with the deal of a lifetime. The CEO of Maxi Energy Drink wants to sponsor a new kind of game: Maxi Golf. The vision resembles characters from a Mad Max movie, and the courses resemble gigantic mini golf on steroids. Frank wants to make Happy the face of his brand of chaos in a gentleman's game. The real question is whether Happy will be able to find his stroke again to make his daughter's dreams come true. Happy Gilmore 2 was directed by Kyle Newacheck (What We Do in the Shadows). Working from a script from Sandler and Tim Herlihy, who cowrote such golden-age Sandler comedies as Billy Madison, The Waterboy, and The Wedding Singer. The movie tells a sweet story about family while honoring the original in multiple ways. For instance, all Happy's Boys do the same shtick he did on the job when he was on the golf course. An underlying theme is the love for his wife, Virginia, showing the performer's growth as a storyteller. Many will point to an overemphasis on nods to the original and star cameos. However, new ones like Bad Bunny, John Daly, and Travis Kelce steal the scenes they are in. Also, Ben Stiller and Christopher McDonald are comedic gems reprising their roles. However, Sandler always makes his films a family affair. He brings in relatives of members who have passed away, while also using special effects to create poignant cameos for those who have passed on. That is what makes Happy Gilmore 2 worth watching for the nostalgia factor alone, with Sandler bringing back everyone in some shape or form. For one, he returns to his comedic style, but also demonstrates his maturity by honoring those who gave him a helping hand. Not to mention the audience that always lent their support. The movie is a legacy sequel that is so much fun, you forget the controlled comedic chaos of it all, let go, and enjoy the experience for what it is. Happy Gilmore 2 is now available to stream exclusively on Netflix.
Geek Vibes Nation
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
Paramount To Release The Epic Conclusion 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' On 4K UHD Blu-Ray
Paramount Home Entertainment has officially announced that the final installment in the action franchise Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will be available to own on 4K UHD SteelBook, 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, and DVD on October 14, 2025. The film will also be available on Digital platforms on August 19th. The film is directed by Christopher McQuarrie, and it stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, alongside an ensemble cast including Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, and Angela Bassett. Fans who purchase the film can take a deep dive into the breathtaking production with behind-the-scenes interviews, exclusive commentary, and deleted footage not seen in theatres! Get the details below! Synopsis: Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – The Final Reckoning. Special Features BEHIND THE SCENES Taking Flight— Tom Cruise and director Christopher M c Quarrie take you through the biplanes stunt. Witness them push things to the next level to capture these incredible flight sequences. Tom Cruise and director Christopher M Quarrie take you through the biplanes stunt. Witness them push things to the next level to capture these incredible flight sequences. To The Depths— Dive in with Tom Cruise and director Christopher M c Quarrie to explore every detail of the water tank/moving gimbal, the special masks/water suits, and the rigorous planning and execution of this one-of-a-kind stunt. Dive in with Tom Cruise and director Christopher M Quarrie to explore every detail of the water tank/moving gimbal, the special masks/water suits, and the rigorous planning and execution of this one-of-a-kind stunt. To The North— Journey with the cast and crew to see how they filmed in extreme conditions to create the breathtaking sequence in the high Arctic of Svalbard. Journey with the cast and crew to see how they filmed in extreme conditions to create the breathtaking sequence in the high Arctic of Svalbard. Through the Mine— Explore the Middleton Mine as the team highlights the risks, challenges, and practical elements to pull off this incredible action sequence. Explore the Middleton Mine as the team highlights the risks, challenges, and practical elements to pull off this incredible action sequence. The Score—A behind-the-scenes look at the original music composed for the film. EDITORIAL CONTENT Deleted Footage Montage with Optional Commentary by Director Christopher M c Quarrie— Director Christopher M c Quarrie shares some of the stunning, never-before-seen deleted shots that did not make the final film. Director Christopher M Quarrie shares some of the stunning, never-before-seen deleted shots that did not make the final film. Olifants River Canyon with Optional Commentary by Director Christopher M c Quarrie— Director Christopher M c Quarrie details the difficulties of shooting the dangerous, low level flying sequence through the Olifants River Canyon in South Africa. Director Christopher M Quarrie details the difficulties of shooting the dangerous, low level flying sequence through the Olifants River Canyon in South Africa. Biplane Transfer with Optional Commentary by Director Christopher M c Quarrie and Tom Cruise—Tom Cruise and director Christopher M c Quarrie discuss the challenges of filming the highly technical and extremely dangerous biplane transfer stunt at high altitudes. COMMENTARIES Commentary by Director Christopher M c Quarrie and Tom Cruise— Enjoy a compelling, in-depth discussion with Christopher M c Quarrie and Tom Cruise. Enjoy a compelling, in-depth discussion with Christopher M Quarrie and Tom Cruise. Commentary by Director Christopher M c Quarrie, Editor Eddie Hamilton, and First Assistant Director Mary Boulding— Experience the film with riveting insights and analysis from these acclaimed filmmakers. Experience the film with riveting insights and analysis from these acclaimed filmmakers. Commentary by Composers Max Aruj and Alfie Godfrey, and Score Producer Cécile Tournesac—Hear from the artists who enhance the action with thrilling music. PROMO SPOTS Parachute Burn— Watch Tom Cruise earn a Guinness World Record for the most burning parachute jumps by an individual. Snorri Rig Camera— Survival is in the details. See the unique camera set up for Tom as he does his parachute jump. Jump Flip— Witness Tom's epic jump. Long Wing— See Tom hang on to the wing of the biplane mid-flight. STILL GALLERIES Tom Cruise (Biography included) (Biography included) Christopher M c Quarrie Collaboration Supporting Cast ISOLATED SCORE TRACK Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount! Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link!
Geek Vibes Nation
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
GKIDS To Release The Second Season Of 'Arcane League Of Legends' On 4K UHD Blu-Ray This October
GKIDS, Anime Limited & Shout! Studios will release Arcane League of Legends: Season Two on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray in a Limited Edition SteelBook on October 28, 2025. The series will also be released on Blu-Ray in a standard edition on that date, as well as a Limited-Run 4K UHD Collector's Edition on December 11, 2025. The release will include all nine episodes from the second season presented in glorious 4K resolution and mastered in Dolby Vision HDR. The series is set in the universe of the massively popular video game League of Legends, made by Riot Games and Fortiche Productions for Netflix. It is co-created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee, and follows the origins of iconic League champions Vi and Jinx, as they become caught in the power struggle between the utopian city of Piltover and the oppressed underground city of Zaun. The second and final season of Arcane returned to Netflix in November 2024 to rave reviews, garnering widespread praise for its striking animation, emotionally complicated characters, thrilling music, and overall production quality. It has been praised by critics as one of the best video game adaptations ever created. The series went on to win four primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Animated Program, as well as nine Annie Awards, including Best Mature Animated Television Broadcast Production. Get more details below! Synopsis: The award-winning series based on the League of Legends universe reaches its epic conclusion in Arcane Season Two. Following Jinx's devastating attack on the Council, the conflict between utopian Piltover and underground Zaun escalates to all-out war. As both sides grapple with the new threat of the brutal empire of Noxus, further experimentation with the powerful yet volatile Hextech may spell disaster for them all. With the final season complete, Arcane stands as one of the most critically acclaimed animated series of all time. Riot Games and Fortiche Productions combine engrossing and prescient storytelling with artfully crafted visuals to set a new paradigm for the medium of animation. Please Note: The 4K UHD release of Arcane includes the series on the 4K UHD discs only—the included Blu-ray disc contains bonus features only. Bonus Features for UHD/Blu-ray Inside the Writer's Room: Reshuffling the Cards – A reflection on Act 1 with Arcane Showrunner and Co-Creator Christian Linke, Writer Amanda Overton, and Directors Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord, and Bart Maunoury. A reflection on Act 1 with Arcane Showrunner and Co-Creator Christian Linke, Writer Amanda Overton, and Directors Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord, and Bart Maunoury. The Voices In My Head: Crafting the Performances – Voice Director Amanda Wyatt joins cast members Ella Purnell, Hailee Steinfeld, Katy Townsend, Kevin Alejandro, Mick Wingert, Reed Shannon, and Stewart Scudamore to discuss their process with character building in voice acting. Voice Director Amanda Wyatt joins cast members Ella Purnell, Hailee Steinfeld, Katy Townsend, Kevin Alejandro, Mick Wingert, Reed Shannon, and Stewart Scudamore to discuss their process with character building in voice acting. Artist Breakdown: Act 1 – Aurélien Ressencourt (2D FX Lead), Guillaume Degroote (2D FX Supervisor), Yann Leroy (Compositing Supervisor), Boris Cailly (Layout Artist), and Pauline Motard (Layout Supervisor). Aurélien Ressencourt (2D FX Lead), Guillaume Degroote (2D FX Supervisor), Yann Leroy (Compositing Supervisor), Boris Cailly (Layout Artist), and Pauline Motard (Layout Supervisor). Art Gallery – A collection of concept art for characters, props, and backgrounds that give an inside look into the creation of Arcane: League of Legends – Season 2. A collection of concept art for characters, props, and backgrounds that give an inside look into the creation of Arcane: League of Legends – Season 2. Inside the Writer's Room: Beauty and Tragedy – A reflection on Act 2 with Arcane Showrunner and Co-Creator Christian Linke, Writer Amanda Overton, and Directors Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord, and Bart Maunoury. A reflection on Act 2 with Arcane Showrunner and Co-Creator Christian Linke, Writer Amanda Overton, and Directors Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord, and Bart Maunoury. A Sonic Ballet – Alex Seaver (Executive Music Producer and Co-Composer), Alexander Temple (Co-Composer), and Sound Supervisors Brad Beaumont and Eliot Connors discuss the harmony between the composition of Arcane Season 2's score and sound design. Alex Seaver (Executive Music Producer and Co-Composer), Alexander Temple (Co-Composer), and Sound Supervisors Brad Beaumont and Eliot Connors discuss the harmony between the composition of Arcane Season 2's score and sound design. Artist Breakdown: Act 2 – Bart Maunoury (Co-Director), Pascal Charrue (Co-Director), and Arnaud Delord (Co-Director) Bart Maunoury (Co-Director), Pascal Charrue (Co-Director), and Arnaud Delord (Co-Director) Music Videos – Full music videos for 'Ma Meilleure Ennemie,' 'Blood, Sweat & Tears,' and 'Paint the Town Blue.' Full music videos for 'Ma Meilleure Ennemie,' 'Blood, Sweat & Tears,' and 'Paint the Town Blue.' Inside the Writer's Room: What Could've Been – A reflection on Act 3 with Arcane Showrunner and Co-Creator Christian Linke, Writer Amanda Overton, and Directors Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord, and Bart Maunoury. A reflection on Act 3 with Arcane Showrunner and Co-Creator Christian Linke, Writer Amanda Overton, and Directors Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord, and Bart Maunoury. Artist Breakdown: Act 3 – Zhephing Xu (Storyboarder), Adam Bachiri (3D FX Supervisor), and Simon Magnan (3D Environment Artist) Zhephing Xu (Storyboarder), Adam Bachiri (3D FX Supervisor), and Simon Magnan (3D Environment Artist) Going Another Way – Creatives at Riot and Fortiche provide an expansive look at the creation of a unique episode: 'Pretend Like It's the First Time.' Creatives at Riot and Fortiche provide an expansive look at the creation of a unique episode: 'Pretend Like It's the First Time.' Storyboards – A collection of storyboards and animatics showing the early stages of some memorable moments from Season 2. Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount! Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link!
Geek Vibes Nation
a day ago
- Automotive
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Self Driver' Blu-Ray Review - A Tense Heightening Of The Gig Economy
Facing mounting expenses and the unrelenting pressure of modern living, a down-on-his-luck cab driver is lured on to a mysterious new app that promises fast, easy money. As his first night on the job unfolds, he is pulled ever deeper into the dark underbelly of society, embarking on a journey that will test his moral code and shake his understanding of what it means to have freewill. The question becomes not how much money he can make, but what he'll be compelled to do to make it. If you've got nothing to lose, how far would you go? For thoughts on Self Driver, please see my colleague Lane Mills's review from its original festival release here. Video Quality Self Driver makes its Blu-Ray debut with a very strong 1080p video presentation that translates the film's look with great care. The ultra low-budget feature was reportedly shot using handheld cameras, which gives this a very claustrophobic, visceral aesthetic that makes you feel as if you are along for the ride. This also means the image is not always the most crisp and does not have the most complex color palette, but everything appears to be accurate to the source. The film primarily takes place at night, and there are some notable colors within the lighting such as neon signs along the road. The skin tones are natural with a fine amount of detail present in close-ups. The interior of the car and clothing provide some worthwhile textural details. Black levels reveal the slightest signs of banding in a few moments, but they largely hold up well enough. This Blu-Ray ensures this film maintains its authenticity as it is translated to physical media. Audio Quality Cinephobia Releasing gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that brings the soundscape to life without issue. Dialogue emerges clearly without being overshadowed by any competing sounds. Environmental sounds perk up the surround speakers with unique ambient details that settle you in the world of this vehicle. Any music maintains its fidelity as it complements parallel elements. There is a bit of texture in the lower registers during a few fraught moments when it comes to some of the bass in the music. The results are everything you want them to be when it comes to bringing this contained story to life. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Writer/Director Michael Pierro, producer Kire Paputts, and actor Nathanael Chadwick provide a commentary track that delves into the background of the production, collaborating with the other performers, the aesthetic of the film, the night shoots, and more. Alternate Scenes with Commentary by Writer/Director Michael Pierro: A 16-minute collection of footage that didn't make the final cut, including a full take of a scene from multiple angles that gives you an idea of how the movie was pieced together. Deleted Scenes: An 11-minute selection of footage that was not chosen for the film. Original Trailer (1:42) Behind The Scenes Still Gallery: A two-minute collection of moments from the production. Final Thoughts Self Driver is a really fun satire of the gig economy that forces you to question how far you are willing to go in order to serve your own needs. The film is compact in terms of scale, which allows the narrative to drill down on what is most prescient. Things stay relatively grounded, so gorehounds looking for something particularly grisly may feel underwhelmed, but the tension rings true throughout for a particularly captivating experience. Cinephobia Releasing has released a Blu-Ray featuring a strong A/V presentation and a decent selection of special features. Recommended Self Driver is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Cinephobia Releasing and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
