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The Fabulous Baker Boys (MVD) Blu-ray Review

An incredibly slick Jeff Bridges performance and a ravishing Michelle Pfeiffer light up the screen in this bittersweet conflict, The Fabulous Baker Boys

Candyman (1992) 4K UHD Review

Video Sensational color reproduction sells this Dolby Vision master immediately. Saturation is remarkable, from the dense flesh tones to the bountiful primaries, Candyman spills impeccable vibrancy. Nothing oversaturates, but pushes right up to the line. Choosing the unrated cut, the additional footage is HD only. Oddly, that better sells the 4K material, directly showing resolution gains. Candyman isn't the sharpest film stock, yet definition excels anyway. Texture abounds, medium and close-ups equally pure. Dazzling exteriors bring out the city's concrete and graffiti. Shout's grain replication keeps the imagery pure and wholly film-like. The heightened color doesn't pose a challenge. Dressed in lush black levels, shadows hit pure black consistently, a slight crush inherent to the cinematography while causing minimum loss. Gains in brightness elevate highlights, peaks represented well and with enough intensity. Audio Phillip Glass' score benefits greatly from this Atmos track. Organ keys hum in the low-end while the choir hauntingly spreads through the surrounds and heights. The same happens with Tony Todd's voice, a slight bass added to the wide reverb whenever he speaks. Remastering drives a wide soundstage, voices drifting around, precise and clear. Small touches like doors closing come from the proper channel. Ambient echoes bounce off walls inside the projects. Candyman sounds like it was always mixed this way, truly organic and respectful of the source.

A smartly conceived take on slasher cinema and inner city lore, Candyman's power lies in its lasting social consciousness.

Gattaca 4K UHD Review

Gattaca uses genetic tinkering to intelligently explore diversity and social bias through a successful sci-fi lens.

Son of Batman Blu-ray Review

Son of Batman squanders excitement with blasé patches of fighting meant to draw the eye, but turns into a shambling circus of shunned fan service.

Shanghai Noon Review

Chan flips kicks the piece to success, towering over the hackneyed familiarity of the cliche-riddled script with wildly kooky fight scenes.

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