Latest news with #DaffyDuck
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A New Blu-ray Collection Opens the Warner Bros. Animation Vault — and Finds 50 Treasures Inside
In May of 2023, Warner Bros. released a collection of classic cartoons on Blu-ray through their boutique Warner Archive label that was directly aimed at serious enthusiasts. That set, 'Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 1,' was pure gold for animation fans, featuring 25 cartoons that had never been released on DVD or Blu-ray in remastered form. The positive response from lovers of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig led to three more volumes, each collecting 25 new shorts that were meticulously restored and presented in exquisite transfers. More from IndieWire '28 Years Later' Review: A Tender, Thoughtful, and Strangely Moving Sequel to One of the Scariest Zombie Movies Ever How 'Materialists' Finds True Love in New York City Now, Warner Archive is continuing their mission with 'Looney Tunes Collector's Vault: Volume 1,' a set that continues the label's previous work and expands on it. 'I decided that instead of releasing a Volume 5 with the same curation criteria we would expand to 2-disc collections,' film historian George Feltenstein, who oversees the Warner Archive label, told IndieWire. 'The idea was to expand the variety of classic cartoons offered by letting the first disc continue the mission of what we had established with the Collector's Choice releases — 25 cartoons not previously available on DVD or Blu-ray in remastered form as part of a WB classic collection,' he said. 'However, the addition of the second disc would contain 25 cartoons that have been available in standard definition on DVD, but had yet to be included remastered in High Definition on a Blu-ray disc.' Among the newly included cartoons are several fan favorites and rarities, including choice selections by legendary director Chuck Jones. Feltenstein said that choosing favorites is difficult since he, in collaboration with animation historian Jerry Beck, selected all the cartoons, but he has particular fondness for the 1945 Jones short 'Hare Conditioned.' In this hilarious cartoon, Bugs Bunny faces a threat from a department store manager who wants to get Bugs stuffed in the taxidermy department. 'Most of the Warner Bros. animation directors had their take on Bugs, but Jones' work with the character just seemed to get better and better over the years,' Feltenstein said. 'This is a relatively early Jones/Bugs cartoon, but it has been a favorite since childhood.' Feltenstein also points to Jones' 1948 Daffy Duck short 'Daffy Dilly' as a treasure that exhibits Daffy's evolution under Jones' direction. 'I had the pleasure of meeting Chuck Jones late in his life, and we spoke at length about his work at Warner Bros.,' Feltenstein said. 'He once told me — and I assume he told this to many — that Bugs Bunny, for him, represented the kind of individual we aspire to be, and that Daffy Duck was the individual we are afraid we're really more like. I thought his statement was quite brilliant.' In choosing the cartoons for the Warner Archive collections, Feltenstein and Beck — who have been collaborating on the programming of classic animation releases going back to the laserdisc era — asked themselves what the fans would want, which isn't difficult since they're fans themselves. In addition to the Jones shorts, other highlights in the vault collection include Friz Freleng's 'Each Dawn I Crow' (1949) with Elmer Fudd from 1949, and 'The Goofy Gophers,' which was released in 1947. ''The Goofy Gophers' features the screen debut of the characters 'Mac and Tosh,' who appeared in several successive cartoons, but this was their introduction to the big screen,' Feltenstein said. 'It was allegedly started by legendary animator Bob Clampett, but the balance of the work was taken over by Arthur Davis after Clampett's sudden departure from the studio.' In addition to his work on the Warner animation collections, Feltenstein oversees a wide array of releases from the studio's live-action catalogue, often putting out pristine releases of classics as well as cult favorites and idiosyncratic oddities. Recent months have seen new Blu-rays of titles as varied as the criminally underrated Ryan Reynolds/Amy Smart comedy 'Just Friends,' Vincente Minnelli's visually stunning melodrama 'The Cobweb,' and the blaxploitation gem 'Melinda,' just to name a few. 'We are usually working on several dozen releases at any given time, in various stages of production,' Feltenstein. 'This requires very close coordination with other departments, so we can make sure that our efforts are synchronized with the company's dedication to preservation efforts.' Right now, the Warner Archive Collection is the only studio-based 'boutique' label, dedicated to what physical media collectors want most, and Feltenstein takes his role as curator seriously. 'There are many factors that go into what can get released, and what is still waiting,' Feltenstein said. 'We also have various groups of die-hard enthusiast consumers who each want to make their voices heard loudly about what they want to see released. We're listening, and our goal is to try and please all the different fan factions.' Ultimately, Feltenstein's work is complicated but his mission is simple: to get as much of the Warners library released from the vaults and onto the shelves of home viewers. It's a mission he's been on for over 16 years that has now yielded several thousand releases; given how strong the company's recent releases have been, here's hoping there are thousands more to come. Best of IndieWire The Best Thrillers Streaming on Netflix in June, from 'Vertigo' and 'Rear Window' to 'Emily the Criminal' All 12 Wes Anderson Movies, Ranked, from 'Bottle Rocket' to 'The Phoenician Scheme' Nightmare Film Shoots: The 38 Most Grueling Films Ever Made, from 'Deliverance' to 'The Wages of Fear'
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Rides, Experiences, and Events Galore at Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi - Middle East Business News and Information
As the MENA region's largest indoor theme park and the second biggest in the world, you'll find plenty of fun and unique rides and experiences at Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi . You can also join several themed and seasonal events during your visit. As such, be prepared for a day full of excitement and laughter when you visit Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. But what are the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi events , rides, and experiences you should expect and place on top of your itinerary here? Here's a look at them: Rides Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi boasts over 30 family-friendly rides and experiences inspired by the studio's iconic movie and TV show franchises and characters. Some of its must-try rides include: The Flintstones Bedrock River Adventure Explore Bedrock, the home of the legendary Flintstones, and be part of their fun-filled escapades on The Flintstones Bedrock River Adventure. Go on a river ride with the famous modern Stone Age family and the rest of Bedrock residents during the Stonetennial Celebration. Be on the lookout for some dinosaurs that will put a cramp in the festivities, and get ready to help Fred, Wilma, Barney, Betty, and the other citizens save the parade and the city. You can find The Flintstones Bedrock River Adventure at Bedrock, the theme park's prehistoric land. Fast and Furry-ous This inverted roller coaster is the theme park's most exciting ride . Here, you'll join Wile E. Coyote as he goes on another wacky adventure to catch his nemesis, the Road Runner. Fast and Furry-ous is set in a scenic Southwest American desert. As you try to catch the Road Runner, you'll whizz past sand dunes, go up and down hills, and zip around banked turns. It's a wild ride that will get you screaming at the top of your lungs! Ride the Fast and Furry-ous at Dynamite Gulch, the park's desert-inspired land. This zone is also home to other fun rides, including The Jetsons Cosmic Orbiter and Marvin the Martian Crater Crashers. Cartoon Carousel Junction If you want to go on a merry-go-round, head to the Cartoon Carousel Junction, where you can hop aboard your choice of Loony Tunes or Hanna-Barbera character and enjoy the fun ride. Hang out with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Scooby-Doo, Pebbles, and Tom and Jerry as you go round and round aboard the carousel. Enjoying this ride is a great way to immerse yourself in the whimsical world of the Warner Bros. studio. The Cartoon Carousel Junction is located in the Cartoon Junction town square. This land also features other rides and attractions, such as Tom and Jerry: Swiss Cheese Spin, Tweety Wild Wockets, and Ricochet Racin' with Taz. Daffy Jet-Propelled Pogo Stick Strap in and hang on tight as you help Daffy Duck test his new invention: a jet-propelled pogo stick. The Daffy Jet-Propelled Pogo Stick is one of the most fun rides at Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It's a vertical jump tower that bounces guests up and down. It's designed to give children and adults an exciting ride. This ride is also located at the Cartoon Junction. Experiences Join the Justice League, the Scooby Gang, and the Looney Tunes bunch in various adventurous that include: Batman: Knight Flight This immersive attraction lets you take on the role of a test pilot for the Dark Knight's newest Batmobile. As you take the state-of-the-art vehicle for a test drive, be ready for a high-speed, adrenaline-pumping ride through Gotham City . You'll experience exhilarating climbs, drops, rolls, and spins as you patrol the streets of Batman's beloved town. You can find Batman: Knight Flight and other rides and attractions inspired by the world of Batman, such as the Scarecrow Scare Raid, The Joker Funhouse, and Rogues Gallery Games in the Gotham City zone. Superman 360: Battle for Metropolis Get the chance to join the Man of Steel in one of his epic adventures in Superman 360: Battle for Metropolis. Superman 360: Battle for Metropolis features a stereoscopic 360-degree 3D projection and show-action equipment that immerses you in a pulse-pounding quest to save the city of Metropolis . You'll lend the Man of Steel a hand as he battles various villains. Head to Metropolis to explore this attraction. This land is also home to Justice League: Warworld Attacks and the Teen Titans Training Academy. Green Lantern: Galactic Odyssey Be part of the Green Lantern Corps as they protect the universe in this 360-degree, 4-D flying theater experience. Green Lantern: Galactic Odyssey transports you and the Green Lantern to mysterious worlds to fight villains bent on destroying the universe. You'll fly over vibrant fields and cities as you jump from one battle to another. You can enjoy this immersive experience at Metropolis. Scooby-Doo: The Museum of Mysteries If you've always wanted to join Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma as they solve a mind-boggling mystery, you'll get the chance at Scooby-Doo: The Museum of Mysteries. The Scooby Gang is trapped inside the soon-to-be-closed Museum of Mysteries. Help them look for clues to navigate secret passageways and spooky corridors and escape from the creepy museum. Scooby-Doo: The Museum of Mysteries is located at the Cartoon Junction. Events Below are some amazing events you can join when you visit Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi this year: Tom and Jerry Takeover Eid Al Fitr Celebration Team Looney Tunes: Get in the Game Eid Al Adha Celebration Lights Camera Action Live Show! Spooktober DC Super Hero Season Winter Spectacular When you opt for the VIP experiences, you can have access to all the rides, experiences, and events while getting more perks during your visit to the park . You can enjoy a five-hour guided VIP tour and exclusive dining experiences, skip lines with your flash pass, and take home customized souvenirs. When you visit Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, be prepared for a fun, adventure-filled, and rewarding day, thanks to its incredible rides, experiences, and events.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A New Blu-ray Collection Opens the Warner Bros. Animation Vault — and Finds 50 Treasures Inside
In May of 2023, Warner Bros. released a collection of classic cartoons on Blu-ray through their boutique Warner Archive label that was directly aimed at serious enthusiasts. That set, 'Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 1,' was pure gold for animation fans, featuring 25 cartoons that had never been released on DVD or Blu-ray in remastered form. The positive response from lovers of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig led to three more volumes, each collecting 25 new shorts that were meticulously restored and presented in exquisite transfers. More from IndieWire '28 Years Later' Review: A Tender, Thoughtful, and Strangely Moving Sequel to One of the Scariest Zombie Movies Ever How 'Materialists' Finds True Love in New York City Now, Warner Archive is continuing their mission with 'Looney Tunes Collector's Vault: Volume 1,' a set that continues the label's previous work and expands on it. 'I decided that instead of releasing a Volume 5 with the same curation criteria we would expand to 2-disc collections,' film historian George Feltenstein, who oversees the Warner Archive label, told IndieWire. 'The idea was to expand the variety of classic cartoons offered by letting the first disc continue the mission of what we had established with the Collector's Choice releases — 25 cartoons not previously available on DVD or Blu-ray in remastered form as part of a WB classic collection,' he said. 'However, the addition of the second disc would contain 25 cartoons that have been available in standard definition on DVD, but had yet to be included remastered in High Definition on a Blu-ray disc.' Among the newly included cartoons are several fan favorites and rarities, including choice selections by legendary director Chuck Jones. Feltenstein said that choosing favorites is difficult since he, in collaboration with animation historian Jerry Beck, selected all the cartoons, but he has particular fondness for the 1945 Jones short 'Hare Conditioned.' In this hilarious cartoon, Bugs Bunny faces a threat from a department store manager who wants to get Bugs stuffed in the taxidermy department. 'Most of the Warner Bros. animation directors had their take on Bugs, but Jones' work with the character just seemed to get better and better over the years,' Feltenstein said. 'This is a relatively early Jones/Bugs cartoon, but it has been a favorite since childhood.' Feltenstein also points to Jones' 1948 Daffy Duck short 'Daffy Dilly' as a treasure that exhibits Daffy's evolution under Jones' direction. 'I had the pleasure of meeting Chuck Jones late in his life, and we spoke at length about his work at Warner Bros.,' Feltenstein said. 'He once told me — and I assume he told this to many — that Bugs Bunny, for him, represented the kind of individual we aspire to be, and that Daffy Duck was the individual we are afraid we're really more like. I thought his statement was quite brilliant.' In choosing the cartoons for the Warner Archive collections, Feltenstein and Beck — who have been collaborating on the programming of classic animation releases going back to the laserdisc era — asked themselves what the fans would want, which isn't difficult since they're fans themselves. In addition to the Jones shorts, other highlights in the vault collection include Friz Freleng's 'Each Dawn I Crow' (1949) with Elmer Fudd from 1949, and 'The Goofy Gophers,' which was released in 1947. ''The Goofy Gophers' features the screen debut of the characters 'Mac and Tosh,' who appeared in several successive cartoons, but this was their introduction to the big screen,' Feltenstein said. 'It was allegedly started by legendary animator Bob Clampett, but the balance of the work was taken over by Arthur Davis after Clampett's sudden departure from the studio.' In addition to his work on the Warner animation collections, Feltenstein oversees a wide array of releases from the studio's live-action catalogue, often putting out pristine releases of classics as well as cult favorites and idiosyncratic oddities. Recent months have seen new Blu-rays of titles as varied as the criminally underrated Ryan Reynolds/Amy Smart comedy 'Just Friends,' Vincente Minnelli's visually stunning melodrama 'The Cobweb,' and the blaxploitation gem 'Melinda,' just to name a few. 'We are usually working on several dozen releases at any given time, in various stages of production,' Feltenstein. 'This requires very close coordination with other departments, so we can make sure that our efforts are synchronized with the company's dedication to preservation efforts.' Right now, the Warner Archive Collection is the only studio-based 'boutique' label, dedicated to what physical media collectors want most, and Feltenstein takes his role as curator seriously. 'There are many factors that go into what can get released, and what is still waiting,' Feltenstein said. 'We also have various groups of die-hard enthusiast consumers who each want to make their voices heard loudly about what they want to see released. We're listening, and our goal is to try and please all the different fan factions.' Ultimately, Feltenstein's work is complicated but his mission is simple: to get as much of the Warners library released from the vaults and onto the shelves of home viewers. It's a mission he's been on for over 16 years that has now yielded several thousand releases; given how strong the company's recent releases have been, here's hoping there are thousands more to come. Best of IndieWire The Best Thrillers Streaming on Netflix in June, from 'Vertigo' and 'Rear Window' to 'Emily the Criminal' All 12 Wes Anderson Movies, Ranked, from 'Bottle Rocket' to 'The Phoenician Scheme' Nightmare Film Shoots: The 38 Most Grueling Films Ever Made, from 'Deliverance' to 'The Wages of Fear'
CNET
05-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Streaming on Max: The 28 Absolute Best Movies to Watch
Wondering what you should watch next on the Max streaming service? Max (which will soon be called HBO Max again) streams a variety of titles, including Warner Bros. movies like Dune and HBO originals such as Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off. Below, you'll find a batch of can't-miss films, plus a look at new releases for this month. If you're still trying to figure out if Max is right for you, skim our review of the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming service. New releases for June Note: These descriptions are taken from Max press releases and official websites for the films. They've been lightly edited for style. June 6 Parthenope (2024): Drama. Parthenope, born in the sea of Naples in 1950, searches for happiness over the long summers of her youth, falling in love with her home city and its many memorable characters. June 13 Cleaner (2025): Action thriller. Set in present-day London, a group of radical activists take over an energy company's annual gala, seizing 300 hostages in order to expose the corruption of the hosts. June 27 The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024): Animated comedy. Porky Pig and Daffy Duck venture to the big screen as unlikely heroes when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind control plot. TBD June A Minecraft Movie (2025): Adventure. Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. Read more: Best TV Shows to Watch on Max The best movies to watch The films below consist of notable new releases and blockbusters, HBO and Max originals and Warner Bros. films made exclusively for Max. Drama A24 Sing Sing (2024) Sing Sing is a subtle and impactful prison drama starring Colman Domingo -- who earned a 2025 best actor Oscar nomination for his role -- and formerly incarcerated actors. Domingo plays Divine G, who acts in a theater group while imprisoned at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. The film will surprise and uplift you. Warner Bros. Juror #2 (2024) Nicholas Hoult, J.K. Simmons and Toni Collette are in the cast of this absorbing, haunting Clint Eastwood courtroom drama. Hoult stars as Justin Kemp, who faces a moral dilemma after getting called for jury duty. He must decide whether to disclose information that would change the outcome of the high-profile trial and impact his own life. A well-acted, well-paced flick that will get you thinking. Max Turtles All the Way Down (2024) Don't usually dabble in the young adult genre? You shouldn't let that keep you from taking in Turtles All the Way Down, based on a 2017 novel of the same name by John Green. The film stars Isabela Merced (The Last of Us, Alien: Romulus) as a teen who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. With elements of romance and a captivating performance from Merced, this straight-to-streaming movie deserves more attention. A24 Priscilla (2023) Sofia Coppola's Priscilla, about the relationship between Priscilla and Elvis Presley, is streaming on Max along with other recent films from entertainment company A24. Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi star in the stylish flick, which tells things from Priscilla's point of view. If you like new A24 flicks, Max's stash also includes The Iron Claw, The Zone of Interest, Dream Scenario, Love Lies Bleeding and Civil War. WarnerMedia The Fallout (2022) After a shooting occurs at her high school, 16-year-old Vada Cavell must navigate friendships, school and her relationship with her family. The Fallout skillfully approaches serious subject matter with realistic dialogue and compassion for its characters. With strong performances from stars Jenna Ortega as Vada and Maddie Ziegler as her new friend Mia Reed, the feature will keep you glued to the screen for the entirety of its 90-minute runtime. Warner Bros. Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024) Remember 2021, when Warner Bros. movies hit HBO Max on the same day they premiered in theaters? That exciting period may be over, but at least we'll always have the memory of watching Denis Villeneuve's spectacular sci-fi epic at home and still being part of the conversation. Both parts of Dune are now streaming on Max. Criterion Drive My Car (2021) What can we say about the acclaimed Japanese drama Drive My Car? Well, it snagged an Oscar for Best International Feature Film at the 2022 Academy Awards. It's also a three-hour movie that people are sitting and watching all the way through, which, to me, speaks volumes. Seriously, Drive My Car is a powerful film that explores loss and letting go. If you missed it, stream it now. Chiabella James/Warner Bros. Pictures King Richard (2021) King Richard is a feel-good biopic about the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. The film winds back the clock to before the sisters became household names, giving us a glimpse of their upbringing in Compton and time spent practicing on rundown courts with their father, Richard Williams (Will Smith). Convinced his daughters are going to be successful, Richard works tirelessly to get their star potential noticed by professional coaches. A complicated man with a tremendous personality, Richard is fascinating to get to know, and his unwavering belief in Venus and Serena is inspiring. Imaginal Disc Son of Monarchs (2020) A rare (nowadays) 90-minute film, American Mexican drama Son of Monarchs will stay with you long after the credits roll. This deep character study follows two brothers who are changed in markedly different ways by the trauma they suffered in childhood. This story, folding in magical realism, follows how they move forward in life -- the butterfly metaphors are strong, with biologist Mendel returning to his hometown surrounded by majestic monarch butterfly forests. HBO Bad Education (2019) Based on a magazine article by journalist Robert Kolker, this tale about a public school embezzlement scandal and the student journalists who broke the news is captivating from start to finish. Allison Janney and Hugh Jackman are great in their roles as the school officials who took part in the scheme. The drama also won the 2020 Emmy award for Outstanding Television Movie. Action and adventure Warner Bros. Pictures Mickey 17 (2025) Mickey 17 comes from acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, Parasite) and stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes. Barnes escapes Earth for another planet by applying to be an "expendable." The role subjects him to deadly missions and experiments, with his body reprinted each time he doesn't make it. Black humor, heart, eccentricity and great performances are all on display. Even if the film doesn't surpass any of Bong's earlier works, it deservedly makes it on this list. Janus Films Flow (2024) Winner of Best Animated Feature at the 2025 Oscars, this wordless Latvian film follows a black cat after a great flood devastates his home. The brave feline bands together with a capybara, a lemur, a bird and a dog in a stunning and thought-provoking film that will appeal to adults and kids alike. Studio Ghibli The Boy and the Heron (2023) Who can pass up a Studio Ghibli film? Hayao Miyazaki came out of retirement to make The Boy and the Heron, which won the award for best animated feature at the 2024 Oscars. The starry English voice cast includes Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh and more. Warner Bros. Pictures Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) This thrilling prequel to the 2015 movie Mad Max: Fury Road stars Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit, The Menu) as a younger version of Charlize Theron's Imperator Furiosa. Life takes a turn for the protagonist when she finds herself in the Wasteland rather than the Green Place of Many Mothers. The resourceful heroine fights for survival, facing off with villains such as the warlord Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth. Visually striking and intense, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is chock-full of postapocalyptic action, and you won't want to miss a minute. Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Barbie (2023) Unless you've been living in Barbie Land (or another place that isn't the real world), chances are you're very familiar with this pink-coated comedy already. The flick -- Warner Bros.' highest-grossing global release of all time -- brings a long list of stars together for a hilarious and heartfelt adventure. Greta Gerwig directs, Margot Robbie plays the titular role and Ryan Gosling belts out an incredible power ballad as Ken. Superhero Warner Bros. The Suicide Squad (2021) Over-the-top violence abounds in this DC film about supervillains who agree to help the US government in exchange for some time off their prison sentences. Their mission is to destroy something alluded to as Project Starfish, harbored in the fictional island country of Corto Maltese. With a notable cast that includes Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena, 2021's The Suicide Squad is a wickedly entertaining, darkly funny bloodbath that differs from what you usually see in superhero movies. (Peacemaker, a spinoff TV series, is also available on Max.) Warner Bros. The Batman (2022) Robert Pattinson steps out as Batman in this moody superhero flick directed by Matt Reeves. The movie takes place in a perpetually gray and rain-soaked Gotham City, where Bruce Wayne starts to seek out a murderer with an affinity for riddles. Along the way, he meets Catwoman, played by a swaggering Zoë Kravitz. Catch up on the dark and satisfying mystery before you watch the Max spinoff series, The Penguin. Comedy Emily Knecht/Max Am I OK? (2022) This comedy-drama follows Dakota Johnson's character, 32-year-old Lucy, who tells her longtime best friend Jane that she likes women. But there's more for Lucy to navigate as that friend, played by House of the Dragon's Sonoya Mizuno, is moving far away to London. If you enjoy stories about late blooming and female friendships, it's no question -- you should check out the funny, touching Am I OK? Warner Bros. Father of the Bride (2022) Max's Father of the Bride introduces a Cuban American family that includes patriarch Billy, a traditional guy who struggles to digest surprising news from his eldest daughter: She's met a guy, and she wants to marry and move away with him. The third film adaptation of a 1949 novel of the same name by Edward Streeter, the movie is an enjoyable iteration that includes stars like Andy Garcia and singer Gloria Estefan. Max Let Them All Talk (2020) Meryl Streep playing an eccentric author in a Steven Soderbergh comedy. What more do you need to know? If you do want to know more: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Alice Hughes (Streep) is struggling to finish her next book, chased by her literary agent (Gemma Chan). She boards a cruise ship with old friends, who inspired her best-known work. Tensions are strong. It looks great -- Soderbergh uses crisp, natural light -- and most of the dialogue is improvised. See how Dianne Wiest, Candice Bergen, Lucas Hedges and the rest of the impeccable cast have fun with that. Thriller Warner Bros. Kimi (2022) Steven Soderbergh directs this engaging tech thriller set during the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela, a Seattle tech worker played by a neon blue-haired Zoë Kravitz, has agoraphobia, a fear that prevents her from making it past the front door of her apartment. But when she uncovers an unsettling recording while doing her job, she's pushed to make the leap. Kimi is a stylish thriller complete with eye-catching cinematography, a solid score and a protagonist you'll be rooting for. Max No Sudden Move (2021) A movie from Steven Soderbergh, the great director behind Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven and, more recently, Logan Lucky? Twists, thrills and desperate characters populate this crime thriller set in 1950s Detroit. When a seemingly simple job gets out of hand, a group of criminals must work together to uncover what's really going on. Take in the incredible cast: Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm and Amy Seimetz. While the plot can be a little convoluted and some won't be able to get past the fish-eye lens cinematography, Soderbergh's sense of humor and immersive direction make this crime caper an entertaining night in. Documentary HBO All That Breathes (2022) This captivating documentary is filled with images that will stick with you. It centers on two brothers in New Delhi who run a bird hospital dedicated to black kites -- birds of prey that are a staple of the sky. It was a contender for best documentary feature at the 2023 Oscars. Max Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off (2022) Tune into this HBO doc for the gravity-defying skateboard stunts, a time capsule of the '80s skateboarding scene, and a version of Hawk you've probably never seen. We get to know the renowned athlete as a lanky, stubborn but determined kid who adopted his own skateboarding style. Hawk's persistence is something to marvel at, along with all the stunning skateboard moves this film packs in. Hang on for a memorable ride. CNN/Focus Features Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021) This film about beloved author, chef and globe-traveling TV host Anthony Bourdain comes from documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville, who also directed 2018's Won't You Be My Neighbor? and the Oscar-winning film Twenty Feet from Stardom. In interviews with people who knew Bourdain, like his friends, former partners and longtime colleagues, the doc tracks his career path, relationships and personal struggles. Bourdain fans and those less acquainted with the star will likely appreciate this two-hour look at his life. Musical Warner Bros. Pictures Wonka (2023) Dune's Timothée Chalamet stars in this prequel to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it's a total treat. With new and familiar tunes, a committed cast and oodles and oodles of whimsy, the film allows audiences to get to know a young Willy Wonka with giraffe-sized ambition and undeniable chocolate-making skill. It's a quirky, comforting flick from Paddington director Paul King that you'll absolutely want on your plate. Warner Bros. Pictures The Color Purple (2023) This movie musical version of The Color Purple is adapted from Alice Walker's 1982 novel and the Broadway play. Set in the early 1900s, the film tells the story of Celie, a Black woman living in the South who faces multiple hardships but is able to find strength in the bonds in her life. The cast includes Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey and Danielle Brooks, who received a 2023 Oscar nomination for her role as Celie's daughter-in-law, Sofia.
Geek Vibes Nation
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie' Blu-Ray Review - A Gift For Classic Looney Tunes Fans
A brand new buddy comedy starring Porky Pig and Daffy Duck! This richly-crafted, hand-drawn 2D animated adventure marks the first fully-animated feature-length film in Looney Tunes history, told on a scope and scale that's truly out of this world. For in-depth thoughts on The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, please see my colleague Phil Walsh's review from its original theatrical release here. Video Quality The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie comes to Blu-Ray with a sterling 1080p transfer. The level of care and precision these animators put into every unique environment really flourishes here. The texture of the classic character designs and the environments are impressive and give the film a real sense of dimension within its traditional 2-D origins. The fluid nature of the character designs is one of the reasons this film stands out in HD. Viewers are treated to a vibrant array of colors that radiate off the screen with the wide range of hues saturating every inch of the frame. Black levels are incredibly strong with no instances of compression artifacts or digital anomalies of the sort. This transfer is every bit as wonderful as a modern animated film should be on Blu-Ray. Audio Quality This Blu-Ray makes the most of its Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track which gives this story a solid presentation. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without ever getting overshadowed by the competing music or sound effects. This track puts a focus on the front channels for a significant chunk of the sounds, but activity extends to the surrounds and rears during the more looney and action-oriented bits along with the musical soundscape. The low end effects from the subwoofer give memorable sequences that extra push to ramp up the fun. Music maintains a flawless fidelity as it flows through the room. Atmospheric sound effects are rendered creatively within the mix so that directionality is never in question. While we wish this were a full lossless track, Ketchup Entertainment has delivered a fine audio experience for this one. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Trailer (1:01) Final Thoughts The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is a welcome throwback to old-school Looney Tunes sensibilities thanks to the sumptuous 2-D animation and its deft mixture of wit and broad gags. The narrative does not try to overindulge on fan service by including a deluge of familiar faces from the greater universe; the film trusts the star duo to anchor the proceedings, and they do so effortlessly. Even with the short runtime, the film does begin to feel a bit long near the end, but the movie has built up enough goodwill by this point that you forgive these minor shortcomings. Ketchup Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray featuring a sterling A/V presentation but almost nothing in the way of supplemental materials. If you love the characters, you will at least have a great time with this entry. Recommended The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Ketchup Entertainment 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.
