New to Blu: July 13-19 (Movies)

Clint Eastwood’s take on the afterlife, Hereafter, lands on Blu-ray without the benefit of a theatrical release.

Not surprisingly, extras are minimal given the movie tanked at the box office but there’s a Blu-ray exclusive that’s a must-have for film buffs: an extended edition of Richard Schickel’s acclaimed documentary, The Eastwood Factor, which also is presented for the first time in HD.

As for the movie’s Blu-ray specs, it appears to be “a fine, almost flawless” presentation “that highlights Tom Stern’s excellent cinematography” and is “blessed with everything film fans should expect from a recent theatrical release — utter respect for its filmmakers’ solemn palette and photography, cool but confident colours, natural primaries, lifelike skin tones, bottomless blacks, impeccable contrast leveling and remarkable detail”.

The animated Rango was even more highly praised for its “absolute digital perfection” and an “authentic western look” that “is very worthy of a perfect ‘5 Star Rating’” while Unknown boasts “a sleek action thriller look” and its “purposely unnatural colour palette and cinematic style are rendered darn near perfectly”.

Views on District 13: Ultimatum’s transfer ranged from “certainly more than watchable, but the lesser quality of the darker scenes is a bit of a sore spot” to “ceaselessly stunning” and “gorgeous, pushing the varied colour palette of the slum and the fight venues straight out of the television with vigour”.

Also new from Wednesday are Beastly and the comedies Love Birds, Hall Pass and Big Momma’s House: Like Father, Like Son.