New to Blu: Movies > March 7-13

Thirty years after John Carpenter’s original comes the prequel, confusingly with the same title.

“Considering how good the transfer looks, it’s time for the wary fans of Carpenter’s Thing to push their fears aside and enjoy this prequel. As expected from new releases, the picture is 100 percent clean, carries a slight amount of film grain and is consistent in quality.”

However, while The Thing may look striking, “look closer and you’ll spot the flaws in its disguise.

“Mild noise reduction is apparent throughout, clarity takes a few small hits, and slightly smeared facial textures — not soft, although there’s a bit of that as well — put a damper on the image and its otherwise decent detail.”

“Very solid audio (better than the video) via a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track at 3600 kbps.

“The creature makes effect sounds that fill the room with definite power, depth and punchy screeches that pounce out of the rear speakers.”

The Thing can be bought separately or as part of a double-pack with a Blu-ray re-issue of the original.

While Anonymous‘ investigation into who wrote Shakespeare’s play might leave audiences a bit baffled, “not so with the accompanying 1080p transfer. Sony’s done it again, providing a new release film with a nearly faultless Blu-ray presentation.”

“This is the kind of image that pops off the screen and is something you might demo out … purely splendid and a joy to watch.”

Also don’t overlook the direct-to-disc Warrior, a kind of The Fighter of the martial arts circuit (even if the movie sounds better than the picture): “Heavy amounts of digital noise are a nuisance for 60 percent of the film, so prepare yourself for 140 minutes of tragically annoying video.”

At least that was one view of the US disc — far more favourable was this take on the UK release: “Warrior gets an AVC encode that takes great delight in revealing every pore, blemish, drop of sweat and livid welt and bruise on offer within the 2.40:1 frame.

“In short, this has a great many moments that are staggeringly detailed, with an image that can often sport the sort of live right-in-front-of-you appeal that hi-def does so well with modern fare.”

Also new are the comedy, I Don’t Know How She Does It, the horror sequel Wrong Turn 4, and the direct-to-disc Another Earth and Entitled.

But the week’s best newcomers promise to be the Universal 100th anniversary restorations of To Kill a Mockingbird and All Quiet on the Western Front, while David Lynch fans can collect for the first time on Blu-ray Lost Highway and Twin Peaks: Fire Walks With Me.

One of Disney’s lesser ‘toons, Pocahontas (and its sequel), also bows on Blu-ray.