Blu Tuesday is a weekly column where we review the newest Blu-ray and 4K releases, along with a brief rundown of the included bonus material, to determine whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping.
Pick of the Week: “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1”
Movies like “Horizon: An American Saga” may not be financially viable, as shown by the poor box office performance of “Chapter 1,” but it’s hard not to be enamored by the sheer ambition and scale of Kevin Costner’s epic Western, which was originally planned as a four-film series about the expansion of the American West during the Civil War era. Though there’s so much packed into the first chapter’s three-hour runtime — with several different stories to keep track of, some more interesting than others — that the whole thing would have been better served as a TV miniseries, there’s something about seeing an old-fashioned Western brought to life on film that just feels right, especially with the beautiful vistas and grand orchestral score. Granted, the movie can be a bit corny at times, and we may never get a chance to see the other three parts of Costner’s sprawling tale, but it’s a nonetheless intriguing (and often entertaining) cinematic experiment that’s well worth your attention. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
Also Out This Week:
“Inside Out 2” — Looking at Pixar’s upcoming film slate, it’s a bit discouraging to see the beloved studio give up on original ideas in favor of surefire sequels, although the proof is in the pudding, as evidenced by the blockbuster success of “Inside Out 2,” an inferior follow-up to the 2015 movie that doesn’t really say anything new. Yes, there are new emotions that allow the filmmakers to explore the complexities of Riley’s teenage years, but by the end, it pretty much comes to the same conclusion, which makes you wonder what lessons were learned the first time around. The new emotions (save for Maya Hawke’s Anxiety) are also pretty forgettable, leaving the returning characters to pull most of the weight with much less screen time, while the film itself just isn’t as funny or heartfelt as its predecessor. Despite this, “Inside Out 2” is still a solid addition to the Pixar library thanks to its relatable story, clever writing and top-notch animation. Extras include a behind-the-scenes look at making the film, a visual commentary for the vault sequence and some deleted scenes. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
Disclosure: Bullz-Eye was provided a copy of the above titles for review purposes.
