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: “Conclave”
Based on the Robert Harris novel of the same name, “Conclave” is a very different kind of political thriller in that it’s less concerned about the intrigue — although there’s plenty of that — than the ultra-secretive process (and real-world repercussions) of such a monumental event like selecting a new pope. The magnitude of the occasion can be felt in every scene, in no small part due to the incredible technical achievements of its crew — from the cinematography to the sound and production design — which isn’t much of a surprise coming from the director of 2022’s “All Quiet on the Western Front.” However, what really elevates “Conclave” to best-of-year status are the performances, especially star Ralph Fiennes and fellow screen vets Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow. Though the ending is a bit ludicrous and robs the film of some of its impact, everything up to that point is a top-notch drama of the highest order.
Extras include an audio commentary by director Edward Berger and a behind-the-scenes look at making the film. FINAL VERDICT: BUY
Also Out This Week:
“Joker: Folie à Deux” — Todd Phillips’ “Joker” is exactly the kind of movie that didn’t need a sequel, but the 2019 film made a boatload of money and received heaps of acclaim, so it was only a matter of time before Warner Bros. got the band back together. But whereas the first film was an engaging character study that took the famed comic book villain in a completely different direction than previous screen appearances, “Joker: Folie à Deux” plays like a giant “F– You” to its core fans. Not only does it completely undo the whole character arc laid out in “Joker,” but it saddles the narrative with pointless musical sequences that fail to further the plot or develop its characters in any interesting way. The whole experience feels like one big joke on the audience — like something the Joker himself would concoct — and while that may very well be the point of “Folie à Deux,” it doesn’t make the movie any less miserable to sit through. Extras include a four-part making-of documentary, as well as additional behind-the-scenes featurettes. FINAL VERDICT: SKIP
“Transformers One” — The live-action Transformers movies are, for the most part, an affront to cinema, so it’s no surprise that people have lost interest (and trust) in the franchise — something that “Transformers One” seeks to remedy. Though the animated film is not without its flaws, it’s a markedly better Transformers adventure that literally goes back to the series’ roots by exploring the origin stories of both Optimus Prime and Megatron, depicted here as a pair of best friends who work the Energon mines on Cybertron because they cannot transform. It’s an intriguing take on the characters that adds some significance to their eventual rivalry, even if the first hour is a bit dull. The second half is where “Transformers One” really starts to take shape thanks to some long-awaited action, and although it never hits the highs that you might expect, it’s a solid animated film that diehard Transformers fans will certainly enjoy. Extras include a collection of featurettes about making the film and more. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
“Piece by Piece” — The documentary genre has gotten a bit stale over the years, as there are only so many ways to present a non-fictional story before they all start to blend together. That’s what makes “Piece by Piece” such a welcome breath of fresh air, even if the formula itself is still familiar. Directed by Morgan Neville, who’s perhaps best known for the Fred Rogers documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” “Piece by Piece” details the remarkable career of singer/songwriter/producer Pharrell Williams. What sets this documentary apart from all the others is that it’s told entirely through the medium of LEGO animation, which allows Neville to really dive deep into the innovative mind of his subject in ways that traditional stock footage and talking-head interviews could never achieve. Though it’s debatable whether Pharrell’s life is even worthy of a feature-length documentary, “Piece by Piece” is made much more entertaining by the inspired decision to LEGO-fy the whole process. Extras include a conversation between Pharrell and Neville about making the film. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
Disclosure: Bullz-Eye was provided a copy of the above titles for review purposes.
