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: “A Knight’s Tale”
2001’s “A Knight’s Tale” isn’t a movie that you’d expect people would still be talking about nearly 25 years after its release. It received mixed reviews and didn’t perform all that well at the box office, yet the medieval-themed action rom-com has become a bit of a cult classic over time, which is perhaps what drove Sony’s decision to release the film on 4K. Part of the movie’s appeal is its unusual combination of a period setting with modern sensibilities, including a soundtrack that features songs like “We Will Rock You” and “The Boys Are Back in Town.” It also boasts a ridiculously good ensemble cast filled with future screen veterans like Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk and Rufus Sewell (among others), though it’s Heath Ledger’s charming lead performance that provides the film’s heart and soul, transforming a rather silly popcorn movie into something that has managed to endure all these years.
Extras include an audio commentary by writer/director Brian Helgeland and actor Paul Bettany, as well as some behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, a gag reel and more. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
Also Out This Week:
“Presence” — Steven Soderbergh has never shied away from experimentation — both narratively and technologically — so it’s no surprise that he would be interested in making a movie like “Presence,” which takes the classic ghost story and tells it exclusively from the point of view of a spirit trapped inside a suburban home. Unfortunately, while the premise provides a unique perspective compared to the typical genre fare, “Presence” is a pretty corny supernatural drama that is plagued by cringey dialogue, unlikable characters and a story that just isn’t very captivating, especially once you factor in the ridiculous “twist” ending. FINAL VERDICT: SKIP
Disclosure: Bullz-Eye was provided a copy of the above titles for review purposes.
