Blu-rays We Want to See - Part 1
Posted by Stephen Lambrechts (follow me @Slambrechts)
While more and more obscure titles are released on Blu-ray every week, there are still plenty of great (sometimes classic) films that are still not available on this wonderful high-definition format. What gives? If you're like me, a HD snob, you probably have plenty of visually arresting movies that you want to revisit, but refuse to watch in standard definition (yes, yes... first world problems, I know).
Here's Part 1 of our series 'Blu-rays We Want to See'.
MUNICH (2005, directed by Steven Spielberg)
What gives Spielberg? Munich is a fantastic film, one which is probably my favourite of all of Spielberg's 'serious' movies, and yet it still isn't avsilable in high definition at all. Granted, next year is the tenth anniversary of the release of Munich, which would make for a very likely release window. This story, which explores the tensions and the difficult moral questions surrounding the fight between Israel and Palestine, could not be more relevant right now, so where the hell is it? At least give us an announcement for next year!
BAD BOYS II (2003, directed by Michael Bay)
Literally the ONLY Michael Bay film not released on Blu-ray, the utterly demented Bad Boys II also happens to be one of my favourites. Funniest part? Bad Boys II was used by Sony to promote the Blu-ray format at the beginning of Blu-ray discs back when they first came out. I literally have no clue why this isn't available yet, but it pisses me off quite a bit. Also, Sony missed the 'tenth anniversary' boat already by not releasing it last year. What gives?!
THE WRAITH (1986, directed by Mike Marvin)
Tim Feehan once asked 'Where's the fire?' Forget that shit, where's our goddamn Blu-ray of The Wraith? This flick, with awesome visuals and an amazing soundtrack, would completely benefit from the remastering treatment. Give it to us, or face the vengeful ghost of Charlie Sheen!
THE IRON GIANT (1999, directed by Brad Bird)
An undisputed classic, Brad Bird's The Iron Giant still hasn't been released in high definition. This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the film, and the lack of word about a Blu-ray release has us worried. Are we ever going to see this film in all its glory? Brad Bird recently stated on Twitter that he's fighting against the bare bones disc Warner Bros. wants to put out in favour of a special edition. Surely Warner Bros. knows how beloved the film is, despite its weak initial box office. C'mon!
CHOPPER (2000, directed by Andrew Dominik)
Here's a real Aussie classic; one that actually managed commercial success locally, and led to director Andrew Dominik earning international acclaim. It swept the AFI awards, and is also the film that put Eric Bana on the Hollywood map. So why isn't Chopper available outside of a ghetto DVD release? The photography in this film is masterful, and that grit deserves to be seen in glorious detail. Is this a film that has slipped through the cracks of our local distributors? Next year is the film's fifteenth anniversary. Let's hope it gets the Blu-ray release it deserves.
So these are our first five choices. What do you think? Which films would you like to be released on Blu-ray? Let us know in the comments below!
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