Blu-ray Releases This Week: October 18th, 2010 - "Apocalypse Now" & "Psycho"

A few interesting releases on Blu-ray this week consisting of a bunch of classics and re-releases plus one new release that may be of interest to action/sci-fi fans.

First, the classics:

The napalm's smelling pretty good this week as it marks the first time the Francis Ford Coppola classic, Apocalypse Now, will be released on high-definition home video. Available in two versions: a fully-loaded 3-disc Full Disclosure Edition and a 2-disc Special Edition set. Both releases feature the two versions of the film, the 1979 theatrical cut plus the extended Redux cut that was released on DVD years ago. The Redux cut is a significant alteration to the original classic, adding a whopping 49 minutes of new and extended scenes. This extended cut received very positive reviews and should stand proud next to the original cut without question. The Full Disclosure Edition differs from the lesser 2-disc set in that it contains the acclaimed documentary, "Hearts of Darkness," which details the grueling shoot of the movie, in high-definition 1080p, plus a 48-page collectible booklet. So if you are looking to fill out your Blu-ray collection with classics, this is the week.

Also releasing this week are Alfred Hitchcock's classic, Psycho (50th Anniversary Edition) plus The Rocky Horror Picture Show (35th Anniversary Edition). This is October after all and studios are taking the opportunity to release many Halloween favorites. With the creepy view of the Bates Motel up on the hill and Janet Leigh's (in)famous shower scene, Psycho is the quintessential Hitchcock thriller and the film has never looked or sounded (with lossless DTS-HD Master audio) better. A film with a considerable cult following, The Rocky Horror Picture Show gets a remarkable Blu-ray treatment that will please all fans. On the surface, the movie doesn't really make much sense but the sheer onslaught of sight and sound will numb you into surrender.

Another classic on the hook this week is Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (The Criterion Collection). This is, I think, the third treatment of the film by Criterion but the first on Blu-ray (the other 2 are on DVD: Seven Samurai (Criterion Collection) & Seven Samurai - 3 Disc Remastered Edition). If you love Kurosawa, this is the best version of Seven Samurai that you'll ever find. So what are you waiting for?


For all you Harry Potter fans, this week also marks the release of the Ultimate Editions of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, following the release of the same editions of the first two films last year (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone & Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). These Ultimate Editions are really marketed towards the really big Potter fans and they come in packed 3-disc sets. These editions feature extended cuts of the films plus plenty of collectible items like booklets, character cards, brand new documentaries, etc. So, rejoice if you are a big fan of the boy magician. Others need not bother.

The only new movie release that is worth your time is the action/sci-fi film Predators, a cash-in of the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic, Predator. Like the original (plus the AVP - Alien vs. Predator films) see it not for the story but the relentless action and amazing special effects. 'Nuff said.

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