We have a special double edition of the best new releases on Blu-ray in The United Kingdom this week. The new releases include “The Wrestler” with Mickey Rourke, “The Reader” with Kate Winslet, and an ultimate edition of “Terminator 2″ with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Check them all out along with our pick of the week after the break…
We have a double edition for you this week after we missed lasts week’s round up because of some technical difficulties - but hey, this is a win-win for you, right?
Highlights over the last two weeks for the Big Blu definitely start with Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler” which has resurrected Mickey Rourke’s career after his fine performance earned him an Oscar Nomination. “Terminator 2″ receives the kind of Blu-ray treatment that it has always deserved with the SkyNet edition that includes three different cuts of the film, a ton of special features, and a digital picture transfer that should set the template for the quality process of a conventionally shot footage. “Terminator 3″ which was the last Arnold Schwarzenegger-centric Terminator film was also released, although it didn’t receive anything near the grand treatment of it’s predecessor. Nonetheless, this may be a good opportunity for fans to take a trip back and decide with a more open mind just how much they hated it and whether that opinion has changed.
Danny Boyle’s award grabber “Slumdog Millionaire” also receives decent treatment, which fans will want to take advantage of. Kate Winslet’s Oscar Winner “The Reader” also arrives at last, as does Ewan Mcgregor’s cult favorites “Trainspotting” and “Shallow Grave”. Slipping in under the radar, but well worth taking a look at is Michael Douglas’s memorable performance as working-man turned rage-a-holic Bill Foster in “Falling Down”. As always, check out our “pick of the week” and links to all of the new releases below.
Our pick of the week for this special double edition is unanimously Darren Aronofsky’s searing man on the ropes drama “The Wrestler”. We did of course give serious consideration to the ultimate edition of Terminator 2, but the sheer amount of people who already own various special editions (us included) made us think twice about picking it.
“The Wrestler” is an all-round fine production, and hits on every cylinder thanks to a memorable and empathetic performance from returning hero Mickey Rourke. Aronofsky proves himself again to be a versatile director, and his docu-drama style of filming adds to the realism and almost profound journey that the story takes its viewers on. We are currently awaiting a review copy of the disc which will follow ASAP.
The Wrestler [Blu-ray] [2008]
Terminator 2: Judgment Day: Skynet Edition Steel Tin [Blu-ray] [1991]
Terminator 3 - Rise Of The Machines [Blu-ray] [2003]
Slumdog Millionaire [Blu-ray] [2008]
Trainspotting: Ultimate Collector’s Edition [Blu-ray] [1995]
Shallow Grave [Blu-ray] [1994]
Falling Down [Blu-ray] [1992]
Mirrors [Blu-ray] [2008]
The Reader [Blu-ray] [2008]
Seven Pounds [Blu-ray] [2008]
Robin Hood - Prince Of Thieves [Blu-ray] [1991]
The Spirit [Blu-ray] [2008]
South Park - Season 12 [Blu-ray]
Twister [Blu-ray] [1996]
Martyrs [Blu-ray] [2008]
Afro Samurai [Blu-ray] [2006]
Afro Samurai - Resurrection [Blu-ray] [2009]
Nightwish - End Of An Era [Blu-ray] [2005]
WWE - Royal Rumble 2009 [Blu-ray]
The Grudge 3 [Blu-ray] [2009]
Don’t forget to check out our U.S. releases article each week for titles which are Region-Free and will play on all UK and European Blu-ray players and PS3’s.
