Space Adventure Cobra 4KUHD BluRay review

Space Adventure Cobra The Movie: The 4KUHD BluRay Review

Discotek Media Release

Based on a Graphic Novel by Buichi Terasawa
Directed by Osamu Dezaki
English translation directed by Carl Macek

Opening Thoughts: I have never seen this movie before and most of Japanese animation pre Akira minus Lupin the 3rd, Gundam, and Ghibli films just don't interest me much. I can't really put my finger on why other than maybe when I got the animation from Japan was much more developed and it is just hard for me to watch from this era and before.

That said Discotek's release caught my eye simply for one reason. The 4KUHD BluRay format has been available for North Americans to use for almost 4 years. Up until Cobra's release in November 2019 no other anime from Japan has received a North American release.

I would think that release would have been Akira, Ghost in the Shell, or even Cowboy Bebop the Movie. So why does a film like Space Adventure Cobra the Movie from 1982 get that honor? I really want to know does the film deserve this honor.

Plot: Jane, a drop dead gorgeous bounty hunter, has captured the head of a notorious criminal. That causes unwanted attention from the people within the town. One of those mysterious strangers, who is cocky, arrogant, and probably thinks with his dick first in her opinion follows her. Jane just doesn't realize the man following her is the most wanted man in the universe. That man has been presumed dead for 2 years. The same man a vast criminal organization known as the Galaxy Pirates are scared of. That man is Cobra with hidden psycho gun for an arm that can makes him a deadly adversary.

The only thing Jane doesn't know is that Crystal Bowie, the leader of the Galaxy Pirates wants her dead. If Jane wants to live she has to put her trustinto a renegade cowboy by the name of Cobra.

Can Cobra help her escape the clutches of Crystal Bowie who looks like the love child of Darth Vader and Destro? Does Cobra have the wit to defeat the Galaxy Pirates? What makes Jane so special that the Pirates want her dead?

Review: Cobra himself is an interesting character that lends himself towards western audiences loving him. The best way to describe him as is the blonde Hans Solo of the universe. Cobra is not a good guy or a bad guy by any means, more of a guy with some morals that is not afraid to take on anyone as long as the end goal fits within his agenda. If that means stalking a hot lady and coming out of retirement to bang her, Cobra will do it.

Cobra's hijinks is what makes this film fun to watch. I wanted to see characters' reactions to him in the film from the moment he introduced himself in the first few minutes of the film. Those reactions are sometimes funny, sad, and even shocking. That there is probably the most enjoyable part of the film and worth the watch alone.

Then there is the opening credits it's as if the film producers want to Maurice Binder of James Bond threw a pile cash at him and said go nuts. Off all the films I have seen, I would put the opening credits in my top five of all time.

As far as the story goes, the film feels like it is three episodes thrown into one. What I mean is simply there are three different acts, in which the purpose of the film changes drastically. In which the first act has the best animation, action, story everything going for it. By the last act the film seems rushed to get it over with and push the narrative to a love conquers all story. It is not bad, but a been there seen that and lost my interest by then because a character I was deeply attached to was gone.

Though the one thing that was constant in the film was how menacing Crystal Bowie of the Galaxy Pirates was. Bowie delivered on all levels  the fear of him, the respect for him, and the hate for him all at the same time. The main question was always how can Cobra stop this indestructible force.

4KUHD BluRay Video Quality: I will be very honest with you, most animation from Japan in this era I think looks like absolute crap. Cobra does not fall in this category. I'll even say Cobra's animation for many parts of the first 2/3rds of the film in most instances is better than Akira.

That is what Discotek's 4K transfer on this 4K BluRay shows. I  don't think I have seen a film in which a 4K release adds a new depth atmosphere as well as shown in this release here. The colors are much more vibrant, which leads to a depth of a background that looks as if the filmmakers had multiple cels spread apart to give the film a 4 dimensional look that seems like I can walk right through my tv screen and be apart of the action.

I want to see this print on the big screen. 10/10 I couldn't ask for much more from Discotek.

Closing Thoughts: Space Adventure Cobra is far from being the best Anime production I have ever seen, but the film deleivers for the most part a fun atmosphere and some of the best animation you will ever lay your eyes on.

Would I rank this film higher than Akira? Yes

However I would not put this film storywise above than Nascica, Wings of Honnemaise, or the Castle of Cagliostro. Animation wise at one time this may have had some of the most gorgeous sequences in the history of animation.

Definitely worth watching gets a solid 7.5/10 from me. The last act is really what drags this film down for me.

Tammy and the T-Rex: The Gore Cut Edition

Tammy and the T-Rex: Gore Cut Edition 
released by Vinegar Syndrome 
4KUHD BluRay Review

Directed and Written by Stewart Raffill

Starring: Denise Richards, Paul Walker, Terry Kiser, Ellen Dubin, John Franklin, and Sean Whalen 

Opening Thoughts: A Stewart Raffill film that very few people know about. This is the guy that gave us Ice Pirates and Mac and Me. No wonder why my friend Brian was going nuts over this release. Raffill in the films of his I have seen of his is oblivious to how a regular viewer will see a film. A lot of what the hell moments leaving you wanting to interact with his films like the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Can he finally make a film that I take seriously?

One thing is for sure Vinegar Syndrome, a boutique home media label, thinks we all need to experience Tammy and the T-Rex in glorious 4KUHD in which this is their first release in that format. So what the hell is 90 minutes of my life if they think we should see this film.

Plot: Tammy, Denise Richards, is a smoking hot cheerleader that makes it difficult for men to get over her when they break up. Billy, George Pilgrim, is just one of those guys who can't move on. Scaring off every guy that tries to get together with Tammy, but this time a football player by the name of Michael who is now dating Tammy just won't give into Billy's threats.

It leads to a disastrous showdown between Billy and Michael, in which Michael ends up in the care of Dr. Watchenstein, Terry Kiser, and his personal assistant Helga, Ellen Dubin. Who has plans of creating his own Jurassic Park. The only thing is his T-Rex needs a brain. That brain is Michael's.

Waking up in the body of a T-Rex, Michael escapes the lab of Dr. Watchenstein. Now all Michael just has to do is figure out how to get Tammy back and how to get his body back, all while trying to avoid being recaptured by Dr. Watchenstein and without having the town's people kill him in fear.

Can he survive? Can he get his body back? Can he win Tammy's heart back? Can he stop Billy and his gang? I guess you will have to watch for yourself.

Review: As I said in my opening statement with never having seen this film before, Raffill went into the world of what the hell is this film supposed to be. Like Raffill's previous film Mac and Me he seems to want to make a film that profits off the success of a Steven Spielberg film, Jurassic Park. Like Mac and Me, this film is so bad that it is unintentionally funny. That is what I like about Raffill's films.

If you listen to the music in the film, Raffill seems to be detached that grunge music has taken over and fills this movie with hair metal. Then there is the clothing, this film feels like it should have taken place in the mid 80s. I make this judgment based on how much I think the opening sequences feels and looks like a film called River's Edge.

The funniest thing though is watching this film's special effects. There is one sequence in which, it looks like a Barbie riding on the back of the T-Rex. My god it reminded me of the Invisible Jet sequences in the Wonder Woman TV series. What is even worse you don't see the dinosaur move that much in the film from the legs down. So I feel the T-Rex is on a radio flyer being pulled by the crew.

As far as the acting goes, almost everyeve in this film is a character actor and plays how they should to try and make this film work. Denise Richards performance is hysterically funny. If you think Lea Thompson had it bad with making love to a duckie, then Denise's bubbly performance is epic in her interactions with Michael the T-Rex. Tommy Wiseau type epic.

That said, Ellen Dubin gives off the best performance in the film as Helga. Dubin's personality in this film reminds me of modern day performances of Billie Lourd, in Booksmart and the TV Series Scream Queens. I simply just couldn't get enough of her. She really stood out when the rest of the cast felt like they were in an episode of Mayberry.

Video Quality and Special Features: Like other companies who have released films onto 4KUHD BluRay, Vinegar Syndrome put all the special features on a seperate BluRay disc. Slightly annoying having to switch discs just to see the interviews. The big thing is if you want to watch the family friendly version the PG-13 cut is available in the special features.

As far as the video quality goes, for an older film this film had a nice grain without over accentuating the grain cough cough cough Ghostbusters. I feel like this presentation of the film, is how the director intended us to see this film on the big screen.There is one sequence near the end of the film that was distracting almost like a slight motion blur that looks like an authoring issue.

Closing Thoughts: The above picture gives the sheer absurdity of this film at its finest. A strip show for a dinosaur. That is a lot of the time what this film is mostly funny what the hell moments that has me on the ground laughing at the stupidity of what I just saw.

Should this film be experienced at home? Hell yeah, but only with large group of friends. To see the look on their faces is worth it alone. Though how this film should really be watched as is an audience interaction film like The Room at a movie theater. There are moments all throughout this film that I went to shout responses at the screen while the events in this film unfold especially now that the film's gore sequences have been fully restored.

Rating: 2.5/10 stars of you try to take this film seriously because you won't enjoy it.
9.5/10 stars if you just let yourself go, laugh at what is happening in the film, and don't take the film seriously. This film is not meant to be taken seriously at all.

Assigned Seating at the Movie Theater good or bad

Opening Thoughts: More and more movie theaters are adopting the assigned seating only option when you purchase a ticket to see a film. At first glance, that seems like a great idea, but is it truly a great idea. Sporting events, concerts, plays, and more have assigned seating so why shouldn't movies be the same way? A family of four can get seats next to each other and you no longer have to wait. Seems cool.

The AMC Experience: Minus Desert Ridge and Esplanade because those are advertised as a Dine-In experience, which I will cover later under Alamo, Roadhouse, and IPic Theaters Experience.

It's fantastic to get an assigned seat in advance to where I think I will get the best viewing experience. That is why I pay more for front row seats for concerts. Yet the reality is, I'm not trying to be as close as I can to the icons in a theater. So each person's idea of the best seat for viewing experience is different.

With stadium seating I like the middle row and middle seat. Usually I get that, but then here is the catch. I'm now stuck with that seat for better or for worse. This is where the pitfalls of assigned seating come in.

There are filmgoers out there who just don't seem to understand some people don't want someone sitting on either side of them they don't know. Now those people who are uncomfortable with that are ok if it is a sold out show or if that was the only space left for a family of four.

Speaking of a sold out show, you could end up sitting next to a couple making out, a person pulling out their phone during a film, people who their seats are assigned and decide to come late to the film sometimes 25 minutes into the screening, or yet worse someone who drowned themselves in cologne, perfume, or body spray. In unassigned seating, I could get up and move to different area no questions asked.

Is all that potential hassle worth buying an assigned seat in advance? I'd say no in my book. I have had to leave an AMC Theater three times this year as a result in the previews I could tell this seat is not going to work for various reasons. Staff is always nice and gives me a stub to see the film at a later time or tries to find me a new seat if there is one I think is acceptable from what is left. Yet I don't think it should come to that.

The Roadhouse, Alamo, IPic Theater, and Dine-In Experience: 

Assigned seating in these theatres falls into a different category for me. Are you really here to watch a film or are you really here to have a nice dinner? One thing is for sure these theatres have more rooms and lend themselves more to a date night or family out for dinner atmosphere. So assigned seating is essential for their type of service and success.

As a result they actually tend to have better customer service in these places, these issues while they happen is not as big, because the staff is watching. The only real inconvenience with these types of theaters is the marathon being ran in front of each row during the film.

Closing Thoughts: A few years back my favorite theater in town, The Film Bar Phoenix, was going to switch to assign seating. The owner Kelly Aubey got talked out of it or just had a Baby Yoda moment of wisdom. I think Kelly made the right decision. The negatives far outweigh the positives unless you are trying to provide that Dine In experience. Those are two totally different type of filmgoers. Unassigned seating sets the tone for a more exciting atmosphere.

The Top Home Media Releases in 2019

The Top Home Media Releases of 2019

Initial Thoughts: 2019 was a busy year in Home Media releases onto BluRay and 4KUHD BluRay. There are some stunning restorations that deserve a look at as well as mega boxsets that should be considered. I have broken this down to a few categories that will include Best Overall release for BluRay and 4K, Best Documentary, Best Video Restoration, Best Sound Restoration. As well as notable releases to check out.

Best Sound Restoration of 2019:
Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut

Apocalypse Now is always a great film, but honestly the film has always suffered in the audio category. I have watched multiple versions of this film and in the theater. My biggest issue was always feeling a vibration in my seat and sound after the explosions go off.

Coppola and Lionsgate have gone in and gave us the Cut he wanted along with an in sync audio that matches the action of the film. The video is gorgeous, but doesn't improve much from the BluRay. With the theatrical cut, Redux at nearly 4 hours cut, and this Final Cut along with the documentary Heart of Darkness you can't ask for much more.

Maybe for the 50th we will get the 5 hour workprint version. Disney will probably step in and say no.

I would say this is the best sound restoration since Universal's Dracula BluRay.

Best Video Restoration of 2019:
Der Golem Wie Er In Die Welt Kam

This was the easiest pick of the list. Der Golem had the most to gain from the previous home media restoration. F.W. Murnau always knows who to turn to get the best restoration done. Eureka! released as part of their Masters of Cinema series. The UK equivalent of Criterion.

With 3 scores to choose from and watch. The US Version to watch. A nice video essay Where Are the Jewish Horror Films? by Jon Spira included. A nice bang for your buck release.

This release is region locked and may not play on most US players.

Best Documentary of 2019: 
Severin's All the Colors of Giallo Mega Boxset with the Italian Giallo film All the Colors of the Dark

To be honest this for a long time in 2019 was my overall favorite release. 4 hours of Giallo trailers with Audio Commentary by the Queen of Giallo Kat Ellinger giving a history of these films was fantastic. You throw in a 3 hour Krimi history on top of that. A CD soundtrack of great Giallo songs from greats like Morricone you can't ask for much more unless you preordered Black Friday of 2018 and got Black Gloves to go along with this and the film All the Colors of the Dark with a brand new commentary from Kat Ellinger.

Best Overall 4KUHD Release of 2019:

Suspiria The Ultimate Edition by Koch Entertainment 

This is honestly a Suspiria fans wet dream. In one boxset you got Suspiria 1977 and 2018 on 4K UHD, BluRay, soundtracks for both films, and a grab bag of goodies that leave you on the verge of overdosing from too much I love it. This was the best release overall for 2019.

Best Overall BluRay Release of 2019:

Santa Sangre by Koch Entertainment

Another superb release that gives any Santa Sangre fan just about everything they would beg for in a Santa Sangre release the soundtrack, new interviews with Jodorowsky, and possibly the greatest horror/suspense film ever made in one package. One thing is for sure Koch Entertainment set a new bar with their releases this year that all labels should look at.

Notable Mentions for 2019:

2019 was a great year for obscure and legendary films for restorations. So much so that by not mentioning  a few companies I feel like I did them injustice.

Mention #1: Flicker Alley

Flicker Alley put out alot of great releases this year including The Last Warning and a film relatively unseen since the days of Cinerama The Golden Head a 70mm film that is filled with gorgeous colors and a scenic view of Europe in the 1960s

Mention #2: The Shining 4KUHD release

What can I say when a sequel comes out some companies go back to their back catalog and do a new restoration. The Shining's restoration almost made me vomit in the opening sequence from motion sickness. A vast improvement from the previous release surprisingly video wise.

Mention #3: Arrow's Macabre Visions: The Films of Mario Bava

This is a fantastic boxset from Arrow UK. The only thing is nothing really new since Arrow releases them separately before. You might be disappointed his best Giallo is not in this set Blood and Black Lace. Don't let that stop you if you are a Bava fan and live in the US with the ability to play region B discs. The cost is vastly cheaper than if you bought the region A discs from Kino here.

Mention #4: Second Run's BluRay releases

I think Second Run is not getting the love they deserve. They put out alot of fantastic releases by filmmakers from Europe not as well known to us for various reasons. It's always a solid product with great commentaries, video essays, written essays and more.

Closing Thoughts:

These are a few of my favorite releases from 2019 based on the hard work that went in to puta great product. What were some of your favorite 2019 home media releases?