By: Philip Sayblack

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is without question one of the greatest movies in the history of cinema.  It is an all-out screwball comedy that uses every second of its 91-minute run time to make audiences laugh and succeeds in so doing, too.  It is everything that is right with comedy and movie making in general.  This year, the iconic movie celebrates its 50th anniversary, which proves its longevity.  In celebration of the occasion, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) has re-issued the movie in a new two-disc steelbook 4K/Blu-ray combo pack.  Released Aug. 26, this latest presentation of the movie honestly falls somewhat short of expectations, much like so many classic movies that have been re-issued on 4K in recent months.  It does have one key positive, that being the story.  The movie’s problems start to arise in the bonus content.  There is one (yes, one) new extra included in this latest re-issue of Monty Python and the Holy Grail and it is only presented on the set’s 4K disc.  The reality is that it honestly does little to enhance the presentation.  This will be discussed at more length a little later.  Getting back to the positives, there is one more positive to note, that being the collective audio and video.  Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the movie’s latest presentation.  All things considered they make the new 4K/Blu-ray presentation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail a slightly disappointing offering among this year’s new movie and television re-issues.Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s recent 4K/Blu-ray re-issue of Monty Python and the Holy Grail is sadly a somewhat disappointing new presentation of what is otherwise one of the greatest comedies, if not movies in general, in cinema history.  The movie succeeds in at least one aspect, that being its story.  The story is simple:  King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table make their way across Europe in search of the Holy Grail after God commanded them to embark on the quest.  The whole thing is a fully tongue-in-cheek spoof of the Arthurian legend that does anything but take itself seriously, which is why it is so fun.  That very scene in which they are commanded by God to seek the grail is hilarious in itself.  One cannot help but imagine it had to have been at least some influence behind the creative process behind South Park.  The silliness that happens from there on out ensures nonstop laughter.  From Sir Lancelot going on a mad killing spree because he thought he was saving a princess being held by her evil father, to Sir Galahad essentially being held captive by a group of overly hormonal women who live in a castle by themselves, to the group encountering “The Knights Who Say Nee” and so much more, the sketches that make up this movie’s story are a laugh riot.  Add in the cast’s acting in every single one of its roles and audiences get so much to love.  Every scene is loaded with timeless lines that most audiences can quote by heart by now, proving even further, what makes this movie to this day, so great.  The finale puts a wonderfully silly point to the story.  For those who have yet to watch this movie, that moment will be left for them to discover for themselves.  No doubt it will leave those audiences laughing just as much as audiences who know the movie by heart by this point.
While the story featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail is the movie’s cornerstone, its latest detracts from its legacy.  That is because of the bonus content included in the new set.  More specifically, the retrospective “examining” what continues to make the movie timeless is the problem.  The featurette, which is essentially just a bunch of celebrities recalling what makes the movie great to them, is included only on the 4K disc.  Knowing this, it really is not much of a memorable extra.  It could have been some kind of academic examination of the movie’s role in cinema history but instead is basically just a celeb showcase with comments about why they love the movie.  Nothing more.  All of the bonus content from the movie’s previous Blu-ray re-issue has been carried over onto this collection and is presented once more on the set’s Blu-ray disc.  That means that audiences who do not own the noted previous re-issue will still be able to enjoy all of said content once more, especially if they do not own a 4K player and/or television (which is to this day still very cost restrictive).  To that end, the movie’s new 4K/BD re-issue proves somewhat less worth owning.  Consumers honestly may actually do better just buying that previous Blu-ray re-issue, all things considered.
Should the previous Blu-ray re-issue not be available and this presentation be the only option, at least audiences know that the audio and video quality in this presentation is passable.  It is obvious in watching the movie on the set’s 4K disc that little to no effort was made to restore the movie for presentation here.  Thankfully though, that did not hurt the presentation.  Audiences will be glad to find that at no point do they have to adjust the volume.  That sound stability is positive to the viewing experience.  The video still has the grain of its original presentation from all those decades ago but is still clean enough here.  To that end, the overall viewing experience herein is mostly positive.  It makes this re-issue at least slightly more bearable but still not enough to make the set worth buying if the previous BD re-issue is available to purchase.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s recently released 4K/BD combo set re-issue of Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a somewhat disappointing new revisiting of what is one of the greatest comedies in cinema history.  The movie’s story continues to shine in this latest presentation.  The one major problem with the re-issue is its bonus content.  All of the bonus content from the previous Blu-ray presentation has been carried over onto this set’s BD disc.  The one extra bonus included in the 4K disc proves to be anything but memorable.  It is just a random grouping of comments from celebrities talking about what the movie means to them.  To that end, it makes the movie’s BD disc more worth it and the set overall less worth owning.  Keeping that in mind, if the BD standalone is still available to own, audiences would honestly do better buying that re-issue.  It will be far less expensive and more worth the purchase.  The only other positive to this set is the production, if one can call it a positive.  Clearly no effort has been made to touch up the movie’s audio and video for its 4K presentation but even with that in mind, the sound and video is still clear enough that audiences can remain engaged and entertained by the story and acting.  Overall, this new 4K/BD steelbook re-issue of Monty Python and the Holy Grail proves to be sadly anything but a fitting tribute for a legendary comedy and movie in general.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is available now on 4K/BD combo pack.  More information on this and other titles from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is available at:
Website: https://sonypictures.com/movies
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BY: Philip Sayblack

​Hollywood’s major studios have, in recent years, given audiences very little to applaud both in theaters and at home.  All of the prequels, sequels, reboots, movies based on books and actual events (which are more often than not overly embellished with untruths), and all of the unappealing re-issues have made, and continue to make that clear.  This summer though, Pixar Animation has actually offered a diamond in the rough, so to speak in the form of its latest offering, Elio.  Having made its theatrical debut June 20, it is streaming now and will be available on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD Sept. 9.  The movie, especially in its forthcoming home release is a surprisingly enjoyable work, due in part to its central story, the story’s themes and its science fiction throwbacks.  Speaking of the throwbacks, the lack of any discussion on those items in the otherwise positive bonus content is another of the key items in the movie’s home presentation.  The movie’s production in its 4K release rounds out its most important elements.  When it is considered alongside the other noted items, the whole therein makes Elio one of the rare movies released so far this year that is actually worth watching and maybe even owning.
Elio, the latest movie from Pixar Animation and its parent company Disney, is one of the biggest surprises of 2025 in terms of new movies.  That is because it proves itself to be worth watching and maybe even owning all things considered.  Its appeal comes in large part through its story and the themes and science fiction throwbacks connected to the story.  The story is a touching tale of its young titular character, who following the death of his parents, is taken in by his aunt, Olga (Zoe Saldana – Guardians of the Galaxy 1-3, Star Trek 1-3, Colombiana).  Both Elio (Yonas Kibreab – Sweet Tooth, Into The Dark, Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Olga struggle with their relationship — Olga because she is single, making her rather new and unpracticed at parenting and Elio because he increasingly feels alone (like an alien figuratively speaking) – as the story opens.  After slipping into a high security room at the base where Olga works and sending a message to outer space, he is “abducted” by a group of interstellar “ambassadors” in what is known as the Communiverse.  This matter ties into the movie’s themes and will be discussed a little later.  In joining the Communiverse, Elio finds that he has finally found his place in life and in the universe for lack of better wording.  However when a big bad alien named Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett == Everybody Loves Raymond, Tangled, Ratatouille) threatens the Communiverse things change, even as Grigon’s son, Glordon (Remy Edgerly – Sing 2, Helluva Boss) befriends Elio.  In the end, the events that unfold lead Elio and Olga to become closer and to Elio realizing his true home and place.  Simply put, the story of friendship, family, and personal growth is anything but new.  At the same time, there the way in which the familiar themes are delivered herein is original, making it not necessarily one of Pixar’s best movies but still an enjoyable unique story from one of the leading names in today’s animation community.
Leaning back on the noted themes of family and friendship, they are just a couple of the themes that are tied into Elio.  It is very easy to also note that the story also incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion (yes, DEI) through the use of the Communiverse.  That is because the Communivers is comprised of beings from across the universe in one community (community, universe, get it?)  Considering all that is happening in America right now, maintaining and promoting DEI herein is so welcome.  On the same note, it makes this movie a great way to torture all of the braindead, brainwashed MAGA cultists out there who hate anyone who does not look and talk like them.  To that end, the movie’s creative heads are to be commended for including this clear theme into the story.
The equally familiar theme of personal emotional growth is again nothing new for Pixar’s movies.  It is still welcome here, nonetheless.  That is because of the unique scenario that leads to Elio’s situation.  Few if any other movies out there touch on the topic of fostering, which is essentially what happens here.  Olga becomes a foster parent of sorts to Elio.  There is one other movie out there that immediately comes to mind.  It is the 2007 movie, Martian Child, which was distributed through independent studio Anchor Bay.  Watching the growth that both Olga and Elio experience as the story progresses is engaging in its own right.  Each sees things one way until things change, leading them to become closer and true family in the end, leading to the happy ending, which will not be revealed here.
Moving on to another topic related to the story is its clear homage to so many other vintage science fiction properties.  The one throwback that immediately comes to mind is that to the vintage sci-fi sitcom, Alf.  The throwback comes in a simple way, courtesy of Olga’s co-worker, Gunther Melmac.  For those who might not know, Alf’s home world is the planet Melmac.  To that end, one has to know that this throwback was intentional.  Gunther (Brendan Hunt – Ted Lasso, Horrible Bosses 2, Bless This Mess) is a secondary character but actually plays a key role late in the story’s third act.  This will also be left for audiences to discover for themselves. 
The scene in which the space pod is being kept in the bay at the Air Force base is another throwback in its own way.  It is actually a throwback to not one but two classic Disney science fiction movies, The Cat From Outer Space (1978) and Flight of the Navigator (1986).  The throwback comes from the delivery of the pod into the hangar and how it is displayed therein.  This is another item that longtime movie buffs will appreciate.
On yet another note, the very use of clones of Elio and Glordon is a throwback to the classic 1956 science fiction flick, Invasion of the Bodysnatchers.  In this movie, seed pods land on earth and the contents become clones of the people, just lacking any human emotion.  Unlike that case, the clones of Elio and Glordon are way too happy.  This actually plays directly into the story in Elio, as Olga starts to realize over time that her nephew is too happy and sociable all the time.  So yes, there is that throwback, too.  It is just one more of so many science fiction throwbacks throughout the 98-minute movie.  It also makes subtle references to the likes of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and even Fire in the Sky, albeit in a kid friendly fashion.  Those collective throwbacks are sure to appeal to so many older established science fiction fans.  They in turn make for even more engagement and entertainment.
Staying on the matter of those classic science fiction references, it is sad that in the bonus content, there is zero discussion on their inclusion.  Why there is on discussion thereof is anyone’s guess, but even mention in an audio commentary (which is also lacking among the bonus content) would certainly have enhanced the viewing experience.  Now, on that note, the bonus content that is included in the movie’s home release actually does add to the experience, even with that in mind.  The deleted scenes, for instance, include introductions from co-directors Domee Shi (Turning Red, Inside Out, Incredibles 2) and Madaline Sharafian (Turning Red, Coco, We Bear Bears).  Those introductions help to explain why the deleted scenes in question were left on the cutting room floor.  That understanding, in watching the scenes in question, make it easy to understand why they were left out as viewers take in each scene.  Interestingly enough, one of those scenes, which involves Elio having to go through an obstacle course, actually includes a clear throwback to yet another older Disney franchise, none other than Recess.  More specifically, it references the modern classic series’ debut episode, which included the short, “The New Kid.”  In this short, new kid Gus has to fight to “earn” his name and not just be “the new kid.”  It is a great throwback that fans of the series will truly love.  At the same time, in taking the introduction from Shi and Sharafian, it makes sense why it was left out of the final presentation.
Two other deleted scenes, which focus on the Communiverse’s other ambassadors, make sense having been cut, again after hearing the explanation.  The explanation is that they center on the ambassadors’ character development and that in one scene, Grigon was already a member of the Communiverse instead of the main antagonist.  Shi and Sharafian are right that the focus needed to remain on Elio’s development, not that of the ambassadors, and that the original setup for Grigon simply did not work.  All things considered the bonus content featured with the movie prove the most important of the movie’s extras.  The “making of” featurette adds a little bit to the whole, but in all honesty, not much.  The same applies to the little Q&A session that Kibreab and Edgerly hold with a NASA astronaut.  All things considered the bonus content (and lack thereof) helps and detracts from Elio’s presentation.
Rounding out the most important of Elio’s elements is its production.  Throughout the course of its nearly 2-hour run time, the movie’s sound and picture are crystal clear in the movie’s 4K presentation.  Viewers will be amazed at said clarity in the overall presentation.  There is no need to adjust the volume at any point from beginning to end and no need to strain one’s eyes, either.  Keeping that in mind, the aesthetic aspect of Elio in its home release makes for just as much to appreciate as the movie’s story, its themes, sci-fi throwbacks, and even bonus content.  All things considered, the forthcoming home physical release of Elio (and its current digital presentation) prove it to be one of the most surprisingly welcome cinematic offerings of 2025 that is worth watching and maybe even owning.
Elio, the latest cinematic offering from Pixar Animation, is a surprisingly positive offering from the studio, which has also released even greater movies, such as Coco, Up, and Cars.  This movie’s appeal comes in part through its story, which follows its titular character.  After the death of his parents, Elio is “adopted” by his aunt, Olga, but still feels alien (figuratively speaking).  He feels alone on Earth and in the universe, until circumstances change.  The themes and vintage science fiction throwbacks that connect to the story add to the appeal, as does the bonus content (if only to a point).  The movie’s production in its 4K presentation puts the finishing touch to the movie, giving audiences a fully positive aesthetic aspect.  Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of Elio.  All things considered they make Elio one of the most surprisingly welcome cinematic offerings of 2025.
Elio is streaming now through Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.  It is scheduled for home physical release Sept. 9 on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K.  More information on this and other titles from Disney and Pixar is available at:
Website: https://www.pixar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pixar
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pixar

BY: Philip Sayblack

Prequels, sequels, and reboots are big business for Hollywood’s major studios and have been for a long time.  They are not the only big business for the cinema industry, though.  Re-issuing movies is another major practice for those major studios and for distributors.  Due to advancements in technology, countless classic and modern classic movies have gotten the 4K treatment, some good, some not so good.  With so many movies having been re-issued in recent years on 4K, the list feels as endless as all of the prequels, sequels and reboots that Hollywood’s major studios have released and have planned for release.  That is important to note because like those prequels, sequels, and reboots, some re-issues are memorable and some not so much.  Early this month, 20th Century Studios/Universal/Disney released another of those somewhat less memorable offerings with the re-release of the 2003 high seas drama, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.  Released on a 2-disc 4K/Blu-ray combo pack, it marks at least the third time the movie has been re-issued, with previous re-issues of the movie in 2008 and 2015.    The one true shining positive of this movie is its story.   On the other side of things, this re-issue suffers from not one but two negatives:  Its packaging and its bonus content.  The bonus content itself is interesting but not new to this presentation.  Therein lies the major problem.  While those negatives greatly detract from the movie’s presentation, there is at least one more positive to the re-issue, that being the general audio and video.  Each item noted is key in its own way to the whole of this latest re-issue of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.  All things considered, they make this presentation proves itself yet another re-issue that is recommended for a very targeted audience.
20th Century Studios/Universal/Disney’s recently released 4K re-issue of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a presentation with a very specific audience.  It is one of those re-issues that is meant only for viewers who do not already own one of its previous re-issues.  That is due in large part to its packaging and its bonus content.  Those concerns will be examined later.  Its primary positive point is its story.  The story, which centers on leads Russell Crowe (Les Miserables, American Gangster, Gladiator) and Paul Bettany (Avengers 1-4, Mortdecai, The Da Vinci Code) is a high seas drama.  On one side is Crowe as Capt. Jack “Lucky” Aubrey and on the other is Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin.  It opens as Aubrey’s ship, the H.M.S. Surprise, is being pursued by French warship, the Acheron (pronounced ACK-eron).  After the Surprise is attacked by the Acheron, Aubrey takes it on himself to pursue the Acheron to the “far side of the world.”  It is only revealed late in the nearly two-and-a-half-hour (two hours, 18 minutes to be exact) movie that he was only authorized to pursue the Acheron to a certain point before turning back for home.  This is where things really get interesting.  This is not the swashbuckling movie of Hollywood’s silver age nor is it just some turn off your brain blockbuster.  This is more of an emotional journey of friendship and personal determination between Aubrey and Maturin.  The comparisons are possible between this movie and the likes of Mutiny on the Bounty or Moby Dick, but at the same time, Aubrey is neither the infamous Capt. Ahab (from Moby Dick) or Capt. Bligh (from Mutiny on the Bounty).  He is a beloved, respected leader among his crew.  Only once does any dissention arise between Aubrey and Maturin throughout the journey and even then it is momentary. 
Even more interesting is that unlike so many action movies and other blockbusters, Aubrey is the protagonist, but there is no real antagonist.  Rather the “faceless” crew of the Acheron is the antagonist and is not even shown until the climactic final battle between the ships and their crews.  It is a great, unlikely approach that is certain to appeal to audiences who tire of that usual good guy/bad guy format.  Rather it is more of that literary “man v. himself” and man v. nature” story.  Speaking of nature, the intense scene in which the crew struggles against mother nature as it sails around the southernmost tip of South America, almost into Antarctic waters, are gripping in themselves.  Between those moments, the emotional moments that the crew face, and other moments, the story in whole, which has a happily surprising finale, considering the story’s opening minutes, the story in whole is reason enough to take in this movie at least once.  It should be emphasized here that again, this is not a typical blockbuster loaded with action sequences.  It is a story that requires audiences to immerse themselves in the story in order to appreciate this element.
The story featured in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a solid starting point for the movie.  As much as it does to make the movie interesting, the movie’s new re-issue has some problems that weaken its foundation.  One of those negatives is its packaging.  In regard to the packaging, the movie is presented in a two-disc 4K/Blu-ray platform.  The discs overlay one another inside the steelbook packaging.  This is a packaging method that few if any studios and distributors use with home physical releases anymore.  It was used ages ago at the advent of DVDs on multi-disc sets.  The thing is that studios and distributors finally listened to consumers about the scratching that resulted from having to move discs around and changed their packaging methods.  This led to few if any studios and distributors using this packaging method anymore.  Sadly 20th Century Studios/Disney/Universal did not listen here.  So as a result, audiences are forced to remove one disc to use the other depending on whether they are using the movie’s Blu-ray disc or its 4K disc.  The scratching that likely will result from this is certain to shorten the life span of one if not both discs.  To that end, this is a negative in itself that could have been alleviated ahead of the movie’s latest re-issue.
On a related note, those who may not be so familiar with video quality, Blu-rays upscaled on 4K televisions are cinema quality.  They are just as good as any 4K disc in most cases.  To that end, audiences may find themselves questioning the validity of the nearly $50 price listed through Barnes & Noble Book Sellers.  Neither Walmart nor Target list the movie, nor does Books-A-Million.  Amazon lists the movie’s re-issue but has no pricing.  Barnes & Noble Book Sellers lists the movie at nearly $50 in its latest presentation.  The Blu-ray presentation is far less expensive, making for even more concern about buying this release.
The other negative to this re-issue is its bonus content.  In regard to the bonus content, all of the extras featured here are the same as the ones presented in the movie’s most recent 2015 re-issue.  In other words, there is nothing new for audiences who already own that noted Blu-ray re-issue.  That is far less motivation to own this set.  Now in regard to the extras themselves, it should be said that they are interesting.  The hour-plus behind the scenes featurette makes for so much appreciation for the movie because it shows the time and effort that went into making this film.  From handcrafting the ships to the real on-site shooting in the Galapagos islands and on the water (as well as in a tank) to the very training that the cast (and crew) underwent for this movie, to the efforts that director Peter Weir took to make the movie look and feel believable, this feature adds so much appreciation for this movie.  Speaking of Weir, he gets his own featurette in which he discusses his dedication to making the movie as believable as possible while not straying too much from the literary source material on which the movie is based.  It adds to the respect for this director’s director.  The deleted scenes even make for their own interest as they reveal that they in fact would not have fit into the movie’s final cut.  So, in essence, the extras do add to the viewing experience but again all of these bonuses are also featured in the movie’s previous re-issue.  To that end, audiences who own that presentation of the movie have less reason to own this presentation.  Those who do not own the movie already may even find themselves buying the previous Blu-ray pressing considering the aforementioned pricing for this new release.
Clearly this latest re-issue of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World has some concerns.  For all of the concerns that the movie presents in this presentation, there is at least one more positive to note, that being the general production.  The sound and video quality throughout the movie is applause-worthy.  This is especially evident in a moment such as the noted storm scenes.  Obviously, the moment had at least some CG incorporation, but audiences would really not notice that, considering how realistic the sequence looks.  The loud bursts of wind, the sound of the Surprise battling the swells, and so much more make this moment so believable and immersive.  On another note, the panoramas that are used at points, the expert shots aboard the ship and other moments make for their own engagement.  The climactic final battle between the Surprise and Acheron is yet another moment in which the production shines.  The boom of the cannons, the clanging metal of the swords, the roaring shouts of the crews, and so much more make that sequence just as powerful in its own right.  Between this sequence, the others noted and so many other scenes, the overall sound and video in this presentation is of its own note.  When the production is considered alongside the story, the whole therein makes for something more for new audiences to appreciate.  This even despite the issues raised by the packaging and the bonus content.  To that end, those audiences who do not already own this movie in its previous releases will appreciate what it has to offer here.  At the same time, viewers are still likely to find themselves questioning the validity of paying a potentially high price for this re-issue when it has everything that the movie’s previous Blu-ray re-issue boasts and with less concern about damage to the disc.
20th Century Studios/Universal/Disney’s new re-issue of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is another questionable re-issue from 20th Century Studios, its parent company, Disney, and Universal.  That is due partly because of and despite its story.  The story is not one of those movies that will allow audiences to just turn off their brains.  It is a presentation that much like its literary source material, requires audiences to fully and actively immerse themselves in the presentation in order to appreciate this element.  Considering the general mindset of so many audiences this is going to once again limit its appeal.  The packaging and bonus content featured in this re-issue is its own concern.  The packaging of the two-disc set risks the discs being marred as they are removed and replaced while the bonus content offers nothing new  here.  The bonus content in this re-issue is the same as that in the movie’s previous Blu-ray re-issue.  The other positive (really the only pure positive) in this presentation is its general presentation.  The sound and video quality throughout the movie is impressive to say the least.  It makes for an aesthetic experience that gives audiences at least some more reason to take in the presentation.  To that end, those who immerse themselves in the story will appreciate that and the production.  The result will be appreciation for the movie if not for its general presentation in this latest outing.  Each element examined here is key in its own way to the whole of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World in its new 4K release.  All things considered they make the movie’s new re-issue another presentation that continues to cause question regarding Hollywood’s ongoing trend of re-issuing so many movies.  It is another offering from 20th Century/Disney/Universal that will appeal to a very targeted audience.
The new 4K/Blu-ray combo pack re-issue of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is available now.  More information on this and other titles from 20th Century Studios is available at:
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