Blu-Ray Round Up, Oct. 15, 2009: ‘Wolf,’ ‘Waterworld,’ ‘Frankenstein’

CHICAGO – The Blu-Ray Round-Up is back with this week’s collection of HD titles that may not get the buzz of something like the latest Sandra Bullock romantic comedy or what Sam Raimi brought back from Hell but could be just what you’re looking for at the mall this weekend. A few modern horror movies, a notable box office bust, and a beloved BBC show highlight this week’s list. Pick your favorite.

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” “Wolf,” and “Red Dwarf: Back To Earth - The Director’s Cut” was released on October 6th, 2009.

“Waterworld” will be released on October 20th, 2009.

“Red Dwarf: Back To Earth - The Director’s Cut”

Photo credit: BBC

Synopsis: “Back To Earth takes place after “Series X.” Kochanski’s dead and the crew are hurled through a portal and discover they’re just characters from a TV series. Knowing they will die in the final episode the Dwarfers, in best Blade Runner tradition, track down their creators to plead for more life. First the crew attempt to track down the actors who play them in the series and their metaphysical odyssey begins….”

“Red Dwarf: Back To Earth - The Director’s Cut” stars Chloe Annett, Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn, Craig Charles, and Danny John-Jules. It was written and directed by Doug Naylor. The movie runs 70 minutes. It is presented in its original 16:9 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English DTS-HD 5.1 track.

Special features include Cast Commentary, Director Commentary, All-New Exclusive Documentary, “The Making of Back to Earth, ” Deleted Scenes, Smeg Ups, Featurettes, Trailers, Web Videos, Photo Gallery, and Easter Egg.

“Waterworld”

Photo credit: Universal

Synopsis: “See one of the screen’s biggest action-adventure epics like never before - on Blu-ray Hi-Def! Set in the future when Earth is completely covered in water and the human race is struggling to survive, mankind’s one remaining hope for a better future is a drifter (Kevin Costner) who gets caught up in a battle between the evil Deacon (Dennis Hopper) and a child’s secret key to a wondrous place called “Dryland.” Featuring groundbreaking special effects, Waterworld is a visually stunning, futuristic thriller beyond your wildest imagination! ”

“Waterworld” stars Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tina Majorino, and Michael Jeter. It was written by Peter Rader and David Twohy and directed by Kevin Reynolds. The film runs 136 minutes and is rated PG-13. It is presented in its original 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio and accompanied by an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

Special features include, sadly, nothing but access to the BD-Live Center. Shameful for Universal, one of the best studios at assembling interesting bonus material.

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”

Photo credit: Sony

Synopsis: “True to the original, here is the story of a young doctor whose obsession with death leads him to create a life. But his “creature,” crafted from the bodies of convicts and the brain of a brilliant scientist, is a hideous mockery of humanity. And when the creature realizes he will never be accepted by men, he seeks revenge on Dr. Frankenstein and his family. An inspired adaptation that’s emotionally complex and truly terrifying. Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is “100% pure excitement. Visually stunning and refreshingly different” (Paul Wunder, WBAI Radio). ”

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” stars Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hulce, Helena Bonham Carter, Aidan Quinn, Ian Holm and John Cleese. It was written by Steph Lady and Frank Darabont and directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film runs 123 minutes and is rated R. It is presented in its original widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by English, French, and Portuguese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio tracks.

Once again, there are sadly no special features.

“Wolf”

Photo credit: Sony

Synopsis: “Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer star in Wolf, a wickedly funny, wildly romantic, white-knucklethriller. James Spader (TV’s Boston Legal, Sex, Lies and Videotape), Kate Nelligan (The Prince of Tides), Christopher Plummer (The Sound of Music) and David Hyde Pierce (TV’s Frasier, Sleepless in Seattle) co-star in this beastly tale of love and betrayal with equal measures of humor, passion and delicious terror. ”

“Wolf” stars Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, Kate Nelligan, Richard Jenkins, and Christopher Plummer. It was written by Jim Harrison and Wesley Strick and directed by Mike Nichols. It runs 125 minutes and is rated R. It is presented in its original standard, full-frame format and accompanied by a Dolby Digital Stereo track.

Three strikes. No special features here either.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com