Blu-Ray Round-Up: ‘Three Kings,’ ‘Altitude,’ ‘Sex and Lucia’

CHICAGO – Several major summer 2010 films have been released on Blu-ray recently which could have easily allowed minor titles to go unnoticed if not for HollywoodChicago.com’s beloved Blu-Ray Round-Up. Here are a few of the smaller October HD releases worth a look.

Note: The Round-Up is designed merely to present synopsis, cast & crew, tech specs, and special features information on titles that may otherwise fall through the cracks for your purchasing perusal. Having said that, “Three Kings” is an incredibly-underrated movie that features arguably Mark Wahlberg’s best performance. Pick it up.

“Sex and Lucia,” “Three Kings,” and “Wolverine and The X-Men: The Complete Series” were released on Blu-ray on October 12th, 2010.

“Altitude” will be released on October 26th, 2010.

“Sex and Lucia”

Photo credit: Palm Pictures

Synopsis: “From acclaimed Spanish director, Julio Medem (Lovers of the Arctic Circle), comes one of the sexiest and most provocative films of the year. Sex and Lucia is an intensely erotic, daring and hypnotic tale of love and lust. After the loss of her boyfriend, Lucia (Paz Vega) escapes to a quiet Mediterranean island where she meets a new man and discovers the dark secrets of her past relationship. She and her circle of friends navigate their passions and desires, as their lives intertwine in an erotically-charged fugue.

Audiences worldwide have embraced the film’s sexual explosiveness and passionate storytelling. Sex and Lucia is an erotic, daring, and hypnotic tale of love and lust that has garnered much critical acclaim for its sensual bravery.

“Sex and Lucia” stars Paz Vega, Tristan Ulloa, Najwa Nimri, Daniel Freire, Javier Camara, Silvia Llanos, and Elena Anaya. It was written and directed by Julio Medem. It is not rated and runs 128 minutes. The film is presented in widescreen with a 16x9 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

Special Features:
o Behind the Scenes of Sex and Lucia
o Cast Interviews
o Photo Gallery
o Soundtrack
o Excerpts
o Cast Biographies
o Theatrical Trailers

“Three Kings”

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis: “While high-tech U.S. specialists fought, career soldier Archie Gates marked time in his Gulf War base camp. But now it’s time for action. Gates and three other restless Americans decide to raid a bunker holding a stash of gold stolen by the Iraqi army. Get in, get out, get rich, be back in time for lunch: the plan couldn’t be easier. George Clooney portrays Gates, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze are his fellow commandos and Nora Dunn plays an ambitious TV newswoman in this acclaimed film that by turns is a war movie, an antiwar movie, a surreal comedy and a powerful drama of human compassion — all written and directed with exhilarating style by David O. Russell. From start to finish, “Three Kings rules” (Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today).”

“Three Kings” stars George Clooney, Ice Cube, Mark Wahlberg, Spike Jonze, Nora Dunn, and Jamie Kennedy. It was written and directed by David O. Russell. It is rated R and runs 115 minutes. The film is presented in widescreen with a 16x9 2.40:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English Master Audio 5.1 DTS-HD Audio track.

Special Features:
o Additional Scenes
o 2 Commentaries: One by Writer/Director David O. Russell, the Other by Producers Charles Roven and Edward L. McDonnell
o Featurette Under the Bunker: On the Set of Three Kings
o David O. Russell’s Three Kings Video Journal
o An Intimate Look Inside the Acting Process with Ice Cube
o Tour of the Iraqi Village Set with Production Designer Catherine Hardwicke
o Interview with Director of Photography Newton Thomas Sigel

“Wolverine and The X-Men: The Complete Series”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis: “After a mysterious explosion at the Xavier mansion, and the resulting disappearances of Professor Xavier and Jean Grey, the distraught X-Men disband. But soon Wolverine, Storm, Beast and the others must join together again to not only battle the increasingly powerful Mutant Response Division, but also to prevent a catastrophic future that Xavier has warned Wolverine must never come to pass. With help from their allies, the heroic X-Men wage war against formidable foes as the present and future collide. But who will win? Discover for yourself as this extraordinary series is presented together in one complete collection like never before.”

“Wolverine and The X-Men: The Complete Series” is presented in widescreen with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track. It is not rated and runs 598 minutes.

Special Features:
o 29 audio commentaries with Show Creators
o “The Making of Wolverine and the X-Men” featurette
o “The Inner Circle: Reflections on Wolverine and the X-Men” featurette

“Altitude”

Photo credit: Anchor Bay

Synopsis: “Your fear of flying is about to climb to a whole new level. Five teenage friends - including rookie pilot Sara (Jessica Lowndes of “90210”) - rent a small plane for a weekend getaway. But shortly into the flight, something suddenly goes wrong. The instruments begin to malfunction. The plane won’t stop climbing. A storm is closing in and fuel is running out. Now for everyone on board, the true horror has just begund: A mysterious force wants them all to die…and only one of them has the power to stop it.”

“Altitude” stars Jessica Lowndes, Julianna Guill, Ryan Donowho, Landon Liboiron, and Jake Weary and was written by Paul A. Birkett and directed by Kaare Andrews. It is rated R and runs 90 minutes. The film is presented in widescreen with a 2.40:1 aspect ratio and is accompanied by an English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track.

Special Features:
o Audio Commentary with Director Kaare Andrews
o Altitude: Behind the Scenes
o Green Storm Featurette
o Original Concepts Gallery

[16]	By BRIAN TALLERICO [17] Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com [16]