DVD Tuesday: Sci-Fi Blu-rays Under $10 Dan Koelsch, October 27, 2009October 27, 2009 New DVD and Blu-ray movies usually release on Tuesdays, so most of the film blogs will promote and review them. We, as usual, like to take a different approach, so we’ll try to find the more obscure deals out there. Today, we bring you Sci-Fi films that are now on Blu-Ray for under $10, because if there is any genre of film that deserves the HD treatment, it’s Sci-Fi. The Terminator and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Judgement Day may have not made the price cut for this list, but at least we got the original and third film in the series. The films are about human-looking machines from the future that travel back in time to kill various members of the Connor family (as if you didn’t know). Worth the buy? Like all the movies on this list, it’s a Blu-Ray for under $10, so it’s hard to pass up. Although the original is a sci-fi classic and definitely worth owning, if you already have it on DVD, don’t bother. Though the story and acting is weak in the third flick, the special effects may be worth the upgrade. Superman: The Movie In the 1978 film, Superman is finally realized on the big screen. Christopher Reeves stars as the man in steel, but it’s performance as the hero’s alter ego Clark Kent that set the bar for superhero actors to come. Many know that Superman is my favorite comic book character, and this film captures him well, especially for being made in the late 70s. Worth the buy? With older films, higher quality doesn’t necessarily mean better-looking effects, but if you’re going to see Superman fly around the world, might as well do it high definition. The only sequel worth having is Superman II, so if you don’t want to pony up for the whole collection, this might be your best choice. A Clockwork Orange I’m sure one could argue that both Superman and this 1971 film by Stanley Kubrick aren’t really Sci-Fi. But super-powers and a wacked out future count as Sci-Fi to me. In this film set in future Britain where Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell) is a deliquent who is punished by getting an expermental treatment that will make the idea of violence sicken him. Worth the buy? This film is a classic, and it definitely has some strong imagery and a thoughtful if disturbing message, you need to see this in HD for the visuals alone. I’m not a big fan myself, but if Kubrick is your man, then this is a must have for your collection. Stargate It feels fitting to end this list with a Roland Emmerich film. The 2012 director had a good run in the late 80s and 90s with hits such as Universal Soldier and Independence Day. His 1994 sci-fi adventure is no different. Starring Kurt Russell and James Spader, the film is about a military group entering a wormhole into another world and having to find their way back. Worth the buy? The fact that it spawned three films and four successful series should tell you that the world is rich with story. The film gets criticisms for being cliche and just a popcorn action film, but maybe that’s why I personally love this film. Not to mention the visual effects are stunning. Even if you already own this on DVD, you owe it to yourself to upgrade. Get these deals while they last! Check back next week for more DVD deals. Viral Marketing
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Stargate in HD is worth it. When they see the Abydonians for the first time (after Daniel is dragged across the dunes) and they zoom in on O’Neil’s sunglasses, what looks like a plain old reflection on the regular dvd is now clear: it’s the white screen reflecting light being held up by the camera crew (which is also visible). You can also clearly see all of the hieroglyphs.