PROJECT HAIL MARY: Another Great ROCKY Movie

PROJECT HAIL MARY (4K UHD)

2026 / 156 min

Alliance Entertainment

Review by Princess Pepper😸

I don’t recall the last time two of the biggest movies of the year also happened to be two of the best ones (so far, anyway). One is Obsession, a horror film that more than lived up to the hype. The other is Project Hail Mary. I haven’t enjoyed a science fiction film this much since The Martian…for a lot of the same reasons.

Both were adapted from novels by Andy Weir, who probably wakes up every morning high-fiving himself. The narratives are structurally similar, centered around a lone protagonist with a life-threatening problem that only science can solve. But whereas The Martian’s Mark Watney is trying to save himself, Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is tasked with saving an entire planet…two, actually.

Grace wakes up on-board a spaceship with no memory of how he got there. The rest of the crew are dead, and he figures out that the ship is nearing the end of a 12 light-year journey to the Tau Ceti, the only star in the system that isn’t dying. Meanwhile, flashbacks (taking place on Earth) reveal our sun is dying, too, due to a black substance called astrophage, which absorbs a star’s energy to move around and procreate. 

Being something of a renegade scientist unafraid to put forth controversial theories, Grace becomes the foremost expert on astrophage. More or less against his will, he ends up on the mission to determine why Tau Ceti isn’t affected. But he isn’t alone for long. Another ship from a different world, also with a single surviving crew member, has been sent to the same place for the same reason. And this is when the narrative elevates Project Hail Mary from yet-another sci-fi film with apocalyptic implications to a charming - often very funny- tale of friendship.

The wi-fi out here sucks.

Grace’s new partner/companion is a rock-based creature, whom he dubs Rocky (voiced by James Ortiz). The film does a terrific job depicting how the language barrier is broken, as well as the two getting to know each other on a personal level. Though the present crisis looms large and remains central to the story, the best moments (especially during the middle act) are human ones (even though one of ‘em is a rock). Because both characters are so well developed, we become hugely invested in them and are rewarded with multiple emotional payoffs, especially during the final third of the film. This might also be Gosling’s best performance, which is quite impressive considering he’s largely sharing the screen with a special effect.

Speaking of which…while the special effects are excellent, they never become the focus of the film. They simply serve the story, which is so well written that deep space could be depicted with black felt & Christmas lights and it would still be engaging. Ultimately, Project Hail Mary is one of those sci-fi movies I’d recommend to people who profess to hate the genre (like my dad). There’s simply too much wonderful stuff going on to dismiss it as just another space flick. I'll just tell Dad it's another great Rocky movie.

I’m glad I caught it on the big screen first, which is the best way to take it all in. However, this 4K UHD release from Alliance Entertainment does boast an overall picture that’s sharp, detailed, and at times very colorful, as well as an outstanding Dolby Atmos audio track. On the other hand, the disc is surprisingly lacking much in the way of supplemental material…just a commentary, some deleted scenes and a short featurette about Rocky. That’s a minor quip, though.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTE - Earth’s Favorite Eridian is all about how Rocky was designed, created and voiced.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

DELETED SCENES

JCVD in 4K!

DEATH WARRANT (4K UHD) and LIONHEART (4K UHD)

MVD Visual

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the Bonecrusher😼

Two of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s popular fightfests from 1990 (when he was still flirting with A-lister status) are getting the 4K treatment from MVD Visual. Available separately, both more-or-less include the same bonus material from previous Blu-ray or DVD releases, so these are for the Damme die-hards who just gotta have the best picture and sound quality possible. You know who you are.

Lionheart (1990/110 min) is arguably the first film where Van Damme was required to truly act...you know, with emotions 'n stuff. As such, he isn't half bad. He plays Lyon Gaultier, trying to visit his dying brother who was burned alive during a drug deal gone bad in Los Angeles. Needing quick cash, Lyon ends up participating in underground fights to earn money to get to L.A., and later in a big money bout run by wealthy and conniving socialite Cynthia (Deborah Rennard).

Lyon is too late to see his brother, but his niece and estranged sister-in-law are in financial dire straits, so he resumes fighting, with Cynthia arranging bigger and more dangerous matches. Van Damme, of course, engages in plenty of what he does best: punching, kicking, collecting contusions. But unlike, say, Bloodsport, at least the downtime is watchable. Lyon's developing friendship with one character even manages to be engaging at times.

EXTRA KIBBLES:

4K & BLU-RAY COPIES

EXTENDED 110 MIN VERSION

"THE STORY OF LIONHEART" & "INSIDE LIONHEART" - Two lengthy and entertaining retrospective documentaries featuring some of the cast & crew, including director Sheldon Lettich, producer Eric Karson, Harrison Page, Deborah Rennard and, of course, Van Damme (who seems to be lost in his own world).

AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By director Sheldon Lettich (this is the only new bonus feature); 2) By director Sheldon Lettich and actor Harrison Page.

INTERVIEWS - Individual interviews with director Sheldon Lettich and actor Harrison Page.

"LIONHEART: BEHIND THE FIGHTS"

VINTAGE MAKING-OF FEATURETTE

BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF THE AUDIO COMMENTARY (really) - Five minutes of Lettich & Page in a recording booth, beginning their commentary.

PHOTO GALLERY

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MINI POSTER

"Did I step in something?"

Death Warrant (1990/89 min) is more outlandishly plotted and somewhat bereft of plausibility, but you could say the same about far worse Van Damme vehicles. Besides, this one delivers what his fans care about most…bone-crushing, bloody brawls. In this one, he’s a cop named Louis Burke who goes undercover as an inmate at a maximum security prison to investigate a string of murders. Complicating matters, however, is the appearance of “The Sandman” (Patrick Kilpatrick), a serial killer Burke thought was already dead (Burke shot the man himself in the prologue).

As long as you check your brain at the door, there’s some violent fun to be had here. Van Damme’s performance is, as usual, adequate enough for what’s required of the character, while Kilpatrick….you know, now that I think about it, I don’t recall ever seeing him in a role where he didn’t play a psycho. Stick to your strengths, I guess. Elsewhere, the action is plentiful and well shot. All-in-all, these are two decent additions to MVD’s LaserVision collection.

EXTRA KIBBLES

INTERVIEWS - Individual interviews with actors Patrick Kilpatrick, Cynthia Gibbs and one of my favorite “hey, it’s that guy!” actors, Art LaFleur.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By Director Deran Sarafian.

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MINI POSTER

Both films feature upgraded picture and sound from previous Blu-ray editions. The overall image is a slight improvement, and the LPCM 2.0 audio tracks for each are clear and well balanced. Be advised, however, that the 5.1 Surround option for Lionheart is only available on the Blu-ray copy.

EPiC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT...And Then Some

EPiC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT (4K + Blu-ray)

2025 / 96 min

NEON

Review by Princess Pepper😺

Though my mother was certainly around when Elvis ruled the world, she didn’t become a big fan until long after he died. For a time, it seemed like whenever I visited or happened to be riding in the car with her, it was all she ever listened to…incessantly. I never really got into his music, but appreciated the joy it brought her. It’s just too bad that belated fandom meant she never got the chance to see him live.

Mom passed away a few years ago, and since I still miss her very much, music by some of her idols evokes memories whenever I hear it…Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, and of course, Elvis Presley. At least she got to see Neil & Tom live (more than once, I think). As for The King himself…she would’ve absolutely loved EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert because it’s arguably the next best thing to being there.

The film collects and restores classic, rare and formerly-lost footage of Elvis shows during the Vegas era of capes, sequined jumpsuits, gold belts and martial arts (shortly before the mileage and rock & roll lifestyle began to catch up with him). Whether one likes the man’s music or not, you can’t deny his total showmanship, command of the crowd and dedication to each performance. And behind it all is the type of sincerity that’s difficult to fake. While directly addressing the audience, Elvis is both funny and charming.

Elvis conjures a Twinkie.

Title notwithstanding, EPiC is more than just a concert film. Through archival video and audio interviews, Elvis himself narrates his own history and feelings regarding his status as an icon. Coming across as congenial and humble, sometimes he even seems perplexed over his own level of stardom, to say nothing of the controversy his performances garnered in the early years. Just as engaging is all the behind-the-scenes footage of rehearsals with his band, which are nearly as energetic as his stage performances (and a bit more down to Earth). 

It’s all lovingly assembled by Baz Luhrmann, the same director responsible for the shockingly good 2022 Elvis biopic. I guess he hadn’t quite gotten all that King worship out of his system, which is ultimately a good thing for longtime fans (or curious newcomers). While there’s certainly no shortage of Elvis documentaries and concert films, not only does EPiC serve up footage not seen in over 50 years (if ever), the whole thing looks and sounds as good as any modern concert film, especially in 4K UHD (the accompanying Blu-ray disc is no slouch either). 

While I still wouldn’t count myself among his fans, the film did have me developing a greater appreciation for Elvis’ skills as a performer. I may not dig most of the songs (though “Burning Love” kinda kicks ass), but watching and hearing him belt them out in hi-def before a worshiping crowd is infectious. Mom would’ve loved this.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K & BLU-RAY COPIES

TRAILERS & TV SPOTS

HOKUM is Not Hokum

HOKUM (4K + Blu-ray)

2026 / 107 min

NEON

Review by Mr. Bonnie and Princess Pepper (transcribed by D.M. Anderson)🙀

After a dinner of Fancy Feast and a quick trip to the litter box, Princess Pepper and Mr. Bonnie take their usual spots on the sofa to review the new 4K/Blu-ray release of the horror hit, Hokum. 

PRINCESS PEPPER (rolls eyes): Oh…joy. Yet another haunted house movie. 

MR. BONNIE (reading the synopsis): Actually, it’s a haunted hotel this time.

PRINCESS PEPPER: You mean like The Shining, 1408 and God knows how many others? Didn’t these things stop being scary a long time ago?

MR. BONNIE: It depends on who's behind the camera, doesn’t it? This one is written and directed by Damian McCarthy, who did Oddity. That one was pretty good.

PRINCESS PEPPER (shrugs): It was okay…nothing to meow home about. Okay, let’s fire it up. Here’s hoping Hokum isn’t a bunch of hokum…

Mr. Bonnie hits play, The film opens with alcoholic writer Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) struggling to finish his latest novel. He also appears to be haunted by a mysterious dark figure lurking nearby. Then after spotting the urns of his parents, he decides to fly to Ireland to the rustic old inn where they had their honeymoon, planning to spread their ashes in the nearby forest.

PRINCESS PEPPER: Okay, I’ll concede I’m a bit intrigued. I like how the movie opens with a scene from the book Ohm’s trying to finish. Kinda brutal…with the book's character getting ready to kill a kid.

MR. BONNIE: Maybe…it’s not clear if that conquistador actually went through with it. 

PRINCESS PEPPER: I like ambiguity in a horror movie, rather than being spoonfed everything. Keeps things interesting. I wonder what this whole scene has to do with Ohm heading to Ireland.

MR. BONNIE: Maybe it’s to establish that Ohm is haunted, as well. Perhaps by something from his past.

PRINCESS PEPPER: Well, it would certainly explain why he’s a surly, unlikeable douchebag, treating the innkeepers like shit. And they certainly picked the right actor. Adam Scott has always been good at playing douchebags. 

During his first night at the Bilberry Woods Hotel, Ohm hears stories from the staff, including friendly bartender Fiona (Florence Odesh), that the honeymoon suite is haunted, which is why nobody’s allowed to enter. Naturally, Ohm is skeptical.

PRINCESS PEPPER: But of course it is…and of course he is.

MR. BONNIE (hissing): Quiet, you!

That night, Ohm tries to hang himself, but is saved by Fiona. After his recovery in the hospital, he returns to the inn as it’s ready to close for the season, only to learn that Fiona has since gone missing. Everyone, including the police, suspect a homeless hermit named Jerry (David Wilmot) is behind her disappearance. Ohm becomes somewhat obsessed with finding out what happened to Fiona, going so far as to seek out Jerry, who lives in a van in the woods. Jerry suspects Fiona is still in the hotel…more specifically, the honeymoon suite. Once the hotel is empty, the two venture inside to look for her. However, Jerry is captured by Fergal the groundkeeper, who plans to haul the man to jail. Ohm is now alone in the hotel.

PRINCESS PEPPER: This is pretty interesting so far…and the hotel setting is actually kinda creepy.

MR. BONNIE: I’m even starting to like Ohm a little bit. He seems genuinely concerned about Fiona.

PRINCESS PEPPER: And lemme guess…he’s gonna go up to the honeymoon suite by himself. 

MR. BONNIE: Of course he is. Otherwise the movie would be over.

Ohm was certain he booked a bigger room.

Ohm does indeed make his way to the honeymoon suite, which has become dusty and dilapidated from years of neglect. He soon falls asleep, at which time the narrative serves up a look at Ohm’s childhood trauma through a dream sequence. Later, he’s startled by the arrival of the desk clerk, Mal (Peter Coonan). When Ohm discovers Fiona’s dead body stuffed into a dumbwaiter, Mal locks him in the room. It’s at this point that Ohm becomes increasingly terrorized by a horrifying entity established as a witch, who appears aware of Ohm’s past. This comprises the bulk of the film’s middle act.

PRINCESS PEPPER: I’m getting definite 1408 vibes here, but in a good, creepy way. 

MR. BONNIE (chuckles): Imagine if Samuel L. Jackson was in this one, too. 

PRINCESS PEPPER: And imagine him with an Irish accent…Aye be sick ‘o these mootherfookin’ ghoosts en this mootherfookin’ rewm!

MR. BONNIE: Those revelations about Ohm’s past…no wonder he’s so screwed up. As for the rabbit man on the TV…he kinda freaks me out.

PRINCESS PEPPER: I think he’s a donkey man.

MR. BONNIE: Either way, the guy is nightmare fuel.

PRINCESS PEPPER: I, for one, was surprised by Mal. What a bastard! Why the hell would he do that?

The conflict involving Ohm, Jerry (who managed to escape and return), Mal and the witch eventually culminates in a chilling, tension-filled climax. In the interest of avoiding spoilers and preserving certain plot revelations, some of Pepper and Mr. Bonnie’s comments have been redacted.

PRINCESS PEPPER: Man, I can believe Mal murdered Fiona just because she got pregnant. Still, it makes him one hell of a hateful villain. He sure got what was coming to him.

MR. BONNIE: Yeah, and Ohm’s character arc was definitely engaging. You don’t often see that in a horror movie. I also appreciate how McCarthy uses atmosphere and a deliberate pace to slowly build dread, rather than bombard you with cheap jump scares.

PRINCESS PEPPER: Now that I think about it, a lot of the narrative was kind of unpredictable, especially the part where I don’t know what to write here. Then there’s that one shocking reveal that do be go cke cjfrfc. I didn’t see that coming. And what Ohm is forced to endure, like this and that and this and that, makes the denouement especially iesonant. By the end, he’s a changed man in the djsdjdj.

MR. BONNIE: Yeah, it’s a great ending that gives the prologue context in a clever, almost poetic way, which certainly reflects the protagonists emotional growth.

The end credits roll…

PRINCESS PEPPER: I was skeptical at first, but Hokum is a pretty damn good horror movie, maybe even better that 1408. 

MR. BONNIE: Like I said before, in the right hands, even the hoary ol’ trapped-in-a-haunted house theme still has some life in it. 

PRINCESS PEPPER: Haunted hotel, Bonnie. Haunted hotel.

MR. BONNIE: Right. Now let’s take a look at those bonus features. I’m dying to learn more about Jack the Donkey. (see below)

PRINCESS PEPPER: You go ahead, Bonnie. I’m still trying to unsee that guy.

EXTRA KIBBLES:

4K & BLU-RAY COPIES

FEATURETTES - The Making of Hokum features cast/crew interviews and behind the scenes footage; Jack the Donkey, A Family Favorite is raw footage of the film’s freakiest character  (who caused a few sleepless nights for Princess Pepper).

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By writer-director Damian McCarthy.

TRAILERS