native 4K – Page 3 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Better than Streaming: Do you have Die Hard 4K Blu-ray in your collection?

June 23, 2023June 22, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! As you may have noticed, I am a 4K Blu-ray movie collector and I can say that I really am enjoying watching movies in 4K at the comfort of home with my Xbox Series X console as the 4K Blu-ray player.

When it comes to watching my favorite movies with the best possible video and audio qualities, I always had a grand time replaying Total Recall (1990) on 4K Blu-ray, and I can say the same with replaying the greatest Hollywood action movie ever made – Die Hard (1988)!

*This is my copy of Die Hard 4K Blu-ray.*

Back in 2021, I bought myself the 4K Blu-ray copy of Die Hard even though I already have the Blu-ray (1080p) copy. I simply wanted the best possible visuals and home entertainment experience of the classic movie that starred Bruce Willis and was directed by John McTiernan. In my life, I was fortunate to watch Die Hard in the local cinema here in the Philippines way back in 1988 and it was indeed the most thrilling in-theater experience I had as the film drew lots of reactions from all the moviegoers around me (note: this includes a standing ovation during the final conflict between John McClane and Hans Gruber) and its presentation turned out great. Simply put, Die Hard is one of my favorite movies all of time and the greatest Hollywood action movie of all.

As for Die Hard 4K Blu-ray itself, it came with the 4K Blu-ray disc, the Blu-ray disc and the digital code. I bought it online with a huge discount. Oh yes, the visuals were in native 4K resolution which I always preferred.

To put things in perspective, posted below are the technical details of Die Hard 4K Blu-ray as displayed on its Blu-ray.com page.

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265 (49.50 Mbps)

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)

Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1

French: DTS 5.1

Spanish: DTS 5.1

German: DTS 5.1

Italian: DTS 5.1

Czech: Dolby Digital 2.0

Polish: Dolby Digital 5.1

Japanese: DTS 5.1

Subtitles – English SDH, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Cantonese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Polish, Swedish

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-66, 1 BD-50)

Digital – Digital copy expired, Movies Anywhere

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

*The Blu-ray disc, the 4K Blu-ray disc and the paper for the digital copy.*

In my experience watching Die Hard on 4K Blu-ray disc, I noticed there were indeed visual improvements here and there. The film was remastered in 4K and it maintained the cinematic look precisely while it had assorted visual upgrades along the way. There was also a noticeable noise reduction on moments of intense brightness, particularly the explosions (note: they are longer overly bright and their precise colors and shapes became visible) and the fluorescent lights. I also enjoyed how the colors were improved and with the improvements on clarity, the tiny visuals details that were not visible on other formats became visible in 4K.

In connection to the improved visuals, watching Bruce Willis looking so much younger and with a full head of hair turned out to be unique part of the viewing experience. Oh yes, Alan Rickman as Gruber in a fancy looking suit looks better than ever in 4K!

Indeed, watching Die Hard 4K Blu-ray is the best and definitive way to enjoy the 1988 action classic at home. Don’t settle for streaming nor the 1080p Blu-ray nor DVD. Die Hard 4K Blu-ray is the best! If you don’t have it yet in your 4K Blu-ray collection, go for Die Hard 4K Blu-ray while it is still available and currently discounted!

In case you have made up your mind, you can order a copy of Die Hard 4K Blu-ray right now by clicking https://www.amazon.com/Die-Hard-4K-Blu-ray/dp/B07BF2SPZ3?tag=bluray-051-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Better than Streaming: Do you have Aliens 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray in your collection?

June 14, 2023June 12, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! Long before he went all-in with digital filmmaking and made the Avatar movies, James Cameron made a huge impact in the sci-fi action genre with the use of practical effects when they were still the standard in Hollywood filmmaking.

After making waves with The Terminator in 1984, Cameron went on to make the sequel Aliens which became a huge success and remains a fine example of how to do sequels. To be very clear, the production of Aliens (which starred Sigourney Weaver who returned as Ellen Ripley) has a very detailed and colorful history about notable twists in Hollywood that connect it with The Terminator. As Arnold Schwarzenegger worked on a Conan sequel, production of The Terminator got delayed and along the way, Cameron – who got involved in the Alien sequel – used the extra time to make the script for Aliens (note: working title was Alien II) which was 90 pages long. That script was submitted to Fox’s then new president Larry Gordon who loved it and agreed to wait until Cameron completed The Terminator just so that he could direct Aliens.

Aliens was released in cinemas in 1986 and went on to gross over $130 million worldwide while winning mostly positive feedback from movie critics. When the film was shown on TV in 1989, a modified cut with additional scenes were shown. In 1991, the extended cut of Aliens was released on LaserDisc format and it was 20 minutes longer than the theatrical version.

In the year 2016, the 30^th anniversary celebration of the movie happened with the release of a commemorative and feature-loaded Blu-ray and it contained the movie’s two cuts!

Aliens 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray.

On face value, the Aliens 30^th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray is quite enticing to both movie fans and collectors as it contains the following content:

Theatrical Version and Special Edition of the movie (2 cuts)
NEW The Inspiration and Design of Aliens featurette
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Superior Firepower: Making Aliens
Superior Firepower: Making Aliens Enhancement
Pre-Production Galleries
- The Art of Aliens
- Gateway Station and Colony
- Vehicles and Weapons
- Aliens
Casting
- Cast Portrait Gallery
Deleted Scene Montage

Look at all that stuff you will get with Aliens 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray! (photo source – Blu-ray.com)

Personally, I love watching Aliens which in my view is among the very best works of James Cameron and also the best movie of the entire Alien/Aliens film franchise. Through the decades I saw both the theatrical version and the special edition on different formats from video tape to LaserDisc, DVD and cable TV. The movie has Sigourney Weaver’s finest performance; a story that was crafted with a lot of inspiration; it has great action scenes, stunts and a very clever presentation of showing the Xenomorphs; it has very engaging music by the late James Horner; it has several moments of suspense that effectively served as build-ups for the action or intense pay-offs that followed; it has great creature effects by Stan Winston which proved to be an evolution of H.R. Giger’s designs; the Alien Queen was made possible by James Cameron and Stan Winston and ultimately became an essential addition into the Alien/Aliens lore; and ultimately this film moved the entire Alien/Aliens movie franchise forward creatively while respecting what was established in the first movie of 1979 (directed by Ridley Scott, written by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett).

Aliens also serves as a lively look back at the actors who made nice contributions. There was the late Bill Paxton who went on to appear in more films directed by James Cameron. There was The Terminator actor Michael Biehn who joined the film as a replacement. Lance Henriksen, who also appeared in The Terminator, played the new android Bishop which led to further appearances in two other films of the Alien film franchise.

As much as I love the movie, I have yet to acquire the Aliens 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray. In the back of my mind, a 4K Blu-ray release of Aliens could be announced suddenly and I have preference for 4K Blu-ray viewing. Be aware that already there is a 4K Blu-ray version of Alien in the market and even the hugely disappointing prequel Alien Covenant has a 4K Blu-ray release. With the woke Disney company in control of 20^th Century Fox, there is no telling when will Aliens have a 4K Blu-ray version.

To know more about Aliens, watch the following videos below…

In case you are interested or if you have made up your mind, you can order a copy of Aliens 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray right now by clicking https://www.amazon.com/Aliens-Blu-ray/dp/B01I0K018W?tag=bluray-021-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Better than Streaming: Do you have Star Trek: First Contact 4K Blu-ray in your collection?

May 29, 2023May 23, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! If you are feeling nostalgic or if you are fond of the Star Trek: The Next Generation movies of the 1990s, then you might be interested to know that they were released on 4K Blu-ray format this past April.

For the newcomers reading this, the Star Trek: TNG films were Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). I have seen all those movies and I can say that all of them had their respective flaws (creatively and technically). In fact, three of those movies were disappointing and are not worth revisiting. Definitely not worth spending money for their 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases, and the same goes with the entire Star Trek: The Next Generation Motion Picture Collection 4K Blu-ray set.

Among those four movies, the only one I actually enjoyed was Star Trek: First Contact (directed by Jonathan Frakes). While that movie has flaws and some questionable creative moves, the 1996 movie was still entertaining and turned out to be a lot more engaging than its 1994 predecessor. First Contact was the highlight of the Star Trek: TNG movies before things really went downhill with the 1998 and 2002 films. For the movie collectors and Star Trek fans reading this, Star Trek: First Contact 4K Blu-ray has been available since April 4, 2023. Were you able to buy a copy for your movie collection? If you did, were the visuals on the 4K Blu-ray disc really great to watch?

*The 4K Blu-ray front cover of Star Trek: First Contact carries the popular image from the 1996 movie poster.*

To put things in perspective, posted below are the technical details of Star Trek: First Contact 4K Blu-ray as displayed on its Blu-ray.com page…

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

German: Dolby TrueHD 5.1

Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)

French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)

Japanese: Dolby Digital 5.1

Subtitles – English, English SDH, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish.

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-66, 1 BD-50)

Digital – Digital 4K, iTunes, Vudu

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

To be clear, I have not purchased a copy of Star Trek: First Contact 4K Blu-ray as of this writing. I am interested in it but I could not make a decision to do so due to financial and practical reasons. I recently purchased Casablanca 4K Blu-ray, Top Gun: Maverick 4K Blu-ray and a Blu-ray of the James Bond movie Licence to Kill and I really enjoyed watching those three. I am also replaying the 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray movies I already have (note: V: The Original Miniseries and V: The Final Battle have very high replay value respectively, read about their respective Blu-ray releases here and here). As such, there’s no reason for me to rush to acquire Star Trek: First Contact’s 4K Blu-ray release.

I should also state that I was never a fan of the entire Star Trek entertainment franchise even though I enjoyed certain movies of it. While Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is my favorite among the movies of the classic Star Trek cast (led by Captain Kirk), Star Trek: First Contact is the only Star Trek TNG movie I ever enjoyed.

*This is the rear of the Star Trek: First Contact 4K Blu-ray. Pay close attention to the technical details as well as the listed special features.*

I first saw Star Trek: First Contact on a rented VHS tape in the summer of 1998 (note: I completely missed its 1996 theatrical release) and by the end of it, I felt this impact of fun, dramatics and visual effects. It was also in that movie where I saw Captain Picard really obsessed with saving his crew and saving the humanity’s future while struggling with his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with the Borg given his history being captured and assimilated by them. The Borg themselves were really terrifying although the inclusion of a queen brings down the concept of the unrelenting collective hive.

Just years ago, I bought a DVD copy of the 1996 movie. To be clear, I never bought the 2009 Blu-ray disc. At this stage, I have yet to replay Star Trek: First Contact in HD and Ultra HD. According to the Blu-ray.com review, Star Trek: First Contact 4K Blu-ray has a great 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation and that the image is “nearly perfect”. For insight watch the comparison video below…

Perhaps someday, I could add the 4K Blu-ray release of Star Trek: First Contact into my collection. I am interested in it and the 4K visuals look attractive and they could look even better on our household’s 4K UHDTV. I should state that the Blu-ray disc of the 4K Blu-ray set contains a whole bunch of extras and special features. It’s a matter of timing, pricing (note: watch out for the occasional online sale) and entertainment-related priority on my part.

In case you are interested or if you have made up your mind, you can order a copy of Star Trek: First Contact 4K Blu-ray right now by clicking https://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-VIII-First-Contact/dp/B0BSNX5ZW8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Star+Trek+First+Contact+4K&qid=1684818073&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Better than Streaming: Deep Impact 25th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray set for May 2, 2023 release!

March 7, 2023May 19, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! If you enjoy disaster movies mixed with science fiction concepts, or if you enjoy Hollywood flicks of the 1990s, then you might want to consider Deep Impact 25^th Annniversary 4 Blu-ray which is scheduled for release on May 2, 2023. For the eager fans of Deep Impact reading this, 4K Blu-ray is now available for pre-ordering online and it will come with native 4K visuals.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt and key details from the 4K Blu-ray announcement at Blu-ray.com. Some parts in boldface…

Paramount Home Media Distribution will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mimi Leder’s Deep Impact (1998) with a brand new 4K Blu-ray edition of the film, which will be available for purchase on May 2.

Description: What would you do if you knew that in a handful of days an enormous comet would collide with Earth and all humanity could be annihilated?

The countdown to doomsday is underway in this “gut-wrenching, eye-popping blast of a movie experience” (Jeff Craig, Sixty Second Preview). Mimi Leder (The Peacemaker) directs, guiding an all-star cast featuring Robert Duvall, Tea Leoni, Elijah Wood, Vanessa Redgrave, Maximillian Schell and Morgan Freeman. With the film’s dynamic fusion of large-scale excitement and touching, human-scale storylines, Deep Impact makes its impact felt in a big and unforgettable way.

Originally released on May 8, 1998, Deep Impact grossed nearly $350 million worldwide on an $80 million budget.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM

DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM

Audio Commentary by director Mimi Leder and visual effects supervisor Scott Farrar

Preparing For The End

Making An Impact

Creating The Perfect Traffic Jam

For additional insight, posted below are the details from the Blu-ray.com page of Deep Impact 4K Blu-ray.

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)

Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)

Subtitles – English, English SDH, French, Spanish

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-100, 1 BD-50)

Digital – Digital copy included

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

Way back in 1998, I saw Deep Impact in the local cinema. The movie had an ensemble cast showcasing veteran Morgan Freeman as the United States President, Robert Duvall as the veteran astronaut, Téa Leoni as the troubled TV journalist, as well as the very young Elijah Wood and Leelee Sobieski as the teenage love team. With its pending disaster approach to storytelling, the movie had lots of drama occasionally mixed in with sci-fi spectacle and suspense to keep moviegoers entertained. The movie was entertaining enough for me, I got to replay it on cable TV a few times and even bought myself a DVD copy of it.

Deep Impact was released at a time when Hollywood was modernizing disaster movies using the latest in computer-generated imagery (CGI) of the time and along the way, their production team also had some practical effects.

I can only wonder how good and detailed the 4K visuals of Deep Impact 25th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray will turn out. Based on the details of the announcement, there is no indication if director Mimi Leder will be involved in the 4K restoration of the movie. If you look at Leder’s record, you will realize she has been much more involved in TV than in movies.

Watch out for Deep Impact 25^th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray on May 2, 2023.

In ending this, posted below are YouTube clips of the movie. If you will be watching Deep Impact for the first time ever, I recommend you avoid watching anymore short clips of the movie online. Also you should avoid watching retro movie video reviews and movie reaction videos of Deep Impact.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Better than Streaming: Black Adam 4K Blu-ray set for January 3, 2023 release

November 23, 2022November 22, 2022carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! Those of you who are die-hard fans of Dwayne Johnson or his recent superhero movie Black Adam should be excited as Warner Bros. officially announced that Black Adam 4K Blu-ray will be released on January 3, 2023. Already orders are being accepted online.

For the newcomers reading this, Black Adam is the newest DC Comics superhero movie which has grossed over $360 million worldwide in the cinemas. In superhero comics, the feature character is known as a formidable adversary against Superman and Shazam (Captain Marvel). The movie notably has former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan as Dr. Fate. It also has the Justice Society in cinematic form.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt and key details from the 4K Blu-ray announcement at Blu-ray.com. Some parts in boldface…

Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.

Johnson stars alongside Aldis Hodge (“City on a Hill,” “One Night in Miami”) as Hawkman, Noah Centineo (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”) as Atom Smasher, Sarah Shahi (“Sex/Life,” “Rush Hour 3”) as Adrianna, Marwan Kenzari (“Murder on the Orient Express,” “The Mummy”) as Ishmael, Quintessa Swindell (“Voyagers,” “Trinkets”) as Cyclone, Bodhi Sabongui (“A Million Little Things”) as Amon, and Pierce Brosnan (the “Mamma Mia!” and James Bond franchises) as Dr. Fate.

Collet-Serra directed from a screenplay by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, screen story by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, based on characters from DC. Black Adam was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck.

The film’s producers were Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia and Dany Garcia, with Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter, Chris Pan, Eric McLeod, Geoff Johns and Scott Sheldon.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM

DOLBY ATMOS AUDIO TRACK

The History of Black Adam

Who is The Justice Society?

From Soul to Screen

Black Adam: A Flawed Hero

Black Adam: New Tech in an Old World

Black Adam: Taking Flight

Kahndaq: Designing a Nation

The Rock of Eternity

Costumes make the hero

Black Adam: A new type of action

4K Blu-ray subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French, Italian, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Canadian French, German SDH, Italian SDH

Blu-ray subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French, Canadian French

For additional insight, posted below are the details from the Blu-ray.com page of Black Adam 4K Blu-ray. Yes, the visuals will be in native 4K.

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

English: Dolby Atmos

English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

German: Dolby Atmos

German: Dolby TrueHD 7.1

Italian: Dolby Atmos

Subtitles – English SDH, French, German SDH, Italian SDH, Portuguese, Spanish, Danish, Finnish (more)

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-66, 1 BD-50)

Digital – Digital 4K, Movies Anywhere

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

I personally have not seen Black Adam in the local cinema. The published movie reviews of the mainstream and entertainment media had nothing to do with it. I just did not read enough comic books of the feature character and the Justice Society. As such, the promotions and release of Black Adam did not motivate me to watch. Still, I heard from some people that the movie was great to look at inside IMAX cinemas even though it was not filmed with IMAX cameras. I noticed that the reception from moviegoers is stronger than the critical reception.

Regardless of reception, Black Adam is significant as it somewhat reflects that DC superhero movies are changing under the leadership of Warner Bros. Discovery CEO and President David Zaslav. For those who missed out on the news, the old regime of AT&T is gone along with Ann Sarnoff, Walter Hamada and Toby Emmerich. Here is hoping that the wokeness (which is purely foolishness) will fade away more as Warner Bros. focuses on making enjoyable DC superhero movies.

Watch out for Black Adam 4K Blu-ray on January 3, 2023.

In ending this, posted below are YouTube videos related to Black Adam.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Better than Streaming: Piranha (1978) 4K Blu-ray all set for November 1, 2022 release

October 17, 2022October 17, 2022carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! If you are fond of low budget horror/comedy films or movies that were made to make money because their producers wanted to imitate the success of certain blockbusters back then, then you might be interested to know that Piranha (1978) will be released on 4K Blu-ray format on November 1, 2022. Already, pre-orders are being accepted online.

*The 4K Blu-ray cover of Piranha (1978).*

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt and key details from the 4K Blu-ray announcement at Blu-ray.com. Some parts in boldface…

Piranha features a stellar group of talent in front of as well as behind the camera. The top-notch cast of cult stars includes Kevin McCarthy (Invasion Of The Body Snatchers), Barbara Steele (Black Sunday), Belinda Balaski (The Howling), Dick Miller (A Bucket Of Blood), Paul Bartel (Eating Raoul), and Richard Deacon (The Dick Van Dyke Show).

Special Features and Technical Specs:

DISC ONE – 4K BLU-RAY

NEW 4K RESTORATION OF OF THE FILM FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE (2022)
DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
Audio Commentary With Executive Producer Roger Corman
Audio Commentary With Director Joe Dante And Producer Jon Davison
DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track
Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature

DISC TWO – BLU-RAY

NEW 4K RESTORATION OF OF THE FILM FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE (2022)
NEW Interview with director Joe Dante
Audio Commentary With Roger Corman
Audio Commentary With Joe Dante And Jon Davison
“The Making Of Piranha – Interviews With Roger Corman, Joe Dante And Actors Dick Miller, Belinda Balaski And More …
Behind-The-Scenes Footage
Bloopers And Outtakes
Still Galleries
Behind-The-Scenes Photo Gallery Featuring Photos From Creature Designer/Animator Phil Tippett’s Archives
Additional Scenes From The TV Version
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spot
Radio Spots
DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track
Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature

Posted below are the specs of Piranha (1978) 4K Blu-ray…

Video
Codec: HEVC / H.265
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio – English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)

Subtitles – English SDH

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-66, 1 BD-50)

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A (B, C untested)

In my experience, I saw Piranha (1978) a number of times since the 1980s. I never saw it in the cinema as I was too young back then but I first saw it on home video followed by showings on cable TV. Strangely enough, the 1978 movie not only spawned a sequel in 1982, it also had remakes in 1995 and 2010.

More on the 1978 movie itself, it was made just a few years after Steven Spielberg’s Jaws made tremendous impact commercially and socially. To its credit, Piranha (1978) was produced by low-budget movie king Roger Corman and it had Joe Dante as director and Kevin McCarthy as a supporting cast member. For the newcomers reading this, Dante is best known for directing Gremlins while McCarthy is best remembered for Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956).

Ultimately, the main feature of Piranha (1978) is its emphasis on water-related fear, particularly the idea that a person in water can be eaten alive by multiple piranhas. It’s like an extension of Jaws’ influence which people afraid of the sea because they could be eaten by a shark.

Already it has been confirmed that Piranha (1978) 4K Blu-ray will come with native 4K visuals. To the best of my memory, the movie was not a very visually appealing movie. Still, the idea of it getting remastered into 4K is interesting.

Watch out for Piranha (1978) 4K Blu-ray on November 1, 2022.

In closing this Better than Streaming piece, posted below is the Piranha (1978) video.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Better than Streaming: Casablanca 4K Blu-ray set for November 8, 2022 release

September 1, 2022September 14, 2022carlocarrasco

Welcome back fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! In this edition of the Better than Streaming series, we take a look at the upcoming 4K Blu-ray release of the 1942 classic film Casablanca (starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid) which is set for November 8, 2022. Take note that this year marks the 80^th anniversary of Casablanca which itself is an iconic American film, won the Academy Award for Best Picture, became memorable for movie quotes, its theme song and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

As I am writing this, Casablanca 4K Blu-ray still has not been listed for pre-order at Amazon.com but you can bet that its November 8 release date is definitive. According to the Blu-ray.com announcement, Casablanca 4K Blu-ray comes with the expected 4K restoration described as having achieved “the richest, most dynamic image possible, rendering the most romantic movie of all time the most beautiful it’s ever been.” For the 4K Blu-ray purists reading this, this upcoming 4K Blu-ray release has native 4K visuals confirmed already!

*The official 4K Blu-ray cover of Casablanca.*

For the details of Casablanca 4K Blu-ray, posted below are technical stuff sourced from its Blu-ray.com page.

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: HDR10

Aspect ratio: 1.37:1

Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1

Audio

English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)

French: Dolby Digital Mono

Spanish: Dolby Digital Mono

Italian: Dolby Digital Mono

Portuguese: Dolby Digital Mono

Japanese: Dolby Digital Mono

Subtitles – English SDH, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish.

Discs

4K Ultra HD

Blu-ray Disc

Two-disc set (1 BD-66, 1 BD-50)

Digital – Digital 4K, Movies Anywhere

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

In the most recent update of Blu-ray.com, more details about Casablanca 4K Blu-ray were posted. Posted below is an excerpt. Some parts in boldface…

The new Casablanca 4K Blu-ray image was restored and remastered from a 2022 4K 16bit film scan of the best-surviving nitrate film elements. The 4K-scanned digital images went through an extensive digital restoration process to clean and repair the picture for an unprecedented and pristine ultra-high-resolution presentation. The restored images were then graded in High Dynamic Range for today’s premium 4K display experience, providing the highest fidelity in image contrast and detail retention. This work was meticulously handled by Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging. The original theatrical mono audio has also been newly restored as well, providing a richer and broader frequency response than previously possible.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

BRAND NEW 4K 16-BIT RESTORATION OF THE FILM (2022)
NEWLY RESTORED ORIGINAL MONO TRACK (2022)
HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
Commentary by Roger Ebert
Commentary by Rudy Behlmer
Introduction by Lauren Bacall
Great Performances: Bacall on Bogart (1988 PBS special)
Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You’ve Never Heard Of
Casablanca: An Unlikely Classic
You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca (1992 TEC documentary)
As Time Goes By: The Children Remember
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
Who Holds Tomorrow? (1955 “Casablanca” TV episode)
Carrotblanca (1955 WB Cartoon)
Scoring Stage Sessions (audio only)
Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater Radio Broadcast – 4/26/43 (audio only)
Vox Pop Radio Broadcast – 11/19/47 (audio only)
Trailers
Warner Night at the Movies
- Now, Voyager trailer
- Newsreel
- Vaudeville Days (1942 WB short)
- The Bird Came C.O.D. (1942 WB cartoon)
- The Squawkin’ Hawk (1942 WB cartoon)
- The Dover Boys at Pimento University (1942 WB cartoon)

I personally am interested in this upcoming 4K Blu-ray release which is heavily loads with lots of features that will appeal to both Casablanca fans and other movie buffs. It has been a very long time since I last saw Casablanca during my college days. Sometimes, I accidentally saw parts of it played when I switched channels on cable TV. Casablanca 4K Blu-ray should deliver the promised improved visuals, sounds and immersion that streaming simply cannot achieve.

For the newcomers reading this, if you want the best home entertainment with Casablanca and if you are determined to discover its story, performances and memorable moments for the first time ever in your lives, I urge you all to avoid watching Casablanca reaction videos as well as spoileriffic video reviews of the movie on YouTube until you get Casablanca 4K Blu-ray. No offense to the YouTubers who make reaction videos and the spoileriffic video reviews but I say that Casablanca needs to be preserved for the movie-loving people who are about to see it for the first time ever.

Watch out for Casablanca 4K Blu-ray on November 8, 2022.

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Better than Streaming: Police Story 3: Supercop 4K Blu-ray set for December 13, 2022 release

August 26, 2022August 26, 2022carlocarrasco

Welcome back fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! When it comes to cinematic martial arts and stunt works that are thrilling to watch, I can say Hong Kong action filmmakers and performers really stand out. More notably, Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh are the cinematic icons of Asia whose decades-old works remain memorable to this day.

That being said, if you are fond of Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh, and if you want something really fun to add to your collection of 4K Blu-ray movies, then you should get ready for the release of the 4K Blu-ray of the 1992 Hong Kong action film Police Story 3: Supercop (also referred to as Police Story III: Supercop) which has been set for December 13, 2022. The good news here is that advanced orders of Police Story 3: Supercop 4K Blu-ray are being accepted already. You can order it right now by clicking here.

For the details of Police Story 3: Supercop 4K Blu-ray, posted below are technical stuff sourced from its Blu-ray.com page.

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 4K (2160p)

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio – TBA

Subtitles – English, English SDH

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Single disc (1 BD)

Packaging – Reversible cover

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

Police Story 3: Supercop 4K Blu-ray will come with extra stuff and key features. Check out the official product trailer below…

I personally am interested in this upcoming 4K Blu-ray of the movie that had Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh as the stars. For one thing, I only saw the Dimension Films version released in 1996 simply titled Supercop and that version had some content of the original Hong Kong version cut out. I am also interested in the extra stuff related to the dangerous stunts Chan and Yeoh pulled off while making the film. Other aspects of the film’s production, which includes filming in Malaysia, are something I would like to see.

As for the movie itself, it has a lot of thrills and to watch them – as well as Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh themselves – again in 4K is something to look out for. On the aspects of story and continuity, this 1992 movie was the 2^nd sequel to the original Police Story (1985) movie that I saw long time ago on home video. Filled with lots of action, very dangerous stunts (note: Chan doing the dangerous pole stunt with exploding electric lights inside a shopping mall was the definitive stunt to see) and car chases, Police Story became successful and spawned sequels. Police Story 3: Supercop had Chan working with Michelle Yeoh (note: this was her comeback) and in my view, they had fine chemistry together and proved how great they are with fighting and stunt work. No computer-generated images here as the action and stunts were really done by the stars with high risk and danger. Chan and Yeoh are movie legends now and their team-up in 1992 is alone a solid reason to anticipate the 4K Blu-ray release.

*Asian region movie poster of Police Story 3: Supercop.*

Watch out for Police Story 3: Supercop 4K Blu-ray on December 13, 2022.

In closing this Better than Streaming piece, posted below are Police Story 3: Supercop-related videos and some videos related to Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh.

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Better than Streaming: Top Gun: Maverick 4K Blu-ray all set for November 1, 2022 release

August 19, 2022August 24, 2022carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! Whether you are a fan of Tom Cruise, or a fan of the 1986 classic Top Gun or if you want something new and exciting to add to your collection of 4K Blu-ray movies, November 1, 2022 will be an important for you as Top Gun: Maverick 4K Blu-ray will be released on that very day. Here are some good news…Top Gun: Maverick 4K Blu-ray will come with native 4K visuals and if you are convinced to go for it, you can order it in advance right now!

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the 4K Blu-ray announcement at Blu-ray.com. Some parts in boldface…

Paramount Home Media Distribution has officially announced that it will release on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray Joseph Kosinski’s Top Gun: Maverick (2022), starring Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, and Bashir Salahuddin. The two releases will be available for purchase on November 1.

Studio synopsis: Tom Cruise stars in the global phenomenon Top Gun: Maverick, the #1 film of 2022 with over $1.3 billion in worldwide box office and the highest grossing film of the producer/actor’s acclaimed career. Top Gun: Maverick has been hailed as “spectacular” (Brian Truitt, USA Today), “breathtaking” (Don Kaye, Den of Geek) and “jaw-dropping” (Sean O’Connell, Cinemablend).

After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.”

Posted below are the specs of Top Gun: Maverick 4K Blu-ray…

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1, 1.90:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

English: Dolby Atmos

English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

Subtitles – English SDH, French

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Single disc (1 BD-100)

Digital – Digital copy included

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free

As for the special features and technical specs, posted below are the details sourced from Blu-ray.com…

DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
DOLBY ATMOS AUDIO TRACK
Cleared For Take Off—Witness the most intense film training program as the cast prepare themselves for filming while pulling multiple G’s in a fighter plane.
Breaking New Ground – Filming Top Gun: Maverick—Prepare to take flight as you go behind-the-scenes with the cast and crew of Top Gun: Maverick on a journey to capture the most spectacular aerial sequences ever!
A Love Letter To Aviation – Tom Cruise shares his passion for aviation as he pilots his own aircraft, a vintage World War II P-51 Mustang, which would have been the Top Gun aircraft of its day.
Forging The Darkstar – Pushing the limits beyond Mach-10, the future of aviation is unveiled through an impressive experimental aircraft specially designed for the movie.
Masterclass with Tom Cruise – Cannes Film Festival—Tom Cruise discusses his incredible career at the flagship event of the 75th Cannes Film Festival.
“Hold My Hand” – Lady Gaga Music Video—Watch Lady Gaga’s music video for her standout lead single hit on the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack.
“I Ain’t Worried” – OneRepublic Music Video—Check out the music video to the original new song from OneRepublic.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Teaser Trailer – We all share the same fate. Watch the official teaser trailer for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One starring Tom Cruise. Coming to theatres 2023.

Top Gun: Maverick was released more than thirty years after its predecessor first came out. The 1986 Top Gun itself did not just make a tremendous amount of money in terms of ticket sales as it also made its mark in American pop culture complete with a memorable soundtrack and having notable actors like Val Kilmer, Michael Ironside (note: check out my retro review of V: The Final Battle plus my article about its Blu-ray release), Meg Ryan and Tim Robbins as supporting cast members. To know more about the 1986 classic, watch Oliver Harper’s in-depth retrospective by clicking here.

More on Top Gun: Maverick, the movie’s success during this COVID-19 pandemic age is astounding as it grossed past $1 billion worldwide and literally it reinvigorated movie theaters around the world! For context, posted below is an excerpt from a recent Forbes.com article regarding the theatrical success. Some parts in boldface…

Top Gun: Maverick’s exceptional success supplied a giant lifeline to theaters and cover for studios willfully underdelivering regular theatrical products in an uncommonly sparse summer. Top Gun: Maverick accounted for 23% of the domestic summer movie line-up. That is partially because it earned around $500 million more than even the rosiest projections.

Top Gun: Maverick also came with the benefits of advanced cinematography technologies and methods which made its flight scenes very pleasing to watch. Practical effects and daring flying methods were used which added to the organic nature of the movie’s visuals which is something that computer-generate imaging (CGI) cannot do. The production team also used IMAX cameras and if the movie is still playing in the near IMAX cinema near you, I encourage you to go watch it while you still have time.

Another notable thing about Top Gun: Maverick is that it defied the wokeness of Commiewood (Communist Hollywood) and emphasized American patriotism. For the newcomers reading this, be aware that there are many millions of socialists, Marxists, Communists and unpatriotic people among young people in America who were brainwashed by the socialists who worked as so-called educators in colleges. Take note from the excerpt posted below sourced from The Daily Mail. Some parts in boldface…

Top Gun is a straightforward action movie that celebrates all that is good about our country and our military.

Add to that the handsome leading men, a romantic drama with Cruise’s love interest Jennifer Connelly, and a new generation of actors and ‘pilots,’ like Miles Teller, and you have darn sequel.

There is also a really moving scene between Maverick and Iceman (Cruise and Val Kilmer) and I am woman enough to admit I cried through it.

But above all else — the movie isn’t overly political, it isn’t depressing, it isn’t focusing on the flaws of the United States of America and why we suck and why our flag and national anthem aren’t worth honoring.

The filmmakers also took a stand against the sickening Hollywood trend of pandering to the demands of the totalitarian Chinese government.

In the 1986 original movie, there is a patch depicting the Taiwanese flag on Maverick’s flight jacket. But during 2019 previews, the patch had been removed to alleged appease Chinese censors.

Movie-goers were happy to see the flag had been restored in the film — a signal that neither the filmmakers nor Cruise are content with being lapdogs to the Chinese regime.

I absolutely loved the movie and I felt good leaving the theatre that evening.

Hollywood must wake up to the reality that ‘go woke, go broke’ is real.

Considering its major achievements that go beyond ticket sales, Top Gun: Maverick is the modern-day entertainment marvel just waiting to be discovered by a lot more people who still have not seen it. Expect Top Gun: Maverick to be among the most wanted titles on Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray formats this coming Christmas shopping season. Watching the Tom Cruise-led movie in the cinemas, on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray is simply better than streaming.

Watch out for Top Gun: Maverick 4K Blu-ray on November 1, 2022.

In closing this Better than Streaming piece, posted below are Top Gun: Maverick-related videos and a few Top Gun videos for your viewing pleasure.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Better than Streaming: Heat Ultimate Collector’s Edition 4K Blu-ray coming out on August 9, 2022

June 14, 2022June 9, 2022carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! If you are a fan of Hollywood legends Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer and director Michael Mann, then you should be delighted to know that the 1995 epic movie Heat will be released on 4K Blu-ray format (with special features and extra stuff, plus a steelbook edition is available) on August 9, 2022! Already, you can order it online right now!

*The cover of Heat Ultimate Collector’s Edition 4K Blu-ray.*

According to the Blu-ray.com page of the movie, Heat Ultimate Collector’s Edition 4K Blu-ray will be released with native 4K visuals. Posted below are the technical specs for your reference…

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.40:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

English: Dolby Atmos

English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

French: Dolby Digital 5.1

Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1

Subtitles – English SDH, French, Spanish

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Three-disc set (1 BD-66, 2 BD-50)

Digital

Movies Anywhere

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

As for the special features and technical specs, posted below are the details sourced from Blu-ray.com…

PREVIOUSLY REMASTERED IN 4K
HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
DTS-HD MASTER AUDIO 5.1 TRACK
Academy Panel reuniting Mann, Pacino and De Niro and moderated by Christopher Nolan
Toronto International Film Festival Q&A with Mann
Audio Commentary by Michael Mann
The Making of Heat
- True Crime
- Crime Stories
- Into the Fire
Pacino and De Niro: The Conversation
Return to the Scene of the Crime
Additional Footage – Deleted Scenes
- Scene 5 – Season’s starting early
- Scene 42 – Nicest guy on the block
- Scene 55 – Albert and Hanna (Alternate Take)
- Scene 62 – Shakedown
- Scene 76 – Murder in C-Block
- Scene 96A – Let’s Dance
- Scene 125 – Late arrival
- Scene 148/147 – Where’s Anna?
- Scene 177B – Double the worst trouble
- Scene 191 – Nate delivers
- Scene 204A – No response
Theatrical Trailers
- Surprise of a Lifetime
- Two Actors Collide
- Closing In
Optional English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles for the main feature

For the newcomers reading this, Heat was released in late-1995 and it told a very compelling story about crime and law enforcement with De Niro leading a gang of proficient thugs and Pacino leading a team of law enforcers. On both sides, obsession is a major factor as seen in the respective performances of the two Hollywood legends. Apart from the story, the film also has very notable actors supporting the two top actors such as Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd and Dennis Haysbert to name some. Each member of the cast performed well on-screen.

When it comes to action, the city bank heist and street shootout scenes are still great to watch even by today’s standards. If you had seen Heat and you played either Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto V, you will realize that the games’ respective bank heist scenes obviously took a lot of inspiration from the movie. Heat is also the subject of countless video reviews, film analysis videos and trivia-type videos on YouTube.

Watch out for Heat Ultimate Collector’s Edition 4K Blu-ray on August 9, 2022.

In closing this Better than Streaming piece, posted below are Heat-related videos for your viewing pleasure.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

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