Hot on Home Video: 'Eraser' (1996), 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie'

 ERASER

When it comes to mid-nineties action cinema, Chuck Russell's 1996 blockbuster Eraser remains a high-octane favorite. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Witness Protection Marshal John Kruger, the film delivers prime popcorn entertainment filled with massive explosions, futuristic railguns, and unforgettable one-liners. For years, fans had to endure an outdated, murky home video transfer that did not do justice to the film's big-budget ambition. Thankfully, Warner Brothers has finally given this catalog favorite a stellar upgrade with a brand-new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray set, released in honor of the movie's anniversary. The result is an absolute triumph for physical media collectors.

The visual transformation here is remarkable. Presented on a generous triple-layer disc, the new 2160p resolution breathes fresh life into every frame. The picture quality easily surpasses the old, fuzzy presentation of previous editions, offering a beautiful look that respects the original film grain. Close-ups reveal spectacular clarity, from the texture of Schwarzenegger's leather jackets to the facial expressions of co-stars Vanessa Williams and James Caan. The implementation of Dolby Vision high dynamic range is a total game changer, especially since so much of the movie takes place at night. The shadow detail is incredibly deep and ink-like without losing definition. Meanwhile, the bright green pulses of the high-tech weaponry and the vibrant orange hues of the massive fireballs pop off the screen with stunning brilliance.

Equally impressive is the newly remixed Dolby Atmos audio track. Eraser has always been a loud movie, but this audio presentation polishes the experience to near-perfection. The height channels are used effectively, creating an immersive wall of sound during the signature airplane escape sequence and the hectic zoo shootout. The surround sound placement keeps you right in the middle of the chaos, while the low-frequency effects deliver deep, chest-thumping bass that will rattle your living room walls during explosions. Most importantly, the audio engineers managed to balance the soundstage beautifully. The dialogue comes through with crystal clarity, ensuring you can hear every cheesy quip perfectly without having to constantly fiddle with the volume remote between action beats.

Beyond the magnificent technical presentation, this release offers some welcome retrospective featurettes. Viewers get to enjoy insightful interviews reflecting on the evolution of nineties action cinema and the complex technical production of the movie. While the package focuses heavily on the single 4K disc, the sheer quality of the video encode makes it worth every penny.

Whether you are a diehard Schwarzenegger fan or just a lover of classic physical media, this package is a must-own. It proves that with the right care and modern restoration techniques, even a thirty-year-old summer blockbuster can look and sound as spectacular as a modern theatrical release. This magnificent presentation reminds us why the peak era of physical media remains unbeatable, making it highly recommended for your shelf.

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE

Following up on the smash success of their first cinematic outing, Illumination and Nintendo have raised the bar with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, this animated sequel blasts the beloved Italian plumbers into the far reaches of outer space. With Bowser Junior taking center stage as a formidable threat and the cosmic protector Rosalina joining the fray, the film is a breathless, imaginative journey that expands the universe beautifully. For animation enthusiasts and home theater aficionados alike, Universal Pictures has delivered the definitive way to experience this interstellar ride with an outstanding 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray set.

Visually, this transfer represents the absolute pinnacle of what the 4K format can achieve with modern digital animation. While the theatrical release already looked incredible, the compressed nature of streaming platforms cannot match the massive bitrate provided by this physical disc. The native 2160p resolution yields a picture that is immaculately sharp, capturing the micro-textures of Mario's denim overalls, the intricate stitching on Luigi's green cap, and the individual scales on Bowser. Thanks to the expert implementation of Dolby Vision, the depth of space is truly mesmerizing. The background fields are filled with deep, perfect black levels that make the surrounding celestial objects pop. The wide color gamut brings the vibrant neon pathways of the cosmic levels and the multicolored glowing Lumas to life with a blinding, spectacular intensity that standard high definition simply cannot replicate.

The audio presentation is just as stellar, utilizing a reference quality Dolby Atmos mix that maximizes the spatial environment of a galaxy hopping adventure. From the moment Mario launches into the cosmos, the overhead speakers are engaged constantly. Spacecraft zoom dynamically across the room, debris from shattering asteroids tumbles through the surround channels, and the chaotic energy of gravity-defying platforming sequences places you right in the middle of the fun. The bass response is exceptionally robust, giving a thunderous weight to the massive doomsday weapons and volcanic planetary explosions. Crucially, the crisp voice acting of Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, and Anya Taylor-Joy remains perfectly prioritized amidst the cosmic symphony. The orchestral score, which pays a beautiful homage to the iconic orchestral video game soundtracks, sounds expansive and sweeping, filling the entire room with acoustic warmth.

Universal has also packed the release with an impressive selection of bonus features that will delight fans of all ages. Behind the scenes featurettes look closely at the complex animation process required to simulate the movie's unique gravitational mechanics, while separate featurettes explore the rich musical history and the inclusion of beloved nostalgic power-ups.

Ultimately, this home video package sets a new standard for animated releases on physical media. It flawlessly translates a beautiful cinematic spectacle into an unmatched home theater experience. For families, animation buffs, and collectors who demand the absolute best in picture and sound quality, this cosmic zinger belongs in the orbit of your physical media collection.

Studios provided review screeners.

Broadway in Tucson Review: 'Beauty and the Beast'

 

With an array of such spellbinding songs and a timeless story, any stage musical adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" is nearly assured of success. But the brain trust behind the national touring production isn't satisfied with mere success. The goal is to shatter expectations and make an old story look and feel new again, while maintaining the integrity of the source material's many sacred touchstones.

Well, consider that goal not only scored, but achieved in sweeping, Lionel Messi hat trick style fashion. That awkward analogy is on my mind because I foresook Messi's masterpiece in the World Cup against Australia to witness the "Beauty and the Beast" stage show. And, like my four-year-old daughter who wore her Belle dress to the show, I don't regret it a bit.

Having originated as a Broadway production in 1994, the musical has evolved in considerable ways, incorporating a stunning kaleidoscope of projections integrated with impeccable practice stagecraft to reproduce and enhance scenes from the film.

The result is a whirling tapestry of sights and sounds that transports the audience into realms and emotions that the animated film and its live-action remake could only hint at. Countless aspects of the story's lore are broadened and excavated for more detail, graced with flourishes that smooth out the story's rough edges and fill in plot holes.

In usual Disney stage musical fashion, the costumes and backgrounds perfectly replicate the original images etched in your inner child's mind. The cast manages the awkward task of sounding just like the original voice actors while injecting pizzazz that shakes the cobwebs off the icons.

Kyra Belle Johnson, who given her middle name, was ordained to take on the lead role, commands the pathos of the production with eclectic flair. Unfurling new talents in each set piece, which demands a booming voice, tap dancing, ballet and can can, Johnson delivers in captivating fashion.

Fergie L. Philippe, as the Beast, lets his personlaity shine through the colossal costume and makeup for a powerful and sensitive rendition of a tyrant on a gradual path of redemptive self awareness. Stephen Mark Lukas is a double-meat ham sandwich delight as the pompous Gaston, and Danny Gardner unfurls a sassy Lumiere, complete with wicks that light up in flames to emphasize every double entendre.

The ensemble is obscenely talented and coordinated, delivering show-stopping numbers that demand uproarious applause in numbers that channel Busby Berkeley, the Rockettes and Moulin Rouge at equal turns.

The 150-minute musical flies by with hardly a pause for breath, and leaves you with an aching appreciation for the craftsmanship and feverish effort put forth by cast and crew. You're left with a whispering urge to fire up the movie again and grab a friend or family member who just needs to see this by the arm to see it again before it goes away. And, if time allows, to catch the Messi highlights.

"Beauty and the Beast" plays through Sunday at Centennial Hall. Buy tickets here.

Game Review: 'NBA The Run'

 

For years, sports gaming fans have been begging for a true return to the glory days of arcade basketball. We have spent over a decade reminiscing about the over the top madness of the NBA Street franchise, wondering why the industry completely abandoned that pure, unfiltered fun in favor of hyper realistic simulation and predatory microtransactions. Enter Play by Play Studios. With NBA The Run on PlayStation 5, this small team has captured lightning in a bottle, delivering a fast, fluid, and incredibly stylish 3-on-3 streetball game that finally fills that massive void. It is a breath of fresh air for the genre, focusing entirely on high flying fun and skill based gameplay.

From the second you fire the game up on the PS5, the unique visual identity slaps you in the face. The developers did not try to replicate the photorealistic player models of modern simulation titles. Instead, they opted for a beautifully handcrafted, highly stylized aesthetic that feels like an interactive comic book come to life. The court designs are spectacular, spanning iconic streetball locations around the globe, from the sunny asphalt of Venice Beach to the dense, electric atmosphere of The Tenement in the Philippines. On the PlayStation 5 hardware, the game runs at a flawless, silky smooth frame rate that is absolutely essential for a game built around twitch reflexes and precise timing.

The core gameplay loop is incredibly addictive and respectably straightforward. You select your squad from an impressive roster of current NBA stars and stylized street legends, and then you hit the pavement. Matches are short, snappy, and played at a breakneck pace. The action begins with an immediate scramble as the ball is dropped right in the center of the court, kicking off a frantic race to see who can claim first possession. The offensive mechanics feel great on the sticks, allowing you to string together ankle breaking crossovers and flashy stepback jumpers. Passing feels sharp, and executing a perfectly timed spin move before tossing up a lob for a thunderous, rim rocking alley oop is endlessly satisfying.

What really surprised me about NBA The Run is how much emphasis and care went into the defensive side of the ball. In so many arcade sports games, defense is an afterthought, but here it is just as fun and impactful as offense. Sending a weak layup flying into the concrete with a thunderous block feels amazing, and diving face first onto the pavement to secure a loose ball can completely shift the momentum of a tight game. The developers also implemented true rollback netcode for the online multiplayer, which means your defensive inputs, steals, and contests happen instantaneously without any noticeable lag.

The main competitive hub centers around Knockout Tournaments, which you can tackle entirely by yourself in Solos mode, where you control the whole team, or with friends in Squads mode. The structural twist that keeps the experience fresh is the environmental randomness applied to the courts. One match might be a classic race to twenty one points, while the next round might force a strict countdown rule that severely limits how long an individual player can hold onto the ball. This forces you to adapt your playstyle on the fly and prevents the online meta from becoming stale.

Progressing through the fifty ranks at launch feels rewarding, as you constantly earn in game currency to unlock alternate jerseys, taunts, and advanced trick animations in the shop without having to pull out a real world credit card. It is worth noting that this is a strictly online focused package, so players looking for a deep offline single player campaign or a franchise mode will not find that here. However, the crossplay support ensures that the matchmaking pools are always full, and finding a game takes mere seconds. NBA The Run is a triumphant, high energy revival that remembers exactly why we fell in love with arcade sports games in the first place, and it is a worthy respite from the action of the NBA Finals.

Publisher provided review code.

Game Review: 'Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration'

 

When Rise of the Tomb Raider originally launched back in 2015, I remember being completely blown away by how Crystal Dynamics expanded on their gritty reboot formula. It was a massive game that expertly balanced frantic firefights, desperate survival mechanics, and, thankfully, a much larger focus on actual tomb raiding. Getting to experience that epic journey again today, running natively on a handheld Nintendo platform, feels like a minor miracle. Aspyr has done a phenomenal job bringing Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration to the Nintendo Switch 2, delivering a definitive port that feels right at home on the new hardware.

The transition to Nintendo's latest system is remarkably smooth. Where the previous generation hardware struggled with high-end ports, the Switch 2 handles Lara's Siberian trek with impressive grace. Playing in handheld mode is an absolute joy. The snowy vistas of Kitezh and the frozen wilderness look crisp on the screen, retaining the dense vegetation, realistic weather effects, and detailed character models that made the original release a visual showpiece. There are some minor concessions in texture quality if you look closely at the distant mountain peaks, but when you are sprinting away from an avalanche or sliding down a muddy slope, the visual presentation holds up beautifully. More importantly, the frame rate remains rock solid during intense action sequences, ensuring that the precision jumping and fast-paced combat never suffer from frustrating stuttering.

The core gameplay of Rise of the Tomb Raider remains just as thrilling as it was a decade ago. Lara is a much more capable adventurer here, and the progression loop is incredibly satisfying. I always loved how the game rewards exploration. You are constantly hunting for resources, scavenging animal hides, and translating ancient monolithic structures to unlock hidden map secrets. The combat is dynamic and violent, giving you the freedom to sneak through bushes and execute silent bow takedowns, or go in guns blazing with crafted explosives.

What elevates this specific package is the sheer volume of content included in the 20 Year Celebration edition. Beyond the excellent main campaign, which follows Lara's desperate race against the shadowy Trinity organization to find the secret of immortality, you get every single piece of downloadable content ever released. The Blood Ties chapter is a fantastic, narrative-focused change of pace that lets you explore the iconic Croft Manor to uncover secrets about Lara's family history. If you want something completely different, Lara's Nightmare turns that same manor into a tense action experience against hordes of the undead.

The inclusion of the Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch expansion is another massive highlight, introducing a mind-bending side story wrapped in trippy hallucinations and excellent environmental puzzles. For players who love pure mechanics, the Endurance Mode offers a brutal survival test where you have to manage warmth and food. The fact that you can play this mode in online co-op with a friend on a portable console makes it an incredibly enticing package for long road trips or evening sessions on the couch. Aspyr even threw in classic low-polygon Lara skins from the original nineties games, which is a wonderful nostalgic treat for long-time fans of the franchise.

It is rare for a port of an older game to feel this essential, but Rise of the Tomb Raider on the Switch 2 proves that great game design stands the test of time. It bridges the gap between old-school puzzle solving and modern cinematic action perfectly. Whether you are a newcomer who missed out on Lara's second modern outing or a veteran looking for an excuse to jump back into the frozen wilds of Siberia, this release is an absolute must-play. It is a gorgeous, feature-complete, and wonderfully optimized version of one of the best action-adventure games of its era. Lara Croft's return is a triumph for the new platform.

Publisher provided review code.

Early Game Review: 'EA Sports UFC 6'

 

For years, sports simulation games have chased the elusive dragon of true physics. We have seen incremental steps, minor visual upgrades, and countless iterations that feel like a fresh coat of paint on a tired engine. EA Sports UFC 6, due out June 19, shatters that cycle completely. By shifting the franchise to a fully realized Frostbite Physics Engine for the first time, the development team has delivered something rare. This is not just the best looking fighting game of 2026, it is a masterclass in tactical combat sports simulation that sets a new high watermark for the genre.

The brilliance of UFC 6 hits you the moment the first punch connects. Thanks to the new real time contact systems and the Sapien Skeleton Movement, the universal, canned animations of the past are entirely gone. When a strike lands, the collision feels startlingly authentic. You can see the multi layered deformation system at work as facial tissue ripples and muscles react to the force of a glove. The neck and spine reactions to heavy strikes completely change how you read a fight. Knockdowns are no longer predictable scripts. Instead, they are governed by a dynamic ragdoll system that creates multi directional falls. Knocking an opponent out cold feels incredibly heavy and emergent, grounded in the actual momentum and trajectory of the winning strike.

Individuality is the secret sauce that makes this entry so addictive. In previous games, fighters within the same weight class often felt like clones with slightly altered stat bars. UFC 6 completely fixes this by introducing over one hundred fighter specific locomotion sets and signature striking profiles. When you step into the Octagon as Alex Pereira, he carries himself with the exact imposing, methodical pressure he displays in real life. Jiri Prochazka moves with erratic, looping unconventionality that requires a completely different tactical mindset.

This sense of identity is mechanical, not just visual. The implementation of the brand new Flow State mechanic is an absolute game changer for strategy. The system monitors how you play and rewards you for leaning into a fighter natural real world tendencies. If you push the pace, land aggressive combinations, and time counters precisely as Ilia Topuria would, you trigger a powerful momentum boost. This mechanic adds an incredible layer of psychological depth to every single match. You are no longer just trying to exploit general game mechanics. You are forced to study and embody the actual martial arts style of the athlete you are controlling.

Defense has received an equally impressive overhaul. Rather than relying on a single, catch all blocking mechanic, the game introduces four distinct defensive styles: Balanced, Sturdy, Evasive, and the highly anticipated Philly Shell. This allows counter punchers to establish a true defensive identity. Slipping punches and utilizing style based head movement feels remarkably fluid, and the return of a high risk parry system keeps stand up exchanges tense and highly competitive.

The presentation matches the stellar gameplay step for step. The visual jump powered by Sapien Scaling technology is stunning. Skin tones, eye shaders, and individual hair strands look lifelike under the new cinematic lighting system. EA upgraded the base lighting rig from four lights to twelve, adding incredible depth and realistic shadow casting to the fighters. Licensed venues like Madison Square Garden, the MGM Grand, and T-Mobile Arena possess distinct atmospheric personalities, thanks to venue specific color grading and authentic 3D spatial crowd audio. When the crowd chants or reacts to a massive momentum shift, the ambisonic sound design pulls you straight into the middle of a pay per view main event.

On the single player front, the game mode updates are transformative. The Career Mode has been rebuilt from the ground up, featuring a massive expansion in storytelling with over one hundred and fifty bespoke narrative events and ten times the dialogue choices of its predecessor. The experience is bolstered by two stellar additions. The Legacy acts as a phenomenal cinematic prologue that follows a decorated college wrestler navigating the regional scene and gym rivalries, even taking the fight to unique locales like a nightclub. Meanwhile, the Hall Of Legends mode seamlessly blends real world footage with in game recreations to celebrate iconic moments from stars like Max Holloway and Zhang Weili.

For competitive players and newcomers alike, the onboarding and training packages are brilliant. The implementation of Time Dilation allows you to slow down gameplay during practice to dissect frame data and vulnerability tracking, making it an incredible tool for sharpening your skills.

EA Sports UFC 6 is a triumph. It successfully bridges the gap between ultra realistic simulation and pure, visceral entertainment. By prioritizing fighter individuality and groundbreaking physics, it delivers an unforgettable combat sports experience that you will want to play for years to come.

Publisher provided review code.