Every Tuesday, I review the newest Blu-ray releases and let you know whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping, along with a breakdown of the included extras. If you see something you like, click on the cover art to purchase the Blu-ray from Amazon, and be sure to share each week’s column on Facebook and Twitter with your friends.

WHAT: When the evil witch queen, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), escapes from the pit she was imprisoned in decades ago by professional monster hunter Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges), killing his young apprentice in the process, Gregory must train a new recruit – the seventh son of a seventh son, Tom Ward (Ben Barnes) – to help stop her before Malkin’s power is fully restored by the forthcoming blood moon.

WHY: Much like “The Loft” (see below), “Seventh Son” was the victim of a messy behind-the-scenes divorce that resulted in the film’s release date getting bumped several times over a two-year period. While that certainly didn’t make marketing the movie any easier, Sergey Bodrov’s English-language debut is plagued by many of the same problems as most foreign filmmakers who go too big, too soon. Based on the first book in Joseph Delaney’s “The Wardstone Chronicles,” “Seventh Son” is just another lifeless YA movie with very few original ideas and a crippling overdependence on CG-heavy spectacle. Though it boasts an impressive cast that includes two Oscar winners, the film wastes their talents with dull and poorly written material. Jeff Bridges does his Rooster Cogburn shtick for the third time running in the Obi-Wan mentor role, while Julianne Moore hams it up with a dreadful performance that, while not quite as terrible as recent Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne in “Jupiter Ascending,” is hardly flattering. And considering that the movie was initially delayed to polish the visual effects, they’re wildly inconsistent, ranging from pretty good (the dragons) to alarmingly bad (almost everything else). “Seventh Son” could have been something special, but in failing to push itself beyond the typical fantasy fare, it’s more than deserving of the critical bashing it received.

EXTRAS: The Blu-ray release includes a making-of featurette, an alternate ending, deleted scenes, a visual effects gallery and more.

FINAL VERDICT: SKIP

WHAT: Five married friends agree to share a penthouse loft in the city where they can cheat on their wives in private, but when they discover the dead body of a woman in their secret hideaway, friendships and loyalties are tested as the guys begin to suspect one another for the murder.

WHY: Director Erik Van Looy’s U.S. remake of his own Dutch-language erotic thriller was filmed back in 2011 before getting shelved for three years, and that’s pretty much all you need to know about whether or not the movie is any good. Though “The Loft” boasts a solid cast led by the usually reliable Karl Urban and James Marsden, that’s probably the only reason it was spared the embarrassment of being released straight to video. Wentworth Miller and Matthias Schoenaerts (reprising his role from the original) are both fine in their respective parts, but the addition of Eric Stonestreet (no doubt trying to distance himself from his “Modern Family” character with edgier, more adult material) is very much a case of “one of these things is not like the other.” The actor doesn’t fare any worse than his fellow co-stars, but he sticks out like a sore thumb. That’s the least of the film’s problems, however, because for an erotic thriller, “The Loft” isn’t particularly erotic or thrilling. Additionally, none of the characters are very likeable, and though Wesley Strick’s screenplay is jam-packed with twisty plot turns, by the time it gets even remotely interesting, you’ll likely have already tuned out.

EXTRAS: Nothing. Not even a trailer for the film.

FINAL VERDICT: SKIP

It’s good to push your boundaries. But exercise pushed too far or done in the wrong way can lead to injury, and if you’re laid up, then all your good work is wasted. If you go to an exercise class, the trainer should be aware of injury risks and safe practice, but you have a responsibility to look out for yourself as well.

Some common injuries

For all vigorous exercise, it’s important to warm up and start your routine slowly, but particular types of exercise need specific precautions.

Sprains to the wrist are quite common with boxing work-outs. You should support your wrists and hands by binding them securely. Also, punch with your palm facing down and try to make contact squarely, using all four fingers of the fist. That way, the impact will be spread better between the wrist and the fist.

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Inadvertently, the above shirtless NASCAR fan, with a canister of what we can safely assume is “Purple Drank,” a southern beverage of choice, dangling from his loins, summed up the entire three-day NET10 Wireless NASCAR event.

NET10 — with no contracts, plans starting at $40 a month for unlimited service, and over 100,000 locations — doesn’t care about your past relationships with previous cell phone service carriers. All NET10 cares about is you and your freedom.

As America’s largest no-contract cell phone provider, they are all about keeping you #FreedForSpeed to enjoy the most sexually progressive cell phone relationship you’ve ever had in your life. #NSA.

Bullz-Eye spent three days in Charlotte, North Carolina and immersed our senses in the intricacies of both NASCAR and the #FreedForSpeed lifestyle of NET10 Wireless. It was the fastest three days we’ve ever experienced.

Day 1

Within 20 minutes of getting to the hotel, I was in the lobby meeting the group of fellow drivers. 10 minutes later, we headed to Charlotte Motor Speedway to drive a NASCAR under the tutelage of the Richard Petty Driving School. Once we got there, we ate a tremendous lunch.

About to drive a NASCAR @DrivePetty. Ate a fulfilling lunch, now to hit track & puke it all up after! #FreedForSpeed pic.twitter.com/l0wrq163fY

— Paul Eide (@EidePaul) October 23, 2014

We were fitted with some fire retardant driving suits (Who you calling a retardant?) and met NET10 Wireless Camping World Truck Series driver German Quiroga, who gave us an idea of what to expect on the track.

Then, we went through a safety briefing lead by our Crew Chief. It was in-depth and complex, and though appreciated, I zoned out for most of it and dreamed about having the fastest MPH in the class.

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We’ve had many great trips to Costa Rica, and we’re always struck by all of the beautiful women along with the incredible scenery. Our friends at PlayerXT have another incredible event coming up with a weekend of music, talent, Playboy models, and the most beautiful women in the world known as Latinas Mas Bellas. You can see some photos from their previous events in Costa Rica above. Our own Bullz-Eye photographer Paul Miller will be on hand to enjoy the festivities and to photograph and video tape the Mas Bella Latinas for a 2013 calendar. We’ll make sure he reports back on all the fun.

The long weekend starts on Thursday, September 6th with a Latina Musical and Talent Showcase in Pirates at the Fiesta Casino in Alajuela. The showcase will start at 9:00 PM on Thursday night, and will feature beautiful Costa Rican talent including Bullz-Eye.com Featured Model Angie Quesada, along with Stephanie Loayza, Esther Anaya, Betzy Montero, and the pulsating sounds of AWSMAC. The weekend will be hosted by actress, model, and television star, Myste Wright, who will be shooting segments of her television show “Myste Buzzed on Paradise” featuring several Costa Rica locations. Another Bullz-Eye.com model, Costa Rica supermodel Kimberly Chaves will assist Myste in the hosting chores.

On Friday, September 7th, there will be Playboy Casting Call from 1:00 PM to Midnight and a Latinas Mas Bellas Party at Club Vertigo. Playboy Model and Casting Director Shelly Riley will interviewing beautiful girls for consideration as Playmates, Cyber Girls, and Special Editions models. Shelly travels the world running casting calls looking for models to pose for Playboy, and the models selected at the casting will be photographed by Playboy Casting Photographer Eric Melendez on Saturday and Sunday by appointment and then models will be announced at the Latinas Mas Bellas Party at midnight at Club Vertigo. Aspiring Playboy Bunnies will gather underground at Vertigo Nightclub on Friday night and there will be a special VIP Section called the Bunny Hutch withing Club Vertigo. The weekend of music and beauty will be anchored by the beautiful and talented DJ Stephanie Loayza. Stephanie was born in Peru, and has been voted the Sexiest Latin DJ in the world, and she will be accompanied by violin virtuosa, Esther Anaya of Colombia. A classical trained concert violinist, Esther has taken her electric violin to the club scene with DJ Stephanie, and the two are getting rave reviews. The popular AWSMAC will finish out the night at Vertigo.

On Saturday, September 8th, the Fiesta Casino will host the Mas Bella Latinas Sexy Lingerie Fashion Show. Shirley of Hollywood has been in business for 65 years and is the largest manufacturer of women’s lingerie in the world. Shirley’s models are some of the top names in fashion. Priscilla Guevera is the representative of Shirley’s in Costa Rica and her company UNIK will be staging a sexy lingerie fashion show with Mas Bella Latinas and the finalists in the Playboy Casting Call on Saturday night in conjunction with a musical lineup at the Fiesta Casino in Alajuela.

Finally, on Sunday, September 9th, there will be a photo and video shoot of selected models at the Jaco Laguna Resort and Beach Club. The special event will include a BBQ and will be held at the Jaco Laguna Resort and Beach Club, and hosted by Dr. Jason and Lilly Giuliano, owner of the Secret Mansion, our favorite spot in Costa Rica, and the all new Jaco Laguna Resort. Chef Richard Lemon of Lemon Zest will concoct a special Costa Rican dish for the VIPs and models.

It’s going to be an incredible weekend, and anyone who joins in will be surrounded by beautiful Costa Rican models the entire time! For information on how to attend any portion of the weekend, please email Roy@MasBellaLatinas.com or call 702-560-3144.

All photos by Paul Miller

Most Bullz-Eye readers will recognize Adrian Grenier as Vincent Chase from HBO’s “Entourage.” But there’s much more to him than that. Grenier has always been passionate about the environment and living a sustainable lifestyle, and eventually that passion led him to co-found a company dedicated to this purpose.

I recently attended Ford’s 2012 Go Further event will several hundred other bloggers, and Grenier was featured on a panel with his SHFT.com co-founder Peter Glatzer to discuss green lifestyle issues along with other experts and activists. Frankly I came away very impressed. So many activists in this area can become very preachy about the subject, and that’s particularly true with celebrities. But Grenier is much more interested in inspiring people to make their lives more sustainable, and that’s the mission of SHFT.com according to their website:

SHFT is a multi-media platform founded by film producer Peter Glatzer and actor-filmmaker Adrian Grenier. Our mission is to convey a more sustainable approach to the way we live through video, design, art and culture.

The website covers a wide variety of topics, including architecture, art, business, conservation, design, energy, fashion, food and home & garden. They’re aiming for an audience looking for innovative ways to change the way they live their lives in order to better take care of our planet.

One effort is called “The Big SHFT” which involves a partnership with Ford Motor Company.

The night before, we heard from Bill Ford who recounted his own commitment to these issues and he candidly discussed how the powers that be at Ford looked at him like he was an alien when he brought up these issues years ago. But he wouldn’t give up, and now Ford has become a leader in this area.

Among the presentations at the Go Further event involved some of the innovations coming out of Ford’s research labs that are changing the materials that go into their cars. One example is Ford’s use of soybean-based foam in seat cushions, backs and head restraints that saves about 5 million pounds of petroleum annually. The next step according to the researchers is making these foams biodegradable.

Ford is also focusing on recycled materials like plastic bottles, denim and old tires. They also working on other initiatives, like retired US currency of all things. With its strong, tensile characteristics, they are looking into shredding these old greenbacks for use in the manufacture of plastic parts like trays and bins. Currently retired currency is simply burned.

The possibilities are endless, as long as we put our minds to it. Ford is one of the many companies pushing for these solutions, and SHFT.com wants to inspire more companies and individuals to look for more innovations. You don’t have to be a multi-national corporation to make a difference.

Check out the SHFT.com website for more cool content in this area. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. For some the green issue has become very political and polarizing, but it doesn’t have to be that way. All of us can learn more about simple changes we can make for a more sustainable lifestyle, and this bottom-up approach can have a huge impact.