Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition includes a number of independent efforts, as well as a few notable older features that will be receiving high-definition upgrades. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
GOOD BAD THINGS – After another failed relationship, a man with muscular dystrophy wonders if he’ll ever find the right woman. He ultimately decides to check out the world of online dating. He soon meets a photographer who doesn’t initially seem like a match. However, as they get to know each other, she brings out the unexpected in the protagonist and helps him come to accept himself. This independent drama earned more positive write-ups than negative ones. About one-quarter of reviews commented that while well-intentioned, the story was too familiar and predictable to make a lasting impression. Still, the majority commented that it was an inspirational and warm-hearted tale that focused on the strengths of its characters and their strengthening relationship. It stars Jessica Parker Kennedy, Samantha Robinson, Danny Kurtzman, Ryan Whitney and Brett Dier.
JADE – In this indie action film, a young woman deals with the tragic death of her brother, caused by her own hands. When she comes into possession of his secret hard drive, everyone wants it, from a powerful businessman/gang leader to Interpol agents. She decides to use her remarkable fighting skills to keep the data from getting into the wrong hands, while also doing what she can to provide a future for her sibling’s child. So far, only a handful of critics have seen this picture, and reaction has been mixed. A few thought that the movie was an entertaining homage to action titles of the 1970s, and benefitted from a charismatic lead. But the same number and a few more complained that the script ultimately let the performers down, delivering a story so dull and lacking in freshness that it couldn’t rise to its full potential. The cast includes Shaina West, Mickey Rourke, Katherine McNamara, Marc Dacascos and Steven Michael Quezada.
RELATIVE CONTROL – A middle-aged lawyer is handed the biggest case of her career, defending a client from a hostile corporate takeover. As the conflict heats up in the courtroom, she finds complications occurring in her personal life. Specifically, her ex-cop father, who is accident-prone and can’t help but get himself into trouble at the most inconvenient moments, begins causing major issues for the protagonist. This independent comedy/drama hasn’t been seen by many members of the press yet. In fact, it appears to be debuting on disc and on streaming platforms at the same time. So, you might want to wait another week or so in order to hear what the word is on the final product. For now, this is a DVD-only release. It features Teri Polo, Patrick McDade, Jeff Mark and Brian Anthony Wilson.
REVOLVER – This crime film from South Korea follows a police officer readying to move into her dream apartment. When a corruption scandal rocks her department, she is asked to take the fall for the crime, in exchange for a reward upon her release. Two years later, she walks out of prison to be met by a stranger, who tells the lead that what she was promised cannot be delivered. Furious, the protagonist seeks out the individual and uncovers the elaborate scheme that she was made part of. So far, this picture has only been seen by a handful of reviewers. None of them have had kind things to say. They note that while the concept is interesting, the slow-burn approach to the story doesn’t work. In fact, they felt it was so slow that there was very little tension or excitement. Jeon Do-Yeon, Ji Chang-Wook, Lim Ji-Yeon and Kang Eui-Shik headline the film.
THERE’S STILL TOMORROW – In post-war Italy, a mother does her best to raise three children and keep a roof over their heads while suffering abuse from her husband. When her teenage daughter accepts a marriage proposal from a wealthy suitor, the parent is initially thrilled, but realizes that her offspring will experience the same kind of life. She plots a way to try and stop the wedding. This Italian-language comedy/drama was a huge hit in its homeland, winning numerous awards (including the Italian equivalent of a Best Picture Oscar). Critics here enjoyed the feature. A few thought that the film’s homage to neo-realism and striking black and white photography took away from the drama and message. However, the majority appreciated the look and themes, stating that it effectively emulated its cinematic inspirations to deftly deliver an affecting, well-acted drama that possessed surprisingly effective notes of humor. For now, this is a DVD-only release. It stars Paola Cortellesi, Valerio Mastandrea, Romana Maggiora Vergano and Emanuela Fanelli.
THE VOURDALAK – This French vampire tale is based on a short story by Aleksei Tolstoy. A noble emissary of the king gets lost in a forest and is attacked by bandits. He escapes and tries to find help, eventually being taken in by an eccentric family, who soon warn him about a nasty vampire residing in the area. They all come under attack and the visitor finds himself being blamed by his hosts for bringing the monster to their door. Reaction to this chiller was extremely positive. One or two were confused by the dark sense of humor in the movie and didn’t care for the eccentric tone of the movie. Everyone else described the film as so engagingly strange, unique and tense that it may become a cult hit. They also called it fantastically bleak and unexpectedly funny, subtly tackling modern issues within its storytelling and delivering a memorable finale. The cast includes Kacey Mottet Klein, Ariene Labed, Gregorie Colin and Vassili Schneider.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking for something older to pick up? Arrow Video is making a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD disc available of the action picture, The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996). Geena Davis stars as an amnesiac who has been living a quiet life in the suburbs for 8 years with her daughter and boyfriend. When thugs arrive at her door and threaten her life, she discovers hidden abilities. As it turns out, she used to be an assassin and she heads out with a private detective (played by Samuel L. Jackson) to find out about her past. While it wasn’t a big hit during its original release, this is an exceptionally entertaining effort with some fantastic fight scenes and plenty of memorable dialogue (the film was written by Shane Black of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys fame). The trailer simply doesn’t do it justice.
This 4K Ultra HD edition contains a new restoration of the 35mm original negative approved by director Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger). It comes with two film historian commentary tracks, a trailer and an image gallery. The release also contains a Blu-ray of extras that include new interviews with actress Yvonne Zima, stunt coordinator Steve Davidson, and make-up artist Gordon J. Smith, as well as three new visual essays on the movie dealing with the depiction of its female protagonist. Two deleted scenes are included, in addition to the original electronic press kit with cast and crew interviews, a making-of and behind-the-scenes footage. There is also a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork for the film, a booklet with essays on the picture, a postcard featuring co-star Jackson and a sticker. Read a full review of the disc right here.
Radiance Films is delivering the Hardboiled: Three Pulp Thrillers by Alain Corneau Blu-ray box set. It contains the thrillers Police Python 357 (1976), Serie Noire (1979) and Choice of Arms (1981). The first two are based on American crime novels, while the third is an original. All of the titles are well regarded and arrive on disc with 4K picture restorations from Studio Canal. You’ll get a film historian commentary on the first title, along with an interview with a French film expert on the title, and an archival interview with director Corneau. Bonuses for the second movie include a lengthy documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew, an archival interview with the filmmaker and a cast member, a visual essay on adaptations of the work of Jim Thompson (who wrote the source material). The third feature arrives with an introduction by an authority on the movie, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage with cast and crew, on-set interviews, a recent discussion about the career of the film’s star Yves Montand, and trailers. This set is a “Limited Edition” of 2500 and arrives with an 80-page booklet with writing on the titles. Read a complete review of the set right here.
Criterion is presenting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray of one of the greatest comedies ever made. Some Like It Hot (1959) features Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis as jazz musicians on the run who end up pretending to be women in order to hide out. They join an all-female band, but find themselves surrounded by criminals and lecherous men. Marilyn Monroe co-stars as a member of the group. This is a well-reviewed 4K presentation boasting improved image quality from Blu-ray and features an archival film historian commentary. On the accompanying Blu-ray version of the film, you’ll get an hour-long archival interview with director Billy Wilder (Double Indemnity, The Lost Weekend, Sunset Boulevard, Ace in the Hole, The Seven Year Itch, The Apartment), a rare audio interview with Monroe from 1955, a lengthy discussion with Lemmon from 1988 about the film, a 2001 talk with Curtis, a 2018 interview with the costume designer, and a trio of programs about the lasting appeal of the movie that were made in 2001 and 2006. Additionally, a trailer and a leaflet on the film is included.
Kino Lorber is releasing the Blu-ray box set Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XXV, which contains The Flame (1947), The City That Never Sleeps (1953) and Hell’s Half Acre (1954). For this edition, Paramount Pictures provided 4K picture restorations. All three features arrive with film historian commentaries.
You can also pick up the well-regarded British comedy I’m All Right Jack (1959) on Blu-ray from Kino. Peter Sellers stars in this sequel to the 1956 film Private’s Progress, with the star playing both a union leader and a financier who butt heads during a strike at a missile manufacturing factory. This disc contains a film historian commentary track, an interview with co-star Liz Fraser and a trailer.
Media Blasters is presenting a “Standard Edition” of The Kamen Rider Trilogy on Blu-ray, featuring Shin Kamen Rider: Prologue (1992), Kamen Rider ZO (1993) and Kamen Rider J (1994). The set contains multiple movie expert commentary tracks, a photo gallery and other bonuses.
Shout Factory is making a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” available of the slasher Sorority House Massacre (1986). It follows a group of sorority sisters being stalked by a knife-wielding maniac. Produced by Roger Corman, the film is noted for having a female director and addressing feminist themes in its narrative and has a cult following. The release includes a 4K picture restoration from the original camera negative, a featurette about how to survive slasher film, an interview with a cast member, a discussion with a film historian, archival talks with Roger Corman and cast members, an original trailer, and an extended UK VHS cut of the film with additional footage (present on the Blu-ray).
Finally, Warner Archive is making a Blu-ray available of the comedy Just Friends (2005) with Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Anna Faris and Chris Klein. Reynolds plays a LA music executive who was once an overweight and shy teenager. When he returns to his hometown for a visit, he meets his high school crush and begins feeling old anxieties and worries about himself.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Sorry, it’s a quiet edition for kid’s fare. Hopefully the next one will be better.
ON THE TUBE!
Below is a list of this week’s TV-themed releases.
Dalgliesh: Series 3 (Acorn) DVD
Hallmark 6-Movie Collection: A Winning Team, Taking a Shot at Love, Game Set Love, Love on the Right Course, Hearts in the Game, Fourth Down and Love (Hallmark) DVD
NATURE: Big Cats, Small World (PBS) DVD
UFO: The Complete S.H.A.D.O. Files (Imprint) Blu-ray
Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New (Hallmark) DVD
Women of World War II: The Untold Stories (PBS) DVD