Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This week is notable for a number of interesting independent and international titles, as well as some big older films receiving impressive upgrades. So, if you can’t make it to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a few days, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
BANGKOK DOG – This action film from Thailand follows an American agent who is sent out to infiltrate a sinister Bangkok crime organization and shut it down. He is recruited into their fold, only to make friends with a few individuals within the group. The line between good and evil becomes complicated as the protagonist gets closer and closer to the leader. So far, the movie has only been seen by a handful of online reviewers. They mostly have had kind words for the film. Noting that the director of Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior and Chocolate is executive producer of this effort, they state that the film delivers action in spades. Most note that the movie isn’t perfect, but should please genre enthusiasts and present new performers from the country. It stars D.Y. Sao and Brian Le. Sao.
THE BEAST – Set in a world where artificial intelligence has taken control of humanity and dangerous feelings are being eliminated, a woman decides to willingly go through with the procedure to end emotions. The procedure takes people on a journey visiting past lives and ultimately removing upsetting elements of their personality. But just before she is about to begin, she feels an incredible connection to a new man. Could he be a figure from her past? Critics were very impressed with this dual French/English-language feature. A small number complained that the movie didn’t grab them emotionally and came across as pretentious in dealing with its themes. But the vast majority found the movie mysterious and compelling, praising the performances and calling the themes deep and haunting. The cast includes Lea Seydoux, George MacKay and Guslagie Malanda.
CURSED IN BAJA – This independent crime picture is set in Mexico and follows an American private detective. He enters the country to search for the missing heir of a wealthy Los Angeles-based family. The lead learns that he has forgotten his anxiety medication as the trail leads to drug cartels and, eventually, a chupacabra. Can he keep it together long enough to survive and complete his assignment? This indie feature has played at a few festivals and has been available to stream for a month, but hasn’t been seen by many mainstream critics. Still, genre critics who have watched it had good things to say. While they admitted the title would have benefited from a larger budget, they called it remarkably creative and unpredictable, with a wild and crazy finale that would impress B-movie enthusiasts. It features Jeff Daniel Philips (who also directed), Barbara Crampton, Finnegan Seeker Bell, Robbyn Leigh, Mark Fite, Kent Isaacs and Jose Conejo Martin.
DAYTIME REVOLUTION – Many remember the 1969 John Lennon/Yoko Ono “bed-in” protest against war. But in early 1972, they also took their message to television airwaves. The pair were asked to co-host the Mike Douglas Show for a week in Philadelphia. For five days, they brought in controversial guests like Black Panther Chairman Bobby Seale and political activist Ralph Nader for a series of conversations on what was, at the time, the most popular TV show in America. This documentary shows what was going on in front of and behind the camera during this period. The press greatly enjoyed the feature. One or two thought the film could have gone further to detail the historical significance of these shows. Everyone else stated that it showed the behind-the-scenes dynamics behind one of the most significant television events of the era.
DUCHESS – A woman falls for a diamond smuggler in this action picture. He introduces her to his friends and business, but the pair soon find themselves set-up. He is killed and she is left for dead. After escaping and recovering, she decides to train and set out on a violent revenge mission against the underworld figures responsible for slaughtering her beau. Write-ups were poor for this independent production. A few did think the picture was well-paced and delivered plenty of exciting confrontations, as well as some good quips from the star. All others thought that the screenplay was predictable and lifeless, and suggested that even the fight scenes came off as dull instead of thrilling. Charlotte Kirk, Philip Winchester, Colm Meaney, Stephanie Beacham, Sean Pertwee, Colin Egglesfield and Hoji Fortuna headline the picture.
HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES – After learning that his grandmother has a terminal illness, a young man quits his job and decides to look after her. They butt heads and it isn’t long before the elderly woman asks if the lead is attending to her in the hopes of a big inheritance. He admits to some degree that this is the reason, but she ultimately allows him to stay. As the weeks pass and they get to know each other, a real bond and connection begins to form. Every reviewer who saw this foreign-language title from Thailand liked it. They all commented that while they realized the film was pulling at the heartstrings, the cast was so charming and charismatic, and the script so honest and sweet, that they couldn’t help but be drawn into the story. The title stars Putthipong Assaratanakul, Usha Seamkhum and Sanya Kunakorn.
THE LAST VIDEO STORE – Anyone out there remember old VHS and DVD rental stores? This independent horror/comedy from Canada involves a woman trying to return some rentals for her recently deceased father. The clerk decides to give her a crash course on his business and the old movies he rents. When the pair discover that one of the tapes being returned has the power to pull characters from monster movies right into the store, they are forced to fight for their lives. This picture has only been seen by a handful of genre critics, but most were upbeat. One thought the movie veered a little too far into the tropes being poked fun at and didn’t connect with the characters. Still, everyone else thought it was a really fun little B-movie that not only delivered some entertaining gross-out moments, but also effectively warned about being too obsessed with genre pictures. The cast includes Kevin Martin, Yaayaa Adams, Matthew Kennedy and Josh Lenner. Read a full review of the Blu-ray release by clicking this link.
QUADRANT – The latest title from indie producer Charles Band and his Full Moon Entertainment line (the Puppet Master series) is this tale about a pair of scientists working with AI technology to treat phobias. Specifically, they create a helmet that takes patients into a world where they can literally face their fears. Strange things begin occurring when one of their subjects actually enjoys the artificial world and starts adopting characteristics of Jack the Ripper. It seems as though she may start killing in real life and the experts, along with another patient, must try to stop her. Apparently, this concept has been in development at the production house for decades, but was finally completed this year. It’s being released on all formats on the same day, so no reviewers have seen it yet. Interested parties will either have to go in blind or wait for notices to start appearing. Shannon Barnes, Christian Carrigan, Rickard Cleason and Emma Reinagel headline the movie.
THE ROUNDUP: PUNISHMENT – The fourth chapter of this South Korean action/crime series picks up with its heroic protagonist-detective joining a team of experts investigating cyber-crimes. He and the squad set out to catch a former mercenary who is now heading the world’s biggest and most dangerous online gambling organization. To do so, they must beat down an army of bad guys. Critics responded well to the latest foreign-language franchise entry. A few felt that this sequel was too repetitive and offered nothing new, resulting in a less-exciting feature than hoped for. But the majority noted that, while the plot did feel familiar, the fast-paced film still provided incredible and painful-looking action sequences that would impress anyone. This title is arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack and as a standalone Blu-ray. It features Ma Dong Seok, Kim Mu-Yeol and Park Ji-Hwan.
THE SOUL EATER – This French chiller is set in a small mountain village awash in all kinds of strange myths and legends. It begins with a police officer tasked with investigating a double-murder meeting a man searching for several missing children. He shares his findings with her and she begins to suspect that both inquiries may actually be connected. Superstitious locals claim it to be the work of a monster as the pair try to identify a human killer. This picture, from the directors behind the 2007 cult film Inside, earned more positive write-ups than negative ones. About one-quarter thought that while stylish, this effort was slow-moving and lacked tension. However, most described the feature as an interesting mix of police procedural and supernatural picture with some striking visuals and a memorable finale. The picture can either be picked up in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set, or as a Blu-ray only release. Virginie Ledoyen, Paul Hamy, Sandrine Bonnaire and Francis Renaud headline the film.
WINNE THE POOH: BLOOD AND HONEY 2 – This picture was announced for a release in October, but some sources state it was pushed back and I currently can’t find a previous Blu-ray release date. The movie is appearing on disc this week. Last year’s Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey offered a grisly take on the famous children’s character (which is now in the public domain). It was universally panned by reviewers and won the Golden Razzie for Worst Picture. This sequel finds the menacing Pooh, Piglet, Owl and Tigger on the run. They decide to find and slaughter Christopher Robin (the boy who ultimately left them after growing up). The trail takes them to his hometown, where they encounter their target and new victims. Notices were slightly better for this follow-up, although still generally negative. Those who liked the film called it a noticeable improvement on its predecessor, with a decent story, sense of humor, and a few impressive murder set-pieces. Still, more felt that while this picture wasn’t as bad as the first, it was still an uneven, lazily put together and sloppy cash-grab on the property. It features Scott Chambers, Tallulah Evans and Ryan Oliva.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking for something a bit older? You have numerous choices. Arrow Video is releasing a 4K Ultra HD only edition of the Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, King of New York, Tommaso) effort The Addiction (1995). It follows a grad student in New York who is bitten by a strange woman and starts to believe she may be a vampire. This one delivers a 4K scan of the 35mm black and white camera negative. It also comes with a Ferrara commentary track, a new documentary made by Ferrara featuring interviews with star Lily Taylor, co-star Christopher Walken, as well as the composer and the cinematographer. There is also an interview with the director about the project, an appreciation of the film, and footage of Ferrara editing the picture. Publicity materials are also included. Read a full review of this release right here.
Criterion is presenting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of the Italian classic, 8½ (1963). It’s about a film director looking for new ideas for his next project. He ends up thinking about his past and imagining the various women in his life. Besides a new picture restoration, bonuses include an introduction by filmmaker Terry Gilliam, a movie critic commentary track, a short film by director Federico Fellini, a documentary about the picture’s alternative, and lost, ending, a documentary about the film’s composer, cast and crew interviews, behind-the-scenes, production and other rare photos from the shoot, and a trailer.
No Country for Old Men (2007) is also receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack from the distributor. This dark crime film from the Coen Brothers (Blood Simple, Barton Fink, Fargo, and so many more) involves a cowboy who discovers and takes $2 million dollars in cash from a nasty drug deal gone wrong. It isn’t long before a sheriff and assassin come to find the money. This film won four Oscars including Best Picture. The set contains a 4K image restoration supervised by cinematographer Roger Deakins, new conversations with the Coen brothers and Deakins, archival cast and crew interviews, a behind-the-scenes documentary, as well as three other docs on the production. A Blu-ray only version is also available.
If you really like B-movies, The Giant Spider Invasion (1975) from Dark Force Entertainment may please you. This is a 4K Ultra HD only edition of the ultra-low-budget effort about big arachnids from another dimension appearing and attacking the citizens of Wisconsin. The disc contains an added film fan commentary track.
Those of you who grew up in the 80s may be happy to know that Disney/Beuna Vista is presenting the enjoyable Geroge Lucas-produced fantasy Willow (1988) in a special 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. The story involves the title character discovering an infant and trying to protect from an evil queen and return her to safety. The 4K disc offers no extras, but the added Blu-ray has a commentary track with star Warwick Davis, deleted scenes with director Ron Howard, a lengthy interview with the filmmaker, a personal video diary made by Davis, promo materials and more!
The Cat and the Canary (1927) is receiving a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray release from Eureka Entertainment. It contains a high-def presentation of the film from a 4K digital restoration of the original negatives, multiple film historian commentaries and interviews, a video essay on the movie, extracts from the original play the feature is based on, and a tie-in commercial for Lucky Strike cigarettes.
You can also pick up the Blu-ray set Horrible History: Four Historical Epics by Chang Cheh, which contains Four Riders (1972), The Pirate (1973), Marco Polo (1975) and Boxer Rebellion (1976). These are all Shaw Brothers action sagas from Hong Kong. Besides high-definition presentations, there are multiple movie expert commentary tracks, an interview with a cinema scholar, a video essay on the director, and a booklet with writing on all the titles. This set is limited to 2000 copies and comes in a slipcase.
Ignite Films is presenting the Burgess Meredith/Robert Mitchum WWII tale The Story of G.I. Joe (1945) on Blu-ray. The disc contains a movie expert commentary, a visual essay, an interview with co-star Bill Wellman Jr., a trailer, a restoration of the original 1945 trailer, and a photo gallery.
The Laura Dern period drama Rambling Rose (1991) is arriving on Blu-ray from Kino. This disc features a director commentary, a film historian commentary, a director introduction, outtakes and a trailer.
Rhythm Thief (1994) is an indie drama about a Manhattan bootlegger who rips off an all-girl punk band and is pursued by them around the city. The Blu-ray presents a 4K restoration of the 16mm black and white camera negatives. It comes with a director commentary, deleted scenes, a making-of, outtakes, pre-production footage and a trailer.
The fantastic thriller The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a new “Special Edition” Blu-ray release. Walter Matthau plays a transit chief forced to deal with armed hijackers who have taken control of a New York subway car. The film has been released on 4K Ultra HD in 2022, but this Blu-ray only edition contains the same 4K scan, along with two film expert commentaries, a making-of featurette, cast and crew interviews and a ton of publicity materials.
MVD Visual is presenting a “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray of the Dolph Lundgren action picture, Men of War (1994). He plays a special forces agent hired to take over an island, only to defend the locals against his employers. It comes with a slipcover.
It’s already readily available, but Paramount is releasing 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Walmart exclusive Steelbook of Interstellar (2014). All content should be the same, only in new packaging.
Powerhouse Film is presenting the French Jean Rollin effort The Escapees (1981) in either 4K Ultra HD or on Blu-ray. The image is derived from a 4K restoration of the original camera negative and it comes with tons of extras like a film expert commentary, interviews with Rollin and collaborators, a critical appreciation, publicity materials and more.
The Rollin picture Requiem for a Vampire (1972) is also available as either a 4K Ultra HD disc or on Blu-ray. You’ll get two versions of the movie, a film historian commentary, an introduction to the movie, tons of interviews, a critic analysis, promotional material and even more bonuses than the previous title.
Shout! Factory is having a very busy week. The entertaining Vin Diesel sci-fi/action picture Riddick (2013) is receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” set. This sequel to Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick finds the character stranded and facing off against new foes. You’ll get 4K writer/director approved restorations of the theatrical and unrated cuts, an interview with director David Twohy, as well as cast members Jordi Molla and Katee Sackhoff. The Blu-ray also contains featurettes on the film.
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979) is getting a 45th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. This amusing Roger Corman comedy is notable for featuring the iconic punk band The Ramones as supporting players (who also play a few tunes). The original camera negative has been given a 4K scan for this release, which comes with five audio commentaries that include cast, crew, and film historians. There is also a new interview with Marky Ramone in the set, along with a retrospective, interviews, an archival 40-year retrospective, audio outtakes and publicity materials. Apparently, if you order from Shout! Factory before they’re all gone, you’ll also get a 18×24 poster.
The Santa Claus slasher Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) is arriving as a 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray release for the holiday season. This one includes a 4K transfer of the movie from the original camera negative, a new movie expert commentary, new producer and editor interviews, archived cast and crew audio commentaries, a making-of documentary, more interviews and featurettes, a poster and still gallery, as well as trailers, TV and radio spots.
The Mark Wahlberg comedy Ted (2012) is appearing in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” set. If you haven’t seen it, the story follows a grown but lonely man who must choose a life with either his girlfriend or his foul-mouthed teddy bear.
This set contains a 4K transfer from the digital intermediate with Dolby Vision, a commentary with Wahlberg and director/co-writer Seth MacFarlane and the other co-writer, cast and crew interviews, a making-of, deleted scenes, alternate takes, a gag reel and much, much more.
If my pockets were deep enough, I would be purchasing the Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray box set. This incredible release includes upgraded editions of all the Wallace & Gromit shorts A Grand Day Out (1989), The Wrong Trousers (1993), A Close Shave (1995), A Matter of Loaf and Death (2008)) as well as their first feature The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005). You’ll also get the Cracking Contraptions shorts collection, all restored in 4K and with audio commentaries, as well as various bonuses on the film, a picture gallery, invention blueprints, a 28-page booklet and stickers, all packed in a lovely case.
Synapse Films is presenting the indie horror picture The Block Island Sound (2020) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack and as a Blu-ray only release. This is said to be an HDR10 presentation of the feature, with a commentary from the directors, featurettes, home movies, and a limited slipcover with new art for the picture
Evilenko (2003) is a well-regarded chiller starring Malcolm McDowell about notorious Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo that is now arriving as either a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo or a Blu-ray only release. This “Collector’s Edition” delivers a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, along with an 81-minute documentary on the production, a featurette on the real-life history of Chikatilo, and publicity materials. The movie was well-received, but if you’re curious about the story, you should also see the exceptional HBO true crime feature Citizen X (1995), with Stephen Rea and Donald Sutherland.
Las Vegas Hillbillies (1966) is also arriving on Blu-ray from VCI. It’s a comedy/musical featuring Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Donen and country folk who make it big in Vegas. The distributor is also presenting the WWII Mary Pickford drama The Love Light (1921) on Blu-ray. The silent feature was reconstructed from several sources by the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below is a selection of best bets for young tykes.
The Fairly OddParents!: The Complete Series (Nickelodeon/Paramount) DVD
Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection (Shout! Factory) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And here is a list of the week’s TV-related releases.
Blake’s 7: The Collection: Season 1 (BBC) Blu-ray
Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials (BBC) Blu-ray
Hallmark 2-Movie Collection: A Very Vermont Christmas, Falling Like Snowflakes (Hallmark) DVD
Toxic Crusaders: The Series: Season 1 (Troma) Blu-ray