Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. After an incredibly busy edition, this one is a little quieter, focusing on independent international fare. In addition, there are a number of great older films getting big picture 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!
DICK DYNAMITE 1944 – Set during World War II and paying homage to pulpy characters like Doc Savage, this low-budget action/comedy/horror effort follows a noted Nazi hunter fighting for the Allies. He is tasked with taking a team behind enemy lines and finding evidence of a new flying weapon that German forces are developing. The hero uncovers a plot and spends much of the film taking down his enemies in an exaggerated and over-the-top manner. This small feature from the UK seems to have made an impression on genre enthusiasts. There haven’t been many reviews so far, but positive write-ups have outnumbered negative ones. Those who didn’t like the feature complained that it was clumsy, stilted and forced in its attempt to be a cult film. However, more called the movie ridiculous, crude, violent and hilarious, with an unendingly entertaining barrage of memorably shocking moments. It stars Gary ‘Snars’ Allan, Adam Harper, Olly Bassi, Shaun Davidson, with cameos from Irvine Welsh, Clive Russell, Dick Valentine and Nick Oliveri.
ENDLESS SUMMER SYNDROME – A mother of two adopted teenagers gets a disturbing call in the first act of this French/Czech drama. While at their summer estate, the woman is told that her husband is having an incestuous affair with one of the youths. Shocked, she begins following her spouse, eventually confronting him about what she has heard. As the truth is slowly revealed, the family begins to break apart. This foreign-language effort generally impressed critics. A few commented that the picture was overly stylized and didn’t feel realistic in the depiction of its subject matter. But the majority found the movie compelling throughout. They thought it was tense, twisty and one that would provoke the audience into asking plenty of questions without delivering simple solutions to the problems raised. The cast includes Sophie Colon, Matheo Capelli, Gem Deger and Frederika Milano.
IN THE MOSCOW SLUMS – Also known as Khitrovka. The Sign of Four, this Russian comedy/mystery takes real figures and spins a fictional plot around them. It centers on famed future filmmaker Konstantin Stanislavsky. In 1902, the protagonist is working in theater and trying to find inspiration for a new play. He heads into the Moscow slums with an associate, eventually befriending famed bandit Khitrovka. The trio end up embroiled in a murder investigation. It is nearly impossible to find any reviews of this film outside of its homeland. A few European notices have appeared, but are mixed. They note that the film is well-produced and has a few chuckles in its references, but that it ineffectively tries to combine traditional thrills and excitement into the humorous narrative. Konstantin Kryukov, Mikhail Porechenkov and Anfisa Chernykh headline the picture.
IN THE SUMMERS – This drama tells the story of two sisters who live with their mother in California. One day, their estranged father asks them to visit him in Mexico. They arrive and discover that he has purchased a nice family home, hoping to rebuild their relationship. As the years pass, they spend their summers with him, dealing with his sometimes pleasant, sometimes volatile disposition, and address other changes over the years that complicate all of their lives. The press greatly admired this independent feature. One or two thought that after a strong beginning the narrative split in too many directions and failed to grab them. However, everyone else called it an authentic, personal and even sweet autobiographical take on the complicated relationships between separated parents and their children. It features Residente, Sasha Calle, Lio Mehiel and Emma Ramos.
SH*T – Also known as Shit: Three Women, One Dreadful Crime, this independent drama from Australia follows a trio of Melbourne women in a prison holding cell. After viewers learn that they have committed some type of heinous crime, the group vent about their problems and the bad deal they have gotten in life as they await their fate. Apparently, the film is based on an award-winning play. Not too many appear to have seen the movie as of this writing, but those who have note that the adaptation features many members of the stage cast. They comment that it is micro-budgeted, but does capture the angry, feminist tone of the original work, constantly questioning people’s gender prejudices. Other than that, little else is known about the movie, so interested parties will have to go in cold. It stars Peta Brady, Sarah Ward and Nicci Wilks
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re looking for something older, you have plenty of options. Alice, Sweet Alice (1976) is arriving as a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD disc or as a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray from Arrow Video. The movie is a horror/thriller about a divorced couple who not only lose a daughter, but learn that their other adolescent girl is the primary suspect in her murder. It’s been a cult flick for decades and has a big following because of its themes that comment on religion and the American nuclear family.
If you purchase it, you’ll receive a 4K picture restoration from the original camera negative, a film historian commentary, an archived writer/director commentary, a retrospective piece with the director. New interviews with the score composer and a cast member. There is also a discussion with the cousin of the direction and his connection to the film, a look at the various locations, deleted scenes, a version comparison, trailer and TV spot, image gallery, original screenplay, reversible sleeve with new and original art for the feature and a booklet with writing on the movie.
Arrow also is releasing a double-feature Blu-ray of A Certain Killer (1967) and A Killer’s Key (1967), two Japanese hit man thrillers. The first title follows a sushi chef who is actually a hired killer for the yakuza. The second film is a sequel in which the figure hides out as a dance instruction while on another assignment. The Blu-ray contains film historian audio commentaries for both movies, a 30-minute introduction to these films with a scholar, as well as publicity materials.
Flesh+Blood (1985) is getting a 40th Anniversary Blu-ray and DVD combo release from Capelight Pictures. This period epic involves a gang of roving hoods who kidnap the daughter of the royal and tyrant who treated them poorly. The young, inexperienced son of the royal decides to try and save her. The film stars Rutger Hauer, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Tom Burlinson and marks the English-language debut of Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven (Robocop, Total Recall, Basic Instinct, Starship Troopers). Nothing in the film plays out quite in the way you’d expect and the characters are morally gray. It’s a mean, memorable and at times disturbing effort. A “Standard” Blu-ray is also available.
Cauldron Film is delivering a Blu-ray of the Italian B-movie The Last Match (1991). The story involves a football team coach who learns that his daughter has been arrested for drug possession in the Caribbean. He and his players grab weapons and raid the prison (in their team uniforms) trying to free her. The movie looks absolutely bonkers and the cast includes Oliver Tobias, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Napier, Henry Silva and Martin Balsam. The disc contains a 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative. Extras include a film expert commentary, an interview with the special effects artist, a featurette on how American actors were cast in these kinds of pictures, a video essay on the movie, a trailer and an image gallery.
The documentary Cane Fire (2020) is appearing on Blu-ray from Cinema Guild. It’s a documentary about the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i. The title features bonuses like a director commentary, a trailer and a booklet with an essay on the movie.
King Lear (1987) is also arriving on Blu-ray this week from Criterion. Jean-Luc Godard co-writes and directs this comedic take on the Shakespeare tale that follows a descendant of the famous scribe trying to put on one of his plays. Woody Allen, Julie Delpy, Burgess Meredith, Molly Ringwald and Peter Sellars appear in the film. This movie was divisive among cinema enthusiasts, so you’ll get a film critic interview in which the individual defends the movie, along with recent interviews with Sellars and Ringwald. There is also an audio recording of the 1987 Cannes press conference for the film. A booklet with writing on the movie is also included.
Deaf Crocodile Films is making several titles available on Blu-ray. Adela Has Not Had Supper Yet (1977) is an amusingly bizarre Czech film about a turn of the century detective investigating a man-eating plant. It’s a wild one that does have a few memorable moments and is now arriving on Blu-ray. You’ll see a new restoration of the movie from the original camera negative, a Czech film expert commentary track, and some rare animated shorts from the director.
Felfidae (1994) is an R-rated animated feature from Germany (it was an international co-production with many nations) about a cat investigating the deaths of other felines in its neighborhood. This is receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack release. It is newly scanned in 4K from the original camera negative.
Speaking of cats, you can also pick up a Blu-ray of the Japanese animated feature Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space (2002). You will also get a film historian commentary, two animated shorts, an interview with the co-director, a visual essay on the feature and a teaser for a new film based on the character.
Like anthology pictures? Trapped Ashes (2006) is arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. This chiller features segments from Joe Dante, Ken Russell, Monte Hellman, Sean S. Cunningham and John Gaeta. Like many anthologies, it doesn’t all work, but there are some interesting segments and Dante’s wraparound is a lot of fun. This one has been hard to find for a while, so it’s a pleasant surprise to see it receive a 4K scan and restoration.
Fun City Editions is releasing the drama Lifeguard (1976) on Blu-ray. Pictured to the right, this effort stars Sam Elliott as a low-key, 30-something Los Angeles lifeguard who begins to reconsider his life choices after reconnecting with his high school girlfriend who is now divorced. The cast includes Anne Archer, Stephen Young, Parker Stevenson and Kathleen Quinlan. It has been remastered from a 4K scan of its original camera negative for this first-ever Blu-ray release.
Racing with the Moon (1984) is a well-regarded period coming-of-age tale starring Sean Penn and Nicholas Cage as teenagers partying before they join the Marines. The film has been given a 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release. You’ll receive a 4K picture restoration from the original camera negative. Extras include an archival director commentary, a movie expert commentary, an archival making-of featurette, image gallery and booklet with an essay on the film.
Kino is delivering some notable titles too. The Blu-ray box set Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XXIII contains Rope of Sand (1949), Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950) and Never Love a Stranger (1958). Each comes with 4K picture upgrades (provided by Paramount Pictures), as well as film historian commentaries and trailers.
Wow, I haven’t seen this one since its release! Hot Pursuit (1987) is a comedy starring John Cusack as a poor student dating a girl from a very wealthy background. Her family invites him on their family vacation to the Caribbean, but he can’t make it due to having to write a make-up exam. After completing the test, he makes plans to travel there himself and find them. Along the way, the lead encounters smugglers, crazy captains and murderers. Robert Loggia, Jerry Stiller, Ben Stiller (in his feature film debut) and Keith David co-star in the feature. This one hasn’t been easy to come by for some time. The Blu-ray contains a 4K picture restoration from the original negative, a film historian commentary and trailer.
Oscar Micheaux: The Complete Collection is a Blu-ray set containing 17 movies made by the moviemaker between 1920 and 1940. For those unfamiliar with this figure, he was the first African-American film director. His independent pictures are revered today as the work of a pioneer who chronicled the experiences of black Americans. In addition to all the pictures (this set contains all of his surviving body of work), you’ll get introductions to the films by a series curator, a printed booklet of film notes, theatrical trailers for select films and a re-release trailer from last year for his titles.
You can also pick up the comedy Play It Again, Sam (1972). Woody Allen stars as a single movie buff who receives romantic advice from Humphrey Bogart while trying to woo a love interest (played by Diane Keaton). The disc contains a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, a movie expert commentary and a trailer.
Pinocchio 964 (1991) aka 964 Pinocchio is a cult Japanese cyberpunk film that is arriving on 4K Ultra HD from Media Blasters. The distributor also has an exclusive 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack available only through their website. It contains a 4K scan of the film from the original 16mm camera negatives.
Shout! Factory is delivering some interesting titles as well. You can now pick up a “Collector’s Edition” of Galaxy of Terror (1981). This is a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack of the, well, low-budget Alien knock-off in which a space crew encounters a sinister alien monster that uses their worst fears against them. The image is a 4K restoration of the 35mm interpositive and the film comes with a cast and crew commentary, a making-of, and plenty of promotional materials.
Ghosts of Mars (2001) is also receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition”. This science-fiction action/horror flick from John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, Prince of Darkness, They Live) stars Natasha Henstridge, Ice Cube, Jason Statham and Pam Grier. It is essentially a western set on Mars in which alien ghosts possess humans who go on a killing spree. A group of cops and their prisoners must team up and go toe-to-toe against the supernatural, evil forces. It’s not one of Carpenter’s best, but it is fun and has a few great moments. Besides the new 4K transfer from the original negative, you’ll get a Carpenter and Henstridge commentary, a discussion about the film’s score, a making-of, a featurette on the soundtrack, a special effects deconstruction and a trailer.
You can also pick up a “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set of John Carpenter’s Vampires (1998). This effort follows a vampire-killing mercenary and his team of slayers. After a bloodsucker discovers how to gain the ability to move in daylight and eliminates most of his cohorts, the lead teams with a priest to wipe out the vampire and his gang. Now that I think about it, it’s also something of a western, only with vampires. This film includes some solid action and a few cutting insults from the main character. The cast includes James Woods, Sherly Lee, Daniel Baldwin and Thomas Ian Griffith. Its latest release boasts a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, a Carpenter commentary, crew interviews, discussions with Woods, Griffith, co-star Tim Guinee and make-up effects artist Greg Nicotero. A making-of featurette, trailer, TV spots and still gallery is also included.
The more recent chiller, Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023), is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition”. Based on a chapter of Dracula detailing the count’s travel from Transylvania to London, viewers see a ship’s crew get murdered one by one. This release appears to contain a new 4K presentation of the film from the original elements, alongside all previously released extras, plus a new film critic and a cast member commentary and an added discussion on the film with a folklorist. A Shout! Factory website variant is also available with a different slipcover and two posters.
Universal Pictures put out a Blu-ray of the Oscar-nominated film Conclave (2024) a couple of weeks ago. Now, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack is being made available with even better picture quality along with all previously released bonuses.
Finally, Warner Bros. is putting out a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of the recent Oscar-winner, Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), starring Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield. It’s a film about the Black Panther Party and the efforts of the government to infiltrate and collect information on their leader. The film is now arriving with the best picture quality available.
The Nice Guys (2016) is arriving on 4K Ultra HD only. This is a great buddy movie set in Hollywood in the 1970s starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe as a private eye and an enforcer-for-hire investigating a murder/conspiracy. It was co-written and directed by Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3). The release comes with featurettes on the movie
And Pretty in Pink (1986) is also receiving a 4K Ultra HD release (like the previous two listings, no Blu-ray is included). This teen classic from writer/producer John Hughes (Sixteen Candles, Home Alone) follows a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who falls for a kid from a wealthy family. This 4K remaster with Dolby Vision is approved by director Howard Deutch (Some Kind of Wonderful, The Great Outdoors), and extras include an archival interview with the director, the original ending and a trailer.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below is a list of kid-friendly releases.
Paddington 2 (2016) (Warner Bros.) 4K Ultra HD only
Pokemon: The Series XYZ (Warner Bros.) DVD
Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection (1940-1967) (Warner Archive)
ON THE TUBE!
And the week’s TV-related titles are listed below.
Deedee The Little Sorceress: Season 1 (Dreamscape) DVD
Hallmark 4-Movie Collection: The Love Club: Tara’s Tune, The Love Club: Lauren’s Dream, The Love Club: Sydney’s Journey and more (Hallmark) DVD
Masterpiece Mystery! Miss Scarlett: Season 5 (PBS) DVD
Mia and Me: Season 1 (Dreamscape) DVD
Twin Peaks: A Limited Event Series (Paramount) Blu-ray