It’s time to take a look at the latest 4K Ultra HDs, Blu-rays and DVDs highlights being released. This is another interesting edition featuring major studio efforts, as well as some independents and international pictures. 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!
11 REBELS – This Japanese period drama is set during the Boshin War, a year-long battle in which a group of nobles and samurai attacked the ruling shogunate emperor’s forces, eventually seizing power. The story follows a number of criminals and fighters who take control of an isolated outpost. When armies from both the shogunate and uprising arrive on the scene, the characters must choose a side and fight for their lives. This feature has only been seen by a handful of critics in North America, but they did respond favorably to the film. Most of them stated that while the characterizations were overly simple and the movie wasn’t as memorable as similar titles like 13 Assassins, it did have some spectacular battle and sword fight scenes and found it entertaining enough to recommend. It stars Takayuki Yamada, Taiga Nakano and Riho Sayashi.
BABYGIRL – The CEO of a large company struggles with her marriage in this drama. When a group of interns arrive, one makes an impression on her with his aggressive flirtations. She begins a passionate affair with the younger man, taking pleasure as he asserts dominance over her. As events get even more heated, the protagonist endangers both her career and homelife. This picture created a lot of buzz around Oscar season, but didn’t land any nominations. More critics liked the film than disliked it, but there was some criticism. About one-quarter commented that for all the kinkiness on display, the movie didn’t grab them, failing to really deal with power dynamics at the workplace. Still, the majority praised the lead performance and wrote that the film interestingly examined bedroom quirks and challenged viewers. The movie is available either on 4K Ultra HD or on Blu-ray. It features Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde.
DEVILS STAY – A cardiac surgeon attempts to perform a live-saving heart transplant on his teenage daughter. Despite his best efforts with the donor organ, the procedure doesn’t work. But over the next few days, the father begins to hear the voice of his offspring and becomes convinced she may still be alive. He steals the body and she does regain consciousness. However, it soon becomes clear that she may actually be possessed by the devil. Few reviewers in North America have seen this South Korean horror movie, and reaction to it has generally been poor. A small number thought the picture was stylish and that it sent a few chills down the spine. However, the vast majority called it a patchwork, borrowing elements from better genre films and failing to do anything fresh with them. Some criticized the time jumps in the storytelling, noting that it killed the suspense and made it a dull slog. Park Shin-yang, Lee Min-ki and Lee Re headline the picture.
GUNNER – An ex-soldier decides to go camping with his sons at the beginning of this action flick. When they accidentally come across a drug operation in the woods, the hero’s sons are kidnapped. In order to free them, the leader of the illegal operation tells the hero that he must get himself into a nearby prison and break the drug-runner’s father out. The man sets out to complete the job, but knows that, should he succeed, it’s unlikely the release of his children will go smoothly. This direct-to-disc and streaming title hasn’t been seen by many yet, and those who have had the opportunity have panned it. So far, they’ve all called the story generic and predictable, also noting that the CGI effects are poor and there are issues with the score (perhaps they ran out of time or money completing the project). The film has also been described as wasting a good cast. Luke Hemsworth, Morgan Freeman, Mykel Shannon Jenkins and Yulia Klass headline the film.
MOANA 2 – The sequel picks up with the title character still feeling a desire to leave her island home and seek adventure. She gets her opportunity after hearing a call from her ancestors, telling her that all of the people of Oceania must be united to save themselves. The lead and her friends travel across the sea through dangerous waters and try to answer the call. Overall, the press thought this film was beautifully animated, but didn’t respond as favorably as to the original. Close to half commented that the story was flimsy and confusing this time out, with weaker songs, also noting that it wasn’t as charming. Slightly more noted that while the film didn’t compare to the first movie, it did provide decent family entertainment that would keep children engaged and deliver a few memorable moments. The title is available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook or in a Blu-ray and DVD combo pack. The voice talent includes Auli’I Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Hualalai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Awhimai Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Rachel House and Alan Tudyk. Read a full review of this film by clicking this link.
WOLF MAN – The classic Universal Monsters figure gets an update in this horror picture. After learning that his estranged, long-missing father has been pronounced dead, a San Francisco man travels to his childhood Oregon home with his wife and daughter to settle affairs. Immediately upon their arrival, the trio are attacked by a hairy beast. The injured dad and family barricade themselves inside the house. He slowly begins to experience similar symptoms as the creature that attacked them. This film received slightly more negative reviews than positive ones. Almost half of critics called it atmospheric and moody, admiring the way it tackled a family dealing with the slow suffering of a loved one. Still, more found that the film failed to deliver big thrills or ideas, and instead felt predictable and lackluster. The film is available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack, and a Blu-ray only release. It stars Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, Matilda Firth, Sam Jaeger and Ben Prendergast.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking for something older? Well, there are plenty of options arriving on shelves. Arrow Video is delivering the shark movie Deep Blue Sea (1999) both as a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD or a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray. This entertaining action/thriller features a group of scientists doing research on mako sharks in the ocean. After genetically altering the fish and creating “smart” sharks, the animals get loose and cause a huge accident. The crew end up trapped in their flooded facility below sea level and are slowly hunted down. This title features a great case that includes Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport, Stellan Skarsgard and LL Cool J. The action scenes are extremely well shot by director Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, The Long Kiss Goodnight) and the movie delivers all the popcorn thrills you could hope for.
This release boasts a 4K picture restoration taken from the original camera negative and approved by Harlin. It also comes with an archival commentary track with Harlin and Jackson, as well as a new commentary with the screenwriter and another with a shark film authority. There is also a recently recorded interview with the production designer, a new visual essay on the movie, archival featurettes on the production and how the sharks were created, deleted scenes with optional director commentary and a ton of publicity materials. As if that wasn’t enough, this release comes with a 60-page book with writing on the movie, a reversible sleeve with new and original artwork, a double-sided poster and postcards with shots from the movie. Read a detailed disc review right here!
Criterion is presenting a Blu-ray of the silent picture A Woman of Paris (1923) aka A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate. It’s about a well-off, but kept married woman who meets an old flame and is torn between love and comfort. The drama was directed by Charlie Chaplin. Specs state that the movie has been given a 4K restoration from the 1976 rerelease version featuring a score by Chaplin himself. An alternate score is listed as a bonus, along with a film scholar introduction, a video essay by a Chaplin biographer, interviews with experts and filmmakers about the picture, an archive commentary taken form a documentary about the movie, excerpts from an audio interview with a cameraman on the picture, deleted shots from the 1923 version, archival footage and trailers.
Some time ago, Criterion released a massive Blu-ray box set of Godzilla pictures. One of the films in the set, Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989), is now getting a picture upgrade and arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo (a separate Blu-ray only version is also being made available). This picture features the famous monster squaring off against a mutated plant mixed with genetic material from a mad scientist’s daughter and Godzilla himself. It’s generally considered the best Godzilla film of the 1980s. You’ll get a new 4K image restoration, a new film historian commentary for the movie, a 1993 making-of program, a short documentary about the film from the same year, deleted special effects, TV spots and trailers, as well as an essay on the feature
Kino is having a busy week. The Black Tulip (1964) is a period effort with Alain Delon about an outlaw who steals from the rich and inspires the peasants of France. The Blu-ray is taken from a 4K restoration and the disc contains a film critic commentary and a trailer. College Confidential (1960) is a comedy with Steve Allen. He plays a professor doing a study on the interests of young people that raises eyebrows around town. It also features boxer Rocky Marciano and country star Conway Twitty. Extras on this release will be identical to the preview title from the distributor.
The General’s Daughter (1999) is a thriller/mystery set on a military base. The daughter of a commander is murdered and an undercover detective is sent in to find the culprit. It stars John Travolta, Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell and Timothy Hutton. This is a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo release, which includes a 4K image restoration from the original camera negative, an archival commentary from director Simon West (Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Mechanic), a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes and an alternate ending, as well as trailers.
The Kino Cult line is releasing the horror film The Godsend (1980) on Blu-ray. It’s about a family in England who take in a newborn left behind at their home. When their children start suffering from tragic accidents, they wonder if the new arrival might have ties to the devil. This disc features a film expert commentary and a trailer, along with “Limited Edition” slipcase packaging.
Half a Chance (1998) is a French feature about a young woman who loses her mother and tries to find her estranged dad. It seems there are two possibilities, and both men are involved in adventurous pursuits. A 2K picture restoration from TF1 was used for this release, which comes with a film historian commentary, trailer, and a slipcase.
Ho! (1968) is a French action picture with legendary star Jean-Paul Belmondo (Borsalino, The Professional, The Outsider) about a small-time mob driver who eventually becomes the head of the criminal organization. Expect some impressive car chases in this neo-noir. For this Blu-ray release, a 4K picture restoration was completed and the disc also has a movie expert commentary and trailer.
The Man with the Iron Heart (2017) is an English-language French/Belgian World War II picture about Operation Anthropoid that stars Jason Clark, Rosamund Pike, Jack Reynor and Mia Wasikowska. Paramount Pictures is presenting a DVD-only release of the film, which received decent reviews but didn’t get much of a push in this part of the world. Interested parties can now finally catch up with it.
The Australian cult creeper Harlequin (1980) aka Dark Forces is being made available on 4K Ultra HD or separately on Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films. It follows a US senator who falls under the spell of a faith healer, resulting in some nastiness. The film stars Robert Powell and David Hemmings and marks an early feature from director Simon Wincer (the Lonesome Dove TV miniseries, Quigley Down Under, Free Willy, The Phantom). The release contains a 4K picture restoration from the original camera negative, and comes with a Wincer and producer commentary track, cast TV interviews, archival interview with Wincer, the associate producer and the production designer. You’ll also get interview outtakes about the movie from the film Not Quite Hollywood, an appreciation of the movie from an Aussie film expert, a look at the Australian genre film boom of the 1970s and 80s, publicity materials, and a “Limited Edition” 80-page book on the title with memoirs, archival interviews and more.
Thirst (1979) is another Australian genre film that is arriving from the distributor on 4K Ultra HD or on Blu-ray. This is a vampire tale about a brotherhood of bloodsuckers and a woman that they want to recruit, but who resists their attempts. Chantal Contouri, David Hemmings and Henry Silva appear in this title. Once again, the image comes from a 4K restoration of the original camera negative. There is a director commentary, a retrospective interview with the producer, archival discussions with Hemmings and Contouri, outtakes from Not Quite Hollywood, an appreciation of the movie by an Aussie film expert, tons of promo material and another huge 80-page book with writing on the feature.
Shout Factory is also presenting some genre titles. The effective remake Evil Dead (2013) is being rereleased as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Walmart exclusive Steelbook. Features should be the same as in the previous 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack, only in brand new packaging,
The science-fiction/horror picture Forbidden World (1982) is arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. It’s about a man-eating organism created by scientists on a faraway planet that goes on the rampage. A bounty hunter sets out to eliminate the creature. Both the theatrical version and the director’s cut have been given 4K restorations from the original camera negative. In addition to two cuts with the highest picture quality possible, the set includes a director commentary on the filmmaker’s preferred cut, a lengthy making-of featuring discussions with cast and crew, an interview with producer Roger Corman, a talk with make-up effects man John Carl Buechler, and tons of publicity materials.
Tommy (1975) is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release in celebration of its 50th anniversary. The Ken Russell musical utilizing tunes from The Who stars band frontman Roger Daltry as the title character, a man who retreats into his mind after witnessing a tragic event as a child. For this edition, a new 4K restoration was created from the original camera negative and the 35mm interpositive. Sadly, it doesn’t look like any extras are included, but at least the picture and sound will be incredible.
And World War Z (2013) is also being rereleased by the distributor as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Walmart exclusive Steelbook. Again, all specs should be the same as in previous edition, only in new packaging.
The Sigourney Weaver drama Imaginary Heroes (2004) is arriving on Blu-ray from Sony Pictures. The cast also includes Jeff Daniels, Emile Hirsch, Michelle Williams and Kip Pardue and the plot follows a family dealing with the fallout after one of them commits suicide.
The well-regarded French film Monsieur Ibrahim (2003) with Omar Sharif is also arriving on Blu-ray. The star plays a grocer in Paris who helps a troubled boy deal with depression.
Finally, Warner Bros. is putting out a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set called Middle Earth: 6-Film Collection which contains all of the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series of films made between 2001 and 2014, all with the highest possible image quality.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below is a list of the big kid-friendly titles you can pick up.
Moana 2 (Disney) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook or Blu-ray and DVD
Sesame Street: Elmo’s World – Elmo Loves to Giggle (Shout Factory) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
Here is a selection of the week’s most notable TV-themed releases.
Great Migrations: A People on the Move (PBS) DVD
The Last of Us: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray or Blu-ray
The Penguin: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray or Blu-ray
The Real West plus bonus feature 14-Love Letters (Hallmark) DVD
Resistance: They Fought Back (PBS) DVD
Tulsa King: Season 2 (Paramount) Blu-ray