Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. Last week was slow due to the holiday, which means that it’s time for a much busier edition with several notable efforts. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a couple of days, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
ALL OF US STRANGERS – A TV-writer living in a nearly empty downtown London condo meets a neighbor and begins a relationship with him. As they share details about their pasts, the lead also decides to travel to the suburbs and visit his parents. Oddly enough, they look exactly as they did some 30 years earlier. It soon becomes clear that they aren’t alive as the protagonist tries to come to terms with the past and present. This drama came out in cinemas at the end of 2023. It was very well-received and was considered an award contender (although it didn’t end up landing any Oscar nominations). A few critics were frustrated by the ending and thought the story strands didn’t come together. However, everyone else called the film a beautiful and poignant examination of grief with incredible performances that left a lasting impression. It is debuting on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray or as a standalone Blu-ray from Criterion. The film stars Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell and Claire Foy.
THE FABULOUS FOUR – When one of their old college chums announces she is getting married, a group of life-long friends agree to be bridesmaids at her wedding. The ladies travel to Key West, Florida to catch up and engage in some wild celebrations beforehand. In the process, old habits and personal conflicts rise to the surface. Will they be able to look past their differences in time for the big day? In general, the press did not care for this comedy. About one-quarter reviewers stated that the cast were clearly having a good time and liked seeing a story that was focused on issues facing older women. However, the majority thought great talent was wasted on a terrible script filled with blunt, unfunny jokes delivered alongside forced and sentimental speeches. The cast includes Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, Megan Mullally, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Bruce Greenwood and Michael Bolton.
HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA – CHAPTER 1 – This grandiose western is the first chapter in an epic four-part film series from Kevin Costner (who serves as star, director, co-writer and co-producer). The tale begins in 1859 and follows surveyors plotting to build a town in southeastern Arizona. In the following years, settlers arrive and there are numerous conflicts with a Western Apache war band. Several plots about a variety of characters begin to develop. This picture earned split notices. Almost half stated that while the film seemed mostly like a set-up for whatever the next chapter might entail, the cast was strong and that it ultimately comes together in an effective way. The same number and a few more described the movie as an overlong, rambling mess that didn’t work in its current format, leaving too many story threads undeveloped. This title is available on 4K Ultra HD only or Blu-ray only. You can also pick up a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray exclusive Steelbook that is only available at Walmart. Besides leading man Costner, it features Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Ella Hunt, Tim Guinee, Giovanni Ribisi, Danny Huston, Michael Rooker, Will Patton and Luke Wilson.
HOUSE OF DOLLS – In this indie horror picture, three estranged sisters are called back to their childhood home after the death of the family patriarch. After arriving, they receive a message explicitly stating their father’s final wishes. If they fulfill his request in a strange pink house full of dolls, they will each be given a hefty inheritance. Soon after, a knife-wielding figure in a mask shows up ready to chop them up. This movie has actually been available on streaming sites for a while and is only now arriving on disc. So far, only a handful of online horror reviewers have seen this picture and they haven’t been particularly kind. They took issue with some of the performances and also commented that the movie is clumsily put together and doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Dee Wallace, Meeko, Stephanie Troyak, Alicia Underwood and Violeta Ortega headline the picture.
KILL – Looking for an action picture with some international flair? This Hindi-language effort from India involves a commando who discovers his true love has been forced into an arranged marriage. He immediately boards a train to get there, but is interrupted in his quest by a gang of bandits holding all onboard hostage. The hero decides to fight back and free everyone so that he can stop the wedding. Last year, this picture made a big impression in its homeland (apparently, US remake rights have already been purchased) and write-ups were very strong. A small number found the combat horrifically brutal and so repetitive that they lost interest in the film. Regardless, the consensus was that once the picture got going, it was an intense thrill-ride with action so over-the-top that it was more fun than disturbing. There are many editions of the movie available, including a 4K Ultra HD only edition, a Blu-ray only version, and a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo Steelbook that is available as an Amazon exclusive. It stars Lakshya, Raghav Juyal and Tanya Manikata.
LOST IN THE SHUFFLE – Documentary enthusiasts may appreciate this non-fiction feature involving world champion magician Shawn Farquhar. He has a particular interest in playing cards and after working with them for so long suddenly noticed interesting details. The artist believes that there are clues hidden within a standard deck that actually hold the answer to a 500-year-old crime. In the process of revealing his thesis, he goes out and learns more about the history and design of cards. The movie has played at various documentary festivals to strong response. It hasn’t been seen by a great many reviewers so far, but those who have checked it out were entertained. They have commented that it deals with a great deal of material, including Fraquhar’s career, the long and elaborate history of playing cards, as well a murder, but does so in a zippy and fascinating way.
MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH MARRIAGE – This semi-autobiographical animated film arrives from a noted Latvian filmmaker. It follows a woman on her 23-year search for a perfect love and lasting marriage. As readers might have already guessed, it isn’t an easy task, as she is forced to conform to societal pressure as well as strong biological impulses in her brain. Along the way, she attempts to find her true self. The film played at many festivals over the past few years. It was released last year in Europe and received a limited release in the US late last year. Now, it is arriving on disc. Write-ups were very good. A few voices found the central character difficult to relate to and didn’t think it dealt with the issues raised deeply enough. Still, everyone else thought it was a well-animated, deeply personal film that still managed to possess a funny, feminist streak. The voice cast includes Dagmara Dominczyk, Cameron Monaghan, Matthew Modine, and Michele Pawk.
THE PRIMEVALS – David Allen was a stop-motion animator who worked on movies like The Howling, Young Sherlock Holmes (for which he won an Oscar), Willow, Dolls, Puppet Master and many others. In-between these projects, he toiled on his own original screenplay about a Yeti being discovered in Nepal. When a team of university students travel to study the creature, they discover a hidden world filled with incredible beasts. Allen finally started shooting the movie in the mid-90s with Charles Band and Full Moon Entertainment, but the production company ran out of funds before it was finished. Sadly, Allen passed away a few years later. For decades, Band has been trying to raise completion funds for the movie and it appears that he has finally succeeded. Allen’s movie has played at genre film festivals, received a limited release earlier in the year and is now being put out on disc. Critics were thrilled to finally see the finished product. They called it a fun B-movie throwback that serves as a wonderful memorial to an incredible artist. The cast includes Juliet Mills, Richard Joseph Paul, Leon Russom, Walker Brandt and Tai Thai.
TOTEM – This foreign-language feature from Mexico follows a 7-year-old being taken to her grandfather’s home. Other family members arrive, including her aunts, who are preparing to celebrate the birthday of the elderly figure. It is revealed that the man is very sick and that this celebration may be one of the last experiences of his life. As those around her begin airing old grievances, the youngster tries to process what is occurring and how everything will be changed by his passing. The press adored this feature and it was shortlisted last year as one of the finalists for a Best International Film Oscar (it ultimately didn’t make the top five). A few voices had difficulty relating to some of the characters and were unmoved by the drama. However, everyone else was deeply impressed, stating that the movie was compassionate but not overwrought, and dealt with complicated familial issues in a frank and authentic manner. It features Naíma Sentíes, Montserrat Marañon and Marisol Gasé.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re looking for some older titles, there are plenty available. Radiance Films is putting out a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray of Viva la Muerte (1971) from Spanish surrealist movie-maker Fernando Arrabal. It shows the dreams and thoughts of a poor boy from a small village after learning that his mother has turned in his father to authorities for his communist beliefs. It comes with a film expert commentary track with Mike White, Heather Drain and Jess Byard. You’ll also get a movie historian interview on the feature, two archival behind-the-scenes documentaries (one is feature-length and encompasses Arrabal’s entire career) and publicity materials. Read a full review of the disc here.
And it was reviewed previously, but Arrow Video is rereleasing their 4K Ultra HD “Special Edition” of Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996). It should contain most of the same features, but in simpler packaging without the posters from the previous version.
88 Films is presenting a couple of Hong Kong efforts on Blu-ray. The Golden Lotus (1974) is a period drama from the Shaw Brothers about a rich man falling for a poor woman. Jackie Chan appears in a supporting role. The disc includes a trailer and stills gallery. To Kill a Mastermind (1979) is a breakneck-paced period action film about an undercover government agent trying to take down a ruthless crime syndicate from the inside. A stills gallery is listed as an extra on the disc.
You Are Not Alone (1978) is a Danish drama set at a school during a student strike. It follows a boy and girl kids (one of whom is the headmaster’s son) who are drawn together during the protest. Altered Innocence is presenting this Blu-ray, which includes an HD picture restoration and multiple trailers.
Doll Graveyard (2005) is an effort from Charles Band’s Full Moon Features about a 12-year-old girl who cares for a group of creepy, murderous toys. This is the uncut edition remastered from the original 35mm negative.
Kino is delivering a few fun discs as well. The Michael Dudikoff action picture Avenging Force (1986) is being given the “Special Edition” Blu-ray treatment. The actor plays an ex-secret service agent facing off against rightwing terrorists. Bonuses include an intro from director Sam Firstenberg (Revenge of the Ninja, Ninja III: The Domination, American Ninja), a commentary with the filmmaker and Dudikoff, and an interview with the star.
Rolling Vengeance (1987) is a Canadian exploitation film about a man whose wife and child is run down by drunken goons. He decides to build a monster truck and flatten them himself as revenge. Of courses, his obsession eventually begins to cause trouble in own life. This “Special Edition” Blu-ray comes with a film historian commentary track, an interview with one of the cast members and a trailer.
On a completely different note, the distributor is also putting out the Brigitte Bardot British/French drama Two Weeks in September (1967), about a woman who must choose between two men. This disc includes a 4K restoration of the film, a film historian commentary and a trailer. has been give
The Kino Cult line is offering a pair of discs as well. You can pick up a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack of the Italian possession film The Antichrist (1974). Besides the picture upgrade, it comes with a film historian commentary, a featurette with the director/co-writer and Oscar-winning composer Ennio Morricone(!). There is also a TV spot and alternate opening credits (with a different title for the movie)
The amusingly cheesy Zoltan, Hound of Dracula (1977) aka Dracula’s Dog is also coming in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray pack. This one includes a film historian commentary and promotional materials.
Lionsgate is delivering a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook of the well-regarded crime thriller Wind River (2017) starring Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner and Graham Greene. This release is a Walmart exclusive.
MGM is quietly reissuing some of their hard-to-find titles on Blu-ray. Now available is the Nicolas Cage/Samuel Jackson comedy Amos & Andrew (1993), as well as Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers (1984). A Guy Thing (2003) is a romantic comedy with Jason Lee, Julia Stiles and Selma Blair, while the action film Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects (1989) features Charles Bronson as a cop trying to stop a prostitution ring. Speechless (1994) is a rom-com with Geena Davis and Michael Keaton as political speechwriters for different parties who fall in love. All of these discs don’t feature much in the way of extras, but at least you can once again own a copy of them.
Danny. Legend. God. (2020) is a Bulgarian/UK production about a corrupt city councilor behind followed by a documentary crew. It debuted on streaming platforms in 2021. Now it’s arriving on Blu-ray from Rising Sun Media.
Shout! Factory is trying something new out with a few of their latest Blu-ray titles. They seem to be only available through Allied Vaughn and the MovieZyng Warehouse website. You can’t even find these on the distributor’s platform, but they are available there. The first is the Patton Oswalt dark comedy Big Fan (2009), the second is the workplace comedy Clockwatchers (1997) with Toni Collette, Parker Posey and Lisa Kudrow, and the third is another dark comedy called Miranda (2002) with Christina Ricci.
As for the usual Shout! releases, creepy chiller The Stepfather (1987) is appearing in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” set. If you haven’t seen it, the story involves a psychopath (played by Terry O’Quinn) looking for the perfect family who has left many dead in his wake. When his newest stepdaughter begins to suspect something is amiss with him, he begins plotting her end. In addition to the 4K image restoration, director audio commentary archived cast and crew retrospective and promo materials, this edition offers a new interview with co-star Jill Schoelen, a new commentary track with the actress, and two additional film expert commentaries.
The Strangers (2008) is also being given a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release. This one features a new 4K presentation of the unrated version from the original camera negative, along with the theatrical and unrated editions on Blu-ray. Previously released bonus features like featurettes, deleted scenes and promo material from earlier releases are also included.
Sony Pictures is presenting Once to Every Woman (1934) on Blu-ray. Ralph Bellamy plays a young surgeon who has to usurp his superior in order to complete a patient’s complicated brain operation.
The studio is also delivering Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982) on 4K Ultra HD (no Blu-ray is included). This is an iconic stand-up performance from the comic detailing his trip to Africa and his drug addiction problems. It comes with a trailer.
If you’re waiting on pins and needles for Halloween, you can pick up the double-feature Dark Night of the Scarecrows containing the cult classic TV-movie Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981) and the sequel Dark Night of the Scarecrow 2 (2022) from VCI. The two titles will be available in either a 4K Ultra HD pack or a Blu-ray set.
Warner Bros. is detailing its 4K Ultra HD only release called Batman: 85th Anniversary Collection. This is a box set that contains several (but not all) animated features starring the caped crusader. You’ll get Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993), Batman: Year One (2011), Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014), Batman: The Killing Joke (2016), Batman and Harley Quinn (2017), Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018), Batman: Hush (2019), Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2012), Batman: The Long Halloween (2021) and Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham (2023). That’s 10 titles presented in the highest possible picture quality. It comes with a 24-page commemorative booklet.
And pictured above and to the right, the Warner Archive line is releasing the fun Jim Kelly martial arts flick Black Belt Jones (1974) as well as the crime/drama Boulevard Nights (1979) on Blu-ray.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
You can find all the kid-friendly releases coming your way below.
Darwin & Newts: Season 1 (Dreamscape Media) DVD
Darwin & Newts: Season 2 (Dreamscape Media) DVD
Inside Out 2 (Disney) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook or Blu-ray and DVD combo
Knuckles (2024 animated miniseries) 4K Ultra HD only, Blu-ray only, Blu-ray Steelbook
Super Friends: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
Here is a list of the week’s TV-related discs.
Chicago P.D.: Season 11 (Universal) DVD
Darwin & Newts: Season 1 (Dreamscape Media) DVD
Darwin & Newts: Season 2 (Dreamscape Media) DVD
Fatal Vision (1984 TV miniseries) (Kino) Blu-ray
Fire Country: Season 2 (CBS) DVD
Hallmark 2-Movie Collection: Blind Date Book Club, A Lifelong Love (Hallmark) DVD
Icons Unearthed: Fast & Furious (TV miniseries) (Mill Creek Entertainment) Blu-ray
Knuckles (2024 animated miniseries) 4K Ultra HD only, Blu-ray only, Blu-ray Steelbook
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Season 25 (Universal) Blu-ray
Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1 – 7 (Warner Bros.) DVD
Super Friends: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
Ted: Season 1 (Universal) Blu-ray
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (TV miniseries) (RLJ Entertainment) Blu-ray