Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This is a slower week, but there are still a couple of notable pictures coming your way. So, if you can’t make it out 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!
CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT – Curiously enough, one of the week’s biggest releases is a film that was shot 48 years ago. In 1976, Tinto Brass shot an expensive biopic written by Gore Vidal about the Roman emperor Caligula. It begins during his childhood when the title character’s family is murdered. He survives and over time slowly rises in political stature. Eventually, Caligula seizes control of the Roman Empire. Now the most powerful figure in the world, his position begins to corrupt him and the man spirals into hedonism and madness. The project was financed by Penthouse owner Bob Guccione. He wrestled control away from the director, recut the movie and added X-rated sex scenes with adult film performers. The end result was released in 1980 and critics despised it. Recently, the director’s original workprint was located and the film has been reassembled as originally intended. After a limited run at theaters, it is now appearing on disc. Reaction has generally been positive. A small number stated that while this version was better, there were always pacing and story issues with the screenplay that haven’t been resolved. Still, the majority complimented it as being effective, having powerful visuals, a stronger narrative and great performances. The movie stars Malcolm McDowell, John Gielgud, Peter O’Toole, Helen Mirren and Paolo Bonacelli.
MIDWIVES – Released in its homeland under the title Sages-femmes, this French drama is about two women who become newly qualified midwives. The narrative follows them as they try to adapt to their new and chaotic professional lives. Their work is difficult and they encounter incredible challenges involving birth, motherhood, death and the country’s health care system. Not many North American critics have seen this foreign-language feature, but those who have (as well as international reviewers) praised the picture. They complimented it as feeling authentic and detailing the many highs and occasional lows of those who take on this admirable kind of work. The performances were also complemented as being nuanced and engaging. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. It features Khadija Kouyaté, Héloïse Janjaud and Myriem Akheddiou.
MODEL HOUSE – A young model is thrilled to land her first gig. She arrives at the shooting location and behinds other women on the job. As part of the deal, they are all put up in a remotely located house for the evening. The lead gets pointers on the business from others in the group, but their time together is quickly interrupted by masked home invaders. These models must fight back in order to survive. Very few members of the press have seen this independent picture, but a few reviews have popped up. Most suggest that the film is a mixed bag. They write that it is well -produced and features a few effective jabs at the social media and modeling industry, but also suffers from a predictable plot and uneven performances. The cast includes Scout Taylor-Compton, Cory Anne Roberts, Kyra Santoro, Chris Zylka, Hailee Keanna Lautenbach and Natalie Nootenboom.
MOTHERS’ INSTINCT – The other major release is this period drama/thriller that follows two happily married suburban couples with children. When one of the wives witnesses a tragic accident and claims that she was unable to prevent it from occurring, both families go through a grieving process. However, a rift forms between the two ladies as guilt and suspicion arises. The witness becomes paranoid and begins to wonder if her neighbor isn’t plotting some kind of revenge. This effort split reviewers almost down the middle. Nearly half suggested the film was pulpy but never really delivered on its promise of thrills or shocks in the mold of Alfred Hitchcock. The same number and a few more commented that this was an interestingly twisty tale with wonderful lead performances and a stylish look. Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Josh Charles and Anders Danielsen Lie headline the film.
WARRIOR KING – This animated feature from China is based on the legend of King Gesar, a folk figure popular in Tibet and Central Asia for centuries. The protagonist is a hero and King who battles sinister demons and monsters. After these beasts attack his home, a young man trains himself to save all of humanity and become their leader. One assumes he succeeds! This picture is being released in its original language with subtitles along with an English-dubbed version. Critical reception was divided among those who saw it. Half stated that some of the images on display were eye-catching and that it was entertaining to see the wild creatures on display. The same number criticized the plotting as messy and confusing, while also describing the human characters as undeveloped.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Plenty of older options will be debuting on a variety of formats. Arrow Video is releasing the science-fiction/action picture The Chronicles of Riddick (2004). This is a big-budget sequel to the Vin Diesel cult film Pitch Black, which came out in 2000. In this follow-up, the lead, who is still a wanted criminal, finds himself on a planet being invaded by an alien army that wants to wipe out all humanity. Despite initial resistance to helping out anyone, he decides that this cause is in his best interests and lends his assistance.
The movie can be purchased on 4K Ultra HD only or Blu-ray only. One disc contains the theatrical cut with a new feature-length making-of documentary, interviews with director David Twohy, co-star Keith David, as well as the storyboard artist. The second disc contains the “director’s cut” of the movie, with two commentary tracks (one featuring Twohy and Diesel, the other with Twohy and co-stars Carl Urban and Alexa Davelos). There is also an archived introduction to the movie, tons of archival featurettes, on-set and promotional interviews and much more. If you pick up the “Limited Edition” exclusive of the movie, it comes with an extra disc containing the theatrical cut in an alternate aspect ratio, along with a television special produced to promote the movie’s release, and more. It also comes with a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork for the feature and an illustrated booklet with writing on the movie. Read all about this release in detail by clicking this link!
The remake of the famous slasher Friday the 13th (2009) is also receiving a 4K Ultra HD only release. It reintroduces the iconic, hulking Jason Voorhees as he mows down new visitors to Camp Crystal Lake. You will get the theatrical and extended cuts of the movie with improved picture quality. The “Theatrical Cut” disc comes with new commentaries and interviews featuring director Marcus Nispel, as well as the screenwriters. There’s a video essay on why remakes (and this particular effort) can be effective, excerpts from a trivia track, archival featurettes on the movie, deleted scenes and promotional material. The “Extended Cut” comes with a film historian commentary. Read a complete review of this new release by clicking this link.
Arrow is also putting out the Italian “giallo” flick Torso (1973) on 4K Ultra HD. It’s a grisly thriller that follows a maniac hunting down and carving up female university students. The picture restoration is from the original camera negative. It comes with multiple cuts of the movie, a film historian commentary, an interview with the director, the co-writer, a co-star, the daughter of the director, a discussion on the movie with a movie expert, a Q&A from a screening at a 2017 horror film festival, and alternate opening and closing credits. You’ll also get an illustrated collector’s booklet for the title. Read a review of the 4K Ultra HD edition right here.
Taxi 121 (2016) is a Czech film based on a true story about a serial killer who targeted and murdered three Prague taxi drivers. Burning Bulb will be presenting this feature on Blu-ray.
Criterion is proud to present the London-set mob film The Long Good Friday (1980) with Bob Hoskins in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack or as a Blu-ray only release. This release comes with a director commentary, an introduction to the movie by the curatorial director of Criterion, an archival documentary on Handmade Films, as well as a talk with the cinematographer, the screenwriter, and a featurette about five scenes that were altered slightly for American viewers for the US release (this set contains only the British version). Trailers are also included, along with a leaflet with an essay on the movie.
The 2-part TV movie The Great Escape II: The Untold Story (1988) is arriving on Blu-ray from Film Chest. If memory serves, the first half retells the famous story, while the second part tells viewers what happened next, including the capture and conviction of the Nazi staff for the war crimes committed at the prison camp. The cast includes Christopher Reeve, Donald Pleasence, Ian McShane, Judd Hirsch, Tony Denison, Charles Haid and Michael Nader.
It’s a busy week for Kino Lorber. The French title Les Femmes (1969) aka The Vixen with Brigitte Bardot is arriving on Blu-ray. This disc arrives with a film critic commentary and trailer.
You can also pick-up the Blu-ray box sets Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XX, which contains Captain Carey U.S.A. (1949), Appointment with Danger (1950), Make Haste to Live (1954). You can also purchase Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XXI, featuring Cloak and Dagger (1946), Shack Out on 101 (1955) and Short Cut to Hell (1957) on Blu-ray. All of these film noirs include new picture masters from 4K scans, film historian commentaries and trailers.
If you like nasty genre pictures, Anthropophagous 2000 (1999) is a pretty grisly one. Massacre Video is presenting this German movie on Blu-ray that features a cannibal hunting down an unfortunate group of passersby. This is the fully uncut version and it contains a director interview, effects test footage, an extensive image gallery and trailers for other titles from the distributor.
Paramount Presents is finally releasing the long out-of-print title from Martin Scorsese. Bringing Out the Dead (1999) with Nicolas Cage is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. If memory serves me correctly, It’s an underrated effort about a burnt-out paramedic cracking under the pressure working the nightshift as he veers from traumatic call to even more traumatic call. It features a wonderful performance from Cage and some great visual touches. For its 25th anniversary, you’ll get a 4K restoration of the movie from the original negative, new discussions with Scorsese, Cage, screenwriter Paul Schrader, as well as co-stars Patricia Arquette, John Goodman, Ving Rhames, Tom Sizemore and Marc Anthony, in addition to a talk with cinematographer Robert Richardson. There are also more interviews, trailers for the movie, fold-out packaging with the original poster and more. Sounds like a great purchase!
The incredibly violent Italian slasher Madness (1980) is arriving on Blu-ray from Raro Video. This effort, about an escaped convict torturing a group who unexpectedly arrives at the same cottage where he is hiding out. The disc arrives with a film historian commentary and a trailer.
Doomsday (2008) is being delivered in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set from Shout! Factory. This British feature from Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, The Descent, Centurion) is set after a virus, which turns people into violent maniacs, has sent the UK into a tailspin. After a period of quiet, the virus reappears in London and agents must enter quarantined Scotland to find the cure. This “Collector’s Edition” delivers the “Theatrical Cut” in 4K Ultra HD with a new movie expert commentary. There is also a Blu-ray of this version containing new interviews with Marshall, the producer, production designer, make-up designer, composer and a co-star. The “Unrated Version” is also included on Blu-ray with a director commentary, more featurettes on the movie and promo materials.
The distributor is also presenting the Robin William comedy Man of the Year (2006) on Blu-ray. The plot involves a talk-show host who runs for President as a joke and wins. It co-stars Christopher Walken, Laura Linney, Lewis Black, Jeff Goldblum and many more.
And finally, Universal Pictures is presenting the box set Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K Ultra HD. It contains 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray versions of Dracula (1931), Dracula (the Spanish-language version) (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Wolf Man (1941), Phantom of the Opera (1943) and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). The final title also comes with a Blu-ray 3D. All extras from earlier editions should be included.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
You can read about all the tyke-friendly releases below.
Barbie and Stacie to the Rescue (NCircle Entertainment) DVD
Bounce Patrol: Wheels on the Bus and More Kids Songs (Filmhub) DVD
PBS KIDS: Four Seasons of Fun (PBS) DVD
Top Cat: The Complete Series (1961 animated series) (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
This list contains all the TV-themed titles arriving this week.
The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet Video Scrapbook (MPI) DVD
The Brokenwood Mysteries: Season 10 (Acorn) Blu-ray or DVD
The Crown: The 6th and Final Season (Sony) Blu-ray or DVD