Hello and welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s another extremely busy edition with tons of titles in just about every genre imaginable. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
ANGRY NEIGHBORS – A retired writer living in a quiet community in the Hamptons becomes enraged when a multimillionaire buys the property next door and begins building an ostentatious mansion. The scribe declares war on the new owner and does everything he can to prevent the lavish project from being completed. Oh, and during his mission, the man’s pet dog begins speaking to him and attempting to offer some counseling. This picture received a very limited release last month and is now arriving as a DVD-only title. There don’t appear to be any reviews available at present for the film, which is not a great sign for the quality of the finished product. At least it features a lot of familiar faces in the cast, including Frank Langella, Stockard Channing, Cheech Marin, Ashley Benson and Bobby Cannavale.
BATTLE FOR SAIPAN – Here’s another DVD-only effort. It is described as a World War II epic set in 1944 about an attack by Japanese forces on a US Army hospital in Saipan (an island north of Guam and part of the United States commonwealth). Completely surrounded and cut-off from any assistance, a medic, staff and several wounded soldiers try to fight off the invaders and get themselves to safety. Critical reception for the film was generally poor. About one-third of write-ups complimented it as an interesting, well-acted and impressively-made low-budget war movie. Unfortunately, the majority complained that the presentation of the story was fairly ordinary and that it was overly simplistic in its approach to the subject. Casper Van Dien, Louis Mandylor, Jeff Fahey, Devanny Pinn and Jennifer Wenger headline the title.
BERGMAN ISLAND – A couple who work as filmmakers decide to spend a summer on Fårö island. They choose the locale because it is where their idol, Ingmar Bergman, lived and shot many of his iconic works. After arriving, the two search for inspiration for their next projects. But as the weeks pass, they find their interests pushing them further and further apart. This drama/romance film was well-received by the press. A small number thought the movie was scenic but overly slow and ponderous, stating that it ultimately didn’t have much to say about relationships. However, most were charmed by the many references to Bergman and described it as a low-key but engaging effort that helped detail the creative process and personal issues that can arise between artists. It stars Mia Wasikowska, Tim Roth, Vicky Krieps and Anders Danielsen Lie.
BONES AND ALL – This unusual feature from filmmaker Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, the 2018 Suspiria remake) combines elements of drama, horror and romance. Set on the backroads of America, it follows a teen with a very unusual condition. After being forced to fend for herself, she befriends a young man with the same problem. They set out on a journey to find estranged family members and learn more about themselves, finding danger at every turn. The overall response to this effort was positive. A small number of reviewers commented that the mix of gore and romance didn’t sit well and that there weren’t any memorable revelations. Still, everyone else thought it was an interesting take on a passionate and all-consuming love affair between two youngsters. They stated that the shocks and drama all worked to keep things unpredictable. The cast includes Taylor Russell, Timothée Chalamet, André Holland, Chloë Sevigny, Michael Stuhlbarg and Mark Rylance.
BROTHER’S KEEPER – Set in a boarding school in the secluded Anatolian mountains of Turkey, this drama follows a young boy who notices that his schoolmate has taken ill. He attempts to get help from adults, but ends up at a standstill due to bureaucracy and an unwillingness by those around to take charge. When a storm arrives and the staff finally realize the gravity of the situation, they begin focusing on blaming each other instead of providing assistance. This foreign-language feature earned nothing but raves from those who saw it. While admittedly some noted that there weren’t many surprises in the story, the performances were compelling and they thought it did an excellent job of showing the bluntness and cruelty of regimes and authority figures. Samet Yildiz and Ekin Koc headline the film.
CLOUDY MOUNTAIN – While there haven’t been many disaster films made in North America recently, plenty are still being produced internationally. This effort from China involves a new tunnel opening. When a series of cataclysmic events (including an earthquake, landslide and flood) threaten not only travelers but a town next to the mouth of the tunnel, a scientist and his father do everything they can to save 160,000 locals from impending doom. This movie hasn’t been seen by many in North America, but a few reviews have popped up online. Some wrote that the movie felt like a propaganda piece for the Chinese government and was as hackneyed as similarly-themed American disaster films from the 1970s. Slightly more called it an effective genre flick with likable leads that hit all the right notes and delivered plenty of spectacle and thrills. It features Yilong Zhu, Zhizhong Huang and Shu Chen.
CRIMES OF THE FUTURE – The latest from director David Cronenberg (The Brood, Scanners, Videodrome, The Dead Zone, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Naked Lunch, Crash, eXistenZ, A History of Violence) is set in a disturbing future where humans have embraced synthetic augmentation and welcome procedures that transform their bodies. A celebrity decides to publicly document a series of operations that will metamorphosize himself into a new and strange lifeform. Director Cronenberg enjoys pushing buttons and shocking audiences and critics reacted favorably to his latest feature. About one-fifth of reviewers were disgusted by what they saw, thought it was derivative of his earlier efforts, and called it a slog. However, the consensus was that this was Cronenberg effectively using body-horror to provoke audiences and offer a bleak analysis on celebrity, art and other subjects. It stars Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, Kristen Stewart, Scott Speedman, Welket Bungué and Don McKellar.
FREAKSCENE: THE STORY OF DINOSAUR JR. – Anyone who listened to alternative rock in the 1990s will be familiar with the band Dinosaur Jr., who had hits with songs like “Feel the Pain,” and “Over Your Shoulder” among many others. This documentary chronicles their career, starting with the band’s formation in Massachusetts and following their influence on the “Slacker” movement. Viewers also learn factoids, like info that members would not talk to each other unless they were recording or playing live. The picture has earned more positive notices than negative ones. About one-third of reviewers disliked it, saying that it was too reverential and didn’t delve deeply into the personalities or thoughts of the artists. Regardless, most thought it was informative and that it would appeal to anyone who experienced or enjoyed the music of this era.
THE GRANDMASTER OF KUNG FU – Iconic figure Master Huo is the founder of Jin Wu martial arts, and his story has been told on the big screen many times in China (including the 2006 Jet Li film, Fearless). He is once again the subject of this kung fu action picture. The famous teacher ends up involved in a deadly battle with a powerful Japanese military commander who wants to seize Huo’s martial arts school and assert superiority over the people. Naturally, the hero resists by squaring off against the villains and inspiring his people. Very few have seen this picture in this part of the world, although it has been available to watch on the Hi-Yah! streaming service for some time. Online reviews suggest that there are a few decent fight scenes, but that there isn’t anything spectacular about the latest take on the legend. It stars Dennis To and Yang Feng.
PETIT MAL – A unique polyamorous relationship between three women is the set-up for this Spanish drama. The story follows the ladies and how they handle their arrangement, along with issues like jealousy. When one member thinks about leaving the group, the remaining pair have to determine whether or not to continue living together under different circumstances. This Spanish-language feature earned more positive reviews than negative write-ups. A sizable portion did assert that the movie did little to get into the minds of its characters and that it ultimately felt a bit shallow. Still, more called it an intriguing drama that showed the difficulties experienced by persons in relationships with multiple partners. For the time, this is a DVD-only release. The cast includes Silvia Varón, Ruth Caudeli and Ana María Otálora.
TIGER 24 – This documentary was shot in India and follows a series of incidents involving a tiger. After several men are killed venturing into the animal’s territory, authorities capture and lock the creature up in a zoo. The film chronicles many differing opinions about what occurred. Some experts explain that the tiger’s newfound taste for human flesh requires it to be locked away for the safety of the public. Others state that the victims entered its territory and that it was only protecting itself. And a few question whether the animal was even responsible for the deaths. The filmmakers follow the story all the way to the country’s Supreme Court. Response was entirely positive. All reviewers thought it was an engrossing story that deals with the many complexities and issues in dealing with and living among wild animals.
WHEN I CONSUME YOU – A New York-based, 20-something brother and sister who grow up depending solely on each other find their lives taking a positive turn when new opportunities arise. But a strange (and perhaps even supernatural) figure appears and begins stalking them. Curiously, the pair seem to have an idea of exactly who is after them. They decide to take a stand and enact revenge against their pursuer. Critics generally enjoyed this independent genre film. A small contingent didn’t think that the story was exciting and that events sputtered out during the final act. However, the majority felt that the movie was well-acted and did a solid job of communicating how siblings attempt to deal with family trauma and personal demons. It features Libby Ewing, Evan Dumouchel, MacLeod Andrews and Perry Blackshear.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
It’s an incredibly busy week for older films receiving high-definition upgrades. AGFA (American Genre Film Archive) are releasing Attack of the Beast Creatures (1985) aka Hell Island on Blu-ray. It’s a horror movie about shipwreck survivors on a small island who get attacked by the titular monsters. This indie title will be a Vinegar Syndrome exclusive that can only be purchased on their website until February 28th (when it will appear at other retailers). It comes with a partial director commentary, interviews with the director and the writer, as well as test footage.
Those who appreciate adult films can pick up the X-rated superhero parody Bat Pussy (1973) on Blu-ray. It contains 2 cuts of the movie, a film historian commentary, a bonus movie and more. Curiously, this title is available at all retailers except Amazon, who are refusing to sell it.
The Black Crystal (1991) is a low-budget, made-in-Tucson thriller about a traveler who runs afoul of a cult dealing in black magic. This Blu-ray from AGFA includes a “VHS Version,” an interview with the lead actor and the director, who share their memories of the production. You’ll also get a series of shorts and a trailer.
Dressed in Blue (1983) is a documentary arriving on Blu-ray from Altered Innocence. The filmmakers capture interviews with transvestite prostitutes who discuss their personal experiences and tell viewers about their lives.
Arrow Video is presenting The Lukas Moodysson Collection Blu-ray box set. It contains seven titles from the Swedish filmmaker, including Show Me Love (1998), Together (2000), Lilya 4-Ever (2002), A Hole in My Heart (2004), Container (2006), Mammoth (2009) and We Are the Best! (2013), which was quite popular in North America among indie film fans. Most of the films featured have been given restorations and all include new interviews with the director and cast members on various titles, as well as publicity materials and other bonuses.
If you enjoy Hong Kong cinema, you can pick up a Blu-ray of the musical-comedy/drama, Office (2015). It’s being rereleased by Bayview Entertainment. It’s about a new employee at a billion-dollar company who must deal with complex and complicated relationships among his superiors. It stars Wang Ziyi and Chow Yun-Fat.
Canadian International Pictures is a great new distributor who has put out some incredible discs over the past few years. Their latest Blu-ray is of the documentary Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993), an account about the military 1990 siege of a Native American reserve near Oka, Quebec, Canada and its causes. It comes with a director commentary, numerous short films, a booklet featuring writing on the Oka crisis and more. This will be available as a Vinegar Syndrome exclusive until February 28th.
Death Magic (1992) is a low-budget shocker from Culture Shock Releasing. It follows some magicians who accidentally raise the spirit of a murderous Civil War Major. This Blu-ray arrives with a director commentary, a rough-cut ending with extra gore, an excerpt about the movie from a podcast, a comparison of video source material and more.
Solomon King (1974) is a black exploitation film starring Sal Watts. It’s about an ex-CIA operative and nightclub owner who seeks revenge for the murder of his girlfriend. Deaf Crocodile Films is presenting the movie on Blu-ray with a new restoration from the only known complete 35mm print. It comes with two film expert commentary tracks, a three-part interview with the wife and widow of the director, a booklet essay on the movie, an episode of the Jay Payton show (the director was the executive producer of the program), a reproduction of the pressbook and a featurette on the restoration process.
The recent Australian comedy Lieutenant Jangles (2018) is being rereleased on Blu-ray by ETR Media. Set in the 80s, it follows a gun-toting cop seeking revenge on the men who killed his partner in the most outrageous ways possible. The movie earned solid reviews during its original run and seems to be finding more fans as the years pass. This disc contains a making-of documentary, deleted/extended scenes, a blooper reel, documentary featurettes, trailers and much more.
Factory25 is presenting Uncle Kent 2 (2015) on Blu-ray. It’s a sequel to the 2011 Joe Swanberg drama Uncle Kent and features the star of the first movie losing his mind while attempting to create a sequel. Extras include a filmmaker commentary, bonus shorts and films, a Spanish-language remake of an earlier Joe Swanberg feature, a music video and more.
Kino is making The Asphyx (1972) available on Blu-ray. It’s a period horror film about a turn-of-the-century scientist who attempts to pull a mysterious apparition out of a photograph. He very quickly regrets succeeding in his mission and comes face to face with the sinister spirit. This Special Edition has the standard UK cut and the extended US version, as well as a film critic commentary track and a trailer.
The Michael Caine heist flick The Italian Job (1969) is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray upgrade (you can also purchase it as a standalone Blu-ray). This film tells the story of a group of clever thieves who steal gold from the streets of Turin by creating a traffic jam. You’ll also get a screenwriter commentary, a producer commentary, multiple documentaries on the film that were made in 2002, deleted scenes and a 2009 featurette on the various cars used in the title.
The Lady from Shanghai (1947) is also arriving as a Blu-ray Special Edition. This is a nifty film-noir thriller co-starring and directed by Orson Welles is about a man hired to work for a femme fatale. He quickly finds himself embroiled in a complicated murder plot. Bonuses on this disc include two new film expert commentaries, a commentary from late filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich, a lengthy conversation with Bogdanovich about his conversations with Welles about the movie, other observations about the title from a film-noir expert, as well as a trailer.
Mill Creek Entertainment is presenting the Peter Falk 4-Film Comedy Collection on Blu-ray. You’ll get Luv (1967), The Cheap Detective (1978), Big Trouble (1986) and Happy New Year (1987). The second feature listed is considered the best in this grouping, but they all feature big stars and will be of interest to those who enjoy the actor.
The same distributor is releasing the boxing drama, Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962). It stars Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney and Muhammad Ali and was written by Rod Serling (The Twilight Zone).
Paramount is delivering a number of features on Blu-ray. Big Night (1996) is an excellent drama with Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci about two brothers trying to save their struggling restaurant. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) is an Oscar-nominated French drama and true story about a journalist who has a heart attack and can only communicate with one eye. The movie stars Matthieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner.
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the studio is also giving the visually stunning science-fiction/horror film Event Horizon (1997) a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release. It follows a space crew who discover an abandoned ship that may be haunted. The cast includes Lawrence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs and Kathleen Quinlan. In addition to the picture upgrade, this release includes some previously included extras like deleted scenes and director commentary.
The well-regarded WWI film Gallipoli (1981) is also debuting on Blu-ray in North America. It tells the story of a group of young Australian men who are sent to the titular location to fight a battle with Turkish forces. It stars a young Mel Gibson and is directed by Peter Weir (Witness, Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show).
Genre movie enthusiasts can also pick up a reissued Blu-ray of the horror/comedy, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015).
For this columnist, one of the biggest releases of the week is a Limited-Edition Blu-ray Steelbook of Young Sherlock Holmes (1985). This take on the popular investigator was produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Barry Levinson (Diner, The Natural, Good Morning Vietnam, Rain Man, Avalon, Bugsy). It followed Holmes and Watson as teenage students who attempt to solve a murder at their school. Reviews were tepid at the time of release and the movie was criticized for being too dark and grim (it is quite funny, but has some very tense murder sequences). It also is the first film to feature a completely computer-generated character (a stained-glass window that comes to life and attacks a victim). This writer always thought it was underrated and looks forward to finally picking it up on Blu-ray.
If you’re looking for more underground fare, Satan’s Core Audio & Video is delivering a Blu-ray of the shot-on-video Damselvis: Daughter of Helvis (1994). It’s about a pagan mistress on a rampage. It comes with a director commentary and interview with the filmmaker, as well as cast members performing live on stage and other extras.
The distributor is also presenting Lost Faith (1992) on Blu-ray. It’s another no-budget effort about a man whose wife is kidnapped by a nasty karate master. Extras include an alternate cut, interviews with the director and tons of other bonuses. This disc is another Vinegar Syndrome exclusive that won’t be available on other outlets until February 28th.
Severin are reissuing their Blu-ray of Andy Warhol’s Blood for Dracula (1974). In addition, you can also pick up Castle of the Living Dead (1964), a Standard Edition Blu-ray of Crypt of the Vampire (1964) and Legacy of Blood (1978), which contains two cuts of the movie. All of these discs include tons of extras like interviews and publicity material.
Shout! Factory is releasing a double bill of Dance with Death (1989) and Dance of the Damned (1992) on Blu-ray. Both are thrillers set around dance clubs. The first movie comes from a 4K master of the original camera negative, while the second picture received a new 2K scan from the only surviving film print. Trailers are also included.
If you are a zombie film enthusiast and enjoyed the remake of Dawn of the Dead (2004), then you’ll be happy to pick up a “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray that contains the unrated cut of the feature (pictured above and to the right). This set also includes the theatrical version on Blu-ray. It also arrives with all of the previously released extras from earlier editions.
Additionally, the distributor is making a double-feature Blu-ray available for the all-star adventure pictures Escape to Athena (1977) and March or Die (1979). The first title comes with interviews with most of the cast, including Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, Stefanie Powers, Sonny Bono, Elliott Gould and more.
If you’re looking for more zombie-themed entertainment, Umbrella is delivering the Australian cult horror/comedy Undead (2003) on Blu-ray. This title is also a Vinegar Syndrome exclusive until February 28th. It’s about an array of characters from different backgrounds being brought together during a zombie apocalypse and fighting for survival (when they aren’t searching for supplies). It comes with a commentary featuring the directors, a making-of, on-set footage, a short film, CD soundtrack and much more.
VHSHitfest is delivering the low-budget genre flick Satan’s Menagerie (2001) on Blu-ray. The leads in this title square off against a demon god. Special features include an audio commentary, making-of, bonus feature, music video and still gallery.
As mentioned, a lot of these low-budget oddities will only be available on the Vinegar Syndrome website for their first few weeks of release. The distributor is also releasing several Blu-ray titles. This week, you can pick up The Beast in Space (1980) exclusively on their site. It’s an Italian feature about a space crew dealing with a sinister computer that wants them to…. well… have sex. The movie has been given a 2K restoration and includes cast interviews.
You can also pick up Evil Laugh (1986) and Frostbiter (1995). The Mexican effort Infernal Rapist (1988) is yet another Vinegar Syndrome exclusive until February 28th. All of the above come with upgraded picture quality and cast/crew interviews. Additionally, the box-set Made in Hong Kong Vol. 1 is arriving on Blu-ray and contains the three wild and extreme genre pictures The Demon’s Baby (1998), Erotic Nightmare (1999) and The Deadly Camp (1999).
Vinegar Syndrome’s three biggest titles of the week are 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray upgrades. The first is for the Stuart Gordon horror flick From Beyond (1986), adapted from the H.P. Lovecraft story. It’s an effective chiller about a physicist whose experiments open a horrifying portal and reveal terrifying creatures. Besides the upgraded picture quality, the release has a feature-length documentary on the making of the movie, commentary tracks with the director and cast, as well as the screenwriter. There are also numerous cast and crew interviews from 2012 and 2013, tons of publicity materials and plenty of other bonuses.
The goofy Patrick Swayze action film Road House (1989) is arriving in a Standard Edition with a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. Besides the upgraded picture, it comes with hours of bonus interviews with cast and crew, as well as multiple commentary tracks (one with the director, and another with celebrity fans of the movie). Apparently, it’s a great release.
Finally, Vinegar Syndrome is releasing a Limited Edition exclusive of the PG-action film Sidekicks (1992) starring Chuck Norris. It contains a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray. The movie is about a bullied high school student who takes up martial arts and faces off with his tormentors in a tournament. Throughout the story, he imagines interacting with his hero Chuck Norris, who provides inspiration for the youngster. It features numerous references to Norris titles and is quite popular with kids who were the right age when the movie was released. Besides the 4K image upgrade, the set contains a director commentary, a fan commentary, interviews with cast and crew members, a video trailer, a 10-minute promo reel, a still gallery and a 40-page book with essays about the movie.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Here are some titles that young kids might enjoy.
Sesame Street: Elmo & Tango – Furry Friends Forever (Shout!) DVD
The Smurfs (2021): Season 1, Volume 3 (Nickelodeon) DVD
Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go – Musical Fun (Ncircle) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.
Backstrom: Season 2 (Acorn) DVD
The Great: Season 1 (Paramount) Blu-ray
The Great: Season 2 (Paramount) Blu-ray
Maigret: Season 2 (Kino) Blu-ray
The Smurfs (2021): Season 1, Volume 3 (Nickelodeon) DVD