Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s a busy edition once again, with plenty of interesting options in a variety of genres. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a while, be sure to check out one of these titles.
BIG NEW RELEASES!
BAD CITY – Set in a city awash in poverty and crime, this Japanese effort follows a shady businessman who decides to run for mayor. Unfortunately, the area is already run by persons connected to the local mafia. So, in order to get ahead, the candidate begins killing his opponents and threatening the mob. A former police captain serving time for murder is released and told to go undercover and stop the candidate. This foreign-language feature received generally upbeat notices. A small number suggested that while the action scenes were solid, the motivations and plot were convoluted. All others stated that the fight scenes and chases were incredible to witness and that this stylish effort delivered thrills despite being produced on a small budget. It stars Lily Franky, Hitoshi Ozawa, Misaya Kato, Hideo Katsuya, Masanori Mimoto and Dan Mitsu.
BIOSPHERE – After a global apocalypse wipes out the majority of the planet, there are only two survivors who manage to eke out an existence inside a sealed and protected dome. One is the ex-president of the United States, and the other is his chief scientific advisor. The two lonely men are horrified when the only female fish in their pond dies and one of the remaining males takes ill. The scientist makes a discovery about what is occurring and reveals that similar changes may occur to them. Critics enjoyed this eccentric effort. There was a minor contingent who found the humor hit-and-miss and wished the film had dealt with its theme more thoughtfully. However, the majority called the movie totally unique and consistently surprising, with wonderful performances from its two leads that kept them enthralled throughout. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass headline the feature.
THE COLLECTIVE – A young assistant DA with incredible aim and military skills is recruited by a secret vigilante agency of assassins who track down “untouchable” targets. For his first mission, he’s told to help another member rescue a computer hacker who has been kidnapped by a powerful gang of human traffickers. The new agent squares off against an entire team of heavies who will stop at nothing to keep their criminal operation intact. This independent action flick hasn’t received many reviews and all of the ones that have appeared have been terrible. They all suggested that a good cast was wasted, that the editing was terrible and that the script was filled with awkwardly written dialogue. This is a DVD-only release. It features Lucas Till, Ruby Rose, Mercedes Varnado, Paul Ben-Victor, Tyrese Gibson and Don Johnson.
DRY GROUND BURNING – This unique picture from Brazil is part documentary and part fictional narrative. The filmmakers aren’t at liberty to say what parts are real and what has been recreated. The synopsis states that it tells the story of the armed group of women in the Sol Nascente favela who, in 2013, hijacked a pipeline and began selling oil to nearby communities. The press who saw this Portuguese-language film were very impressed with it. Most admitted that it was very hard to tell what was authentic and what had been created to add to the narrative, but thought the approach was dynamic and kept them intrigued. Additionally, they wrote that the social commentary being made about was compelling. The cast is said to include many of the actual participants in the heist.
LINOLEUM – A middle-aged host of a children’s show about space travel still dreams of becoming an astronaut. When a satellite crashes into his backyard, he collects the pieces and begins to work on creating his own rocket. Naturally, the man’s family are deeply concerned about his obsession. Things get even stranger when the protagonist sees a doppelganger living nearby and experiences more strange visions from the sky. This independent “dramedy” was well-received by reviewers. One-fifth did complain that the story felt overly extended and they didn’t like the finale. However, most thought it was an intelligent and engrossing satire that veers effectively into drama thanks to an exceptional lead performance. They also enjoyed the climax and resolution. For now, this is a DVD-only release. It features Jim Gaffigan, Rhea Seehorn, Katelyn Nacon, Gabriel Rush, Michael Ian Black and Tony Shalhoub.
THE LITTLE MERMAID – The latest Disney animated classic to get a live-action reboot is this famous tale based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. A rebellious daughter of a king wants to travel beyond the sea and see the human world. She sneaks away, meets a prince and falls in love, but understands that she can’t live on land. When a witch makes the young lead an incredible offer she accepts the terms, but soon realizes that the decision has put the undersea kingdom in jeopardy. More members of the press liked this adaptation than disliked it. About one-third criticized it as being an overlong and less-effective redo of the 1989 animated version that lacked drama or thrills. Still, the general consensus on the film was that it was fun. They asserted that it had great moments of visual wonder and noted that the charming lead appears destined to be a star. Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Javier Bardem, Melissa McCarthy, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina and Noma Dumezweni lead the cast.
PADRE PIO – Independent filmmaker Abel Ferrera (Bad Lieutenant, King of New York, Tommaso) directed and co-wrote this biopic about the title character. Set after the close of WWI, a group of Italian soldiers return home to a poverty-stricken village run by a few wealthy landowners. With tension rising between the citizens and government during an election, the lead character must deal with personal demons and do what’s best for those around him. Overall, critics didn’t appreciate this take on the revered priest. About one-quarter of them admired the challenging and relatable issues the movie raised, also noting its unwillingness to fall into cliché. However, the majority were confused by the film, commenting that it was dull and that many story elements didn’t congeal well. It features Shia LaBeouf, Cristina Chiriac, Marco Leonardi and Asia Argento.
PAST LIVES – This drama involves two childhood best friends who are separated after one leaves their South Korean home with her family for Canada. She eventually becomes a playwright, moves to New York and marries an American. The boy stays in his hometown and grows up to be an engineer, but keeps in touch with her via video chats. Finally, as an adult, he decides to visit and spend time in person with his dear friend, as well as her new husband. During his stay, the two leads talk about their relationship and future. The press adored this picture and raved about it. A few naysayers wrote that the movie was too understated, uncinematic and ultimately unsatisfying. But all others thought the film was a subtle but incredibly moving examination of how we think about alternate paths in life and living with regret. They were also taken by the subtle lead performance. The movie stars Greta Lee, Teo Yoo and John Magaro.
PRISONER’S DAUGHTER – An aging convict is diagnosed with terminal cancer and is granted a compassionate leave from prison if he agrees to reside with his daughter. The two have been at extreme odds for more than a decade, but she agrees to take him back in. The father sees how financially strained his offspring is and, in order to find redemption in her eyes, he sets out to help her. However, the pair first must address the past and their troubled relationship. Response to this drama was slightly more negative than positive. Those who recommended the movie liked the work of the cast and thought the story slowly developed to a strong and emotional climax. But slightly more called the feature melodramatic and overwrought, also stating that it suffered from a predictable script. The cast includes Kate Beckinsale, Brian Cox, Christopher Convery, Tyson Ritter and Ernie Hudson.
WARRIOR KING – This animated feature from China tells the story of the legendary Central Asian leader King Gesar. His mythic story has been told orally for roughly a thousand years and was later published in the 12th century. This film focuses on his early years as a boy and young man. With the world overrun by monsters and demons, the protagonist must find and harness special powers in order to save humanity and lead his people to prosperity. The title hasn’t been seen by many in this part of the world and reaction has been mixed-negative. One critic thought the picture was visually striking and presented a fable that many in this part of the world wouldn’t be familiar with. However, more suggested that the movie was choppy and very difficult to follow. They found it difficult to get involved in the story. The voice talent includes Brandon Hunt, Katie Leigh and Marisa Blake.
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? – A young documentary filmmaker struggles to find a romantic partner in this comedy from the UK. After using dating apps and finding no spark between herself and potential suitors, she decides to make a movie about her British-Pakistani neighbor and childhood friend. He opts for an arranged marriage through his parents and she records him as he meets and plans to marry a stranger from abroad. Along the way, her ideas about relationships begin to alter. The film garnered more positive reviews than negative ones. Nearly one-third complained that the final product was conventional and closed on a predictable note, lacking the ability to delve deeply into its themes. Still, most thought that the cast were extremely charismatic, the movie itself was sweet and that the end result was breezy and enjoyable. The cast includes Lily James, Shazad Latif, Emma Thompson, Shabara Azmi, Taj Atwal and Oliver Chris.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re looking for something older, there is plenty to choose from as well. Radiance Films is making the Spanish chiller The Dead Mother (1993) available on Blu-ray. The plot involves a criminal who robs a home and shoots the owner dead, leaving a daughter orphaned, traumatized and ultimately raised in a “special needs” facility. After crossing paths with the girl years later, he becomes paranoid that she has recognized him and kidnaps her. As he comes to terms with his hostage’s mental state, an unusual bond forms between the pair. This “Limited Edition” Blu-ray (3000 copies will be available) contains a 4K picture restoration, a soundtrack CD, a director commentary, a documentary on the making of the film, a Goya-award winning short from the director, publicity materials and a booklet featuring writing on the movie. Here’s a full review of the Blu-ray.
Arrow Video is presenting the Japanese horror feature Ringu (1998) in a 4K Ultra HD exclusive (no Blu-ray is included). The movie is about a cursed videotape that will kill anyone who watches it and doesn’t show it to another individual within a week. In addition to a 4K picture upgrade, it comes with a film historian commentary, a series of interviews with other critics about the movie’s impact, a featurette on the career of director Hideo Nakata (Dark Water), a video essay on the Ringu franchise, another video essay on J-horror, trailers, limited edition packaging, a double-sided fold-out poster with two different artwork options and more.
The Trial (1962) is a great independent title from co-writer/director Orson Welles based on a novel by Franz Kafka. Anthony Perkins stars a clerk who is arrested for reasons he can’t comprehend. He must deal with maddeningly endless red tape and bureaucracy as he attempts to figure out what is going on. The movie is atmospheric and incredibly unsettling as the lead’s sanity begins to waver. Criterion is releasing this title in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set (it is also available as a stand-alone Blu-ray). It comes with a film historian commentary track, a 1981 documentary about the production, archival interviews with Welles, co-star Jeanne Moreau and the director of photography, as well as a trailer.
Icarus Films is delivering Early Short Films of the French New Wave on Blu-ray. It’s exactly what you would expect. 19 shorts on 2 discs that were made in France by some remarkable directors between 1956 and 1968. There are titles by Jean Luc-Godard, Alain Resnais, Francois Truffaut and Melvin Van Peebles.
The recent Lionsgate thriller Fall (2022) is arriving on 4K Ultra HD as well as Blu-ray in a Best Buy Exclusive in Steelbook packaging. The story involves two friends who climb to the top of a 2000-foot-tall abandoned radio tower and end up stuck there. It comes with a filmmaker commentary track, a music video, a making-of, a trailer and more.
Director Spotlight: Kevin MacDonald is arriving on Blu-ray from budget-friendly distributor Mill Creek Entertainment. The set contains the effective Jude Law thriller Black Sea (2014) and the Russell Crowe effort State of Play (2009). The first movie is a particularly effective retelling of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre set on a submarine in the title locale.
If you love old Mexican flicks featuring famous masked wrestler El Santo, you can now pick up Santo vs. Infernal Men (1961) on Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films. The Standard Edition includes a feature-length documentary on the man who produced these movies and image galleries and a trailer.
The Sunday Woman (1975) is also arriving on Blu-ray from the distributor. It’s an Italian title starring Marcello Mastrioanni and Jacqueline Bisset that follows a murder investigation in Turinese high society. This release features a 2K picture restoration in two aspect ratios, a discussion with an academic on the movie, an archival interview with the cinematographer, a new talk with the son of the screenwriter and a French TV interview from 1976 with a co-star.
Shout! Factory is releasing a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set of the period drama The Lost City of Z (2016). It’s a biopic of British explorer Col. Percival Fawcett and his obsession with finding an ancient lost city in the Amazon rainforest. He disappeared in 1925 and the movie implied what may have happened. It stars Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller and Tom Holland. Extras haven’t been officially announced on their website, so you’ll have to check and see if they’re the same as with the previous Blu-ray.
The distributor is also putting out a Blu-ray of the horror flick, Lost Souls (2000). It’s a very silly yarn with Winona Ryder and Ben Chaplin that features the two fighting against a satanic conspiracy that could result in the return of the Devil. Bonuses include a new 2K scan of the movie, a commentary track with both the director and the cinematographer, deleted scenes with optional commentary and a trailer.
Here’s a nifty one. Sony is putting out a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set of The Last Dragon (1985), a very entertaining film about a young New Yorker training in martial arts. As he does so, he must battle a kung-fu expert corrupted with power and also ends up trying to save a singer from her sinister record promoter. The movie was produced by record executive Berry Gordy. It features plenty of wild action, laughs, memorable characters, in addition to entertaining musical numbers. Besides the image upgrade, the 4K disc comes with a fan commentary. The Blu-ray contains a director commentary, featurette on the movie and trailer. It should be a great deal of fun to revisit.
If you enjoyed the crazy horror/comedy Cocaine Bear (2023), Universal is now releasing a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition with improved picture quality. One expects that previously included extras will also be present, at least on the Blu-ray.
Finally, Warner Bros. is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the horror classic The Exorcist (1973) with a 4K Ultra HD release of the film (no Blu-ray is included in this package). For those interested, both the theatrical edition and the 2000 extended director’s cut have been given 4K upgrades. There is an introduction to the film from late director William Friedkin on the theatrical version, as well as a Friedkin commentary track and a second with author William Peter Blatty. The director’s cut also contains a Friedkin commentary. No other extras are included (there have been extensive bonuses on previous editions). If you’d prefer different packaging for this release, there will also be a Best Buy Steelbook Exclusive that will be available through the retailer.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Here is a list of kid-friendly titles arriving this week.
The Little Mermaid (2023) (Disney) multiple editions, including 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, or Blu-ray only
Sonic the Hedgehog: The Complete Series (NCircle Entertainment) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
Below is a selection of this edition’s TV-themed releases.
Cannes Confidential (Acorn) DVD
Fire Country: Season 1 (Paramount) DVD
Sonic the Hedgehog: The Complete Series (NCircle Entertainment) DVD
The Way Home: Season 1 (Hallmark) DVD