Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition doesn’t feature many new titles, but some of the ones that are appearing look interesting. And there are tons of older titles getting high-definition upgrades. 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!
CHASING RAINE – After their young daughter is kidnapped by a man with ties to a trafficking syndicate, a mother and father who were once elite soldiers decide to arm themselves and find their child. In order to do so before she is sold to the highest bidder, they head into the criminal underworld and use their skills to wipe out every obstacle in their path. This independent action debuted on streaming sites last week and is now arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. As of right now, the picture has not been seen by many critics. In fact, it has yet to receive a single official review. As with most low-budget efforts, curious parties may want to wait for a write-up to appear before taking a chance on it. It stars Maurice P. Kerry, Krystal Jordan, Dall’asia Howard and DJ Walton.
COUP DE CHANCE – The latest from writer/director Woody Allen is a French-language tale set in Paris. A young woman who is happily married to a powerful businessman meets an old friend from high school while walking down the street. They catch up over coffee and soon romance blossoms between them. In fact, the lead begins wondering if she might have wed the wrong person. Meanwhile, her mysterious husband becomes very suspicious of his wife’s activities. This picture combines comedy and thriller elements. It received strongly positive reviews from the press. A small number called the film predictable and wrote that they preferred his specifically comedic works. Still, the majority thought it was one of the filmmaker’s best efforts in some time, boasting great performances, lovely locations, sharp dialogue and some entertaining plot twists. Lou de Laâge, Melvil Poupaud, Niels Schneider and Valérie Lemercier.
DEAD WRONG – A desperate man with an unsavory background looks for a big score after his wife demands they conceive a child. The lead also appears to be obsessed with his spouse’s sister. He comes up with an elaborate scam that he hopes will solve all of his problems and get him everything that his heart desires. Of course, the complicated plan begins to go awry, leading to unexpected revelations and violence. This picture appears to be debuting on disc and streaming platforms on the same day. There have been a couple of middling online reviews posted. They suggest that for a lower-budgeted independent crime/thriller/comedy, it has a better cast than anticipated. However, these notices also suggest that, in the end, the film doesn’t make a lasting impression. It features Derek Smith, Katrina Bowden, Chelsea Debo, Cress Williams, Joshua Bitton, Chet Hanks and Rob Schneider.
FITTING IN – After visiting her doctor, a 16-year-old is diagnosed with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a condition that results in underdeveloped parts of her female anatomy. All of the teen’s future plans as a woman, as well as her relationship with a boyfriend, are put into jeopardy. Conflicts even arise with family members about what to do next. This independent coming-of-age drama/comedy was well received by reviewers. One or two write-ups complained that despite its unique subject the story didn’t contain many insightful revelations about the lead character’s condition. Regardless, all others called the film upbeat and warm-hearted, with an important and sensitively delivered message about finding and accepting oneself. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. Maddie Ziegler, Emily Hampshire, Djouliet Amara and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai.
MEET ME WHERE I AM – Coping with and understanding grief is the subject of this documentary. The filmmakers first attempt to define the word and the different effects that the condition can have on people. It then tells individual stories of people dealing with loss as well as love and hope as they attempt to seek treatment and move forward. This feature has played at a film festival or two over the past year, but appears to be debuting on DVD. So far, only one review from a major publication has appeared online. They were positive about the movie, saying that it does a solid job of presenting its material in a thoughtful way, presenting expert opinions and showing viewers that our culture isn’t particularly good at handling grief or normalizing it as a part of our existence.
SHARK EXORCIST 2: UNHOLY WATERS – Looking for something, well, much, much sillier? This is one of those homemade efforts produced on a shoestring budget and serves as a sequel to the original Shark Exorcist from 2014. According to the press synopsis, the flesh-eating demon shark from the first picture is resurrected and begins eating anyone silly enough to enter its territory. A priest sets out to perform a ritual that will stop the monster. The picture received an extremely limited run a couple of months ago and is now arriving on streaming platforms and on DVD exclusively. Reviews have been limited to bloggers who specialize in these kinds of titles. Most suggest that it delivers exactly what you would expect (and maybe even enjoy) from this type of a picture… poor writing, stiff performances, unconvincing effects and clumsy sound. Angel Nichole Bradford and Joe Casterline headline the picture.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
It may be a slower week for new releases, but there are a ton of amazing older titles being given high-quality upgrades. Arrow Video is delivering the gothic romance Crimson Peak (2015) in a 4K Ultra HD only “Limited Edition” pressing. This period tale from Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, Nightmare Alley) involves a young woman from a wealthy family who marries a charming figure from abroad. When he takes her back to his large estate in England, she discovers that it is haunted and that her new husband and sister-in-law may have nefarious plans for her.
In addition to the picture upgrade, the release includes a commentary with del Toro, a new piece with cast and crew interviews on the main mansion sets, an interview with the director, four featurettes on the production, a video essay and other shorts on gothic romance and the productions. There is also a lengthy discussion on the history of gothic romance with critic Kim Newman, an examination of del Toro’s many gothic fairy tale films, deleted scenes and tons of publicity materials. Read a full review of this release right here.
The distributor is also putting out Narc (2002) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo set, as well as in a Blu-ray only package. From director Joe Carnahan (The A-Team, The Grey, Stretch), it stars Jason Patric and Ray Liotta and involves a dangerous undercover narcotics agent who goes deep to solve the murder of a fellow policeman.
Besides the 4K picture restoration from the original negative, this set contains an archival director commentary, new interviews with director Carnahan, the cinematographer, costume designer and co-star Krista Bridges. You’ll also get vintage promotional featurettes on the making and look of the movie, a discussion with William Friedkin (The French Connection, To Live and Die in L.A.) about the connections between this picture and his works. The vintage EPK is included as well, along with a trailer and image gallery. Additionally, it comes with a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned art (as well as a double-sized poster containing the same images). This disc also has a booklet containing writing on the film, as well as archival interviews and articles. Here is a detailed review of the release.
The Beauty of Beauties (1965) aka Beauty of Beauties is a historical epic from Hong Kong about a woman who sacrifices herself for the good of her people during the war between China and the Huns. 88 Films is presenting the movie on Blu-ray from a 4K restoration that was taken from the original negative. The disc comes with an interview with an Asian film expert.
Blue Underground is giving the cult horror film Deathdream (1974) aka Dead of Night a major upgrade. It is arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set, and can also be purchased exclusively on Blu-ray. This effective creeper from Bob Clark (Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things, Porky’s, A Christmas Story) involves a young VietNam war vet who returns home to his parents. Unfortunately, his personality isn’t the same and it is soon revealed that the individual is, in fact, deceased and out for blood. This underrated low-budget effort is extremely disturbing and has plenty of interesting subtext about the trauma of war and its effects on families.
The set arrives with a critic audio commentary, an archived Bob Clark commentary and a track with writer/make-up artist Alan Ormsby. Additionally, it includes a new interview with actor Gary Swanson, featurettes on the film’s composer, Ormsby and the production manager. There are also archival interviews with make-up effects man Tom Savini, co-star Richard Backus, a short film made by Ormsby, and publicity materials.
Those who enjoy the work of Frank Capra will want to check out the ClassicFlix Blu-ray of Meet John Doe (1941). This effort from the famous filmmaker involves a newspaper reporter who prints a phony letter about a man claiming he is going to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. When the story gains traction in the eye of the public, the paper has to find a man who will pose as the individual and inspire the country.
Criterion is presenting the Blu-ray box set Three Revolutionary Films by Ousmane Sembène, which contains Emitai (1971), Xala (1975) and Ceddo (1977). These Senegalese pictures critique colonialism, political corruption and religious indoctrination. All of the titles have been given 4K restorations and come with an interview with the executive director of the African Film Festival/film writer, a documentary on the making of Ceddo, along with essays on the moviemaker and the titles.
This week’s Dark Force Entertainment Blu-ray release is their Drive-in Double Feature #21, containing the kinky R-rated pictures All the Young Wives (1973) and My Pleasure is My Business (1975). The films have been given 2K scans from surviving 35mm prints. The disc also has a “drive-in mode” allowing you to watch them just as you would at one of these establishments.
The Wolf House (2018) is an animated feature that is a co-production between Chile and Germany about a youngster trying to escape from a Chilean commune run by an ex-Nazi. Kimstim is releasing this on Blu-ray. Three animated short films by the directors and a trailer are included as bonuses.
Kino is releasing several titles this week. Back from the Dead (1957) is about a young bride who finds herself possessed by the vengeful spirit of her husband’s deceased ex-wife. This disc comes with two film historian commentaries and early copies arrive in a slipcase.
Big Man on Campus (1989) is a comedy following a mysterious and unkempt figure who secretly takes up residence at UCLA’s campus clock tower. The university’s psychology department eventually discovers the man and attempts to treat him and understand his motivations. It stars Allan Katz, Tom Skerritt, Cindy Williams and Jessica Harper. The “Limited Edition” Blu-ray delivers a 2K restoration of the film from an interpositive, an audio commentary with the director and a film historian, an interview with the moviemaker, an alternate ending (with optional commentary), a stills gallery and a trailer. Some copies also come in a slipcase.
Daisy Miller (1974) is a period drama from Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show) with Cybill Shepherd as a headstrong American woman making waves in Europe. The picture for this “Special Edition” Blu-ray comes from a 4K scan of the original camera negative. An archived commentary from Bogdanovich is featured, along with a film historian commentary, a recently recorded interview with Shepherd, an introduction from Bogdanovich and a trailer.
You can also pick up a “Special Edition” Blu-ray of The Lawyer (1970) with Barry Newman. He plays a defense lawyer trying to make a name for himself with a high-profile murder case. It arrives with a 4K image restoration from Paramount Pictures, a commentary with film historians as well as the director, an interview with star Newman, a discussion with co-star Diana Muldaur, a teaser and (on early copies) a slipcase.
The Philio Vance Collection is a Blu-ray containing the three pre-code murder mysteries, The Canary Murder Case (1929), The Greene Murder Case (1929) and The Benson Murder Case (1930). All the films have received 4K or 2K restorations and there are movie expert commentaries present as well.
If you’re looking for some old chillers on Blu-ray, Republic Pictures Horror Collection may be worth your while. It features The Lady and the Monster (1944), The Phantom Speaks (1945), The Catman of Paris (1946) and Valley of the Zombies (1946). All of the movies have been given HD masters from 4K scans at Paramount Pictures. There are film historian commentaries on all the titles and an on-camera movie expert sidebar on the first movie.
The drama Slam (1998) is also arriving on Blu-ray. This drama follows a marijuana dealer who writes poetry. When the lead is thrown into prison, he must choose between two rival gangs of inmates. The right option becomes clear when he learns that one leader runs a creative writing workshop. This disc contains a commentary featuring both the director and the film’s star Bonz Malone. Behind-the-scenes footage and a trailer is also included.
Teaserama (1955) is a collection of burlesque acts (including Betty Page) recorded during the early 1950s. A second feature, Varietease (1954) is also on the Blu-ray. Both have been given 4K restorations from the 16mm camera negatives. There are a couple of versions of the titles present and multiple burlesque expert commentaries for the movies, as well as trailers.
The independent chiller We Go On (2016) involves a man looking for proof that life after death is possible. This picture is being given a “Special Edition” Blu-ray from Lightyear with improved picture quality. Extras include two co-director commentary tracks, an actor’s commentary and trailers.
Pictured above and to the left, the Gary Sinise/John Malkovich adaptation of the classic Steinbeck novel Of Mice and Men (1992) is coming from MGM and will be available as either a Blu-ray or a DVD.
Milestone is presenting Bushman (1971) on Blu-ray. This lauded picture starts off as a light-hearted narrative about a well-educated Nigerian immigrant adjusting to life in San Francisco. When the film’s star is accused of a crime he didn’t commit during production and is arrested, the picture suddenly changes into a shocking documentary. The movie was restored by the University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive and The Film Foundation. It arrives with a film historian commentary and an interview with the star. It also comes with two other documentaries by the director (one produced in 1966 and another from 1992).
Perhaps Paramount Pictures is clearing out some excess inventory, but this week they are presenting an incredible offer to collectors. The distributor is releasing ten movies from their catalog in all formats. That means each title contains a 4K Ultra HD disc, a Blu-ray, a DVD and a digital copy of the title. The price (on Amazon) is a shocking $11, so pick these up while you can (I just purchased a couple myself).
The films currently available are Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Cloverfield (2008), Escape from L.A. (1996), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Interstellar (2014), The Lost City (2022), A Quiet Place (2018), Shutter Island (2010) and The Untouchables (1987). Hopefully more movies will follow at this incredible price.
Additionally, the studio is putting out a Blu-ray only reissue of Into the Wild (2007) and the recent Stephen King adaptation of Pet Sematary (2019).
Shout! Factory is releasing the visually striking horror film Gretel & Hansel (2020) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. As you might have guessed, this PG-13 adaptation of the fairy tale it noted for its cinematography and arty streak. Besides the picture upgrade, this edition comes with a director commentary, a horror historian commentary, an interview with the production designer and four production featurettes
The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) is getting the “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray treatment from the same distributor. Based on the famous H.G. Wells book, David Thewlis plays a UN diplomat who finds himself shocked to discover the title character’s island laboratory. It is revealed that Moreau and his henchman (played by Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer) are attempting to create the perfect lifeform by combining various human and animal species.
The first pressing of this release comes with a slipcover. You will get both the theatrical and director’s cuts of the film (the director’s cut is four minutes longer and is presented on the Blu-ray with a new 2K scan from the interpositive). An interview with the creature make-up effects supervisor, a making-of featurette and publicity materials are listed as bonus features.
Sony is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Oscar-nominated, all-star crime drama American Hustle (2013) with a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook release. Based on a true story from 1980, it follows an undercover sting operation of Congress to stop a plot created by the world’s greatest con man. It stars Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner and many other familiar faces. The synopsis for the film boasts that this release contains 15 minutes of never-before-seen deleted and extended scenes as an extra.
In addition, Sony is making Blu-rays available for The Cleanse (2016), Man’s Castle (1933), Thunderheart (1992) and The Vertical Ray of the Sun (2000).
The Occultist (2009) is appearing on Blu-ray from Sterling Entertainment. It involves med students who discover (while writing their exams) that their professor is a Satanist who wants to do them in.
And finally, Warner Bros. is reissuing the excellent, Oscar-nominated comedy/drama Licorice Pizza (2021) on Blu-ray (apparently, a DVD of the film is also being made available).
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Looks like there is only one option right now for kid-friendly entertainment, but hopefully more will arrive in the coming weeks.
Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And all the TV-themed releases are listed below.
Betty’s Bad Luck in Love (Hallmark) DVD
Father Brown: Season 11 (BBC) DVD
Frasier: Season 1 (2023 Series) (Paramount) DVD
Masterpiece Mystery! Guilt: Season 3 (PBS) DVD
Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD