Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This week sees the disc debut of the biggest film of 2021, alongside plenty of notable independent releases. So, if you can’t or shouldn’t be heading out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
C’MON C’MON – A radio journalist working on a story about children and their thoughts on the world and its future is asked by his sister to look after her son while she cares for their ailing father. He agrees and picks the child up as he continues work on his project. The two drive across the country, conducting more interviews and as they get to know one another. Response towards this picture was very positive. The film won plenty of critic awards, but it didn’t end up earning any Oscar nominations. There were only a few negative write-ups complaining that the movie was too nice and lacking in dramatic tension. The overwhelming majority praised the performances, the impressive black and white photography and commented that it was heartwarming to witness all the characters grow and learn more about themselves. This film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman and Scoot McNairy.
FABIAN: GOING TO THE DOGS – Set in Berlin during the 1930s, this tale follows a jaded man who works for a cigarette company advertising department. While out with his friends, he meets an aspiring actress and falls for her. His brief spell of happiness is shattered after he is laid off and his girlfriend, whose career has begun to take off, begins being courted by her own promoter. This foreign-language drama won awards in its homeland and the press gave it solid notices. A small handful thought the film was too reserved and slow-moving, suggesting that after a while they ended up losing interest in the protagonist’s plight. However, everyone else complimented the cast and said the feature approached its subject in an interesting way, calling it a powerful political metaphor about what was happening to the country during this era. The cast includes Tom Schilling, Albrecht Schuch and Saskia Rosendahl.
LAST LOOKS – A disgraced LAPD detective decides to quit the force and head into the mountains for some tranquility. Unfortunately, his time alone is interrupted after three years when his ex-girlfriend/private investigator arrives on his doorstep. She begs him to return to Hollywood and help her with a case involving an alcoholic TV-star who has been accused of murdering his wife. This action/comedy garnered more upbeat write-ups than negative ones. Those who panned the movie wrote that it was trying too hard to poke fun at neo-noir features and didn’t hit enough of its targets to earn a recommendation. However, more called it an entertaining whodunit that benefitted from enjoyably quirky performances and fun celebrity cameos. Charlie Hunnam, Mel Gibson, Morena Baccarin, Lucy Fry, Dominic Monaghan, Method Man, Clancy Brown, Rupert Friend and Robin Givens headline the film.
MY SWEET MONSTER – This animated family feature from Russia involves a princess who yearns to marry a young prince. Sadly, a nasty postal clerk with designs on the young woman decides to overthrow the King and then take her as his bride. He does take the throne, but she runs away into the forest before he can marry her. While fending for herself, she meets a friendly monster who decides to help her return to her kingdom and stop the sinister threat. Thus far, it appears that no one in this part of the world has seen this picture. After looking online, a review out of the Netherlands states that this is a reasonable family fantasy film. They say that the animation isn’t superb, but the story is amusing enough to distract youngsters. This is a DVD-only release and contains an English-language dub of the film featuring the voices of Pauly Shore, Haylie Duff and Jon Heder.
THE NOVICE – Speaking of movies on DVD, this effort is also making its debut exclusively on the format. It’s a drama about a college freshman who joins a rowing team and goes through an obsessive and punishing journey to make it to the top varsity boat. Desperate for success, she begins doing everything she can to eliminate the competition and ends up alienating all around her as she strives to achieve her goal. The movie was very well-received by critics. A few critiqued the film for being repetitive and losing its way towards the close. However, the majority believed that it was a minimalist, effective and unnerving psychological thriller that put viewers in the shoes of the troubled lead character and ultimately sent chills down the spine. It features Isabelle Fuhrman, Amy Forsyth, Kate Drummond and Jonathan Cherry.
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME – The big release of the week is the latest Marvel superhero epic which was the highest-grossing movie of 2021 and the sixth-highest-grossing film of all time. Now that the world knows Peter Parker is Spider-man, the lead decides to ask Dr. Strange for assistance. Using mystic arts, Doctor Strange tries to cast a spell and make the world forget about this information. However, it ends up opening alternate realities. Villains (as well as a couple of other Spider-Mans) soon emerge from the multiverse, creating all sorts of trouble. This sequel was a hit with audiences and most critics. A tiny faction said that it was big and loud, but didn’t engage them on an emotional level. Everyone else was very impressed by the story, asserting that it deftly delivered not only popcorn thrills, but an effective redemption story arc with clever nods to the previous franchises. The movie is being released on just about every format imaginable, including 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray and DVD. It stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau, Jamie Foxx, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Benedict Wong, Tony Revolori, Marisa Tomei, Martin Starr and many more.
SPIRITWALKER – After awakening from a car crash, a man with amnesia finds his reality drastically altered. Without warning, his consciousness begins jumping into the body of a new and different individual every 12 hours. He also finds himself being pursued by mysterious agents. As he moves from person to person, he must figure out what is happening and why, as well as who is chasing him. This South Korean action/thriller earned good marks from reviewers. A couple of naysayers suggested that while technically proficient, the story itself and reason for the body swapping ended up disappointing them. But all others commented that while the plot wouldn’t hold up against scrutiny, it was a fun and thrilling ride with elaborate and exciting action sequences. The cast includes Yoon Kye-sang, Park Yong-woo and Lim Ji-yeon.
WARHUNT – This action picture is set during World War II. It involves a US cargo plane that crashes behind enemy lines in the Black Forest mountains of Germany. A special team is sent in to retrieve sensitive materials from the site. On their way to the wreckage, the crew come across the butchered remains of Nazi forces and realize they may be squaring off against a menacing supernatural force. Critics generally panned this feature. A small number called it ridiculous B-movie fun with above average production value that managed to deliver a few outrageous moments. Yet the consensus was that the movie was dull and flatly written. These write-ups said the cast were wasted and that there was little in the story that would keep one’s attention for the duration of the running time. It features Mickey Rourke, Robert Knepper, Jackson Rathbone and Josh Burdett.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
There are some excellent older features arriving on Blu-ray as well. First off, Arrow is putting out a couple of notable titles. One is Kenneth Branagh’s underrated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994). The director stars as a mad scientist with a tragic past devoted to reanimating human life. Robert De Niro plays the Monster. You can either pick it up on 4K Ultra HD or separately as a Blu-ray. The Special Edition includes a new 4K restoration from the original camera negative, a film historian commentary, interviews with the costume designer, the make-up effects designer and the composer of the score. Additionally, there is a short documentary on the origin of the Mary Shelley story, a featurette on the differences between novel and this adaptation, trailers for the movie, as well as the 1910 short produced by Edison that marked the first cinematic version of the story.
Arrow is also releasing an upgraded Limited Edition of the science-fiction/action masterpiece, Robocop (1987). It appears to be entirely identical to the previously released Blu-ray, but both the director’s cut and theatrical version are now presented in 4K Ultra HD. You can pick it up either in a box set or in Steelbook packaging.
Cohen Media Group are putting out a Blu-ray of the biopic Oranges and Sunshine (2010). The movie tells the true story of a social worker in Nottingham, England who discovers that thousands of children from poor families are being deported to Australia and Canada. She sets out to the stop the authorities responsible and reunite families. The film stars Emily Watson and Hugo Weaving and the disc includes a trailer.
Alex Cox is a filmmaker who has directed a string of cult flicks, including Repo Man and Sid & Nancy. This week, Criterion are presenting another of his titles on Blu-ray. Walker (1987) has been described as a hallucinatory biopic about nineteenth-century American adventurer William Walker (played in the film by Ed Harris). He abandoned a series of careers in law, politics, journalism and medicine to become a soldier of fortune. Oddly enough, he briefly became the dictator of Nicaragua. Bonuses on the disc include a commentary with Cox and the film’s screenwriter and a documentary about the film. There’s also an interview with an extra describing his experiences on the unusual shoot, two early shorts made by the director, behind-the-scenes photos and a trailer.
Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors (2000) is an award-winning South Korean drama about two individuals set up on a date. Viewers see their histories and why the meeting is doomed to failure. Grasshopper are releasing this well-regarded title on Blu-ray.
Kino have some fun discs as well. The first is a Double-Feature Blu-ray of the Vincent Price horror/comedies The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) and Dr. Phibes Rises Again! (1972). The first movie is an absolute blast, introducing an eccentric out for revenge against the nine doctors he considers responsible for the death of his wife. While he sets up elaborate death traps, a pair of not-so-clever detectives attempt to hunt him down. The sequel delivers, well, essentially more of the same chaos. The first movie comes with a director commentary track and a film historian commentary, while the second has two movie expert commentaries and some radio spots. You’ll also get trailers for the two flicks.
New Year’s Evil (1980) is a cult horror flick set on the December 31st and details a murderer targeting victims every hour (one for each time zone as the clock strikes midnight). The movie has received a 2K restoration and comes with a director commentary, a making-of featuring interviews with cast and crew, a trailer and newly commissioned box art for the film.
The Round-Up (1966) & The Red and the White (1967): Two Films by Miklos Jancso is exactly what it sounds like…. two movies made the renowned Hungarian filmmaker. Apparently, each of his dramatic projects feature incredibly long and elaborate tracking shots. Those who purchase the Blu-ray set will receive movie expert commentaries and other short films by Jancso.
And those looking for some B-movie fun can treat themselves to Tentacles (1977), which features John Huston, Shelly Winters, Bo Hopkins and Henry Fonda squaring off against a rubbery, mutated octopus-monster with a taste for human flesh. This latest Blu-ray from Kino includes the movie and some publicity materials.
Looking for more? Paramount have plenty on offer as well. This week, their titles include the British drama 45 Years (2015), the Clint Eastwood prison flick Escape from Alcatraz (1979) and the Kevin Smith comedy/drama Jersey Girl (2004), featuring Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler. You can also pick up the ensemble drama, The Shipping News (2001), as well as the impressive Japanese samurai flick, Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (2003).
Shout! Factory are rereleasing the incredible animated feature Song of the Sea (2014) on Blu-ray. Made by the same studio who produced The Secret of Kells and Wolfwalkers, this equally impressive Irish film tells the story of a special girl who has the ability to turn into a seal. The disc includes a filmmaker commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette, animation tests, a piece on the approach to visuals and art and some other extras.
The silent comedy Beverly of Graustark (1926) is arriving on Blu-ray from Undercrank Productions. According to the press release, an American co-ed whose cousin is heir to the throne of Graustark must switch places with him in order to prevent a conniving general from becoming King. The movie has been given a 4K restoration and arrives with a new musical score.
Finally, Warner Archive are making a pair of early Kevin Costner flicks available as made-to-order Blu-rays (which can be purchased through Amazon). American Flyers (1985) involves two brothers taking part in a professional bike race through the Rocky Mountains. And Fandango (1985) follows five college buddies taking part in a road trip before graduation.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Here are some discs that may appeal to kids.
My Sweet Monster DVD
Song of the Sea (2014) Blu-ray
Sprinter Galore: Season 2 DVD
Street Sharks: The Complete Series Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And you’ll find all of the week’s TV-themed releases below.
Chucky: Season 1 Blu-ray
Drifting Dragons: Complete Collection Blu-ray
NOVA: Alaskan Dinosaurs (PBS) DVD
Raised by Wolves: Season 1 Blu-ray
Sprinter Galore: Season 2 DVD
Street Sharks: The Complete Series Blu-ray
Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller: Season 2 (National Geographic) DVD