Welcome to another look at some of the highlights that are arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There are a few high-profile releases, as well as plenty of interesting independent features. 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!
COCAINE BEAR – Inspired very, very loosely by a real event, this horror/comedy involves a drug dealer who dies in a forest in Georgia while smuggling cocaine. A black bear finds part of the stash and ingests it, turning into a dangerous, angry creature on the prowl. When a group of teenagers come upon the bear, they are immediately attacked. One of the youth’s mother heads out to try and stop the animal before it gets its paws on her daughter. Response was all over the place for this feature, although it was more positive than negative. About one-third disliked the film, commenting that the characters weren’t well written, the jokes didn’t work and that the movie needed a more grounded approach. Still, the majority did find the movie funny, saying it delivers exactly what it promises and features enjoyably over-the-top mayhem. It stars Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Christian Convery, Alden Ehrenreich, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Brooklynn Prince, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Kristofer Hivju, Margo Martindale and Ray Liotta.
EMILY – Famous author Emily Brontë is the basis for this biopic. Taking a Gothic approach to how the writer came up with Wuthering Heights, it presents Brontë as a tortured soul struggling to deal with the death of her mother. Yearning for freedom yet feeling trapped by her family responsibilities, she tries to rebel and channel her complex feelings onto the written page. Critics gave this UK/US co-production high marks. A small number complained that the narrative was a complete work of fiction and that the real person deserved a more accurate and enlightening biography. Still, the consensus was that the cast were very strong and that the picture effectively told a story of a woman fighting for independence. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. The cast includes Emma Mackey, Fionn Whitehead, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Alexandra Dowling.
KIDS VS. ALIENS – Enjoy low-budget genre pictures? The latest from the creator of Hobo with a Shotgun follows a kid who wants to make a career of directing monster movies. When his parents head out of town on Halloween, he decides to shoot a film while his older sister throws a wild party. Both siblings have their plans interrupted when aliens land on their lawn and attack. Everyone in the house must band together to survive the onslaught. Slightly more members of the press recommended this picture than panned it. A significant number didn’t like the protagonists or the aliens and found the end result choppy and ineffective. But slightly more were amused by what they witnessed, calling it a straight-forward and enjoyable throwback to both low-budget genre flicks and 80s cinema. It features Dominic Mariche, Phoebe Rex, Calem MacDonald, Asher Grayson and Jonathan Torrens.
LIVING WITH CHUCKY – This title was slated for release two weeks ago but experienced a last-minute delay and is now arriving on disc. Back in 1988, a little horror flick called Child’s Play was released at cinemas. It did solid business (making a little over three times its production budget), but few could have predicted the franchise it would spawn – as of this year, there have been 8 movies in total as well as a TV series. This documentary takes an in-depth examination of how the original film was made, the fanbase it developed, and how it was transformed into a massive franchise. The film includes interviews with writer/director/creator Don Mancini, Brad Dourif (who provides the voice of Chucky), as well as crew and sequel cast members like Jennifer Tilly, Tony Gardner, David Kirschner, Fiona Dourif, Marlon Wayans and John Waters. Reaction has been uniformly positive from horror journalists. They all wrote that this was an exceptional documentary that presented a surprisingly personal and intimate look at the participants and the effect the films have had on their lives. They also appreciated learning new details about the movie and its follow-ups, saying it featured great stories and observations about the franchise.
MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE – The title character returns in this sequel to the 2012 hit Magic Mike and its 2015 sequel. After a business deal goes bust, the lead is forced back into the world of bartending and dancing. He meets a wealthy socialite who makes him an offer he can’t refuse, involving a trip to London for one final performance. After arriving, the hero discovers that the woman bankrolling him has an alternate agenda and must pull the new show off against the odds. Reaction towards this follow-up was split. Almost half were intrigued by the more serious story about a stripper trying to find a future for himself and called the end results spicy. Yet just as many (and a few more) thought this effort was flat. They didn’t find the story interesting and called it muted and dull in comparison to its predecessors. Channing Tatum, Salma Hayek, Caitlin Gerard, Gavin Spokes and Ayub Khan-Din headline the feature.
MARLOWE – The famous detective Philip Marlowe gets a new adaptation in this crime/thriller from Neil Jordan (Greta, Ondine, Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles, The Crying Game). In 1930s Los Angeles, a down-on-his-luck private eye is hired by a glamorous heiress to find her missing lover. The investigation takes the lead to Hollywood, where he uncovers a deadly conspiracy involving powerful figures. Response towards this effort was muted. A small number thought it was an excellent neo-noir with a fantastic cast and eye-popping visuals that kept them entertained throughout. Unfortunately, the majority didn’t care for the screenplay suggesting that despite a few fun moments the majority of it was unexciting and mundane. It stars Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, Diane Kruger, Alan Cumming, Danny Huston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Colm Meaney.
MAYBE I DO – Frustrated by her boyfriend’s unwillingness to commit to marriage, a young woman sets an ultimatum and retreats to get advice from her parents. The beau decides to talk it over with his family as well and come to a conclusion on whether he should finally propose. Little do the two know that their parents have already crossed paths in intimate ways. When they all get together for dinner, the married couples are shocked at the sight of their potential in-laws. Critics largely panned this effort. About one-third of reviewers enjoyed the work of the cast and thought they were charming enough to overcome the story problems. However, most thought the scenario presented was preposterous and inauthentic, suggesting that the material delivered little in the way of heat, laughs or heart. It features Emma Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, Luke Bracey, Diane Keaton and William H. Macy. Read a full review of the film by clicking on this link.
RIGHTEOUS THIEVES – A varied group of thieves are approached by the head of a secret organization with a challenge that none of them can refuse. They are asked to steal four paintings taken by Nazi forces during World War II and return the goods to their rightful owners. In order to succeed, the team must use their computer, safe-cracking and physical abilities to defeat the billionaire oligarch now possessing the artwork. Reviews for this title have been abysmal. In fact, it has yet to receive a single positive review. Everyone claimed that the script was full of poorly written dialogue and featured over-the-top, yet indistinctive characters who had little of the charisma needed to keep viewers interested in the heist. They all called the final product stale. Cam Gigandet, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Lisa Vidal, Carlos Miranda, Michael Fairman and Danube Hermosillo headline the feature.
TRANSFUSION – After finishing his term, a Special Forces operative experiences difficulty readjusting to life back home. His work as a salesman leaves him unsatisfied and he finds himself in need of cash after his son gets into trouble with the law. The lead is contacted for a job by an old friend from the military, only to find himself deep within the criminal underworld. He tries to get out, but escaping is more difficult than anticipated. This Australian thriller earned slightly more upbeat write-ups than negative ones. A large number did complain that while the action was impressive, there wasn’t enough of it and the story was too focused on the gloomy main character. Slightly more complimented the picture for focusing on the personal drama instead of the shoot-outs and appreciated the work of the performers. It features Sam Worthington, Phoebe Tonkin, Matt Nable, Susue Porter and Edward Carmody.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking for something older? There are some great options this week, including a film that is considered one of the best ever made. Criterion is presenting The Seventh Seal (1957) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. This famous Swedish title from Ingmar Bergman follows a knight who returns home from the Crusades to find his country dealing with a plague. When Death appears before the protagonist, he challenges the menacing figure to a game of chess in the hopes of escaping his fate. Besides the upgraded picture quality, the set includes a 2003 introduction to the film by Bergman, a movie historian audio commentary, a 2006 interview with Bergman, a 1998 audio discussion on the picture with star Max Von Sydow, a 1989 tribute to Bergman by Woody Allen, a selected video filmography tracing the Bergman’s career and a trailer.
Kino is releasing a number of titles as well. The classic 12 Angry Men (1957) is getting the 4K Ultra HD treatment. Henry Fonda stars in this tale about a trial and a jury holdout trying to convince his colleagues to reconsider evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice. This edition does not feature the famous title on Blu-ray, but instead comes with a “Special Features Blu-ray” with multiple commentary tracks, a making-of, featurettes on the picture and the 1997 William Friedkin remake of the title featuring Jack Lemmon.
You can pick up the musical High, Wide, and Handsome (1937) with Irene Dunne, Randolph Scott, Dorothy Lamour on Blu-ray as well. This disc includes a new 4K restoration of the movie. Lady in a Jam (1942) is a screwball comedy also with Irene Dunne about a woman who is charged as being insane while fighting to recoup her inheritance after losing it quickly. This Blu-ray features a film historian commentary. Oh Doctor! (1925) and Poker Faces (1926): Two Comedies Directed by Harry A. Pollard contains, as described, two silent farces featuring a pair of men dealing with financial woes. The pair come with film critic commentary tracks as well as two musical scores to accompany the features.
Rio (1939) is also being made available on Blu-ray from the distributor. In this thriller, Basil Rathbone plays a financier convicted for bank fraud who plots an escape in order to murder his wife for falling for another, more honest man. In the pre-code comedy Search for Beauty (1934), two Olympians are hired to run a health and fitness magazine. They’re excited to share their tips, but soon learn the publishers are con artists who are creating a nudie publication instead. Blu-rays for both titles come with 2K restorations and film expert commentaries.
The great Al Pacino New York City cop drama Serpico (1973) is arriving in a new 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. Pictured above and to the left, it’s about an idealistic officer who discovers corruption at his precinct. His life is threatened when he goes public with his claims. Besides the new 4K restoration, this set includes a film critic commentary, featurettes on the production, cast, and other facets of the film. It also comes with publicity materials like a photo gallery and trailer.
Kino is also putting out the Lon Chaney feature The Trap (1922) on Blu-ray. The silent film follows a miner who plots revenge on the man who steals his fortune. Universal Pictures recently completed a 4K restoration of the picture for this release. It also comes with a score for the main feature, a 65-minute documentary, as well as a western short with Chaney. And the Fritz Lang effort You and Me (1938) with George Raft and Sylvia Sidney is arriving on Blu-ray too with a 2K restoration.
Paramount is reissuing the well-regarded Mark Wahlberg/Christian Bale boxing drama The Fighter (2010) on Blu-ray.
The studio is also rereleasing the Cheech & Chong comedy Up in Smoke (1978) in high definition. You can pick it up in a “45th Anniversary Limited Edition Stash Box” which contains the Blu-ray in a wooden box. If this all sounds familiar, this is a reissue of a previous set, but it might be of interest to those who didn’t pick it up a few years back. Apparently, there are plenty of fun extras on the disc itself, like commentary tracks and more.
The Sunday Woman (1975) is arriving as a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray from Radiance Films. It’s an Italian murder/mystery with Marcello Mastroianni as a police commissioner investigating the brutal beating of a wealthy architect. The disc includes a 2K restoration of the film, a newly filmed interview about the picture with a cinema expert, an archival interview with the cinematographer, a discussion with the screenwriter, a French TV interview with a cast member, a trailer, as well as a 24-page booklet with a piece on the film.
Sandpiper Pictures is delivering Blu-rays of the Chow Yun Fat/Seann William Scott action/comedy, Bulletproof Monk (2003). You can also pick up the period drama The Quiet American (1958) with Michael Redgrave. And the distributor is releasing the European-set rom-com Year of the Comet (1992) with Penelope Anne Miller, Tim Daily and Louis Jordan.
Shout! Factory is delivering an exclusive this week that will only be available to order through their website. The Brave Archer Collection contains the Alexander Fu Sheng martial arts pictures The Brave Archer (1977), The Brave Archer II (1978), The Brave Archer III (1981), The Brave Archer and His Mate (1982) and the spin-off title Little Dragon Maiden (1983). Each Blu-ray features a significant cast, crew or movie authority interview in addition to some publicity materials.
Additionally, The Haunting of Julia (1977) is being released as a Collector’s Edition 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. The story follows a mother who tries to escape from the clutches of her controlling husband. After taking residence in a rickety London mansion, she begins encountering a ghostly apparition. The set includes a 4K restoration of the picture from the original camera negative. It also comes with a director commentary and a film historian commentary, interviews with the associate producer, production designer and composer, a discussion about the title with a film authority, a trailer and a booklet with more information about the movie.
Australian distributor Umbrella is making inroads in the North American market recently. This week, curious viewers can order an all-region Blu-ray of the cult UK thriller, Twisted Nerve (1968). It’s a disturbing tale about a psychotic killer who stalks a young woman. He tries to get into her good graces (and home) by pretending to be mentally challenged. The movie has a big fanbase and features an incredible score by composer Bernard Herrmann (Citizen Kane, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Psycho, Taxi Driver) that was used in Kill Bill: Vol 1 by Quentin Tarantino (who loves the flick). This is its world premiere Blu-ray release and it comes with a movie expert audio commentary, an interview with another historian about the film’ significance, as well as a trailer.
And Warner Bros. is giving their DC animated superhero title All-Star Superman (2011) a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release. This well-reviewed effort follows a poisoned Superman in failing health trying to stop Lex Luthor from taking over the world. Besides the upgrade in picture quality, it comes with all previously released bonuses, as well as a new salute to the character and a look at the screenwriting process.
Finally, the studio is delivering a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of the James Dean classic, Rebel Without a Cause (1955). As the title suggests, the story involves rebellious teenagers who act out as a way of dealing with family trouble in their households. Extras are the same as the studio’s 2013 Blu-ray edition, but this version features even sharper and more striking image quality that will wow anyone who owns a big-screen television.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
If you appreciate Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and similar Japanese entertainment, you may want to give the below title a try.
Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman: The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.
American Experience: Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming a Space (PBS) DVD
Blondie: The Complete 1957 Television Series (ClassicFlix) Blu-ray
Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman: The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) DVD
Marie Antoinette: Season 1 (PBS) DVD
Midsomer Murders: Series 23 (Acorn) Blu-ray