Welcome to another look at some of the new releases arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s a slightly slower week than normal, but one that still delivers plenty of noteworthy and interesting options. 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!
CONFESS, FLETCH – This update of the popular Fletch character from the Gregory Mcdonald novels (and 80s Chevy Chase feature film series) brings a new actor to the role. Based on the sixth book in the franchise, the story involves the charming reporter being hired to investigate the whereabouts of a stolen art collection. When he happens upon the scene of a murder, he becomes a suspect and must prove his innocence by finding the real murderer. This comedic effort earned strong reviews from the press when it was released in theaters last fall. A small number complained that the story was too convoluted and that it was indistinguishable from other mystery/comedies. However, the vast majority greatly enjoyed the work of the star and thought he was perfectly suited to the role. They wrote that it was incredibly witty and one of the year’s breeziest and funniest comedies, stating that they’d welcome more follow-ups. The cast includes Jon Hamm, Roy Wood Jr., Annie Mumolo, Ayden Mayeri, Lorenza Izzo, Kyle MacLachlan, Marcia Gay Harden and John Slattery. Read a full review of the movie here.
JUNIPER – A teenager with self-destructive behavior issues is suspended from school and, as punishment, is told to look after his alcoholic, wheelchair-bound grandmother. When he arrives and talks to her, they initially butt heads. But after spending time together, the lead discovers more about the feisty woman’s career as a photographer. They form an unexpected bond that inspires the youngster to try and turn his life around. This drama from New Zealand earned plenty of praise from critics. A small contingent couldn’t relate to the characters, thought it was full of cliches and called the film inauthentic. Everyone else wrote that the lead actress was phenomenal and that the movie was icy but effective, providing a detailed character study in a low-key but tense manner. They suggested that once you got in its wavelength, it was compelling. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. It stars Charlotte Rampling, Marton Csokas and George Ferrier.
LIVING WITH CHUCKY – 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.
VIRTUAL REALITY – Also known as Realidad Virtual, this independent horror film from Argentina features a young film director desperate to leave his mark on celluloid. After making a deal with a mysterious entity, the moviemaker completes his feature and invites his cast and crew over to watch his first cut of the picture. The group begins to see scenes appear that were never filmed and find themselves being targeted by the evil, possibly supernatural entity. There are currently very few reviews available for this title. This writer did locate a mixed write-up that came from a festival screening. The person commented that the story was interesting, the photography was claustrophobic and that it had a few tense moments, but also complained that not every element worked and some of the dialogue was very awkward and stiff. It features Vanesa González, Federico Bal and Christian Sancho.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
There are some exciting older titles arriving on disc as well. If you are a member of the Disney Movie Club (which features titles that can only be ordered through their website), you can pick up the Mickey & Friends: 10 Classic Shorts – Volume 2 Blu-ray and DVD combo pack. This is a compilation of animated shorts from the studio that includes the memorable efforts Mr. Duck Steps Out, Winter Storage, Pluto’s Party, Pluto and the Gopher, Mickey’s Trailer, Pluto’s Sweater, Boat Builders, Tugboat Mickey, The Band Concert and Lonesome Ghosts, which were all released between 1935 and 1952. Apparently, it will eventually become available to non-members from other retailers in July.
Pictured above and to the left, Keane (2004) is an independent drama about a schizophrenic man tortured over the loss of his daughter. As the story progresses, viewers try to determine how much of what occurred is real and what is imaginary. Damian Lewis played the lead role and the picture earned solid press during its initial release. Grasshopper Film is now presenting a Blu-ray of the film with a 4K picture restoration, a trailer, as well as an alternate cut of the movie that was assembled by executive producer Steven Soderbergh.
Kino is releasing some great stuff as well. The Big Easy (1986) is a well-regarded comedy/crime film about a corrupt police lieutenant who gets involved with a righteous DA while trying to solve a series of mysterious murders in New Orleans. It stars Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin and John Goodman. The picture has been remastered and the disc includes a director commentary and a trailer, as well as a “limited edition” slipcase for those who purchase the first group of copies.
Additionally, the distributor is presenting Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XII, a Blu-ray box set that includes Undertow (1949), Outside the Wall (1950) and Hold Back Tomorrow (1955). Each film has been given a 2K restoration. Two of the three titles come with film scholar commentary tracks and all include a trailer.
This is also a big week for Star Trek enthusiasts. Paramount is delivering Star Trek: The Next Generation Motion Picture Collection, containing 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray copies of Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). This is a set containing all titles involving the Picard crew with improved picture quality. Every feature also comes with all of the extras that have been available on earlier editions. These bonuses include multiple commentary tracks and things like making-of featurettes, deleted scenes and publicity materials.
And, if you’re only interested in First Contact or a couple of these movies, you can pick up each title individually, either as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo or as a standalone Blu-ray.
Enjoy movies that might be classified as so-bad-they’re-good? Then you might be interested in the Wings of Disaster: The Birdemic Trilogy Blu-ray set from Severin. It comes with Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2010), Birdemic 2: The Resurrection (2013) and the recent Birdemic 3: Sea Eagle (2023), with the second title actually making its Blu-ray debut in the package. The flicks were made on a shoestring and involve a group of characters being attacked by killer birds. Expect awkwardly written, performed and edited features that will seem amateurish and make little to no sense. According to the press release, the box contains over 13 hours of bonus features including multiple commentary tracks, making-of featurettes and more!
Shout! is releasing the comedy Envy (2004) on Blu-ray for the first time. It’s about lifelong buddies and neighbors who experience a personal rift when one of them refuses to invest in the other’s bizarre invention. After the item becomes hugely profitable, the individual who didn’t fund it experiences the title condition and becomes furious. Ben Stiller and Jack Black headline the film, and the disc arrives with a trailer, TV spot and still gallery.
The distributor is also putting out a Collector’s Edition of the phenomenal action/comedy, Midnight Run (1988). It includes a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray with improved picture quality. For those unfamiliar with the title, it follows a bounty hunter assigned with catching a quirky, irritating accountant who has embezzled $15 million dollars from the mob. The pair end up becoming friends as they are targeted and chased by the FBI, the mob and fellow bounty hunters looking for a payday. It stars Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina and Joe Pantoliano and is one of the best buddy flicks of its era. Simply put, you can’t go wrong with this title. The set includes all previously released extras from earlier editions, including cast interviews and a making-of featurette.
Finally, Warner Bros. is delivering upgrades for a couple of their classic titles. The Paul Newman drama Cool Hand Luke (1967) involves a nonconformist who refuses to follow the rules of his warden. The film is being given a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release. Besides the upgraded picture, you’ll also get a commentary from an authority on the movie, a featurette on the production and a trailer.
The Maltese Falcon (1941) is another classic getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray package. Humphrey Bogart plays a detective investigating a series of murders that all involve a valuable, jewel-encrusted falcon. Bonuses on this set include an expert commentary track, a featurette on the movie, make-up tests, three radio play broadcasts of the story, newsreel footage, trailers for this and other Bogart pictures, as well as Warner Bros. cartoons from the year of release (that likely played in cinemas before the film) and plenty more.
Additionally, the studio is putting out four massive Blu-ray box sets as part of their 100th anniversary. The releases are named Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary 25-Film Collection Volume 1 – Award Winners, Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary 25-Film Collection Volume 2 – Comedies, Dramas and Musicals, Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary 25-Film Collection Volume 3 – Fantasy, Action and Adventure and Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary 25-Film Collection Volume 4 – Thrillers, Sci-Fi and Horror. These are essentially repackaged Warner Bros. titles in fancy new packaging. There is some strangeness about the selections. Some films look like they could have been placed in different boxes and The Lord of the Rings trilogy is separated across two different sets. So, it would be wise to check out the specific features before making a big purchase.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Here are some titles that may appeal to youngsters.
Mickey & Friends: 10 Classic Shorts – Volume 2 (Disney Movie Club Exclusive) Blu-ray
Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go: The Mystery of Lookout Mountain (NCircle) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.
American Experience: Ruthless: Monopoly’s Secret History (PBS) DVD
Groundswell (Hallmark TV-movie) DVD
Mike Hammer, Private Eye (1997 – 1998 26-episode series) (Film Chest) DVD
The Outlaws: Year 1 (BBS) DVD
Sanditon: Season 3 (PBS) Blu-ray
Soul of the Ocean (PBS) DVD
South Park: Season 25 (Paramount) Blu-ray
To Her, With Love (Mahogany Hallmark TV-movie) DVD