Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This week sees the release of a pair of major Hollywood features, as well as plenty of interesting independent fare. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a while, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
BRAVE FATHER ONLINE: OUR STORY OF FINAL FANTASY XIV – A young man has difficulties building a close bond with his extremely reserved father. After he learns that his dad has quit his job without explanation, the lead tries to bridge the gap by introducing him to an online game. Surprisingly enough, his pop agrees and starts playing. The protagonist secretly creates an avatar and the two spend more and more time playing together in the game mode. He is ultimately surprised by the secrets his dad shares with him. There haven’t been many reviews for this Japanese feature in North American publications, but the ones that have appeared have been positive. Most state that while the movie isn’t deep and does feel like a commercial for the game, it is sweet-natured, the cast are solid and the story is engaging enough to entertain. The movie stars Kentaro Sakaguchi and Kotaro Yoshida.
DON’T FALL IN LOVE WITH YOURSELF – Underground musician and Three.One.G Records founder Justin Pearson is the subject of this documentary. It covers the independent hardcore punk scene in San Diego, California and chronicles his experiences both starting a couple of bands and a record label working outside of major distributors. It features interviews with Peason as well as many artists and individuals involved in the hardcore do-it-yourself music business. The film has played at a few film festivals to positive response but hasn’t received any official reviews yet. But if you’re a fan of this genre of music, it’ll probably be right up your alley. Vinegar Syndrome is the official distributor of this picture and the Blu-ray will be available exclusively on their website until Sept 26th (when it goes into wider release at most retailers).
THE FLASH – The latest DC superhero feature involves popular character The Flash, who can move at incredible speed to save citizens from imminent death. The protagonist races so fast, in fact, he discovers that he can use his powers to travel back in time. He can’t help but try to prevent a family tragedy, only to realize that he has created an alternate timeline. A previously vanquished supervillain soon returns and threatens the world and the lead must attempt to coax a very alternate version of Batman into helping him. Critics were more positive than negative about the finished product. Just over one-third did complain that, after a strong opening, the multiverse storyline involved too much exposition and that the big finale fell flat. Still, the majority admired the performances, thought the action scenes were impressive and wrote that it delivered plenty of thrills and laughs. The movie features Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Cole, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdu, Jeremy Irons and Temuera Morrison.
INFINITY POOL – This chiller was released on Blu-ray back in April, but is appearing again on disc uncut as a 4K Ultra HD only exclusive in Steelbook packaging. The latest chiller from Brandon Cronenberg (director of Possessor and son of filmmaker David Cronenberg) is set at an isolated, all-inclusive resort. A wealthy couple are befriended by a woman who convinces them to leave the property and venture off grounds. They discover a site that indulges in hedonism, violence and untold horror. After a nasty incident, the couple are arrested for a crime and given two options – either face execution or pay to experience something that is even more disturbing. This movie appears to have pushed buttons and gotten a largely positive response from reviewers. A few did comment that the movie was confusing, ponderous and didn’t appear to resolve the issues it addressed. Still, most wrote that it was gripping and unsettling, also calling the film a sharp and cutting commentary on the influence of the rich and their ability to avoid repercussions. It features Alexander Skarsgård, Mia Goth, Cleopatra Coleman and Thomas Kretschmann.
MADELEINE COLLINS – In this psychological thriller/drama from France, a woman travels between a pair of locales attempting to keep two lives completely separate. In one household in Switzerland, she lives with her husband and a little girl. But just across the border in a small French town, she has a partner and two older boys. A series of complications puts her fragile existence in jeopardy and threatens everything. The press was very taken with this feature. A lone voice or two didn’t like the main character and referred to the film as melodramatic. However, everyone else wrote that the performances were exceptional and that the picture delivered a low-key but unsettling picture of an average woman doing disturbing things to family members. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. The cast includes Virginie Efira, Bruno Salomone, Quim Gutierrez and Jacqueline Bisset.
NO HARD FEELINGS – This comedy involves a cash-strapped woman finds an unusual job listing. The wealthy parents of an extremely introverted 19-year-old are seeking a lady to date their son before he leaves for college. Thinking that the assignment is easy money, she agrees, but finds turning the youngster into a man far more difficult than anticipated. Overall, reviewers enjoyed this effort. Nearly one-quarter of them did comment that for a supposedly raunchy comedy, it was overly genial and sentimental. In fact, they called the final product bland. Still, the consensus was that the onscreen chemistry between the two central characters was excellent and kept them watching. They noted that it ended up delivering a surprising combination of humor and warmth that they appreciated. It stars Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Matthew Broderick, Natalie Morales, Kyle Mooney and Hasan Minhaj.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN UGANDA – Those who enjoy independent filmmaking may appreciate this documentary. It tells the story of two men from different parts of the world who form a lasting friendship through their love of 80s action films. A former brick maker in Uganda decides to shoot a movie inspired by the films of Chuck Norris. When a New York-based film nerd sees a trailer on the internet for the aspiring filmmaker’s proposed feature, he decides to help the person fulfill his dream. Response was fantastic for this non-fiction movie. One critic thought that it was put together in a manner that was too repetitive. However, everyone else called it a wonderful and surprisingly touching tribute to independent filmmakers. They thought it entertainingly displayed the lengths individuals will go to in order to create something for themselves and others to enjoy.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
It’s an incredibly busy edition for those who want to catch up on older features. Arrow Video is releasing a Blu-ray of the period kung-fu film New Fist of Fury (1976). This was a sequel to the 1972 Hong Kong hit Fist of Fury starring Bruce Lee. Those familiar with the picture will know that Lee’s character died at the end of the story, so this follow-up involves his fiancée moving to Japanese-occupied Taiwan to open a martial arts academy. Japanese forces don’t appreciate her efforts and set out to take over the business. A Taiwanese thief ends up getting involved and trying to stop the villains from succeeding. This picture marks Jackie Chan’s first starring role (he plays the thief). Besides a 2K restoration of both the original theatrical cut and truncated 1980 re-release cut, bonus features include film historian commentaries on both versions, a video essay on the picture that compares it to a competing sequel called Fist of Fury Part II that was in production at the very same time. There’s also a trailer gallery including these pictures and the various remakes that have been made over the years, publicity materials and a double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork for the movie. Read a review of the disc here.
Arrow is also putting out The Last House on the Left (2009), which is a remake of the 1972 Wes Craven horror classic. The story involves a gang who brutally attack two young women, and then seek refuge at a nearby home. They don’t realize that the owners are the parents of one of the victims, who soon plot violent revenge. The release is available in two editions. One contains the theatrical cut in 4K Ultra HD alongside a Blu-ray containing the unrated version. The other contains both the theatrical and uncut edition on Blu-ray. Besides the picture upgrades, it comes with a new introduction featuring the director, a movie expert commentary track, lengthy interviews with cast and crew members, an inside-look featurette, deleted scenes, a trailer and an image gallery.
If you’re looking for film history, The Complete Story of Film (2011 – 2021) is a lengthy documentary in two parts from Music Box Films chronicling the history of cinema from its beginnings to present day. Apparently, it’s quite strong (although some have taken issue with ideas presented in the second chapter featuring modern-day titles) and provides plenty of insight for movie-lovers. A full review of this release is coming soon.
If you enjoy Hong Kong films, Taxi Hunter (1993) is arriving on Blu-ray from 88 Films. This infamous effort follows a man seeking violent retribution on taxi drivers after his pregnant wife is run down by one of them. The company notes that the disc will come with plenty of extras, but haven’t listed them yet.
AGFA is putting out a Blu-ray called Wakaliwood Supa Action Volume 1, containing the Ugandan action pictures Who Killed Captain Alex (2010) and Bad Black (2016). As you might have already guessed, the man behind the camera on these efforts is the individual featured in Once Upon a Time in Uganda (from the New Release column). The set includes commentary tracks, behind-the-scenes footage, trailers and commercials, interviews and news clips, music videos, fan videos, and additional material
City of the Living Dead (1980) from Lucio Fulci (Zombie) is getting the deluxe treatment from Cauldron Films. They’re presenting the title on 4K Ultra HD along with a Blu-ray of the title and another Blu-ray containing extras. The story involves a reporter and a psychic who learn that a gateway to Hell has been opened in New England. It leads to some stylish, nightmarish sequences and some encounters with zombies. A 4K restoration means that the image quality is better than ever before. It also arrives with a new film historian commentary track, archived cast and critic commentaries and over five hours of new and archival bonuses from previous editions! If you like the picture, this appears to be the version to own.
The distributor is also releasing Frankenstein ’80 (1972) on Blu-ray. This Italian genre picture is about a mad scientist stealing a new formula to raise the dead. There’s a 2K picture restoration, as well as a discussion with a cast member, a history of Italian Frankenstein pictures, a film historian commentary and more.
Drylongso (1998) is arriving on Blu-ray from Criterion. It’s a well-regarded independent drama about a woman in a photography class who begins taking pictures of black men out of fear they will soon be extinct. It won an Independent Spirit Award during its initial release and this disc comes with a 4K picture restoration approved by the director/co-writer, a conversation with the filmmaker, several short films by the creator, a trailer and an essay by a movie scholar.
You can pick up a Blu-ray of The Pied Piper (1986), a Czechoslovakian animated adaptation of the famous legend, courtesy of Deaf Crocodile Films. The movie has been newly restored and arrives with a new interview and rare short from the director, a behind-the-scenes documentary, a movie historian commentary and a booklet essay on the picture.
The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things (2004) is an international co-production starring and directed by Asia Argento that is arriving on Blu-ray from Dekanalog. It follows a seven-year-old who is pulled from his foster home and thrown into a troubled life on the road with his teenage mother, Sarah. The cast includes Kip Pardue, Jeremy Renner, Peter Fonda, Ben Foster and Marilyn Manson. This Blu-ray arrives with an Argento commentary, numerous production featurettes, and a US theatrical trailer.
Kino is putting out some interesting titles this week. 3 Days of the Condor (1975) stars Robert Redford as a bookish CIA researcher who goes on the run when his co-workers are murdered. You can pick up a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition or a Blu-ray only release of the film. It includes a director commentary and a film historian commentary, a 2009 documentary on director Sydney Pollack, as well as publicity materials.
The Burt Reynolds picture Malone (1987) is coming out as a Special Edition Blu-ray. The actor plays a hit man who hides out in a small town until some old enemies appear. It comes with a film historian commentary and a trailer, in addition to a “limited edition” slipcase.
Sex, Power, and Money: Films by Beth B is a two-disc Blu-ray collection of independent shorts made in New York by underground filmmaker Beth B between 1983 and 2017. It also includes an interview with the writer/director.
The distributor is also releasing Staying Alive (1983) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set (or as a standalone Blu-ray). This is a sequel to the 1977 smash hit Saturday Night Fever which features the lead character (played by John Travolta) now leaving the disco and trying to become a professional dancer on Broadway. It was directed and co-written by Sylvester Stallone and was a flop, but is now being given a second life on the format. Besides a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, it comes with a film expert commentary, a new interview with the female lead and publicity materials.
MGM is delivering Blu-rays of several catalog titles. They include Crime and Punishment (2002), Crime and Punishment in Suburbia (2000), as well as the Ethan Hawke/Teri Polo teen rom-com Mystery Date (1991). You can also pick up Play Dirty (1969) and The Wild Party (1975).
The costume drama The Spanish Dancer (1923) is arriving on Blu-ray from Milestone. This silent era feature is said to be action-packed, witty, and romantic with huge sets and a cast of thousands. It comes with a new orchestral score.
Mill Creek Entertainment is putting out the Music & Romance: 6-Movie Collection on Blu-ray. It contains Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001), The Caveman’s Valentine (2001), Connie and Carla (2004), Madame Sousatzka (1988), The Man Who Cried (2000) and Shout (1991).
Hustle & Flow (2005) is getting the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray treatment from Paramount Presents. The picture follows a Memphis pimp attempting to become a successful hip-hop emcee. It features Terrence Howard, Ludacris, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning, Taraji P. Henson and Isaac Hayes, and the movie won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. In addition to the upgraded picture and foldout poster art, it comes with a new filmmaker focus on director Craig Brewer (Black Snake Moan, Dolemite is My Name, Coming 2 America) as well as a ton of previously released bonus material from earlier editions.
Powerhouse is delivering a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of the Italian genre picture Black Magic Rites (1973). And you can also pick up a Blu-ray only version of the title. Both releases come with a gargantuan number of extras that are too numerous to list here.
If you like your entertainment kinky, Severin is presenting The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle (1982) on Blu-ray.
If that isn’t enough, there is a The Sensual World of Black Emanuelle box set that contains a series of erotic pictures featuring the same character produced between 1974 and 2021. As listed, the titles featured are Black Emanuelle, Black Emanuelle 2, Emanuelle in Bangkok, Emanuelle in America, Emanuelle Around the World, Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals, Porno Nights of the World, Emanuelle and the Porno Nights of the World, Sister Emanuelle, Emanuelle and the White Slave Trade, Violence in a Women’s Prison, Emanuelle in Prison, Black Cobra, Black Velvet, Emanuelle’s Perverse Outburst, Porno Esotic Love, Divine Emanuelle, Emanuelle: Queen of the Desert, Amore Libero – Free Love, Emanuelle – A Woman from a Hot Country, Black Deep Throat, Porno Nights of the World N.2, Inferno Rosso: Joe D’amato on the Road of Excess and Scandalous Emanuelle. A CD with soundtrack music is also included.
The Sexual Story of O (1984) is an erotic picture from Jean Rollin that is also arriving on Blu-ray with some bonus features.
On a completely different note, you can pick up a Special Edition Blu-ray of the adventure flick and Jules Verne adaptation, Journey to the Center of the Earth (1977). Starring Kenneth Moore, the movie arrives on Blu-ray with interviews with the daughter of the director, one of the stars of the picture, as well as the co-writer, in addition to a trailer.
Shout! is releasing a Collector’s Edition of Bride of Chucky (1998), which contains the Child’s Play horror sequel in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. It comes with a previously released director commentary track, a cast and crew commentary, a making-of, additional scenes from the TV version, an on-location featurette, as well as publicity materials. The follow-ups Seed of Chucky (2004), Curse of Chucky (2013) and Cult of Chucky (2017) are also arriving on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray with all available bonus features. And, if you’d prefer a box set of all of these swanky titles, you can pick up the Chucky 4 – 7 Shout! Factory Exclusive box set. As you might have already guessed, this special release is only available through the distributor’s website.
Speaking of Shout! Factory exclusives, Equalizer 2000 (1987) is also arriving on Blu-ray only through their website. It’s a US/Philippines co-production that incorporates elements of Mad Max and Rambo and features a muscley hero who takes on a vicious gang with advanced machine-gun technology. Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day) has a supporting role in the movie. The disc contains a 2K scan of the original negative and an interview with the film’s writer (who also acted in the film) and a trailer.
Universal is giving their science-fiction opus Battlestar Galactica (1978) a 45th Anniversary Edition with a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray. For those unfamiliar, this picture was made on the heels of Star Wars. It played in movie theaters and also served as a pilot for an ABC TV-series that followed shortly afterwards. Of course, this show was later updated in 2004 and became a hit once again.
The period drama Elizabeth (1998) with Cate Blanchett is also getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, as is the recent critical hit, Promising Young Woman (2021).
Vinegar Syndrome is an incredible distributor who consistently puts out quality transfers, focusing on genre pictures and independent titles. This week, the company is releasing a number of films that will only be available through their site until September 26th (then other retailers will make them available). They include the double feature Blu-ray of Amazon Jail (1982) and Amazon Jail II (1987), Bloodfeast!: The Adventures of Sgt. Lunch (1992), Don’t Fall in Love with Yourself (2022), Dream Life (1972), Guest House Paradiso (1999) and Heroic Times (1983).
A few titles will also be exclusives only through their website for the foreseeable future. One is The Cardona Collection Volume 2, which includes Beaks: The Movie (1987), Under Siege (1980), La Casa Que Arde de Noche (1985) and S.O.S. Conspiration Bikini (1967).
The comedic horror picture Killer Condom (1996) is also appearing as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray exclusive.
If you’re looking for something of theirs that you can purchase through Amazon, Delirium (1972) is available, as is Psycho Girls (1986).
The amusing giant monster movie Gorgo (1961) is getting the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray treatment, as is Showgirls (1995) and Terror at Tenkiller (1986). All of the titles listed above will likely come with great extras. Check their website to find out more.
El Gangster (1965) is a crime-comedy about a gangster who wants to give up his life of crime. He escapes US authorities by returning to his home country, only to find himself being hassled by his unreceptive nephews. VCI Home Entertainment is releasing this Blu-ray, which features a 4K restoration of the original Spanish version of the movie.
Finally, Warner Archive is putting out a number of made-to-order Blu-rays of their back catalog titles. This week, you can pick up Father’s Little Dividend (1951), Gay Purr-ee (1962), The Life of Emile Zola (1937), Little Women (1933), the Elvis Presley musical Spinout (1966) and Wichita (1955).
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
There’s only one child-friendly release this week, but it looks like a relatively popular one.
PAW Patrol: All Paws on Deck (Paramount/Nickelodeon) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And below is a listing of the week’s TV-themed releases.
Blue Bloods: Season 13 (Paramount) DVD
Human Footprint (PBS) DVD
Monk: Season 1 (Kino) Blu-ray
Smiling Friends: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray