It’s a quiet time as the year comes to an end, which should allow Blu-ray and DVD enthusiasts out there the opportunity to catch up with a few flicks they might have missed. Still, there are a handful of new releases that may be worth checking out. 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!
An Innocent Kiss – This little, independent South Carolina-set comedy follows an eccentric family going through some difficulties. A struggling husband and wife find their marriage failing apart. It becomes even more strained after the unexpected arrival of the lead’s brother, an oddball who seems to cause havoc where he goes. The group’s bizarre antics some effect the lives of everyone in their small town. This title has played a film festival or two, but is essentially making its debut exclusively on DVD. There aren’t many reviews currently available, although at one festival is was referred to as a kind-hearted and good-natured little film boasting an appearance from a Hollywood legend. The cast includes Burt Reynolds, R. Keith Harris, Whitney Goin and Michael Abbott Jr..
Bully – A heavy-set high-school student is mercilessly tormented by a bully and his pals. While being roughed up on his way home, the youngster encounters a professional ex-boxer who decides to not only befriend the boy, but offer a few pointers on fighting back against his nasty schoolmates. The lead accepts, is introduced to various associates of the pugilist and begins training in order to defend himself. This comedy is another title that played some independent film festivals in 2018 (where it was nominated for and won several awards), but it hasn’t been seen by most critics or audiences yet. So curious readers will just have to take a chance and give it a go without reading any reviews. It stars Tucker Albrizzi, Ron Canada, Danny Trejo, Vicent Pastore, Jack DiFalco and Emma White.
Heritage – Here’s another little film that is making its debut on disc with little fanfare. According to the press release, this action picture is about an ex-CIA officer who becomes determined to find out what happened to one of his lost colleagues. As his detailed investigation progresses, the lead is taken into the mountains of East Germany, where he uncovers a conspiracy that not only exposes Soviet-era secrets, but also new information about his own family. The film is listed as being in both German and English, so viewers should expect some subtitles. Every other aspect about this film is unknown. It features Jake Koeppl, Luisa Wietzorek and Drake Shannon.
Primal – You know it’s a bit of a slow week when the latest Nicolas Cage oddity is the highest profile release. This tale is about a hunter who collects rare and exotic animals, often selling them to the highest bidder. When he captures a white jaguar, he thinks he has made his biggest payday yet. However, that all changes after loading it up onto a ship that is also transporting an assassin. The killer creaks free and releases the jaguar, making for a very dangerous and unpleasant sail home. Critics were slightly more negative than positive about this effort. A percentage did think that the jump scares worked and the film provides some ridiculous but fun B-movie chills. Still, more complained that it was a bit too reserved in its approach and could have done with more outrageousness. In addition to Cage, the cast also includes Famke Janssen, Kevin Durand and Michael Imperioli.
Shred America – This documentary may be of some interest to skateboarding enthusiasts. Like many of the other titles arriving this week, it is premiering on disc and very little is known about it other than the general concept. It follows two Chicago area skaters who decide to undertake an incredible journey and ride more than 1000 miles from their hometown to New York City one summer. With two friends in tow recording their every move, the feature follows all of the high and dispiriting lows as their trip progresses. Some of the hardships include unexpectedly hot asphalt and unimpressed state troopers, as well as some dangerous turns through the Appalachian Mountains. The only notices that have appeared were from a few Chicago-area publications that stated they didn’t learn much but found the group’s misadventures interesting to witness.
Blasts from the Past!
It’s also a quiet week for catalogue titles, with the biggest release being a title from earlier in the month that ended up being delayed. Severin had scheduled The Peanut Butter Solution (1985) Blu-ray to be put out two weeks ago, but apparently there was some sort of issue and it was held up for a couple of weeks.
The Peanut Butter Solution is a really odd little children’s film from Canada that has inspired as many nightmares as it has sparked imaginations. After many years, the movie has maintained a small but ever-growing fan base. It’s about a kid who receives such a fright from a pair of ghosts that he loses all of his hair. He attempts to concoct a magic formula involving peanut butter to grow it back, but discovers that it works too well. Severin is now releasing a Blu-ray featuring two cuts of the film alongside plenty of extras. You’ll get a new commentary with the producer and star of the film, as well as interviews with cast and crew and a talk about this unusual French-Canadian production company and their other fascinating features (one hopes that The Dog Who Stopped the War and Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller will also get high definition upgrades in the future). Can’t wait to catch up with this oddball effort.
Flicker Alley are releasing a Deluxe Edition Blu-ray of the well-regarded film-noir, Trapped (1949). It’s about a counterfeiter (played by Lloyd Bridges) released from prison by federal agents to help them with a big case. When he gets close to the criminals, the lead attempts to double cross everyone and escape across the Mexican border with the valuable counterfeit goods. Thought to have been lost forever, a 35mm print was recently located and salvaged so that everyone can now see it in high definition. The disc includes a documentary on the film, a piece on the director and a film historian audio commentary.
You Know, For Kids!
If you’re looking for something new for the kids, this is your only choice until next week.
The Peanut Butter Solution (1985)
On the Tube!
And here are the week’s TV-themed releases… which is actually just one title this time out.
Nature: Undercover in the Jungle (PBS)