Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This is a remarkably busy edition with plenty of interesting studio pictures and independent fare vying for your attention. 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!
ALIENOID – According to this futuristic science-fiction/action feature from South Korea, Earth is being used by aliens as a penal colony. Criminals from outer space are locked away in the brains of unsuspecting humans who walk the streets unaware. When a police detective witnesses a spacecraft hovering above the city of Seoul, he decides to investigate. Not only does he learn about the alien plot, but he also opens the door of time and meets two sorcerers from 1391 who might hold the key to solving the problem. Response was upbeat towards this foreign-language feature. A small number wrote that the movie was overstuffed, silly and poorly paced. However, the majority appreciated its wild and over-the-top concept and thought it was easy to get caught up in the crazy fun. It stars Yoon Byung-hee, Lee Dong-hee and Kim Eui-sung.
AMSTERDAM – Inspired by a true story, this period piece is set in the 1930s and follows a trio of leads who have been friends since World War I. When two of them are asked to investigate a strange death, they witness another murder and are framed for it. After locating the last member of their group, they all try to determine who was responsible for the slaying. In the process, they uncover a sinister plot. Despite the A-list cast and notable writer/director David O. Russell (American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook), critical reaction was muted. A small number were about to get onto its wavelength, suggesting that while the tone was esoteric it did deliver laughs, looked great and told an important story. Unfortunately, two-thirds of reviewers didn’t appreciate its quirkiness and found it too busy and tiring. The cast includes Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Andrea Riseborough, Alessandro Nivola, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Zoe Saldana, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Taylor Swift, Rami Malek, Timothy Olyphant and Robert De Niro. Read this site’s review of the movie here.
ASHGROVE – A scientist working on a crisis involving a dwindling water supply takes a break to spend time with her husband and work on their strained marriage. The pair retreat to the remote countryside to try and work things out. Soon after arriving, they discover that strange things are afoot. More details are revealed and the scientist is shocked to discover that the fate of humankind will depend on whether she and her spouse can save their relationship. This independent character piece earned praise from many critics. One or two suggested that the story itself became too far-fetched as it progressed and that it couldn’t pull them in. Yet the consensus was that the performers were excellent and that the movie thoughtfully combined science-fiction elements with intimate drama. It features Amanda Brugel and Jonas Chernick.
BURIAL – This independent thriller from the UK is set at the end of World War II. A group of Russian soldiers are given Hitler’s remains and are tasked with transporting them back to a disbelieving Stalin in Moscow, Russia. Along the way, they find themselves being attacked by a terrifying force that may be more monstrous than human. The press was slightly more positive about this picture than they were negative. A sizable portion of them critiqued the movie for being unable to effectively balance its war element with the supernatural. Still, more complimented the title as being atmospheric and using the bizarre concept to ask interesting questions about men and monsters. Charlotte Vega, Tom Felton, Harriet Walter and Barry Ward headline the film.
CLERKS III – The 1994 film Clerks was a low-budget surprise hit that chronicled a day in the life of convenience store cashiers. A 2006 sequel followed and this third chapter picks up with the now middle-aged characters from the original film. When one of them suffers a stroke and survives the ordeal, he decides to finally follow his dream and make a movie. When he announces that the film will be about his experiences at the store, all of the regulars return to take part in the production. Notices were more upbeat than downcast. About one-third called it an unnecessary rehash that wasn’t as funny as the previous chapters and overdosed on sentimentality. Regardless, the majority thought it was an entertaining nostalgia trip. They enjoyed seeing the characters again and thought that enough of the quips landed to earn it a recommendation. It stars Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Amy Sedaris, Justin Long and a ton of celebrity cameos.
THE LEECH – Those looking for some holiday-themed horror can try this independent flick about an overly devout priest. As a good deed, he decides to welcome a struggling couple into his home over Christmas. Things get awkward when the lead is convinced to play a game of Never Have I Ever. As the rounds continue, the challenges get increasingly dark and disturbing and the characters become more and more unhinged. Not many critics have seen this film yet, but early reaction has generally been positive. One voice suggested that the movie wasn’t as deep or satirical as it needed to be in order to make a lasting impact. Still, everyone else referred to the film as a darkly humorous and effective descent into madness with some great performances. The cast includes Jeremy Gardner, Graham Skipper and Taylor Zaudtke.
MAD GOD – Phil Tippett is a master special effects technician and stop-motion animation expert whose credits over the years have included the Star Wars series, Robocop, Willow, Jurassic Park and Starship Troopers. For decades, he has toiled away on a passion project which has finally been finished. It’s a stop-motion animated film about a mysterious assassin who travels to a strange underground world filled with monsters. As the story progresses, viewers learn what his mission is and how he intends to follow through on his goals. The press was very taken by this feature. A tiny contingent found it repetitive, disturbing and were unimpressed by the narrative. Everyone else stated that while the story and message was grim and almost nightmarish, it was visually stunning and unlike anything else they had ever seen before. Alex Cox, Niketa Roman and Hans Brekke provide voices for the film.
MEDIEVAL – This English-language period biopic from the Czech Republic is set in the 15th century and tells the story of a figure who is a national hero in his homeland. Jan Zizka was a warrior and military leader who used unusual and innovative techniques to defend his kingdom. The movie depicts his efforts to thwart the invading armies of the Teutonic Order and Holy Roman Empire. The final product earned mixed notices. Almost half believed that while it exaggerated some elements for the sake of entertainment, the action was impressive and the tale itself was intriguing. Sadly, slightly more thought that the dialogue and performances were flat and that the story was confusingly told. Ben Foster, Matthew Goode, Sophie Lowe, Til Schweiger, Roland Møllerand and Michael Caine headline the movie.
MISSING – After the sudden death of his wife, a depressed man struggles to pay debts and support his teenage daughter. Desperate, he takes note of a reward for the capture of a serial killer and sets out to track the figure down. When he disappears, his daughter goes on the hunt to try and find him. Of course, she soon finds herself in incredible danger. This foreign-language feature is a co-production between Japan and South Korea. It was extremely well-received and only got one negative review. That piece found the story too complicated and the final reveal unsatisfying. But the consensus from everyone else was that there were many layers to this movie. They wrote that it was a sharply written effort with a strong dramatic arc and plenty of unexpected twists. It features Jirô Satô, Aoi Itô, Hiroya Shimizu and Misato Morita.
OLD MAN – The latest from writer/director Lucky McKee (May, The Woods, All Cheerleaders Die) is another indie horror yarn. This one follows a hiker who gets lost in the wilderness. He finds a cabin and is taken in by the strange, elderly man who lives there. The two converse and begin to share their experiences and what they both are running from. As it turns out, the two find an unexpected and unsettling bond that connects them. Reaction towards this effort was slightly more favorable than downbeat. A sizable number did feel that the big reveal and finale was superficial and that the movie didn’t deliver the punch hoped for. A few more suggested that the strong cast and scares did make an impression and that the final product would impress genre fans. It stars Stephen Lang, Marc Senter, Liana Wright-Mark and Patch Darragh.
OPERATION SEAWOLF – This war/drama is set on a Nazi U-boat at the end of World War II. With German forces about to surrender, their remaining submarines are brought together for one last assault to attack the US mainland and change the tide of the conflict. A grizzled commander leads the final group on a suicide mission as they attempt to accomplish their goal. The press had a poor response towards this title. A few did state that it was a decent B-movie that focused on character more than shocks and delivered some good performances. Alas, the majority didn’t buy into the concept. They thought it was a drawn-out and dull low-budget movie that didn’t display the necessary skills to deliver tension or thrills. The cast includes Dolph Lundgren, Frank Grillo, Hiram A. Murray, Andrew Stecker and Apostolos Gliarmis.
RICKSHAW GIRL – Desperate to help her financially strapped family, a teenage girl in Bangladesh, India leaves home to find a job and earn money as an artist. She finds the task far more challenging than initially expected when it becomes clear that there simply aren’t opportunities for young women. The protagonist instead disguises herself as a boy and begins driving her ill father’s rickshaw. This scheme earns money for a time but leads to some complications. The film was primarily shot in English but struggled for a year or so to find a North American distributor. There haven’t been many reviews in this part of the world yet, with only a couple of online write-ups. One says the movie is heartwarming and inspirational, the other complains the film is bland and a surface-level exploration of an important issue. It stars Champa and Allen Shubhro.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
It’s another busy edition for fans of older features. Arrow Video is releasing a Blu-ray of the cult action flick, Nightmare at Noon (1988). When a small town in Utah’s water supply is poisoned, locals begin turning into homicidal maniacs who will kill anyone. A visiting lawyer, his wife and a hitchhiker suddenly find themselves targeted. The B-movie is from Nico Mastorakis (Death Has Blue Eyes, Island of Death and The Zero Boys) and features a great cast including Wings Hauser, Bo Hopkins, George Kennedy, Kimberly Beck and Brion James. This is a Special Edition that includes a new restoration of the film from the original negative, a making-of featurette, behind-the-scenes footage, on-set cast interviews, a trailer, an image gallery, a booklet on the movie and a reversible sleeve with the original poster and newly commissioned artwork for the film. Read a review of the Blu-ray on this site by clicking this link!
You can also pick up the Limited Edition Shawscope: Volume Two from Arrow. This set contains 10 Blu-ray discs containing 14 films from the Hong Kong studio. You’ll receive The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) and its sequels Return to the 36th Chamber (1980) and Disciples of the 36th Chamber (1985). Also featured is Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979), Five Superfighters (1979), Invincible Shaolin (1978), The Kid with the Golden Arm (1979), The Magnificent Ruffians (1979), Ten Tigers of Kwangtung (1980), My Young Auntie (1981), Mercenaries from Hong Kong (1982), The Boxer’s Omen (1983) and Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986), a film introducing Jet Li to the world. Nine of the titles have been given 2K restorations and it arrives with a 60-page collector’s book on the movies and hours of never-before-seen bonuses including cast and crew interviews. Additionally, this set includes two CDs of music heard in the features.
Cohen Media Group is delivering The Ballad of the Sad Café (1991) on Blu-ray. This well-regarded period drama involves a love triangle in the rural South and features Vanessa Redgrave and Keith Carradine. The disc arrives with a new restoration of the film, a movie historian commentary and trailers.
Criterion is presenting three early titles from an acclaimed filmmaker. Their Michael Haneke Trilogy Blu-ray set includes The Seventh Covenant (1989), Benny’s Video (1992) and 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance (1994). The high-definition digital masters were approved by Haneke himself and the release also includes a film historian interview, a 2005 discussion with Haneke, a documentary about the movie-maker’s career (featuring comments from stars like Juliette Binoche and Isabelle Huppert). There are also deleted scenes from one of the movies, trailers, new subtitle translations and more.
Paramount is presenting numerous features in high definition this week. The first is a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray upgrade of the great Eddie Murphy/Nick Nolte action/comedy 48 Hrs. (1982). Pictured above and to the right, it’s one of the best buddy comedies movies of its era and features plenty of laughs and thrills. You can also pick up a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray upgrade of the lesser sequel, Another 48 Hrs. (1990). And if you’d like both of the movies with vastly improved picture quality you can also purchase a 48 Hrs./Another 48 Hrs. (1990) Double-Feature 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. Presumably, all of the previously released bonuses from earlier editions are also included.
The studio is giving their cult classic teen comedy Better Off Dead (1985) a reissue with a Steelbook Blu-ray. It seems that this is the same disc that has been available for years, but with fancy metal packaging. At least it’s a funny one and features a great early role for John Cusack as a put-upon high school student dealing with some extraordinarily quirky family members, neighbors and locals.
Pulp Fiction (1994) is also getting a picture upgrade. Paramount is presenting the memorable Oscar-winner (for Best Original Screenplay) from Quentin Tarantino in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray package.
Like Better Off Dead, the comedy Tommy Boy (1995) is also being rereleased in Steelbook Blu-ray packaging. This flick features Chris Farley and David Spade. Farley plays a clumsy, underachieving son who teams up with an accountant to save the family business.
And the studio is also putting out The Warriors (1979) as a Limited Edition Steelbook containing a Blu-ray and DVD. This is a fantastic cult thriller about a gang trying to avoid getting killed by other outfits after being framed for a crime they didn’t commit. Alas, there are no specs listed on this set, implying that it only includes the newer director’s cut. This is a strange scenario where the theatrical cut is vastly superior and still has yet to be released on Blu-ray in North America. Hopefully one day this will be sorted out and fans will be able see the original (and best) version of the title.
The holiday horror classic Black Christmas (1974) is getting a Collector’s Edition 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set from Shout! Factory. This tale involves the residents of a university sorority being stalked by a killer making obscene phone calls. As it turns out, the figure may also be residing in the same building as the students. The movie has been given a new restoration with improved image quality and sound. The Blu-ray of the feature contains three commentary tracks (one with director Bob Clark and two with cast members) and an audio interview with Clark. There’s also another Blu-ray containing hours of extras, including just about every bonus every put out over the past decade or so. If you love the movie, this looks like a must-buy.
Sony is presenting the Nicolas Cage comedy Adaptation (2002) in 4K Ultra HD. Alas, there is no Blu-ray included in this particular release.
And for those who remember this picture, R.I.P.D. (2013) is getting the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray treatment courtesy of Universal Pictures. One expects it includes all previous bonuses alongside a sharper picture.
If you enjoy Black Christmas, then you can pick up another title from the same director via VCI. The film Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1973) is a low-budget but very atmospheric zombie flick that helped jumpstart the filmmaker’s career. It’s getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray upgrade. In addition to adding all previously released extras, this edition also provides a video introduction with co-star and writer Alan Ormsby, along with a 90-minute documentary on all Bob Clark’s horror films that includes new interviews with cast and crew.
Warner Archive is debuting a sci-fi classic on Blu-ray. Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman (1958) is exactly what it sounds like. Considered a camp classic, this entertainingly over-the-top guilty pleasure follows a woman who has an alien encounter and begins to grow to an enormous size. As all this is happening, the lady learns that her husband has been plotting to dump her. She turns the tables on him and goes on a rampage. The disc includes a film historian commentary, who is joined by supporting cast member Yvette Vickers. A great trailer for the movie is also included.
Night of the Iguana (1964) is also arriving on Blu-ray from the studio. Based on the Tennessee Williams play, this feature stars Richard Burton. In addition to receiving a Blu-ray upgrade, the disc arrives with a promotional reel, a talk with film historians on the movie and a pair of trailers. Both of these Warner Archive titles are made-to-order and will be available primarily through Amazon.
Finally, Well Go US is delivering Ip Man 3 (2015) on 4k Ultra HD – like the previous titles arriving over the last few weeks, this edition does not include a Blu-ray. However, the distributor is putting out a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray of the fantastic South Korean zombie flick, Train to Busan (2016) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. This film is a must-own for those who appreciate movies about the flesh-eating undead.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Here are some titles that might appeal to children.
Bluey: Season 1 (BBC) DVD
Bluey: Season 2 (BBC) DVD
Paw Patrol: Big Truck Pups (Nickelodeon) DVD
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Complete Series (Nickelodeon) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And you’ll find all of the week’s TV-related discs coming your way listed below.
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Christmas Collection (MPI) DVD
Animal Kingdom: Season 6 (Warner Bros.) DVD
Better Call Saul: The Complete Series (Sony) Blu-ray
Better Call Saul: Season 6 (Sony) Blu-ray
Bluey: Season 1 (BBC) DVD
Bluey: Season 2 (BBC) DVD
Breaking Bad: The Complete Series (Repackage) (Sony) Blu-ray
Creepshow: Season 3 (RLJ Entertainment) Blu-ray
Doctor Who: The Abominable Snowmen (BBC) Blu-ray
Hallmark 2-Movie Collection: Love on Ice & Frozen in Love (Hallmark) DVD
Magpie Murders: Season 1 (PBS) DVD
A Midnight Kiss (Hallmark) DVD
Paw Patrol: Big Truck Pups (Nickelodeon) DVD
South Park: Post COVID & The Return of COVID – 2 Special Events (Paramount) Blu-ray
Star Trek: Discovery: Season 4 (Paramount) Blu-ray