Welcome back to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There’s plenty of great stuff coming your way that should have every member of the family covered. 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!
Adventure Boyz – Set in England, this family film involves a pair of brothers chastised by their parents for not enjoying the outdoors. When the adults leave for a vacation, the kids head out on their BMX bikes and get themselves into the middle of a real-life adventure. A group of crooks rob a castle and frame the children’s dad for the crime, leaving the boys on their own to stop the villains and save the day. This title didn’t get much of a theatrical release in North America, so its debut for most in this part of the world will be on disc. There aren’t a lot of reviews either, but a few that have popped up online suggest it’s a decent and amusing kid’s flick. It features Jon Campling, Angela Dixon and Justin Hayward.
Can’t Kill This – This comedy/horror co-production between Italy and France has an alternate title that cannot be typed in full on this page (for those who are curious, it’s called, F**k You Immortality). The story is about a pair of aging hippies who are searching for a reclusive old friend that has been cursed with a very strange condition. He hasn’t been able to age a day since the early 70s and now wants to meet his end. His friends go through every violent and bizarre means possible to help fulfill their pal’s wish. Sources on the web state that the movie was shot with an English-speaking cast. Alas, beyond a couple of festival no one has seen this film yet, so it’s impossible to say how successful the end product might be. Bill Hutchens, Josephine Scandi and Matthew T. Reynolds headline the film.
The Climbers – An ill-fated trip up Mount Everest in May 1960 is chronicled in this foreign-language biopic from China. It follows a group of Chinese friends who decide to make the ascent from the North Ridge, which is the most difficult and dangerous route. After four failed attempts, the tired figures give it one more try and succeed. However, they soon find themselves exhausted as an unexpected storm blows in, leaving them in great peril. Critics weren’t exactly thrilled by this particular trek. A small group found the visuals and technical elements impressive. However, the majority asserted that the characters weren’t well written, making their journey uninvolving to viewers. The cast includes Jing Wu, Ziyi Zhang, Boran Jing, Yi Zhang and Ge Hu, with a cameo from Jackie Chan.
Code 8 – Set in a world where those born with special abilities are discriminated against and live in poverty, a young man struggles to survive. After learning that his mother desperately needs an operation, the mutant turns to a criminal organization to try and make a quick buck. This causes all sorts of complications as events quickly spiral out of control. Apparently, this little independent production was largely crowdfunded on Kickstarter. It did earn decent reviews. A few commented that its ambitions exceeded its budget. Regardless, most enjoyed the performances and appreciated the focus on characters over special effects. It features Robbie Arnell, Stephen Arnell, Sung Kang, Kari Matchett and Greg Bryk.
Color Out of Space – It has been a long while since writer/director Richard Stanley (Hardware, Dust Devil) has been allowed to let his fevered imagination run wild onscreen. This loose adaptation of the H.P. Lovecraft story finds a close-knit family planting roots at a farm in Massachusetts. A meteorite falls and the clan are slowly infected by a bizarre organism carried to Earth on the rock. Response was very positive towards this independent horror picture. A small percentage found it too strange to recommend and didn’t feel that it really captured its source material properly. However, the consensus was that this wild and trippy movie was unpredictable, offered incredible visuals and some genuinely disturbing elements, as well as an enjoyably crazed lead performance. On a personal note, this reviewer hopes Stanley gets the opportunity to make more movies and continues the follow the beat of his own drum. It stars Nicholas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeleine Arthur, Brendan Meyer, Elliot Knight and Tommy Chong.
End of the Century – This tale involves an Argentinian man who casually hooks up with another man while visiting Barcelona. Despite not wanting to form a deeper connection, the two soon come to realize that they met each other some 20 years earlier. As the two spend more time together, they consider the different paths both of their lives could have taken if they had acted on their original impulses. Write-ups were excellent for this foreign-language drama. A lone voice or two didn’t find the drama engaging, but all others commented that this was a compelling and intimate drama that shows how seemingly unimportant interactions can radically alter one’s life. Juan Barberini, Ramon Pujol and Mia Maestro headline the film.
Frozen II – A sequel to Disney’s 2013 blockbuster and Oscar-winner Frozen, this follow-up continues the story of Anna and Elsa. Wanting to understand the reason behind her own unique powers, Elsa hears a mysterious voice and decides to follow it to the Enchanted Forest. Her sister and friends join in the adventure, soon learning of a family history that must be set right. Response towards the animated feature was positive, although nowhere near as enthusiastic as it was for the original. A contingent thought that the new story was a mess and that the songs weren’t as catchy this time out. Most admitted that it wasn’t as effective as its predecessor, but thought it offered some impressive imagery and believed it would still impress children and families. The voice cast includes Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff, Sterling K. Brown and Evan Rachel Wood.
Knives Out – One of the year’s biggest surprise hits was this murder/mystery with a comedic bent. When a famous crime novelist and patriarch of a wealthy family dies under suspicious circumstances, a private detective is asked to assist with the case. He interviews various eccentrics within the family who are all more than willing to throw each other under the bus. The press was just as taken by this picture as audiences seemed to be. A few lone voices complained that the movie wasn’t as clever as it thought itself to be. However, almost all other write-ups said this was a fast, funny, sharply-written mystery with great characters that delivered an effective message. The movie also ended up earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. It stars Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield and Christopher Plummer. To read this site’s review of the picture, click here.
Rag Doll – This independent drama follows a young woman who takes up mixed martial arts as a means of dealing with the systemic violence in her life. With little experience, she decides to enter a tournament in the hopes that winning the grand prize will change her life, as well as that of her sickly mother. The protagonist soon learns that her biggest enemies aren’t actually in the ring. This picture played at a few film festivals over the past year and won some prizes. Alas, there have only been a couple of critic reviews and those haven’t been as kind, suggesting that the movie dispenses with its most interesting elements early on and as a result doesn’t make as big of an impression as it could have. The cast includes Shannon Murray, Dot-Marie Jones, Stephanie Erb and Dante Basco.
Synonyms – A young Israeli man looking for change in both his personal and professional life sets off for Paris to make a new start. He abandons Hebrew and walks around with a French dictionary, determined to leave all traces of his past behind. The man meets struggles and finds it difficult to fit in with some of the less-than-welcoming locals, but eventually forms a bond with a privileged neighbor who decides to help him out. This foreign-language film is actually based on the real experiences of the director, who moved to France some years before. Notices have been very good. One or two commented that the movie felt pretentious and that its message was too bluntly delivered. Still, the majority called it fascinating and unpredictable examination of identity in the modern world. It features Tom Mercier, Quentin Dolmaire and Louise Chevillotte.
Blasts from the Past!
This is simply a ridiculously busy week for older titles hitting Blu-ray. Arrow Academy are delivering Manon (1949), a lost classic from writer/director Henri-Georges Clouzot (The Wages of Fear, Diabolique). It’s a drama about a couple who are found as stowaways aboard a barge heading across the Mediterranean Sea. They attempt to explain their tumultuous history and the reason for their escape from France to Israel to a suspicious captain, hoping to avoid prosecution. This is a dark and gritty film with characters whose motivations aren’t always clear. The disc itself looks great with a pristine picture. You can read all about it in more detail here.
Arrow Video also have a Blu-ray box set coming your way. The One Missed Call Trilogy (2003 – 2006) features three hit Japanese horror movies about cell phone messages that can kill. The first film was directed by Takashi Miike (Audition, Ichi the Killer, 13 Assassins) and features a protagonist who receives a phone call from themselves in the throes of death. The lead has to figure out what happened to themselves and try to stop it from occurring. Besides all three movies in the series receiving high definition presentations, the set arrives with a new Miike biographer commentary, featurettes, numerous interviews with the filmmakers, cast and crew, documentaries on all of the film’s productions, alternate endings, music videos and other bonuses. It’s pretty much everything you could ever hope from a box set for these chillers.
MVD Classics are releasing a Blu-ray of the Italian/Spanish western, Hudson River Massacre (1965) aka Canadian Wilderness. The alternate title accurately suggests that its set in Canada and details a growing conflict between fur trappers and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The movie was directed by Amando de Ossorio (creator the Blind Dead horror series) and stars George Martin and Diana Lorys. This flick might provide some pulpy fun for B-movie fans.
Shout! Factory have an interesting Blu-ray with their Collector’s Edition of Pet Sematary Two (1992). This follow-up features a new family who move to Ludlow, Maine and find the titular graveyard. It specifically involves a young teenager who decides to bring his deceased mother back to life, along with a couple of other pets… and residents. The movie wasn’t a hit during its original release, but it actually provided some notably gruesome moments (Clancy Brown steals the show as an abusive and violent parent) and has since developed a cult following. The disc contains a new 4K scan of the original camera negative approved by director Mary Lambert (Pet Sematary), as well as a new audio commentary with the filmmaker. You’ll also get interviews with cast members Edward Furlong, Clancy Brown and Jason McGuire. It also includes a talk with make-up effects creator Steve Johnson, composer Mark Governor and some publicity materials.
VCI also have some interesting Blu-rays. Way back in December, the company were set to release a 4K version of the Mexican classic, La Barraca (1945). As it turns out, it was delayed and is finally arriving on store shelves this week. This drama is about farmers in Spain is considered one of Mexico’s best films and it’s great to finally see it get the high definition treatment. The distributor is also set to debut the western serial, The Phantom Rider (1936) on Blu-ray. It has been restored in 2K from the original studio film masters.
Giant monster movie fans can also pick up a classic title on disc courtesy of Media Blasters. Gappa: The Triphibian Monster (1967). It’s about an earthquake in the Pacific that releases a strange reptile. When scientists pick it up and take it back to Tokyo, Japan for study, they soon discover that it is an infant creature… and that its enormous parents are on the way to collect their lost offspring. Severe property damage follows. The long out-of-print movie is being presented uncut and in a fresh high-def transfer. Looks like a lot of fun.
Kino also have a large stack of titles arriving. And Hope to Die (1972) is a French crime flick from esteemed filmmaker René Clément (Forbidden Games, Purple Noon) about a kidnapping set against the backdrop of Expo ‘67 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They also have The Deadly Trap (1971), another thriller from the director. It’s an English-language thriller about an American couple whose children are taken. It stars Faye Dunaway and Frank Langella. Both releases include film historian commentary tracks and trailers.
The company are also introduced a new line of releases called Forbidden Fruit: The Golden Age of the Exploitation Film. As you might have guessed, the Blu-ray titles will include features with a specific (and often awkwardly presented) message warning viewers about various dangers. First is the drama Mom and Dad (1945), which features characters dealing with an unwanted pregnancy and venereal disease. This release includes a 4K restoration of the film from 35mm archival elements, a commentary with an exploitation film expert, publicity materials and a 1942 sex hygiene film made by director John Ford (Stagecoach, The Quiet Man, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance) about the dangers of getting involved with prostitutes.
Also arriving as part of the series is a double feature of the cult classic Reefer Madness (1936) along with Sex Madness (1938). This also comes with a film historian commentary, shorts about the various subjects and trailers featuring other movies with similar themes. The next double feature in the product line contains Unashamed (1933) and Elysia (1938), two nudist films. Apparently, these flicks are said to be much less critical of their subjects. A film expert audio track analyses the features in detail, and the disc includes a featurette on the genre as well as a couple of shorts in the same vein.
Getting back to the French releases, Kino have Line of Demarcation (1966), a WWII drama, along with the cop thriller, Max and the Junkmen (1971). Both come with cinema historian commentaries. And they are putting out The Maya Deren Collection (1943 – 1949), a selection of titles from the American experimental filmmaker. The set includes eight features and a bevy of bonuses including scholar commentary tracks and outtakes.
You can also pick up the Ursula Andress crime-comedy, Perfect Friday (1970) about a couple committing various infractions in order to continue living well beyond their means. Quai des Orfevres (1947) is another well-regarded film-noir thriller from Henri-George Clouzot (whose Manon is also hitting Blu-ray this week). This movie has been given a 4K restoration and comes with a film historian commentary, interviews with the cast and crew recorded in 1971 and other extras. And the French effort The Third Lover (1962) is also arriving on Blu-ray with a 4K transfer and many of the same kinds of bonuses included in the distributor’s other Gallic titles arriving this week.
If goofy comedies are more to your liking and you shop at FYE, you can now pick up an exclusive Steelbook of Better Off Dead (1985) through the retailer. This Paramount film is an enjoyable, very 80s coming-of-age flick starring John Cusack as a suicidal teen determined to off himself after his girlfriend breaks up with him. He’s also hassled by a very persistent paperboy who wants his $2 payment for delivery services. Thankfully, he’s not very good at the task and ends up earning the affection of a foreign exchange student.
Criterion are releasing a Blu-ray of Paris is Burning (1990) a well-regarded documentary about rival fashion houses among New York City’s African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. The feature has been given a 2K restoration by the UCLA Film & Television archive, a new conversation with the director and participants, a 2005 commentary track with the moviemaker, ball community members and editor, an interview with a LGBT film historian and an episode of The Joan Rivers Show about the movie that were taped during its initial release.
The distributor has an interesting Blu-ray box set called Three Fantastic Journeys by Karel Zeman. It includes three Czechoslovakian sci-fi films with astounding visuals that were made behind the Eastern Bloc. The films include Journey to the Beginning of Time (1955), Invention for Destruction (1958) and The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1961). The trio films loosely adapt famous tales and the writings of Jules Verne in a unique manner. Apparently, all three feature eye-popping images and are considered landmarks in their field. Looks like it should be a lot of fun to catch up with these pictures.
If you want more Japanese monster mayhem, SRS Cinema are making a couple of recent Japanese titles available. The first is Reigo: King of the Sea Monsters (2005) aka Reigo, the Deep-Sea Monster vs. the Battleship Yamato, which features another giant aquatic beast terrorizing various ships in the Pacific. The company are also putting out its sequel, Raiga: God of the Monsters (2009). Neither were particularly well reviewed during their original run, but giant creature enthusiasts will likely want to check them out regardless.
And that’s not all. Vinegar Syndrome are releasing a stack of B-movies. The first is a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack of the crime flick, The Candy Snatchers (1973). The movie has been newly scanned and restored in 4K from the camera negative, and there are numerous interviews with cast and crew members. Also arriving as a Blu-ray/DVD combo is Flesh Eating Mothers (1988) a horror comedy about, well, you can pretty much guess. This title is being presented in 2K from its original 16mm elements, comes with a director and producer commentary as well as interviews with the creators of the feature.
Hot Dog… The Movie (1984) is one of those 80s sex comedies that most saw on VHS or cable. Now, Vinegar Syndrome are giving it an upgrade, presenting the movie in 4K from the original camera negative. This Blu-ray is billed as an Unrated Producer’s Cut featuring a longer version of the flick with footage than has never been seen before. The movie is about a bunch of kids getting into hi-jinx at a ski resort. Those who pick it up will also get a commentary with the writer/producer, as well as an hour-long documentary on the flick with the cast and crew. It also comes with a ton of publicity materials for the title.
You can also pick up a 2-disc Blu-ray of the low-budget horror flick, Spookies (1986), scanned in 4K from the original camera negative. It’s about a bunch of travelers whose car breaks down, trapping them with evil beings at an eerie mansion. The film had a very troubled production history… another director ultimately come in to finish off the feature some two years after most of it had been shot, adding in a new subplot in the process. Still, many consider the creature and make-up effects excellent and have a certain fondness for it. The release includes two feature-length documentaries on a second. One is about the difficult production itself, while the second details the history of the notorious UK video label VIPCO who released the picture on VHS. This disc also comes with interviews, footage with the cast and crew from a 2015 screening, as well as other extras.
And finally, another title that got delayed from a few week’s back was the horror comedy, Zombie Island Massacre (1984). It’s finally arriving this week as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and comes with a 2K transfer along with publicity materials.
Severin also have some genre fare with The Astrologer (1977), a creeper from director James Glickenhaus (The Exterminator, The Protector, Shakedown) about a series of murders involving a Satanic cult. At one time considered a banned Video Nasty in the UK, the flick is now hitting Blu-ray. The director has used his own personal answer print to provide a 4K scan, and the disc comes with interviews with the filmmaker as well as cast members and other involved in the production.
Finally, Warner Archive are putting out two new Blu-rays. The first is for the Debbie Reynolds/Glenn Ford romantic comedy, It Started with a Kiss (1959). The second one is something of a personal favorite, likely because it was on television seemingly all the time when I grew up. Admittedly, it’s not a classic but I do have nostalgic feelings towards it. Victory (1981) is a WWII movie about a group of POWs who play soccer. When they’re invited to travel to France and play against the German National Team in an exhibition game, they take the opportunity in the hopes of escaping their captors. They eventually have to decide whether to save themselves, or attempt to stay and try to win the game in front of a packed house. The movie is corny, but the score is great and it features some of the all-time soccer greats in supporting roles. It stars Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone and Pele.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are some releases that may appeal to kids.
Frozen II
The Return of Ultraman (1971 – 1972)
On the Tube!
And here are the week’s TV releases.
The Return of Ultraman (1971 – 1972)