Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This edition includes a major studio blockbuster, as well as some smaller titles and eccentric B-movies. 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!
BABY OOPSIE 2: MURDER DOLLS – Full Moon Features are a low-budget, independent film production company who have been around for decades. It is responsible for The Puppet Master franchise and many other B-movies. Baby Oopsie is a spin-off from the Demonic Toys series that was streamed as a TV program before being cut together into a movie. It all revolves around a creepy and murderous infant doll. In this sequel, a human friend of the title character creates a new line of plastic creations. They include two new homicidal toys whose vicious acts rival those of Baby Oopsie. The competitive killers decide to have a showdown and fight to determine who is the worst of the worst. There aren’t many reviews for this effort, so low-budget horror/comedy enthusiasts will have to go in cold. Justin Armistead and Jill Bartlett headline the title.
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER – The biggest film of the week is this Marvel sequel to the 2018 blockbuster. After the untimely passing of King T’Challa aka Black Panther, the kingdom of Wakanda is in a state of grief. When new threats emerge and attempt to take the country’s precious supply of vibranium, the late hero’s young sister tries to find the responsible party. The trail leads her to a new potential enemy from the sea. Reviews were strong for this follow-up, although not quite as complementary as for the original. A small number did complain that superhero elements of the story were formulaic, the movie had trouble focusing on one particular character and the pacing was off. Still, the majority wrote that it was a soulful effort with great action scenes and emotional moments that helped it deliver plenty of thrills. The movie is available in many formats including 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, standalone Blu-ray and more. It stars Letita Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Tenoch Huerta, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Florence Kasumba, Dominique Thorne, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Martin Freeman. To read a full review of the movie, click here.
DIVIDE & CONQUER – If you’re looking for more direct-to-disc genre pictures, this low-to-no-budget action/comedy flick is from Troma (the studio behind The Toxic Avenger and Class of Nuke ‘Em High franchises). The tale involves three women warriors who are on the run from authorities. When they cross paths with a group of misogynists/white supremacists, the leads decide to deliver a serious beating to every nasty gang member who crosses their path. The studio promises an over-the-top and outrageous grindhouse experience. Alas, there are presently no reviews for the feature and only a couple of online write-ups. They all say it delivers exactly what you’d expect from Troma, so it will greatly amuse fans of the distributor and be unwatchable for those who don’t care for their over-the-top efforts. It features Irie Divine, Knotty Peach and Mercedes (who also wrote and directed the movie).
GIANTESS BATTLE ATTACK – And if you’re thinking of checking out more direct-to-disc genre films, there’s another Full Moon title arriving on disc. This is a sequel to Attack of the 50 Foot CamGirl (which was released on disc last year), which told the story of a social media influencer who eats a special product that causes her to grow 50-feet tall. In this effort, a group of women who don’t like the lead get their hands on the growth formula. They turn into giants and square-off against each other. It also looks like an enormous female alien also gets involved in the fracas. So far, only a handful of genre critics have seen it. Like the other titles in this article from low-budget studios, they suggest that you’ll get plenty of crass jokes and confusing storytelling problems. Yet, many also appreciated its silliness and thought it would appeal to those who enjoyed the original. The cast includes Ivy Smith, Kira Noir, Lisa London, Masuimi Max and Lauren Nicole Smith.
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES – The latest in the DC animated universe is this PG-13 effort, an adventure that primarily involves Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl. After arriving on Earth and deciding to become a trainee for future superheroes at the Justice League, the protagonist finds herself having difficulty fitting in and adjusting to her new home. When a sinister group called the Dark Circle arrives to steal a powerful weapon, Supergirl must put her training into action and save the day. Currently, there aren’t many reviews for this title. A handful have popped online stating that the movie is a solid effort in the franchise. They suggest that it takes some time to develop, but eventually delivers some memorable action that will please followers. This title is being released both as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set and as a single Blu-ray. The voice cast includes Meg Donnelly, Jensen Ackles, Matt Bomer, Darin De Paul and Darren Criss.
MVP – Not to be confused with the family film series from the early 2000s, this is a drama about a recently retired NFL player looking to start a new career. After experiencing a few setbacks, he crosses paths with a homeless veteran suffering from PTSD. The two form a friendship and begin to work out together. As their relationship strengthens and they learn more about each other’s pasts, the two help one another overcome their personal obstacles. Response to the film was generally positive. About one-quarter of critics thought it was full of unnecessary posturing and inspirational speeches that came across as corny. However, the majority thought the movie was well-intentioned, had good performances and dealt with somber subjects in an uplifting manner. It stars Mo McRae, Nate Boyer, Dina Shihabi, Tony Gonzalez, Michael Strahan, Howie Long and Tom Arnold.
ROGUE AGENT – Inspired by a true story, this British crime/drama tells the story of Robert Freegard, a conman who pretended to be an MI5 agent. The figure took advantage of several victims, convincing them that members of the IRA were planning to assassinate them, and stealing their funds in the process. When the criminal’s girlfriend discovers the truth, she is asked by the government to help capture Freegard and must decide whether to put her own life at risk. Overall, the press enjoyed this feature. There was a contingent who stated that the concept was interesting, but that the characters were not well-developed enough to involve them in the story. Yet the consensus was that the film presented a low-key but intriguing and chilling take on the real story. They also said it was bolstered by excellent performances from the cast. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. James Norton, Gemma Arterton, Marisa Abela, Shazad Latif, Sarah Goldberg and Jimmy Akingbola headline the film.
SPOILER ALERT – The other major studio release of the week is this effort from Focus Features. It’s based on a best-selling memoir about a shy writer who falls for a man whom he feels is out of his league. His fears are unfounded and the two ultimately marry. When one of them is then diagnosed with terminal cancer, the pair try to make the most of their situation and enjoy the remainder of their time together. Reaction was positive towards this comedy/drama. A small number of reviewers complained that it was sincere but surface-level and obvious in its attempts to manipulate viewer emotions. Regardless, the majority believed that the film was an effective and moving melodrama. They found the cast charismatic and became engaged in their story. It stars Jim Parsons, Ben Aldridge, Sally Field, Bill Irwin, Jeffery Self and Nikki M. James.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re interested in films from earlier eras, there is plenty to choose from as well. Radiance Films is a new distributor specializing in cult items from around the world. This week, it is the French title A Woman Kills (1968) that is arriving on Blu-ray. It is a lost film that was made back in 1968. The story involves a government employee with psychological issues who dresses as a woman in order to stalk and kill prostitutes. Despite interest from major players in the French film industry, the movie’s unusual mix of arthouse aesthetics and exploitation elements prevented it from landing a distributor. The title sat on a shelf until 2010 until it was rediscovered and screened for the public.
Extras include an introduction from a movie historian, as well as a film expert commentary track dissecting the messages, meaning and history behind the title. You’ll also get a lengthy interview with the writer/director that includes an overview of his career – this featurette boasts interviews with cast and crew members from his various productions. Additionally, it includes numerous shorts made by the filmmaker prior to this feature-length effort. Click the link to read a detailed review of the disc.
Arbelos is presenting Cinematic Sorceress: The Films of Nina Menkes as a Blu-ray set. It contains the independent features The Great Sadness of Zohara (1983), Magdalena Viraga (1986), Queen of Diamonds (1991), The Bloody Child (1996), Phantom Love (2007) and Dissolution (2010). All of the titles have received either 2K or 4K restorations or new remasters. The release also comes with an interview with Menke, a video essay, audio commentaries on four films with Menke, shorts, an essay on the movies and plenty of publicity materials.
Arrow Video is delivering a couple of interesting titles as well. The first is a Blu-ray of .Com for Murder (2002) from Greek director Nico Mastorakis (Island of Death, Nightmare at Noon). It’s about a young woman being stalked by a killer from the internet after a ski accident temporarily confines her to a wheelchair. The cast includes Nastassja Kinski, Nicolette Sheridan, along with musicians Roger Daltrey and Huey Lewis. It comes with a making-of, a discussion with Mastorakis about the production, archival interviews with Daltrey and Lewis, a trailer and an image gallery.
And Arrow is making a new Blu-ray available of the dark comedy, The Vagrant (1992). This wild cult flick stars Bill Paxton as a clerk who buys a rundown starter home and becomes obsessed with a homeless man living nearby. His sanity comes into question when he starts believing that the figure is targeting his house. The film has received a 2K restoration from the original camera negative. It comes with new interviews with director Chris Walas, co-stars Marshall Bell, Michael Ironside and Colleen Camp, as well as publicity materials for the feature.
Criterion is delivering the amazing trilogy Three Colors with a new set that contains 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray editions of Blue (1993), White (1994) and Red (1994). This co-production between Poland and France from writer/director Krzysztof Kieślowski (Blind Chance) tells three separate tales about love and loss set in the two countries. It features an intriguing group of characters who ultimately end up sharing an unexpected connection. They are all award-winning arthouse films that are among the best of the era. And the final chapter in the series ultimately earned two Academy Award nominations. The excellent bonuses are exactly the same as those from the earlier Criterion release, with significantly improved picture upgrades on the main features.
The German erotic comedy/drama Julia (1974) is arriving on Blu-ray from Cult Epics. It stars Sylvia Kristel (Emmanuelle) as a young woman hoping to lose her virginity, but finding it more difficult than anticipated. The disc includes a 2K transfer of the movie and a film critic audio commentary.
The Walt Disney Company is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary. It is rereleasing several classic animated titles as “Disney100 Editions” Blu-ray and DVD sets that all appear to be Wal-Mart exclusives. The films come in special packaging and also contain collector’s pins. They include Beauty and the Beast (1991), Frozen (2013) and The Little Mermaid (1989). You can also pick up Mickey & Minnie Volume 1 (containing shorts made between 1928 and 1947), Moana (2016) and Toy Story (1995) in this special packaging along with pins. One assumes all of the disc extras will be the same as in previous versions.
Kino is putting out a number of Blu-rays as well. Congress Dances (1931) is a German comedy about a shopkeeper who attracts the romantic attention of one of the crowned heads of Europe. It comes with a film historian commentary. If I Were King (1938) is a romantic adventure about a man who accidentally becomes chief constable of Paris and gets caught between an evil king and revolutionaries. The picture has been given a 2K upgrade and arrives with a film critic commentary and trailers.
Speaking of adventure films, Marco Polo (1962) is also arriving on Blu-ray. In this narrative, Polo travels to China and helps citizens rebel against an evil warlord. The film has been given a 4K restoration from the original camera negative and arrives with a movie critic commentary track and trailer. Raw Wind in Eden (1958) is a romance picture with Esther Williams set on a Mediterranean island. A movie historian commentary and trailer are included on the Blu-ray. Sorrowful Jones (1949) is a comedy starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball involving a gambler who accepts a small child as collateral on a bet and ends up caring for her. The image comes from a 2K master and a trailer is included.
Pictured just to the right, Fred Williamson leads the cast in That Man Bolt (1973), an action picture about a man assigned to deliver a mysterious suitcase from Hong Kong to Mexico City (via Las Vegas). Along the way, he takes on bad guys and gets into various romantic liaisons. This Blu-ray arrives in a special slipcase and the disc comes with an interview with Williamson, as well as a trailer. Looks like a fun one!
And the South Africa-set drama A World Apart (1988) starring Barbara Hershey is also arriving on Blu-ray from Kino. It includes an audio commentary with the screenwriter, in addition to an interview with co-star Jeroen Krabbe. A trailer is also featured on the disc.
If you’re looking for more B-movie fun with a comic-book slant, you can pick up the sequel The Return of the Swamp Thing (1989) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray package. Lightyear is putting out this release. In this follow-up, the title creature falls for the daughter of his arch nemesis Dr. Arcane (Louis Jordan, who reprised his role from the 1982 original). The lovebirds decide to stop the villain’s latest plans for world domination. Besides the 4K restoration of the film, the set includes a new 35th anniversary featurette with the producer and a music video. You’ll also receive extras from previous versions, like two audio commentaries with the director, interviews with the filmmaker, editor, composer and studio executive. Additionally, it comes with a ton of promotional videos including TV spots, Greenpeace Public Service Announcements and more.
Lionsgate is delivering a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook of the entertaining horror/comedy Warm Bodies (2013). It’s one of the better zombie-themed efforts that arrived in the last wave of undead features. Set in a post-apocalyptic world., the story involves a young woman who develops feelings for a sweet-natured zombie, much to the surprise of both the living and dead. It’s quite funny and features an impressive cast that includes Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich, Rob Corddry and Dave Franco. This is a Best Buy exclusive.
Those looking for more genre films can pick up a Standard Edition Blu-ray of the French effort, Don’t Deliver Us from Evil (1971) Mondo Macabro. It follows two teens at a convent school who take a vow to serve Satan and cause chaos all around them. Specs listed include a 2K restoration of the movie, the original French audio track with English subtitles, an interview with the director, a film historian commentary, archival cast and crew interviews and a 16-page booklet with information about the title.
Paramount is releasing a new Blu-ray Steelbook of the well-regarded musical, Chicago (2002). The Best Picture Academy Award winner comes with all previously released bonuses, including a commentary with the director and the screenwriter, cast and crew interviews and extended musical performances.
Ronin Flix is presenting the nifty double-feature Fist of Legend & Tai Chi Master: Jet Li 2-Movie Collection on Blu-ray. This “limited edition” set includes a custom slipcover, and there are tons of extras on this set. You’ll get numerous cast and crew interviews, publicity materials and deleted scenes from the first movie in the package. It also features director Brett Ratner (the Rush Hour series, Tower Heist) and film critic Elvis Mitchell discussing the movies and the cast.
The cult horror/comedy Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) is receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Collector’s Edition upgrade from Shout! Factory. Set in a retirement home, the movie stars Ossie Davis along with Bruce Campbell. The latter plays an aging Elvis Presley who tries to protect the residents of his retirement home from a sinister mummy. The release comes with more bonus material than can be listed here (three commentary tracks, cast and crew interviews, make-up effects featurettes, deleted scenes, music videos and more), and also has a few new featurettes. These new ones take a look at the filming locations, show footage from the Hollywood premiere at the Egyptian theater, as well as footage from the movie’s debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.
And Troma is releasing a Blu-ray of the comedy, Waitress! (1981). It’s about a New York City waitress and aspiring actress enduring some horrendous customers at the restaurant where she works. This is a director’s cut of the film with an intro and commentary track from director Lloyd Kaufman, as well as interviews with Troma staff members, a featurette on the studio before they started creating monster movies, and more!
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
The titles listed below may be of interest to youngsters (and their parents as well).
Beauty and the Beast (1991) (Disney100) Wal-Mart exclusive Blu-ray and DVD (with pin)
Frozen (2013) (Disney100) Wal-Mart exclusive Blu-ray and DVD (with pin)
The Little Mermaid (1989) (Disney100) Wal-mart exclusive Blu-ray and DVD (with pin)
Mickey & Minnie Volume 1 (Disney100) Wal-Mart exclusive Blu-ray and DVD (with pin)
Moana (2016) (Disney100) Wal-Mart exclusive Blu-ray and DVD (with pin)
Toy Story (1995) (Disney100) Wal-Mart exclusive Blu-ray and DVD (with pin)
ON THE TUBE!
And here is a listing of the week’s TV-related releases.
Big Sky River (Hallmark Channel) DVD
Hallmark Romance 6-Movie Collection (Her Pen Pal, Matching Hearts, Love, Romance & Chocolate, Just Add Romance, All Things Valentine, Valentine in the Vineyard) (Hallmark Channel) DVD
Joe Pickett: Season 1 (Paramount) Blu-ray
Kamen Rider Ryuki: The Complete Series (Shout!) Blu-ray
NOVA: Zero to Infinity (PBS) DVD
Sappy Holiday (Filmrise/UPtv) Blu-ray
Unthinkably Good Things (Hallmark Mahogany) DVD