Welcome to another look at some of the highlights coming your way on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s another busy edition, with studio films and independent fare in a wide variety of genres. So, if you can’t make it to the movies this week or need to keep your distance from others, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
AFTER YANG – Set in the near future, this science-fiction tale is set in a world where artificial intelligence companions are commonplace. A young girl becomes lonely and depressed when her best pal malfunctions. The girl’s dad is tasked with trying to repair the friend and deal with the emotional fallout. As he does so, he begins to realize that relying on AI has created a rift between the entire family. Critics were very impressed with the feature. A small number felt that the movie was too melancholic for their tastes and that the message was familiar. However, the majority described the movie as being subtle and low-key, but meaningful and thought-provoking. They also commented that it featured some fantastic performances. It stars Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Justin H. Min, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja and Haley Lu Richardson.
THE BAD GUYS – Based on the series of best-selling children’s books, this animated family feature follows a group of animal outlaws and con-artists. When they are caught in the middle of heist, they ask for forgiveness and agree to become model citizens. While they initially consider their probation course a scam to stay out of prison, the group ultimately begin to want to become honest-to-goodness heroes. The press generally liked the film and gave it decent marks. A small group felt that the final product was an average kid’s flick that didn’t make the most of its concept. Still, most thought it was a fine adaptation of the source material. They enjoyed the characters and thought the idea was a lot of fun. The voice cast includes Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Richard Ayoade and Zazie Beetz. Read a full review of the film here.
BLEEDING AUDIO – The Matches were an Oakland-based indie rock band who formed in 1997 and quickly earned a lot of fantastic press. While they initially were called the “next big thing” by critics and trade papers, the group never quite broke through to the mainstream. This documentary details the history of the band through interviews with the members. It also details their many well-received recordings as well as an attempt at reforming for a comeback after a long hiatus. Those who saw the movie praised it. As of right now, it has yet to receive a negative write-up. Everyone stated that it provided an excellent peek into the indie music scene and all of the traps and pitfalls that a young band faces. They also said the flick would introduce a lot of people to the band and their impressive catalog of recordings.
THE CELLAR – Some houses have creepy cellars, but none quite like the one featured in this horror film. The story follows a woman and her family, who all move into a mysterious old home. When the kids state acting strangely and eventually vanish into the basement, the parents come to the conclusion that supernatural forces are responsible and that they must fight for the safe return of their offspring. Response wasn’t very upbeat for this effort from Ireland. A limited number of reviewers appreciated that the film emphasized mood and atmosphere over computer effects and called it an entertaining throwback to horror movies of the past. But many more critiqued it as being all-style and having little subtext or deeper meaning. It features Elisha Cuthbert, Eoin Macken, Dylan Fitzmaurice Brady and Abby Fitz.
CINDERELLA – Last year, Amazon Studios produced a lavish update of this fairy tale and premiered it on their streaming service. Now, the title is appearing on disc. This version incorporates musical numbers into its story. It involves a young woman who yearns of being a fashion designer, but who must contend with a wicked stepmother and stepsisters. Magic intervenes and the lead gets the opportunity to premiere new clothing designs at a royal ball. Notices were generally poor for this retelling. A small number commented that it didn’t take itself seriously and provided some campy fun. However, the consensus was that while well-intentioned, the picture was misguided in execution and a total jumble. They wrote that it didn’t manage to effectively deliver the points that it was trying to make. Camila Cabello, Billy Porter, Nicholas Galitzine, Idina Menzel, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver and James Corden headline the movie.
ESCAPE THE FIELD – In this horror picture, a group of characters wake up in a cornfield with one single item and no memory of how they got there. Even worse, they can’t seem to find their way out. The leads do their best to make it through the maze-like environment, but find themselves running in circles. Things get even worse when a strange figure appears intent on hunting down and killing all of them. The genre critics who saw this low-budget independent effort didn’t have much to say about it that was good. A few thought the film was decent enough to please genre fans and appreciated that the running time was short. All others said that the characters weren’t fleshed out and that the movie would be instantly forgotten after viewing. The cast includes Shane West, Theo Rossi, Jordan Claire Robbins, Tahirah Sharif and Elena Juatco.
GOLD – Two drifters wandering through a futuristic desert landscape come across the largest gold nugget ever witnessed by human eyes. Excited about earning vast riches from it, the pair quickly come up with a plan to try and secure the item. One heads off to acquire the necessary tools to extract the gold, while the other must guard it, enduring harsh conditions, wild animals and other threats. After waiting a significant measure of time, the figure left in the desert begins to wonder if his partner hasn’t set him up. The press gave this picture more positive reviews than negative ones. One third of them called the flick a shallow and empty update of films like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and titles of that ilk. But the rest liked the performances, thought it was tense and referred to it as an effective little thriller. It stars Zac Efron, Anthony Hayes and Susie Porter.
HIT THE ROAD – This foreign-language road-trip movie from Iran involves a family of four driving cross-country. The parents and kids share memories and fuss over their sickly dog, while also grappling with fears of the unknown. As the journey progresses, viewers slowly begin to understand who these people are and why they are driving such a great distance. Reviews were excellent for this drama/comedy and it won awards at various film festivals over the past year. Only one or two critics criticized the film, suggesting that it was episodic, slowly paced and ultimately didn’t engage them. Everyone else thought the movie was wonderful, complimenting it as an authentic portrait of a family. They also thought the slow reveal was effective, saying it delivered a wallop as the jokes and tone slowly turned bittersweet. Pantea Panahiha, Hasan Majouni, Rayan Sarlak and Amin Simiar headline the feature.
IP MAN: THE AWAKENING – The latest reimagining of the Chinese Ip Man myth follows a younger version of the heroic icon taking a trip to Hong Kong. After saving a local from an abduction attempt, he learns that a nearby criminal group are human traffickers. The villains then take a close friend of the protagonist as revenge, prompting him to use his martial arts skills and eventually challenge the sinister party’s leader to a fight. This foreign-language effort hasn’t received many write-ups in this part of the world and those that have appeared are tepid about the final product. They say that this tale isn’t well fleshed out and that it isn’t a memorable Ip Man film. Apparently, it’s only for completists who want to see every movie featuring the character. It stars Tse Min, Zhao Yuxuan and Sergio Deieso.
THE LAST VICTIM – After committing a vicious and unsettling crime in a small town, a gang of outlaws are pursued by an angry and determined sheriff. Things get even more complicated when the gang come upon a scientist and his wife. They kidnap the pair, drawing everyone into a gruesome spiral of violence and retribution that end up costing many of the characters their lives. This independent effort is described as a neo-western. Sadly, the general consensus was that the movie didn’t work. About one-third called it an effective homage to movies like No Country for Old Men and thought the performances were strong. But the rest noted that it missed its target, saying that the writing let the cast down and that it became more preposterous as it progressed. The cast includes Ali Larter, Ron Perlman, Ralph Ineson and Tahmoh Penikett.
PLEASURE – A young woman from Sweden comes to Los Angeles in the hopes of becoming an adult film star. She soon learns that fame won’t come easy as she harnesses her ambition and cunning to rise to the top of the industry, encountering plenty of aggressive and nasty men along the way. This risqué English-language feature from Europe received plenty of reviews during its release and most of them were complementary. A small contingent wrote that once you got beyond the initial shock of the concept, the movie didn’t have much to say and was a little confused and contradictory in its messaging. Regardless, the majority said that the film was a well-acted and eye-opening tale about an unusual business and the persons involved in it. It features Sofia Kappel, Evelyn Claire and several adult movie actors.
PRIVATE PROPERTY – With her marriage to a wealthy LA-based producer slowly imploding, an aspiring actress finds herself attracted to her gardener. Then, a charming and eccentric millionaire moves in next door. He invites the woman and her husband over to a party. After a night of drunken celebration, the protagonist awakens to discover secrets about her husband and the neighbor that may put her own life in jeopardy. So far, this thriller has been blasted by every single reviewer who has watched it. A few thought it started off well enough and that the concept had potential to be an enjoyably trashy little thriller. However, they all claimed the movie quickly loses momentum and goes completely off the rails, meandering until reaching a nonsensical and unsatisfying conclusion. Ashley Benson, Shiloh Fernandez, Logan Miller, Frank Whaley and Jay Pharoah headline the film.
STRAWBERRY MANSION – This picture was scheduled to be released in May, but was delayed. It’s now arriving on disc this week. According to this unique fantasy film, in the future our dreams will be controlled by the government and will be taxed and fused with advertising and product placements. This story begins with a taxman arriving at the home of a woman and performing an audit. He finds himself traveling deep into her subconscious and begins to fall in love with an earlier version of the lady, causing all sorts of complications. The title was very well-received and earned excellent reviews. A tiny number had trouble connecting with the movie and found it tonally unbalanced. Still, all others said it was completely unique. They were also blown away by the trippy visuals and interesting, homemade feel of the effects. It features Kentucker Audley, Albert Birney, Penny Fuller and Grace Glowicki. A full review of the Blu-ray can be found right here.
THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT – Nicolas Cage plays a version of himself in this dark action/comedy. In desperate need of cash, the actor agrees to appear at a birthday party for one of his biggest fans. As it turns out, his host ends up being a major drug cartel whom the FBI say is about to carry out some sinister plans after the celebration. Thankfully, Cage himself reveals some secret details about a former life that may enable him to take on all villains. The press had a great time with the movie. Only a handful didn’t like it, saying that it wasn’t as clever as hoped for and that it wouldn’t appeal to those who weren’t already Cage enthusiasts. Still, the consensus was that this flick was sharp, twisty and a blast to watch from beginning to end, with great interplay between the lead actor and his co-stars. Besides Cage, the movie stars Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish, and Neil Patrick Harris.
YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER – After her bedridden mother disappears without a trace, her daughter must return home to try and find out what happened. The protagonist and her grandmother eventually locate the missing family member, but find the shaken person unwilling to talk about what happened. Soon, the parent also begins behaving in a threatening manner, making everyone wonder if the figure is an evil force pretending to be the relative. This Irish horror film was well-received by the press. A tiny number complained that it all felt a bit padded out and there wasn’t enough here to justify the running time. All others thought it was very disturbing and suspenseful, suggesting that it also served as an intriguing metaphor for mental health and other domestic issues. The cast includes Hazel Doupe, Carolyn Bracken, Paul Reid and Jade Jordan.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re more interested in catching up with or revisiting some older movies, you have plenty of options as well. Arrow Video is presenting the horror flick Edge of Sanity (1989) on Blu-ray. Anthony Hopkins (Psycho) plays the central character, a maniac targeting prostitutes. The movie actually combines elements of the Jekyll and Hyde story with the real “Jack the Ripper” slayings. This Blu-ray includes a 2K scan of a 4K restoration of the movie from the original camera negative. It comes with a film historian commentary, a discussion with the director, a second interview with the moviemaker, a talk with the producer, a featurette on “Jack the Ripper” movies, a trailer and more.
They also have a Blu-ray of The Initiation of Sarah (1978), a British made-for-TV chiller about a student who joins a sorority that may have ties to witchcraft. The movie’s camera negative has been given a 2K restoration and the disc features extras like a TV-movie expert commentary, a visual essay on the movie, a critic reappraisal and new appreciation of the title, a talk about the themes in the story, an interview with the writer and an image gallery.
Bayview Entertainment is delivering a Blu-ray of My Own Love Song (2010), a drama with Renee Zellweger, Forest Whitaker and Nick Noltle that features original music by Bob Dylan. It’s about a wheelchair-bound singer and her best friend who embark on a road-trip to Memphis.
And Blue Underground is giving the effective independent horror film Uncle Sam (1997) a 4K Ultra HD upgrade. It’s a movie that satirizes extreme patriotism and follows an undead killer dressed as the famous figure. The disc comes with all the same features as previous editions, but with improved picture quality for those who possess a TV that can play 4K titles. Those who don’t will have to stick with the regular Blu-ray of the movie.
Criterion is presenting the Hong Kong romance/ghost story Rouge (1987) on disc. The movie is a period piece about a suicide pact between two lovers that influences the lives of youngsters in a relationship decades later. The film has received a 4K digital restoration for Blu-ray. Extras include numerous documentaries and conversations with the filmmaker and discussions about the movie’s LGBTQ elements.
The distributor’s big release of the week may be the action classic Shaft (1971). You can pick it up in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set or just as a Blu-ray. Richard Roundtree stars as the famous black private detective who is hired by a crime lord to find a long-lost daughter. Naturally, the trail leads to some surprising revelations. Besides the upgraded picture, the disc includes the first sequel, Shaft’s Big Score (1972), a program on the history of black detectives in film, new and archival interviews featuring Parks, Hayes, Roundtree and the film’s crew, as well as a new making-of documentary, behind-the-scenes footage and much more. Sounds excellent!
Dark Force Entertainment is putting out Blu-rays of the action picture Forced Entry (1976) and the thriller Groupie (2010), about an obsessive music fan who is slicing and dicing band members.
The entertaining cheesy sci-fi B-movie The Brain from Planet Arous (1957) is arriving on Blu-ray from Film Detective. It’s about a floating, alien criminal brain that arrives on Earth and begins possessing important officials in the hopes of taking over the world. A film historian commentary, documentaries about the director and the movie appear as bonus features and you’ll also get a new introduction to the movie from one of the cast members.
The enjoyable action flick Universal Soldier (1992) is arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook set from Lionsgate. It’s a Best Buy Exclusive that will only be available through the retailer. For those that haven’t seen it, the movie follows deceased soldiers who are brought back as genetically engineered and programmable fighters. Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren star in the picture, which marked an early effort from director Roland Emmerich (Stargate, Independence Day).
Discount Blu-ray distributor Mill Creek is presenting more titles in their Retro VHS Collection. They feature packaging for the Blu-rays that look like VHS rental copies. The latest movies in the series are the Robert Downey Jr. rom-com Heart and Souls (1993) and the John Goodman comedy, King Ralph ((1991).
Looking for more to watch? MVD is putting out the teen thriller Monday Morning (1990), about a poor kid who is framed for a shooting at school and must prove his innocence while holding his class hostage. You’ll get a cleaned-up picture for this Blu-ray, as well as a version that looks just like the original VHS release. It also comes with featurettes on director Don Murphy (who ended up becoming a big producer in Hollywood).
You can also pick up the Nicolas Cage comedy Vampire’s Kiss (1988). Pictured above and to the left, the actor plays a stressed-out man in the big city who starts believing that he may be turning into a vampire. The disc features an archived commentary track from several years back with Cage and the director and tins of publicity materials.
Additionally, Sandpiper Pictures is making Richard III (1995) and the Sean Connery/Michelle Pfeiffer thriller The Russia House (1990) available on Blu-ray.
Fire in the Sky (1993) is also coming on Blu-ray, courtesy of Shout! Factory. This is a film adaptation of an event from 1975, in which a group of men who claim they were abducted by a UFO. D.B. Sweeney stars with James Garner, Robert Patrick, Craig Sheffer, Peter Berg and Henry Thomas. There are numerous cast and crew interviews included as extras, along with a photo gallery and a trailer for the movie.
And finally, Warner Bros. is making the James Dean/Rock Hudson/Elizabeth Taylor epic Giant (1956) available exclusively in 4K Ultra HD. Again, this release only includes the 4K version, so if you don’t have the proper set up, you’ll have to stick with the regular Blu-ray.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Here are some titles that may appeal to youngsters
Animaniacs: Season 2 (2021 Animated Series) (Warner Bros.) DVD
Aquaman: King of Atlantis: Season 2 (Animated Series) (Warner Bros./HBO-Max Original) DVD
Cinderella (2021) (Amazon) Blu-ray and DVD
The Patrick Star Show: Season 1, Volume 1 (Nickelodeon) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And here are all of the TV-themed efforts headed your way.
Animaniacs: Season 2 (2021 Animated Series) (Warner Bros.) DVD
Aquaman: King of Atlantis: Season 2 (Animated Series) (Warner Bros./HBO-Max Original) DVD
The Patrick Star Show: Season 1, Volume 1 (Nickelodeon) DVD
Total Control: Season 2 (Sundance) DVD
The Truth Will Out; Series 2 (Acorn) DVD
The Umbrella Academy: Season 2 (Universal) Blu-ray
When Calls the Heart Double-Feature: In Like a Lion & Turn of the Page (Hallmark) DVD