Welcome to a look at some of the highlights arriving this week on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and DVD. This edition is a little quieter than the last one, but still includes a big studio picture and some interesting independent fare. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies or need to stay indoors for a few days, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL – In February 2022, Russian forces invaded the country of Ukraine. One of the first targets was the city of Mariupol and its residents. This documentary follows a team of Ukrainian journalists who were trapped in the area during the attack and captured events as they occurred, including the bombing of a maternity hospital and other war crimes committed against ordinary citizens. Critics uniformly praised the film and it has yet to receive a negative review. Reviewers called it one of the most harrowing and powerful movies of the year, showing extended, horrifying footage of these attacks, as well as the courage of those trapped in the region. It is considered a major contender for a Best Documentary nomination at next year’s Academy Awards. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release.
AMONG WOLVES – Two ladies from a church witness the slaying of a group of striking miners committed by a pair of outlaws. They manage to escape without being captured, but realize that they are now being hunted by the killers. The two come upon the home of two ex-criminals who agree to take them in and protect them before they are eliminated. This western is being released as a DVD-only direct-to-disc feature and hasn’t been seen by many. A couple of people who got their hands on the movie have written it up online, but haven’t been overly complimentary. They state that the cast is impressive, but that they are underutilized. According to them, the story is forgettable and the action sequences leave a great deal to be desired. Trace Adkins, Victoria Pratt, Jeff Fahey, James Russo and Tom Berenger headline the picture.
ASTRAKAN – This foreign-language drama from France was initially scheduled to be released at the end of October, but was delayed at the last minute. A young orphan is adopted by a foster family. Drama follows as he struggles to fit in at his new home. After beginning to feel a sense of belonging and happiness, he goes through coming-of-age trials and also discovers an unexpected and hidden secret about his new parents. The press adored this feature and every reviewer who saw the picture recommended it. They commented that while some might find the storytelling difficult to digest, the movie was unlike any tale they had seen about a youngster becoming an adult. They praised the performances and the authenticity of the story, stating that it lacked any overt melodrama or sentimentalism. The cast includes Mirko Giannini, Jehnny Beth, Bastien Bouillon, Theo Costa-Marini and Paul Blain.
EYE FOR AN EYE: THE BLIND SWORDSMAN – For many years, the Japanese have produced film adaptations of a fictional blind swordsman character. This foreign-language title from China is a re-envisioning of this character. In this version, the sightless hero and bounty hunter encounters an abused young girl whose family has been murdered. Although the lead doesn’t want to get involved, his sense of honor and justice forces him to square off against those responsible. There have only been a few notices in this part of the world and they have been mixed. A few noted that the story felt like a lesser copy of the previous swordsman films that inspired it. The same number thought the action scenes were impressive and the lead actor was charismatic enough to keep them watching. This film stars Miao Xie, Weiman Gao and Hao Xiang.
GODS OF MEXICO – Here is yet another documentary that is receiving a lot of positive response. The filmmakers involved in this production have been inspired to capture the beauty of rural Mexico. They present vast landscapes both in color and in black-and-white, while also visiting numerous communities and paying tribute to locals who are preserving their cultural identity in a rapidly modernizing world. As mentioned, the overall response to the film was upbeat. A small number though the presentation was a little too abstract and focused on imagery over the individuals being spoken to. Still, the vast majority were impressed by the beauty on display and called the movie an artful and dynamic experience that would captivate viewers with gorgeous visuals and interviews with the remarkable residents who live there.
A HAUNTING IN VENICE – The third feature in the recent series of Agatha Christie adaptations by actor/director Kenneth Branagh finds sharp-witted detective Hercule Poirot giving up his trade and moving to Venice, Italy. After meeting an old friend, he is asked to help her prove that a local psychic and spiritualist is a fraud. Poirot agrees to attend a Halloween séance being performed by the individual, but his focus changes after an attendee is brutally murdered. The press generally enjoyed this mystery. About one-quarter of them commented that they thought a few roles were miscast and didn’t like the attempts to combine mystery with gothic horror elements. However, everyone else had a good time with this sequel. They appreciated that the story being adapted wasn’t overly familiar, enjoyed the atmospheric photography and thought that the film was generally engaging. It stars Branagh, Tina Fey, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Jude Hill, Riccardo Scamarcio, Kelly Reilly and Michelle Yeoh. Read this site’s review of the movie here.
MORE THAN EVER – A happily married woman receives tragic news about her heath at the beginning of this French drama. She wants to process it alone and finds another individual in Norway who is going through the same thing. She considers visiting him and spending time figuring out how to live her remaining days, but her decision leaves her husband feeling left out and alone. This foreign-language drama earned positive responses from the press. One or two wrote that, despite its attempts to deal with the subject in an honest manner, the movie didn’t really have anything significant to say. But the consensus was that the movie had wonderful performances and accurately depicted the struggles that a couple going through this type of situation would experience. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. Vicky Krieps, Gaspard Ulliel and Bjorn Floberg headline the picture.
THE TAKING – Monument Valley on the Arizona-Utah border is one of the most beautiful regions in the United States. This documentary explores how the revered Navajo area has been represented in westerns and advertising over the decades, beginning with the film Stagecoach in 1939. It notes how filmmakers helped perpetuate a fantasy of the “Old West” and the effects that these productions have had not just on Americans, but audiences around the world. Reactions towards the film have generally been positive. One noted that the techniques used in the film were frustrating, stating that it jumps around from narrator to narrator without identifying who is speaking, making the different ideas being expressed confusing. Regardless, most thought the message was effectively delivered and that it detailed how movies can create an inaccurate portrait of a land. They stated that it would leave viewers with plenty to think about.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
For viewers interested in older features, there is plenty to choose from this week. Arrow Video is releasing the cult classic Barbarella (1968) starring Jane Fonda in a variety of formats. There is a “Limited Edition” 4K UHD and Blu-ray bonus disc set, an Arrow Video Exclusive 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray bonus disc package available through their website, and a standalone 2-disc Blu-ray version. For those unfamiliar with the picture, it follows the title character, a 41st century Earth woman, who is sent on a mission to find a scientist who has disappeared in outer space with a devastating weapon.
Besides the upgraded picture, it comes with a film critic commentary, alternate opening and closing credits, a movie expert appreciation of the movie, a behind-the-scenes featurette, a 2-hour historian discussion about the title and its legacy, as well as a 30-minute with a fashion scholar on the costumes. You’ll also get an interview with the camera operator, a talk with the son of co-star Ugo Tognazzi, an interview with a stuntman and body-double for the film, a video essay on producer Dino De Laurentiis and tons of publicity materials. Read a detailed review of the set by clicking this link.
If you enjoy the work of director Michael Mann (Thief, The Last of the Mohicans, Collateral, Ford v Ferrari), you can pick up a “Limited Edition” of Blackhat (2015) either on 4K Ultra HD or on Blu-ray. Chris Hemsworth stars as an ex-con hired to expose a cybercrime network. This release contains three different versions of the film with upgraded picture quality, including the premier of Mann’s re-imagined director’s cut. It comes with a movie historian commentary, interviews with the cinematographer and production designer. There are also three behind-the-scenes archival featurettes and an image gallery.
Additionally, the sequel Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996) is arriving in a 4K Ultra HD package or as a standalone Blu-ray. This follow-up to the wonderful 1990 cult classic Tremors was made for the direct-to-video market but has slowly built a fanbase over the years. The story follows a character from the original film who is hired to investigate another series of incidents involving worm-like monsters. You’ll receive a new 4K restoration from the original camera negative, a commentary from the director/co-writer and co-producer, in addition to a second track from a Tremors authority. There is an interview with the special effects designer, CG supervisor, a making of featurette, outtakes, trailers, an image gallery, a booklet with an essay on the various scripts for this title that didn’t get made, as well as a double-sided fold-out poster and more. Read a full review of the disc here.
Radiance Films is presenting the French drama, Le Combat dans L’ile (1962) on Blu-ray. This feature involves a young French woman who is married to a conservative extremist. After he takes part in an assassination attempt, she stays with an old friend, who is a liberal who works in publishing. The two men end up fighting for the love of the woman. The film has received a 2K picture restoration from the original camera negative. It arrives with an interview with the moviemaker and another piece in which he talks about the production. There’s also a short that the director made prior to this production. It also has a critical analysis of the movie, a TV-interview with co-star Jean-Louis Trintignant, behind-the-scenes photos, a trailer and a booklet with new writing on the feature. Read a full review of the Blu-ray here.
If you appreciate low-budget B-movies, AGFA is re-releasing their impressive Blu-ray of Godmonster of Indian Flats (1973) from a few years back, this time in a slipcover. Bonuses are the same as in the previous edition.
East End Hustle (1976) is arriving from Canadian International Pictures (with assistance from Vinegar Syndrome) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. Set in the city of Montreal, the movie details the life of an ex-prostitute who rescues one of her pimp’s potential new recruits, beginning a deadly rivalry. Besides the impressive picture, buyers will get a film historian commentary, multiple discussions with the co-writer and director, two interviews with Troma Entertainment head Lloyd Kaufman, who distributed the movie in the US, a talk about Canadian motion picture production company Cinepix, a chat with the composer and a trailer.
Dark Star Pictures is presenting a double-feature Blu-ray of Marfa Girl (2012) and Marfa Girl 2 (2018). The second title on the set includes a director commentary and a trailer.
The Bullet Train (1975) is a Japanese thriller with Sonny Chiba about a mad bomber placing an explosive device on the title mode of transportation that will detonate if its speed dips below 80km. Discotek is presenting a new Blu-ray of the fun picture that contains the original Japanese version with English subtitles and an English dub.
Subscribers in the Disney Movie Club can now pick up a 20th anniversary edition Blu-ray and DVD set of Holes (2003) exclusively through their site. It stars a young Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Tim Blake Nelson, Henry Winkler and Patricia Arquette. Unfortunately, this writer doesn’t have access to the service and can’t comment on whether there are any bonuses included on the disc.
The same goes for the Disney Movie Club Exclusive 30th anniversary Blu-ray and DVD combo of the well-regarded family comedy, The Sandlot (1993).
A standard edition Blu-ray of La Guerre est Finie (1966) aka The War is Over is arriving from The Film Desk. It’s an Oscar-nominated French production about a demoralized Spanish political activist who ends up in Paris and trying to dissuade young followers from taking radical action during the Spanish Civil War. The disc contains a short film from the director, a film historian commentary, archival writing on the movie and a new trailer.
Kino is delivering some interesting titles as well. The Carpetbaggers (1964) is a drama with Geroge Peppard about a disagreeable tycoon who causes trouble in 1930s Hollywood. This Blu-ray arrives with a new HD master from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, two film historian commentary tracks and a trailer.
The Emerald Forest (1985) stars Powers Boothe as a man spending years trying to locate his lost son in the Brazilian rainforest. It comes with a film critic commentary, trailer, reversible art and a slipcase.
Robert De Niro plays a 1930s movie studio head in The Last Tycoon (1976), based on the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It also stars Dana Andrews, Ingrid Boulting, Tony Curtis, Anjelica Huston, Ray Milland, Robert Mitchum, Jeanne Moreau, Donald Pleasence, Theresa Russell and Jack Nicholson. The disc features a 4K picture restoration from the original camera negative and a film historian commentary.
You can purchase the cult comedy/horror flick The Monster Squad (1987) in a new 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set or as a standalone Blu-ray. After a vampire, wolfman and other creatures rampage through the neighborhood town, a group of young residents decide to save their town. The upgraded picture was restored from the original camera negative and extras include a director and cinematographer commentary, a director and cast commentary, a feature-length documentary on the film, a conversation with co-star Tom Noonan, deleted scenes, an animated storyboard sequence and tons of publicity materials.
Kino is also releasing a “Special Edition” Blu-ray of the Colin Firth period drama Valmont (1989). The image quality comes from 2K scan of the 35mm interpositive. The disc contains a film historian commentary, a discussion with director Milos Forman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus) and a trailer.
If you enjoy 80s comedies, one of the funniest of its era was The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988). Leslie Neilson plays a bumbling Los Angeles detective out to prevent a sinister figure from assassinating Queen Elizabeth while she is attending an Angels game. Paramount is delivering a 35th anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook of the feature. One presumes that besides the enhanced image, bonuses will be the same as in previous editions.
The Oscar-nominated The Conformist (1970) from Bernardo Bertolucci (The Last Emperor) is receiving a 4K restoration for its Blu-ray rerelease courtesy of RaroVideo. Set during the country’s fascist rule, the story follows a member of the Italian secret police who is sent to assassinate a leftist activist and his former teacher, leading him to question the task. This 2-disc set contains the stunning new restoration and the previous 2011 HD restoration. It contains an interview with the president of the Bernardo Bertolucci Foundation, a film critic commentary, an hour-long documentary on the movie, and multiple trailers for the feature.
Saturn’s Core Audio & Video is releasing a double-feature Blu-ray of the low-budget, shot-on-video efforts Hayride Slaughter (1992) and Halloween Horrors (1992). The disc boasts director commentaries, interviews and more.
Severin is delivering an elaborate 4K Ultra HD presentation of Jess Franco’s Count Dracula (1970). Additionally, the set contains the documentary Dracula Barcelona (2017), which chronicles the making of this film and Cuadecuc, Vampir (1971), which was shot at the same time. The latter two titles are presented on Blu-ray. Naturally, this set contains tons of extra features, including film historian commentaries, interviews and more. It also comes with a soundtrack CD.
You can also pick up a double-feature Blu-ray that contains Cuadecuc, Vampir (1971) and the genre picture Umbracle (1972). It also arrives with extras like a discussion with a Spanish film scholar and a trailer.
Zombie Holocaust (1980) was bumped from its original release date last month and is finally arriving on store shelves. It was filmed at the same time and on some of the same sets as Lucio Fulci’s more famous Zombie (1979) and is known for some extremely violent bits. The set presents both the original title and the US cut called Doctor Butcher M.D. in 4K and Blu-ray, as well as tons of publicity materials, cast and crew interviews and featurettes about the various New York locations used in the movies.
Shout! Factory is delivering the Bruce Willis remake of the revenge flick Death Wish (2018) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. It includes a sharper picture, director and producer commentary track, deleted scenes with optional director commentary, extended scenes, a featurette and various publicity materials.
The anthology title Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) is getting a “Collector’s Edition” with a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray of the film. This feature, based on the 80s TV-series, features three tales of terror (the first one involving a mummy is this reviewer’s favorite) and includes an impressive cast that includes Debbie Harry. Steve Buscemi, Christian Slater, Julianne Moore, David Johansen, William Hickey, James Remar and Rae Dawn Chong. You’ll get a sharp new picture, a new film critic audio commentary, two archival audio tracks (one with the director and the screenwriter, another with the co-producer), a lengthy making-of special with cast and crew interview, a behind-the-scenes video, a trailer, photo galleries, as well as radio and TV spots.
You can also purchase the The Ti Lung/David Chiang Collection box set. This is an exclusive that is only available on the Shout! website. It comes with the Hong Kong martial arts films Have Sword, Will Travel (1969), The Heroic Ones (1970), Vengeance! (1970), The Anonymous Heroes (1971), The Deadly Duo (1971), Duel of Fists (1971), The Duel (1971), The Angry Guest (1972), The Blood Brothers (1973), The Savage 5 (1974), All Men Are Brothers (1975) and 7 Man Army (1976). The set is limited to 2,500 copies and comes with multiple film historian audio commentaries, publicity materials and more.
Umbrella is an Australian distributor who has put out some amazing products at home and abroad. This week on December 1st, a Blu-ray of Inn of the Damned (1975) and Night of Fear (1973) is being released. Additionally, you can pick up region-free editions of the Jeff Bridges/Tommy Lee Jones action flick Blown Away (1994), the eccentric dance/genre film The FP (2011) and the Clive Barker chiller, Lord of Illusions (1995).
One title that should be emphasized is their Blu-ray of the neo-noir film Red Rock West (1993). It is a fantastic thriller that, unfortunately, wasn’t supported by its production comedy/distributor. Due to this and ownership issues, the movie flew out of view after its initial release and quickly went out of print on DVD (it is only available as an import on Blu-ray). Nicolas Cage stars as a drifter who wanders into a small town and is mistaken for a hired killer. He gets in the middle of a murder plot filled with darkly humorous twists. The movie also features Dennis Hopper, Lara Flynn Boyle, J.T. Walsh and Dwight Yoakam. At least writer/director John Dahl did receive a lot of attention for The Last Seduction, Rounders and Joy Ride, which followed this effort. This title is a blast and you should check the film out if you get the chance.
Umbrella is also putting out the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Collection which contains B0lu-rays of the first three live-action movies that were made in 1990, 1991 and 1993.
Vinegar Syndrome always releases high quality, extras-filled Blu-rays of independent genre titles. This week, you can purchase Bloodsucking Freaks (1976) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set, as well as website exclusive Blu-rays of Fogi is a Bastard (1998) and A Gun for Jennifer (1997). Furthermore, the company is releasing a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of Mark of the Devil (1970) and the slasher, Mother’s Day (1980).
Additionally, you can pick up The Prophecy I – III 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray box set, which includes The Prophecy (1995), The Prophecy II: God’s Army (1998) and The Prophecy: The Ascent (2000) on both formats. Besides the new restorations, this release comes loaded with all new and exclusive bonus features including director, as well as cast and crew interviews.
Rabid Grannies (1988) is a crazy Danish horror/comedy about, well, nasty grandmothers who attack family members at a reunion. Like other titles mentioned, it comes with numerous bonuses. So many, in fact, that they can’t all be listed here.
Making its debut on both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray through the Vinegar Syndrome Ultra line is D.A.R.Y.L. (1985). For the time being, this title can only be purchased through the Vinegar Syndrome website. It follows a couple who become foster parents to an unusual and highly intelligent young boy. As it turns out, AI is involved and the government soon appear to try and take him away. The film is directed by Simon Wincer (the Lonesome Dove miniseries, Quigley Down Under, Free Willy, The Phantom). In addition to the spectacular picture quality, this elaborate set includes a new commentary track with Wincer, an hour-long making-of with cast and crew interviews and tons of promotional materials.
Vision Films is presenting a 30th anniversary Blu-ray of the documentary Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul (1993) and how he built Warner Bros. studios.
Finally, Visual Vengeance is releasing a couple of shot-on-video or 8mm/16mm titles. This company is known for delivering high-quality packages of homemade genre films that are loaded with bonuses. Scream Queen (2002) is a shot-on-video effort starring Linnea Quigley about a film crew being stalked by a killer. It comes with a Quigley interview, a writer/director commentary, a behind-the-scenes documentary, a producer’s cut of the feature, interviews, trailers, image galleries and more.
The Wrong Door (1990) was originally shot on 8mm and involves a college student who goes on the run after a young woman is found murdered in his car. It arrives with two commentary tracks, a documentary on the movie, cast and crew interviews, an alternate director’s cut of the movie, super 8 shorts made by the filmmaker, publicity materials and much, much more.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Well, despite being rated PG, the two films listed below are as close as anything gets to kid-friendly entertainment.
Holes (2003) 20th Anniversary (Disney Movie Club Exclusive) Blu-ray and DVD
The Sandlot (1993) 30th Anniversary (Disney Movie Club Exclusive) Blu-ray and DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And below is a list of all the week’s TV-related releases.
Ancient Aliens: Season 18 (History) DVD
The Chelsea Detective: Series 2 (Acorn) DVD
Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein (PBS) DVD
Monk: Season 1 (Kino) Blu-ray
Riverdale: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
Riverdale: The 7th and Final Season (Warner Bros.) DVD
The Sandman: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) 4K Ultra HD or Blu-ray
Wandavision: The Complete Series (Disney Movie Club Exclusive Steelbook) 4K Ultra HD Steelbook or Blu-ray or Blu-ray and DVD
World on Fire: Season 2 (Masterpiece) (PBS) Blu-ray or DVD