Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This edition announces the arrival of the year’s highest grossing blockbuster on disc, as well as plenty of other notable features. Overall, there’s plenty to choose from. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a while, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
3 DAYS IN MALAY – Inspired by a true story, this picture is set during the World War II Guadalcanal campaign. It follows a group of US Marines who get intel about an upcoming raid on their base by the Japanese. The heroes ask to have reinforcements set their way, but are denied by their superiors. Instead, they are forced to fight alone and must endure a 3-day assault. This feature hasn’t received many reviews in this part of the country. Of the few that have popped up so far, all have been negative. They wrote that the movie felt inauthentic and didn’t even get many details about the conflict correct. The critics also wrote that the picture failed to generate tension and simply didn’t work. It stars Louis Mandylor, Donald Cerrone, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Peter Dobson.
BARBIE – Surprisingly, the year’s biggest box office hit is this film adaptation of the Mattel doll line. Barbie lives in a colorful and matriarchal world with other versions of herself and various Kens. When she begins noticing issues with her body, she becomes gravely concerned. The lead and Ken decide to leave their home for Los Angeles, where they are met with challenges after comparing their world and human existence. The press was very upbeat about this comedy. A number did complain that the film’s satire and social commentary was on-the-nose, that its novelty wore thin quickly, and that it didn’t generate a lot of laughs. However, the majority found the sets and photography incredible, the humor sharp-witted and the performances excellent. They also thought it presented a positive message for women of all ages. It features Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell, John Cena, Michael Cera and Ariana Greenblatt.
BRING IT ON: CHEER OR DIE – Much like the Sniper film franchise, the hit 2000 cheerleading teen comedy Bring It On has inspired a series of direct-to-disc sequels. This seventh installment is somewhat different in that it includes horror elements in its story. When a squad of cheerleaders are forbidden from adding dangerous moves to their routine, they decide to train secretly in an abandoned school. Unfortunately, there is a killer residing in the building and the group must fight for survival. Notices were largely negative for this follow-up. One critic or two was amused by the new formula wrinkle and called it an intentionally campy and fun effort. Everyone else wrote that the movie was terrible. They stated that it couldn’t find the right balance between comedy and horror and that it fell entirely flat. Kerri Medders, Alten Wilmot, Sierra Holder, Alexandra Beaton and Missi Pyle headline the film.
THE DIVE – In this thriller, two sisters decide to take a deep-sea diving expedition in one of the most remote locations in the world. Guess what happens? An underwater landslide causes one of the siblings to be trapped under rocks 100 feet below the surface of the water. With little oxygen left, the other family member must do whatever she can to keep her sister alive and prevent herself from perishing too. This is a remake of the 2020 Swedish/Norwegian film Breaking Surface and response towards the redo was more positive than negative. About one-third of reviewers called the story cliched and thought that the characters weren’t developed enough for audiences to root for them. However, more thought that the movie was tense throughout and noted that it would make anyone think twice about diving alone. Lousia Krause and Sophie Lowe headline the film.
EO – If you’re an animal lover, this Polish feature may be for you (although it’s just as likely that it may also be too upsetting). The story is told from the point of view of a donkey. After being raised as a circus performer, the protagonist is hastily taken from its caregiver and sent to work in a horse stable. Viewers witness the donkey encounter both good and bad people, as well as experience joy and pain as during his troubled life. This picture was nominated for Best International Film at last year’s Academy Awards and is now being released on disc by Criterion. Reviews were uniformly excellent. A tiny contingent called the film either difficult to endure or overly sentimental. All others called it surreal but empathetic, moving, beautiful, and impossible to forget. They were impressed by its boldness and the distinctive cinematography that somehow always manages to keep its animal star in sharp focus.
GOLDA – Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir is the subject of this biopic that focuses on her handling of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. After receiving word that Syria and Egypt are preparing a surprise attack on her nation, viewers see the leader discount the threat before eventually being drawn into armed conflict. After 20 days of fighting, the battle concludes and the leader spends the next few years defending her actions. Response towards this picture was split. Almost half suggested that the drama was dry and felt like a history lecture, lacking finesse and simplifying the complexities of the war. The same number plus one or two complimented the lead performance and thought that her believable portrayal carried the picture. It stars Helen Mirren, Live Schreiber, Camille Cottin and Lior Ashkenazi.
HAUNTED MANSION – Set in New Orleans, a downcast widower and ex-scientist spends his time providing ghost tours for tourists. He’s unexpectedly approached by a priest, who asks that he use one of his inventions to help prove that a nearby property is haunted. Despite being a skeptic, he agrees and ends up encountering a house full of spirits. The press didn’t take to this effort, which is based on the popular Disney Park attraction. More than one-third thought that the picture was entertaining, providing impressive effects work as well as a few genuinely amusing moments that fans of the ride would appreciate. The rest stated that it was a missed opportunity, failing to maximize the concept and presenting a bland and unmemorable translation to audiences. The cast includes LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Levy and Jared Leto. Read a full review of the movie here.
THE INNOCENT – When a widowed marine biologist gets an unexpected call from his eccentric mother, he is shocked to learn that she is getting married… to an ex-prison inmate whom she taught in a theater class. The protagonist drives out with a close friend to tail his new stepfather and convince his mom that her marriage might be a bad idea. Of course, the new husband quickly figures out what his son-in-law and friend are doing and makes an unusual business proposition to them. This French-language crime comedy was extremely well-received by critics. One lone voice stated that the film was decent, but that it didn’t charm them as much as they had hoped. Everyone else wrote that the fast-paced movie was fun and filled with laughs, but also impressive in its unpredictable storytelling and surprising kindheartedness. It features Louis Garrel, Roschdy Zem, Anouk Grinberg and Noémie Merlant.
INSIDE MAN – Based on a true story, this crime/drama follows a cop who discovers that his wife is having an affair. He beats up her lover, creating personal and professional strife. His spouse leaves him and he receives a sudden demotion at work. Determined to turn things around, he takes a tough assignment and goes deep undercover as a grunt in an organized crime syndicate. There aren’t a lot of reviews for this independent feature yet and the online write-ups that have appeared so far are middling. Most comment that the movie is well-shot and features a good cast, but that the storytelling is choppy and that elements feel borrowed from other, better, mobster movies. Emile Hirsch, Jake Cannavale, Lucy Hale, Ashley Greene and Danny A. Abeckaser headline the feature.
THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER – If you have ever read the Bram Stoker novel Dracula, one chapter in the novel briefly tells of the ill-fated voyage of the ship that brought the famed vampire across the Black Sea to England. This chiller expands the segment into a feature film. It introduces viewers to members of the boat’s crew and the terror that overtakes them as people start disappearing mysteriously. Reaction for this adaptation was split. Half thought that the picture was stylish, created a sense of claustrophobia and delivered plenty of jolts. The same number (plus one or two) didn’t think that there was enough material here to warrant a feature film. They also complained that the movie wasn’t scary because anyone familiar with the original tale should already know how it plays out. The movie stars Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchian and Chris Walley.
THE LOST WEEKEND: A LOVE STORY – This documentary focuses on a period of the life of The Beatles band member John Lennon. Specifically, it details an 18-month segment beginning in 1971. After breaking up with Yoko Ono, he embarked on a relationship with his 23-year-old assistant Mary Pang (apparently, at the insistence of ex Ono). Tabloids had a field day during this period in the new pair’s lives. Pang describes her memories of the romance, as do others including Lennon’s son Julian, who lived with them at the time. Despite news reports, they assert it was a warm and positive experience for all involved (Lennon and Ono did get back together afterwards). Reviewers generally liked the picture. A couple of them didn’t think it added anything new or interesting to the story. However, everyone else thought the film was a fascinating and insightful tribute. They also appreciated seeing Pang setting the record straight about what occurred.
MORTAL KOMBAT LEGENDS: CAGE MATCH – Set in 1980s Hollywood, this R-rated animated feature based on the popular martial arts video game features heroic Johnny Cage struggling to make his mark as an action film actor. After being cast in a motion picture production, his co-star disappears and he sets out to locate them. The trail leads to an evil cult of martial artists who want to take over the world. It appears that there is a lot more humor in this effort and that the characters have fun with the 80s backdrops and fashions. There aren’t many notices for the picture yet, but a few online ones have been complementary. They comment that while the picture could do with more character development and has a few slow spots, the action is solid and there are several laugh-out-loud moments. The voice cast includes Joel McHale, Jennifer Grey, Kelly Hu, Gilbert Gottfried, Grey DeLisle and Phil LaMarr.
NO BEARS – This 2022 feature from Iran arrives from acclaimed filmmaker Jafar Panahi (Taxi). It is another film that Panahi made secretly in his home country (he is not allowed to leave Iran and is banned from moviemaking) and sneaked out for international audiences. It combines autobiographical elements with a fictional narrative. The writer/director plays himself in the movie. He visits a small town at the Turkish border in order to make a docudrama about a couple hoping to flee the country. Both the filmmaker and his subjects hear vague tales about dangerous forces and violence that may befall them. Response was almost uniformly exceptional. One reviewer didn’t find the storytelling dynamic and couldn’t get into the story. Everyone else thought it was another deep, ambitious and towering effort that uses narrative devices to effectively tell a truthful story about life in Iran. Besides Panahi, it features Naser Hashemi and Vahid Mobasseri. For those interested, the release is arriving on disc from Criterion.
SHORTCOMINGS – Based on a popular 2007 graphic novel by Adrian Tomine, this tale follows a struggling California-based moviemaker who manages an arthouse movie theater while his girlfriend works for an Asian American film festival. He spends his days watching Blu-rays from Criterion and discussing them with a best friend. When his girlfriend accepts an internship in New York, the lead has to figure out his next step in life. This rom-com was well liked by the press. A small contingent felt that the film wasn’t an ideal adaptation and failed to alter aspects that now felt a little out-of-date. Yet the vast majority thought the movie was very amusing and avoided all the genre tropes. They wrote that the cast were charming and the end result was quirky and fun. The cast includes Justin H. Min, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki and Debby Ryan.
THE UNKNOWN COUNTRY – After a devastating loss, a Minnesota woman is invited to attend her cousin’s wedding in South Dakota. She drives for several hours and tries to reconnect with her Oglala Sioux family members. The protagonist decides to retrace a surreal journey that her grandmother took decades earlier and find the exact locale captured in an old family photo. Along the way, she meets everyday people (some of whom are real and not part of the fictional narrative) and hears their stories. Critics spoke very highly of this feature. A tiny number called it unfocused and didn’t like the combination of fictional elements and documentary-like moments. However, all others were impressed. They complimented the star and called the movie an artistic, moving portrait of a specific region and its people that makes a powerful and lasting impression. The film features Lily Gladstone, Raymond Lee and Richard Ray Whitman.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
It’s another excellent week to pick up some older gems. Arrow Video is putting out a Blu-ray of The Desperate Hours (1955), the classic thriller from William Wyler (Roman Holiday, The Big Country, Ben-Hur). In an unusual role, Humphrey Bogart plays a vicious criminal who, with his brother and another hood, takes a suburban family hostage in their home. The film includes a 6K picture restoration from the original “VistaVision” negative, meaning that this presentation will be the best the film has ever looked on disc. It also comes with a movie expert commentary, a film professor analysis and appreciation of the picture, a visual essay on the title, a new audio interview with director Wyler’s daughter (who was on set briefly), as well as publicity materials. Read all about the disc by clicking on this link!
Classic film fans can also pick up the Douglas Fairbanks Double Feature: The Three Musketeers (1921) and The Iron Mask (1929) Blu-ray from the Cohen Media Group. The disc boasts a 4K picture scan of the first title and sound sequences used in the second picture were restored from original discs held at the Library of Congress.
Just in time for Halloween, Criterion is presenting a Blu-ray called Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers, which contains Freaks (1932), The Unknown (1927) and The Mystic (1925). Director Browning (Dracula) actually worked in a circus before the film industry began. While his movies are exaggerated, Browning’s own work history and knowledge of these worlds provided a sense of authenticity to the narratives. The first is the most famous in the set, telling the story of a group of sideshow performers who seek revenge after one of their own is taken advantage of by a greedy trapeze performer. The sets include 2K picture restorations of all three features, film scholar audio commentaries on the first two titles and an introduction on the third, a new historian interview about Browning and Pre-Code horror, a reading of the source material upon which Freaks is based, a prologue to Freaks that was added in 1947, a program on the alternate endings and more.
Film Movement is presenting the Marcel Pagnol: 2-Film Collection on Blu-ray, containing the French period efforts My Father’s Glory (1990) and My Mother’s Castle (1990) based on the written works of Pagnol. Both titles have been restored in 4K and come with a visual essay examining the themes of the movies, as well as a featurette with director Yves Robert’s son, grandson and the film’s cinematographer. It also contains a 16-page booklet with a lengthy essay of the two pictures.
Passion (2008) is a well-regarded Japanese effort about a couple about to be married. While at a celebration, one finds out that the other had an affair in the past, leading to a major confrontation. The Blu-ray features an introduction from the director and a video essay on the movie by a film and theater writer.
The early silent melodrama and disaster picture The Johnstown Flood (1926) is arriving on Blu-ray from The Film Preserve. George O’Brien and Janet Gaynor star, along with brief appearances by a young Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. The picture has been painstakingly restored and includes a visual effects featurette, two audio conversations with O’Brien, a clip of Gaynor at the 1978 Academy Awards, a photo gallery of the real Johnstown flood. The first pressing also contains a 3D photo gallery bonus and comes with a pair of anaglyph glasses.
Kino is debuting the Robin Williams/Kurt Russell comedy The Best of Times (1986) on Blu-ray. It’s about a pair of middle-aged men still reeling from losing their high school football team’s championship game. When a rematch is suggested, the pair set out to make it happen. The picture has been newly remastered and the disc contains an audio commentary with director Roger Spottiswoode (Under Fire, Tomorrow Never Dies) and screenwriter Ron Shelton (who later wrote and directed Bull Durham and White Men Can’t Jump), as well as a pair of trailers for the film.
This week, Lionsgate are releasing a couple of Blu-ray box sets. The first is the John Wick: Chapter 1-4 Collection, which contains all of the Keanu Reeves titles together. You can also pick up The Twilight Saga: The Complete Collection on Blu-ray, featuring Twilight (2008), The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011) (Extended Edition) and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012) (15th Anniversary Edition).
Additionally, the studio is making the creepy cult classic The Wicker Man (1973) available in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Best Buy Exclusive Steelbook, all in order to celebrate the movie’s 50th Anniversary.
Milestone is proud to present the Scotland-set drama The Edge of the World (1937) on Blu-ray. This film marked an early effort from Michael Powell (The Red Shoes, Black Narcissus, I Know Where I’m Going!) and involves two interconnected families deciding whether to remain at a dying fishing port in the Outer Hebrides. The disc contains a commentary track with a film historian and the late Powell’s wife, Oscar-winning editor Thelma Schoonmaker. You’ll also get a 1979 trip back to the shooting locations with cast and crew, a 1941 short film by Powell, alternative scenes, a trailer and home movies taken during production.
If you like action, budget-friendly distributor Mill Creek Entertainment is putting out a double-feature Blu-ray called Double Danger: Drop Squad (1994) and Waist Deep (2006). The first title stars Eric La Salle and Ving Rhames while the second features Tyrese Gibson.
Shout! Factory is giving the underrated remake The Blob (1988) the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Collector’s Edition treatment. Co-writer/director Chuck Russell (The Mask) and co-writer Frank Darabont (who later wrote and directed The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Mist, as well as the first season of The Walking Dead TV-series) really went to town with this redo, upping the ante from the 1958 original in terms of action and special effects. It flopped at the box office during its original run, but the movie is a real blast that still entertains with plenty of shocks, surprises and a memorable cast. This release includes a 4K picture upgrade from Sony and all previously released extras from earlier editions, including multiple cast and crew commentary tracks, as well as interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and publicity materials.
The Barbara Streisand/Robert Redford drama The Way We Were (1973) is receiving a 4K Ultra HD 50th Anniversary Edition (no Blu-ray is included). It follows two star-crossed lovers whose relationship fractures because of their different political beliefs. The disc presents a new, extended version of the movie that restores two important scenes to the narrative. It also arrives with the theatrical edition with an archived director Sidney Pollack (The Firm, Out of Africa, Tootsie, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?) commentary, a making of documentary and a trailer.
The motorcycle documentary Out of Nothing (2014) is arriving on Blu-ray from Uncork’d. It details the efforts of four men attempting to break land speed records on their bikes.
Finally, Universal is rereleasing a number of catalog titles. You can pick up a Remastered Edition of the all-star firefighter feature, Backdraft (1991), Carlito’s Way (1993), Casino (1995) and National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978). One expects that the bonuses will be identical to earlier versions, but the picture will be slightly upgraded.
Additionally, the surfer drama Blue Crush (2002) is being rereleased on Blu-ray.
And if you’re looking for something for the family, you can pick up the Shrek: 6-Movie Collection on Blu-ray. It contains all four Shrek titles and two Puss in Boots films made between 2001 and 2022, as well as 11 shorts and 5 TV specials.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
The following releases may be of interest to children.
Barbie: A Touch of Magic: Season 1 (animated series) (nCircle) DVD
Shrek: 6-Movie Collection (also includes 11 shorts and 5 TV specials) (Universal) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
Additionally, all the week’s TV-released discs can be found below.
ALF: The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory) DVD
Barbie: A Touch of Magic: Season 1 (animated series) (nCircle) DVD
Brothers in Arms: WWII & Vietnam War (History) DVD
Centennial: The Complete Limited Series (1992) (Universal) DVD
The Crown: Season 5 (Blu-ray) Sony
Heroes: The Complete Series (Universal) DVD
Night Court (2023): Season 1 (Warner Bros.) DVD
Psych: The Complete Collection (8 Seasons, 3 Movies) (Universal) Blu-ray
Rabbit Hole: Season 1 (Paramount) Blu-ray
RoboDoc: The Creation of Robocop (TV Mini-Series about the 1987 sci-fi/action film) (Cinedigm) Blu-ray and Wal-Mart Exclusive Steelbook Blu-ray
Titans: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
Titans: Season 4 (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
The Walking Dead: The Complete Collection (11 Seasons) (Lionsgate) Blu-ray