Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s one of the busiest editions in recent memory, with some big Hollywood features and plenty of independent fare arriving. 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!
ELEMENTAL – The latest animated effort from Pixar and Disney is set in a city where the elements of air, earth, fire and water all live together. A young fire element is expected to take over her parent’s corner store when they retire, but has trouble keeping her temper under control. When one of her outbursts threatens to close the store for good, she teams up with a water element to save the business. Despite being from and made of completely different elements, romance blossoms between the two. Reviews were more positive than negative for this feature. About one-quarter didn’t think the romantic story was compelling and suggested that it also missed a lot of opportunities for humor and drama. Still, the majority were impressed by the spectacle and visuals and felt that its sweet and low-key message of love and understanding was effective. The voice cast includes Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Catherine O’Hara. Read a full review of the movie here.
THE ENGINEER – Based on a true story from the 1990s, this tale involves the sinister figure Yahya Ayyash, a master bombmaker who used a suicide squad to set up a series of deadly terrorist bombings in Israel. When one of the explosions kills the daughter of a U.S. senator, an ex-Mossad agent is hired to find the figure responsible and his crew. In order to do so, the protagonist recruits a special team of covert agents and the group goes undercover to locate the threat. So far, this action-thriller has been universally panned by the press. They all wrote that the movie handled real events in a poor manner, noting that the pacing was sluggish, the story formulaic and that the final result lacked any kind of tension. It stars Emile Hirsch, Tsashi Halevi, Oshri Cohen, Hisham Suliman and Adam Haloon.
EVIL BONG 888: INFINITY HIGH – Independent producers Full Moon Entertainment have been making comedic low-budget movies about an evil bong since 2006. This effort marks the seventh official sequel (although the title creation has also appeared in a team-up and a couple of other pictures from the company). This time out, the lead character is a delivery man who has appeared in all the previous entries. He decides to open his own restaurant, but on the first night his employees find themselves short on ingredients. They decide to pepper the meals with weed and use the Evil Bong to save the business. This picture is debuting on disc and almost no one has seen it yet. A few online write-ups state that the flick is terrible, delivering a series of lame and predictable gags over its thin, 59-minute running time. The cast includes Sonny Carl Davis, Diana Prince and Israel Sharpe.
GANGNAM ZOMBIE – This South Korean zombie feature is set in the upscale Gangnam region of Seoul. After a mass infection spreads around the area, a group of youngsters who work in a fancy office area/shopping plaza take cover. As more and more people in the building turn and try to tear them apart, the leads fight to survive the onslaught using martial arts, expensive products and whatever else they can find. They also record their exploits for a YouTube channel they’re trying to promote. Few critics in this part of the world have seen the movie and only a couple of mixed online notices exist. One called the feature funny and was amused by the backdrop for the story, but more appeared to critique the film for being repetitive and failing to offer anything new or interesting to the zombie subgenre. It features Ji Il-Joo, Park ji-yeon and Min Choi.
INSIDIOUS: THE RED DOOR – The fifth title in this franchise is actually a direct sequel to the first and second movies (the previous two films are actually prequels). In the latest entry, the father from the first chapter has repressed all memories of previous events and is separated from his wife. When he and his estranged, college-bound son begin having ghostly visions once again, the two come together to square off against demonic forces. While the original was well-received, the sequels haven’t gotten great notices and this picture continues the trend. Slightly less than half stated that the creepy atmosphere kept them on the edge of their seats and felt there were enough jolts to entertain genre fans. The rest complained that, despite a good moment or two, this episode didn’t deliver scare and felt too familiar. They concluded that the series has now run its course. It stars Patrick Wilson, Ty Simpkins, Rose Byrne, Sinclair Daniel, Haim Abbass and Lin Shaye.
LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR – A shy teen who doesn’t want to attend school plays hooky and discovers a magical portal in her bedroom. It leads to a strange castle where she meets six others who are the same age. The group are asked to play a game and are told that they must complete a series of tasks and uncover a connection between them. Anyone who breaks the rules or loses will be devoured by a figure on the grounds dressed like a wolf. Reaction towards this animated effort from Japan wasn’t strong. About one-third felt that the setting and visuals were striking and the message about making friends was welcome. However, the majority didn’t think the story was well developed. They commented that the characters were thinly drawn, so the plot failed to grab them or generate tension. The disc contains both the original Japanese audio (with subtitles) and an English-language track.
THE MAN FROM ROME – This co-production between the US, Spain and Columbia is a thriller that begins with a computer hacker breaking through Vatican security and sending a message to the pope about a 17th century Baroque church in Seville that has the power to kill. A figure heading “Vatican Intelligence” is asked to investigate these claims. The lead must determine what is going on and why it might be occurring. The press blasted this independent effort. One voice complimented the photography and called it an accurate adaptation of the source material (a 1995 novel by Spanish author Arturo Pérez-Reverte Gutiérrez). Everyone else thought the tale was absurd and overly complicated, yet somehow dull and unexciting at the same time. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. The cast includes Richard Armitage, Amaia Salamanca, Paul Guilfoyle, Paul Freeman and Rodolfo Sancho.
NATTY KNOCKS – Set on Halloween, this tale focuses on a young babysitter looking after a pair of kids while trick or treaters wander the streets outside. The household is soon targeted by a serial killer, who is the son of a B-movie horror legend. The caregiver must use her wits and fighting skills to save the children and turn the tables on the maniac. The press was split on this title and it received a few more negative write-ups than positive ones. Those who enjoyed it said the cast were excellent, that the film was slick and that it delivered a nostalgia kick by emulating horror pictures from the 1970s. Slightly more criticized the picture for borrowing so many elements from other, stronger horror pictures and thought its attempts at meta-horror failed. It features Charlotte Fountain-Jardim, Bill Moseley, Danielle Harris and Robert Englund.
NIGHT OF THE BASTARD – A disgruntled hermit who lives alone in the desert doesn’t appreciate company, at least at the beginning of this chiller. But after chasing a group of partying kids away, a group of cult members appear and attack his house. He finds common ground with an injured partygoer and the two battle the maniacal killers. This independent horror picture received mixed notices that were more downbeat than positive. Close to half appreciated the work of the cast and crew, stating that despite its low-budget the picture managed to deliver a few thrills and chills. However, the general consensus was that after a strong opening, the movie had tonal issues and didn’t quite come together, eventually becoming repetitive and ineffective. London May, Mya Hudson, Hannah Pierce and Henry Mortensen headline the film.
RUBY GILLMAN: TEENAGE KRAKEN – A teenage Kraken is the lead in this animated family film. She plays a shy and awkward student desperate to fit in at her new high school. Things get complicated when the sweet-natured protagonist learns that she is next in line to lead her kind as a warrior queen… and that she may have to do battle with power-hungry and popular mermaids whom she attends class with. The film received more positive notices than negative ones. Those who disliked the picture claimed that the story and writing was cliched and that it didn’t make a strong emotional connection with viewers. Still, more called the film a beautifully animated and enjoyable coming-of-age tale featuring some welcome twists and an important message to stand tall and be yourself. The voice cast includes Lana Condor, Toni Collette, Annie Murphy, Sam Richardson, Liza Koshy, Will Forte, Colman Domingo and Jane Fonda.
SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL – After receiving a call from his wife that she is in labor, a man drives as fast as he can to the hospital. But before he can get out of his vehicle, a mysterious and armed stranger enters. The unhinged but chatty new arrival demands the driver take him to some unusual destinations, threatening to shoot him or anyone else who gets in their way. As the two talk, the crazed passenger’s motivations are slowly revealed. This thriller received a wide array of comments, although more were amused than disappointed. Those who didn’t like the picture took issue with the exaggerated storytelling and wanted more character development. Others couldn’t help but be entertained by the engaging and sometimes over-the-top performances, as well as the bizarre and unexpected events depicted on the screen. They called it a stylish, wild and enjoyable B-movie. It stars Nicolas Cage and Joel Kinnaman.
A THOUSAND AND ONE – A hairdresser and convicted thief loses custody of her child. After serving time, she returns to reestablish contact with her boy. She discovers her youngster is unhappy living in foster care. The lead snatches him away and the two attempt to make a fresh start while avoiding being caught by authorities. However, their relationship becomes complicated after the woman starts a new relationship with a fellow thief. Overall, critics were impressed by this drama. A small number didn’t find it as compelling as hoped for, also commenting that story segments set late in the feature weren’t as convincing as the 1990s material. However, virtually everyone else wrote that this was a dynamic story with wonderful performances that completely immersed them in the lives of the characters. Teyana Taylor, Aaron Kingsley Adetola, Aven Courtney, Josiah Cross and William Catlett headline the picture.
WE KILL FOR LOVE – This documentary focuses on writers, directors and actors who specialized in direct-to-video “erotic thrillers” of the 1980s and 1990s. These movies almost always featured a femme fatale and provocative box art. The film examines the titles that lead to the straight-to-video explosion of the genre, and then speak with academics and moviemakers about big renters like the Body of Evidence sequels, as well as the Poison Ivy series, not to mention a few forgotten efforts. The press gave this non-fiction feature plenty of props. A few did complain that it went on too many tangents and that the 2-hour-and-43-minute running time was far too long. But all others thought it was an incredibly detailed documentary that changed the way they thought about these movies and presented some insight into their proliferation during their era.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you appreciate older titles, then this is your week. It’s jam-packed with incredible stuff. Arrow Video is releasing a new 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray of the phenomenal Al Pacino crime movie, Carlito’s Way (1993). The actor plays a reformed convict who vows to make a better life for himself after being paroled. He does his best, attempting to open a nightclub and reestablishing a relationship with an old flame, but the criminal underworld refuses to let him go. Eventually, all sorts of shifty characters try to manipulate him, causing grave danger. This is a stylish flick with excellent performances from a standout cast (that also includes Sean Penn, John Leguizamo, Viggo Mortensen, Luis Guzman and more). Directed by the great Brian De Palma (Sisters, Phantom of the Paradise, Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Blow-Out, Scarface, The Untouchables, Casualties of War, Mission: Impossible, Femme Fatale) it is full of incredible camera set-ups and memorably thrilling sequences. It’s a fantastic movie.
This “Limited Edition” release includes an upgraded picture as well as two new film critic commentaries, a discussion with the author of the novels the film is based on, a featurette on the editing, a look into the locations used, an archival talk with De Palma, a lengthy archival making-of, deleted scenes, tons of promotional material. It also contains a collector’s booklet with writing on the movie, a reversible sleeve, lobby card reproductions and a double-sided fold-out poster with two original artwork options. Here is a full review of the disc.
AGFA is putting out the Blu-ray box set Terminal Degeneration: The Films of Jon Moritsugu, which contains restoration of 7 independent movies (two of which feature a bonus cut) that were made by the director between 1989 and 2013.
The kinky European spy caper The Girl from Rio (1969) is receiving the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray treatment from Blue Underground. Pictured above and to the right, this Jess Franco title features an American playboy who escapes to Rio with ten million dollars in stolen cash. He becomes a target for a local crime boss as well as a megalomaniacal female criminal mastermind. This set includes a big video upgrade, a critic commentary track, a film historian detailing the movie’s production, an archival featurette with co-star Shirley Eaton, Jess Franco and the producer. You’ll also see additional scenes and trims, a poster and still gallery and a Rifftrax edition of the film featuring Mike Nelson, Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy Jr..
Criterion is having a musical week. You can pick up the Ritchie Valens biopic La Bamba (1987) on Blu-ray. Lou Diamond Phillips plays the famous musician who wrote and performed classic tracks like “La Bamba” and “Donna,” before passing away in a plane crash at the age of 17. The disc includes an interview with director Luis Valdez, two archival 1998 commentaries featuring the filmmaker, the producer, and cast members, a 2015 discussion between Valdez and Robert Rodriguez on the title and the movie business, an archival program about Ritchie Valens, cast audition tapes, a trailer and a leaflet with an essay on the film.
And if you like David Bowie, the distributor is giving Moonage Daydream (2022) an upgrade over the version released only last year. It contains the film in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray (or you can purchase a standalone Blu-ray) with improved picture and sound. The set also features a commentary with the writer/director/producer/editor, a Q&A with the filmmaker, a conversation about the creation of soundscapes used in the movie, archival footage of a live Bowie performance, a trailer and a poster/leaflet with writing on the picture.
Discotek is putting out a Blu-ray of the Japanese thriller Jean’s Blues: No Future (1974), which is described as a modern-day take on Bonnie and Clyde.
Vengeance Is Mine (1984) is a TV-movie drama starring Brooke Adams. It involves a woman dealing with strained familial relationships. The Film Desk is releasing this Blu-ray which features an interview with the lead and director, a discussion with the filmmaker, a new trailer and an essay on Adams.
If you appreciate old monster movies, you can see a hot rod mechanic take on The Giant Gila Monster (1959) on Blu-ray from Film Masters. This disc also includes the B-movie The Killer Shrews (1959), which is just as entertaining. Both come with new 4K scans, meaning improved picture quality. Film historian commentaries are included on both titles. There is also an interview with the Gila Monster star and a trailer. The second feature contains an archived talk with the director and radio spots.
The Merger (2018) is an Australian comedy about an ex-AFL player who returns to his smalltown home and is hired to coach a local team of misfits. IndiePix Films is presenting the movie on Blu-ray. It comes with a making-of and an interview with the director.
Kino is also releasing a bunch of titles this week. You can pick up Blu-rays of the later Charles Bronson efforts Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987) and Death Wish V: The Face of Death (1994). They’re both lesser sequels, but have a few amusing moments. The discs include film historian commentaries, trailers and the first copies come with slipcases.
The distributor is giving the Clint Eastwood/Jeff Bridges crime flick Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray upgrade. The stars play drifters who get in trouble with the law and ultimately rob a bank in this effective Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter) picture. It comes with a film critic commentary, a featurette with the director, radio and TV spots, as well as a trailer.
The company released the fantastic movie The Train (1964) a few years back and are now presenting it in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray so fans can enjoy the sharp photography even more. It’s an incredible war film featuring Burt Lancaster as a resistance leader who attempts to hijack a Nazi train filled with priceless art. The movie is incredibly tense and one of the best WWII titles you’ll ever see. Besides the upgraded image quality, it comes with an archived director commentary with John Frankenheimer (Birdman of Alcatraz, The Manchurian Candidate, Seconds, French Connection II, Black Sunday, Ronin), a film historian audio track, a making-of, an isolated score track and publicity materials.
Early film enthusiasts can pick up the UK feature Piccadilly (1929) on Blu-ray. Milestone is presenting this tale starring Anna May Wong as an aspiring Chinese dancer who gets involved in a murder plot. The film has been restored by the British Film Institute and comes with the original version (with a new score) and a sound edition, as well as a film critic commentary and a panel discussing the work of Anna May Wong.
The skateboarding/surfing feature Lords of Dogtown (2005) is arriving on Blu-ray in a Wal-Mart Exclusive Steelbook. This effort features Heath Ledger, Emile Hirsch and Johnny Knoxville and is set around Venice Beach, California.
Just in time for October, Paramount is delivering a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook edition of Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998). It was the first film since Halloween II to feature Jamie Lee Curtis returning as the protagonist. Now the dean of a private school, she must come to terms with her past when the Shape returns once again (you could call it an alternate timeline for the character who was also featured in the recent Halloween trilogy).
The studio is also releasing a 20th Anniversary Blu-ray Steelbook Edition of the hilarious comedy School of Rock (2003). Jack Black plays a rock musician who is kicked out of his group and pretends to be an elementary school teacher in order to find himself a new backing band. This feature from Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Bernie, Boyhood) works far better than you’d expect. The disc includes all previously released extras.
You can also pick up the drama That Was Then… This Is Now (1985) from the studio on DVD. It stars Emilio Estevez and Craig Sheffer as juvenile delinquents who start to grow apart when one of them wants to turn his life around. Based on the novel by S.E. Hinton (The Outsiders), it also features Kim Delaney and Morgan Freeman.
Severin is always good at providing extras-packed Blu-rays of cult films, often from Europe. This week, they’re putting out the genre pic and comedy Dracula and Son (1976) with Chirstopher Lee as the famous bloodsucker who bickers with his offspring who would prefer to live a quiet and more peaceful existence. Identikit (1974) aka The Driver’s Seat stars Elizabeth Taylor as an unhinged spinster in Rome. And you can also pick up the “nunsploitation” picture Story of a Cloistered Nun (1973) about a young woman who is forced into a convent against her will. All of these Blu-ray come with commentary tracks and numerous other bonuses.
Shout! Factory is upgrading the popular slasher My Bloody Valentine (1981) by presenting it in 4K. It involves a maniac with a pickaxe terrorizing a mining community. The set includes the preferred uncut version in 4K Ultra HD alongside a Blu-ray of the theatrical cut. Besides a sharper new transfer of the picture, it comes with all of the numerous and amazing bonuses from previous editions.
The company is also releasing a Collector’s Edition of Natural Born Killers (1994). This darkly comedic take on a pair of serial killers boasts an all-star cast and features Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis as the title characters. The first disc features the director’s cut in 4K Ultra HD, the second disc is the same version but on Blu-ray and the third disc contains a Blu-ray of the theatrical cut. All of the transfers are director-approved and were taken from the original negative. Bonuses include an introduction from co-writer/director Oliver Stone, a Stone commentary track, cast and crew interviews, documentaries about the production and controversy that surrounded its release, deleted scenes, an alternate ending, publicity materials and more.
Sony is presenting a number of titles this week. The first is a Blu-ray of the prison-set Brazilian drama Carandiru (2003), which depicts the Carandiru Massacre in which more than 100 unarmed inmates were killed by police forces.
The distributor is also making several titles available in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray sets, including the martial arts drama Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and the Denzel Washington action pictures The Equalizer (2014) and The Equalizer 2 (2018). You can also pick up a “Limited Edition” Steelbook of the stylish Bruce Willis science-fiction epic The Fifth Element (1997). Sony is also delivering a 35th anniversary Steelbook of the popular comedies Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989). This is a “Limited Edition” reprint of an earlier release that quickly sold out. And the teen chiller I Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) is appearing in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. If you’re looking for more in the same vein, you can pick up the standalone sequel I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006) on Blu-ray. And the effective drama Nil by Mouth (1997) is also arriving on Blu-ray.
Strand Releasing is putting out a Blu-ray with 4K restoration of the director’s cut of The Doom Generation (1995). It’s about a young trio on the run from the law and the movie boasts an impressive backing soundtrack of 90s tunes.
Synapse is pleased to announce the release of a standard edition 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set of Dario Argento’s Tenebre (1982). The very effective shocker follows an American novelist who visits Italy and ends up investigating a series of brutal murders similar to those committed in his own books. It contains the preferred original version of the movie with all other extras including three critic commentary tracks, a feature-length making-of documentary, cast and crew interviews and more.
The Italian crime epic Suburra (2015) is appearing on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films. The disc features a two-hour documentary on the movie, a production gallery and trailer.
Vinegar Syndrome typically releases a number of exclusive titles on their website that pop up on Amazon and other retailers the following month. The latest discs that will become available everywhere this week are Arnold (1973) the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set of A Blade in the Dark (1983), The Curse of the Screaming Dead (1982), Evil Judgment (1984), The Films of Enrique Gomez Vadillo (1980 – 1981), Footprints (1975), Ghost Nursing (1982), a double-feature of Tower: A Bright Day (2017) & Monument (2018), as well as Westward the Woman (1951). All of these discs are filled with bonuses.
The company is adding a few Vinegar Syndrome Exclusives to their website as well. You can visit the site and purchase Blu-rays of Death in Brunswick (1991), a double-feature of The Defilers (1965) and A Smell of Honey, A Swallow of Brine (1966), as well as the wild Visitors from the Arkana Galaxy (1981). The latter is a Croatian effort about a science-fiction writer whose creations come to life in his hometown. The final 30-minutes feature a monster space-toy named Mumu that comes to life and goes on a rampage. It’s about as bizarre a series of events as you’ll ever see at the movies. There are a pair of film historian commentary tracks for the movie and five rare animated shorts from the director.
Speaking of bizarre, Visual Vengeance specializes in notable low-budget, shot-on-video genre flicks. This week the notorious horror movie The Abomination (1986) is appearing on Blu-ray. Shot in Texas, the plot follows an evil, flesh-devouring tumor that takes possession and grows inside a young boy. The disc contains a director commentary track, a genre film authority commentary, a feature-length interview with the filmmaker, cast and crew discussions, a talk with the original VHS distributor, a filming locations tour, outtakes and raw footage, behind-the-scenes material, publicity material, original super 8 films from the director, a 6-page booklet with an essay on the picture, a sticker set, a reversible sleeve with new and original art for the film and much, much more.
Repligator (1998) is another shot-on-video Visual Vengeance title from the same director. This effort stars Gunnar Hansen and Brinke Stevens. The absurd story involves a group of scientists working on a secret military project. Things go haywire when the soldiers turn into scantily clad women who morph into alligators when they become aroused. The title is making its Blu-ray premiere and comes with a director commentary, a genre critic commentary, archival making-of and filmmaker interviews, a deleted opening scene, new cast and crew interviews, the original trailer for the movie as well as other Visual Vengeance titles, one pair of X-Ray Specs, a mini-poster, a VHS sticker sheet and plenty more!
Warner Archive is presenting the animated feature Cats Don’t Dance (1997) on Blu-ray. It follows a feline who heads to Hollywood to be a movie star. Apparently, the movie got decent reviews but wasn’t promoted during its original release (the movie was made at a different studio that was purchased by Warner Bros.) and never found an audience. Now curious parties can catch up with it on disc. The label is also making the Clark Gable/Jean Harlow rom-com Saratoga (1937) available on Blu-ray.
If you enjoy pictures based on the work of author Roald Dahl, Warner Bros. is offering a double-feature Blu-ray of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) to compare and contrast.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
You’ll find some kid-friendly releases listed below.
Adventure Time: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
Cats Don’t Dance (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
Elemental (Disney) Blu-ray only or alternate 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition through Disney Movie Club/Best Buy and Wal-mart
Lonely Castle in the Mirror (GKIDS) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
The week’s TV-show titles can be browsed below.
Adventure Time: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
Blue Collar: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
Darrow & Darrow: The Complete Collection (Hallmark) DVD
Doomed Megalopolis: The Last Megalopolis (Japanese anime TV Mini-Series) (Media Blasters) Blu-ray
Family Matters: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
Interview with the Vampire: Season 1 (RLJ Entertainment) Blu-ray
Loki: Season 1 (Disney/Buena Vista) Various editions including Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray/DVD
Mayfair Witch: Season 1 (RLJ Entertainment) Blu-ray
Pennyworth: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
Pennyworth: The Third and Final Season (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray