Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This edition may be the all-time longest. It’s an incredibly busy time with more than 20 new releases and a generous helping of older flicks arriving on disc. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
Back Roads – After a mother shoots and kills her abusive husband, she’s sent to jail, leaving her three daughters in the custody of their older, poorly educated brother. The lead struggles to keep the family afloat, working several jobs to put food on the table. He then meets and connects with a married woman, beginning an affair. However, his life starts to spiral out of control as complications arise. This drama earned decent reviews. About a quarter of posts complained that it was too morose and uneven, but three times as many called it a well-acted and often unpredictable effort. It stars Alex Pettyfur (who also directed), Jennifer Morrison, Juliette Lewis and Nicola Peltz.
Ben is Back – A parent gets a big surprise when her son, a 19-year drug addict, arrives on Christmas Eve after suddenly leaving his treatment program. The mom tries to gage whether or not her son is telling the truth about being on the mend or is looking for a fix, putting the entire holiday under great strain. Critics appeared to appreciate this dark drama. There were a few who felt that the various elements being juggled didn’t quite come together cohesively and stated that the twists were foreseeable, but the overall consensus was that the film was tense and the exceptional performances elevated the material. Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges and Courtney B. Vance headline the feature.
Burning – In this foreign-language mystery film from South Korea, a man bumps into an old friend from his neighborhood and agrees to look after her cat while she takes a trip to Africa. After returning with a new significant other, a proposition is made towards the lead… one that has unexpected repercussions. This effort earned raves from the press and many made mention that they were disappointed the film wasn’t nominated for a Foreign Language Academy Award. A couple of them did complain about the film’s length, but everyone described it a well-drawn, slow-burn character study of three individuals that takes viewers in unexpected and shocking directions. It features Yoo Ah-in, Jong-seo Jun and Steven Yuen.
Chokehold – When her father dies, a mixed martial arts fighter decides to leave training behind and return home to settle some family matters. The protagonist discovers that her dad was murdered and becomes obsessed with finding the killers (it may have something to do with the Russian mob) while she tries to keep the family gym business in operation. As of right now, this action/drama has yet to receive any write-ups and looks to be premiering on disc. Online reaction hasn’t been particularly strong, with most describing it as an unmemorable, direct-to-disc B-movie. The cast includes Casper Van Dien, Melissa Croden, Lochlyn Munro and Kip Pardue.
The Cloverhitch Killer – In this independent horror film, a young boy living an idyllic life in the Kentucky suburbs becomes concerned when word spreads in his community of a vicious serial killer. Things become even more unsettling for the child when he suspects that his father, a well-regarded and upstanding citizen, may be the man behind the murders. Response towards this chiller was very solid. A small group did suggest that the story lost its momentum as it approached its close. However, far more believed that it was atmospheric and featured excellent work from the cast. Charlie Plummer, Dylan McDermott and Samantha Mathis take on the lead roles.
Creed II – This sequel to the Rocky spin-off Creed finds the new heavyweight champ, Adonis Creed, juggling various responsibilities as he readies himself for another big showdown… this time with the son of monstrous Russian boxer, Ivan Drago (originally featured in Rocky IV). This huge challenge results in an even more intense struggle to retain his crown. Critics enjoyed this follow-up quite a bit. While just about everyone admitted that they knew exactly where events were headed and some found the thrills lacking for that very reason, most suggested that the charisma of the performers and fight scenes made it an enjoyable sports flick. It stars Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Dolph Lundgren and Florian Munteanu.
Dead Ant – A one-hit wonder glam-metal band from the 80s decides to head out on the reunion trail and agrees to a slot at the Coachella music festival. On their way there, they decide to take a break in nearby Joshua Tree and consume some peyote. They soon encounter a giant, ravenous ant and must battle with it in order to make the comeback gig. This comedy/horror picture earned split notices. Almost half thought it tried too hard to be intentionally cheesy and didn’t hit the mark. However, slightly more complimented it as dopey fun with plenty of corny gags that would appeal to B-movie fans. It features Tom Arnold, Sean Astin, Sydney Sweeney, Jake Busey, Leisha Hailey and Rhys Coiro.
Don’t Come Back from the Moon – This unusual independent drama involves a scenario in which all of the men in a certain town unexpectedly decide to leave town and their families for good. Confused by their mass exodus, the wives and significant others attempt to figure out what to do next, while the community’s children act out in rebellion. Reaction was really positive towards this little feature. The overwhelming majority stated that while imperfect, it was a unique and memorable effort with a lot of emotional turmoil and plenty of impressive imagery. James Franco, Rashida Jones, Jeffrey Wahlberg and Alyssa Elle Steinacker headline the feature.
Don’t Go – A traumatized father who loses his daughter in a tragic accident begins to experience strange, recurring nightmares about his child. He then becomes convinced that the dreams are telling him how to bring her back to life. Naturally, the man’s spouse and those around him become very concerned about the dad’s mental health and wonder if he has gone mad. Reaction towards this Irish mystery was decidedly mixed. A percentage called it an intriguing feature with good work from the cast that maintains interest throughout. Roughly the same number found it slow moving and said that they weren’t emotionally invested in the story. The cast includes Stephen Dorff, Melissa George and Simon Delaney.
The Favourite – This Oscar-winning entry recently earned a trophy for Best Actress. Set in the early 18th century, it tells the story of an ill Queen Anne and the woman’s relationship with a close friend who exerts great influence over her. When a new servant arrives and also makes a big impression on the monarch, a power play ensues between the rivals, who both wish to advise the queen. Most critics gave this film exceptional marks. There were one or two critical reactions suggesting that there was too much nastiness and cruelty on display. Yet that is exactly what earned the film raves from others, who called it a darkly amusing indictment of the wealthy and powerful. It stars Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and Nicholas Hoult.
Free Solo – Alex Honnold is the subject of this non-fiction feature, which won Best Documentary very recently at the Oscars. It follows the skilled climber as he prepares for an incredibly dangerous effort that entails crawling up the 3,000-foot rock face of Mount Capitan in Yosemite National Park… without using ropes or any kind of safety equipment. A National Geographic team capture his training process, the growing anxiety felt by friends and family members, as well as the eventual undertaking. The press almost unanimously praised the film for its gorgeous photography and the nerve-wracking tension experienced.
Instant Family – A couple yearning to start a family get off to larger start than expected in this drama/comedy. After going through adoption proceedings and discovering that they get on best with a trio of siblings, they take the plunge. Obviously, their situation changes dramatically and the new parents attempt to adjust to their chaotic new life with kids. This feature ended up appealing to critics. A percentage did comment that the movie resorted to some schlocky gags and which were unnecessary. Still, most appreciated the effort, calling it an appealing feel-good flick that was better than anticipated. The cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro and Tom Segura.
Jupiter’s Moon – Combining fantasy with real world drama, this foreign-language art film follows a Syrian refugee who is shot while attempting to seek refuge in Hungary. He soon learns that he has suddenly gained the power of levitation and is taken in by a doctor. The physician smuggles him out of a refugee camp and the lead does his best to avoid being caught by authorities. This work split reviewers and earned all kinds of varied reactions. Those who liked it suggested that it was well-intentioned and looked absolutely phenomenal. They also appreciated its ambition and willingness to take chances. Those who disliked the film said it didn’t come together and had bitten off more than it could chew thematically. It features Merab Ninidze and Zsombor Jeger.
The Mercy – This biography of Donald Crowhurst tells the story of the amateur sailor, a man who decided to single-handedly compete in a 1968 race to circumnavigate the globe. Leaving his career and family behind and setting out on an unfinished boat, the film chronicles his trip and his spouse/children as they nervously await word about his travels. Notices were positive towards this drama. A small number opined that the movie switched between its lead and his fearful family so often that it felt like watching two different movies. Still, most called it involving and found the film to be a dramatic chronicle of a man biting off more than he could chew. The movie stars Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz and David Thewlis.
Of Fathers and Sons – Filmmaker Telal Derki travels to his homeland of Syria in this Oscar nominee for Best Documentary, and is granted remarkable access into a radical Jihadist family. Posing as a war photo-journalist, he records life in a household where the patriarch of the clan imposes his personal beliefs of creating a Islamic Caliphate on his children. There is tension between family members who want to obey their parent but would also prefer to go to school instead of being indoctrinated into a war force. The feature received nearly universal praise from the press. They described it as an incredibly powerful documentary that doesn’t step in and judge its participants, yet makes remarkable observations over its running time.
Prospect – A teenage girl and her father land on a forested alien moon with the intention of making their fortune harvesting gems. Unfortunately, the twosome soon encounter other scavengers on the remote planet who would prefer to profit off of the materials themselves. The youngster faces danger from all sides as her greedy parent tries to fight others off for control of the riches. This independent sci-fi flick earned almost very positive notices. One or two reviewers didn’t find themselves engaged in the proceedings, but others were very impressed by the character-driven tale and called it a great little sci-fi take on a western theme. The cast includes Sophie Thatcher, Jay Duplass and Pedro Pascal.
The Standoff at Sparrow Creek – After a shooting occurs at a police funeral, an ex-cop figures out that the responsible party is a member of his own militia. With officers closing in, he decides to quarantine all of the members in a lumber mill, find the guilty party and turn the person over to authorities before violence erupts. Once again, this title garnered a mostly positive reception. While a segment didn’t think there was anything overly exceptional about this neo noir, far more suggested that the movie was consistently tense and that the simple story was effectively acted and relayed. It features James Badge Dale, Brian Geraghty and Patrick Fischler.
The Unicorn – A couple who have been engaged for four years and unsure of their next step are forced out to Palm Springs in order to celebrate one of their parents’ wedding anniversary. While there, they decide to test their own bonds by engaging in a threesome. Response to this oddball independent effort was mostly positive. There was a critic or two who were not pleased with what they saw, disliking the story and presentation, but most enjoyed the feature, commenting that the quirky awkwardness on display was amusing. The cast includes Nick Rutherford, Lauren Lapkus, Lucy Hale, Beck Bennett, John Kapelos, Beverly D’Angelo and Kyle Mooney.
The Vanishing – Reportedly inspired by a real event, this thriller involves three lighthouse keepers who arrive at a remote Scottish isle to replace compatriots after a six week term. The new arrivals find absolutely no one there, but do discover a significant stash of gold. The story’s leads debate what action to take next. As one might imagine, they come to a disagreement and start turning on each other, resulting in suspicion and eventually death. Reviews were very good for this UK production. Almost all have called the film atmospheric and suspenseful, as well as boasting excellent performances. It stars Gerard Butler, Peter Mullan and Connor Swindells.
Vox Lux – Spanning two different time periods, this tale follows teenage sisters who survive a violent school shooting. The pair are inspired to write a song about what happened and one of them becomes a huge pop star. Nearly 20 years later, the singer mounts a new tour while dealing with the concerns of her estranged daughter, as well as her songwriter sibling. Critics were split on the end results. Those who recommended it stated that while it tries to cover too much ground, there’s enough in the script that works to keep one’s curiosity. Slightly more didn’t find much to relate to here and stated that the movie struggled to make its point and maintain interest. Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin and Jennifer Ehle headline the feature.
Welcome to Mercy – This horror/thriller involves a young single mother suffering from the marks of the stigmata. After being sent to a convent, the lead befriends another woman living there. When they find information suggesting that the young mother may be the Antichrist, the two attempt to come to a conclusion about what to do next. Overall, more members of the press liked the film than disliked it. Naysayers wrote that the movie was slowly paced, confusing and lacking in scares. Those who enjoyed it said that it was a smart, above-average exorcism thriller that attempted to accomplish more than other films of its ilk. The cast includes Lily Newmark, Eileen Davies and Dainis Grube.
Blasts from the Past!
There’s plenty of great older movies hitting high definition as well. Arrow Video have a great Blu-ray box set arriving with the Sister Street Fighter Collection. This fun kung-fu series was a spin-off of the Sonny Chiba Street Fighter movies and features a female protagonist taking on drug lords and various criminals… and beating them to a pulp. The titles included are Sister Street Fighter (1974), Sister Street Fighter: Hanging By A Thread (1974), Return of the Sister Street Fighter (1975) and Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist (1976).
The discs include new high definition masters of all four films, an English-language dub of the first movie, new subtitles, as well as new video interviews with actor Shinichi Sonny Chiba, director Kazuhiko Yamaguchi, and screenwriter Masahiro Kakefuda. You’ll also get the original Japanese theatrical trailers for all four films, the US theatrical trailer for Sister Street Fighter, plus original English opening titles to the film, the German theatrical trailer for Sister Street Fighter, plus original German opening titles to the film and a stills and poster gallery. Sounds like a lot of fun!
The same distributor’s art house line, Arrow Academy, are releasing a Blu-ray of the film noir classic, Phantom Lady (1944). It is about a man accused of murdering his wife and his secretary’s attempts to find a mysterious woman who can clear his name… if she can locate her in time. The movie has been transferred to disc using the original elements, and extras include an insightful archival documentary on film noir, a rare, hour-long 1944 radio dramatization of the flick, as well as publicity materials.
Arrow Academy also have a Blu-ray of the The Prisoner (1955) starring Alec Guinness. This BAFTA-nominated effort follows a priest accused of treason who must defend himself against corrupt government officials. The disc comes with a new video appreciation of the film by author and academic Neil Sinyard and select scene commentary by critic Philip Kemp.
And there’s more! Shout! Factory are putting out a Blu-ray of the giant monster flick, The Deadly Mantis (1957). The title features a frozen praying mantis that is discovered and, rather unwisely, thawed out. It soon goes on the rampage, causing chaos and great damage. In addition to a new 2K transfer of the movie, there are some excellent bonuses including a new commentary with film Historians Tom Weaver And David Schecter. Additionally, they’ve included the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 episode of the movie, as well as a still gallery and trailers.
The Brad Pitt/David Duchovny thriller, Kalifornia (1993), is also arriving on Blu-ray. It’s about a pair of journalists doing research on serial killers who find that they might actually be in the company of one. This release includes both the unrated and theatrical cuts, a new interview with director Dominic Sena (Swordfish, Whiteout), featurettes, cast interviews, trailers and TV spots.
Kino have some Special Edition titles as well hitting Blu-ray. First is the crime thriller, Before and After (1996) starring Liam Neeson and Meryl Streep. This release includes a new audio commentary by director Barbet Schroeder and editor Lee Percy along with the theatrical trailer. The Doctor (1991) features William Hurt as a doctor turned patient, and this disc comes with a new commentary by Director Randa Haines, moderated by filmmaker Heather Buckley and a trailer.
They also have the Gwyneth Paltrow romantic comedy Duets (2000) on Blu-ray. Set around a national karaoke competition, the picture features all sorts of foibles that take place between the various characters. It also stars Scott Speedman, Huey Lewis, Paul Giamatti, Andre Braugher and Maria Bello and it arrives on disc with a commentary from director Bruce Paltrow and producer Kevin Jones, additional scenes, a multi-angle music video, a conversation with Bruce Paltrow, along with some publicity materials.
Speaking of rom-coms, Kino are also releasing The Favor (1994) on Blu-ray. That one is about a woman readying for a high school reunion and using unusual methods to get together with a old flame. It stars Elizabeth McGovern, Harley Jane Kozak, Bill Pullman, Brad Pitt and Ken Wuhl.
A couple of weeks back, this columnist wrote about Mad Dog and Glory (1993), an enjoyable dark comedy with Robert De Niro, Bill Murray and Uma Thurman. Well, the Blu-ray ended up getting delayed but is now available with all the extras previously mentioned. It comes with a director commentary and a making of. Kino are giving the high definition treatment to the romance, Untamed Heart (1993). This one is about a love affair forged between a waitress and a busboy with a damaged heart. The movie stars Marisa Tomei and Christian Slater and the disc also includes a recently recorded director audio commentary.
Finally, Film Movement are releasing a Blu-ray of the French period comedy, Marquise (1997), starring Sophie Marceau. This release includes an interview with the filmmaker.
You Know, For Kids!
As with all of the other categories, there’s plenty of fun stuff for the kids as well. Here are the highlights.
Barbie Dreamtopia: Festival of Fun
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: School Time Fun! (PBS Kids)
Dragons: Race to the Edge: Seasons 3 & 4
Meet the Baby Animals (Nickelodeon)
Top Wing: Eggcellent Missions (Nickelodeon)
On the Tube!
And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.
All of My Heart: The Wedding (Hallmark)
The Brokenwood Mysteries: Series 5
Condor: Season 1
Dragons: Race to the Edge: Seasons 3 & 4
Fear the Walking Dead: Season 4
House of Cards: Season 6
Marrying Mr. Darcy (Hallmark)
Shakespeare & Hathaway – Private Investigators: Season 1 (BBC)
Top Wing: Eggcellent Missions (Nickelodeon)
Valley of the Boom (National Geographic)When Calls the Heart: The Greatest Blessing (Hallmark)