Welcome back! It’s time to take a gander at the highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s a busy week with plenty of great items to peruse. And if you’d like to know more, just click on any links you see. 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!
The 33 – This drama depicts the true story of the Chilean mining disaster that trapped a team of workers miles below the surface for over two months. Together the group must overcome the elements while teams from around the world work above to try and free them. Reviews were mixed – some found it inspirational, while others felt it was unconvincing in its storytelling and featured characters that were too broadly drawn. It stars Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliettte Binoche, James Brolin and Lou Diamond Phillips. To read a full review of the movie, click here.
Criminal Activities – A business venture ends up failing for a group of men in this independent thriller. Afterwards they learn that the money they raised for the investment came from a underworld figure who is now demanding a refund and looking for payback. This effort split the critics as well. Half thought it was a fine crime film with a better than average cast and a couple of decent twists, while the remainder believed that it was derivative of 90s titles like The Usual Suspects. The cast includes Dan Stevens, Michael Pitt, John Travolta and Jackie Earl Haley.
Estranged – After a serious accident, a woman finds herself with amnesia and temporarily wheelchair bound. She is returned to her family home in the countryside, a place the lady hasn’t returned to for more than six years. The lead begins to suspect her brood of something sinister and starts to investigate why she left the expansive grounds in the first place. This low-budget arthouse thriller from the UK hasn’t been reviewed over on these shores, although a couple of good reviews have appeared online from festival screenings. Craig Conway, James Cosmo and Amy Manson headline the feature.
Labyrinth of Lies – This German effort was the country’s foreign language entrant for the Academy Awards. It didn’t earn a nomination, although it has received solid notices from the press. Set in the 1950s, the story follows a journalist who begins to uncover a conspiracy of prominent institutions to prevent the details of their WWII war crimes from coming to light. It has been called a sincere and well-made effort that brings more attention to a dark period in history, although some complained that it was told in a rote and predictable manner. Now viewers can decide for themselves. The movie stars André Szymanski.
Steve Jobs – The Apple founder is the subject of this biopic that is up for a few Oscars at the end of the month. It attempts to capture the computer company president behind-the-scenes at three important points of his career. While preparing for big presentations unveiling new products, he must come to terms with several strained personal and professional relationships. A few critiqued the film for its somewhat redemptive ending, but overall critics enjoyed the movie and its unusual formatting, singling out stars Michael Fassbender and Kate Winslet for their performances. Personally, I’m not sure about that accent Winslet’s attempting, but I’ll let it slide. The movie also features Seth Rogen. Katherine Waterston and Jeff Daniels.
Trumbo – Bryan Cranston is also up for a Best Actor trophy for his role as famous blacklisted screenwriter Douglas Trumbo. This drama tells the struggles both he and his family faced after being charged with treason by Joseph McCarthy’s government organization because of his leftist political beliefs. The press were positive about the movie with a few caveats. Almost all felt the lead performance was strong, but a minority found the story by-the-numbers and believed that the screenplay didn’t do its subject justice. Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, John Goodman, Ellie Fanning, Louis C.K., Michael Stuhlbarg, Alan Tudyk and Stephen Root also appear. To read a full review of the film, click here.
Blasts From the Past!
This is one of the busiest weeks in recent memory for older titles making their Blu-ray debuts. Olive Films have a great slate of releases this month. First, there’s the Samuel L. Jackson and Nicolas Cage comedy, Amos & Andrew (1993) about a professional banker who is held hostage by a burglar and mistaken for his abductor because of his race. Beat Street (1984) is a musical featuring Rae Dawn Chong; the story is about a youngster from the Bronx who strives to be a big time DJ.
Speaking of the 80s, there’s also the comedy Class (1983) about a young prep school student who begins an affair with an older woman. Things become awkward when he later learns that she is his best friend’s mother. Yikes! It features Andrew McCarthy, Rob Lowe and Jacqueline Bisset. Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton star in the arty futuristic sci-fi drama, Code 46 (2003), about a man who falls in love and attempts to start a new life with a woman who is not genetically compatible.
But that’s not all. Also coming to Blu-ray is Moonlight and Valentino (1995) a romantic comedy/drama about a widow and her female friends helping each other deal with their personal issues. The cast includes Elizabeth Perkins, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathleen Turner and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Mystery Date (1991) would also fall under the category of rom-com. It follows a nice, young man out on a first date who inadvertently gets himself into all sorts of danger as the night progresses. The movie stars a young Ethan Hawke and Teri Polo – you’d be well advised to read a full length review of the new Blu-ray right here.
Pressure Point (1962) is a Golden Globe nominated drama about an African-American prison psychiatrist tasked with treating a bigoted inmate. The movie stars Sidney Poitier, Bobby Darin and Peter Falk.
And we’re still only getting started. For fans of wild 80s teen comedies, Secret Admirer (1985) is another title worth looking into. It follows a stray love letter that falls into the hands of various high school students (as well as their parents) and wreaks havoc on all of their lives. Fred Ward is hilarious in a supporting role. Click on the link here to read all about it.
Relationships are explored with a slightly more serious bent in Sleep With Me (1994). This is a rom-com with Meg Tilly, Eric Stoltz and Craig Sheffer about a couple’s tumultuous love life. The gimmick is that several different writers each take a crack at a different scenes in the film, giving a few alternate perspectives on the characters. And just in time for the Presidential Primaries, Speechless (1994) follows two speechwriters for opposing political candidates who unexpectedly fall for each other while on the campaign trail.
Mill Creek have a title that may bring back waves of nostalgia to viewers of a certain age. My Science Project (1985) is a goofy sci-fi teen comedy about a group of students who find an orb that creates time rifts. It pulls dinosaurs and people from various era of history into their high school, creating chaos in the halls. It stars John Stockwell, Fisher Stevens and Dennis Hopper. Honestly, I saw it as a kid and don’t remember anything about it, but for the low price point it’s difficult not to be curious about checking it out.
Kino have some great stuff coming your way as well. This includes the Blu-ray of the WWII flicks Ambush Bay (1966) and Beachhead (1954). For me, the highlight from this distributor is the long lost Scott Glenn action flick, The Challenge (1982). It’s about an American in Japan who becomes caught in the middle of a feud between two warring clans. Glenn’s character is taught the ways of the samurai and must help one side fight back. This title has never been released on DVD and has previously only been available through out-of-print VHS tapes. It’s a stylish and effective tough-guy action flick from director John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate, The Train, Seconds, Ronin). Personally, I’m thrilled to see it resurrected from obscurity and brought to audiences in high definition.
Finally, Kino are also releasing a Blu-ray of the B-movie Curse of the Faceless Man (1958). It’s a drive-in horror flick about a monster rising from the volcanic ashes of Pompeii and rampaging through the countryside. It could provide some “bad movie night” chuckles.
And there’s still more! Shout! Factory have plenty of titles on their slate as well. The first is a DVD Double Feature of McHale’s Navy (1964) and McHale’s Navy Joins The Air Force (1965), spin-off features from the popular TV show. Sadly, only the first movie actually features Ernest Borgnine as McHale. You’ll have to settle for co-star Joe Flynn as the lead in the follow-up. As for Blu-rays, they’ve got the popular Kevin Costner thriller No Way Out (1987), about a Navy officer set up for murder amidst a spy investigation.
Horror fans can also look forward to The Vincent Price Collection III. This Blu-ray set contains several lesser known titles from the actors resume, including Master of the World (1961), Tower of London (1962), Diary of a Madman (1963), An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe (1970), Cry of the Banshee (1970).
Criterion are delivering an extras-filled Blu-ray of The Kid (1921). The great Charlie Chaplin plays his famous Tramp character; this time out he finds an abandoned baby and attempts to raise him. As the infant grows into a boy, the hero must hide him from the authorities out to put his unofficially adopted son into an orphanage. Besides a new restoration of the movie, the disc comes with deleted scenes, a commentary track from a Chaplin historian, documentaries and newsreels about the comedian and another silent short feature. There’s even more, but it’s too much to go into right here.
Warner Archives also have an impressive Blu-ray containing the Alfred Hitchcock thriller, I Confess (1953). It’s about a Catholic priest in Quebec who comes under suspicion of murder. Unfortunately, in order to clear his name he must break his confessional vows and point the finger at a local churchgoer. Will he keep his word, or rat out the man to the police? This is a well-regarded film that offers a bit of a dramatic change of pace for the director.
Arrow have the slasher pic The Mutilator (1984) and the Sho Kusugi ninja flick Pray For Death (1985) arriving on Blu-ray. As with all of their titles, discs from this company always includes numerous fascinating extras. If you’re a fan of either of the films, you’d be well advised to pick them up.
Finally, Twilight Time have a series of Blu-rays to order as well. You’ll need to hurry, though, as they only print up a limited number of copies… once they’re gone, they’re gone. The movies available this week are as follows: The Big Heat (1953) Encore Edition, Cowboy (1958), Gunfighter (1971), The Hawaiians (1970), La Bambola Di Satana (1969), a “Double Feature” of Support Your Local Sheriff (1969) and its sequel, Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971), as well as Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950). The Big Heat is a great film noir that is definitely worth your while if you haven’t seen it.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are some releases appropriate for children (although I’m not sure about The Brady Kids due to politically incorrect content – you’ve been warned about that one). Personally, I like the collection of the best animated 70s Peanuts movies. It looks like a great set.
Barney: Dinos in the Park
Be Cool, Scooby Doo: Season 1, Part 1
Blaze and the Monster Machines: Rev Up and Roar
The Brady Kids: The Complete Animated Series
Bump in the Night: The Complete Series
LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu: Season 5
Peanuts: 4 Movie Collection
Sister Sister: The Complete Collection
On the Tube!
And here’s are the week’s TV-related titles (the big release appears to be Girls). Below you’ll find some clips from a few of the older shows listed. Enjoy!
American Experience: Bonnie & Clyde (PBS)
The Andy Griffith Show: The Complete Series
Be Cool, Scooby Doo: Season 1, Part 1
The Beast: The Complete Series
The Best of Big Blue Live (PBS)
Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (PBS)
The Brady Kids: The Complete Animated Series
Bump in the Night: The Complete Series
Family Matters: Season 5
Frankenstein: The Complete Miniseries Event (2004)
Girls: Season 4
Peaky Blinders: Series 2
Sabrina the Teenage Witch: The Complete Series
Sister Sister: The Complete Collection
The Trials of Jimmy Rose: The Complete Miniseries
Togetherness: Season 1