As always, here’s a look at some of the highlights coming your way on Blu-ray and DVD. Most of the big releases didn’t get much love from the press, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find something to appreciate. Additionally, there are some great older flicks getting their proper due in high definition. 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!
Cut Bank – A small-town couple desperate to get out of the boonies unexpectedly witness and videotape a crime with their video camera. They hope to profit from the footage, but instead find bad luck and danger following them. This independent crime thriller received mostly negative reviews. They stated that despite the cast, this was a generally generic effort that didn’t generate enough in the way of suspense. It stars Teresa Palmer, Liam Hemsworth, Billy Bob Thornton, John Malkovich, Oliver Platt and Bruce Dern.
Da Sweet Blood of Jesus – Director Spike Lee’s latest is a strange horror/comedy hybrid that was funded on Kickstarter. Inspired by the 1973 cult film Ganja & Hess, it follows a man who develops a condition that turns him into a blood-addict – it’s kind of a modern day vampire tale. Notices were not altogether positive, suggesting that the director clearly showed great reverence for the source material but didn’t do enough to make the re-imagining engaging on its own – a few even criticized some of the performances. Stephen Tyrone Williams, Zaraah Abrahams and Elvis Nolasco lead the cast.
Let Us Prey – A rookie cop on duty for the first time experiences a really bad night in this independent UK horror flick. Her sleepy, rural Scottish police station comes under siege when a mysterious stranger with supernatural powers arrive. He soon reveals impossible knowledge about the inner secrets of everyone inside. Festival reviews were mixed, suggesting that the characters were hard to like, but that the movie was very impressively shot. It features Liam Cunningham and Pollyanna McIntosh.
The Loft – Shot way, way back in 2011, but not released in theaters until a few months ago, this suspense film follows five married men who decide to share a condo for their extramarital activities. Things take a very dark turn when a dead body is discovered on site and men begin to suspect one another of murder. Critics hated the film, calling it a trashy, yet unexciting and less-than-erotic thriller populated by unlikable characters. Now viewers can make up their own minds. Karl Urban, James Marsden lead the cast.
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles – A century after his birth, this documentary focuses on filmmaker Orson Welles, who directed some of the greatest films ever made, including Citizen Kane and Touch of Evil. It follows his upbringing through his success and failures in Hollywood, using clips from almost all of his films. Reviews were generally decent, saying that while the non-fiction project didn’t go into as much depth as it could, it still made for a good introduction to the artist and his works.
My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn – Despite the title, this documentary is actually helmed by the wife of Drive director Refn and follows the production of his 2013 effort, Only God Forgives. Reportedly, it was a project fraught with difficulties. Notices for this effort were mixed. While many stated that Refn was interesting, if a bit moody and eccentric, other felt that it didn’t get into the director’s head or examine his creative process as deeply as it should have. It’ll probably still be of interest to those who enjoy the above films.
Seventh Son – An evil witch is set on destroying the world after centuries of imprisonment. Her nemesis sets out to train an apprentice and stop her carnage before all is lost. This fantasy/adventure boasted a huge, $100 million dollar budget and A-list cast, but kept having its release date pushed back. It ultimately flopped at theaters earlier in the year. Bad reviews have plagued it like a curse, calling it a bloated and derivative effort that came across as silly and wastes its performers thanks to a hammy script. The movie stars Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, Ben Barnes, Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington and Olivia Williams.
Blasts From the Past!
Wow! Olive Films have Blu-rays of some incredible out-to-print cult items and more recent releases. There’s the Monty Python-esque comedies Yellowbeard (1983) and Erik the Viking (1989), which will please fans who have been clamoring to see them in high definition. In fact, you can read reviews of the discs here and here. If you want more comedy, Ski School (1991), is an R-rated slapstick effort about party-animals who do battle on the slopes with some wealthy snobs.
On a more serious note, Olive Films also have Blu-rays with direct or loose ties to Germany, all from the last decade or so. Heart of America (2002) is a Columbine-inspired school drama directed by B-movie auteur Uwe Boll (House of the Dead) that stars Jurgen Prochnow and Michael Pare. Drawn in Blood (2006) is a German-language mystery about a woman whose brother commits suicide – she begins to suspect foul play after going through his belongings. Beyond Remedy (2009) is yet another foreign-language film from the same country. It’s a horror movie about a medical seminar on fear that, appropriately enough, causes real terror. Uwe Boll strikes again with Auschwitz (2011), a drama about the infamous WWII death camp. EMANcipation (2011) is another serious effort from Germany about a man suffering physical abuse from his wife. On a lighter note, Zombies From Outer Space (2012) is a tongue-in-cheek horror comedy about undead aliens rampaging through Bavaria. Finally, Planet USA (2013) is an Austrian sci-fi/horror comedy about a team trying to save the world by drilling for oil on the surface of the moon.
Shout! Factory have a couple of cult horror items on the way too. The Double Feature Blu-ray of The Food of the Gods (1976) and Frogs (1972) deal with nature wreaking havoc on a small group of humans. These very cheesy B-movies come with plenty of extras. The first film contains a new director commentary and an interview with a cast member, while the second contains another cast member interview. Both come with trailers, photo galleries and a radio spot.
They also have a second Double Feature disc that includes Empire of the Ants (1977) starring Joan Collins, and the killer snake pic Jaws of Satan (1981). If memory serves, Food and Empire are both loosely based on an H.G. Welles story, although I’m pretty sure they’re not exactly what he would have had in mind. Regardless, they looks like some “bad movie night” fun.
Not to be outdone, Kino Lorber are delivering some cult flicks as well. Yul Brenner fans will be happy to see Kings of the Sun (1963) and Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964) arriving on Blu-ray. Have you been missing old-fashioned martial arts films? Enter the Ninja (1981) stars Franco Niro and Sho Kosugi as, well, ninjas in this low-budget action effort from Cannon Pictures. The sequel, Revenge of the Ninja (1983), is also arriving on Blu-ray. If you want more goofy action from Cannon, you can also pick up the Michael Dudikov/Donald Pleasence Amazonian adventure flick, River of Death (1989).
Blue Underground are also bringing a Franco Nero film to Blu-ray. Man, Pride and Vengeance (1968) is a Spaghetti Western that also features Klaus Kinski. The disc contains a commentary and various other features. Those with strong stomachs may be interested in Grindhouse Releasing’s Blu-ray of the graphic Italian effort, Cannibal Ferox (1981). And Vinegar Syndrome has the slasher flick Madman (1982), about a serial killer offing counselors at a summer camp.
Not to be outdone, Criterion has a couple of great little movies from director Costa-Gravas. Based on a true story, The Confession (1970) is a drama about a Czechoslovakian Vice President of the Foreign Ministry who is taken by government officials and interrogated for treason. State of Siege (1972) is a French drama about Tupamaro revolutionaries in Uruguay during the early 70s and the CIA’s involvement. The Blu-rays feature director supervised restorations and transfers of the film, with interviews, documentaries and numerous other bonuses.
You Know, For Kids!
Kids may be interested in some of the titles below.
Curious George: Season 1
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (PBS Kids)
Looney Tunes: Musical Masterpieces
On the Tube!
There’s plenty to choose from on TV as well. The Rockford Files (1974-80) was a popular television series that involved an easy going private investigator (James Garner) solving crimes in the LA area. Universal are releasing the complete series as well as another set containing all of the TV movies made around the character. Below is the opening credits, which shows Rockford driving around, shopping for groceries and fishing. Let’s hope he finds the time to solve some crimes too.
Further down is the opening to The Smurfs (1981-90), a wildly loved animated children’s series that ran on Saturday mornings and became a phenomenon in North America. Interestingly, The Smurfs are a Belgian comic creation that have been big in Europe since the 50s and managed to successfully cross the ocean and become just as successful here.
Cake Boss: Season 6
Darker Than Black: The Complete Season 1
Gator Boys: Season 4
Gold Rush: Season 4
Heartland: The Complete 5th Season
Hello Ladies: The Complete Series and Movie
Hill Street Blues: Season 5
Major Crimes: Season 3
Murdoch Mysteries: The Movies
The Nanny: The Complete Series
Ray Donovan: Season 2
The Rockford Files: The Complete Collection
The Rockford Files: Movie Collection, Vol. 2
The Saint: The Complete Series
The Smurfs – Vol. 1: True Blue Friends
Sons of Liberty (History Channel miniseries)
Unlikely Animal Friends 2 (National Geographic)
Welcome Back, Kotter: Season 3
When Calls the Heart: Trials of the Heart
The Wonder Years: Season 3