Wow! This looks to be the slimmest week for new releases since the Christmas holidays. But don’t worry, friends. It may also the busiest time ever for reissues and re-releases of past titles on Blu-ray. The highlights are listed below. Remember to click on the link to read a full review of… one of the new releases. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, check out some of these options.
Big New Releases!
The Art of the Steal – This relatively small, independent thriller with comic overtones follows a retired art thief who decides to help his devious brother get the band back together for one last score. Naturally, there are complications when ulterior motives are revealed. The film stars Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon, Jay Baruchel, Katheryn Winnick, Kenneth Welsh, Terrence Stamp and Jason Jones. It split critics – many complained that it was far too hackneyed, while others called it a light and frothy romp whose cast made up for its familiar plot.
Veronica Mars – One of the biggest movie news stories of the past year was this Kickstarter backed movie that serves as a follow-up to the cancelled television series. In it, the title character returns home after a friend is arrested for murder and finds her old investigative instincts taking over. The movie received good reviews, with most suggesting that it was a well written effort that would definitely please fans of the series. Kristin Bell, Jason Dohring, Ryan Hansen, Krysten Ritter and Martin Starr lead the cast, which also features several additional characters from the original series. Read the site’s original review here.
Err, umm, and that’s it for now. But wait, there are also some older titles you may be interested in…
Blasts for the Past!
An absolute must-see is 1951’s Ace in the Hole. Criterion is bringing a restored 4K digital transfer with numerous extras to Blu-ray. This masterpiece from Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot, Sunset Blvd.) was a drama that is as relevant today as it was more than 60 years ago. It follows a reporter from the big city in remote New Mexico. When a local man finds himself trapped in a cave, the journalist sees nothing but personal opportunity. He masterfully manipulates the situation and spins it, complicating the rescue efforts in order to create a media circus and make a name for himself. Kirk Douglas stars as the reporter – it’s a grim and brilliant cautionary tale and among the best films you’re ever likely to see.
Enjoy giant monster movies? Timed to coincide with the upcoming release of Godzilla at theaters, Sony is putting out a series of double feature Blu-rays featuring some of the big lizard’s more recent Japanese entries. They include combos of Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah (1991)/ Godzilla Vs. Mothra (1992) and Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)/ Godzilla Vs. Spacegodzilla (1994). But that’s not all, there’s also a Godzilla Vs. Destoroyah (1995)/ Godzilla Vs. Megaguirus (2000) and finally, Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) / Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003). Alas, 2001’s Gozilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant All-Out Monsters Attack hasn’t gotten the Blu-ray treatment, so fans of that title (namely, me) will have to wait a bit longer. Still, the other movies should provide some monstrous fun.
Slapstick comedy fans will have the opportunity to pick up the 1989 release Weekend at Bernie’s in the HD format. It follows a couple of bumbling friends who visit their employer’s beach house only to find him dead. To save their own skins, they must try to convince locals that the man is still alive. Specifications for the Blu-ray haven’t been made available, so beyond a higher quality image, you shouldn’t expect too much in the way of extras.
If raunchy 80’s comedies are more your thing, there are a couple of notable Blu-ray releases as well from Fox. In 1984, Tom Hanks was a TV star (Bosom Buddies) making inroads as a leading actor. Just coming off the success of Splash, Bachelor Party featured the future superstar in a raunchy sex comedy. Filled with numerous jokes involving cocaine and prostitutes, it’s as politically incorrect as it gets. However, if you grew up with it on cable TV you may find it more to your liking (a climactic scene featuring a fist-fight in a movie theater remains ingrained in the memories of many).
Also from 1984, the studio is putting out the even more effective Revenge of the Nerds. It follows a group of misfits trying to survive university and a fraternity of jocks out to humiliate them. Again, some of it may rub more sensitive viewers the wrong way, but the movie is one of the most effective of its kind and features a far more surprising and thoughtful ending than what was typical for the genre. Special features haven’t been listed, but one hopes the extras from previous edition will be carried over to HD. If you are a fan or are interested in these types of efforts, you might be wise to pick up the Guys Being Guys – Party 3 Pack, a set that combines Blu-rays of the two films mentioned along with the 1982 comedy staple, Porky’s.
Speaking of Tom Hanks, The Terminal is a noteworthy drama/comedy from 2004 about a man forced to live in an airport while a civil war rages in his home country. Hanks stars with Catherine Zeta-Jones in this Steven Spielberg film. Reportedly, the new Blu-ray features a great transfer of the flick along with numerous making-of shorts as well as a couple of trailers.
If you’re a fan of war-themed movies, there are a couple of important Blu-rays. Samuel Fuller (Pickup on South Street, Shock Corridor) directs the dark and grim WWII film The Big Red One (1980), loosely based on his own experiences in the war. It’s about a sergeant and his squad trying to survive in harrowing conditions and features Lee Marvin, Mark Hamill and Robert Carradine. Fuller’s first cuts of the movie were rejected by the studio before a heavily truncated version finally received a release. The new Blu-ray features loads of extras and documentaries, but most importantly contains the theatrical cut as well as a reconstructed version adding roughly 50 minutes from Fuller’s cut to the running time. It’s become quite a significant cult movie and should be worth checking out.
Also from Warner Bros. is Memphis Belle (1990), a drama recreating the flight of the famed WWII B-17 bomber on its final mission. Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, Harry Connick Jr. and John Lithgow star. In addition to the new transfer, the Blu-ray features a trailer and even more interestingly, a William Wyler directed documentary from 1944 about the real Memphis Belle.
But that’s not all. Fans of Alfred Hitchcock who couldn’t (or didn’t want to) buy the expensive Universal Pictures Hitchcock Blu-ray box set released a few months back can now pick up a few individual titles by the director. Releases include the impeccable Rear Window (1954), Vertigo, (1958) Psycho (1960) and The Birds (1963). Again, these are classic Hitchcock titles that feature high quality transfers and extras – they come highly recommended.
Universal is also reprinting a few more classics to HD. They’ve previously been released, but now there will be more Blu-rays available of the 1972 disaster movie melodrama Airport, featuring Dean Martin and George Kennedy. Additionally, the fantastic 1950 Jimmy Stewart “invisible rabbit” comedy Harvey is being re-released on Blu-ray. Stewart gives an amazing performance as an eccentric with an imaginary friend who finds the town locals ready to lock him away – it’s both sweet and hilarious. The package features a digital and ultraviolet copy of the film, a trailer and a couple of shorts on the 100 year history of Universal Pictures.
Warner Bros. is also re-releasing a classic on Blu-ray, the 1974 comedy Blazing Saddles. The 40th Anniversary Blu-ray appears to be the same as the previous version, adding one new documentary and a set of small art cards commemorating some the flick’s best gags. Still, if you’ve never seen it, it’s more than worth checking out any way you can.
Horror and zombie movie fans/historians may want to give this 1932 Bela Lugosi classic a try. The White Zombie: Cary Roan Special Edition features a new 4K transfer as well as commentary and numerous extras. It’s the first official zombie film on record and features a number of interesting camera angles and tricks that may impress the undead aficionado.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are the most notable new releases for kids.
Adventure Time: The Suitor
DC Superheroes: The Filmation Adventures 2
Fred Flinstone & Friends
Powerpuff Girls & Friends
Sesame Street: Alphabet Songs
Son of Batman
On the Tube!
And if TV shows are more to your liking, there are a few interesting titles this week, including a DVD of the 1990 Emmy award winning miniseries Separate But Equal, starring Sidney Poitier and Burt Lancaster.
Agetha Christie’s Poirot, Season 12
China Beach: Season 3
Eureka: Season 3
Frontline: Secrets of the Vatican (PBS)
Honeymooners: 39 Classic Episodes
I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1
Laverne & Shirley: The 8th and Final Season
Little House on the Prairie: Season 2
The Many Loves of Doby Gillis: Season 3
Republic of Doyle: Season 1
Rookie Blue: Season 4
Separate But Equal
The Story of the Jews with Simon Schama (PBS)
Your Inner Fish (PBS)