After the big rush of titles last week, it’s a calmer week. But that’s not to say there aren’t some interesting releases – here are the highlights. As always, be sure to click on the links to read lengthier reviews of several titles. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these flicks a try!
Big New Releases!
Guilty of Romance – This Japanese production mixes elements of drama and horror. It follows a cop who uncovers various dark secrets while investigating a brutal murder in the “love hotel” district of Tokyo. Reviews were mixed on this foreign language effort – while most called it bizarre, outlandish and at times interesting, many felt that it wandered off on too many tangents and was overlong (the running time is listed at nearly 145 minutes). It doesn’t help that the movie was completed in 2011 and is only now finding distribution in North America.
The Last Supper – Described as an epic period war flick, this Chinese production tells the tale of the beginnings of the Han Dynasty. It’s debuting on DVD and Blu-ray in North American, so local critics haven’t seen it yet. Reports from other parts of the world suggest that it’s a far artier movie than expected, with an interpretative approach to the material between its battle scenes. Seems to be hit and miss with viewers, although most have agreed that if nothing else, it is a beautiful looking film.
Mr. Peabody & Sherman – Family audiences will likely be interested in this animated update of the Rocky & Bullwinkle characters. This effort follows the dog and boy as they go on a time travel adventure and drop goofy puns and one-liners along the way. Reviews were very positive for the film. A few voices didn’t feel the remake had the charm of its source material but most found it to be a fun and zippy trip boosted with colorful animation. The voice cast includes Ty Burrell, Leslie Mann, Max Charles, Stanley Tucci, Stephen Colbert, Patrick Warburton, Dennis Haysbert and Mel Brooks. Read the site’s full-length review right here.
Mystery Road – This independent Aussie crime flick with a decidedly western feel involves an officer with an Aboriginal background. When he investigates the murder of a teenage girl in the outback, he faces all sorts of troubles with the prejudiced locals. It has received raves from critics. Many called it a leisurely paced but tense and effective slow-burn thriller with a deep message. It stars Aaron Pedersen, Hugo Weaving and Ryan Kwanten.
Persecuted – A devout evangelist opposes a US Senator seeking religious reforms in this Christian flick. Apparently, the government official feels his best option is to frame his foe for murder. The less than subtle premise met with terrible reviews from the press. They called it silly, heavy-handed, jumbled and nonsensical. Additionally, they chided the filmmakers for wasting a shockingly good cast that includes James Remar, Dean Stockwell and Bruce Davison. Expect this title to be on many “worst of the year” lists.
Venus in Fur – Director Roman Polanski’s latest movie is an adaptation of a two-person play. The story follows a stage director and an actress whose roles become reversed during a lengthy and intense audition. Emmanuelle Seigner and Mathieu Amalric are the leads and only actors in the entire production. Critics were very positive about this French-language effort, praising the darkly comic and compelling performances of the two stars. Read the site’s original review here.
X-Men: Days of Future Past – One of the biggest hits of the summer was this comic book adaptation that serves as both a prequel and a sequel. When a new menace threatens the lives of not only mutants but all humanity, Wolverine is sent back in time to alter history. To do so, he must convince enemies to join forces for the greater good. Notices were excellent, calling it one of the franchise’s best films. The incredible cast includes Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen as well as Peter Dinklage… and that’s just scratching the surface. Read our more detailed review of the movie here.
Blasts From the Past!
It’s a big week for classic releases from Universal Pictures. The Steven Spielberg Director’s Collection contains 8 noteworthy films. They include the fantastic thriller Duel (1971), the Goldie Hawn comedy/drama The Sugarland Express (1974), Jaws (1975), both the theatrical and extended cuts of the wacky John Belushi comedy 1941 (1979), E.T. – The Extra Terrestrial (1982), Always (1989), as well as Jurassic Park (1993) and its sequel The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). In addition to the hi-def transfers of some of the lesser known films of the director, there are extras like documentaries and deleted scenes that are also included. Sounds like a great package.
It may be a bit overpriced, but Universal’s Van Damme 5-Movie Action Pack is another winner that contains Blu-rays of some of the most interesting movies in the star’s career. These include Hard Target (1993), The Quest (1996), Street Fighter (1994), Sudden Death (1995) and Lionheart (1990). Hard Target is a wild, Cajun-inspired action flick from John Woo with plenty of outlandish moments and Sudden Death is a ridiculous but entertaining title set during the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs. In it, our hero must not only save The President from terrorists, but help his beloved Pittsburgh Penguins win the big game. Street Fighter is one of those so-bad-it’s-good efforts that features a memorably over-the-top performances from the late Raul Julia. Overall, it’s a good selection of goofy films.
Universal are also releasing individual Blu-rays of the 1978 Oscar-winner The Deer Hunter and the classic 1948 monster comedy Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Kino have some interesting titles arriving on Blu-ray. The 1985 comedy Desperately Seeking Susan is one of few films featuring Madonna that received decent reviews. And the 1988 Michelle Pheiffer/Alec Baldwin/Matthew Modine crime-comedy Married to the Mob is a cult favorite. It was directed by Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme. Demme also directed the 1979 Niagara Falls set-thriller Last Embrace, which is also being released to Blu-ray. It stars Roy Scheider and Christopher Walken.
Criterion are delivering the 1946 John Ford western My Darling Clementine, starring Henry Fonda. For those unfamiliar with this classic, Fonda plays Wyatt Earp in this telling of the shoot-out at the OK Corral. As expected, the Blu-ray features a new 4K restoration. It’s also loaded with extras, including a longer, pre-release version of the film, historian commentaries and a Lux Radio Theatre adaptation among the many other features. Fans of the movie will appreciate this Blu-ray.
Last week Paramount released a Blu-ray of Holiday Inn, and this week they follow it up with the 1954 seasonal favorite White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.
Here’s an interesting Blu-ray – the 1954 war flick Dragonfly Squadron was shot in 3D but was theatrically released in 2D when box office receipts for the format began to diminish. Olive have discovered and are releasing the original 3D version of the title on disc, so those with the proper televisions and Blu-ray players can now see it for the first time with its extra dimension.
Finally, Image are releasing the 1979 thriller The China Syndrome. Inspired by the Three Mile Island nuclear near-disaster, the movie features Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas and Jack Lemmon. The contains an hour’s worth of documentaries about the film and its real world inspiration.
Finally, Warner Archive are putting out a Blu-ray of the 1942 James Cagney musical Yankee Doodle Dandy. Unlike many of the Archive titles, this disc comes with loads of bonuses, including documentaries, short films and Bugs Bunny cartoons from the era. Sounds like fun!
Now, here’s some extra Van Dammage!!!
You Know, For Kids!
And here are some highlights for kids!
Courage the Cowardly Dog: Season 2
The Best of Rocky & Bullwinkle: Vol. 3
Daniel Tiger’s Happy Holidays (PBS Kids)
Mr. Peabody & Sherman: The Complete Collection
Octonauts: The Very Vegimal Christmas
Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion
Super Why!: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Other Fairytale Adventures (PBS Kids)
Wiggles: Go Santa Go!
On the Tube!
With the release of the latest reboot of Mr. Peabody & Sherman arriving on DVD and Blu-ray, a collection of the original cartoons are heading to stores as well. The set contains 91 episodes originally broadcast in 1959 and 1960. Check out one of these early
appearances of the dog and his pet boy.
2 Broke Girls: Season 3
2 1/2 Men: Season 11
Alaska State Troopers: Season 7
Courage the Cowardly Dog: Season 2
Dick Cavett’s Watergate (PBS)
Dracula: Season 1
Fargo: Season 1
The Good Witch Collection (Hallmark TV Movies)
Jackass: The Classic TV Collection
Mortal Combat: Legacy II (TV series)
Mr. Peabody & Sherman: The Complete Collection
Murdoch Mysteries: Season 7
Penance (Japanese television Miniseries)
Penny Dreadful: Season 1
Robot Chicken DC Comics Special 2: Villains In Paradise
Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion