Hello, it’s time for another look at highlights coming your way on Blu-ray and DVD. We have a varied mix this time out with some big Hollywood efforts as well as intriguing independent fare. Be sure to click on any links they see to read reviews of some of the featured releases. 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!
Annabelle: Creation – This horror flick is a prequel the 2014 hit Annabelle, which was a spin-off from the 2013 blockbuster, The Conjuring. Still with me? The film introduces the world to the very creepy and demonically possessed title character. Set on a farm, a group of orphans find themselves under threat from the creation. It earned decent notices during its theatrical release. There were several who complained that there wasn’t much that was new about this follow-up and that it was empty-headed. However, more said that the scare sequences worked well, allowing them to give the movie a pass. It stars Stephanie Sigman, Talitha Bateman, Anthony LaPaglia and Miranda Otto. To read the site’s review, click here.
The Barn – High school grads decide to celebrate Devil’s Night by heading out with some friends for a concert. Unfortunately, they end up at a remote farmhouse, facing supernatural forces in a nearby barn. This independent horror picture is reportedly a homage to 80s slashers. It played numerous festivals and received a limited edition disc release earlier in the year (which quickly sold out). The movie is now being made available through various retailers everywhere. Word from screenings is that it’s a fun effort that provides plenty of chills and laughs. The cast includes Mitchell Musolino, Will Stout, Lexi Dripps and Linnea Quigley
Bushwick – In this indie action/drama feature, a new Civil War breaks out in the US after Texas decides to secede from the rest of the country. Forces invade areas of New York in an attempt to stop any resistance. The plot follows a young woman trying to get home in the Bushwick neighborhood; she joins others who are making their way through the chaos. Press were split over this effort, with a few more negative reactions than positive ones. They all suggested that the scrappy action was efficiently handled, but many believed that the characters weren’t as well drawn as they should have been. It features Brittany Snow, Dave Bautista and Angelic Zambrana.
The Emoji Movie – Inspired by the images we all find on our cell phones used in messaging, this animated feature involves Gene, a happy face emoji who is ashamed to admit he actually has multiple expressions. He goes on a journey to find a way to be like the other characters, who all maintain one specific look on their visage. Reaction was towards this film was terrible. A scant few thought it was fun. Most called it a hollow, superficial and dull movie that only serves to shamelessly advertise mobile apps to young viewers. The voice cast includes T.J. Miller, James Corden, Anna Farris, Maya Rudolph, Stephen Wright, Jennifer Coolidge, Patrick Stewart and Christina Agulera.
The Good Catholic – A young and idealistic priest enters the service under the tutelage of two very different mentors; a conservative traditionalist and a chain-smoking free spirit. The lead’s faith is tested when he begins to fall for a young woman who visits him in confessional. This small drama earned split notices. The general reaction was that while it contained good performances and its intention were admirable, it suffers somewhat from a pedestrian story and lackluster direction. Guess it all depends on how forgiving you happen to be. The movie stars Zachary Spicer, Wrenn Schmidt, John C. McGinley and Danny Glover.
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power – This documentary is a sequel to the award-winning 2006 effort. It updates audiences on climate change and the positive and negative things that have occurred over the past decade, in the hopes of combating rising temperatures. Overall, critics recommended the feature. All felt the ambition on display was noble and that the cause was extremely important. There were a few who critiqued Gore as being too front-and-center this time out, but many appreciated the points being raised and desire to inspire others to help improve conditions on the planet.
Personal Shopper – A fashionista and celebrity assistant grieves over the death of her brother in this English-language, French arthouse drama. Despite also being a medium, the despondent protagonist finds herself unable to make any sort of spiritual contact with her family member. Suddenly, she begins receiving strange text messages with facts that no one else could possibly know. The movie earned good notices. There were complaints that the story got way too ponderous and abstract (like Clouds of Sils Maria, the previous collaboration from the filmmaker and star), yet several complimented the feature as dreamy, eccentric and original. The cast includes Kristen Stewart, Lars Eidinger and Sigrid Bouaziz.
Planetarium – In this period fantasy/drama, two fortune-telling sisters tour Europe with their skills and impress a Parisian film producer. He quickly hires them to hold a private séance at his home and then questions the pair about helping him with his latest film production, a ghost story. They agree, but find his motives questionable as events progress. Reviews were quite poor for the independent feature. Despite everyone writing that the production was gorgeous to look at, almost all found it clumsy, dull and less-than-involving on an emotional level. It features Natalie Portman, Lily-Rose Depp, Amira Casar and Louis Garrel.
War for the Planet of the Apes – The final installment in the new Planet of the Apes series follows Caesar some time after the events of the previous movie. After the simians suffer great losses in battle to a nasty human Colonel, the protagonist heads out for revenge. Unfortunately, he find that his actions may end up resulting in complete annihilation. It culminates in a final confrontation between man and ape. Although box office results weren’t as strong this time out, reviews were full of praise. They stated that the finale was surprisingly somber, thoughtful and low-key and were impressed by the incredible effects work. It stars Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Karin Konoval and Amiah Miller. Read a full review right here.
Blasts from the Past!
This week, Arrow are delivering one of those items classified as so-bad-it’s-good (at least to some). To cult horror fans, the ultra low-budget independent feature Blood Feast (1963) is considered a landmark achievement for its liberal use of bright red blood and guts. It was one of, if not the bloodiest movies ever made up to this point in cinema history. Thankfully, the nastiness on display is muted by clumsy dialogue and abysmal acting. As such, it has a big fan base. The new Blu-ray arrives with a new transfer as well as the inclusion of a second feature, Scum of the Earth, also made by the same director in 1963. There are archival interviews with the late director of the movie, as well as appreciation featurettes, outtakes, publicity materials and a filmmaker commentary. Amusingly, there are also deleted scenes from the second movie, and a short made around the same period with the movie’s star. If you’re a fan of the flick, you’ll certainly enjoy this release.
Kino also have some interesting Blu-rays of out-of-print titles. The Indian Runner (1991) is a well-regarded and marked the directorial debut of Sean Penn. The drama involves a family man and his violent, mentally unstable brother, played by David Morse and Viggo Mortensen. On a goofier note, you can now pick up a Blu-ray of the horror flick Night Angel (1990) in which an evil spirit possesses a beautiful woman and takes her on a violent rampage through a local community. I know I’ve seen it, but I remember absolutely nothing about it. Take that for all it’s worth.
Portrait of Jeannie (1948) is also being made available in high-definition. The Oscar-winning drama stars Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten and is about a struggling artist who finds inspiration in a young woman he meets by chance. Here’s another interesting picture from my youth. They Call Me Bruce? (1982) was a wacky comedy with Johnny Yune poking fun at the popularity of Bruce Lee and kung-fu movies of the era. Actually, the concept is kind of funny, as the lead is mistaken for Lee and has to take on various bad guys without possessing any martial arts skills. As a kid, I desperately wanted to see it. And see it I did, although once again, I recall bupkis about it. It’s probably pretty awful, but I suppose if anyone, myself included, decides to revisit it for the sake of nostalgia, they can now do so with this Blu-ray.
Warner Archives have a couple of noteworthy Blu-rays arriving as well. Hell on Frisco Bay (1955) is a thriller about a man who gets out of prison and immediately sets out to get revenge on the crook who framed him. Night School (1981) is a slasher featuring Rachel Ward about a mad killer in motorcycle gear decapitating victims at a university campus. This one was previously made available through the Archive site as a DVD, but sold well enough to warrant a hi-def upgrade.
The Cohen Film Collection have a Blu-ray of The Old Dark House (1932). This title comes from director James Whale during his period of classic horrors pictures that included Frankenstein, The Invisible Man and Bride of Frankenstein. The story involves travelers who take refuge in a storm by staying with an unusual family. This Universal release has always been much trickier to come by… in fact, it was thought lost until only the past couple of decades. As for the movie, it features Boris Karloff and boasts a more noticeable sense of humor than his other genre efforts. Some even consider it his best monster feature (although personally, I’m partial to The Invisible Man). The disc features a new 4K restoration, two audio commentaries (one with a film historian and the other co-star Gloria Stuart) as well as other bonuses.
Finally, Vinegar Syndrome have the cheeseball horror/comedy The Corpse Grinders (1971) on Blu-ray. It comes newly scanned and restored with a director/film historian commentary track, video featurette and stills gallery.
You Know, For Kids!
You’ll find this week’s kid-friendly fare listed below.
The Emoji Movie
PAW Patrol: The Great Snow Rescue
Teen Titans Go!: Holiday Collection
On the Tube!
And here are all of the TV-themed releases arriving on store shelves.
Diagnosis Murder: Season 7
Diagnosis Murder: Season 8
The Jamie Foxx Show: Season 4 (Warner Archive)
Masterpiece: The Durrells in Corfu: Season 2
Midsomer Murders: Series 19, Part 2
Saving Hope: Season 5
Teen Titans Go!: Holiday Collection
Teen Wolf: The Complete Series
Teen Wolf: Season 6, Part 2
Vera: Set 7
The Walking Dead: Season 7