Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition is a busy one, with a ton of Hollywood features and independents in a wide variety of genres. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a few days, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
THE ANIMAL KINGDOM – Combining elements of adventure, science-fiction and drama, this co-production between France and Belgium is set in a world where some humans have begun to mutate and develop animal characteristics. A teenage boy begins showing signs that he may be affected and is told by his father that his mother, who has disappeared, also had this condition. While authorities close in on these new and powerful individuals, the leads try to find their missing relative. Reception has been generally positive towards this foreign-language feature. A small group complained that it felt like an X-Men tale but without thrills, repeatedly delivering cliches and struggling to hold viewer interest. Still, most called the picture smart and intriguing. They also wrote that it was helped by the warm and well-performed relationship between the father and son. Romain Duris and Paul Kircher headline the picture.
BAG OF LIES – A husband whose wife has terminal cancer is desperate to find her any cure. When he discovers an ancient relic said to have dark powers, he decides to see if it can save her. But there are three important rules to follow while using the item. Things initially look promising until one of the instructions is overlooked, leading to a ghastly series of consequences that test the husband’s sanity. This independent chiller debuted on streaming sites a couple of months ago. It hasn’t been seen by many critics so far, but a few mixed reviews have appeared online. Most suggest that the concept is interesting, the performances reasonable and that it had some creepy moments. At the same time, they stated that the film was overlong and the pacing sluggish, lessening the suspense. It stars Patrick Taft, Brandi Botkin and John Wells.
BIGFOOT EXORCIST – If you read these articles, you’ll know that they sometimes cover releases from Wild Eye Releasing. These titles are typically ultra-low-budget (essentially homemade) independent genre efforts that often cater to audiences wanting over-the-top monster movies with shoddy production values. This feature is from a filmmaker responsible for the Shark Exorcist series and follows a cult who summon a vicious sasquatch to do their bidding. When a man survives an attack by the creature, he starts transforming into a bigfoot. The figure asks for help from a nun to release him from this curse. No one has seen this picture yet and it is arriving as a DVD-only release to shoppers. If you’ve seen the series mentioned above, expect something similar set in the woods. The cast includes Jessa Flux, Crystal Quin and Ford Windstar.
BLIND WAR – A former SWAT captain is permanently blinded during a failed mission and must retire from his job behind. When his teenage daughter is kidnapped, he decides to go rogue and find the responsible party. Of course, the hero quickly discovers that this enemy is a group of human traffickers who were the same target of the ill-fated raid. The protagonist decides to use newly developed talents to take down those who changed his life forever. This foreign-language title from China was released in its homeland near the end of the pandemic and has been available to stream on Hi-YAH! for some time. It is now appearing on disc. There haven’t been many notices for the picture. The few that are available call it exaggerated in the extreme. They note that action scenes are amusing but that the dramatic moments are corny, making it difficult to take the story seriously. Andy On is listed as the lead in the film.
BLOOD AND SNOW – A meteor crashes in the Arctic and is discovered by scientists. One is immediately killed, while the other wounded researcher escapes to a nearby base. The group of individuals who find the ill figure try to treat them. But soon after, everyone realizes that the person has been infected by an alien menace that wants to spread among the others. This low-budget independent chiller appeared on streaming sites a few weeks ago and is now debuting on disc. Almost no major reviewers have seen it. Online critics who specialize in this type of movie thought that the locations were impressive, but called it a blatant and ineffective copy of John Carpenter’s The Thing. Some even thought it could be sued for plagiarism. It features Vernon Wells, Simon Phillips, Micheal Swatton and Anne-Carolyne Binette.
BRING HER TO ME – Much like Wild Eye Releasing, Full Moon Entertainment also delivers direct-to-disc and streaming genre titles (albeit with slightly higher budgets than their competitor). Their latest is from the director of The Gingerdead Man and follows a woman suffering from intense nightmares. After falling asleep, she begins encountering a nasty demon. The lead calls on the help of a dream interpreter and discovers that the supernatural force is, well, amorous and interested in her physically. Again, few critics have actually seen this picture. Those that have suggested that, for a low-budget picture, it looks reasonably slick. However, they also note the extremely short running time (under one hour), weak character development and abrupt ending. Apparently, it is available to watch for free on Tubi, so those interested may want to check it out there first. Bec Doyle and Roslyn Gentle headline the film.
DOGMAN – This crime/drama from Luc Besson (Leon: The Professional, The Fifth Element) begins with a young man being arrested while driving a truck full of illegal drugs. He is interviewed by a psychiatrist and tells his life story. It involves incredible tragedy, including abuse from his father and a troubling stay in a juvenile institution. The criminal also reveals his experiences training dogs to accompany him on several heists. The movie played at various festivals (it was nominated for awards at the Venice Film Festival) but divided the press, receiving a wide range of ratings. Almost half called the picture ridiculous and stated that the strange shifts in tone were so confusing that the entire feature baffled them. Slightly more wrote that the lead performance was exceptional and that the film was so wild and unique that they couldn’t help but get wrapped up in its oddness. It stars Caleb Landry Jones, Jojo T. Gibbs, Christopher Denham, Marisa Berenson, Clemens Schick and Grace Palma.
ENTER THE DRAG DRAGON – Those who follow indie cult cinema and live in Canada may be familiar with Lee Demarbre, a filmmaker who has independently produced B-movie genre mash-ups like the Harry Knuckles series and Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter (among others). His latest effort involves an amateur detective and drag queen who is hired to find a lost dog. The trail leads the character on a strange journey that involves fending off underworld criminals, an Aztec mummy, zombies, anti-gay Christian vigilantes, and more. Once again, this little film hasn’t gotten a lot of write-ups, but most were upbeat. Those reviews called it a combination of early John Waters pictures and a Lloyd Kaufman production. It also won awards at the Hollywood Blood Horror Festival last year. Apparently, Sam Kellerman, Jade London and Matt Miwa all play the lead character at different points in the movie.
FINDING THE MONEY – The US national debt and the nature of money is the subject of this documentary. The filmmakers interview various professors of economics and other notable figures, including the former chief economist to the American Senate Budget Committee. They do so to show exactly how the system of government spending works, before breaking it down and critiquing it. The movie proposes a new way of thinking about how and where countries spend their money. Few members of the press managed to see the picture last month when it received a limited release, but word on it was upbeat. Most found the subject interesting and stated that while some of the arguments were not entirely convincing to them, the film would definitely change how many felt about modern economics and help all to conceive ways for the process to change and better serve citizens.
GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE – The latest title in the new series of US-produced “Monsterverse” team-ups involving Godzilla and King Kong features the beasts and a few human characters who have appeared in previous chapters. When multiple giant creatures rise from a land beneath the Earth to wreak havoc, the title monsters are forced to team up and help save the world. This picture generally split the press, but did receive a few more positive notices than negative ones. Those who disliked the picture described it as complete and utter nonsense with poor character development. They became disinterested in the action and felt that the movie paled in comparison to Godzilla MInus One from Japan. The same number and a few more thought it delivered silly fun and amusing in-jokes that would put a grin on the face of any giant monster movie fan. This film is available in multiple editions, including a 4K Ultra HD version, a Blu-ray only release, a Walmart exclusive Steelbook 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo and a Godzilla/Kong Monsterverse 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray pack with this and the previous four films in the series. It stars Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle and Alex Ferns.
HUNT HER, KILL HER – A young woman gets a night shift position at a furniture factory. Each evening, she must lock the doors, clean up and keep guard of, presumably, the various ottomans, pantries and couches. One night, a group of masked intruders enter the building and steal the keys. They begin hunting the protagonist down, forcing her to fight back in order to escape their clutches. The 2023 release was put out as a DVD-only title one year ago and is now debuting on Blu-ray. Reaction was split towards the independent horror movie. Almost half found it to be repetitive and wrote that it needed to focus more on the actual characters than the attack scenes. Just as many, plus one or two, stated that the film was suspenseful and included plenty of tense and well-staged moments within its claustrophobic location. Natalie Terazzino plays the unfortunate worker.
IMMACULATE – After her parish closes, a young, devout American nun takes a position in Italy at a remote convent. While caring for ailing, elderly nuns, she begins meeting the various unusual personalities also at the abbey. Things get unsettling when the lead sees threatening figures dressed in red, and become even more perplexing when the celibate woman discovers that she is pregnant. Despite her protests, those who run the convent decide to keep her locked up within the convent. Reaction to this horror picture was more positive than negative. A number of write-ups complained that the story was predictable and that it simply wasn’t scary, resorting to shocks instead of generating a sense of fear or unease. But the majority complimented the picture as atmospheric and intense. They also thought it included excellent performances and a memorable finale. It stars Sidney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte and Simona Tabasco.
THE LAST KUMITE – If you remember and/or enjoy martial arts movies from the 1980s like Bloodsport and Kickboxer, this title may be for you. It is a low-budget picture inspired by those films that was largely funded through Kickstarter. The plot involves a martial artist who wins a competition, finding himself a noted fight promoter in the process. Unfortunately, he discovers too late that his new boss is also a human trafficker. His daughter is suddenly kidnapped and he is forced to compete in a brutal underground tournament. There haven’t been a great deal of reviews yet for this picture. The ones that have popped up online state that the pacing is a bit sluggish, but that it is a good recreation of late 80s pictures of the era (right down to the score) and includes a few amusing cameos. It is available in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack or as a standalone Blu-ray. The cast includes Mathis Landwehr, Kurt McKinney, Cynthia Rothrock and Billy Blanks.
REMEMBERING GENE WILDER – The life and career of late Hollywood actor Gene Wilder is chronicled in this documentary. After his mother suffered a stroke at a young age and he was advised by a nurse to keep her spirits up by making her laugh, Wilder found that he enjoyed performing and decided to pursue a career onscreen. Those whom he worked with share their memories of him, describing the figure as a serious actor with impeccable comic timing. There is also exploration of tragedy within his life, as well as many positive experiences. The picture was well-received. A small number commented that this was a surface level examination of the man and his career, lacking deep insight. Regardless, the consensus was that the movie delivered a touching tribute to a figure and his incredible work in films like The Producers, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silver Streak and many others.
STAY CALM – Known as Stai Sereno in its homeland,this English-language Italian crime/comedy is about a government official who is unpopular with the public. Fearing that he will lose the next election, he decides to work on some extreme ideas for his upcoming campaign in order to win over the public. This includes hiring an influencer to stage a highly publicized scandal as well as a home invasion. Alas, things start going wrong in every possible way. This is currently a DVD-only release. Very little is known about this picture outside of Italy, other than the fact that some sources call it a passion project of the star. There haven’t been any reviews of the movie yet, so interested parties will have to walk in with no prior knowledge as to its quality. Billy Zane, Corrado Fortuna, Francesco Meoni and Samantha Michela Capitoni headline the picture.
STOPMOTION – A gifted young woman who works as a stop-motion animator spends her days and nights creating horrific visions for an independent project. A curious but odd girl visits her apartment and makes creative suggestions to the protagonist. Most involve a nightmarish figure called “The Ashman” who torments his prey. The animator begins seeing this monster in the hallways, and witnesses her own creations coming to life. She becomes more and more unhinged in the process. The press was quite taken by this UK production. A very small number complained that the lead struggling with their sanity conceit was overused and the end result ineffective. Everyone else thought it was extraordinarily creepy. They complimented the great performances and chilling visuals using stop-motion characters within a real-world story in new and unique ways. It features Aisling Franciosi, Stella Gonet, Tom York and Therica Wilson-Read.
TONI – This picture begins 20 years in the past, with a 20-something singer on the verge of pop stardom. Sadly, her career quickly falters and she instead becomes a single mother, only occasionally singing in bars. After raising several children who are now heading off to college, it becomes clear that her old life as a parent is coming to an end. She debates whether or not she should try returning to university and starting a new career, but doesn’t receive much encouragement from those around. This French comedy/drama hasn’t been seen by many reviewers outside of its home country. Some online notices based in Europe are generally positive about this foreign-language feature. Most suggested that it is a sweet and likable little effort bolstered by its charismatic lead and believable depiction of a 40-ish woman at a personal crossroads. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. It stars Camille Cottin, Léa Lopez and Thomas Gioria.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
It’s another solid week for upgrades of older titles. Mute Witness (1995) is a fantastic little thriller that follows a mute special effects make-up artist working on a slasher film in Moscow. When she accidentally gets locked into the studio at the end of the day, she comes across two individuals shooting a snuff film for a criminal organization. The lead is pursued through the rickety studio as she attempts to escape with her life.
But that’s not all that occurs. This twisty and darkly humorous effort takes various unexpected turns as the story progresses. It’s one of those wonderful little hidden gems that few people have seen. Arrow Video is now delivering a 4K Ultra HD edition of the film, as well as a separate Blu-ray version. Extras on it include a commentary from writer/director Anthony Waller (An American Werewolf in Paris), a crew commentary with the production designer and the composer, as well as visual essays on the film’s relation to snuff movies and another piece how it fits into the film-within-a-film genre. There is also a promo reel used to generate investors for the production, location scouting footage from Boston (where they filmmaker initially planned to make the movie) and the entirety of footage shot with “guest star” Alec Guiness (Kind Hearts and Coronets, Bridge on the River Kwai, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope). Promotional materials are also included. Read a full review of this release here.
88 Films is making a “Special Edition” Blu-ray available of the Hong Kong action picture Yes, Madam! (1985). It involves two female officers from different countries who are forced to work together to take down a crime syndicate. This film stars Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock. The movie has been given a 2K remaster and comes with a second export cut of the feature, a historian commentary, an interview and select scene commentary with Rothrock, as well as archived cast and crew discussions, and a trailer.
The distributor also put out a lavish special edition of the thriller Wild Things (1998) a few months back, and now they are releasing a “Standard Edition” single disc of the 4K Ultra HD version, as well as a separate Blu-ray. Bonuses are virtually the same as the previous release, including multiple director commentaries and more.
The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972) is an Italian “giallo” about a model who moves into a new apartment, only to learn that the previous female tenants were slain there, and that she is next on the killer’s list. Celluloid Dreams is releasing this Blu-ray, which arrives with a film historian commentary, a director interview, a discussion with two cast members, an outtake reel, image gallery and trailers.
Criterion is giving the Rainer Werner Fassbinder drama Querelle (1982) the Blu-ray treatment. The plot involves a naval ship captain secretly in love with one of his crew members. For this release, a high-definition digital master has been approved by the director of photography. There is an interview with a movie expert on the filmmaker’s aesthetics and visual storytelling, as well as a 1982 documentary on the feature, and a trailer.
A Queen’s Ransom (1976) aka The International Assassin is a spy thriller that co-stars Geroge Lazenby as an Irish assassin out to murder the Queen while she visits Hong Kong. The local police force does their best to stop him. Eureka Entertainment is making the picture available on Blu-ray with a 2K restoration. It comes with the Hong Kong theatrical version and an export cut, two film historian commentaries, a discussion about the title, a trailer, a booklet and a reversible sleeve.
You can also pick up The Valiant Ones (1975) as either a 4K Ultra HD disc or simply on Blu-ray. It’s a historical epic from Hong Kong about a group of men asked by their emperor to deal with pirates. Besides a 4K restoration from the original negative, you’ll also get an Asian film expert commentary, a discussion on the picture with a movie historian, a visual essay, tons of cast and crew interviews, a collector’s booklet and a slipcase with new artwork for the title.
Das Kombrutalle Duell (1999) is a graphic German revenge picture arriving on Blu-ray from Massacre Video. The film was actually banned in its homeland for some time due to its excessive onscreen violence. It is being presented uncut and uncensored on disc.
A double-feature set Zebraman: Ultimate Z-Pack – Zebraman (2004)/Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City (2010) delivers both Blu-rays and DVDs of the two Japanese cult films. The pair of titles follow a man who is obsessed with a superhero TV-show and ultimately turns himself into that crime-fighting individual.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is releasing a Blu-ray of Class (1983) featuring Jacquline Bisset, Andrew McCarthy, Rob Lowe, John Cusack, Alan Ruck, Virginia Madsen and Casey Siemaszko. It follows a romantic encounter between a private school student and an older woman (who ends up being the mother of a classmate).
You can also pick up The Mighty Quinn (1989) on Blu-ray. This effort stars Denzel Washington as a chief of police in a small US territory in the Caribbean. He’s forced to investigate a murder in which the prime suspect, played by Robert Townsend, is his best friend.
Witch’s Night Out and The Gift of Winter: Classic Animated Double Feature from MVD Visual is a DVD that contains two Canadian animated TV holiday-themed specials made in 1978 and 1974. These programs were originally broadcast on the CBC north of the border and NBC in the US, but were so commonly aired on the Disney Channel through the 80s and 90 that this is how they found a fanbase. Both feature an impressive voice cast that includes the likes of Dan Aykroyd, Catherine O’Harra, Gilda Radner and Fiona Reed.
Sandpiper Pictures is presenting several titles on Blu-ray. Article 99 (1992) is a comedy/drama with Keifer Sutherland and Ray Liotta about doctors at a veteran’s hospital. A Family Thing (1996) features Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones as half-brothers who try to mend their estranged relationship.
Warriors of Virtue (1997) is an oddball action/fantasy picture from Ronny Yu (The Bride with White Hair, Bride of Chucky, Freddy vs. Jason) about a boy who is transported to a magical land and befriends animal warriors. Winter People (1989) stars Kurt Russell and Kelly McGillis in a period drama about a man who falls in love with an unwed mother during the 1930s.
“Where’s the goddamn cereal?!” says Michael Madsen’s heroic mercenary in a grocery store while hunting down an alien killer during a memorably ridiculous moment from the over-the-top Species II (1998). He, along with scientists and a docile clone of the alien from the first movie must hunt down a lustful male invader from outer space. This title is receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” from Shout! Factory. Besides a 4K picture restoration from the original camera negative, it comes with a director commentary, interviews with co-star Natasha Henstridge, the creature and make-up effects team and the screenwriter, along with outtakes, scenes from the film featuring uncut footage, a production featurette, trailer and massive still gallery.
Coinciding with the release of Dogman this week, Sony has another title from French filmmaker Luc Besson (Leon: The Professional, The Fifth Element). La Femme Nikita (1990) is arriving as a 4K Ultra HD only tittle. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a stylish and entertaining action picture about a female street punk who is recruited and transformed into a lethal assassin. The 4K picture restoration was taken from the original camera negative, so it should look pretty incredible.
Unearthed Films is delivering Homework (1982) on Blu-ray. This teen sex comedy involves a virginal high schooler who starts a band in order to impress women. It doesn’t really work, but in the process, he ends up getting briefly involved with a friend’s mom. Joan Collins plays the parent who romances the teen. She sued the producers to have her name taken off of the film. It is said that her part is very small and that the sex scene was added using a body double, yet all the movie marketing was focused on their character’s tryst. More than 40 years later, you can see what all the fuss was about (and maybe watch it on a double-bill with Class).
Finally, Universal Studios is delivering the Shrek: 4-Movie Collection on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. It contains all the features made between 2001 and 2010 in the highest possible quality. And if you just want the last chapter in the series, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray of Shrek Forever After (2010) is also being made available.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
All kid-friendly titles can be found below.
Shrek: 4-Movie Collection (Universal Pictures) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray
Shrek Forever After (2010) (Universal Pictures) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray
Witch’s Night Out and The Gift of Winter: Classic Animated Double Feature (TV Specials) (MVD Visual) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
This edition’s TV-themed releases are listed below.
American Experience: Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy of Love Canal (PBS) DVD
Come Fly with Me (Hallmark Mystery) DVD
Doctor Who: The Celestial Toymaker: Season 3 (BBC) Blu-ray
Heartland: Season 16 (CBC/EOne) DVD
The Jeffersons: The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) DVD
South Park: Joining the Panderverse (Paramount) Blu-ray or DVD
Superman & Lois: Season 3 (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray or DVD
Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
Witch’s Night Out and The Gift of Winter: Classic Animated Double Feature (TV Specials) (MVD Visual) DVD