Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition includes a number of notable theatrical releases, as well as some interesting independents and older features arriving with new upgrades. 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!
COMPANION – A couple decides to join a group of friends at a remote cabin for some fun… always a bad idea in a horror movie. When a revelation is made about one of the guests, chaos ensues and a nasty altercation occurs. More secrets are revealed as the cooped-up guests try to process what they have learned and how they should move forward. It’s tough to describe the plot of this horror picture without giving away spoilers, so that’s about all that can be said. Critics enjoyed the movie and rated it highly. A few commented that the script wasn’t as clever as hoped for, nor was it tense, noting that the climax reverted to genre film tropes. Still, almost everyone else thought the picture was a great deal of fun, twisting expectations and delivering an original, well-acted, sharp and darkly humorous film. The movie is available either as a 4K Ultra HD only release or a standalone Blu-ray. It stars Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén and Rupert Friend.
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN – Bob Dylan is the subject of this biopic, which was nominated for several Oscars. The narrative focuses on the beginning of the musician’s career. He makes his way to New York City, where he visits a personal hero in the hospital, in the process making friends with another famous singer-songwriter. After landing a record deal and finding success as a folk artist, his music begins to change, causing friction between himself, artists and audiences. The press reacted favorably to this drama. About one-fifth said that while they liked aspects of the film, the storytelling was generic and it failed to illuminate its subject in great detail. Still, most were very impressed by the work of the cast and stated that it featured great tunes that would impress the artist’s fans and win over several new devotees. This title will be available in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack, or as a Blu-ray only release. The cast includes Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Dan Folger and Scoot NcNairy. Here is a review link to the film that appeared on the Gallup Sun newspaper website.
DOG MAN – The hugely popular children’s book series (a spin-off of the Captain Underpants line of stories) gets its own animated feature. After a police dog and its cop owner are terribly injured, doctors sew the pooch’s head onto the man’s body. The combined figure tries to adapt to his new condition while continuing his work as an officer. He squares off against sinister supervillain Petey the Cat, who attempts several schemes to try and take control of the city. Reaction towards this feature was generally upbeat. About one-fifth of reviewers believed the story was too stretched-out to fill a 90-minute animated feature, also calling the plot elements creepy and the humor ineffective. Regardless, the majority believed that the film would work for its young target audience and delivered a large helping of silliness that the whole family would enjoy. The voice-cast includes Peter Hastings, Pete Davidson. Lil Rel Howery, Isla Fisher, Billy Boyd, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Root. A detailed review of the movie can be found by clicking this link.
FLIGHT RISK – A charter airplane pilot finds himself being hired to transport a federal agent and accountant/fugitive from a remote area. The man is being flown to Anchorage, Alaska, where he will get on another flight to appear as a major trial witness involving a crime family. As the flight nears its first destination, strange details are revealed that leave questions about the true identities of those onboard. This action/thriller was largely panned by reviewers. About one-third of those who saw the film called it a punchy and entertaining effort that delivered several tense moments. All others stated that the story was predictable, and that the small, enclosed setting didn’t allow for much in the way of thrills or excitement. The movie is available in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo, or as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Amazon exclusive Steelbook, as well as a standalone Blu-ray. Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, Topher Grace and Leah Remini headline the picture.
HARBIN – This historical biopic from South Korea tells the story of Ahn Jung-geun, a Korean independence activist known for his assassination of the first Prime Minister of Japan. As the story begins in 1909, Japanese forces have invaded Korea and turned it into a colony. The lead character faces criticism from his followers after refusing to commit retaliatory war crimes in battle. He then attempts to inspire a group of freedom fighters to track down the Prime Minister and finish him off directly. This effort garnered solid write-ups from critics. A small number didn’t think that the main characters were well-developed and commented that the final product lacked emotional depth. Yet the consensus was that the film worked well, boasting impressive visuals, striking action, as well as plenty of heart. It will be available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set or in a Blu-ray only package. It features Hyun Bin, Park Jeong-min and Jo Woo-jin.
INTO THE DEEP – A marine biologist grieves over the death of her father, who was killed by a shark. In order to get over her trauma, she decides to go on a group diving expedition with her new husband off of the coast of Madagascar. Unfortunately, pirates raid the boat. The villains force their hostages to swim and retrieve a lost shipment of drugs from the bottom of the sea. The protagonist must face her ultimate fear in order to survive the ordeal. Write-ups were terrible for this independent horror picture. A few suggested that the feature had a handful of tense moments and was buoyed by some good performances. However, the vast majority commented that it was a terrible B-movie further hampered by its low-budget, and failing to generate any drama above or below the water. The film stars Scout Taylor-Compton, Callum McGowan, Jon Seda, Stuart Townsend and Richard Dreyfuss.
LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY – This documentary tells the story of famous entertainer Liza Minelli. The film uses interviews with the subject as well as colleagues to paint a more detailed portrait of the famous figure. We learn about her life growing up as the daughter of actress Judy Garland and the challenges she faced not only in making a name for herself in Hollywood during the 1970s, but also several personal tragedies that caused despair. Reaction to the feature was very good. One or two reviewers didn’t think that the doc offered up much new material or insight about the performer and wrote that it felt like a promotional piece. Regardless, all other notices called it a warm and winning tribute to a legend that would inform and present a few previously unknown tidbits about its subject.
LOVE HURTS – Wow, that was fast! About 7 weeks ago, this action/comedy hit theaters and is now appearing on disc in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray pack, as well as a Blu-ray only release. The tale follows a sweet real estate agent hiding a deadly past as an assassin. When menacing figures appear at the lead’s workplace, it is revealed that he vanished after failing to kill a target whom he had a crush on. Now, everyone wants both of these incognito individuals dead. Notices were disappointing for this feature. Roughly one-fifth of write-ups liked the lead actor and described the action scenes as being well-choreographed. Everyone else thought that the script was underwritten, with thinly-drawn characters, clunky jokes, and a central romance that wasn’t convincing. A few even said that the repetitive action failed to ignite any sparks. Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Marshawn Lynch, Musafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby and Sean Astin. Read a full review of the flick by clicking this link.
LOVE ME – This story is set centuries after the extinction of humanity. A buoy and a satellite passing by in the sky above make contact. The buoy announces itself as a lifeform and together the two sentient machines try to piece together what happened on Earth. In the process, they discover themselves as entities and try to understand love, life as well as their own meaning and purpose. This arthouse science-fiction feature didn’t overwhelm critics. Less than half appreciated what they saw. Those who liked it said the movie was creative and charming as it examined existential questions about our worth in an overwhelming, massive universe. Unfortunately, the majority thought it was nicely shot, but clumsy in execution. They called the film slow-moving, contradictory in its messaging, and ultimately didn’t think it really had anything noteworthy to say about life. Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun provide the voices of the machines.
MUFASA: THE LION KING – Fans of Disney’s The Lion King will no doubt be curious about this effort. It serves as both a prequel and a sequel to the 2019 live-action adaptation of the classic animated feature. After the events of the original film, Simba and Nala prepare for the arrival of a new cub. They ask their animal friends to watch over their other young offspring while Nala gives birth. To pass the time, the sitters tell the story of Simba’s father. The movie was a box-office hit, but the press was lukewarm about it. Nearly half called it an unnecessary and blatant cash-in, with a bland and ultimately forgettable story. Slightly more found the visuals to be remarkable and claimed that the film offered an interesting backstory to a notable character. The movie will be available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook, as well as a Blu-ray and DVD combo. The voice cast features Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., John Kani, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Tiffany Boone, Donald Glover, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Blue Ivy Carter and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.
ONE OF THEM DAYS – Two roommates find themselves in a bind after one lends their rent money to her boyfriend, only for the cash to vanish. The pair discover that their landlord will throw them out unless they can come up with the full amount by the end of the day. They try to find the individual who took their funds, and also attempt other unusual tactics to come up with their rent. Reaction to this comedy was very positive. A small number thought that the episodic nature of the story resulted in a hit-and-miss approach, and that there wasn’t enough here to leave a lasting impression. But the vast majority stated that the two leads were charming and hilarious together and that the fast-paced screenplay meant that the end product was enjoyably breezy and fun. Keke Palmer, SZA, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams and Maude Apatow headline the feature. Read a detailed write-up of this picture right here.
PLEASE DON’T DESTROY: THE TREASURE OF FOGGY MOUNTAIN – This comedy debuted on the Peacock streaming service late last year and is now appearing on disc. Starring the titular comedy group, it follows three young pals who are, well, a bit dim-witted. They find they can’t hold a job and have no future prospects. When one of them suggests hunting for a legendary treasure believed to be hidden in a nearby mountain range, they decide this is how they will make their fortune. Along the way, they get into altercations with all sorts of unusual people and animals. This effort received slightly more negative notices than positive ones. Those who enjoyed the title commented that the events depicted were entertainingly over-the-top, yet still heartfelt, with several big laughs spread over its running time. Slightly more complained that the jokes were hit-and-miss, and were irritated by the main characters and their buffoonish behavior, claiming the film wore out its welcome by the close. It stars Ben Marshall, John Higgins, Martin Herlihy, Conan O’Brien, Bowen Yang, Megan Slater, X Mayo and John Goodman (as the narrator).
SHIVER ME TIMBERS – In the last few years, several low-budget horror films have been adapted from famous properties that have fallen into the public domain. The latest chiller to use this device focuses its inspiration on the famous spinach-eating sailor Popeye. Set in the late 1980s, the story follows Olive Oyl and other characters from the famous comic going on a camping trip to see Halley’s Comet. When a meteor turns Popeye into a killing machine, the group must fight for their lives. This title is a DVD-only release. It recently played at a genre film festival, but otherwise no one has seen it yet. There are no reviews currently available for the picture, but one imagines the end product is likely similar in quality to the likes of the recent Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse efforts. Beware! The cast includes Amy Mackie, Tony Greer, Murdo Adams and Stephen Corrall.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking for something a little older? Well, there are some options arriving this week. Arbelos Films is releasing a Blu-ray of The Bloody Lady (1980) an animated feature from the Czech Republic about a Hungarian folktale. It focuses on Lady Bathory, who legend suggests used to bathe in the blood of young girls to keep herself beautiful. In addition to the feature, the disc is believed to contain a bonus feature Junko the Highwayman (1976) and over 20 animated shorts from the director, a trailer, and a 12-page booklet with writing on the feature and the filmmaker.
A few weeks back, Arrow Video put out an elaborate “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD (and bonus Blu-ray with extras) of Quentin Tarantino’s all-star World War II picture, Inglourious Basterds (2009). This week a “Standard Edition” 4K Ultra HD is being made available. You’ll receive the 4K disc and Blu-ray with the same extras (including film critic commentary, new cast and crew interviews and old EPK materials.). The only thing this version doesn’t have from the previous one is the 60-page book, cards and elaborate packaging.
The Japanese classic Ugetsu (1953) is receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack from Criterion. This film tells the story of two villagers who want fame and fortune so badly that it ends up ruining their own lives to get it. You’ll get the full 4K Ultra HD image (from a 2017 transfer for an earlier Blu-ray), as well as a film critic commentary, a documentary on the director, in addition to crew interviews, trailers for the feature and a booklet with an essay on the movie and its inspiration.
Dr. Mabuse is a famous fictional literary character created in the 1920’s by a Luxembourg author. These novels have been adapted to film several times, and now Eureka Entertainment is putting out a Blu-ray set that contains a series of German films from the 1960s that are based on the character. Mabuse Lives!contains The 1,000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse (1960), The Return of Dr. Mabuse (1961), The Invisible Dr. Mabuse (1962), The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1962), Scotland Yard Hunts Dr. Mabuse (1963) and The Death Ray of Dr. Mabuse(1964). This “Limited Edition” contains 2K restorations of all the titles, archival and new audio commentary tracks, new introductions to each film with a cinema expert, a video essay on the series, and a 60-page book with notes on each film.
The melodrama Lighthouse (1947) is arriving on Blu-ray from Film Masters. It details a love triangle between a woman, a lighthouse keeper and his assistant that leads to plenty of tension when the three become trapped together on a stormy outpost. The disc promises a new HD picture scan.
Merry-Go-Round (1923) is a silent drama about a struggling circus performer. She meets and falls for a married necktie salesman (who might actually be royalty talking to her under a false identity). Flicker Alley is putting out a Blu-ray of this title, which delivers a new restoration of the film from surviving original and abridged elements scattered around the world, presenting the closest look possible at the original version of the film. The disc contains a film historian commentary, a look at Vienna (where the story is set) prior to World War I, a restoration featurette, and a booklet with a new essay on the production.
Here is a really big release that is arriving exclusively from Ignite Films and is presently only available through their website. It’s an incredible new 40th anniversary 4K Ultra HD upgrade of the zombie classic Re-Animator (1985). If you haven’t seen this film, this adaptation of the H.P. Lovecraft tale stars Jeffrey Combs as a mad scientist who creates a serum that can resurrect the dead. Unfortunately, his mixture hasn’t quite been perfected and works almost like an amphetamine, turning the dead into crazed maniacs. It’s an extremely graphic but wild and incredibly funny picture from writer/director Stuart Gordon (From Beyond, Dolls, Fortress, Dagon, Stuck) that is rightly considered a genre classic and one of the more unique zombie pictures out there.
Producer Brian Yuzna supervised the 4K image restoration and four versions are available from Ignite. There is an “Ultimate Limited Edition Box Set” that comes with a 4K Ultra HD disc and Blu-ray, with nearly 3-hours of newly produced bonus features, legacy extras from earlier releases, a 150-page hardcover book with recently conducted cast and crew interviews, a Dr. Hill Bobblehead, art cards, and a J card. The “Deluxe Edition Box Set” doesn’t contain the Bobblehead, but does have most of the other bonuses. The “4K Ultra HD Standard Edition” contains the film on 4K Ultra HD, with newly produced and legacy bonus features, while the “Blu-ray Standard Edition” contains the same contents as the previous version but only on Blu-ray. It looks pretty fantastic and seems like a must-own for zombie enthusiasts or horror fans in general.
Kino is delivering a Blu-ray of Burke & Hare (1972). Derren Nesbitt and Glynn Edwards play the title characters, two grave robbers and (eventually) murderers who make their living by providing the Edinburgh Medical College with fresh human specimens for study. This disc contains a film historian commentary, an interview on the subject with a doctor, a discussion with a cast member and a trailer.
The critically acclaimed, Oscar-nominated Japanese feature Shoplifters (2018) is receiving a Blu-ray release from Magnolia Pictures. It follows a family who survive by petty theft. When they take in a neglected child, their priorities begin to shift.
Finally, Shout Factory is presenting a pair of titles. The first is a “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo of the recent and amusing, vampire/comedy Renfield (2023). Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage star in this tale about a vampire’s assistant who wants to break free from his master. Besides the picture upgrade, you’ll get a previously released cast and crew commentary track, a new in-depth documentary on the production featuring recent talks with the actors and crew and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage. Deleted and extended scenes are also included, along with alternate takes, featurettes on the production, the making of one of the deleted scenes and a trailer. And for collectors, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Walmart exclusive Steelbook is also available for purchase.
And the Japanese animated feature Summer Wars (2009) is receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Amazon exclusive Steelbook, as well as a standalone Blu-ray release. It arrives with voice cast interviews, a discussion with the director, and teasers and trailers for the feature.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below is a list of some titles that might appeal to youngsters.
Dog Man (Universal) Blu-ray
Mufasa: The Lion King (Disney) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook or Blu-ray and DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And you’ll find all of this edition’s TV-themed releases listed below.
Abbott Elementary: Season 3 (Warner Bros.) DVD
Icons Unearthed: James Bond (TV miniseries) (Mill Creek Entertainment) Blu-ray
Superman & Lois: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
Superman & Lois: Season 4 (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray