Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. Last week was jam-packed with titles, which means that there are fewer new releases coming your way this time out. Still, a few of these smaller efforts may be worth your while, and there are a ton of older features getting 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!
ATTACHMENT – Released in its homeland as Natten har Ojne, this horror/comedy involves a woman in Denmark who falls for a Jewish academic raised in London. After a strange seizure causes the student a leg injury, the lead decides to accompany her back to England. She meets the mother and finds the elderly woman’s behavior disquieting. The visitor soon discovers that the parent may be involved in occult activity, threatening the safety of all. The film played at various festivals throughout 2022, was made available for streaming on Shudder in 2023 and is now arriving on disc. Response to the film was generally positive. A small number took issue with the pacing and were disappointed by the horror tropes used during the climax. Everyone else called it a clever slow-burn of a movie with great performances that drew them in with its combined humor and terror. It stars Ellie Kendrick, Sofie Grabol and Josephine Park.
AULD LANG SYNE – Curious and willing to take a chance on a film that hasn’t been seen by the press? This holiday comedy follows two 60-something actresses who can’t find gigs and are officially out of money. With nowhere else to turn, the two decide to hide out on a film production and have their own dream Christmas on one of the sets. The two have to try to keep the charade up as long as they can without being discovered by either security, or the cast and crew. This independent production was picked up for a direct-to-disc release by Gravitas Ventures. As mentioned, the company liked it enough to put it out, but no critics have seen the picture yet. Those interested will simply have to give the movie a shot and hope for the best. The cast includes Linda Kash, Mimi Kuzyk, Ryan Allen and Katie Boland.
BEEZEL – A widower who lives in a house he believes is cursed invites a documentarian over to record him as he tries to learn about what happened to his late wife. They begin recording and the cameraman soon learns that a dangerous force is present. Viewers then see horrific things that have happened to other guests in the home over the past 60 years. So far, this independent horror film has only received a handful of reviews, mostly from genre film sites. They have been mixed overall. Some have stated that the film makes good use of its concept and delivers plenty of jolts and atmosphere. Close to the same number suggested that while it starts off strong, the film gets weaker and weaker as it progresses and that the final chapter is both the longest and least effective in the movie. Bob Gallagher, LeJon Woods, Nicolas Robin and Caroline Quigley headline the picture.
COMA – Set in France, this foreign-language feature deals with a bored French teenager dissatisfied with her life. The youth resorts to visiting the online world, becoming friends with a mysterious YouTuber who encourages her to share her inner thoughts and feelings. The story veers between dreams and reality, with the lead trying to determine whether this individual is helping or hurting her. This drama was released in its homeland in 2022 and is now arriving on disc in North America. It received generally good notices. A portion of them didn’t care for the movie’s shifts in tones and mix of live-action and various animation techniques, suggesting the final product was unfocused. But most thought it was a low-key but interesting examination of the thoughts and struggles of a teen and had plenty of intriguing ideas in its narrative. It features Julia Faure, Louise Labeque and Ninon Francois.
THE CRITIC – After some particularly nasty reviews, the chief drama/theater critic of a London newspaper is confronted by some of those whose work he has panned. He laughs them off, only to have secrets about his sexuality revealed to police, resulting in his firing by the paper’s owner. The lead decides to get revenge by doing research and ensnaring the man whom he believes ruined his livelihood. This period thriller split reviewers right down the middle. Half commented that the story became more and more outlandish as it progressed, eventually crumbling during the final act. The same number were amused by the nasty characters, liked the work of the cast and called the picture enjoyably exaggerated and theatrical. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. It stars Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong and Lesley Manville.
GIVE ME AN A – This anthology includes 16 shorts from 16 female filmmakers dealing with the overturning of Roe V Wade and American women’s rights to privacy, bodily autonomy and healthcare. The tales jump around various genres, with some segments falling into dark comedy, science-fiction, horror, and even straight drama. The movie was released last summer and is now making its debut on Blu-ray. It was well-received by the press. A small number thought the feature had similar problems to other analogies, in that the segments were too varied and uneven in quality. However, the majority thought that most of the tales worked. They called the movie a passionate protest that showed a nightmarish vision of the future that appears to be coming true. The cast includes Virginia Madsen, Alyssa Milano, Gina Torres, Molly C. Quinn and Sean Gunn.
NIGHT OF THE MISSING – If you’re looking for more anthologies, you can also try this independent horror feature. During the Christmas holidays, a woman appears at a small town police station. The gruff Sheriff arrives to take her statement down. The lady talks about many of the strange disappearances that have occurred in the area over the past few years. After seeing segments detailing some of the stories being told, we learn who is causing the crimes and why. This feature received a streaming release late last year and is now appearing on disc. So far, only a handful of genre film critics have seen it and reactions have been mixed. They all seem to suggest that some segments are decent, while others don’t work at all, resulting in an odd patchwork that is only marginally effective. It features Meredith Thomas, Jill Awbrey, Philip Estrin and Bill Moseley
PORTRAITS – In this indie chiller, a down-on-her-luck artist gets some unexpected news when she learns that she has inherited a building in Los Angeles. The lead decides to make it her new home and studio, but then learns about the strange history of the relative who left the site to her. She also finds herself falling for an aspiring photographer living nearby. When a series of brutal murders begin occurring, the protagonist must find out if they have any connection to those she knows. The film has been described as a modern-day adaptation of the vampire story Carmilla, which should give you some idea of where the plot will venture. No critics have seen the picture yet, and it is arriving as a DVD-only release. Olivia Bellafontaine, Jack Bennett, Camille Calvin, Paola Carleo and Elissa Dowling headline the film.
SWALLOWED – Here’s another independent horror picture vying for your attention. Two best friends in a small town decide to enjoy a final night of fun before one of them leaves for Los Angeles to become an adult film star. They are asked by an acquaintance to help with a drug run in order to earn extra money and the pair accept. They are asked to swallow condoms containing drugs and do so. But after an altercation, one of them begins feeling stomach pains and wonders what they consumed. This picture played at various festival and was released on video-on-demand last year. Now, it’s getting a release on disc. Critics were more positive than negative about the picture. A small contingent complained that all the movie really wanted to do was shock viewers instead of focusing on character. However, the majority called the film a unique and unsettling body horror odyssey that successfully managed to make them feel icky. The film stars Cooper Koch, Jose Colon, Jenna Malone and Mark Patton.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Severin is proud to present Texas Gladiators (1983) in either a 4K Ultra HD release or as a standalone Blu-ray. Inspired by the popularity of the Mad Max series, this Italian post-apocalyptic action picture is considered unhinged. For the first time ever, it is being presented uncut and uncensored. Scanned in 4K from the original negative, you’ll also receive new and archival features including cast and crew interviews and a trailer. You can read a detailed review of the release by clicking on this link.
Dario Argento’s Deep Cuts (1973 – 1988) 4-disc Blu-ray from the same distributor will likely be a must-own for fans of filmmaker Dario Argento (Deep Red, Suspiria). It contains the 70s Italian thriller-anthology TV series Door into Darkness sourced from the original 16mm negatives. A talk show featuring the director from later in the decade with some shorts is also included, as well as a lengthy 1988 documentary on the filmmaker that aired in his homeland. More bonuses and extras are included and it’s the perfect way for North American fans to pick up a few of his productions that have been difficult to obtain in this part of the world. Read a complete review of the set right here.
AGFA is delivering The Cult of AGFA Trailer Show on Blu-ray. It’s a collection of rare and obscure trailers for genre films as well as eccentric commercials and other ephemera. The distributor also promises a commentary track from the AGFA team, hallucinogenic shorts and plenty more.
Those who enjoy Australian cinema may want to pick up a Blu-ray of That’s Not My Dog! (2018) from Bounty Films. The story features comedian Shane Jacobson throwing a party and having all of the attendees, who are also stars and famous musicians, telling their favorite jokes. Individuals like Paul Hogan, Steve Vizard, Jimeoin and many more appear in the feature.
Abducted (1986) is arriving on Blu-ray from Canadian International Pictures. It’s a thriller about a jogger in Vancouver who gets kidnapped by a mountain man and must fight her way to freedom. The story apparently takes some unusual twists and turns. The picture has been given a 2K restoration from the 35mm blow up of the internegative. Extras include a director commentary track, a film historian commentary, cast and crew interviews, a video essay on the movie, a short from the director, trailers with optional director commentaries, a booklet with writing on the movie, reversible cover artwork and more.
The Abel Ferrara film Dangerous Game (1993) starring Harvey Keitel and Madonna is arriving on Blu-ray from Cinematograph. It follows a director making a movie about a strained marriage. Life soon begins to imitate art. The film has been given a 4K restoration from the original camera negative and arrives with new bonuses including cast and crew interviews (including talks with Ferrara and co-star James Russo), a video essay, a movie expert commentary track and trailer.
Paper Moon (1972) is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo (as well as a Blu-ray only release) courtesy of Criterion. This classic from Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show) is set during the Great Depression and follows a con man who pairs with a young girl to survive. The cast includes Ryan O’Neal and his daughter, Tatum O’Neal (who won an Oscar for her performance at the age of 10). Despite having made other notable features, this one is now his highest rated movie on IMDb. The 4K film master was created from the original camera negative. It comes with an archival Bogdanovich commentary and a director’s introduction to the film recorded in 1989. There is a video essay on the feature, three short documentaries on the production, a talk with the production designer, an excerpt with the cast and crew on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, some location scouting footage, a trailer and a leaflet with more writing on the title.
The Shape of Water (2017) is receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack from Criterion. This Best Picture Oscar-winner tells the story of a love affair between a shy janitor at a government lab who falls for a humanoid amphibian. The 4K master of the film was supervised by director Guillermo del Toro and the release features a new conversation with the moviemaker, a documentary on the making of the film, on-set footage and interviews with del Toro, a discussion with illustrator James Jean, a 2017 masterclass on the technical aspects of the feature, trailers and a written essay on the movie.
Dark Star Pictures recently acquired the rights to the Stephen Dorff/Stephen Rea/Udo Kier/Jeffrey Combs horror picture Feardotcom (2002) and is putting out a “Limited Edition” 2000 copy Blu-ray run of the movie. This disc arrives with a retrospective director commentary track, an archival commentary with the filmmaker, an academic track, a retrospective director interview, a featurette on locations, a making-of, a video essay on the horror of technology, an archival featurette, additional scenes and more.
Described as a “reviled” horror movie, you can now pick up a Blu-ray of Dude Bro Party Massacre III (2015) from Dekanalog, which comes with two commentary tracks, a 4-part documentary, deleted scenes, a supercut, gag reel and more.
If you grew up watching cartoons in the 80s, you might want to pick up Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2018) from ETR Media. This Blu-ray contains a lengthy and thorough documentary on the famous animated series. Extras included extended interviews, deleted segments and scenes, a look at She-Ra, a collector tour and other featurettes.
Kid-Thing (2012) is an eccentric film about an unsupervised ten-year-old girl running around and getting into trouble in her neighborhood. It’s from the directors of the recent Sasquatch Sunset and is arriving on Blu-ray from Factory25. The disc also contains tons of shorts and music videos made by the filmmakers, as well as a 28-page booklet on the moviemakers.
The Reflecting Skin (1990) is an eerie cult classic about a boy who believes that his neighbor is a vampire. It features an early appearance by Viggo Mortensen. This title is getting a Blu-ray rerelease from Film Movement, which delivers a 2K picture restoration, director commentary, and a making-of.
Grindhouse Releasing is presenting a Blu-ray of the drive-in feature Hollywood 90028 (1973), about a struggling Los Angeles photographer turned serial killer. It comes with multiple commentary tracks, a discussion of the movie with cast members, a director intro, outtakes and alternate scenes, as well as a ton of publicity materials.
The Australian picture The Snowtown Murders (2011) is arriving on Blu-ray from IFC Films. It’s a movie about a nasty vigilante group based on a real event in the country that occurred in 1999. This disc contains a film critic commentary track, a video essay, a director commentary and interview, deleted scenes, original casting footage, a featurette on the real-life crimes, a trailer and a booklet with writing on the film.
Karnal (1983) is a period Filipino feature based on true crime that Kani is putting out on Blu-ray. Besides a 2K picture upgrade, bonuses include interviews and a trailer.
Kino is having another busy week! The Jack Palance Italian war picture Battle of the Commandos (1969) arrives on Blu-ray with a 4K picture scan from the Paramount vaults and a film historian commentary.
The effectively creepy Bug (2006) is being released in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. This effort from William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) stars Ashely Judd and Michael Shannon as two unhinged individuals who hole up in a hotel, believing they are being infested by insects. The image restoration is from the original camera negative, and it comes with a Friedkin commentary track and interview, a production featurette and a trailer.
The Andie MacDowell war drama Harrison’s Flowers (2000) is also arriving on Blu-ray with a film critic commentary and trailer.
There’s more William Friedkin coming as well with the Tommy Lee Jones/Benicio del Toro action picture The Hunted (2003), which is also arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo release. The 4K picture restoration is taken from the original camera negative. There is a Friedkin commentary, as well as numerous featurettes, deleted scenes and a trailer.
You can also pick up the Jack Palance picture The Lonely Man (1957) on Blu-ray. This effort contains an image taken from a 6K restoration of the VistaVision camera negative. It comes with a film historian trailer. The period adventure Mountains of the Moon (1990) is also receiving a Blu-ray release. Extras include a film historian commentary, making-of and trailer.
No. 1 of the Secret Service (1977) is an independent British spy satire attempting to capitalize on the popularity of James Bond pictures. It is apparently pretty wild and over-the-top. This Blu-ray boasts a 2K picture restoration from an inter-positive, a movie authority commentary track, an interview with the editor, a video essay on the movie, a deleted scene and trailer.
Kino is also presenting the On the Road with Hope and Crosby Blu-ray box set, which contains the Bob Hope/Bing Crosby comedies, Road to Singapore (1940), Road to Zanzibar (1941), Road to Morocco (1942), Road to Utopia (1945), Road to Rio (1947), Road to Bali (1952) and The Road to Hong Kong (1962). Trailers and other bonuses are included on most of the discs.
Revenge of the Zombies (1943) is a B-movie sci-fi horror picture with John Carradine about a mad scientist turning humans into zombies for use by Nazi forces. This Blu-ray title comes with a film historian commentary
Kino Cult is presenting a Blu-ray of 1000 Convicts and a Woman (1971), which is an exploitation movie set in a penitentiary. This disc includes an 18-minute featurette on the title, as well as crew interviews and a film expert commentary track.
Magnolia is releasing the cult horror/comedy Murder Party (2007) on Blu-ray. It’s about a man who fights for his life at an unexpectedly bloody costume party. This disc features an “upres” of the original tape materials. It comes with a new interview with the director, a film critic commentary track, an archived director and cast commentary, a making-of, outtakes and bloopers, trailer and more.
Fudoh: The New Generation (1996) from Takashi Miike (Audition) is arriving from Media Blasters and will be available as a 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray combo pack or as standalone. It follows a teen crime organization seeking revenge on Yakuza bosses. The release features audio commentaries, as well as interviews with Miike and actor Shosuke Tanihara.
The Hatchet movies are independent horror pictures that serve as throwbacks to slashers of the 1980s. MPI Video Group is putting out the Hatchet: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Steelbook containing all four pictures in the series made between 2007 and 2017. Apparently, a new 53-minute documentary on the series is listed as an extra, as well as never before seen production journals and more.
Zyzzyx Road (2006) is a thriller with Katherine Heigl and Tom Sizemore that is notorious for grossing a mere $30 dollars at the box office. It has, however, found enough of a following to warrant a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray pack release from MVD Visual. Besides a video upgrade (it was shot on video, but it is said to look a little better here than on previous versions), it arrives with a director and co-star Leo Grillo commentary, additionally commentaries with the two individually, an introduction from the pair, behind-the-scenes featurettes, cast and crew interviews, promo materials and more.
You can also purchase a Blu-ray of the indie horror picture Gut-Pile (1997) from Satan’s Core Audio & Video. It follows a hunter who accidentally shoots a man. He returns to the spot a year later and is pursued by a supernatural force. Like other titles from the distributor, it comes loaded with extras.
Shout! is releasing the Taylor Russell/Mark Rylance/Timothee Chalamet genre film Bones and All (2022) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo. It’s a creepy effort about two individuals with disturbing pasts trying to survive the elements. You’ll get a 4K presentation of the movie from the original elements, as well as previously released bonus featurettes on the production.
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993), a biopic on the life of the famous martial arts/film superstar, is also arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo. This transfer is from the original 35mm camera negative and is presented in Dolby Vision. All archival extras, like a director commentary, featurettes, interviews. Publicity materials and more are also included in this package.
Rush (2016) was an underrated biopic about Formula 1 racing legends Niki Lauda and James Hunt. It is arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack, as well as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Shout! Factory exclusive. The discs include a new 4K Dolby Vision presentation, an introduction from director Ron Howard (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man), deleted scenes and featurettes about the production.
The Found Footage Phenomenon (2021) from Shudder is a documentary exploring the history of these types of features from their inception through The Blair Witch Project to more recent film. This Blu-ray also comes with extras like interviews with the filmmakers, deleted footage and more.
While you can but many of these titles separately, Universal Pictures is presenting Alfred Hitchcock: The Iconic Film Collection box set which contains 4K Ultra HD only discs of the classics Rear Window (1954), To Catch a Thief (1955), North by Northwest (1959), Psycho (1960) and The Birds (1963). Only slightly more than 5000 copies are being manufactured, so if you’re interested, pick up the set quickly.
If you prefer strange holiday fare, VCI is delivering a “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray of Santa Claus (1959), a surreal Mexican feature in which the toymaker not only delivers presents, but takes on Satan himself!
Vinegar Syndrome is releasing the horror picture Corpse Mania (1981) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set with loads of extras, as well as The Ghost Dance (1982) on Blu-ray.
But the highlight is their presentation of the memorable thriller The Tenant (1976) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo. This effort from Roman Polanski (Rosemary’s Baby, Chinatown) is a great one, creepy and darkly funny. The filmmaker stars as a man in a desperate search for an apartment in Paris. When he finds one, he learns that the previous tenant jumped to their death. The lead begins experiencing strange events that push him to his psychological limit. The film is newly scanned in 4K with Dolby Vision from the original 35mm camera negative, and comes with a film historian commentary, interviews with Polanski as well as cast and crew members. There is a film historian analysis, and much, much more.
Finally, Warner Archive is making several titles available on Blu-ray. You can pick up Humoresque (1946), the Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volume 4, and if you don’t have any of the previous editions, Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volumes 1 – 4 is also available. The John Cusack/Diane Lane rom-com Must Love Dogs (2005) is arriving on Blu-ray, as is the musical compilation film That’s Entertainment (1974).
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below is a selection of titles for young tykes.
The Fairly OddParents: Season 9 (Nickelodeon/Paramount) DVD
The Fairly OddParents: Season 10 (Nickelodeon/Paramount) DVD
Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volume 4 (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volumes 1 – 4 (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And the week’s TV-themed discs are listed here.
American Experience: The American Vice President (PBS) DVD
The Fairly OddParents: Season 9 (Nickelodeon/Paramount) DVD
The Fairly OddParents: Season 10 (Nickelodeon/Paramount) DVD
Las Vegas: The Complete Series (Universal) DVD
Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volume 4 (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volumes 1 – 4 (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
The Martian Chronicles (1980 TV mini-series) (Kino) “Special Edition” Blu-ray
MXC: Most Extreme Elimination Challenge: Set 1 (3 Seasons) (Discotek Media) Blu-ray
Ultraman Blazar Series and Movie (Mill Creek) Blu-ray