Welcome back to another look at new Blu-rays and DVDs hitting store shelves. There are plenty of releasees new and old, meaning that you should certainly find something of interest here. So, since you likely shouldn’t head out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
After We Collided – Based on a popular series of romance novels, this feature is a sequel to the 2019 release After. After a break with a character from the previous film, the protagonist is getting on with her life and working at a publishing house. She heads off to a conference with a co-worker who could be a potential new boyfriend, but comes into contact with her old flame, bringing old feelings back to the forefront. The press slammed this effort in much the same way they panned the previous entry. A few called it campy fun and stated that the drama was enjoyably over-the-top. Everyone else groused that the end results were corny, clichéd and terrible to watch. The movie stars Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Dylan Sprouse and Louise Lombard.
All I Can Say – Those who remember music of the 1990s will no doubt be familiar with alt-rock band Blind Melon, who were responsible for the hit single, “No Rain” (although “Galaxie” was a pretty darn great song too). This documentary uses home video diary footage and other old recordings to tell the story of lead singer/songwriter Shannon Hoon, who passed away tragically from a drug overdose following the release of the group’s second album. Overall, reviewers were positive about this picture. A small group didn’t find the subject of the film or his music interesting and as a result didn’t appreciate the feature. However, the majority were impressed by the rare footage of Hoon and found that the film painted a bittersweet and honest portrait of a talented young man faltering under the immense pressure of being a rock star.
All Roads to Pearla – A Texas teenager on a school wrestling team falls in with a drifter and her psychopathic lover. As one might guess, the youngster finds himself falling for her and begins driving the woman around town, only to become unexpectedly embroiled in some highly illegal and dangerous activities. This independent crime flick played at various film festivals where it garnered some attention. It hasn’t received a great many notices as of yet, but a few have appeared online recently. A couple of these notices complained that plot elements weren’t resolved in a satisfactory manner. Still, just as many complemented the cast, found that it possessed plenty of style and atmosphere and summed up by saying that this was a strong debut feature film. It features Alex MacNicoll, Addison Timlin, Dash Mihok and Corin Nemec.
Ava – A deadly and lethal assassin begins to feel guilty about her work and complains to superiors. Naturally, they become concerned and after she hesitates in executing a high-profile target, put her on their hit list for breaking protocol. The lead must fend off numerous highly skilled killers in order to survive and try to change her profession. Critics were less than impressed by this action film. A tiny contingent thought that the onscreen talent managed to salvage something interesting from the routine plot. However, the overwhelming majority complained that while the movie could have provided some crazy fun, the story was too routine, dull and unbelievable. They stated that it ultimately felt like a knock-off of the John Wick action series. It stars Jessica Chastain, John Malkovich, Common, Geena Davis, Ioan Gruffudd, Joan Chen and Colin Farrell.
Getting to Know You – A man who has been repeatedly followed and pursued for months by his drunken ex-girlfriend heads off to a small town to get away from it all. He checks into a hotel, only to learn that she has followed him there. The desperate man asks a married woman staying at the same establishment to pretend to be his new wife. She agrees and as the two spend more and more time together, they begin to fall for each other. This independent romantic comedy hasn’t been seen by too many people yet, but a couple of reviewers have managed to see it and share their thoughts. According to these write-ups, it is a genial little flick with good performances and a few chuckles that may amuse rom-com fans. The cast includes Natasha Little, Rupert Penry-Jones and Rachel Blanchard.
The Irishman – This movie may have premiered almost a year ago on Netflix, but the latest Oscar-nominated gangster story from director Martin Scorsese (Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, The Departed) is only now hitting Blu-ray. This lengthy epic follows several decades in the life of a man serving as muscle for a mob outfit from the 1950s to the 1970s. It also focuses on his personal relationship with union leader Jimmy Hoffa. Response towards the crime drama was excellent. One or two complained about the length of the film, but all others thought that it was another masterpiece from the moviemaker. They praised the incredible performances of the actors and thought that this feature also added an element of regret and remorse that Scorsese’s previous crime-based titles hadn’t dealt with. It features Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale and Anna Paquin. To read this site’s review of the movie, click here.
Iron Mask – This multi-national co-production between China, Russia and the US is a period adventure about an English traveler trying to map the Russian Far East. The protagonist embarks on an incredible journey that takes him to new lands where he encounters princesses, fantastic creatures and martial artists. While the movie garnered a wide release on the other side of the world, it didn’t arrive with much fanfare on these shores. Critics in this region weren’t very taken with the film either. A couple commented that it was a good, old-fashioned action flick for the entire family. However, most complained that its story didn’t make much sense, the cast were wasted and that there was an overload of subpar CGI effects. It stars Jason Flemyng, Jackie Chan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Xingtong Yao, Anna Churina, Yuri Kolokolnikov, Rutger Hauer and Charles Dance.
The Last Blockbuster – Remember the days of heading out to video stores and renting the latest new releases on VHS? This documentary tells the story of the Blockbuster franchise and focuses in on the only location that is still in operation today. The filmmakers go to Bend, Oregon and speak to the manager, who shares her struggles to keep the location open. Celebrities also appear and tell their memories of the video chain. So far there are only a couple of online reviews for the movie. They have been upbeat, stating that the feature tells the rise and fall of Blockbuster in an interesting manner and will make one nostalgic for the golden age of video rentals. Kevin Smith, Ione Skye, Brian Posehn, Doug Benson, Paul Scheer, Jamie Kennedy, Ron Funches and Lloyd Kaufman share their memories for the amusement of viewers.
Mags and Julie Go on a Road Trip – Here’s a little independent film that has appeared out of the blue and is making its debut on disc (and presumably on streaming platforms as well). There isn’t much information to go on right now, but the official synopsis for the title says that it is a heartfelt, laugh out loud buddy movie written and directed by actress Ryann Liebl. This film, in the vein of Bridesmaids mixed with Grumpy Old Men, takes the audience on a journey of what it means to be a woman and balance life. That’s all that has been stated and there are no reviews for the flick so far, so interested parties will just have to take this journey without a map. In addition to Liebl, Elisabeth Donaldson, Wes Tank and Elisabeth Donaldson are also credited as co-stars.
Sustenance – This documentary arrives from the same distributor as the previous title and details about the feature are also difficult to come by. According to what has been posted, the filmmakers are addressing the subject of food. Specifically, a challenge is instigated by a group of friends with different diets and eating habits that will take viewers on a global journey in search of the dimensions of sustainability. The feature-length doc then investigates food’s journey around the world and the consequences of these procedures. It explores and debunks popular theories about sustainability and tries to shed light on the ethical aspect of food production relating to both human beings and the ecosystem. There are no reviews currently available and nothing else is known about the picture.
Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula – The 2016 South Korean foreign-language horror feature Train to Busan was one of the best zombie pictures of the past decade, making an impression with genre fans around the world. Naturally, after four years a sequel has arrived. This tale introduces all new characters trying to deal with a zombie outbreak. It focuses on a team of soldiers tasked with preventing the spread of the virus. Of course, things do not go as planned and the group find themselves struggling to survive. Alas, the reception to this follow-up was not as strong as it was for the first, dividing reviewers. About half thought that the movie was fast-paced and provided a decent number of B-movie shocks. Just as many asserted that it simply repeated the same ideas from the first film in a repetitive and less effective manner. It features Gang Dong-Won, Jung-hyun Lee and Re Lee.
The Walrus and the Whistleblower – This documentary details the work of former marine mammal trainer Philip Demers who worked at the Marineland aquatic park in Niagara Falls, Canada. The figure developed a strong bond with a walrus which garnered him media attention. He then quit his job and alleged that animals had been treated in a negligent fashion. Lawsuits against Marineland were investigated and dropped by prosecutors, but Demers continues to lead activist protests against the park, demanding he should be given guardianship of his favorite walrus. This feature tells his story and his claims against Marineland. It was well-received at film festivals, but has received mixed notices from the press. They wrote that the film’s message and need for reform at the park was welcome, but also felt that the documentary should have also questioned Demer’s more eccentric ideas.
Blasts from the Past!
It’s another very busy week for Blu-ray upgrades of older titles. The first disc is Cinema Paradiso (1988) from Arrow Video. This incredible and moving drama from Italy tells the story of a filmmaker and his relationship with movies from the beginning of his childhood. The film won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and is currently the 51st highest rated feature on IMDB. This Special Edition disc contains both the 124- minute theatrical release and the 174-minute Director’s Cut. It also comes with a director commentary, a 52-minute documentary on the filmmaker, a half-hour making-of, individual discussions about the movie’s kissing scenes as well as various trailers.
They also have a box set of B-movies called He Came from the Swamp: The William Grefé Collection. For those unfamiliar with this figure, he wrote, produced and directed a number of low-budget, drive-in monster movies and genre pictures. This 4-disc Limited Edition Collector’s Set contains Sting of Death (1966), Death Curse of Tartu (1966), The Hooked Generation (1968), The Psychedelic Priest (1971), The Naked Zoo (1971), Mako: Jaws of Death (1976) and Whiskey Mountain (1977). All of the pictures are newly restored from the best surviving film elements and come with archival commentaries with the director, as well as multiple featurettes and all kinds of publicity materials.
The American Genre Film Archive or AGFA have a B-movie double feature Blu-ray coming your way that includes the crime flick She Mob (1968) and The Girl from Pussycat (1969). This disc has 2K preservations of each film from the only known 35mm theatrical prints in existence. Bonuses also include a Q&A about She Mob as well as a number of short films about crime sprees and some trailers.
Kino appears to have licensed the rights to Buck Rogers from Universal Television and NBC. Based on an old comic strip from the 1920s and 1930s, this science-fiction adventure program came on the heel of Star Wars and starred Gil Gerard as an astronaut who accidentally travels through time. When he arrives in the future, he must help save the Earth from various threats. There was a theatrical film that served double-duty as a TV show pilot and the program ultimately ran for two seasons. All of these materials have been compiled for Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The Complete Collection (1979 – 1981). It contains everything related to the franchise in high definition for the very first time. The set includes TV historian audio commentaries and a film expert commentary for the 1979 theatrical feature. There also interviews with series co-stars Erin Grey and Thom Christopher as well as several other bonuses. And if you only want the movie or one individual season, all of them are also being made available on their own… but then again, why would you want to deny yourself of any Buck Rogers material?
They also have a Blu-ray of the Oscar-winning drama The Lost Weekend (1945) with Ray Milland as an alcoholic on a four-day drinking spree. This favorite has been remastered in 4K, comes with a film historian commentary, a radio adaptation of the movie and trailers with some other extras. The distributor is also presenting the Australian cult classic Mad Max (1979) starring Mel Gibson. You can pick up a 4K version that comes with most, if not all of the previously released special features from previous edition and an all-new interview with director George Miller. Sounds like a great Blu-ray to pick up if you don’t already own the picture.
Film Movement have some exceptional Blu-rays as well. Their big title this week is the Blu-ray box set, The Ealing Studios Comedy Collection. This contains the UK comedies Passport to Pimlico (1949), Whiskey Galore (1949), The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953) and Maggie (1954) aka High and Dry. Many of these features were nominated for Oscars and are beloved features. All of the titles have been digitally restored and include numerous featurettes, interviews and documentaries on the various productions.
The same company are releasing a 4K Blu-ray restoration of The Killing Floor (1984), a well-regarded drama about a group of workers who struggle to build an interracial labor union in the 1910s. The disc includes an introduction to the film with director Bill Duke, a Q&A with cast members, a making-of, an interview with the producer/writer and essays about the importance of the title from two different film professors.
Paramount are also delivering new Blu-rays. The first is a new Collector’s Edition 2-disc Blu-ray of the recent box office hit, Sonic the Hedgehog (2020). It contains exclusive new artwork, movie poster collectable cards and is also said to have a few other bonuses.
If you’re more interested in classics, they are also releasing the Humphrey Bogart comedy, We’re No Angels (1955). They also have the Michael Douglas drama Wonder Boys (2000), which won Bob Dylan an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Do you like Federico Fellini and have plenty of extra cash in your wallet? Then you’ll be thrilled to see Criterion’s new Blu-ray box set, Essential Fellini. It contains 14 movies from the iconic Italian filmmaker, including most of his most famous works. Specifically, you’ll get the films Variety Lights (1950), The White Sheik (1952), I Vitelloni (1953), La Strada (1954), Il Bidone (1955), Nights of Cabiria (1957), La Dolce Vita (1960), 8 ½ (1963), Juliet of the Spirits (1965), Fellini Satyricon (1969), Roma (1972), Amarcord (1973), And the Ship Sails On (1983) and Intervista (1987). All of the features have been restored in 4K. The set also includes two feature-length documentaries on Fellini, four behind-the-scenes docs on the moviemaker, audio commentaries on six of the titles, in addition to archival interviews with the director and many of the stars of the films and much, much more.
Those in the mood for something pulpier can pick up Scorpion’s Blu-ray of King of the Mountain (1981), a drama featuring Harry Hamlin about teens who take part in illegal races on the twisting and windy Mulholland Drive located in the hills of Los Angeles. So, if you ever find yourself up there, watch out for speedsters! The image quality comes from a new 2K master and disc includes interviews with Hamlin and the film’s director. Looks like it could be fun for racing enthusiasts.
Vinegar Syndrome are also prepping high definition releases of several B-movie genre pictures. They include Blood Games (1990), which has been newly scanned and restored in 2K. This release comes with cast member interviews and promo materials.
Cemetery of Terror (1985) is a Mexican zombie picture starring Hugo Stiglitz. This Blu-ray presents the film in 4K from the original 35mm negative are arrives with a director commentary and a genre expert audio track. It also has an interview with the director as well as one with a cast member.
You can also pick up the Spanish slasher Rest in Pieces (1987) on Blu-ray. This title features a young woman who moves into a new neighborhood that houses some suspicious locals. She also must eventually contend with an undead pursuer. This title has also been newly scanned in 4K and includes both the English and Spanish language versions. It also has an interview with a cast member and a film historian commentary.
The Severed Arm (1973) is about a young man who loses his arm during a disastrous camping trip. Many years later, the other campers who were with him find themselves being stalked, presumably by this friend who lost his appendage. This Blu-ray also has a 4K upgrade and includes interviews with a cast member and the producer. Vinegar Syndrome also have the horror flick, Whodunit? (1982) aka Island of Blood, which follows a group of actors being stalked by a killer while shooting a movie. The Blu-ray also has a 4K transfer of the flick and comes with numerous cast and crew interviews, as well as a commentary track featuring slasher movie fans!
VIC are presenting the old serial Riders of Death Valley (1941) on Blu-ray and Fun City Editions have a high definition disc of the creepy British thriller, I Start Counting (1969). The release presents the film with a 2K transfer and extras includes an introduction and interview with star Jenny Agutter, a video essay on the picture, stories from the director, a film historian commentary and plenty more. And Film Detective are debuting The Other Side of Madness (1971) on Blu-ray, which mixes documentary and fictional reenactments of the Charles Manson family during their horrific killing spree. The Blu-ray also comes with bonuses including a CD featuring some of Manson’s actual music.
Finally, Warner Archive have some made-to-order titles that you can order through their website or through other retailers. This week, they have Blu-rays of Libeled Lady (1936) and The Pirate (1948). You can also pick up pressing of DVDs for For Me and My Gal (1942) with Judy Garland, Kiss Me Kate (1953), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) and Ode to Billy Joe (1976).
You Know, For Kids!
There isn’t much available right now for small fry, but things should improve in the coming weeks.
Fishtales: Season 1
On the Tube!
And here are some TV-themed releases that may pique your interest.
Babylon Berlin: Season 3
Better Call Saul: Season 5
Blinded: Season 1
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The Complete Collection (1979 – 1981)
Fishtales: Season 1
Frontline: Policing the Police (PBS)
Hacking Your Mind (PBS)
Mom: Season 7
Monty Python’s Flying Circus: The Complete Series
Riverdale: Season 4
Strike Back: The 7th and Final Season