Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. Last week was quiet, which means that this edition is jam-packed with high profile titles in a variety of genres. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay in for a few days, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
THE 4:30 MOVIE – The latest effort from writer/director Kevin Smith (the Clerks series, Mallrats, Red State) is a coming-of-age tale set in 1986 about a trio of teenage friends who spend their free time sneaking into movie theaters and checking out films. When one of them gets up the nerve to ask a young lady on a date to an R-rated movie (which they are too young to see without an adult guardian), he has to pull off an elaborate plan to get them into the cinema. Reaction to this comedy was good. About one-quarter of reviewers felt that it was overly nostalgic, trying much too hard to emulate films of the 1980s and failing to deliver laughs. However, the majority called the movie one of Smith’s best in years. They felt that it was a sweet love-letter to the 80s and cinemas that paid proper homage to the decade and left them chuckling. The title can be purchased as a Blu-ray and DVD set, or in an Amazon exclusive 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. The cast includes Siena Agudong, Austin Zajur, Kate Micucci, Justin Long, Ken Jeong, Diedrich Bader, Method Man and Jason Lee.
1992 – During the unrest surrounding the Rodney King verdict, a Los Angeles man attempts to get to his family and reconnect with his son. At the same time in another part of the city, a dad and his estranged youngster decide to pull off an elaborate robbery. The heist locale ends up being the workplace of the first individual. Naturally, the four characters cross paths as events around them escalate. This independent action/drama earned more positive reviews than negative ones from the press. A little more than one-third of notices complained that the picture focused more on the heist than background events and was unmemorable as a result. However, the rest thought that the performances were strong and that it was an effective and tense thriller. The film stars Tyrese Gibson, Ray Liotta, Scott Eastwood, Dylan Arnold and Christopher Ammanuel.
AFRAID – A family is given the opportunity to live in an incredible house that contains the latest in smart technology and a digital family assistant. The artificial intelligence installed quickly begins learning their habits and preferences. But as time passes, it begins to take a more assertive role in their lives, deciding to eliminate potential threats, both to them and itself. This horror picture didn’t go over particularly well with critics. One-quarter of them found the movie tense and commented that it did a good job of showing how AI could end up mimicking the worst aspects of its creators. Still, the consensus was that the film was bland, not taking advantage of its concept, making less and less sense as it progressed and ultimately failing to instill fear. It features John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Keith Carradine and Havana Rose Liu.
BLINK TWICE – In this thriller, a waitress and her best friend working a fundraiser gala crosses paths with the tech billionaire host. He invites them to leave with his pals and attend a lavish weekend retreat. The pair agree and are initially impressed with their surroundings, but start to get a sense that things might not be as they seem. In fact, they might be part of a horrific plot. Reaction towards this picture was more upbeat than negative. One in four write-ups suggested that the story’s twists and turns were predictable and didn’t really hold up to logic, ultimately describing the movie as a missed opportunity. But most found the movie atmospheric and wrote that it was a well-acted and clever play on gender politics that had some striking moments. Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Alia Shawkat, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, Haley Joel Osment, Liz Caribel, Geena Davis and Kyle MacLachlan headline the picture. Read a full review of the movie here.
THE CROW – This adaptation of the popular comic book (which was previously filmed and released in 1994 with Brandon Lee in the lead role) follows a young man who meets his true love while in a rehabilitation center. She tells him that she is being pursued by a crime lord. The protagonist helps her escape, but the pair are captured and killed by the organization. He awakens in purgatory and makes a deal with the spirit guide to return from the dead, all so that he can save his girlfriend’s soul. The press panned this retelling. A small number liked the lead performance and thought it had some memorably violent action scenes. Everyone else thought it was a dark, slow-moving slog that didn’t feature relatable characters of a story that was compelling or dynamic. It stars Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs, Danny Huston, Josette Simon and Laura Birn. You can pick it up as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set, a Blu-ray and DVD combo, as well as an Amazon 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook exclusive and Walmart 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. You can read a review of the picture here.
FRANKIE FREAKO – A workaholic living the perfect life with a wife and house in the suburbs begins to think he might have become boring. He sees an ad for a party line and impulsively calls it. Little does he know that he has actually freed a group of miniature demons who travel through the phone line to his home and cause chaos. The lead ends up having to travel to their world in order to free himself from their grasp. This independent horror/comedy from the maker of cult titles Manborg and Psycho Goreman is a homage to 80s genre titles like Ghoulies and Little Monsters and was well received by reviewers. A small number didn’t appreciate the references and didn’t find the end product funny. Everyone else thought it was a zany, wild and creative throwback to low-budget 80s monster movies with plenty of laughs and trippy visuals. The cast includes Conor Sweeney, Kristy Wordsworth, Adam Brooks and Rob Schrab.
GENIE – An unfortunate man suffers a really bad week. He misses his daughter’s birthday, his wife leaves him, and he gets fired from his job. Depressed, he finds an old jewelry box and accidentally releases a genie who has been trapped for centuries. She reveals that there is no limit to the amount of wishes he can ask for. The two set out to solve his problems, but also become friends as he helps her adapt to the modern world. This “Peacock” original feature debuted on the streaming service this time last year and is now appearing on disc. Members of the press were not fond of it. A limited contingent called the movie amusing, sweet, genial entertainment. Unfortunately, all others thought it was bland and completely forgettable, with nothing notable about the final product. It features Melissa McCarthy, Paapa Essiedu, Denee Benton, Jordyn McIntosh, Alan Cumming, Marc Maron and Luis Guzman.
IT ENDS WITH US – Adapted from a hit novel, this drama focuses on a woman striving to start a new life in Boston and open her own business. She meets and falls for a charismatic neurosurgeon, but starts to see some abusive tendencies that remind her of the relationship between her parents. When an old flame arrives in town, it amplifies tension and the protagonist must decide how to proceed. This melodrama was a box office hit, but the reviewers were only slightly more positive than negative about it. Almost half found the tone off, stating that it attempted to juggle too many different elements and failed to deeply examine its themes of abuse. Slightly more called the movie well-intentioned and stated that it delivered plenty of effective moments that would please anyone with a taste for romance and drama. Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Masan Minhaj and Brandon Sklenar headline the picture.
MADE IN ENGLAND: THE FILMS OF POWELL AND PRESSBURGER – Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger were British filmmakers celebrated for creating several classic movies like A Matter of Life and Death, Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes, Peeping Tom, and many others. This documentary on their life and career is narrated by Martin Scorsese, who goes into detail about how the two met, formed a creative partnership and made some of the best films of all time. Reviewers were almost as enamored with this picture as they were with the work of the two artists. So far, there is only one negative write-up that complains Scorsese inserts himself too much into the proceedings, taking them out of the story. All others called Scorsese’s narration captivating and called the film an incredible homage to two great moviemakers, offering incredible detail and revealing quite a few unknown facts about the pair.
STRANGE DARLING – This independent thriller begins with a woman agreeing to a one-night stand with a man at a motel. Before they begin, she tells him just how dangerous doing something like this is for her, and then asks him a few pointed questions. She even queries whether he might be a serial killer. The man claims he is not a criminal and the two go inside. Bizarre events follow between the two that deliver a number of shocks and surprises. This picture opened in limited release at theaters about six weeks ago with little fanfare, but critics have raved about the picture. A few of them didn’t care for the movie’s big twist and had a very negative reaction to what was revealed. But the overwhelming majority called the movie remarkably surprising and innovative, playing with genre tropes, timeline and other cinematic devices. They wrote that it delivered thrills, thanks to an excellent cast, and was beautifully shot. It stars Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Madisen Beaty, Bianca A. Santos, Ed Begley Jr. and Barbara Hershey.
TRAP – The latest thriller from M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs, The Village, The Visit, Split, Knock at the Cabin) follows a firefighter taking his daughter to see her favorite musical artist in concert. After arriving, the lead notices police everywhere and asks an arena vendor what is going on. The worker states that authorities are closing in on a serial killer and are planning to arrest the person during the show. As the concert continues, the father and daughter become caught up in the operation. This effort split the press, but slightly more gave the movie a pass. Those who disliked it suggested there wasn’t enough material here to keep tension up for the running time and found some of the story leaps unbelievable. However, more called the film pulpy fun.They admired the lead actor’s work and thought that there were enough tense and thrilling moments to make up for bits that didn’t land. It stars Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Alison Pill, Hayley Mills and Jonathan Langdon.
YOU GOTTA BELIEVE – Based on a true story, this tale involves a very small, misfit team of Little League baseball players. A down-on-his-luck coach is hired to help them find their strengths. After dedicating their season to a player’s dying father, the young underdogs rise through the ranks and end up in the 2002 Little League World Series final (playing the longest championship game ever). Write-ups for the movie were slightly more upbeat than negative. Close to half stated that the performers were likable, but the story didn’t offer any surprises and that the final results came across as generic and corny. Still, the majority called the picture heartfelt and inspirational, believing that it would entertain families looking for sports-themed entertainment. The cast includes Luke Wilson, Greg Kinnear, Sarah Gadon, Molly Parker and Lew Temple.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking to watch something a little older? Criterion is releasing the classic Godzilla (1954) on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. This marks the debut of the famous monster, who rampages through Japan. The discs contain a new 4K picture restoration, an archival critic commentary, the US version of the movie titled Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956) which features Raymond Burr inserted into the proceedings. The US version also comes with a film historian commentary. In addition, you’ll get a featurette on the special effects, archival cast and crew interviews, as well as trailers and a booklet with writing on the movie.
Kino is delivering The Court Martial of Billy Micthell: One Man Mutiny (1955) on Blu-ray. Gary Cooper stars as the title character, a founding father of the U.S. Air Force, who accuses the Army and Navy of criminal negligence in the manufacturing of aircraft and faces a court martial from superiors. The “Special Edition” Blu-ray contains a new master from a 4K scan and a film expert commentary track.
Fright (1971) is a UK chiller about a babysitter being terrorized by the insane father of the child she is caring for. The cast includes Honor Blackman, Susan George and Ian Bannen. For this release, the 35mm original camera negative has been scanned. There is also a film historian commentary track, an interview with author/film historian Kim Newman and a trailer. It can be purchased as either a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo or a standalone Blu-ray.
Rules of Engagement (2000) is also arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray package or as a Blu-ray only release. Samual L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones star in this courtroom drama about a Marine veteran put on trial for a failed mission. The original camera negative has been given a 4K scan for this edition and it comes with an archival director commentary, interviews with cast and crew, a behind-the-scenes featurette and trailer.
If you’re a fan of The Monster Squad (1987), you can now pick up a “Special Edition” Blu-ray of the documentary Wolfman’s Got Nards (2018), which goes into detail about the creation of the cult flick. It comes with several bonus documentaries, an extra discussion with fans of the original title, deleted scenes from the doc, a music video, a slide show and more.
Lionsgate is giving the Keanu Reeves hit action film John Wick (2014) a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Amazon exclusive Steelbook release. One assumes the contents of this edition are similar, if not the same, to earlier 4K versions, but with new packaging.
Solstice (1993) is celebrating its 30th Anniversary with a Blu-ray from Nitestar Productions. Not sure what this title is. Well, apparently, it is the first ever Lifetime TV-movie and follows a disillusioned young man who learns the true spirit of the holidays. The picture has been restored in 2K and features a newly recorded orchestral score.
Paramount Pictures is presenting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of the Mel Gibson Vietnam War drama, We Were Soldiers (2002).
Additionally, the studio is delivering a 70th anniversary edition of White Christmas (1954) that includes a 4K Ultra HD disc and Blu-ray. You’ll get a stunning 4K image restoration from the original Vistavision negative, an archival commentary with co-star Rosemary Clooney, tons of featurettes on the production and its stars, promo materials and more.
The crime thriller The Italian Connection (1972) is arriving on Blu-ray from Raro Video. Inspired by the success of The French Connection the year before, it features hitmen hunting down a lost shipment of heroin in Milan. The cast includes Henry Silva and Woody Strode. Bonuses include a film historian commentary, an archival documentary on the mafia and some trailers.
Shout! Factory is presenting one of their hit titles in new Steelbook packaging. The 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of Escape from New York (1981) is arriving with all previously released specs and extras, only in a fancy new case.
The same can be said for Krampus (2015). “The Naughty Cut” with more footage is being rereleased in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Steelbook.
And if you prefer rom-coms, the recent feature Last Christmas (2019) is coming out in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray package courtesy of Universal Pictures.
Finally, and just in time for the release of the upcoming movie-musical Wicked, Warner Bros. is presenting The Wizard of Oz (1939) in 85th Anniversary “Theater Edition” Steelbook Limited Gift Set containing the movie on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. Apparently, the content is exactly the same as the version released five years ago, but with updated anniversary numbering on the package.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
If you’re a kid or someone who watches programming for youngsters, you can now purchase the incredible Australian family animated series Bluey on Blu-ray. It’s one of the best television programs of the past decade (yes, it is that good), and can now finally be owned on a high-quality format.
Bluey: Seasons 1 -3 (Amazon exclusive) (BBC) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
Below is a list of all the week’s TV-themed releases.
Bluey: Seasons 1 -3 (Amazon exclusive) (BBC) Blu-ray
Doctor Who: The Complete Jodie Whittaker Years (BBC) Blu-ray
I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (includes Pilot and The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour) (Paramount) Blu-ray
Murdoch Mysteries: Season 17 (Acorn) Blu-ray
Orphan Black: Echoes: Season 1 (AMC Studios) Blu-ray
Planet Earth Trilogy Collection (BBC) Blu-ray
Solstice (30th Anniversary of Lifetime TV-movie) (Nitestar) Blu-ray
South Park: Not Suitable for Children (Paramount) Blu-ray