Happy holidays! While one wouldn’t expect it to be a busy week for new 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD highlights, there are actually a number of notable releases new and old arriving on store shelves. 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!
A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY – A man in need of a vehicle to attend a wedding visits a bizarre rental agency. The odd staff give him an older vehicle with almost fantastic capabilities. Once at his destination, he meets a woman and sparks fly, but she isn’t interested in any sort of romantic connection. Despite this, his car and other strange coincidences continue to force them together. The pair discuss their personal histories and enter strange recreations of important past events in their lives, drawing them closer together. This romantic-comedy did not fare well with the press. One-third did appreciate the work of the lead performers and called the film visually striking, with very funny and astute observations about relationships. Unfortunately, all others thought there was no romantic chemistry between the stars. They commented that the comedic and dramatic moments didn’t mesh well, calling the final result a misfire. It stars Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie, Kevin Kline, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Lily Rabe. Read a full review of the movie right here.
BLACK PHONE 2 – This horror sequel is set four years after the events of the first film. The young man who stopped the notorious “Grabber” in the previous title becomes worried after his sister begins experiencing disturbing dreams. They investigate the setting of the visions, travel to a nearby campsite, and get snowed in. Then, they receive calls from the Grabber vowing revenge and stating he will murder them in their dreams as they sleep. Critics generally enjoyed this follow-up. Slightly more than one-quarter of notices complained that the film was slow paced and the focus on dreams didn’t generate much in the way of thrills. Still, the majority found the movie to be an effective and creepy homage to a popular 80s genre franchise, offering memorable scares and interesting visuals. The film will be available in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Walmart exclusive Steelbook, a standalone Blu-ray or in a 4K Ultra HD only 2-pack containing the first title and this sequel. The cast includes Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Demián Bichir and Jeremy Davies.
BUGONIA – The latest bit of strangeness from eccentric filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, Poor Things) is this science-fiction black comedy. It is actually a remake of a 2003 South Korean feature. A pharmaceutical CEO is kidnapped by a conspiracy theorist and his autistic cousin. They take her to a remote farmhouse and tell the woman they believe she is an alien planning to help her kind take control of the Earth. The CEO does everything she can to try and free herself, including manipulating the men and even leaning into the conspiracy. Response was very upbeat towards this quirky and occasionally disturbing tale. A small number found the extreme characters presented difficult to relate to and suggested the over-the-top climax fell flat. Yet most stated that, while the picture wasn’t for everyone, it was a brilliantly acted and compelling story that took wild twists and turns. They also appreciated its dark tone and memorable finale. The film is available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition”, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” Steelbook and a standalone Blu-ray. Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias and Alicia Silverstone headline the picture.
THE LONG WALK – Last month, this feature arrived on disc as an Amazon exclusive. As of this week, it should be available everywhere as a regular 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo. The latest Stephen King film adaptation is based on an early book from the author written under the pen name Richard Bachman. In this tale, the country has been taken over by a totalitarian government, leaving most of the country poor. A televised competition is developed to inspire the nation. In it, a young male from every state participates in a walk for incredible riches. But, whenever one of them moves at less than 3 miles per hour or can’t go on, they are shot dead. The last person left walking wins. Viewers follow a group of competitors in this horrific challenge. This dark drama earned excellent reviews. A tiny contingent found the picture so depressing and hopeless that they couldn’t recommend it. However, everyone else was deeply impressed by the work of the cast and the characterizations. They found the movie both shocking and powerful. It stars Cooper Hoffman, David Jonnson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Jordan Gonzalez, Joshua Odjick, Mark Hamill and Judy Greer. Read more about the film here.
STOLEN GIRL – While shopping at a supermarket, a woman’s daughter is abducted by her father and vanishes. Authorities won’t help the lead, despite her assertion that the child was kidnapped. After hearing about her story, a man in the child recovery business asks for her assistance in helping him recover other stolen children. He promises working for him will allow them to also investigate her own daughter’s disappearance. After several years, she becomes frustrated at the lack of progress, but one day she finds new evidence and sets out to retrieve her daughter at any cost. Reaction towards this thrilled thus far is mixed. Almost half stated that the lead performance was strong and that the picture did a decent job of recreating a parent’s worst nightmare. The same number and a few more found the subject heartbreaking, but claimed the characters didn’t possess much depth and the feature came across as an ordinary B-movie thriller. For now, this is a DVD-only release. It features Kate Beckinsale, Scott Eastwood, Jordan Djuvigneau, Matt Craven and Arvin Kananian.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re looking for older films, there are a few options available. MPI Media group is releasing the 10th anniversary Blu-ray of We Are Still Here (2015). This is an effective little independent ghost story about a couple who move into a rural home after the death of their son. The mother begins experiencing supernatural phenomena and claims their child is trying to communicate with them from beyond the grave. But as they look into the disturbing history of the home, they discover that the spirit may not be related to them. The original Blu-ray for the title contains a director and producer commentary, as well as a behind-the-scenes featurette and a trailer. Those are included in this upgraded edition, along with a new director commentary, a special on the lore of the film, and another new segment about the haunted house… ten years later.
If classic films are more to your liking, you can pick up a Blu-ray of Pointed Heels (1929) from Reel Vault. Fay Wray plays a Broadway showgirl who falls for a Manhattan socialite. This is distressing to a producer who is also in love with the performer and worries that her new beau is taking advantage of her. The lead was considered an inspiration for the animated Betty Boop cartoon character. Extras include a film historian commentary, five rare 1970s colorized Betty Boop cartoons, and 44 classic black-and-white animated Betty Boop shorts.
Shout Factory is pleased to present the science fiction epic Cloud Atlas (2012) in a “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. This effort from the Wachowskis (The Matrix series) and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) is described as an “epic story of humankind in which the actions of various characters impact others in the past and future. Truth be told, it’s an interconnected anthology of sorts, and like those kinds of the pictures, the segments are hit and miss. The cast is incredible though, which includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, Keith David, Susan Sarrandon and Hugh Grant.
You’ll get an all-new 4K transfer of the film presented in Dolby Vision and approved by writer/directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski and writer/director/composer Tom Tykwer. There is a feature-length look back at the film featuring new interviews with the crew and more, seven archival featurettes on the production and an extended look trailer.
Perfect Blue (1997) is a Japanese animated psychological thriller that is also getting a “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo release. The story involves a pop singer who gives up her performing career to star in a TV series, only to have a breakdown that includes visions of another version of herself who continued on as a musician. In addition to the film being remastered and presented in the highest quality format available, you’ll get nearly two hours of lectures on the movie’s importance, footage from the English-language version recording session, cast and crew interviews, promo materials, as well as a 128-page booklet with writing on the feature, 10 art cards and a poster.
Finally, the studio is putting out a 4K Ultra HD “Collector’s Edition” Steelbook of the horror anthology Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990). This picture came out a little while back on 4K and Blu-ray, so the contents should be the same, only in new packaging. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a passable effort with an excellent wraparound (featuring Debbie Harry) and one very strong segment about a mummy with Chirstian Slater, as well as a young Steve Buscemi and Julianne Moore.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Unfortunately, it’s a slow edition for kid’s entertainment, but things should perk up in the coming weeks.
ON THE TUBE!
Below is a list of the week’s TV-related titles.
Hallmark Mystery 9-Movie Collection (containing four 2.5″ x 3.5″ collectible trading cards) (Hallmark) DVD
Hallmark Royal 9-Movie Collection (containing four 2.5″ x 3.5″ collectible trading cards (Hallmark) DVD
