Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This week promises a big historical drama, some interesting indie fare and plenty of older features getting 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!
AFTER ALL – A single mother dealing with an estranged teenage daughter gets terrible news when she hears that her mother has suffered a stroke and can no longer tend to herself. The protagonist takes her daughter to the family ranch, but is not happy to revisit her past. When the two arrive, they meet old acquaintances and attempt to repair family relationships. This indie drama has only been seen by a handful of critics so far, but their reviews have generally been upbeat. A couple of write-ups did suggest that the story veered into melodrama and eventually became something akin to a Hallmark TV-movie. But most liked the performances and thought the picture did a good job of detailing complicated family dynamics. For now, this is a DVD-only release. It stars Erika Christensen, Penelope Ann Miller, Kiara Muhammad, Zach Gilford and David James Elliott.
KING IVORY – This crime picture is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma and involves fentanyl trafficking. The story follows an officer and his team who are tasked with stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the city. It becomes clear that addictions among the population are rising, with family members of the team being impacted by widespread use of the substance. The lead tracks down a couple of the kingpins in the hopes of stopping the importing of more fentanyl. The press was more positive than negative about this picture. Close to one-third of reviewers called this effort ambitious, but didn’t think that it offered much insight into trafficking and left its lead characters underdeveloped. However, the majority called the tale bleak but effective, noting that it didn’t pull punches and told its story with a gritty urgency. This is a DVD-only release. The cast includes James Badge Dale, Ben Foster, Michael Mando, Melissa Leo and Graham Greene.
MUVLA: DEMON ASS KICKER – You may not be aware of this, but twenty-five years ago a Long Island, New York indie filmmaker made a shot-on-video horror comedy Mulva: Zombie Ass Kicker! It cost $400 dollars and got a distribution deal leading to a release on disc and streaming services. This is a sequel /reboot that reintroduces the sugar-addicted heroine from the first picture. After learning the protagonist is feeling down in the dumps about her life, her friends decide to throw her a big Halloween party. When bullies arrive and summon actual demons, the lead goes on a sugar-bender, reacquiring her fighting skills and stepping forward to stop the threat. There are only a couple of write-ups for this homemade B-movie. They suggest that while some jokes fail, the movie will please the fans of the original with its silly and exaggerated jokes. It features Deana Naja, Katie Keating, Jason McCall and Debbie Rochon.
NUREMBERG – Based on a true story, this biopic is set at the close of World War II when top Nazi officials were arrested and put on trial. After incarcerating Hermann Göring, one of the most prominent members serving Adolf Hitler, an American psychiatrist is called in to interview and gain insight into the motivations of these officials. He finds himself fascinated with Göring, and ends up locked in a psychological duel with the figure as the trial nears. The chief prosecutor anxiously waits to learn how to make this Nazi confess to his crimes. The drama earned good reviews, but didn’t end up being the Oscar contender that many thought it might become. Nearly one-third found that while the performance of one actor in the role of the antagonist was exceptional, a few other roles were miscast. Overall, they described the picture as feeling artificial and hollow. However, the majority stated that the psychological battle of wits and court case was fascinating to watch, and that the story was an important one for audiences to witness. It stars Russel Crowe, Rami Malek, Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Mark O’Brien, Colin Hanks, Michael Shannon and Richard E. Grant.
PIG HILL – After a series of disappearances in her home town, a young woman becomes obsessed with a local legend. It claims that horrifying figures known as “pig people” hide in the shadows and kidnap citizens at night. The lead can’t help but wonder if there is a connection between the vanishing locals and the legend. She soon gets herself in over her head after learning what may actually be occurring. So far, reaction to this picture has been split. Almost half of reviewers suggested that the movie had a great concept, some genuinely tense moments and a jolt or two as the lead delved deeper into the mystery. Slightly more called the film a missed opportunity, with slow-pacing and some sloppy editing that cut suspense and distanced viewers from the story. This title has been announced as a DVD-only release. The cast includes Kirby Griffin, Shane West, Rainey Qualley and Shiloh Fernandez.
SCURRY – When enormous, bug-like creatures attack a major metropolis, the area falls into panic as significant portions are destroyed. During the fracas, two strangers fall into a sinkhole that suddenly appears on a street. Trapped underground and badly injured, they try to find a way to an exit. One of the pair is a family man, while the other is revealed to have a darker past. The two are forced to cooperate in order to survive. This independent Australian horror picture received more recommendations than pans among critics. A couple admired the attempts to build character by trapping them in the dark alone, but found the pacing too slow to generate tension or thrills. Everyone else believed that while not all aspects of the picture worked, the cast was good and the film was claustrophobic and unnerving, ultimately sending chills down the spine. This is also a DVD-only title for the time being. It features Jamie Costa, Emalia and Peter O’Hanlon.
SHARKS N DA HOOD – The latest ultra-low-budget comedy/horror picture from Wild Eye Releasing begins with the Los Angeles neighborhood of Compton being suddenly hit by a monsoon. Streets are submerged, and sharks swim in from the ocean to attack and eat locals. A group of survivors, including cops, criminals and citizens decide to band together and fight back against the hungry menace. And that’s all that is known about the picture as of this writing. It is debuting as a DVD-only title and hasn’t been screened yet. But, if you appreciated the studio’s other titles like Cocaine Shark, the Ouija Shark series, Sharkula, Mummy Shark, the Shark Exorcist series, VelociPastor and Amityville in Space, then this picture should be right up your alley as well. Omar Gooding, Dustin Ferguson, Jennifer Moriarty, Tyrone Tann, Allie Perez and Freddy John James headline the picture.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If nothing new takes your fancy, many older titles are being given impressive upgrades. Arrow Video is releasing American Yakuza (1993) on Blu-ray. When a gang war breaks out in the US between mobsters and newly arrived members of the Japanese Yakuza, an FBI agent gets in the middle of the showdown. The picture marked an early lead protagonist role for Viggo Mortensen and the cast also includes Michael Nouri, Franklyn Ajaye, Nicky Katt and Robert Forster. This “Limited Edition” Blu-ray contains a 2K picture restoration form the original camera negative, a new commentary track with director Frank Cappello (Suburban Commando, No Way Back), a recent interview with cast member Ryo Ishibashi, an archival discussion with Mortensen, promo materials, a reversible sleeve featuring new and original artwork for the picture, as well as a booklet with writing on the picture.
Alliance Entertainment is the new owner of Mill Creek Entertainment, who deliver budget-friendly Blu-rays. This week, you can pick up the Gene Wilder/Gilda Radner comedy Hanky Panky (1982) on disc. Sindey Poitier (Stir Crazy, Ghost Dad) directs this story about an average guy who meets a mysterious woman on the street and ends up in the middle of an elaborate conspiracy. No extras are listed on the title, but at least you can now pick-up the out-of-print film on Blu-ray.
Bayview Entertainment is presenting the Chinese feature Almost Love (2022) on Blu-ray, along with the drama Pretty Heart (2022). The latter involves a teacher who grows frustrated with the success of a fellow instructor and tries to uncover his teaching secrets. The first movie is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles, while the second can be viewed in either Cantonese or Mandarin with English subtitles.
Criterion is giving the classic Jacques Tati comedy Playtime (1967) the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray treatment (a Blu-ray-only edition is also available). This is the fourth film featuring the likably clumsy Monsieur Hulot (played by the director). In this sequel, Hulot bumbles and struggles his way through a series of situations in modern, consumerist Paris. The visually striking movie was shot in 70mm and, while it didn’t perform well during its initial release, it is now considered by many to be Tati’s best feature.
The movie has been given a 4K restoration and arrives with an introduction from Terry Jones, three selected-scene commentaries with film authorities. You’ll also get a visual essay on the movie, a 1967 French television program featuring an interview with Tati, a documentary with behind-the-scenes footage from the production, a discussion with the script supervisor, a 1972 audio interview with Tati during the US premiere of the film, a short on Tati’s life and career, a 1976 TV program about the Hulot character, a 1967 Tati short film, and an essay on the movie.
You can also pick up a Blu-ray of A Woman Under the Influence (1974), the John Cassavetes title starring Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk. It’s about an unsatisfied housewife who rebels against her husband and family. The Blu-ray contains a high-definition digital picture restoration, a commentary featuring both the sound recordist/composer and the camera operator, a conversation between Rowlands and Falk, an archival interview with Cassavetes, a stills gallery with behind-the-scenes images, a trailer, and an essay on the movie.
Eureka Entertaining is presenting Martial Law: Lo Wei’s Wuxia World, a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray set containing the action features The Black Butterfly (1968), Death Valley (1968) and Vengeance of a Snow Girl (1971). You’ll receive 1080p HD presentations of all three titles, film expert commentaries on all the movies, and a new interview with a Hong Kong cinema scholar.
If you appreciate independent sci-fi/horror titles from the 1970’s, Full Moon Features is releasing End of the World (1977) on Blu-ray. Christopher Lee plays a priest who encounters an alien who wants to take over the world. It’s an early effort from producer Charles Band. A pristine, recently unearthed 16mm interpositive of the film was used for this HD transfer and the disc also comes with vintage trailers from his other productions.
Here’s one notable release that either may or may not arrive this week. It’s the Keneth Branagh/Emma Thompson thriller Dead Again (1991), which is arriving as a 4K Ultra HD disc from Kino. Branagh is a private detective hired to help an amnesiac figure out her past, only to discover that some of her visions may be from a past life. Amazon states that the film will be available this week, but the official Kino site lists it as being released on March 10th, so a real spiritual medium may be required to figure out if the title is actually arriving (you could also wait and see). If it is released, then you’ll get a 4K scan and restoration of the original camera negative presented in Dolby Vision, an audio commentary with director/star Branagh, a commentary with the producer and the screenwriter, as well as a trailer.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is reissuing some out-of-print titles on Blu-ray. You can now pick up the Kurt Russell crime picture Dark Blue (2002), and the George A. Romero chiller The Dark Half (1993), based on the Stephen King novel and starring Timothy Hutton and Amy Madigan. You can also pick up the gangster picture Dillinger (1973) on Blu-ray and the rom-com Jack and Sarah (1995) with Richard E. Grant as a widower who falls for his newborn’s nanny, played by Samantha Mathis. Purchasers shouldn’t expect any bonuses on these titles.
Back in mid-December MVD was scheduled to release a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set of Rockers (1978), along with a Blu-ray only edition. It temporarily disappeared, only to reappear this week. So, let’s all hope it arrives this week.
The film is a music-based feature set in Kingston, Jamaica about a drummer who dreams of making it big. When his motorcycle is stolen, he and other musicians from the area try to find it and take down those exploiting their community. The cast includes notable musicians like Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace, Burning Spear, Big Youth, Dillinger, Robbie Shakespeare and others. MVD Visual is now delivering a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo of the title, as well as a Blu-ray only version. Specs include a 4K picture restoration from the original camera negative, a writer/director commentary, a feature-length documentary on the making of the movie, archival interviews with the filmmaker and the producer, music videos, a poster gallery, radio spots and a trailer. You’ll also receive a “4K laservision” mini-poster of the cover art and more.
Samuel Goldwyn Films is reissuing the teen drama Cruel Intentions (1999) on Blu-ray. It’s actually a retelling of Dangerous Liaisons with a young cast that includes Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon. Selma Blair and Joshua Jackson. The movie was a hit back in the day and you can now revisit the film and see if it holds up.
Shout Factory is delivering The Big Heat (1988) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo. This is a high-energy Hong Kong action flick featuring Waise Lee, Joey Wang and Kong Chu about undercover cops discovering a conspiracy within their own organization. This release includes a 4K restoration from the original camera negative presented in Dolby Vision, a film critic commentary, two movie expert interviews on the title, and a discussion with co-star Waise Lee. A trailer is also listed as a bonus.
Some time ago, Sony Pictures released a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook set of the David Lean classic Lawrence of Arabia (1962). You can now purchase a regular edition with the same incredible picture, just sans the fancy packaging.
Black Scarab (2010) is an independently produced, extremely low-budget superhero feature from Brett Kelly (the original Ouija Shark) that is receiving a Blu-ray from SRS Cinema. The movie follows an archeologist who discovers a scarab that gives him incredible powers. It comes with a documentary, motion-comic and trailers.
Finally, a standard repackaged 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of David Fincher’s remarkable thriller Se7en (1995) will also be available through Warner Bros.. Expect the contents to be the same, just the discs placed in regular packaging.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
It’s another slow week for kid-friendly releases, but things should pick up again soon.
ON THE TUBE!
Below is a list of TV-related titles arriving this week.
Bookish: Season 1 (PBS) DVD
Year of the Rabbit (Mini-series) (All3Media) Blu-ray
