Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition includes a big Hollywood production, as well as some interesting independents and great older pictures that are receiving high-definition 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!
IN COLD LIGHT – After serving a prison sentence for drug-related offenses, a 20-something woman returns home to try and restart her life. She ignores former gang members and tries to go straight, only to witness her twin brother get shot and killed. The lead goes on the run, as corrupt authorities and criminals attempt to hunt her down. After realizing they won’t stop until she is dead, the protagonist decides to fight back. The press was split on this crime drama. Almost half stated that despite some good performances, the story was flatly delivered and suffered from increasingly preposterous plot twists. But the same number and a few more commented that the lead performer was compelling and that the movie had enough atmosphere and tension to earn it a recommendation. For now, this is a DVD-only release. It stars Maika Monroe, Alan Hawco, Troy Kotsur, Jesse Irving and Helen Hunt.
I WAS A STRANGER – This drama begins in Syria and follows individuals from five families living in war-torn Aleppo. As the bombs are dropping around them, a doctor, a smuggler, a soldier, and a poet all come together while attempting to help themselves and family members flee the country. The group end up on a rickety boat sailing across the Mediterranean Sea, desperate to survive and reach safety in Greece. This Jordan/US/Occupied Palestinian Territory co-production earned generally good reviews. About one-quarter of critics had trouble connecting to the characters because the film was constantly cutting to different storylines. Still, the majority suggested that while a little manipulative in spots, the movie engaged them emotionally and impressively depicted a harrowing tale of refugees searching for a new home. The cast includes Yasmine Al Massri, Yahya Mahayni, Omar Sy, Ziad Bakri, Constantine Markoulakis and Jason Beghe.
MERCY – Set in the near future where accused criminals are put on trial by AI judges, a detective who was a proponent of the technology finds himself accused of murdering his wife. He claims to have been set up and protests his innocence, but is bound to a chair and forced to undergo the same treatment. The lead has ninety minutes to prove his innocence or else be sentenced to death. Reaction to this science-fiction thriller was poor. One-quarter of notices complimented the movie for its original premise and called the film fast-paced fun. Unfortunately, everyone else had issues with the screenplay and execution. There were complaints that the movie didn’t delve into its subject matter in an interesting way, or generate much tension. Additionally, many noted that having the action take place on little screens gave it a less-than-cinematic feel. The movie can be purchased on a 4K Ultra HD only disc or a standalone Blu-ray. It features Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis and Chris Sullivan. Read a full review of the movie here.
MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN – A few weeks ago, this documentary won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It is now arriving as a DVD-only release. The film follows a schoolteacher in a small Russian town who is horrified when his country’s forces invade Ukraine. He’s even more shocked when notices from the government arrive telling teachers to follow new education priorities, tell lies about the conflict, and focus on patriotism. The instructor documents everything that is occurring and before long comes to the conclusion that his educational institute is essentially being turned into a recruitment center. Every notice for this award-winning picture was positive. They called it an extremely important film that had a sharp sense of humor, while expertly dealing with frighteningly topical issues, including government propaganda techniques used by authoritarians to manipulate its citizens.
THE MYSTERIOUS GAZE OF THE FLAMINGO – This drama takes place in 1982, and begins with a deadly disease beginning to spread through a small, Chilean mining town. Viewers follow an eleven-year-old girl living with her gay parents. When rumors spread that the town’s queer population are responsible and that the mysterious illness is spread through their gaze, the young girl sets out to find out the truth. She must face her fears and deal with violent locals along the way. This Spanish-language multinational production earned mostly positive notices. A couple of critics suggested that the movie mixed a coming-of-age tale with some action, while also dealing with themes of social injustice, and that it didn’t gel. Still, most wrote that this was a stylish picture with memorable characters and an effectively delivered message. Tamara Cortes, Matías Catalán, Paula Dinamarca and Pedro Muñoz headline the film.
NIGHT OF THE HOWLING – The latest release from Wild Eye Entertainment (Cocaine Shark, the Ouija Shark series) is another micro-budgeted independent film mixing monsters and humor. In this tale, a city is under siege from a maniacal killer who only strikes on full moons. A detective investigating the case soon comes to the natural conclusion that a werewolf must be responsible. According to the press release for this title, the filmmaker (who is also responsible for Apocalypse Bigfoot) is attempting to pay homage to 1980s VHS-era horror movies with practical effects and less of an emphasis on campiness. How effectively does it work? Well, the picture is debuting on disc as a DVD-only release and isn’t being screened for critics, so interested parties will have to go in cold and hope for the best. The cast includes Hunter Nino, Chris Heikka, Jim Bunny Bundhuh and Don Reum.
PEACOCK – This German feature has a plot that bears some similarity to the recent drama Rental Family. A man works for a company that rents out people to fill social roles in the lives of their clients. The protagonist’s duties include being a perfect son, playing a boyfriend at a public event, and even acting as a dad who works as a pilot (so that a young boy can impress his schoolmates). But after a few years on the job, the performer begins confusing roles with his own personality, leading to trouble outside of work. This comedy/drama was very well received by those who screened it. They all commented that despite a low-key approach to the material, the lead actor is extremely charming in the film. They summed up that he amusingly depicts a unique but relatable kind of existential crisis and that the movie would leave viewers smiling. It stars Albrecht Schuch, Julia Franz Richter and Salka Weber.
V/H/S/HALLOWEEN – The found-footage horror anthology series V/H/S has been continuing for nearly 15 years now. The eighth and latest installment involves characters discovering tapes containing supernatural events that all occur during Halloween. Segment subjects involve a soda with a ghastly ingredient, trick-or-treaters being stalked by a maniacal mom, a deadly holiday party, a parallel universe tale, a series of child disappearances, and a haunted house story. This title debuted on Shudder last October and is now arriving on Blu-ray. The horror community rated this chapter highly. A small number stated that it was more of the same, running too long and featuring too many weak chapters (as well as one in poor taste). However, most found it stronger than other sequels in the series, complimenting the talented filmmakers, as well as the fresh and entertaining ideas set against an appropriate Halloween backdrop. The movie features David Haydn, Anna McKelvie, Samantha Cochran, Elena Musser, Maria Romanilos, Lawson Greyson and Rick Baker.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re looking for something older, you have plenty of options. Lightyear is releasing a Blu-ray of the independent comedy Randy and the Mob (2007) starring Ray McKinnon (who also directed the picture) Walton Goggins, Lisa Blount, Tim DeKay, Bill Nunn, Brent Briscoe and Burt Reynolds. It’s a sweet comedy set in Georgia about an overstressed independent businessman who has found himself in great debt with the IRA and loan sharks. With everyone breathing down his neck, he accepts the help of an oddball mob associate who offers blunt philosophical advice as he helps the figure try to streamline his effects and pay off the money. The film has won several awards and debuts on Blu-ray with a 26-minute making- of featurette that contains cast and crew interviews, as well as a bonus 40-minute short by McKinnon, the Oscar-winning The Accountant (2001), and a trailer. You can read a detailed review of the release by clicking on this link.
And, if you just want that short film, you can purchase The Accountant separately on Blu-ray. It doesn’t look like it comes with additional material, so you’d likely be better off purchasing both in the previous set.
The Japanese period action/revenge film The Dagger of Kamui (1985) is arriving on Blu-ray from AnimEigo. You’ll get the original Japanese language track with English subtitles and a rare English dub of the movie, as well as a director commentary, art galleries, storyboard and trailers for this and other titles from the distributor.
Gilda (1946) is a classic film noir starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. Criterion is presenting the movie this week in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. It’s about a casino owner who marries a beautiful young woman and demands that his right-hand man keep watch over her. Little does he know that the two were formerly lovers, causing tension for all around them. For this release, the movie has been given a 4K restoration and is presented in Dolby Vision. It comes with a film critic commentary track, an interview with a film-noir authority, a program with directors Martin Scorsese and Baz Luhrmann discussing their love of the picture, a 1964 TV episode going over the career of Hayworth and a trailer. A booklet with writing on the movie is also included.
Those looking for martial arts can pick up the Hong Kong production of Flaming Brothers (1987) from Eureka Entertainment. It features Chow Yun-Fat in an early starring role as a newly minted crime leader trying to survive in the criminal underworld, and a woman who comes between himself and his partner. The movie is listed as having received a 2K restoration, and bonuses include an Asian cinema expert commentary track, a piece of the locations in the film, an archival interview with the director and a trailer.
Monster Mayhem Collection is a fun-sounding Blu-ray box set containing the science-fiction drive-in B-movies The Brain from Planet Arous (1957), Monster from Green Hell (1957), Frankenstein’s Daughter (1958) and Giant from the Unknown (1958). Film Masters is delivering this release, which boasts 4K restorations of each film from 35mm archival prints, full film historian commentaries on the all the movies, mini-documentaries on the titles, featurettes on the career of the first feature’s director, Nathan Juran (The Deadly Mantis, Attack of the 50-Foot Woman, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad) and the second title’s star Jim Davis, as well as a booklet with new writing on the pictures.
Speaking of B-movies, you can also purchase a Blu-ray of the later, direct-to-VHS effort Mandroid (1993) courtesy of Full Moon Features. It follows scientists who create a humanoid robot that can mimic their movements. According to specs, the film is presented here for the first time in HD, remastered from the original negative.
Kino Lorber is putting out some interesting discs too. The Second Twin (1966) is an Italian/French crime/mystery with Michèle Mercier and Robert Hossein about a married lawyer who falls in love with a hostess, only to be suspected of murder when her fiancée dies. The movie was recently restored in 4K for this Blu-ray and arrives with a film historian commentary.
Those who like their 3D movies, well, kinky can now pick up The Stewardesses (1969) in a Blu-ray 3D, regular Blu-ray and Anaglyph 3D set. It’s a silly story about amorous flight attendants and the fun they get up to during layovers. Believe it or not, this feature was the highest grossing 3D movie in history until Avatar reached screens. This release contains a film historian commentary, a 2006 documentary on the movie’s production and release, an alternate opening title sequence, outtakes and test footage, a pair of 3D short films produced in 1953 and 1977, and a trailer and radio spot. It comes packaged with reversible art, and the first group of copies come with a slipcase.
The Douglas Fairbanks’ version of The Thief of Bagdad (1924) is an early silent epic about a man who takes on evil forces to win the hand of a princess. It comes with a film expert audio commentary, production featurettes, outtakes, test footage and more.
Massacre Video is putting out a couple of independent genre titles as well. The notorious Las Vegas-set slasher Murder-Set-Pieces (2004) is one of them, and it’s arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo. You’ll get a 4K scan from the only existing 35mm elements with director-approved HDR color of both the theatrical version and shorter director’s cut. The director provides an audio commentary, as well as a 2002 short that he made. There are also deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes photos, and trailers.
You can pick up a Blu-ray of Nutbag (2000), another slasher from the same filmmaker. Alas, it appears to have already sold out on Amazon, so interested parties will have to keep checking to see if it gets restocked.
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965) is arriving on Blu-ray from RM Films International. This is a Russ Meyer feature about three go-go dancers who try to swindle an old man and his son whom they encounter in the desert. This release is from the Russ Meyer estate and contains no extra features.
Shout Factory is delivering a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo Steelbook of the Best Picture Oscar-winner The Deer Hunter (1978). It’s an effective Vietnam war drama about the horrifying trauma three friends endure while serving their country. The movie stars Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken (who also won Best Supporting Actor for his role), John Savage and Meryl Streep. They previously released this title on 4K several years back, and it appears this version is identical, but now in new packaging.
If you go to the official Synapse Films website, this week, you can buy an exclusive 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray (with a slipcase) of the cult horror/comedy Frankenhooker (1990). It’s about a scientist who loses his girlfriend in a bizarre lawn-mower accident, and tries to rebuild her using spare parts from New York City prostitutes. When she is completed, she begins to take to the streets and lure clients to their doom. The film was notable for a funny quote given to the film by Bill Murray and used in its advertising – “If you only see one film this year, it should be Frankenhooker”. Directed by Frank Henenlotter (Basket Case, Brain Damage), the uncut version of indie cult item has been given a 2025 4K remaster from original 35mm vault materials and is presented in Dolby Vision. There is an audio commentary with Henenlotter and the make-up effects designer, a featurette on the lead actress, a bit on the make-up, an interview with a cast member, a photo scrapbook, and trailer. The first 5000 copies of this two-disc set come packaged in a “chipboard” slipcase. Distributor Synapse notes that when this version sells out, separate single-disc editions (without the elaborate packaging) will be released to the mass market.
Universal Studios is putting out the great Al Pacino crime movie Carlito’s Way (1993) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Steelbook. This picture has come out several times over the past few years, and this feature is identical to earlier versions from Universal, with a making-of, interviews with director Brain De Palma, deleted scenes and promo materials. However, it doesn’t have all the bonuses included on the Arrow Video 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo, so that’s still the ideal version if you can get your hands on it.
Finally, Visual Vengeance is releasing a few titles. The company specializes in putting out micro-budgeted genre pictures from decades ago. Colony Mutation (1995) is arriving as a Visual Vengeance “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray and is a shot-on-Super-8mm body horror feature. It arrives with a director supervised 2K transfer from the original elements, as well as a filmmaker commentary, a track with a movie historian, cast and crew interviews, a public-access TV-show interview with the director, a discussion with the score composer, and alternate 1998 VHS and 2013 DVD versions of the movie. Additionally, there is a complete script for the feature, tons of promo materials, VHS stickers, a reversible sleeve with original VHS art, a folded poster with original art, as well as a booklet with liner notes and a slipcard on the first pressing of the title.
Pictured above and to the right, The Paranormal (1998) is a shot-on-video chiller also receiving a “Collector’s Edition” from the distributor. It’s about a paranormal investigator who is trapped within a haunted movie theater and must find clues to escape from the film that is playing on the big screen. This Blu-ray features a director-supervised transfer from the original tape elements, two filmmaker commentary tracks, new cast and crew interviews, an interview with the director, bumpers from a TV airing, a blooper reel, deleted scenes, original script excerpts, a storyboard gallery, multiple shorts from the filmmaker, multiple trailers, a folded mini-poster for the movie, a reversible sleeve featuring original VHS art, and a VHS sticker set. The first pressings contain a slipcase, a “ghost finder” viewer, a promo flyer and original sleeve art.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
You’ll only find one kid-friendly title in this edition.
Over the Green Wall: The Complete Series (2014 animated TV (miniseries) (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
Below is a list of the week’s TV-related releases.
Father Brown: Season 13 (BBC) DVD
Over the Green Wall: The Complete Series (2014 animated TV (miniseries) (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
