Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition is a busy one, containing a wide mix of studio and independent features, in addition to older efforts 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!
THE AI DOC: OR HOW I BECAME AN APOCALOPTIMIST – A filmmaker and father-to-be decides to investigate the history of artificial intelligence for the sake of his child and their future. He talks to experts about the positives and negatives of the technology, and what might occur in the coming years around the world. The director tries to come to a conclusion about the planet his child might inherit, and what should be done to ensure that the future will be a better place. Critics were positive about this documentary. A small number complained that it jumped around examining too many ideas and ultimately didn’t answer any of the questions that it raised. However, the vast majority were impressed that the makers didn’t go into the project with an obvious bias against AI. They thought the film capably showed just how complex and complicated this issue is, leaving viewers with plenty to think about.
ARCO – This animated science-fiction feature from France is set in the year 2075. It follows a suburban girl who sees a young boy in a rainbow jumpsuit falling from the sky. She attempts to help him when he lands and learns he has time-traveled from hundreds of years in the future. The protagonist tries to help the new arrival get back home, but the two are pursued by mysterious figures. During their adventure, he tells her about his life and gives clues about what to expect in the coming years. This PG-rated effort may be too intense for young kids, but it did impress reviewers. Additionally, the movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. A limited contingent complained that adults would find the narrative too messy, and that its eccentric story wouldn’t engage kids either. Still, everyone else wrote that the animation was unique and that the characters gradually won them over, resulting in a moving finale. You can pick up the movie as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo. The English-language voice cast includes Romy Fay, Juliano Krue Valdi, Mark Ruffalo, Natalie Portman, Will Ferrell, Andy Samberg, Flea and America Ferrera.
AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH – The third film in the Avatar series begins with the Sully family grieving after the events of the previous story, while also anticipating more attacks from humans. One of their group requires medical attention, and soon all come under fire and are separated. The villains gain more power by working out a deal with a warmongering local faction, leading to an even grander battle between all parties. While the film wasn’t quite as popular as the previous two films, it still earned nearly $1.5 billion dollars at the box office. Notices were good, if not spectacular. One third of reviews commented that this effort repeated too many elements from the previous instalments and felt like a rehash. Still, the majority called the film a true spectacle that managed to add more layers to the characters while delivering incredible visuals and stunning action. You can purchase the film as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook, a 3D Blu-ray and Blu-ray combo, or a Blu-ray only. An Avatar 3-Movie Collection Blu-ray set is also available. It features Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and many others. Read a full review of the movie here.
THE BRIDE! – This new take on the famous character is a period film set in the 1930s. The title character is a mobster’s moll who is murdered by her abusive partner. After the lonely Frankenstein’s Monster approaches a scientist to make him a mate, she steals and resurrects the deceased woman. The unique-looking pair draw attention and are soon hunted by the law. They go on the run, and as they travel the lead begins to put the pieces together about her past, ultimately asserting some independence. The project split viewers almost right down the middle, although a few more did give it a recommendation. Nearly half called the feature a rambling mess, with too many characters, underdeveloped ideas, and a lack of momentum. But slightly more admired the film for taking risks. They also liked its striking visuals, calling it a messy but interesting and dynamic take on the source material. The movie is available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Steelbook, a 4K Ultra HD-only disc, and a standalone Blu-ray. Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal and Penelope Cruz headline the film.
THE NAPA BOYS – A trio who refer to themselves under the title moniker get back together after a long absence to go on a wine-drinking odyssey through Napa Valley, California. Apparently, they have a previously established bad reputation, and they soon strive to outdo themselves. The group begin a strange competition and get into various misadventures while sipping drinks at various vineyards. Reviews for this independent comedy were split right down the middle. Half of those who saw the film stated that, after an amusingly bizarre start, the sophomoric humor became increasingly tiresome and that the film overstayed its welcome. The very same number called it an odd but compelling parody of gross-out comedies from the past that takes its juvenile characters to some memorably strange places. While noting that it isn’t for everyone, this group believed the movie might end up becoming a cult title. It features Armen Weitzman, Nick Corirossi, Sarah Ramos, Jamar Malachi Neighbors, Mike Mitchell, Paul Rust, David Wain, DJ Qualls, and Ray Wise.
REMINDERS OF HIM – Based on the hit book of the same name by author Colleen Hoover (It Ends with Us, Regretting You), this romance involves a young woman who gets into a car accident with her boyfriend. He dies in the wreck and she serves a 6-year prison term for vehicular manslaughter. The lead returns to her Wyoming home town, hoping to reconnect with her family and daughter (who was born during her incarceration and is being raised by her late boyfriend’s parents). No one is pleased to see the protagonist, but she attempts to rebuild her life and regain their trust. She also begins dating the dead man’s best friend. This feature earned slightly more positive notices than negative ones. Those who disliked the film stated that it was a corny and badly written Hallmark-like melodrama featuring characters and situations that did not feel authentic or engaging. The same number and a few more liked the cast and thought it was a sincere effort that delivered enough drama to please fans of this genre. It stars Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, Lainey Wilson and Lauren Graham.
SCARLET – Released in its homeland as Hateshinaki Sukâretto, this Japanese anime film is set in Denmark during the 16th century. In fact, the plot appears to have been inspired in part by Shakespeare’s Hamlet. A King is wrongly accused of treason by his brother and wife, ultimately being sentenced to death by public execution. His daughter witnesses her father meet a tragic end, and years for revenge. However (and this is where the story veers in a different direction), the lead is stopped and finds herself transported to another realm. Once there, she befriends a man from the future who attempts to teach her that vengeance won’t help her get over the death. Reaction towards this adult-animated tale was upbeat. About one-quarter of reviewers stated that the characters were thinly written, the story muddled, and the end result ineffective. But the majority called the visuals striking and thought that this was an effective and humanist take inspired by the Hamlet tale. It can be purchased as a 4K Ultra HD-only Steelbook, or a standalone Blu-ray.
SIRAT – In a rundown future where war has broken out, a father searches for his missing daughter in Morocco. He travels from rave to rave with his son, showing her picture around and asking for help in locating the family member. The dad meets a few partiers who recognize the teenager and note that she may be on her way to another dance in the desert. The parent and his boy venture with the group, and they all face grave danger from the dangerous environment and war mines planted all around. This foreign-language feature from Spain was nominated for Best International Film and Best Sound at the last Academy Awards ceremony. A small number noted that the film was unrelentingly bleak and hopeless, piling one tragedy upon another until most would give up on finding any sort of meaning. Yet the majority commented that while dark and grim, it was also completely unique and unpredictable. They continued that it featured incredible sound while depicting lost characters searching for meaning in a hopeless scenario. The movie stars Sergi López, Bruno Núñez Arjona, Richard Bellamy and Stefania Gadda.
STRAY KIDS: THE DOMINATE EXPERIENCE – Any K-pop fans out there? If you enjoy the band Stray Kids, then this picture may be for you. It’s a chronicle of the band and their sold-out tour, highlighting a performance at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Naturally, behind-the-scenes footage with the band members is included, as well as notable moments and songs from the show itself. One assumes that you’ll see them perform hits like “God’s Menu,” “MANIAC,” and “Chk Chk Boom”. Obviously, it seems that your enjoyment of this picture will correspond to how familiar you are with the band. A handful of reviews have appeared, with all of those reviewers being fans who were impressed by the film. Some commented that the movie was great because it showed interview footage and let you get to know the musicians better, while also dynamically capturing them deliver high-energy numbers.
THE YETI – This independent horror film takes place in 1947. After an oil tycoon and his adventurer pal disappear in Alaska, their adult children decide to put together a search party and locate them. The heavily armed group immediately find themselves in trouble when they realize that the missing persons were taken by a giant, umm, yeti. Panicked, the group are forced to try and escape before they are all picked off. Critics weren’t overly impressed with this title, with slightly more than half suggesting horror enthusiasts give it a pass. Admittedly, almost half did comment that this was a fun little B-movie. They noted that it aspired to have stronger characters and develop more tension than similar films of its ilk. Alas, more stated that the humor didn’t land, that the plot was predictable, and the whole story fell flat as a result. The cast includes Brittany Allen, William Sadler, Corbin Bernsen, Heather Lind, and Jim Cummings.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
You can pick up some great older features as well. Radiance Films is presenting Aesthetics of a Bullet (1973) as a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray. This is a Japanese crime film about a small-time street vendor who wants to become a big player with the yakuza. He sets out to become a hitman and learns first hand that it isn’t as good as advertised. The movie has been given a high-definition digital transfer and comes with a critical appreciation of the movie, an interview with filmmaker Kazuyoshi Kumakiri (Hole in the Sky) about the picture, as well as an archival talk with the director. It all comes packaged with a booklet containing writing on the movie, and a reversible sleeve with artwork based on the original posters for the film. Read a detailed review of the Blu-ray right here.
Arrow Video is allowing for a couple of its titles to be rereleased as Walmart exclusive 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. The first is the notable Arnold Schwarzenegger fantasy epic Conan the Barbarian (1982). As noted, the contents in this edition are exactly the same as the previous version, and only the packaging is different. The very same is true for the fantastic Walter Hill action picture The Warriors (1979), which is receiving a Walmart exclusive 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release.
The independent music drama The Yellow Bellies (2013) is arriving on Blu-ray from Anchor Bay Entertainment. It follows the personal relationships of an all-girl punk rock band over one night while playing at a local bar. Bonuses include a making of, a round table discussion, cast auditions, live performance footage, a short film, behind-the-scenes footage, and trailers.
It’s a busy week for Criterion. The excellent neo-noir thriller Body Heat (1981) is being released as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo and a standalone Blu-ray. It follows a corrupt lawyer who begins an affair with the wife of a wealthy businessman. She comes up with a scheme to murder her husband, but of course, things don’t go according to plan. The movie stars William Hurt, Kathleen Turner and was written and directed by Lawrence Kasdan (The Big Chill, Silverado, The Accidental Tourist, I Love You to Death). You’ll get a new 4K restoration of the film approved by Kasdan, a new interview with Kasdan, a new film expert conversation on the title, archival programs featuring cast and crew interviews, deleted scenes, and a trailer. An essay on the picture also appears in the accompanying booklet.
Fresh Kill (1994) is also available from the distributor on Blu-ray. It’s an experimental feature about two lesbian parents who are drawn into a corporate conspiracy involving the Staten Island Fresh Kills Landfill. Apparently, this title focuses on “hacker” subculture and was one of the first to do so. It comes with a new 4K picture restoration supervised and approved by both the director Shu Lea Cheang and the director of photography. There are also new discussions with the filmmaker and one of the cast members, a 2024 program about the film and how it was self-distributed, a 30th anniversary discussion about the title with the director, a profile on Cheang (while accepting a 2024 award for artistic achievement), along with an essay on the feature.
Kino is putting out some titles as well. You can purchase a double-feature Blu-ray of The Base (1999) and The Base 2: Guilty as Charged (2000), two action pictures featuring US Army intelligence agents who discover corruption among their own ranks. The first effort stars Mark Dacascos and the second Antonio Sabato Jr.. Both were directed by Mark L. Lester (Class of 1984, Firestarter, Commando). Lester provides a commentary on the first title, and there is an interview with Sabato Jr. included on the follow-up.
Night World (1932) is a pre-code drama about the goings on at a nightclub that features Boris Karloff in a supporting role. This Blu-ray delivers a 2K image restoration from a finegrain element, and two movie authority commentary tracks.
Robert Shaw, James Earl Jones and Peter Boyle star in the pirate film Swashbuckler (1976), about an 18th century buccaneer who comes to the aid of a noblewoman and finds himself helping fight against a tyrant running Jamaica. This Blu-ray includes a film historian commentary, a making-of, and a trailer.
Talk Radio (1988) from Oliver Stone (Platoon, Wall Street, JFK) is also appearing on Blu-ray. Eric Bogosian plays a quick-witted talk-show host known for riling up his listeners. Viewers discover this is also true of his personal relationships during a busy and eventful night on the air. This release boasts a 2K restoration from the interpositive, a new interview with Stone, a film historian commentary and a trailer. Early copies also come packaged in a slipcase.
Lionsgate occasionally releases exclusive titles only through their website. This week, you can order a “Lionsgate Limited” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo of the cult Canadian horror film, Ginger Snaps (2000) through their Vestron line. The story involves two suburban teenagers obsessed with dark and gothic trends. When one of the two is turned into a werewolf and becomes a more outgoing and dangerous figure, the introverted sister has to figure out how to control her sibling. The release contains a 4K restoration of the movie presented in Dolby Vision, a new featurette on the enduring popularity of the movie, archival commentaries with the director and the screenwriter, a featurette on the production, a look at puberty as portrayed in horror movies, a making-of, cast auditions and rehearsals, a make-up effects featurette, a discussion with the director, a look at the production design, deleted scenes, and promo materials.
Hearts of Darkness: The Art of Eleanor Coppola (1991) is receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook release. It includes Eleanor Coppola’s 1991 documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse about the making of Apocalypse Now on 4K Ultra HD, along with the doc Eleanor Coppola: Art is All Around Us, chronicling her experiences as an artist. There is a Blu-ray containing both the titles, and a third Blu-ray of special features like additional documentaries from the filmmaker, as well as others made about other pictures from family members. This includes behind-the-scenes peeks at CQ (2002), The Rainmaker (2007), The Virgin Suicides (1998), and Marie Antoinette (2007). Several shorts made by Eleanor Coppola are also included on the accompanying Blu-ray in this set.
You can now purchase a “Standard Edition” 4K Ultra HD disc of the Jean Rollin French creeper The Demoniacs (1974) from Powerhouse. Expect the contents to be the same on the disc, only in standard packaging.
A few years back, Shout Factory released an impressive edition of the cult film Alligator (1980). You can now pick it up as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. The discs are exactly the same, only now in the hardshell packaging.
It’s a busy week for Sony Pictures. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the distributor is putting out a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook of the Tom Hanks thriller, The Da Vinci Code (2006). The movie has been released on 4K before, but this version contains both the theatrical and extended cuts on 4K Ultra HD, along with a bonus Blu-ray containing 17 production featurettes, all in new packaging.
The Dark Backward (1991) is a very strange dark comedy about a garbageman/wannabe stand-up comic who struggles until he begins growing a third arm out of his back (providing him with plenty of stage material to work with). It stars Judd Nelson, Bill Paxton, Lara Flynn Boyl, James Caan and Wayne Newton and is a cult item. After being out-of-print on DVD for a very long time, it is now available on Blu-ray. This title doesn’t appear to have many extras, but at least you can finally own it on disc.
You can also pick up a 4K Ultra HD edition of The Front (1976). This comedy/drama stars Woody Allen and is set in the 1950s. The plot follows a politically ignorant restaurant cashier who is asked by a blacklisted screenwriter to submit works to the studio for him. The ruse is successful, and the lead quickly learns how horrible the blacklisting situation truly is. No word yet on bonus features on the disc.
Nickelodeon (1976) from Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon) is appearing on Blu-ray. Based loosely on the life of Cecil B. De Mille, it details a director making his mark in the early days of cinema. The film features Ryan O’Neil, Burt Reynolds, Tatum O’Neil, Brian Keith, Stella Stevens, John Riter and many more. This also appears to be a movie-only disc with no extras.
The Joseph Gordon-Levitt starring biopic The Walk (2015), about French high-wire artist Philippe Petit and his crossing of the Two Towers in Manhattan, is arriving on 4K Ultra HD. For those who want to learn about the real story, be sure to check out the 2008 documentary Man on Wire first. No specs, besides the improved picture quality, have been listed for this release.
Synapse Films has a website exclusive that is currently available. Hunter’s Blood (1986) is a story about city folk heading to the country on a hunting trip, only to be targeted by another group of maniacal hunters. The cast includes Sam Bottoms, Kim Delaney, Clu Gulager, Joey Travolta, Bruce Glover and Billy Drago. It is available as a 2-disc 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Collector’s Edition”, or a “Limited Collector’s Edition” 2-disc 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray with an alternate cover. You’ll get a 4K restoration of the movie from the 35mm camera negative, presented in Dolby Vision, along with multiple commentary tracks, a making-of, an audio interview with Glover, a ton of promo materials, a booklet with notes on the movie, a fold-out double-sided poster, collector’s cards and more.
The Warner Archive is putting out Looney Tunes Cartoons: The Complete Series on Blu-ray. This is a 2020 TV series featuring classic Looney Tunes characters that ran for six seasons (although these seasons were broadcast over less-than-six-years).
And horror fans may be interested in noting that Warner Brothers is putting out The Conjuring Universe: 9-Film Collection. This is a Blu-ray set containing previously released titles The Conjuring (2013), Annabelle (2014), The Conjuring 2 (2016), Annabelle: Creation (2017), The Nun (2018), Annabelle Comes Home (2019), The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), The Nun II (2023) and The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025). If you don’t care about 4K Ultra HD and just want all the movies on Blu-ray in one collection, this is a good option.
You can also purchase the Wizarding World 11-Film Collection, which contains all eight of the Harry Potter films and the three Fantastic Beasts features. You can purchase the sets in three different formats. A 4K Ultra HD-only version, a Blu-ray-only edition, or a standalone DVD set.
Finally, Warner Bros. is releasing a 4K Ultra HD and 4K Ultra HD Steelbook of the Wachowski’s Speed Racer (2008). This racing picture flopped at the box office nearly twenty years ago, but it does have a following and the visuals are absolutely phenomenal. One assumes that the 4K restoration came from a quality source, and it is also presented in Dolby Vision. Additionally, there is an interview with the directors who revisit and discuss the cult movie, as well as tons of featurettes on the production and more.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below is a list of some titles that may appeal to youngsters. Just a note that Arco is PG and intended for older kids.
Arco (Decal Releasing) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo
Gilligan’s Island: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
Looney Tunes Cartoons: The Complete Series (2020 series, 6 seasons) (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And below is a selection of TV-related titles coming your way.
Covert Affairs: The Complete Series (USA) DVD
Fallout: Season 2 (Alliance Entertainment) 4K Ultra HD “Amazon Exclusive” Steelbook, 4K Ultra HD only, Blu-ray only
Gilligan’s Island: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
Gotham: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
I Love Lucy: The Complete Series 75th Anniversary (Paramount Pictures) DVD
Lacey Chabert 6-Movie Collection 2: Lost in Paradise, An Unexpected Valentine, His and Hers, The Wedding Veil, All of My Heart, The Wedding Veil Expectations (Hallmark) DVD
Looney Tunes Cartoons: The Complete Series (2020 series, 6 seasons) (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
Snowpiercer: The Complete Series (Shout Factory) Blu-ray
