Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition will be a treat for horror movie fans, while also providing one of the year’s biggest box office grossers. 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!
BLOOD BARN – A group of teenage camp counselors decide to enjoy their final summer together by having a party. Of course, they decide to throw it in a rundown and creepy old barn. Before long, a violent supernatural force begins targeting the group. They must find out the origin of the strange being in order to escape with their lives. This independent horror/comedy has been available to stream on Screambox for a few months and is now arriving on disc. Only a handful of genre critics have reviewed the picture so far, and their reaction has been mixed/positive. One write-up commented that while the movie was well-produced, the story and scares fell flat. The others suggested that the plot was unoriginal, but that those willing to look the other way in regards to the story issues would enjoy the references and plays on famous genre tropes, having a good time in the process. It stars Chloe Cherry, Lena Redford, Bambina and Simon Paris.
THE CONTAINMENT– After her father dies tragically, a grieving, young teenager in Arkansas has trouble moving on with her life. Soon, the girl’s behavior changes and it becomes clear that she has been possessed by a demonic entity. The family calls the church and everyone attempts to exorcize the sinister spirit, discovering dark family secrets along the way. This independent chiller has been making the rounds in various countries over the past year or two. Not many reviewers in this part of the world have seen the movie, and few have been impressed. One noted that while it followed genre conventions to a fault, every so often it presented an interesting twist on the formulaic elements. But most noted that this was a clear and blatant rip-off of The Exorcist that failed to offer surprises or any thrills. For now, this is a DVD-only release. It features Isabel Aerenlund, Gia Hunter, Darren Clarke and Fernanda Romero.
THE LAND OF SOMETIMES – Twins discover the existence of a “Wish Collector” in this family animated feature. The boy and girl siblings are whisked off to a fantasy world filled with mystical creatures. Together, they find the magical being and end up being granted a total of six wishes to use as they see fit. Of course, there are always drawbacks to being granted their heart’s desire, and the pair ultimately have to figure out how to best use their wishes. This UK/India/US coo-production received a limited release in North America. The press was more positive than negative about the movie. A few found the story overstuffed and wanted wilder and more inventive visuals in the film. But more stated that, while it had a few slow spots, there were some wonderful images and catchy musical numbers. They felt that young family members would be entertained. For now, this is a DVD-only release. The voice cast includes Helena Bonham Carter, Ewan McGregor, Asa Butterfield, Mel Brooks, Jessica Henwick, Alisha Weir and Terry Jones.
READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME – This sequel to the 2019 horror/comedy hit Ready or Not picks up immediately after the close of the first film. Having escaped the clutches of the wealthy, sinister family from the first film, the survivor realizes that, for her, the previous events were only the beginning. She finds herself kidnapped with her estranged sister and left in the middle of a new fracas concerning four equally villainous families. The various groups state that one of them will become the most powerful family in the world when they eliminate the pair. The two protagonists fight back to make sure that doesn’t occur. This effort received good notices, although the write-ups weren’t quite as strong as for the original. One-quarter of critics critiqued the film for being bigger in scale, but not better story-wise. They found the events depicted too familiar to the original and grew tired of the numerous battles. Still, the consensus was that this picture was highly amusing. Most believed that there were wonderful and darkly funny moments, and that the performers were all excellent in their roles. Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Elija Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sean Hatosy and David Cronenberg headline the film.
SCREAM 7 – The latest chapter in this long-running horror series sees the original film’s star returning after vanishing from the previous sequel. Now married with a teenage daughter, the protagonist begins receiving phone calls from another masked psychopath like the one who tormented her as a teen. In fact, the mysterious figure even claims to be one of the original killers. The lead, her daughter, as well as friends and old acquaintances attempt to identify the murderer before they all become victims. This effort didn’t impress reviewers, but it was a massive hit and now stands as the highest grossing entry in the franchise. One-third thought that, while the picture and series was becoming overly familiar, it did deliver sharp dialogue, as well as a number of gruesome and darkly humorous thrills. However, the majority felt this was one chapter too many, with little of the sharp horror satire or tension that previous entries possessed. You can pick up the movie as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo, 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook, or an Amazon exclusive 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Giftset. It stars Neve Campbell, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, David Arquette, Michelle Randolph, Anna Camp, Jimmy Tatro, Mckenna Grace, Asa Germann, Matthew Lillard, Ethan Embry and Courtney Cox.
SHARK TERROR – As many direct-to-disc and streaming genre film fans will already know, The Asylum is a low-budget production house responsible for titles that are knock-offs of big studio movies like Snakes on a Train and The Da Vinci Treasure, as well as the Sharknado cable movie series. Their latest effort follows a young woman vacationing with her mother on a cruise ship. After some bickering, the lead heads to the promenade deck, accidentally encounters some criminals, and falls overboard with them. She and the villains end up injured and stranded on a remote island surrounded by hungry sharks. The young lady must fend off the dangerous fishes while waiting for her mom to find and rescue her. So far, the picture has only been released to streaming platforms in Europe. Reviews haven’t been kind, suggesting that this effort actually tries to be a more serious effort, but that the final result is dull and uninteresting. Right now, this is a DVD-only title. It features Sarah Leiving, Carly Medina, Javier Duran, Joe Maria Fernandez and Michael Paré.
SPECIAL OP: RENT-A-COP – After years of service, a Special Ops soldier is honorably released from the military in order to return to his family. Unsure of what to do next as a career, he decides to take a position as a rent-a-cop. One of his first tasks involves visiting a retirement village and escorting a group of seniors on their trip to Las Vegas. Things initially progress smoothly, until old enemies reappear ready to enact revenge. The hero must not only protect himself, but the seniors in his care as they are chased through casinos and other tourist traps. This independent action/comedy premiered recently on streaming services and is now getting a DVD-only release. Reaction towards the picture has been poor among the limited number of reviewers who have seen it. They call the film a waste of the talented cast, featuring a bland script with predictable gags and little in the way of tension or excitement. Michael Jai White, Dave Sheridan, Colleen Camp and Billy Zane headline the picture.
THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE – This sequel to the 2023 animated family film smash The Super Mario Bros. Movie follows the further adventures of plumbers Mario and Luigi. This time out, a princess living in a faraway galaxy is kidnapped by the son of the sinister Bowser. The heroes venture into space with their new dinosaur friend Yoshi in order to help save the hostage. Princess Peach also heads out to save the day, and discovers a connection between herself and the victim. The movie was another big hit for the studio, but the press generally disliked it. Admittedly, close to half of them liked the visuals and called the film a colorful and exciting adventure that would please gamers with its references to popular Mario Bros. video games. However, the majority called the movie hollow, with barely a story. They didn’t care for the new characters and thought adults would have a difficult time sitting through it. The picture is available as a “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, as well as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook, a “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray only, and a Walmart exclusive 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray box. You can also pick up a Super Mario 2-Movie Collection in 4K Ultra HD, or a Super Mario 2-Movie Blu-ray Collection. The voice cast includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, Glen Powell and Brie Larson. Read a full review of the movie here.
YOU, ME & TUSCANY – This romantic-comedy involves a young American woman who has given up on her dreams of becoming a chef. Instead, she spends her time working as a house sitter, often pretending to be living the lives of her employers. One night, she meets a charming Italian man in a bar, who reignites her desire to become a chef. She travels to Tuscany, Italy, and sneaks into the empty home of the man from the bar. When his family unexpectedly arrives out of the blue, the lead pretends that she is his fiancé. The relatives welcome her, including the man’s cousin, who begins showing her around and eventually develops feelings for her. This picture earned reasonable reviews from critics. About one-third complained that it was written and looked like a TV-movie, with preposterous plot elements and little excitement generated from the main characters. Still, the consensus was this was an old-fashioned but entertaining romance with a likable cast that provided pretty scenery and some laughs. It features Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, Marco Calvani, Aziza Scott, Nia Vardalos and Isabella Ferrari. Read this site’s review of the film here.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re looking for something older, you also have a number of options. Those who appreciate disturbing horror can pick up a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD of Audition (1994), an unsettling Japanese effort from Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, One Missed Call, 13 Assassins). The plot starts like a romance story, with a middle-aged widower asking his friend for help setting him up with a new woman. Indeed, he begins dating a shy young lady, but she ends up not being what she initially appears. Horrifying events soon follow. This is the movie that made a name, internationally, for its director.
For this release, the original 16mm camera negative has been given a 4K restoration and is presented in Dolby Vision. The image has been approved by the director of photography. Additionally, it comes with an archival director commentary track, a film historian commentary, a new interview with a cast member, an audio essay on the picture, cast and crew interviews, a featurette on Miike’s career, trailers, a still gallery and an introduction to the movie with Miike.
A week ago, this column noted the Jackie Chan Project A film series arriving on 4K Ultra HD from 88 Films. The two films were delayed one week, and should now be available for purchase.
The indie drama High Art (1998) is arriving on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection. The plot involves two women who begin an affair, but also appear to be using each other to get ahead in their respective careers. This film stars Ally Sheedy and Radha Mitchell. The disc contains a 4K restoration of the film approved by director Lisa Cholodenko (Laurel Canyon, The Kids are All Right), a 2004 audio commentary with the filmmaker, a new conversation with Cholodenko, recent interviews with stars Sheedy and Mitchell, as well as photographer JoJo Whilden. There is also a short from the director included in this release, as well as an essay on the title film.
If you happen to be a fan of the Avatar series, you can pick up a “Limited Edition” 9-disc 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set called the Avatar 3-Movie Collection, courtesy of Disney/Beuna Vista. Naturally this is a box that includes all three pictures in both formats, along with three additional Blu-rays of bonus material, a book with behind-the-scenes stills and a special letter from producer/writer/director James Cameron.
The studio is also putting out Hamilton (2020) as a “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD, and as a regular Blu-ray. This is a recording of the Lin-Manuel Miranda Broadway stage musical that received a release some years back. It also comes with an interview with Miranda about the evolution of the project, memories from the original cast and a sing-along version.
Kino Lorber is delivering a Blu-ray of Jory (1973), a western about a teen who seeks revenge for his father’s murder. The disc includes an interview with star Robby Benson.
The Lost Man (1969) is a crime drama with Sidney Poitier as part of a black militia movement. He and his partners plan to rob a bank in order to fund their efforts. For its Blu-ray release, the movie has been given a 4K restoration. It comes with a film historian commentary and a teaser.
A Man Could Get Killed (1966) is a James Garner comedy/thriller that is also arriving on Blu-ray. The story follows an American businessman in Portugal who is mistaken for a spy. This disc contains two film expert commentary tracks and a trailer. Right now, it doesn’t appear to be on the Amazon website, but is on the official Kino page.
You can also pick up the John Neville British sci-fi movie Unearthly Stranger (1964) on Blu-ray. The plot involves a government scientist who falls in love with a woman who, well, might not be from this world. It also arrives with two film historian commentaries and a trailer.
The indie distributor Leomark Studios is making Scream Bloody Murder (1973) available on Blu-ray. It involves a psychopath who is institutionalized, then breaks out and stalks family members. Additionally, you can pick up a Blu-ray of Suspension (2015), which features another maniac stalking a teenage girl and her bullies.
Lionsgate Limited is releasing another title exclusively via their website. The science-fiction effort The Arrival (1996) will be available in a 30th anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo set. Charlie Sheen stars in this film about a radio astronomer who uncovers the existence of aliens and believes that an invasion may be underway. The film was written and directed by David Twohy (the Pitch Black series, A Perfect Getaway) and arrives with a 4K picture restoration, presented in Dolby Vision. Extras include a new interview with Twohy, co-star Lindsay Crouse, as well as recently made featurettes on the special effects and the remastering process. You’ll also get archival features like a director commentary, a making-of, featurettes, a promo reel, a theatrical trailer and a TV spot.
Waves of Lust (1975) is an Italian thriller receiving a Blu-ray release from RaroVideo U.S.. It involves a couple who get mixed up with another wealthy pair and get pulled into their kinky and potentially dangerous games onboard a yacht. The film has been given a 4K restoration and arrives with its original English and Italian audio tracks, a film historian commentary, deleted scenes, a making-of documentary and TV commercials from the movie’s director Ruggero Deodato (Cannibal Holocaust, Cut and Run)
Rising Sun Media is presenting a couple of relatively recent Japanese micro-budget comedy/horror pictures on Blu-ray. You can pick up the wild and crazy Love Shark (2023) and Last Shark (2024).
It’s a busy week for Shout Factory. First up is a 4K Ultra HD “Collector’s Edition” Steelbook of the fantasy epic Cloud Atlas (2012). It’s identical to the earlier release from last December, only in new, sturdy packaging.
One item that isn’t a repackaging of a previous product is the 4-disc 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” of George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead (1985). This final chapter in Romero’s original zombie trilogy features a world overrun with zombies. A small group of scientists are holed up underground with the military, and fighting as things fall apart. This title is a massive cult horror movie that has built up a massive following over the years, and has aged quite well. An interpositive of the film was used for a 4K restoration and is presented in Dolby Vision on both the 4K disc and a Blu-ray. It comes with a new film critic commentary, an archival Romero commentary, a feature-length making-of documentary (on a separate Blu-ray). On another Blu-ray, there are tons of recently recorded cast and crew interviews, a featurette on the make-up, a look at the locations used in the movie, a promotional video for the mine locale, and tons of promo materials. You’ll also get a set of mini lobby cards with images from the movie.
Anime fans can now pick up a 4K Ultra HD “Collector’s Edition” Steelbook of the Japanese film, Perfect Blue (1997). Again, the contents are identical to the version released last December, only in Steelbook packaging.
If you like great old giant monster movies, you can now own a “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo of Them! (1954). This story features irradiated ants who grow to an enormous size and rampage through a small town, before heading towards Los Angeles. You’ll get a 4K scan of this influential film from the original camera negative presented in Dolby Vision, as well as a talk with cast member Richard Bellis, a featurette on director Gordon Douglas (Zombies on Broadway, Robin and the 7 Hoods, In Like Flint, They Call Me Mister Tibbs!, Viva Knievel!), a featurette on the score, behind-the-scenes footage and a trailer.
Universal Studios is presenting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook of the classic movie, To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). This is a reissue of the previous edition (which contained two feature-length documentaries on the picture and tons of bonuses) only in new packaging.
The studio is also putting out a 10th anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook of the action/fantasy, Warcraft (2016). It was released a decade ago on 4K, but is now out-of-print. So, this is presumably the same content (which did include more than 90 minutes of extras) in Steelbook packaging.
Finally, Warner Bros. are giving the Arnold Schwarzenegger action picture Eraser (1996) a big upgrade. It’s getting a 4K Ultra HD 30th Anniversary “Limited Edition” Steelbook, as well as a regular 4K Steelbook and normal 4K Ultra HD for those who just want the movie and don’t care about the packaging. In this tale, the star plays a U.S. Marshall helping those in the Witness Protection Program. He’s tasked with helping a character played by Vanessa Williams who learns about a major weapons deal. The two are targeted and go on the run. Specifications suggest that there is a 4K restoration of the film, and that it is being presented in Dolby Vision. Additionally, there is a new featurette on Schwarzenegger and this phase of his career, as well as another new bonus detailing action movies of the 1990s. On the Blu-ray, archival featurettes on the movie are included. The “Limited Edition” also contains art cards, and an A3 (11.7 x 16.5 inch) poster for the movie.
You can also pick up Grand Hotel (1932) with Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore and Joan Crawford on Blu-ray. The film won Best Picture and arrives on disc with a film historian commentary, a making-of documentary, featurettes, promo materials and more.
Finally, The Wizard of Oz (1939) is receiving a Blu-ray only repressing. For those with 4K Ultra HD capabilities, that version of the title is still readily available.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below is a list of some titles that may appeal to children.
The Land of Sometimes (Shout Kids) DVD
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Universal Studios) “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook, “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray only, Walmart exclusive 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray box, Super Mario 2-Movie Collection 4K Ultra HD, Super Mario 2-Movie Collection Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
All of the week’s TV-related titles can be found below.
Dark Winds: Season 4 (RLJ Entertainment) Blu-ray
Difficult People: The Complete Series (Universal Studios) Blu-ray
The Groomsmen 3-Movie Collection: The Groomsmen First Look, The Groomsmen Second Chances, The Groomsmen Last Dance (Hallmark) DVD
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray or Blu-ray only
