Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. While this is a quieter edition than the previous one, there are a handful notable releases new and old in a variety of genres. 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!
ALL YOU NEED IS KILL – This animated feature from Japan follows a young woman who is hired to help deal with an enormous and mysterious flower that has suddenly appeared. Not long after, alien monsters emerge and begin attacking the Earth. The lead tries to fight them off and escape, but she is killed. The woman wakes up the same morning, and the process begins all over again, leaving her stuck in a time loop. She discovers a young man also going through the same thing, and the two attempt to learn new details about the creatures and situation each day in the hopes of saving themselves. If the story sounds familiar, that’s because this is the manga that also inspired Edge of Tomorrow, the Tom Cruise picture. This version was also well-reviewed. A few commented that the Hollywood imagining actually corrected issues with the original story, noting this picture’s overly somber tone. But most commented that the film was an equally entertaining take with incredible, eye-popping animation that would wow anime enthusiasts.
THE BUTCHER’S BLADE – After a terrible disaster leaves his community in peril, a constable discovers that the town’s relief fund started for such a situation has been completely emptied. Not only that, but he learns he has been set up for the theft. He leaves to seek out new employment while he proves his innocence. The lead ends up joining a secret outfit who offer protection services to the highest bidder. After discovering the guilty party he has been hunting, the hero must fight both the villain and corrupt team members. This period action/crime picture from China has only been seen by a couple of reviewers in North America, but they were positive about it. They commented that the story was predictable, but that the performances were strong and the fight sequences outstanding. The cast includes Liu Wenpu, Fengchao Liu and Shanshan Chunyu.
DEAD MAN’S WIRE – Based on the documentary of the same name, this thriller is inspired by a real hostage standoff that occurred in 1977. A man in Indiana walks into his mortgage broker’s office and claims that his money has been stolen by the manager. The head of the office is out of town, but his adult son is there and the lead takes him hostage. The police arrive and the main character attempts to prove the company’s misdeeds before he is arrested and/or shot by officers. This feature from noted director Gus Van Sant (Drugstore Cowboy, To Die For, Good Will Hunting, Milk) earned high marks from reviewers. A few outliers found the tone too hectic and chaotic for them to get a handle on the characters or the film’s message. However, everyone else thought this was one of the filmmaker’s best titles in years, with a tense narrative, a fantastic cast and a cutting biting, darkly humorous edge. It features Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Colman Domingo, Myha’la Herrold and Al Pacino.
THE DRAMA – A New York couple decide to finally tie the knot, much to the delight of their friends. While out, the group discuss their pasts, and are all cajoled into telling stories about “the worst thing they’ve ever done”. One of the pair’s admissions surprises and sends ripples through the group. As the big day approaches, all of the characters feel the pressure and have difficulties processing the confession. This drama/dark comedy earned significantly more recommendations than pans, although reactions were intense. One quarter hated the characters and wanted a deeper examination of the questions the conceit raised. However, the majority suggested that the movie was compelling, well-acted and had many layers. They felt that the film was consistently challenging, forcing viewers to ask themselves how they might react and deal with such a situation. The movie can be purchased as a 4K Ultra HD only disc or a Blu-ray only release. It stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie and Hailey Gates.
FUZE – At a London construction site, workers discover an undetonated World War II bomb. Chaos breaks out and the city is evacuated. While authorities attempt to figure out how to handle the situation, a gang of criminals who have plotted an elaborate heist move in and set their plan in motion as the bomb defusing team arrives. Lines are crossed and the tension rises as various group members cross paths. Reaction to the British picture from director David MacKenzie (Hell or High Water, Relay) was generally positive. About one-quarter of critics commented that the film was too short and the characters thinly written, leaving them uninvolved in the story. But most stated that this was a fun action picture with charismatic performances and plenty of entertaining story twists that kept them engaged. The cast includes Aaron Taylor Johnson, Theo James, Sam Worthington, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Honor Swinton Byrne.
I SWEAR – Tourette Syndrome is the central focus of this British comedy/drama biopic. It tells the story of John Davidson, a real man suffering from a motor disorder that causes uncontrollable, extreme body and vocal tics. The plot follows the figure trying to cope with random twitches and swearing bouts. As a youth, he is ostracized at school, and even treated harshly by family members before his diagnosis. Later, the twenty-something Davidson attempts to find work, and determines that he should help others suffering from the condition. The film earned mostly raves from the press. A few didn’t think the storytelling was subtle in its attempts to deal with the character and his condition, calling the end product shallow and dull. Still, everyone else was deeply impressed, noting the work of the fine cast, and calling the movie an uplifting examination of a unique and misunderstood condition. It features Robert Ayamayo, Peter Mullan, Maxine Peake and Shirley Henderson.
LAST HIT – As the title suggests, this independent action/crime picture features a couple who happen to work for a Los Angeles-based criminal organization. They want out of the business, and realize they can finally retire if they take on one final, high-paying job. Unfortunately, the couple and their team quickly discover that they have been double-crossed. Now on the run, they must eliminate the individuals who have set them up and, if they can, find and escape with the goods. This picture was released a couple of months ago on streaming sites and is now arriving on disc. There aren’t any reviews available from major critic outlets, just a handful of write-ups from online reviewers. The ones that have appeared call the picture a decent indie effort with some fun twists. They do note that one should go in knowing the budget and production values are not that of a Hollywood feature. Twana Barnett, Mike Ferguson and LeeAnne Bauer headline the film.
STRANGE JOURNEY: THE STORY OF ROCKY HORROR – This documentary chronicles the making of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, from its stage debut in 1973 through the 1975 film adaptation. The movie also examines how it all became a cultural phenomenon. In order to do so, you’ll see interviews with writer/creator/performer Jim O’Brien, and stage show/film director Jim Sharman, as well as members of the cast and crew, like Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon. Everyone reflects on making the modestly budgeted picture, their disappointment after it initially flopped at theaters, and then its incredible revival as a midnight movie. Almost all members of the press who saw the documentary enjoyed it. One or two thought it lacked focus and rehashed already-known facts about the production. But everyone else stated that this was a wonderful tribute to the creators and participants involved in this unique project. They felt that the interviewees told interesting stories that would make fans of the property very happy.
WEREWOLF GAME – Over the years, we’ve seen a number of video game adaptations, but few films based on board games or party games. This independent picture is actually inspired by the latter, a 1986 contest (which was also played under the name Mafia) that involves teams being asked to figure out who among them might be a monster. In this chiller, a dozen strangers find themselves trapped at an estate. They are told by their host that they must identify and vote on who among them are werewolves. The people they choose will be killed, until all the monsters are eliminated. Naturally, the leads have difficulties, and many innocents are slaughtered. Response towards the feature was generally poor. Almost all of the online reviewers claimed that the game didn’t translate well to a narrative feature, critiquing the story as preposterous and the characters thinly written. It stars Tony Todd, Robert Picardo, Bai Ling, Teala Dunn, Lydia Hearst, Andre Templer, Tabitha Jane and Leon Andrew Joseph.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re looking for something older, you also have options. The highlight of the week is The Elephant Man (1980), which is arriving from Criterion as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo, as well as a standalone Blu-ray. Directed by David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, The Straight Story, Mulholland Drive) this black and white feature tells the story of Joseph Merrick, a man in late 19th century Britain who lived with Proteus Syndrome, causing numerous physical deformities on his body. The man is treated horrifically by all, until he is discovered by a doctor who asks to study him. They become friendly, and a few even try to befriend him.
This is a phenomenal picture that contains pinches of Lynch’s surreal techniques, but also a heartfelt and moving story. It stars John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins and earned eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture when it was released. Those who pick it up will receive a 4K digital picture restoration, a discussion with the late, great David Lynch in which he reads from his book Room to Dream, archival interviews with cast and crew, and an audio recording of a 1981 discussion with Lynch. You’ll also get a 2001 documentary about the film, a 2005 program about the real Joseph Merrick, trailers and radio spots, and a booklet with excerpts from a Lynch interview, and an 1888 London Times letter that was printed in the newspaper regarding Merrick. Those interested should also note that there is a half-price sale currently at Barnes & Noble and Amazon until the end of July, so if you’re interested, you might want to pick it up soon.
The Little Princess (1939) starring Shirley Temple is arriving on Blu-ray from Film Masters. The disc states that the film has been restored in HD for this release, but doesn’t appear to include any other bonuses.
If you don’t own a 4K Ultra HD player but still want to own Stone Cold (1991), Kino Lorber is releasing a Blu-ray-only edition of the movie. This disc has a new 4K picture restoration and comes with all the bonuses included in the previous 4K edition. In case you aren’t familiar with the film, it stars ex-NFL player Brian Bosworth as an undercover agent infiltrating a biker gang. It’s ridiculous, and likely has a fan following because it’s so outrageous.
Additionally, MVD Media recently released a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Steelbook of Swamp Thing (1982). It’s only available through the MVD Media Group official website. For those unfamiliar with the character, this is a comic book adaptation about a scientist working on a valuable serum who is attacked, doused with chemicals and left for dead in the marshes. He is transformed into a hulking green swamp creature who tries to save the day. The picture is a 2003 4K restoration of both the US theatrical PG version and the unrated international version, both presented in Dolby Vision. There is a commentary with late director Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream), and a second track featuring the make-up effects team. Tons of cast and crew interviews, as well as publicity materials and more, are included.
Rising Sun Media is presenting Summoning Sylvia (2023) on Blu-ray. It’s an independent, LGBTQ genre picture about a haunting.
This is a busy week for Shout Factory. You can pick up the sequel, The Crow: Salvation (2000) on Blu-ray. It the second sequel to the 1994 Brandon Lee cult film and features another figure brought back from the dead for vengeance. The cast includes Kristin Dunst, Eric Mabius and Fred Ward. This edition comes with a director, cast and crew commentary, behind-the-scenes and making-of featurettes, promo materials and more.
If you enjoyed Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows (2012), it is now available as a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Amazon exclusive Steelbook. This recent take on the cult vampire TV-series features Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Helena Bonham Carter and Jackie Earl Haley. I believe this is the film’s 4K debut. It has been given a 4K restoration from the original elements and is presented in Dolby Vision. Additionally, the release includes featurettes on the production, interviews with the visual effects supervisor and makeup department head, deleted scenes, a look back at the original series, and more.
The Evil That Men Do (1984) is an action picture with Charles Bronson about an assassin looking for the man who tortured and killed his best pal. Rest assured, the lead tracks down the person and squares off with them. This Blu-ray release includes the theatrical cut, the unrated cur and the television cut with extended footage, as well as a trailer.
Fear City (1984) is a crime movie from Abel Ferrara (King of New York, Bad Lieutenant) that is arriving on Blu-ray. It follows a cop tracking down a serial killer who targets exotic dancers. The cast includes Tom Berenger, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Scalia, Melanie Griffith, Rae Dawn Chong and Maria Cochita Alonso. This Blu-ray promises 2K restorations of the theatrical and unrated cuts of the movie.
You can also pick up a Blu-ray of the remake of The Getaway (1994) featuring Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger. The specs promise the uncensored, unrated version of the movie, along with interviews with the screenwriters, a film critic commentary, behind-the-scenes and making-of featurettes, archival discussions with Baldwin and Basinger, and a trailer.
Finally, Sony is releasing the horror classic The Evil Dead (1981) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray 45th Anniversary Edition Steelbook. You’ll get the film in 4K Ultra HD and presented in Dolby Vision, along with an archival commentary with director Sam Raimi (Drag Me to Hell, and the recent Send Help), star Bruce Campbell, and producer Rob Tapert. Additionally, there are featurettes, bits from the cutting room floor, tons of publicity materials and more, all in fancy packaging.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Unfortunately, there’s nothing of note for kids, but hopefully next week will offer some more titles.
ON THE TUBE!
Below is a list of the week’s TV-themed releases.
Agatha Christie: Murder is Easy (2023 mini-series) (Fifth Season) DVD
Doctor Who: Peter Davison: Season 3 (Season 21 of Doctor Who from 1984) (BBC) Blu-ray
