Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This is one of the busiest additions ever. It’s so packed, in fact, that I’ll have to rush through it to a degree. You can be certain that there is something here for literally every media enthusiast. Therefore, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give something here a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
ABRAHAM’S BOYS: A DRACULA STORY – This independent horror feature is based on a recent short story created as a sequel to Dracula. It takes place twenty years after the events of the original tale. Mina Harker has actually married vampire killer Van Helsing, and the two live in America with their sons. The teen boys are frustrated by the overprotectiveness of their parents, only to learn why when bloodsuckers appear. Critics were not very taken with this adaptation. A small group gave it a pass, suggesting that it was a tense film about family dynamics and trauma that had an interesting twist or two. Unfortunately, the majority stated that, while the concept was interesting, the film was slow-moving and heavy-handed, with underdeveloped characters. They claimed it would make you wish you were watching another vampire story instead. The movie is available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo. It stars Titus Welliver, Jocelin Donahue, Judah Mackey. Corteon Moore and Aurora Perrineau.
ALL THAT’S LEFT OF YOU – Beginning in 1948, this feature follows three generations of a Palestinian family. Due to the Palestinian war, they are forced to leave their home and start anew in the West Bank. Viewers witness a traumatic incident when a few of them venture out of their neighborhood for medicine, and are taunted by Israeli soldiers. The event leads to disagreements between family members, and the story shows the various paths family members take over the following decades. This drama ended up on last year’s shortlist for Best International Film at the Academy Awards, but didn’t secure a nomination. The press was uniformly positive about the feature. They all called the film an emotional and moving family drama, noting that its phenomenal performances sold the story, and the lasting trauma of living under such conditions..The cast includes Saleh Bakri, Salah El Din, Cherian Dabis, Adam Bakri and Mohammad Bakri.
BLACK RABBIT, WHITE RABBIT – A man is killed during an illegal arms deal at an antique store in the country of Tajikistan. The shocking event triggers a series of reactions and complications for others in the store at the time. This includes an Iranian film director making a movie in the country, the props manager on the production, an aspiring actress, a concerned mother, and a wealthy aristocrat who dreams of leaving her husband. Most of those who saw this comedy/drama enjoyed it. A handful commented that the film was too long and that many of the characters and elements didn’t intersect in a satisfying way. Still, the vast majority called the film an ambitious and engrossing tale with a sense of mystery, delivering intriguing characters and amusing nods to the film industry. Indie label Deaf Crocodile Films is releasing the movie. Babak Karimi, Hasti Mohammai, Kibriyo Dilyobova and Bezhan Davlyatov headline the feature.
BOUTIQUE: TO PRESERVE AND COLLECT – If you read this column regularly, then you’ll already be familiar with several distributors named in the Blasts from the Past! section. Many are known as “Boutique Labels” who work tirelessly to restore and preserve smaller films that would otherwise have been lost forever. This documentary goes into labels like AGFA, Arrow Video, Fun City Editions, Radiance Films, Severin Films, Vinegar Syndrome and many more to detail their work saving movies. You’ll see them locate and rescue mangled source materials and try to salvage them, as well as figure out who the rights holders are, in addition to all the other work that goes into a release. The doc presents some of their greatest triumphs and the importance of their work. Reaction was entirely upbeat, with reviewers noting that the movie shows the incredible effort that goes into recovering films, many of which are historically and culturally significant. This particular Blu-ray is a “Limited” release and only 500 copies will be made available.
THE BREADWINNER – A car salesman’s wife wins the “Shark Tank” competition and is offered an incredible business opportunity that will take her away from home to South Korea for a few weeks. While she’s away, the father agrees to take care of his three daughters. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to do anything correctly, finding cooking, cleaning and laundry impossible. As time passes, he lets the house fall to shambles. The press was not charmed by this comedy. A small number called it good family entertainment with a charismatic lead performance. But everyone else disliked the picture. They found the story and situations unbelievable, with the protagonist acting too incompetent and the film’s gags forced and stale. Many also took issue with the movie’s use of product placement, which they found distracting and annoying. It stars Nate Bargatze, Mandy Moore, Colin Jost, Zach Cherry, Martin Herlihy, Kumail Nanjiani and Will Forte.
BULLS – The world of professional darts is the subject of this independent comedy. Two half-brothers who own a near-bankrupt bar in Indiana pass their spare time shooting darts. They aren’t particularly good, but still decide to start a team. Through a series of unusual circumstances, the leads end up being offered an opportunity to play in the World Darts Championship. They accept, hoping they can compete, win some money, and pay their debts. This picture got a very limited release at theaters at the beginning of the year. Only a few write-ups for the movie appeared, and they weren’t very enthusiastic. Most noted that while the concept had potential, the film was poorly written, repeating the same ineffective gags and failing to muster laughs. They also complained that the story made almost no sense. It features T.J. Jagodowski, Matt Trudeau, Kelsey Bunner, Dale Dobson, Anastasia Pellar and Michael Shannon (who apparently is in the movie for one scene and has one line of dialogue).
CAROLINA CAROLINE – A young woman from a small town meets a charming stranger passing through. After she admits that one of her dreams is tracking down her estranged mother, he invites her to leave with him and live on the road for a while. As it turns out, he’s an expert con man, and she finds herself excited to learn about his work making quick cash. As they progress towards her mom, their crimes become more serious, and she must decide if she wants to stay with her new love. This thriller was well-reviewed by critics. A small number believed that the characters weren’t written with enough detail and that this picture didn’t compare to the titles that inspired it, like Bonnie and Clyde. But the vast majority were wowed, stating that the chemistry between the two leads was thrilling and that the film was a tense, exciting and steamy trip. The cast includes Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner, Kyra Sedgwick and Jon Gries.
DEATH CYCLE – This independent horror picture involves a young woman grieving the suspicious death of her sister in a car wreck. She is visited by a man who claims that the sister’s death, as well as other murders that have been occurring in the region, are actually the work of a motorcycle-riding maniac. The two work together to solve the crimes as more bodies pile up around them, and even begin to suspect each other. This picture debuted on streaming services a few months ago and is now arriving on disc. There aren’t many notices from big publications, and online reaction has been all over the place. Some write-ups state that the movie is stylish but the characters are forgettable and the presentation strangely unexciting. Others suggested that while it had narrative shortcomings, the film delivered on its premise and would appeal to those who enjoy low-budget genre films. It features Matthew Ninaber, Kristen Kaster, Sasha Ormond, Justin Bott and James Fler.
DESCENDENT – Here is another indie horror/thriller (with a few science-fiction elements) vying for your attention. A married school guard dealing with personal trauma from a family tragedy begins seeing a light in the sky and having strange visions. Naturally, this is of great concern to his pregnant wife, who is expecting to give birth to their baby imminently. The obsessed lead must get to the bottom of what is occurring before his life falls apart. Reaction towards the picture was generally upbeat. A handful commented that a story about anxiety over becoming a parent didn’t mesh well with the potential alien subplot and that it was all too clunky as a result. Still, most thought the unusual mix of genres actually helped the movie address its themes in an interesting way. They also liked the visuals and the work of the cast. Ross Marquand, Sarah Bolger, Susan Wilder, Charlene Amoia, Dan O’Brien and Brandon Scott headline the film.
DISCLOSURE DAY – Speaking of science-fiction, the latest effort from legendary director Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds) also potentially involves otherworldly elements. With the world on the brink of nuclear war, a US government contractor escapes with technology that his superiors desperately want back. He joins a meteorologist and newscaster who suddenly develops psychic abilities and the two go on the run in the hopes of sharing their findings to all and stopping a devastating war. The film earned solid reviews, although they weren’t as strong as they were for Spielberg’s earlier classics. There was a contingent who felt that, as well made as the film was, the screenplay wasn’t compelling and the ending hugely disappointing and difficult to buy into. Still, the consensus was that, while imperfect, there were some moments of magic here and there, and the movie was engaging from start to finish. The feature is available as a “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray and as a standalone Blu-ray. A 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook will be arriving in October. It stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo and Wyatt Russell. Read a full review of the movie here.
FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER – The latest from noted indie filmmaker Jim Jarmush (Mystery Train, Dead Man, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Broken Flowers, Only Lovers Left Alive, The Dead Don’t Die) is a comedy/drama about a trio of estranged families living on different continents. One plot revolves around a dad, the other a mother, and then a pair of siblings. All have difficult relationships with their relatives, but are forced to contact and reconnect in order to amusingly address their differences. Reaction was generally cheerful towards this picture. A handful of critics didn’t see enough connective tissue between the stories and found the end result too unfocused to truly enjoy. But the majority thought the cast were fantastic and their awkward interactions were amusing, frustrating and even touching. These reviewers saw connections between themselves and the families presented, also claiming the movie left viewers with plenty to think about. The cast includes Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Sarah Greene, Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat.
THE GET OUT – An aging nightclub owner readying for retirement in Thailand has a heart attack, and then is robbed at gunpoint. After receiving treatment and talking to police, he realizes that the detective on the case isn’t interested in helping him. In fact, he might be in cahoots with the crook, and another robbery occurs. The protagonist is then approached by a mob boss and things get even more complicated. Pretty soon, everyone is shooting at each other without understanding the conflict. Response towards this crime/dark comedy was mixed. Almost half thought the cast were excellent and the film was a lot of fun, with plenty of twists and turns that kept one’s attention glued to the screen. The same number plus one or two didn’t think that the story was presented in a distinct enough manner to leave a lasting impression. They called it an action film with too many characters that needed to engage the viewer with a specific individual. It features Russell Crowe, Luke Evans, Teresa Palmer, Daniel Zovatto, Josh McConville, Benedict Hardie, Nina Dobrev and Aaron Paul.
I LIVE HERE NOW – An actress who endured a traumatic childhood finally lands her big break. It turns out to be imperfect timing, as she receives troubling family news. Soon, her boyfriend and his overbearing mother get involved. She tries to get away from it all by visiting a remote motel (which is always a bad idea in a thriller). While suffering from sleep paralysis, the lead begins having bizarre and horrifying visions of her past and potential future. This independent genre film earned favorable marks from reviewers. A few complained that the movie was overstuffed with ideas, but failed to connect them in a clear and cohesive manner. Still, most found the movie interesting and called it a surreal examination of a lifetime of turmoil through a series of haunting and distressing visions. Anna Armstrong, Madeline Brewer, Lara Clear, Lucy Fry. Alex Gammond and Sheryl Lee headline the film.
MERMAID – This independent comedy involves a Florida man at the lowest point of his life. He has lost his wife and family, is a drug addict, and is warned by everyone he knows that he needs to turn things around before he loses everything. While fishing, the despairing protagonist finds a wounded mermaid. He takes her home to treat her and protect her. Naturally, those around the lead think he has gone over the edge, as he does everything he can to make the mermaid healthy and save her from the vicious outside world. The press generally liked this quirky comedy. One or two didn’t have much fun watching the film – they didn’t care for the main character and didn’t find the events funny or provocative. But the majority thought that this was a very dark, strangely compelling and completely unique comedy, going to some unusual places as it dealt with a flawed man enduring a cruel world. Jimmy Pemberton, Avery Potemri, Nancy McCrumb, Robert Patrick, Kevin Nealon and Kevin Dunn headline the film.
MIRRORS NO. 3 – A depressed German music student leaves Berlin for the countryside with her boyfriend and ends up in an accident that kills her companion. She’s taken in by an old resident in a nearby home who witnessed the crash. The lead meets the rest of the lady’s family, who initially seem concerned about her being there. As the story progresses, all is revealed and the characters must deal with various tragedies in their pasts. This drama was released in its homeland a few years back, but bounced around US distributors before arriving recently on streaming platforms and on disc. The press responded well to the picture from noted arthouse director Christian Petzold (Phoenix, Transit, Undine). One or two commented that the film was too low-key and that the finale didn’t excite or impress them. Yet, all others were impressed at how the characters managed to deal with serious issues via roundabout discussions and unusual actions, and found the story compelling. It stars Paula Beer, Barbara Auer and Matthais Brandt.
POWER BALLAD – After a promising start to his career, a now middle-aged American musician finds himself living in Ireland with his wife and daughter and working as part of a wedding band. When a famous artist shows up while performing a show at yet another ceremony, the musician converses with him and they hit it off. They even trade notes on their latest compositions. A few months later, the protagonist hears his song on the radio and realizes that the famous performer has stolen it. While others disbelieve him, the frustrated figure does everything he can to locate and confront the musician. This comedy from writer/director John Carney (Once, Sing Street) earned excellent reviews. A small number didn’t think the film or its characters were cutting enough and that the approach to the material was muted. But the vast majority were charmed by the picture, suggesting that the film felt authentic, the lead character’s plight was relatable, that there were plenty of humorous moments, and that the picture landed an emotional wallop during its finale. The cast includes Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald. and Jack Reynor. Read a full write-up of the movie here.
THE SHEEP DETECTIVES – This spin on traditional British murder/mysteries involves the death of a sheepherder. What’s unusual about the telling of this story is that, after his untimely end, his flock of sheep end up trying to solve the crime. They sneak off the farm, listen to various suspects explain their whereabouts, and try to subtly point a local police officer looking into the death in the right direction. Reviewers responded very favorably to this production. A handful of reviewers commented that the movie was genial, but that the CGI-animals weren’t entirely convincing and that the end results wouldn’t linger in the brain long past the end credits. Still, everyone else thought that the picture worked surprisingly well, and dealt with serious issues like loss in a way that the entire family could discuss afterward. It features Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Emma Thompson and Hong Chau, with the voices of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart and Rhys Darby.
STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU – Based on the popular Star Wars spin-off series, this feature adaptation finds the Mandalorian being tasked with locating and rescuing a figure named Rotta the Hutt (son of Jabba the Hutt). The figure is told that Rotta can reveal important information about various nasty villains to the New Republic forces. Unfortunately, the rescue goes sideways and leaves the title pair stranded in an inhospitable land. The feature underperformed at the box office and only earned a mixed-positive reaction from critics. More than one-third complained that the film felt like an extended television episode and didn’t deliver the thrills or added character moments one would expect from a legendary franchise. Still, slightly more saw enough in this chapter to give it a recommendation. They found the characters, while simple, still likable. They also called the feature’s special effects impressive, and the adventure fun overall. You can pick up the movie as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Beskar Collector’s Edition” Steelbook (which runs about $220 on Amazon), and a standalone Blu-ray. Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver take on live-action roles, while Jeremy Allan White and Martin Scorsese provide voices for alien characters.
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB – This unsettling docudrama from Tunisia is based on real events of the Israeli-Palestine conflict. It follows volunteers at the Palestine Red Crescent Society who receive a phone call from a 6-year-old girl trapped in a car in Gaza. With artillery being set-off all around her and her family dead, the operators try to help the panicked youngster find safety in the chaos. The picture earned more positive reviews than negative ones. A handful found the telling of the story distasteful, suggesting the mixing of the actual audio from the real child along with actors playing the volunteers disturbing, and the results difficult to watch. But most stated that the film was important because of this effective blending, stating that it depicts the true atrocities of what is occurring regularly in this part of the world. It was nominated for Best International Film at the Academy Awards. Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel and Clara Khoury play the volunteers.
WHISTLE – After a tragedy at a high school, a misfit student discovers a strange, ancient object. She takes it to a teacher and comes to the conclusion that it is an ancient Aztec Death Whistle. Naturally, the lead and her friends get together and one decides to try it out. As a result, they are all hunted down by a sinister, supernatural force supposedly representing how they would eventually die in the future (which begs some logistical questions, but oh well). The press was slightly more positive than negative about this chiller, which was picked up for distribution by streaming company Shudder. More than one-third of reviewers critiqued the movie for taking itself too seriously and coming across as generic and silly, as well as failing to develop its characters so that viewers would care about them. But still, the majority believed that the elaborate death scenes were well-staged and outrageous to watch, thus making the movie worthwhile for horror film enthusiasts. Dafne Keen, Sophie Nélisse, Sky Yang, Jhaleil Swaby, Ali Skowbye and Nick Frost headline the movie.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking for something older? There’s almost too much to choose from, so let’s get right to it. Arrow Video is presenting a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD release of the twisty thriller Identity (2003) with John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, John Hawkes, Alfred Molina, Clea DuVall and many more. It follows characters trapped at a motel who must identify which among them is a murderer. For this release, the original 35mm camera negative of the theatrical and extended cuts have been restored in 4K and are presented in Dolby Vision. There are archival commentaries from director James Mangold (Walk the Line, The Wolverine, Logan, A Complete Unknown) and the screenwriter, as well as new interviews with cast member Pruitt Taylor Vince, and producer Cathy Konrad. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, storyboard comparisons, and promo materials. It comes packaged with a reversible sleeve featuring two choices of original artwork and a booklet with writing on the movie.
The Japanese period action/adventure Shogun’s Ninja (1980) is being put out as a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray. Starring Hiroyuki Sanada and Sonny Chiba, it follows a series of characters over several years searching for daggers that serve as keys to a treasure. The Toei Company Ltd. provided the master for this release. A film historian commentary is included, along with an interview with a Japanese cinema expert, a booklet with writing on the feature, and a reversible sleeve featuring new and original art for the movie.
The Tournament (1974) is arriving on Blu-ray from 88 Films, and follows a pair of Hong Kong students who take part in a kickboxing tournament in order to save their martial arts school. It doesn’t go well, so the injured lead and the schoolmaster’s daughter set out for revenge. The film has been given a 2K restoration from the original camera negative, and comes with a movie expert commentary, as well as an interview with an authority on the movie, along with one of the cast members. An image gallery and trailer are also included, along with a reversible sleeve.
AGFA is putting out Teenage Riot Video Party, a collection of teen exploitation films about kids from the 1950s getting themselves into various sorts of trouble. Specifically, you’ll receive The Flaming Teen-Age (1956), Lost, Lonely and Vicious (1958), The Narcotic Story (1958), and Jacktown (1962). Three of these hard-to-find titles are preserved from DigiBeta masters, while the fourth is from an S-VHS master. The set arrives with riotous trailers and drive-in snipes, a promotional gallery and an “all night slumber party” viewing mode. A booklet with an essay on the content is also featured.
Alliance Entertainment (who used to be known as Mill Creek) is presenting Eternity’s Pillar (1985-1988) on Blu-ray. It’s a 2-disc collection of over nine hours of episodes from the Los Angeles KTTV Channel 11 television program which featured a spiritual, almost psychedelic journey from a guru through the astral plane. It comes with a brief documentary on the series and book containing a detailed episode guide.
The distributor is also adding two titles to their Retro VHS Collection, which features Blu-rays with VHS packaging. You can now pick up the teen drama Fresh Horses (1988) with Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy. The latter plays a wealthy college student who falls for a mysterious woman at a house party in the country.
The Rutger Hauer/Natasha Richardson/Clancy Brown thriller Past Midnight (1991) is the other Retro VHS Collection Blu-ray. It’s about a man who is falsely imprisoned for murder and then falls in love with his parole officer, who may be hiding a secret.
Battle of Memories (2017) is a Chinese feature arriving on Blu-ray from Bayview Entertainment. The Hong Kong comedy/drama Shed Skin Papa (2016) is also arriving on Blu-ray from the distributor.
Bizarro has a Blu-ray of the thriller The Mad Monkey (1989) aka Twisted Obsession. This effort stars Jeff Goldblum as an American screenwriter in Paris working on a project with an arrogant director. When he falls in love with the filmmaker’s manipulative sister, things get very complicated. This co-production from Spain and France also stars Miranda Richardson and Dexter Fletcher. The film has been given a 2K restoration from the original camera negative, and comes with a recent interview with the director, the head of the Sitges Film Festival, a behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew and a booklet with an essay on the movie.
Tiki Tiki (1973) is an animated film appearing on Blu-ray from Canadian International Pictures. It’s an eccentric feature about a group of monkeys working on a troubled movie production and includes some unique and surreal moments. The film has been given a 4K restoration from the original 35mm A/B negatives. It comes with a movie historian commentary, interviews with the producer and an animator. There is also a discussion about the movie from the Fantasia Film Fest, a demo reel from the production company, five shorts from the filmmaker, a discussion with the director, three National Film Board of Canada animated by the same director, trailers, a booklet with essays on the picture, and reversible cover artwork.
The disco-themed drama 54 (1998) from Cinematgraphe is arriving as a “Standard Edition” 4K Ultra HD theatrical cut and director’s cut Blu-ray. The contents should be the same as the previous edition, only in simpler packaging.
An American Affair (2009) is arriving as a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray from Circle Collective. It comes with deleted scenes and a trailer.
This is a busy week for Criterion. American Dream (1990) is arriving on Blu-ray. This is a documentary by Barbara Kopple about the 1985-86 strike against the Hormel Foods Corporation in Minnesota after its employees’ wages and benefits were cut. The feature has been given a 4K digital restoration supervised and approved by the director, a 1992 interview and separate conversation with the filmmaker, and a trailer.
Coup de Torchon (1981) was announced a couple of weeks ago, but was delayed until now. This is an existential crime thriller from France based on the novel Pop by Jim Thompson. The film has developed a large following over the years, and Criterion are now presenting the feature on Blu-ray. It deals with an ineffectual French police chief stationed in Senegal. He teeters on the brink of madness as everything around him goes wrong, eventually exploding into violence. The film deals with the absurdity and brutality of colonialism. The movie has been given a new 4K restoration and comes with a 2001 interview with director Bertrand Taverier (A Sunday in the Country, ‘Round Midnight). There is also an interview with a critic and poet about the work of Thompson, a making-of featuring on-set footage, an alternate ending and trailers.
Eclipse Series 49 – Five Radical Documentaries by Kazuo Hara and Sachiko Kobayashi is a Blu-ray set that is exactly what the title suggests. A group of films attacking traditional Japanese society. It contains Goodbye CP (1972), Extreme Private Eros: Love Song 1974 (1974), The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On (1987), A Dedicated Life (1994) and Sennan Asbestos Disaster (2016). An essay on the movies is also included.
Harlan County USA (1976) is another notable documentary from the same filmmaker behind American Dream. This picture chronicles the coal miners’ strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. This film is arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray (the movie is on the 4K and the bonuses on the accompanying Blu-ray) and a standalone Blu-ray. They contain a 4K digital restoration supervised and approved by Kopple, a director commentary, a making-of documentary with those featured in the film, outtakes, interviews with singer-songwriter Hazel Dickens and filmmaker John Sayles, a 2005 Sundance panel discussion on the title between Kopple and Roger Ebert, along with a trailer and a booklet with essays on the picture.
The organized crime family drama Little Odessa (1994) with Tim Roth, Edward Furlong and Vanessa Redgrave is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo as well as a Blu-ray only release. The film arrives with a new 4K restoration supervised and approved by director James Gray (The Immigrant, The Lost City of Z, Ad Astra), a 2000 commentary with the filmmaker, a French making-of documentary for the movie, a new conversation with Gray and an essay on the movie.
P.O. Box Tinto Brass (1995) is an Italian erotic feature coming from Cult Epics as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, and a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray. The release contains a 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative, a film historian commentary, a 1995 interview with Brass, promo materials, a 20-page Illustrated booklet with writing on the movie, and a reversible cover sleeve with original Italian poster art.
You can purchase a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray of Legend of the Sacred Stone (2000) from Deaf Crocodile Films. This is a Hong Kong fantasy story told using glove puppets (think Thunderbirds or Team America: World Police). This is its first ever appearance in this part of the world and filmmaker interviews, a movie historian commentary, a visual essay and more.
The Frontier (2015) is arriving on Blu-ray from Dekanalog. It’s a crime/thriller with Jocelin Donahue and Kelly Lynch about a woman on the run who ends up in even more danger after taking a job at a rundown motel. Bonuses include a director/co-writer and co-writer commentary, cast interviews, crew discussions, behind-the-scenes footage, a discussion with the director and the producer, and a short film. This Blu-ray is limited to 500 copies, so if you’re interested pick it up fast.
Delirium Home Video is presenting the grindhouse flick Barbed Wire Dolls (1976) on Blu-ray. It’s a women-in-prison title from Jess Franco. You’ll get a movie expert audio commentary, an interview with a historian about Franco’s career, a look at Franco’s women-in-prison movies (there were several), archival interviews with the director and cast, and a trailer reel.
Island of the Fishmen (1979) aka Screamers is arriving as a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray from the same distributor. This is a trashy Italian creature feature about mutated fish men that stars Barbara Bach, Joseph Cotton and Mel Ferre. This disc contains the uncut version and comes with a movie expert commentary track, a new interview with the director and art director, and a trailer.
Dead Pigs (2018) is a Shanghai, China-set comedy/drama about a varied group of people brought together when a large number of dead pigs appear in the river by their town. It is arriving as a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray from Film Movement and features a director commentary and behind-the-scenes footage.
You can also pick up a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray of the well-regarded, prison-set Cambodian martial arts film Jailbreak (2017), with bloopers, deleted scenes and more.
Peaches Goes Bananas (2024) is a French-Belgian documentary about the Canadian electroclash musician Peaches. This is a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray arriving with a director interview and a booklet containing an essay on the project.
The Duke Mitchell Collection containing the low-budget independent action films Mafia Style Massacre (1978) and Gone with the Pope (2010) (which was shot in 1976 but finished 24 years later) is arriving as a special Blu-ray and CD set from Grindhouse Releasing. The first picture made an impression with cult movie fans for its trailer, which featured the principal mobsters walking through a building and shooting everyone they encountered. Can you shoot too many people in a trailer? This one answers that question. The movie elaborates somewhat on the backstory of the characters. This release promises stunning high-definition picture and sound, interviews with cast and crew from the first movie, almost one-full hour of Duke Mitchell home movies, a lost 1960 audio recording of Mitchell in concert, and a bonus TV special featuring the star. The second title features in-depth cast and crew interviews, footage from the 2010 world premiere, deleted scenes and bloopers, promo materials and “other surprises”. There is also a bonus CD containing the soundtrack to Gone with the Pope.
The award-winning Brazilian arthouse dark fantasy Good Manners (2017) is arriving as a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray from Icarus Films. This disc features a commentary track, behind-the-scenes video and short films from the directors.
The House of 72 Tenants (1973) is receiving a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray from Kani. It’s a Hong Kong comedy about a water dispute between the various residents in a tightly-packed tenement. Apparently, it was a big hit back in the day and features a ton of cameos from celebrities from the era. Besides the high-definition presentation, it comes with archival interviews with historians and celebrity fans, select scene commentary, and a featurette on the director.
The Fantasy of Deer Warrior (1961), a Taiwanese take on Aesop’s Fables, is also getting a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray release from Klubb Super 8.
Lionsgate Films is delivering a 4K Ultra HD disc for the wonderful coming-of-age drama and Judy Blume adaptation, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023). It follows the trials of an 11-year-old trying to find herself. The cast includes Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Benny Safdie. For its 4K debut, this release promised upgraded picture and sound, a making-of, a featurette on Blume, production featurettes, deleted scenes, a roundtable discussion and a trailer.
She Rides Shotgun (2025), which got a regular Blu-ray earlier in the year, is now receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release from Lionsgate. The film stars Taron Egerton as an ex-con on the run with his 11-year-old daughter.
A “Standard Edition” Blu-ray of the podcaster documentary Citizen Sleuth (2023) is arriving courtesy of MPI Media Group. It arrives with a director commentary and a trailer.
The David Carradine/Christopher Lee/Roddy McDowall/Eli Wallach martial arts fantasy Circle of Iron (1978) is making its “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray debut as a MVD Entertainment Group exclusive Steelbook (technically, this is a co-production between MVD and Blue Underground). Bruce Lee(!) co-wrote the story for this film about two very different fighters hoping to face off against a wizard and win a special book of enlightenment. He almost starred in it, but dropped out and only retains a writing credit. You’ll get a 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative presented in Dolby Vision. Included on the disc is an archival director commentary and a new film historian audio track on the disc, as well as cast and crew interviews, an audio talk with co-writer Stirling Silliphant (Village of the Damned. The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno), an alternate opening, trailers, TV spots, and a poster and still gallery.
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Paramount Pictures is releasing a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook of Enemy at the Gates (2001). This is a stylish and incredibly compelling war drama about two snipers squaring off in Stalingrad, Russia during World War II. It stars Jude Law, Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins and Ron Perlman and is directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud (Quest for Fire, The Name of the Rose, The Bear). Besides a new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative presented in Dolby Vision, you’ll receive production featurettes and deleted scenes.
The Saint (1997) with Val Kilmer is also getting a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. Based on the popular 1930s book series and 1960s TV series starring Roger Moore about an investigator/vigilante/sometimes thief named Simon Templar, this update features the character trying to keep a formula for a cold fusion formula from falling into the wrong hands. This release contains a 4K restoration of the film from the original negative presented in Dolby Vision, and comes with an archival director commentary.
The French crime/comedy Buffet Froid (1979) aka Cold Cuts with Gerard Depardieu is arriving as a “Limited Edition”4K Ultra HD and a separate “Limited Edition” Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films. Specs promise a 4K restoration from the original camera negative presented in Dolby Vision, a talk with the writer/director, a French television program from 1979 chronicling the production and featuring cast and crew interviews, promo materials, a script gallery, and a booklet with writing on the movie and archival interviews.
French Dressing (1964) is the debut feature and satire from Ken Russell (The Devils, Tommy, Altered States) about a British man trying to start a film festival in his rundown hometown and convince an international starlet to attend. For this Blu-ray release, the movie has been given a 4K restoration and comes with a newsreel detailing the production, a 1991 interview with the screenwriter, a trailer, image gallery and promo materials, and a booklet with extensive writing on the movie.
And the French drama Merci la Vie (1991) is now available as a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD only or “Limited Edition” Blu-ray. The 4K promises a restoration taken from the original camera negative and presented in Dolby Vision, along with an interview with the director (who also helmed Buffet Froid), a French TV program about the production, an image gallery, script gallery, and booklet with writing on the movie.
RZA’s One Spoonful of Chocolate (2025) recently arrived on Blu-ray from Samuel Goldwyn Films. This week, you can pick up a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo of the movie.
The micro-budgeted shot-on-video Flesh Eaters from Outer Space (1989) is appearing on Blu-ray from Saturn’s Core Audio & Video. Transferred from the ¾” video master, it also comes with an extended cut, interviews and a ton of other bonuses.
A “Standard Edition” Blu-ray of a French adaptation of the famed 1944 novel The Razor’s Edge (1985) from Several Features comes with short films from the director and a rerelease trailer.
Severin Films, who specialize in independent genre films, always releases incredible products with great transfers and a boatload of bonuses. This week, you can purchase The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo with a “Limited Edition” slipcase, Lucio Fulci’s The Black Cat (1981) as a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray and Blu-ray collection called Danza Macabra: Volume 5 – The Spanish Gothic Collection containing Strange Voyage (1964), Exorcism’s Daughter (1971), The Dracula Saga (1973) and Another Turn of the Screw (1985).
If that wasn’t enough, you can purchase the Elija Wood-starring remake of Maniac (2012) as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray with a “Limited Edition” slipcover in a retailer pressing. Check the listings at retailers for more about the hours of extras you’ll get with your discs.
Shout Factory is delivering a personal favorite this week with their 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release of The Stunt Man (1980). This feature follows an outlaw wanted by the police who takes cover as a stunt man on the set of a film being shot in San Diego. He befriends the star of the movie, but also begins to wonder if the megalomaniacal director might be trying to kill him for his film. The cast includes Steve Railsback, Barbara Hershey and Peter O’Toole. It’s a clever and exciting dark comedy that, despite earning three Academy Award nominations (for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor), isn’t as well-remembered as it should be. The film has been given a 4K remaster from the original camera negative and is presented in Dolby Vision. It arrives with an archival commentary with director Richard Rush (Freebie and the Bean) and the entire cast, as well as a movie historian commentary. There is also a lengthy documentary on the production, an interview with the feature’s stuntman, archival cast and crew interviews, a Q&A from a Los Angeles screening with Rush, Railsback and Hershey, deleted scenes and a trailer.
You can also purchase a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook of the Japanese animated feature and body-switching tale, Your Name (2016). A Blu-ray only version is also available. Besides the upgraded picture, you’ll receive a TV program about the movie, an interview with the director, behind-the-scenes footage and a press conference.
The Australian possession chiller The Demon Disorder (2024) is arriving on disc as a “Limited Edition of 500” Blu-ray from Shudder. It comes with a director/co-writer commentary track, a behind-the-scenes featurette, creature effects special, and trailer.
Pictured to the left, The Jane Austen Book Club (2007) is a romantic drama set around a book club. Sony Pictures is releasing the movie on Blu-ray which stars Mario Bello, Emily Blunt, Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, Maggie Grace, Hugh Dancy and Jimmy Smits.
The Aussie crime movie Scobie Malone (1975) is arriving on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment. It follows a cop investigating a nasty death in the Sydney Opera House. The disc features a screenwriter commentary, an interview with the producer, extended conversations with cast members, a second talk with the screenwriter, and trailers for this film and other Aussie pictures.
If you don’t have a 4K player and want all the movies in the franchise, you can now pick up The Thing 3-Movie Collection Blu-ray, containing The Thing from Another World (1951), John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), and the more recent prequel to the 1982 feature The Thing (2011) all in one set. It is coming from Universal Studios.
The Fast and the Furious (2001) is being given a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray 25th Anniversary Steelbook, as well as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo without the fancy packaging. This version looks like it comes with all previously released bonuses, and a new 25-year retrospective featuring discussions with stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster and more.
The Paul Greengrass docudrama United 93 (2006) is being released as a 20th anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo. This edition features a 4K transfer presented in Dolby Vision, a commentary with Greengrass, featurettes on the production and 9/11, memorial pages, and a Flight 93 National Memorial special.
Radio Free Steve (2000) is getting a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray from VHSHitfest, which presumably is the same as previous editions, only missing a slipcover.
Much like Severin Films, Vinegar Syndrome has a boatload of new arrivals this week. Some are exclusives available only through their website, while others can be purchased at most retailers. Bloody Psycho (1989) is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Alternate Slipcover”, through the distributor’s site exclusively.
One that you can buy anywhere is Body Snatchers (1993), which is being released as a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. This update on Invasion of the Body Snatchers from Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, King of New York) is set on a military base and follows a rebellious teenage girl dealing with an alien outbreak. Even though I have complained in the past that it doesn’t really have a third act, this is actually a far more effective chiller than you’d expect, with a couple of very memorable moments. This edition delivers a 4K restoration from the original camera negative presented in Dolby Vision, a new film critic commentary, Ferrara and crew interviews, theatrical trailer, still gallery, a 40-page book on the movie, and reversible sleeve packaging.
You can also purchase the Italian crime film Emergency Squad (1974) on Blu-ray as a Vinegar Syndrome website exclusive (partnered with Cauldron Films). Faces of Death III (1985) is arriving everywhere as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray VS “Limited Edition” exclusive (3333 copies will be available). You can also pick up a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray of The Hand of Night (1968) at most retailers.
The cult ghost film Lady in White (1988) is also appearing as a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. This stylish period tale effectively follows a little boy who gets locked in a classroom on Halloween and sees a strange spirit. He ends up trying to figure out more about the figure, which leads to an investigation of a series of slayings related to a local child-killer. The cast includes Lukas Haas, Alex Rocco and Katherine Helmond. This is a four-disc set containing the 126-min pre-release director’s cut on 4K Ultra HD. It’s a 4K restoration from the original camera negative presented in Dolby Vision. The 118-minute extended home video version is on an accompanying Blu-ray, as is the 113-minute theatrical cut.
There is a new group commentary with the director and cast, a new director commentary for the extended home video version, along with a film historian commentary on the video cut. There is also an archival director commentary, cast and crew interviews, a locations featurette, a visual group commentary on the pre-release director’s cut, more than 30 minutes of deleted scenes with optional commentary, more than one hour of behind-the-scenes footage, an introduction from the feature’s 20th anniversary, a promotional trailer, a 40-page book on the title, tons of promo materials and a reversible sleeve on the packaging. Sounds like this truly is the ultimate edition for those who enjoy the movie.
Also from Vinegar Syndrome is a “Limited Edition” (with slipcover) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray of the slasher, Night School (1981). And, there are two Blu-rays (in conjunction with Cauldron Films) available exclusively on the distributor website. The first is a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray of the Italian superhero picture Supersonic Man (1979), and the cheesy science-fiction/action film, Urban Warriors (1987).
Visual Vengeance is an outfit that specializes in shot-on-video efforts. This week, they have a “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray of Cyclops (1987). It’s a Japanese V-Cinema effort about scientists who accidentally create a killing machine. The title is considered unhinged and remarkably violent. This disc contains a 2K restoration of the original 16mm film elements (guess this effort was actually shot on film), a movie expert commentary, video essays on the feature, image galleries, trailers, a mini-poster, a reversible sleeve, stickers, a booklet with essays, and special slipcase art.
Reanimator Academy (1992) is also arriving as a “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray. It’s an ultra-low-budget, shot-on-video knock-off of the 1985 classic Re-Animator. This tale is about a scientist who creates a serum that can bring back the dead. He does so with a severed head, but gets in trouble when a mob hood steals his potion to raise his girlfriend from beyond the grave. The transfer comes from existing SD tape masters. It comes with a movie expert commentary, director interview, location tour, scoring featurette, an alternate soundtrack, a bonus film the moviemaker created in 1994 called Children of Dracula, more discussions about both titles, a mini-poster, reversible sleeve with original VHS art, stickers, slipcase art and a video store card.
Warner Archive is presenting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo of Auntie Mame (1958). You can purchase Blu-rays of the killer-kid classic The Bad Seed (1956), as well as Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937), The Human Comedy (1943) and The Wings of Eagles (1957).
Warner Bros. would like to remind you that their sequel Practical Magic 2 is arriving in cinemas in a few weeks. In order to do so, you can now pick up the original Practical Magic (1998) as a 4K Ultra HD “Limited Edition” Steelbook or a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. This rom-com stars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock who are witches living with a curse that prevents them from finding true love. In addition to a new 4K transfer in Dolby Vision, there is a legacy commentary featuring director Griffin Dunne, cast members like Bullock and crew talking about the picture, as well as some promo featurettes on the picture.
Finally, Wild Eye Releasing is delivering the micro-budgeted creature feature, Snow Shark: Ancient Snow Beast (2011) as a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray. Extras include a 2026 and 2012 director commentary (different cast and crew appear as well on both tracks), a behind-the-scenes documentary, cast and crew interviews, outtakes, short films from the director, a behind-the-scenes gallery, trailers and more.
And Sodomaniac (2015) is also receiving a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray. The plot follows a killer who targets a nasty group of frat boys. This disc contains a recent writer/director commentary, archival commentaries with the cast and the crew, outtakes, the original opening scene, the original ending, a complete score track, a drinking game, a podcast about the movie, a music video, toy commercial, behind-the-scenes gallery, short films, trailers, a poster, a 16-page booklet and more.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below are some titles that might appeal to kids (one of which is more for tweens)
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret (Lionsgate) 4K Ultra HD-only
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Complete Original Series (Universal Studios) Blu-ray
Speed Racer: The Complete Series – Collector’s Edition (Shout Factory) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And here is a list of the week’s TV-related releases.
The Audacity: Season 1 (AMC) Blu-ray
Eternity’s Pillar (Alliance Entertainment) Blu-ray
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Complete Original Series (Universal Studios) Blu-ray
Marshalls: Season 1 (Paramount/Alliance) Blu-ray or DVD
NOVA: Return to the Moon (PBS) DVD
Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
Reacher: Season 3 (Paramount/Alliance) Blu-ray or DVD
The Show About the Show: Season 1 (2015 series) (Factory25) Blu-ray
Speed Racer: The Complete Series – Collector’s Edition (Shout Factory) Blu-ray
