Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. The last edition was a little slimmer than normal, which means that this week there are plenty more big titles available in a wide 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!
BATMAN KNIGHTFALL: PART 1 – The latest DC animated superhero feature for adult audiences is this adaptation of a story from the popular comic book series. According to reports, the lengthy story has been broken up into three installments. This first chapter begins with Arkham Asylum being destroyed. All of the inmates escape the wreckage, leaving Gotham City in peril. Batman does his best to try and clean up the various problems arising across the city and capture as many criminals as he can, but becomes increasingly exhausted in the process. So far, there have only been a handful of reviews from critics, but they have been upbeat. A few noted the story was a bit ridiculous at points, but they all thought it was a good adaptation of an entertaining storyline with fantastic voice work. The title is available as a 4K Ultra HD exclusive and a standalone Blu-ray. Those providing voices include Anson Mount, Michael Mando, Pablo Schreiber, Jack Gritto, Bruce Boxleitner, David Dastmalchian, Simon Templeman, Toks Olagundoye and Jason Flemyng.
HAUNTED HEIST – Four old friends decide to reunite at an Airbnb rental. When they arrive at the eerie site, the group learns that one member actually plans to rob it. They don’t progress very far in their plan before being interrupted by ghostly figures. These spirits, some of whom the leads once knew in their personal lives, begin behaving in amusingly bizarre and unsettling ways. This leads to plenty of confusion and quips from the houseguests. This independent comedy/horror has only received a handful of reviews so far, and they haven’t been cheerful. One did find themselves chuckling thanks to the talented cast, and thought the final act did have some decent jolts in it. Unfortunately, the rest called the script weak, stating that the entire picture featured the otherwise talented stars standing around and reacting to dopey gags involving the ghosts. This is a DVD-only release for the time being. It stars Tiffany Haddish, King Bach, Karlous Miller, Lill Rel Howery, and Brett Gelman.
LEVITICUS – This Australian chiller involves a young man whose father passes away unexpectedly. He and his mother end up starting anew at a devout evangelical Christian community. The teen begins a secret romance with another young man, but discovers that his new love is cheating on him with the pastor’s son. Jilted, he decides to “out” them both to the community. They are put through a bizarre conversion therapy ritual, which the lead begins to fear may actually involve a nasty, shapeshifting, supernatural entity. Notices for this picture were very positive. A few suggested that the characters could have been more developed and described the scare sequences as repetitive. But all others found the film full of interesting ideas and themes that are subtly delivered, while remaining tense and compelling from beginning to end. The picture is available as a 4K and Blu-ray set, as well as a Blu-ray only release. It features Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Mia Wasikowska, Jeremy Blewitt and Ewen Leslie.
MADDIE’S SECRET – A dishwasher suddenly finds herself a viral sensation after joining a food content creation company. Afterward, the lead seemingly has it all, including wealth, fame, an adoring husband, and a great supply of ethically-sourced meals. But as her celebrity grows, hidden secrets about her past rise to the surface and threaten every positive in her life. The protagonist in this indie comedy is played by a man in drag, and the press found the picture quite funny. A handful thought that the movie took a few ill-advised moves when it became earnest and melodramatic about its themes. However, the vast majority found its eccentricities amusing and unique, stating that the majority of the picture was effective, that it gently poked fun at its targets, and that the end result won them over. John Early, Kate Berlant, Eric Rahill, Claudia O’Doherty, Conner O’Malley and Vanessa Bayer headline the film.
MAN OF WAR – Set amidst the Russia/Ukraine conflict, this independent war/action film follows a retired US Army Special Forces soldier. One day he learns that his adopted niece, who has been in the battle zone as an aid worker, has disappeared. The protagonist calls in some favors and learns that Russian forces have kidnapped the young woman. A private British mercenary group agrees to take the lead into Kyiv during their own, separate mission, and the two parties help each other while in hostile territory. So far, this feature has split reviewers right down the middle. Half felt that the story followed all the expected war movie cliches and delivered little that was fresh or exciting. The same number were impressed that the film was attempting to deal with current events, and claimed it delivered plenty of tension and impressive action. This film stars LaMonica Garrett, Andrew Howard, Linds Edwards, Rosemary Yaneva and Daniel Bernhardt.
MINIONS & MONSTERS – For those keeping track, this is the seventh animated family picture in the long-running Despicable Me franchise. This period story is set in the 1920s and involves the Minions looking for a master. After many failed attempts, they find themselves in Hollywood, California. They interrupt a movie production, but end up being hired by the studio. Soon, they become silent film stars. But when a dangerous monster emerges in the area, the Minions must team up to save Los Angeles. Reaction was positive towards this follow-up. A small contingent of critics complained about the second-half of the movie, which they felt was chaotic, nonsensical and completely unrelated to the story initially introduced. Still, all others were wowed by the visuals, and noted that the script featured both silly, kid-friendly gags and more adult-oriented film references. It can be purchased as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition”, or as a standalone Blu-ray. The voice cast includes Pierre Coffin, Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, Trey Parker and Zoey Deutch. Read a detailed review of the picture here.
PASSENGER – On a dark, desolate road, two traveling groups go through a horrifying ordeal. One pair are attacked while stopping by the side of the road for a pee break, while another couple decide to pull over and camp for the night nearby from where the first incident occurred. They are all terrorized by a demonic entity responsible for many more disappearances in the area. They try to survive the ordeal and understand why it is occurring. The press had a mixed reaction to this horror picture. Almost half stated that the film had plenty of style and that it was full of effective jump scares, as well as a few memorable twists. The same number and a couple more didn’t find the story engaging and called it formulaic, also noting that the behavior of the main characters was unbelievable. It features Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell, Melissa Leo, Joseph Lopez and Miles Fowler.
PITFALL – Here’s another effort directed at scary movie fans. A couple and their friends decide to go to a large forest on a camping trip, in the hopes of shutting themselves off from the outside world. As they venture deeper into the woods, they discover a large and deadly trap on the trail. One of them is injured, and before long the entire group find themselves being hunted by a maniacal figure who has set dozens of injury-inducing snares around them. Response to this picture was split, with one or two extra reviews giving it a pass. Those who didn’t like the movie claimed that the story was preposterous, and too much time was spent developing backstories for the insignificant characters. Still, slightly more described it as a solid survivalist horror effort that tried to deal with themes of trauma, and also contained impressive set pieces and strikingly nasty moments. For now, this is a DVD-only release. Marshall Williams, Alexandra Essoe, Richard Harmon, Randy Couture and Jordan Claire Bobbins headline the movie.
SUPERGIRL – The newest DC live-action reboot introduces its title character is a hard-drinking, self-involved mess who travels from planet to planet getting drunk. When a nasty intergalactic criminal appears on the same planet she is on and shoots her dog with a poison dart (that will kill the animal in a few days), the superhero decides to hunt the villain down for an antidote. A girl whose parents were murdered by the antagonist joins Supergirl on her journey. This effort flopped at the box office and wasn’t well-received critically, although it did earn a few more recommendations than pans. Almost half wrote that the story’s stakes were too low. They commented that the motivations for certain events weren’t clear, the characters were unmemorable, the story choppy, and the resolution unsatisfying. Yet the same number and a few more liked the performances from the three main characters, and suggested that the movie had plenty of humor and enough fun moments to earn it favorable mention. The movie is available as a 4K Ultra HD-only release and a standalone Blu-ray. It stars Milly Alcock, David Corenswet, Ana Nogueira, Mattias Schoenaerts, Diamaid Murtagh, Fredinand Kingsley and Jason Momoa. Read a full review of the movie right here.
SWEET MEATS – The latest release from Troma (The Toxic Avenger, Class of Nuke ‘Em High, Tromeo and Juliet) is a low-budget horror comedy about an employee at a fast-food restaurant. Reaching 40, he’s still trying to be a country music performer, but suffers from shyness and severe stage fright. As this is occurring, his boss is hoping to bring some business into the failing establishment by inviting a food critic to review their location. When a horrible accident results in human flesh going into a burger and it still gets a rave review from the writer, the employees are told to find and add more fresh meat for their burgers. Only a handful of online reviewers have seen this picture, and they suggest that Troma fans will appreciate it. Most comment that while it has some production limitations, there are some laughs and that the country music and songs performed in the movie are surprisingly catchy. The cast includes Andrew Gordon, Eileen Earnest, Timmy H. Barron, and Ricky Glore.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re looking for something a little older, you also have plenty of options. The new Arrow Video offshoot line Toy Robot will be specializing in cult fantasy, martial arts and science-fiction titles, and this month includes some impressive releases. The first is the US/Japan sequel, Guyver: Dark Hero (1994) aka The Guyver 2, which is arriving as an extras-packed Blu-ray. The concept revolves around a man who finds an alien bio-armor suit that he uses to stop various villainous threats. In this picture, he learns of the discovery of an alien vessel in Utah containing monsters and a weapon capable of destroying the world. The hero must use the suit to stop the threat.
This Blu-ray contains a new master of the film transferred from the best surviving elements. Not only that, but you’ll get two versions of the movie. One is the original theatrical cut, and the other is an enhanced version with updated special effects. The disc contains three new audio commentaries, including one with director Steve Wang (Guyver, Kung Fu Rascals, Drive). You’ll also see new interviews with Wang, the cast and the crew, as well as behind-the-scenes footage from the original shoot, photo galleries, trailers and more.
Roaring Fire (1981) is an enjoyably bizarre and nutty martial arts movie from Japan with a plot that’s hard to sum up in a couple of sentences (but I’ll try). A Japanese cowboy living in the US with his pet monkey learns that his twin brother (that he never knew about) has been killed. He travels to Hong Kong to meet family members and stays with his uncle, a hugely successful businessman. Alas, the protagonist’s uncle turns out to be a neo-Nazi with a gas chamber in his mansion and growing army of gangland supporters. He is in search of a valuable diamond, and the hero does all he can to stop the baddies using his martial arts skills. This absolutely insane picture stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi as well as wrestler Lawrence Shreve aka Abdullah the Butcher. Naturally, this is the first time it has been released in this part of the world, and the Blu-ray disc contains a 1080p transfer, a film historian commentary, a critic discussing the career of Sonny Chiba, a movie expert overview of the movie, a look at the career of Abdullah the Butcher, another featurette on the production, trailers and TV spots. Read a full review of the release right here.
Back in the day, there was a trend among college and university students involving shooting paint guns and pellets at each other. It wasn’t exactly a huge trend, but a few groups of students did it, inspiring a few pictures aimed at the youth market (Gotcha from 1985 was likely the highest-profile feature). This week, Synapse Films is releasing the first title with this subject to hit cinemas as a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray. It’s called Tag: The Assassination Game (1982) and it follows a reporter who learns about the unique game being played on campus by a number of students. He decides to write an article by tailing one of them. She ends up doing well in the competition and the pair get involved romantically, but things take a dangerous turn when one of the highest-rated players loses their sanity and starts shooting competitors for real. The cast includes Robert Carradine and Linda Hamilton, with supporting turns from Bruce Abbott, Michael Winslow, Xander Berkeley and a young Forest Whitaker. The movie has been restored in 2K from the original camera negative and includes an archival commentary with writer/director Nick Castle and star Robert Carradine, along with a trailer, liner notes, and a film poster reproduction card. Read a detailed review of the disc by clicking on this link.
Hong Kong movie enthusiasts can pick up the Jackie Chan/Sammo Hung/Biao Yeun action/comedy Dragons Forever (1988) as a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray from 88 Films. A 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray combo was made available earlier in the year, but now a Blu-ray only version is available. Disc specs will be exactly the same as the Blu-ray on the previous release.
And, the distributor is also putting out The Inspector Wears Skirts – Complete Collection Blu-ray set. This contains all four movies in the Hong Kong action series that were made in 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1992 and released individually over the past six months. Now, all the discs are together in one package.
The French thriller The Cheat (1984) is getting a Blu-ray release from Altered Innocence. This picture involves a cop investigating the murder of a gay man in Bordeaux. He becomes attracted to a suspect and begins an affair that not only compromises his work, but his marriage and family life. Extras include a 47-minute recollection piece on the feature, and trailers.
You can also pick up the independent adventure film Red Flag Down (1992) on Blu-ray from Blood Sick Productions. This is another one of those paintball-themed movies, and the story involves tournament players who suddenly realize that their fake bullets have been substituted with real ones. The disc also contains a commentary track, a short film from the director, and liner notes.
Those who enjoy obscure Italian genre pictures may want to consider picking up a pair of Blu-ray double-features from Cauldron Films. The first is Brivido Giallo Volume 1, which contains two Lamberto Bava (Demons) pictures Graveyard Disturbance (1987) and Until Death (1989). Info on this release states that the two pictures have been given 4K restorations from the original negatives, and come with several bonuses, like a ton of interviews with Lamberto as well as cast and crew. A film expert commentary is also included on both titles. along with trailers and reversible artwork on the box.
Two more Lamberto Bava titles appear in the Brivido Giallo Volume 2 Blu-ray package. Specifically, you’ll receive The Ogre (1988) and Dinner with a Vampire (1989). They also feature 4K restorations of the original negative, as well as a film historian commentary, Bava interviews, as well as cast and crew discussions on the movies.
And the amusingly titled Italian/Spanish crime picture Ricco the Mean Machine (1973) is getting a Blu-ray release. For those unfamiliar with the story, Ricco is set up and jailed by a mobster and most of the important people in his life. After he gets released, he sets out for vengeance on everyone who betrayed him. The film has been given a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, and arrives with cast interviews, a video essay on the movie and a trailer.
Pictured above and to the left, the classic courtroom drama 12 Angry Men (1957) is receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray upgrade from Criterion. This feature from Sidney Lumet (Fail Safe, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Network) involves jurors battling over the fate of a young Puerto Rican teen accused of murdering his father. For this set, the film has been given a 4K restoration and is being presented in Dolby Vision. It comes with a 1954 television adaptation of the story, a production history of the movie, archival interviews with Lumet, the screenwriter and the author of the source material. Additionally, there is a television program from 1956 directed by Lumet, a discussion about the cinematography, and a trailer. The packaging includes an essay on the feature by a law professor.
Fun City Editions is debuting an independent comedy from the 1980s that hasn’t been available anywhere for decades until just now. Patti Rocks (1988) is about a married barge worker with kids who goes on a road trip with his best friend to visit his pregnant girlfriend. Along the way, he has to come to terms with his bad behavior. The movie stars Chris Mukley and was originally rated X for its profane language. For this Blu-ray the film has been restored from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, and arrives with a filmmaker commentary, two newly recorded interviews with the executive producer, as well as a trailer, isolated music track, and image gallery. It’s packed in a double-sided wrap with legacy and newly-designed artwork.
Hell’s Highway: The True Story of Highway Safety Films (2003) is a mesmerizing documentary about the history of shocking (and sometimes downright gruesome) highway safety shorts shown to those getting their licenses decades ago. It’s a memorable doc. Kino-Lorber is now delivering the movie on Blu-ray. The movie has been restored in 2K and 4K from the 16mm reversal A/B rolls. There is a writer/director commentary for this release, and the disc promises new restorations of three films featured prominently in the feature. You’ll also get trailers, deleted scenes, and a 2003 pre-restoration version of the movie.
And, in case you haven’t picked them up separately yet, Kino is also releasing a 4K Ultra HD set of the most important Pink Panther moves starring Peter Sellers. The Pink Panther Masterpiece Collection includes The Pink Panther (1963), A Shot in the Dark (1964), The Return of the Pink Panther (1975), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976), and Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978). The 1982 Trail of the Pink Panther, which featured posthumous footage of Sellers and isn’t well regarded, is not included. It’s no loss though, as for me, films two through four are the best, must-own Panther moves. You’ll get all the movies in 4K, along with a bonus Blu-ray containing tons of extras for all five pictures.
Paramount Pictures is reissuing several of their titles as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Steelbooks. All appear to be science-fiction features. This includes Annihilation (2018), starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson and Oscar Isaac, the fantastic Arrival (2016) from Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Blade Runner 2049, the recent Dune epics) and the thrilling sequel Star Trek: First Contact (1996), which was the best effort featuring The Next Generation cast.
As the title suggests, Danza Macabra Volume 5 – The Spanish Gothic Collection from Severin Films is a Blu-ray collection containing four genre pictures from Spain. The set promises Strange Voyage (1964), Exorcism’s Daughter (1971), The Draculas’ Saga (1973), and Another Turn of the Screw (1985). All of the movies featured have been given new restorations from the best available materials (in some cases, the original negative, in others a 35mm print), and include movie historian commentaries, video essays and appreciation pieces, an interview or two and publicity materials.
Shout Factory is taking a pair of Hong Kong 4K titles and presenting them in spiffy new packaging. Both the action film City on Fire (1987) with Chow Yun-Fat and the period drama Peking Opera Blues (1986) are now available as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Steelbooks. As noted, the discs are the same as in previous editions, only the casing is different.
You can also pick up the indie vampire flick Fangs (2021) on Blu-ray from SRS Cinema. It involves a bloodsucker protecting her kind from a group of slayers. It comes with a director’s commentary, a making-of, an interview, behind-the-scenes stills, a music video and trailers.
The proudly independent studio Troma are putting out a new release this week with Sweet Meats, but are also delivering a “Tromatic Special Edition” Blu-ray of Graduation Day (1981). The movie stars Christopher George and features a maniac hunting down a group of high school students. This disc contains a classic introduction from studio head Lloyd Kaufman, interviews with cast members, a producer commentary and a movie expert commentary, and trailers.
Finally, Warner Archive is releasing Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault: Volume 3 Blu-ray, a collection of classic cartoons produced by the studio between 1930 and 1969 cartoons.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below is a list of titles that may appeal to kids.
Baby Einstein: Season 1 (Dreamscape Media) DVD
Baby Einstein: Season 2 (Dreamscape Media) DVD
Dinosaurs Forever (1985-1993 documentary TV series) (Midwich Entertainment) Blu-ray
Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault: Volume 3 (1930-1969 cartoons) (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
Minions & Monsters (Universal) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray or Blu-ray only
Shaun the Sheep: Season 7 (Shout Factory) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And below are all the TV-themed releases. There are a ton of PBS discs getting issued, and plenty of other shows too.
American Experience: The Gilded Age (PBS) DVD
American Experience: Nazi Town, USA (PBS) DVD
Baby Einstein: Season 1 (Dreamscape Media) DVD
Baby Einstein: Season 2 (Dreamscape Media) DVD
Dinosaurs Forever (1985-1993 documentary TV series) (Midwich Entertainment) Blu-ray
Masterpiece Mystery!: Unforgotten: Season 2 (UK edition) (PBS) DVD
Masterpiece Mystery!: Unforgotten: Season 4 (PBS) DVD
Masterpiece Mystery!: Unforgotten: Season 6 (PBS) DVD
Masterpiece Mystery!: Grantchester: Season 10 (PBS) DVD
Mobland: Season 1 (Paramount) DVD
Nature: Big Cats, Small World (PBS) DVD
Nature: Dracula’s Hidden Kingdom (PBS) DVD
Nature: The Hummingbird Effect (PBS) DVD
Nature: The Egg – Life’s Perfect Invention (PBS) DVD
Nature: Equus: Story of a Horse (PBS) DVD
Nature: Grizzly 399 – Queen of the Tetons (PBS) DVD
Nature: Katavi – Africa’s Fallen Paradise (PBS) DVD
Nature: Museum Alive with David Attenborough (PBS) DVD
Nature: Patrick and the Whale (PBS) DVD
Nature: Woodpeckers – The Hole Story (PBS) DVD
The O.C.: The Complete Series (Warner Video) DVD
Plants Behaving Badly (PBS) DVD
Shaun the Sheep: Season 7 (Shout Factory) Blu-ray
Star Trek: The Complete Original Series 60th Anniversary (Paramount Pictures) Blu-ray
Star Trek: The Complete Original Series 60th Anniversary Amazon exclusive (Paramount Pictures) Blu-ray and LP set
Tulsa King: Season 3 (Paramount Pictures) Blu-ray
Vienna Blood: Season 3 (PBS) DVD
