Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition is a little slimmer than the overstuffed one last time out, but it does feature interesting independents, and great older titles that are receiving major upgrades. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
LION FIST– After his wife is arrested in a drug bust, her husband decides to take the fall for the crime and goes to prison for four years. When he is released, he discovers that his now ex-wife has given birth to a child that he fathered, and that she is dating a drug cartel leader. Even worse, his young offspring is in dire medical health and needs money for a procedure to remove a brain tumor. The protagonist decides to take part in a high-paying underground martial arts tournament against foes with connections to his former life. This multinational coproduction hasn’t been seen by many, and thus far only a few online write-ups have appeared (mostly from Germany). They call the movie a nod to direct-to-video titles from the 1990s, with simplistic characters and a routine story. However, these notices also state that the film is slick, and that those excited by these types of action pictures may appreciate it. The film is available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo, or a standalone Blu-ray. It stars Mathis Landwehr, Kurt McKinney, Gary Daniels, Keith Cooke and David Yeung.
LUCKY STRIKE – This independent World War II film is set during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. When Germans begin a massive counterattack on Allied forces, a team of American soldiers arrive to help their allies. They are assigned to block a road the Nazis are using to supply various units. The group quickly end up in battle with the enemy, and most of them are wiped out during this deadly skirmish. A wounded American finds himself trapped behind enemy lines and must get himself back to safety. The press gave this picture more recommendations than pans. Slightly less than half complained that the film suffered from a predictable story, clunky dialogue and a lack of tension. But the majority appreciated the attempts to recreate an old-fashioned war picture and enjoyed the cast, also noting that this battle had not been depicted very often in the genre. For now, this is a DVD-only release. The cast includes Scott Eastwood, Colin Hanks, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Taylor John Smith and Kwame Patterson.
MARSHMALLOW – A nervous young man suffering from night terrors is sent to a summer camp by his unsympathetic parents. Naturally, the lead has a difficult time fitting in with other kids and the staff. After the counselors tell a legend about a mad doctor experimenting on campers at the site, the boy sees the creepy figure and tries to warn those around him. Soon, everyone around begins to disappear. This independent science-fiction/horror movie was well-received by genre critics. A few called the movie bold and interesting, but didn’t think the story worked or that the finale came together in a satisfying way. Still, most complimented the young cast and their performances, also stating that the film was well-shot, atmospheric and offered plenty of fun twists on camp-set genre movies. It features Kue Lawrence, Corben Bernsen, Giorgia Whigham, Alysia Reiner and Mya Cech.
STOP! THAT! TRAIN! – Those who remember disaster movies from the 1970s (and, well, the late 1990s and early 2000s) may appreciate this comedy. The plot involves two low-tier train stewardesses who lose their jobs, but find a replacement gig on a high-class, opulent locomotive. When a massive storm causes the train to veer out of control and potentially crash into Los Angeles, the protagonists must find a way to slow it down and save their snooty passengers. Critics enjoyed this campy comedy featuring a big cast (including a lot of drag queens). A small number didn’t care for the blunt jokes and thought the script could’ve been edgier. However, most thought that while the film was a non-stop parade of hit-or-miss gags, it was ridiculous enough to keep them watching, laughing, and wondering what kind of zaniness would be around the next bend. Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Brooke Lynn Hytes, RuPaul Charles, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicole Richie, Raven Symone, Charo, Joel McHale, Jerry O’Connell, June Diane Raphael, Paul Scheer and many others headline the movie.
TWO PROSECUTORS – This multinational biopic (credited to France, Germany, Netherlands, Latvia, Romania, Lithuania and Ukraine) is set in 1937 during Stalin’s Great Purges, in which the Russian leader imprisoned his political adversaries, forging evidence against them and ultimately eliminating them. An idealistic lawyer discovers letters written by a loyal party member unjustly arrested who pleads his innocence and provides contacts and sources of information. The lawyer attempts to reopen the case and approaches the country’s high courts, but meets with threats and discovers corruption across all levels of the government. Reviews for this picture were exceptionally strong. One or two complained that the film was obvious in its intentions and that it was a depressing slog to sit through. Everyone else called the picture well-acted, completely compelling and powerful in its depiction of how easy it is for a totalitarian leader and his officials to take control over its citizens and institutions.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Were you a child of the 1980s? If so, then you’ll probably be familiar with this toy line, animated series and feature film. Masters of the Universe (1987) is getting a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray release from new distributor Toy Robot. In this adaptation from Cannon Films, Dolph Lundgren plays He-Man and Frank Langella is Skeletor. The plot sees the boney villain take control over fantasy-world Eternia. He-Man and his friends are sent through a magical machine to Earth in the 1980s, where they meet a teenager (played by a young Courtney Cox) The heroes attempt to regroup, and find what they need to save their home world. The movie was a box office and critical bomb when it was first released, but many kids who grew up watching the film on TV now appreciate it.
It is arriving on disc with a sharp-looking 4K image restoration. And it isn’t just the theatrical cut that has been given this upgrade. You’ll also get a 4K disc containing a recently unearthed “preview cut” that contains a few minutes of new and extra material and also features a few alternate takes. Bonuses include new interviews with co-stars Robert Duncan McNeill and Anthony De Longis, as well as the production designer. There is also a director commentary, a commentary with the production designer, an archival production featurette, a teaser trailer, theatrical trailer, still gallery, and production design art. If you like the movie, this is a pretty remarkable release. You can read a detailed review of the release by clicking on this link.
Radiance Films is delivering a couple of notable pictures as “Limited Edition” Blu-rays. The first is the Italian effort, Corruption (1963). It follows a well-intentioned university grad who wants to be a monk. His father, a cutthroat businessman, is not pleased with the news and begins a campaign to manipulate the youngster into following in his own footsteps. This disc contains a 2K picture restoration, as well as a discussion with a film expert about how this movie fits in with postwar Italian cinema, and an archival talk with the producer (who was also the brother of the director). A booklet with more writing on the film is also included. A full review of the disc is available to view here.
The Inugami Family (1976) is a Japanese effort about a wealthy family who must deal with a series of murders among their kin over a contested will. The distributor was given a 4K restoration of the movie from the Kadokawa Corporation, and also arrives with a historian analysis of the film, an archival talk with the director, outtakes from the production, a making-of, a career overview of the movie’s star, and a look at the restoration process. Trailers are also included, and you’ll also get a booklet with essays on the feature. You can read a detailed review of the disc by clicking on this link.
Arrow Video is delivering the Mel Gibson/Michelle Pfeiffer/Kurt Russell thriller Tequila Sunrise (1988) as a 4K Ultra HD “Limited Edition” and a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray. The film was written and directed by Robert Towne (who wrote Chinatown). It follows two childhood friends, and now rivals. One is a DEA Agent and the other is a former drug dealer who gets entangled with a Mexican drug dealer. Both men cross paths with a charismatic restaurant hostess. For this release, the 35mm camera negative has been restored by Arrow and is presented in Dolby Vision. You’ll also get a film critic commentary, an interview with the producer, a piece on writer/director Towne, a talk with the second assistant director, an interview with co-star Lala Sloatman, and promo materials. Essays are also featured in an accompanying booklet.
You can also purchase the Blu-ray box set Wicked Priest Collection, which contains Wicked Priest (1968), Wicked Priest 2: Ballad of Murder (1968), Wicked Priest 3: A Killer’s Pilgrimage (1969), Wicked Priest 4: The Wicked Priest Comes Back (1970) and Wicked Priest 5: Blood on the Commandments (1971). That’s a lot of “Wicked Priest” material. These are stories about a warrior monk roaming the Japanese countryside and sticking up for the oppressed citizens. Specs promise new restorations of all the pictures in the collection, as well as a video essay on the series, a talk about how the series depicts historical Japan, a discussion about the movies and their cinematography, a film historian discussion on the franchise, a look at Buddhism and pop culture as depicted in the movies, and trailers. Additionally, it comes with a booklet containing writing on the features, and a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork.
The five-part Holocaust documentary film series Shoah (1985) is arriving on Blu-ray from Criterion, along with four bonus titles. All of the documentaries contained are about the holocaust. There is the first chapter, Shoah, from 1985, in which the filmmaker captured interviews with survivors, bystanders and perpetrators, getting their perspective on what they experienced. You’ll also get A Visitor from the Living (1999), Sobibór, October 14, 1943, 4 p.m. (2001), The Karski Report (2010), and All I Had Was Nothingness (2025). The features have been given 2K digital restorations, and comes with a 2003 interview with the director, at talk with the assistant cameraperson on the first movie, trailers and an essay.
Kino Lorber is giving Mindscape (2013) aka Anna a Blu-ray release. The plot involves a detective who can enter people’s minds attempting to determine if the teenager he has been assigned to investigate is a sociopath. It stars Mark Strong, Taissa Farmiga, and Brian Cox. The two stars provide an interview, there is also a making-of featurette, deleted scenes and promo materials.
There are three Lionsgate Limited exclusive titles arriving this week that you can only pick up through their official website. The first is a Blu-ray for Kickboxer 2 (1991), a follow-up to the Jean-Claude Van Damme martial arts movie with Sasha Mitchell as a new lead character. This disc features a film historian commentary, interviews with cast members and the cinematographer, as well as legacy bonuses like multiple trailers for the movie and a still gallery.
Made (2001) will be offered as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray exclusive Steelbook through the Lionsgate Limited site. This effort from Jon Favreau is a crime comedy featuring himself and Vice Vaughn as small time hoods in the Los Angeles underworld. You’ll get the film in 4K and presented in Dolby Vision, along with a Favreau and Vaughn commentary, a featurette on the music, as well as the creative process and the shoot. Additionally, there are deleted and alternate scenes, and the 35mm teaser and theatrical trailer.
And the remake, Sorority Row (2009), is also getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray exclusive Steelbook release. This is a horror film about a mysterious maniac offing members of a college sorority house. For this release, the movie is being presented in 4K with Dolby Vision. A reevaluation of the movie, a new making-of, a look at the writing of the movie and the visual design are added to preexisting extras like a director and cast commentary, various featurettes, deleted scenes, B-roll footage, rehearsal recordings, and promo materials.
Okay, Paramount Pictures are reissuing dozens of titles that they have put out over the past few years, and they seem to all be priced between $14 and $20. Doesn’t look like there’s anything new on them, but you can now pick them up inexpensively. This includes a 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set, a 4K Ultra HD-only Babylon (2022), a Baywatch (2017) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo, Beverly Hills Cop (1984) on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, and Bumblebee (2018) on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray.
You can also pick up 4K Ultra HD-only editions of Coming to America (1988), and The Contractor (2022). Comedy fans can pick up a Daddy’s Home (2015) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo, in addition to Daddy’s Home 2 (2017) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. Downsizing (2017), Double Jeopardy (1999), Gemini Man (2019), Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013), Jack Reacher (2012), Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray sets are also arriving.
There are 4K Ultra HD-only editions of The Lost City (2022), Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023) and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), as well as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set of Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015). Also arriving as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combos are mother! (2017), Overlord (2018), Patriot Games (1992), Pet Sematary (2013) and The Ring (2002).
Scream 6 (2023), Smile (2022) and Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021) will be available on 4K Ultra HD only. Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013) are arriving as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combos, along with The Sum of All Fears (2002), Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) and Terminator: Genisys (2015). You can also pick up Wayne’s World (1992) as a 4K Ultra HD-only title, and finally, xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set.
If you enjoy political drama, Shout Factory is presenting Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) as a “Collector’s Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. This biopic features Tom Hanks as the title character, a Texas congressman who gets himself into trouble after his covert dealings in Afghanistan are revealed. The cast includes Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ned Beatty and Emily Blunt. You’ll receive a 4K restoration of the movie from the original camera negative, approved by the cinematographer and presented in Dolby Vision. Additionally, there is a making-of, as well as cast and crew interviews.
The Warner Archive is delivering the Robert Mitchum/Jane Greer/Kirk Douglas film-noir Out of the Past (1947) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo. It’s considered one of the best of its genre. A new 4K scan of the original nitrate camera negative was used for this version, and it’s presented in Dolby Vision. The set comes with a new introduction to the movie, vintage radio broadcasts with the stars promoting the picture, and a film expert commentary track.
Finally, Warner Bros. is putting out the A Nightmare on Elm Street Collection 4K/Blu-ray Steelbook, containing all seven of the original movies, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985), A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988), A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989), Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991) and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994), all in fancy packaging and with a boatload of extras. The original, the third movie and New Nightmare are my personal favorites, but now you can check them all out in the highest possible quality and decide for yourselves.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Alas, it’s a slow edition for kids, but it won’t be long before there are more options, so stay tuned.
ON THE TUBE!
Below is a list of the week’s TV-related titles.
Dark Shadows: Volume 1 (Episodes 210 to 250 from 1967) (MPI Media Group) Blu-ray
Dolly Parton: Here I Am (PBS) DVD
Hallmark 3-Movie Collection – Home Turf, Adventures in Love and Birding, Falling for Vermont (Hallmark) DVD
