Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This particular edition isn’t as busy as the previous one, but it does feature a big Hollywood flick, as well as plenty of independent and international fare. So, if you can’t or shouldn’t be heading out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
EXPIRED – Set in the future, this tale involves a hit man who falls in love with a nightclub singer in Hong Kong. However, the lead soon begins experiencing strange physical symptoms in her presence. In fact, his body ultimately begins to deteriorate. He seeks out a reclusive scientist to try and understand what is happening and if he and his new love can make a fresh start together. Critics weren’t overly impressed with this Australian science-fiction/romance film and ended up giving it mixed reviews. There were a handful who called the movie atmospheric and stylish. Unfortunately, slightly more complained that the movie was overambitious and overstuffed, noting that the finale didn’t make as big of an emotional impact as hoped for. It stars Ryan Kwanten, Hugo Weaving, Jillian Nguyeb and Keiichi Enomoto.
EYIMOFE (THIS IS MY DESIRE) – A factory technician and a hairdresser in Nigeria set out to make a better life for themselves in this story. After spending years living at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder, they make plans to leave the country and begin again on foreign shores. But after a series of personal tragedies, the pair find their aspirations fading away. Instead, they are forced to try and change their situation at home. Response towards this drama was incredibly strong. As of right now, it has yet to receive a single downbeat write-up. All wrote that the movie authentically and powerfully depicted the daily problems that prevent many in the country (and elsewhere) from succeeding. They also praised the cast for their sensitive and empathetic performances. The cast includes Jude Akuwudike, Temiloluwa Ami-Williams, Cynthia Ebijie and Tomiwa Edun.
MOONFALL – Hollywood’s big release of the week is this disaster flick from genre veteran Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, Godzilla, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, White House Down, Independence Day: Resurgence). The feature begins with a mysterious force knocking the moon from its orbit and sending it on a collision course with Earth. A NASA executive comes up with a wild plan and convinces other eccentric astronauts to follow her on a mission to save the world. The press seemed to mostly roll their eyes at what they witnessed. About a third of them said the movie was so exaggerated and silly that they couldn’t help but enjoy it. They also appreciated the elaborate visual effect and over-the-top histrionics. Everyone else suggested that the film was simply terrible, calling it dopey, ridiculous and ultimately more tiring than thrilling to watch. It features Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, John Bradley, Michael Peña, Charlie Plummer, Wenwen Yu and Donald Sutherland.
MOON MANOR – After realizing that his Alzheimer’s is worsening and that he has little time left, an elderly man decides to choose his final day on Earth and make it as memorable as possible. He allows an obituary writer to join him as he sets his final affairs in order in the most humorous way possible, closing things with a colossal funeral party for all those whom he has known. Inspired by a true story, this independent drama/comedy received plenty of good notices from those who saw it. One or two commented that they liked the premise, but found the jokes juvenile and though the movie needed a more powerful message. Still, most suggested it was sweet and said they appreciated watching a character wrestle with mortality in a unique way and come to his own unique life philosophy. James Carrozo, Debra Wilson, Richard Riehle, Gayle Rankin, Lou Taylor Pucci and Ricki Lake headline the feature.
MOTHER SCHMUCKERS – Originally released in its homeland under the title Fils de Plouc, this French-language Belgian feature follows two idiotic 20-something brothers who cause chaos wherever they roam. One day while getting into trouble, they lose their mother’s beloved dog. She tells her sons that they have 24-hours to find the pooch… or else they will be kicked out of her house permanently. The pair go on a bizarre mission to locate the animal. This title split reviewers in this part of the world. Half hated the characters, described the jokes as imbecilic and gross, and also complained that the end product wasn’t memorably outrageous. However, just as many admired the movie’s attempts to alternately shock viewers and make them feel uncomfortable. These critics admired the crazy and unpredictable gags on display. It stars Maxi Delmelle, Harpo Guit and Claire Bodson.
STOP-ZEMLIA – This Ukrainian coming-of-age film follows a young and introverted teenage girl who spends most of her time going to school and hanging out with a small but tight-knit group of friends. As graduation approaches, she falls in love unexpectedly. This forces the protagonist out of her comfort zone, where she experiences new things without having her best pals guide her in making choices. The majority of critics were very taken with this foreign-language drama. One or two complained that the film seemed unfocused and didn’t have a clear message to relay about being a teenager. However, the consensus was that the movie was impressively shot and acted, featuring authentic and relatable depictions of real kids at an important and transformative time in their lives. The cast includes Maria Fedorchenko, Yana Isaienko, Oleksandr Ivanov and Arsenii Markov.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
While it may be a quiet week for newer titles, that certainly isn’t the case with older flicks receiving high- definition upgrades. Arrow Video are presenting 12 Monkeys (1995) in 4K Ultra HD. This phenomenal science-fiction effort features Bruce Willis as a man from the future attempting to prevent a virus from wiping out most of humanity. He quickly finds himself being institutionalized, making his job all the harder. Obviously, the movie arrives with the highest visual and audio quality possible and also includes all previously released extras from earlier editions (including a great feature-length making-of and more). Alas, no Blu-ray is included, so those who don’t have the 4K set up will simply have to purchase the wonderful Arrow edition from a couple of years back.
The distributor also has the Twisting the Knife: Four Films by Claude Chabrol box set arriving on store shelves. The “Limited Edition” Blu-ray release includes the French crime pictures The Swindle (1997), The Color of Lies (1999), Nightcap (2000) and The Flower of Evil (2003). Most of the movies have been given 4K restorations and come with film critic audio commentaries, interviews with cast and crew, select scene comments from the director, publicity materials and more.
AGFA (American Genre Film Archive) are presenting the low-budget independent zombie flick Pathogen (2006) on Blu-ray. The movie was conceived and created and by an Austin-based teenaged girl and completed by the time she was 16. It received a lot of praise during its original release and developed a cult following. For its high-def debut, the disc also contains a commentary with the filmmaker, a cast and crew Q&A from its premiere, a short film and a bonus feature-length documentary about the making-of the movie featured on the disc.
Dementia (1955) is a little horror flick that was shot and completed without any dialogue. It follows a psychotic young woman experiencing nightmarish hallucinations over the course of one night. The New York State Film Board banned the movie during its original release, which soon made it a cult item. Cohen Media Group are debuting a Blu-ray of the feature with a digitally remastered picture, a trailer and a complete recut of the movie called Daughter of Horror (that cane out in 1957) that includes narration throughout.
Criterion are presenting the acclaimed documentary For All Mankind (1989) with a 4K Blu-ray restoration. The film tells the story of NASA’s attempts to send astronauts to the moon and features incredible images taken during the journey. There’s a director commentary included, as well as a documentary on the film, a selection of interviews with the Apollo astronauts, a gallery of astronaut Alan Bean’s paintings and other bonuses.
Round Midnight (1986) is a very well-regarded drama about a jazz musician in the 1950s who flees the US to escape his problems, finding refuge and support in Paris. The movie won Herbie Hancock an Academy Award for Best Score. This disc arrives on Blu-ray with a 4K digital restoration, an interview with a jazz and cultural critic about the movie, a conversation with the widow of the star and musician playing the lead character. It also comes with a panel discussion from 2014 featuring members the director and the music producer, a musical performance by the star and an essay about the feature and its importance in cinema history.
While no one would necessary call Slashdance (1989) an award-winning classic, this thriller is also receiving the Blu-ray treatment courtesy of Culture Shock Releasing. It follows a female cop out to stop a killer targeting ladies at a dance playhouse. Bonuses on the disc include a director commentary, a second track with podcasters who appreciate B-movies, lengthy interviews with the producer, one of the cast members, a condensed version of the movie and a bonus film called Hollywood’s New Blood from the same writer/director.
Kino have some new Blu-rays as well. They have the Charles Bronson action picture Breakout (1975), about a pilot who is hired to fly to Mexico and free an innocent prisoner (played by Robert Duvall). This “Special Edition” comes with a film historian commentary and tons of publicity materials for the feature.
They also have the Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema VI box set. It contains Blu-rays of Singapore (1947), Johnny Stool Pigeon (1949) and The Raging Tide (1951) featuring cast members like Fred MacMurray, Ava Gardner, Tony Curtis and Shelley Winters. All of the titles have been given 2K remasters and each film has a commentary with a film professor.
And you can also pick up the heist flick Grand Slam (1967) on Blu-ray. The leads decide to rob a diamond company in Rio de Janeiro, but to succeed must contend with the most advanced security system in the world. The disc has a film historian commentary and a trailer.
Paramount are presenting the Blu-ray debut of the comedy The Beautician and the Beast (1997). It stars Fran Dresher as a hairdresser who is accidentally hired by a widowed dictator to teach his children lessons in the subject of science. They soon find themselves in love. Timothy Dalton plays the male lead.
If you’re looking for more romance, you can also try He Said, She Said (1991) with Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth Perkins. The two play journalists who are pitted against each other on TV to present different views on various issues. Sparks fly and they fall for each other.
The studio is also putting out a Blu-ray of the Richard Gere biblical drama King David (1985). Additionally, they have the amusing college comedy Orange County (2002) with Colin Hanks and Jack Black. The plot involves a pair of students whose university applications are mixed-up by admissions administrators. Thief of Hearts (1984) is a drama with Steven Bauer about a cat burglar who gets involved with a lady whom he has robbed.
And on a lighter note, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004) is also arriving on Blu-ray. It’s about a small-town girl who wins a date with a celebrity. This makes her male best friend very jealous as he watches her swoon over the star. The movie has an impressive cast which includes Josh Duhamel, Kate Bosworth, Topher Grace, Kathryn Hahn, Octavia Spencer and more.
If you’re looking for more genre pics on Blu-ray, Severin Video are premiering Stone (1974) as a Special Edition Blu-ray that has a CD soundtrack included in the package. The Australian movie involves a motorcycle gang who find themselves being infiltrated by a cop who is out to wipe them all out. Some call it the best biker movie in history… now you can find out for yourself. You’ll receive the uncut version scanned in 4K from the original vault elements, a making of, deleted and extended scenes, interviews with cast and crew, make-up tests, a slideshow with a director commentary, a trailer and the aforementioned soundtrack.
Shout! Factory are releasing a trio of Blu-ray titles this week in an unusual manner. They are limited editions (with only 1500 copies available) that can only be purchased through their website. The first is Cockfighter (1974) a tale about men who take part in the illegal practice. It stars Warren Oates and Harry Dean Stanton. The disc comes with a trailer.
Dr. Strange (1978) is a TV-movie that marks the first adaptation of the now-famous Marvel comic book character. The heroic sorcerer is forced to take on an evil sorceress plotting to take over the world. It’s a cheesy TV-movie, but one that will certainly intrigue fans of the character. The feature has received a picture restoration for its Blu-ray debut and involves a commentary with a pop culture historian. Pre-orders for the title have already sold out, but they’ve decided to order some more stock to meet the demand for the release. Interested parties would be wise to order it immediately.
The distributor also has the sequel Watchers II (1990), which features genetically altered animals and beasts battling it out. If you pick up the Blu-ray, you’ll see that the movie has been given a new and sharp 2K scan.
Vinegar Syndrome has another group of Blu-rays headed your way. Each features upgraded image scans with tons of commentaries and other extras. This week releases include the X-rated vampire flick, Dracula Sucks (1978) a Double-Feature of Hard Rock Zombies (1985) and Slaugherhouse Rock (1988), as well as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray pack of the slasher, Madman (1981). You can also pick up the cheesy exploitation flick Reform School Girls (1986) with Sybil Danning. Additionally, the have 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray packages of Scanner Cop (1994) and its sequel, Scanner Cop II (1995). And you can also pick up a Double Feature 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set of Schizoid (1980) and X-Ray (1982). The company always fills their discs with bonuses, so if you’re interested in any of these discs, you should definitely pick them up.
Finally, Warner Bros. are celebrating the 70th anniversary of Singin’ in the Rain (1952) with a set containing a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray. Pictured above and to the right, this classic musical stars Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds and apparently the new discs are absolutely stellar and offer vastly improved image quality over previous editions. It comes with a vintage commentary featuring some of the cast and the co-director, as well as instant access to musical numbers. Other bonuses include a documentary about the film’s influence on later generations, a jukebox feature and a trailer. You can either pick up the regular version or a special Steelbook edition that is a Best Buy exclusive.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
It’s a quieter week for kid’s entertainment, but there is one title that may be of interest to youngsters.
Mrs. Pepperpot: Season 1 aka Madame Peppermint (1983 French animated children’s series) Discotek Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.
Mrs. Pep perpot: Season 1 aka Madame Peppermint (1983 French animated children’s series) Discotek Blu-ray
Rocco Schiavone: Ice Cold Murders: Season 1 (Kino) Blu-ray