Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. In this edition, readers will likely notice a familiar title, in addition to lots of curious independent fare, and a treasure trove of classic films getting high definition upgrades. So, since you won’t be able to make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
Alone Across the Arctic – We’d all like to get out and explore more, but geographer Adam Shoalts takes it to new extremes in this documentary. In order to mark the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, the subject decides to set off alone from Old Crow, Yukon (near the Alaskan border) and make the journey east across the continent to Baker Lake, Nunavut. He hikes and paddles his way over an entire summer through the wildest and most unexplored parts of the nation. For most audiences, this feature will be making its debut on disc, so currently there aren’t a lot of reviews out there for it. One or two that have popped up state that while the host himself isn’t the smoothest or most charismatic onscreen personality, the scenery is gorgeous and the movie provides some fascinating tips to surviving in nature.
The Assistant – Taking a job working for a Hollywood executive is a difficult proposition. This drama details one excited youngster who jumps at the opportunity to pick up phones, set up travel, provide coffee and take on the various demands of an employer. Unfortunately, she also witnesses and experiences abusive behavior, leaving her to decide whether or not to stand up against her powerful boss. Notices were very good for this narrative feature. A small group did find it slow-moving and padded out without much fresh insight on the themes introduced. Still, far more complimented the performances and thought it was an important story detailing abuses that many women are forced to endure on the job. The movie is only receiving a DVD release this week so those looking for a Blu-ray will have to wait. It stars Julia Garner, Matthew Macfadyen and Mackenzie Leigh.
Butt Boy – Nope, you didn’t read that incorrectly. This independent science-fiction/mystery flick is a dark comedy about a detective with a drinking problem assigned to investigate a child’s disappearance. The trail leads to his own AA sponsor and the protagonist begins to believe that some very, very strange things are occurring… specifically, that the kid and other victims have vanished up the accused’s rear end. Surprisingly, there were more members of the press who liked the movie than panned it. A contingent did complain that the film didn’t actually take advantage of its outrageous concept and needed a sharper sense of humor. Still, the majority stated that it was quite unlike anything they had ever seen, liked the story’s attempts at an odd sort of poignancy, and admired its commitment to the silly premise. The cast includes Tyler Rice, Brad Potts and Shelby Dash.
Chasing the Dragon II: Wild Wild Bunch – This sequel to the 2017 Hong Kong action hit is based on a series of actual crimes that were committed in the metropolis during the 1990s. The follow-up focuses on new characters and a different storyline from the original film. A group of police officers are tasked with locating the head of a child kidnapping ring specializing in human trafficking. When two youths from a regal family are held for ransom, the heroes attempt to bring the crooks to justice. Critics were generally upbeat about this foreign-language effort. A small number said that the picture was fairly routine and unmemorable as action flicks go. Still, most noted that the movie was a bit more exaggerated than the original and found it entertaining enough to keep viewers hooked. It features Louis Koo, Tony Leung Ka-fai and Sabrina Qiu.
Guns Akimbo – A video game developer gets caught up in a real life-or-death competition in this independent action/comedy. The protagonist accidentally crosses paths with a gang named Skizm, who hold live streaming events in which strangers are taken and battle on camera (with computer graphics added to participants) until only one is left alive. He initially tries to talk and run his way out of the situation. However, after is ex-girlfriend is taken hostage by the bad guys, the lead is forced to battle for their freedom. Reaction towards this little flick was split. Almost half of reviews suggested that this comic critique of gamer culture suffered was choppily edited and that its humor missed the mark more than it hit the target. Ever so slightly more called it an over-the-top and reasonably amusing genre flick that would please those with a taste for wild action and gore. It stars Daniel Radcliffe, Samara Weaving, Rhys Darby and Ned Dennehy.
The Incoherents – Band reunions seem to be all the rage these days and this little drama appears to be inspired by the trend. A forty-something paralegal who was once a member of a 90s alternative music group notes his contemporaries reforming successfully and decides to try and get his band together for a new tour. It turns out to be tougher than anticipated when each and every person he contacts reveals that they are dealing with some sort of midlife crisis. Will the members overcome their personal issues and revitalize their musical careers? As of this moment, very few people know the answer, since it has only screened at a few New York film festivals (where it took home a prize or two). Those who think the plot sounds interesting will just have to take a chance and hope its melody is to their liking. Jeff Auer, Annette O’Toole, Amy Carlson, Alex Emanuel and Jared Barel headline the feature.
Line Walker 2: Invisible Spy – This action flick is a sequel to the successful 2016 Hong Kong feature, Line Walker. It follows a team of officers and their attempts to take down an international criminal organization. Things get complicated when evidence arises that two of the team members are actually double agents. This information leads to suspicion and tension between leads as they travel to Myanmar and Spain in the hopes catching the villains. Reaction was very upbeat towards this continuation of the foreign-language action series. One or two write-ups thought the dialogue and writing was a little stiff and clumsy. Still, almost all others stated that the chases, shoot-outs and stunt work were top notch and that the movie was a thrilling blast from beginning to end. It features Nick Cheung, Louis Koo and Francis Ng.
Lucid Dreams – The latest from well-regarded Hong Kong actor/director/producer/composer Teddy Robin Quan (All the Wrong Spies) is a unique anthology. While most movies in this genre are typically horror pictures, this piece instead tells four dramatic tales inspired by dreams that the filmmaker has experienced. One follows a person who has to arrange a fake wedding in order to repay a debt. Others involve a man learning to deal with his ego as well as a reconnection between a writer and a long-lost mother. The final tale follows a driving instructor who begins seeing sprits. There are no notices for the picture yet in this part of the world, but last year it was nominated for Best Original Score at the Hong Kong equivalent of the Oscars. The cast includes Dada Chan, Juju Chan, Kevin Cheng and Louis Cheung.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge – The market for animated films made directly for the Blu-ray and DVD market has really exploded over recent years. This effort is based around a character from the Mortal Kombat video game series. After his family is slaughtered by Sub-Zero, a young man decides to serve a sinister master, all so that he can train and eventually enact revenge. Of course, the figure eventually becomes Scorpion, and he enters a martial arts tournament that involves all of the game’s famous fighters. Notices were excellent for this adaptation of the arcade classic. They said it was extremely violent and not for children, but visually stunning. They also commented that those who grew up playing and enjoying Mortal Kombat would respond favorably to this adaptation. The voice talent includes Jennifer Carpenter, Joel McHale, Ike Amadi and Steve Blum.
The Rhythm Section – A young woman sees her world completely fall apart after her entire family dies in a plane crash. She initially develops a drug habit and works as a prostitute, until learning that it was a terrorist bombing that killed her kin. The protagonist seeks out an MI6 agent to train her as an assassin so that she can avenge their deaths. Indeed, the woman encounters the responsible parties after creating a new identity and persona, leading to a violent confrontation. Critics generally panned this action flick. A few did suggest that the lead performance was enticing enough to keep them watching. However, the consensus was that the character could have been better developed, the story did little to suspend disbelief over its running time, and that that the action was routine and unexciting. It stars Blake Lively, Jude Law, Richard Brake, Sterling K. Brown and Max Casella. To read a full review, click here.
Unstoppable – This foreign-language action/comedy from South Korea involves a former criminal underworld figure who decides to retire in order to try to live a quiet and unassuming life. While he initially enjoys happiness with his wife, one day he returns home to find his property ransacked and his spouse missing. It soon becomes clear that she has been taken by another syndicate. Furious, he makes some calls and builds a force to attack and take his enemies down. The press didn’t mind this foray into the familiar action/revenge picture. One or two reviews commented that the movie didn’t quite rise up to the best in its genre. However, most thought that the characters were well developed and the fight scenes slickly put together. They also appreciated the unexpected sense of humor used throughout. It features Don Lee, Song Ji-Hyo and Kim Seong-oh.
Vanilla – In this independently-produced comedy, a young comedian tries to save her family business by selling her van. To complete the sale, she must drive it south all the way to New Orleans. In an attempt to avoid boredom during the journey, she invites an uptight entrepreneur to join her on her extended road trip. A bond forms and a romance begins to develop. After they arrive and the van sale falls apart, the two are left to determine whether they should pursue the relationship. This little title has been picked up for distribution on disc, but hasn’t played in many cinemas and so there aren’t any write-ups currently available for it. Looks like curious parties will have to take a chance without knowing quite where things will lead. The cast includes Will Dennis and Kelsea Bauman.
When Lambs Become Lions – Taking viewers to the Kenyan bush, this documentary details the world of ivory dealers, as well as the rangers attempting to curtail their business. Using a cinema verité, fly-on-the-wall approach, the camera captures both the desperate hunters attempting to provide for their families and the frightening experiences of soldiers trying to stop them. The filmmakers were granted complete access and followed their subjects for three years, recording their everyday lives. Critics ended up giving the picture excellent reviews. One or two didn’t like that the movie chose to step back and not impose a specific moral or message. Still, the vast majority did think that some of those onscreen were more sympathetic than others, and noted that the approach helped viewers understand why elephant ivory hunting has continued to persist in Kenya.
Blasts from the Past!
Wow, it’s another jam-packed week when it comes to older movies arriving on disc. Those who grew up in the 1980s will certainly remember late night horror movie hostess Elvira, who would introduce cheesy movies and often crack jokes while doing so. Arrow Video are giving fans a new Special Edition Blu-ray of the character’s big screen starring vehicle, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988). In this comedy, Elvira leaves LA for Massachusetts to collect an inheritance after the passing of a family member. It turns out to be an estate on a large property, but the conservative townsfolk are less-than-happy to have this independent woman living among them. As older locals begin taking on mob-like like qualities, Elvira befriends the younger population. When a supernatural threat arrives, she and the teens set out to save the town.
The movie arrives on disc with a new 4K restoration from the original film elements. In addition to the sharper picture, those who pick up the Blu-ray will also receive an introduction to the movie from the filmmaker. They’ll also get a 2017 director commentary, and a second audio track delivered by an authority on Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira). Additionally, the release includes an updated 2018 version of a feature-length documentary on the making of the movie, featuring new cast and crew interviews. And it comes with a newly revised featurette detailing the film’s special effects. The film’s original storyboards and extensive image galleries are provided too, along with the US theatrical and teaser trailers. Sounds like a lot of fun for 80s film fans.
And Arrow Video have more. You can also pick up a Special Edition Blu-ray of The Wind (1986), a horror flick starring Meg Forster and Wings Hauser. This title, about a woman being stalked in her house by a killer while a hurricane rages, was slated to be released a couple of weeks ago but was delayed at the last minute – it should be officially hitting store shelves this week. For those interested, the original negative has been given a 4K scan approved by writer/director Nico Mastorakis (The Zero Boys, Nightmare at Noon), and you’ll also get an interview with the filmmaker, the complete soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and Stanley Myers, as well as a load of genre film trailers.
Shout! Factory have some great Blu-rays as well. Their first is for the fantasy film, The Lost Continent (1968). It’s a Hammer flick from the UK about an old freighter with explosive materials sinking near South America. The crew tries to escape the wreckage, coming under attack from living seaweed and encountering a ghostly Spanish galleon with a mysterious crew. You’ll get 2K scans of the original and extended versions of the film, a film historian audio commentary, featurettes on Hammer films (including a World of Hammer episode that originally aired on British television) and a making-of, alongside interviews with several cast and crew members. The disc also includes publicity materials.
You can also check out the action flick Shatter (1974) on Blu-ray. This was a co-production between Hammer Film and the Shaw Brothers’ production company (known for their kung-fu, action and horror pictures). The story involves an international assassin on the run in Hong Kong after being double crossed. This movie has been given a new 2K scan from its original elements, includes an audio commentary with uncredited director Monte Hellman (Two-Lane Blacktop) and star Stuart Whitman. It also includes another World of Hammer episode detailing the shoot and more trailers.
The AGFA (American Genre Film Archive) are a distributor out of Austin, Texas who are always putting out hard-to-find genre pictures. This week, they’re releasing The McPherson Tape (1989), one of the earliest found-footage features ever created. Made a full decade before The Blair Witch Project, the low-budget flick follows a family celebrating and taping a birthday using a VHS recorder. They end up capturing a sudden and unexpected alien home invasion. This release includes a new transfer from the original 3/4″ master tape, two different cuts of the movie, a director commentary on one of the versions, footage from the 1989 theatrical premiere, a TV segment on the production, a Q&A from a recent screening and more. This distributor always does their best to provide unique titles and this should certainly intrigue low-budget horror enthusiasts.
Kino also have several new titles to share on Blu-ray. The first is the well-regarded comedy/drama Billy Liar (1963) with Tom Courtenay and Julie Christie. The Caper of the Golden Bulls (1967) is a heist movie set in Pamplona, Spain. And Don’t Drink the Water (1969) is a comedy with Jackie Gleason about a New Jersey resident visiting Europe who gets himself embroiled in a spy plot. All three movies come with film historian commentaries, and the robbery flick arrives with a brand new 4K master.
The distributor is also putting out a more recent title. I Wish I Knew (2010) is a documentary about Shanghai and its history as a port trading town. They’ve also got Outcast of the Islands (1951), a thriller from director Carol Reed (The Third Man) that his set in Indonesia. The Blu-ray for that feature comes with a film expert audio commentary and trailers.
The Sound Barrier (1952), an Oscar-nominated UK drama about the pilots who challenged air speed records, is also getting the high definition treatment. It arrives with a 4K restoration undertaken by the BFI (British Film Institute), and includes a movie historian commentary, an archival interview with the film’s director, David Lean (Brief Encounter, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, A Passage to India), as well as trailers. And they are also putting out the German drama, Tartuffe (1925) on Blu-ray. It also comes with commentary tracks and other bonuses.
And that’s not all! Another company releasing to provide high quality Blu-rays of rare and obscure genre films is Dark Force Entertainment. This week, they are releasing a Special Edition Blu-ray of The Backlot Murders (2002), a satirical slasher picture about a band who get targeted by a killer while shooting a music video. This feature stars Priscilla Barnes and Corey Haim. The disc includes behind-the-scenes interviews and a director commentary.
They also have a Blu-ray of the low-budget martial arts movie, Kill or Be Killed (1976) aka Karate Killer. This cult flick involves fighters squaring off in a deadly kung-fu tournament. And, for one reason or another, sinister Nazis also get thrown into the mix. The image is taken from a new HD master of the only surviving 16mm film print. So, it seems like another title has been saved from oblivion thanks to this company.
Criterion always do a phenomenal job with their product and this week sees the release of The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), one of the most popular titles from Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom). Set in various time periods, it follows the adventures of a famous concierge and his protégé. In addition to a 2K presentation of an incredible movie on Blu-ray, you’ll also receive a new commentary track with Anderson, co-writer Roman Coppola and actor Jeff Goldblum. The disc includes a new documentary on the production, recent interviews with the cast and crew, video essays from film scholars on the feature and its importance in cinema, and of course, a theatrical trailer. Sounds like another great disc from the distributor.
You can also pick up Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005), an acclaimed comedy/drama from artist Miranda July about a group of characters trying to connect in an isolating and modern digitized world. The high definition digital master has been approved by the director, and the disc comes with documentary featuring a conversation between July and filmmaker Lena Dunham about July’s artistic beginnings. You’ll also receive a 2017 documentary on the moviemaker/artist, interviews with the director from 2005, footage from July’s time at the Sundance Director’s Lab, several of her short films, sections of another video project, and deleted scenes along with trailers.
Sony have recently been upping their game, reaching into their vaults and giving several titles a Blu-ray make-over. This week, they are putting out a 35th Anniversary Edition of the teen comedy, Just One of the Guys (1985). It’s about a journalism student who thinks her teacher is behaving in a sexist manner when he fails to enter her work in a contest to win an internship at a newspaper. She decides to masquerades as a guy at a nearby school to see how people respond to her there (and to presumably write an article on the experience). The studio has rescued the title from obscurity and given it a new 2K master. The release also includes a commentary with the cast.
They are also releasing the coming-of-age drama, My Girl (1991) on Blu-ray. It’s about a kid growing up with a dad who runs a funeral home. This is a really effective title that addresses a young’s girl experiences, including first love and loss. In addition, you can also pick up the sequel, My Girl 2 (1994), which follows a slightly older lead as she encounters new people and issues. Personally, I don’t think the follow-up is nearly as good as the original, but it’s nice that those who appreciate the series can now own both of them on Blu-ray.
The studio is also delivering a Blu-ray of the drama, Radio Flyer (1992). It’s follows two brothers from an abusive family who strive to escape their predicament by trying to transform their red wagon into a flying machine.
Vinegar Syndrome also have plenty of discs arriving on shelves as Blu-ray/DVD combo packs. The first is the Canadian horror pic, Deadline (1984). This movie is about a writer’s whose fictional world begins to intersect with the real world. It has been newly restored in 2K from its 35mm elements and features interviews with the producer and cinematographer.
Additionally, the distributor has a trashy Italian riff on The Exorcist called Malabimba (1979). It has been restored in 2K and comes with a bevy of bonuses too. You can also pick up Olivia (1983), about a woman who seeks vengeance on abusive men. This feature comes with a 4K transfer of the feature, interviews with the lead, assistant director, editor and cinematographer, behind-the-scenes footage and the trailer.
On a classier note, Cohen Media are making the Oscar-nominated, James Ivory period drama, The Europeans (1979), available on Blu-ray. This release includes a 4K restoration of the movie, an interview with Ivory, multiple conversations with the filmmaker, as well as some of the film’s publicity materials.
Finally, Warner Archive are delivering the Robert Mitchum western, Blood on the Moon (1948) on Blu-ray alongside the drama, The Sweet Bird of Youth (1962). The latter stars Paul Newman and Geraldine Page, Shirley Knight and Ed Begley. It was nominated for three Oscars and Begley won one for Best Supporting Actor.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are some releases that may appeal to kids, including the classic cartoon, Underdog.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom Bash
Underdog: The Complete Series
On the Tube!
And these are the week’s TV-themed releases.
Arrow: The Complete Series
Arrow: Season 8
FRONTLINE: Amazon Empire: The Rise and Reign of Jeff Bezos (PBS)
NATURE: The Mighty Weasel (PBS)
Room 222: Season 2
SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom Bash
Underdog: The Complete Series