Hello and welcome to another very interesting look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This edition features both Oscar and Razzie nominees, meaning that there’s a wide variety of entertainment arriving on disc. So, since you likely can’t make it out to the movies this week, why not give one of these titles a try?
Big New Releases!
Camp Cold Brook – A reality TV producer and host of a show about haunted places begins to see his ratings sag and program face cancelation. He decides on choosing the title location for his next episode, the place where a large group of campers mysteriously drowned some 20 years earlier. After arriving on site, the crew experience strange and supernatural events that put all of their lives in danger. Reviewers were split on the finished product, although there were slightly more positive notices than negative ones. Those who disliked the film called it a derivative found-footage feature with a generic and predictable story. Still, those who gave the flick a pass said that it was well-paced and offered solid performances that made it enjoyable overall. It stars Chad Michael Murray, Danielle Harris, Courtney Gains and Michael Eric Reid.
Cats – Well, if you’re curious about seeing present and future Razzie Award winners on disc, this is your week. This adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage play follows the trials of a group of anthropomorphic cats who sing and dance their way through… well… some kind of competition to earn… well… some kind of a heavenly prize. It swept the bad movie awards recently, winning almost all of the top prizes. As you might have guessed, it did not impress critics. A small grouping said that the movie was quite unlike anything they had ever seen and may be worth it just for the strangeness of it all… and those were the favorable write-ups. All others stated that the story was incomprehensible and that just about every aspect of the production was off-putting and misjudged. Now you can check it out for yourselves and make up your own minds. The cast includes Francesca Hayward, James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellan, Taylor Swift and Rebel Wilson.
The Cold Blue – The 8th Air Force division who fought in World War II are the subject of this remarkable documentary. This unit were sent on several suicide missions, flying over enemy lines. Nine of the limited number of survivors appear in the film to recount some of the events they experienced in 1943. The movie also uses recently discovered, never-before-seen footage shot by filmmaker William Wyler (who would go on to make Roman Holiday, The Big Country and Ben-Hur) and his crew during several of their dangerous raids. The press raved about this non-fiction feature. They all thought that this was an exceptional tribute and concluded that the stories and new footage put viewers right in the middle of the action, helping them to understand exactly what these brave aviators went through.
Dolittle – Speaking of movies that haven’t been well received, this update of a doctor who can talk to animals also flopped at cinemas a few months back. The story finds Dolittle living in isolation after the disappearance of his significant other. When the Queen becomes ill and the only cure for the condition necessitates a long journey to a magical island, the doctor heads out to retrieve it with his new apprentice and verbose animal friends. The movie was panned by reviewers. There was a small contingent who said the effects were good and that it might entertain youngsters. However, most called the script a mess and felt that the movie was a rather unexciting and dull slog filled with bad jokes and scatological humor. Could make quite a double-bill alongside Cats. It stars Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, Jessie Buckley and Harry Collett. Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Kumail Nanjiani, Octavia Spencer, Craig Robinson, Tom Holland, Ralph Fiennes, Marion Cotillard and Jason Mantzoukas provide the voices of the animals. To read a full review of the film, click here.
Escape from Pretoria – Set in South Africa during Apartheid, this drama is based on the events of a real-life prison break that occurred in 1979. A pair of men are arrested and become political prisoners after creating a series of pamphlets for a group who would become the African National Congress. Once in their cells, the activists suffer abuse but befriend others incarcerated under similar charges. They eventually plot a daring escape. This picture earned solid notices from critics. A few did comment that while the story was inspiring, it played out in too familiar a manner and the use of many tropes diminished its impact. Still, the majority admired the performances and thought that the film developed plenty of tension over its running time. Daniel Radcliffe, Daniel Wester, Ian Hart and Mark Leonard Winter headline the feature.
Knives and Skin – This independent drama follows the disappearance of a high school student and depicts what happens to others in the surrounding neighborhood. The mystery results in a wave of tension and distrust among locals. Two other students at the same school attempt to process what has happened and help out, uncovering dark secrets about the community in the process. This feature garnered a generally upbeat response. There was a small group who critiqued the film, suggesting that beyond the impressive visuals on display, there wasn’t much going on to hook and entrance viewers. Still, most complimented the surrealistic elements and appreciated the feminist slant, calling the movie a unique and engaging experience. It features Marika Engelhardt, Kate Arrington, Ireon Roach and Kayla Carter.
Little Women – The latest retelling of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott tells the famous coming-of-age story set at the close of the Civil War. In it, a passionate young woman yearns to be a writer. Through positive times and great hardship, viewers witness her complicated relationships with family members, neighbors and acquaintances. And despite their bickering, the clan helps each other as they try to find their place in the world. Response was very positive towards this adaption of the book. It earned several Academy Award nominations. A few write-ups did complain about the choice to jump around in time and thought that this version wasn’t able to match previous film adaptations. However, the vast majority called it a lavishly mounted and well-acted update that also offered a few amusing revisions. It stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet and Meryl Streep. To read this site’s review, click here.
The Rest of Us – This story is about a woman whose life changes dramatically following the sudden death of her ex-husband. While attending the funeral, she meets her ex’s widow and children. Discovering that the surviving family are in debt and are about to lose their house, the protagonist invites them all to stay with her clan. The situation ends up revealing past secrets and forces the surviving members to process and address the man’s untimely end. Overall, critics appeared to like this independent drama. Some did state that the movie was too low-key for its own good and wouldn’t make a lasting impression. Still, more suggested that the subtle approach worked and provided viewers with an authentic-feeling take on a complicated situation. The cast includes Heather Graham, Sophie Nelisse, Abigail Priowsky, Jodi Balfour and Charlie Gillespie.
Swift – A young, orphaned swift is raised by seagulls and grows up believing that he is one of them. Later in life, he realizes that he isn’t one of their kind and runs away (or perhaps more accurately, flies away), setting out to discover more about his past and his species. When an unexpected force threatens both swifts and seagulls, the youngster takes it upon himself to try and save all of his feathered friends. This family animated film from Germany landed with something of a thud in North America and the press didn’t think much of the effort. One or two said children would be amused and that it was an undemanding distraction. However, the consensus was that the film was poorly written and derivative, with visuals just can’t complete with other animated titles from around the world. The English-language version cast includes Kate Winslet, Willem Dafoe, Josh Keaton and Cassandra Steen.
VFW – A group of war veterans get together at their local VFW to have a drink and catch up. Their reunion is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a panicked and innocent teenager who is being hunted by a menacing drug dealer. When the deranged antagonist and his army arrive at the legion hall, the men inside decide to protect the new arrival by fighting back against the threat. This action/horror hybrid earned positive word of mouth at film festivals and impressed reviewers. A very small contingent wrote that certain darker shots made it hard to figure out what was happening and said that the movie was more of a homage to an earlier cinematic era than something new. However, the generally consensus was upbeat, saying that this was a punchy little exploitation picture with a great cast that hit all the right notes. It features Stephen Lang, William Sadler, Fred Williamson, Martin Kove, David Patrick Kelly and George Wendt.
The Woman Who Loves Giraffes – Anne Innis Dagg may be the very first person ever to study animal behavior. In fact, her research predated Jane Goodall and Dian Fosse, writing numerous papers in 1956 about her time spent with chimpanzees in Africa, before undertaking complex studies of giraffes. This documentary details the woman’s life and work, as well as her struggles receiving recognition as a female scientist and her work as an activist. It also shows how long it took for those in academia to take her studies seriously. This documentary has yet to receive a negative review. While some thought that the storytelling approach was a bit old-fashioned, yet they couldn’t help but be amazed and drawn in by the woman’s incredible work and the lack of recognition she has received for it. Dagg tells her own story, assisted with some voice-over work by Tatiana Maslany and Victor Garber.
Blasts from the Past!
There are loads of interesting new Blu-rays arriving this week as well. Arrow Video are debuting a 2-disc Special Edition of the Italian horror flick, Beyond the Door (1974). It has been described by some as a gloriously over-the-top knock-off of The Exorcist. The story is set in San Francisco and follows a pregnant woman who finds herself possessed by a Satanic force. This leads to all sorts of inappropriate behavior and exaggerated vomiting spells. Apparently, Warner Brothers sued the makers of this film for copyright infringement, but they evaded prosecution. Now you can have a great time finding out why.
This edition is limited to 3,000 and includes a new 2K restoration of the uncut version of the film. There’s a bonus disc featuring an alternate US theatrical version and a feature-length documentary on the production. It includes recent interviews with director/producer Ovidio G. Assonitis (who was also involved in productions like Tentacles, The Visitor, Piranha II: The Spawning and Sonny Boy), as well as the cinematographer, the camera operator, the film’s composer, and the cast member who played the male lead. And there are other bonuses like alternate title sequences and likely every trailer, TV and radio spot created for the movie’s release. Sounds like a B-movie blast that I can’t wait to catch up with.
Kino have a large selection of early classics arriving on Blu-ray. They include the Marlene Dietrich romantic comedy, Angel (1937), the Gary Cooper adventure flick, Beau Geste (1939), and another Oscar-nominated title featuring the star called The General Died at Dawn (1936). All three have been given new 4K masters and include trailers and detailed film historian commentaries to give viewers plenty of analysis and background information the titles.
The distributor is also putting out a Blu-ray of The Great Leap (1926), a German romantic comedy set in the Dolemites mountain range starring Leni Riefenstahl before she became a notorious documentarian who made propaganda films for the Nazis. This release also includes a commentary with a film historian.
On a lighter note, you can also pick up another Gary Cooper picture with The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935). They are also releasing the Fred MacMurray crime-comedy, Murder, He Says (1945). Like some of the other Kino releases this week, the movies arrive with 4K transfers and film expert commentaries. And they are putting out Supernatural (1933), a Carole Lombard thriller about a woman possessed by a murderer’s dark soul. This one as been given a 2K remaster and also contains a commentary.
Horror fans are likely wondering if there’s anything else that they can pick up this week. Scorpion have something to offer with a new Blu-ray of the Jamie Lee Curtis slasher pic, Terror Train (1980). As you might have guessed, it’s about a masked maniac getting his revenge on six college students partying on a locomotive over New Year’s Eve. Magician David Copperfield also appears in the film. The disc presents the movie with a new 2K transfer from the original interpositive. It also features interviews with director Roger Spottiswoode (The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper, Under Fire, Air America, Tomorrow Never Dies and many others) and a screenwriter who contributed significantly to rewrites. You’ll also get a trailer.
Universal Pictures are also debuting some older titles on Blu-ray as well as rereleasing a few. This time out, it’s American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (2006), Breach (2007), Empire (2002), the live-action update of Thunderbirds (2004) and the tennis romantic comedy, Wimbledon (2004) getting the high definition treatment.
And there’s more. Budget friendly consumers will be happy to hear that Mill Creek have some interesting products as well. You won’t get much in the way of extras, but you will get the movie at a low price. First up is a Blu-ray of the Matt Damon/Penélope Cruz western romance, All the Pretty Horses (2000). Eddie Macon’s Run (1983), about a young man who breaks out of prison and is hunted by authorities while trying and find and reconnect with his family is making its high definition debut. It stars John Schneider, Kirk Douglas and Tom Noonan. Henry Winkler, Sally Field and Harrison Ford headline Heroes (1977), a Golden Globe-nominated comedy/drama about a Viet Nam vet breaking out of VA hospital. This one is also brand new to Blu-ray. And the company are bringing the kidnapping thriller Trapped (2002) to disc. This one also has a great cast that includes Kevin Bacon, Charlize Theron, Courtney Love and Dakota Fanning.
Criterion are bringing Army of Shadows (1969) to Blu-ray. This foreign-language drama details the French Resistant movement and its underground fighters during WWII. The well-regarded feature won several awards during its original run and the disc boasts a high definition digital restoration supervised by the director of photography, a film scholar audio commentary, interviews from 2007 with the cinematographer and editor, publicity materials, as well as on-set footage and archival talks with the cast and crew.
If you’re one of those lucky people who are able to watch 3-D programs on your televisions, Flicker Alley are releasing 3-D Rarities Volume II (1941 – 1983). It’s another grouping of remarkable trailers and numerous short films from around the world shot in the format. There’s even a feature-length, Mexican adventure flick El Corazón y la Espada (1953) with Cesar Romero that is included. The movie has been scanned in 4K so that every thing flying past your face looks extra sharp. Sounds like a lot of fun and I’m envious of those who can watch these flicks in 3-D at home.
Finally, Film Movement have a Blu-ray box set called Alastair Sim’s School for Laughter: 4 Classic Comedies. It includes the British comedies The Belles of St. Trinian’s (1954), School for Scoundrels (1960), Laughter in Paradise (1951) and Hue and Cry (1947) and is said to include more than two hours of bonus features.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are some titles that may keep younger kids occupied for an hour or two.
Octonauts: Ocean Adventures
Swift
Thunderbirds
On the Tube!
And here are some TV-themed releases that may distract parents or slightly older viewers.
Hallmark 2-Movie Collection: Paris, Wine and Romance / Rome in Love
Madam Secretary: The Complete Series
Madam Secretary: The Final Season
Moonlight in Vermont (Hallmark TV-movie)