It’s time for another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There are all kinds of interesting arrivals vying for your attention, including independent fare and big studio pictures. 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!
Battle of Leningrad – Also known as Saving Leningrad, this Russian foreign-language title is set during WWII. It follows a young couple who are evacuated during the Siege of Leningrad and placed aboard a barge. As it attempts to escape the battle, the overstuffed ship encounters into a storm and begins sinking. Enemies planes also arrive and the pair do their best to survive the terrifying ordeal. Reaction towards the film was mixed. According to a few online sources, the movie is well-intentioned and has some tense moments. However, a group suggested that the limited funding doesn’t allow for the most convincing visual effects and thought the movie wouldn’t linger in the brain long after the credits. It features Andrey Mironov-Udalov and Maria Melnikova.
Cuck – A brooding loner turns to alt-right propaganda and becomes a blogger, finding popularity and acceptance among extremists. According to the press synopsis, the feature touches on several topical nerves and gives a raw and unforgiving glimpse into a dark world that hides in plain sight and takes hold of troubled individuals. The press appeared to be split on this independent effort. About half thought that it was grim, but didn’t present any surprises and or properly handle its themes. Others wrote that it was effective considering its modest budget and believed that it was more audacious than expected. The cast includes Zachary Ray Sherman, Sally Kirkland, Timothy V. Murphy and Monique Parent.
Funan – Set in 1975, this French, foreign-language animated feature tells the story of a family attempting to survive in Cambodia after the rise of the Khmer Rouge. Two parents and their relatives are exiled from their home and their children are separated from the group. As time passes, the adults do all they can to sneak away from their work camps, find their kids and escape. Reportedly, the filmmaker was inspired by tales told to him by relatives. Reviews for the movie were excellent. Only one or two complained, writing that it honed in on one family’s struggle and didn’t go into details about the regime itself. All others praised the feature as a beautifully animated, harrowing and authentic tale of survival that wouldn’t be soon forgotten.
The Goldfinch – The 2014 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction gets a film adaptation in this epic drama. After his mother is killed in a bombing at the New York Metropolitan Art museum, a young boy’s life veers in an unexpected direction and he is sent away to live with distant relatives. As the years pass, he gets involved in a series of strange events that all tie back to a specific painting of a bird. Sadly, this version of the story didn’t earn a lot of raves. About a quarter of critics stated that while flawed and overlong, they still admired the craft involved and its earnestness. However, most complained that the drama was underplayed and less-than-engrossing, also noting that too many details of the original story were condensed and lost. It stars Ansel Egort, Nicole Kidman, Jeffrey Wright, Luke Wilson and Sarah Paulson. To read this site’s review of the film, click here.
One Must Fall – This small, independent horror-comedy is set in the 80s and is about a young woman who is fired from her office job. Desperate to make an income, she takes on a new job as part of a crime scene cleanup crew. Work picks up when serial killer arrives in town and leaves numerous bodies to dispose of. The protagonist become even more concerned after arriving on the scene and suspecting that the culprit hasn’t left the site. This title has played several horror film festivals and has received some positive notices. However, there aren’t any official reviews available yet so those interested will just have to go in cold and see for themselves. It features Julie Strebel, Barry Piascente and Lloyd Kaufman.
The Parts You Lose – This mystery/thriller involves a young deaf boy who is teased at school and can only find shelter with his is sister and mother. When the child’s abusive father returns out of the blue, the child withdraws even further. The situation changes after the lead comes upon a wounded man lying on the road. He takes him the stranger to the family barn and begins nursing him back to health. The two become friends, but their relationship is complicated after the kids finds out that the man is on the run from the law. Reviews were good for this indie effort. Some didn’t think it was particularly involving and didn’t make the most of its interesting premise. Still, the majority thought it was an interesting and well-made low-key character study. The cast includes Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Scoot McNairy and Danny Murphy.
Portals – Anthology horror has a long and storied history. The latest film to use the format begins with a wraparound segment set in the future at a scientific facility. When the researchers create an active black hole, it suddenly creates strange portals all over the world. The script depicts three different people who are drawn into these new portals and experience all kinds of strange and horrific phenomena. Sadly, notices were terrible for this picture and it has yet to receive a recommendation. Instead, the consensus is that the characters are underdeveloped, the movie doesn’t really build much in the way of tension or scares, and ends on an illogical and unimpressive note. Deanna Russo, Neil Hopkins, Gretchen Lodge and Salvita Decorte headline the picture.
Ready or Not – A young woman marrying into a wealthy family known for its board games gets the shock of her life when she’s asked to visit and take part in a very tradition. After drawing an unfortunate card, she discovers that the clan have a secret pact and intend to hunt her down and execute her. She does her best to hide through the night in order to survive the onslaught. The press appeared to be very taken with the horror flick that mixes a healthy dose sense of black humor with shocks. A few weren’t impressed with the carnage on display and didn’t find it funny. However, a large percentage were very amused by the cast, thought the picture was a lot of fun as it satirized an aristocratic household. It stars Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien, Henry Czerny and Andie MacDowell. To read this site’s review of the feature, click here.
Santa Fake – This independently produced, holiday-themed family musical-comedy is about an immigrant from Ireland who arrives in New York City and is immediately taken in by a crime boss. After making a mistake while delivering a package for his employer, he ends up in Santa Fe, New Mexico and takes a position there as a department store Santa. Of course, authorities and the mob are soon after him and the white-bearded figure must try to evade capture. Little is known about this feature and there aren’t any write-ups available, so one might want to exercise some caution before seeking it out. At least it has an interesting cast that includes Damian McGinty, Jeff Fahey, Jonathan Rhys-Davies, Heather Morris, Judd Nelson and Tony Amendola.
Savage – A policeman is forced to endure icy conditions after being stationed at the top of Mt. Baekdu. Things get even worse when a snowstorm hits and group of violent and dangerous thieves arrive at the doorstep. Alone and with no help on the way for days, the lead must fend off attackers and try to stay alive until the bad weather passes. The foreign language feature from China won a prize at the Busan film festival but hasn’t really been seen by many in North America. As of right now, there are only two critic reviews, but they are upbeat. The movie has been described a simple but well produced and shot action thriller filled with impressive photography. Chen Chang, Ni Ni, Fan Liao, Jue Huang, Yicong Zhang and Hua Liu headline the film.
Semper Fi – A police officer who also serves as a Marine Corps reservist is forced to deal with his wild and uncontrollable brother after the sibling kills a man in a bar fight. After the family member is sent to prison for the crime, the protagonist is sent to Iraq and experiences some horrific events. The protagonist changes his views upon his return and decides to break his brother out of jail. This gritty independent effort didn’t make an impression on reviewers. While a couple of them appreciated the work of the stars and the film’s attempts to deal with family bonds, most found it to be unconvincing and felt it suffered from an increasingly preposterous story. It features Jai Courtney, Nat Wolff, Finn Wittrock and Leighton Meester.
Blasts from the Past!
It’s a busy week for older releases as well. Arrow Video are bringing the long out-of-print action comedy Jake Speed (1986) to Blu-ray. Inspired to some degree by the Indiana Jones series, this tale involves a fictional hero who suddenly comes to life courtesy of his author. The pulp hero heads to Africa in order to save a damsel in distress. The movie has been impossible to find for some time and this Special Edition arrives with a brand new 2K restoration from the original 35 mm inter-positive, an interview the film’s co-writer/producer/director Andrew Lane, a talk with the producer and more. There may even be a review here of this disc in the coming days, so keep your eyes peeled.
Additionally, they have a Special Edition of the well-regarded sci-fi title, Slaughterhouse-Five (1972). Based on the novel by Kurt Vonnegut, this is a mind-bending, time travel story. The movie has received a 4K restoration and includes a critic commentary track, a video appreciation with another film expert, an interview with actor Perry King, as well as discussions with a film music historian, producer Michael Crawford (who was a production assistant on this title) and the son of the executive producer. Looks like an impressive Blu-ray.
Big Trouble in Little China (1986) is one most entertaining cult films of its era. Inspired by Hong Kong cinema and directed by John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing), the movie has been released on disc a few times in the past. Now, Shout! Factory are delivering an extras-filled Collector’s Edition. The picture follows a brash truck driver who gets in over his head while assisting a friend in Chinatown, and ends up under the city streets squaring off against a powerful, 2000-year-old magician. It stars Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, James Hong and Dennis Dunn and is an absolute blast, filling with crazy action and hilarious gags.
This edition comes with the old and very entertaining commentary track featuring director Carpenter and star Russell, as well as all of the extras from older edition – including a really goofy rock video featuring the director and his band. The release also includes new commentaries from the producer and special effects artist Steve Johnson. You’ll get new interviews with the entire supporting cast, the film’s writer W.D. Richter (The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai), members of Carpenter’s band who perform in the video, movie poster artist Drew Struzan, and more new bonuses. If you’re a fan of the movie, this one is not to be missed.
Additionally, Shout! Select have a Blu-ray of the drama, Candy (2006). This tale of a young woman who falls for a drug addict and takes up the habit stars Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish and Geoffrey Rush. Bonus features include a commentary with the director and writer, a featurette on the movie, a visual representation of one of the poems used in the picture and the trailer.
Well GO US are putting out an elaborate Blu-ray box set called The Phantasm Sphere Collection (1979 – 2016). This set has been released before, but this edition includes a replica flying sphere that you can display alongside the discs. Apparently, you can select either a white or black colored box. As you might have guessed, the set includes all five of the Phantasm movies along with the same numerous extras from previous releases.
Kino also have some interesting titles hitting Blu-ray. They include a Special Edition of the French drama Camille Claudel (1988). This one comes with a film historian audio commentary and trailer. The same extras are included in the disc for the action picture Dog Day (1984), which features Lee Marvin as a fugitive on the run in France. The distributor is also releasing the early Paramount musical, Glorifying the American Girl (1929). The picture has been given a photochemical restoration by UCLA, resulting in a new 2K master. It comes with a commentary featuring a musical film expert, a travelogue of Hollywood, backstage footage from the era attempting to put on a stage version of the feature, and a 1934 Technicolor musical short.
If goofy sci-fi is more to your liking, you can pick up a Special Edition Blu-ray of the giant ape movie, Konga (1961). This flick has been given a new 2K master and comes with all sorts of publicity materials. They also have a Special Edition of The Magic Sword (1962), which comes with a similar updated image and a film historian commentary. And you can also purchase the post-apocalyptic fantasy feature, She (1982). This disc includes an interview with the writer/director and a trailer. Sounds like plenty of goofy fun for B-movie fans.
And there’s more! Criterion are releasing a Blu-ray of the British Alec Guinness drama, Tunes of Glory (1960). The movie arrives with a 4K digital restoration and the bonuses detailed include a 2003 interview with the director, a 2002 interview with a cast member and a 1973 television interview with star Guiness.
They also have a Blu-ray of the pre-code melodrama, The Story of Temple Drake (1933), about a woman left at a bootleggers’ hideout and the abusive terrors she faces while trapped there. The movie has been given a digital restoration. It also includes a conversion with a cinematographer about the film’s visual style, along with a discussion on the themes of the film and a talk about censorship that the movie faced during and after its release.
And the Cohen Media Group are releasing a Blu-ray of two French films made together. The first is Joan the Maid I: The Battles (1994) and the second movie on the disc is Joan the Maid II: The Prisons (1994), which together presumably tell the entire saga of famous historical figure, Joan of Arc.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are some releases that may appeal to children.
Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power: Seasons 1-3
Teen Titans: The Complete Series (2003 – 2006)
Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo (2006) (Warner Archive)
On the Tube!
And here are some of the week’s TV-themed releases.
A Christmas Solo (TV movie)
Christmas on Holly Lane (TV movie)
Doc Martin: Series 9
Doctor Who: Colin Baker: Complete Season 2 (BBC)
Game of Thrones: The Complete Series
Game of Thrones: Season 8
Great Performances: Now Hear This (PBS)
A House Divided: Season 1
Masterpiece: The Durrells in Corfu: Season 4 UK Edition (PBS)
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: Mr. Rogers & Making Mistakes (PBS)
Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power: Seasons 1-3
Teen Titans: The Complete Series (2003 – 2006
Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo (2006) (Warner Archive)