Welcome back to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s another busy edition filled with studio pictures, independent fare as well as flicks from around the world. 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!
Blush – An obsessive-compulsive suburban mom has difficulty getting on with her teenage daughter and believes that her husband may be having an affair. She decides to break her routine and begin cat-sitting for another family while they’re away. Alone, the woman begins watching the neighbors in the house next door, and eventually becomes intimately involved in their struggles. It leads to all sorts of awkward encounters, unravelling her own household in the process. Notices were good for this independent drama. A small percentage of reviewers complained that there were too many subplots and that the movie lost its direction by the close. However, most thought that the majority of the material worked and were impressed by the performances. It stars Wendi McLendon-Covey, Christine Woods, Max Burkholder and Steve Little.
Corpus Christi – Also known as Boze Cialo, this foreign-language drama from Poland follows a young man serving time in a youth detention center. After experiencing a spiritual awakening, he decides to take steps to become a priest, but finds his efforts denied once he is released due to his criminal past. The protagonist decides instead to impersonate a member of the cloth at a local parish to attain his ambitions and bring his community together. Critics were very taken with this effort and the movie was nominated for an Oscar at last year’s Academy Awards. Currently, there are only a couple of negative write-ups for the movie, stating that the film was a bit too drawn out for its own good. Everyone else praised it as an effective and gritty slow-burn of a movie that packs a big emotional wallop at the close. The cast includes Bartosz Bielenia, Eliza Rycembel and Aleksandra Konieczna.
The Hunt – A dozen complete strangers wake up in a field with no memory of how they got there or why. Shortly thereafter, they’re forced into picking up arms and running away from teams of hunters out to kill them. It doesn’t go well for many of the targets, but one woman being pursued turns out to be far more cunning than anticipated, quickly turning the tables on the murderers. Reaction towards this genre picture was split. About half thought that the movie was only out to try and shock viewers, suggesting that it wasn’t a particularly sharp satire and didn’t really have all that much to say of importance. The same amount commented that the movie was grimly funny and entertaining, thanks to the efforts of a talented and committed cast. It features Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, Ike Barinholtz, Wayne Duvall and Ethan Suplee. To read this site’s review, click here.
Public Enemy Number One – The history of drug culture and the actions taken against narcotics by US government officials are examined in this documentary. It begins with the origins of the “War on Drugs” in the 1960s as overseen by President Richard Nixon and follows the movement’s progression through the decades. Viewers will see how the campaign was extended and strengthened in the 1980s, leading to the stigmatizing and criminalization of recreational marijuana users. The filmmakers address the unnecessary mass incarcerations that have resulted because of new laws being introduced. It also features interviews with top activists and authorities on the subject, as well as policy makers and even a drug czar or two. The movie is debuting on disc, so there aren’t many reviews of the feature that are available just yet. Ice-T provides the narration.
Red Cow – This Israeli foreign-language coming-of-age drama (released as Para Aduma in its homeland) is set in the mid-1990s, just before the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The story specifically details the struggles of a 16-year-old whose mother has just passed away, leaving her under the care of her right-wing, religious extremist father. It results in a tense situation as the teenager tries to navigate a tension-filled relationship with her dad while determining her own sexual, religious and political beliefs. Reaction towards the film was upbeat. According to reviewers, this tale does a solid job and effective job of juggling concepts like dealing with first loves, as well as examining issues like patriarchy. Avigail Kovari, Gal Toren and Moran Rosenblatt headline the feature.
Return to Hardwick – Press releases for this documentary note that the 93rd Bomb Group was arguably the most decorated, most traveled and most effective bomb group of World War II. Based in Norfolk near the east coast of England, these servicemen were responsible for some of the biggest raids during the conflict. The feature details their heroic acts and introduces viewers to their descendants. Together, the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of these servicemen visit the old Hardwick base where they were stationed and explore it in order to get a deeper sense of their own family history. For most, this movie is debuting on disc, so there aren’t any write-ups available online. However, the film has played at numerous film festivals over the past couple of years and has won several awards at these screenings. Michael Cudlitz narrates the picture.
Straight Edge Kegger – A youth decides to leave his gang behind after feeling like they’ve gone too far and become too violent. He meets and befriends a stranger who invites him along to a nearby celebration. After meeting a fetching young lady and enjoying several drinks, the lead is happy with his decision. However, that all changes when his old gang arrives at the party clad in masks. The crew begin attacking the partygoers and the protagonist must get his new acquaintances out to safety before they all meet their end. This independent horror feature hasn’t received many reviews yet, but the few that have popped up have been complimentary. They suggest that while it is a low-budget picture with a few shortcomings, horror fans may appreciate the cast and the film’s frantic energy. The cast includes Colin Kays, Evelyn Reidy and Julio Alexander.
Think Like a Dog – In this family comedy, a young boy who happens to be scientific whiz kid finds a way to create a telepathic connection with his dog. He and the family pet’s relationship grow stronger as the two communicate and share their gripes with one another. Together, the pair try to help solve each other’s problems at home and at school. This flick has played at the Chinese American Film Festival, but is otherwise making its debut on disc. It’s difficult to find any articles on the feature, but one write-up has appeared online and it isn’t overly complimentary. The reviewer states that the movie might appeal to youngsters, but is little more than a series of fart jokes that won’t hold the attention of adults. It stars Josh Duhamel, Megan Fox, Gabriel Bateman, Madison Horcher and Kunal Nayyar.
Turner Risk – We all feel like it would be great to make a fresh start in our lives. In this thriller, a young man takes it to extremes. A frequent victim of bullying, he decides to strike back against the negative forces putting him down. The lead meets up with a couple of new friends and describes how he is plotting to wipe out his biggest nemesis at school. While wandering the streets and hunting the figure down, the three discuss and compare how their target has caused them pain and, while sharing their experiences, eventually come to unexpected revelations. This indie flick hasn’t been seen by critics yet, but it has fared well at various film festivals, picking up a few trophies for its story, cinematography and performances. It features Nick Fink, Carlin James, Sean Cruz and Rory Hart.
We Summon the Darkness – Set in the American heartland, this independent horror feature details three ladies heading out to a heavy metal music festival… while a group of Satanists are reported to be embarking on a murder spree. When the friends arrive at the event, they meet up with a trio of guys and leave with them for an afterparty at a secluded location. Bad idea, people! It isn’t long before Satanic psychos arrive and the lives of all involved are put into jeopardy. The press was actually generally positive about this genre flick. A contingent did complain that the filmmakers gave too much away too early in the proceedings, leading to weak finale. Still, more appreciated the mayhem on display, calling it enjoyable entertainment for horror fans with a sense of humor. The cast includes Alexandra Daddario, Keenan Johnson, Maddie Hasson, Amy Forsyth and Johnny Knoxville.
Blasts from the Past!
As usual, there are plenty of interesting catalog titles being upgraded to high definition as well. Shout! Factory are delivering a Blu-ray of Princess Caraboo (1994). This period comedy is set in the early 1800s and involves a mysterious woman who unexpectedly arrives at a wealthy English estate. The bizarrely-dressed lady speaks no English, yet the nobility becomes smitten with the new arrival and assumes that she must be a princess visiting from a faraway land. This flick stars Phoebe Cates, Jim Broadbent, Kevin Kline, John Lithgow and Stephen Rea. According to online sources, the movie does a good job of keeping viewers guessing as to the woman’s real identity. The movie has gained a following over the years, so you’re a fan of period pieces with a sense of humor, then this title might be enjoyable.
Kino also have some interesting Blu-ray selections arriving on store shelves. The first is the Deanna Durbin Collection. This is a box set with three films (all of which are musicals) starring the actress and directed by Henry Koster (The Bishop’s Wife, The Robe). You’ll get 100 Men and a Girl (1937), Three Smart Girls Show Up (1939) and It Started with Eve (1941). You’ll also get film historian commentaries on two of the features, as well as trailers.
If thrillers are more to your liking, you can pick up Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema III. This Blu-ray set includes some well-reviewed but lesser known examples from the genre. In this package, you’ll receive Abandoned (1949), The Lady Gambles (1949) and The Sleeping City (1950). The discs come with movie expert commentary tracks for all three movies, as well as multiple trailers (which may include previews for other film noirs from the distributor).
Additionally, Kino are releasing the Hungarian comedy/drama, My 20th Century (1989). It’s a period film about identical twins separated early in life who rediscover one another as adults. The movie has been given a 2K restoration and comes with a filmmaker interview and introduction to the movie, as well as a commentary track with the director and cinematographer. The distributor is also putting out the German comedy, Victor and Victoria (1933), about a singer who begins impersonating a man to get more opportunities on stage. This film has been remade several times over the years, perhaps most notably by Blake Edwards in 1982. The disc includes a film historian audio commentary.
And the company is releasing a Blu-ray set called Western Classics I. It includes Blu-rays of When the Daltons Rode (1940), The Virginian (1946) and Whispering Smith (1948). Once again, movie experts will provide optional commentary tracks giving viewers background information about each film. Trailers are also included on each disc.
And Sony are providing Blu-rays of a couple of interesting movies too. Anne Frank Remembered (1995) is an acclaimed WWII documentary about the young woman, featuring readings from her dairy that chronicle the girl’s experiences in Amsterdam during the German occupation of the Netherlands. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and is narrated by Kenneth Branagh.
Brian’s Song (1971) is another well-reviewed film from the studio that is based on a true story. It details the growing friendship between two professional football players. It depicts how each man helped the other deal with personal and professional tragedies. The movie stars James Caan and Billy Dee Williams.
Criterion have a new Blu-ray as well. An Unmarried Woman (1978) stars Jill Clayburgh and tells the story of a woman whose husband leaves her for a younger woman. Despite feeling hurt and lost, she decides to set out and make a new start, finding her own way in the world through new experiences and challenges. This candid drama was nominated for three Oscars. The disc provides a new 4K digital restoration of the feature, a 2005 commentary with director Paul Mazursky (Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Down and Out in Beverly Hills) and Clayburgh, interviews with the film’s co-stars, a talk with a Mazursky biographer, and an audio recording from 1980 of the director speaking about the picture at the American Film Institute.
For genre picture fans, Mill Creek has an inexpensive Blu-ray Double Feature of two science fiction B-movies. The first film is called The H-Man (1958). It’s a Toho release (the production company also responsible for the Godzilla series) that follows humanity’s efforts to stop an irradiated monster who rises from the waters near Tokyo and goes on the rampage. The creature oozes slime and disintegrates anyone it touches. This movie is paired with another title from Toho called Battle in Outer Space (1959). It involves a team of scientists from around the world teaming up to stop an alien force stationed on the moon and plotting an invasion of Earth. Sounds like a great time for genre movie fans!
Finally, the distributor are also releasing The White Crane Chronicles on Blu-ray. This is actually a TV mini-series that aired under the title Kung Fu Killer (2008). It stars David Carradine as a monk who unexpectedly decides to seek out vengeance against the gang who murdered his Grandmaster. Daryl Hannah also appears.
You Know, For Kids!
If you’re looking to entertain the kids, it looks as though you only have one new option coming your way.
Think Like a Dog
On the Tube!
Below you’ll find all the TV-themed releases coming your way.
1619 – Up from Slavery: A 14-Part Documentary Series
Doctor Who: Series 12
The Last Bridesmaid (Hallmark TV-movie)
Love, Take Two (Hallmark TV-movie)
NATURE: Cuba’s Wild Revolution (PBS)
NATURE: Remarkable Rabbits (PBS)
The Windermere Children (Drama and Documentary included) (PBS)
White Crane Chronicles – Kung Fu Killer / Kung Fu Killer II (2008) TV Mini-series