Welcome to another examination of highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s an extremely busy week, filled with award nominees, as well as studio pictures and international fare. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
ALICE, DARLING – In this thriller, a woman goes on vacation with friends and opens up about her psychologically abusive boyfriend. They encourage the lead to stand up for herself and end the relationship. She does, but the nastiness she previously endured from the man becomes more threatening and physical. She must find the courage and use her wits to get the better of him. Reaction towards this feature was strong overall. A small contingent of critics didn’t care for any of the characters and commented that the story lacked thrills and was predictable. Still, the vast majority thought the cast were excellent and that the movie delivered plenty of tension. They also appreciated how it depicted warning signs of potential abuse. It stars Anna Kendrick, Tiio Horn, Charlie Carrick, Wummi Mosaku and Farah Merani.
ANYTHING GOES: THE MUSICAL – This feature captures the London stage production of the Tony Award winning musical/comedy Anything Goes, with hit tunes from Cole Porter like “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top,” and the title track. The story involves two couples who embark on a cruise across the Atlantic. After they set sail, wackiness ensues and relationships are tested between the leads as well as crew members while they’re all isolated on the ship. The show originally came to Broadway in 1934 is still regularly performed on stage. While there aren’t many movie reviews for the title, this particular production has aired on PBS and it received plenty of acclaim. Seems like if you enjoy musicals, this is a good disc to pick up. Kathleen Marshall is credited as the director and choreographer.
THE APOLOGY – An alcoholic struggling with the disappearance of her daughter some 20 years ago decides to host a family Christmas dinner. Her best friend volunteers to assist and help make the evening go as smoothly as possible. The duo is surprised when the lead’s ex-brother-in-law arrives unexpectedly during a storm on Christmas Eve. He reveals a nasty secret that pushes the protagonist to the brink of rage and violence. The press was split on the results, with the picture earning a few more pans than recommendations. Those who appreciated the title wrote that it was engaging and claustrophobic, with several suspenseful sequences. Slightly more called the film cliched and contrived, calling it an ineffective mystery/thriller. It features Anna Gunn, Linus Roache, Janeane Garofalo and Holland Bailey.
THE BEAST BELOW – A once-famous singer decides to return to his small remote hometown for some peace and quiet in this horror/comedy from Thailand. He is immediately asked to join a team and take part in a local water field drilling contest that will earn the victors 1 million Thai Baht. The lead agrees and immediately finds it to be a competitive field. Things get even more challenging when a monster is unearthed that begins to hunt and eat the participants. Also released under the title Leio, not many in this part of the world have seen this film. Those who have state that the movie features some great visual effects but an overly long and padded-out story. They wrote that viewers have to wait too long between the entertaining action sequences. For the time being, this title is a DVD-only release. The cast includes Pichaya Nitipaisalkul, Fang Dhanantorn Neerasingh and Supachai Suwanon.
BLUE THERMAL – Anime enthusiasts will be happy to know that a new title is arriving. This film follows a university freshman who finds it difficult to fit in with students. After accidentally damaging the glider of a young man whom she has a crush on, she joins the aviation club to earn extra money and pay for the damage. It isn’t long before the lead begins to appreciate their work and sets out to pursue a new dream of flying in her own glider. There haven’t been many write-ups for this title in this part of the world and reaction has been muted. A few online reviews have stated that while the lead character is likable and the film itself very sweet, there’s nothing about it that is particularly memorable. In the end, they suggested that it feels a little too run-of-the-mill to heartily endorse. This is a Blu-ray and DVD combo release and presents the film in its original Japanese language with English subtitles.
ESCAPE THROUGH AFRICA – Set In 1914, this feature is set at a British outpost in Africa. After her husband is sent to another locale, a British nurse must contend with a violent attack by a German-led war party. With help from local warriors, she heads out into the wild to avoid capture and warn a neighboring station that they will be raided next. As this is occurring, the woman’s uncle tries to identify a traitor who may have helped the enemy. This very low-budget independent adventure film hasn’t been seen by many and looks to have been filmed entirely in Los Angeles. There have only been a couple of online reviews, and they all note that the writing is poor and that the limited production funds means that the action scenes aren’t very elaborate or exciting. This is currently a DVD-only release. It features Eric Roberts, Linn Bjornland, Justin Gordon, Robert Okumu and Jeff Berg.
GLORIOUS – This indie horror/thriller/comedy was scheduled for release on disc in January but encountered a delay and is now finally arriving. A man upset about a nasty break-up decides to drive to the country and regroup. Or, at least, he attempts to head out of town, but ultimately stops at a roadside restroom. After entering, a strange voice from an adjacent stall begins talking to him. It tells the lead that it is a demon about to cause terror and bloodshed throughout the world… unless the man performs a sexual act that will satiate the monster. Horrified, the lead tries to figure out what he should do. Critics were entertained by this feature, which first debuted on the Shudder streaming service. A small number didn’t think the jokes landed and felt the story was padded out to an excessive length. Everyone else was amused, calling the performers excellent, the visuals stylish and the story unpredictable from start to finish. It stars Ryan Kwanten, J.K. Simmons and Sylvia Grace Crim.
HEAD RUSH – A comic book artist dying of a terminal illness is offered a unique opportunity by his uncle to take part in an experimental medical procedure. As it turns out, the surgery involves removing his head and putting it on the body of a secret donor. The odd transplant is a success, but the lead begins to have strange visions of the deceased person’s life. It is eventually revealed that the body belonged to a superhero and that the artist has now gained his powers. As criminals receive word that their sworn enemy may have returned from the dead, they target the man and his family. This Vietnamese superhero flick was released as Lôi Báo in its homeland back in 2017, but has only recently found a North American distributor. Reviewers have been a bit more positive than negative about the final results. Some wrote that the movie was pretty silly and cliched, but more found it stylish and kooky with some decent action. The cast includes Cuong Seven, Tran Thi Nha Phuong and Ngoc Anh Vu.
LEONOR WILL NEVER DIE – This drama from the Philippines involves an elderly woman who, before falling on hard times, once made her living writing action films. When a call goes out for new projects, she pulls out an old, incomplete script and tries to finish it. After an accident involving a television puts her in a coma, the lead magically enters her own story. She decides to play things out herself, hoping to find a dynamic ending to her tale. The press greatly enjoyed this foreign-language feature. A few voices didn’t think the concept was developed enough to draw them into or care about how things turned out. Everyone else thought the lead performance was wonderful and that the movie cleverly managed to provide laughs and surprises, as well as some poignant moments. It features Sheila Francisco, Bong Cabrera and Rocky Salumbides.
A MAN CALLED OTTO – This remake of the 2015 Swedish feature A Man Called Ove follows a grumpy old man who has seemingly given up on life after experiencing a personal tragedy. While planning to commit suicide, a new family move in across the street. They frustrate and annoy him, but the new arrival’s quick-witted wife begins to engage and form a friendship that slowly changes his attitude. Response towards the finished product was more positive than negative. About one-third of critics found it difficult to buy into star Tom Hanks as a miserable grouch and called the movie predictable, overly sentimental and weaker than its source material. The rest appreciated the actor’s work and wrote that while the film lacked subtlety, it provided plenty of feel-good moments and a positive message. Besides Hanks, the cast includes Mariana Treviño, Mack Bayda, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Juanita Jennings, Mike Birbiglia, Rachel Keller and Truman Hanks. To read a full review of the movie, click here.
SADNESS AND JOY IN THE LIFE OF GIRAFFES – Those with an interest in international cinema may be intrigued by this award-winning title from Portugal. A lonely, 10-year-old Lisbon girl spends most of her days talking to an imaginary friend who looks like a bear. When she is told to take on a school project explaining how the adult world works, she and her pal get into a series of escapades (including trying to track down and question the Prime Minister of Portugal). It results in a striking report for her class. This film earned plenty of praise in its homeland at the end of 2019, but has only recently found a North American distributor. Reviewers in Portugal called it a sharp and funny satire that pulls no punches in criticizing how governments and societies operate. They also complimented the stunning photography and strong performances. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. Maria Abreu, Tónan Quito and Miguel Borges headline the film.
THE WHALE – This Oscar-nominee for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Makeup and Hairstyling involves a morbidly obese man who teaches online and lives as a recluse. With his condition worsening, the lead is visited at his apartment by various figures, including his estranged daughter, a nurse and friend, as well as a young man from a local church group. Over the course of the story, viewers learn about his past. Based on a stage play, the film divided critics, although more appreciated it than disliked it. One-third of reviewers thought it was cruel towards its lead character and his condition, also writing that the presentation was overly theatrical. However, the majority called it convincing and honest, praising the performances and the way it managed to keep audiences in its grip despite never leaving one single, tiny location. It features Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins and Samantha Morton.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking for something older? Cohen Media Group is putting out Secret Defense (1998). It’s a French drama about a 30-year-old scientist investigating the death of her father. The Blu-ray includes a 4K restoration of the film, a director commentary and a re-release trailer.
Criterion is presenting Last Hurrah for Chivalry (1979) on Blu-ray. This is a period action movie that follows a son trying to avenge the death of his father. The Hong Kong flick was an early effort from director John Woo that was produced a decade before he helmed notable action titles like The Killer, Hard Boiled, Broken Arrow, Face/Off and many others. The disc contains a 2K picture restoration, new subtitles, alternate English-dubbed tracks, an audio interview with Woo, a discussion about the movie with a film historian and a trailer.
Kino is delivering a Blu-ray of the pirate themed adventure, Double Crossbones (1951). It comes with a film historian commentary and trailer. Love Letters (1945) is a romance about a man who writes love letters for a friend, only to fall for the woman his pal has married using those notes. It stars Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotton. The disc comes with a 2K film restoration, movie expert commentary and trailer.
Jeffrey Hunter stars in No Man Is an Island (1962), a WWII action picture that is also arriving on Blu-ray. This one comes with a commentary track and trailer.
Sumurun (1920) is a German feature from Ernst Lubitsch following the life of an adventurous dancer. The big bonus on this disc is screen test footage for a Marguerite and Faust film that was never completed. The Wildcat (1921) is another German effort from Lubitsch and a farce about a lieutenant captured by outlaws in the mountains. The daughter of the bandits falls in love with the officer, adding humor and awkwardness to the proceedings. It arrives on disc with a film historian commentary, and an early, 57-minute feature from the director (which also comes with a commentary track).
MGM is deciding to put out some Blu-ray of catalog titles. You can now pick up Hour of the Gun (1967), a reworking of the Wyatt Earp/Doc Holliday legend with James Garner and Jason Robards. Kings Go Forth (1958) is set during WWII and features Frank Sinatra and Tony Curtis as two American soldiers who fall for the same woman (played by Natalie Wood).
The Man Without a World (1992) is arriving on Blu-ray from Milestone. This film’s history is actually quite amusing. It was advertised as a newly discovered silent film about Jewish villagers made by a Russian director. This was all a ruse and the feature is actually a homage to titles from that period. The disc comes with a couple of other, similarly-themed shorts from the filmmaker, Eleanor Antin. Extras include an interview with the moviemaker, trailers and more.
Paramount is releasing a 20th anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray of the science-fiction disaster flick, The Core (2003) with an upgraded picture. When the Earth stops spinning, natural disasters occur around. Scientists must drill down on a dangerous mission to get to the core of the planet and start it spinning again. It stars Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Delroy Lindo, Stanley Tucci, Tcheky Karyo and Richard Jenkins. The movie wasn’t a big hit, nor was it very well-received back in the day, but one assumes it must have developed a following over the years.
The studio is also reissuing a Blu-ray of the Kate Winslett/Josh Brolin drama, Labor Day (2013).
Ronin Flix wants you to know about a new Special Edition Blu-ray of Who’ll Stop the Rain (1978). Nick Nolte plays a Vietnam soldier who decides to deliver some heroin back to the US on behalf of a friend. Things go haywire and he ends up on the run from both hoods and cops. The disc contains a 2K master of the movie, a film historian audio commentary, interviews with co-star Richard Masur, associate producer Roger Spottiswoode and the screenwriter, as well as trailers.
Last Rites (1988) is an erotic thriller with Tom Berenger and Daphne Zuniga about a priest who enters in a forbidden relationship after he encounters a pretty young woman. The Blu-ray contains an interview with the director.
Wild Orchid 2: Blue Movie (1991) is arriving on Blu-ray from Scorpion Releasing. While also directed by Zalman King (who helmed the original Mickey Rourke feature), the story for this follow-up doesn’t have anything to do with the first picture. It instead focuses on a young woman who is taken and trained by a high-class brothel madam. She regrets her decision after falling in love with a regular guy whom she meets off the job. This disc comes with deleted scenes and a trailer. Nina Siemaszko, Tom Skerrit and Robert Davi headline the film.
Razorback (1984) is a fun Australian horror flick about a killer boar terrorizing the outback. When a Canadian man’s wife is attacked by the beast and disappears, he heads into the dangerous wild to find the creature responsible. This stylish effort marked the feature debut of music video director Russell Mulcahy (Highlander, Ricochet, The Shadow) and features wild visuals and some crazy animal mayhem. A few years back, Aussie distributor Umbrella Entertainment put out a fantastic Blu-ray with a 4K restoration, a director commentary, a critic audio track, an interview with star Gregory Harrison, a making-of featuring the cast and crew, deleted scenes, as well as a look back at the title with movie historians. It also came with the longer and more violent 4::3 Australian home video version of the film and tons of publicity material. Thankfully, this North American release from Shout! Factory contains all of the same entertaining bonuses!
Shout! is also releasing a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Collector’s Edition of the slick action flick Streets of Fire (1984) from director Walter Hill (Southern Comfort, The Warriors, 48 Hrs.). It contains all of the same fantastic extras from previous editions with improved picture quality. Great stuff!
Synapse is delivering Phenomena (1985) with a 4K Ultra HD version of the cult Dario Argento horror film from Italy (well, and Switzerland, as it was shot there). Alas, this is a Standard Edition and so no regular Blu-ray is included, nor will there be as many extras as in other previous versions. But if you only want a very quality copy of the movie, then it should do the job just fine.
The Grand Tour (1991) aka Timescape aka Grand Tour: Disaster in Time is also arriving on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films. Jeff Daniels stars as a small-town widower with a loving daughter, but a drinking problem. When a group of odd travelers check into his country inn, he discovers that they are actually tourists from the future who visit the past to enjoy catastrophic disasters… and his town is next for imminent devastation. This title marked the directorial debut of David Twohy (Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick, A Perfect Getaway).
Universal is presenting the animated Biblical tale The Prince of Egypt (1998) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. It won an Oscar for Best Original Song and the voice talent includes Val Kilmer as Moses, and Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Steve Martin and Martin Short.
And remember how Warner Bros. has been steadily putting out individual Rocky films in 4K Ultra HD? This week, Rocky III (1982) is being released as a Best Buy Exclusive Steelbook with 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray discs.
Finally, Warner Archive is making a few titles available as made-to-order Blu-rays from Amazon.com. You can now pick up Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939), Flamingo Road (1949), Neptune’s Daughter (1945) and The Prince and the Showgirl (1957).
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Just one picture this week for kids, but it was a big release back in its day.
The Prince of Egypt (1998) (Universal) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And here are all of the TV-themed titles arriving on disc.
All Creatures Great and Small: Season 3 (PBS) Blu-ray
Highway to Heaven: The Complete Series (Visual Entertainment Group) Blu-ray – may be delayed
The Letter: A Message for Our Earth (PBS) DVD
The Lost Symbol: The Complete Series (Paramount) Blu-ray
The Snowball Effect (Filmrise) Blu-ray
The Walking Dead: Season 11 (Lionsgate) Blu-ray