A new week is here, which means it’s time to look at some of the highlights that are arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This edition features a small but impressive selection of big studio epics and Oscar-nominated fare, which means that there is likely something to appeal to everyone. So, since you can’t or likely shouldn’t be going out to the movies right now, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
55 Steps – Eleanor Riese is the subject of this English-language German/Belgian biopic. Set in San Francisco during the 1980s, the story follows her trials as she is involuntarily detailed and committed to a mental health facility. She manages to get in contact with a lawyer, who steps in and discovers that the patient is being forced to endure severe and inhumane treatment at the hospital. This feature was made a couple of years ago and has been released everywhere else in the world, but had some difficulty finding a US distributor. Reaction among critics in this part of the world to the feature was split. About half suggested that it all came across as unexciting and stated that the movie needed more fire and passion. Just as many thought it was powerful and had a great cast and strong performances. They also complimented the performances as being authentic and realistic. It stars Helena Bonham Carter, Hilary Swank and Jeffrey Tambor.
Another Round – Four high school teachers going through a mid-life crisis in Denmark lament how dull and predictable their lives have become. To combat their malaise, one of them proposes an unusual experiment based on a study suggesting that maintaining a specific blood-alcohol level can bring happiness and creativity. The friends try it out for themselves and find their experiment having unexpected effects. This foreign-language feature received rave reviews and has been nominated for Best International Film and Best Director at this year’s Academy Awards. A small number of critics didn’t like the characters or the fact that the movie avoided making judgments about their behavior. However, the vast majority called the movie one of the year’s best for that very reason, saying it was brilliantly conceived and well-acted drama that would get viewers thinking and talking long after it ended. The cast includes Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Lars Ranthe and Magnus Millang. To read a full review of the film, click here.
Haymaker – A retired Thai boxer looking for work decides to take a job as a bouncer at a nightclub. One evening, he rescues a transgender performer from a nasty thug. The two become friends and the fighter becomes the artist’s bodyguard and confidant. In the process, the protagonist also begins to consider returning to the ring despite the potential dangers involved. This film received mixed reviews from the press, earning a few more negative write-ups than positive ones. Those who liked it said that it was an interesting tale that took viewers in a few unexpected directions. The rest found it forced and dramatically flat, complaining that it didn’t make the most of its unusual characters and situations. It features Nick Sasso, Nomi Ruiz, John Ventimiglia, Zoe Bell and D.B. Sweeney.
The Projectionist – Most know filmmaker Abel Ferrara as the writer and director of gritty cult movies like Ms. 45, King of New York, Bad Lieutenant and Body Snatchers. In this documentary, he meets with and talks to the owner of a notable cinema in Queens. They discuss the 1970s and how independent films of that era were made and distributed. The pair also discuss how much edgier and more interesting the old ways of moviemaking were than the current film scene. This feature received uniformly excellent notices from reviewers. While some of them feared that the two would simply attack recent moviemaking trends, they suggested that the mood was upbeat. In fact, they called it an enjoyable tribute and wrote that the men shared some incredible stories about their experiences working in the movie business in New York.
The Toll – A young woman decides to travel internationally and visit her father. After her plane lands, she hires a taxi to take her out to her dad’s country home. On the way there, the car breaks down, leaving the two stranded in the middle of nowhere. It isn’t long before the driver and fare begin to suspect they are being watched. Then, a series of threats and increasingly dangerous situations occur as the two find themselves being pursued by what they believe is a supernatural entity. It seems that critics didn’t mind this independent horror flick. A few of them did critique the picture for being overly familiar and having too many plot holes to truly scare. However, the majority thought the actors were engaging and the movie maintained a creepy vibe. They also said the villain was a memorable foe. Jordan Hayes, Max Topplin and James McGowan headline the film.
The Widow – According to this film’s press release, for more than three decades people have been going missing in an isolated forest north of St. Petersburg in Russia. A team of volunteers decide to go into the woods to try and find one of those who has recently gone missing there. They quickly lose communication with their basecamp and are soon hunted by a dark and violent spirit known as the Limping Widow. There aren’t a lot of reviews for this foreign-language title yet and the ones that have appeared online have been mixed. Apparently, most have said that the concept is solid and that there is a lot of style and atmosphere on display. However, they also asserted that the story takes too long to get going and that the climax was something of a letdown. The cast includes Viktotiya Potemina, Anastasiya Gribova and Margarita Bychkova.
Wonder Woman 1984 – This DC sequel to the 2017 picks up decades after the events of the first movie. We see the title character now living in Washington, DC at a museum. A new threat arises after a magic stone with the power to make anyone’s wish come true arrives for study. Then, a sinister figure steals the item and begins using it, causing worldwide chaos. Wonder Woman must stop the threat, as well as resist the corruptive power of the object. The movie received more positive reviews than negative ones, although several weren’t as enthusiastic about this follow-up as they were about the original. Some complained that it was too long and bloated, also suggesting that they didn’t care for the change in setting and new characters introduced. Still, slightly more said that while it was trying to do too much, it was still had its heart in the right place, had some memorable antagonists and was an enjoyably silly ride. It stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright and Connie Nielsen. To read this site’s review of the film, click here.
Blasts from the Past!
If this week’s new titles aren’t enough for you, there are also plenty of older flicks getting Blu-ray upgrades. In fact, it’s an embarrassment of riches right now. Last year, Arrow released an amazing new version of the classic horror/comedy, An American Werewolf in London (1981). Now, they’re offering the film in special Limited Edition Steelbook packaging. It comes with all the same fixings as the previous version, including a sharp new remaster of the movie itself. So, if you haven’t picked up the movie yet, you can now do so and get it in a fancy tin with new artwork.
AGFA have a Blu-ray of the low-budget genre feature, Jungle Trap (2016). The movie was made back in 1990 by an exploitation filmmaker who never quite managed to finish it off. After recently discovering the unfinished flick, the man behind the movie finally managed to complete it. Five years later, it’s getting a fancy new release on disc with loads of extras. This includes a commentary track with the director and star, a making-of featurette, outtakes, surviving footage from another production that ran out of funding and a bonus movie from the filmmaker called Run Coyote Run (1987).
MVD Visual have a special Marquee Edition Blu-ray of the Michael Jai White picture, Falcon Rising (2014). In this throwback to action films of the 1980s, the actor plays an anti-hero with post-traumatic stress disorder. To combat his illness, he searches for a villain to take his aggression out on. He gets his wish after flying down to Sao Paulo, Brazil and encountering a crime syndicate in the city. The disc comes with a behind-the-scenes featurette and deleted scenes.
Shout! Factory have some Blu-ray exclusives available as well. The first is a double-feature containing the fantasy B-movies Amazons (1985) and Barbarian Queen (1986). This release is limited to 1,000 units and it looks like they’ve all been pre-sold, so if you’re interested you can follow Shout! Factory for updates and snag an order cancelation. They’re also offering The Big Bust-Out (1972), a futuristic prison break movie featuring ladies fighting their way to freedom. The negative has been given a 2K scan and it arrives with a trailer. This title is also an exclusive. Thankfully, it hasn’t sold out yet, so for the time being it still can be ordered through their official site.
Severin are offering a couple of big cult movies this week by Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia. The Day of the Beast (1995) is an incredibly stylish and funny horror/comedy about a rogue priest who discovers that the Antichrist is about to return. To find and stop the end of the world, he begins taking part in illegal activities, listening to heavy metal and fraternizing with Satanists so that he can get close to his target. The award-winning film is being made available as a 2-Disc Special Edition and a regular Blu-ray single disc Special Edition. It has been restored in 4K from the original negative and comes with a feature-length documentary, interviews with the director, cast members and the director of photography. The disc also includes a short by the filmmaker and some trailers.
Perdita Durango (1997) aka Dance with the Devil was Alex de la Igelsia’s follow-up to the previous title. This English-language effort marked his first and only attempt to break into the US market. It was based on a supporting character from the David Lynch 1990 film, Wild at Heart. Viewers follows her as she heads out on a violent crime spree with her boyfriend. The movie featured an incredible cast including Rose Perez, Javier Bardem, James Gandolfini and Demian Bichir, but was far too graphic and shocking for North American audiences. It ended up being heavily edited and didn’t get much of a release here. Now you can pick a 4K version of this title completely uncut for the first time ever in this part of the world. Besides the upgraded presentation, you’ll get an interview with the director, a talk with the screenwriter, discussions with the film’s composer and director of photography, a new scholar reappraisal of the flick, as well as an interview with another movie expert.
Vinegar Syndrome have a small helping of rare genre films getting the Blu-ray treatment. These releases will be available exclusively through their own website. The first title is the independent slasher The Fear (1995), about a group of college kids who arrive at a cabin, only to being pursued by a large wooden carving that they initially believe to be a home decoration. The movie also features an onscreen appearance of late, great horror filmmaker Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, the Scream series). This is a 4K restoration of camera negative and is presented uncut. The disc comes with a director commentary and a second track with the executive producer. You’ll also get a 50-minute making-of documentary.
Frightmare (1983) involves a horror movie host who passes away. When a horror film society decides to steal his body and have their own memorial for him, they’re shocked to see the celebrity return from the dead and hunt them down. This film has been restored in 2K from the camera negative. Bonuses includes an interview with the cinematographer, an archival discussion the director, a historical commentary track and a trailer.
The distributor also has a 4K restoration Blu-ray of the slasher Graduation Day (1981). This release comes with a producer commentary, a fan audio track and video interviews with various crew members. Hitcher in the Dark (1989) is about a psychopath who drives around in a camper looking for hitchhikers to murder. This disc includes a newly restored 4K image, a film historian commentary, an archival interview with writer/director Umberto Lenzi (Nightmare City) and publicity materials. And you can also pick up Nightmare Weekend (1985) restored in 2K. It’s a crazy and absurd flick about a computer that turns young women into bloodthirsty mutants. Like the other titles being released, the distributor is presenting the movie uncut. It is presented in 2K and comes with the alternate R-rated version, as well as interviews with the make-up effects artist and associate producer.
Blue Underground are putting out a new, cost-friendly edition of the slasher, The New York Ripper (1982). You’ll get all the same special features as the previously released disc and the identical 4K restoration of the uncensored version from the original camera negative, all for an even lower price.
For years, Kino have been doing an excellent job of finding and distributing studio catalog titles on Blu-ray. This week, they have the Bette Midler/Nathan Lane comedy, Isn’t She Great (2000). The disc includes a film historian commentary and a trailer. Lust, Caution (2007) was an early feature from director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Life of Pi). It’s getting a new Blu-ray with a movie expert audio track, as well as a making-of featurette. The French/Italian crime comedy A Pain in the Ass (1973) is also arriving in high definition. This release includes a 2K restoration and a critic commentary, as well as a trailer. The identical specs are included on the Blu-ray of Rosebud (1975), a thriller with Peter O’Toole. Stiletto (1969) follows the adventures of a mafia hitman. This title arrives on disc with a 4K restoration, film historian track and multiple trailers.
The big studios also have plenty to choose from. They’re giving the excellent sports comedy The Bad News Bears (1976) its Blu-ray debut. Walter Matthau plays a hard-drinking little league coach who, in his own eccentric way, attempts to inspire his team of misfits into winning their league championship. Writer/director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Mallrats) is a fan of the film and offers his thoughts on the movie as a bonus. Co-star Jackie Earl Haley also discusses the feature and presents home movies from the set. Additionally, the release includes a talk with the producer.
Just in time for Easter, the studio is also putting out a 4K edition of the religious epic, The Ten Commandments (1956). In addition to a cleaned-up version of the movie for those with an enhanced video and audio set up, you’ll also get a regular Blu-ray with all the previously released extras for the feature.
The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) is also coming courtesy of the studio’s Paramount Presents line. This Best Picture Oscar-winner about a circus stars Charlton Heston and Jimmy Stewart. It arrives with improved picture quality and a discussion on the movie with film critics Leonard Maltin.
Criterion also have some new titles arriving on Blu-ray. Defending Your Life (1991) is a hilarious comedy from Albert Brooks (Lost in America) about an insecure and neurotic man who dies unexpectedly. To get into Heaven, he must take part in a trial and argue that he lived a selfless and noble existence. The movie has been given a 4K digital restoration supervised by Brooks. Bonuses include conversation with the performer, a talk with a theologian about the afterlife, archival interviews with the cast and crew and a trailer.
They also have a Blu-ray of the Ingmar Bergman classic, Persona (1966). This Swedish art film arrives with a 2K digital restoration, a visual essay on the movie’s prologue, an interview with one of the actors and filmmaker/fan Paul Schrader (First Reformed, Affliction), archival discussions with the cast and crew, on set footage and a feature documentary on Bergman and his movies.
Additionally, the distributor is releasing the Oscar-nominated drama Secrets & Lies (1996) in high definition. It’s about a London woman who decides to find and meet her biological mother. She arrives while her parent is in the middle of a personal crisis leading to more tension. You’ll get a 2K digital restoration of this film. It also comes with a new conversation with director Mike Leigh (Waterloo, Another Year), a talk with the composer, an interview with a cast member, an audio discussion with the moviemaker and a trailer.
Sony are presenting a Blu-ray of the Angelina Jolie drama, Girl Interrupted (1999), which also features Winona Ryder and Elizabeth Moss. And if you’re a gamer, then you might be interested in the studio’s 4K release of Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016), an animated feature based on the video game.
Speaking of games, you can also pick up the Mortal Kombat 2-Film Collection Blu-ray from Warner Brothers. The set includes Mortal Kombat (1995) and Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997). This release is obviously arriving to coincide with a new reboot of the franchise that should be arriving in a few weeks.
And finally, the studio’s made-to-order Warner Archive line is also delivering a Blu-ray of the Boris Karloff horror pic, Isle of the Dead (1945). Set on a Greek island, this tale involves a group of people trying to determine if a series of deaths in the area might be the result of an evil spirit rumored to reside nearby.
You Know, For Kids!
If you’re looking for something for younger viewers, here’s what’s available.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Complete Series
On the Tube!
And you’ll find all the TV-themed releases arriving on disc listed below.
The Alienist: Angel of Darkness (Season 2)
American Experience: Voice of Freedom (PBS)
Journeys Through French Cinema (2017-2018) mini-series
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Complete Series
A Perfect Planet (with David Attenborough) 4K (BBC)
The South Westerlies