Welcome to another look at the highlights arriving at stores this week on Blu-ray and DVD. Beyond the run of new releases, this is a fantastic week for great older features making their debuts in high definition. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these flicks a try!
Big New Releases!
The Angry Birds Movie – The video game franchise makes its film debut in this animated comedy. Viewers are promised an explanation as to why the birds are so ill-tempered; it may have something to do with monstrous green piggies that arrive on their island. The movie did well at the box office, but like many game adaptations, it garnered mixed notices, with more negative reviews than positive. Most didn’t hate it, but they stated that it was creatively uninspired and felt more like a lengthy commercial than a feature. The voice cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, Peter Dinklage, Sean Penn, Keegan-Michael Key, Kate McKinnon, Tony Hale and Hannibal Buress.
Backgammon – This independent mystery flick tells the tale of a weekend vacation between friends. When a disagreement and breakup erupts, it results in all but one man and woman being left at the house. Reportedly, as their attraction grows the pair become equally anxious that the lady’s boyfriend might not have actually left the location. Critics haven’t responded well to this title, stating that as written, the psychological games being played aren’t particularly convincing or thrilling. It stars Noah Silver, Olivia Crocicchia, Brittany Allen and Christian Alexander.
Bolshoi Babylon – The famous ballet is chronicled in this documentary. Recent opinion of the Russian dance troupe has been polarized, with plenty of criticism heaped at the creative choices, rivalries and behind-the-scenes drama. This film takes viewers backstage with unprecedented access to the artists. Reaction to the feature was very strong, if not exceptional. Apparently, ballet fans will be enraptured and compelled by what they see, but the filmmakers don’t delve too deeply into the scandals and newbies to dance may find it inaccessible.
Bunker of the Dead – In the mood for a low-budget zombie picture? This German-made, English language production is about a group who find an old trench and dugout used by Nazis during WWII. They discover that it was a secret lab and even more unfortunately, learn that the 70 year old experiments underground are still active. This one is debuting on disc, so there are currently no reviews available. A few online write-ups suggest that it features a lot of first person photography, and as horror flicks go, it might be a little cheesy. The cast includes Michael Abts, Sarita Bradley and Patrick Jahns.
God’s Not Dead 2 – This Christian drama involves a high school teacher who fights for the right to state her religious beliefs in class, taking her mission all the way to the courtroom. Ugghhhh…. The press panned this one universally, stating that it was overlong (at a full two hours), not to mention filled with long-winded lectures and tedius sermons. They also complained that it presented some pretty awful stereotypes of those not following the lead’s particular beliefs; basically, they felt that it was terrible by just about any storytelling standards. It stars Melissa Joan Hart, Jesse Metcalfe, David A. R. White, Ernie Hudson and Robin Givens.
Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words – Criterion are distributing this well-regarded Swedish documentary. Using home movies, archival interviews, letters and diaries, the picture aims to give viewers a clearer look into the private life and thoughts of this famous actress. A few volunteered that it might be a bit too long for its own good, but all found that it gave an interesting and fuller picture of the real person. Isabella Rossellini, Sigourney Weaver and Alicia Vikander all take part in the production.
Raiders! The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made – Here’s another documentary. This one is about three 11 year-old boys who set out to do something very unusual… recreate their favorite movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), shot-for-shot with their own cameras. It took them 7 years to complete and this effort chronicles the experience, as well as what it all meant to the participants. Notices were very good. A few wrote that it over-complimented its subjects for making a fan film, but most believed that it was a fun flick that also captured childhood relationships as well as their dissolution in adulthood.
Sky – This English language drama is a France/Germany co-production about a woman who ends her marriage while on vacation in the western US. She begins to wander the deserts on a journey of self-discovery. Not many have had the opportunity to check out this little arthouse film yet, but the ones who have were split on the results. Some called it odd and pretentious, while others described it as an interesting and eccentric character study. It boasts an impressive cast that includes Diane Krueger, Norman Reedus, Guy Lellouche, Lena Dunham and Lou Diamond Phillips.
Blasts From the Past!
Remember goofy action cinema of the 80s? If you do, then you probably recall the surprise hit from Cannon Films, American Ninja (1985). This week, Olive Films are bringing the entire series to Blu-ray. The original stars Michael Dudikoff as a US soldier given special martial arts training to take on mercenaries in the Philippines. Steve James plays his newfound friend who steps up to help kick butt. Naturally, this results in all sorts of action mayhem. You can reminisce all about it with as we review the disc right here.
American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987) was the follow-up, reuniting the two stars against a new foe. This time out, the bad guy is a super-criminal and scientist kidnapper who has created an army of mutant ninjas ready to do his bidding. We also have a review of the Blu-ray for the sequel. Read all about it here… you know you wane to. It was followed by American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt (1989), which introduces new hero David Bradley in the title role. Finally, American Ninja 4: The Annihilation (1990), teams Bradley with original star Dudikoff as they take down their deadliest foe yet… Get ready to be Dudikoffed! Fans of cheesy 80s low-budget fight films are very likely to get a kick out of them.
But that’s not all. Olive are also releasing the Frank Sinatra/Cary Grant adventure The Pride and the Passion (1957). In addition, they’re debuting the long out-of-print cult drama, Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970) in high definition. It stars Liza Minelli as a burn victim who struggles to rebuild her life after years in the hospital. And there’s more! You can also pick up a Blu-ray of the counter-culture political satire, Wild in the Streets (1968), about a psychedelic rock band leader who fights for the rights of teenagers to vote for him in a presidential election. It stars Christopher Jones, Shelly Winters and Hal Holbrook and also features an early Richard Pryor appearance. You can check out a review for this curio right here.
There are some great titles coming from Shout! Factory as well. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) is a cult flick from the 80s about a rock star/brilliant scientist/super-surgeon who attempts to stop a massive alien invasion. It’s completely tongue-in-cheek and bizarre beyond words, but is a whole lot of fun if you can get on its odd wavelength. The movie stars Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Lloyd and many others. It also features one of the best end credit sequences (featuring all of the heroes strutting) you’re ever likely to see – the current crop of comic book films could learn a thing or two from it. The “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray comes loaded with so many extra features that there isn’t enough space to list them all here.
Many may not realize this, but horror film director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, The Thing, Prince of Darkness and many others) made what still stands as the best Elvis Presley biography ever. Elvis (1979) was a mini-series that starred Kurt Russell as the famous performer and told the singer’s complete life story…. the King of Rock ‘n Roll also shoots out a TV or two over the course of the running time. This Blu-ray features the complete, 170 minute version, which is the one you want to see. The disc also includes some archival interviews as well as a commentary track from an Elvis historian.
Shout! Factory also have the creepy thriller Session 9 (2001) arriving in high definition. It’s an extremely effective, low-key chiller that was shot on video. The story involves a crew cleaning out an old mental asylum who begin experiencing strange and disturbing events. It was directed by Brad Anderson (The Machinist) and stars David Caruso and Peter Mullan. The disc comes with a director audio commentary, new interviews with cast and crew members, deleted scenes, featurettes and other bonuses. If you’re looking for something very scary, this should do the trick.
Kino have some Blu-ray as well that are worth noting. They’ve got the Greece-set war drama Eleni (1985) featuring Kate Nelligan, John Malkovich and Linda Hunt. Those looking for B-movie thrills can enjoy Shelley Winters in Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1972), a strange, modern (for its day) take on Hansel and Gretel.
Enjoyed The Revenant from last year? Then you may be interested in an earlier flick with the identical plot (both were inspired by the same real life story). Man in the Wilderness (1971) starred Richard Harris as a fur trapper who is attacked by a bear and left for dead by his compatriots. He survives and swears vengeance on those who left him behind. It arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of the Warner Archive. Now viewers can compare versions for themselves.
Here’s a really trashy one for bad movie fans. Way back in the day when no-budget horror flicks were coming to VHS and Beta left, right and center, one of the most provocative was Microwave Massacre (1983). It followed a man who becomes a cannibal and begins cooking victims in a newly acquired microwave. Arrow are bringing the flick to Blu-ray and have included a commentary track, making of featurette and plenty of other extras.
And there’s still more. You’ll have to settle for a DVD, but The Dark (1979) is arriving courtesy of distributor Shriek Show. If memory recalls, it’s a pretty bad horror flick about an alien on a killing rampage. The cast includes William Devane, Cathy Lee Crosby and Casey Kasem; it may provide a couple of unintentional laughs for bad movie fans.
108 Records are also putting the religious school satire, Saved! (2004), out on Blu-ray. Produced by Michael Stipe of the band R.E.M. and starring Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin and Patrick Fugit, it tells the exploits of a group of troubled teens at a bible camp.
Finally, Universal are releasing some comedies on Blu-ray that may be of interest. There’s the family dog flick Beethoven (1992), as well as The ‘Burbs (1989), The Dream Team (1989), The Great Outdoors (1988) and The Money Pit (1986). Personally, The ‘Burbs with Tom Hanks features some great improv and is a lot of fun (despite its somewhat strange overall message). The disc comes with some interesting extras, including the original ending. The Great Outdoors is a good time as well, and may evoke feelings of nostalgia for anyone who ever enjoyed vacations summer at the lake. It stars John Candy and Dan Ackroyd.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are the week’s highlights for kids!
The Angry Birds Movie
Power Rangers Super Megaforce: The Complete Season
Shimmer and Shine: Welcome to Zahramay Falls (Nickelodeon)
On the Tube!
Read below to see all of the TV shows arriving on disc. You’ll also find the ending of Buckaroo Banzai below (so if you haven’t seen it, you will find out how it closes).
The Affair: Season 2
American Masters: Mike Nichols
Dead Like Me: The Complete Series
Elvis (1979 Mini-series)
Frontline: Business of Disaster (PBS)
Gotham: Season 2
Hell on Wheels: Season 5, Vol. 1
Lou Grant: Season 2
NCIS: New Orleans: Season 2
Once Upon A Time: Season 5
Power Rangers Super Megaforce: The Complete Season
The Vampire Diaries: Season 7