Looking for something to rent this week. Well look no further. We’ve got all of the highlights on DVD and Blu-ray right here for your perusal and plenty of full reviews of the features in question. 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!
Anesthesia – A professor at Columbia University is brutally attacked at the outset of this indie drama. The movie then follows the many troubled lives of the people the man intersected with before the violent incident. Despite a big cast, critics were not taken at all with the feature. They found the characters and situations inauthentic and complained that events weren’t really pulled together to make a cohesive or thematic whole. It stars Glenn Close, K. Todd Freeman, Gretchen Mol, Tim Blake Nelson, Kristin Stewart, Corey Stoll and Sam Waterston.
The Brothers Grimsby – In the mood for a raunchy gross-out comedy? This effort follows a dopey soccer hooligan who is accidentally reunited with his long lost brother (who is now working as a suave secret agent). The two must work together to save the world from a nefarious plot. The press weren’t very positive about this comedy. Many found it too sloppily put together and, well, gross to recommend. Additionally, the film didn’t get much of a release and many believe it’s due to some off color remarks towards a current Presidential candidate. Still, a few out there managed to enjoy the effort. The cast includes Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Isla Fisher, Rebel Wilson and Penelope Cruz. You can read a detailed review of the movie right here.
Embrace of the Serpent – This drama earned a Best Foreign Language film nomination for Columbia at last year’s Academy Awards. The plot involves two scientist’s efforts to locate a plant with healing properties as well as their relationship with an Amazonian Shaman they encounter on their travels. The movie received raves during its arthouse run, calling it completely unique, original and compelling. Many were also impressed with the impressive black and white photography. Nilbio Torres, Jan Bijvoet and Antonio Bolivar essay the lead roles.
Knight of Cups – The latest from director Terrence Malick is an interpretive arthouse film that is even more experimental and abstract than his recent output (The Tree of Life, To the Wonder). A emotionally distant Hollywood screenwriter going through an existential crisis wanders LA ruing on his past while experiencing the sights and sounds of the city. This polarizing, impressionistic film split the critics down the middle. All felt that it was gorgeously shot. However, while several found it meaningful, half felt it was self-indulgent; they tired of sitting through the dreamy, non-narrative forms on display. It features Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Wes Bentley, Brian Dennehy and blink-and-you’ll-miss-them cameos from just about half of everyone in Hollywood. To read a full review of the movie, click here.
Midnight Special – A father breaks away from a cult with his young son, who possesses strange and powerful supernatural abilities. Before you can say Escape to Witch Mountain, they’re on the road and pursued by both the religious group, as well as secret government agents. Reviews were surprisingly strong for this independent science-fiction flick, complimenting the feature for its engaging performances as well as a sense of realism that helped add to the tension. It stars Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst, Joel Edgerton, Adam Driver, Jaeden Lieberher and Sam Shepard.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 – Coming some 14 years after the original comedy hit, this follow-up reunites the entire cast of the first film for more wacky shenanigans. The married leads from the original struggle to add the spark back into their relationship when a family secret is revealed (leading to another potential wedding). Notices were mixed to negative this time out, stating that while it provided a chuckle or two, there wasn’t enough here to justify bringing this family back to the big screen. The cast includes Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine, Lainie Kazan and Andrea Martin. To read the site’s review, click here.
The Wave – Want to see a disaster film as seen through a Norwegian lens? This effort (known in its homeland as Bolgen) involves a family living near a lake resort village. After a significant portion of nearby mountain collapses into the water, a resulting tidal wave rushes towards town, forcing the clan members to take extreme measures to survive. Critics were generally positive about the movie. While most admitted the story was conventional, many stated that the smaller scale and more personal stakes helped elevate the movie above others of its genre. Kristoffer Joner and Ane Dahl Torp do their best to swim to safety. If you’d like to read more about he movie, click here.
Blasts From the Past!
It’s a busy week for great, older titles arriving in high definition. Olive Films have a another great group of Blu-rays arriving. Appointment With Crime (1946) is a British film noir about a jewel thief who goes to jail after a botched theft. When he gets out, the ex-con decides to target his old accomplices. Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975) is a drama about a young man traumatized after the death of a local, basketball playing hero, who is shot dead in the streets by overzealous cops. The well-regarded film features Bernie Casey and an early appearance from Lawrence Fishburne.
A Home of Our Own (1993) is another well received dramatic effort that stars Kathy Bates as a woman who decides to move her six children out of Los Angeles to a rural community in Idaho. The story follows them as they attempt to adjust to their new surroundings.
On a more comedic note, If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969) is a comedy about a group of American tourists and their misadventures while on a bus tour of Europe. The cast includes Ian McShane, Suzanne Pleshette, Murray Hamilton, Norman Fell and many others. If you’d like to read more about it, click here to read a Blasts From the Pasts! Blu-ray review all about it.
I’ll Take Sweden (1965) is a comedy with Bob Hope about a man who takes his daughter to Scandinavia to help her forget about a relationship gone wrong. He begins to regret his decision after being introduced to the country’s liberal ideals. It also stars Tuesday Weld.
Richard Harris returns in the sequel, The Return of a Man Called Horse (1976). The follow-up depicts the British protagonist from the first film returning to his adopted Native American tribe and helping them stave off extinction from invading forces. The movie is said to be more violent than its predecessor and was directed by Irvin Kirshner (reportedly, his work on this film got him the Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back directing gig). You can read all about the film here.
Finally, Olive are releasing Stagecoach (1986) in high definition. This isn’t the original, but rather a well reviewed made-for-tv remake which was shot in widescreen (for theatrical exhibition in other parts of the world. The cast includes Willie Nelson, Kris Kristopherson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and John Schneider, so they probably sung up a storm between takes.
Criterion have an elaborate Blu-ray of the cult science-fiction film, Fantastic Planet (1973). This animated Czech/French co-production is set on a distant world where humans are the pets of large blue aliens. They fight the oppression and lead an uprising. The disc includes a new 2K restoration of the movie, two early short films from the director, a documentary on the filmmaker, period interviews and publicity materials.
Additionally, Kino have several lesser known but entertaining film noirs, the first two starring John Payne. These include 99 River Street (1953), about an ex-boxer who is framed for the murder of his wife and Hidden Fear (1957) in which the actor plays an American in Denmark who stumbles upon a counterfeit ring. Shield for Murder (1954) features Edmond O’Brien as a crooked cop hunting down the only witness to a murder he committed – a deaf mute.
But that’s not all. Shout! Factory have a couple of new Blu-rays as well. The Crush (1993) features an early performance by Alicia Silverstone as a teenager stalking a journalist neighbor (played by Cary Elwes), threatening to sabotaging his life when he refuses her advances. The disc comes with extras, including a director commentary, new interviews with supporting cast members Kurtwood Smith and Jennifer Rubin as well as TV spots and the trailer.
They’ve also got a Blu-ray of the disaster flick, Rollercoaster (1977), which star George Segal as a quirky cop out to stop a maniac (Sam Bottoms) who blows up amusement park rides. This release features a new interview with the producer and co-writer, but the most notable feature is its presentation with the original “Sensurround” sound mix which, if played loud enough, should shake your home to its foundation.
Warner Archive have a made-to-order Blu-ray of the Debbie Reynolds musical, The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964). And they’ve got a new Blu-ray of the Oscar-winning Blake Edwards comedy, Victor Victoria (1982). It’s considered one of the director’s best films (and that’s saying something, since he also helmed Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Pink Panther, A Shot in the Dark and The Party among many others). Additionally, the studio is also releasing a DVD of the well-reviewed film noir, No Questions Asked (1951).
And finally, previous editions of this column mention the release of Neil Young’s Human Highway (1982) and the concert film, Rust Never Sleeps (1979). There was a last minute delay in their release, but they should finally be available this week. Same story for Arrow’s Nikkatsu Diamond Guys Vol. 2.
You Know, For Kids!
Hey kids, get ready for giant monster and robot-fighting-action, because that is all that’s coming your way this week!
Gaiking: The Complete Original 1876 TV Series
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: The Complete Series
Transformers Rescue Bots: Heroes of Tech
On the Tube!
And here are this edition’s TV-themed releases. Here are a couple of opening credits for your viewing pleasure, as well as some Blast From the Past! trailers.
Doctor Who: The Complete First Series
Gaiking: The Complete Original 1876 TV Series
The Hollow Crowns: The Wars of the Roses (BBC TV-movie set)
How to Get Away With Murder: Season 2
Janet King: Series 1: The Enemy Within
Last of the Summer Wine: Vintage 2006
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: The Complete Series
Wallander: Season 4
Workaholics: Season 6