Once again, it’s time to run through the week’s highlights of new releases on DVD and Blu-ray. It appears to be a busy week with plenty of flicks both new and old. As always, just click on the links to read more detailed reviews. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to check one (or several) of these titles out!
Big New Releases!
Deadly Code – Here’s a strange one that seems to have slipped under the radar. This Italian flick (also known in its homeland as Educazione Siberiana) is based on a memoir about the Siberian Urka community. Reportedly, it’s a mob story about two friends growing up in the criminal underworld. Despite being a foreign title, it’s an English-language effort and features actors John Malkovich and Peter Stormare in supporting roles. It played a few festivals and received some positive notices, so this $30 million Euro effort may something to take a chance on.
Generation Iron – This documentary effort from the makers of 1977’s Pumping Iron continues to shine a light behind the competitive bodybuilding circuit. Narrated by Mickey Rourke, it provides an updated investigation into the culture and how science is being applied to help athletes win titles. It was well received by the press, who describe it as an fascinating follow-up to their previous film, although some reviewers wished it went into greater depth about some of its subjects.
Her – The pick of the week for many will be this Best Picture nominee that landed on numerous best-of-the-year lists. It’s a futuristic tale about a nebbish professional letter-writer who falls in love with his computer’s operating system. Of course, it isn’t long before the relationship becomes more complicated than anticipated. Joaquin Phoenix stars with Amy Adams, while Scarlett Johansson provides the voice of the OS. Critics uniformly praised the movie for its performances, production design and unique subject matter. You can read a slightly more detailed review of the film here.
I, Frankenstein – Likely to end up on many worst-of-the-year lists is this graphic novel adaptation that follows Frankenstein’s monster in a action-filled adventure. In the hundreds of years that have passed since his creation, the monster develops martial arts skills and teams with gargoyles to protect the world against evil demons. Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto and Jai Courtney headline the cast. Reviews were terrible, stating that the end result was pure schlock that failed to engage. Daring viewers who pick up the Blu-ray will find that it contains a 3D version of the flick. In the meantime, read a full review of the title here.
Special ID – Action fans wanting more authentic martial arts may want to give this Chinese title a try. Donnie Yen (of Ip Man fame) stars as a cop struggling to undermine a large crime syndicate in modern China by going undercover within the organization. This flick split reviewers. Most were impressed by some of the physical stunts on display, but many felt that the overly predictable and clichéd story took away from the thrills.
Stalingrad – This Russian-language flick was shot in 3D and centered around the brutal WWII battle. The story features a small group of soldiers trapped in an apartment block and under fire from German forces. It received a brief IMAX 3D run a couple of months back. The press were almost equally split on the film – some were wowed by the technical skills shown on a minimal budget, although others found the human drama corny and melodramatic. Once again, the Blu-ray includes the 3D version. Read the site’s original review here.
Stranger by the Lake – Art house movie fans may find this title to their liking. This French independent drama/thriller tells the tale of a gay man on vacation who falls for a mysteriously sinister chap, despite knowing that the attraction may put his life in danger. While a very small number of the press warned audiences that the film was fairly explicit, they also gave it great acclaim. Journalists called the film a thought provoking effort that slowly builds and sustains incredible dramatic tension.
That Awkward Moment – This comedy didn’t get much love from critics. A few wrote that it possessed some charm, but the majority called it a forgettable, by-the-numbers effort that resorts to dumb toilet humor to garner laughs. The plot involves a trio of young men examining their dating relationships and attempting to determine how serious they are about their romantic partners. Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller, Imogen Poots, Mackenzie Davis and Jessica Lucas star.
Blasts from the Past!
There are some older titles coming to Blu-ray too. Paramount is releasing a double-feature Blu-ray that contains Crocodile Dundee (1986) and Crocodile Dundee II (1988). Both star Paul Hogan as a friendly Australian crocodile hunter from the outback who becomes a fish-out-of-water in metropolitan Manhattan. The first film emphasizes comedy while the sequel takes more of an action film approach. Extras are next to none and reviews have remarked that the transfers aren’t exemplary, but fans will at least get a chance to revisit two popular titles.
Once again timed to capitalize on the new film coming next week, Godzilla: King of the Monsters (1954) arrives from Classic Media. This version contains both the uncut Japanese version and the US cut (featuring Raymond Burr) as well as commentaries from Godzilla experts and additional featurettes. It appears to be the same edition ported over from a DVD released by the same company ten years ago. Still, if you don’t already own the film, it’s a nice presentation that should impress.
Overlord (1975) is a meditative, black & white effort about WWII arriving on Blu-ray from the always reliable Criterion. It follows a young man as he trains for the D-Day battle and intersperses actual war footage into the story. It’s an odd flick that has reportedly developed a cult following, and the disc contains impressive extras including a commentary and numerous shorts about the film and D-Day in general.
Horror fans have come to expect high quality offerings from Shout! Factory, even when the films in question aren’t particularly… high quality. Evilspeak (1981) stars Clint Howard as a put upon military cadet who uses a demonically possessed computer to take violent revenge out on his tormentors. The Blu-ray features a newly restored uncut version with all of the graphic bits intact, as well as a producer commentary track.
Final Exam (1981) is a typical slasher of the era about a psycho killing students during exam week. It features a new transfer from the original camera negative, a commentary with cast members, interviews and a trailer. Fans should be more than happy with the discs.
You Know, For Kids!
There’s lot of varied choices for kids that include the following titles.
The Adventures of Raggedy Ann & Andy
Arthur Makes a Movie (PBS)
Madeline 3 Program FUNdle
Marvel Knights: Wolverine Weapon X: Tomorrow Dies Today
Raw Patrol
Poppy Cat: Birthday Treasure
Scooby-Doo: 13 Spooky Tales – Field of Screams
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Strawberry Shortcake: Fun Under the Sun
Word World: Hide & Seek
On the Tube!
And finally, here are some of the notably TV releases arriving this week.
Afterlife: Season 1
The Dave Clark 5 and Beyond (PBS)
Doctor Who: Series 2, Part 2
Eastbound & Down: Season 4
First World War: The Complete Series
Kendra on Top: Season 2
Longmire: Season 2
Orange is the New Black: Season 1
Perry Mason Movie Collection: Volume 2
Wrestlemania 30