Welcome again to another edition of Blu-ray and DVD highlights making their way to shops this week. There are some big releases that will be of interest to many; be sure to click on any links you see to read more about them. 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!
Alice Through the Looking Glass – The sequel to 2010’s Alice in Wonderland didn’t make much of an impact the box office this summer. After learning that the Mad Hatter is in a near-death state, Alice returns to Wonderland where she attempts to help her friend and other residents by turning back time. While a few appreciated the darker tone, notices were generally poor for this follow-up, calling the effort dour and critiquing the film for being too visually overwhelming. It stars Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen and Rhys Ifans. To read the site’s review of the movie, click here.
A Beautiful Now – A dancer finds herself at a sort of personal crossroads and invites her friends over for a strange get-together. In an attempt to decide on what extreme course of action to take, she asks questions about their lives and the choices they’ve made. Doesn’t exactly sound like a fun evening with friends, does it? This independent drama hasn’t gotten a lot of reviews as of yet. There have been one or two that call it an interesting attempt to examine a person in a depressed state, but others have called it a compendium of indie film clichés. The cast includes Abigail Spencer, Cheyenne Jackson and Collette Wolfe.
Café Society – The latest from Woody Allen involves a young man who decides to move to Hollywood and give living on the West Coast a try. He and a young secretary (who is involved with another man) begin to fall for each other. The lead attempts to win her, but finds that fate may have other things in store. Write ups for this effort were good, if not exemplary. There were some who called it moody, slight and didn’t care for the intimate, private drama. However, more thought that it was nicely melancholy, highlighted by some beautiful cinematography. Jesse Eisenberg, Kristin Stewart, Steve Carell, Blake Lively, Parker Posey and Corey Stoll are featured. To read a detailed review of the film, click here.
Ghost Team – This independent comedy aims to poke fun at shows like Ghost Hunters. The plot involves a man obsessed with the paranormal. He forms his own team of misfit investigators to check out a local property that is said to be haunted. While one would expect those types of shows an easy target for parody, reaction to this movie was a bit stiff. Almost all found it to be a middle-of-the-road effort with a few chuckles and an effective ending. It’s just that they still didn’t find it remarkable enough overall to recommend. Jon Heder, David Krumholtz, Justin Long, Melonie Diaz and Amy Sedaris lead the cast.
Independence Day: Resurgence – Some 20 years after the original, the invading alien forces return to Earth to mount another elaborate attack. Stepping up to save humanity are some of the characters from the original along with a new group of heroes. This summer blockbuster underperformed at the box office and received poor marks from the press. A scant few found it silly fun. Instead, the majority called it a loud, dull and forgettable follow-up that really adds nothing new to the franchise. It stars Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Jesse T. Usher, Maika Monroe, Sela Ward, William Fichtner, Judd Hirsh, Brent Spiner, Vivica A. Fox, Angelababy and Charlotte Gainsbourg. To read more, click here.
Microbe & Gasoline – Well, it got pushed back at the last minute from its original release date last week, so here we go again…. once more, this title is being released on DVD only today and a Blu-ray will be announced at a later date. The new picture from French director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Mood Indigo) is a coming-of-age tale about two misfit teens who build their own mode of transportation to help them escape their humdrum lives. Critics enjoyed the foreign-language feature, calling it a sweet, charming and melancholy effort that marks an interesting change of pace for the director. Ange Dargent, Théophile Baquet and Audrey Tautou appear. To read a detailed review of the movie, click here.
Our Kind of Traitor – Based on the novel by John le Carré, this thriller involves a professor who accidentally befriends a Russian mobster while vacationing in Morocco. He and his wife are drawn into helping the man and his family turn over classified information to the UK government, and find their lives as risk. There wasn’t a lot of publicity or press for this effort, but reviews were actually decent. While no one raved, many found it to be a well acted and capably made caper. They also stated that it stands as an effective throwback to thrillers of old. the cast includes Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård, Naomi Harris and Damian Lewis.
Spaceman – Bill “Spaceman” Lee is chronicled in this independent biopic, which follows the pitcher’s release from the Montreal Expos and MLB through his career in the minor leagues. Essentially, his outspoken behavior and counterculture beliefs are largely said to be responsible for the end of his professional career. The movie didn’t get much love from reviewers. While they complimented and praised the work of star Josh Duhamel, many felt the movie was clunky in execution and that the filmmaking techniques lacked the energy of its central figure. W. Earl Brown, Ernie Hudson and Sterling K. Brown also appear.
Blasts From the Past!
It’s an incredibly busy week for classic titles arriving on Blu-ray, so let’s get right to business. Olive Films have a full slate. They include the South Korean animated film, The Fake (2013). It’s a dark and bleak effort about an ex-con trying to stop local villagers from being duped by religious hucksters. Things turn very violent, very quickly. The movie earned strong reviews upon its release a few years back and may be worth checking out.
Little Fauss and Big Halsy (1970) is a Golden Globe nominated drama with Robert Redford and Michael J. Pollard about two motorcycle racers and their misadventures – it was a big movie back in the day and is notable for it’s music and a lot of behind-the-scenes drama. Lauren Hutton also appears. This marks the first time it has ever been out on disc at all (on DVD or Blu-ray). Be sure to read about it right here.
One a more suspenseful note, The Return of Dracula (1958) is a low-budget black and white vampire drive-in flick from United Artists; this tale predated Hammer’s Horror of Dracula (1958) by only a month. It was shot in California and involves the Count moving out of Eastern Europe and traveling to the US. Hope he brought his shades with him. Special Effects (1984) is a thriller starring Eric Bogosian about a film director who murders an aspiring actress and then tries to cover up his crime by framing her ex-boyfriend. The film comes from director Larry Cohen (It’s Alive, God Told Me To, Q, The Stuff) and you can read a Blu-ray review of it right here.
Strategic Air Command (1955) is a Cold War action thriller that stars Jimmy Stewart as an ex-pilot called back into action by the US government – the film primarily deals with stress this causes on his family. Villa Rides (1968) is a Western written by Sam Peckinpah and Robert Towne about Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. The movie stars Yul Brenner and Robert Mitchum.
Arrow Video have something interesting for horror fans, in the form of a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD of Bride of Re-Animator (1989). This follow-up to the 1985 horror gem picks up with its lead characters continuing their work with raising the dead. Admittedly, it isn’t nearly as effective as the original, but features a few nifty moments as the heroes face off against an old, headless foe (who can now get around thanks to the bat wings being sewn onto his head). As you might imagine, it’s pretty goofy, tongue-in-cheek stuff. This edition limited to 5000, so if you’re a fan of the feature, pick it up before it’s out-of-print all over again. Besides a new restoration with an R-rated and Unrated cut of the feature, the release also comes with multiple audio commentaries, featurettes on the film and its make-up effects, deleted scenes and publicity materials.
MDV distributes Arrow Video in the US, and they’ve also are releasing a noteworthy DVD. Last of the Mississippi Jukes (2003) is a documentary about a particular lounge in Jackson, MS that has hosted some of the greatest acts in blues history. Sadly, it has since been torn down, but at least you can find out all about it with this picture.
That’s already a lot, but there’s plenty more coming your way. Universal are putting out a Blu-ray set called The Marx Brothers Silver Screen Collection. It contains some popular early efforts from the comedians, like The Cocoanuts (1929), Animal Crackers (1930), Monkey Business (1931), Horse Feathers (1932) and Duck Soup (1933) (in a restored Edition). That’s a pretty good assortment of titles. Hopefully another set will follow soon with A Night at the Opera (1935) and A Day at the Races (1937).
Sony are bringing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) to Blu-ray with a “Limited Clear Case Edition.” You’ll have to look it up to see if you get anything new besides the packaging for this release.
Lionsgate are bringing the Viet Nam war film Hamburger Hill (1987) to Blu-ray. It features early performances by Don Cheadle, Dylan McDermott and Courtney B. Vance and depicts one of the bloodies battles from the conflict. Truthfully, I’ve never actually seen it, but I do remember it being well liked and developing a large following on VHS after its theatrical run.
A few weeks back Lionsgate also introduced their “Vestron Collector’s Series” line, giving out-of-print B-movies and smaller horror pictures high definition upgrades. This week they’re releasing a double feature of Waxwork (the Unrated version) (1988) and Waxwork II: Lost in Time (1992). They both play as a homage to old monster flicks with characters entering a strange wax museum and magically traveling into living versions of the disturbing displays. If memory recalls, these aren’t classics, but the first one does has a few interesting sequences. The disc also comes with bonuses, including an audio commentary and featurettes on the movie.
Warner Archive are making Body Snatchers (1993) available as a made-to-order Blu-ray through their website, just in time for Halloween. This is the third take on Invasion of the Body Snatchers and moves the action to a military base, where many of the persons stationed already carry blank, cold expressions. Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant) directed this sci-fi scare flick, which isn’t as good as the first two adaptation and definitely has its problems (namely, the lack of a third act). However, it’s decent overall and does features a few memorably chilling moments; the kids at a primary school sharing their painting projects comes to mind, as does some creepy dialog from co-star Meg Tilly.
Not to be outdone, Shout! Factory are releasing a 2-disc “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray of the killer doll flick, Child’s Play (1988). This one’s about a killer who manages to possess a toy named Chucky before his death – he then torments the family who purchases it (as well as random strangers). It’s not a personal favorite, but it is a very popular flick that still maintains a huge fan base. They’ll be delighted with all of the extras on this release. Besides a new transfer and three audio commentaries (including a new one with the director), there are lengthy documentaries that total over two hours in length, as well as archived interviews and trailers.
They’ve also got the gritty crime flick Nighthawks (1981). In this one, Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams play New York cops hunting down a terrorist played by Rutger Hauer. The movie was a little ahead of its time but studio heads at the time didn’t have confidence in the feature and heavily edited it before release. Sadly, these much talked about scenes haven’t been recovered for this release, but a high-definition theatrical cut on Blu-ray is still better than nothing. The disc includes several new interviews with cast and crew members.
And there’s still more. Kino are releasing a Blu-ray of the Burt Reynolds/Raquel Welch action/comedy Fuzz (1972), about a Boston cop chasing a mad bomber. They’ve also got The Laughing Policeman (1973), which involves another maniac who kills passengers on a bus, one of whom is a cop. His late officer’s partner and anther detective attempt to find the man responsible. It stars Walter Matthau and Bruce Dern.
They’ve also got the strange little Canadian horror flick, The Pit (1981). It’s about a disturbed boy who befriends a malevolent force from a large hole in the woods near his suburban home. He uses it to destroy his schoolyard enemies and pretty much anyone else who irks him (including nasty grannies). Finally, you can also pick up a Blu-ray of the Jon Voight drama, Table for Five (1983), about a divorced man with a wandering eye who takes his estranged kids on a vacation. While traveling, he must grapple with taking care of them on his own for the first time.
Finally, Criterion have some big pictures arriving. Short Cuts (1993) is another Robert Altman picture featuring a massive, star-studded cast. The plot intersects various characters and stories all set around suburban Los Angeles. The Blu-ray has a new 4K transfer, as well as extras like a 2004 conversation between director Altman and actor Tim Robbins, a feature-length 1993 documentary on the movie’s production, a 1992 PBS documentary on the life of author Raymond Carver (whose stories were the basis for the project), a one-hour 1983 audio interview with Carver, original demo recordings of the film’s Doc Pomus–Mac Rebennack songs, deleted scenes and a look inside the marketing of the feature. That’s a lot of bonuses for fans of the film.
They’ve also got a set called the Trilogia de Guillermo del Toro. It includes three of the filmmaker’s Spanish-language efforts; the vampire tale, Cronos (1993), a period ghost story called The Devil’s Backbone (2001) and the Oscar-winning Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). They’re all superb movies worth anyone’s time and the discs also come with an endless array of extras (director commentaries, making of featurettes… there’s just too much stuff to go into right here). Don’t worry if the whole set it too much, you can also pick up each title individually.
You Know, For Kids!
There’s plenty for children this week. Read below to find out what’s coming out!
Back to the Future: The Animated Series: Dickens of a Christmas
Barbie & Her Sisters in a Puppy Chase
Doc McStuffins: Toy Hospital
Peppa Pig: Sun, Sea and Snow
Power Rangers Dino Thunder: The Complete Series
Thomas & Friends: Tinsel on the Tracks
On the Tube!
And here’s a list of some notable TV shows arriving at stores.
Art 21: Art in the 21st Century (PBS)
Back to the Future: The Animated Series: Dickens of a Christmas
Bates Motel: Season 4
Doctor Who: The Weeping Angels
Downton Abbey: The Complete Collection
Dr. Ken: Season 1
Dr. Selfridge: The Complete Series
Guilt: Season 1
Hee Haw: Salute!
Inspector Lewis: The Complete Series (Masterpiece)
The Night Of (HBO miniseries)
Power Rangers Dino Thunder: The Complete Series
The Three Stooges (1934-1959): The Complete DVD Collection
Teen Wolf: Season 5, Vol. 2
Wallander: The Complete Collection