{"id":18670,"date":"2019-07-08T16:40:12","date_gmt":"2019-07-08T23:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cinemastance.com\/?p=18670"},"modified":"2019-07-08T16:40:12","modified_gmt":"2019-07-08T23:40:12","slug":"dvd-blu-ray-roundup-for-july-9th-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/?p=18670","title":{"rendered":"DVD\/Blu-ray Roundup for July 9th, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome back to another very busy edition of new release\nhighlights on Blu-ray and DVD. Looks like\nthere’s a bit of everything both new and old to enjoy this time out (and as\nalways, you can click on any links you see to read full reviews). So if you\ncan’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles\na try! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big New Releases!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

After<\/em> – Based on a bestselling novel, this teen\nromance follows a smart and studious young woman who falls for a mysterious,\nmoody new arrival with a rebellious streak. Their passionate and rocky\nrelationship makes the lead question several of the conservative choices she\nhas made in life. This effort was largely panned by the press. A very small\ngroup complimented the young cast and thought it would appeal to its target\ndemographic. However, almost all others thought the production was bland and\nthe motivations of the characters tough to buy into. Some even suggested that\nit made them think more highly of the Twilight<\/em> teen-romance series. It\nfeatures Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Selma Blair, Jennifer Beals\nand Peter Gallagher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

High Life<\/em> – In this arthouse sci-fi drama, a mission\nto the outer reaches of the solar system hits a major issue when the craft crashes\non an alien planet. Filled with convicts sent to repopulate the universe, the\nstory focuses on a father and baby daughter who find themselves separated from\nthe group and struggling to survive the strange elements. Reaction towards the\nfilm was positive. A few did comment that the movie was too eccentric and odd\nto get one involved in the story. Still, almost everyone else thought that the\nproduction design and cinematography was excellent and commented that they enjoyed\nthe fact that this film didn’t spell things out and left elements open to\ninterpretation. The movie stars Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Andre\nBenjamin and Mia Goth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I Like Me<\/em> – An egocentric woman dealing with all\nsorts of family problems hits rock bottom. When she decides to write about her\nexperiences, the book becomes an unexpected success, turning her into a popular\nself-empowerment guru who finds popularity with catchy catchphrases like,\n“Positivi-me.” This independently produced comedy has played a few\nsmall festivals where it won an award or two, and will be premiering to most of\nus on DVD and Blu-ray. This means that there\naren’t any reviews for the feature and interested parties will have to use\ntheir personal intuition to determine whether it’s the right flick for them. It\nfeatures Sue Schaffel, Anna Fagan and Chris Kozlowski.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Little<\/em> – A tech mogul known for her aggressive and\nbullying business technique is rude to a young magician, who wishes that the\nadult return to her childhood self. The kid’s request works and the lead finds\nherself in the body of a youngster, complicating professional duties and\nforcing her to trust in her assistant’s abilities. The press appeared to be\ndivided on how this effective this comedy was. Almost half wrote that the jokes\nand situations were fairly predictable, but thought the cast’s work was\nendearing enough to earn it a pass. Slightly more complained that the movie\nwasn’t as funny as it needed to be, was obvious in it’s themes, and even appeared\nto contradict some of its own messages. Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin\nand Tone Bell headline the movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mojin: The Worm Valley<\/em> – This Chinese adventure film is based on a series of novels and is a sequel of sorts to 2015’s Mojin: The Lost Legend<\/em> (albeit featuring a different cast this time out). It tells the story of a famous tomb explorer on a dangerous mission to locate the lost tomb of Emporer Xian. To get there, he and his compatriots must find an isolated island and then fight off all sorts of mystical creatures. The movie is making its debut on disc in this part of the world, so there aren’t a lot of write-ups available for it. Two have appeared online. One states that the movie is enjoyably goofy, while the other critiqued it for borrowing element from other, better action pictures. It features Hang Cai, Xuan Gu and Taishen Cheng. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Outlaws<\/em> – Set among a violent criminal biker\norganization, this picture details the difficulties faced by the gang’s vice\npresident. Essentially, after getting out of prison, he learns that the troupe\nare in the midst of a battle with rivals. He’s forced to choose between\nfollowing the orders of his superior, or breaking the rules in order to save\nhis brother. The lead’s actions result in a struggle for power within the gang.\nThis is a low-budget Australian production that didn’t receive a lot of love\nfrom reviewers in these parts. Some did appreciate the grittiness depicted and\nfound the movie tense, but more opined that the tale was routine and too\nhard-boiled for its own good. Now viewers can decide for themselves. The cast includes\nRyan Corr, Abbey Lee, Matt Nable and Simone Kessell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Pet Sematary<\/em> – Stephen King’s disturbing bestseller gets an update with this new take on the famous novel. A man moves to a Maine university town with his family, only for tragedy to follow. When he hears about a nearby burial ground that can actually raise the dead, he decides to give it a try. Of course, the horrific results end up putting the entire family and friends in danger. The press were divided on the product, although it did garner a few more positive notices than negative ones. Some complained that there was a great movie about coping with death hidden somewhere in the material, but felt that it was lost in horror movie tropes. A few more admired the attempts to deal with weightier subject matter and thought it had some creepy moments. It stars Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz and John Lithgow. To read this site’s review, click here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Professor<\/em> – A university professor and lecturer\nis forced to adapt to shocking news when he learns that he has only six months\nto live. With nothing to lose, the academic decides adopts a new, wild\nlifestyle. To the shock of his wife and work associates, the protagonist begins\ndrinking, smoking and telling those around his honest feelings, winning over students\nin the process. Critics weren’t all that thrilled by this comedy\/drama. There\nwas a minimal group who were amused by the main character’s reckless abandon\nand enjoyed the dark humor on display. Still, the majority believed that the script\ndidn’t probe its characters deeply enough and that it all ultimately seemed superficial.\nJohnny Depp, Rosemarie DeWitt, Odessa Young, Danny Huston and Ron Livingston\nheadline the film. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shadows of <\/em>Sofia<\/em>\n– This documentary attempts to delve deeply into the world of Russian oligarchs\nand clandestine activities between those and power and underworld\norganizations. The filmmaker travels to Bulgaria\nand interviews a notorious banker who claims to handle the finances of the\naforementioned oligarchs. The subject opens up about his dealings with a mob\nboss, as well as this individual’s influence on various powerful politicians within\nthe Kremlin and beyond. According to a synopsis of the feature, the\ndocumentarian reveals that most of Russia\nis under the control of the KGB and the “shadowy mob boss” featured.\nThis non-fiction film is making its debut on disc, so there currently aren’t any\nwrite-ups out there for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Transit<\/em> – Two weeks ago, the site covered this\nforeign-language feature. Well, its release was delayed at the last minute and it\nis finally arriving now. This drama from German director Christian Petzold (Phoenix<\/em>)\ninvolves a man trying to get out of Nazi-occupied France.\nTo do so, he takes on the identity of a deceased writer. Things get complicated\nwhen the protagonist encounters the wife of the man whose identity he has\nstolen and begins to fall for her. Based on a 1944 novel, this foreign-language\neffort earned raves from film reviewers. A very small contingent were confused\nby the filmmaker setting the story a more modern environment and thus couldn’t\nget on its wavelength. Everyone else called it an incredible accomplishment,\nfilled with tension and despair, while noting that the tale itself still seemed\nto be very relevant in today’s world. It stars Franz Rogowski, Paula Beer and\nGodehard Giese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blasts from the Past!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a busy week for many distributors of classic and older titles. Shout! Factory are getting the ball rolling with the western, The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid<\/em> (1972). This hard-to-locate effort stars Robert Duvall and Cliff Robertson and details the story of the James-Younger gang. Specifically, Jesse James and his crew’s attempts to rob the biggest bank west of the Mississippi. The Blu-ray includes a new film historian audio commentary, an image gallery and a trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Video game fans might be excited to see a Collector’s\nEdition Blu-ray of the horror flick, Silent Hill<\/em> (2006). The plot\ninvolves a mother and daughter who pass through a strange portal into a\nhorrifying town filled with grotesque monsters. It’s a good-looking film,\nalthough one that didn’t do much for me personally. Still, it has earned plenty\nof devoted fans over the years. They’ll be happy to learn that the movie has\nbeen given a new DH master approved by the director. It also comes with a\ncinematographer audio commentary, trailer, recent interviews with the director,\ntwo cast members, a make-up effects artist, as well as a making-of,\nbehind-the-scenes footage, a featurette and promotional materials.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shout! also have the sci-fi classic, This Island Earth<\/em>\n(1955) on Blu-ray. It’s about an atomic scientist trying to save the world from\nan alien invasion. This release presents a new 4K scan of the film\ninter-positive and presents the movie in both a 1.85:1 and 1.33:1 aspect ratio.\nOther new bonuses include the original Perspecta stereophonic soundtrack (along\nwith facts about the sound design), a commentary with visual effects artist\nRobert Skotak, a film historian interview about the movie’s importance, an interview\nwith filmmaker Luigo Cozzi on his love for the film, a lengthy documentary\nabout the production process, War of the Planets<\/em> (a film reel released\nin 1958 presenting a 9 minute home version of the movie), multiple trailers for\nthe flick (including a Joe Dante commentary via Trailers From Hell<\/em>) and\nstill galleries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kino have a ton of new Blu-rays to promote as well. The\nfirst is a 4K restoration and Special Edition of Jean-Luc Godard’s French\narthouse title, Alphaville<\/em> (1965). This disc comes with a film historian\ncommentary and introduction, both the English and French versions of the movie,\nan interview with cast member Anna Karina and the trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a completely different note, they also have a Special\nEdition of the cheesy action picture, The Annihilators<\/em> (1985). The\ncomplete film has been given a 2K update and arrives with a new interview with\nthe director and cast member Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, as well as a comparison\nbetween the censored and uncensored UK\nversions of the film. You’ll also get a trailer. The Anthony Perkins thriller, The\nChampaign Murders<\/em> (1967) is receiving a high definition upgrade too, and\nthis Blu-ray includes a film historian audio track, a Trailers from Hell look\nat the film with Tim Hunter and a trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The next Special Edition title from Kino is a really incredible one for fright fans. Dead of Night<\/em> (1945) was one of the first horror anthologies ever made and it remains one of the all time best. This British title features a group of characters at a country estate sharing some creepy personal experiences. Most of it is phenomenal, including a tale involving a ventriloquist named Max and his very sinister dummy, Hugo. The film also features an appropriately mind-bending finale. Kino have given this title a 4K restoration and the release comes with a film historian commentary, as well as a feature-length documentary on the movie and its historical importance. Again, classic horror fans should be greatly impressed by this early anthology chiller.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are also putting out Peter Pan<\/em> (1924) on Blu-ray. This live-action version of a play based on the James Barrie book was apparently a massive box office hit during its original release. The silent film has been given a 2K restoration from 35 mm elements and extras on the disc include a historian commentary, an interview with one of the stars, the orchestral score as a separate track, and an essay on the feature. Additionally, you can pick up the Jimmy Stewart adventure title, Thunder Bay<\/em> (1953). This release comes with bonuses like a film historian audio commentary and a trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The 80s were a fascinating decade that spawned an incredible number of teen-related dramas, comedies and action films. Tuff Turf<\/em> (1985) was one of the craziest and most over-the-top of its era, combining, well, all three to tell the story of a new kid at a California high school who ends up squaring off against a dangerous gang. The movie stars James Spader and Robert Downey Jr. and… it is utterly ridiculous. In fact, this is one of the weirdest and campiest 80s efforts that you’ll find out there (a friend of mine who first told me about the movie joked that copious amounts of cocaine must have been consumed during its production ). It’s a cheeseball hoot to witness. This gloriously bizarre movie has gotten a new 2K master, and the Blu-ray also comes with a director audio commentary and trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Readers looking for some B-movie fun have plenty of remarkable options courtesy of Mill Creek Entertainment. This week, the distribution firm are releasing a Special Edition Steelbook of the Japanese monster movie, Mothra <\/em>(1961). This Godzilla<\/em> spin-off features a pair of tiny fairies who are discovered on a remote island and taken back to Japan. Unfortunately, their protector is a giant moth who flies after them and arrives to cause panic and destruction all across Tokyo. Besides the fancy specialty casing and artwork for this release, the disc itself comes with both the Japanese and US cuts of the film, as well as a feature commentary, trailers and a large photo gallery. If you ask me, that sounds like a lot of giant-monster movie fun for those who enjoy it. And as always, these Mill Creek titles are affordably priced, so you can likely pick this title up for significantly less money than you’d expect to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

And there’s even more fun to be had (depending on your definition of fun, I suppose). Andy Sidaris fans will find the company also updating a couple of his B-movie favorites for Blu-ray. For those unfamiliar with the director, he made a series of exaggerated, campy, low-budget action flicks that often featured Playboy playmates through the 80s and 90s. Picasso Trigger<\/em> (1988) is about a trio of female agents assigned to take down a criminal mastermind. You’ll get an all new 4K transfer by the American Genre Film Archive, presenting the film in widescreen for the first time ever. It also comes with an audio commentary, trailers and behind-the-scenes footage. Savage Beach<\/em> (1989) boasts a similar plotline and similar disc extras. Expect a lot of big hair and ridiculous action. And Mill Creek are also putting out a Blu-ray of the made-for-TV movie and crime biography, The Stranger Beside Me: The Ted Bundy Story<\/em> (2003).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Criterion are releasing a Blu-ray box set called The BRD Trilogy<\/em>. This impressive collection contains three foreign-language films from German director R.W. Fassbinder chronicling postwar life in West Germany through the eyes of different woman. The set features The Marriage of Maria Braun<\/em> (1979), Lola<\/em> (1981) and Veronika Voss<\/em> (1982). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those looking for more Blu-rays from the distributor can also pick up the Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign-Language film (pictured to the left), Europa Europa<\/em> (1990). It’s about a young Jewish boy attempting to escape Nazi Germany by assuming various identities in order to avoid being detected and killed. This title has been given a new 2K restoration and comes with a director commentary recording in 2008, new interviews with the director, star and author whose personal story was adapted. Another bonus included is a visual essay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Warner Archive are giving Clint Eastwood fans something to\nbe excited about as well with the release of Bronco Billy<\/em> (1980) on\nBlu-ray. The story follows a Wild West show sharpshooter and his troupe\/family,\nand it is said to be one of the actor\/filmmaker’s personal favorites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Buster Keaton Collection Volume 2<\/em> is arriving on\nBlu-ray courtesy of Cohen Media. for both. You’ll get another pair of classics\nfrom the silent comedy legend, specifically, Sherlock Jr.<\/em> (1924) and The\nNavigator<\/em> (1924). The movies themselves have been given new restorations\nand the disc comes with a couple of extra featurettes on the amazing Keaton\nhimself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Flicker Alley are making a deluxe, two-disc Special Edition\nBlu-ray set available of The Extraordinary World of Charley Bowers<\/em> (1918\n– 1941). Bowers was an early cinema pioneer from France\nwho started his career as an animator, eventually combining his skills with\nlive-action elements (and even acting) to remarkable results. This set contains\n17 short comedies from the movie-maker. Many of these titles were once thought to\nbe lost forever, but have slowly been saved and recovered over the past 50\nyears. The set includes 2K restorations of the short and bonuses detailing the\nlife of Bowers as well as photos and stills from his films.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Grindhouse Releasing have a Delux Collector’s Edition 2-disc\nBlu-ray and CD release of the Italian crime flick, The Tough Ones<\/em>\n(1976). It’s an ultra-violent action picture about a cop on a desperate hunt\nfor a psychotic, machine-gun toting hunchback who is terrorizing a big city.\nApparently, this is a 4K transfer of the original, uncensored cut and buyers\nwill also get a film historian commentary, along with interviews with director\nUmberto Lenzi and the cast, as well as more incredible extras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, there’s a fantastic distributor out of Australia\ncalled Umbrella who put out excellent, high-quality releases of cult films.\nWhile many of their Blu-rays are only playable in their own region, they are\nreleasing another couple of discs of genre film trailers that can be played\nworldwide. Drive-in Delirium: Dead by Dawn<\/em> collects 167 horror and other\nexploitation previews, while Drive-in Delirium: With a Vengeance<\/em> seems\nto have about 157 action and sci-fi trailers. Normally, most of the movies\nfeatured are from the 70s and 80s. The clips are always remastered and look\ngreat. These are excellent sets that are All-Region and will entertain those\nwho enjoy watching a collection of wild genre trailers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Know, For Kids!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are some titles coming your way that may entertain the\nkids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthur Celebrates Community<\/em> (PBS Kids)
Highlights: Making Friends!<\/em>
Ready, Jet, Go!: One Small Step<\/em> (PBS Kids)
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Tube!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American Experience: Chasing the Moon<\/em> (PBS)
Arthur Celebrates Community<\/em> (PBS Kids)
Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World<\/em> (PBS)
BroadCity<\/em>: The Complete Series
BroadCity<\/em>: Season 5
Dr. K’s Exotic Animal E.R.<\/em>: Season 7
Endeavour<\/em>: The Complete Series
Forever Knight<\/em>: The Complete Series
FRONTLINE: The Last Survivors<\/em> (PBS)
FRONTLINE: Trump’s Trade War<\/em> (PBS)
Gotham<\/em>: The Complete Series
Gotham<\/em>: Season 5
Lonesome Dove<\/em> (1989 Miniseries)
The Magicians<\/em>: Season 4
Ready, Jet, Go!: One Small Step<\/em> (PBS Kids)
Savage Kingdom – Narrated by Charles Dance<\/em>: Season 3 (National Geographic)
The Stranger Beside Me: The Ted Bundy Story<\/em> (2003) (TV movie)
Sun, Sand and Romance<\/em> (Hallmark TV-movie) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n