{"id":18812,"date":"2019-07-31T22:00:03","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T05:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cinemastance.com\/?p=18812"},"modified":"2019-07-31T22:00:03","modified_gmt":"2019-08-01T05:00:03","slug":"dvd-blu-ray-roundup-for-july-30th-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/?p=18812","title":{"rendered":"DVD\/Blu-ray Roundup for July 30th, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hello and welcome to another look at highlights arriving on\nBlu-ray and DVD. Plenty of interesting pictures\nto choose from this week that encompass a wide variety of genres. As always,\nyou can click on any links you see to read full reviews. So if you can’t make\nit out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Body at <\/em>Brighton<\/em>\nRock<\/em> – A part-time state park employee is tasked with completing a trail\nhike at the end of the season. Along the way, she is forced off of her path and\nencounters what may be a crime scene. After attempting to radio it in, she’s\nasked to stay put and guard the area as night descends and authorities head\nout. Of course, this leaves her alone and vulnerable in the wilderness. This\nindependent thriller earned decent reviews from critics. While a small\ncontingent complained that the filmmakers didn’t do enough with its great\nconcept and take things to new and exciting places, more did like the central character\nand compliment what was depicted as being tense and suspenseful. Karina Fontes,\nCasey Adams, Emily Althaus and John Getz headline the feature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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El Chicano<\/em> – Set in East L.A.,\nthis indie crime drama involves twin brothers on opposite sides of the law.\nWhen a L.A.P.D. detective is assigned a big case taking down a drug cartel with\nconnections to his supposedly deceased brother, the officer jumps at the\nopportunity. But as difficulties and roadblocks arise, he takes an unusual\ntactic to cut through red tape and get the job done… resurrecting a masked\nstreet avenger named El Chicano. The press weren’t excited by this little\nsuperhero effort. A group did call it a violent, well-made and ambitious\nB-movie. However, the majority suggested that the writers didn’t really deal\nwith the issues raised and believed the tone of the piece was too gloomy and\nhackneyed. It features Raul Castillo, Aimee Garcia, Jose Pablo Cantillo and\nDavid Castaneda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Domino<\/em> – A Copenhagen\npolice officer heads out for vengeance when his partner is shot dead by an\nunidentified terrorist. To find the man responsible, he enlists the help of his\nco-worker’s wife, who is just as anxious to take down the guilty party.\nHowever, their job is complicated by a CIA agent with suspicious motives who\nwants to use the terrorist as a lead to find other criminals. This\ninternational thriller was directed by Brian DePalma (Carrie<\/em>, The\nUntouchables<\/em>, Carlito’s Way<\/em>), but didn’t earn a lot of praise. While\nsome said it was visually sharp and more exciting than other films of its ilk,\nmost noted that the movie-maker was clearly working with limited financial\nresources and that the final product may have been cut down to its barest\nelements. The cast includes Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Carice van Houten and Guy\nPearce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fat: A Documentary<\/em> – Public funding site Indiegogo\nhelped raise the completion funds for this documentary about the history of\nfat. The makers suggest that they detail the history of dietary myths, as well\nas harmful actions taken by government and industry that has resulted in a\nnation whose obesity problems continue to get worse. Using interviews with\nvarious experts on the subject, they’ll also go into detail about what kind of\nfats are beneficial, as well as negative food choices that may be problematic\nfor consumers. This picture is debuting on disc, so as of right now there are\nno write-ups that might give readers a taste of what they’ll be in for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Intruder<\/em> – In this thriller, a young married\ncouple decide to buy a gorgeous property in Napa,\n California. After finalizing a deal with\nthe seller, the pair begin their new life. However, the previous owner begins\nthreatening them and doesn’t seem as ready to leave the area as he initially\nclaimed. As they try to determine the reasons for his actions, their lives come\ninto danger. Notices for this picture were more negative than positive. A\nportion did enjoy watching the psychopathic villain and thought it was a fun,\nif somewhat routine, suspense picture. Others thought that it came across as preposterous\nand suffered a screenplay that didn’t do its talented cast justice. It stars\nMeagan Good, Dennis Quaid and Michael Ealy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The <\/em>Island<\/em> – A crazy\nseries of events occur to a lovelorn businessman pining over a co-worker in\nthis Chinese foreign-language comedy\/drama. First, his job requires him to\nattend a team-building exercise with his fellow employees off the mainland,\npresumably in the South China Sea. While venturing out,\nhe learns that he has won a massive lottery prize. But before he can return, disaster\nstrikes and the group are stranded on a deserted island. Overall, critics thus\nfar have seemed to enjoy the movie. Pretty much all of them admit that the\nfeature is overlong and rambles, but they state that the overall approach is unique\nand think that the personal relationships and dynamics were intriguing to\nwitness. The cast includes Bo Huang (who also directed the movie), Qi Shu and\nBaoqiang Wang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Long Shot<\/em> – This romantic\/comedy pairs two very different personalities trying to start a relationship. A diplomat and candidate for President decides to hire a childhood acquaintance turned clever left-wing blogger as one of her speechwriters. Sparks fly between them, but advisors warn that this new love interest is bad for her career and will turn away potential supporters. The press gave this unique pairing high marks. There was a percentage who just couldn’t buy into the idea of the unkempt male lead winning over such an appealing partner. Still, most enjoyed the onscreen chemistry between the two performers and thought the movie offered laughs that would appeal to both genders. Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, O’Shea Jackson, Jr., Andy Serkis and June Diane Raphael headine the movie. To read this site’s review, click here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meeting Gorbachev<\/em> – Werner Herzog and Andr\u00e9 Singer focus on former U.S.S.R. leader Mikhail Gorbachev in this documentary. Now 87, the man sits with co-director Herzog as the two talk about his political career and many accomplishments over his six-year term. In particular, his negotiations with the US to reduce nuclear weapons proliferations, his actions to help end the Cold War, deciding to secede control of the Eastern Bloc and assist in the reunification of Germany, as well as his work to dissolve the former Soviet Union into Russia. The two discuss his programs and also further challenges faced in today’s world. Reviews were strong for the non-fiction feature. One of two didn’t like that the interviewer was so taken with his interview subject, but all others enjoyed their conversation and Gorbachev’s rational approach to making change during his time in power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Swindlers<\/em> – Determined to take down the world’s\ngreatest con artist, a detective decides to build a team comprised of cops and\ncriminals (who have also been tricked by the hustler) to locate and finally\ncatch their illusive target. Of course, the plan involves the gang working\ntogether despite each having different motivations and goals. Notices were\nfairly mixed for this foreign-language crime thriller from South\n Korea. Some thought that while they knew\nexactly what was coming next, the performances were good and the action bits were\nwell-handled. Slightly more found it too similar to its cinematic inspirations,\nand as a result they lost interest in the characters and their plights. Hyun\nBin, Ji-tae Yu and Seong-woo Bae take on the lead roles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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UglyDolls<\/em> – Based on the stuffed animal toy-line,\nthis animated feature follows the adventures of the free-spirited UglyDolls who\nlive in a town filled with like-minded individuals. The characters must deal\nwith physical appearance issues when they venture out and learn that they don’t\nfit conventional ideas of attractiveness. They strive to find love and\nacceptance in a world that treats them differently based on their appearance.\nReaction towards this family feature wasn’t accepting. A few thought that the\nconcept was welcome and believed smaller kids would enjoy the film. Yet the\nconsensus was that the movie tried too hard to be cute and avoided most of the\nquestions it raised; they also grumbled that it felt like an extended TV commercial\nfor the product line. The voice-cast includes Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas,\nGabriel Iglesias, Emma Roberts, Wanda Sykes, Jane Lynch, Ice-T, Pitbull and\nBlake Shelton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Lots of incredible older titles are hitting high definition\nthis week. First off, Shout! Factory have a  Limited Edition Steelbook of the cheesy\nmonster movie, Humanoids from the Deep<\/em> (1980). For those curious, the\ndisc contains a new 4K transfer of the uncut international version, taken from\nthe original camera negative. Besides the upgraded picture quality, the bonus\ncontents are exactly the same as in previous releases. However, the Blu-ray comes\nin sturdy shell packaging with new art on the cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lust for a Vampire<\/em> (1971) is a period vampire title\nfrom the UK’s\nHammer Films that features plenty of buxom women and undead action as the\nbloodsuckers bite prey and get staked. This Blu-ray release is arriving with a\nnew 4K scan of the feature in both the 1.85:1 and 1.66:1 aspect ratios. Buyers\nwill also get a film historian audio commentary, an interview with actress Mel\nChurcher, another audio track with the director, star and a Hammer horror\nexpert, as well as loads of publicity materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The fictional scientist Bernard Quatermass was the central\ncharacter in a lengthy series of cult sci-fi\/horrror films in Britain.\nThis week, the distributor are also delivering two Hammer productions featuring\nthe character that have been difficult to find in this part of the world. The\nfirst is Quatermass 2<\/em> (1957), which features the hero taking on a alien force\nwho are building a massive industrial structure in the marshlands. Besides a\nnew 2K scan from a pristine archival print, the Blu-ray bonuses include two new\nseparate film historian commentaries, interviews with the special effects\nartist and assistant director, a vintage audio track and interview featuring\nthe film’s director, a World of Hammer<\/em> TV doc detailing the companies\nsci-fi films., a US theatrical trailer (where it was given the moniker Enemy\nfrom Space<\/em>), and stills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They also have one of the follow-ups, Quatermass and the\nPit<\/em> (1967). This title features the hero getting to the bottom of a\nshocking discovery made in the London Underground. The Blu-ray comes with two recently\nrecorded film historian commentaries and new interviews with a cast member, the\neffects artist, the focus puller and the clapper loader. You’ll also get with\nperformers and fans of the movie including director Joe Dante, authors Judith\nKerr, Kim Newman and many others. Additionally, there’s an archived director’s\ncommentary, the same World of Hammer<\/em> episode and plenty of publicity\nmaterials. Sound like some great stuff for Quatermass fans!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The same distributor have yet another Hammer flick in the form\nof The Reptile<\/em> (1966). This feature’s about a terrifying monster killing\nvictims in a small, Cornish village. The Blu-ray presents the movie in the\n1.85:1 and 1.66:1 aspect ration and contains extras that include a new film\nhistorian audio commentary and an interview with the 1st assistant director.\nThere’s also a making-of program and a World of Hammer<\/em> episode detailing\nsome of the studio’s more famous female antagonists. And of course, you’ll also\nget trailers, TV spots and a still gallery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking for something that might appeal to kids,\nShout! also have a Blu-ray of Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie<\/em> (1997), the\nfirst English-language big-screen effort featuring the famous TV superhero team\nwho fight sinister alien monsters. This release includes a retrospective piece\non the movie, as well as an original featurette made for its release and a\ntrailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A couple of weeks back, Kino Lorber were set to put out the\nNick Nolte period drama, Jefferson in Paris<\/em> (1995). Well, the disc got\ndelayed, but is now hitting store shelves. They are also releasing a Blu-ray of\nthe Vic Morrow action-thriller, Target: Harry<\/em> (1969). This title was\nproduced by B-movie veteran Roger Corman and the story features a pilot getting\nmixed up with a dangerous underworld organization. The film has been given a\nnew 2K master and the disc arrives with a film historian commentary and a\ntrailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Speaking of upgrades, Sony Pictures and delivering a\nspectacular 4K Ultra HD version of the Civil War title, Glory<\/em> (1989) as\npart of its 30th anniversary. It also comes with a Blu-ray and digital copy of\nthe picture. This critically-praised picture about the first all-black\nvolunteer infantry regiment who fought against the Confederates, won three\nOscars and features Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman in leading roles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some smaller companies are also putting out fascinating\nBlu-rays. It may not be easy to come by, but Scorpion are said to be bringing\nthe strange thriller, Too Scared to Scream<\/em> (1985). Apparently, the\npicture is about a psychotic killer tormenting residents of a Manhattan\napartment complex. It stars Mike Connors, Anne Archer, Leon Isaac Kennedy and\nIan McShane. The release includes a brand new remaster of the film, an\ninterview with the director and another with co-star Kennedy. I can’t find this\none for sale online yet, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled, as that may mean\nthat it might end up getting delayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MPI Media Group have a Blu-ray of the Helen Mirren drama, Love\nRanch<\/em> (2010), about a married couple opening a brothel in Nevada.\nAnd slasher fans can pick up the obscure horror pics Hellmaster<\/em> (1992)\nand Play Dead<\/em> (1983) courtesy of Vinegar Syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warner Archive have four made-to-order Blu-ray releases from\ntheir vast catalog of titles. The first is the drama, Pure Country<\/em>\n(1992) with George Strait.\nIf cowboy music isn’t for you, then you can always pick up a high-definition\nreissue the Marlon Brando classic, A Streetcar Named Desire<\/em> (1951). And\nthat’s not all. They also have the popular William Powell\/Myrna Loy murder\nmystery, The Thin Man<\/em> (1934), which is actually a lighthearted and comedic\neffort about a husband and wife detective team who investigate a violent crime\nbetween heading to the bar so that they can drink and trade witty quips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Finally, the studio are delivering a Blu-ray of the creepy\nchiller, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?<\/em> (1962). This film follows two\nsisters (played by Bette Davis and Joan Crawford) who become engaged in a\nspine-chilling battle of wills. One is wheelchair-bound, while the other is an\nex-child star turned unhinged psychotic who takes to torturing her sibling.\nTensions rise as the one sister vows to escape and the two fight it out for\nsurvival. The movie was nominated for several Academy Awards (winning one Oscar\nfor Costume Design). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Here are some titles that may be of interest to children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butterbean’s Cafe<\/em> (Nickelodeon)
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie<\/em> (1997)
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On the Tube!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

BoJack Horseman<\/em>: Seasons 1 & 2 – Collector’s Edition
Butterbean’s Cafe<\/em> (Nickelodeon)
Deadly Class<\/em>: Season 1
Drain the Oceans<\/em>: Season 2
Eyewitness: D-Day<\/em> (National Geographic)
The Good Place<\/em>: Season 3
The Hot Zone <\/em>(National Geographic)
Frontline: Supreme Revenge<\/em> (PBS)
Grantchester<\/em>: Season 4 (PBS)
Murdoch Mysteries Collection: Seasons 9 – 12
Murdoch Mysteries<\/em>: Season 12
NOVA: Back to the Moon<\/em> (PBS)
NOVA: Inside the Megafire<\/em> (PBS)
The Team<\/em>: Season 1
Vidago Palace<\/em>: Series 1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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