{"id":20019,"date":"2020-02-17T22:14:16","date_gmt":"2020-02-18T06:14:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cinemastance.com\/?p=20019"},"modified":"2020-02-17T22:14:16","modified_gmt":"2020-02-18T06:14:16","slug":"blu-ray-dvd-roundup-for-february-18th-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/?p=20019","title":{"rendered":"Blu-ray\/DVD Roundup for February 18th, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Time for another look at all of the highlights headed your\nway on Blu-ray and DVD. This edition includes Academy Award winners, Hollywood\nblockbusters and independent fare in a variety of genres. So, if you can\u2019t 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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21 Bridges <\/em>\u2013 A Manhattan detective finds himself on a\ncitywide hunt for a pair of cop-killers. Things get even more complicated after\na massive conspiracy behind the assassination is uncovered. Soon escape from\nthe city via the numerous bridges are cut-off, and the protagonist discovers that\nhe is in as much danger as those being pursued. This action picture split\nreviewers. About half said that the story had no surprises and everything that occurred\nwas entirely predictable, minimizing its dramatic impact. The same number were\nimpressed by the technical elements and liked the lead performance. It stars\nChadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller, Stephen James, Keith David, Taylor Kitsch and J.K.\nSimmons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Another Day of Life<\/em> \u2013 This multi-national, multi-language\nanimated film for adults is based on a true story. In fact, it was adapted from\na book written by a Polish war correspondent stationed in Angola during its\nfight for independence in 1975. The film follows the reporter\u2019s various\nexperiences at the front line and how witnessing brutalities up-close shattered\nhis idealism and perspective on military conflicts. The press generally liked the\nfeature. One or two thought that the artistic and stylized approach was\nineffective and took them out of the proceedings. Most complimented the film\nfor taking a disturbing and downbeat approach to war and noted its effective use\nof interviews from actual participants in the skirmishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood<\/em> \u2013 Fred Rogers aka\nMr. Rogers is the subject of this biopic, which tells the story of a troubled journalist\nassigned to interview the children\u2019s television star. While initially skeptical\nof his assignment, the jaded reporter is taken aback by a man who exudes\ndecency. As their talks continue, the writer slowly begins to come around to Mr.\nRogers\u2019 way of thinking.  Critics really\nliked the movie, although they stopped short of raving about it. A small\ncontingent thought that a recent documentary on the man\u2019s life was far more\neffective and called this adaptation overly earnest and emotionally flat. Everyone\nelse referred to the movie as an odd and eccentric, but strangely sweet biography\nwith a positive message. It features Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Susan Kelechi\nWatson and Chris Cooper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Disturbing the Peace<\/em> \u2013 An ex-Texas Marshall puts down\nhis gun for good after a tragic shooting and decides take on a new position as the\nmarshal of a small town. His quiet life changes with the arrival of a dangerous\nbiker gang. The protagonist is forced to pick up his gun once again and protect\nhis community from ruffians as they head out to commit a violent crime. Notices\nwere poor for this low-budget action picture. A few enjoyed the work of the\nstars and thought that the film\u2019s fast pace helped provide some pulpy\nentertainment for genre fans. However, most thought that the story was lacking\nand noted that a few good moments couldn\u2019t salvage the entire production. Guy\nPearce, Devon Sawa and Kelly Greyson headline the film.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Frankie<\/em> \u2013 This arthouse drama involves a European clan who come together in Sintra, Portugal at the behest of their family matriarch, a movie star with a terminal illness. Over a single day, she discusses the future with them and tries to subtly manipulate visitors into doing her bidding. She finds some unanticipated resistance from others as she attempts to control their actions. Response was generally mixed and muted. Many found it too low-key for their liking and thought that the film didn\u2019t make the most of its exceptional cast. Still, a slightly higher number liked the performers so much that they didn\u2019t mind the exercise\u2019s dramatic shortcomings. It stars Isabelle Huppert, Brendan Gleeson, Marisa Tomei, J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Renier, Vinette Robinson, Ariyon Bakare and Greg Kinnear. To read this site\u2019s review of the feature, click here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jojo Rabbit<\/em> \u2013 Set in Germany during World War II, this dark satire involves a lonely young boy whose imaginary friend is Adolf Hitler. The horrible ideologies and propaganda being pumped into his head are suddenly challenged after the child leads that his mother has been hiding a young Jewish girl in their home. The events that follow force the youngster to confront his nationalistic tendencies. Reviews were generally excellent for this feature which recently won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. A small element couldn\u2019t get on its comedic wavelength and didn\u2019t appreciate its unusual approach to dealing with racial hate. However, those who did recommend the movie said that they could easily overlook its awkward elements and stated that it made and emotional and powerful imprint on viewers. It stars Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson and Stephen Merchant. Read all about the movie here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Midway<\/em> \u2013 The latest film adaptation detailing the\nBattle of Midway focuses on the conflict between American and Japanese forces in\nthe Pacific during WWII. Inspired by the members of the heroic fleet, it uses\nthe latest advancements in visual effects technology to show how they\neventually overcame the odds to triumph against enemy forces. Critics were not overwhelmed\nby the bombast on display. Admittedly, a small group did write that they liked\nthe movie\u2019s impressive digital effects and old-fashioned approach to the story.\nHowever, the majority thought that it was all presented in a blunt and ineffective\nmanner that paled to other recent war films. The cast includes Ed Skrein, Patrick\nWilson, Woody Harrelson, Luke Evans, Mandy Moore, Dennis Quaid, Arron Eckhart,\nNick Jonas and Etsushi Toyokawa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Snatchers<\/em> \u2013 This unusual amalgamation of comedy\/horror\nand science-fiction is said to follow a teenager who loses her virginity and wakes\nup the following day to learn that she is nine-months pregnant\u2026 and about to give\nbirth to an alien fetus. Apparently, things get considerably stranger and gorier\nfrom there, events escalate and friends as well as enemies get involved in the\nyoung woman\u2019s plight. Reviews were unexpectedly excellent for this low-budget independent\nfeature. They all called it a fun, good-natured and wild little flick that\nsucceeds thanks to a likable cast and snappy approach. Many thought that it was\ncertain to become a cult film. It features Mary Nepi, Gabrielle Elyse, Nick Gomez\nand Rich Fulcher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday Girl<\/em> \u2013 This low-budget indie comedy follows a\ncarefree young woman who \u201caccidentally\u201d finds herself dating five men at the same\ntime. Realizing that the situation is untenable, she decides that she has to\nbreak up with four of them and tries to go about determining who should be axed\nand why. According to the synopsis, she sets out to do this all in a single\nday. Notices were good for the feature. A small group thought that the movie\nfollowed the routine romantic-comedy playbook and added nothing new to the\nformula.  Yet most said that despite the\nflaws and shortcomings of the protagonist, the character was amusing to watch and\nthe film itself entertaining. Dasha Nekrasova has the lead tole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Truth About Marriage<\/em> \u2013 This documentary from the\nfilmmaker behind Trekkies<\/em> has little to do with science-fiction and\ninstead focuses on marriage as a whole. Specifically, he finds professors and experts\nin the field and interviews them along with several couples in a committed\nrelationship. The movie strives to use science and psychology to determine what\nmakes a happy partnership work and what we can do to increase the chances of\nfinding a soulmate. Alas, this picture is debuting on disc, so there aren\u2019t\nmany reviews available (one that was posted online said it was decent, but that\nthe information presented wasn\u2019t anything surprising). Interested parties will\nhave to throw caution to the wind and give it a chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Warriors of the Nation<\/em> \u2013 This foreign-language action\neffort from China is another period film about legendary figure Huang Fei-hung.\nIn this tale, a top Chinese military officer is kidnapped by a sinister organization\nknown as the White Lotus Society, who wish to take over the country. Knowing\nthat he is the only one who can stop them, Fei-hung and his students head out\nto rescue the official and stop the plot. Apparently, this movie is also known\nas The Unity of Heroes II<\/em> and it is a direct-to-disc sequel said to be\ninspired by martial arts films of the 90s. There aren\u2019t many write-ups\navailable and the few that have appeared aren\u2019t exactly complimentary, so one might\nwant to approach this effort with caution. It stars Vincent Zhao as the hero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Wow, it\u2019s another busy week for those interested in picking up classic titles in high definition. Arrow Video have a Blu-ray of the Spanish slasher, Deadly Manor<\/em> (1990). It\u2019s about some teens who decide to party in a creepy old abandoned manor. And guess what? There\u2019s also a killer in there who begins violently picking them off one by one. The movie has been given a new 2K restoration from its original film elements. It also comes with a new film expert audio commentary, an interview with one of the stars, the producer and an archival talk with the director. You\u2019ll also get lots of publicity materials, including a trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MVD are releasing Mind Games<\/em> (1989) as a Special Edition\nBlu-ray. The story involves a family terrorized by a psychotic hitchhiker\n(played by Maxwell Caulfield). This disc arrives with a 2K image remaster, new discussions\nwith stars Caulfield and actress Shawn Weatherly, as well as the director and\nproducer. It also comes with a trailer and a collectable mini-poster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They also have a 50th<\/sup> anniversary Ultimate Edition Blu-ray of the animated film, The Point<\/em> (1971). Narrated by Ringo Star, this tale is about a round-headed boy born into a pointy-headed world and his attempts to fit in. It includes songs written and performed by Harry Nilsson. You\u2019ll get new 2K high definition transfer of the film along with interviews with voice cast member Mike Lookinlad (The Brady Bunch<\/em>), screenwriter, a short on adapting the idea to animated film, a talk with Nilsson biographer and a 30-minute making-of. This release also includes a collectable mini-poster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shout! Factory always have some interesting fare, and this\nweek is no exception. The first title is a Blu-ray of Gerry<\/em> (2002). This\nfilm from Gus Van Sant (To Die For<\/em>, Good Will Hunting<\/em>) follows\ntwo friends (Casey Affleck and Matt Damon) who hike across the desert and run\ninto trouble when they get lost. It comes with a behind-the-scenes featurette\nand a trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They also have the Hammer flick, Rasputin: The Mad Monk<\/em>\n(1966). Christopher Lee plays the title character, who begins to exert his\ninfluence over the Russian czar and causes bloodshed and terror. This Blu-ray\npresents the film in two aspect ratios (including the crazy-wide 2.55:1) along\nwith a new film historian commentary, a making-of featurette, a look at novelizations\nof Hammer movies, a World of Hammer<\/em> costume on costumes, an older\ncommentary with Lee and the film\u2019s other stars, as well as all sorts of publicity\nmaterials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also pick up a Blu-ray of the monster movie, X:\nThe Unknown<\/em> (1956), about a blob terrorizing the UK. This release includes\na new 2K scan of a fine grain film element of the movie, a film historian\ncommentary, and a featurette on the producer. You\u2019ll also get a World of Hammer\nepisode about the studio\u2019s Sci-fi flicks and a trailer.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kino have a stack of Blu-rays too. The first two British films star actor Stanley Baker. Accident <\/em>(1967) is a melodrama, while The Criminal<\/em> (1960) is a gritty prison flick. Both arrive with film historian audio commentaries and trailers. The second title listed has also been given a new 4K restoration, so it should look pretty sharp. The also have the George C. Scott flick, Day of the Dolphin<\/em> (1973) about a man who creates a voice box for sea mammals. Danger arises when they all get caught up in a government plot. Besides a new 4K restoration, the Blu-ray has a new film historian commentary, interviews with the screenwriter and select cast members, a radio spot and a trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there\u2019s more. Kino also have a Blu-ray of the French\nromance, Je t’aime moi non plus<\/em> (1976), which also comes with an\naudio commentary and other extras. If adventure is more to your liking, they\nare releasing The Light at the Edge of the World<\/em> (1971) with Kirk\nDouglas, Yul Brynner and Samantha Eggar. It\u2019s based on Jules Verne story. This\ndisc also includes a film historian commentary to give viewers more information\nabout the history of the production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also are putting out The Man Who Was Sherlock Holmes<\/em>\n(1937) and the German feature, Munchhausen<\/em> (1943), which is as much a\npropaganda film as it is an adventure flick. The latter release comes with\nplenty of bonuses detailing the production and analyzing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While director Robert Altman made a name for himself with 70s classics like MASH<\/em>, McCabe & Mrs. Miller<\/em> and Nashville<\/em> and found success later in his career with The Player<\/em> and Gosford Park<\/em>. However, the 80s weren\u2019t as productive or creative a period for the filmmaker. In fact, by the end of the decade he was reduced to making teen comedies like O.C. and Stiggs<\/em>. Scorpion are putting out one of his comedies from this era, Beyond Therapy<\/em> (1987). This was a romantic comedy about therapists dealing with their own psychological issues. While it wasn\u2019t a box office hit, it features a great cast including Julie Hagerty, Jeff Goldblum, Glenda Jackson, Tom Conti and Christopher Guest. It\u2019s now arriving on Blu-ray with a new 2019 HD Master and a trailer. So, if you\u2019re a Robert Altman enthusiast, at least you can now revisit one of the filmmaker\u2019s long out-of-print works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sony are delivering a couple of noteworthy Blu-rays as well.\nThe first is for the Jon Lovitz comedy, High School High <\/em>(1996). The\nsecond is for The Ugly Duckling<\/em> (1959), a UK comedy using the Jekyll &\nHyde story for laughs. It follows a timid scientist who discovers a formula\nthat makes him into a suave charmer. However, his new alter ego ends up getting\nhim into all sorts of trouble.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Criterion have a Blu-ray of Antonio Gaudi<\/em> (1984), a visually\nstriking documentary about the work of the Catalan architect. The movie has\nbeen given a high definition digital restoration and the Blu-ray includes an hour-long\n2003 documentary on Gaudi, a 1961 BBC program on the designer and many films by\nthe director, interviews with other architect and bonus footage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also have the Pasolini feature, Teorema<\/em> (1968).\nThis one arrives with a 4K transfer, a 1969 introduction from the director, an\nalternate English soundtrack, a commentary track from a Pasolini expert, an\ninterview with star Terence Stamp and other extras. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you like classic cartoons, Warner Archive are presenting\na made-to-order Blu-ray called Tex Avery Screwball Classics: Volume 1<\/em>\n(1943 \u2013 1951), which contains many shorts from the famous animator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Here are some items that may appeal to kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tex Avery Screwball Classics: Volume 1<\/em> (1943 \u2013 1951) Warner Archive
The Point\ufeff<\/em>
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On the Tube!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And these are the week\u2019s TV-themed releases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Feeling of Home<\/em> (Hallmark TV-movie)
The Good Karma Hospital<\/em>: Series 3
NOVA: Animal Espionage<\/em> (PBS)
The Twilight Zone<\/em>: Season 1
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt<\/em>: The Complete Series <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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