{"id":26981,"date":"2023-09-06T01:11:11","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T08:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cinemastance.com\/?p=26981"},"modified":"2023-09-06T01:11:11","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T08:11:11","slug":"blu-ray-dvd-roundup-for-september-5th-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/?p=26981","title":{"rendered":"Blu-ray\/DVD Roundup for September 5th, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving\non Blu-ray and DVD. There\u2019s one huge release in this edition, as well as a few interesting\nindependent titles arriving. And, as always, plenty of older features have\nreceived high-definition upgrades. So, if you can\u2019t make it out to the movies\nthis week or need to stay indoors for a few days, be sure to give one of these\ntitles a try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BIG NEW RELEASES!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DALILAND \u2013 Famed Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali is\nthe subject of this biopic. It focuses on a later part of his life and\nmarriage. While preparing for a big new gallery show with the help of a young\nassistant, the pressure causes friction between the temperamental figure and\nhis wife. As the event nears and he becomes even more obsessed, their\nrelationship begins to crumble. Critical response for this feature was split.\nAlmost half appreciated the eccentricities and at times nasty behavior of the\nmain characters, stating that the lead actors were impressive in their roles.\nBut a few more thought that the feature was blandly put together and that the\nperformances were over-the-top and difficult to believe. For the time being,\nthis is a DVD-only release. It stars Ben Kingsley, Ezra Miller, Barbara Sukowa,\nChristopher Briney and Rupert Graves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GOD IS A BULLET \u2013 Inspired by true events, this crime\nthriller involves a vice detective who learns that his ex-wife has been\nmurdered and his daughter kidnapped by a cult. The protagonist becomes furious\nat other officers bumbling the case and decides to solve it himself. He quits\nthe police force and goes undercover, eventually meeting and befriending a\nfemale escapee who also wants payback. Danger follows as the pair go deeper and\ndeeper into the cult. Notices were generally weak for this effort. A small\nnumber found the story compelling and complimented the performers for drawing\nthem into the story and taking them down a dark road. Unfortunately, the\nmajority thought it was self-important, the pacing was slow and that the somber\ntone made the film a slog to sit through. The cast includes Nikolaj\nCoster-Waldau, Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, January Jones and Jamie Foxx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GOODBYE MONSTER \u2013 This animated feature film from China\nfollows a healer who lives with a community on many small islands. After his\npeople are attacked by nasty spirits, he attempts a new spell that ends up\ncausing disaster. The figure is banned from ever returning. When a new threat\narises and he is framed for a crime he didn\u2019t commit, the protagonist returns\nhome determined to redeem himself in public. But after discovering a suffering\nchild, his focus starts to drift towards attending to the youth. There aren\u2019t\nmany reviews available for this title, but a few have popped up online and they\nhave been mixed. One stated that the storytelling was confusing and that the\nmaterial wasn\u2019t translated effectively for western audiences. However, another\nwrote that it was beautifully animated and, while it may be too intense for\nkids under 5, was thrilling and had positive themes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MASTER GARDENER \u2013 The latest feature from writer\/director\nPaul Schrader (First Reformed, Auto Focus, Affliction, Light Sleeper<\/em>) involves an exacting\nand demanding horticulturist working on a large historic estate in the country\nwho answers to the land\u2019s dowager. One day, she demands he take on a new\napprentice, her troubled great-niece. The lead reluctantly agrees and everyone\nimmediately finds themselves at odds. As time passes and dark secrets are\nrevealed about all the characters, tension levels boil over. Overall, the press\nliked this drama\/thriller. Almost one-third of them found it stilted, taking\nissue with the lead character\u2019s behavior and calling him unlikable. However,\nmost thought the film was engaging, noting that it was a human character study\nand that all the characters were interestingly flawed and compelling to watch.\nJoel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver and Quintessa Swindell headline the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE \u2013 This sequel to the\n2018 animated superhero feature picks up with the young lead after saves his\nworld with the help of Spider-mans from alternate dimensions. This time out,\nthe protagonist is recruited to join a team that can help protect all\nmultiverses. When a new and even more dangerous threat arises and threatens all\ndimensions and timelines, the group must overcome their differences and work\ntogether. Critics gave this follow-up high marks. There were one or two\nnaysayers, who wrote that the picture was long, overstuffed and didn\u2019t offer a\nsatisfying conclusion. Yet all others were wowed by the animation, calling it a\nwild and trippy delight with clever scenarios and an enjoyably sprawling\nnarrative. They commented that they were excited to see where the story was\ngoing and welcomed more installments. The voice cast includes Shamiek Moore,\nHailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Jason\nSchwartzman, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Greta Lee and Rachel Dratch.\nBe sure to note that multiple versions of the title will be released (including\n4K, Blu-ray and more), so be sure you pick up the right one for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE YOUTUBE EFFECT \u2013 Most readers will know Alex Winter from\nhis acting roles in the Bill & Ted<\/em> series and The Lost Boys<\/em>,\nbut he\u2019s made a great career for himself as a director and documentarian. His\nlatest title is both an inspirational and cautionary examination of YouTube.\nThis includes how the site was created and its massive (and, at times,\ndangerous) influence on the world and public since its launch in 2005. Response\ntowards the non-fiction feature was very upbeat. A small contingent of critics\nfelt that the picture didn\u2019t offer anything new to say about the subject.\nHowever, the vast majority thought the subject was fascinating and that the\nmovie effectively examined the pros and cons of this sudden phenomenon on the\nminds of viewers. A few even stated that the picture would likely stand an\nimportant documentary for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BLASTS FROM THE PAST!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019re looking for something older, you\u2019ll also find plenty of options. Arrow Video is releasing a Blu-ray of the French\/Italian gangster picture Borsalino<\/em> (1970). Set in Marseilles, France during the 1930s, two small-time crooks decide to start up their own criminal organization and square off against their old employers. Besides a nice high-definition transfer of this hard-to-find title, you\u2019ll also get a film scholar commentary, an interview with the film\u2019s composer, a movie expert discussion on the costumes, an archival extra celebrating the lead actor, publicity materials, an illustrated collector\u2019s booklet with new essays on the feature, six postcard-sized reproduction artcards and a double-sided poster featuring original and new artwork for the movie. Read a full review of the Blu-ray here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you haven\u2019t seen it, The Princess Bride<\/em> (1987) is\none of the best updates on classic fairy tales that has been made in the last\n50 years. Written by William Goldman (based on his own book of the same name),\nthis brilliant, Oscar-nominated effort presents a funny take on heroes, princes\nand princesses that features Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Chris\nSarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Fred Savage, Peter Falk, Carol\nKane, Peter Cook and Billy Crystal.  It is being given the 4K Ultra HD and\nBlu-ray by Criterion. You\u2019ll get a sharper picture and it comes with an\narchived commentary with director Rob Reiner (This is Spinal Tap<\/em>),\nGoldman, Crystal, Falk and producer Andrew Scheinman. There\u2019s an edited\naudiobook reading of the original novel, programs about Goldman and the\nadaptation of his book, cast and crew interviews, featurettes about the movie\u2019s\nmany elements, an on-set video diary, behind-the-scenes videos with commentary,\na trailer, as well as a lavishly illustrated clothbound book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For anyone who enjoys Marvel pictures and hasn\u2019t picked up\nthis movie yet, Best Buy is putting out an exclusive edition of Iron Man<\/em>\n(2008) containing 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray discs. It comes in Steelbook\npackaging and presumably includes all previously released extras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kino is presenting a few Blu-ray titles as well. Double\nTrouble<\/em> (1992) is a silly comedy starring brawny \u201cBarbarian Brothers\u201d Peter\nand David Paul about a muscle-bound police officer and his crooked twin sibling\nwho team up to stop a criminal organization. Roddy McDowall plays the villain\nand David Carradine makes an appearance in the film. The disc comes with a\ntrailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The First Time<\/em> (1969) is a teen drama about a young\nman who travels to Buffalo for the summer and attempts to convince his friends\nthat he has lost his virginity in Niagara Falls. His friends show up and the\ngroup all attempt to pick up a Canadian woman (played by Jacqueline Bisset). It\nalso arrives with a trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The comedy It Takes Two<\/em> (1988) follows a man about to\nbe married who is hustled at a car dealership. A female salesperson decides to\nhelp him get revenge on the owner and the two begin to fall for one another\nover the course of events. The bonus feature is, once again, a trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re anxious to see the newest Expendables<\/em> movie\n(which opens at theaters in a couple of weeks), Best Buy is releasing\nSteelbooks of The Expendables<\/em> (2010), The Expendables 2<\/em> (2012)\nand The Expendables 3<\/em> (2014). All contain a 4K Ultra HD disc and a\nBlu-ray with the movie and previously released extras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paramount is giving Sleepy Hollow<\/em> (1999) the 4K Ultra\nHD and Blu-ray treatment. This wonderful, stylish, very loose adaptation of\nWashington Irving\u2019s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow<\/em> features Johnny Depp as\na stuffy investigator tasked with solving a series of decapitations in the\ntitular village. The cast includes Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Micheal\nGambon and Christopher Walken. It\u2019s a gorgeous movie oozing atmosphere, thrills\nand a few laughs. You can pick up a Limited Edition Steelbook of the title with\nimproved image quality and (hopefully) previously released extras (on the\nBlu-ray).   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Enjoy cheesy Elvis Presley pictures? Well, Clambake<\/em>\n(1967) is one of the cheesiest and it\u2019s arriving on Blu-ray from Sandpiper\nPictures. The King plays a wealthy young man who trades places with a Florida\nwater-ski instructor. He finds a woman who will love him for himself and not\nhis fortune, sings to kids, attends a clambake and competes in a big boat race.\nThe tunes in this picture (and just about everything else) aren\u2019t up to snuff,\nbut the movie will certainly offer bad movie fans with some entertainingly\ncornball moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shout! Factory is releasing a Blu-ray of the\nsupernatural-themed rom-com My Demon Lover<\/em> (1987). It stars Scott\nValentine (who had a role on the TV-series Family Ties<\/em> as the boyfriend\nof Mallory Keaton, for those who remember the show) as a homeless\nstreet-musician who turns into a monster whenever he\u2019s sexually aroused. It\u2019s a\nbizarre one. For its Blu-ray debut, the film has been given a 2K upgrade and\ncomes with loads of new cast and crew interviews (including Valentine and the\ndirector). Publicity materials are also included.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Night of the Comet<\/em> (1984) is an entertaining little\ncult flick about a Valley Girl who has to deal with a zombie-like outbreak\nafter a comet strike wipes out most of the Earth\u2019s population. This Collector\u2019s\nEdition arrives with a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray, which means that it\nshould look fantastic. In addition, the release includes three commentary\ntracks (one with the director, another with stars Catherine Mary Stewart and\nKelli Maroney and a third featuring the production designer). As if that wasn\u2019t\nenough, there are cast and crew interviews, as well as a generous helping of\nstills, behind-the-scenes photos and a trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019re looking for something family friendly, you can\u2019t\ngo wrong with Matilda <\/em>(1996) from director Danny DeVito (Throw Momma\nfrom the Train, The War of the Roses<\/em>). It wasn\u2019t a big hit during its\noriginal run, but this critic always enjoyed the movie and it has found its\nfollowing over the years. Sony is giving the film a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray\nupgrade and it\u2019ll certainly benefit this visually striking comedy. The story\ninvolves a mistreated young girl who must deal with terrible parents and a cruel\nheadmistress at her school. Based on the book by Roald Dahl (Charlie and the\nChocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach<\/em>) is a great adaptation and\nfeatures DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz and Paul Reubens in supporting\nroles. Besides the picture upgrade, it comes with a new DeVito commentary\ntrack, a ton of production featurettes and a reunion filmed a few years back\nfeaturing cast and crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Synapse Films is releasing a Blu-ray of the\nMexico\/Sweden co-production Black Circle<\/em> (2018). It\u2019s a horror film\nabout two sisters who are hypnotized by a vinyl record from the 1970s and start\nto do its sinister bidding. A CD of the soundtrack is included in this package\n(unfortunately, no vinyl), along with a director commentary, the original short\nfilm, cast interviews, a behind-the-scenes featurette and publicity materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a list of some titles that may be of interest to\nkids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goodbye Monster<\/em> (2022) (Well Go USA) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matilda<\/em> (1996) (Sony) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray\nSteelbook<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Princess Bride<\/em> (1987) (Criterion) 4K Ultra HD and\nBlu-ray set<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ON THE TUBE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And below is a selection of the week\u2019s notable TV-themed\nreleases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black Snow<\/em> (Australian TV Series) (Sundance) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hallmark 12-Movie Collection: A Paris Proposal, Moriah\u2019s\nLighthouse, Love, Once and Always, Game, Set, Love, Girlfriendship, Sweeter\nThan Chocolate, Made for Each Other, The Professional Bridesmaid, Truly, Madly,\nSweetly, A Pinch of Portugal, Hearts in the Game, Sweet Carolina<\/em> (Hallmark)\nDVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harley Quinn<\/em>: Season 3 (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NCIS: Los Angeles<\/em>: The Complete Series (Paramount)\nDVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Star Trek: Picard<\/em>: The Complete Series (Paramount)\nBlu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Star Trek: Picard<\/em>: The Final Season (Paramount)\nBlu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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