{"id":27533,"date":"2023-12-05T22:21:38","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T06:21:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cinemastance.com\/?p=27533"},"modified":"2023-12-05T22:21:38","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T06:21:38","slug":"blu-ray-dvd-new-release-roundup-for-december-5th-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/?p=27533","title":{"rendered":"Blu-ray\/DVD New Release Roundup for December 5th, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to another look at some of the highlights that will\nbe arriving on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and DVD. There is a big sequel appearing,\nas well as plenty of quirky independent titles. So, if you can\u2019t make it out to\nthe movies this week or need to stay indoors for a few days, be sure to give\none of these titles a try!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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ALL JACKED UP AND FULL OF WORMS \u2013 In this independent\nhorror\/comedy, a janitor working at a seedy motel discovers a stash of\nhallucinogenic worms. He has visions of a giant tubelike creature and makes\nfriends with a man who owns a moped and believes that he can manifest a baby\nwith a sex doll. Together, they become addicted to these worms and take bizarre\nand dangerous drug trips. Reaction to the movie was slightly more positive than\nnegative. Nearly half thought the final product was trashy and noted that it\ncouldn\u2019t decide on a consistent tone, resulting in a confused mix of comedy and\nchills. Slightly more thought that it had the makings of a cult film and\ndelivered wild, funny and sickening moments in a creative and entertaining\nmanner. The movie stars Philip Andre Botello, Sammy Arechar and Betsy Brown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DADDY DAUGHTER TRIP \u2013 A struggling inventor tries to make\nends meet by donating blood and taking on odd jobs. Eventually, he and his wife\nend up having to reside with friends. Desperate to give his daughter the\n\u201cSpring Break\u201d trip of her dreams, he decides to plan a cost-effective vacation\nfor the two of them that will still deliver on her biggest wishes. This comedy\nhasn\u2019t been seen by many critics and the single review that has appeared online\nthus far is negative. The individual writes that while this is clearly a sweet\npet project for the star and his real-life daughter, the end result features\ntoo many gags that miss the mark and the end product won\u2019t make an impression.\nFor the time being, this is a DVD-only release. The cast includes Rob\nSchneider, Miranda Scarlett Schneider, Jackie Sandler, Monica Huarte and John\nCleese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ELEVATOR GAME \u2013 A young man gets an internship at a company\nthat specializes in creating streaming content on paranormal activity. He\nsuggests they cover a strange local legend about a young girl who disappeared\nafter playing a strange game in an elevator. The group agrees, travels to the\nsite and immediately gets into trouble. Not only do they see evidence of\nsupernatural phenomena, but discover that the intern is the older brother of\nthe child who vanished. This feature premiered on the Shudder streaming service\nand is now arriving as a DVD-only title. The movie didn\u2019t receive great notices\nfrom critics. About one-third thought that after a weak opening, the story\nimproved and delivered some effective and entertaining moments. Yet the\nmajority complained that the end result was bland and ineffective. They also\nnoted that the characters were not as well developed as they could have been.\nThe movie features Gino Anania, Megan Best, Alex Carlos and Nazariy Demkowicz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY \u2013 Returning to the big screen after a 15-year absence, the latest and final Indiana Jones<\/em> adventure catches up with the archeologist in the late 1960s, now serving as a professor in New York City. When his goddaughter suddenly appears and asks about the location of an old relic her father was obsessed with, the protagonist attempts to dissuade her from seeking it out. However, sinister forces soon appear looking for the item, and Jones is roped into another globe-trotting quest. This follow-up received more decent reviews than pans, but it still ranked lower than all other films in the series. Roughly one-third of the press commented that it offered a less-effective mash-up of elements from previous entries and, as a whole, didn\u2019t feel necessary. Regardless, the consensus was that the opening sequence was phenomenal and that while the movie didn\u2019t match its predecessors, it provided enough thrills and laughs to earn a recommendation. Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies, Shaunette Renee Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones and Mads Mikkelsen headline the picture. There are multiple versions of this title being made available from 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray to standalone Blu-ray in a variety of packaging, so be sure to read up on various editions before making a selection. Read a full review of the film here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE KILL ROOM \u2013 An art dealer comes into contact with a\nhitman and his boss. They all come up with an elaborate money laundering scheme\nthat presents the assassin as a new Avant Garde artist. He unexpectedly becomes\nfamous, leading to threats and double-crosses between the group as they try to\nnavigate their unexpected public success. Slightly more critics appreciated\nthis effort than disliked it. Close to half commented that the writing was flat\nand uninteresting, saying that the movie didn\u2019t make the most of an intriguing\nsetup. But more called the film a sharp and funny satire of the art world with\nsome excellent performances that carried audiences through the predictable\nstory elements. This title will be available individually on 4K Ultra Hd,\nBlu-ray and DVD. The cast includes Uma Thurman, Joe Manganiello, Samuel L.\nJackson, Debi Mazar and Maya Hawke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SRI ASIH: THE WARRIOR \u2013 Also known simply as Sri Asih<\/em>,\nthis Indonesian superhero film involves a youngster who was born during a\nvolcanic eruption. Tragically, she is separated from her parents during the\ndisaster and grows up alone with anger issues. The lead is later adopted by a\nwealthy woman who tries to give her a normal life and help her develop a unique\nset of skills. As she enters adulthood, the lead realizes she is no ordinary\nhuman and must decide what to do with her powers. This foreign-language feature\nhasn\u2019t been seen by many in this part of the world, but those who have watched\nthe title enjoyed it. They called it a slickly made, enjoyable and empowering\nsuperhero movie that contained plenty of well-staged fight scenes and thrills.\nFor the time being, this film is only available on DVD. It features Pevita\nPearce, Ario Bayu, Christine Hakim and Jefri Nichol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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There are also plenty of titles to choose from if you enjoy\nolder movies. The crowdfunded action\/comedy Lumpia with a Vengeance<\/em>\n(2020) is arriving as a \u201cCollector\u2019s Edition\u201d Blu-ray and DVD from Alica Way\nEntertainment. It\u2019s about a figure who uses Filipino food to fight a criminal\nsyndicate. The disc includes a Blu-ray of the movie with a director and cast\ncommentary. There is also a track which allows viewers to hear the film with an\nenthusiastic sold-out theater audience. The DVD includes the same features,\nalong with a making-of, featurettes, deleted scenes, music videos and an ad\ncampaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criterion is delivering Blast of Silence<\/em> (1961) on Blu-ray. Pictured above and to the left, the story follows a Cleveland-based assassin who is tasked with killing a mob boss in New York. His assignment becomes more complicated after crossing paths with an old flame and a strange gun dealer with pet rats. The disc arrives with a 60-minute making-of documentary shot in 1990, a collection of Polaroids taken during production, a 2008 visit to the original locations used in the film, a trailer and a booklet featuring an essay on the movie and its importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The distributor is also presenting Days of Heaven<\/em> (1978) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set or as a standalone Blu-ray. This acclaimed drama from Terrence Malick (Badlands, The Thin Red Line, The New World, The Tree of Life, A Hidden Life<\/em>) is about a laborer who convinces the woman he loves to marry a wealthy farmer in order to claim his fortune. Among other honors, the movie is noted for its gorgeous cinematography. Many outdoor shots were filmed during the magic hour (a brief period of time around sunset). The movie arrives on disc with a 4K restoration supervised by Malick himself, a crew commentary track (Malick doesn\u2019t do commentaries), an audio interview with co-star Richard Gere, discussions with the camera operator, director of photography and co-star Sam Shepard, as well as an essay on the film by a reviewer and a chapter from the cinematographer\u2019s autobiography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French crime thriller A Thousand Billion Dollars<\/em>\n(1982) aka Mille Milliards de Dollars<\/em> is arriving on Blu-ray from Kino\nabout a journalist uncovering a plot by an American multinational company to\ntake over local industries. It arrives with a film historian commentary and\ntrailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ballad of Little Jo<\/em> (1993) is a period picture\nbased on a true story about a young woman who disguises herself as a boy to\nsurvive in the old west. It features Suzy Amis, Bo Hopkins, Ian McKellen, David\nChung, Heather Graham, Anthony Heald, Melissa Leo, Ren\u00e9 Auberjonois and Carrie\nSnodgress. The disc contains a new master from a 4K scan and includes a\ndirector and cinematographer commentary track, as well as an interview with\nstar Amis and a slipcase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2026 For Icarus<\/em> (1979) aka I\u2026 Comme Icare<\/em> is a\nFrench thriller that uses the Kennedy assassination as inspiration in the tale\nof investigators looking into the death of a political figure. The disc arrives\nwith a film critic commentary and reversible case art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the TV-movie The Questor Tapes<\/em> (1974)\nis arriving on Blu-ray. This one was co-written by Star Trek<\/em> creator\nGene Roddenberry and involves a superhuman android obsessed with finding his\ncreator. The title has been given a 2K restoration and comes with a film expert\ncommentary, a trailer, a promo spot and a special slipcase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tokyo Pop<\/em> (1988) follows an aspiring singer who\ndecides to hop on a plane and start a career in Japan. She finds love with a\nmusician who wants her to sing in his band. This disc arrives with a director\ncommentary and a re-release trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who remember the hit western Young Guns<\/em> (1988)\nwill be happy to hear that Lionsgate is presenting an upgrade of the film in\ncelebration of its 35th<\/sup> anniversary. This action-packed take on\nBilly the Kid stars Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips,\nCharlie Sheen, Dermot Mulroney, Casey Siemaszko, Terrence Stamp, Jack Palance\nand Terry O\u2019Quinn is arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. You can also\npick up a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook that is a Best Buy Exclusive.\nBesides the restoration, there is a featurette with new cast and crew\ninterviews, an archived audio commentary with Mulroney, Phillips and Siemaszko,\na featurette on Billy the Kid and publicity materials. The Best Buy exclusive\ncomes with character art cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MGM is presenting Blu-rays of the Cole and Linda Porter\nbiopic De-Lovely<\/em> (2004), as well as the Annette Funicello musical comedy\nPajama Party<\/em> (1964), which features an alien trying to fit in during a\nwild teenage shindig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Exiles<\/em> (1961) is a drama arriving on Blu-ray from\nMilestone. Based on the real stories of young Native Americans who have moved\nto Los Angeles, viewers see a group of friends spending a night out drinking,\nflirting and partying. Despite being completed in 1961, the final product had\ntrouble finding distribution and was rarely seen for 50 years. After being\ndiscovered and restored, it wowed festival audiences with its gritty and\nrealistic take on the lead characters. The disc includes short films by\ndirector Kent Mackenzie, a commentary track with the producer, audio from a\nrecent screening at UCLA, a 1969 and 2009 documentary about shooting locations,\na pair of archived interviews with the director, a re-release trailer and a\n1910 short film narrative featuring Native Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paramount is providing upgrades to a couple of their catalog\ntitles. You can now purchase a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set of the recent comedy\nOffice Christmas Party<\/em> (2016). Bonuses will likely be identical to\nprevious editions. You can also pick up an elaborate Collector\u2019s Edition box\nset of the Oscar-winning Titanic <\/em>(1997) which contains the film and\nextras on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. A separate 4K Ultra HD only version is also\nbeing made available.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sandpiper Films is rereleasing some out-of-print Blu-ray\ntitles. They include the vampire flick Blacula <\/em>(1972), the dance\nfeatures Breakin\u2019<\/em> (1984) and Breakin\u2019 2: Electric Boogaloo<\/em>\n(1984), as well as the Robert Mitchum picture, Thunder Road<\/em> (1958). No\nword if these discs come with any extras (most titles from this distributor\ncontain only the movie).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Keanu Reeves\/Patrick Swayze action film Point\nBreak<\/em> (1991) was originally released, it was only moderately successful. It\nfollowed an FBI agent who goes undercover on the beach to take down a group of\nSouthern California surfers who rob banks. Over the years, the movie has built\na big cult following and now Shout! Factory is presenting a 4K Ultra HD and\nBlu-ray Collector\u2019s Edition, or if you prefer, a Best Buy exclusive 4K Ultra HD\nand Blu-ray Steelbook. In addition to the picture upgrade, the Blu-ray disc\nincludes additional scenes, featurettes on the production and a trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can also pick up a Collector\u2019s Edition 4K Ultra HD and\nBlu-ray combo of Silver Bullet<\/em> (1985), based on the novella Cycle of\nthe Werewolf<\/em> that was written by Stephen King and with colorful\nillustrations by Bernie Wrightson. The horror movie is set in a small town\nterrorized by a murderous werewolf. When the creature is sighted by a\nwheelchair-bound youngster, the boy and his teenage sister try to identify and\nfight the creature off. The new 4K transfer was taken from the original camera\nnegative. The set includes a new commentary from a pair of podcasters and\nStephen King experts. You will also get a commentary with producer Matha De Laurentiis\nand a director commentary track. There\u2019s an isolated score and an audio\ninterview with the composer, interviews with a supporting cast member, co-star\nEverett McGill and the editor. Additionally, it comes with a feature on the\neffects work and a ton of publicity materials.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Also getting an upgrade is Stand by Me<\/em> (1986), a\nperiod coming-of-age drama\/comedy based on a novella by Stephen King. This\nwell-regarded effort from director Rob Reiner (This is Spinal Tap, The\nPrincess Bride, When Harry Met Sally<\/em>) was nominated for an Academy Award\n(for Best Adapted Screenplay) and is arriving from Sony in a 4K Ultra HD and\nBlu-ray Steelbook package. It involves four kids who hear a rumor that a local\nteen has been hit by a train in the countryside. They head out to find the body\nand garner attention from the press. Along the way, they end up talking about\ntheir hopes and dreams for the future. In addition to the improved picture, the\nset includes deleted and alternate scenes, an archived picture-in-picture commentary\nwith Reiner and actors Wil Wheaton and Corey Feldman. Additionally, there\u2019s a\nsecond director commentary, a making of and a music video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And finally, Warner Bros. is presenting a 4K Ultra HD\nedition of The Color Purple<\/em> (1985). This adaptation of the Alice Walker\nPulitzer Prize-winning novel came from Steven Spielberg and starred Whoopi\nGoldberg, Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey. It earned a great deal of Oscar\nnominations after its release. The release includes a featurette on the\nbook-to-screen adaptation, a special on the casting process, a making of, a\nshort on the musical, as well as numerous trailers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Here is a list of the week\u2019s kid-friendly entertainment\noptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rubble and Crew<\/em> (Nickelodeon\/Paramount) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SpongeBob SquarePants<\/em>: Season 13\n(Nickelodeon\/Paramount) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Superhero Kindergarten \u2013 Outer Space Adventures<\/em>\n(NCircle) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

And below is a list of TV-themed releases coming your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Babylon 5<\/em>: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creepshow<\/em>: Season 4 (RLJ Entertainment) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doc Martin<\/em>: The Complete Collection (Acorn) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hallmark 2-Movie Collection: A Royal Christmas Crush\n& Take Me Back for Christmas<\/em> (Hallmark) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hallmark 2-Movie Collection: Love in Glacier National: A\nNational Park Romance & The Dog Lover’s Guide to Dating <\/em>(Hallmark) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Little Bird<\/em>: Season 1 (PBS) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs. Sidhu Investigates<\/em>: Series 1 (Acorn) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Exposure<\/em>: The Complete Series (Universal)\nBlu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Odd Couple<\/em>: The Complete Series (1970s series)\n(Paramount) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Questor Tapes<\/em> (1974) (TV-movie) (Kino) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SpongeBob SquarePants<\/em>: Season 13\n(Nickelodeon\/Paramount) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds<\/em> \u2013 Season 2 (Paramount)\nSteelbook 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray or Steelbook Blu-ray or Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Superhero Kindergarten<\/em> \u2013 Outer Space Adventures\n(NCircle) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Winchesters<\/em>: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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