{"id":28267,"date":"2024-03-27T02:55:37","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T09:55:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cinemastance.com\/?p=28267"},"modified":"2024-03-27T02:55:37","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T09:55:37","slug":"blu-ray-dvd-roundup-for-march-26th-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/?p=28267","title":{"rendered":"Blu-ray\/DVD Roundup for March 26th, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s time for another look at highlights arriving on 4K\nUltra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This is an incredibly busy edition with a ton of new\nreleases in a wide variety of genres. So, if you can\u2019t make it out to the\nmovies this week or need to stay indoors for a few days, be sure to give one of\nthese titles a try!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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BARDEJOV \u2013 Based on a true story, this period drama set\nduring World War II involves a Jewish wine maker in the title city (which was\npart of the country of Czechoslovakia at this time in history). After learning\nof Nazi forces approaching, he realizes that the villains plan on sending most\nof the population to Auschwitz for execution. In order to save their lives, the\nprotagonist hatches a plan to fool the enemy and move the residents to safety.\nThis film hasn\u2019t been seen by many critics, but a few positive reviews have\nappeared online. They noted that this lesser-known-story from the conflict was\ninspiring and relatable. The write-ups claim the movie effectively shows how an\naverage, put-upon man can outsmart evil. The cast includes Robert Davi, Danny\nK. Abeckaser, Dean Miroshnikov, Emma Renana Bardea and Kyle Stefanski.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE BOOK OF CLARENCE \u2013 This tale takes place roughly 2000\nyears ago and involves a fast-talking and charismatic but cash-strapped man who\nstruggles to provide for his family. When he notices the rise of the Messiah,\nhe decides to convince others of his own divinity (and make some cash in the\nprocess). Roman soldiers arrest the protagonist and tell him that if he\ndelivers the real Messiah to them, they will forgive his scams against fellow\ncitizens. Reaction was more positive than negative towards this comedy\/drama\/biblical\nepic. About one-third of reviewers stated that the film had difficulty finding\nthe right tone, awkwardly juggling humor and earnestness and failing to deliver\na convincing message. Still, the majority commented that the story was unpredictable\nand told in a completely unique and intriguing manner with a great cast and\nplenty of effective observations. It stars LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, Anna\nDiop, RJ Cyler, David Oyelowo, Michael Ward and Alfre Woodard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BORN TO FLY \u2013 Released in its home country under the title Chang\nkong zhi wang<\/em>, this feature starts after a new fighter jet is developed in\nChina. A special team of elite pilots is recruited to train and fly these\nhigh-tech planes. As the intensive program continues, many are pushed to their\nphysical and psychological limits, with only the strongest graduating and\ntaking to the skies to fight enemies. This picture was a hit in China, but\nNorth American critics were split on the results. Half thought it was a\njingoistic and melodramatic Top Gun <\/em>knock-off. But just as many were\nimpressed by the aerial photography and admitted that while the movie was\nclearly copying the US hit series, it was exciting and showed the toll taken on\nthose serving their country. Yibo Wang, Jun Hu and Yosh Hu headline the picture<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CARPET COWBOYS \u2013 Yes, carpets are the subject of this\ndocumentary. Apparently, most of the rugs seen in hotel hallways, casinos and\nconvention centers across the country come from the same city. The filmmakers\ngo to Dalton, Georgia and talk to one the creators and developers about the\ndesign and manufacture of the material lying under our feet. He shares his\nexperiences and the troubles he faces as the global market changes. All but one\nmember of the press who saw this picture liked it. The lone negative voice\ndidn\u2019t care for the focus on one individual and wanted the more to tell the\nstories of other carpet makers. But the vast majority wrote that the movie was\na fun and zippy look at something important that we don\u2019t think about. They\nalso suggested that it effectively showed how the dreams of many in this\nindustry are now being squashed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CRAIG BEFORE THE CREEK: AN ORIGINAL MOVIE \u2013 Craig of the\nCreek<\/em> was a popular animated series from the Cartoon Network that ended its\nrun in 2022. It followed the adventures of a group of kids in a wilderness\nwonderland. Now a movie has arrived that serves as a prequel. It shows how the\nyoung lead arrived in town and located the magical area. While there, he hunts\nfor a figure who can grant his wish to return to his hometown. So far, there\nhas only been one single review for the movie. It states that the picture is\nplenty of fun and that it will please fans of the show, but doesn\u2019t provide any\nstunning revelations about the characters or program. For the time being, this\nis a DVD-only release. The voice-cast includes Philip Solomon, Terry Crews,\nNoel Wells, Michael Croner, Phil LaMarr and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE CRIME IS MINE \u2013 A pretty and talented but broke actress\nin Paris is accused of murdering a producer. Her best friend, a young,\nunemployed lawyer, offers to defend her in court. Surprisingly, they are\nsuccessful and the woman is acquitted. She immediately becomes famous and uses\nthe publicity to become an overnight celebrity. But soon the truth of what\nreally occurred is revealed, complicating the pair\u2019s relationship and their\nfame. This French period comedy was very well-received. One person called out the\npicture as being inauthentic and forgettable. Everyone else was charmed by the\ncast and described the movie as a bubbly farce with plenty of laughs\nreminiscent of sharp-witted comedies from the 1930s. It features Nadia\nTereszkiewicz, Rebecca Marder, Isabelle Huppert, Dany Boon, Fabrice Luchini and\nAndr\u00e9 Dussollier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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EVERYTHING TO ENTERTAIN YOU: THE STORY OF VIDEO HEADQUARTERS\n– Ken McAleer is the subject of this documentary. In 1983 at the young age of\n27, he decided to open a video store in New Hampshire. The business became a\nhuge success, even being voted as the best video retailer in 1997. This\ndocumentary details its 32-year run before it was forced to shut its doors in\n2015. Viewers are also shown the influence that McAleer had on the industry.\nThe picture includes interviews with former employees, customers and contains\nfascinating footage of the place during the height of the video rental boom.\nThis movie hasn\u2019t been seen by a lot of critics, but plenty of online reviewers\nhave watched and enjoyed it. Most state that it presents fascinating insight\ninto the business and how, for a brief period, independent store owners found\nthemselves being courted by studio heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE FOX \u2013 Here is another movie with World War II as a\nbackdrop. This Austrian\/German effort is based on a true story. It follows a\nboy who grows up in extreme poverty, only to become a motorcycle courier in the\nAustrian army. When Nazis take over the country and incorporate his unit into\ntheir forces, he is assigned to deliver messages for his superiors. Along the\nway, he finds a wounded fox and decides to care for it while traveling through\nFrance. Their bond grows close and, as the young man attempts to find safety\nfor himself and the animal, he changes in unexpected ways. The movie hasn\u2019t\nbeen reviewed by many critics outside of its homeland, but it did receive a few\naward nominations in Austria and Germany. For now, this picture is only being\nreleased on DVD. Simon Morz\u00e9, Karl Markovics and Adriane Gradziel headline the\npicture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GOOD BURGER 2 \u2013 This sequel to the 1997 comedy Good\nBurger<\/em> finds one of the two leads and ex-restaurant employee experiencing\nhard times after his efforts to become a successful entrepreneur go horribly\nawry. When his best friend, who is now the owner of the title establishment,\noffers him a job there until he can find his footing, he reluctantly agrees.\nSoon, a big and sinister corporation makes an offer on the site and two must\nfight to save the business. Reviews for the movie were slightly more positive\nthan negative. Close to half of the write-ups weren\u2019t impressed by the new cast\nmembers and thought that the picture was genial but unmemorable. Slightly more\ngot a nostalgia kick from the movie and thought it was entertaining, keeping\nthe tone and spirit of the first movie intact. It stars Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell,\nLil Rel Howery, Jilliam Bell, Kamaila Fairburn, Alex R. Hibbert and Carmen\nElectra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE IRON CLAW \u2013 The Von Erich siblings were wrestlers who performed in the World Class Championship Wrestling, NWA and WWE leagues during the early 1980s into the 90s. This biopic tells their story from the point of view of eldest brother Kevin. He and his siblings try to impress their stern father\/coach (who was also a wrestler), but suffer a continuing series of awful setbacks that begin to feel like a curse. Notices for the picture were remarkably strong. A very small number of reviewers were not moved by the events and found the movie repetitive and downbeat. However, the vast majority thought the cast were excellent and that the picture ably depicted grief among the family members and a toxic relationship between the domineering father and his overly admiring sons. The cast includes Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Stanley Simons, Maura Tierney and Holt McCallany. Click this link to read a full review of the movie.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE MONSTER MASH \u2013 Using monster movies, as well as Amicus\nand Hammer horror flicks from the 1960s and 1970s as its inspiration, this\nindependent anthology begins with host \u201cDr. Freudstein\u201d introducing three\nchilling stories. The segments contain a serial killer, werewolves, as well as\na UFO and a zombie causing terror. Very few people have seen this picture, but\nit did play at a few small genre festivals where it won some awards. An online\nreview or two has popped up as well, and they seemed upbeat about the finished\nproduct. These notices describe the movie as a capable homage with plenty of\npractical effects, dark humor and nastiness that should impress low-budget\nhorror enthusiasts. The flick features Michael Gentile, William Kozy, Cherry\nFu, Justina Valentine, Sharma Monica and Kevin Losani.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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NIGHTSIREN \u2013 Originally released under the title Svetlonoc<\/em>,\nthis co-production from Slovakia and the Czech Republic is about a woman who\nreturns to her small home village to get answers about her troubled childhood.\nAs it turns out, the superstitious locals are none too pleased to see the\nprotagonist return. As she learns about her past and ancient legends that the\nresidents believe, the lead soon becomes accused of being a murderous witch.\nThis 2022 picture arrived in North America on streaming services back in\nOctober, but is now arriving on disc. The press appeared to find the movie\neffective. A small number complained that it came across as too self-important\nand serious to be taken seriously. However, the consensus was that the feature\nhad a wonderfully creepy vibe, strong visuals and some interesting ideas about\nthe power of folk beliefs. Natalia Germani, Eva Mores and Juli\u00e1na Brutovsk\u00e1\nheadline the film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OUT OF DARKNESS \u2013 The Old Stone Age is the setting for this\nBritish horror film. It begins with six humans arriving by boat in a new land.\nThey forage and attempt to find shelter for themselves in a nearby cave.\nSuddenly, the group are attacked by a mysterious figure they believe to be a\ndemon. The leads try to band together to understand what is going on, but fear\nand panic causes further strife within their ranks. Response to this unique\nhorror tale was positive. A limited number of write-ups thought it started well\nbut became so bleak and brutal that the end result was tiring. Still, everyone\nelse complimented the movie\u2019s attention to detail and called it a scary, tense\nand original effort that, by its close, had a welcome and effectively delivered\nmessage. The cast includes Safia Oakley-Green, Kit Young, Chuku Modu, Iola\nEvans and Arno Luening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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POLAR RESCUE \u2013 Also released in some English markets under\nthe title Come Back Home<\/em>, this Chinese drama follows a family visiting a\nsnowy mountain range. When the father angrily disciplines his 8-year-old son\nfor misbehaving, the child runs away into the wilderness. The guilt-ridden dad\nfaces judgment from those he knows and sets off into the snowy mountainside\nwith authorities to find the boy. But as time passes, the chances of locating\nhis son alive become slimmer and slimmer. Reactions have been mixed towards the\nfinal results. Most notices in this part of the world complement the work of\nthe lead, but also describe the central characters as difficult to root for.\nThey also call the story exceedingly melodramatic and full of outrageous and\nunbelievable elements that strain believability. Donnie Yen, Cecilia Han, Bing\nJia and Xu Tang headline the movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE ROUNDUP: NO WAY OUT \u2013 This sequel to the 2017 Korean\naction movie The Outlaws<\/em> and its 2022 follow-up The Roundup<\/em> finds\nthe main character and heroic detective on a new case. After investigating an\noverdose-related death, he discovers that a sinister crime syndicate is\nsupplying the area with a new designer drug. In order to stop them, he goes\ntoe-to-toe with the organization. Critics in this part of the world have been\nimpressed with this series and raved about the latest chapter. Everyone enjoyed\nit, saying it was an extremely entertaining picture that reminded them of\nentertainingly excessive cop movies like Lethal Weapon<\/em>. They also\ndescribed it as well-produced with jaw-dropping action scenes featuring a\ndynamic star. It features Ma Dong-seok (credited as Don Lee) on the poster, Lee\nJun-hyuk and Munetaka Aoki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE ROYAL HOTEL \u2013 This independent thriller follows two\nAmerican women who decide to go backpacking through a remote part of Australia.\nAfter arriving penniless in a mining town, the pair decide to make some money\nworking at a pub for a couple of weeks. The locals are initially friendly, but\nthe ladies eventually find themselves trapped among hard-drinking and\nincreasingly threatening individuals. In general, the press gave the picture\nhigh marks. A small number felt that the film never really delivered on its\npromise and that the ending was mishandled. Yet the consensus was that while\nthe picture wasn\u2019t perfect, it was remarkably tense throughout, eventually\nboiling over in memorable fashion. The work of the cast also made a big\nimpression on reviewers. The movie stars Jessica Henwick, Julia Garner, Hugo\nWeaving and James Frecheville.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SAINT OMER \u2013 A novelist arrives at court to write about a\ncriminal case involving a young woman accused of abandoning and killing her\n15-month-old daughter in the rising sea waters in the north of France. The\nattendee initially thinks that covering the trial will be easy and\nstraightforward, but as it progresses and she hears more, she begins to\nquestion her own beliefs and the outcome of the case. Critics were very\nimpressed by this French foreign-language drama. A very small number of reviews\nsuggested that it was a stiff and manipulative courtroom drama that felt a bit\nflat. All others thought the performances were impressive, and while not\nnecessarily absolving the actions of one of the characters, the movie helped\nviewers understand how such an event could occur. They stated it would give\nviewers plenty to think about. It features Kayije Kagame, Guslagie Malanda and\nVal\u00e9rie Dr\u00e9ville. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE SHAMROCK SPITFIRE \u2013 Irish fighter pilot Brendan \u201cPaddy\u201d\nFinucane is the subject of this independent biopic. At the dawn of World War II\nand against the wishes of some of his family and friends, the young man decides\nto join Britain\u2019s Royal Air Force. He is eventually remembered as one of the\ngreatest pilots of the conflict, taking part in several dangerous missions and,\nat the age of 21, becoming the youngest Wing Commander. There aren\u2019t a great\nmany reviews for the picture in this region, but it fared very well at film\nfestivals across the globe. According to notices that have appeared online, the\nfilmmakers manage to do a lot on a limited budget and note that the movie is\nheartfelt and features a memorable and compelling lead performance. For the\ntime being in this part of the world, this is a DVD-only release. The cast\nincludes Jamie B. Chambers, Chris Kaye, Emily Outred, Eoin Lynch and Carl\nWharton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SNOW VALLEY \u2013 A couple decide to celebrate their engagement\nby enjoying a weekend with friends in the mountains. After arriving at the\nvacation home of the future groom\u2019s parents, a snowstorm hits. An unwanted\nvisitor also arrives at the door, making strange claims about an ominous death\nthat occurred in the basement of the house. Before long, the group are\ntormented by seemingly supernatural forces. This independent horror picture has\na tragic story behind it. It has been reported that the movie\u2019s 43-year-old\nwriter\/director Brandon Murphy (who wrote The Hitman\u2019s Bodyguard\u2019s Wife<\/em>)\npassed away suddenly during the post-production process. Few have seen the\nfinished product and it is now being released on disc. Rachel Michiko Whitney,\nBarbara Crampton, Cooper van Grootel and Tom Williamson appear in the film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WHEN EVIL LURKS \u2013 This Argentinian chiller is set in a\nfarming community and involves brothers who discover a demonic infestation in a\nneighboring home. They learn that it may be infecting local livestock.\nUnfortunately, their efforts to stop it fail and the nastiness spreads\nthroughout the area. All the nearby cattle and their owners begin to turn,\ncausing complete chaos until a mysterious \u201ccleaner\u201d arrives saying he can stop\nthe spread. The press gave this foreign-language chiller high marks. A scant few\ncalled the film overwrought and suggested that it would have been more\neffective as a horror\/comedy. Yet everyone else stated that the movie was\nterrifying, completely unique and well-paced. They noted that it focused on the\neffects this strange outbreak had on the community, making it more effective\nthan similarly-themed possession films. It stars Ezequiel Rodr\u00edguez, Demi\u00e1n\nSalom\u00f3n and Luis Ziembrowski.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WHERE THE DEVIL ROAMS \u2013 Set during the Great Depression,\nthis effort follows a family of performers in the carnival circuit whose stage\nshow features some disturbing tricks. As it turns out, they commit even more\nunsettling acts when they aren\u2019t working, including murder. It is revealed that\nthe leads may have entered into a pact with the Devil that allows them to\nsurvive as well as perform their bizarre shows. Reviewers with a taste for\ngenre pictures uniformly praised this independent production. All of those who\nsaw it stated that it was the best film from this family of\nmoviemakers\/thespians (their previous titles include Hellbender<\/em> and The\nDeeper You Dig<\/em>). These reviewers called the grisly film creative and\natmospheric, as well as being filled with numerous unexpected and scary twists.\nIt features Toby Poser, John Adams, Lulu Adams, Zelda Adams and Lulu Adams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Wow, there\u2019s an impressive array of older titles getting upgrades or making their high-definition debuts. Radiance Films is releasing a \u201cLimited Edition\u201d Blu-ray set called The Bounty Hunter Trilogy<\/em>, containing Killer\u2019s Mission<\/em> (1969), The Fort of Death<\/em> (1969) and Eight Men to Kill<\/em> (1972). All three are Japanese period movies starring Tomisaburo Wakayama (the Lone Wolf and Cub<\/em> series) as a samurai-for-hire who takes down ruthless villains. The movies combine western and samurai aesthetics in a manner that was unique for its day. Two of the three titles were directed by Shigehiro Ozawa, who is most famous to western audiences for later helming The Street Fighter<\/em> movies with Sonny Chiba. This is the Blu-ray debut for the series and besides a high-definition transfer, it comes with a film historian audio commentary on Killer\u2019s Mission, movie expert interviews, a visual essay on the director of The Fort of Death<\/em>, publicity materials, a reversible sleeve featuring artwork based on the posters for the films, a booklet with writing on the franchise and more. Read a full review of the set by clicking on this link.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Inspector Wears Skirts II<\/em> (1989) is arriving on\nBlu-ray from 88 Films. This Hong Kong production is a sequel that features more\nwomen being hired to join their female crime fighting department. The group is\nthen tasked with stopping a group of terrorists. The disc contains a 2K picture\nremaster from the original negatives, a film authority audio commentary,\ninterviews with the director as well as a stuntman and a trailer.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case you missed it, The Warriors<\/em> (1979) recently\nreceived a wonderful upgrade from Arrow Video in an extras-filled \u201cSpecial\nEdition\u201d. Now, two \u201cStandard Editions\u201d are arriving, which contain either a 4K\nUltra HD or a Blu-ray of the title and some of the extras from the earlier\nedition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Night of the Blood Monster<\/em> (1970) is a Spanish horror\nflick from Jess Franco (Zombie Lake<\/em>) that stars Christopher Lee as a\nLord Chief Justice in 17th<\/sup> century England who uses his position of\npower to torture women. Blue Underground is presenting a 4K Ultra HD and\nBlu-ray combo or a Blu-ray only edition. It comes with three movie critic\ncommentaries, a featurette on the person the story was based on, a bit with a\nfilm historian discussing the title\u2019s unique qualities, and a look at the\nproducer\u2019s career. Deleted and alternate scenes are also included along with\ntrailers, TV spots and still galleries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Criterion is proudly presenting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray\ncombo of the sharp crime\/dark comedy To Die For<\/em> (1995). It features\nNicole Kidman as an aspiring television news anchor who asks some teenagers to\nhelp her make a documentary on them. Before long, she is using them in shocking\nways for her own personal and professional gains. Gus Van Sant (Drugstore\nCowboy, Good Will Hunting<\/em>) directed the picture. Extras include a\ncommentary with Sant, the editor and the director of photography, deleted\nscenes, a trailer and a leaflet with writing on the movie. The movie can also\nbe purchased as a standalone Blu-ray-only.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cult Epics is putting out a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition\nof the kinky Italian effort All Ladies Do It<\/em> (1993), which follows a\nwife who tries to save her failing marriage with betrayal. The movie has\nreceived a 4K image restoration from the original camera negative. It also\ncomes with a film historian commentary, trailers, an interview with the\ndirector, outtakes, a photo gallery, a booklet with essays on the picture, a\nreversible sleeve featuring the uncensored Italian poster art and collectable\nlobby cards. You can also purchase a Blu-ray only version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hungarian animated musical Bubble Bath<\/em> (1980) is\narriving on Blu-ray from Deaf Crocodile Films. The movie is said to be quite\noriginal and follows some eccentric characters trying to figure out their\nlives. In addition to a picture restoration for its Blu-ray debut, it arrives\nwith a film historian commentary and essay, a discussion with the composer, a\nrestoration featurette and five animated shorts from the director.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herencia Diabolica<\/em> (1993) is a Mexican horror picture\nabout a killer clown doll that is premiering on Blu-ray from Degausser Video.\nIt has been transferred from the best quality tape master. The disc also\ncontains a film critic commentary and a cast member interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discotek Media is delivering the animated feature Fist of\nthe North Star: The Legend of the True Savior \u2013 Legend of Kenshiro<\/em> (2008)\non Blu-ray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Japanese animated adaptation of The Little Mermaid<\/em>\n(1975) is also being released on Blu-ray. It is presented with the original\nJapanese audio track with English subtitles as well as an English-language dub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And Lovely Complex<\/em> (2006) is a Japanese teen comedy\nbased on a manga book about a tall teenage girl and her short male classmate\nwho find themselves falling for one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Joan Allen\/Gary Oldman drama The Contender<\/em> (2000)\nfollows a woman running for Vice President who struggles with disinformation\nand rumors about her past. The movie was nominated for two Academy Awards but\nhas since fallen off the radar. Giant Interactive is now delivering a Blu-ray\nof the movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IFC Films is presenting a Blu-ray of the thriller Simon\nKiller<\/em> (2012), which follows a sociopath who gets involved with a\nprostitute while visiting Paris. It features a commentary track containing\nobservations from the director and the writer, as well as a recent interview\nwith the pair. There are also several featurettes in the production and a\ntrailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XVIII<\/em> is a box set\nfrom Kino containing City of Shadows<\/em> (1955), Crashout<\/em> (1955) and Finger\nMan<\/em> (1955). New HD masters for the titles were acquired from Paramount and\nof the discs come with film historian commentaries<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Loosely based on the life of a pro-football player for the\nDallas Cowboys, North Dallas Forty<\/em> (1979) is being given the 4K Ultra HD\nand Blu-ray treatment. The movie has been given its 4K restoration from the\noriginal camera negative. There is a commentary track with director Ted\nKotcheff (Fun with Dick and Jane, Split Image, First Blood, Weekend at\nBernie\u2019s<\/em>) alongside a pair of film critics. You\u2019ll also get an intro from\nthe director, as well as a featurette detailing a few of his memories from the\nshoot, and an analysis of the picture. A trailer is also included. The title is\nalso available as a standalone Blu-ray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like Clint Eastwood westerns, but wished they had more\nmusical numbers in them? If that\u2019s the case, then the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray\nof Paint Your Wagon<\/em> (1969) is for you. This one is set during the Gold\nRush and also features a crooning Lee Marvin. The picture has been restored for\n4K from the original camera negative and the set comes with a film historian\ncommentary. A Blu-ray-only version is also available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wind of Ayahuasca<\/em> (1982) aka El Viento del\nAyahuasca <\/em>is a Peruvian drama set on the Amazon. This Blu-ray release comes\nwith a trailer and an interview with the filmmaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun<\/em> (1999) and Le\nFranc<\/em> (1994): Two Films by Djibril Diop Mamb\u00e9ty<\/em> is arriving on\nBlu-ray from Metrograph Pictures. Mamb\u00e9ty <\/em>was a renowned Senegalese\nfilmmaker and these two efforts are well-regarded medium-length pictures he\nmade late in his life. The disc comes with a film scholar commentary track, a\ndocumentary about the director and trailers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paramount Pictures is continuing their Paramount Presents\nline with Primal Fear<\/em> (1996). This the 43rd<\/sup> title in the\nseries and includes a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray. Richard Gere and Edward\nNorton (in his film debut) star in this courtroom drama about an arrogant\nattorney who decides to defend a teenaged altar boy accused of brutally\nmurdering a bishop. Extras haven\u2019t been announced, but it comes with the\nfold-out poster packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Australian outfit Powerhouse Films is delivering some titles\nfor the North American market. They include the wild and crazy Mexican\nsuperhero picture The Bat Woman<\/em> (1968) and the horror picture The\nPanther Women<\/em> (1967) about a gang of women wanting to resurrect the\ndeceased leader of their satanic cult. The first movie boasts a 4K picture\nrestoration, a commentary with a Mexican film authority, a featurette on\nmonsters in early Mexican genre cinema and more. The second includes a 2K film\nrestoration, a movie expert commentary, featurettes on the protagonists and a\ndeeper look at the representation of female characters in genre films during\nthis era, in addition to some publicity materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can also purchase the memorable Australian horror picture Patrick<\/em> (1978) which is arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo (a stand-alone Blu-ray can also be purchased). It\u2019s about a catatonic hospital patient who begins using psychic abilities to communicate with a nurse. Three cuts of the movie have been given a new 4K restoration with a large upgrade in image quality. There is a commentary with director Richard Franklin (Road Games, Psycho II, Cloak & Dagger<\/em>) and the screenwriter, an on-set discussion with the filmmaker, a talk with the producer, interview excerpts about the movie from the 2008 documentary Not Quite Hollywood<\/em>, an appreciation of the film from an Australian cinema specialist, tons of publicity materials. The \u201cLimited Edition\u201d version also contains an 80-page book on the title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mexican wrestling fans can also pick up a Blu-ray of Santos\nvs. the Riders of Terror<\/em> (1970), which presents a 4K restoration from the\noriginal negative and a ton of bonuses including a commentary, interviews and\nmore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Snapshot<\/em> (1979) aka The Day After Halloween<\/em> is\nanother Australian effort receiving a \u201cLimited Edition\u201d 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray\nrelease. The thriller follows a model being stalked by a mysterious figure\ndriving an ice-cream truck. This was an early effort from director Simon Wincer\n(D.A.R.Y.L<\/em>., the Lonesome Dove<\/em> mini-series, Quigley Down\nUnder, Free Willy, The Phantom<\/em>). You\u2019ll get two versions of the movie with\na 4K restoration from the original negative. And once again, the set is packed\nwith numerous extra features (too many to go into here) including commentaries,\ninterviews and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genre movie completists can pick up the ultra-low-budget\nindie chiller The Zombie Army<\/em> (1991) on Blu-ray from Satan\u2019s Core Audio\n& Video. It\u2019s a shot-on-video effort about undead soldiers that comes with\na visual essay on the movie, an interview with the distributor, an archival\ncontest video and a trailer.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Severin is releasing several genre titles on Blu-ray as\nwell. They include Bloodmoon <\/em>(1990), Closed Circuit<\/em> (1978), Dracula,\nPrisoner of Frankenstein<\/em> (1972) and Stir<\/em> (1980). As with all of\ntheir releases, they will include improved picture quality and loads of\nbonuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The highlight of the week for this distributor is a 4K Ultra\nHD and Blu-ray combo of the Italian zombie movie, Burial Ground<\/em> (1981).\nIt follows a group of friends vacationing together in a villa who come under\nassault by the undead. Alas, it\u2019s a pretty weak movie but one that features\nincredibly graphic make-up effects. It is also known for its unusual casting of\nan adult playing the part of a child of one of the couples. He ends up doing\nsome truly wince-inducing things to his doting mother, which has helped the\nmovie develop a cult following. In addition to a picture upgrade, you\u2019ll get\ntwo critic commentaries, a featurette on the locations, interviews with cast\nmembers (including the figure who played the boy), a discussion with the\nproducers, deleted\/extended scenes and a trailer.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shout! Factory is releasing a pair of Blu-rays exclusives\nthat will only be available for purchase through their website. The first is\nthe sequel The Crow: Salvation<\/em> (2000). This was the third picture in the\nseries. It follows the same general storyline of the previous pictures and\nstars Kirsten Dunst and Eric Mabius. The disc also contains a cast and crew\ncommentary, three featurettes on the production, an image gallery and\ntrailer.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venomous<\/em> (2001) involves a number of genetically\naltered snakes accidentally escaping a lab and terrorizing a small town. The\nlate Treat Williams plays the lead. The disc features a director commentary and\na trailer. Both of these exclusive releases are limited to 1620 copies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The wonderful French picture Amelie<\/em> (2001) is\narriving from Sony on Blu-ray once again with a 2K restoration in special\nSteelbook packaging. It contains previously released extras from earlier\neditions along with a new interview with director Jean-Pierre Junet (Delicatessen,\nThe City of Lost Children, A Very Long Engagement, Micmacs<\/em>). Sounds good,\nbut let\u2019s hope that all his visually inventive pictures eventually get 4K\nupgrades.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australian distributor Umbrella Entertainment is delivering\na Blu-ray of Stranded<\/em> (2015) and Cosmic Psychos: Blokes You Can Trust<\/em>\n(2013). These are both documentaries on Aussie punk bands of the 1970s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Vinegar Syndrome has a number of titles that are being\nupgraded to Blu-ray along with a ton of bonus material. Just a few include Five\nCard Stud<\/em> (1968) The Playgirls and the Vampire<\/em> (1960) and the set Spanish\nBlood Bath <\/em>which contains Night of the Skull<\/em> (1974), Violent\nBlood Bath<\/em> (1974) and The Fish with the Eyes of Gold<\/em> (1974).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The distributor\u2019s big release is the science-fiction chiller\nPhase IV<\/em> (1974), which is coming out in a 4K Ultra HD and two Blu-ray\ncombo pack that is limited to 8000 copies. This film is about superintelligent\nants waging war on humanity. Two scientists try to find a way to stop the\ninsects. The movie was directed by graphic designer Saul Bass (noted for his\nwork on title sequences on movies like Vertigo, Psycho, Spartacus<\/em> and\nmany other classics). You\u2019ll get a 4K picture restoration of the film from the\noriginal camera negative. The 4K Ultra HD disc contains the theatrical cut,\nwhile a Blu-ray contains a preview version with five minutes of extra footage.\nThere\u2019s a film historian commentary, a 48-minute documentary on the movie, a\nfeaturette on the music, deleted shots and sequences, raw footage from Bass\u2019\noriginal ending and plenty of publicity materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warner Archive is presenting Blu-rays of several catalog\ntitles. They include the John Ford western 3 Godfathers<\/em> (1948) with John\nWayne (it also includes the 1936 original, Three Godfathers<\/em>). The Diane\nKeaton drama The Little Drummer Girl<\/em> (1984) is also arriving on Blu-ray,\nas is the Chris Tucker\/Charlie Sheen comedy Money Talks<\/em> (1997). If you\nprefer drama, Stand and Deliver<\/em> (1988) with Edward James Olmos is also\nbeing made available, as is the well-regarded film noir, They Drive by Night<\/em>\n(1940).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Warner Bros. is putting out the Silent Classics\nDouble Feature<\/em> Blu-ray containing the comedies The Boob<\/em> (1926) and Why\nBe Good?<\/em> (1929).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Craig Before the Creek: An Original Movie<\/em> (Warner\nBros.\/Studio Distribution Services) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Little Mermaid<\/em> (1975 Japanese animated feature)\n(Discotek Media) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

And this week\u2019s TV-themed discs are listed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American Experience: Nazi Town USA<\/em> (PBS) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Midsomer Murders<\/em>: Series 24 (Acorn Media) Blu-ray or\nDVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monk<\/em>: Season 5 (Kino) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday<\/em>: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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