{"id":29457,"date":"2024-09-16T11:24:42","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T18:24:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cinemastance.com\/?p=29457"},"modified":"2024-09-16T11:24:42","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T18:24:42","slug":"4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray-dvd-roundup-for-september-17th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/?p=29457","title":{"rendered":"4K Ultra HD\/Blu-ray\/DVD Roundup for September 17th"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving\non 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This is a slower week, but there are still a\ncouple of notable pictures coming your way. 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\nof these titles a try!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT \u2013 Curiously enough, one of the\nweek\u2019s biggest releases is a film that was shot 48 years ago. In 1976, Tinto\nBrass shot an expensive biopic written by Gore Vidal about the Roman emperor\nCaligula. It begins during his childhood when the title character\u2019s family is\nmurdered. He survives and over time slowly rises in political stature.\nEventually, Caligula seizes control of the Roman Empire. Now the most powerful\nfigure in the world, his position begins to corrupt him and the man spirals\ninto hedonism and madness. The project was financed by Penthouse<\/em> owner\nBob Guccione. He wrestled control away from the director, recut the movie and\nadded X-rated sex scenes with adult film performers. The end result was\nreleased in 1980 and critics despised it. Recently, the director\u2019s original\nworkprint was located and the film has been reassembled as originally intended.\nAfter a limited run at theaters, it is now appearing on disc. Reaction has\ngenerally been positive. A small number stated that while this version was\nbetter, there were always pacing and story issues with the screenplay that\nhaven\u2019t been resolved. Still, the majority complimented it as being effective,\nhaving powerful visuals, a stronger narrative and great performances. The movie\nstars Malcolm McDowell, John Gielgud, Peter O\u2019Toole, Helen Mirren and Paolo\nBonacelli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MIDWIVES \u2013 Released in its homeland under the title Sages-femmes<\/em>,\nthis French drama is about two women who become newly qualified midwives. The\nnarrative follows them as they try to adapt to their new and chaotic\nprofessional lives. Their work is difficult and they encounter incredible\nchallenges involving birth, motherhood, death and the country\u2019s health care\nsystem. Not many North American critics have seen this foreign-language\nfeature, but those who have (as well as international reviewers) praised the\npicture. They complimented it as feeling authentic and detailing the many highs\nand occasional lows of those who take on this admirable kind of work. The\nperformances were also complemented as being nuanced and engaging. For the time\nbeing, this is a DVD-only release. It features Khadija Kouyat\u00e9, H\u00e9lo\u00efse Janjaud\nand Myriem Akheddiou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MODEL HOUSE \u2013 A young model is thrilled to land her first\ngig. She arrives at the shooting location and behinds other women on the job.\nAs part of the deal, they are all put up in a remotely located house for the\nevening. The lead gets pointers on the business from others in the group, but\ntheir time together is quickly interrupted by masked home invaders. These\nmodels must fight back in order to survive. Very few members of the press have\nseen this independent picture, but a few reviews have popped up. Most suggest\nthat the film is a mixed bag. They write that it is well -produced and features\na few effective jabs at the social media and modeling industry, but also\nsuffers from a predictable plot and uneven performances. The cast includes\nScout Taylor-Compton, Cory Anne Roberts, Kyra Santoro, Chris Zylka, Hailee\nKeanna Lautenbach and Natalie Nootenboom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MOTHERS\u2019 INSTINCT \u2013 The other major release is this period\ndrama\/thriller that follows two happily married suburban couples with children.\nWhen one of the wives witnesses a tragic accident and claims that she was\nunable to prevent it from occurring, both families go through a grieving\nprocess. However, a rift forms between the two ladies as guilt and suspicion\narises. The witness becomes paranoid and begins to wonder if her neighbor isn\u2019t\nplotting some kind of revenge. This effort split reviewers almost down the\nmiddle. Nearly half suggested the film was pulpy but never really delivered on\nits promise of thrills or shocks in the mold of Alfred Hitchcock. The same\nnumber and a few more commented that this was an interestingly twisty tale with\nwonderful lead performances and a stylish look. Jessica Chastain, Anne\nHathaway, Josh Charles and Anders Danielsen Lie headline the film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WARRIOR KING \u2013 This animated feature from China is based on\nthe legend of King Gesar, a folk figure popular in Tibet and Central Asia for\ncenturies. The protagonist is a hero and King who battles sinister demons and\nmonsters. After these beasts attack his home, a young man trains himself to\nsave all of humanity and become their leader. One assumes he succeeds! This\npicture is being released in its original language with subtitles along with an\nEnglish-dubbed version. Critical reception was divided among those who saw it.\nHalf stated that some of the images on display were eye-catching and that it\nwas entertaining to see the wild creatures on display. The same number\ncriticized the plotting as messy and confusing, while also describing the human\ncharacters as undeveloped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Plenty of older options will be debuting on a variety of\nformats. Arrow Video is releasing the science-fiction\/action picture The\nChronicles of Riddick<\/em> (2004). This is a big-budget sequel to the Vin Diesel\ncult film Pitch Black<\/em>, which came out in 2000. In this follow-up, the\nlead, who is still a wanted criminal, finds himself on a planet being invaded\nby an alien army that wants to wipe out all humanity. Despite initial\nresistance to helping out anyone, he decides that this cause is in his best\ninterests and lends his assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The movie can be purchased on 4K Ultra HD only or Blu-ray only. One disc contains the theatrical cut with a new feature-length making-of documentary, interviews with director David Twohy, co-star Keith David, as well as the storyboard artist. The second disc contains the \u201cdirector\u2019s cut\u201d of the movie, with two commentary tracks (one featuring Twohy and Diesel, the other with Twohy and co-stars Carl Urban and Alexa Davelos). There is also an archived introduction to the movie, tons of archival featurettes, on-set and promotional interviews and much more. If you pick up the \u201cLimited Edition\u201d exclusive of the movie, it comes with an extra disc containing the theatrical cut in an alternate aspect ratio, along with a television special produced to promote the movie\u2019s release, and more. It also comes with a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork for the feature and an illustrated booklet with writing on the movie. Read all about this release in detail by clicking this link!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The remake of the famous slasher Friday the 13th<\/sup><\/em> (2009) is also receiving a 4K Ultra HD only release. It reintroduces the iconic, hulking Jason Voorhees as he mows down new visitors to Camp Crystal Lake. You will get the theatrical and extended cuts of the movie with improved picture quality. The \u201cTheatrical Cut\u201d disc comes with new commentaries and interviews featuring director Marcus Nispel, as well as the screenwriters. There\u2019s a video essay on why remakes (and this particular effort) can be effective, excerpts from a trivia track, archival featurettes on the movie, deleted scenes and promotional material. The \u201cExtended Cut\u201d comes with a film historian commentary. Read a complete review of this new release by clicking this link.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arrow is also putting out the Italian \u201cgiallo\u201d flick Torso<\/em> (1973) on 4K Ultra HD. It\u2019s a grisly thriller that follows a maniac hunting down and carving up female university students. The picture restoration is from the original camera negative. It comes with multiple cuts of the movie, a film historian commentary, an interview with the director, the co-writer, a co-star, the daughter of the director, a discussion on the movie with a movie expert, a Q&A from a screening at a 2017 horror film festival, and alternate opening and closing credits. You\u2019ll also get an illustrated collector\u2019s booklet for the title. Read a review of the 4K Ultra HD edition right here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taxi 121<\/em> (2016) is a Czech film based on a true story\nabout a serial killer who targeted and murdered three Prague taxi drivers.\nBurning Bulb will be presenting this feature on Blu-ray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Criterion is proud to present the London-set mob film The\nLong Good Friday<\/em> (1980) with Bob Hoskins in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo\npack or as a Blu-ray only release. This release comes with a director\ncommentary, an introduction to the movie by the curatorial director of\nCriterion, an archival documentary on Handmade Films, as well as a talk with\nthe cinematographer, the screenwriter, and a featurette about five scenes that\nwere altered slightly for American viewers for the US release (this set\ncontains only the British version). Trailers are also included, along with a leaflet\nwith an essay on the movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2-part TV movie The Great Escape II: The Untold Story<\/em>\n(1988) is arriving on Blu-ray from Film Chest. If memory serves, the first half\nretells the famous story, while the second part tells viewers what happened\nnext, including the capture and conviction of the Nazi staff for the war crimes\ncommitted at the prison camp. The cast includes Christopher Reeve, Donald\nPleasence, Ian McShane, Judd Hirsch, Tony Denison, Charles Haid and Michael\nNader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a busy week for Kino Lorber. The French title Les\nFemmes<\/em> (1969) aka The Vixen with Brigitte Bardot is arriving on Blu-ray.\nThis disc arrives with a film critic commentary and trailer.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also pick-up the Blu-ray box sets Film Noir: The\nDark Side of Cinema XX<\/em>, which contains Captain Carey U.S.A.<\/em> (1949), Appointment\nwith Danger<\/em> (1950), Make Haste to Live<\/em> (1954). You can also purchase\nFilm Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XXI<\/em>, featuring Cloak and Dagger<\/em>\n(1946), Shack Out on 101<\/em> (1955) and Short Cut to Hell<\/em> (1957) on\nBlu-ray. All of these film noirs include new picture masters from 4K scans,\nfilm historian commentaries and trailers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you like nasty genre pictures, Anthropophagous 2000<\/em>\n(1999) is a pretty grisly one. Massacre Video is presenting this German movie\non Blu-ray that features a cannibal hunting down an unfortunate group of\npassersby. This is the fully uncut version and it contains a director\ninterview, effects test footage, an extensive image gallery and trailers for\nother titles from the distributor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paramount Presents is finally releasing the long\nout-of-print title from Martin Scorsese. Bringing Out the Dead<\/em> (1999)\nwith Nicolas Cage is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. If memory\nserves me correctly, It\u2019s an underrated effort about a burnt-out paramedic\ncracking under the pressure working the nightshift as he veers from traumatic\ncall to even more traumatic call.  It features a wonderful performance\nfrom Cage and some great visual touches. For its 25th<\/sup> anniversary,\nyou\u2019ll get a 4K restoration of the movie from the original negative, new\ndiscussions with Scorsese, Cage, screenwriter Paul Schrader, as well as\nco-stars Patricia Arquette, John Goodman, Ving Rhames, Tom Sizemore and Marc\nAnthony, in addition to a talk with cinematographer Robert Richardson. There\nare also more interviews, trailers for the movie, fold-out packaging with the\noriginal poster and more. Sounds like a great purchase!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incredibly violent Italian slasher Madness<\/em> (1980)\nis arriving on Blu-ray from Raro Video. This effort, about an escaped convict\ntorturing a group who unexpectedly arrives at the same cottage where he is\nhiding out. The disc arrives with a film historian commentary and a trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Doomsday<\/em> (2008) is being delivered in a 4K Ultra HD\nand Blu-ray set from Shout! Factory. This British feature from Neil Marshall (Dog\nSoldiers, The Descent, Centurion<\/em>) is set after a virus, which turns people\ninto violent maniacs, has sent the UK into a tailspin. After a period of quiet,\nthe virus reappears in London and agents must enter quarantined Scotland to\nfind the cure. This \u201cCollector\u2019s Edition\u201d delivers the \u201cTheatrical Cut\u201d in 4K\nUltra HD with a new movie expert commentary. There is also a Blu-ray of this\nversion containing new interviews with Marshall, the producer, production\ndesigner, make-up designer, composer and a co-star. The \u201cUnrated Version\u201d is\nalso included on Blu-ray with a director commentary, more featurettes on the\nmovie and promo materials.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The distributor is also presenting the Robin William comedy Man\nof the Year<\/em> (2006) on Blu-ray. The plot involves a talk-show host who runs\nfor President as a joke and wins. It co-stars Christopher Walken, Laura Linney,\nLewis Black, Jeff Goldblum and many more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And finally, Universal Pictures is presenting the box set Universal\nClassic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K Ultra HD<\/em>. It contains 4K\nUltra HD and Blu-ray versions of Dracula<\/em> (1931), Dracula<\/em> (the\nSpanish-language version) (1931), Frankenstein <\/em>(1931), The Mummy<\/em>\n(1932), The Invisible Man<\/em> (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein<\/em>\n(1935), The Wolf Man<\/em> (1941), Phantom of the Opera<\/em> (1943) and Creature\nfrom the Black Lagoon<\/em> (1954). The final title also comes with a Blu-ray 3D.\nAll extras from earlier editions should be included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

You can read about all the tyke-friendly releases below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barbie and Stacie to the Rescue<\/em> (NCircle\nEntertainment) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bounce Patrol: Wheels on the Bus and More Kids Songs<\/em>\n(Filmhub) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PBS KIDS: Four Seasons of Fun<\/em> (PBS) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top Cat<\/em>: The Complete Series (1961 animated series)\n(Warner Archive) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

This list contains all the TV-themed titles arriving this\nweek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet Video Scrapbook<\/em>\n(MPI) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Brokenwood Mysteries<\/em>: Season 10 (Acorn) Blu-ray\nor DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Crown<\/em>: The 6th<\/sup> and Final Season (Sony)\nBlu-ray or DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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