{"id":30856,"date":"2025-03-17T01:46:01","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T08:46:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cinemastance.com\/?p=30856"},"modified":"2025-03-17T01:46:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T08:46:01","slug":"4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray-dvd-roundup-for-march-18th-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/?p=30856","title":{"rendered":"4K Ultra HD\/Blu-ray\/DVD Roundup for March 18th, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s time to take a look at the latest 4K Ultra HDs,\nBlu-rays and DVDs highlights being released. This is another interesting\nedition featuring major studio efforts, as well as some independents and\ninternational pictures. So, if you can\u2019t make it out to the movies this week,\nbe 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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11 REBELS \u2013 This Japanese period drama is set during the Boshin War, a year-long battle in which a group of nobles and samurai attacked the ruling shogunate emperor\u2019s forces, eventually seizing power. The story follows a number of criminals and fighters who take control of an isolated outpost. When armies from both the shogunate and uprising arrive on the scene, the characters must choose a side and fight for their lives. This feature has only been seen by a handful of critics in North America, but they did respond favorably to the film. Most of them stated that while the characterizations were overly simple and the movie wasn\u2019t as memorable as similar titles like 13 Assassins<\/em>, it did have some spectacular battle and sword fight scenes and found it entertaining enough to recommend. It stars Takayuki Yamada, Taiga Nakano and Riho Sayashi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BABYGIRL \u2013 The CEO of a large company struggles with her\nmarriage in this drama. When a group of interns arrive, one makes an impression\non her with his aggressive flirtations. She begins a passionate affair with the\nyounger man, taking pleasure as he asserts dominance over her. As events get\neven more heated, the protagonist endangers both her career and homelife. This\npicture created a lot of buzz around Oscar season, but didn\u2019t land any\nnominations. More critics liked the film than disliked it, but there was some\ncriticism. About one-quarter commented that for all the kinkiness on display,\nthe movie didn\u2019t grab them, failing to really deal with power dynamics at the\nworkplace. Still, the majority praised the lead performance and wrote that the\nfilm interestingly examined bedroom quirks and challenged viewers. The movie is\navailable either on 4K Ultra HD or on Blu-ray. It features Nicole Kidman,\nHarris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DEVILS STAY \u2013 A cardiac surgeon attempts to perform a\nlive-saving heart transplant on his teenage daughter. Despite his best efforts\nwith the donor organ, the procedure doesn\u2019t work. But over the next few days,\nthe father begins to hear the voice of his offspring and becomes convinced she\nmay still be alive. He steals the body and she does regain consciousness.\nHowever, it soon becomes clear that she may actually be possessed by the devil.\nFew reviewers in North America have seen this South Korean horror movie, and\nreaction to it has generally been poor. A small number thought the picture was\nstylish and that it sent a few chills down the spine. However, the vast\nmajority called it a patchwork, borrowing elements from better genre films and\nfailing to do anything fresh with them. Some criticized the time jumps in the\nstorytelling, noting that it killed the suspense and made it a dull slog. Park\nShin-yang, Lee Min-ki and Lee Re headline the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GUNNER \u2013 An ex-soldier decides to go camping with his sons\nat the beginning of this action flick. When they accidentally come across a\ndrug operation in the woods, the hero\u2019s sons are kidnapped. In order to free\nthem, the leader of the illegal operation tells the hero that he must get\nhimself into a nearby prison and break the drug-runner\u2019s father out. The man\nsets out to complete the job, but knows that, should he succeed, it\u2019s unlikely\nthe release of his children will go smoothly. This direct-to-disc and streaming\ntitle hasn\u2019t been seen by many yet, and those who have had the opportunity have\npanned it. So far, they\u2019ve all called the story generic and predictable, also\nnoting that the CGI effects are poor and there are issues with the score\n(perhaps they ran out of time or money completing the project). The film has\nalso been described as wasting a good cast. Luke Hemsworth, Morgan Freeman,\nMykel Shannon Jenkins and Yulia Klass headline the film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MOANA 2 \u2013 The sequel picks up with the title character still feeling a desire to leave her island home and seek adventure. She gets her opportunity after hearing a call from her ancestors, telling her that all of the people of Oceania must be united to save themselves. The lead and her friends travel across the sea through dangerous waters and try to answer the call. Overall, the press thought this film was beautifully animated, but didn\u2019t respond as favorably as to the original. Close to half commented that the story was flimsy and confusing this time out, with weaker songs, also noting that it wasn\u2019t as charming. Slightly more noted that while the film didn\u2019t compare to the first movie, it did provide decent family entertainment that would keep children engaged and deliver a few memorable moments. The title is available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook or in a Blu-ray and DVD combo pack. The voice talent includes Auli\u2019I Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Hualalai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Awhimai Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Rachel House and Alan Tudyk. Read a full review of this film by clicking this link.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WOLF MAN \u2013 The classic Universal Monsters figure gets an update in this horror picture. After learning that his estranged, long-missing father has been pronounced dead, a San Francisco man travels to his childhood Oregon home with his wife and daughter to settle affairs. Immediately upon their arrival, the trio are attacked by a hairy beast. The injured dad and family barricade themselves inside the house. He slowly begins to experience similar symptoms as the creature that attacked them. This film received slightly more negative reviews than positive ones. Almost half of critics called it atmospheric and moody, admiring the way it tackled a family dealing with the slow suffering of a loved one. Still, more found that the film failed to deliver big thrills or ideas, and instead felt predictable and lackluster. The film is available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack, and a Blu-ray only release. It stars Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, Matilda Firth, Sam Jaeger and Ben Prendergast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Looking for something older? Well, there are plenty of\noptions arriving on shelves. Arrow Video is delivering the shark movie Deep\nBlue Sea<\/em> (1999) both as a \u201cLimited Edition\u201d 4K Ultra HD or a \u201cLimited\nEdition\u201d Blu-ray. This entertaining action\/thriller features a group of\nscientists doing research on mako sharks in the ocean. After genetically\naltering the fish and creating \u201csmart\u201d sharks, the animals get loose and cause\na huge accident. The crew end up trapped in their flooded facility below sea\nlevel and are slowly hunted down. This title features a great case that\nincludes Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport, Stellan\nSkarsgard and LL Cool J. The action scenes are extremely well shot by director\nRenny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, The Long Kiss Goodnight<\/em>) and the\nmovie delivers all the popcorn thrills you could hope for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This release boasts a 4K picture restoration taken from the original camera negative and approved by Harlin. It also comes with an archival commentary track with Harlin and Jackson, as well as a new commentary with the screenwriter and another with a shark film authority. There is also a recently recorded interview with the production designer, a new visual essay on the movie, archival featurettes on the production and how the sharks were created, deleted scenes with optional director commentary and a ton of publicity materials. As if that wasn\u2019t enough, this release comes with a 60-page book with writing on the movie, a reversible sleeve with new and original artwork, a double-sided poster and postcards with shots from the movie. Read a detailed disc review right here!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criterion is presenting a Blu-ray of the silent picture A\nWoman of Paris<\/em> (1923) aka A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate<\/em>. It\u2019s\nabout a well-off, but kept married woman who meets an old flame and is torn\nbetween love and comfort. The drama was directed by Charlie Chaplin. Specs\nstate that the movie has been given a 4K restoration from the 1976 rerelease\nversion featuring a score by Chaplin himself. An alternate score is listed as a\nbonus, along with a film scholar introduction, a video essay by a Chaplin\nbiographer, interviews with experts and filmmakers about the picture, an\narchive commentary taken form a documentary about the movie, excerpts from an\naudio interview with a cameraman on the picture, deleted shots from the 1923\nversion, archival footage and trailers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some time ago, Criterion released a massive Blu-ray box set\nof Godzilla<\/em> pictures. One of the films in the set, Godzilla vs.\nBiollante<\/em> (1989), is now getting a picture upgrade and arriving as a 4K\nUltra HD and Blu-ray combo (a separate Blu-ray only version is also being made\navailable). This picture features the famous monster squaring off against a\nmutated plant mixed with genetic material from a mad scientist\u2019s daughter and\nGodzilla himself. It\u2019s generally considered the best Godzilla film of the\n1980s. You\u2019ll get a new 4K image restoration, a new film historian commentary\nfor the movie, a 1993 making-of program, a short documentary about the film\nfrom the same year, deleted special effects, TV spots and trailers, as well as\nan essay on the feature<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kino is having a busy week. The Black Tulip<\/em> (1964) is\na period effort with Alain Delon about an outlaw who steals from the rich and\ninspires the peasants of France. The Blu-ray is taken from a 4K restoration and\nthe disc contains a film critic commentary and a trailer. College\nConfidential<\/em> (1960) is a comedy with Steve Allen. He plays a professor\ndoing a study on the interests of young people that raises eyebrows around\ntown. It also features boxer Rocky Marciano and country star Conway Twitty.\nExtras on this release will be identical to the preview title from the\ndistributor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The General\u2019s Daughter<\/em> (1999) is a thriller\/mystery\nset on a military base. The daughter of a commander is murdered and an\nundercover detective is sent in to find the culprit. It stars John Travolta,\nMadeleine Stowe, James Cromwell and Timothy Hutton. This is a 4K Ultra HD and\nBlu-ray combo release, which includes a 4K image restoration from the original\ncamera negative, an archival commentary from director Simon West (Con Air,\nLara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Mechanic<\/em>), a behind-the-scenes featurette,\ndeleted scenes and an alternate ending, as well as trailers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Kino Cult line is releasing the horror film The\nGodsend<\/em> (1980) on Blu-ray. It\u2019s about a family in England who take in a\nnewborn left behind at their home. When their children start suffering from\ntragic accidents, they wonder if the new arrival might have ties to the devil.\nThis disc features a film expert commentary and a trailer, along with \u201cLimited\nEdition\u201d slipcase packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Half a Chance<\/em> (1998) is a French feature about a\nyoung woman who loses her mother and tries to find her estranged dad. It seems\nthere are two possibilities, and both men are involved in adventurous pursuits.\nA 2K picture restoration from TF1 was used for this release, which comes with a\nfilm historian commentary, trailer, and a slipcase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ho!<\/em> (1968) is a French action picture with legendary\nstar Jean-Paul Belmondo (Borsalino, The Professional, The Outsider<\/em>)\nabout a small-time mob driver who eventually becomes the head of the criminal\norganization. Expect some impressive car chases in this neo-noir. For this\nBlu-ray release, a 4K picture restoration was completed and the disc also has a\nmovie expert commentary and trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Man with the Iron Heart <\/em>(2017) is an\nEnglish-language French\/Belgian World War II picture about Operation Anthropoid\nthat stars Jason Clark, Rosamund Pike, Jack Reynor and Mia Wasikowska.\nParamount Pictures is presenting a DVD-only release of the film, which received\ndecent reviews but didn\u2019t get much of a push in this part of the world.\nInterested parties can now finally catch up with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Australian cult creeper Harlequin<\/em> (1980) aka Dark Forces<\/em> is being made available on 4K Ultra HD or separately on Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films. It follows a US senator who falls under the spell of a faith healer, resulting in some nastiness. The film stars Robert Powell and David Hemmings and marks an early feature from director Simon Wincer (the Lonesome Dove<\/em> TV miniseries, Quigley Down Under, Free Willy, The Phantom<\/em>). The release contains a 4K picture restoration from the original camera negative, and comes with a Wincer and producer commentary track, cast TV interviews, archival interview with Wincer, the associate producer and the production designer. You\u2019ll also get interview outtakes about the movie from the film Not Quite Hollywood<\/em>, an appreciation of the movie from an Aussie film expert, a look at the Australian genre film boom of the 1970s and 80s, publicity materials, and a \u201cLimited Edition\u201d 80-page book on the title with memoirs, archival interviews and more.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thirst<\/em> (1979) is another Australian genre film that\nis arriving from the distributor on 4K Ultra HD or on Blu-ray. This is a\nvampire tale about a brotherhood of bloodsuckers and a woman that they want to\nrecruit, but who resists their attempts. Chantal Contouri, David Hemmings and\nHenry Silva appear in this title. Once again, the image comes from a 4K\nrestoration of the original camera negative. There is a director commentary, a\nretrospective interview with the producer, archival discussions with Hemmings\nand Contouri, outtakes from Not Quite Hollywood<\/em>, an appreciation of the\nmovie by an Aussie film expert, tons of promo material and another huge 80-page\nbook with writing on the feature.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shout Factory is also presenting some genre titles. The\neffective remake Evil Dead<\/em> (2013) is being rereleased as a 4K Ultra HD\nand Blu-ray Walmart exclusive Steelbook. Features should be the same as in the\nprevious 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack, only in brand new packaging,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The science-fiction\/horror picture Forbidden World<\/em>\n(1982) is arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. It\u2019s about a man-eating\norganism created by scientists on a faraway planet that goes on the rampage. A\nbounty hunter sets out to eliminate the creature. Both the theatrical version\nand the director\u2019s cut have been given 4K restorations from the original camera\nnegative. In addition to two cuts with the highest picture quality possible,\nthe set includes a director commentary on the filmmaker\u2019s preferred cut, a\nlengthy making-of featuring discussions with cast and crew, an interview with\nproducer Roger Corman, a talk with make-up effects man John Carl Buechler, and\ntons of publicity materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tommy<\/em> (1975) is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray\nrelease in celebration of its 50th<\/sup> anniversary. The Ken Russell\nmusical utilizing tunes from The Who stars band frontman Roger Daltry as the\ntitle character, a man who retreats into his mind after witnessing a tragic\nevent as a child. For this edition, a new 4K restoration was created from the\noriginal camera negative and the 35mm interpositive. Sadly, it doesn\u2019t look\nlike any extras are included, but at least the picture and sound will be\nincredible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And World War Z<\/em> (2013) is also being rereleased by\nthe distributor as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Walmart exclusive Steelbook.\nAgain, all specs should be the same as in previous edition, only in new\npackaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sigourney Weaver drama Imaginary Heroes<\/em> (2004) is\narriving on Blu-ray from Sony Pictures. The cast also includes Jeff Daniels,\nEmile Hirsch, Michelle Williams and Kip Pardue and the plot follows a family\ndealing with the fallout after one of them commits suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The well-regarded French film Monsieur Ibrahim<\/em> (2003)\nwith Omar Sharif is also arriving on Blu-ray. The star plays a grocer in Paris\nwho helps a troubled boy deal with depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Warner Bros. is putting out a 4K Ultra HD and\nBlu-ray set called Middle Earth: 6-Film Collection<\/em> which contains all of\nthe Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings<\/em> and The Hobbit<\/em> series of\nfilms made between 2001 and 2014, all with the highest possible image\nquality.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Below is a list of the big kid-friendly titles you can pick\nup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moana 2<\/em> (Disney) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook or\nBlu-ray and DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sesame Street: Elmo’s World – Elmo Loves to Giggle<\/em>\n(Shout Factory) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Great Migrations: A People on the Move<\/em> (PBS) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Last of Us<\/em>: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) 4K Ultra HD\nand Blu-ray or Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Penguin<\/em>: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) 4K Ultra HD and\nBlu-ray or Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Real West<\/em> plus bonus feature 14-Love Letters<\/em>\n(Hallmark) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resistance: They Fought Back<\/em> (PBS) DVD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tulsa King<\/em>: Season 2 (Paramount) Blu-ray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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