Welcome to another look at highlights of the latest 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD releases arriving on store shelves. This is an interesting week filled with plenty of curious independent fare, as well as older titles receiving big upgrades. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
THE ACTOR – A man wakes up alone in a small town with absolutely no idea how he got there. He begins to start a new life for himself and even starts dating a costume designer. But as bits and pieces of what may be his real past slowly emerge, the lead begins to question everything about himself and how he ended up where he is. This independent drama earned good notices from reviewers. A handful didn’t think the screenplay did enough to make the mystery engaging and that the end product suffered as a result. Still, the majority thought the film marked an impressive live-action feature debut for director Duke Johnson (Anomalisa). They believed it featured some wild stylistic flourishes and were impressed with themes about losing one’s identity. It stars André Holland, Gemma Chan, May Calamawy, Asim Chaudhry, Joe Cole, Simon McBurney and Toby Jones.
BLACK TEA – This multi-national, multi-language romantic-drama begins with an African bride-to-be leaving her fiancé at the altar and heading off to China. She decides to make fresh beginnings in the city of Guangzhou, which has a large population of exiles from her homeland. The lead gets a job at a local tea shop and begins to learn the elaborate rituals for preparing and drinking tea. This information begins to open up her world and she forms a close, potentially romantic connection with her employer. Critics generally didn’t enjoy this sampling. About one-third described the film as warm and intimate, benefiting from beautiful photography and an engaging cast. But the majority didn’t think that there was much chemistry between the leads and the film failed to combine all of its story elements in a cohesive manner. The cast includes Nina Melo, Han Chang, Ke-Xi Wu and Michael Chang.
BLUR: TO THE END – If you’re familiar with 1990s Britpop, then you’ll know that Blur were among the biggest acts of the era (and they’re still pretty great live if you get the chance to see them). This documentary follows a year in the life of the group, catching up with them during their recent reunion, as well as the recording and release of The Ballad of Darren in 2023. Each member gives their thoughts on making music and how their relationships have changed over the years. Viewers also get a behind-the-scenes look at their latest tour. The press was impressed with this music-related feature. One or two stated that they didn’t learn much about the band, why they were successful or what motivates them. All others thought it was a great documentary in which viewers really felt like a fly on the wall, witnessing the group deal with the complexities of recording, touring and friendship.
HOW TO RUIN THE HOLIDAYS – An aspiring comedian goes through a rough patch in Los Angeles and, after hearing that her father is injured, is forced to return to her small hometown for the holidays. She arrives home and is welcomed by her eccentric family. As the time passes, the protagonist’s sister arrives and tells her that her father can’t really take care of their special-needs brother, and thus the protagonist should agree to have the house sold and put the pair into different facilities. This independent comedy split reviewers. Half commented that the issues it dealt with weren’t handled in a believable manner and that it all felt phony. The same number thought that the cast were excellent and that the film was an amusing quirky comedy with sharp dialogue. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. Amber Nash, Colin Mochrie, Kate Lambert, Aisha Tyler, Henry Zebrowski, Luke Davis and Ronny Chieng headline the film.
QUEENS OF DRAMA – This drama is a co-production between Belgium and France. It follows two young women, a pop singer and a punk rocker, who fall for each other. They both want to be famous, but promise each other that fame will never get in the way of their love. Of course, one becomes a star and turns her back on the other, fearing that coming out as gay will hurt her career. The film follows the tumultuous relationship between the pair over half a century. This foreign-language feature was well-received by reviewers. A small number called the film bold but not very deep, eventually succumbing to over-the-top melodrama and silliness. Still, the majority called the film exuberant, stylish and joyously exaggerated, with dynamic visuals in keeping with the musical tone of the piece. Gio Ventura, Louiza Aura, Alma Jodorowsky and Nana Benamer headline the film.
THE SURFER – A man decides to take his son to the beach where he learned to surf. It’s an idyllic spot, but the pair are met by locals who don’t take kindly to interlopers. In fact, those on site get aggressive, taking the protagonist’s board. Humiliated and frustrated, the lead begins taunting them in return. As the conflict grows bigger and the temperature heats up, it is only a matter of time before violence erupts. The press was upbeat about this thriller. A handful of reviewers complained that the main character wasn’t a very sympathetic character and the message of toxic masculinity wasn’t effectively handled. However, the consensus was that the movie was dynamic, with memorable performances, marking an excellent satire that effectively critiques its themes. The picture is available in an 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. It stars Nicolas Cage, Finn Little, Rahel Romahn, Michael Abercromby, Alexander Bertrand and Julian McMahon.
TALES OF BABYLON – This independent crime-thriller is set in London, England. It follows four different assassins who find themselves competing for a contract without knowing the others involved. It all has something to do with a crime boss and his young granddaughter, which causes more complications and tension among the characters. This independent effort hasn’t been seen by a great many critics as of yet. There are a handful of reviews from festival screenings. Generally, it seems that the movie harkens back to the early efforts of Quentin Tarantino (apparently, there are even direct references). Some find it a little too much of a copy for their liking, while others have described the script as witty and the final product entertaining. The cast includes Clive Russell, Brandon Burke, Billie Gadsdon, Aaron Cobham, Beatrice Fletcher and Paul Cassidy.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
There are also options for anyone looking for something a little older. Arrow Video is releasing a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray of Crumb Catcher (2023). It follows a wealthy couple who are kidnapped by a husband and wife. The kidnapping duo are hoping to hold them hostage for a giant fee that will allow them to finance an incredible invention. Those who pick up the disc will get a high-definition transfer of the movie, a commentary with the writer/director, a 38-minute behind-the-scenes making of for the project, a 2016 and a 2010 short from the filmmaker, an original trailer, a booklet with an intro to the film, and a reversible sleeve featuring new and original artwork for the film.
Criterion is delivering The Adventures of Antoine Doinel, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray box set containing the French classics The 400 Blows (1959), Antoine and Colette (1962), Stolen Kisses (1968), Bed and Board (1970) and Love on the Run (1979). Antoine Doinel is the name of the lead character in these films by Francois Truffaut. If you pick up the set, you’ll get 4K restorations of all five films presented in Dolby Vision, a 1957 short film from the director also restored in 4K, two archival commentary tracks for the first film in the set, archival interviews with Truffaut and his collaborators, video essays on the titles, a 2019 interview with the filmmaker’s daughter, actress Laura Truffaut, as well as trailers. A Blu-ray-only edition will also be available.
If you like your entertainment spicy, Delirium Home Video is releasing Blu-rays of Rolls-Royce Baby (1975) and Jess Franco’s Satanic Sisters (1976). These titles arrive uncut and remastered in HD from the original negative. The first contains a film historian commentary, an interview with the writer and promo materials. Listed bonuses on the second disc include an audio commentary, an interview with a film expert about the picture, a photo gallery and trailers.
Kino is putting out a few notable titles as well. Exclusive (1937) is a newsroom-set drama about two papers pitted against each other (one of which is owned by a mobster). This film stars Fred MacMurray and the disc includes a film scholar commentary and a photo gallery.
Sand of the Kalahari (1965) is a disaster picture about a plane that crashes in the Kalahari Desert. One of the seven survivors decides that his chances will improve if he, well, eliminates the other passengers. The disc boasts a new master from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative, a film historian commentary and a trailer.
The classic western Shane (1953) is appearing in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack, as well as a standalone Blu-ray. The story follows a gunslinger who wants to start a new life as a farmhand. He befriends a homesteader and her young son, but finds himself raising his guns again when a cattle baron threatens them. You’ll get a new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative, a new film historian commentary track, a track with the son of late director/producer George Stevens and the associate producer, a trailer and a slipcase for the release.
Lionsgate Limited is the recent line of titles that are being made available exclusively through the studio’s official website. This week, the excellent creeper Frailty (2001) is arriving in a “Limited Exclusive” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. This picture follows a man who arrives at FBI headquarters and recounts a chilling tale of how he and his brother witnessed their father go on a killing spree after receiving visions telling him that some people were actually demons in disguise. The movie was directed by and starred the late, great Bill Paxton. The cast also includes Matthew McConaughey and Powers Boothe. The film has been remastered in 4K and is presented in Dolby Vision. The set includes a printed reproduction of the original shooting script with Paxton’s handwritten notes, never-before-seen extras including stories from the set and an establishing shot featurette, as well as numerous legacy special features and art for the box featuring a portrait of the stars.
If you like your horror sillier, then you can also order Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College (1991), which is being released as a Lionsgate Limited exclusive and part of the Vestron “Collector’s Series” on Blu-ray. The title tells you all you need to know about the story. The company site promises that this Blu-ray debut of the movie features a sleeve with new art and special features like a commentary track, interviews, international trailers and a still gallery.
And there’s more! Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) is getting the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo treatment from Shout Factory. This science-fiction Star Wars knock-off from Roger Corman is about space mercenaries hired to save a planet from an invading tyrant. It does feature an impressive cast that includes Richard Thomas, Robert Vaughn, George Peppard, John Saxon and Sybil Danning. You’ll get a 4K scan of the film from the original camera negative presenting in Dolby Vision, as well as three commentary tracks (one featuring Corman and screenwriter John Sayles), a documentary on composter James Horner, a look at the special effects, an interview with star Thomas, a featurette on building the space world featured in the film, as well as promotional materials.
You can also now pick up a “Collector’s Edition” Steelbook of Robocop 2 (1990), which contains the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray versions of the movie. All of the extras should be the same as in the previous Shout edition, only housed in new packaging.
The Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection is also being reissued in a standard 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set (it previously came out in a big box. This is a simpler edition containing all the shorts and extras in a smaller package.
Sony Pictures is putting out the popular Brad Pitt/Shia LaBeouf WWII tank movie Fury (2014) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. You’ll get a 4K Presentation of the film in Dolby Vision, along with loads of featurettes on the production, 50 minutes of deleted and extended scenes, a combat journal, photo gallery and trailers,
Stop! Look! and Laugh! (1960) is a comedy featuring The Three Stooges. The story of a ventriloquist getting interrupted by the troupe is more of an excuse for providing compilation footage from earlier shorts, but many who saw it back in the day will likely enjoy revisiting it,
The independent zombie film Empire State of the Dead (2016) is arriving on Blu-ray from SRS Cinema with a commentary track and a trailer. She Kills (2016), from the same distributor, is a low-budget revenge film appearing on Blu-ray with multiple commentary tracks, trailers, bloopers and more.
You can also pick up First Love (1970) from VCI on Blu-ray. It’s a period drama set in czarist Russia with an international cast and crew. A 4K restoration of the film has been used for this Blu-ray, which also contains a film historian commentary track, multiple featurettes on the production, a photo and poster gallery and a restored original theatrical trailer.
And finally, the Bette Davis drama Dark Victory (1939) from Warner Bros. is being released on Blu-ray. The story involves a young socialite who is diagnosed with a brain tumor and must figure out how to spend the rest of her short life.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below is a list of some kid-friendly new arrivals on disc.
The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
LEGO DC Super Heroes: Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis (Warner Bros.) DVD
PBS KIDS: 15 Cool School Stories (PBS) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
All of the week’s TV-related releases can be perused right here.
The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
The 100: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) DVD
Cooking With Legends (PBS) DVD
Manifest: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
Masterpiece Mystery!: Grantchester: Season 1 (PBS) DVD
NATURE: Hummingbirds of Hollywood (PBS) DVD
NOVA: Secrets of the Forest (PBS) DVD