Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This is a staggeringly busy edition with a ton of titles new and old, so there’s no time to waste. If you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these efforts a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
CASH COW – This unusual independent entry is described as a documentary made in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. After landing a gig in a national commercial for Domino’s Pizza, an aspiring actor is anxious to see himself on the small screen and earn some royalty checks. But the pandemic arrives and he wonders if the ad will ever be broadcast. To pass the time in limbo, he wanders out into the sticks and visits Mormon historical sites. Viewers see him struggle with the uncertainty of his career and life in general. This picture played at various independent film festivals. It received some upbeat online notices. Apparently, the movie blurs the line between documentary and narrative, and isn’t easy to categorize, but takes audiences on a strange and sweet-natured journey. There aren’t any reviews from regular members of the press, so curious parties will have to take a chance on the picture or wait a little longer for more feedback.
DANDELION – A struggling singer-songwriter reaches the end of her rope and begins to give up on her dreams. She takes one last gig at a South Dakota motorcycle rally, only to meet a guitarist who has recently come to the same conclusion and has stopped performing music. The two form an instant bond and begin to travel together, making music along the way. This romantic-drama was well-received by critics. A small number found the film too meandering and slow-moving, stating that the story ultimately became conventional and that it failed to move them. However, the majority enjoyed the low-key approach to the story, stating that it added authenticity to the narrative. They liked the performers and thought the film was well-written and insightful, with some great musical performances. It stars Kiki Layne, Thomas Doherty, Melanie Nicholls-King and Brady Stablein.
DESTROY ALL NEIGHBORS – An indie horror comedy, this effort has been available for some time on Shudder, but is now arriving on Blu-ray. It’s about a recording studio employee and winnable musician who can’t get his bosses to listen to his unique tunes. Things become even more complicated when he accidentally kills his neighbor, a nasty man who has been tormenting him for months. The lead attempts to cover his tracks and get his music out to the public, but finds trouble along the way. Reviewers were generally upbeat about this effort. One or two complained that the movie didn’t make the most of its premise, becoming repetitive and failing to find the right balance of humor and horror. Still, the majority thought that the cast were excellent, the script wild and funny, and the practical effects amusingly juicy. Some felt the movie had the potential to become a cult favorite. The cast includes Jonah Ray, Alex Winter, Kiran Deol and Thomas Lennon.
LIMBO – A detective in Australia decides to investigate a 20-year-old unsolved murder of an Aboriginal woman in the Outback. He arrives in a tiny town and begins interviewing those who were around during the horrible crime. In the process, the lead begins to form a close bond with the fractured household of the victim. His determination to find the truth ends up revealing some disturbing facts and injustices experienced by First Nations peoples. Write-ups were excellent for this drama and it also won praise on the festival circuit. A very small number found the mystery unexciting and commented that the exploration of the film’s themes was superficial. Yet the vast majority were very impressed, stating that the movie was beautifully shot in black and white, and included great performances, telling a moody, hard-edged story about loss and anger. It features Simon Baker, Rob Collins, Natasha Wanganeen, Nicholas Hope, Mark Coe and Joshua Warrior.
PAVEMENTS – Like the 1990s indie band Pavement? Then this documentary on the music group should be perfect for you. It goes over their career by presenting reenactments of moments with the members, as well as images of the band, concert footage and interviews to tell the story right up to a 2022 reunion tour. A musical mise-en-scene using songs from their discography is also used to tell their story. The press really liked the unusual approach taken by the filmmakers. One or two found the constant shifting between techniques distracting and didn’t care for the film as a result. However, all others stated that the film cleverly told the band’s story in an unexpected way and that those who enjoy their tunes would be captivated by the film. It is available in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack exclusively from Vinegar Syndrome. Jason Schwartzmann appears in some of the bits involving dramatic recreations.
THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME – The latest from Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Asteroid City) is a period comedy about a wealthy, unethical arms dealer who survives an assassination attempt. He decides to change the course of his life, meeting with his only daughter in the hopes of repairing their relationship. He asks her to join him on an unusual undertaking that takes the pair across the globe. Response towards the picture was generally positive. A small contingent didn’t like the characters and found the film excessively quirky. The rest stated that the movie was amusing, well-acted, beautifully designed and shot, and had a pleasing message about making amends for past mistakes. Everyone suggested that it would please fans of the filmmaker, but do little to win over those who aren’t fans. The film will be released as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo and a standalone Blu-ray. It features Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayode, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson and Benedict Cumberbatch.
ROUNDING – After an unfortunate incident during his residency, a medical student decides to make a new start for himself in a small, rural village. But even there, he starts struggling. A superior suggests that the lead’s bedside manner is to blame, and encourages him to take a course that will help him build stronger relationships with patients. He applies some of the techniques, but soon becomes obsessed with treating a young woman suffering from mystery symptoms. This independent feature did well on the festival circuit in 2023, but took a bit of time to find a distributor. Response to the final product was more positive than negative. About one-third of notices didn’t care for the screenplay, juggling too many elements and failing to tell a cohesive narrative. Still, most thought the lead performance was impressive and wrote that the film did an excellent job of detailing the strain and pressure on physicians. Namir Smallwood, Sidney Flanigan, Michael Potts, Rebecca Spence and Charin Alvarez headline the film.
RUST – This western follows an orphaned boy and his younger brother. After the eldest sibling gets into a confrontation with a bully’s father and unintentionally kills the man, he is taken into custody by authorities and sentenced to death. Before his execution, the youngster is rescued by an elderly bounty hunter, who turns out to be his grandfather. They go on the run, attempt to find the other child, and escape all sorts of pursuers as they try to get out of the country. This picture has a sorted history as the film in which a live round was accidentally discharged on-set, resulting in the death of the cinematographer. The press was lukewarm about the picture, although slightly more liked it than disliked it. Close to half suggested that the tone was dreary and the pacing too slow, while a few also admitted that they had trouble getting past the real-life story behind the film. A few more voices called it an impressively produced, low-key throwback to westerns of old with beautiful imagery and good performances. It stars Alec Baldwin, Josh Hopkins, Patrick Scott McDermott, Frances Fisher and Travis Fimmel.
SISI & I – A Hungarian countess leaves her home to become the lady-in-waiting for Empress Elisabeth of Austria. While serving her duties as assistant under the leader, she falls under the charismatic woman’s spell. The two form a very strong co-dependent bond, which is tested when the Empress’ husband assaults the wife. Angry, the powerful Empress tries to convince her servant to commit murder for her. This period picture is a co-production between Germany, Switzerland and Austria that has been described as a fictional, darkly comic take on real historical figures. It received more upbeat reviews than negative ones. Slightly more than one-third of critics were disappointed that the tension and drama of the concept didn’t really gel and found its anachronistic elements irritating. Still, more found the story interesting and called the movie visually impressive, with great performances, as well as deeper thematic undercurrents and meaning. Sandra Hüller, Susanne Wolff and Tom Rhys Harries headline the feature.
THUNDERBOLTS* – The latest entry from Marvel Studios is this tale about a group of relatively unknown superheroes facing off against a new threat. When Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker are sent out on a mission that should result in their deaths, they manage to survive and cause problems for corrupt CIA director, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The outcasts consider grouping together in order to survive an onslaught of troubles. This picture was very well-received by critics and earned a more positive reaction than many recent films in the franchise. Admittedly, a small number did state that while it was decent, the movie wasn’t especially memorable and seemed predictable. Yet the consensus was that this film was a step back in the right direction for Marvel, developing new and interesting underdog characters whose interactions were fun and exciting to watch. The film will be released as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set, a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook, a standalone Blu-ray, and a Walmart exclusive Blu-ray only title. The cast includes Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louise-Dreyfus, David Harbour, Lewis Pullman, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Olga Kurylenko and Geraldine Viswanathan. Read a full review of the movie here.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
There is so much arriving this week that we’re going to have to rush a little bit to cover all of the older features receiving big upgrades. AGFA is presenting a Blu-ray of Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers (1972) is an indie effort from New York about a figure determined to be a star at any cost. It stars Andy Warhol film veteran Holly Woodlawn. The film has been restored from its original film elements and arrives with an interview with the producer, a commentary track, a bonus movie called Games (1976) and a booklet with essays on the title.
Bleeding Skull is putting out the Blu-ray set Suroh: Alien Hitchhiker, which contains the independent, shot-on-video films Suroh: Alien Hitchhiker (1996) along with the feature Desert Spirits (1994). The features have been transferred from the S-VHS master and the set includes a director commentary, an interview with the star, short films and a booklet reproducing the 1996 press kit.
For years, Blue Underground has delivered stellar transfers of cult movies. This week, you can pick up The Blood of Fu Manchu (1968) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack, Chirstopher Lee stars as the title character, a villainous figure wanting to take control of the world. The release boasts a 4K restoration of the original camera negative of the uncut and uncensored version of the film, presented in Dolby Vision. There is also a film historian commentary track, an interview with a movie expert, a poster and stills gallery, a Rifftrax version of the movie, trailers, interviews with director Jess Franco as well as cast and crew like Christopher Lee. Additionally, the disc comes in a reversible sleeve featuring new and original artwork for the film.
Its sequel, The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969), is also getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack from Blue Underground. This time out, Lee’s character attempts to turn the world’s seas into ice. Director Franco appears in the film as an agent trying to hunt the antagonist down. Once again, you’ll get a 4K restoration of the original camera negative of the uncut and uncensored version of the film, presented in Dolby Vision, with just about the identical set of extras as for the first title (including a Rifftrax edition of the movie too).
The notable Canadian documentary The Devil at Your Heels (1981) is arriving on Blu-ray from Canadian International Pictures. It’s about Montreal-based daredevil driver Ken Carter, who was a contemporary of Evel Kineval, attempting wild daredevil stunts. A crew followed him for five years, and this is the result. The disc contains a 2K scan of the film’s interpositive provided by the National Film Board of Canada. It comes with a select scene director commentary, a film expert podcast commentary, an additional excerpt and intro to the film from the podcast, a video conference call with the filmmaker, an audio-only conversion with the movie’s subject, a talk show appearance with musician Long John Baldry, an audio interview with a rocket car designer, a television special on Carter, a featurette on one of the locations for a stunt, an image gallery, short films from the director and a trailer. It all sound pretty awesome.
Cinematogaphe released a few titles recently as Vinegar Syndrome exclusives. They can now be purchased through most retailers. The first is a “Standard Edition” 4k Ultra HD and Blu-ray of the Wesley Snipes action picture Drop Zone (1994). Besides the picture upgrade, the disc comes chock full of bonuses like commentaries and more. You can also pick up a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray of the comedy Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1972) with Alan Arkin and Sally Kellerman.
Hopalong Cassidy: The Legacy Collection Volume 1 is a Blu-ray from ClassicFlix featuring Hop-A-Long Cassidy (1935), The Eagle’s Brood (1935) and Bar 20 Rides Again (1935). Film historian commentaries, overviews of the star’s career newsreels and more are featured on the disc.
Discotek is putting out several Japanese titles for enthusiasts on Blu-ray. The first is Party 7 (2000), along with RoboGeisha (2009) and the creatively titled Terrifying Girls’ High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group (1973) and Terrifying Girls’ High School: Lynch Law Classroom (1973). Check individual listings for bonus material and transfer info.
Algiers (1938) is appearing on Blu-ray from Film Masters. It’s an American feature set in the title country and follows a wanted jewel thief who falls in love while hiding from authorities It stars Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr. It arrives with a film historian commentary.
Film Movement is presenting Edward II (1991) on Blu-ray. It’s described as a post-modern take on an Elizabethan drama starring Steven Waddington, Andrew Tiernan and Tilda Swinton. Some consider the film a landmark of gay cinema. The disc contains a 2K picture restoration, a documentary on the film and a visual essay on the themes.
You can also pick up a Blu-ray of Tahara (2020), a queer coming-of-age drama set in Rochester, New York. A commentary with the director, writer, cinematographer, editor and sound designer is included, along with a booklet containing an essay on the movie.
Arcade (1993) is arriving on Blu-ray from Full Moon Features. Megan Ward, Peter Billingsley, John De Lancie and Seth Green star in this tale about a virtual reality game taking over the minds of teens. The film is directed by Albert Pyun (The Sword and the Sorcerer, Cyborg, Captain America). A commentary with writer/producer Charles Band and actress Ward is included, along with a Videozone special (that would have appeared on the original tape release), and other archival materials.
If you missed the “Special Limited Edition”, you can now pick up a 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and CD “Standard Edition” of The Beyond (1980) from Italian horror filmmaker Lucio Fulci (Zombie, House by the Cemetery) courtesy of Grindhouse Releasing. This dark, surreal effort stands as one of the filmmaker’s best, and this more cost-effective edition appears to contain the same high-quality restoration and numerous bonuses on the feature.
Enter the Void (2009) is a crazy French feature about the club scene in Tokyo from Gaspar Noe (Irreversible, Climax) that is being put out on Blu-ray by IFC Films. This edition possesses a new commentary from a film writer on the picture, a recently made video essay on the movie, deleted scenes, a VFX reel, featurettes on the production, and promo materials.
Tokyo Uber Blues (2021) is arriving on Blu-ray from Kani. Set and shot during the pandemic from a first-person perspective, the story follows a struggling filmmaker with student debt trying to survive the crisis by working as an Uber Eats bike delivery rider. You’ll get a director introduction to the film, a theatrical cut and a TV version, a making-of, a performance of the score by the composter, a filmmaker Q&A in Los Angeles, a trailer, and a booklet with writing on the movie,
It’s a busy week for Kino Lober. Billy Madison (1995) is arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. This comedy features Adam Sandler as the heir to a fortune who must go back to school and complete grades 1 to 12 in order to collect his inheritance. For its 30th anniversary, the film has been given a 4K restoration from the original camera negative in Dolby Vision, and apparently the transfer is fantastic. There is a new commentary with the members of a podcast about the star, as well as an archival director commentary, deleted scenes, outtakes, and a trailer.
The cult dark comedy/thriller Curdled (1996) is also getting the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray treatment (as well as a Blu-ray only release). It’s about a woman who cleans up crime scenes. When she works on the site where a serial killer murdered someone, the psycho targets her. He ends up getting more than he bargained for from the lead character. The film has been given a 4K master from the original camera negative in Dolby Vision and arrives with a commentary from star Angela Jones, the co-writer and director and other co-writer, as well as a film historian commentary. Additionally, you’ll get a 2004 commentary recorded with the filmmakers, an intro and outro from executive producer Quentin Tarantino, a behind-the-scenes featurette, the short the film is based upon, deleted scenes, television playback pieces, rehearsal footage and a trailer.
The distributor is also presenting The Diabolik Trilogy on Blu-ray. This set contains a recent, well-regarded series of titles based on the famous Italian thief (which was itself based on a comic book and adapted into a 60s cult favorite) The set contains Diabolik (2021), Diabolik: Ginko Attacks (2022), and Diabolik: Who Are You? (2023). In addition to the films, you’ll get making-of featurettes, a VFX breakdown, and trailers.
Wow, it has been quite a while, but the long out-of-print title Hiding Out (1987) is appearing as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack and a standalone Blu-ray. Jon Cryer plays a Wall Street broker set to testify against the mob. When they send hitmen to kill him, he changes his name and pretends to be a high school student. He ends up becoming a popular student and even falls for a classmate. Cryer was playing teens on the screen at the time, and this film marked a role with both teen-based humor and more adult drama.
It got some attention during its release and is well-regarded by many who grew up in the 1980s, but kind of vanished after its VHS release and has been difficult to locate. Studio Canal has presented Kino with a 4K restoration of the original camera negative. The release contains a recently recorded director commentary, a film historian commentary, a new interview with Jon Cryer and co-star Annabeth Gish, as well as a theatrical trailer. It’s great to see these movies being found and rereleased on disc. It makes me wonder how long before we can expect a 4K edition of Morgan Stewart’s Coming Home (1987).
The fascinating documentary Dig! (2004) tells the story of the musical rivalry between alternative rock bands The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Oscilloscope Pictures is releasing a Blu-ray of the film that contains an extended version of the movie, the original cut, deleted and extended scenes, interviews, trailers and more. If you like music docs, this is definitely one to check out.
In celebration of its 70th anniversary, the Alfred Hitchcock classic To Catch a Thief (1955) is being rereleased as a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook, or as a Blu-ray only release from Paramount Pictures. Cary Grant and Grace Kelly star in this effort about a retired jewel thief who is accused of a crime he didn’t commit and must use his skills to prove his innocence. The film won an Oscar for Best Cinematography and is extremely well-regarded. It is expected to arrive with the same bonuses, including numerous featurettes on the production, a discussion on the movie with Leonard Maltin, a film historian commentary and much more.
Severin Films is putting out a number of notable titles as well. Bloody Legend: The Complete Cliff Twemlow Collection is a Blu-ray set containing the documentary Mancunian Man (2023), along with the shot-on-video low-budget features Tuxedo Warrior (1982), G.B.H (1983), Target: Eve Island (1983), The Ibiza Connection (1984), Moonstalker (1988), Tokyo Sunrise (1988), Firestar: First Contact (1991, G.B.H. 2: Lethal Impact (1991) The Assassinator (1992), The Eye of Satan (1992), and more. A CD is also included, along with 13 hours of extras.
Additionally, Monster Shark (1984) will be available at most retailers in a Blu-ray and CD pack.
The fun Amicus anthology Asylum (1972) is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release exclusively through the Severin Films website. You can also purchase Baskin (2015) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, as well as the notable drama The Boys Next Door (1985) also appearing in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. This effort features Charlie Shen and Maxwell Caulfield as high school students who go on a deadly rampage in Los Angeles. Kill List (2011) is also getting the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray treatment, along with the Italian feature Wild Beasts (1984). As mentioned, all of these releases are exclusives through their website, and will be presented with upgraded picture quality and top-notch extras.
Shout Factory is making a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” available of the Jim Carrey comedy, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994). A Steelbook edition will also be available. This picture made Carrey a huge box office draw playing an oddball detective tracking down the Miami Dolphins’ missing animal mascot, as well as quarterback Dan Marino. The film is being presented with a 4K restoration taken from the original camera negative in Dolby Vision. There is an archival director commentary, and trailer included in the set.
Fade to Black (1980) is an interesting chiller about an obsessive horror movie fan, played by Dennis Christopher, who gets bullied at his place of work, a film print depot. He eventually snaps and dresses in the costumes of his favorite onscreen characters while he takes revenge. This cult item is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo release. The film has received a brand new 2025 restoration that is presented in Dolby Vision. You’ll also get a new commentary with a film historian, as well as three archival commentary tracks (one is with star Chirstopher). Tons of cast and crew interviews are included, as well as a still gallery and trailer.
Shout Factory is also making The Jet Li Collection 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray box set available. You’ll get The Legend (1993), The Legend II (1993I, Tai Chi Master (1993), Fist of Legend (1994) and Bodyguard from Beijing (1994). All of the 4K transfers are from the original camera negative (some are even presented in Dolby Vision), alongside film historian commentaries, interviews and more.
Horror fans can now pick up the chiller Sissy (2022) on Blu-ray from Shudder. The film has been available to stream for some time, but is now finally arriving on the format for collectors. It includes a commentary with the co-writers and co-directors, a making-of, featurettes on the production, and more.
Terror Vision is a website offering exclusive titles to those who appreciate low budget horror titles from the 1970s, 80s and 90s. This week, they’re offering a “Limited Edition” and “Standard Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray of Arbor Day (1990), a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray of Dance or Die (1987), a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray a CD of Sledgehammer (1983) and Suddenly in the Dark (1981) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. All the titles have a great ton of extras and feature new and improved picture quality.
The Australian psychological thriller Final Cut (1980) aka Death Games is arriving on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment. It’s a film about a psychopathic actor/entrepreneur who throws a party. When a couple arrives who happen to be a reporter and a cameraman, they witness a slaying. The nervous host decides to have them killed and tries to lure them to their deaths. The disc contains a commentary with the producer, a visual essay on the film, an interview with the director recorded for the Not Quite Hollywood documentary, a VHS viewing experience and promo materials.
And with the sequel arriving in a couple of weeks. Universal Pictures is making a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Steelbook of the entertaining Bob Odenkirk action/comedy Nobody (2021) available for purchase. The film is pictured above and to the left. Seems like it will be identical to previous editions, only in new packaging,
VCI is delivering a pair of grindhouse titles on Blu-ray. The first is Delinquent Schoolgirls (1975), about escapees from an insane asylum targeting high school students. This disc contains a film historian commentary, an archival commentary, a video featurette, and a poster and still gallery. And Mondo Keyhole (1966) involves a creep who fantasizes about assaulting women. This one arrives with a film historian commentary, an archival commentary with director Jack Hill (Coffy, Foxy Brown, Switchblade Sisters) and promo materials.
As readers will already know, Vinegar Syndrome is a fantastic distributor of genre pictures and cult titles. Many of their releases are initially only available as exclusives through their website, but “Standard Editions” appear at other retailers. This week, they have a large selection of those pictures, as well as regular titles arriving on store shelves.
Charley One-Eye (1973) is a western with Richard Roundtree that follows a black man AWOL from the Union Army and a Native American trying to avoid bounty hunters. Vinegar Syndrome is making a Blu-ray of the film widely available. It contains the movie newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative, a film historian commentary, a half-hour making-of featuring interviews with cast and crew, an interview with the first assistant editor, a discussion with Thelma director Josh Margolin about Roundtree, a talk with the film’s composer, an appreciation piece on the movie, and a trailer.
The underrated George A. Romero movie The Dark Half (1993) is now receiving a “Standard Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release. This was a website exclusive, but will now be available everywhere. It’s an effective adaptation of the Stephen King book involving a horror writer whose alter ego goes on the rampage. Just like the “Limited Edition”, the image quality is quite strong and it comes with tons of extras.
The same goes for the Norm MacDonald cult comedy Dirty Work (1998)), which is getting a “Standard Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release. This latest version is notable for containing a longer version of the movie with loads of extra footage, and many other bonuses.
Fire Maidens of Outer Space (1956) is a science-fiction picture about a mission to Jupiter with astronauts from the U.S. and Russia. This Blu-ray presents a 35mm fine grain master scanned and restored in 4K, two film expert commentary tracks, a pair of video essays on the movie, and reversible sleeve artwork. This one appears to only be available on their website right now.
Three other website exclusives can now be picked up everywhere. They include a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of the Eddie Murphy comedy The Golden Child (1986). The William Friedkin thriller Jade (1995) is now readily available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. And the effective low-budget creeper Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971) can also be purchased in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo set. All deliver presentations that are better than ever and arrive with a ton of extra Features.
You can also pick up a new Cinematographe/Vinegar Syndrome exclusive through their website. A New Leaf (1971) is a great comedy with Walter Matthau as a broke, greedy man who marries an eccentric wealthy woman with the intention of killing her off and inheriting her fortune. But as time passes, he finds it more and more difficult to end her life and begins to have a change of heart. It’s a very clever black comedy written and directed by Elaine May (The Heartbreak Kid). This 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” features a 4K restoration of the movie from the original camera negative, a new film expert commentary track, an interview with a cinema historian about filmmaker Elaine May, a video essay on the film, a conversation between May and frequent creative collaborator Mike Nichols, a podcast celebrating the movie’s 50th anniversary, an archival interview with the assistant editor, an archival appreciation of the feature by director Amy Heckerling (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Clueless), a trailer, text essays on the title, a fold-out poster with new art and much more.
The Nick Millard Action Collection contains five low-budget action/thrillers in one Blu-ray set. It contains .357 Magnum (1977), Alcatraz Breakout (19780, One-Armed Warrior (1980), Street Race (1981) and Shotgun (1985), all newly scanned and restored in 4K from the original camera negatives. There are other features including a commentary track on one of the films, a podcast documentary on the filmmaker, a 40-page book and other extras. This one is currently only available through the Vinegar Syndrome website.
And there are three more Vinegar Syndrome website exclusives. The first is Take Off (1978), an adult film about a Don Juan-like playboy. Tropic of Desire (1979) is arriving on Blu-ray newly restored in 2K from the original camera negatives. A second feature, Fantasyworld (1979), is also included, along with other bonuses.
We’re No Angels (1989) is receiving a Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Blu-ray Mediabook from Cinematographe/Vinegar Syndrome. This comedy from Neil Jordan (The Crying Game) is a remake of the 1955 comedy. Set during the Great Depression, it involves two criminals breaking out of prison and pretending to be Catholic priests to avoid capture. It stars Robert De Niro and Sean Penn. The film has been given a 4K restoration for this release, a film historian commentary, an interview with director Neil Jordan, and another with co-star James Russo. Additionally, there is a video essay on the title and an archival interview with screenwriter David Mamet. Text essays on the film are also included.
Finally, Warner Archive is delivering Blu-rays of Brainstorm (1965), Bright Leaf (1950), The Cobweb (1955) and Melinda (1972).
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
It’s a surprisingly slim week for family fare, but one title is being made available.
Boonie Bears, The Adventurers – Dust and Deception (WowNow) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
Below is a list of the week’s TV-related releases.
Highlander: The Complete Animated Series (1994-1996 France/Canada/US coproduction) (Discotek Media) Blu-ray
The Newsroom: The Complete Series (HBO) DVD
NOVA: Critical Condition – Health in Black America (PBS) DVD