Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This is a busy edition, with many notable titles available in a wide variety of genres. 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!
11 REBELS – Set during Japan’s Boshin War when the Tokugawa shogunate fought a coalition seeking to take control of the government, this tale details the exploits of a group of convicts. They are offered freedom if they fight for the shogunate and defend a fortress from an army of invaders. Considered something of as suicide mission, the down-on-their-luck figures agree to take arms and, in the process, die with honor. This Japanese feature was nominated for a couple of awards in its homeland. It hasn’t been viewed by many in North America, but critics in this part of the world who have attended screenings have been positive about the feature. They write that while the lead characters didn’t possess much in the way of depth, the action is impressive and the movie will ultimately entertain. This film can be purchased as a 4K Ultra HD disc or a standalone Blu-ray. It stars Takayuki Yamada, Taiga Nakano, Riho Sayashi and Ukon Onoe.
BORDERLINE – This comedy/horror takes place in the 1990s and follows a pop singer tormented by a stalker. One night, the nasty figure breaks into her mansion and takes her hostage. As it turns out, the invader wants to officially marry the celebrity. In fact, he has various guests and a kidnapped priest with him so that he can make it all happen. The protagonist must do her best to break free and escape the wedding party’s clutches. This effort earned slightly more positive notices than negative ones. Almost half of reviewers stated that the concept was promising, but that the script went overboard on blunt, ineffective jokes and felt that the movie didn’t deliver any thrills. Slightly more enjoyed the work of the lead performers and suggested that the film was unique in its approach. They claimed it was mostly successful in providing both laughs and chills. The cast includes Samara Weaving, Ray Nicholson, Eric Dane, Jimmy Fails and Alba Baptista.
DROP – A widow and single mother decides to go out on her first date in years with a man whom she connected with online. She arrives at a restaurant nervous, while also worrying about her young son. Things get progressively worse when the lead begins receiving texts from someone in the building telling her that her child will be killed unless she poisons her date. The protagonist does her best to secretly alert authorities. Identify the threat, and save everyone she can. Reviews were generally good for this thriller. A small contingent thought the film piled one preposterous element on top of another, until the whole film crashed off of the rails by the final act. Yet the majority found all the lead performers charismatic, and the story tense. They were also excited by the various twists and turns. This title is available as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo, or as a regular Blu-ray. It features Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane, Jacob Robinson and Reed Diamond. Read a detailed review of the movie here.
THE FRIEND – A New York-based writer is deeply saddened by the death of an older friend. When she goes to visit and pay her respects, she learns that the man’s Great Dane has been left in her care. The animal is more than a chore to handle and her landlord won’t allow pets in the apartment, adding further complications. But the more time that she spends with the pooch, the more she begins to realize that the two need to stay together and help each other mourn for their dear pal. This drama, which also contains comedic elements, was well-received by critics. A few commented that the film was too formulaic and ended up feeling overly sentimental. But the consensus was that the feature included marvelous performances and was a quietly touching, sweet and authentic examination of loss. Bill Murray, Naomi Watts, Cloé Xhauflaire and Carla Gugino headline the picture.
IN THE LOST LANDS – Based on a short story by George R. R. Martin (Game of Thrones), this futuristic action fantasy is set in a dystopian wasteland. The region is ruled by the Overlord, his Queen, and members of a religious order. A witch on the run from various groups encounters the Queen. After a conversation, the Overlord’s wife assigns the lead the task of finding a werewolf, killing it, and bringing the creature’s source of power to her. The sorceress agrees, meets a warrior, and convinces him to help her track the monster down. Response was not upbeat towards this feature. One-quarter of write-ups found it to be a pulpy and engaging B-movie with impressive cinematography and a few fun moments. Unfortunately, everyone else called the narrative clumsy and disjointed. They also noted that the deadly serious tone made the film look all the sillier. Reviews stated that the talented cast couldn’t salvage the poor screenplay. It stars Milla Jovovich, Dave Bautista, Arly Jower, Amara Okereke and Fraser James.
SOUR PARTY – This independent comedy tells the story of two Los Angeles-based friends entering their 30s. Both ladies are struggling to make ends meet. Determined to prove themselves to their families and friends, they set out to buy an expensive baby shower gift for one of their sisters. With only a few hours to raise the money required, they travel to various haunts and interact with oddballs. This film was screened at a few film festivals in late 2023 and has now found a distributor. Response from reviewers who managed to see a screening of the title was cheerful. They noted that the feature was episodic and didn’t offer any messages other than the importance of friendship. However, they also believed the two main characters were likable and that there were several funny scenarios as the pair attempted to accomplish their goal. The cast includes Samantha Westervelt, Amanda Drexton, Nathan Owen, Corey Feldman and Reggie Watts.
STAND YOUR GROUND – A former Special Forces operative decides to settle down with his wife and start a family. Shortly afterward, a local crime lord makes an offer to purchase the lead’s home (and even uses local police to emphasize that selling is the only option). The protagonist refuses, only to have his wife murdered and find himself arrested for fighting back. He is sentenced to a six-year prison sentence. After his release, he decides to use the titular, controversial law in order to enact revenge. This action picture is a direct-to-disc effort. Thus far, there is only one review available online (other write-ups pop up during searches, but they do not look authentic). The lone notice states that this is a polished-looking film with decent fight choreography, but that the story lacks depth and character development, and the overall product feels lackluster. It features Daniel Stisen, Peter Stormare, Patrick Regis and Eric Roberts.
THE WEDDING BANQUET – The 1993 Ang Lee comedy The Wedding Banquet was a box office hit that earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign-Language Film. This remake tells an updated version of the story. Set in Seattle, Washington, it follows a lesbian and a gay couple who share a house. The two pairs try to appease their conservative, homophobic families by putting on an act and swapping partners while relatives visit. Naturally, things go haywire as everyone attempts to continue their ruse. Reaction towards this comedy was favorable. A few complained that the pacing was off, that gags were too broad, and that the picture didn’t compare to the original. However, most thought it was a fun and entertaining effort that offered a few new twists on the original formula and benefitted from a game and engaging cast. Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-Chan and Joan Chen headline the film.
A WORKING MAN – A military man gives up his career for a simple life taking care of his daughter and working on a construction site. In the process, he becomes close with his foreman and his family. One day, the lead learns that his boss’s daughter has been kidnapped. He decides to help locate those responsible, and ends up uncovering a vast conspiracy as he attempts to locate the innocent girl. The press was split over this effort, with slightly more panning the picture than praising it. Those who enjoyed the film thought that it delivered all the beats action film fans would enjoy, and noted that the star could still deliver bone-crunching moves better than anyone else out there. However, slightly more complained that this effort didn’t compare with last year’s The Beekeeper, calling the story silly and predictable, and that it failed to provide any memorable thrills or characters. It stars Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, Merab Ninidze, Maximilian Osinski, Cokey Falkow, Michael Peña and David Harbour.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking for something older? Arrow Video is presenting some new titles and reissues. The J-Horror Rising box set is being put out again as a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray. It contains the titles Shikoku (1999), Isola: Multiple Personality Girl (2000), Inugami (2000), St John’s Wort (2001), Persona (2000), Noroi: The Curse (2005) and Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman (2007). These discs are packed with extras and will be of interest to anyone who appreciates other Japanese horror pictures from the era like Ringu (1998), Dark Water (2002) and The Grudge (2002).
Sleep (2020) aka Schlaf is also receiving a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray. It’s a German chiller about a woman in a small village suffering nightmares that push her to the edge of sanity. This title comes with a ton of bonuses like a film historian commentary, visual essays, conversations with cast and crew, deleted scenes, publicity materials and more.
One film release that is new is the “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD only release of the action picture, Swordfish (2001). The story involves a hacker who is hired to help locate nearly $10 billion dollars in government funds that are hidden behind a super-encryption wall (hey, it was over 20 years ago and this sounded convincing at the time). The picture stars John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and Don Cheadle. It’s all pretty silly stuff, but has developed a fan following over the years. This edition contains a 4K Dolby Vision presentation of the title, a director commentary, as well as recent interviews with the score composer and the production designer. There are also behind-the-scenes featurettes, a music video, a promotional featurette with cast and crew members, two alternate endings, and a trailer. And it comes with a double-sided fold-out poster with original and newly commissioned art, a reversible sleeve with the same features, and an illustrated booklet.
Arrow is rereleasing the recent box set When Titans Ruled the Earth, which contains Clash of the Titans (2010) and Wrath of the Titans (2012) in a 4K Ultra HD only “Standard Edition” edition. All the bonus features should be the same, only this time in less elaborate packaging.
The musical The Wiz (1978) is appearing in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack and as a Blu-ray only release courtesy of the Criterion Collection. This version of The Wizard of Oz features an African-American cast that includes Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, Nipsy Russell playing the Tinman, and Ted Ross taking on the role of the Cowardly Lion. It also features Richard Pryor as the title character. The film has been given a new 4K restoration approved by the producer and is presented in Dolby Vision. In addition, the set contains a new film historian commentary track, archival interview with director Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Network), and star Ross, as well as a trailer.
Deaf Crocodile Films is putting out a number of international independent features on Blu-ray. The Cathedral of New Emotions (2006) aka Die Kathedrale der Neuen Gefühle is an animated film from Germany about a group of characters adrift in space. It comes with a rare animated short from the director, a German TV-interview with the filmmaker, a film historian commentary and a new video essay on the title.
Freckled Max and the Spooks (1987) aka Pehavý Max a Strasidlá is a shot-in-Austria Slovak horror/comedy about a refugee who takes shelter in a remote castle and befriends its residents…. a werewolf, a vampire and the Frankenstein monster. The film arrives on Blu-ray with a behind-the-scenes look at the production, a look at the director’s career, three video interviews with crew members, a video essay on the movie and a film historian commentary track.
Gwen and the Book of Sand (1985) aka Gwen, the Book of Sand is a French animated adventure about a girl living in an apocalyptic wasteland. It is being released in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. The film has received a new 4K restoration presented in Dolby Vision and comes with a video interview with the director, a film historian commentary, as well as a video essay on the title.
Pictured above and to the right, the Bill Plympton animated satire I Married a Strange Person (1997) is also arriving on Blu-ray. It follows a couple watching TV only, to find the many strange sights on the television entering their reality. There are two Plympton shorts listed as bonuses on the disc, along with a film historian commentary and a new interview with Plympton.
Flicker Alley is presenting the “Champagne & Caviar: Four Weimar Comedies” Blu-ray set, which includes the German musical/comedies “Die Privatsekretärin” aka “The Private Secretary” (1931), Der brave Sünder aka The Upright Sinner (1931), Die Koffer des Herrn O.F. aka The Trunks of Mr. O.F. (1931) and lastly Ich bei Tag und du bei Nacht aka I By Day, You by Night (1932). There are film expert commentaries on the movies, as well as a souvenir booklet with essays on the titles and their importance in cinema history.
Independent genre film outfit Full Moon Features from Charles Band (who also ran 80s genre film company Empire Pictures) is putting out a pair of features on Blu-ray. Bad Channels (1992) is a horror/comedy about an alien invasion with Aaron Lustig, 1980s MTV VJ Martha Quinn and Tim Thomerson. It arrives with a director commentary, a making-of, a parody “Ted Talk” featurette and promo materials.
Crash and Burn (1990) is set in a bleak future run by a totalitarian government and involves a resistance group trying to fight back. A giant robot also plays a part in the story. The Blu-ray contains a director commentary with co-star Bill Mosley, a making-of, a blooper reel, a trailer and more Full Moon previews.
Kino is putting out a Blu-ray of the documentary Beware of Mr. Baker (2012), a film about drummer Ginger Baker and his time in bands like Cream, Blind Faith, his work as a session artist and his wild life in general. A director commentary and a trailer are listed as extras.
Murder by Decree (1979) is a Sherlock Holmes mystery in which the famous investigator finds the individual behind the Jack the Ripper slayings. It’s a well-regarded picture from Bob Clark (Black Christmas, Porky’s, A Christmas Story) with an all-star cast that includes Christopher Plummer, James Mason, Donald Sutherland, Genevieve Bujold, John Gielgud, and David Hemmings. This “Special Edition” Blu-ray boasts a new 4K picture restoration by Studio Canal, along with an archival Clark commentary, a film historian commentary and a theatrical trailer.
Lionsgate is delivering the Mel Gibson/Robert Downey Jr. action/comedy Air America (1990) as an “Amazon Exclusive” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. It follows a pair of pilots working as covert CIA operatives in Southeast Asia. This edition comes with a co-writer/co-producer commentary, brief cast and crew interviews, a storyboard featurette, a flight log featurette, a making-of, a retrospective featurette and trailers.
The Pusher (1960) is a crime film about a New York detective looking into the murder of a heroin addict. He is surprised to learn that the victim has a personal connection to his fiancé. MGM is releasing a Blu-ray of this movie. No bonus features are listed on this disc, but the title has been hard to come by for some time so cult film fans will be happy to now be able to find a copy of it on disc.
Mondo Macabro is making a “Standard Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray of Paul Naschy’s Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf (1972) available for purchase. This is the sixth title in Naschy’s werewolf series and features the hairy protagonist attempting to contact the famous doctor in order to find a cure for his condition. You’ll get the Spanish cut and an export version with the best possible image quality, along with a commentary track.
Terminus (1987) is arriving on Blu-ray as part of the MVD Visual Rewind Collection. It’s a low-budget French/German science-fiction/action title inspired by the Mad Max films. The story involves a group of racers who must travel across the country without being killed by various threats. The cast includes Karen Allen, Jurgen Prochnow and Johnny Hallyday. This disc contains the US version, as well as the extended Frenchikel cut of the film (which is 30 minutes longer). Additionally, you’ll get a new discussion with star Prochnow, a lengthy making-of containing cast and crew interviews, a photo gallery, trailer, reversible artwork, as well as a mini-poster, all packaged in a disc with a slipcover.
RaroVideo U.S. is releasing Alien Terror (1980) aka Alien 2: On Earth on Blu-ray. This low-budget, Italian chiller was certainly looking to cash-in on the success of the hit film Alien the year previous. After sending astronauts into the deepest reaches of space, their craft returns to Earth filled with alien monsters that enter the bodies of victims and make them explode. This disc contains a film historian commentary, an interview with fan Eli Roth about the movie, alongside an alternate English feature audio dub.
Shout Factory is rereleasing the fantastic David Cronenberg chiller The Dead Zone (1983) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Amazon exclusive “Collector’s Edition” Steelbook. It contains the very same contents as the previous edition from the distributor. Based on the book by Stephen King and starring Christoper Walken, this exceptional title looks phenomenal in 4K and comes with incredible bonuses including multiple commentaries and other extras. This release contains all of these great bits in new, exclusive packaging.
Cliver Barker enthusiasts can now pick up a 4K Ultra HD “Collector’s Edition” of the Director’s Cut of Lord of Illusions (1995). Written and directed by Barker, it’s about an investigator looking into the activities of an illusionist who may be connected to a sinister cult. This release contains a 4K scan of the original camera negative presented in Dolby Vision, along with a commentary from Barker, an interview with the film’s composer, a talk with the storyboard artist, a featurette on the movie, behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, a photo gallery, a note from Barker and a trailer.
The distributor is also putting out a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Steelbook of the excellent zombie flick, The Return of the Living Dead (1985). This is a repackaging of the previous 4K and Blu-ray set (which looks phenomenal) along with hours of extras that include commentary tracks, a making-of, a workprint with 20 minutes of additional footage, cast and crew interviews, promo materials and so much more.
And the Mary Pickford silent feature The Little American (1917) from Cecil B. DeMille is arriving on Blu-ray from VCI. It follows a young woman who falls for two European suitors during World War I. The film is newly restored and presented with a new score, as well as a film historian commentary, photo gallery and a short film from 1912. Liner notes also appear courtesy of the Mary Pickford foundation.
Apparently, Warner Bros. is in control of James Bond movie disc rights, and are now, as such, releasing the Sean Connery 007 James Bond Collection, which can be picked up on 4K Ultra HD only or on 4K Ultra HD in a special Steelbook Library Case. You’ll get the classics Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967) and Diamonds Are Forever (1971) presented in Dolby Vision. Extras will also be included and one can assume many of them will be taken from previous editions.
Finally, the Warner Archive is delivering the Clark Gable 4-Film Collection Blu-ray set, which contains Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), San Francisco (1936), Wife Versus Secretary (1936) and Idiot’s Delight (1939). You can also pick up a Blu-ray package called the Elizabeth Taylor 4-Film Collection, which offers Father of the Bride (1950), The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) and Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967).
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
If you’re looking for kid-friendly entertainment, your option for this week is presented below.
Boonie Bears, The Adventurers: Childhood Treasure (English dub of animated series from China) (WowNow) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
Below is a list of the week’s TV-related releases.
Boonie Bears, The Adventurers: Childhood Treasure (English dub of animated series from China) (WowNow) DVD
The Creep Tapes: Season 1 (Shudder) Blu-ray
Dexter: Original Sin (Paramount Pictures) Blu-ray Steelbook or Blu-ray
Hallmark 9-Movie Collection: Love of the Irish, Savoring Paris, A Greek Recipe for Romance, Two Scoops of Italy, My Argentine Heart, The Perfect Setting, A Safari Romance, Caribbean Summer, A Costa Rican Wedding (Hallmark) DVD
Masterpiece: Wolf Hall: The Complete Series (PBS) DVD