Welcome once again to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This is a relatively quiet edition compared to the previous one, but there are a few notable new releases and some great older pictures receiving notable 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 BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND: One half of a famous British folk group is contacted to play a show on a remote coastal island. The musician sails in, only to learn that he has been hired by a sweet-natured but lone superfan who recently won a lottery. This artist shrugs it off and prepares for his performance, only to learn that his old musical and romantic partner will also be taking the stage. She soon arrives with her new husband. The intimacy of this show for one result in the two finally addressing their past differences. This picture earned almost entirely positive notices from the press. One or two found the lead character dour, the humor ineffective and the final product forgettable. Everyone else described the film as incredibly charming and sweet. They wrote that the performances were excellent, and that, in addition to the numerous chuckles, the story engaged them on an emotional level. This title will be arriving on Blu-ray on Friday, May 6th. It stars Tim Key, Tom Basden, Carey Mulligan and Akemnji Ndifornyen.
THE BURNT HALF: At the end of 2019 and into early 2020, a series of bushfires in Australia caused devastation through many parts of New South Wales and Victoria. This documentary focuses on Kangaroo Island and its community, of which two-thirds was burnt to the ground. A film crew interviews the survivors, who try to understand why it happened, as well as describe the specifics of what occurred (including how difficult it was to see and breathe) and how they managed to survive. They also go into detail about coping with loss and moving forward. This picture was nominated for an award in its home country. There aren’t many reviews available for it in this part of the world, but there is an online write-up or two from Australia. These reviews call the film an effective and inspiring documentary that goes into great detail about the individuals, helping viewers understand their plight and the steps that are needed to prevent this from occurring again.
FREAKY TALES: Set in the year 1987, this unusual action/comedy/anthology has four interconnected stories. There is one involving punkers who take on a group of Neo-Nazis, and another about two female rappers trying to jump start their careers. A third segment tells the story of a criminal who wants to go clean and break free from his underworld bosses, while the final tale features a basketball player seeking revenge after his home is robbed and family attacked. Critics were more positive than negative about this quirky feature. One-quarter of them complained that the segments were uneven, resulting in an choppy tone, and that the film went overboard with 1980s references. Still, the majority were impressed by the wild and exaggerated style, thought the cast were great, and stated that the movie was a great deal of fun. For now, this picture is being released exclusively through Lionsgate (and their Lionsgate Limited website) as a 4K and Blu-ray combo in VHS retro packaging. The cast includes Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Too $hort, Ji-young Yoo, Jack Champion and Marteen.
OPUS – A legendary pop star returns after a long absence of thirty years, inviting a select group of journalists and fans into his compound to make a statement to the press. A young writer also gets an invitation. Disturbed by the cult-like behavior of the group, she gets an even bigger chill when the mysterious figure appears and lays out a twisted plan for the group. This independent mystery/horror/comedy was not very well-received by reviewers. More than one-third did enjoy the performances and stated that calling out our celebrity-obsessed culture was timely and effective. However, most thought that while ambitious, the characters weren’t well drawn and the movie didn’t deliver much bite, satirical laughs or thrills. This effort will be released on Blu-ray on May 6th. It features Ayo Edibiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Tony Hale and Amber Midthunder.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking for something older? 88 Films is releasing a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Deluxe Limited Edition” of the Hong Kong action picture, Crime Story (1993) aka Police Story IV aka New Police Storywith Jackie Chan. In this entry, Chan plays his familiar nice-guy supercop who is suddenly assigned to protect a business magnate. When the individual is kidnapped, the hero does his best to rescue the VIP, finding himself face to face with various villains and a corrupt detective. The first three titles in this franchise are among Chan’s best. This one has a more serious tone and isn’t quite as effective, but, as with all the star’s pictures, has several incredible fights and stunts.
If you pick up this title, you’ll get a 4K picture remaster from the original negative, presented in Dolby Vision. Extras include two film historian commentary tracks, two critic featurettes on the movie, an interview with the assistant director, a special on how this picture compares to other Police Story tales, archival crew interviews, deleted scenes, and a trailer. The box includes a double-sided sleeve with original and new art for the movie, lobby card reproductions, a double-sided fold out poster, and a book with writing on the film.
Cinematograph is presenting a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray of Swimming to Cambodia (1987) that for now will only be available through the Vinegar Syndrome website. For those unfamiliar with this film, it is a monologue from late actor and novelist Spalding talking about his experiences working on the Oscar-winning 1984 movie The Killing Fields. The performer (according to press notes) lays bare his time on set and contextualizes his anecdotes with the stark history of the region. This film was directed by Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme (Melvin and Howard, Stop Making Sense, Something Wild, Married to the Mob, The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, Beloved). For the first time, the feature is being presented on Blu-ray, and with a 2K picture restoration from the original camera negative. There is also a film critic commentary, interviews with the producer and the executive producer, an archival interview with Demme from 2013, two podcasts featuring Demme, and two essays on the movie from noted film critics.
The brilliant Terry Gilliam sci-fi satire Brazil (1985) is arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo from Criterion. This feature stars Jonathan Pryce as a daydreaming, low-level bureaucrat in a totalitarian world who tries to break free from his grim life, all to darkly humorous results. It’s a sharp movie with incredible visuals and is a stunning accomplishment from Gilliam (who also helmed Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, The Fisher King, 12 Monkeys, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas). The cast includes Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, Ian Richardson and Kim Greist and was considered one of the best films of its year. This release contains a 4K restoration (presented in Dolby Vision) of the director’s cut, supervised and approved by Gilliam himself. The director also provides an audio commentary. Additionally, an on-set documentary, a production notebook with interviews and video essays are included. This set also comes with the informative “The Battle of Brazil” documentary about what was going on behind the scenes between the filmmaker and studio. The 94-minute “Love Conquers All” studio cut is also included on the accompanying Blu-ray. A trailer and film critic essay are also featured on the release.
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) is also arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set from the distributor. This picture from Paul Schrader (American Gigolo, Affliction, First Reformed) is a fictionalized account of the life of celebrated Japanese writer Yukio Mishima. The story begins on the day the subject commits suicide interspersing four flashbacks from his past. Some involve stylized recreations of the author’s fictional tales. The release contains a 4K restoration of the director’s cut supervised and approved by Schrader and the cinematographer, two alternate English narrations (one featuring Roy Scheider), an archival commentary track with Schrader and the producer, a program on the making of the film with cast and crew interviews, a feature with Mishima’s biographer, an interview with the co-screenwriter, an interview excerpt with Mishima from 1966, a 1985 documentary about the author, a trailer, an essay on the film, a piece of the title’s censorship in Japan and set photographs.
The Cruise (1998) is arriving on Blu-ray from Oscilloscope Pictures. This is a documentary about the daily grind of a famously eccentric New York City tour bus guide. The picture marks the debut of noted filmmaker Bennett Miller (Capote, Moneyball, Foxcatcher) and has been remastered for this release. The disc comes with never-before-seen footage and a trailer.
It’s a busy week for Sandpiper Pictures, who are releasing a number of out-of-print Blu-ray titles. First up is the satirical war film The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968) with Trevor Howard, John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave. The Jerry Lee Lewis biopic Great Balls of Fire! (1989) is also coming out from the distributor. This effort stars Dennis Quaid, Winona Ryder and Alec Baldwin, chronicling the musician’s tumultuous life. It isn’t the most accurate retelling, but if memory serves it is entertaining. You can also pick up Leaving Las Vegas (1995) on Blu-ray again, featuring Nicolas Cage in his Oscar-winning role as a suicidal alcoholic.
The Mel Brooks comedy Life Stinks (1991) is getting a Blu-ray re-release as well. The actor/writer/producer/director plays a nasty CEO who must live as a homeless person and changes his ways. The film was a flop back in the day, but has apparently developed a cult following. The Alec Baldwin/Nicole Kidman/Bill Pullman thriller Malice (1993). It follows a couple who rent an apartment to a sinister surgeon.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968) is another take on the famous William Shakespeare play featuring Ian Holm, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Diana Rigg, Ian Richardson and David Warner. On a completely different note, you can also purchase the Linda Blair disco title Roller Boogie (1979), which follows two roller skaters from different classes who fall in love while trying to save their favorite rink from mobsters. As you might have already guessed, the latter is another crazy cult favorite.
The distributor is also releasing Rush (1991) on Blu-ray. This period effort is set in the 1970s and features Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh as undercover narcotics agents who become drug addicts while working a case.
Shout Factory is presenting Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974) exclusively on 4K Ultra HD. It’s a gritty crime film written and directed by Sam Peckinpah (The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs, The Getaway) about a pair of cash-strapped men hired by a land baron to murder the man who seduced his daughter. Things get very bloody as they attempt to locate their target. This release boasts a new 4K picture scan from the original camera negative, an audio commentary with the movie’s co-writer/co-producer, a film historian commentary track, an interview about the title with a film authority, and promo materials.
If you’re a fan of George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Creepshow, Day of the Dead) you’ll be thrilled to learn that the long out-of-print Monkey Shines (1988) is receiving a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” release. This underrated effort involves a paralyzed man who is given a trained monkey to help with everyday tasks. Unfortunately, the animal becomes jealous of others in the protagonist’s life and begins terrorizing everyone. The set offers a 4K picture restoration taken from the original negative, and also comes with a new film critic commentary, an archival commentary with Romero, a making-of, the alternate ending, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, vintage interviews, a TV spot, still gallery and trailers.
You can also pick up a DVD reissue of Mystery Science Theater 3000 Volume XVII, which contains The Crawling Eye (1958), The Beatniks (1959), The Final Sacrifice (1990) and Blood Waters of Dr. Z (1971) with hilarious riffs from the Satellite of Love crew.
And finally, while they have already put out a Blu-ray of the film, Shudder is now releasing a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of their chiller, When Evil Lurks (2023). Besides the image upgrade, extras include a behind-the-scenes photo gallery, and original trailer.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Nothing in this edition for youngsters, but perhaps next week will offer some goodies.
ON THE TUBE!
Below is the sole TV-related release of the week.
Doctor Who: Jon Pertwee: Complete Season 1 (BBC) Blu-ray