Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This isn’t the busiest of editions, but there are two major titles coming your way, along with a few interesting independent features. 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!
25 CATS FROM QATAR – Documentary enthusiasts and animal lovers may appreciate this new feature focused on felines. Qatar is a wealthy nation of the extremely rich, along with a huge number of migrant workers (who make up 89% of the population). The country has an issue with an overabundance of street cats. The lower-class workers do their best to help the animal population, and team with an American flight attendant to get 25 starving cats out of the country to Wisconsin and find them new, adopted homes. It has been written that the film tells an inspiring story and draws attention to animal welfare. The movie hasn’t been seen by many critics at present, but has played at various film festivals to a positive response (it won an award at the SouthSide Film Festival in Pennsylvania). If this sounds like an intriguing story to you, then you will most likely enjoy this effort.
THE ACCOUNTANT 2 – The 2016 action film The Accountant follows a man on the autism spectrum whose bookkeeping skills attract the attention of the mob. This tale begins with an old acquaintance of the title character being murdered. A message written on the body’s arm directs detectives to the protagonist. The lead decides to help investigate the crime. Along the way, he also runs into his estranged brother, a professional hitman. The press gave this follow-up a higher score than they did for the original feature. About one-quarter of write-ups complained that the plot was predictable, and thought that, just like the original, the end result wasn’t memorable. However, the majority believed that the chemistry between the performers was strong, the action set pieces were exciting, and that the film had a lot of heart. It stars Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, J.K. Simmons and Daniella Pineda.
DARK MATCH – An independent wrestling organization is offered a gig in a small, remote community. Despite the intense rivalries between some of the performers, the group accepts the offer. They are forced to put their differences aside after they arrive at their venue and learn that they have been hired by an aging ex-wrestler known as The Prophet. This eerie figure has become an actual cult leader, and has horrific plans for the athletes. This independent genre flick earned more positive reviews than negative ones. Almost one-third suggested the movie had difficulties juggling horror and humor and left them unmoved as a result. Still, most were amused by the concept and found the over-the-top gruesomeness and dark humor entertaining. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. This feature comes from the writer/director of the WolfCop series. The cast includes Ayisha Issa, Steven Ogg, Mo Adan, Sara Canning and Chris Jericho.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON – This live-action remake of the hugely popular 2010 animated feature is set in a Viking fantasy world, where a group of humans are at war with dragons. The son of the King is mocked by locals for not being much of a fighter. When he encounters a wounded dragon and secretly starts to care for it, the teen and the creature become friends. The protagonist begins to learn more about the beasts and strives to bring the two species together in order to face off against a common enemy. This redo made a generally good impression on reviewers. About one-quarter of write-ups stated that it was a carbon copy of the original and served as nothing more than a cash-in. But everyone else thought it was a surprisingly effective remake, with plenty of dynamic action, humor and drama that would impress both fans of the series and newcomers. There are a number of different editions of this title arriving. You can pick up a 4K Ultra HD-only “Collector’s Edition”, A 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Limited Edition” Steelbook, a Blu-ray-only “Collector’s Edition”, as well as a 4K Ultra HD How to Train Your Dragon 2-Movie Collection and a Blu-ray How to Train Your Dragon 2-Movie Collection. Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Gabriel Howell and Julian Dennison headline the film. Read a complete review of the feature here.
THE MAIDEN – Set in a suburban town, this drama follows a pair of teens who enjoy hanging out by a local river and spray-painting a nearby structure. After a tragic accident, one of the youngsters returns to the site, only to find a diary written by a young girl from who disappeared years earlier. What the main character reads leads to some surreal moments and dream-like experiences. This independent picture played at numerous festivals in 2023 and 2024, but is only now arriving in North America on disc. Reaction to the film was largely positive. There were a few voices who didn’t care for the teenage characters and believed that the movie’s surreal tone was difficult to digest. However, all others were impressed. They remarked that while it took some time for the story to get going, the unique approach to storytelling and atmosphere helped make it a memorably ruminative take on youth and loss. The movie stars Jackson Sluiter, Marcel T Jiménez and Hayley Ness.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
There is plenty to choose from for those looking for titles from earlier eras. Arrow Video is releasing a 4K Ultra HD “Limited Edition” of the disaster film remake, Poseidon (2006). If you aren’t familiar with the 1972 original and missed this reimagining, the story follows the passengers on a luxury cruise liner sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. When a rogue wave completely overturns the ship and leaves it temporarily floating upside down, the survivors try to find a way out before it sinks. This effort was directed by Wolfgang Petersen (Das Boot, In the Line of Fire, Air Force One, Outbreak, The Perfect Storm) and stars Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Emily Rossum, Andre Braugher, ‘Fergie’ from Black Eyed Peas, and many more.
The film has been given a 4K upgrade in Dolby Vision from the original 2K digital intermediate files provided by Warner Brothers. You’ll also get newly conducted interviews with cinematographer John Seale, production designer William Sandell, visual effects supervisor Boyd Shermis and on-set make-up effects supervisor Michael Deak. Additionally, there is a movie critic retrospective on the title, as well as a ton of archival press materials, including the EPK, a featurette on the sets, and a diary with a production assistant on the film. There is also a booklet with writing on the movie, and a reversible sleeve containing newly commissioned and original art for the picture. Read a full review of the release by clicking on this link.
Criterion is putting out a Blu-ray of Cairo Station (1958), a well-regarded Egyptian crime/drama about a newspaper salesman at a train depot who becomes obsessed with a woman working nearby. Apparently, the movie flopped during its initial release, but is now considered a neorealism cinematic masterpiece. The film has been given a 4K restoration and there is a 2K restoration of a 1991 short documentary on the director, Youssef Chahine. Also included as bonuses is an interview with a film scholar on the title, a 2009 documentary on the director, an excerpt from the filmmaker’s 1998 appearance at a film festival, and an essay on the title.
His Motorbike, Her Island (1986) is a Japanese drama about an angry young biker who falls for a rural girl who becomes obsessed with riding his chopper. Cult Epics is delivering this title on Blu-ray with a high- definition transfer, a film critic commentary, two visual essays on the movie, an archival discussion with the director, a trailer, and a new slipcase art design and reversible sleeve with the original poster. Apparently, the first pressing includes a reproduction of the 24-page Japanese press booklet for the title.
Deaf Crocodile Films is presenting the Hungarian animated feature The Tragedy of Man (2011) on Blu-ray. It follows Adam and Eve as they travel through history trying to find the meaning of life. This is the first-ever Blu-ray release of the movie in the U.S. and it comes with a commentary track from an animation producer and podcaster along with a movie critic, as well as a visual essay on the title, and new interviews with key members of the original animation team, and the director of the National Film Institute in Hungary.
The French silent movie Finis Terrae (1929) is arriving on Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment. It follows two men who collect seaweed off the coast of Brittany. When one of them cuts himself and gets a serious infection, the others try to get him back home for medical attention. A 4K picture restoration by Gaumont was delivered for this release, along with an interview with a film historian on the life and work of the director. You’ll also get a visual essay on the movie, and an archival appreciation of the title. A booklet with writing on the picture by the late director is also included. It all comes in a slipcase with new artwork for the film.
Full Moon Features have delivered many cult genre pictures over the years, and are now delivering three of them on Blu-ray. Blood Dolls (1999) features a mad billionaire and amateur scientist who creates the title figures, who take revenge on those who have wronged their creator. Bonuses include a behind-the-scenes featurette, blooper reel, music video, promo piece and trailers.
Creepozoids (1987) is a post-apocalyptic monster movie with Linnea Quigley that follows survivors of a nuclear war battling mutants in an underground bunker. This Blu-ray rerelease features a picture restoration from the original 35mm negative and boasts a director/co-producer audio commentary, a still gallery, and trailers.
Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity (1987) features Brinke Stevens and involves female escapees of a gulag who must fight for their lives after landing on a planet and being hunted by a maniac. This Blu-ray rerelease contains a tribute to one of its stars and trailers for this and other Full Moon productions.
It’s a busy week for Kino Lorber. A Blu-ray is arriving containing a double-feature of Confessions of a Co-Ed (1931) and Ladies of the Big House (1931). These are pre-code melodramas with Sylvia Sidney. The first involves a college student who gets pregnant, and the second is about a woman who is convicted of a crime she didn’t commit and must endure hardships in prison while fighting to be freed. Both films have been given 4K restorations for this release, and both include film historian commentaries.
The Farmer’s Daughter (1940) is a comedy with Martha Raye about a chaotic Broadway production. The disc promises a film historian commentary.
Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XXVI is the latest Blu-ray box set of classic thrillers. This edition delivers Dr. Broadway (1942), Smooth as Silk (1946) and The Great Gatsby (1949). The first involves a big city physician turned crime-solver, while the second follows a charismatic lawyer who attempts to get away with murder. And the final title is the first adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, made before the book was considered a classic. Alan Ladd stars in the picture. All titles have been given new HD masters from 4K scans, and each has at least one movie expert commentary. The final disc also features a discussion with star Ladd’s son. Trailers are also listed as extras. And if you’re only interested in The Great Gatsby (1949), this disc will also be available separately on Blu-ray.
The Lionsgate Limited website is delivering another title as an exclusive through their website. It’s the popular French horror film High Tension (2003), arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. The plot involves college classmates who are pursued by a vicious killer while staying in a remote farmhouse. Things may not be as they initially seem, though. Besides the HDR picture upgrade, this release comes with a film lecturer commentary, interviews with director Alexander Aja (The Hills Have Eyes remake, Piranha 3D, Crawl, Never Let Go), as well as the screenwriter, the cinematographer, the make-up effects artist. There is also a film critic analysis of the movie, archival interviews with cast and crew, an archival director commentary, and numerous featurettes on the production.
RaroVideo U.S. is presenting The Medium (1980) on Blu-ray. This Italian horror movie tells the story of a widower and his son who move to Rome, only to experience supernatural phenomena. The title character arrives to help the pair figure out what’s occurring and why. The disc contains a movie expert commentary track.
Shout Factory is rereleasing a trio of titles, as well as adding a couple of new ones to their catalog. The first three are 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Amazon exclusive Steelbooks of John Carpenter’s outer-space action picture Ghosts of Mars (2001) and the exceptionally creepy Prince of Darkness (1987). The third is the home-invasion horror picture The Strangers (2008). All of the specs for these releases are identical to previous editions, only in new packaging.
The popular 1983 slasher movie Sleepaway Camp followed a serial killer wiping out attendees of a summer camp (with something of a twist ending). Shout Factory doesn’t have the rights to that title, but they do for Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers (1988) and it is now arriving as a 4K Ultra HD “Collector’s Edition”. This follow-up has more dark humor than the original and features the psychopath from the first movie now working as a camp counselor. The bodies quickly pile up once again. The 35mm Interpositive of the film has been given a 4K restoration presented in Dolby Vision. Additionally, you’ll get a making-of documentary with a cast member/author of a book on the slasher series. There are extra, recently recorded cast and crew interviews, as well as an archival director and screenwriter commentary track, an older documentary on the movie with cast and crew interviews, a look at locations for the film, a short, and a ton of promotional materials. Oh, and if you’re not familiar with the series, you probably shouldn’t watch the trailer at the bottom of the page, because it pretty much gives everything away.
You can also pick up a 4K Ultra HD “Collector’s Edition” of Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland (1989), which is set a year after the previous entry and features, well, more of the same. Like the previous release, you’ll get an image from the 4K restoration of the 35mm interpositive presented in Dolby Vision, along with a recently completed documentary on this film with the same figure as the doc from Part II. There are interviews with the stunt coordinator, a songwriter/performer from the film, as well as a featurette on this follow-up, behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, a workprint (from a VHS source), a home video trailer, still gallery and more.
And the Nicolas Cage drama World Trade Center (2006) is arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” combo pack. This feature from Oliver Stone (Platoon, JFK, Nixon) tells the true story of a Port Authority policeman who volunteered to go into the World Trade Center to help on September 11th, 2001, and ended up trapped in the rubble. The movie has been given a 4K restoration presented in Dolby Vision, supervised and approved by Stone. There is an archival audio commentary with the director and a second track featuring real-life first responders. Extras also include several new cast and crew interviews (as well as one with a first responder)
SRS Cinema is giving the independent horror/comedy Hell’s Bells (2020) a Blu-ray release. The cast includes Marc Price (Trick or Treat) and tells the story of two aging fools who make a deal with the Devil to become rock stars. Bonuses include a commentary, bloopers, a music video, behind-the-scenes footage and a trailer.
There’s a new remake of a Troma classic coming your way, and the studio is taking advantage of it by releasing all the early titles in the series in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray sets. You can now purchase The Toxic Avenger (1984), The Toxic Avenger Part II (1989), The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie (1989) and Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2000). Early reports suggest that the image upgrade is very impressive and the discs all come with a ton of extras, including intros from Troma head and director Lloyd Kaufman, multiple commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage, cast and crew interviews and promo materials. If you like low-budget genre pictures, these releases will likely be right up your alley.
Unearthed Films is presenting Maskhead (2009) on Blu-ray. It’s an indie horror effort about film producers making fetish videos that might actually be real alongside a threatening figure. The disc includes a filmmaker commentary, an alternate version, blooper reel, behind-the-scenes featurettes and publicity material.
Finally, Universal is presenting The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. You can also pick it up in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. This hit comedy follows, well, the title character and his efforts to finally lose his virginity. The cast includes Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Leslie Mann and Jane Lynch. The 4K image is presented in Dolby Vision and comes with a new, 20th anniversary discussion on the movie with director Judd Apatow and the cast, as well as an archival director commentary, deleted scenes (with optional commentary), never-before-seen extra material, a complete version of the speed dating scene, and so much more than it can’t all be listed here.
Casper (1995) is celebrating its 30th Anniversary Edition with a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set, and a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. Once again, the image has been upgraded and is presented in Dolby Vision, and also contains a director commentary, deleted scenes, a “Casper” cartoon, and featurettes.
Meet the Parents (2000) is arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray 25th Anniversary Edition. Specs are the same and extras include a director commentary and a cast and filmmaker commentary, deleted scenes, a spotlight on vacation, outtakes, a featurette on De Niro, and much more.
And Straight Outta Compton (2015) is celebrating its 10th Anniversary with a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook release. It includes both the theatrical and unrated director’s cut (with 20 minutes of extra footage), a director commentary track, deleted scenes, a deleted song performance, the origins of the band N.W.A., as well as tons of featurettes.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Below is a list of titles that may be of interest to younger viewers (the first is a Japanese series for older tykes).
Ultraman Decker: The Complete Series (Mill Creek Entertainment) Blu-ray
Wissper: Season 1 (Dreamscape Media)
ON THE TUBE!
And all of the week’s TV-related releases are listed here.
1923: Season 2 (Paramount Pictures) Blu-ray
Caregiving (PBS) DVD
Death Valley: Season 1 (BBC) DVD
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: Season 1 (BBC) Blu-ray
Mother Goose’s Scarytales: Season 1 (WowNow) DVD
Ultraman Decker: The Complete Series (Mill Creek Entertainment) Blu-ray
Wissper: Season 1 (Dreamscape Media)