It’s time for another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This is a remarkable edition with some very noteworthy new releases headed your way. 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!
Badland – Set after the Civil War, this western follows a gunslinging detective hired to track down Confederate war criminals. With the country rebuilding and many areas unregulated, the task proves to be both difficult and incredibly dangerous. When a group of crooks target the protagonist and attempt to hunt him down, he must survive the onslaught. Reaction was split towards this feature. About half thought that it didn’t add anything new to the genre and suggested that it could have done with a rewrite. Just as many called it was an engaging little effort that payed appropriate homage to the genre. It stars Kevin Makely, Mia Sorvino, Trace Adkins, Bruce Dern, Wes Studi and Tony Todd.
The Big Fat Lie – This documentary from New Zealand is about a man who suffers a heart attack and receives open heart surgery. After his recovery, he investigates the cause of his condition and learns about plant-based diets that can help his recovery. Confused that he hadn’t heard of these programs before or been told of the dangers of fat, the man interviews professors, doctors, New Zealand’s Heart Foundation and Cancer Society, milk and beef companies and many others. He attempts to find out why we eat the way we do and what changes we can all make. This film is debuting on disc so there aren’t any reviews of it as of yet, but it certainly may be of interest to those interested in what they consume.
The Death of Dick Long – A band goes through an ordeal after a crazy night of practice in which one of them dies. Panicked, the remaining members are determined to hide the events of the evening and exactly how he passed away. This includes telling falsehoods to the deceased friend’s wife and daughter, as well as trying to mislead authorities. However, as events progress, the band find themselves making mistakes and complicating the situation. Overall, critics were positive about the movie. A small grouping didn’t find the events depicted very funny and thought the story rambled. More appreciated the dark comedy’s unpredictable approach and thought the cast was excellent. It features Michael Abbott Jr., Virginia Newcomb and Andre Hyland.
An Elephant Sitting Still – This lengthy, foreign-language effort from China takes place in the northern part of the country and begins with a teenager standing up to a neighborhood bully by pushing them down a staircase and hospitalizing them. When the school instructors, neighbors and authorities with become involved, the teenager finds himself pursued and ends up on the run. The press recommended this feature. A small contingent couldn’t get on its wavelength and found the nearly 4-hour running time simply too much to endure. However, most called it a remarkable and consistently surprising protest film and sociopolitical critique that would stay with viewers long after the credits rolled. Yucheng Peng, Yu Zhang and Uvin Wang headline the feature.
The Fanatic – Most know Fred Durst as front-man for the band Limp Bizkit – the musician co-wrote and directed this film based on a personal experience. It’s about a fan of an action movie star who feels cheated out of meeting his personal hero. He discovers where the man lives and begins visiting frequently, much to his idol’s concern. Eventually, things escalate and the actor comes under assault from his obsessive devotee. Notices weren’t particularly strong for this effort. One or two admired the commitment of the lead actors to their roles. Still, there were criticisms that instead of scary, the end results were incredibly over-the-top and silly. Now viewers can make up their own minds. The cast includes John Travolta, Devon Sawa and Ana Golija.
Freaks – A 7-year-old girl is kept by her father inside her family home and warned of a sinister threat known as “Abnormals” who live outside and will harm her if she leaves. When a stranger arrives at the family doorstep, he provides more information about the outside world, enticing the youngster to venture out and connect with exactly who or what might be in her neighborhood. Response towards this sci-fi/horror film was mostly positive. A few suggested that the movie didn’t make the most of its concept and felt too subdued. However, most complimented it as an above-average genre picture that maintained a tense atmosphere. It stars Emile Hirsch, Bruce Dern, Grace Park, Amanda Crew and Lexy Kolker.
The Harvesters – This multi-national co-production is set in South Africa and follows a household in the Afrikaans community. Specifically, an emotionally frail young boy living with his family. When the child’s mother decides to adopt an orphan, the son becomes jealous and the two new siblings begin to compete for parental attention. Reviews were strong for this drama. One or two thought the movie was too restrained in its approach and needed to dive into the material with more assertiveness. The vast majority did appreciate it, crediting it with being an interesting drama boasting strong performances and visuals. Bretn Vermeulen, Alex van Dyk and Juliana Venter headline the feature.
Hustlers – Inspired by a true story from a New York Magazine article, this drama involves a group of strippers who concoct an elaborate plan after the 2008 economic collapse. It involves turning the tables on their Wall Street clientele and stealing their money. Along the way, complications arise when others get wind of their actions and try to copy their scheme, drawing unwanted attention back to the protagonists. Most critics enjoyed the picture. A small percentage suggested that cast were good but that the movie’s argument was quite muddled. Still, far more appreciated the work of the performers and thought It was a well-paced and entertaining feature. The cast includes Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles, Keke Parker, Lili Reinhart and Mercedes Ruehl.
It Chapter Two – This follow-up to the hit horror film about a group of kids who face off against a sinister, supernatural clown picks up with the same characters now adults. When the malevolent force returns, the group are forced to reunite, reconnect, and square off against the villain one last time. Along the way, they also attempt to resolve some personal loose ends. The press was positive about the movie, although not as enamored as they were by the previous installment. Some suggested that it was too long and didn’t provide nearly as many scares. Still, the consensus was that it was fun to catch up with the adult versions of the children and thought the movie delivered enough thrills and chills to earn a recommendation. It stars James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransome and Bill Skarsgard. To read this site’s review, click here.
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice – Linda Ronstadt is a hugely successful recording artist who is considered by many to be one of the most talented female singers ever. This picture chronicles her history and begins as well as her move away from pop music at the height of her career, in order to embrace a wider variety of musical styles. It details her current battle with Parkinson’s disease and recent work, as well as providing interviews with friends and contemporaries like Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville, Don Henley and others. Reaction was very positive. Although one or two thought the filmmakers were in too much in adoration of their subject, all thought it was a great time capsule of music from the 70s and 80s that also provided a captivating introduction to the performer.
Lucky Day – A safecracker is released from prison and returns home to his wife and daughter, resolving to make a new start in life. However, his release attracts the attention of old acquaintances, including a psychotic French hitman seeking revenge for the death of his brother. The lead must stop the imminent threat and protect his family as sinister forces close in. This action picture didn’t sit particularly well with reviewers. A small amount of them were entertained by the snappy banter and over-the-top shenanigans, but most thought it was messily constructed and felt like a series of action clichés that didn’t provide any memorable moments. It features Luke Bracey, Nina Dobrev, Crispin Glover, Ella Ryan Quinn, Cle Bennett, Clifton Collins Jr. and Davd Hewlett.
Monos – This foreign-language co-production from more countries than can be listed here is set in Columbia on a remote mountaintop. A group of young commandos are tasked with keeping watch over an American doctor who has been taken hostage; they also engage in social activities and play between their military duties. After coming under attack, bonds between peers begin to break and some prey on their own to survive. Reaction was very upbeat towards this dark effort. A few complained that they thought the movie was all style and little substance. Yet the overwhelming majority described is as a unique, memorable and visually-stunning descent into chaos that was reminiscent of Lord of the Flies. Julianne Nicholson, Moises Arias and Sofia Buenaventura play the leads.
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood – The latest from writer/director Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained, Kill Bill) is a look at Hollywood in the late 60s. Celebrity Rick Dalton finds his career faltering and struggles to regain his foothold in the industry, while his neighbor, actress Sharon Tate, sees her star on the rise after hitting the big screen. Danger arrives when these characters and their Hollywood cohorts come into contact with the Manson Family. The press generally found this feature to be excellent. A tiny contingent did complain about the length and didn’t appreciate its revisionist style. All others called it a beautiful recreation of a bygone era with phenomenal performances that examines and plays with with the remarkable power of movies. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Timothy Olyphant, Julia Butters, Kurt Russell and many others. To read this site’s review of the feature, click here.
Piranhas – A group of well-armed teenagers in Naples, Italy wander the streets and commit various crimes. This includes dealing drugs and taking part in assassinations for their boss, a high-ranking member of the Camorra mafia. The foreign-language crime-drama details how those from the wrong side of the tracks are manipulated by the mob and end up endangering both themselves and their families. Reaction was generally mixed towards this title. Nearly half of those who saw it described the movie as unique and stylish on a technical level, but lacking in well-drawn or relatable characters. A few more called it a chilling look at youth in the criminal underworld that will disturb viewers. The cast includes Francesco Di Napoli and Artem Tkachuk. It is also known as La Paranza dei Banbini.
The Wrath – This period creeper from South Korea involves the family of a high-ranking government official. After three of his sons die, a daughter-in-law arrives at the household pregnant with the unborn child of one of his recently deceased sons. She soon encounters strange and supernatural forces, becoming concerned that the brood is plagued by a sinister ghost. There aren’t a whole lot of reviews for this foreign-language effort, but the ones that have appeared in this part of the world are fairly positive. One does state that there’s nothing surprising or noteworthy about the story or production. However, the majority have described it as a low-key but atmospheric and well-designed horror picture. It features Seo Young-hee and Son Na-eun.
Blasts from the Past!
There are so many fantastic older titles getting a high definition upgrade this week that it’s going to be difficult to get through them all. Still, I’ll try. Arrow Video have a Special Edition Blu-ray of The Limits of Control (2009), a crime/drama from Jim Jarmusch (Mystery Train, Dead Man, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Paterson, The Dead Don’t Die) about a mysterious loner in Spain with secret plans. The cast includes Isaach De Bankolé, Tilda Swinton and Bill Murray. This well-regarded effort arrives on disc with extras that include an interview with a Jarmusch biographer, a visual essay on the film, an archival documentary on the production, a featurette about the locations used, as well as a trailer.
Shout! Factory have several Blu-rays arriving as well. The first is the monster movie, The Abominable Snowman (1957). As you might have guessed, it’s about some explorers in the Himalayas who encounter a dangerous Yeti. It comes with a new film historian audio commentary, an older track with the director and screenwriter, a World of Hammer episode about star Peter Cushing, a Trailers from Hell segment with filmmaker Joe Dante, as well as publicity materials for the film.
Anne Brancroft has appeared in numerous classics (as well as writing and directing a feature of her own) and the distributor are celebrating her contributions to cinema with The Anne Bancroft Collection (1952 – 1987). It’s a massive Blu-ray box set filled 8 titles over a period of 25 years starring the actress. Several of the discs come with bonuses (too much to be listed right now), but here are the titles featured – Don’t Bother to Knock, The Miracle Worker, The Pumpkin Eater, The Graduate, Fatso, To Be or Not to Be, Agnes of God, 84 Charing Cross Road.
Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971) is an unusual horror picture from Hammer Studios that puts a spin on the old Jekyll and Hype formula. This time out, Dr. Jekyll uses female corpses to create an “elixir of life” and discovers that it turns him into a fetching, female homicidal maniac. While it hasn’t been the easiest of Hammer titles to locate, it is said to be quite good and have a fervent following. The new Blu-ray include an interview with cast member Martine Beswick, a film historian audio commentary, a cast and crew commentary, a documentary on the picture and other bonuses.
This next release also sounds like a winner for fans of classic horror. The Fly Collection (1958 – 1989) is a box set including all five features about the titular monster. This includes the Vincent Price original, as well as the entertaining follow-ups and the 80s remakes. Most of them are really entertaining and even the chapters that aren’t as strong as the bonafide classics are a lot of fun to watch. In addition to the entire series, the release includes all of the previously released extras as well as new bonuses including multiple commentaries and interviews with cast and crew. This looks like a winner – it’ll certainly end up on my wish list.
Fans of Japanese cinema will also be excited by the 2-disc Blu-ray release of Millennium Actress (2001), considered to be one of Japan’s greatest animated titles ever. It’s about a TV interviewer and his cameraman who meet a former actress and end up traveling through her memories and career. The disc includes an interview with the producers as well as the voice talent.
Kino are also inundating store shelves this week with Blu-rays from a variety of genres and time periods. First off is the action picture, Aces: Iron Eagle III (1992). The second is the heist picture, Blue Collar (1978), starring Richard Pryor and Harvey Keitel and Yaphet Kotto. It includes a director commentary with Paul Schrader (Auto Focus, First Reformed) and a trailer.
For those who remember 60s TV, Get Smart was a hugely popular comedy series that riffed on spies and James Bond. The Nude Bomb (1980) marked a feature adaptation of the TV-series with star Don Adams returning to take on a nasty foe who wants to remove all clothing from the world. If memory serves, the movie tanked with critics and at the box office and has been hard to find since that time. Now, Kino are releasing an extras-packed Special Edition Blu-ray for those curious. It includes a film historian commentary and one with Sledge Hammer! Creator Alan Spencer, deleted and alternate scenes, alternate credits, just about every piece of promotional material ever created for the movie and more. With bonuses like these, maybe it’s time to give the flick another chance.
They’re also releasing a Special Edition Blu-ray of the David Duchovny thriller, Playing God (1997). This one comes with a new producer and writer commentary. If you enjoy Burt Reynolds movies, then you can also pick up Stick (1985) in high definition. Written by Elmore Leonard and featuring a great cast, the movie also includes an incredible stunt or two. This edition includes a film critic commentary track, behind-the-scenes images and a trailer. You can also pick up the Melanie Griffith thriller, A Stranger Among Us (1992) on Blu-ray. This Special Edition comes with a new screenwriter audio track.
And the distributor is also re-releasing the action film Terminal Velocity (1994) on Blu-ray. I have to be honest and admit that this picture wasn’t well received upon its release, but is a guilty pleasure of mine. It stars Charlie Sheen as a skydiving instructor who gets himself involved in a game of cat-and-mouse with the Russian Mafia… and is amusingly unprepared for all that the situation entails. I’ve always found the movie quite funny and enjoyable, helped by some great supporting work from Nastassja Kinski, James Gandolfini and Melvin Van Peebles. It’s arriving as a Special Edition that includes a new commentary with an entertainment journalist (so I suppose I’m not the only person out there who got a kick out of it).
The Cotton Club (1984) was a lavish Richard Gene/Gregory Hines period drama from director Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Outsiders and many others) that didn’t get a lot of positive notices during its original run. However, LionsGate are attempting to change that with an “Encore” edition of the film. Scenes cut by the studio have been restored and the entire picture has been newly remastered and restored in 4K.
Criterion are finally getting around to releasing a long sought-after film on Blu-ray. Until the End of the World (1991) with William Hurt, Solveig Dommartin and Sam Neil may be more remembered by some for its incredible soundtrack that featured U2, R.E.M., Depeche Mode, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Talking Heads. However, it was quite interesting and serves as a spectacle to witness. The futuristic (at least, at the time) globe-trotting adventure film from arthouse director Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire, Pina) involves the world on the brink of an epic disaster and a man traveling across the globe. His job is to take pictures with a special camera that can bring images to life and be implanted into the brain. It’s imperfect, but the second half of the film holds up very well as it examines our obsession and addiction to technology. The film was so long that it was ultimately edited down to 2 ½ hours by Warner Bros. for its release. However, many know that the original director’s cut ran 4 ½ hours and have been curious to see it. Criterion have finally made that possible. The uncut version has received a 4K digital restoration and includes an introduction from Wenders, multiple interviews with the filmmaker, including a conversation with musician David Byrne. There are also pieces on the movie’s soundtrack, deleted scenes, featurettes on the visual effects and more.
And there’s more. Scorpion have a Blu-ray of the comedy/drama, Inside Moves (1980) from director Richard Donner (The Omen, Superman, Lethal Weapon). The disc includes a new remaster of the film along with interviews with Donner and star John Savage.
Finally, Film Movement are releasing a two-disc double feature Blu-ray of two adventure films from Fritz Lang (Metropolis, M) that were shot over the same year and set in India. The Tiger of Eschnapur (1959) and The Indian Tomb (1959) are the two movies included, and the discs arrive with documentaries on their production as well as a film historian audio commentary.
You Know, For Kids!
Here’s something that kids may enjoy.
Ultraseven: The Complete Series
On the Tube!
And these are the week’s TV-themed releases.
American Experience: The Feud (PBS)
Bonanza: Season 10, Volume 1
Bonanza: Season 10, Volume 2
Death in Paradise: Season 8
Father Brown: Season 7
The Feud (PBS)
FRONTLINE: The Crown Prince (PBS)
Gunsmoke: Season 16
Gunsmoke: Season 17
The High Chapperal: The Final Season
Ken Burns Presents: College Behind Bars: A Film by Lynn Novick (PBS)
Love on the Slopes (Hallmark Made-for-Cable movie)
NATURE: Octopus: Making Contact (PBS)
Suits: The Complete Collection
Suits: Season 9
Ultraseven: The Complete Series
The Warrior Tradition (PBS) K