Welcome back to another look at the latest Blu-ray and DVD highlights coming your way. While this edition isn’t an exceptionally busy one, there are still plenty of notable releases that should pique the interest of film fans. So, since you can’t or likely shouldn’t be heading out to the movies just yet, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
Acasa, My Home – In this documentary, viewers are introduced to a large and eccentric Romanian family. They have been living in the natural preserve for over 20 years and for the most part have been cut off from modern society. The adults and their nine children are eventually chased off the park by authorities. Together, the extended family are forced to start anew and adapt to life in the big city of Bucharest. This feature earned uniformly excellent notices. Reviewers stated that they were impressed by the access that the filmmakers had to the subjects. They also said that their personal lives and story was complicated and fascinating. Additionally, write-ups said the movie was beautifully shot and that it would make one think about their own choices in life.
Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar – A quirky pair of ladies from a small Midwestern town decide to leave their home for the first time ever and head out on a lavish vacation. Shortly after arriving at their resort, they meet a charming but mysterious visitor and get themselves embroiled in an evil mastermind’s plot to wipe out the city. In general, the press was positive about this wacky comedy. A portion of them complained that the movie was self-indulgent and felt like a series of scattershot sketches stretched out to feature length. However, the majority ended up appreciating the silly humor as an escape from the current state of affairs and thought the two leads/writers were amusing enough to earn the flick a recommendation. The movie stars Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan, Damon Wayans Jr. and Fortune Feimster. To read this site’s review of the movie, click here.
Earwig and the Witch – An orphan is adopted by a witch in this Japanese animated feature from Studio Ghibli (My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away). The girl learns that her mother was a sorceress too and she is quickly introduced to the world of magic and potions. As the youngster tries to find her place in this new environment, she discovers music and a special song that could bring her true happiness. While Studio Ghibli is noted for its hand-animated fare, this title was created entirely on computers and critics were disappointed by the results. A few called the new approach interesting and thought there was enough charm on display to entertain younger viewers. However, many didn’t like the new look, stating that the story was weak, the characters weren’t well developed and stating that the movie felt more like a Ghibli knock-off than the genuine article. The English-language voice-cast includes Richard E. Grant, Kacey Musgraves, Dan Stevens, Taylor Paige Henderson and Vanessa Marshall.
The Reckoning – This period chiller from writer/director Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, The Descent, Centurion) is set during the Great Plague and follows a woman who is unjustly accused of being a witch and spreading the virus. She is physically and emotionally tortured by her captors, which draws the attention of Satan himself, who starts to work his way into her mind. While most of the filmmaker’s earlier independent works earned raves from reviewers, most weren’t onboard with this title. A small contingent complimented the performances and cinematography, describing the feature as an effective and disturbing genre flick. Still, most said that while well-intentioned, the abuses depicted were overdone and too graphic to endure, making the entire experience a chore to sit through. It features Charlotte Kirk, Sean Pertwee, Steven Waddington, Joe Anderson and Ian Whyte.
Shadow in the Cloud – A female WWII pilot is given a secret package and is placed on a B-17 bomber. The crew are surprised by the woman’s arrival and the mystery surrounding her assignment. After taking off the plane is beset with a series of strange and supernatural occurrences that leave the entire group paranoid and fearful. The protagonist does her best to save the crew and understand the purpose of her mission. This independent effort juggles horror, war and action and the critical consensus was positive. A few reviewers couldn’t buy into the concept and found the twists preposterous. Still, most complimented what they saw as an enjoyable, fast-paced B-movie that didn’t waste any time in delivering impressive, popcorn-munching set-pieces. The movie stars Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Beulah Koale and Taylor John Smith.
Skyfire – This disaster flick involves a geologist who lost his wife in a tragic volcano eruption. After 20 years, a greedy developer turns the site into a popular theme park. After learning that his daughter has invented a new eruption forecasting system and is testing it at the locale, he returns to try and convince her to leave. Of course, the volcano immediately erupts again, causing chaos and destruction. Curiously enough, this Chinese production was helmed by Hollywood action film director Simon West (Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Expendables 2). The movie earned mixed notices, although positive write-ups slightly outnumbered the negative ones. Almost half said that the characters and events were so dopey that they couldn’t recommend it. Still, a great many stated that the action on display was thrilling and that the movie was cheesy fun that reminded them of flicks like Dante’s Peak and Earthquake. It features Alice Rietveld, Xueqi Wang, Hannah Quinlivan, Shawn Dou and Jason Isaacs.
Son of the South – Based on a true story and set during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, this tale involves the grandson of a Klansman who is forced to acknowledge the racism of his culture. He decides to defy those around him and help promote change, fighting against the rampant social injustice around him. This project boasts Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, BlackKkKlansman) as an executive producer, but reviewers were split on the final product. Almost half thought the film was too formal and heavy-handed in its execution, saying that it wouldn’t make a lasting impression on viewers. Still, just as many thought the period piece was relevant and important, had strong performances and was put together in an efficient and compelling manner. The cast includes Lucas Till, Julia Ormond, Lucy Hale, Sienna Guillory, Shamier Anderson, Brian Dennehy and Cedric the Entertainer.
Blasts from the Past!
If you’re looking for older titles, there is plenty to choose from as well. Arrow Video are releasing a Special Edition Blu-ray of Death Has Blue Eyes (1976). This B-movie is a European paranormal action thriller about a pair of gigolos working in Greece. The two meet their match after encountering a wealthy woman and her glamorous daughter, who both may have extra-sensory powers. This movie is being presented for the first time ever in HD with a new restoration from the original camera negative. The disc includes widescreen and full screen versions of the movie, an interview with writer/producer/director Niko Mastorakis (Island of Death, Bloodtide, Nightmare at Noon) and another with the performer who played the daughter in the movie. You’ll also receive tracks from the original soundtrack, trailers and a stills gallery. Read all about it here.
Back in December, Arrow also released a stellar Special Limited Edition of the fantastic horror/comedy, Tremors (1990). It sold rapidly, so they’re separately re-releasing the 4K and regular Blu-ray versions of the film for anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to pick the movie up yet. The film is well worth your time if you haven’t seen it and the remastering job on the set is incredible.
Kino also have plenty of features to choose from. The first option is the Blu-ray box set, Carole Lombard Collection II. It includes the films Hands Across the Table (1935), Love Before Breakfast (1936) and The Princess Comes Across (1936). The last feature in the package has been given a new 2K master and each film comes with a commentary track detailing information about the production.
They also are releasing a Blu-ray of the silent comedy, The Delicious Little Devil (1919) starring Mae Murray and featuring Rudolph Valentino. This disc includes a film historian commentary and a few other clips and newsreels about the movie and the cast. The Lash of the Penitentes (1936) is an old exploitation movie combining a hastily throw-together narrative with documentary footage of a religious cult. The Blu-ray includes the uncensored and cut versions of the movie, an audio commentary, as well as a trailer gallery. And Kino is putting out a Blu-ray of the German comedy, The Man in Search of His Murderer (1931) aka Looking for His Murderer. It follows a depressed man who hires an assassin to kill him in the future, only to change his mind soon after making the deal. It also comes with a film historian commentary.
And you can pick up the Blu-ray box set, Western Classics II. It contains the films The Redhead from Wyoming (1953), Pillars of the Sky (1956) and Gun for a Coward (1957). Movie expert commentaries and tailers are included as bonuses on each disc.
Code Red are presenting a Special Edition Blu-ray of the Italian action flick, Blastfighter (1984). It’s about a cop who is released from prison after murdering his wife’s killer. He moves to rural Georgia, but soon squares off against some poachers and a scientist conducting experiments on the animal population. Those who pick it up will receive a commentary track with the star of the movie, new interviews with the cast and crew and a trailer. And for those interested, writer/director Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) is apparently a big fan of this little movie.
Scorpion is also offering a couple of new Blu-rays that you can only pick up through the Ronin Flix website. This week, they’ve got the James Caan action flick, The Killer Elite (1975). It’s about a CIA agent who is set up by his pal and left for dead. He slowly begins his recovery and sets out for revenge. It also stars Robert Duvall. You’ll get a new 2020 restoration of the feature, a film historian commentary, cast and crew interviews and publicity materials.
Caan also stars in the futuristic (in its day) sports flick, Rollerball (1975). The actor plays an athlete taking part and trying to survive a popular competitive contest that is a deadly amalgamation of games like football, motocross and roller derby. Scorpion are presenting a new 4K scan of the flick and it comes with a commentary from director Norman Jewison (In the Heat of the Night, Moonstruck, The Hurricane), a second track with the screenwriter, a featurette on the production, an interview with a stuntman, as well as a trailer and TV spots.
Additionally, they are releasing a regular edition Blu-ray of the underrated Italian giallo thriller Sleepless (2001), from Italian horror veteran Dario Argento (Deep Red, Suspiria). Like others of its ilk, the story involves a retired cop and the grown-up son of a murder victim trying to solve the slaying and identify a serial killer. It comes with all the same extras (including a film historian commentary, interviews with Argento and the co-writer, set designer and some of the cast). Unlike the previous two Scorpion titles listed, you will be able to pick this release up through Amazon and other online retailers.
Grasshopper are distributing a Blu-ray of the Portuguese period drama, Francisca (1981). Those in the mood for more arthouse fare can also purchase A Woman Like Eve (1979) from Cult Epics. This title from the Netherlands follows a woman who cheats on her husband with another woman. The movie is debuting on Blu-ray in North America with a HD transfer and restoration as well as with an interview the director and publicity materials from the film’s release.
Hansel & Gretel (2007) is an extremely well-regarded, South Korean update of the fairy tale which features sinister children residing in the fabled gingerbread house who are looking for a new guardian. Critics called in one of the best chillers of its era during its original release. Media Blasters are presenting this film on Blu-ray. There’s currently no word yet on whether this edition will include any bonus features.
And Universal are also adding a few Blu-rays into the mix. They are putting out the stoner comedy, How High (2001) with Method Man and Redman. The Last Days (1998) is a critically-acclaimed documentary about Hungarian Jews who survived Auschwitz that was produced by Steven Spielberg. The studio will be making this title available on Blu-ray as well.
They are also releasing a Blu-ray of the comedy, Little Miss Marker (1980), with Walter Matthau and Julie Andrews. Matthau plays a gruff bookie who receives a 5-year-old child as collateral on a bet and begins taking care of the youngster. I have no memory of this movie at all, but it seems have a following and be reasonably well-rated online. Finally, you can also pick up the war/romance film Tap Roots (1948) on Blu-ray, starring Van Heflin, Susan Hayward and Boris Karloff.
You Know, For Kids!
There isn’t a whole lot right now for kids, but youngsters (and those who were children in the 1980s) may get a kick out of the animated series listed below from Warner Archive.
Thundarr the Barbarian: The Complete Series (1980 – 1981) Warner Archive
On the Tube!
And here are all of the TV-themed releases coming your way.
Finding Joy: Series 2
Love on Harbor Island / Love Under the Olive Tree (Hallmark 2-movie Collection DVD)
NOVA: Beyond the Elements (PBS)
Thundarr the Barbarian: The Complete Series (1980 – 1981) Warner Archive