Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s another interesting week with plenty of exciting releases. So, if you can’t or shouldn’t be heading out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
BIRDS LIKE US – The first animated family feature produced in Bosnia follows a large group of birds who live in fear of an unknown enemy known as the Horror. The entire community have spent years giving their eggs away to a powerful bird called Kondor and his crew, who insist they are protecting them from this unseen threat. A small and reckless avian who wants to protect her eggs questions the relationship and leaves her home to discover the truth. This feature was made in 2017, but is only now being released in North America. Reaction from the press has been middling. Half have stated that the animation was poor and didn’t compare to big studio product. Just as many noted that as they further the progressed into the movie, the more entertaining it became. The voice cast includes Alicia Vikander, Jeremy Irons, Sheridan Smith, Jim Broadbent and Kevin Bishop.
CENSOR – Set in the mid-80s, this tale involves a strict and fussy woman who works for the British Board of Film Classification identifying “Video Nasties” (movies with objectionable content that should be banned from public viewing). One day, she begins screening a strangely familiar movie with an eerie connection to her sister, who disappeared mysteriously many years earlier. This chiller from the UK earned a lot of positive press. A small number of reviews complained that it didn’t take full advantage of its interesting concept and that the climax ultimately disappointed. However, the majority believed that it worked both as a clever homage and a frightening, unsettling horror picture with plenty of original twists. It stars Niamh Algar, Michael Smiley, Nicholas Burns and Vincent Franklin.
DAYS – This unusual drama comes from Taiwan and follows two lonely men living a solitary existence. One lives alone in a large house and the other in a tiny apartment. When they two cross paths at a hotel, they begin hanging out and passing the time together. It should be noted that there isn’t a lot of dialogue in this picture and there are no subtitles displayed for the spoken words between the characters. Despite the potential language gap, the press was extremely positive about the movie. In fact, there are only one or two pans for the title from reviewers. Those who disliked it found the approach too strange and slow-moving for their tastes. Yet everyone else called the feature a successful experiment and described it as a dreamy humanist effort that would make an impression on patient viewers. Kang-sheng Lee and Anong Houngheuangsy headline the film.
DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD – After learning that her father is suffering from dementia, documentary filmmaker Kirsten Johnson sets out to try and deal with mortality and his impending demise. The two act out various different manners in which his life could end. Several of these depictions involve exaggerated and over-the-top accidents. Following these scenarios, she has her dad act out his own funeral. This feature debuted on Netflix in October and is now being made available on disc. Response was very upbeat towards this non-fiction feature and most said that they had never seen anything quite like it. Several thought that while the movie didn’t provide any kind of deeper understanding or resolution, they thought the subject was interesting. They were also impressed that the filmmaker was dealing frankly with mortality and the impending death of a loved one.
MOFFIE – Set in 1981, this drama is based around real experiences and involves a 16-year-old Caucasian boy from South Africa who is forced to complete two mandatory years of military service. He is sent to the Angolan border and told to defend his country’s apartheid regime. There is a dangerous conflict occurring in this area that puts his life at risk. He finds himself troubled by the ideals and brutality employed within his own unit. Most members of the press praised this feature film. A tiny percentage complained that it could have been more detailed and that the story would have worked better as a documentary about the actual war with real figures telling their experiences. Yet the overwhelming majority were impressed, writing that the performances were excellent and that it successfully mixed different element and tones. It stars Kai Luke Brümmer, Barbara-Marié Immelman and Michael Kirch.
NEW YORK NINJA – This independent martial arts picture was actually filmed back in 1984 before being abandoned by filmmakers. 38 years later, the movie was discovered and reassembled by film preservationists. When a New Yorker’s pregnant wife is murdered for witnessing a kidnapping, the lead decides to become a vigilante, dressing up in a ninja outfit and using a samurai sword to chop up crooks. He ends up squaring off against the city’s biggest hoods. Genre critics were very amused by what they witnessed. Only one complained that the movie wasn’t well-made. Everyone appreciated that factor, calling it a cheesy, over-the-top blast of nostalgia with bizarre turns and wildly surreal moments that would thoroughly entertain fans of campy movies. John Liu headlines the film. Apparently, much of the original sound remains lost and several actors have stepped in to provide voices for the characters, including Don Wilson, Michael Berryman, Linnea Quigley, Leon Isaac Kennedy and Cynthia Rothrock.
EL PLANETA – After experiencing money problems, a mother and daughter from a wealthy family decide to find a way to keep living their lavish lifestyle. They bluff and use grifting techniques to keep themselves going, ultimately bonding over common tragedy and the possibility of losing everything. Reaction was quite positive for this black and white, foreign-language film from Spain. A tiny contingent criticized the feature for, like its characters, trying to coast by on charm and chuckles without offering any deeper meaning. Still, the consensus was that the two leads were extremely charismatic and that the story was intriguing and funny, also possessing a dark and satirical edge beneath the surface. Ale Ulman, Amalia Ulman, Nacho Vigalondo and Genoveva Garcia Castanon headline the picture.
THE SCARY OF SIXTY-FIRST – Two college students think they’ve gotten incredibly lucky after finding an inexpensive duplex for rent on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Unfortunately, their happiness doesn’t last long after moving in. A mysterious woman arrives and claims that the apartment used to be owned by notorious sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein. The pair decide to investigate her claim and soon become obsessed, with one of them actually becoming obsessed by sexual mania and even acting possessed. The press was split on this independent horror picture. Almost half thought it was messy and cluttered, also commenting that it didn’t have much to say about many of the topical issues it was bringing up. Slightly more admitted that while flawed, it still had its darkly humorous and chilling moments and was a compelling genre flick. It stars Madeline Quinn, Betsey Brown and Dasha Nekrasova.
SLEEP – Released as Schlaf in its homeland, this German horror feature involves a woman who has horrifying dreams of a demon causing terror in an idyllic village. She soon discovers that the locale is a real place and travels to the see it. As it turns out, the residents are actually being terrorized by this monster and has a psychological breakdown from the news. Her daughter visits her mom at the hospital to try and figure out what is happening and how to stop the demon. Write-ups for this foreign-language horror flick were excellent. Only one reviewer commented that they couldn’t follow the logic of the characters and their actions. Everyone else complimented the stylish and surreal visuals, saying that it reminded them of Grimms’ fairy tales. The reviewers also wrote summed the movie up by calling it a chilling nightmare come to life that would keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The cast includes Gro Swantje Kohlhof, Sandra Hüller and August Schmölzer.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
It’s an incredibly busy week for older films receiving high-definition upgrades. Arrow Video is getting the ball rolling with several reissues. First up is Basket Case (1982), which they originally released back in 2018 as a “Limited Edition” title. The distributor is now rereleasing the flick as a “Special Standard Edition” Blu-ray. For those unfamiliar with the movie, this cult item follows a New Yorker who carries around his disfigured Siamese twin around in a wicker basket. Together, they try to hunt down and get revenge on the doctors who separated them. This title includes a 4K restoration of the film and a ton of the previously released extras. This Includes multiple director commentaries and interviews, discussions with the cast and crew, as well as footage from the 2017 restoration premiere and a feature-length documentary about the entire Basket Case movie trilogy.
The distributor also recently put out The Daimajin Trilogy on Blu-ray. This is a series of films (all made in 1966) about a giant Japanese warrior who spirit rises from a mountain and creates havoc. It is now being released as a “3-Disc Standard Special Edition” with most of the bonuses from the previous version.
They also have a couple of recent genre films. The Deeper You Dig (2019) was a well-received indie horror effort about a psychic whose daughter is murdered. The youngster tries to help her mom stop the person responsible for her death from murdering again. This “Special Edition” Blu-ray comes with a commentary track with the directors, interviews with the filmmakers, a visual essay on the feature, a special-effects breakdown and loads of publicity materials for the picture.
They also have a Special Edition Blu-ray of the wild and crazy. Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway (2019). It was originally put out a couple of years ago and is now being rereleased – this “Standard Edition” doesn’t have all of the extras from the previous version, but should contain enough of them to satisfy interested parties.
Pictured above, Mallrats (1995) from writer/director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma) is another cult comedy that is coming out again on disc. This “Standard Special Edition” contains only the theatrical cut with all of the bonuses associated with it. The original release had two Blu-rays and had a second and much longer version included – you can still pick up that 2-disc set on Amazon if you’re a fan.
And they are also rereleasing the box set, Vengeance Trails: 4 Classic Westerns as a “Standard Special Edition” Blu-ray. It contains Massacre Time (1966), My Name is Pecos (1966), Bandidos (1967), as well as And God Said to Cain (1970). It includes critic commentaries and other bonuses.
Rebels of the Neon God (1992) is a well-regarded Taiwanese drama about a young man who falls for a pretty hood and gets involved in Taipei’s underground world of organized crime. Big World Pictures are bringing it to Blu-ray. It comes with selected critic scene commentary, an essay on the movie and a trailer.
If you are an enthusiast of classic films, Black Magic (1949) is arriving on disc courtesy of ClassicFlix. It stars Orson Welles as a hypnotist using a stage name to seek revenge against the nobleman who tore his family apart. The image has been newly restored for its Blu-ray debut.
Cohen Media Group have a double feature Blu-ray of the two English film-noirs Dancing with Crime (1937) and The Green Cockatoo (1947). The movies were restored by the British Film Institute and come with their original trailers.
The recent Netflix western The Power of the Dog has been gaining a lot of traction as an awards contender. The film’s writer/director Jane Campion has previously won an Oscar (for Best Original Screenplay) and Criterion are reminding viewers of her talent by releasing this title, The Piano (1993), in an 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray package. The film tells the story of a mute women who falls for a worker on her husband’s plantation in New Zealand. The release includes a new 4K transfer and special features like a new conversation with Campion, a discussion with the cinematographer and the production designer. There’s also a retrospective program about the movie and its importance, excerpts from a talk with the costume designer, a short film made by Campion in 2006 and a trailer. You can also pick up the Blu-ray on its own if you don’t have a 4K set-up and would like to save a few bucks.
Lionsgates are presenting an Exclusive Steelbook 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo of the action picture The Punisher (2004). Based on the comic book, this version stars Thomas Jane as the title character. It’s a Best Buy Exclusive, so if you want it, you’ll have to pick it up from this particular retailer.
MPI Media Group are presenting The Lover (1992) together on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. The movie is a period romance about a French teen who falls for a Chinese playboy. The upgraded picture quality is the primary selling point for this release as it doesn’t look like it includes any bonuses.
Paramount are putting out a few interesting Blu-rays at discounted rates. They have the remake of Bad News Bears (2005), the animated children’s flick Barnyard (2006) and the kid spy movie, Clockstoppers (2002). You can also pick up the family drama Dreamer (2005) with Kurt Russell and a young Dakota Fanning.
The most curious release the studio is putting out this week is Going Ape! (1981). Pictured above and to the right, this obscure comedy stars Tony Danza. He plays a man whose wealthy father passes away. In order to inherit a 5-milllion dollar estate, the lead must keep his dad’s three pet orangutans safe and sound for the next five years. Danny DeVito plays the protagonist’s pal, who tries to help him control the simians. It’s probably terrible, but it may provide some bad-movie-night laughs for the right audience.
Severin are presenting a massive box called, All the Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror. This 15-Disc Special Edition Collector’s Blu-ray set does indeed compile a collection of flicks from Eastern Europe, including the Russian classic, Viy (1967). You’ll also get pictures from Italy like Dark Waters (1993) and the UK cult flick, A Field in England (2013). Special Features include short films, audio commentaries and exclusive featurettes.
The distributor is also delivering Vietnam vet turned psycho-killer slasher Delirium (1979) on Blu-ray. It comes with an interview with the director and another with the film’s special effects artist.
Eyes of Fire (1983) is a little-seen but well reviewed folk horror title that is also included in the Severin compendium box set listed above. It’s about an adulterous preacher who leads his followers to a promised land, where they succumb to all sorts of nastiness. The movie has been restored in 4K from the original negative and comes with more than 2½ hours of Special Features that include the answer print of the director’s original cut, which is called Crying Blue Sky. You’ll also get a critic commentary, an interview with another horror film authority and various shorts from the filmmaker.
Sony are also offering discounts on several Blu-ray rereleases of catalog titles. You can purchase the Unrated cut of Columbiana (2011), the Emma Stone comedy, Easy A (2010) and the science-fiction opus, Elysium (2013). They also have the dark Will Smith superhero flick Hitch (2005), the teen fantasy The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) and the Jason Statham action picture, Parker (2013). Additionally, the studio has a Blu-ray of the Unrated edition of Prom Night (2008), the comedy RV (2006) and the animated family picture, Surf’s Up (2007). Additionally, the dark apocalyptic comedy This is the End (2013) and the Unrated cut of Wild Things (1998) are available.
Vinegar Syndrome have a big week featuring several Blu-ray debuts. Most of these are available exclusively through their official website, so if you’re interested in any of these titles, you won’t be able to pick them up on Amazon. While the company specializes in quirky B-movies, all of the discs from this company are guaranteed to have first-rate transfers and plenty of extras. Check out their site to find out what’s available.
One Blu-ray title from the distributor that will be available at most retailers is the Klaus Kinski sci-fic horror picture called Creature (1985). It’s essentially a knock-off of Alien about a crew dealing orbiting a moon near Saturn and encountering a monstrous being determined to devour them all. You’ll get the original film scanned and restored as well as a longer director’s cut. It also has an extended making-of documentary, an interview with the filmmaker and a second audio track with horror film experts.
They also have a Blu-ray of the gory revenge flick, Steel and Lace (1991). This one is about an assault victim who returns from the dead for revenge. The movie has been given a 2K restoration and includes a director commentary, an extended making-of documentary and publicity materials.
And you can pick up an interesting genre flick from famed Italian horror director Dario Argento. Trauma (1993) was his attempt to break into the US market. It followed a young woman whose parents are murdered by a serial killer with a mechanical implement that decapitates victims. An ex-drug addict steps forward and tries to help her figure out who was responsible, but their investigation puts their own lives in danger. The film didn’t make an impression in North America, but it does stand as a fun, over-the-top horror flick with stunning visuals and a phenomenal cast (some of whom appear to be having a great time hamming it up). It’s a guilty pleasure that stars Asia Argento, Christopher Rydell, James Russo, Piper Laurie, Frederic Forrest and Brad Dourif. The Blu-ray boasts the longest version of the film available with a newly rescanned and restored image. You’ll get interviews with just about everyone involved in the production, a film historian audio commentary, an extended workprint version of the movie, behind-the-scenes footage and tons of publicity materials.
Finally, Warner Archive have a made-to-order Blu-ray of Stage Fright (1950), an Alfred Hitchcock film-noir with Marlene Dietrich. You can order the title exclusively through Amazon.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Here are some kid-friendly titles available for purchase.
Birds Like Us
Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers: The Complete Series (3 Seasons) Disney Club Exclusive
Surf’s Up (2007)
Tom and Jerry Cowboy Up!
ON THE TUBE!
And you’ll find all of this week’s TV-themed releases listed below.
American Masters: Becoming Helen Keller (PBS) DVD
American Rust (Showtime) DVD
Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers: The Complete Series (3 Seasons) Disney Club Exclusive
Enchanted Royal Collection: Royal New Year’s Eve & A Royal Winter (Hallmark Channel Movies) DVD
Finding Alice: Series 1 (Acorn) DVD
The First Team (BBC)
Gomorrah: Season 3
NOVA: Edible Insects (PBS) DVD