Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for November 14th, 2023

November 14, 2023

Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and DVD. There’s a real mix of big Hollywood efforts and smaller independent fare in this edition. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a few days, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

BIG NEW RELEASES!

57 SECONDS – A tech blogger discovers a time-altering device in this science-fiction/action picture. Feeling hard done by a corporate empire who he claims destroyed his life, the protagonist decides to travel back in time and get the better of them. He soon discovers that his acts may have devastating consequences in the future and must alter his plans in order to prevent any calamities. Reviewers generally panned this effort. There was a lone voice who thought it offered a unique spin on the concept, with the protagonist becoming addicted to his time-traveling activities. However, everyone else stated that the screenplay was silly and that the big twists weren’t believable. They also wrote that the film didn’t have a big enough budget to deliver the necessary thrills and spectacle. This is a DVD-only release. It stars Josh Hutcherson, Morgan Freeman, Greg Germann and Lovie Simone.

THE BLIND – This biographical drama is set in Louisiana during the 1960s and tells the story of Duck Dynasty TV-show star Phil Robertson. It details how he fell in love and started a family, as well as the personal demons that threatened his well-being. Apparently, it also chronicles the man finding religion, cleaning up his act, and his attempts to build a successful life and business for generations to come. Not many critics saw this independent production, but those who did were generally positive about it. One noted that the picture was highly fictionalized and choppily put together, leaving them suspicious about the entire enterprise. Still, the majority called the movie sweet and thought it would appeal to fans of the series. The cast includes Aron von Andrian, Amelia Eve, Aaron Dalla Villa, Emily DeForest and John Ales.

DESPERATION ROAD – An ex-con decides to return to his hometown in Mississippi and make a new start in this neo-noir feature. After trying to apologize for his previous acts to his ex-wife, he crosses paths with a troubled young mother and her daughter. His attempts to help them lead all parties into the middle of a violent revenge plot. Reaction was reasonably good towards this independent thriller (which is based on the well-regarded novel by Michael Ferris Smith). About one-third of reviewers complained that the story was overstuffed and that it eventually went to overly familiar and uninteresting places. Still, more appreciated the performances and characters, stating that it was an interesting slow-burn of a film that dealt effectively with themes of guilt and redemption. Garrett Hedlund, Willa Fitzgerald, Mel Gibson, Ryan Hurst, Woody McClain and Katy Bodenhamer headline the picture.

THE EQUALIZER 3 – Based on the popular TV show from the 1980s, this series of films follows an ex-government assassin who takes on private cases, trying to help those being treated unfairly and oppressed. This time out, he leaves the U.S. for Southern Italy. After making new friends in a small village, the lead discovers that they are under the control of a local mob. He decides to protect them and take down the criminal outfit. The press was generally upbeat about this sequel. One-quarter of them were irked that the series focused on the protagonist being little more than a bloodthirsty vigilante. They wished the character would instead assist the characters in clever ways. However, the overall consensus was that the action was well-handled, it delivered some wince-inducing thrills and served as a satisfying close to this reimagining of the concept. It stars Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, David Denman, Eugenio Mastrandrea, Gaia Scodellaro and Remo Girone.

FREMONT – After serving a hard and lengthy stint in the American military as a translator, a young woman moves to the United States and tries to start a new life. She takes a job at a Chinese fortune cookie factory. Feeling lonely and adrift, the protagonist begins adding her own insights and hopeful messages into the product. Viewers follow the lead character as she begins to find her footage and her cookies go out into the public. Notices were excellent for this quirky independent comedy and it has fared well on the festival circuit. One or two reviews found the movie exceedingly deadpan and quirky to the point where they were taken out of the story. Everyone else called the low-key movie charming. They called the lead very sympathetic and were amused by the film’s unique sense of humor. The cast includes Anaita Wali Zada, Jeremy Allen White, Gregg Turkington and Hilda Schmelling. NOTE: THE RELEASE OF THIS TITLE HAS BEEN DELAYED.

HEAD COUNT – A man escapes from prison and comes face to face with an unknown assailant. The figure pulls out the protagonist’s gun and slowly proceeds to pull the trigger. The first few rounds are empty and it allows the protagonist to go through his own memories of the past few hours (as well as how he ended up in prison) to determine whether or not there are any bullets left in the revolver. Response was generally positive towards this independent action/thriller. A number did feel that the picture relied on too many twists and that it strained believability more and more as it progressed. Regardless, most were entertained by all of the odd and wild flashbacks, as well as the film’s sense of humor, saying it won them over and kept them intrigued throughout. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. Ryan Kwanten, Melanie Zanetti and Aaron Jakubenko headline the picture.

MUZZLE – This buddy cop drama features a Los Angeles detective working with a German Shepherd K-9. When the animal is killed in the line of duty, the officer grieves and is quickly assigned a new dog partner. This particular pooch has a temper, but the two end up forming a bond anyway. In the process, the cop uncovers a conspiracy and sets out to take down the figures who killed his old K-9 partner. This effort was panned by the press. About one-third of reviewers did think that the lead performance was strong and called it a gritty and effective crime film. However, the majority thought it missed the mark. They commented that despite being dark and somber, the themes weren’t well-handled and that the story became increasingly over-the-top and ultimately preposterous. It features Aaron Eckhart, Stephen Lang, Diego Tinoco and Penelope Mitchell.

THE NUN II – This period horror sequel is a part of a series of spin-off films from The Conjuring cinematic universe, focusing on a menacing spirit who takes the form of a nun. It is set a few years after the events of the first picture and moves the action from Romania to France. The survivor of the first picture, Sister Irene, is asked to take a novice and investigate a series of occurrences across Europe involving the very same demon. They end up squaring off against the sinister force at a French boarding school. The final product split reviewers. Almost half thought that while it delivered a few jolts, the middle section was very slow and that the final film wouldn’t make a lasting impression. The same number and a few more thought it was more effective than the previous installment and that it delivered the goods for genre fans. Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Storm Reid and Anna Popplewell headline the picture.

SOUND OF FREEDOM – Loosely based on a true story, this tale follows a federal agent who frees a young boy from child traffickers. After discovering that the rescued youngster’s sister is still a captive of the criminal organization, he vows to rescue her as well. Frustrated by his department’s unwillingness to get involved, he quits his job and heads into Columbia to retrieve her himself. This picture had strong religious undertones, yet managed to find a large audience in North America. It became a box office hit that grossed $180 million dollars in North America. Critical reception was mixed, although it garnered slightly more positive notices than negative ones. Those who disliked it said many exaggerations were taken with the real story. They commented that the tone was over-the-top and corny, minimizing its impact and deadening the tension. Slightly more noted that the film was well-produced and that it benefitted from a compelling lead performance. It stars Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino, Bill Camp and Javier Godino.

BLASTS FROM THE PAST!

Plenty of classic titles are being upgraded as well. Criterion is delivering The Last Picture Show (1971) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set (it can also be purchased as a standalone Blu-ray. This 50s-set coming-of-age drama was nominated for eight Academy Awards (it won for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress) and stars Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges and Cybill Shepherd as teens trying to determine their futures while living in a small dying oil town. The release also includes the sequel Texasville (1990), which details what has happened to the characters over the following three decades.

The release includes a 4K digital restoration of the director’s cut of the film, as well as the theatrical and black-and-white director’s cut of Texasville, which is said to have significant alterations from the studio cut. You’ll get two commentaries with director Peter Bogdanovich and several cast members. It also includes three making-of documentaries, screen tests and location footage, a 1972 television interview that references the movie, as well as an introduction to Texasville featuring Bogdanovich, Shepherd and Bridges.

If you’re a big fan of Disney animation and have a lot of cash at your disposal, the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection box set might be up your alley. The release includes 100 famous animated films from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Elemental on Blu-ray in a swanky package and costs $1500 dollars.

IFC is presenting Steelbook Blu-ray and DVD editions of the science-fiction effort Vesper (2022) and the fun horror/comedy Werewolves Within (2021). Extras are the same as in previous editions.

Kino is releasing a few titles this week. They include a Blu-ray of the cult action/comedy 2 Days in the Valley (1996) with Danny Aiello, Jeff Daniels, Teri Hatcher, James Spader, Eric Stoltz and Charlize Theron. It’s about a murder-for-hire scheme that goes south. The film has been given a 4K restoration and comes with a writer/director commentary, an interview with the director, a cast and crew Q&A, archival featurettes, B-rolls, cast and crew soundbites, a trailer reversible art featuring both original and newly created art, and a slipcase for the disc.

The 80s-set independent comedy Computer Chess (2013) is receiving a 10^th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray. It contains cast and crew archival interviews, a 2019 Q&A about the film, commentary tracks from a film programmer and an “enthusiastic stoner,” a crowdfunding plea video, a Sundance Film Festival promo, a look at reference games that were used for the film, a tutorial for a 1969 video camera and a joke trailer for an upcoming sequel written and directed by AI.

Neon City (1991) is a Canadian Mad Max knock-off starring Michael Ironside about a group traveling through a post-apocalyptic wasteland hoping to find safe haven. The film has received a 2K restoration and this Blu-ray a director commentary, an interview with Ironside, a VHS trailer and sales reel, a theatrical trailer and a slipcase.

Lionsgate is having a lot of success with their Vestron Collector’s Series line and the latest Blu-ray to arrive under this banner is the Jamie Lee Curtis thriller Blue Steel (1990). She plays a rookie cop who gets squaring off against a psychotic commodities trader (played by Ron Silver). This disc includes a film historian commentary, an interview with the editor, a pair of visual essays from movie experts, an interview with the production designer and tons of publicity materials.

The Bad Pack (1997) is an action/comedy arriving on Blu-ray from Massacre Video. Robert Davi and Roddy Piper are two members of a mercenary team who are hired to help immigrants in a Texas border town fight off white extremists. The disc includes a 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative, as well as a commentary with the director, the writer and the producer. There is also an interview with the director, a stills gallery and trailers.

The Aviator’s Wife (1981) is an award-winning French comedy about a student who discovers that his girlfriend is cheating on him. He decides to spy on his ex and her lover to find out why. Metrograph Pictures is releasing this Blu-ray, which comes with a film historian commentary and trailer.

Mondo Macabro is delivering a 4K Ultra HD edition of Dr. Caligari (1989). It’s an unofficial sequel to the classic and involves the granddaughter of an infamous doctor conducting experiments on patients at an asylum. “This Standard Edition” includes a writer/director commentary and cast and crew interviews, as well as a trailer. For those interested, a Blu-ray of the film was released earlier in the year.

You can also pick up a “Standard Edition” Blu-ray which presents a 2K restoration of the Spanish giallo Shadow of Death (1969). The plot involves a murder and numerous double-crosses. The Sinister Dr. Orloff (1984) is a Jess Franco effort and sequel to one of his more familiar titles about a madman performing experiments on captive young females. This standard Blu-ray comes with a 4K picture restoration, as well as film historian interviews and a commentary track.

Paramount Presents is delivering a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set of the Best Picture Oscar-winning drama, Terms of Endearment (1983). It follows the ups and downs of a mother-daughter relationship over three decades. The film has been given a 4K restoration from the camera negative that was supervised by director James L. Brooks (Broadcast News, As Good as It Gets), a filmmaker focus featurette on Brooks, a director commentary with the co-producer and production manager. It also comes with a trailer and collectible packaging that feature a fold-out image of the original poster.

RLJ Entertainment is putting out a series of Steelbook Blu-ray and DVD sets. They include Arizona (2018), Bone Tomahawk (2015), Clean (2020), Color Out of Space (2019), The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then Bigfoot (2018) and Psycho Goreman (2020). You can also pick up a Wal-Mart Exclusive Blu-ray Steelbook of I Kill Giants (2017) and a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook combo of the release, Sympathy for the Devil (2023).

The Sonny Chiba Collection: Volume 2 is a new Blu-ray set that contains 7 movies featuring the famous Japanese actor. You’ll get The Defensive Power of Akido (1975), 13 Steps of Maki (1975), Karate Warriors (1976), The Great Okinawa Yakuza War (1976), Karate for Life (1977), Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon (1977) and The Okinawa War of Ten Years (1978), alongside trailers and film historian commentary tracks for a few of the titles.

Sony is busy this week as well. The Best Documentary Academy Award winner, The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003), is being released on Blu-ray from the studio. You can also pick up the comedy Guarding Tess (1994) with Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine. The Sean Astin football biopic Rudy (1993) is receiving a Steelbook 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release.

Additionally, the comedy Short Circuit 2 (1988) is making its Blu-ray debut. It follows the robot Johnny 5 making his way in the big city.

And the studio is putting out a Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse/Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Collector’s Edition 2-Movie Collection, which contains the 2018 and 2023 hits on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray along with an LP.

Full Body Massage (1995) is arriving on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films. It was a Showtime cable TV-movie with Mimi Rogers and Bryan Brown about a relationship told in flashback between an art dealer and her masseuse.

Speaking of TV-movies, Duel (1971) was an early effort from famed filmmaker Steven Spielberg. The feature stars Dennis Weaver and follows a man driving in the desert who is stalked by a large truck. It’s incredibly tense and remains an excellent thriller that originally aired on ABC but could have played on movie screens. In fact, after it aired the title was released internationally at cinemas. Universal is releasing a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray upgrade of the title. It comes with 4K editions of the title in both the 1.33:1 and 1.85:1 aspect ratio, a conversation with Spielberg, a featurette on the director’s TV work, a bonus on writer Richard Matheson, along with publicity materials.

Warner Bros. is delivering a double-feature Blu-ray of the enjoyable Robert Downey Jr./Jude Law features Sherlock Holmes Collection: Sherlock Holmes/Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, which were produced in 2009 and 2011. They were both successful and one wonders why another sequel featuring the two performers hasn’t been attempted.

Finally, Warner Archive is putting out a Blu-ray of the historical epic Rapa Nui (1994). The movie was based on Rapanui legends of Easter Island and was a flop during its original release. In fact, it ended up on many worst-of-the-year lists. Now, viewers can revisit it and see if it was unfairly maligned or has aged well.

YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!

Below is a list of titles that may appeal to children.

The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3: The Complete Series (1990 animated series) (Ncircle) DVD

CoComelon: Sing with Me (Moonbug Entertainment) DVD

Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection – 100 films on Blu-ray (Disney) Blu-ray

Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go – Off the Rails (Ncircle) DVD

ON THE TUBE!

All of the week’s TV-themed releases can be found below.

The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3: The Complete Series (1990 animated series) (Ncircle) DVD

CoComelon: Sing with Me (Moonbug Entertainment) DVD

Doc Martin: Last Christmas in Portwenn (Acorn) DVD

The Expanse: The Complete Series (Universal) Blu-ray