Welcome to another look at some of the Blu-rays and DVDs arriving on store shelves and rental outlets (if you can find one). With Halloween arriving soon, plenty of genre films are appearing, as well as some notable titles in other genres. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or shouldn’t be out in crowds, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
BARBARIANS – Not to be confused with the recent chiller Barbarian that is currently playing in theaters, this UK horror film follows a group of friends who decide to meet for a celebratory birthday dinner at a remote house in the country. Suddenly, masked assailants appear at the door and take the group hostage. The victims are forced to confess prior misdeeds before fighting to free themselves. Critics were split on the film, although overall it did receive a few more recommendations. Those who disliked the picture wrote that it was predictable, didn’t deliver many scares and missed many opportunities to address the story’s themes in a meaningful way. Slightly more called it a stylish sleeper that slowly but effectively built suspense and delivered several unexpected jolts as it unfolded. The cast includes Iwan Rheon, Tom Cullen, Will Kemp and Catalina Sandino Moreno.
BEAST – After the death of his ex-wife, a doctor decides to take his teenage daughters to the African Savanna and visit the area where he first met their mother. It starts out as a tense trip, but gets even worse when their vehicle is attacked by a rogue lion. From this point forward, the family and their guide attempt to endure a series of attacks and survive the ordeal. The general consensus for this thriller was upbeat. Close to one-third of critics didn’t like the characters and found the exaggerated battle between man and beast too silly to appreciate. However, the majority suggested that this was an enjoyably pulpy suspense picture with solid performances and plenty of expertly shot action sequences. They also commented that while they might have been yelling at the screen at times, the movie engaged them more than other genre flicks. It stars Idris Elba, Sharlto Copley, Iyana Halley and Leah Jeffries. To read a full review of the movie, click here.
FROST – In this survivalist horror picture, a pregnant woman decides to visit her estranged father who… yes… lives in the remote wilderness. When her dad suggests driving up to a nearby lake she agrees, but the pair get into a car accident on the way. The woman finds herself trapped in the overturned vehicle. With the sun going down, the father races off to find help for his daughter while she squares off against a hungry wolf. This feature is debuting on disc and at present there have only been a handful of reviews written about it. Comments appear to be middling so far, with some saying that the movie is suspenseful and makes the most of its limited budget. However, they also warn that the finale doesn’t work and almost ruins some of the goodwill created in the first hour or so. Apparently, the Blu-ray for the movie includes a CD soundtrack. Devanny Pinn and Vernon Wells headline the feature.
HALLELUJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG – Looking for a title that isn’t a horror movie? This documentary explores late Canadian musician Leonard Cohen, focusing on his hit song “Hallelujah” and using it as a storytelling device. Using interview footage with the man and other artists, it details the artist’s life in the early 1980s, what inspired him to write the tune and how it was initially rejected by record labels before eventually becoming a hit. Other artists also discuss their experiences with Cohen during this era. The press greatly enjoyed this effort. A small number complained that the film needed to focus more on other aspects of Cohen’s life and that the footage was pieced together in an unexciting way. Everyone else thought it was a captivatingly told story about an artist and an iconic song with plenty of interesting discussions and factoids on it and the life of the musician.
MORTAL KOMBAT LEGENDS: SNOW BLIND – In addition to their running series of animated, direct-to-disc movies based on DC characters, Warner Bros. has also been releasing a number of titles based on the video game Mortal Kombat, which have been created in the same manner. This is the third feature in the franchise and involves a villain who leads a group of mercenaries who slaughter their way through villages. A young man is defeated by the group but survives and trains with a kung-fu master to redeem himself and stop the threat. Very few reviewers have seen it, but write-ups that have appeared have been decent. Many state that the film is violent but effectively rendered and focuses on a lesser-known game character. The voice-cast includes David Wenham, Manny Jacinto, Yuri Lowenthal and Debra Wilson.
NIGHT AT THE EAGLE INN – A pair of fraternal twins whose father vanished after they were born head off to an isolated Vermont motel after learning that he may have resided there. They arrive, check in and befriend both the innkeeper and groundskeeper, who agree to provide the pair with information about the history of the site. As they continue their investigation, chilling secrets are revealed and they begin to fear for their lives. Response was positive towards this independent horror picture. One or two believed that the movie borrowed too heavily from other genre pics and didn’t frighten them. Still, the consensus was that this was a very likable and effective chiller with solid acting and a good screenplay that ultimately sent shivers down their spines. It features Amelia Dudley, Taylor Turner, Greg Schweers and Beau Minniear.
SHARK: THE BEGINNING – No, this isn’t another movie about a killer shark eating extreme sports enthusiasts. Surprisingly, this South Korean action picture involves a bullied teen. After an unfortunate incident, he ends up being locked up in a juvenile detention center. While serving his sentence, the youngster meets a martial arts champion and goes through an extreme training regimen. Once released, he seeks revenge on his bully. There haven’t been a lot of reviews for this movie in this part of the world and thus far online response has been mixed. It seems that a percentage think the film’s story is routine and that the pacing is too slow-moving. Still, just as many describe the feature as compelling and note that it delivers some well-shot and edited fight scenes. Wi Ha-joon, Won-Chang Jung and Kim Min-Suk headline the film.
SQUEAL – Also released under the title Samuel’s Travels, this dark comedy/drama is from Latvia. A man traveling through Eastern Europe searching for his biological father gets lost on the road and ends up damaging his car in the middle of nowhere. He looks for help and is taken in by a pig-farmer’s daughter. Unfortunately, she ends up being a less-than-friendly host, confining the protagonist and forcing him to toil endlessly on her farm. The movie garnered mostly positive notices. One or two called the humor and message hit-and-miss, stating that the final product didn’t quite come together. But most wrote that while flawed, the movie juggled most of its elements and unusual themes with effectiveness and had some striking moments that won’t be easily forgotten. The cast includes Kevin Janssens, Laura Silina and Aigars Vilims.
TINY CINEMA – This independent feature was made by the writer/director of the oddball cult flick Butt Boy that was released in 2019. The anthology tells six bizarre tales (running roughly 15 minutes each) that reportedly uses fantastical elements to deal with themes like life, death, love and the fate of our future. At present, critics appear to have enjoyed this title. A small number didn’t care for its odd brand of humor and found the feature more irritating and frustrating than amusing. Regardless, the majority appreciated its strangeness. They referred to the film as a well-photographed and uniquely bent movie with enough clever segments to earn it a recommendation. It features Paul Ford, Tyler Rice, Phil Ursino, Kristina Clifford, Shelby Dash, Kimberly Alexander, Austin Lewis and Matt Rasku.
THE TWIN – This title was set to come out on Blu-ray in July, but was delayed and is finally arriving this week. After a tragic accident causes the death of one of their twin boys, a husband and wife decide to start a new life in Finland with their surviving child. While the big move to the beautiful Scandinavian countryside initially allows the family a chance to heal, their child begins to act strangely. He announces that he has been possessed by his deceased twin, who wants answers about what really happened to him. Unfortunately, critics were unimpressed by this horror picture. A small number stated that the film was atmospheric and had some creepy moments. However, the majority thought that the script didn’t take full advantage of the interesting concept and called it a pastiche of more effective genre pictures. It stars Teresa Palmer, Steven Cree, Barbara Marten, Tristan Ruggeri and Taneli Mustonen.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
It’s as busy a week as ever if you’re in the mood to catch up with something a little older. The documentary Every Other Day is Halloween (2009) is arriving on Blu-ray through Brink. It tells the true-life story of television personality and late-night horror-host Dick Dyszel who appeared on local stations in Washington, D.C.. This edition presents a newly remastered version of the movie and a second feature from the filmmakers called Bald Headed Blues about another notable cable horror-host named Dr. Sarcofiguy.
Going Places (1974) is a French crime/comedy with Gerard Depardieu and Isabelle Huppert that is being released on Blu-ray by Cohen Media Group. It comes with a film professor commentary track and a trailer.
Criterion is putting out a couple of noteworthy Blu-rays as well. The first is the classic comedy Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) from Frank Capra (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It’s a Wonderful Life). The movie stars Cary Grant as a writer who specializes in articles about the futility of marriage. When he decides to actually get married, it sets off a series of comedic events involving very disturbing members of his extended family. You’ll get a restored 4K digital transfer of the movie, a film expert commentary, a radio adaptation from 1952 starring Boris Karloff, a trailer and more.
Lost Highway (1997) from David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, Mulholland Drive, Inland Empire) is also getting a new presentation from the distributor. This is one of the filmmaker’s more surreal works and involves a man who transforms into a different person after a horrifying incident involving his wife. This title is available in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray format, or as a stand-alone Blu-ray release. It contains a new restoration of the movie that was supervised by Lynch. The disc also includes a 1997 feature-length making-of documentary on the production, a reading by Lynch and critic Kristine McKenna of excerpts of their 2018 book, Room to Dream, as well as archival interviews.
Anyone who has paid the fee to join the Disney Movie Club can now pick up a Frankenweenie (2012) Blu-ray and DVD combo pack exclusively through the ordering service. This great little animated effort from Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride) involves a young boy who decides to bring his pet dog back from the dead.
DND is offering a DVD reissue of the documentary You Can’t Do That on Film (2012). It tells the story of the creature of the Canadian cult children’s TV-series You Can’t Do That on Television, a sketch comedy show that regularly featured characters having green slime dropped on their heads.
Flicker Alley is presenting Casanova (1927) on Blu-ray. This is an early French/German take on the famous 18th century figure. The disc includes a new restoration of the film, a newly recorded score, and interview with the composer who wrote the music, an image gallery, souvenir booklet and other promotional materials.
And, Full Moon Features is distributing a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray package of the Tim Thomserson/Helen Hunt cult science-fiction time-travel flick, Trancers (1984). This Collector’s Edition includes a commentary track with Thomerson and director/producer Charles Band, the short film that inspired the feature, a video essay on the movie, an archival making-of and interviews, as well as press materials.
Kino is releasing plenty of features as well. They have a new edition of the Rutger Hauer action/comedy Blind Fury (1989), which follows the exploits of a blind Vietnam vet who becomes a samurai. This one arrives with a screenwriter audio commentary, newly remastered trailer and a special slipcase.
The Blue Iguana (1988) with Dylan McDermott and Jessica Harper involves a bounty hunter who is blackmailed by US tax collectors into robbing a bank. The Blu-ray comes with a trailer. By Candlelight (1933) is a well-regarded comedy from Frankenstein director James Whale about a maid posing as a member of royalty. The Blu-ray has a 4K restoration of the film and a film historian commentary. Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema IX is a box set that includes Blu-rays the titles Lady on a Train (1945), Tangier (1946) and Take One False Step (1949). All the titles are impressively restored and feature movie critic commentaries and trailers. And Murder at the Vanities (1934) is a mystery/musical/comedy that features Duke Ellington and his orchestra. The film has received a 2K restoration for Blu-ray and also includes an expert commentary detailing the production.
The distributor is also making a couple of more recent titles available. Indecent Proposal (1993) is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set. In addition to improved picture quality, it includes all previously released extras. The same is true for the new 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of the heist movie The Score (2001) with Robert De Niro and Ed Norton.
If you’re looking for an excellent hard-boiled revenge picture, you can purchase a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook of The Limey (1999) courtesy of Lionsgate. Terence Stamp plays an angry British ex-con traveling to the US to investigate his daughter’s suspicious death. It includes a director and screenwriter commentary as well as an audio track with the cast. This release is a Best Buy exclusive and can only be purchased through this store.
Those who enjoy Japanese monster movies may appreciate a DVD-only release called the Ultraman Zearth Double Feature from Mill Creek. It includes the films Ultraman Zearth (1996) and Ultraman Zearth 2 (1997).
Mondo Macabro is distributing a Blu-ray of the Spanish/French horror flick, Love Brides of the Blood Mummy (1973). You can also pick up the Jess Franco genre flick The Other Side of the Mirror (1973). Like other titles from the company, both discs will include plenty of extras for those who appreciate these obscurities.
And there’s more! MVD Visual is delivering some nifty stuff this week, including the chiller Disturbing Behavior (1998). The plot follows a teen who discovers that others in his age group are being changed into upstanding citizens by their parents. It stars a young James Marsden and Katie Holmes. The Blu-ray comes with a director commentary, deleted scenes and an alternate ending, as well as publicity materials.
And Jack Frost 2: Revenge of the Mutant Killer Snowman is getting a polish with a Collector’s Edition R-Rated Version Blu-ray. Besides a longer, gorier cut of the movie, the disc comes with a film expert commentary, an interview with the man who plays the title killer, an interview with the director, behind-the-scenes featurettes, a music video spoof, a trailer and some fancy box art.
Paramount is giving the 4K Ultra HD treatment to all of the films in The Godfather series. All of the titles will be available individually on the format, including the Oscar-winning 1972 original and 1974 sequel, as well as The Godfather Part III (1990) and The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, which was a recent recut of the third movie. There will be no Blu-rays included in these editions, so only pick them up if you have a 4K set-up.
And just in time for Halloween, the studio is presenting the Paranormal Activity: The Ultimate Chills Collection box set. The 9-disc set contains seven movies in the series made between 2007 and 2021 and includes an out-of-print 3D edition of Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension from 2015. You’ll also get all of the previously released bonuses with the titles, in addition to a definitive feature documentary on the entire series.
Reel Vault is releasing a 100th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray of the horror classic, Nosferatu (1922). Alas, there is no other information on this title, so it’s unclear if there are any extras or if the transfer of this public domain title is decent. Interested parties would be wise to do some research first before purchasing.
Fans of low-budget genre films can also pick up the sequel Curse III: Blood Sacrifice (1991) on Blu-ray from Ronin Flix. This follow-up moves the action to Africa and features the great Christopher Lee in a supporting role.
Scorpion is presenting the thriller Cold Heaven (1991) from Nicholas Roeg (Don’t Look Now, The Man Who Fell to Earth, The Witches). It’s about an unhappily married wife who cheats on her husband and sets out to leave him. When he’s involved in an accident and falls into a coma, she experiences unusual supernatural phenomena. The disc includes a trailer.
Goldengirl (1979) involves a mysterious sprinter who unexpectedly begins winning medals during the Olympic Games. A man who falls for her begins to learn that she may have been enhanced using bizarre scientific methods. The movie has been given a 4K restoration, features cast interviews (including star Susan Anton), a discussion with the composer, a film critic commentary and a trailer.
The slasher Night Visitor (1989) is also arriving on Blu-ray. It’s about a student trying to stop a Satanic cult from murdering prostitutes. This Special Edition includes a new 2019 master of the film, talks with the director, the editor and the writer as well as a trailer.
Shredder (2001) follows a serial killer who targets some snowboarding college kids on a vacation in the snowy peaks. This release comes with a new 2019 HD master of the movie, a director commentary, an interview with the star, outtakes and a trailer.
The hit time-traveling comedy Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) is getting a 4K Ultra HD release from Shout! with an improved picture. Buyers should beware that it doesn’t appear as if a Blu-ray is included in this particular edition.
The distributor is also presenting two animated films from Japan. These are both Blu-ray and DVD combo packs. Ocean Waves (1993) is a Studio Ghibli production involving a high-school romance., while When Marnie Was There (2014) follows an ill young girl who is sent to the country. She befriends a mysterious child who may have unexpectedly close ties to the lead. This is a little-known but effective film and the release includes numerous featurettes, storyboards and other bonuses.
Want some classic monsters in high definition? Some time ago, Universal put out a box set of four titles in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. Now, each of those titles are being made available individually. You can pick up the Bela Lugosi classic, Dracula (1931), see Boris Karloff’s iconic take on the role of Frankenstein (1931), thrill to Claude Rains in The invisible Man (1933) and witness Lon Chaney Jr. as The Wolf Man (1941). As mentioned, each title contains a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray of the movie along with tons of bonus material.
Additionally, the studio is releasing Universal Classics Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection Volume 2, which contains four new upgrades of classic movies presented in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. This set features The Mummy (1932), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Phantom of the Opera (1943) and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). As with the other discs, there are a ton of extras to enjoy as well, making this box just as essential as the first volume. You may want to double check, but specs on this set currently list that the Blu-ray of the last title features a 3D version of the film (for those with the proper set-up).
Additionally, Universal is giving the Gregory Peck classic To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release celebrating its 50th anniversary. There are various versions arriving, including a Blu-ray only edition and a limited edition 4K Ultra HD only “gift set” that includes reproduction lobby cards and other physical bonuses. All previously available bonuses are also present in this version.
Warner Archive is making Mark of the Vampire (1935) available as a made-to-order Blu-ray. This movie was directed by Tod Browning (Dracula, Freaks) and is about a professor investigating a series of attacks thought to have been committed by a vampire. While lesser known than some of the director’s other works, this is still an effective thriller with a nifty twist.
Finally, Wild Eye Releasing is making a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray available of the documentary Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini (2015). As you might have guessed, it details the career of famous make-up effects man Tom Savini. Savini joins the director for a commentary track. Viewers will also see personal behind-the-scenes videos the subject shot on several productions including Creepshow, Day of the Dead, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, From Dusk Till Dawn and the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead, as well as loads of other extras.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
It’s a quiet week for kids, but there should be more titles arriving in the near future.
ON THE TUBE!
And here are all the week’s TV-themed releases.
Blood & Treasure: Season 2 (Paramount) Blu-ray
Debbie Macomber’s A Mrs. Miracle Christmas (Hallmark) DVD
Hallmark 2-Movie Collection: A Dickens of a Holiday! and Boyfriends of Christmas Past (Hallmark) DVD
Masterpiece Mystery!: Van der Valk: Season 2
Robocop: The Series – Pilot Episode (1994) (Liberation Hall) Blu-ray
Sweet Tooth: Season 1 (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
Ultraman Neos: The Complete Series (Mill Creek) DVD