It’s time for another look at highlights coming your way on Blu-ray and DVD. There’s plenty to choose from, including a good mix of awards material and lighter fare. 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!
The Commuter – An insurance salesman commuting to work on the train gets himself embroiled in a criminal conspiracy after being approached by a mysterious woman. She quickly blackmails the passenger, forcing him to identify and set up a target before the end of his ride. This thriller received mixed notices, although it ultimately garnered more positive write-ups than negative ones. Nearly half found the suspense lacking and wrote that the logic fell apart by the close. Still, a few more stated that it was an enjoyable, if implausible potboiler with an engaging cast. It stars Liam Neeson, Vera Framiga, Patrick Wilson, Jonathan Banks, Elizabeth McGovern and Sam Neill.
Deep Blue Sea 2 – This release comes as a surprise. Apparently, a sequel has been produced to the ridiculous but enjoyable 1999 killer shark flick; it’s debuting as a straight-to-DVD title. The plot involves another group of scientists deep beneath the ocean that are working with bull sharks. Of course, the sharp-fanged, genetically enhanced fish soon turn on the group and treat them like an all-you-can-eat buffet. This one hasn’t been previewed to anyone as of yet, so there aren’t any reviews available. It’s a clearly a smaller film, so one shouldn’t expect the same kind of over-the-top thrills. The cast includes Danielle Savre, Rob Mayes and Michael Breach.
Honor Up – A drug lord’s second in command is forced to contend with a variety of problems after a violent shoot out in Harlem. This includes his pride as well as the safety of his own family. Things aren’t helped by the unpredictable actions of his unruly crew. This independent feature boasts Kanye West as an executive producer, but was only viewed by a couple of press members prior to its limited release – little has been written out it except that the movie resembles a throwback to urban films of the 90s. Ultimately, interested parties will have to go in cold and hope for the best. It features Jay Black, Blackface, Cam’ron, Damon Dash and Stacey Dash.
Humor Me – In this indie comedy, a New York playwright struggling with a divorce, money troubles and writer’s block decides to move in with his widowed father at a retirement community. The two bicker and somehow the lead is convinced to help the seniors with their new musical production. It all leads to some amusing conflict between the lead and the difficult cast. Reaction to the film was decent. There were some who complained there was nothing fresh or original here, but the majority enjoyed the low-key tone and the performances of the talented cast. It stars Jermaine Clement, Elliott Gould, Ingrid Michaelson, Annie Potts and Bebe Neuwirth.
The Post – This Oscar-nominated drama from Steven Spielberg tells the true story of Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham and newspaper editor Ben Bradlee. After coming upon information about a government cover-up involving President Richard Nixon, Graham must decide whether to all the story to be printed. Naturally, she must also contend with threats from the Oval Office. Reviews were strong for this feature. A few complained that while well-made and performed, it didn’t quite have the zip of its follow nominees. However, most found the material relevant and enjoyed the work of the talent in front of and behind the camera. It features Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson and Bob Odenkirk.
A Taxi Driver – Using the 1980 Gwanju Uprising as its inspiration, this South Korean drama follows a taxi driver who is asked by a traveling German reporter to drive him from Seoul to Gwanju (essentially, the center of the protests against the militaristic government). It’s a long and dangerous trip, but the cab man is so desperate for the fare that he agrees, encountering students, protesters and armed soldiers along the way. Notices were excellent for this foreign-language effort. It has been called an effective, powerful and well-acted historical picture that ends up inspiring the viewer during its journey. The cast includes Song Kang-ho and Thomas Kretschmann.
Blasts from the Past!
Arrow are starting of this section of classic releases with the impressive Blu-ray box set, Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years. Vol. 2. Border Crossings: The Crime and Action Movies. It features more films from the notable filmmaker, remastered and being release for the first time ever in North America. All of these flicks are extremely well regarded and will essentially be brand new to North American buyers. The titles include Eight Hours of Terror (1957), The Sleeping Beast Within (1960), Smashing the 0-Line (1960), Tokyo Knights (1961) and The Man with a Shotgun (1961).
Arrow Academy are releasing a Special Edition Blu-ray of the Sam Neill action/drama Sleeping Dogs (1977). The story, set in New Zealand, involves a country recluse caught in the middle of a battle involving revolutionaries and governmental forces. The well-regarded feature arrives with a commentary track featuring Neill and director Roger Donaldson (The Bounty, No Way Out, Species, Dante’s Peak), a 65-minute documentary on the movie including new interviews with the cast and crew and publicity materials.
Scorpion have the drama, Aloha, Bobby and Rose (1975). This one is about a pair of youngster who hit the road after being falsely accused of committing a robbery and assassination. The Blu-ray features a new high definition master. They are also distributing Caravan to Vaccares (1974), a thriller based on the book by Alistair MacLean. This Blu-ray includes an interview with star David Birney and a trailer. Nice to see these long lost titles getting a re-release and potentially finding a new audience.
Kino are re-releasing a pair of 90s comedies first put out some years back by Mill Creek Entertainment. The Blu-rays include Camp Nowhere (1994) and Straight Talk (1992), which features the unusual pairing of Dolly Parton and James Woods. They distributor are also releasing the westerns Singing Guns (1950) and Trigger Jr. (1950) in high definition.
And that’s not all. Criterion are releasing a Blu-ray of the Cary Grant farce, The Awful Truth (1937). It has received a new 4K restoration with critic interviews and an analysis of the picture, as well as an audio interview with co-star Irene Dunn and a 1939 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of the feature. They are also putting out a Blu-ray of the Russian masterwork, The Color of Pomegranates (1969) aka Sayat Nova. This title has also been given a 4K restoration, along with a film critic audio commentary, a video essay on the film’s symbolism, an interview detailing the production, a 2003 documentary about the movie’s director, Sergei Parajanov, and another documentary about the Armenian poet whose work inspired the feature.
Universal are also distributing four Blu-rays of some catalog titles. They include John Huston’s The List of Adrian Messenger (1963), the Gary Cooper/Ingrid Bergman drama For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943) as well as the comedies The Egg and I (1947) and The Thrill of it All (1963).
Finally, Warner Archive have a made-to-order Blu-ray of the musical, Les Girls (1957), along with DVDs of A Notorious Affair (1930), Manhattan Parade (1931) and The Ship from Shanghai (1930).
You Know, For Kids!
Looks like there is plenty of classic DC Super Friends fare arriving this week, as well as other family-friendly titles.
The All-New Super Friends Hour: Season 1, Vol. 1 (1977-1978)
The All-New Super Friends Hour: Season 1, Vol. 2 (1977-1978)
Challenge of the Super Friends: The Complete 1st Season (1978)
Mighty Orbots: The Complete Series (Warner Archive)
Pocoyo: Season 2
Sheep & Wolves
Shopkins: Wild
Super Friends: The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians (1985-1986)
Superman: The Animated Series: Vol. 1 (1996)
On the Tube!
And here is a listing of all of the week’s TV-themed releases.
12 Monkeys: Season 3
The All-New Super Friends Hour: Season 1, Vol. 1 (1977-1978)
The All-New Super Friends Hour: Season 1, Vol. 2 (1977-1978)
Challenge of the Super Friends: The Complete 1st Season (1978)
Claws: Season 1
Genius: Einstein (National Geographic)
Killjoys: Season 3
Mighty Orbots: The Complete Series (Warner Archive)
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Season 11
Perfect Strangers: Season 3 (Warner Archive)
Pocoyo: Season 2
Super Friends: The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians (1985-1986)
Superman: The Animated Series: Vol. 1 (1996)