Welcome back for another look at highlights of what’s arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s an interesting one, with a wide variety of styles and genres represented. Be sure to click on any links you see to read more. 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!
Backtrack – A psychiatrist learns some very dark information about his patients in this Australian suspense/horror picture. His startling discovery sends him on a quest to find out more about his own past. Unfortunately, critics were not impressed with this spooky effort. They claim it wasted a great cast and called it slick but predictable – apparently, you’ll see every twist coming a mile away. It stars Adrian Brody, Sam Neill, Robin McLeavy and Bruce Spence.
The Driftless Area – This drama follows a young bartender who returns to his hometown after the death of his parents. Upon his arrival, he falls for a mysterious lady, but also finds himself swept up into a criminal plot with her associate. Reviews for this independent flick were mixed-negative. Again, write-ups thought that an excellent group of performers weren’t utilized, and the quirky story not very engaging or memorable. It features Anton Yelchin, Zooey Deschanel, John Hawkes, Alia Shawkat, Frank Langella, Ciaran Hinds and Aubrey Plaza.
Jane Got a Gun – Set in the old west, the homestead of a wounded husband and his wife comes under attack by an gang of outlaws. The wife is only one physically able to defend them and asks a former fiance to help her fight. Despite the interesting concept, this production had a very troubled history. There were conflicts behind the scenes, causing recasting and the director to not show up on the first day of filming. Replacements were made on the fly. Under the circumstances, the press weren’t too harsh, saying that the final product wasn’t a complete disaster. However, they found it a bit of a confused jumble of styles and didn’t care for the choppy flashback structure. The cast includes Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton and Ewan McGregor.
Krampus – This little horror picture actually ended up as something of a minor hit over the holiday season – its worldwide grosses more than quadrupled its production budget. The story follows a boy with a dysfunctional family who accidentally raises the title character, a demon who punishes those who have lost the spirit of Christmas. Reviews were decent and gave more thumbs up that thumbs down. A few complained the humor was bit too smug and broad for its own good, but all admittedly it features some impressive monsters and a few memorable moments. Emjay Anthony, Adam Scott, Toni Collette and David Koechner are just a few of the performers involved.
The Last Man on the Moon – Astronaut Eugene Cernan is the subject of this documentary. Using archival material and interviews, it details his dangerous mission to the orbiting satellite as well as the difficulties in life that followed his return (and essentially, the end of manned missions to the moon). Critics were quite positive about the project, calling Cernan a charismatic and brutally honest subject who reveals plenty of interesting detail about the politics and selection process behind-the-scenes. If you have an interest in space, sounds like an interesting title.
Phoenix – This German foreign language drama won all kinds of award around the festival circuit last year. It tells the tale of a Holocaust survivor who undergoes facial reconstruction surgery and returns to Berlin. She’s determined to find her husband and determine if he was the one who turned her in to the Nazis. After reuniting under a false identity, she struggles with old feelings toward her old flame and becomes privy to conversations in which others discuss her previous persona. Reviews were exceptional for this grim period effort, calling it powerful and atmospheric. Criterion are releasing the DVD and Blu-ray. It stars Nina Hoss and Ronald Zherfeld.
Ride Along 2 – Kevin Hart and Ice Cube are reunited in this comedy sequel. Picking up after the first film, Hart’s goofy character Ben has decided to become a detective like his brother-in-law James. When an assignment sends the hardened James to Miami to stop a drug trafficker, Ben finds a way to tag along and cause chaos. Write-up were poor, suggesting this follow-up repeats the same gags with diminishing results. The cast also includes Benjamin Bratt. Tike Sumpter, Olivia Munn and Ken Jeong. To read a full review of the movie, just click here.
Son of Saul – And here’s another powerful foreign effort set during WWII. Told entirely in an almost first person perspective from the point-of-view of the lead character, it tells the story of a prisoner/worker in Auschwitz who is reduced to a zombie-like state of going through his daily motions. When he discovers the dead body of a young boy (who he takes for his late son, or at least as a surrogate) he sets out on a mission to give the child a proper burial. This Hungarian production has been described as unique, harrowing, haunting and disturbing, giving the view a first-hand look at what life might have been like. Geza Rohrig plays Saul.
Blasts From the Past!
It’s another busy week with plenty of catalog titles coming to Blu-ray. Shout! Factory have the Robert Zemekis comedy Death Becomes Her (1992). This hit starred Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep as two narcissistic women with an unhealthy rivalry, even when it comes to husbands (specifically, the character played by Bruce Willis). Fearing that they are losing their vitality, they take part in a rejuvenation procedure. Each woman believes that all their problems in life will come to an end. However, the grudge continues – they end up killing each other and battling from beyond the grave. Imagine a very comedic episode of the cable series Tales From the Crypt. This Blu-ray comes with a new making-of documentary, featuring interviews with the director and crew members. It also includes vintage featurette and a trailer.
They also have the horror B-movie Sssssss (1973) aka SSSSnake (I guess the studio were worried that cinema-goers wouldn’t get the reference). Believe it or not, it’s about a mad scientist who attempts to turn a man into a King Cobra, because… why not? The new Blu-ray includes interviews with cast members Dirk Benedict and Heather Menzies as well as photo galleries, trailers and radio spots. Anyway, it could be a lot of fun for viewers in the right frame of mind.
Arrow are releasing a couple of noteworthy titles in a DVD/Blu-ray combo pack. Dillinger (1973) is an effective little low-budget action picture about the title gangster. Warren Oats plays Public Enemy Number One, while other cast members include Ben Johnson, Harry Dean Stanton, Richard Dreyfuss and Michelle Phillips. Extras include a new restoration of the movie, a film historian commentary, new interviews with the producer, director of photography and composer, as well as publicity materials.
They also have the violent action picture The Zero Boys (1986) which comes with a new transfer, interviews, commentary (with film historians) and other bonuses. It’s a graphic film about survivalists who find themselves hunted by backwoods folk. The movie is notable for having the dark feel of a horror movie.
Blue Underground are putting out a Blu-ray Double Feature Blu-ray that includes The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967) and The Girl From Rio (1967) aka Rio 70. They both B-movies featuring wild women who lead all-girl armies on daring missions to take over the world.
If you enjoy the world of so-bad-it’s-good cinema, Cinema Epoch’s Young Rebels (1992) may be for you. It’s another crazy independent action picture from the director of the notorious cult classic, Samurai Cop (1991). The image is reportedly mastered from the original camera negative, so it’ll be like you’re watching this bad movie for the first time.
On a classier note, Severin are delivering the Roman Polanksi comedy, What? (1972) aka Che? It’s about an American woman who encounters some strange men while taking a decadent trip through Italy. The cast includes Sydne Rome, Marcello Mastroianni with an appearance by the director himself.
Criterion have a couple of noteworthy Blu-rays as well. Brief Encounter (1945) is an all-time classic about a married doctor and a housewife who randomly meet in a railway station. They get on famously and are temped to run away with each other. This early tale of unrequited love from David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago) is an extremely influential romantic drama. The release includes a high quality transfer of BFI restoration, a film historian audio commentary, a short documentary on the making of the movie, a television documentary on the director and other bonuses.
They also have a Blu-ray called The Kennedy Films of Robert Drew & Associates, which contains 4 hour-long films that follow the US President during several stages in his career from 1960 through 1964 (subject include the campaign primaries and the Cuban Missile Crisis). It comes with outtakes, audio commentaries, a new documentary on the film and too many other extras to mention.
Finally, Oscilloscope have a 2015 Blu-ray restoration of the Kelly Reichardt independent drama River of Grass (1994).
You Know, For Kids!
There’s plenty arriving for kids this week. In fact, some of the older titles being released may also be targeted at parents as well.
The Ant and the Aardvark (1969-1971)
Calliou: Calliou’s Pet Parade
Crazylegs Crane (1978)
The Inspector (1965-1969)
The New Adventures of Gilligan: Complete Series (Warner Archive, animated series from 1974-1977)
Wabbit.: Season 1, Part 1
On the Tube!
And here are some TV-themed releases with some clips below.
19-2: Season 1
The Ant and the Aardvark (1969-1971)
The Beverly Hillbillies: The Official First Season
Crazylegs Crane (1978)
The Doctor Black Mysteries: Season 1 (BBC)
A French Village: Season 3
Hot in Cleveland: The Complete Series
Hot in Cleveland: Season 6
The Inspector (1965-1969)
Nature: Raising the Dinosaur Giant (PBS)
The New Adventures of Gilligan: Complete Series (Warner Archive, animated series from 1974-1977)
Nova: Creatures of Light (PBS)
Royal Pains: Season 7