Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There’s some really interesting stuff arriving, including one summer blockbuster from just a few months back (to read more about it, click on the link). 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!
Action Point – An independently operated amusement park has to deal with rides that aren’t well safety tested (but are a lot of fun) and a new corporate theme park opening nearby. Based on a real place, this wacky comedy did not receive many positive notices. A few did find the movie crassly amusing. However, the majority complained that the movie didn’t take advantage of its interesting and potentially outrageous set up and played it way too safe, coming across as a disappointingly by-the-numbers effort. It features Johnny Knowville, Susan Yeagley and Brigette Lundy-Paine.
Black Water – This direct-to-disc, low budget action picture teams two stars of the 80s on a submarine. When an operative’s assignment goes haywire, he’s taken to a black site sub and grilled by the CIA about what wrong. Unhappy with his predicament, he teams with another prisoner as the two attempt to break free. Reaction wasn’t that great for this effort either. In fact, all write-up stated that the movie wasted its talent in a routine and very mediocre screenplay that have much to offer besides a few minor shoot-outs. The cast includes Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren and Patrick Kilpatrick.
Bleeding Steel – In this Hong Kong production, star Jackie Chan plays a cop assigned to protect a scientist who has invented an artificial heart that can not only extend life, but practically raise the dead. A nefarious gang leader with his own technological advancements attempts to steal the data, leading to plenty of action and martial arts. Sadly, this production was panned by reviewers. A small amount enjoyed enough of the stunts to give it a pass, but most suggested the sci-fi elements and story were utter nonsense and that the feature was a step backward for the performer after his work in The Foreigner. Show Lo and Na-Na OuYang also appear.
Deadpool 2 – The quick-witted super-anti-hero returns in this surprise hit to the 2016 original. This time out, the Marvel character is tasked with protecting a child with mutant abilities from a time-traveling assassin determined to assassinate the boy. Like the first film, this sequel managed to impress critics. There was a small percentage who got tired to of the tone and crude humor. Still the vast majority called the movie a fun and playful comic book parody with stronger relationships between the oddball characters. It stars Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz and T.J. Miller. To read this site’s review of the movie, click here.
First Reformed – A reverend at an upstate New York church is about to celebrate the locales 250th anniversary and the part it played in the Underground Railroad. A pregnant parishioner asks the priest for marriage counseling with her extreme environmentalist husband. The sessions cause old feelings to arise and end up leading the tormented protagonist down a dark path. This picture earned plenty of raves from critics during its limited run earlier in the year. While one or two found it unrelentingly bleak, most called it a brilliantly acted, disturbing and compelling drama. It features Amanda Seyfried, Ethan Hawke, Cedric the Entertainer and Victoria Hill.
God’s Not Dead: A Light in the Darkness – On the other end of the religious spectrum, this faith based film is the third in a series about the members dealing with repercussions after a devastating fire destroys their church. Located on university property, school officials attempt to have the congregation moved off of campus, but they fight back against them. This movie was roundly panned by the press. While they admitted the movie wasn’t quite as annoyingly intolerant as previous installments, it was still suggested that it was clumsy and ineffective at making its points. The cast includes David A.R. White, John Corbett, Ted McGinley and Tatum O’Neal.
Show Dogs – This live-action kid’s movie follows a tough police canine who must go undercover at a prestigious dog show/competition. In between being primped and forced to obey his partner, the pair must stop an animal smuggling operation happening behind-the-scenes at the event. The press really hated this comedy. A scant few thought it would be acceptable for small children. Just about everyone else wrote that the talking dog jokes fell flat and that other brief attempts at humor aimed more for adults completely failed. The movies stars Will Arnett, the voice of Ludacris, Natasha Lyonne and the vocal talents of Stanley Tucci, Jordin Sparks, Gabriel Iglesias and Shaquille O’Neal.
Blasts from the Past!
There’s plenty of solid older titles arriving in high definition as well. Shout! Factory are releasing a Collector’s Edition the fascinating and surreal David Lynch flick, Wild at Heart (1990). It stars Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern as rebellious lovers on the run from a wicked stepmother who wants her daughter’s boyfriend dead. The disc includes a new interview with the author of the novel the film is based on. It also includes 76 minutes of deleted scenes, a making of, interviews with the cast and crew, clips with Lynch, publicity materials and other bonuses. Sounds like a great release for fans of the filmmaker.
William Castle’s Strait-Jacket (1964) with Joan Crawford was recently released from Mill Creek as part of a double feature disc. Shout! Factory are putting out their own version of the title, but this one is full of extras. They include a new author/film historian audio commentary, interviews with actress Ann Helm (whom the star reportedly had fired from the film) as well as Crawford’s publicist. It also comes with a making-of, a make-up tests featurette and other bonuses.
The same distributor are also making another memorable William Castle movie available in the form of The Tingler (1959). Vincent Price heads the cast as a scientist who discovers a spine-tingling monster that lives on fear! This edition includes another new author/film historian audio commentary, recent interviews with a cast member and publicist, vintage featurettes, the original scream scene, audio that was made to be played in theater lobbies during the movie’s original run, as well as a trailer and still gallery. Fun stuff!
And there’s more. Kino are putting out new Blu-rays of some very interesting features. The first is the ridiculously over-the-top erotic thriller Color of Night (1994) from director Richard Rush (Freebie and the Bean, The Stunt Man). Unlike some of the filmmaker’s other works, this is not a good movie. In fact, it was nominated for several Razzies during its original run (as well as a prestigious Golden Globe, strangely enough). Even the movie’s trailer doesn’t really capture the absurdly exaggerated nature. The flick features a great cast screaming at each other while a blaring saxophone plays in the background. It also has an insane ending prominently involving a nail gun. As such, it will amuse those who appreciate cheesy entertainment. The distributor is releasing the theatrical and director’s cut, which is 18 minutes longer. Rush contributes a commentary on the extended version, while there’s an audio track with the screenwriter on the shorter edition. It also comes with a trailer.
They also have Deep Rising (1998), which is a cult flick if ever there was one. It’s a throwback creature feature about a small team of robbers who arrive on a luxury cruise liner in the South Pacific, only to find it empty. They soon come face to face with an aquatic killer and must fight to survive. It’s a really fun, tongue-in-cheek effort that has been upgraded to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The Blu-ray includes a director commentary with Stephen Sommers, who followed this effort up with the blockbuster The Mummy in 1999. It also includes interviews with some of the cast, visual effects crew, make-up artists and cinematographer as well as other extras. I’ll definitely be picking this one up.
Kino also have a couple of other thrillers on Blu-ray. They include The Rich Man’s Wife (1996) with Halle Berry. The release includes a film historian commentary. Finally, you’ll also be able to pick up The Tie That Binds (1995). This disc also includes a director commentary as well as some featurettes about the movie and a b-roll of excised footage.
Criterion are putting out Heaven Can Wait (1943) on Blu-ray with a 4K transfer. This classic comedy and Best Picture nominee involves a dead playboy (Don Ameche) who dies and heads to the Gates of Hell, where he must attempt to convince them that he’s worthy of damnation. The disc comes with a critic discussion on the movie, an 1982 program that analyses the life of the film’s screenwriter, as well as audio from a 1977 seminar on the movie and recording with the director.
They also have Smithereens (1982), an indie film involving a group of young women finding their voices against the backdrop of the punk music scene. The Blu-ray includes a new 2K restoration, a 2004 audio commentary with director Susan Seidelman, a new interview with Seidelman and actress Susan Berman, as well as two early shorts from the filmmaker.
Finally, Scorpion are bringing the Leonor (1975) to high definition. This European arthouse horror film set in a bygone era involves a husband who brings his wife back from the dead and gets more than he bargained for. It is arriving with a brand new HD master of the US and International cut along with a film historian audio commentary.
You Know, For Kids!
The only kid’s release arriving this week is the talking pooch movie, so you’re stuck with that one for the time being.
Show Dogs
On the Tube!
And here are the week’s TV-themed titles, including a couple of big horror-themed series.
Ash vs Evil Dead: Season 3
Blindspot: Season 3
Blue Bloods: Season 8
Columbo Mystery Movie Collection (1991-2003)
The Coroner: Season 2
Gotham: Season 4
Hillary: Everest and Beyond (PBS)
Hostages: Season 2
Maigret: The Complete Series
NCIS: Season 15
Outback (PBS)
Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery (Hallmark)
Strike Back: Season 5
Summer Villa (Hallmark)
The Terror: Season 1
The Walking Dead: Season 8
Wild Russia (National Geographic)