Welcome back to this week’s edition of DVD and Blu-ray highlights. As always, be sure and click on any links to read more. There’s actually some interesting titles coming despite the holiday slow down. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure and give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
Bone Tomahawk – If you enjoyed Kurt Russell in The Hateful Eight, you may be interested in checking out this smaller western with a horror edge. In it, he plays a sheriff who forms a motley crew to rescue some townspeople abducted by a band of cannibals. Reviews were quite strong for the efforts, stating that the movie was beautifully shot, the cast were excellent and that the movie was effective in fusing various genres together. Sounds like an indie film worth checking out. Supporting players include Lili Simmons, Matthew Fox, Patrick Wilson, David Arquette and Richard Jenkins.
Heist – A desperate father decides to rob a casino to pay for his daughter’s medical bills, but events take a turn for the worse and he’s forced to hijack a bus during his escape. The press didn’t care for this action/drama, writing that the plotting was pedestrian, the story predictable, resulting in a movie that doesn’t generate as much tension as it should. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Robert De Niro, Kate Bosworth, Morris Chestnut, Dave Bautista and Gina Carano headline the project.
Hitman: Agent 47 – This is the second film adaptation based upon the popular video game. It follows the genetically engineered title character – hired to assassinate a young woman, he disobeys orders and attempts to help her uncover a nefarious criminal conspiracy. Critics hated this film, suggesting that there was little in the way of character development and that the constant barrage of action was actually numbing instead of invigorating. The cast includes Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware, Zachary Quinto, Ciaran Hinds and Thomas Kretschmann. To read a full review, click here.
The Perfect Guy – Not really… a businesswoman believes she’s found the man of her dreams in a charming stranger, only to discover that he is actually a psychotic killer. Notices were also terrible for this effort, stating that the screenplay doesn’t do much for its lead, forcing her to making ridiculously bad decisions in order to advance the plot. Apparently, the entire endeavor is impossible to take seriously. Now viewers can rent it and decide for themselves. Sanna Luthan, Michael Ealy, Morris Chestnut, Charles S. Dutton John Getz and Tess Harper star.
Some Kind of Hate – A bullied teen travels to a school in this horror/thriller, where she endures even more taunting and humiliations. Thankfully for her, a vengeful spirit notices the assaults and rises from the grave to take revenge. A few reviewers appreciated the attempts at adding social satire to this genre pic, but most felt that it didn’t cohere properly and felt that it was a difficult to sit through. Spencer Breslin and Ronen Rubenstein are top-billed.
A Walk in the Woods – Based on the bestselling, non-fiction novel of the same name, this yarn follows author Bill Bryson. Returning home after living several years abroad, he attempts to reconnect with his homeland by walking the Appalachian Trail with an old friend. Wackiness ensues. The movie garnered mixed reaction, with most suggesting that the adaptation does away with the more thoughtful material in favor of more obvious slapstick gags. The movie stars Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, Kristin Schaal and Nick Offerman. To read a detailed review, click here.
Blasts From the Past!
Mario Bava has quite a famous figure in cult cinemas. His gorgeously-lensed Italian genre movies have influenced countless filmmakers over the years, and now Arrow are releasing one of his titles as a Blu-ray/DVD set. Blood and Black Lace (1964) is a film that helped create a template for “giallo” cinema. Specifically, he took the stale mystery thriller format and emphasized visuals and atmosphere along with more elaborate and suspenseful murder sequences. This title finds a group of beautiful models being stalked by a unknown masked killer.
The Blu-ray comes with a new restoration, English and Italian sound (with new English subtitles), an audio commentary by Bava’s biographer, a documentary on the film and the director’s influence on cinema, visual essays, panel discussions, trailers and even more. If you’re a fan of horror cinema, this looks like an interesting item.
You Know, For Kids!
It’s slim pickings for kids, but it seems like every youngster out there enjoys Daniel Tiger, so at least that’s a good thing.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Would You Be Mine?
On the Tube!
It’s a quiet week on TV, but here’s what is coming your way. And for your enjoyment, here are more holiday themed ads from ’87 and a curious TV special from the late 70s. Enjoy!
Deadly Instincts (National Geographic)
Dirty Rotten Survival (National Geographic)
Drugs Incorporated: Season 7 (National Geographic)
Live Free or Die: Season 2 (National Geographic)
Ray Donovan: Season 3
Shameless: Season 5