Hello once again and welcome to another look at what is coming your way on DVD and Blu-ray. As always, be sure to click on the links to read detailed reviews of the films hitting video store shelves. 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!
As Above/So Below – Grad students travel to Paris and find themselves lost in the catacombs beneath the city in this found footage horror flick. They search desperately to find a way out but encounter strange and malevolent supernatural forces. While a few found it frightening, critics were generally not kind to this effort, with most calling the very dark and shaky camerawork a major distraction to the story… so much so that it stifles any real scares. The movie stars Perdita Weeks and Ben Feldman. To read the site’s full-length review of this effort, click right here.
Cantinflas – This Spanish-language biopic tells the inspiring life story of one of Mexico’s most beloved comedy stars of the big screen. It follows his start from very humble beginnings to his success as an entertainer and comedian in the 1950s. The press were mostly negative about the movie, suggesting that it takes too safe and reverential an approach to its subject matter, with little in the way of drama or conflict. Now viewers can make up their own minds. Oscar Jaenada plays the title role.
The Congress – Actress Robin Wright plays a fictional version of herself in this sci-fi fantasy film. In it, she allows a movie studio to create a digital replication of herself and use the fabrication to star in future productions. Some twenty years later, her digital double becomes a huge star and unexpected complications arise. While several had issues with the final act reviews were mostly strong for this independent effort, complimenting this dystopian look at the future of entertainment. In addition to Wright, it features Harvey Keitel, Danny Huston, Jon Hamm and Paul Giamatti.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – The big release of the week is this summer sci-fi blockbuster that follows 2011’s reboot of the series. In this sequel, a group of survivors desperate to power their habitat run into apes and make an uneasy alliance. However, certain individuals within each party attempt to sabotage the pact and lead the two groups to war. The cast includes Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, Gary Oldman and Andy Serkis. Reviews were almost uniformly positive for this sequel, with most complementing it as tense and exciting with a deeper message at its core. Read our detailed review of the film here.
Field of Lost Shoes – This independent period film set in the Civil War follows a group of teenage soldiers drafted to fight in the Battle of New Market. It got mixed reactions upon its limited release. While many appreciated the efforts of all involved, they found that the movie a bit old-fashioned and felt that it attempted to depict too much with its very limited budget. Still, it might be a way to introduce youngsters to this historical period. It features David Arquette, Lauren Holly, Jason Isaacs, Luke Benward and Tom Skerritt.
The Hero of Color City – In this animated children’s film, audiences learn that crayons come to life and travel to a mystical land when kids fall asleep (let’s hope that no tykes ever wake up in the middle of the night and decides to draw). When a monster follows the writing instruments to their home city, all color is threatened. It doesn’t appear that many enjoyed this production – reviews describe it as a safe, bland and derivative kid-flick that won’t appeal to anyone over the age of four or five – and even then, it’s an iffy proposition. At least it features voice work from Christina Ricci, Rosie Perez, Craig Ferguson, Wayne Brady, Sean Astin and Owen Wilson.
The Hundred-Foot Journey – A family opens an Indian restaurant and come under fire from the snobby establishment of a nearby classical French bistro – the new eatery attempts to win over both their competitors and the public. This comedy from Lasse Hallstrom (Chocolat, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) received decent notices. While many called it formulaic, many suggested that the cast were engaging and the food was sumptuously shot. Warning: you might end up developing a big appetite while watching it. Helen Mirren, Manish Dayal and Om Puri take on the lead roles.
I Origins – A biologist studying the human eye makes a startling discovery in this independent sci-fi drama. While the press notes don’t get into specifics, the ramifications of his research are big enough to change the way one thinks about science and religion. This ambitious effort completely split critics and couldn’t have gotten a wider variety of reactions. Some called it messy but well acted and engaging, others felt that it collapsed under its own weighty ideas, while a few simply called it pretentious nonsense. So who knows what any reader will make of it? For those game to give it a try, the movie stars Michael Pitt and Britt Marling.
Jingle All the Way 2 – Here’s a follow-up that no one appeared to be asking for. This in-name-only sequel to the 1997 Arnold Schwarzenegger comedy finds a father desperate to purchase a limited, specialty stuffed bear for his 8-year old daughter. His rival for the prize is the husband of his ex-wife and the two go about sabotaging each other’s attempts to find the toy. Larry the Cable Guy stars in this straight-to-video effort. It hasn’t been reviewed yet, but count on it being a rough one to get through.
Starry Eyes – This effort merges horror with science-fiction in a plot that follows an aspiring actress. In it, she takes on a big role that requires a great… transformation. More critics appeared to enjoy the film than dislike it. While a few found it too bleak, upsetting and strange to truly enjoy, others were more complimentary. Several praised the young lead actress and called it an offbeat and intriguing tale that improves as more and more of the diabolical plot is revealed.
Blasts From the Past!
Once again, Shout! Factory has a great release for horror aficionados. If you love anthology flicks like Creepshow (1982) and the more recent Trick ‘r Treat (2007), here’s another disc that can proudly sit next to them on the shelf. In the early 70s, flicks featuring a collection of different short stories were all the rage. The UK production company Amicus were no slouches in putting out as many of these features as they could produce. The double feature Blu-ray contains two of their films, Tales From the Crypt (1972) and The Vault of Horror (1973). They’re both based on the EC comic books series of the same names and are two of the horror anthology subgenre’s best efforts. Crypt is the most effective, featuring amusingly gruesome and twist-filled tales of the dead returning to life and nasty characters getting their just deserts. It has a ridiculously good cast that includes Sir Ralph Richardson, Joan Collins and Peter Cushing. The Vault of Horror also features familiar faces like Donald Pleasence, Tom Baker and Anna Massey.
Shout! have cleaned up the movie and given a great bonus feature to North American viewers. Vault was heavily censored for its US release and this disc presents the uncut version of the film with all the squishy bits intact. As mentioned, this disc contains one the strongest horror anthologies you’ll find (plus a pretty decent follow-up). In fact, all you need after the titles previously mentioned is to pick up the 1945 classic Dead of Night and you essentially will own the best terror anthologies ever produced. So what are you waiting for? Get to it!
As always, Kino are responsible for putting out some great titles on Blu-ray. They don’t usually include much in the way of extras, but just to have high quality versions of these films at a decent price is often reason enough to pick them up. This week brings the cool 1955 British science-fiction classic The Quatermass Experiment aka The Creeping Unknown.
Also coming from the distributor is Witness to Murder (1954). This thriller stars Barbara Stanwyck and the plot is pretty self explanatory (given the title). There’s also a Sean Connery drama called The Offence (1972) which features the actor as a cop who may gone too far while interrogating a potential child molester. Also from 1972 is the unfortunately-timed release of Hickey & Boggs. It was a well received, hard-nosed cop film written by Walter Hill (The Warriors, 48 Hrs.) that starred Robert Culp and Bill Cosby.
But that’s not all! Kino also have The Emerald Forest (1985) coming to Blu-ray. It’s a drama about an engineer who searches the Brazilian rainforest for years in order to find his missing son. When he discovers the now teenage boy is part of a tribe out to protect the jungle, conflict arises. Finally, The Package (1989) is an early action/thriller from director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive) about a sergeant who uncovers a military conspiracy. The well-received film stars Gene Hackman and Tommy Lee Jones.
Classic film fans will be happy to see a 4K re-mastered version of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington hitting Blu-ray, all thanks to Sony Pictures. The 1939 Frank Capra effort depicts an idealistic young senator who encounters corruption in Washington and does everything he can to maintain his values under intense pressure. It’s among beloved screen star Jimmy Stewart’s most famous roles. This release comes with numerous extras including a commentary with director Capra’s son, plenty of featurettes and a feature-length documentary. The many bonuses should provide a lot of enlightening insight and information about the production.
You Know, For Kids!
There’s plenty for young ones to enjoy this week. Here are the highlights.
Angry Birds Toons: Complete Season 1
A Charlie Brown Christmas 50th Anniversary: Deluxe Edition
Disney’s Mickey Mouse: Season 1
The Hero of Color City
Lalaloopsy Girls: Welcome to L.A.L.A. Prep School
Peppa Pig: Bubbles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Showdown in Dimension X
Thomas & Friends: Signals Crossed
Young Justice: Invasion
On the Tube!
There’s plenty to choose from here as well. Paramount is releasing yet another season of Happy Days, one of TV’s biggest hit of the late 70s and early 80s. Season 6 technically comes after Fonz “jumps the shark”, but fans may still want to own the set anyway. In honor of its arrival on DVD, here are some ads for toys and various products that were available for purchase during the popular show’s run. And just to further illustrate the influence of Fonzie on kids, at the end is a cereal commercial also inspired by (or ripping off) the show.
American Masters: Bing Crosby – Rediscovered (PBS)
Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years (PBS)
Broad City: Season 1
Gunsmoke: Season 11 Vol. 1
Gunsmoke: Season 11 Vol. 2
Happy Days: Season 6
Justified: Season 5
Robin Williams Remembered – Pioneers of Television (PBS)
Secrets of the Dead: Resurrecting Richard III
The Simpsons: Season 17
Sliders: The Complete Series
Star Trek: The Next Generation: All Good Things
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 7
The Strain: Season 1
Zane Grey Theater: Season 3
Aaayyyyyy! See you next time!