Hope you like smaller films, because this edition of video highlights only features one major studio flick. Still, that means there’s plenty of unique and unusual efforts to check-out. As always, be sure to clink any links to read more detailed reviews. 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!
Late Phases – This low-budget horror movie follows a blind war veteran who arrives in a retirement home to learn that the residents are suffering from frequent dog attacks. He decides to help and soon discovers that there may be something more sinister about the assaults than initially thought. It garnered a fair amount of positive reviews, with many stating it was fun and well-acted B-movie with some novel moments. Nick Damici, Ethan Embry, Lance Guest, Tina Louise, Tom Noonan and Larry Fessenden star.
The Liberator – Real-life Latin American revolutionary Simon Bolivar is the focus of this foreign-language film from Venezuela that follows his struggle to liberate his homeland from Spain. Critics were impressed by the charismatic actors in this biography, but less enamored with the story itself. The majority of them claimed that it simplified the historical drama too much and approached its subject in a bland and conventional manner. Viewers can now decide for themselves. The movie features Edgar Ramirez, Danny Huston and Imanol Arias.
Life of Riley – Art house fans will be excited about this French drama (and final film) from famed director Alain Resnais (Night and Fog, Last Year at Marienbad). It involves a group of stage actors who learn that one of their compatriots is terminally ill. They get together to discuss mortality and their own relationships. Although a few found it too slow and arty, the press were generally positive about the project. They wrote that it was a sweet, low-key effort featuring plenty of subtext and displaying some impressive technical skill.
Listen Up Philip – This independent romantic comedy received strong reviews earlier in the year. It’s a throwback to 70s cinema and tells the tale of a self-obsessed author struggling to promote his latest book as a personal relationship with his significant other begins to fall apart. While its protagonist is anything but a charmer, write-ups suggested that it featured an amusingly dark look into the mind of its deeply flawed lead. Jason Schwartzman, Elizabeth Moss, Krysten Ritter and Jonathan Pryce headline the cast.
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb – Here’s the big studio release of the week – it’s the second sequel to the original 2006 hit. In this final chapter, a heroic security guard must save the museum’s living historical figures from turning back to wax after a magic spell begins wearing off. It garnered very mixed reviews. While most enjoyed seeing Robin Williams on the screen one last time, most stated that the series had run its course and there was little original content to offer. Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ben Kingsley and Dan Stevens round out the collection players. For a full review, click here.
Pioneer – This production from Norway/Germany/Sweden/France/Finland is a conspiracy thriller inspired by films of the 70s. Set during the Norwegian oil boom, it involves a professional diver in the North Sea who faces great danger from his job installing a pipeline, as well as from his crooked employers. Critics gave it mixed notices and a variety of responses, ranging all the way from “slow and dull,” to, “tense and exciting.” Now you can give it a shot and see which side you agree with. It features Aksel Hennie, Wes Bentley and Stephen Lang.
R100 – Perhaps the weirdest flick of the week is this Japanese black comedy from the director of the 2007 cult film, Big Man Japan. The story involves a family man who joins an S&M club and soon regrets the decision. After leaving for good, he finds himself stalked by a series of angry dominatrices. Those who have seen it have called it an acquired taste, but have otherwise been largely positive. They’ve referred to it as a bizarre and original effort that is quite funny at times.
Red Sky – Fighter pilots go rogue and try to stop a terrorist from unleashing a “weapon of mass destruction” in this straight-to-DVD action flick. According to IMDB, it boasts a higher-than-average B-movie budget, but that wasn’t enough to get it into actual movie theaters. No reviews exist, so approach with caution. It stars Cam Gigandet, Shane West, Bill Pullman and Rachael Leigh Cook.
White-Haired Witch – This Chinese period fantasy/action/drama (also released in some territories as The White-Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom) is an adaptation of a popular book previously brought to the screen as The Bride with White Hair (1993). While the ’93 version is considered visually dynamic and endearingly romantic, the newest retelling resulted in terrible reviews. Apparently, some of the action is impressive, but the plot is a messy jumble and the drama falls flat. Your time may be better spent with the original (which I can also vouch for). Fan Bingbing plays the title character in the latest version.
WolfCop – Last but not least, this low-budget oddity explores the trails of being both a cop and a werewolf (sometimes at the same time). Amazingly, many members of the press enjoyed its cheesy movie charms. They stated that it was a fast-paced and good-natured late night flick that features plenty of laughs for those in the right frame of mind. It sounds barking made, so you probably already know by this point whether or not this title is going to be up your alley.
Blasts From the Past!
Once again there’s plenty of new material to cover, so we’ll get right to it. Universal is delivering The John Hughes Yearbook Collection, a Blu-ray collection that contains three of the filmmaker’s most well-known titles. They include Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985) and Weird Science (1985). Personally, I’m a fan of the first film, which chronicles a day in the life of a teenager (Molly Ringwald) whose parents have forgotten her birthday. It features great comic turns from Anthony Michael Hall and a young John Cusack. In the end, it doesn’t really matter which one is your favorite – if you grew up with these movies and need an 80s nostalgia fix, the set it a must own.
As mentioned in earlier columns, Twilight Time is a small company that produces “limited runs” of their Blu-ray titles. This time out, the movies include the classic sci-fi epic Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) starring James Mason. It has an edition of 5000 copies. Additionally, there’s the Yul Brynner/Gina Lollobrigida historical romance Solomon and Sheba (1959) (limited to 3000 copies) and H.G. Wells’ First Men in the Moon (1964), which is another science-fiction effort about a group of explorers who find a bee-like population living on the rock – the Moon edition consists of 5000 discs. Finally, and on a completely different tact, Twilight Time are releasing 3000 Blu-rays of the Mel Gibson/Anthony Hopkins drama The Bounty (1984). This story of mutiny on the high seas also features Lawrence Olivier, Daniel Day-Lewis and Liam Neeson.
Warner Bros. are celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Sound of Music: 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition (1965). It’s a very elaborate Blu-ray/DVD that includes a re-mastered high definition transfer of the film along with a sing-a-long option, audio commentaries, documentaries, screen takes, outtakes, and just about everything you could ever want over five discs.
But that’s not all! Not to be outdone, Criterion have a couple of films on the way. Horror aficionados will be impressed with the moody German Expressionist undead classic, Vampyr (1932). This re-issue of their previously released disc is well worth a look. It’s a lesser known horror flick from Carl Dreyer (The Passion of Joan of Arc), but features plenty of interesting and nightmarish imagery. The disc contains plenty of extras that detail its importance in cinema history. They’re also re-releasing their DVD of the surreal road movie, Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) and this release is also full of bonuses.
The Firepower Blu-ray from Scorpion Releasing looks like it may provide some B-movie thrills as well. For those unfamiliar with the movie, it is an action/suspense tale with a kidnapping plot. Best of all, it comes from Michael Winner (The Mechanic, Death Wish, Death Wish II, The Wicked Lady, Death Wish 3), a director who knows no subtlety. The cast includes Sophia Loren, James Coburn, O.J. Simpson, Eli Wallach and Anthony Franciosa. It looks like it may result in a chuckle or two.
Looking for some genre films? Don’t Go in the Woods (1981) from Vinegar Syndrome is a Blu-ray/DVD combo that contains not only the slasher flick (about obnoxious teenage campers being hunted by a maniac that has managed to avoid capture), but a couple of commentary tracks, promo materials and trailers. Troma are also releasing a Blu-ray/DVD of the B-movie horror/comedy, Rabid Grannies (1988). This title includes two versions of the film (the original and unrated producer’s cuts) as well as deleted scenes and a producer interview.
And it has been pushed back more times than I can count, but we’ve been promised that Massacre Mafia Style will finally arrive today on Blu-ray/DVD. Finally, Mondo Macabro are giving us a Blu-ray of the cult German horror flick, The Fan (1982) about a creepy young woman who yearns for a pop star. Her obsession soon turns violent.
You Know, For Kids!
Here’s what’s coming your way for the wee kids currently tearing your house apart.
Alpha and Omega 3: The Great Wolf Games
The Alvin Show (1961-62)
Fireball XL5: The Complete Series
The Flintstones and WWE: Stone Age Smackdown!
Jungle Shuffle 3D
The Legend of Kora: Book Four: Balance
Pee Wee’s Playhouse: Seasons 3, 4 & 5
Russell Madness
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 3, Vol. 1
Zack & Quack: Popping, Hopping Easter
On the Tube!
There are a couple of curious releases this week. “Supermarionation” enthusiasts will be excited to see the British children’s series Fireball: XL5 (1962-63) arriving on store shelves courtesy of Shout! Factory. Co-creator Gerry Anderson would use the same techniques to bring Thunderbirds to both TV and the big screen only a couple of years later. The opening of Fireball is included below.
Also available is a complete collection of episodes from the comedy series, Gomer Pyle, USMC (1964-69). It’s… an acquired taste. You may not have known this, but star Jim Nabors was also a popular recording artist, notable for his “unique” singing talent. At the bottom of the page is his 1973 rendition of the Stevie Wonder classic, You Are the Sunshine of My Life (originally released on the album, The Twelfth of Never, in case you decide to seek it out). Enjoy!
Ancient Aliens: Season 7, Vol. 1 (History)
Chef’s Life: Season 1 (PBS)
Chef’s Life: Season 2 (PBS)
Dark Haul (SyFy TV movie)
Fireball XL5: The Complete Series
Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.: The Complete Series
How We Got to Now With Steven Johnson (PBS)
Matlock’s Greatest Cases
New Tricks Collection: Seasons 6-10
Pee Wee’s Playhouse: Seasons 3, 4 & 5
Quincey, M.E.: The Final Season
Shane: The Complete Series
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 3, Vol. 1
Treehouse Masters: Season 1