Welcome back, it’s time for a look at new releases coming your way on Blu-ray and DVD. This time out we have an unusual mix of Hollywood fare, with some independent and documentary features too. 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!
Batman Ninja – This animated effort from DC is a standalone feature about the famous superhero. However, in this film the Gotham City setting has been changed to feudal Japan. After passing through a time displacement machine to the earlier era, Batman becomes an armored ninja. The hero ends up facing off against foes Catwoman, Two Face and Joker. The title has only received a few reviews thus far. They state that the movie is visually gorgeous and the concept is intriguing, but that viewers will have to contend with a rather poor story and some awkwardly realized elements. The English voice cast includes Roger Craig Smith, Tony Hale, Grey DeLisle and Tara Strong.
Dayveon – A 13-year-old boy in Arkansas attempts to process the death of his older brother by joining a local gang and escaping into their violent world. The boyfriend of the protagonist’s sister attempt to step in and act as a role model for the child. In the process, the youngster struggles as he is pulled in two different directions. Write-ups for this small, independent feature were generally good. A few didn’t appreciate the very low-key and realistic approach to the material, but more complimented the film. Those reviews suggested that the feature built up considerable momentum and had a specific and unique style. It features Devin Blackmon, Dontrell Bright and Lachion Buckingham.
Fifty Shades Freed – The final chapter in the Fifty Shades of Grey series continues the unusual relationship between its two lead characters as they decide to tie the knot. Despite the pair thinking that they have left their pasts behind, they are confronted with a threatening individual or two out to ruin their lives. As expected, notices were just as bad this time out as for previous installments. A scant percentage called it amusing trash, but most complained that the attempts in the thriller mold failed. They also asserted that the characters lacked chemistry and weren’t likable, instead coming across as entitled jerks. It stars Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Eric Johnson, Eloise Mumford and Rita Ora.
Finding Oscar – This documentary details the Dos Erres massacre in Guatemala, which occurred during the country’s civil war decades ago. A group of prosecutors attempt to tie these horrific acts in with the government of the era and seek justice for the victims. However, they end up on an unexpected journey. They must seek out a little boy who survived the killings and was raised by one of the soldiers in the hopes that this solitary witness can paint an accurate picture of what happened. The press praised the movie, writing that it brings attention to a brutal and devastating event that garnered little publicity in other parts of the world. They calling it a moving and harrowing feature.
Human Flow – The global refugee crisis is the subject of this non-fiction film. A documentary filmmaker travels to 23 individual countries and chronicles the stories of over 65 million who have left war torn nations, extremist regimes, disaster zones and general devastation in order to find a new home. Critics were very impressed with what they saw. One or two didn’t think it was as involving as it should have been, but most complimented the movie for putting individual faces to a bigger issue and sharing their horrific trials with the public. Some also complimented it for simply allowing the poetic images and examples of mass exodus speak for themselves.
It’s Not Yet Dark – Here’s another documentary of note. This film tells the story of Simon Fitzmaurice, a man who attempts to direct a film, despite suffering from ALS. Using his eyes and advanced technology, the movie captures his life, experiences and how he manages to communicate with cast and crew. Once again, reviews were excellent. Almost all found this to be a powerful film unafraid to get up close and personal with its subject, showing all of the difficulties, frustrations and joy experienced over time. The movie features voice work from Colin Farrell, who narrates and reads from Fitzmaurice’s own journals.
Blasts from the Past!
There are plenty of interesting cult flick arriving on Blu-ray too. MVD have a two-disc special edition of the campy sequel, The Return of Swamp Thing (1989). This low-budget follow-up brings back the original film’s villain (played by Louis Jordan). Apparently, he’s still attempting to find a magic formula that can reverse the aging process. When the antagonist decides to experiment on his stepdaughter (Heather Locklear), Swamp Thing (Duck Durock) emerges to save the day. The set includes a 2K restoration of the film on Blu-ray and DVD along with numerous extras. There are interviews with the filmmaker, editor, composer and executive producer along with two director commentaries (one of which is brand new), trailers, TV ads, promo reels, Greenpeace PSAs, publicity photos and more.
MVD are also putting out a DVD of The Violence Movie (1988). Some thirty years ago, a couple of teenagers rented a VHS camera and made a short film homage to their favorite horror and slasher flicks. Some time later, they put together a sequel. Apparently, these little movies made the rounds on the bootleg tape circuit. Now the shorts are getting an official release. The release includes the two shorts, an unreleased alternate version of the second film, audio commentaries, deleted scenes, outtakes and other bonuses. And composer Harry Manfredini (Friday the 13th) has written all new music for the films as well.
Shout! also have some Blu-rays of note. Caged Fury (1990) is a B-movie about an innocent woman locked up in a female penitentiary. To earn her freedom, she has to fight a corrupt warden and some nasty guards. She also gets some help from friends on the outside. Roxanna Michaels, Erik Estrada and Michael Parks appear in this grindhouse title. The disc comes with a trailer.
The distributor are also releasing the Amicus anthology film, The House That Dripped Blood (1971). Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Denholm Elliott star in the title. This one arrives with plenty of extras, including a new film historian commentary, a director commentary, a new interview with the 2nd assistant director, vintage featurette, trailers, radio spots and still.
Kino have a Special Edition Blu-ray of the comedy/drama Roommates (1995) about a young man who is adopted by his very elderly grandfather. It comes with a commentary track featuring star D.B. Sweeney. They’re also putting out the Merchant Ivory-produced period drama, Feast of July (1995). This one includes a commentary with director Christopher Menaul.
On a much campier note, they’ve also got a Blu-ray of the ultra-cheesy Andy Sidaris flick, Seven (1979). This ones about a special agent who sets out to stop a cartel of gangsters trying to take over Hawaii. The disc includes an interview with the director, who made numerous action B-movies set and shot in this state, as well as a film historian commentary. They also have the Bo Svenson and Cybill Shepherd action/comedy, Special Delivery (1976). This one also comes with a critic commentary track.
Criterion have a Blu-ray of the classic film noir, Moonrise (1948). The Oscar-nominated movie is about a man whose father was a hardened criminal. The lead snaps after years of being persistently bullied by townspeople, eventually killing one of his tormentors. The distributor have given the movie a restored, 4K digital transfer and are including a conversation between a film historian and the author of the source material upon which the movie is based.
Finally, independent horror studio Full Moon are releasing Blu-rays of The Creeps aka Deformed Monsters (1997) and Puppet Master: The Legacy (2003). These discs will most certainly include plenty of extras along with the main feature.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are a couple of titles for the kids.
Bubble Guppies: Bubble Puppy’s Awesome Adventures (Nickelodeon)
Bunnicula: Season 1
On the Tube!
And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.
Bunnicula: Season 1
Dear White People: Season 1
Midsomer Murders: County Case Files
Police Woman: The Final Season
Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In: Season 4
Here are some trailers for the B-movie titles featured this week. And just so there is no confusion, the first trailer is from an earlier DVD release of The Return of Swamp Thing.