It’s time for another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There’s a great mix of releases that include big Hollywood flicks as well as independent fare. Interested readers can click on any links to read more about the features. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to check out one of these titles!
Big New Releases!
Gotti – This biopic chronicles the rise of mobster John Gotti to the top of the Gambino crime family. It reportedly condenses three decades of his rule, following Gotti as he enforces his rule while attempting to develop and keep bonds with his family members. Reviews for this drama were pretty darn terrible. Some felt that it tried to cram too much into the running time, others felt it was miscast and had the screenplay corny, while a group also thought the onscreen posturing was over-the-top. Now viewers can make up their own minds. The cast includes John Travolta, Spencer Rocco Lofranco, Kelly Preston, Leo Rossi and Stacey Keach.
Hot Summer Nights – Set in the 1980s, this coming-of-age drama involves a teen in Cape Cod. He spends his summer evenings selling pot to local crime figures and partying. Over the course of events, he also falls for the girlfriend of his business partner. Before long, the youth realizes he’s in over-his-head and must find a way to escape various threats. Critics were mixed on the results, giving the feature a few more negative notices than positive ones. Those who liked it called the movie stylish and well-acted, but dissenters felt that the technical skills on display didn’t make up for the generic storyline. It stars Timothee Chalamet, Maika Monroe, Alex Roe, William Fichtner and Thomas Jane.
Izzy Gets the F*uck Across Town – A broke, frustrated LA indie musician learns that her ex-boyfriend, whom she believes to be her soul-mate, has just gotten engaged to another woman. The determined and perhaps unhinged woman decides to get herself across town and break up the potential union at their engagement party. The press were split on the results. Half said that after a promising opening, the movie lost its comic focus and spiraled downward with a lackluster finale. However, the others suggested the energy level on display was invigorating and that it benefited from a strong lead performance. The movie features Mackenzie Davis, Carrie Coon, Haley Joel Osmond and Annie Potts.
Occupation – This Australian sci-fi picture involves the survivors of an attack by threatening alien foes. When their small town is taken by invaders, the group team up and arm themselves in order to fight back. Battles ensue between the two forces with the fate of the world at stake. Reaction was all over the place for this independent feature. A percentage thought it was a fun B-movie that provided plenty of late night thrills on a modest budget. Just as many complained about the movie, stating that the characters weren’t developed enough for viewers to care about what happened to them. The cast includes Dan Ewing, Temuera Morrison and Stephanie Jacobsen.
Pin Cushion – A very close mother and daughter move to a new town for a fresh start and try to make friends. The daughter first social attempts result in her spending time with some of the local girls. Her mother feels left out and befriends a new neighbor. However, as their own relationship becomes strained, both begin to struggling with their new acquaintances. Critics gave this independent drama high marks. One or two found it too quirky for their tastes, but the majority praised the unique tone and the attempts to deal with the trials of bullying and even mental illness. It stars Joanna Scanlan and Lily Newmark.
Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich – I never would have believed it, but there have been 12 movies in the Puppet Master series dating back to 1989. The latest chapter is actually a reboot of sorts and begins with the malevolent puppet creatures coming up for sale at a convention. Of course, these little monsters start killing attendees, leading to bloody chaos. Reviewers gave this chapter relatively decent marks. There were some who believed that it simply presented more of the same schlock, but several more commented that it was an enjoyably crude and tasteless midnight movie. It features Thomas Lennon, Udo Kier, Michael Pare and Charlyne Yi.
The Row – A newcomer at a university is asked to join a sorority. When the student arrives to take her pledge, she starts to realize that the group may have a very dark past. Even worse, someone at the event may have had something to do with a series of brutal killings on campus. This picture appears to be debuting on disc, so there aren’t any write-ups on the feature yet. Due to the relative quietness about the flick in the media, one probably shouldn’t expect it to be a classic. The cast includes Colin Egglesfield, Dylan Sprayberry, Lexi Atkins, Mia Rose Frampton and Randy Couture.
The Seagull – Family members decide to visit a Russian estate and bring friends along in this period drama. As the groups intermingle, several of the characters develop infatuations. Unfortunately, social class structure and other issues cause friction and threaten to tear new couples apart. This drama, based on an Anton Chekhov play, drew reasonable notices from reviewers. Several wrote that despite the great cast, this was a poor adaptation of the material. Those who complemented it stated that despite being uneven, it was a quickly-paced, interesting and at times very funny soap opera. Elizabeth Moss, Saoirse Ronan, Annette Bening, Corey Stoll, Brian Dennehy and Mare Winningham headline the film.
Solo: A Star Wars Story – This Star Wars prequel follows the adventures of a young Han Solo. It shows the character’s home planet and how he teamed with an underground criminal organization. Along the way, the character meets future co-pilot Chewbecca and is introduced to Lando Calrissian. This feature earned decent marks from the press, although not as high as other films in the series. Some didn’t find the character’s back-story necessary or interesting, but more thought it was a fun sci-fi picture with a strong lead performance and closer ties to the original series. It stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Amelia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton and Paul Bettany. To read a full review, click here.
Uncle Drew – After investing all of his savings to enter a team in the Rucker Classic street ball tournament in Harlem, a player loses his entire squad to a nasty competitor. The desperate hero decides to seek out Uncle Drew, a legendary athlete. The protagonist then attempts to round up the elderly player’s teammates to build a new team and win the tournament. Critics were generally positive about this comedy. There were complaints that the story was by-the-numbers and predictable, but more enjoyed seeing the stars run circles around the bad guys. It features Kyrie Irving, Lil Rel Howery, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, Tiffany Hadish, Nick Kroll and Mike Epps.
Blasts from the Past!
There are plenty of curious older releases arriving this week. Arrow Video has the creepy horror picture, The Baby (1973), about a social worker who gets a shock when she attends to crazed family, raising a grown man as an infant and keeping him in a crib. The “Special Edition” Blu-ray includes an audio commentary and critic retrospective on the film, archived audio interview with the director and star and a theatrical trailer.
They also have a “Special Edition” Blu-ray of Day of the Jackal (1973). This thriller involves a hunt for the world’s best assassin who has set out to shoot the French President. The edition comes with an interview with a critic and author who has studied the career of director Fred Zinneman (From Here to Eternity, High Noon and many others), archival clips from the film set, a trailer and the original screenplay (as BD-ROM content).
MVD are premiering another goofy little action in high definition. Angel Town (1990) stars Oliver Gruner as a kickboxer who moves into a neighborhood run by a psychotic gang. He is forced to employ his physical skills and beat down the vicious bad guys. This “Special Edition” includes a director’s commentary from a previous and out-of-print release, as well as new and archival interviews with the filmmaker, cinematographer and cast members, along with publicity materials.
Shout! Factory also have some interesting titles coming your way. Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) is a crazy, over-the-top sequel to the horror classic that sees original star Linda Blair using psychic abilities to fight off a demonic force. This “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray is providing new, 2K scans of the theatrical cut and international/video version of the film, new interviews with Blair and the editor, as well as 3 new audio commentaries. One is from director John Boorman and the others feature consultants/scholars. It also comes with tons of trailers and publicity materials. You can read a full review of the disc here.
If westerns are more to your liking, they are also releasing Quigley Down Under (1990) on Blu-ray. This one features Tom Selleck as an American sharpshooter who arrives in Australia to help kill off a pack of wild dogs. Naturally, he encounters bigger villains that he must also put a stop to. This edition includes new interviews with co-star Laura San Giacomo as well as a featurette on the weaponry featured, and publicity materials.
Finally, Shout! are putting out a box set called The [REC] Collection. It contains the four-film Spanish [REC] series that was made between 2007 and 2014. The first two movies serve as examples of some of the best foreign-language horror thrillers currently out there… they’re tense and exciting from beginning to end. Photographed using a news video camera, it all begins as a reporter is called out to report on an incident in an apartment building. She finds herself quarantined with the residents as a devastating virus that turns victims to fast-moving, zombie-like beings spread inside the building. The first movie was remade in the US as Quarantine in 2008, but even the remake doesn’t do the original justice. This set includes extras too numerous to mention here but it a great release for horror fans.
Kino have plenty of Blu-rays of note. They includes the Sonny and Cher comedy, Good Times (1967) as well as the Lee Marvin and Oliver Reed western/comedy, The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday (1976). Other titles arriving this week include the rom-com The Farmer’s Daughter (1947) and the eccentric fantasy, The Legend of Hillbilly John (1972). Additionally, there are Blu-rays of the circus acrobat-themed drama, Trapeze (1956), the Oscar-winning period drama, The Trip to Bountiful (1985) and the Powell/Pressburger feature (and re-edit of Gone to Earth), The Wild Heart (1952). Alas the disc does not include the other feature.
Criterior have Blu-rays of Russian historical drama, Andrei Rublev (1966) and the drama, A Raisin in the Sun (1961). The release of Rublev includes a 2K restoration of the director’s cut and 2K digital transfer of a lengthier version of the feature, as well as documentaries on the productions. The latter has been given a 4K digital restoration as well as several other interviews and bonuses relating to the production.
Finally, Film Movement Classics have a Blu-ray of Scarlet Diva (2001), actress Asia Argento’s semi-autobiographical account of working in the movie industry. This film is notable for featuring a character based on Harvey Weinstein. It has been “restored for HD” and comes with two audio commentaries from Asia Argento (one recorded in 2001 and another new 2018 track), featurettes, interviews and other publicity materials for the movie.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are some titles that may appeal to kids… or adults who were children in the 70s.
The Depatie/Freleng Collection: Volume 2 (The Blue Racer/Sheriff Hoot Kloot/The Dogfather/Misterjaw/Crazylegs Crane)
Power Rangers: Choujin Sentai Jetman: The Complete Series
Wiggles: Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas
The ZhuZhus: Season 1
On the Tube!
And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.
Ancient Aliens: Season 11, Volume 1
The Amazing Human Body (PBS)
Billions: Season 3
C.B. Strike: The Series
The Depatie/Freleng Collection: Volume 2 (The Blue Racer/Sheriff Hoot Kloot/The Dogfather/Misterjaw/Crazylegs Crane)
Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time (BBC)
Dynasty (2018): Season 1
East/West 101: Series 3
Fraggle Rock: The Complete Animated Series
Fraggle Rock: The Complete Series
Jersey Shore Family Vacation: Season 1
Ken Burns: The Mayo Clinic: Faith Hope and Science (PBS)
Midsomer Muders: Series 20
MST3K: The Lost and Found Collection
Police Story: Season 3
Power Rangers: Choujin Sentai Jetman: The Complete Series
Pumpkin Pie Wars (Hallmark Channel TV-movie)
Sando: Series 1
The ZhuZhus: Season 1