It’s an unusual week on DVD/Blu-ray. There aren’t any big, high profile releases (probably due to the holiday). However, that certainly doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything of quality coming your way. In fact, just the opposite. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try. You might be surprised!
Big New Releases!
Afflicted – Another found footage horror flick? Despite utilizing a well worn technique, this effort received excellent reviews at genre film festivals. The story involves a pair of college buddies who take a trip to Paris, only to have one of them come down with a mysterious and horrifying condition. Reviewers suggested that directors/stars Derek Lee and Clif Prowse used the found footage format in new and unique ways, and stated that the film was surprisingly enjoyable and effective. It should do the trick for horror fans.
Like Father, Like Son – This Japanese drama follows a family who discover that their six year old was accidentally switched at birth with another baby at the hospital. When they’re brought together with the other family involved, they all must decide whether or not the children should be returned to their biological families. Critics raved about the film. They called this foreign effort touching and thought-provoking. Additionally, they noted that despite the heavy subject matter the movie avoids histrionics and maintains an effectively low-key, bittersweet tone.
Lucky Bastard – Yet again, this horror/thriller uses found footage to tell the tale of a young man who wins a contest to have sex with a porn star. When he arrives on location, he finds himself in way over his head with the web site owners – murder and mayhem ensues. Reaction for this flick couldn’t be more divided and it evenly split the press. Some found it compelling and described it as a bit smarter and more effective than expected, while others called it trashy, distasteful and amateurish.
The Lunchbox – Reaction was unanimously positive for this Hindi romantic comedy/drama set in Mumbai. It follows a housewife who decides to literally spice up her marriage by packing a lunchbox for her husband filled with delectable treats and a special note. Of course, it gets delivered to the wrong man, who writes back to inform her of the mistake. The two form a pen-pal friendship of sorts that causes serious complications. Journalists called it very charming and clever. They also praised the film for its beautiful photography.
Me, Myself and Mum – This French comedy features an overbearing mom who wields great influence on her three children. Conflict comes when her eldest decides to reveal that he is unsure of his sexual orientation. Over the course of the film, he attempts to find himself and break free from her authority. Critics were generally positive about this Francophone effort. They stated that while the film was lightweight and took a while to get moving, it eventually wins audiences over with some strong comedic work.
The Mummy Resurrected – A word of warning about this title. Despite its similar cover art, this is not part of the Universal Pictures movie series. It’s a very low-budget straight-to-DVD horror flick about a group of archeologists who find a tomb and resurrect the dead. It has yet to be reviewed. You have been cautioned.
The Unknown Known – The new Errol Morris documentary is centered around a lengthy interview with Donald Rumsfeld, who served as Secretary of Defense under George W. Bush. Reportedly, Morris questions Rumsfeld on his controversial decisions but finds it impossible to get honest or transparent answers from him. The filmmaker contrasts the responses with footage and documentation that contradict many of the comments. Reviewers were impressed with this effort. They called it extremely well made and a fascinating attempt to reveal a subject who conceals himself with smoke and mirrors.
Vinyl– This comedy follows a rock band who write a surefire hit single, but because of their age can’t land a contract to get it recorded. They stage an elaborate hoax, hiring a young band to lip-sync the song and make it a worldwide phenomenon. Critics were mildly positive about the effort, complimenting its satire of the music industry. However, many felt that when the story switches focus over to the lead’s family drama, the movie loses momentum. Now viewers can make up their own minds. It stars Phil Daniels (known to many as the lead in the 1979 film Quadrophenia).
Note to music fans: There are also a couple of Live concert Blu-rays of note. Guns N’ Roses are releasing a recent concert recording titled Appetite for Democracy 3D: Live at the Hard Rock Casino – Las Vegas (a 2D version is also available). On a completely different note, The Million Dollar Piano Blu-ray captures Elton John during his residency in Las Vegas from The Colosseum at Caesars.
Blasts From the Past!
Once again Shout! Factory and their Scream! line deliver another goofy cult title. The Final Terror is a fairly standard slasher from 1983 about some campers hunted down by a backwoods maniac. What sets it apart is its cast of familiar faces that include Rachel Ward, Daryl Hannah, Adrian Zmed, Mark Metcalf, Lewis Smith and Joe Pantoliano. Even more amazingly, it was directed by Andrew Davis (who would later helm the Harrison Ford hit The Fugitive). This Blu-ray features interviews with the cast and crew, a trailer and audio commentary with Davis. So, fans will be more than happy with what they’re getting.
Perhaps the most intriguing release of the week comes from ITV. They’re putting out a Blu-ray of the 1979 action flick Escape to Athena. It follows a group of POW who aim to escape from a Nazi prison camp and reclaim stolen art treasures. Just get a load of the leads – Roger Moore, Elliott Gould, Stephanie Powers, David Niven, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono and Telly Savalas. I haven’t seen it, but based on the cast alone I’m all in. It looks like a British release, but it’s an all region disc which means that it should work in any Blu-ray player. Features aren’t listed, but it’s a “Special Edition” which suggests that there should be at least an extra or two.
Horror fans with a taste for the gruesome can now own Cannibal Holocaust on Blu-ray thanks to Grindhouse Releasing. Notorious and banned in several countries, this effort from 1980 is one of, if not the first found footage flicks ever made. It that captures a documentary crew in the Amazon rainforest who end up as dinner for a local tribe. The Blu-ray features a massive number of extras and a high definition transfer sure to make it extra yucky for viewers.
Additionally, Universal is bringing a couple of popular catalog titles from 1990 to Blu-ray. There’s the Arnold Schwarzenegger comedy Kindergarten Cop that was a huge hit back in the day. It doesn’t feature anything in the way of special features but should please fans regardless. Even better is Cry-Baby, the wacky John Waters comedy that pays homage to 50’s teen rebellion movies. It stars Johnny Depp and the Blu-ray includes a commentary from Waters and several deleted scenes.
You Know, For Kids!
There are plenty of titles for the kids arriving this week. This includes some decent stuff, but there also are a couple of direct-to-video titles that look errr… well… cheaply produced. Here are the highlights:
Agent Fox (DTV movie)
Franklin & Friends: Fishing Trip
Kat in the Hat: Let’s Go on an Adventure!
Legend of Korra: Book 2, Spirits (Nickelodeon)
The Legend of Sarila (DTV movie)
Monster High: Clawsome Double Feature (Fright On! & Escape from Skull Shores)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Good, The Bad and Casey Jones
On the Tube!
It’s a slim week for TV, but there is a nice set featuring some of the most popular episodes of the famed 60’s sci-fi anthology series The Twilight Zone. If you haven’t seen the series before, it’s a classic worth checking out!
Cool Spaces (PBS)
Fredrick Law Olmstead: Designing America (PBS)
Helix: Season 1
Hidden Colors 3: The Rules of Racism
Hinterland: Series 1
Lovejoy: Series 1
The Twilight Zone: Essential Episodes (55th Anniversary Edition)
A Young Doctor’s Notebook (BBC)