Welcome to the latest look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. The previous edition was remarkably busy, which means that this one is lighter on releases. However, there are a few notable titles as well as plenty of older films arriving on the scene with high-definition upgrades. 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!
THE ASSESSMENT – This independent science-fiction drama is set in the near future. The story involves a couple who yearn to be parents. In order to do so, they have to go through an elaborate interview process with a government official. They are placed under observation for seven days, so that all aspects of their lives can be graded in order to see if they are deemed suitable for procreating. The entire experience gets increasingly disturbing as private aspects of their relationship come under intense scrutiny. Overall, this feature earned passing marks and was well-received. A small number commented that while the concept was excellent, the end product was emotionally cold, uninvolving and wasn’t very well-versed in its subject. Still, the vast majority called the film a stylish, clever and enjoyably demented thriller with exceptional performances that should spark conversation among viewers. It stars Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Olsen, Himesh Patel and Indira Varma.
BROKE – A rodeo rider takes a hard fall off of a bronco in this contemporary western/drama. After recovering from physical trauma and relying on painkillers to help him cope, he is told by others that it is time to change professions. He struggles with this potential life change, and things get even worse when he finds himself caught outdoors and alone in a blizzard. Critics rated this feature highly. One or two complained that the movie was so focused on its lead’s psychological state that it didn’t do an effective job of establishing or maintaining tension. But all others were deeply impressed by the work of the cast and called the film a quiet but powerful slow-burn, examining the trials of a man at a crossroads in life. For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. The cast includes Wyatt Russell, Dennis Quaid, Auden Thornton, Mary McDonnell and Tom Skerritt.
A DIFFERENT MAN – An aspiring actor with a condition called neurofibromatosis (causing facial disfigurement) doesn’t have the confidence to tell his playwright and neighbor that he has feelings for her. When he learns about an experimental medical procedure that could alter his appearance, he decides to try it. Stunned by the results, the lead fakes his own death, assumes a new identity, and begins fulfilling his dreams. Soon, he is cast in the lead role of a play about his own life, created by his neighbor. As the protagonist assumes the role, his old issues bubble to the surface. This independent feature was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Make-up, and it won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. The press was quite taken by the movie as well. One or two suggested that it veered between dark comedy and thriller and suffered from an inconsistent tone. Everyone else thought the film was an incredible, thought-provoking satire that effectively took on all sorts of interesting themes like identity and disability with razor-sharp wit. For now, this title is being released as an A24 exclusive Blu-ray only available on the studio website. It features Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinswe, Adam Pearson and Miles G. Jackson.
THINGS LIKE THIS – This independent LGBTQ+ romantic-comedy follows two men who share the same name. They meet by chance, realize they attended middle-school together, and agree to go out together. Unfortunately, the date goes disastrously wrong, resulting in a trip to the hospital. The two still find themselves attracted to one another, but struggle with their own different personal insecurities as they attempt to make a connection. The picture has only been seen by a handful of critics, but the overall reaction to it was upbeat. A couple of write-ups critiqued the movie as being well-intentioned but overly sentimental and difficult to take seriously. Still, the majority stated that this was a sweet and charming effort that overcame genre tropes thanks to its well-realized and likable performers. They also complimented the indie film as being slickly produced. Max Talisman, Joey Pollari, Jackie Cruz, Charlie Tahan, Cara Buono and Eric Roberts headline the film.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking to catch up with something a little older? This week, Criterion is putting out a Blu-ray of Midnight (1939) with Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche and John Barrymore. This is a rom-com about a broke showgirl who finds prestige and fortune after impersonating a Hungarian countess. The film is presented with a new 4K picture restoration, a film historian commentary, 1969 audio excerpts with the director, a Lux Radio Theatre adaptation from 1940 and a trailer. A booklet is also included with an essay on the title
Pictured above and to the left, Thelonious Monk Straight, No Chaser (1988) is a documentary about famous jazz musician Thelonious Monk. It contains rare concert footage taken between 1967 and 1968 and also tells the life story of the artist. Interviewees include the musician’s manager, as well as several family members. The movie is being released on Blu-ray with a new 4K restoration. The disc lists a director introduction to the picture, a new interview with the son of Monk, a program about the making of the film with crew members as additional bonuses. It also comes with a trailer and an essay in the accompanying booklet.
Eureka Entertainment is presenting some notable Hong Kong films on Blu-ray. The first is a double-feature release from the Shaw Brothers called Exact Revenge that contains The Eunuch (1971) and The Deadly Knives (1972). The first feature is about a man who seeks revenge after the country’s emperor calls for his death. The second follows a hero fighting for the honor of his lover after Japanese thugs arrive and threaten her family. There will only be 2000 copies of this release, which will contain HD presentations of the titles, a film historian commentary on each picture, as well as a booklet with new writing on the movies and a slipcase with new artwork for the set.
Hong Kong 1941 (1984) is a World War II drama starring Chow Yun-Fat and Cecilia Yip about a Hong Kong-based couple trying to survive after Japanese forces invade and occupy their country. It was nominated for several awards in its homeland and won Best Cinematography. For this Blu-ray, the title has been given a 4K restoration, a movie expert commentary track, a video essay on the picture and its impact on Hong Kong cinema, archival interviews with the stars and a trailer. It also comes with a booklet containing new writing on the title, all packaged in a slipcase with new artwork.
Kino is having a busy week as well. Horror fans will be happy to see DeepStar Six (1989) arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. This feature from Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th) involves researchers in an underwater base who must deal with a deep-sea creature that sneaks into their facility and attacks the crew. This picture was part of a trend of undersea thrillers that included The Abyss, Leviathan, Lords of the Deep and The Rift which all arrived at cinemas in 1989.
This effort is actually pretty serviceable, with some tense moments and a few noteworthy endings for the supporting cast. Studio Canal has given the film a 4K restoration from the original camera negative that is presented in Dolby Vision. The discs contain a new horror historian commentary track, an archival commentary with director Cunningham and the visual effects supervisor, and a screenwriter audio track. An isolated score is also included, as well as interviews with make-up and monster effects crew, a talk with the stunt coordinator, discussion with co-stars Greg Evigan and Nancy Everhard, an interview with stunt coordinator Kane Hodder, the original EPK, extended interview clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and promo materials.
The effective low-budget horror film I, Madman (1989) is being reissued on Blu-ray by Kino (a previous version was available through Shout Factory). This tale follows a bookstore clerk who discovers that the villain in one of the books she is reading may be coming out of the pages. The disc contains a commentary track from director Tibor Takacs (The Gate) and the film’s artistic supervisor, as well as a visual essay on the movie, a making-of featuring interviews with the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes footage and a trailer. The first set of copies arrive in a slipcover.
Law and Order (1932) is a western with Walter Huston that is essentially an adaptation of the Wyatt Earp story (with name alterations). This picture is arriving on Blu-ray with a 4K image restoration from Universal Pictures, a film historian commentary, another western picture called Without Honor (1932) and a commentary for that feature. Additionally, there is an on-camera conversation with a film expert about the features.
Promise Her Anything (1966) is a rom-com about a woman with a baby who attempts to hide the infant from a potential suitor she is interested in. The movie stars Warren Beatty and Leslie Caron and this Blu-ray features a 4K picture restoration from Paramount Pictures’ original camera negative, as well as a movie historian commentary track.
You can also pick up a Blu-ray of the comedy/drama Rock, Pretty Baby! (1956) in which Sal Mineo plays an aspiring musician attempting to make it in the L.A. music scene. Universal Pictures has provided Kino with a 4K picture restoration from the original camera negative, and the disc also contains a film historian commentary and a trailer.
The classic, Oscar-winning romantic-comedy Sabrina (1954) with Humphrey Bogart, Audry Hepburn and William Holden is getting a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo release. It follows two brothers from a wealthy family fighting for affection from the family chauffeur’s daughter. The film is being presented in 4K with a new restoration from the original Paramount Pictures camera negative in Dolby Vision. Extras include two film historian commentaries, a number of featurettes on the movie, an archival documentary on the production and a trailer.
Lionsgate is adding a couple of titles to their Lionsgate Limited Exclusive line, which are available only through their website. They’ve already put out some fantastic discs, and this week they are putting out an 80s hit that has never been available on Blu-ray. All of Me (1984) is a comedy with Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin.
In the film, Martin plays a lawyer handling the last will of a wealthy and temperamental client. When she passes away, the woman ends up possessing half of the lawyer’s body, leading to comedic complications. Martin delivers a fantastic performance as he attempts to stay in control of his body. This is a Vestron Collector’s Series Blu-ray that presents the movie in its proper aspect ratio on disc for the first time. It comes with a film historian commentary, an interview with screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson, two video essays on the movie, a theatrical trailer, teaser trailer, TV spots and a still gallery.
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Lionsgate Limited is also putting out a 4K Ultra HD-only Steelbook of Way of the Gun (2000). This film marks the directorial debut of Christopher McQuarrie (Jack Reacher, the last four Mission: Impossible films) and involves a kidnapping plot that doesn’t go as planned. The cast includes Ryan Phillippe, Benicio Del Toro, Juliette Lewis, Taye Diggs and James Caan. The release promises a 4K image restoration presented in Dolby Vision, two new featurettes on the movie, a director commentary, an isolated music track with the score composer, cast interviews, storyboards and script of a deleted scene, as well as publicity materials.
The Annihilation of Fish (1999) is arriving on Blu-ray from Milestone. James Earl Jones stars as a Jamaican widower suffering from psychological problems that include visions of a demon. At a boarding house, he grows close to another resident while attempting to get a handle on his problems. Lynn Redgrave plays the female lead. For this release, the movie has been given a 4K restoration and arrives with a director commentary, a 55-minute title from the filmmaker called The Final Insult (1997), a Q&A with the director, and a re-release trailer.
Some time ago, Vinegar Syndrome released a 4K Ultra HD “Limited Edition” of the BMX bike movie, Rad (1986). Mill Creek Entertainment is now releasing it as a “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray (no 4K disc is included in this version). It’s a very silly title about a teen hoping to win a big BMX race, while his mom pesters him to ignore the competition and study for final exams. Bill Allen, Bart Taylor, Talia Shire, Jack Weston, Lori Loughlin and Ray Walston headline the title.
The movie has become a cult item, and this edition boasts an all-new feature length documentary on the film. It also comes with an interview with the screenwriter, a look at the career of director Hal Needham (Smokey and the Bandit, The Cannonball Run, Megaforce, Stroker Ace) as well as archival interviews with cast and crew, a Q&A session with the screenwriter and cast members, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and a music video.
If you’ve been on social media recently, you’ve likely discovered that a major title from Universal Pictures is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Specifically, that movie is Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975), about a great white shark terrorizing residents and tourists around an island community. Simply put, this is one of the greatest and most iconic suspense pictures ever made. The “50th Anniversary Edition” is arriving as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set, as well as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook. It comes with most, if not all, previously released bonuses on the numerous versions that have come out over the years. This includes a fantastic documentary on the movie, deleted scenes and outtakes, a look at the impact and legacy of the film, and much, much more.
You might also be aware that a new Jurassic World movie is arriving at cinemas for the Independence Day holiday. To get fans prepped, you can pick up the original Jurassic Park Trilogy in a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook package. The later Jurassic World Trilogy is also available for purchase as a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook. And for those who simply want more Steelbooks on their shelves, you can also pick up individual 4K Ultra HD Steelbooks of the first trilogy. This includes Jurassic Park (1993), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) and Jurassic Park III (2001). And, if you’re only a fan of Jurassic World (2015) you can also pick up a standalone 4K Ultra HD Steelbook of that title. Press materials claim that the discs are packed with hours of extras, including documentaries on the various films, archival materials, commentaries and more.
Warner Bros. is putting out the Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault: Volume 1, a two-disc Blu-ray set containing 50 cartoons made by the studio between 1930 and 1969, with some featuring famous characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and many more.
And Warner Archive is making the Blu-ray set Gary Cooper 4-Film Collection available. It contains Sergeant York (1941), Friendly Persuasion (1956), Love in the Afternoon (1957) and The Hanging Tree (1959).
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
If you’re looking for something kid-friendly, this is your only option (and it should be noted that some of these cartoons are uncut and from a different era, so some of the material may not be suitable or appropriate for younger viewers).
Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault: Volume 1 (1930 – 1969) (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And below is a list of the week’s TV-themed releases.
Call the Midwife: Season 14 (BBC) DVD
Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Series and 4 TV-Movies (Universal Studios) Blu-ray