Hello and welcome to another look at new releases arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. As always, there are all sorts of curious and unique films in a wide variety of genres. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, but sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
Acrimony - The latest from Tyler Perry is a thriller in the Fatal Attraction mold about a young woman who falls for a man while at college. Years later, this faithful wife slowly becomes unglued after learning that her husband has been cheating on her. Furious, she decides to punish him any way she can. Notices were poor for this effort. A scant few enjoyed it as an over-the-top lark, but the general consensus was that the movie seemed clumsily put together and slow-moving. They suggested it ultimately wasn’t worth the wait to see the lead go on a rampage for 20 minutes during the close. It features Taraji P. Henson, Lyriq Bent and Crystle Stewart.
The Endless - Two brothers escape from a UFO death cult that worships alien beings. Several years later, they receive a strange, otherworldly transmission that causes them to question everything and inspires them to reassess their past lives. They head back out to their old grounds in the hopes of finding answers. This independent sci-fi film earned a lot of good press during its limited run earlier in the year. A few didn’t think the story offered a strong enough pay off, but the vast majority have described it as a fascinating and surreal feature with plenty on its mind. The cast includes Callie Hernandez, Lew Temple and Emily Montague.
Escape Plan 2: Hades - This sequel to the 2013 action picture teams up one of the stars of the original film with a new performer. It follows security expert Ray Breslin and his underlings as they take on a new assignment. When one of his group disappears inside a new high-tech battle-maze, Ray goes in to rescue his pal and find out who is to blame. This feature is debuting on disc in this part of the world and so there aren’t many reviews as of yet. One that I did managed to find online complained that it was a generic, low-budget, action B-movie that just wasn’t very memorable. The flick stars Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, Huang Xiaoming and Jaime King.
The Escape of Prisoner 614 - In this modern-day western/comedy, two incompetent deputies lose their badges after messing up one time too many. In order to win their titles back, they head out on a mission to catch an escaped convict. However, the nasty town Sheriff is also on their tail, causing even trouble for the disgraced pair. Reviews for this indie film were not encouraging. One or two thought it was breezy and enjoyed the interactions between characters, but most complained that the gags didn’t work and that the movie had a difficult time finding the right tone. It features Ron Perlman, Martin Starr and Jake McDorman.
Gemini - After a disturbing crime is committed, the relationship between a Hollywood starlet and her personal assistant is tested. When the assistant decides to get to the bottom of what really happened, she finds herself traveling across Los Angeles and encountering several suspects. Critics were generally positive about this independent feature. There were a few who called it interesting, but as empty as some of the self-involved characters on display. However, more complimented it as a well-acted, stylish and intriguing modern take on the film-noir genre. Lola Kirke, Zoe Kravitz, John Cho, Greta Lee, Michelle Forbes and Ricki Lake headline the movie.
In Darkness - This thriller from the UK involves a blind pianist. One night while in her apartment, she hears a murder being committed upstairs. After attempting to tell the grieving family what she heard, the woman finds herself drawn into a criminal underworld element. Reaction to this feature was split, with a few more positive notices than negative ones. Those who didn’t care for the film wrote that it started off well but noted that the narrative eventually lost its way and became routine. Those who enjoyed the movie appreciated the work of the performers and the stylish camera work. It features Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein and Emily Ratajkowski.
Spinning Man - A popular university philosophy professor becomes the prime suspect in a criminal investigation after one of his students goes missing. Not helping his case is the fact that the teacher has had an affair with the pupil, putting the teacher on thin ice with friends and family. This thriller got a mixed reception from the press. Nearly half thought it was a solid little suspense picture with an above-average cast. Slightly more felt that the performers were the only saving grace in a by-the-numbers potboiler that became sillier as it progressed. It stars Guy Pearce, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver and Alexandra Shipp.
Terminal - This oddball crime thriller involves two assassins taking on an elaborate assignment in a strange, unnamed city. As these individuals cross paths with a variety of citizens who have their own unique histories, the hit men begin to question the job. Eventually, the true motivations of those involved are revealed. Reviews weren’t particularly taken by this independent production. A few were so impressed the with the craziness towards the climax that they couldn’t help but admire it. However, the consensus was that this flick tries too hard to be a neo-noir and ends up coming across as ridiculous. The cast includes Margot Robbie, Simon Pegg, Mike Myers, Dexter Fletcher and Max Irons.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
It’s another busy week for older titles receiving the high-definition treatment. Arrow Video are bringing The Addiction (1995) to Blu-ray. This independent horror flick from Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, King of New York) is a modern day take on a young woman (played by Lili Taylor) who finds herself slowly turning into a vampire. The movie has been restored and given a 4K scan, and also arrives with a ton of extras. They include a commentary track with the director, a new documentary about the production, an additional interview with the filmmaker, extra discussions on the film and publicity materials.
Shout! Factory also have a trio of interesting Blu-rays. This week, their titles include A Breed Apart (1984). Powers Booth plays a hunter determined to steal the eggs of a rare species of eagle. Rutger Hauer plays a mountaineer who decides to do anything he can to protect the dying species. Kathleen Turner plays a woman trying to stop them from killing each other. The disc comes with a new 2K transfer, trailer, director commentary and a new interview with the filmmaker.
They also have a Blu-ray of The Curse of the Cat People (1944). This sequel to the 1942 classic Cat People is also well regarded. It arrives with two film historian audio commentaries, a video essay on actress Simone Simon, an audio interview with actress Ann Carver and publicity materials.
Finally, Shout! are bringing Survive! (1976) to high definition. This Mexican production was the first film to depict an airline disaster in the Andes Mountains that trapped a group of rugby players in severe conditions for months. The survivors were forced to cannibalize the dead until they could be rescued. This version was far more exploitative than the well regarded 1993 film, Alive, but now curious parties can pick this one up in high definition for comparison. This one arrives with a new 4K transfer of the US version and includes the much longer, Spanish-language original cut (with an additional 27 minutes). It comes with subtitles and is presented in full-frame format.
Kino have several interesting Blu-ray titles as well. They include The Banishment (2007), an early drama from Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev (Loveless, Leviathan) along with the filmmaker’s directorial debut, The Return (2003). On a lighter note, they have the heist comedy, Disorganized Crime (1989). Additionally, they are releasing Miracles (1986) with Teri Garr and Tom Conti as a bickering, divorced couple who end up being stranded with one another and rekindle their love for one another.
Criterion are giving Female Trouble (1974) a new 4K digital restoration. This comedy from John Waters (Serial Mom, Hairspray, Pink Flamingos) comes with a 2004 audio commentary with the director, a new conversation between Waters and a movie critic, new and archival interviews with cast and crew, deleted and alternate scenes, rare on-set footage and more. On a completely different note, the distributor are also releasing a Blu-ray of Ingmar Bergman’s The Virgin Spring (1960). This release includes a 2K digital restoration, a 2005 film critic audio commentary, unseen interviews from 2005 with actors from the movie, an introduction from director Ang Lee, and an audio recording of a 1975 Film Institute seminar with Bergman himself.
Warner Archive have a Blu-ray of the blaxpoitation classic, Super Fly (1972). It’s about a cocaine dealer who wants out of the business and the steps he takes to free himself from the mob. Reportedly, the disc arrives with a commentary track by a USC professor, a retrospective documentary, a segment on composer Curtis Mayfield, a discussion with the costume designer and other bonuses. Sounds like a great disc.
Warner Archive also has some new DVDs as well. The titles include Fiesta (1947), Million Dollar Mermaid (1952), Pagan Love Song (1950), Thrill of a Romance (1945) and Ziegfeld Follies (1945).
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Here are some new titles that may be of interest to children.
Disney’s Big Hero 6: The Series: Back in Action!
The Pink Panther Cartoon Collection: Vol. 2
ON THE TUBE!
And you’ll find all of the week’s TV-themed releases below.
Animal PD (National Geographic)
Black Lightning: Season 1
Girlfriends: Series 1
Going to War (PBS)
The Heart Guy: Season 2
The Last Post (BBC)
The Martian Chronicles (1980 miniseries)
The Mick: Season 2
Nova: Decoding the Weather Machine (PBS)
Operation Royal Wedding (National Geographic)
Peyton Place: Part 4
Psych: The Complete Collection
Symphony for Our World (National Geographic)
