Welcome to another look a new arrival highlights coming your way on Blu-ray and DVD. Despite the big holiday, there’s plenty to check out, including one of the year’s biggest hits. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to pick up one of these titles.
Big New Releases!
Blindspotting - This comedy/drama is set in Oakland and involves a man serving the final days of his probation. Employed as a mover with his childhood best friend, the pair witnesses a police shooting. Each reacts to the event differently as they try to process what happened and figure out how to move forward. Overall, the movie received very strong notices. A small group thought the end result was a little uneven in spots, but the vast majority were impressed by the energy level on display and thought the conversations between the leads were dynamic. The cast includes Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal and Janina Gavankar,
Crazy Rich Asians - Based on the bestselling novel, this hit romantic comedy follows a New York professor who is invited by her boyfriend to attend a wedding with him in Singapore. However, she soon discovers her beau is the heir of one of wealthiest clans in the country. More stress arises when she meets the conservative family matriarch, who is less-than-impressed with her. Most critics responded positively to the film. A small selection thought the story was generic and didn’t hold up to much scrutiny, but almost everyone else called it light, charming and frothy fun. It stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina and Michelle Yeoh.
Fireworks - A group of high-school age kids prepare for the end of summer by obsessing over a fireworks display and the best vantage point. As they debate the best viewing points and how they explore, another teen must deal with the divorce of her parents and an imminent move. This animated feature from Japan earned mixed notices in this part of the world. Some thought it was nicely animated and stated the film’s subject matter was sensitively handled. However, more complained the main love triangle romance was poorly handled and let the entire film down.
Kin - This sci-fi crime film is about a boy from a poor neighborhood who discovers a strange and powerful weapon. When his stepbrother arrives home unexpectedly after being incarcerated, the family’s put in danger. The youngster and his sibling must go on the run to avoid a nasty gang lord and figure out what they have in their possession. The press wasn’t very fond of this effort. A small percentage enjoyed the cast and its attempts at doing something different with the genre. Unfortunately, most critiqued it for veering off in too many directions and not paying of the interesting set-up. It features Jack Reynor, Zoe Kravitz, Myles Truitt, Dennis Quaid and James Franco.
Little Italy - Set around two rival pizza parlors and their families, this rom-com details the son of a reunited man and woman from separate businesses who used to be friends as children. Sparks ignite between them, but they find great difficulties in their developing relationship due to interference from members of their clans. Sadly, this feature didn’t earn many compliments from reviewers. A small grouping found it an entertainingly cheesy and cheery little film, but the majority felt the movie’s screenplay was bland, predictable and undercooked. The cast includes Hayden Christensen, Emma Roberts, Alyssa Milano, Danny Aiello and Andrea Martin.
Luciferina - A young novice at a nunnery is forced to return home after learning her father is on his deathbed. After arriving and meeting up with other members of her family, she begins to witness strange and supernatural Satanic practices that put her life in danger. This foreign-language horror film from Argentina earned a lot of praise from critics. They stated it took its time to get going, but really proved to be quite intense and effective as it progressed. The same reviewers also stated it has an interesting message. It stars Sofia Del Tuffo, Marta Lubos and Pedro Merlo.
Blasts from the Past!
Plenty of eccentric, obscure and more popular catalog titles are arriving as well. Arrow Video has a Special Edition Blu-ray of the Japanese film, Orgies of Edo (1969), a strange anthology involving sex, demons and monsters. The disc includes an interview about the film with pop culture authority Patrick Macias and includes a theatrical trailer.
Shout! Factory has a great many new Blu-rays worth mentioning. Candyman (1992) is a superb little horror picture about a graduate student who gets more than she bargained for after revitalizing this urban legend. Her sanity is questioned as those around her are murdered. This Deluxe Limited Collector’s Edition includes 2K restorations of two cuts of the film (R-rated and Unrated) and two new audio commentaries (one with the director and co-star, and another with a pair of horror authors and fans of the feature). It also comes with two previously recorded commentaries, interviews with the cast and crew including writer Clive Barker and publicity materials. There are also new talks with most of the cast and production team. If you love horror flick, this is probably a must-buy.
They also have the popular horror picture Urban Legend (1998) on Blu-ray. This slasher involves a bunch of students being murdered by a killer using famous urban legends for inspiration. This Collector’s Edition includes a new audio commentary with the director as well as an older track with the filmmaker. There’s a second disc that contains a newly produced 147-minute documentary on the production, including interviews with just about everyone involved. It also comes with new behind-the-scenes footage, gag reels, a deleted scene and other bonuses.
You can also pick up a Blu-ray of the film’s sequel, Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000). This disc includes a series of new interviews with cast and crew, as well as a previously recorded director’s commentary, deleted scenes with commentary, gag reel and more extras.
Shout! Factory’s releasing The Glenn Miller Story (1954) with Jimmy Stewart on Blu-ray through their Shout! Select line. This release includes a new film historian audio track, an alternate cut of the picture from its 1985 re-release and a trailer. Additionally, they’re putting out Holy Motors (2012). This crazy French effort arrives on Blu-ray with numerous extras as well. Finally, the distributor are re-releasing
Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991) and Streets of Fire (1984) in Steelbook editions with all the previous feature, but in a hard shell casing with new cover art.
Warner Archive’s releasing some Blu-rays as well. They have the well-regarded animated features Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) and Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero (1998), which should please fans of the animated TV series upon which both films are based. Warner Archvies also have the hit musical Cabaret (1972) in high definition.
Kino’s debuting the Mamie Van Doren Film Noir Collection on Blu-ray. This set includes the titles The Girl in Black Stockings (1957), Guns, Girls and Gangsters (1959) and Vice Raid (1959). Additionally, this company’s putting out the box set, Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers, which contains multiple landmark films from early cinema made by women.
Finally, Kimstim’s distributing the French period arthouse effort, Time Regained (1999), in high definition.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are some picks the kids may enjoy.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Mr.Freeze Subzero
Hey Arnold!: The Ultimate Collection (Nickelodeon)
Rocko’s Modern Life: The Complete Series (Nickelodeon)
On the Tube!
Those looking for TV-themed releases will find them listed below.
Frontline: Left Behind America (PBS)
Longmire: Season 6
Longmire: Seasons 1 - 6
No Offence: Series 2
The Outer Limits: Season 2
