Welcome back to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. Like the past few editions, this one is chock full of variety, with plenty of features both new and old vying for your attention. So, since you likely can’t make it out to movies this week, be sure to check out some of these titles!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
ISOLANI: In this independent thriller from the UK, a 17-year-old single mother witnesses a murder. She is quickly pressured by the prosecutor to testify at the trial, but is suspicious of a police detective. Additionally, the lead finds those connected to the killing making equally persuasive arguments and threats. The young parent, feeling like a pawn and concerned for the safety of her child, must decide how to proceed while keeping her family safe.
This film is debuting on disc in this part of the world, so there aren’t many write-ups available. Still, it has played at numerous film festivals. It was nominated for several prizes at these screenings, even winning some awards for its cinematography and performances. The cast includes Kate McLaughlin, Catriona Evans, Jim Sweeney and Gianni Capaldi.
THE MAN STANDING NEXT: This foreign-language historical drama from South Korea is set in the 1970s when the country was under the authority of President Park. Park also ran the KCIA, a specially created government agency with complete autonomy over all other branches. When a former director of the KCIA decides to speak out and release his information and recordings about the organization to the public, it creates seismic ripples across the country. Most members of the press in North America haven’t seen the film, but those who have managed to check it out have been positive.
They have written that this is a solid political drama film that plays like a South Korean version of All the President’s Men or The Parallax View. Byung-hun Lee, Sung-min Lee, Do-won Kwak and Hee-joon Lee headline the feature.
ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND: Musician Robbie Robertson is the subject of this documentary. It focuses in on his early life and the beginnings of his career, including his developing friendships with others in the industry, leading to the formation of The Band. The feature includes archival footage and photography, scenes of the group in concert, as well as interviews with the man himself and many others he spent time with. Consensus on the picture was very strong.
There was a minor group who thought that the filmmakers were too in awe of their subject and that the 1978 feature The Last Waltz distilled The Band more effectively. Still, almost everyone stated that Robertson was a fascinating character, the footage included was great, and that this was an interesting and informative doc. Besides Robertson and The Band, you’ll also get new interview footage of Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, and David Geffen.
WILDLIFE: Released at the end of 2018 to critical acclaim and awards consideration, this drama was picked up by Criterion for its Blu-ray debut. It has taken them quite a while to put it out, but the film is finally appearing on disc this week. Set in the early 1960s, it follows a small-town boy forced to adapt to an uncomfortable family dynamic when his parents become estranged, leaving him in the middle of their conflict. As mentioned, response was very enthusiastic toward this feature, with the cast receiving a great deal of praise.
One or two did find it too gloomy and downbeat to recommend. The majority stated that it authentically and expertly depicted a picturesque American family going up in flames, and allowed for all of the characters involved to behave imperfectly, adding great drama to the proceedings. Carey Mulligan, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ed Oxenbould and Bill Camp headline the film.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Dark Force has been putting out high quality versions of low-budget genre flicks for some time. Often, they find obscure movies and literally save them from vanishing forever, assembling new transfers from the best materials available. Their latest releases include a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of Ator, the Fighting Eagle (1982). You can also pick up a Collector’s Edition of the horror pic, Breeders (1997), on disc. And they are releasing a Drive-in Double Feature Blu-ray that contains The Gates of Hell (1980) aka City of the Living Dead, along with Psycho from Texas (1975).
Paramount Pictures is digging into its vaults for some Blu-ray releases. They are presenting the drama Angela’s Ashes (1999) on Blu-ray. In addition, the Louis Malle romantic-thriller Atlantic City (1980) is also coming your way. That one stars Susan Sarandon and Burt Lancaster.
If you’re looking for a British spy flick, you can’t go wrong seeing Michael Caine in Funeral in Berlin (1966), a sequel to the 1965 hit, The Ipcress File. He plays an agent trying to help a defector get across the Berlin Wall. And the studio is making On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970) available in high definition too, presumably to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Criterion has pulled together a collection of films called Scorsese Shorts (1963 - 1978). The Blu-ray includes five short titles made by the acclaimed Oscar-winning moviemaker at the beginning of his career. They’ve all received 4K transfers and the set comes with a new interview with Scorsese as well as other directors and producers about these films.
Finally, Metrograph Pictures is making Susan Sontag’s Duet for Cannibals (1969) available on Blu-ray, as well as the Senegalese comedy, Hyenas (1992).
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Ultraman: Ace Mill (1972 – 1973) Mill Creek delayed, now available
It’s a Japanese TV-series about a heroic character fighting monsters, which is always fun.
ON THE TUBE!
And here are all of the TV-themed discs coming your way.
Agatha Raisin: Series 3
A Beautiful Place to Die: A Martha’s Vineyard Mystery (Hallmark TV-movie)
From Friend to Fiancé (Hallmark TV-movie)
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
