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You are here: Community Film Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for August 21, 2020

Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for August 21, 2020

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Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There’s some interesting new stuff coming your way, along with a few cult classics from years ago. So, since you likely can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

BIG NEW RELEASES!

DEATHSTROKE: KNIGHTS & DRAGONS – THE MOVIE: Regular readers will no doubt be familiar with all of the animated direct-to-disc features based on comic book superheroes being released. This R-rated entry from DC deals with Deathstroke, a family man by day and villainous killer by night. When his various attacks on the public result in his own son being kidnapped, the lead is forced to atone for his past and try to save his child. Critic response toward this effort was solid.

There was a contingent who found it a little bland and thought that this title didn’t offer any twists to set it apart from other titles in the line. Still, most suggested that the feature was well animated and included a lot of exciting (and bloody) action that would please adult comic book fans. The voice cast includes Michael Chiklis, Sasha Alexander, Asher Bishop and Castulo Guerra.

A DOG’S COURAGE: This title was supposed to have been released in April, but was pulled at the last minute and is arriving now. Known in some parts of the world as The Underdog, this animated feature from South Korea tells the story of a dog that is abandoned by its owner and forced to live on the streets. The lead finds a pack of stray pooches and joins them in their attempts to redefine themselves and create a human-free home. This movie played at several festivals in various countries including South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, where it appeared to earn a positive response.

However, there are currently no detailed reviews available in this part of the world, so interested parties will have to throw caution to the wind and go into it cold. The disc itself presents in both the original Korean-language version with English subtitles, as well as in an English-language dub.

FRAGTIME: While daydreaming, a teenager discovers that she has a very unusual gift … that she can freeze time for a few minutes. Unfortunately, she can only do it once a day and since it’s only for a brief period, she is unable to really use it to change much. However, when she decides to use the gift to approach another female classmate that she has a crush on, the lead is shocked to discover that her target is immune to her powers. The embarrassed student is put in an awkward situation and tries to make it up to the classmate, with their relationship developing in the process.

There aren’t many articles about this picture yet, nor is there a critical perspective on it. One online review suggested that this movie is a sweet coming-of-age tale that could have developed its concept further, but still manages to charm.

LOOKS THAT KILL: This independent teen comedy features a lead with an incredibly bizarre condition. He’s so attractive that he can kill anyone with his looks. As a result, the kid is forced to wrap himself in bandages and make himself look unappealing to others. His life changes when he meets a girl with a bizarre ailment of her own.

She decides to help the lead on a quest of self-discovery and two soon develop feelings for each other. This title was released on the internet last month and is now arriving on disc. There isn’t much press about the feature and, right now, only a couple of notices have appeared. They haven’t been overwhelming, stating that the cast is fine, but that the story feels cobbled together and derivative. If features Brandon Flynn, Julia Goldani Telles, Ki Hong Lee and Annie Mumolo.

PREVENGE: This UK horror/comedy has actually been around for a few years, but has been a streaming exclusive on Shudder in North America. Now it is finally being released on disc. The story involves a woman in the seventh month of her pregnancy who begins believing that her unborn child is influencing her behavior. Guided by her fetus, the mom-to-be goes on a rampage, killing anyone who gets in her way.

Overall, critics enjoyed this dark comedy. A small number complained that beyond the unique concept, the flick didn’t have much to say and was in bad taste. Still, the majority did suggest that this was a clever flick and felt that it was hinting at more than what was on the surface. They also said that it benefited from an exceptional lead performance. The cast includes Alice Lowe, Gemma Whelan, Kate Dickie and Jo Hartley.

BLASTS FROM THE PAST!

 

Arrow is delivering the well-regarded sci-fi/horror/action flick, Pitch Black (2000). This marked an early starring role for Vin Diesel and remains one of his best flicks. He plays a convict on a spacecraft that crashes on a deserted planet. When the sun sets, the survivors discover that hungry aliens have come out to feast.

The crew, passengers, an officer and the criminal must overcome their differences and team up in order to survive. This Special Edition includes new 4K restorations of the theatrical and director’s cuts of the movie, two archived audio commentaries (one with director David Twohy and cast members including Diesel, the other with the filmmaker alongside the producer and visual effects team). It also comes with brand new interviews with Twohy, the visual effects supervisor, the composer, all of the bonuses from older releases of the movie, behind-the-scenes footage, a short prequel to the movie, an animated short featuring Riddick, publicity materials and other extras.

Japanese monster movie fans, today is a big day. Arrow is putting out an 8-disc Blu-ray box set called Gamera: The Complete Collection (1965-2006) which contains every film ever made starring the giant, heroic monster-battling turtle (there are 12 of them in total). Some of the films are silly and some of them stand tall with any Godzilla flick out there. All of them are fun.

You’ll get the uncut Japanese version of these flicks and hours of extras (the most recent grouping of films is being given a 4K upgrade). The set also includes multiple historian commentaries and bonuses. In addition, you’ll receive a 120-page comic reprint of a four-issue series starring Gamera and a book featuring a new retrospective on the series. It all looks incredible.

Town Bloody Hall (1979) is a documentary from D. A. Pennebaker (Monterey Pop, Bob Dylan: Don’t Look Back) and Chris Hegedus (Jimi Plays Monterey) in which he records a debate and discussion between rabble-rousing author Norman Mailer on female liberation with members of the women’s movement. No doubt he comes off looking quite bad. The film has been restored in 2K, includes a new interview and commentary with Hegedus, footage from a 2004 celebration of the film, an appearance by Mailer on The Dick Cavett Show and archival interviews with Germaine Greer and Mailer.

YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!

Here are some releases that may appeal to youngsters.

A Dog’s Courage

Emma! 2: Dance Spectacular! (The Wiggles)

ON THE TUBE!

And here are the week’s TV-themed titles.

Batwoman: Season 1

Cursed Films (five-part Shudder documentary series)

Matching Hearts (Hallmark TV-movie)

The Terror: Infamy: Season 2

VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM

By Glenn Kay
For the Sun