Welcome back to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There are fewer releases than usual this time, but the films coming your way are notable pictures. So, if you can’t or shouldn’t be going to the movies just yet, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
MALIGNANT: This feature begins with a psychopathic killer murdering doctors and nurses in a Seattle medical facility. Nearly four decades later, a woman wakes up in the hospital after being beaten by her boyfriend. She begins having terrifying visions of various grisly slayings. The lead soon learns that these killings may be real.
She decides to investigate the matter and find out what is going on. This chiller from writer/director James Wan (“Saw,” “Insidious,” “The Conjuring”) received good notices from the press. About a quarter of them indicated the movie was too pulpy and was ridiculous and campy by the close. However, the majority called it a wild and unpredictable homage to directors like Dario Argento and David Cronenberg, delivering the scary goods in spades.
It stars Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Young, and Michole Briana White.
SAINT MAUD: A religiously devout nurse is at the center of this British chiller. After taking a position as a caregiver for a woman with cancer, it becomes clear that the two ladies have very different lifestyles and views on faith. The nurse becomes obsessed with saving her patient’s soul, behaving more and more erratically as the days pass. Eventually, details are revealed about the nurse’s past that put an even eerier spin on her actions.
Critics were very impressed with this film. A handful did find the story frustrating, saying that it didn’t build to an exciting climax and that the lead character wasn’t relatable. Everyone else was impressed by the movie. They all called it understated, compelling, and atmospheric with a fantastic lead performance.
The cast includes Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle, Caoilfhionn Dunne and Marcus Hutton.
SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS: The latest Marvel superhero adventure flick involves an affable young man living in San Francisco and working as a parking valet. It turns out that he is hiding a remarkable past, as well as one of a group of special items that grant the owner incredible powers. When he and his friend are unexpectedly attacked by thugs, the protagonist is forced to return to China and confront his family. Response was very upbeat towards this comic-book adaptation.
Some reviewers called it another middling superhero origin story and complained that it didn’t offer any surprises and also lacked a memorable foe. Still, the general consensus was that the movie was an enjoyable thrill ride. These notices stated that the leads were charismatic, the action was exciting and that the feature was a hoot to watch. Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Michelle Yeoh and Ben Kingsley.
WILD INDIAN: This tale involves a Native American man hiding a dark event from the past. Decades earlier, he and another young cohort covered up a classmate’s murder. Now having started a new life off the reservation, he is visited by the man who shares this secret. The man becomes determined to protect his wife and employers from this act and sets out to make sure all connections between himself and the death are severed.
Response toward this independent thriller was extremely positive. A small contingent of reviewers found it ambitious, but didn’t think the filmmakers helped them understand the antihero protagonist. Still, the majority found the movie to be an effective slow-burn, also praising the performances and calling it thought-provoking. For the time being, this picture will be available exclusively on DVD.
It stars Michael Greyeyes, Chaske Spencer, Jesse Eisenberg, Kate Bosworth and Lisa Cromarty.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Much like the new releases, there aren’t as many older titles arriving this week as there usually are. Still, that doesn’t mean that the ones hitting store shelves aren’t interesting.
Kino is releasing a Blu-ray of “Freud” (1962). This biopic of the famed psychoanalyst stars Montgomery Clift and arrives on disc with a critical commentary and a trailer (which you can also watch with a second commentary track).
If war movies are more to your liking, you can also pick up a Blu-ray of “Jet Pilot” (1957). John Wayne and Janet Leigh are the leads in this tale about an Air Force Colonel escorting a defecting Soviet pilot. As it turns out, she is actually trying to lure him to the U.S.S.R. The movie is presented in two different aspect ratios and the disc comes with a film historian commentary and a trailer.
And Kino is putting out a Blu-ray of “To Hell and Back” (1955). Audie Murphy plays himself in the film, which recounts his efforts to enlist as a soldier during World War II, despite being told that he is too small and young to fight. The movie also details how he won a Medal of Honor serving his country during the conflict.
This title contains a movie expert commentary and a trailer.
Paramount is making a Blu-ray available of the well-regarded Warren Beatty fantasy/comedy, “Heaven Can Wait” (1978). In it, he plays a football player who is unexpectedly attacked and left for dead. When he is taken to Heaven by an angel, he learns that he was not meant to expire in the accident. The protagonist is put back into the body of a millionaire and sets out to be a quarterback once again and get retribution against those who tried to kill him.
The movie has received a 4K restoration from the original negative, so interested parties can be assured that the movie will look phenomenal.
Fans of Beatty will also want to pick up the 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray of the period drama, “Reds” (1981). The actor plays an American journalist who witnesses the Communist revolution and tries to bring its idealism to the United States. The movie was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won three (Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography). The studio has also given this title a 4K restoration that has been approved by the director of photography.
This release includes numerous featurettes.
Sandpiper Pictures is a relatively new Blu-ray distributor trying to make an imprint with some upcoming releases. This week it is putting out “The Man in the Moon” (1991). It is a coming-of-age tale set in the 1950s about two sisters who fall in love with the same boy, leading to conflict and bitterness in their own relationship. This picture marked the screen debut of Reese Witherspoon (who plays one of the siblings) and also stars Jason London, Sam Waterston and Tess Harper.
“Slow Dancing in the Big City” (1978) is arriving on Blu-ray courtesy of Scorpion Releasing. It’s a romance picture about an out-of-shape New York City columnist who falls in love with, and tries to woo his ballerina neighbor, only to learn that she has been diagnosed with a serious condition that will soon end her career. The movie has never been released on DVD or home video and is finally premiering on Blu-ray with numerous extras. They include a 2K restoration of the movie, an interview with star Paul Sorvino, supporting actor Nicolas Coster, and composer Bill Conti.
Vinegar Syndrome recently released a Blu-ray double-feature as an exclusive on its website, which is being made available on Amazon and at other retailers this week.
Finally, Warner Archive has a new made-to-order Blu-ray that can be purchased through Amazon. “Party Girl” (1958) is a film-noir about a lawyer who defends mobsters and crooks. A woman he meets and falls for urges him to go straight, but the criminals he defends try to convince him not to listen to his new flame.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
If you’re looking for some family-friendly entertainment, kids who enjoy the Trolls movie series may like the following title.
“Trolls Holiday Double Feature: Trolls Holiday / Trolls: Holiday in Harmony” (NBC TV Specials)
ON THE TUBE!
Here are all of the week’s TV-themed releases.
“Death in Paradise” Season 10 (BBC) DVD
“Downton Abbey” The Complete Series
“The Drowning” (Sundance) DVD
“Eden: Untamed Planet” Season 1
“I Dream of Jeannie” The Complete Series
“Trolls Holiday Double Feature - Trolls Holiday / Trolls: Holiday in Harmony” (NBC TV Specials)
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
