Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. Once again, it’s a remarkably busy edition with a number of interesting films in a wide variety of genres. So, if you can’t get out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
HOLLYWOOD DREAMS & NIGHTMARES: THE ROBERT ENGLUND STORY: Horror fans will likely be familiar with the name Robert Englund, who played the villainous Freddy Krueger in eight “Nightmare on Elm Street” pictures. This documentary details his life story, how the classically trained actor was cast in the famous role, as well as how he handled super-stardom. It also includes interviews with Englund, as well as his wife Nancy and horror luminaries Lin Shaye, Eli Roth, Tony Todd, Heather Langenkamp, Adam Green, Lance Henricksen, Bill Moseley and Kane Hodder.
Most write-ups were upbeat. One or two felt that the movie was simply a chronological history that should have been put together in a more dynamic manner. Still, the vast majority loved learning more about the star’s life and appreciated hearing several fun and fascinating tales about his career and incredible experiences.
IT AIN’T OVER: Baseball catcher and team manager Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra is the subject of this documentary. The film details his 19-year stint as a player with the New York Yankees, as well as his long coaching and managerial terms with the Yankees, Mets and Houston Astros. Using archival footage and interviews with those who knew him, the movie also examines some of his controversial statements.
This is another non-fiction title that earned almost universally positive notices. One critic suggested that the movie was too distracted from important details while defending the figure from a few forgotten criticisms. Everyone else thought this film was a great reminder of how important a player and manager he was, while also showing how the media would sometimes only focus only on his public persona.
Billy Crystal, Bob Costas, Willie Randolph, Derek Jeter, Vin Scully and many more share their memories of Berra in the film.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: WARWORLD: The latest chapter in the DC animated direct-to-disc series of superhero films takes place in multiple worlds. When a new threat emerges from an alternate gladiatorial universe called Warworld, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman all must travel from different lands to fight the threat. They must also stop villains from escaping Warworld and invading our universe.
There aren’t many reviews available for the title yet, but a couple that have popped up online suggest that it’s a decent effort. They comment that it’s a simple story and note that the three leads don’t come together until late in the picture, yet still maintain that the animation is impressive and that it will entertain fans of the series.
The voice cast includes Jeremy Adams, Ike Amadi, Troy Baker, Darren Criss, Stana Katic, John DiMaggio and Frank Grillo.
NUCLEAR NOW: Writer/director Oliver Stone (Platoon, Wall Street, JFK) is the figure behind this documentary. He discusses the threat that the world is facing from climate change, caused by the ever-increasing use of fossil fuels in order to create energy. After discussing the matter with several experts, the filmmaker comes to the conclusion that reinstating nuclear power plants could significantly reduce emissions and ultimately save the planet.
The non-fiction feature earned more positive notices than negative ones. About one-quarter stated that while Stone made some interesting points, he presented his findings in a flat and unexciting manner. Still, most thought the director made a convincing argument and appreciated his hopeful and positive approach to dark subject matter.
PAINT: Inspired by the popular painter Bob Ross, this comedy introduces a fictional artist who hosts a popular public access television program in Vermont. Overly self-assured as a result of his personal success and the shouts of adoring fans, the lead doesn’t take notice of a new competitor. When this younger and more charismatic painter begins derailing the protagonist’s career, he goes through a crisis of confidence.
Reaction to this comedy wasn’t particularly strong. Nearly one-third of critics admired the work of the lead and suggested that once they got onto the eccentric wavelength of the film, it was all very amusing. Unfortunately, more complained that the central character was too passive, the gags too broad and the end result simply not funny enough.
Owen Wilson, Michaela Watkins, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ciara Renee, Stephen Root and Denny Dillon headline the picture.
RESIDENT EVIL: DEATH ISLAND: This animated title based on the Resident Evil video game series features familiar heroes Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Claire Redfield facing off against a new but familiar threat. When a strange virus begins turning humans into zombies, the trail leads the characters to aquatic lifeforms and a sinister lab on Alcatraz Island. Once there, they must stop a mad scientist from infecting the entire population.
The movie received a limited release in Asia a few weeks ago and is premiering on disc in this part of the world. There aren’t many reviews available, but the ones that have appeared online have been upbeat. They suggest that while the dialogue is occasionally stiff, the visuals are great and that there is enough action and excitement to please those who enjoy the series.
The voice cast includes Bill Butts, Erin Cahill and Kevin Dorman.
THERAPY DOGS: A pair of senior high school students question their future and try to get a sense of self-understanding by making a student film about their lives. They run around the suburbs of Toronto with their friends, pushing boundaries and experiencing all the city has to offer in order to figure themselves out. Naturally, they get themselves into trouble in the process.
This title won the Grand Prize at the 2022 Slamdance Film Festival. It also received a strongly buoyant reaction from the press. A small number did assert that the characters acted in infantile ways and that the film didn’t offer much of a final point or message. However, everyone else thought it was a realistic look at teenagers today, showing both positive and negative personality traits and what life is really like in the suburbs.
It stars Ethan Eng, Justin Morrice, Kevin Tseng and Kyle Peacock.
THE VENTURE BROS.: RADIANT IS THE BLOOD OF THE BABOON HEART: The Venture Bros. was an animated action/comedy series that ran on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2018. This direct-to-disc feature is a finale, wrapping up some of the loose ends left hanging as the show was canceled. When Hank Venture disappears, all of the characters come out to try and find him. As the search continues, past secrets are revealed about the Venture family that must be addressed.
This title hasn’t been seen by many critics, but so far notices have been more positive than negative. The consensus is that this feature won’t convert new viewers, but that it is funny and does serve as a fitting close to the popular program.
The voice cast includes James Urbaniak, Patrick Warburton, Michael Sinterniklaas, Chris McCulloch, Doc Hammer, Nina Arianda, Clancy Brown, John Hodgman, Jane Lynch, Jay Pharoah and J.K. Simmons.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Titles listed below may be of interest to kids.
PBS Kids-Get Up and Dance! (PBS Kids) DVD
Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! Back on Track (nCircle Entertainment) DVD
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Complete Collection (2000s TV series and TV-movies) (Nickelodeon/Paramount) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And this week’s TV-show releases can be found below.
Ancient Aliens Season 17 (History) DVD
Dalgliesh Series 2 (Acorn) DVD
D.I. Ray Season 1 (PBS) DVD
Gangs of London Season 2 (RLJ Entertainment) Blu-ray
Masterpiece Mystery - Grantchester Season 8 (PBS) DVD
The Neighborhood Season 5 (CBS) DVD
NOVA: Saving the Right Whale (PBS) DVD
PBS Kids-Get Up and Dance! (PBS Kids) DVD
Superstore The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) DVD
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Complete Collection (2000s TV series and TV-movies) (Nickelodeon/Paramount) DVD
Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! Back on Track (nCircle Entertainment) DVD
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
