Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This edition sees a couple of well-received comedies, in addition to some interesting fare from abroad. So. If you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a little while, be sure to check out one of these titles!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
THE BLACKENING: A group of black friends decide to reunite over the Juneteenth weekend by renting a remote cabin. They discover a bizarre board game and then learn that a masked psychopath is forcing them to play. The group have to use their knowledge of horror films and black history in order to survive the ordeal.
This horror/comedy was well-received by the press. A very small number complained that while containing a few laughs, the concept didn’t warrant a full-length feature and felt awkwardly paced. However, everyone else thought it was hilarious. They complimented the picture on having a very funny and likable cast and also wrote that it delivered a few jumps, as well as effectively poking fun at genre cliches.
METALOCALYPSE: ARMY OF THE DOOMSTAR: Metalocalypse was an adult animated series that ran on the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming block between 2006 and 2013. It followed the exploits of the not-so-sharp members of a death metal band. This feature-length, direct-to-disc follow up attempts to bring back the characters and tie up many of the loose ends that were left dangling with the show’s unexpected cancellation. In this finale, the world is on the brink of disaster from sinister forces and the band must overcome personal obstacles to write an epic tune that could save the planet.
This effort is debuting on disc, so no one has seen it as of yet.
SPIRIT HALLOWEEN: THE MOVIE: Ever gone to the Spirit Halloween retailer to buy a costume? Well, someone worked out a licensing deal with the brand and made a fictional film based on the store. It was released at theaters and on digital platforms last fall and is now debuting on disc.
The plot follows a nasty man who tries to close an orphanage in the 1940s and dies in the process. Some 80 years later, a group of teens decide to sneak into a Spirit Halloween store and spend the night there. They encounter the spirit of the villainous figure and must get out in one piece.
This effort split reviewers, although it received a few more positive notices than negative ones. Those who disliked the movie stated that the script was bland and that the final product wasn’t exciting or memorable, merely serving as a commercial for the store. Slightly more thought it was well-produced and believed that it would sufficiently entertain tweens looking for fun Halloween-themed entertainment.
YOU HURT MY FEELINGS: In this independent comedy/drama, a happily married novelist is putting the finishing touches on her latest book. While her husband is supportive of it, she overhears a private conversation between him and a friend in which he mentions that he really doesn’t like the work. Upset, she confronts him about it. The issue upends the marriage with each spouse talking to friends about how to deal with the problem and move forward.
Reaction was very upbeat towards this feature. One or two didn’t find the subject matter of addressing white lies in a relationship interesting to them and didn’t care for the film. Everyone else thought it was extremely well-written, relatable, refreshingly honest and fun to watch. They also gave high marks to the cast and the performances.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Arrow Video is releasing a Blu-ray of the creepy British thriller Unman, Wittering and Zigo (1971). David Hemmings stars as a teacher who takes a job at a school where his predecessor has died under mysterious circumstances. As it turns out, the kids are very resistant to his lessons and tension rises within the group.
The disc contains film critic commentary, an appreciation by a cultural historian, interviews with cast members Michael Howe, Michael Cashman, James Wardroper and Carolyn Seymour, the original 1958 recording of the radio play that the movie is based on, as well as publicity materials.
The distributor is also putting out a 4K Ultra HD edition of the comedy, “Weird Science” (1985). The story follows two teenage nerds who create a real woman using their computer. While their motives aren’t particularly noble, she ultimately teaches them about how to be decent human beings. The cast includes Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Kelly LeBrock, Bill Paxton and Robert Downey Jr. Just like the previous Blu-ray version, the disc contains both the theatrical and extended cuts of the film (but in 4K with an impressive picture upgrade), as well as all extras from their previous edition.
The Tim Burton-produced animated feature The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) has become both a Halloween and Christmas classic. Disney is marking the movie’s 30th anniversary with an Ultimate Collector’s Edition 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set (other versions available too, including a Best Buy exclusive Steelbook). Besides the picture improvements, the Blu-ray delivers all the previously released extras, including Burton’s fantastic 1984 Frankenweenie short.
Sony is also presenting the action film sequel The Legend of Zorro (2005) with Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones on 4K Ultra HD. It’s a follow-up to the fun effort The Mask of Zorro (1998) that finds the title character returning to action to take down a sinister aristocrat seeking power. Alas, no Blu-ray is included in this release.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
All of this week’s kid-friendly titles are all listed below.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Ultimate Collector’s Edition (Disney) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray – other versions are available too, including Best Buy exclusive Steelbook
Peanuts Deluxe Collection (2023 rerelease) (Warner Bros.) DVD
Tom & Jerry 3-Pack Collection (Warner Bros.) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And below is a list of all the TV-related releases.
Chicago Fire Season 11 (Universal) DVD
CSI: Vegas Season 2 (CBS/Allied) DVD
Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
NCIS Season 20 (Paramount) DVD
Peanuts Deluxe Collection (2023 rerelease) (Warner Bros.) DVD
Silent Witness Season 26 (BBC) DVD
Tom & Jerry 3-Pack Collection (Warner Bros.) DVD
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
