Hello! We’ve got another impressive edition of highlights coming your way on Blu-ray and DVD. Several of these releases are critically acclaimed, suggesting many are worth a look. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
10 Cloverfield Lane - This sequel to the 2008 sci-fi/horror film Cloverfield introduces a new environment and completely different characters. After getting into a traffic accident, a young woman wakes up in an underground bunker. She’s told by her gruff host that the world has come to an end, and she must determine how much of what he says is true. Reviews were strong for the film. Some reviewers had issues with the ending, but most praised the performances and tense atmosphere generated. The cast includes Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr.
45 Years - Charlotte Rampling earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in this small British drama about an elderly married couple about to celebrate an anniversary. The relationship is strained when her husband receives a letter. It explains that the body of a woman he dated in college has been recovered after a long disappearance. He begins to obsess over the past, causing friction in the present. The press raved about the performances, calling it a low-key but compelling drama with deeper themes. Just don’t expect a Hollywood-style narrative. It also features Tom Courtenay.
Eddie the Eagle - Here’s a more decidedly feel-good effort from the UK. It’s a biopic about one of England’s most unusual athletes, Eddie Edwards. It chronicles his unlikely but determined attempts to make the 1988 Olympic team as a ski-jumper. With limited experience, he encounters great challenges in his quest. Critics were generally positive about the effort. They described the film as a bit corny, but also a sweet and good-natured flick that benefits significantly from a likable cast. The movie stars Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, and Christopher Walken.
Hello, My Name is Doris - An eccentric older woman is inspired to pursue the affections of a younger man at work in this independent comedy. Unfortunately, her actions cause significant embarrassment to family members. Once again, reviews were very good for this feature. While most admitted that the tone was excessively quirky at times, many found the lead performance exceptional and appreciated that the film took a few unexpected twists and turns along the way. Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Wendy McLendon-Covey, Tyne Daly, Stephen Root, Kumail Nanjiani, Peter Gallagher, and Natasha Lyonne headline the film.
London Has Fallen - After all of the previous films listed, this is the first of the week that didn’t score with reviewers. It’s a sequel to the hit 2013 action flick Olympus Has Fallen, which takes its hero to London, England. Once again, he must save the President after a nasty force begins a terrorist attack. Notices were weak. While a select few enjoyed its jingoistic approach, many called it a nasty, ugly, and at times xenophobic effort with thinly written characters and below-average visual effects. Action film fans can do much better. It stars Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo, and Angela Bassett.
Rabid Dogs - Also known as Enrages, this violent thriller is actually a France/Canada co-production and remake of the ’70s Italian flick Kidnapped from horror filmmaker Mario Bava. The story involves the nasty complications that arise after a heist plot goes wrong. When the crooks take hostages as they attempt to flee the city, allegiances begin to shift. Film festival audiences and critics were mixed on the final results; some called it a well-produced and acted potboiler, while others found it to be a largely unnecessary remake. The cast includes Lambert Wilson, Guillaume Gouix, and Virginie Ledoyen.
Blasts From the Past!
Wow, there’s some really interesting stuff arriving this week on Blu-ray. Shout! Factory is bringing a popular horror series to high definition with Jeepers Creepers (2001) and its sequel, Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003). The movies feature a nasty flesh-eating creature that goes on a killing spree. These two movies involve groups of characters who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and must face off against the monster.
The Blu-rays are both Collector’s Editions, which means they come with plenty of extras. Beside a new transfer of the film, extras include a new director/cast audio commentary (along with a previously released director’s commentary), a documentary on the production, interviews with cast and crew, deleted and alternate scenes, as well as publicity material. The sequel has just as many bonuses, including multiple commentary tracks, documentaries, interviews, and the like. If you enjoy these flicks, you’ll be pleased with the release.
Universal has some fun old titles from their catalog arriving on Blu-ray as well. Airport - The Complete Collection contains all four titles in the hugely popular disaster film series, including Airport (1970), Airport 1975 (1974), Airport ‘77 (1977) and The Concorde: Airport ‘79 (1979). The first helped jumpstart the disaster movie craze of the ’70s, with each chapter getting more and more exaggerated and ridiculous. The middle chapters are actually a lot of fun, and the Concorde-set finale resides squarely in the so-bad-it’s-good category. You’ll see pilots open windows, passengers make terrible jokes after almost being blown out of the aircraft, and other mind-boggling scenarios.
But that’s not all. Jaws fans can now pick up the various sequels to the 1975 Steven Spielberg classic. Jaws 2 (1978) is a passable follow-up with teenagers stuck at sea who are terrorized by the shark. As for the later efforts — Jaws 3 (1983) (originally released in 3D) and Jaws: The Revenge (1987) — they veer well into cheeseball territory. The discs reportedly come with all the extras that have been previously released on DVD editions. The final film also comes with the original ending as a bonus feature, which killed off one of the characters. Weirdly enough, if you saw the movie on opening day (as I did), you saw the first ending (prints with the altered finale didn’t arrive at cinemas until a day after release). It made for a head-scratching conversation at school if you discussed the movie with friends the following week.
Criterion has an impressive new Blu-ray of the comedy, Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941). It’s about a pilot who crashes and dies, but is informed by an angel that if he wishes, he can transplant himself into the body of a corrupt financier. The movie won two Oscars and this edition includes a new 2K digital transfer of the film elements, a conversation between a film critic and Director Michael Schlesinger on the movie’s importance, an audio interview with co-star Elizabeth Montgomery, and a radio adaptation of the movie featuring Cary Grant.
Not to be outdone, Kino has notable releases as well. They include a Blu-ray of the Best Original Screenplay Oscar-winner, The Brave One (1956). The distributor also has the German sci-fi flick Gold (1932) coming your way. If you enjoy old B-movie monsters, The Magnetic Monster (1953) may be to your liking. It involves a radioactive force that threatens the world. Interestingly enough, it actually shares a connection to the previously referenced film Gold, as it incorporates some footage from that title. Finally, they’ve also got Something Big (1971), a comedic Western featuring Dean Martin as a man who wants to make an impression, and obtains a Gatling gun to help him do so.
Want more? Well, you can always check out Arrow’s Nikkatsu Diamond Guys Vol. 2. This Blu-ray release features more cult Japanese movies that include Tokyo Mighty Guy (1960), Danger Paws (1962), and Murder Unincorporated (1965). And Synapse is putting out the cheesy fantasy B-movie Sorceress (1982) in high definition. Finally, Redemption is distributing the low-budget crime film Crimson (1973) on Blu-ray in two cuts and with a film historian commentary.
You Know, For Kids!
There’s a good selection for kids this week. You can see what’s available below.
Back to the Future: The Animated Series: Season 1
Curious George: Garden Discoveries
Littlest Pet Shop: Making Friends
Quackerz
Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas
Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle: Season 1 (animated)
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
