Welcome back to another incredibly busy week of Blu-ray and DVD releases. There’s a huge number of films coming out in a wide variety of genres and there should be something of interest for everyone. Remember to click on any links you see to read about them. 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!
Dead Rising: Endgame - Based on the horror video game series, this is actually a sequel to last year’s Dead Rising: Watchtower. Don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of it though, because they were both made for web-content provider Crackle. Set in a quarantined city during a zombie outbreak, a reporter uncovers a government conspiracy. There aren’t many reviews, but the ones that have popped up call it nonsensical and suggest that it has next to nothing to do with the game that it is based on. The cast includes Jesse Metcalfe, Keegan Connor Tracy, Dennis Haysbert and Billy Zane.
The Devil’s Dolls - Here’s another independent scare flick. This one involves a backwoods Mississippi serial killer who uses voodoo to possess some handmade “worry dolls”. One assumes the dolls start causing havoc in the lives of residents who purchase them. It garnered a limited release in September, but there don’t appear to be any write-ups of it online. That in itself is kind of spooky and doesn’t bode well for the feature. It features Christopher Wiehl, Kym Jackson and Tina Lifford.
Don’t Think Twice - Comedian Mike Birbiglia writes/directs and co-stars in this small comedy/drama about an improv troupe. When one of them hits the big time it causes major tensions within the group. Many are forced to question their choice of career. The movie received almost unanimously positive response from critics, who complimented it as being funny as well as feeling like an authentic portrait of struggling New York artists. Sounds like a winner. It co-stars Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, Christ Gethard and Tami Sagher.
For the Love of Spock - Any Star Trek enthusiasts out there? This documentary comes from the son of actor Leonard Nimoy, who opens up about his life, career and of course, his time playing the character on the big and small screen. Reviews were quite good overall. Many admitted that the filmmaker may have been a bit too close to his subject to present a balanced portrait and that the film went on odd tangents, but they still found it to be a solid and at times moving portrait of the late actor.
The Frontier - A young woman on the run finds herself at a small diner/motel in this independent crime drama. She takes a job there, but as she learns more about the place discovers that she may be in even more danger here than from where she was escaping from. The press were split on this small title. Some complimented it as a well-made throwback to 50s and 70s pulp thriller, but more complained that the story wasn’t unique enough to make it compelling. The cast includes Jocelin Donahue, Kelly Lynch, Jim Beaver and Izabella Miko.
Heart of a Dog - Criterion are best known for their numerous Blu-ray releases of classic titles, featuring great transfers and loads of extras. However, they occasionally distribute newer material like this documentary from artist Laurie Anderson. She explores her relationship with her pet terrier, at times using artwork and imagery to share her thoughts and impressions on the subject. Critics liked what they saw, calling it an eccentric and at times abstract film that manages to inspire philosophical thought and convey an earnest, warm and moving tribute.
The Hollars - John Krasinski stars in and directed this comedy/drama about a struggling New York artist who must return to his hometown when his mother falls ill. It isn’t long before he’s swept up in family and neighborhood feuds. Reviews were very split on this effort. Positive ones suggested the movie improves as it progresses and provided a few warm moments, but those who didn’t care for it thought the story was too predictable and that the quirkiness of the characters quickly became grating. It also features Anna Kendrick, Richard Jenkins, Charlie Day, Sharlto Copley, Margo Martindale, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Josh Groban.
Jason Bourne - The fifth film in the Jason Bourne series (and first to star Matt Damon since 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum) finds its hero on his own and off of the grid. When the CIA track him down, he goes on the run to uncover a conspiracy. Complicating matters are new agents whose alliances are undetermined. This one also got mixed notices, although it received more recommendations overall. A contingent felt like it was an unnecessary retread, while others found that the action and high-energy level made up for its deficiencies. Besides Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel and Julia Styles appear. A contingent felt like made up for its deficiencies. Besides Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel and Julia Styles appear.
Kicks - A financially strapped teenager wants high-end sneakers in this indie drama. After working tirelessly to get them, they are stolen by a local thug. The boy and his friends decide to head out and get those shoes back. Notices for the low-budget feature were quite good. While a couple write-ups criticized it for being too reliant on visual gimmickry, most thought the kids were likable and engaging and found that the story built up a great deal of dramatic tension. Jahking Guillory, Christopher Jordan Wallace and Christopher Meyer lead the cast.
Mad Max: Fury Road Black & Chrome Edition - Yep, last year’s Best Picture nominee and exhilarating action spectacle has been reprocessed by director George Miller. It’s the movie just as it was previously, but presented in black & white. Apparently, it looks great and one can see how all of the gears and metallic elements might work just as impressively in this format. Viewers who buy the movie in high definition will get it alongside the full-color version. The studio are also releasing a Mad Max: High Octave Collection which contains all of the features with the new, tinted version included..
The Secret Life of Pets - This animated family feature was a massive hit at the box office. Events are based around the idea of two Manhattan dogs who learn that someone’s pet bunny is plotting an evil scheme against humanity. Naturally, they have to go out and stop the evil plot. The press generally gave it decent write-ups. While some complained that it really didn’t take advantage of its intriguing concept, most believe that it was cute enough to provide decent family entertainment. The voice cast includes Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Ellie Kemper, Albert Brooks, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress and Bobby Moynihan.
Blasts From the Past!
Olive Films have some curious older releases making their high definition Blu-ray debuts. Know that old song “Brazil” that was used in the Terry Gilliam film of the same name back in the 80s? Well, there’s another film partially inspired by it; the musical comedy Brazil (1944). It’s about a songwriter struggling to create an anthem for a National Song composition contest. Along the way, he attempts to win the hand of a novelist. The movie earned a few Oscar nominations; one for a musical composition called “Rio de Janeiro.”
They also have Cheers for Miss Bishop (1941), a drama that follows an elderly woman who recounts her life as a teacher. Viewers learn about her struggles to inspire her students as well as the tragic history of why she has remained unmarried. Martha Scott stars as the title character. It’s well regarded and even earned a Academy Award nomination for its score.
Kino are putting out some nifty Blu-rays as well. Doomwatch (1972) is a British sci-fi flick about contaminants in fishing waters causing problems for the residents of a coastal island. By problems, I mean it mutates them into vicious cannibals. Apparently, it takes a low-key approach to the material, but it still seems perfectly suited for B-movie fans.
The Neptune Factor (1973) is a goofy sci-fi drive-in flick about an undersea earthquake that threatens a science lab deep beneath the sea. Rescue efforts encounter are sorts of strange life while heading down to retrieve the survivors. Ben Gazarra stars with Ernest Borgnine.
The also have a double feature Blu-ray of the popular, period teen-sex comedies Porky’s 2: The Next Day (1983) and Porky’s Revenge (1985). Neither are as effective as the original, but the second one does have a following and fans of this particular genre will probably enjoy having both titles in their collection for one low price. The disc also comes with trailers of the films.
The comedy/drama Something For Everyone (1970) features Michael York as an opportunistic butler who manipulates the members of an aristocratic household to make the family (and himself) wealthy again. The cast also includes Angela Lansbury.
Shout! Factory have some great cult titles as well. Bruce Lee fans will be happy to see a Blu-ray of Fists of Fury aka The Big Boss (1971), which features the martial artist take down the crooked manager of an ice manufacturing factory. This Collector’s Edition includes two audio commentaries with Asian film experts, an alternate and previously unheard English audio dub, a making-of featurette and loads of publicity materials.
Film Movment are putting out a new Blu-ray of the well-regarded, sci-fi arthouse drama, The Quiet Earth (1985). This New Zealand production is a huge cult classic that involves a physicist whose project malfunctions, leaving him on his own as the one of the last people on Earth. He searches for survivors and tries to make sense of what has happened. The movie features a very unusual finale that still results in debate, even decades later. This disc features a new high definition restoration of the film and a commentary track with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and film critic Odie Henderson.
One of the most disturbing films of the 80s was Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. MPI are releasing a 30th Anniversary Blu-ray of the film that stars Michael Rooker as the title character, a psychopath who invade homes and leaves bodies in his wake. It’s an extremely creepy film with an excellent lead performance. There are plenty of extras included: an appreciation piece on the importance of the film, a featurette on the movie’s struggles with the MPAA, interviews with critics about the movie, a discussion with director John McNaughton (Mad Dog and Glory, Wild Things, The Harvest), a making-of piece and deleted scenes.
Cinema Epoch have the trashy action flick Young Rebels (1989) arriving on DVD. This one is about a lone vigilante taking on a drug cartel. It’s an early work from the director of the 1991 cheeseball cult flick, Samurai Cop.
And finally, doing a complete left turn, fans can now order the Merchant and Ivory effort Howards End (1992). It stars Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson (who won an Academy Award) as characters in an examination of English social class at the turn of the 20th century.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are some selections that kids might enjoy!
Angry Bird Toons: Season 3, Vol. 2
Elena of Avalor: Ready to Rule
Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures
Sonic X: Season 3
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
