By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
It's time for yet another look at all of the highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD shelves. In fact, it seems like just about every genre is represented this time out, with something for everyone. 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!
78/52: Hitchock's Shower Scene - The three-minute shower scene from the 1960 classic Psycho is the subject of this documentary, which has been named after the number of camera set-ups and edits used in order to create the notable sequence. Film critics, movie makers and others detail the history of how it all came to be, as well as the technique and skill involved in putting it together. Critics generally liked the movie. A few suggested it got a bit obsessive over every minute detail, but most found it to be informative and entertaining, as well as a great way to introduce movie fans to film analysis and criticism.
Darkest Hour - This British biopic tells the story of Winston Churchill's appointment to Prime Minister, prior to the beginning of WWII. As tensions rise between the UK and Germany, the leader faces difficult decisions about how to proceed. He must also deal with a group within parliament who want him removed from office. Reaction to the drama was strong overall. A few commented that the movie had a direct and straight-forward manner that could have done with livening up, but everyone admitted that the lead performance was first class and Academy Award worthy. The movie stars Gary Oldman, Lily James, Kristen Scott Thomas and Ben Mendelsohn.
Just Getting Started - Eccentrics at a Palm Springs resort are at the center of this comedy. The story follows the manager of the establishment, who harbors a secret past. When an charismatic ex-military man shows up, the two butt heads and vie for the affections of another resident. However, they must team up after an assassination attempt is made on one of them. The press absolutely hated the picture. They wrote that it was lazily put together, largely unfunny and completely wasted the talents of a impressive cast. Ouch. Now viewers can make up their own minds. It features Morgan Freeman, Tommy Lee Jones, Rene Russo, Glenne Headly and Joe Pantoliano.
Murder on the Orient Express - Detective Hercule Poirot gets an update with this new take on the famous Agatha Christie novel. While traveling on a train across Europe, one of the passengers is murdered, forcing the investigator to solve the crime. Critics were divided on this take, although it did receive more positive notices than negative ones. All found it beautifully shot and some called the mystery interesting. Others described it as weaker than the previous film adaptation, suggesting the only interesting new addition was the lead's exaggerated facial hair. In the end, it might all depend on how familiar you are with the source material. It stars Kenneth Branagh, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Michelle Pfeiffer and Daisy Ridley.
Sleeping Giant - This independent, coming-of-age tale involves a boy staying with his family at a lakeside cottage on Lake Superior, Ontario. He makes friends with two other kids in the neighborhood. However, their idea of staving off boredom in the woods is petty crime and trouble-making. When all three set their sights on the same girl, the lead must navigate difficult waters. This little flick received excellent notices. It has been described as well-acted film, authentic and believable in the ways it depicts the wild actions and varied emotional states of youngsters. It features Jackson Martin, Katelyn McKerracher and Nick Serino.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - A woman rents out three large billboards and posts a pointed message to police about the unsolved death of her daughter, leading to all kinds of conflict and violence. This Academy Award nominated dark comedy/drama examines the actions of various troubled individuals as they attempt to cope with their grief and anger issues. It earned plenty of praise from reviewers as well as Oscar nods. One or two found its dark and mean approach unfavorable, but almost all were blown away by the performances and sharp dialogue from writer/director Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths). The movie stars Francis McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Lucas Hedges, John Hawkes and Peter Dinklage.
Blasts from the Past!
This is another week filled with an incredible selection of notable titles getting the Blu-ray treatment. Olive Films have several remarkable arrivals. They include the Oscar- nominated Birdman of Alcatraz (1962). It stars Burt Lancaster as a violent crook sentenced to solitary confinement. In the process, he takes up birds as a hobby and begins to find redemption as the years pass. The distributor is also putting out the well-regarded family drama, Five on the Black Hand Side (1973). This one is a domestic drama about an African-American family headed by a domineering barber patriarch, and the numerous tensions within the clan.
And there's more. Olive is also releasing the Jerry Lee Lewis musical biopic, Great Balls of Fire! (1989) with Dennis Quaid, Winona Ryder and Alec Baldwin. This one depicts all of the performer's wild eccentricities both on stage as well as in his personal life. With a little luck, there may be a disc review on the site soon. Finally, you can now pick up a Blu-ray of the western/comedy, The Hallelujah Trail (1965). It was made in the spirit of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and follows an all-star cast (including Burt Lancaster, Lee Remick, Martin Landau, Donald Pleasance and many others) as they all race to retrieve a valuable lost shipment of whiskey.
Not only that, but Olive also has the cult unique item, Scalpel (1977). This is one of those titles that was most frequently seen during its early 80s VHS release, but then faded into oblivion after the arrival of DVD. It's been nearly impossible to find until now. This is a psychological thriller about a mad plastic surgeon who finds a teen beaten and near death. He decides to use his skills to rebuild her face. However, it appears that he really wants to make the girl into his long lost daughter. Arrow Films has given the feature a 2K restoration from the original film elements. The Blu-ray also includes a film historian audio commentary, new cast and crew interviews, as well as various promotional materials.
The Sect (1991) aka The Devil's Daughter arrives via Scorpion Releasing. It's a strange little Italian horror picture produced by Dario Argento and director by Michele Soavi (Cemetery Man aka Dellamorte Dellamore) about an American schoolteacher in Germany who finds herself potentially hosting the offspring of Satan. The release is supposed to include an interview with a cast member.
Finally and on a much more family-friendly note, Disney is releasing the classic animated film, Lady and the Tramp (1955). The two-disc, Blu-ray/DVD combo is part of their Signature Collection and is certain to include plenty of extras.
You Know, For Kids!
Here is, well, the only title geared to children.
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Lady and the Tramp (Signature Collection)
On the Tube!
And here are the week's TV-themed releases.
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Diff'rent Strokes: Season 7
Green Acres: Season 5
Macgyver: Season 1
Rebecca Martinsson: Series 1