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DVD/Blu-ray Roundup for Sept. 28, 2018

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It’s time for another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There’s a great mix of releases that include big Hollywood flicks as well as independent fare. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to check out one of these titles!

Big New Releases!

Gotti - This biopic chronicles the rise of mobster John Gotti to the top of the Gambino crime family. It reportedly condenses three decades of his rule, following Gotti as he enforces his rule while attempting to develop and keep bonds with his family members. Reviews for this drama were pretty darn terrible. Some felt it tried to cram too much into the running time, others felt it was miscast and had the screenplay corny, while a group also thought the onscreen posturing was over-the-top. The cast includes John Travolta, Spencer Rocco Lofranco, Kelly Preston, Leo Rossi and Stacy Keach.

Hot Summer Nights - Set in the 1980s, this coming-of-age drama involves a teen in Cape Cod. He spends his summer evenings selling pot to local crime figures and partying. Over the course of events, he also falls for the girlfriend of his business partner. Before long, the youth realizes he’s in over-his-head and must find a way to escape various threats. Critics were mixed on the results, giving the feature a few more negative notices than positive ones. It stars Timothée Chalamet, Maika Monroe, Alex Roe, William Fichtner and Thomas Jane.

Occupation - This Australian sci-fi picture involves the survivors of an attack by threatening alien foes. When their small town is taken by invaders, the group teams up and arms themselves in order to fight back. Battles ensue between the two forces with the fate of the world at stake. Reaction was all over the place for this independent feature. A percentage thought it was a fun B-movie that provided plenty of late-night thrills on a modest budget. Just as many complained about the movie, stating the characters weren’t developed enough for viewers to care about what happened to them.

Izzy Gets the F*ck Across Town - A broke, frustrated LA indie musician learns her ex-boyfriend, whom she believes to be her soul-mate, has just gotten engaged to another woman. The determined and perhaps unhinged woman decides to get herself across town and break up the potential union at their engagement party. The press were split on the results. Half said after a promising opening, the movie lost its comic focus and spiraled downward with a lackluster finale. Others suggested the energy level on display was invigorating and it benefited from a strong lead performance. The movie features Mackenzie Davis, Carrie Coon, Haley Joel Osment and Annie Potts.

Pin Cushion - A very close mother and daughter move to a new town for a fresh start and try to make friends. The daughter’s first social attempts result in her spending time with some of the local girls. Her mother feels left out and befriends a new neighbor. However, as their own relationship becomes strained, both begin to struggle with their new acquaintances. Critics gave this independent drama high marks.

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich - I never would have believed it, but there have been 12 movies in the Puppet Master series dating back to 1989. The latest chapter is actually a reboot of sorts and begins with the malevolent puppet creatures coming up for sale at a convention. Of course, these little monsters start killing attendees, leading to bloody chaos. Reviewers gave this chapter relatively decent marks. There were some who believed it simply presented more of the same schlock, but several more said it was an enjoyably crude and tasteless midnight movie.

The Row - A newcomer at a university is asked to join a sorority. When the student arrives to take her pledge, she starts to realize the group may have a very dark past. Even worse, someone at the event may have had something to do with a series of brutal killings on campus. Due to the relative quietness about the flick in the media, one probably shouldn’t expect it to be a classic.

Solo: A Star Wars Story - This Star Wars prequel follows the adventures of a young Han Solo. It shows the character’s home planet and how he teamed with an underground criminal organization. Along the way, the character meets future co-pilot Chewbacca and is introduced to Lando Calrissian. This feature earned decent marks from the press, although not as high as other films in the series. Some didn’t find the character’s back-story necessary or interesting, but more thought it was a fun sci-fi picture with a strong lead performance and closer ties to the original series. It stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton and Paul Bettany.

The Seagull - Family members decide to visit a Russian estate and bring friends along in this period drama. As the groups intermingle, several of the characters develop infatuations. Unfortunately, social class structure and other issues cause friction and threaten to tear new couples apart. This drama, based on an Anton Chekhov play, drew reasonable notices from reviewers. Several wrote that despite the great cast, this was a poor adaptation of the material. Those who complemented it said despite being uneven, it was a quickly-paced, interesting and at times very funny soap opera. Elizabeth Moss, Saoirse Ronan, Annette Bening, Corey Stoll, Brian Dennehy and Mare Winningham headline the film.

Uncle Drew - After investing all of his savings to enter a team in the Rucker Classic street ball tournament in Harlem, a player loses his entire squad to a nasty competitor. The desperate hero decides to seek out Uncle Drew, a legendary athlete. The protagonist then attempts to round up the elderly player’s teammates to build a new team and win the tournament. Critics were generally positive about this comedy that features Kyrie Irving, Lil Rel Howery, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, Tiffany Haddish, Nick Kroll and Mike Epps.

Blasts from the Past!

There are plenty of curious older releases arriving this week. Arrow Video has the creepy horror picture, The Baby (1973), about a social worker who gets a shock when she attends to crazed family, raising a grown man as an infant and keeping him in a crib.  They also have a “Special Edition” Blu-ray of Day of the Jackal (1973).

MVD’s premiering another goofy little action in high definition. Angel Town (1990) stars Oliver Gruner as a kickboxer who moves into a neighborhood run by a psychotic gang. He is forced to employ his physical skills and beat down the vicious bad guys. This “Special Edition” includes a director’s commentary from a previous and out-of-print release, as well as new and archival interviews with the filmmaker, cinematographer and cast members, along with publicity materials.

If Westerns are more to your liking, Quigley Down Under (1990) arrives on Blu-ray. This one features Tom Selleck as an American sharpshooter who arrives in Australia to help kill off a pack of wild dogs. Naturally, he encounters bigger villains he must also put a stop to. This edition includes new interviews with co-star Laura San Giacomo as well as a featurette on the weaponry featured, and publicity materials.

Kino has the Sonny and Cher comedy, Good Times (1967) as well as the Lee Marvin and Oliver Reed western/comedy The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday (1976). Other titles include the rom-com The Farmer’s Daughter (1947) and the eccentric fantasy, The Legend of Hillbilly John (1972).

Film Movement Classics has a Blu-ray of Scarlet Diva (2001), actress Asia Argento’s semi-autobiographical account of working in the movie industry. This film is notable for featuring a character based on Harvey Weinstein.

You Know, For Kids!

Here are some titles that may appeal to kids... or adults who were children in the 70s.

The Depatie/Freleng Collection: Volume 2 (The Blue Racer/Sheriff Hoot Kloot/The Dogfather /Misterjaw/Crazylegs Crane)

Power Rangers: Choujin Sentai Jetman: The Complete Series

Wiggles: Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas

The ZhuZhus: Season 1

On the Tube!

And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.

Ancient Aliens: Season 11, Volume 1

The Amazing Human Body (PBS)

Billions: Season 3

C.B. Strike: The Series

Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time (BBC)

Dynasty (2018): Season 1

East/West 101: Series 3

Fraggle Rock: The Complete Animated Series

Fraggle Rock: The Complete Series

Jersey Shore Family Vacation: Season 1

Ken Burns: The Mayo Clinic: Faith Hope and Science (PBS)

Midsomer Muders: Series 20

MST3K: The Lost and Found Collection

Police Story: Season 3

Pumpkin Pie Wars (Hallmark Channel TV-movie)

Sando: Series 1

By Glenn Kay

For the Sun