Welcome back to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There are some really big blockbusters arriving, as well as plenty of intriguing independent films. 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!
Ant-Man and the Wasp - The latest Marvel superhero movie to hit the streets is a sequel that continues the adventures of Ant-Man. While under house arrest, the character is contacted by his old compatriots to help them on a new mission involving inter-dimensional travel. He must avoid bad guys and the police in order to save his friends. Reaction was very positive towards this effort. A majority of critics called it entertaining and zippy fun, although there were a couple of notices that weren’t quite as complimentary, suggesting it was all a bit bland. It stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Michael Douglas, Laurence Fishburne, Hannah John-Kamen and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Arizona - This comedy/thriller is set during the 2009 housing crisis and involves a struggling real estate dealer and her daughter. After dealing with a strange, almost unhinged homebuyer, the realtor witnesses a brutal murder and must escape with her child through some abandoned housing communities. This effort split the press. Almost half thought it was an interesting concept and enjoyed its over-the-top and humorous approach. Slightly more were turned off by the violence and didn’t find it funny. Now viewers can make up their own minds.
BuyBust - This action/drama from the Philippines appears to have something of a Sicario-like plotline — on steroids. It features an anti-narcotics special operative in Manila who steps up to take down a big cartel in the most dangerous part of town. When the siege goes wrong, the woman finds herself pursued not only by the criminal kingpin, but angry citizens out on the streets. Reaction toward this feature was generally good. Some complained that while the action was well-handled, the movie felt like it was enjoying the bloodshed a bit too much. Others suggested that flick was thrilling and spectacular with a dark streak of humor. It features Anne Curtis, Brandon Vera and Victor Neri.
Down a Dark Hall - A young girl with a bad temper upsets her mother one time too many and is sent to a boarding school. She’s quickly disturbed by what she finds there, learning there are only four other students and a creepy headmaster. It also doesn’t help that paranormal events appear to be occurring — thanks, mom! This thriller/horror/fantasy earned divided write-ups. A group said it became more convoluted and ridiculous as it progressed, following genre tropes and lacking in genuine scares. The same amount said the atmosphere generated and found the movie entertainingly odd.
Gabriel and the Mountain - Based on a true story, a Brazilian high school grad decides to backpack around the world for a year before heading off to university. After 10 months on the road, he arrives in Mount Mulanje, Malawi, where events take a significant turn. This Brazil/France co-production received far more positive reaction than negative. A few complained they had difficulty relating to the protagonist and suggested that it would only appeal to Brazilians already familiar with the story. However, more called it a moving, documentary-like tribute that offered plenty of interesting thoughts about its subject.
Reprisal - After a violent and horrific bank robbery leaves a manager’s friend dead, the employee attempts to come to grips with what transpired. He decides to contact his neighbor, an ex-cop. The two head out to investigate the crime themselves, hoping to take action on the guilty party. Realizing the determined pair is on his tail, the criminal decides to take the manager’s family hostage. This independent thriller seems to have impressed no one thus far. The press suggested that while it featured a capable cast, the script was beneath them all, leaving only bland and dull revenge story. It features Frank Bruce Willis, Frank Grillo and Johnathon Schaech.
Unfriended: Dark Web - This horror sequel tells an all-new tale based around the same concept of the original. Essentially, that there are evil forces on our computers waiting to do us harm. In this case, a college student takes a laptop from a “lost and found” box and gets his friends and romantic interest into mortal danger after joining them for an online get together. Reviews were middling for this effort, although it did receive slightly more recommendations than pans. Those who disliked it stated that it was all very ridiculous and made no sense. Others thought it was different from most genre fare and were amused, even if they weren’t necessarily frightened. Colin Woodell and Betty Gabriel heading the film.
Whitney - Musical artist/actress Whitney Houston is the subject of this documentary that comes from the director of Marley. It’s up-close and personal look at the woman’s life and professional career, including her work in the studio, as well as in the movies, also dealing with the erratic behavior that plagued the entertainer just before her passing. It uses never-before-seen footage, interviews, recordings and rare performances to try and paint a more detailed picture. Notices were positive. A small group wanted the film to delve deeper than it did, but the majority thought the doc presented a powerful and tragic picture of the artist.
Blasts from the Past!
It’s a busy and exciting week for older titles arriving. Olive Signature’s releasing Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) on Blu-ray. This science-fiction horror classic has been released before, but never with so many amazing features and extras. It comes with a new high definition digital restoration, film historian audio commentary, another commentary with stars Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter moderated by director Joe Dante (Gremlins, Innerspace), lengthy clips detailing how the story was developed, with more on the production itself and the difficulties in marketing the movie. The disc will certainly please genre movie fans.
Speaking of John Landis (Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Coming to America), Arrow’s putting out an impressive Blu-ray of the filmmaker’s first film, Schlock (1972). This comedy features the filmmaker in a leading role (well, he’s actually in an ape suit) playing a gorilla on the loose in Los Angeles and causing all kinds of comic mayhem. One sketch follows another and a lot of the gags are actually pretty funny.
Kino also has some curious Blu-rays coming your way. They’re releasing the Saturday Night Live sketched-turned-film, It’s Pat: The Movie (1994). Music fans may be interested to know that the band Ween appears in the picture. Additionally, Shaquille O’Neal stars as a genie in the family comedy, Kazaam (1996). Perhaps of most interest to horror fans is the high-definition debut of the well-regarded anthology, Trilogy of Terror (1975). This picture’s last segment features one of the most out-there horror bits of its time, that of a small Zuni fetish doll going on the rampage in a woman’s apartment.
Shout! Select’s bringing a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of the hugely popular Oscar-winner (for Best Supporting Actor) City Slickers (1991). This Billy Crystal comedy involves a group of dissatisfied businessmen who travel to take part in a cattle drive. Along the way, they encounter and bicker with an amusing cowboy (Jack Palance). The disc includes an audio commentary with the director and stars, featurettes on the production and deleted scenes. Shout!’s also putting out Steelbooks of a couple of their most popular horror pictures, Halloween II (1981) and Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982). The discs appear to be the same, but they come in a hard, steel case with new artwork.
Criterion has a Blu-ray of the Oscar-winning Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Goldie Hawn comedy, Shampoo (1975). This one follows the trials of a hairdressing in Beverly Hills. The film has been given a new 4K digital restoration, a critic discussion on the movie and a television clip featuring an interview with star Beatty.
And there’s more. Genre film fans may be interested in Scorpions Blu-ray release of the 80s slasher, The House on Sorority Row (1983). It’s about a group of sorority sisters who learn their house hides some dark secrets. The disc comes with cast and crew interviews, a cast/director commentary, storyboards for an alternate ending and other extras.
Finally, Code Red hass a Blu-ray of the Italian action picture, Cut and Run (1985). It has been given a new 2K scan that includes an R-rated and Unrated cut of the movie as well as new interviews with cast and crew.
You Know, For Kids!
Here are some releases that may be of interest to kids.
The Original Christmas Specials Collection Blu-ray: Cricket on the Hearth, Frosty the Snowman, The Little Drummer Boy, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Rankin/Bass)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Special Edition Blu-ray (Rankin/Bass)
The VeggieTales Christmas Classics Collection
On the Tube!
And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.
The Affair: Season 4
Ash vs. Evil Dead: Seasons 1 - 3 Collection
Black Sails: Seasons 1 - 4
Masterpiece: The Durrells in Corfu (PBS)
When Calls the Heart: Year 5
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun