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Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for March 27, 2020

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Welcome back to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. Since you likely can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!


Big New Releases!

Asako I & II - This foreign-language film from Japan details a young woman in Osaka who falls for a man, only to have him disappear mysteriously. A couple of years later, she encounters another person who looks exactly like her original boyfriend, but has a completely different personality. The lead is attracted to this new person, but must contend with feelings of confusion about the two figures. The press enjoyed witnessing this drama/romance.

A small contingent did complain that the protagonist was so inwardly drawn that she didn’t make much of an impression. Still, far more found the concept intriguing. They were constantly kept on their toes as to what these strange and unexpected encounters meant and what was really going on. The cast includes Erica Karata and Masahiro Higashide.

Come to Daddy - A 30-something man living with his mother and struggling with alcoholism receives a letter from his estranged father asking him to visit. The lead heads out to his dad’s secluded country home in the hopes of reconnecting. However, his parent’s odd behavior makes him realize that he has been invited under false pretenses. Before long, the son finds himself in a waking nightmare.

Critics enjoyed this creeper and gave it very positive write-ups. A small group did think that it was all a bit silly as horror pictures go, and eventually lost its way in the second half. However, a great many thought the flick was B-movie gold, calling it sharp, fun, shocking and bizarre in equal measure. It stars Elijah Wood, Stephen McHattie, Martin Donovan and Michael Smiley.

Hello Destroyer - Without thinking, a talented young hockey player on the ice commits an in-game act of violence and seriously injures an opponent. The lead’s life and future slowly start to fall apart after he is ignored by the coaching staff and shunned by teammates. Despite trying to make amends for his actions, he realizes that he is also being ostracized by the community. Made back in 2016, this Canadian drama was nominated for several awards in its homeland.

However, it took some time to find U.S. distribution and is finally arriving on DVD (you can also currently stream it on Amazon Prime). Critics were very positive about it, although they warned viewers that the story was incredibly bleak. They commented that it did a solid job of examining systemic violence in sports and contradictory messages being sent to young players. The cast includes Jared Abrahamson, Darren Mann, Ian Tracey and Sara Canning.

The Song of Names - This film follows a young Polish-Jewish violin prodigy who is sent to London to live with an English family during WWII. Thrown together with another youngster in the household, the two are boys forced into trying to live together. As they grow up, the musician begins to draw attention from the public and a concert is arranged, but permanently disappears on the night of his debut. Decades pass and the violinist’s childhood friend sets out to find out what happened and why.

Reaction was mixed towards this drama, with slightly more negative reviews than positive ones. Those who enjoyed it, called the film intriguing and felt that the music, as well as the final reveal, was powerful. Slightly more didn’t care for the temporal jumps and found the protagonists difficult to root for. It stars Tim Roth, Clive Owen, Catherine McCormack, Jonah Hauer-King, Gerran Howell and Saul Rubinek.


Blast from the Past!

Scorpion Releasing has recently put out a trio of Blu-rays for sale through their Ronin Flix website, roninflix.com. This week’s titles include the martial arts/action effort, Blind Rage (1976). The movie stars Fred Williamson and Leo Fong. It arrives with a new HD master and interviews with the cast, as well as a trailer.


You Know, For Kids!

Here are some titles that might distract youngsters (and those who are young at heart).

Highlights Watch & Learn!: Happy Birthday, Make a Wish!

Highlights Watch & Learn: Spring Fling!

The Wizard (1989)


On the Tube!

And if you like Doctor Who, there’s a TV-related release coming your way.

Doctor Who: Sylvester McCoy: Season 3

By Glenn Kay
For the Sun