Welcome to another look at highlights headed your way on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s another busy edition filled with intriguing independent features and big studio fare. So, 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!
AMERICAN WISPER: Based on a true crime case that occurred in 2016, this independent feature involves a successful African-American businessman. When his entire family is gunned down in their suburban New Jersey home, authorities quickly call out the husband and father as the prime suspect in the case. While being investigated, the lead begins his own search to find out what happened and who might be responsible. The trail leads to shocking revelations and discoveries. The low-budget movie was picked up by a small distributor and premiered on Amazon Prime at the end of March.
It is now being released on disc. At this time, there aren’t many reviews available for it yet, but at least you can stream it in order to see if it’s worth adding to your collection on disc. The cast includes Christian Barber, Naaji Kenn, Lanisha Javon Gholston and Kenishia Green.
GAMEMASTER: Enjoy board games like Ticket to Ride and, well, just about any other recent release you can think of? This documentary examines the newfound popularity of gathering together around a table with friends and/or family and playing games. Apparently, there has been a resurgence over the past decade, and it has now become a $3 billion dollar industry. The movie is described as a deep dive into the world of new board games. It follows four people attempting to sell their game ideas to companies.
The film also includes interviews with the creators of the hugely popular Settlers of Catan, Quirkle and Exploding Kittens, which are some of the most popular ones out there. This picture will premiere exclusively on disc, because (kiddingly) enthusiasts currently have no interest in taking a break from their hobby. However, this film should be of interest to anyone who enjoys board games.
I, PASTAFARI: A FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER STORY: For those unfamiliar with this satirical religious movement, Pastafarianism was developed in 2005 by a university student poking fun at creationism. It gained attention and millions of followers, with the man behind it writing a textbook called The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. This manual defines their belief system and the book’s title creature, who created all life on Earth. The documentary details the history of the organization and those involved as they fight for the freedom to express their views and make others consider the belief systems they have adopted.
The film is quite short with a running time listed at about an hour. It is premiering exclusively on disc and on streaming platforms. There have only been a couple of write-ups so far. The ones that have appeared call the movie an amusing and enjoyable introduction to this movement.
SORRY WE MISSED YOU: The latest drama from English filmmaker Ken Loach (I, Daniel Blake, The Wind that Shakes the Barley) depicts a struggling family trying to make ends meet. The husband purchases a new van and starts up his own franchise as a self-employed delivery driver for online businesses, while his wife takes on extra hours as a health care worker. Despite their best efforts and desire to succeed, the two begin to realize they’re fighting a losing battle, bringing tensions to a boil. Reviewers were very impressed by what they saw.
One or two found it difficult to watch as problem after problem stacked up repeatedly against the movie’s protagonists. Everyone else raved and called it devastating to watch, saying it shows what is happening to lower-class families exploited by a capitalistic system. It features Kris Hitchen, Debbie Honeywood, Rhys Stone and Katie Proctor.
SWEETNESS IN THE BELLY: A young English girl visiting Africa is orphaned and forced to fend for herself. When civil war breaks out in Ethiopia, she returns to the UK as a refugee. After arriving in London, the lead begins working as a nurse and befriends other refugees. She and her friends decide to help asylum seekers find family members who have moved away from their home.
Based on the 2005 novel by Camilla Gibb, this adaptation received a wide variety of responses, although in the end the negative write-ups outweighed the recommendations. Positive reviews noted that while flawed, the movie was earnest in its intent and did attempt to deal with a variety of complex issues. Those who didn’t care for it commented that the movie bit off more than it could chew and was an oversimplification of complex issues. The cast includes Dakota Fanning, Wummi Mosaku, Kunal Nayyar, Yahya Abdul-Marteen II.
ZOMBIE FOR SALE: Also known as The Odd Family: Zombie for Sale, this South Korean horror/comedy tells what happens when a pharmaceutical company conducts illegal experiments and accidentally creates zombies. When one of the undead test subjects escapes and stumbles into a nearby gas station owned by a misfit family, they discover that when the zombie eats flesh, it becomes revitalized. The clan decides to exploit the situation for their own financial gain, charging locals to be bitten and become immortal. Of course, this plan ends up causing unwanted problems.
This flick was extremely well received by the press. A tiny contingent stated that the concept didn’t speak to them, yet the overwhelming consensus was that the picture was hilarious, delivering sharp satirical elements and providing a welcome and invigorating twist on the zombie movie formula. Jung Jae-young, Kim Nam-gil and Uhm Jji-won headline the feature.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Wrestling enthusiasts will be happy to learn that Grunt! The Wrestling Movie (1985) is hitting Blu-ray. Made in the ‘80s and inspired by the ratings success of the WWF (now WWE), this tale follows a professional wrestler who completely vanishes. Other competitors try to take his spot, including an unknown masked figure, who may actually be the missing star in disguise. This movie, featuring ring legends Dick Murdock and Exotic Adrian Street, vanished from view not long after its release.
It arrives on disc with a 2K master and trailers. This particular Scorpion release title will be available for purchase on Amazon and at Kino films, which is also involved in its Blu-ray debut.
You can also pick up a Blu-ray of the British musical revue flick, Go Go Mania (1965). This title presents remarkable concert footage of The Beatles, Eric Burdon and the Animals, Herman’s Hermits, The Spencer Davis Group and many others. This disc comes with an audio commentary from a pair of entertainment and music journalists, as well as trailers.
That’ll Be the Day (1973) is arriving on disc courtesy of Kino. It’s a British coming-of-age film about a young man trying to find his way in the world. He becomes involved in the area’s bustling musical scene and gets enthused about it, but falls in with a local criminal element. The movie is noteworthy for its supporting turns from the likes of drummers Ringo Starr and Keith Moon. It features a great soundtrack including songs from The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dion, Del Shannon, Little Richard, Frankie Lymon, Bobby Darin and Ritchie Valens.
This week, Criterion is putting out a Blu-ray of the Academy Award-winning science-fiction classic, The War of the Worlds (1953). Based on the H.G. Wells’ story, it begins when a strange flaming meteor crashes to the ground in rural California. Locals are initially excited, but their response turns to fear and panic as Martians appear and begin an assault on Earth. The survivors must find a way to fight back and defeat the alien menace.
The feature has been given a 4K digital restoration so that it looks better than ever.
You’ll also get a 2005 commentary with director Joe Dante and other film authorities, a program about the Oscar-winning visual effects and sound design, and a segment on the restoration of the movie. It also contains an interview with producer George Pal recorded in 1970, a 2005 documentary about the flick, the 1938 radio adaptation of the story with Orson Welles.
Finally, Redemption is offering a Blu-ray of Neurosis (1982) aka Revenge in the House of Usher, a Jess Franco horror flick. This title comes with a film historian commentary and a trailer.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Here are the week’s child-friendly features.
Trolls World Tour
ON THE TUBE!
And if you’re looking to catch up on some TV-themed material, it looks like this is your only option.
Murdoch Mysteries: Season 13
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun