The latest update detailing new Blu-ray and DVD highlights is a jam-packed edition with plenty of remarkable releases both new and old. It looks like there’s something for just about everyone coming your way. 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!
BEYOND THE VISIBLE: HILMA AF KLINT: For years, many art historians claimed that the first abstract painter was Vassily Kandinsky, whose work debuted in 1910. This documentary details the incredible discovery of an earlier work in the genre by Hilma af Klint dating back to 1906. Recently, this artist has been receiving recognition and attracting new audiences. The filmmakers set out to tell her life story, detailing the unusual subject matter present in her art and determining why her pioneering work was initially ignored and forgotten.
Every member of the press who managed to receive a screener of this picture greatly enjoyed it. They thought that Hilma af Klint was a fascinating figure and that the movie worked as an exceptional introduction to the incredible images that she created over the course of her life.
THE DEEPER YOU DIG: A mother and daughter team up to con the public as psychics providing bogus tarot card readings. Their performances hide the truth … that the pair can actually communicate with the dead. When one of the team is murdered and the killer hides the body, the remaining family member decides to use her talents to find the body and get revenge. In the meantime, the spirit of a deceased family member also haunts the murderer.
This independent horror picture also received solid notices. One or two commented that while it was a nice try, the end results didn’t produce enough chills. Still, everyone else complimented the film as one of the best DIY genre flicks in recent memory and possessed plenty of strange and haunting elements. It’s being released only on DVD for the time being. The cast includes Toby Poser, John Adams and Zelda Adams.
HAMTRAMCK USA: Here’s another documentary for non-fiction film enthusiasts. This title details the lives and residents of a small Midwestern community, focusing specifically on a public arts event and mayoral election. It examines the multicultural make-up of the town, noting the fact that the majority of residents are actually Muslims. Critics were very impressed with the movie and wrote very favorably about it.
In fact, so far there have been no dissenting voices. They all commented that the film’s honest, fly-on-the-wall approach to capturing these people was enlightening and insightful, as well as being a movie that would cause some viewers to confront their own preconceived notions about those from a different background.
LUCKY GRANDMA: This tale begins with a hard-nosed, 80-year-old, chain-smoking grandmother deciding to throw caution to the wind and get a new start in her life after the passing of her spouse. Her family is not excited about the idea, but appears ill-equipped to stop the family matriarch. She decides to go on a gambling spree, losing everything and drawing the attention of mobsters who want to be paid. When she asks a rival outfit for help, the senior ends up in the middle of a gang war.
The press raved about this dark comedy. It only received one or two negative notices that complained about the story being overstuffed. Everyone else thought the lead performance was compelling and that the movie was a blast that took the unusual step of telling a story from the point-of-view of a grandma. It stars Tsai Chin, Hsiao-Yuan Ha, Michael Tow and Yan Xi.
MICKEY AND THE BEAR: A teenage girl trying to find her way in life must contend with her bullying veteran father in this indie drama. According to the synopsis, he has her routine and duties planned out for her, not allowing the girl to follow her own interests. As a result, the lead must navigate the difficult waters and find common ground with her pop in order to make a new start. This picture is being released exclusively on DVD for the time being.
It received plenty of praise over the past year and won some awards at various film festivals. Write-ups stated that this was a low-key drama that took its time to develop. However, they noted that the characters were very well drawn and that by the climax the movie would make an emotional impact on viewers. It features Camila Morrone, James Badge Dale and Calvin Demba.
THE INFILTRATORS: This unique picture is part documentary and part narrative feature with reenactments based on interview footage. It follows two members of the National Immigrant Youth Alliance, a group focused on bringing unjust deportations that have occurred over the past few years to light. After the pair plans a reverse prison break in order to show the abhorrent actions being taken by government forces, things go south and the protesters find themselves in over their heads. Response toward the film was very positive.
The majority thought that despite the unusual storytelling, this was still a very powerful, enlightening and motivating feature. Mohammad Abdollahi, Maynor Alvarado and Roman Arabia headline the feature.
SONJA: THE WHITE SWAN: Skater Sonja Henie is the subject of this Norwegian biopic. Considered the inventor of modern figure skating, winning multiple Olympic gold medals and turning heads everywhere, the plot follows the performer as she moves to Hollywood and tries to make a name for herself on the big screen. Her first efforts are massive box office successes around the world, but her career starts stalling and scandal follows when she drunkenly takes to the ice for a performance in Rio de Janeiro. The general reception toward this drama was positive.
A small contingent of the press found the main character conceited and difficult to root for. But far more appreciated the darkly drawn character arc and found the story fascinating as the protagonist rises, and then literally falls in front of the public. It stars Ine Marie Wilmann, Valene Kane, Eldar Skar, Pål Sverre Hagen, Hugh O’Conor and Aidan McArdle.
A BLAST FROM THE PAST!
Mikey (1992) is a horror picture starring Brian Bonsall (from later seasons of the ‘80s TV sitcom, Family Ties) as a psychopathic child. As events progress, the neighborhood slowly realizes that tragic accidents keep occurring to those who rub the boy the wrong way. This Blu-ray includes a feature-length documentary on the production, a lengthy discussion about the movie with the director, a trailer and a collectable mini-poster.
Kino has plenty of stuff coming your way. Cry Freedom (1987) is an Oscar-nominated drama about Stephen Biko. It stars Denzel Washington as Biko and Kevin Kline as a journalist attempting to help the famous figure expose the horrors of apartheid to the world. The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards. The Blu-ray for this title includes a film historian commentary and a trailer.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Here are some titles that may appeal to youngsters.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? (Nickelodeon 2019 Limited Series Event)
Arthur: The Ultimate Friendship Collection (PBS Kids)
Casper (1995) Best Buy Steelbook Exclusive
Final Space: Seasons 1 & 2 (Warner Archive)
ON THE TUBE!
And these are all of the TV-themed releases coming your way, including plenty of re-releases of older show sets.
All Summer Long (Hallmark TV-movie)
American Experience: The Vote (PBS)
American Masters: Mae West: Dirty Blonde (PBS)
Are You Afraid of the Dark? (Nickelodeon 2019 Limited Series Event)
Arthur: The Ultimate Friendship Collection (PBS Kids)
Asian Americans (PBS)
Belgravia (UK dramatic Mini-series)
Blacklist: Season 7
Broad City: The Complete Series
Donal MacIntyre: Unsolved: Season 1, Volume 1
Dynasty: The Complete Series
Eureka: The Complete Series
Final Space: Seasons 1 & 2 (Warner Archive)
Gold Digger: Season 1
The Good Wife: The Complete Series
JAG: The Complete Series
The Love Boat: Seasons 1 - 3
Mork & Mindy: The Complete Series
NCIS: New Orleans: Season 6
Neo Ultra Q (2013 Japanese TV Mini-series)
NOVA: Eagle Power (PBS)
Playing for Keeps: Season 1
Rawhide: The Complete Series
Tales from the Darkside: The Complete Series
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun