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Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for September 18, 2020

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Welcome back to yet another round of highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There are some very quirky and well-received independent efforts hitting shelves, as well as a massive number of classic flicks getting high definition upgrades. So, since you likely can’t or shouldn’t head out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

BIG NEW RELEASES

BECKY: A teenage girl decides to repair her relationship with her father by taking a trip with him to a remote lake house. If you’ve ever seen a horror movie before, you’ll know that nothing good can come from a plan like that. Without warning, a group of convicts looking for a place to hide suddenly burst into the pair’s abode and take them hostage. Despite the familiar plot, this independent horror picture received decent marks from critics.

Those who disliked the feature said that, aside from some eccentric casting, the movie didn’t offer any chills or surprises. However, the majority complimented this violent picture, saying the performers were good and expressing some enjoyment in how the young lead takes down the nasty villains. It features Lulu Wilson, Kevin James, Joel McHale, Amanda Brugel and Robert Maillet.

CREEM: AMERICA’S ONLY ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MAGAZINE: It has been just over 50 years since the music magazine Creem made its print debut. This monthly publication based out of Detroit quickly became the stuff of legend and has been noted for influencing an entire generation of music enthusiasts (some claim it as the first publication to coin the term “punk rock”). Viewers of the documentary follow the magazine’s beginnings and rise to prominence, as well as its collapse after the passing of both the publisher and its most noted writer, Lester Bangs. Musicians from the era as well as those who were influenced by Creem make appearances.

Reaction was very positive towards the doc. They called it an enlightening piece that perfectly captured the crazy and chaotic story of an iconic magazine. Alice Cooper, Cameron Crowe, Joan Jett, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Michael Stipe and others share their thoughts on the magazine. This title is arriving exclusively on DVD.

DRIVEWAYS: This independent drama actually received a DVD release several months back, but is now reappearing on Blu-ray and DVD as a Special Edition. The plot follows an 8-year-old boy who is taken by his mother to help clean out his deceased aunt’s home over the summer. He has difficulty making pals in his new and unfamiliar surroundings. However, that all changes after he encounters his aunt’s grouchy octogenarian neighbor.

The two strike up an unlikely friendship as time passes. The press raved about this little feature. In fact, as of right now it‘s difficult to find anyone who didn’t enjoy it. Their write-ups all describe it as a low-key, sweet and powerful film that features remarkable performances from the entire cast. According to them, the movie helps to show viewers the importance of staying connected with each other. It stars Hong Chau, Lucas Jaye, Brian Dennehy, Christine Ebersole and Jerry Adler.

DTF: Dating is complicated in the modern world. In this documentary, a filmmaker sets out and follows his best friend, a widower airline pilot, who is attempting to make new connections via the worldwide passport dating app, Tinder. For 18 months, we see a well-intentioned man’s quest for love turn into a controversial and cautionary tale of one man’s addictive and outlandish behavior in a bubble of vice (eventually, his strange activities even put his job at risk). There aren’t a lot of reviews available for the film yet, but the ones that have popped up have been positive.

Some have described the film as a little unfocused and noted that the subject’s behavior will definitely turn some viewers off. Still, most have called it a raw and disturbing tale displaying the uncomfortable depths even a normal person can sink to using the app.

JESUS SHOWS YOU THE WAY TO THE HIGHWAY: This independent, European, English-language science-fiction/fantasy/comedy is set in the future and involves a CIA agent readying to retire from his dangerous job. However, when a cyber virus attacks the organization, he’s forced to take on one last assignment and square off against the threat in a bizarre, pop-culture infused cyberspace environment. It soon becomes clear that this virus could end the world if it isn’t stopped, and that getting out of the computer realm might be more difficult than initially thought. Response towards this eccentric effort was very positive.

One or two became frustrated by the movie’s anything-goes approach to storytelling, but the remainder called it enjoyably crazy and commented that they had no idea where this outrageous flick would take them next. Daniel Tadesse, Agustín Mateo and Guillermo Llansó headline the picture.

WEATHERING WITH YOU: Those who enjoy Japanese animated films may be interested in this effort. It follows a young man who leaves his village and heads to Tokyo in the hopes of finding a purpose in life. Unfortunately, he finds the city too expensive and takes shelter from the stormy weather in isolation. Things pick up after the protagonist finds a position writing for a mysterious occult magazine and later meets a charming young lady who appears able to make the rainy skies clear up.

Critics gave this feature high marks. A small cluster said that while nicely animated, the story didn’t reel them in the way they hoped that it would. Still, the vast majority stated that it was a sensitive and effective coming-of-age movie that also dealt effectively with ecological issues and problems like homelessness. The release includes a Japanese language track with subtitles and an English dub.

BLASTS FROM THE PAST!

Arrow Video is releasing a Special Edition Blu-ray of Ivans xtc. (2000). This is a satire of the Hollywood film industry starring Danny Huston and Peter Weller that is loosely based on Leo Tolstoy’s 1886 novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich. The technical specs include a Q&A with director Bernard Rose (Candyman, Immortal Beloved, Samurai Marathon), actress/producer/co-writer Lisa Enos, and the main cast Danny Huston, Peter Weller and Adam Krentzman from a 2018 screening in Hollywood.

 

Lionsgate is delivering a Blu-ray of the early David Cronenberg (The Brood, Videodrome, The Dead Zone, The Fly, eXistenZ, A History of Violence) chiller known as Shivers (1975). The plot involves parasites invading an apartment complex that cause strange and disturbing behaviors on the part of the tenants. Once again, the image has been dramatically cleaned up and you’ll find all the bonuses from previous DVD releases, alongside a new commentary featuring Cronenberg and the producer. You’ll also get individual interviews with the director, the producer, cast members and the make-up team.

Fans of Cronenberg should be thrilled by the Blu-ray. Now please, would someone get around to releasing a Blu-ray the years-ahead-of-its-time 1999 feature, eXistenZ?

Warner Brothers and Warner Archive has some new Blu-rays as well. They are releasing a 4K edition of the Martin Scorsese mobster masterpiece, Goodfellas (1990). Additionally, they have licensed another Steelbook edition of one of their properties to Best Buy in the form of A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). If you like the tin can packaging, you can pick up the horror classic online or at the store.

Finally, Warner’s made-to-order outlet is presenting the John Wayne WWII flick, Flying Leathernecks (1951) on Blu-ray. And they are making a great 4-Film Collection: Film Noir set available as well. You’ll get Gun Crazy (1950), Murder, My Sweet (1944), Out of the Past (1947) and The Set-Up (1949) all in one impressive package. Those interested in ordering these discs should go to the Warner Archive website.

YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!

If you’re looking to entertain the kids this week, here are your best choices.

Ultraman Ginga / Ginga S + Ultra Fight Victory - Series & Movie

The Wiggles – Fun and Games

ON THE TUBE!

And here are all of the TV-themed releases coming your way.

A House Divided: Season 2

In Search Of: Season 1 (History Channel)

In Search Of: Season 2 (History Channel)

Killing Eve: Season 3

Mom: Season 7 (Warner Archive)

Outlander: Season 5

The Outpost: Season 2 (DVD only)

Red Dwarf: The Promised Land (Season 13)

Ultraman Ginga / Ginga S + Ultra Fight Victory - Series & Movie

VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM

By Glenn Kay
For the Sun