By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. With the end of the year approaching, there are fewer releases than normal, but many of features that are coming out are big and notable. So, if you can’t, or shouldn’t be heading out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
BLUE BAYOU: This drama follows a Korean-American man who was adopted from abroad at the age of three and has lived his entire life in the state of Louisiana. Now married to a local woman, he works diligently to help prepare for the imminent arrival of a new baby. Sadly, all that changes when the U.S. immigration board informs the protagonist that due to an esoteric law regarding adoptees, he is not an American citizen and may soon be deported. Reviews were generally positive toward this feature.
About a quarter of the write-ups stated that the story’s message was important, but that it was overstuffed, and too melodramatic. Regardless, the majority thought that the movie was admirably sincere in its intentions and that the cast was excellent. It stars Justin Chon, Alicia Vikander, Mark O’Brien and Linh-Dan Pham.
FORTRESS: After retiring from his position as a CIA agent, a man takes up residence in a secret and remote estate in the woods. One day, his estranged adult son arrives for a visit (one guesses the locale wasn’t that much of a secret), hoping to mend fences with his pop. Unfortunately, the visitor has been followed to the location by an old nemesis looking to kill the father. The dad and son take refuge in the heavily-armed retreat and fight back against the villains.
This picture was released on streaming formats Dec. 17 and is now appearing on disc, but there aren’t many reviews for it, yet. The ones that have appeared have been negative, suggesting that the movie was quite dull and full of techno-babble about Cyptocurrency (one of the story’s subplots). The cast includes Jesse Metcalfe, Bruce Willis, Chad Michael Murray and Shannen Doherty.
HELL HATH NO FURY: Set in France during World War II, a female French national takes up with a high-ranking Nazi official in order to survive. After her nasty boyfriend is killed, the woman is branded a traitor. In order to secure her own safety and personal freedom, she promises a group of U.S. soldiers that she can lead them to a secret cache of gold that once belonged to her dead lover. Soon, everyone is in pursuit and trying to locate the precious material.
Notices were solid for this low-budget action thriller. One or two thought it was corny and called the material overbaked. However, all others said the film was an impressive surprise, with all sorts of interesting turns and a potent message about the negative effects greed can have on people. It features Nina Bergman, Daniel Bernhardt, Timothy V Murphy and Louis Mandylor.
THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK: This prequel to the HBO series “The Sopranos” involves several characters from the show, specifically a teenage Tony Soprano. It also tells the story of the youngster’s uncle, mobster Dickie Moltisanti. Viewers witness a series of events and double-crosses in the lives of several characters that influence and help create who the family members became decades later. Overall, the press was more positive than negative about the picture.
Almost a third of them did complain that this movie didn’t live up to the show or add anything that audiences truly needed to know about the main individuals. Still, the majority really appreciated the cast and the witty banter between characters, noting that the film effectively conveyed a sense of foreboding and tragedy about many of its characters. It stars Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Corey Stoll, Ray Liotta, Michela De Rossi and Michael Gandolfini.
NO TIME TO DIE: The latest “James Bond” feature takes its familiar character into darker territory. After leaving active service with the British spy agency MI6, he is suddenly called back into action when old friend Felix Leiter tells him about a new and sinister mastermind who has created a viral threat. The spy must deal with this villain and work out personal issues with his significant other. Critics were generally impressed with the picture.
A minor contingent (myself included), had issues with the downcast tone, slow pacing, and story, also noting that the central foe was underutilized and unremarkable. However, the consensus thought that the action was impressive and the seriousness added gravitas to this final film in this iteration of the Bond character. Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Ana de Armas, Lashana Lynch, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright and Christoph Waltz.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Shout! has a few noteworthy Blu-rays heading your way. “Lady in a Cage” (1964) is a thriller with Olivia de Havilland about a presumably well-to-do woman trapped in her elevator at home after the power goes out. She must also contend with robbers entering the residence in the dark. This title marks the first major film role for James Caan who plays one of the hoodlums.
The disc includes a film historian commentary, another critic featurette explaining the movie’s historical significance and also some publicity materials.
Additionally, they have a Blu-ray of a very dark comedy called “No Way to Treat a Lady” (1968). Rod Steiger stars as a psychopathic strangler who uses elaborate disguises to keep himself from getting caught. After getting away with several murders, he boldly targets the girlfriend of the detective hunting him down. This release comes with a film historian audio track, a featurette with a second movie critic about the movie, and a still gallery.
You can also pick up a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of “Vampire Lovers” (1970). It’s a period piece from British outfit Hammer Films about a group of men searching out a dangerous female bloodsucker responsible for draining the plasma of many villagers. Peter Cushing plays one of the vampire slayers. The movie has been given a 4K scan for improved image quality and includes a film critic commentary, an audio essay about the feature, an introduction to the movie from one of the cast members, as well as a feature with a film historian who recounts background information about the production.
You’ll also get archived audio commentaries with the director and female star, as well as another older track with movie historians. Additionally, there are individual pieces on the studio that produced the movie, interviews with cast members, a deleted shot from the movie, trailers, radio spots, a still gallery, and lots more.
The Film Detective is releasing “The Sherlock Holmes Vault Collection” on Blu-ray. It contains four early film adaptations featuring the famous English detective. You’ll get “The Fatal Hour” (1931), “A Study in Scarlet” (1933), “The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes” (1935) and “Silver Blaze” (1937). Every movie included in the box set comes with a film historian audio commentary.
There are additional interviews with film experts on this series. It also includes poster reproductions of some of the publicity materials for the movies, Sherlockian shorts and radio plays from the era, a magnet, and even a little notebook.
Stand Home Video is presenting a Blu-ray of the French film “Time of the Wolf” (2003). Written and directed by Michael Haneke (“Funny Games,” “Amour”), it’s a disturbing post-apocalyptic tale of a family trying to survive a cataclysm and reach safety at their vacation home – unfortunately, desperate squatters have already staked claim to the location when they arrive. Isabelle Huppert takes on the lead role.
If you enjoy B-movies, then Tempe Digital might have what you’re looking for. They are putting out several low-budget titles from the early 1990s on Blu-ray. If you’re brave enough, you can pick up “Chickboxer” (1992), “Galaxy of the Dinosaurs” (1992), “Humanoids from Atlantis” (1992), “Kingdom of the Vampire” (1991), “Maximum Impact” (1992), and “Zombie Cop” (1991). All of the titles appear to come with multiple bonuses like filmmaker commentaries and interviews with members of the cast and crew.
Altered Innocence is partnering with Vinegar Syndrome to present the feature “LA Plays Itself: The Fred Halsted Collection” (1972) on Blu-ray. The title figure is considered a gay icon and this disc includes several short films he made that are considered groundbreaking and controversial. They detail the private lives and intimate experiences of gay men during this era. The shorts are completely uncut and bonuses include multiple commentaries, video essays and featurettes, as well as a longer feature from the filmmaker that was once considered lost.
Finally, VCI is putting out a Blu-ray of the Mary Pickford classic, “Sparrows” (1926). This film is about a group of orphans living on a farm surrounded by a swamp. The orphans are treated horribly and forced to work all day by their nasty guardian. They try to break free, but must trudge through an alligator-filled marsh to reach safety.
Sourced from a recent 4K restoration, the disc also includes a newly recorded score, outtakes, and an original trailer, as well as a souvenir booklet.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Sadly, not much for children this week. Hopefully some more titles will appear next week.
ON THE TUBE!
It’s a quiet week for TV-related releases, but listed below is what is arriving on shelves.
“Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness” Season 1
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