Welcome back to this edition of new releases on DVD and Blu-ray. It’s an eccentric mix with a lot of interesting material arriving on store shelves. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
Indignation - Based on the novel by Philip Roth, this period drama follows a young Jewish boy who enrolls in university to avoid the draft. Unfortunately, the institute is extremely conservative, leading to conflict when the lead begins dating a female student. Reviews were generally very strong, although some found it a bit dry. The greater part complimented the way the design, look and feel of the era was replicated, as well as the understated performances. It stars Logan Lerman, Sarah Gordon and Tracy Letts.
Kickboxer: Vengeance - It has been a long time since the original Kickboxer film with Jean-Claude Van Damme, but that hasn’t stopped numerous direct-to-DVD sequels from being produced. At least he actually appears in this follow-up, training a young hero to fight in an underground match against the man who killed his brother. Presumably he will take... vengeance. Notices were mixed, which is a bit better than expected. Write-ups suggested that what the franchise’s latest lead lacked in raw charisma, it made up for in (sometimes unintentional) laughs. They also mentioned that the fight scenes were decent. In addition to Van Damme, it features Dave Bautista, Alain Moussi and Gina Carano.
Morris From America - In this comedy, a teenage boy is forced to make a tough transition when his dad moves to Germany to take up a position as a soccer coach. The kid attempts to navigate the social scene and customs of his new school and environment. This coming-of-age and fish-out-of-water story was very well received by the press. While all admitted the plot was simple and nothing revolutionary, most wrote that the characters were likable and the tone very sweet, resulting in an entertaining little flick. The cast includes Markees Christmas, Craig Robinson and Carla Juri.
Phantom Boy - This French animated feature involves a young boy in the hospital with a debilitating disease. He discovers that when he is asleep, his phantom spirit arises and can move freely about. The boy decides to help an injured cop stop a mob kingpin from wreaking havoc on the city. Critics gave the foreign-language movie good marks. A few weren’t fond of the animation, but the overwhelming majority liked the stylish approach as well as the witty banter between characters. If you watch the original French version (as you should), you’ll hear the voices of Alex Gagnol and Audrey Tautou.
Plan 9 - Many years back, some low-budget filmmakers mounted a remake of the Ed Wood Jr. bad movie classic. After being released for streaming a few months back, it’s finally arriving on DVD. The plot involves alien invaders who land in saucers and attempt to raise the dead to use them as an army against the world. There still aren’t many reviews out there, with the ones that have popped up stating that it’s amusing in sections, but doesn’t quite work overall. As many have noted, it’s usually not a great idea to try and make an intentionally bad movie. It features Brian Krause and Mister Lobo.
Sausage Party - Here’s another noteworthy animated feature. This one, however, is specifically made for adults. It follows a hot dog at a local supermarket who yearns to be sold to shoppers and taken to the afterlife. However, the belief system of all of the food products come into question when one product reveals that their imminent sale only leads to a violent and grotesque end. Critics enjoyed this crude and rude comedy. While there were a few who found it distasteful, many thought it was an amusing antidote to typical animated fare that also provided some interesting religious satire. The impressive voice-cast includes Seth Rogen, Kristin Wiig, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, Michael Cera, James Franco, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Paul Rudd, Edward Norton and Salma Hayek.
Tikkun - A passionate and Ultra-Orthodox religious scholar in Jerusalem passes out and is presumed dead. He is resuscitated by his father, but when he comes back he suddenly feels a crisis of faith. Even his father begins to feel guilty about saving his son after the boy considers leaving the order. Reviews were decent for the feature, telling readers that while some moments strain suspension of disbelief, the mood and photography on display result in a number of oddly chilling moments. It stars Aharon Traitel and Khalifa Natour.
Blasts From the Past!
There’s plenty of fun stuff arriving in high definition this week. Arrow Video are releasing a Special Edition Blu-ray of the 80s slasher, The Initiation (1984). It stars a very young Daphne Zuniga as a woman with a tragic past. She’s sent out on a sorority prank that quickly turns deadly. The movie is goofy, but isn’t without numerous charms, including an amusingly unique finale. Besides a new restoration from original film elements, this disc includes new interviews with several cast members, an informative commentary, trailer and other bonuses.
Shout! Factory have a Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) arriving on Blu-ray in a Collector’s Edition. Get this for a concept... an elderly Elvis is alive (having faked his death) and living in a retirement home. He and a buddy must save the residents from an Egyptian mummy that has arrived on the property and is attempting to steal souls. It stars Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis. This cult film comes with more extras than one can list: multiple commentary tracks, new interviews with cast and crew, featurettes on the effects and music, promotional materials and much more.
And you can pick up one of the grittiest movies of the 70s. Sony have a re-release of the Blu-ray for Martin Scorcese’s classic Taxi Driver (1976) as part of the film’s 40th anniversary. It contains all of the commentaries and materials from previously released versions plus a brand new, 40 minute Q&A with Scorcese and stars Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster recorded in 2016 at the Tribeca Film Festival.
On the sillier side, Warner Bros. have a Blu-ray box set called the Rush Hour Trilogy which features all three of the Jackie Chan/Chris Tucker buddy cop flicks made between 1998 and 2007. As expected, all of the bonuses from previous releases have been ported over. The big extra is a new, 25-minute feature with series director Brett Ratner reminiscing on experiences working on the film.
Criterion also have a noteworthy title arriving in high definition. Lone Wolf and Cub (1972-74) is a classic Japanese series about a samurai traveling the countryside with a baby in tow. Of course, the infant doesn’t stop him from slicing and dicing his way past enemies. This set contains all six films digitally restored as well as loads of extras. They include interviews with the writer, a French documentary about the making of the films, and a theatrically released US re-edit. That one’s called Shogun Assassin (1980), which plays like a greatest hits package of the first two films. There’s even more bonuses included.
Additionally, Kino have the Mike Hammer adaptation I, the Jury (1982) debuting on Blu-ray. Armand Assante stars as the title character, out to solve the murder of a private detective buddy who found out something that got him killed. They also have Western Union (1941), a cowboy flick helmed by Fritz Lang (M, Metropolis).
Finally, Warner Archives are putting out a few titles as made-to-order releases. You can now pick up The Goodbye Girl (1977) on Blu-ray and watch star Richard Dreyfuss scream at roommate Marsha Mason, “I don’t like the panties drying on the rod!” Available on DVD are a couple of Paul Newman features that include the drama The Drowning Pool (1975) as well as the thriller, The Mackintosh Man (1973).
You Know, For Kids!
Here’s some kid-friendly entertainment.
Alpha and Omega: The Big Freeze
Batman Beyond: The Complete Series
L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables (PBS)
Sonic X: Complete Seasons 1 & 2
Stick Man (PBS)
Thomas & Friends: Ultimate Friendship Adventures
On the Tube!
And these are the TV-related releases coming your way.
Batman Beyond: The Complete Series
Billions: Season 1
Black Sails: Season 3
Daredevil: Season 1
Family Matters: The Complete 9th Season (Warner Archive)
Into the Badlands: Season 1
L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables (PBS)
Powers: Season 2
Red Dwarf: XI
Sisters: The Final Season
Turn: Washington’s Spies: Season 3
Your Family or Mine: Season 1
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun