Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition is a busy one, with a ton of Hollywood features and independents in a wide variety of genres. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a few days, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
THE ANIMAL KINGDOM: Combining elements of adventure, science-fiction and drama, this co-production between France and Belgium is set in a world where some humans have begun to mutate and develop animal characteristics. A teenage boy begins showing signs that he may be affected and is told by his father that his mother, who has disappeared, also had this condition. While authorities close in on these new and powerful individuals, the leads try to find their missing relative.
Reception has been generally positive towards this foreign-language feature. A small group complained that it felt like an X-Men tale but without thrills, repeatedly delivering clichés and struggling to hold viewer interest. Still, most called the picture smart and intriguing. They also wrote that it was helped by the warm and well-performed relationship between the father and son.
Romain Duris and Paul Kircher headline the picture.
BAG OF LIES: A husband whose wife has terminal cancer is desperate to find her any cure. When he discovers an ancient relic said to have dark powers, he decides to see if it can save her. But there are three important rules to follow while using the item. Things initially look promising until one of the instructions is overlooked, leading to a ghastly series of consequences that test the husband’s sanity.
This independent chiller debuted on streaming sites a couple of months ago. It hasn’t been seen by many critics so far, but a few mixed reviews have appeared online. Most suggest that the concept is interesting, the performances reasonable and that it had some creepy moments. At the same time, they stated that the film was overlong and the pacing sluggish, lessening the suspense.
It stars Patrick Taft, Brandi Botkin and John Wells.
BIGFOOT EXORCIST: This feature is from a filmmaker responsible for the Shark Exorcist series and follows a cult who summon a vicious sasquatch to do their bidding. When a man survives an attack by the creature, he starts transforming into a bigfoot. The figure asks for help from a nun to release him from this curse.
No one has seen this picture yet and it is arriving as a DVD-only release to shoppers. If you’ve seen the series mentioned above, expect something similar set in the woods.
The cast includes Jessa Flux, Crystal Quin and Ford Windstar.
BLOOD AND SNOW: A meteor crashes in the Arctic and is discovered by scientists. One is immediately killed, while the other wounded researcher escapes to a nearby base. The group of individuals who find the ill figure try to treat them. But soon after, everyone realizes that the person has been infected by an alien menace that wants to spread among the others.
This low-budget independent chiller appeared on streaming sites a few weeks ago and is now debuting on disc. Almost no major reviewers have seen it. Online critics who specialize in this type of movie thought that the locations were impressive, but called it a blatant and ineffective copy of John Carpenter’s The Thing. Some even thought this title could be sued for plagiarism.
It features Vernon Wells, Simon Phillips, Michael Swatton and Anne-Carolyne Binette.
BRING HER TO ME: Much like Wild Eye Releasing, Full Moon Entertainment also delivers direct-to-disc and streaming genre titles (albeit with slightly higher budgets than their competitor). Their latest is from the director of The Gingerdead Man and follows a woman suffering from intense nightmares. After falling asleep, she begins encountering a nasty demon. The lead calls on the help of a dream interpreter and discovers that the supernatural force is, well, amorous and interested in her physically.
Again, few critics have actually seen this picture. Those that have suggested that, for a low-budget picture, it looks reasonably slick. However, they also note the extremely short running time (under one hour), weak character development and abrupt ending. Apparently, it is available to watch for free on Tubi, so those interested may want to check it out there first.
Bec Doyle and Roslyn Gentle headline the film.
DOGMAN: This crime/drama from Luc Besson (Leon: The Professional, The Fifth Element) begins with a young man being arrested while driving a truck full of illegal drugs. He is interviewed by a psychiatrist and tells his life story. It involves incredible tragedy, including abuse from his father and a troubling stay in a juvenile institution. The criminal also reveals his experiences training dogs to accompany him on several heists.
The movie played at various festivals (it was nominated for awards at the Venice Film Festival) but divided the press, receiving a wide range of ratings. Almost half called the picture ridiculous and stated that the strange shifts in tone were so confusing that the entire feature baffled them. Slightly more wrote that the lead performance was exceptional and that the film was so wild and unique that they couldn’t help but get wrapped up in its oddness.
It stars Caleb Landry Jones, Jojo T. Gibbs, Christopher Denham, Marisa Berenson, Clemens Schick and Grace Palma.
ENTER THE DRAG DRAGON: Those who follow indie cult cinema and live in Canada may be familiar with Lee Demarbre, a filmmaker who has independently produced B-movie genre mash-ups like the Harry Knuckles series and Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter (among others). His latest effort involves an amateur detective and drag queen who is hired to find a lost dog. The trail leads the character on a strange journey that involves fending off underworld criminals, an Aztec mummy, zombies, anti-gay Christian vigilantes, and more.
Once again, this little film hasn’t gotten a lot of write-ups, but most were upbeat. Those reviews called it a combination of early John Waters pictures and a Lloyd Kaufman production. It also won awards at the Hollywood Blood Horror Festival last year.
Apparently, Sam Kellerman, Jade London and Matt Miwa all play the lead character at different points in the movie.
FINDING THE MONEY: The U.S. national debt and the nature of money is the subject of this documentary. The filmmakers interview various professors of economics and other notable figures, including the former chief economist to the American Senate Budget Committee. They do so to show exactly how the system of government spending works, before breaking it down and critiquing it. The movie proposes a new way of thinking about how and where countries spend their money.
Few members of the press managed to see the picture last month when it received a limited release, but word on it was upbeat. Most found the subject interesting and stated that while some of the arguments were not entirely convincing to them, the film would definitely change how many felt about modern economics and help all to conceive ways for the process to change and better serve citizens.
GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE: The latest title in the new series of U.S.-produced “Monsterverse” team-ups involving Godzilla and King Kong features the beasts and a few human characters who have appeared in previous chapters. When multiple giant creatures rise from a land beneath the Earth to wreak havoc, the title monsters are forced to team up and help save the world.
This picture generally split the press, but did receive a few more positive notices than negative ones. Those who disliked the picture described it as complete and utter nonsense with poor character development. They became disinterested in the action and felt that the movie paled in comparison to Godzilla Minus One from Japan. The same number and a few more thought it delivered silly fun and amusing in-jokes that would put a grin on the face of any giant monster movie fan.
This film is available in multiple editions, including a 4K Ultra HD version, a Blu-ray only release, a Walmart exclusive Steelbook 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo and a Godzilla/Kong Monsterverse 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray pack with this and the previous four films in the series.
It stars Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle and Alex Ferns.
IMMACULATE: After her parish closes, a young, devout American nun takes a position in Italy at a remote convent. While caring for ailing, elderly nuns, she begins meeting the various unusual personalities also at the abbey. Things get unsettling when the lead sees threatening figures dressed in red, and become even more perplexing when the celibate woman discovers that she is pregnant. Despite her protests, those who run the convent decide to keep her locked up within the convent.
Reaction to this horror picture was more positive than negative. A number of write-ups complained that the story was predictable and that it simply wasn’t scary, resorting to shocks instead of generating a sense of fear or unease. But the majority complimented the picture as atmospheric and intense. They also thought it included excellent performances and a memorable finale.
It stars Sidney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte and Simona Tabasco.
REMEMBERING GENE WILDER: The life and career of late Hollywood actor Gene Wilder is chronicled in this documentary. After his mother suffered a stroke at a young age and he was advised by a nurse to keep her spirits up by making her laugh, Wilder found that he enjoyed performing and decided to pursue a career onscreen. Those whom he worked with share their memories of him, describing the figure as a serious actor with impeccable comic timing. There is also exploration of tragedy within his life, as well as many positive experiences.
The picture was well-received. A small number commented that this was a surface level examination of the man and his career, lacking deep insight. Regardless, the consensus was that the movie delivered a touching tribute to a figure and his incredible work in films like The Producers, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silver Streak and many others.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
All kid-friendly titles can be found below.
Shrek: 4-Movie Collection (Universal Pictures) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray
Shrek Forever After (2010) (Universal Pictures) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray
Witch’s Night Out and The Gift of Winter: Classic Animated Double Feature (T.V. Specials) (MVD Visual) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
This edition’s TV-themed releases are listed below.
American Experience: Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy of Love Canal (PBS) DVD
Come Fly with Me (Hallmark Mystery) DVD
Doctor Who: The Celestial Toymaker Season 3 (BBC) Blu-ray
Heartland Season 16 (CBC/EOne) DVD
The Jeffersons The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) DVD
South Park: Joining the Panderverse (Paramount) Blu-ray or DVD
Superman & Lois Season 3 (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray or DVD
Welcome Back, Kotter The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) DVD
Witch’s Night Out and The Gift of Winter: Classic Animated Double Feature (T.V. Specials) (MVD Visual) DVD
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
