Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies or need to stay indoors this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
CHRISTMAS WITH THE CAMPBELLS: At the beginning of this romantic comedy, a young woman is rather cruelly dumped by her boyfriend as he leaves for a trip. The lead is even more surprised when her ex’s parents call and ask that she spend the holidays with them. After confirming that her former boyfriend won’t be there, she agrees and travels to the countryside. The initial awkwardness dissipates quickly and sparks fly when the single cousin of the lead’s ex suddenly visits.
This effort didn’t garner a lot of positive press. About one-third of reviewers enjoyed the work of the cast. They thought that the end result delivered laughs and poked fun at Hallmark titles with unexpectedly raunchy humor. Sadly, the majority complained that it was all predictable and that the shift in tone from romance to crudeness didn’t work at all.
DARK GLASSES: 82-year-old Italian horror maestro Dario Argento (Deep Red, Suspiria) returns with this gory shocker set in Rome. The story follows a serial killer who uses cello wire to strangle escorts at a luxury hotel. When an intended victim is chased through the streets and is struck by a car, she suffers permanent blindness and the maniac temporarily retreats. But he soon continues his pursuit as the protagonist attempts to adjust to living without sight.
The final results split the press. Half thought that while the film had its moments, it was still a collection of similar bits and pieces from the filmmaker’s earlier, and better, cinematic efforts. Yet the same number (and a couple more) thought that the opening sequence was stellar, the lead performance was strong and that the feature was one of Argento’s stronger recent efforts.
DEAR ZOE: When a teenage girl tragically loses a sibling, she and her family struggle to deal with the terrible loss. While others in the household use therapy and conventional means to grieve, it doesn’t work for the rebellious lead who looks for support in unconventional places. This includes her biological father from the other side of the tracks, as well as a dangerous juvenile delinquent who lives nearby.
Reaction towards this drama was positive overall. Nearly one-third of critics commented that the writing wasn’t strong and that the feature felt overly melodramatic and ineffective. Still, more complimented the lead performance and thought it was a sweet film about grief that included plenty of moving moments.
DECISION TO LEAVE: This foreign-language crime/drama from South Korea involves the sudden and mysterious death of a man who falls from a mountain peak. A policeman arrives to investigate and determine whether the man committed suicide or was murdered. He quickly begins to suspect the man’s wife of being responsible, but finds himself drawn closer to her as things progress.
Reviewers raved about the movie and it was nominated for several awards by critic groups (however, it did not receive an Academy Award nomination for Best International Feature). A handful wrote that it was a slow-moving and ineffective homage to Alfred Hitchcock. Everyone else stated that it was beautifully shot and thrilling to watch. They also referred to it as incredibly clever and praised an unexpected twist near the close.
THE FABELMANS: The latest from Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the Indiana Jones series, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan and many more) is a semi-autobiographical story about a young man in Arizona who aspires to become a filmmaker. While he pursues his dreams, a major family conflict arises and he attempts to use movies to deal with a troubled reality.
For the most part, the press gave the film high marks and it has been nominated for nine Academy Awards. A small contingent didn’t think the story was particularly compelling, and noted that it presented the youthful lead as an almost flawless individual. Still, the consensus was that the cast was exceptional and that the story did a fine job of depicting the inspirational power of movies.
HOUSE PARTY: House Party starring Kid ‘n Play was a successful 1990 comedy that earned solid reviews and inspired a series of sequels through the 90s and beyond.
This remake features a new cast of young leads. The story involves two best friends and aspiring club promoters who spend their days working as house cleaners in Los Angeles. When they are asked to clean the mansion of NBA star LeBron James, they use the gig as an opportunity to host a huge party and make connections.
Reviewers largely panned this new take on the series. A small number appreciated the fact that it attempted to do something different with the original concept and thought it delivered enough laughs to entertain. Alas, most complained that it wasn’t as funny or heartfelt as the original. They also suggested that fewer and fewer of the jokes worked as it progressed.
PROJECT WOLF HUNTING: This foreign-language action picture from South Korea involves a number of criminals being sent on a plane from the Philippines to the city of Seoul. The villainous masterminds plot a daring escape that quickly escalates into a bloody riot in the air. The officers onboard must not only deal with the thugs, but also the villain’s allies on the runway after they land.
The final product received more upbeat write-ups than negative pieces. Some did comment that the movie seemed like 1997’s Con-Air on steroids and was so overly violent that it reminded them of a video game. Still, many more were amused by the action and geysers of blood flying across the screen with reckless abandon, claiming that it delivered craziness they couldn’t help but enjoy.
SAVAGE SALVATION: In a small town where the two biggest interests are its church and/or oxycodone, a sheriff and detective attempt to keep their small town safe. When a newly engaged couple with connections to the leads ask for help in getting clean, the officers are happy to assist. But when one of them is discovered dead, the pair end up with two problems on their hands. The first is finding out who was responsible, and the second is keeping the significant other from going on a vengeance-filled rampage.
There are only a few reviews available so far for this low-budget action film and they haven’t been complimentary. The write-ups have all called the film a waste of a great cast, stating that it was a by-the-numbers effort worsened with an awkwardly put-together climax.
SHEPHERD: THE STORY OF A HERO DOG: The story begins in 1935 and follows a Jewish boy in Berlin whose beloved German Shepherd is taken by Nazi forces when the Nuremberg Laws come into effect. The dog is trained by an SS Officer to be a vicious guard dog at a concentration camp. But the animal becomes confused when its young owner arrives as a prisoner. The boy and pooch reconnect and attempt to escape together.
Notices for the family-friendly war drama were good. A handful found it too obvious and emotionally manipulative to be effective. Regardless, the consensus was that the film would appeal to dog-lovers and that its inspirational message subtly and effectively conveyed the horrors of war to youths.
STRANGE WORLD: This animated tale follows a family led by a legendary explorer. After he and his son have a blow out and go their separate ways, the patriarch disappears. The boy grows up and uses his botany skills to power his community. Many years later, his own teenage son begins to feel an urge to explore the world around him. When an environmental issue threatens their land, the two head out to search for an answer. The press generally enjoyed this feature from Disney.
About one-quarter of reviewers stated that the visuals were great, but that the human drama was not. They also called some of the movie’s messages contradictory. Still, most thought that the title environment was phenomenal and that there were plenty of thrills, excitement and laughs to be had. This title can be purchased in an assortment of formats, including 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray combos and regular Blu-ray editions.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Strange World (Disney) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, Blu-ray only and various other editions
Additionally, Shepherd: The Story of a Hero Dog is an option, but the WWII backdrop may make it inappropriate for younger children so it hasn’t been listed below.
ON THE TUBE!
Here are all of the week’s TV-themed releases.
American Gigolo Season 1 (Paramount) Blu-ray
Dawson’s Creek The Complete Series (Mill Creek Entertainment) Blu-ray
Longmire The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
