Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition is a bit slower than the previous one, but there is a notable independent and a few curious titles arriving for adventurous viewers. 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!
APEX PREDATORS 2: THE SPAWNING: If you’re familiar with Wild Eye Releasing (the company behind the Ouija Shark series, Cocaine Shark, the Shark Exorcist series, Sharkula, Jurassic Shark and, well, you get the idea), their latest direct-to-disc and streaming title is a sequel to a 2021 effort from the studio. A volleyball tournament taking place in Long Beach, California takes a disturbing turn when players and visitors start appearing on the beach torn to pieces. As it turns out, flying sharks are the problem and it will take a legendary hunter to take down the man-eating predators and send them back to the ocean.
This one hasn’t been screened for the press yet, so expect something similar to other titles from the studio (although one difference is that it does have a familiar name in the cast). The picture stars Vernon Wells, Christopher Showerman, Jennifer Nangle and Traci Burr.
BEATEN TO DEATH: This independent Australian horror picture has been available to stream for a year, but is now arriving on disc. The story involves a man and his wife who are desperate for cash. They decide to take part in a deal with a drug supplier. When things go south, the man is pursued and tortured to a near death state. Apparently, he survives and wanders off trying to find some kind of help.
Reviews were all over the place for the title. More genre critics liked the movie than disliked it, but audiences have generally hated the picture. Over one-third of critics said that the film’s only goal was to shock by showing a character being brutally maimed for 90 minutes. They noted it was otherwise pointless. But more horror websites called it an effective, extreme horror movie that set out to turn their stomachs and succeeded.
It features David Tracy, Thomas Roach and Benny Blake.
BETWEEN THE TEMPLES: A cantor (a man who sings songs of faith and leads prayer in a synagogue) has a crisis of faith in front of congregants. After getting into some trouble shortly thereafter in a bar, he encounters his grade school music teacher. They talk and go their separate ways, but soon reunite when she starts attending his Bat Mitzvah class. The two attempt to help each other go through major life changes.
This independent comedy was well-received. A small number complained that the movie was put together haphazardly and that its quirkiness didn’t come off as amusing. However, the majority enjoyed the performances and were amused by the eccentric characters. They found the final product to be a funny story of friendship between two members of different generations.
For the time-being, this is a DVD-only release. Jason Schwartzman, Carol Kane, Dolly De Leon, Caroline Aaron and Robert Smigel headline the feature.
THE CHRISTMAS LETTER: An average family man working as a copywriter becomes frustrated by a wealthy friend’s series of annual holiday letters that seemingly boast about the good times he and his relatives are having. After losing his job, the lead decides to splurge and take his family on a globe-trotting vacation. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned as they make their way to various travel destinations.
This picture has not been screened for the press and appears to be debuting as a DVD-only release (it may also be available to stream in the near future, but an official date isn’t available). The movie does feature famous names on the advertising, but otherwise little is known about it.
It features Angus Benfield, Regina Schneider, with appearances from Chevy Chase, Brian Doyle-Murray, Randy Quaid and Brian Posehn.
DANCE FIRST: Irish novelist Samuel Beckett is the subject of this biopic drama. The film tells the story of his life and experiences as a Parisian bon vivant, a resistance fighter, and a Nobel Prize-winning playwright. It also examines his philandering ways and personal failures, as well as his later life as a recluse.
This multinational production was shot in black and white and features familiar faces in the cast, but didn’t land with reviewers. Less than half called the picture a beautifully shot effort that showed intriguing aspects of the man’s life and benefited from some great performances. Alas, the majority stated that the movie handled the figure’s complexities in an overly simple manner and called the feature uneven and drab.
The film stars Gabriel Byrne, Aiden Gillen, Fionn O’Shea and Sandrine Bonnaire.
HOLIDAY TWIST: This holiday picture is an independent production that received a limited release last year and then appeared on streaming services. It is now receiving a DVD-only release.
It follows the high-powered, overworked and not particularly friendly CEO of a delivery service. While dealing with a series of package thefts, she takes part in an embarrassing interview and finds her life falling apart afterward. An angel appears unexpectedly to guide her back onto the right track.
The feature wasn’t seen by many and the few who did review it were less-than-kind. They suggested that while its heart was in the right place, the movie was poorly written and failed to deliver any holiday magic.
The cast includes Kelly Stables, Neal McDonough, Sean Astin, James Maslow and Emily Tosta.
HOUNDS OF WAR: A mercenary and other soldiers are hired by an old associate to take down the most powerful warlord in Libya. They are told where to go, but immediately find themselves in a trap. All are killed except for the central protagonist, who manages to escape. Seeking revenge for the set-up, he comes up with a plan and takes action as his employers set out to finish him off.
This is a DVD-only release and it has been panned by the few online critics who have seen it. They suggest that while there are some good performers in the movie, this is a perfunctory, direct-to-disc action film that doesn’t do anything original or interesting with its concept. They found it dull and predictable.
It features Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick, Rhona Mitra, Leeshon Alexander, Urs Rechn and Matthew Marsh.
MERCHANT IVORY: THE DOCUMENTARY: Also known simply as Merchant Ivory, this documentary follows the partnership of noted producers/filmmakers Ismail Merchant and James Ivory. The two met and initially formed a production company to make English-language films in India for the international market. After achieving success, they began making movies in the UK and America, becoming famous in the process. They enjoyed great success with period dramas like A Room with a View, Howard’s End, Remains of the Day and many others. The doc tells their story, which is told from the point-of-view of Ivory (Merchant passed away in 2005).
Critics responded very favorably to what they saw. One or two called it a series of clips from their features and little more, but all others stated that it was a sweet and interesting look into their unique partnership and the life of Ivory (who finally won his first-ever Oscar at the age of 89 for writing the recent drama, Call Me by Your Name).
SILENT BITE: This low-budget literal and figurative chiller from Canada follows a group of bank robbers who have just pulled a heist on Christmas Eve. With a snowstorm approaching, they search for a place to take shelter from the cold. The group book a room at a motel and try to lie low, only to discover that something much deadlier that they are is present at the location.
Almost no one has seen this independent effort. After searching online, one review appeared suggesting that the movie is stylish and reasonably effective, with some great snow-covered locations and a few interesting plot twists. However, there are no other write-ups available yet, so one may want to wait for more notices to come before purchasing.
Camille Blott, Dan Molson, Kelly Schwartz and Louisa Capulet headline the film.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
All of this edition’s kid-friendly titles can be found below.
The Last Unicorn (1982) (Shout! Factory) “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Steelbook
PBS KIDS: Barnyard Buddies DVD (PBS Kids) DVD
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) (Paramount Pictures) “Standard” 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And the week’s TV-themed titles are listed here.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 17 (CBS) DVD
The King of Queens The Complete Series (Mill Creek Entertainment) Blu-ray
PBS KIDS: Barnyard Buddies DVD (PBS Kids) DVD
Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine – A NOVA Special Presentation (PBS) DVD
Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2 (Paramount) Blu-ray
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Season 1 (Paramount) Blu-ray
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun