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You are here: Community Film Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for June 24, 2022

Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for June 24, 2022

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Welcome to another look at some of the highlights coming your way on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s another busy edition, with studio films and independent fare in a wide variety of genres. So, if you can’t make it to the movies this week or need to keep your distance from others, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

 

BIG NEW RELEASES!

THE BAD GUYS: Based on the series of best-selling children’s books, this animated family feature follows a group of animal outlaws and con-artists. When they are caught in the middle of a heist, they ask for forgiveness and agree to become model citizens. While they initially consider their probation course a scam to stay out of prison, the group ultimately begin to want to become honest-to-goodness heroes.

The press generally liked the film and gave it decent marks. A small group felt that the final product was an average kid’s flick that didn’t make the most of its concept. Still, most thought it was a fine adaptation of the source material. They enjoyed the characters and thought the idea was a lot of fun. The voice cast includes Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Richard Ayoade and Zazie Beetz.

CINDERELLA: Last year, Amazon Studios produced a lavish update of this fairy tale and premiered it on their streaming service. Now, the title is appearing on disc.

This version incorporates musical numbers into its story. It involves a young woman who yearns of being a fashion designer, but who must contend with a wicked stepmother and stepsisters. Magic intervenes and the lead gets the opportunity to premiere new clothing designs at a royal ball.

Notices were generally poor for this retelling. A small number commented that it didn’t take itself seriously and provided some campy fun. However, the consensus was that while well-intentioned, the picture was misguided in execution and a total jumble. They wrote that it didn’t manage to effectively deliver the points that it was trying to make. Camila Cabello, Billy Porter, Nicholas Galitzine, Idina Menzel, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver and James Corden headline the movie.

THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT: Nicolas Cage plays a version of himself in this dark action/comedy. In desperate need of cash, the actor agrees to appear at a birthday party for one of his biggest fans. As it turns out, his host ends up being a major drug cartel whom the FBI say is about to carry out some sinister plans after the celebration. Thankfully, Cage himself reveals some secret details about a former life that may enable him to take on all villains.

The press had a great time with the movie. Only a handful didn’t like it, saying that it wasn’t as clever as hoped for and that it wouldn’t appeal to those who weren’t already Cage enthusiasts.  Still, the consensus was that this flick was sharp, twisty and a blast to watch from beginning to end, with great interplay between the lead actor and his co-stars.

Besides Cage, the movie stars Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish, and Neil Patrick Harris.

 

BLASTS FROM THE PAST!

If you’re more interested in catching up with or revisiting some older movies, you have plenty of options as well.

Arrow Video is presenting the horror flick “Edge of Sanity” (1989) on Blu-ray. Anthony Hopkins (Psycho) plays the central character, a maniac targeting prostitutes. The movie actually combines elements of the “Jekyll and Hyde” story with the real “Jack the Ripper” slayings.

This Blu-ray includes a 2K scan of a 4K restoration of the movie from the original camera negative. It comes with a film historian commentary, a discussion with the director, a second interview with the moviemaker, a talk with the producer, a featurette on “Jack the Ripper” movies, a trailer and more.

Criterion is presenting the Hong Kong romance/ghost story “Rouge” (1987) on disc. The movie is a period piece about a suicide pact between two lovers that influences the lives of youngsters in a relationship decades later. The film has received a 4K digital restoration for Blu-ray. Extras include numerous documentaries and conversations with the filmmaker and discussions about the movie’s LGBTQ elements.

 

The distributor’s big release of the week may be the action classic “Shaft”1971). You can pick it up in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set or just as a Blu-ray.

Richard Roundtree stars as the famous black private detective who is hired by a crime lord to find a long-lost daughter. Naturally, the trail leads to some surprising revelations. Besides the upgraded picture, the disc includes the first sequel, “Shaft’s Big Score” (1972), a program on the history of black detectives in film, new and archival interviews featuring Parks, Hayes, Roundtree and the film’s crew, as well as a new making-of documentary, behind-the-scenes footage and much more.

 

“Fire in the Sky” (1993) is also coming on Blu-ray, courtesy of Shout! Factory. This is a film adaptation of an event from 1975, in which a group of men claimed they were abducted by a UFO. D.B. Sweeney stars with James Garner, Robert Patrick, Craig Sheffer, Peter Berg and Henry Thomas. There are numerous cast and crew interviews included as extras, along with a photo gallery and a trailer for the movie.

 

YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!

Here are some titles that may appeal to youngsters

“Animaniacs” Season 2 (2021 Animated Series) (Warner Bros.) DVD

“Aquaman: King of Atlantis” Season 2 (Animated Series) (Warner Bros./HBO-Max Original) DVD

“Cinderella” (2021) (for older kids) (Amazon) Blu-ray and DVD

“The Patrick Star Show” Season 1, Volume 1 (Nickelodeon) DVD

 

ON THE TUBE!

And here are all of the TV-themed efforts headed your way.

“Animaniacs” Season 2 (2021 Animated Series) (Warner Bros.) DVD

“Aquaman: King of Atlantis” Season 2 (Animated Series) (Warner Bros./HBO-Max Original) DVD

“The Patrick Star Show” Season 1, Volume 1 (Nickelodeon) DVD

“Total Control” Season 2 (Sundance) DVD

“The Truth Will Out” Series 2 (Acorn) DVD

“The Umbrella Academy” Season 2 (Universal) Blu-ray

“When Calls the Heart Double-Feature: In Like a Lion & Turn of the Page” (Hallmark) DVD

By Glenn Kay
For the Sun