Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This edition sees a couple of major releases, as well as some interesting independent fare. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a little while, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
ASSASSIN CLUB: A highly regarded assassin plans to retire. But for his last assignment, he’s given a particularly difficult task… to kill seven individuals located all around the world. Things become even more complicated when he discovers that his targets are also hired killers. As he attempts to complete his mission, he attempts to find out who is responsible for this impossible contract.
The press did not find this action/thriller particularly pulse-pounding and called it a missed opportunity. A few wrote that the feature was an amusing homage to action titles from the 1990s. However, the vast majority complained that it was a John Wick knock-off that suffered from poor pacing and failed to generate excitement.
The cast includes Henry Golding, Daniela Melchior, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Noomi Rapace and Sam Neill.
MAFIA MAMMA: An American mom receives a call from Italy explaining that her long-lost grandfather has passed away. She heads to Europe to attend the funeral and quickly discovers some startling facts about her family patriarch. It seems that he was the head of a major crime family. Not only that, but he wants her to take over his organization. She ultimately uses some unusual methods to try and win a battle against another mafia crew.
Critics were not amused by this comedy. A small number did appreciate the work of the cast and called the film exaggerated fun with a few wild moments. Unfortunately, most thought the film was shaggy. Many believed that it ineffectively tried to juggle violence with over-the-top humor and romantic elements.
It stars Toni Collette, Monica Bellucci, Sophia Nomvete and Alessandro Bressanello.
RARE OBJECTS: Adapted from a 2016 novel by Kathleen Tessaro, this independent drama follows a young woman recovering from a traumatic assault. After attending therapy and getting treatment, she slowly attempts to rebuild her life by taking a job at a high-end antique store. The experience is initially positive, with new challenges and individuals inspiring her. However, problems arise when people from her past begin to resurface.
The film split reviewers, with slightly more than half giving it a negative reception. Those who liked it commented that it was a well-performed and sensitive portrait of the obstacles faced by women who have survived horrific attacks. Slightly more stated that while well-intentioned, it didn’t delve deeply enough into the characters and felt blunt and heavy-handed.
For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. Julia Mayorga, Katie Holmes, Alan Cumming, Derek Luke and Saundra Santiago headline the movie.
RENFIELD: After living for centuries as a put-upon familiar or servant to Count Dracula, a young man begins to regret his choice. Frustrated by his treatment and the lack of respect given to him, he begins to realize that he is in a toxic and abusive relationship. He attempts to escape his master’s clutches, but runs afoul of a local crime organization in the process and attracts the attention of authorities.
This horror/comedy earned slightly more positive than negative notices from reviewers. A large group didn’t like the exaggerated gross-out humor and found the film distasteful and unamusing. Yet the majority called the movie a nifty twist on the famous tale. They wrote that it featured a charismatic cast and some memorably outrageous moments.
It features Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Adrian Martinez.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re looking to catch up on something older, you have plenty of options as well.
Arrow Video is releasing a “Blue Edition’’ (in reference to the color of the packaging) of Giallo Essentials on Blu-ray. This box set contains the Italian features The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion” (1970), Death Walks on High Heels (1971) and Death Walks at Midnight (1972). All of these pulpy thrillers have been released before, but this release includes them all in one package. As one might expect, it includes all previously included bonus features.
The distributor is also putting out a Blu-ray of the Sammo Hung cult film Warriors Two (1978). This title tells the story of two friends who learn about a plot to overthrow the mayor. To protect themselves and save the day, they attempt to learn Wing Chun martial arts skills. The disc contains a 2K restoration of two cuts of the movie (the Hong Kong version and the shorter Export edition), commentary tracks with film historians, an archival documentary on the movie, archival interviews and plenty of publicity materials.
Paramount is putting out 4K Ultra HD editions of each title in the Indiana Jones series. You can pick up Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) in 4K (but note that Blu-rays are not included in these releases).
Sony is rereleasing some of their catalog titles in Blu-ray box sets. This week, you can pick up the Insidious: 4-Movie Collection and Men in Black 4-Movie Collection, which contain all of the films in each franchise (although there is a new Insidious movie arriving this summer). The discs and bonus content will be identical to the last versions that were released.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Best of WB 100th: Looney Tunes 10-Film Collection (Warner Bros.) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And below you’ll find a list of all the TV-releases arriving on store shelves this week!
Death in Paradise Season 12 (BBC) DVD
The Event The Complete Series (Mill Creek) Blu-ray
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 (Warner Bros.) DVD
La Brea Season 2 (Universal) Blu-ray
SkyMed Season 1 (CBS) DVD
Stargirl (DC) Season 3 (Allied Vaughn) DVD
Tulsa King Season 1 (Paramount) Blu-ray
The Wedding Veil Inspiration (Hallmark) Blu-ray
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
