Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving this week on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s an extremely busy edition filled with many titles including Hollywood blockbusters and notable independent fare. So, if you can’t make it to the movies or shouldn’t be heading out right now, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
THE BATMAN: The latest reboot of the familiar DC comic book superhero presents a darker, grittier and younger version of the Caped Crusader. After a sadistic killer begins wiping out various high-profile figures in Gotham City, Batman decides to put his investigative skills to the test and find out who is responsible. As he follows the clues, he also comes into contact with a number of familiar nemeses. The press generally liked this new take. A small contingent found it overlong and too brooding for their tastes, also criticizing the story itself for being predictable and not offering any unexpected twists. All others appreciated the grimmer approach and liked the emphasis on Batman as a detective out to solve a mystery. They also called the movie visually dazzling. It stars Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, John Turturro, Andy Serkis, Peter Sarsgaard and Barry Keoghan.
MEASURE OF REVENGE: As a Broadway actress prepares for her final on-stage appearance, she is told that her son has died from an accidental drug overdose. The performer doesn’t believe the report and decides to investigate the matter herself.
She tracks down her son’s drug dealer, who is equally surprised to hear of her client’s death and also wants to help uncover the truth. They team up to find the responsible party and enact revenge.
This thriller received poor notices. A very small contingent stated that the leads were engaging enough to warrant a viewing. All others called the film a bomb, claiming that the story was ridiculous and that it was awkwardly handled.
For those still curious, this is a DVD only release. The cast includes Melissa Leo, Bella Thorne, Jake Weary, Adrian Matinez, Roma Maffia and Kevin Corrigan.
X: This homage to low-budget horror movies of the 1970s follows a group of aspiring filmmakers in Texas. They rent a cottage on a remote farm, secretly hoping to shoot a pornographic movie. After arriving, the team become unnerved by the very strange behavior of the property owners. Tensions arise within and around the group, leading to deadly consequences as violence erupts. The title earned a lot of raves from critics and was highly praised. One or two commented that the movie was simply a simulation of earlier genre films and didn’t offer anything new or substantial. Yet everyone else countered that criticism, stating that while it paid homage to horror films of the era, it did offer a fresh take on the material and featured well-written and interesting characters. The cast includes Mia Goth, Jenna Ortega, Martin Henderson, Brittany Snow, Owen Campbell, Stephen Ure and Kid Cudi.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Those interested in something a little older this week have plenty of options as well.
Criterion are presenting the well-regarded Denzel Washington drama “Mississippi Masala” (1991) on Blu-ray. It involves an Indian man living in the US who sues the country of Uganda to get back property seized from him by the government. In the meantime, his daughter begins a romance with a black man (played by Washington).
The movie has been given a 4K digital restoration for its release on disc. It features a commentary with director Mira Nair, interviews with cast and crew and other bonuses.
And there’s more. Shout! Factory are giving the genre pictures “Candyman” (1992) and “Lifeforce” (1985) a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray rerelease so that those with 4K televisions can see the movies with even sharper picture quality. Most of the extras from previous versions will be included in these sets.
They also have a 25th anniversary edition of the documentary, “Trekkies” (1997). As you might have guessed, it presents some of the world’s biggest and most eccentric “Star Trek” enthusiasts, while also including interviews with cast members about how they feel about being the object of adoration from those being chronicled. If memory serves, it’s a fun little documentary.
Those who thought the Jennifer Lawrence/Chris Pratt science-fiction epic “Passengers” (2016) was unfairly maligned by reviewers during its initial release can now pick it up in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray package courtesy of Sony. The movie will probably look great in 4K, although this critic still had some issues with the story and final product.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
There’s plenty of great entertainment for tykes this week. You can find plenty of options listed below.
“Blue’s Clues & You! Let’s Learn with Blue” (Nickelodeon) DVD
“The Loud House” The Complete 3rd Season (Nickelodeon) DVD
“Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn” DVD
“Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse” (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack
“Thomas and Friends - All Engines Go – Best Friends” (NCircle Entertainment) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And here are all the TV-themed releases coming your way.
“Doom Patrol” Season 3 Blu-ray
“Finding Your Roots” Season 8 (PBS) DVD
“Robocop” The Series (1994 TV-series) Blu-ray
“The Sinner” The Complete Series (Universal) Blu-ray
“The Split” Season 1 (BBC) DVD
“The Split” Season 2 (BBC) DVD
“Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse” (Warner Bros.) Blu-ray and DVD combo
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun