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Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for August 5, 2022

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Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This is a quieter edition with fewer discs, but there still are a few features coming your way that may be of interest. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or shouldn’t be out in public, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

 

BIG NEW RELEASES!

499: Made to coincide with the Spanish conquest of Mexico 500 years ago, this unique picture mixes documentary and dramatic elements. This major period in history is told from the point-of-view of the ghost of conquistador Hernán Cortés, who recounts his journey into the Aztec Empire and his colonization efforts. The movie contains information about the trek and also provides present day interviews that connect the current humanitarian crisis occurring in the country to these episodes in the past.

Critics were very impressed with this effort. A few found the unique format distancing and didn’t think it effectively addressed problems with colonialism. But everyone else complimented the film as being completely original in execution and beautifully shot. They wrote that the filmmaker presented a thorough and complicated picture of struggles within the country that stemmed from its origins and continue to this day.

APPLES: Set during a worldwide pandemic that causes its victims total amnesia, a middle-aged man who survives the virus struggles with having no memory of his past. He is suddenly placed in a program for those who have not been claimed by their families. The lead performs assigned tasks designed to create a new identity. As he creates an alternate history for himself, he becomes attracted to another woman in recovery.

This Greek feature is a co-production between the country, along with Poland, Australia and Slovenia. Notices were excellent for the drama. The small contingent who disliked the movie found it too low-key and wrote that the story needed more energy. Still, the consensus was that the end result was eccentric but moving. They said the story and characters were very relatable and that the film itself offered an interesting perspective on what makes us human. Aris Servetalis and Sofia Georgovassili headline the picture.

 

BLASTS FROM THE PAST!

Looking for something a little older on the Blu-ray front? Arrow Video have decided to give the thriller “Flatliners” (1990) an upgrade and are making it available for purchase on either 4K Ultra HD or separately on Blu-ray. For those who don’t remember the movie or haven’t seen the 2017 remake, the story involves five medical students who experiment with “near death” experiences. Soon, visions from past events return to cause havoc in their lives.

This feature from director Joel Schumacher (“The Lost Boys,” “Falling Down”) was a hit during its original release and boasted a cast including the likes of Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt and William Baldwin. The discs include a new restoration of the movie from the original camera negative and tons of new bonuses like a film historian commentary, interviews with the screenwriter, director of photography, lighting technician, first assistant director, the production designers, the score composer and the orchestrator, the costume designer and all sorts of publicity materials.

Kino is presenting the action flick “Catch the Heat” (1987) in high definition. It stars Tiana Alexandra as a “one-woman strike force” out to take down a heroin operation. Rod Steiger co-stars and the disc includes a trailer and a limited edition “O-Card” (which is card stock that goes around the plastic Blu-ray box).

Action enthusiasts can pick up “High Desert Kill” (1989) on Blu-ray from Scorpion. This is a made-for-TV thriller that originally aired on the USA Network. A group of buddies decide to head out camping, only to find the forest silent. As it turns out, an alien power is present and eventually attempts to influence their behavior. Marc Singer, Anthony Geary and Chuck Conners are featured in this title. It arrives in a 1.33:1 format and a 1.78:1 edition (it presumably played in cinemas in foreign markets). Both versions have been given 2K restorations.

Shout! Factory is presenting the drama “Last Days in the Desert” (2015) on Blu-ray. The movie is described as an imagined chapter from Jesus’s forty days of fasting and praying in the desert. Ewan McGregor plays the main character and the Devil, and Ciaran Hinds and Tye Sheridan also appear in the film. A trailer is included on this release.

 

YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!

Here are a couple of titles that may be of interest to kids.

“Krypto the Superdog” The Complete Series (2005-2006 animated DC series) (Warner Bros.) DVD

“Bubble Guppies: Fin-tastic Fairy Tales!” (Nickelodeon) DVD

 

ON THE TUBE!

And you’ll find all of the week’s TV-themed releases listed below.

“Bubble Guppies: Fin-tastic Fairy Tales!” (Nickelodeon) DVD

“Hallmark 2-Movie Collection: A Royal Runaway Romance & Butlers in Love” (Hallmark) DVD

“Hallmark 2-Movie Collection: Just One Kiss & Love, Classified” (Hallmark) DVD

“Krypto the Superdog” The Complete Series (2005-2006 animated DC series) (Warner Bros.) DVD

“Ride with Norman Reedus” Season 3 (Image Entertainment) DVD

“A Royal Runaway Romance” (Hallmark) DVD

VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM

By Glenn Kay
For the Sun