Welcome to another look at some of the latest Blu-rays and DVDs arriving on store shelves. There are plenty of familiar titles arriving on disc both new and old in a wide variety of genres. So, since you can’t or likely shouldn’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
THE RISING HAWK: BATTLE FOR THE CARPATHIANS: Also known simply as The Rising Hawk, this period drama is set in Eastern Europe during the 13th century. As Mongol invaders move across the land raiding and pillaging villages, a small community in the mountains prepares itself for the inevitable onslaught. Local leaders try to come up with a specific plan to stop these forces and save themselves from death and destruction. This tale did not win its battle with reviewers, who generally panned the flick.
One or two admired the attempts to develop individuals and deal with their emotional struggles. However, most complained that it came across as cheesy instead of exciting and had a sluggish pace. The cast includes Alison Doody, Robert Patrick, Tommy Flanagan, Poppy Drayton and Alex MacNicoll.
THE UNBELIEVABLE PLIGHT OF MRS. WRIGHT: This documentary tells the story an American nurse and entrepreneur named Diana Wright. To be frank, there isn’t a lot of information available about the title. The press synopsis states that overcoming poverty and abuse, Wright built a massive business devoted to improving the quality of life for nurses, only to be given a terminal cancer death sentence by the very industry to which she dedicated her life. Failed by the American medical system with only eight months to live, Diana takes her health into her own hands, spending her allotted time in search of a cure for cancer.
As mentioned, there aren’t many write-ups for the feature, but it has won awards at various film festivals across North America. So, if it sounds interesting, then you might want to give it a shot.
WEREWOLF: Released under the title Wilkolak in its homeland, this Polish/German production uses monsters to deal with the fallout of WWII. Set in 1945, it follows a group of kids who are liberated from an SS war camp and placed at a remote and dilapidated orphanage. Worried about Soviet soldiers arriving to harm them, the youths must deal not only with psychological trauma, but also fend off a pack of hungry wolves who have surrounded the rickety complex. This foreign-language feature received excellent reviews from the press.
While one or two couldn’t get a handle on the mixing of war, horror tropes and coming-of-age observations, the rest called the cast excellent, the camerawork striking and described the movie as a powerful, unsettling and disturbing drama about the effects of war. Kamil Polnisiak, Nicolas Przygoda, Sonia Mietielica and Danuta Stenka.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
This week, Kino gets the ball rolling with some intriguing Blu-rays. Apache (1954) stars Burt Lancaster as a warrior who escapes from his captors in the hopes of returning to his homeland. Attack! (1956) is a war movie with Jack Palance and Eddie Albert. It is about a commander who feels forced into taking the life of an ineffective captain.
It may come as a surprise to some, but Blues Brothers star John Belushi headlined a romantic comedy during the height of his popularity. Continental Divide (1981) stars the comedian as a gruff and unhealthy reporter who does a story on an ornithologist (played by Blair Brown) studying the Bald Eagle. The two unexpectedly fall for each other. The movie is premiering on Blu-ray with a film historian commentary track and a trailer.
Warner Archive is making a made-to-order 2-disc Blu-ray available of Hammer’s The Curse of Frankenstein (1957). It presents new 4K restorations of two cuts of the movie, a recently recorded film historian commentary and numerous other special features about the production.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
If you want to introduce youngsters to Bugs Bunny, this is your week!
Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection (1930-1969) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And here are the latest TV-themed releases coming your way.
Chernobyl (2020) 4K TV mini-series
Great Performances - Now Hear This: Season 2 (PBS)
Mission: Impossible: The Original TV Series (1966-1973)
Love in Winterland (Hallmark TV Movie)
NOVA: Human Nature (PBS)
Perry Mason: Season 1
Tudors: Season 3
Walker: Texas Ranger: Season 5
Winter in Vail (Hallmark TV-movie)
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
