Welcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There’s a great mix of Hollywood fare and exciting independent features this time out, meaning that there will be something for just about everyone. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
The Assent - This low-budget horror picture follows a priest who performed an exorcism that resulted in a child’s death. After serving a three-year-sentence, the protagonist is released and tries to start living a quiet life. It isn’t long before another desperate family arrives on his doorstep and asks for his assistance, saying that their own boy is suffering from the same affliction. The priest must decide whether or not to continue his practice.
There haven’t been many reviews yet for this little independent flick, but the ones that have popped up have been complimentary. One called it decent but unmemorable, but others recommended it for its performances and the story’s attempts to focus on its characters. It features Robert Kazinsky, Peter Jason and Florence Faivre.
Little Joe - This English-language European co-production combines elements of mystery, horror and science-fiction. It follows a woman who develops a new plant species. She thinks she has found something truly remarkable after creating a crimson flower that, if properly cared for, will actually make its owner happy. The lead sneaks one out of the lab to give to her son, but soon learns that the plant may not be as benign as initially thought.
Overall, critics responded favorably to this picture. A small percentage did find the film too low-key and slow-moving for their tastes and felt that it could have done with more excitement. Still, most appreciated the icy approach to the story, thought that it brought up some interesting points, and found its oddness compelling. It features Emily Beecham, Ben Whishaw and Kerry Fox.
Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project - Ever feel like you can’t possibly keep up with all of the media being broadcast? One woman decided to record every newscast being broadcast on TV. For 30 years, she recorded news programming 24 hours a day, filling some 70,000 VHS tapes. Her belief was that down the road, it would be important for future generations to see how events were reported.
Apparently, her obsession also infuriated her family. This documentary details her life and displays some of the stories she recorded over the years. Critics greatly enjoyed the film. While some admitted that the story itself might have been more interesting than what she recorded, almost everyone was fascinated by her efforts and most were quite taken by some of the more unusual events that would have been lost forever had they not been taped.
There Are No Fakes - This Canadian documentary details art forgeries and the surprising schemes uncovered by a musician (who is a member of the band Barenaked Ladies). He attempted to buy a painting by indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau from a reputable gallery. As you might have guessed, after some investigating, the buyer begins to suspect that the work is a fake and attempts to bring it to the attention of the gallery owner and Morrisseau family. According to the press up north, what follows is an incredible story filled with plenty of shocks.
Reviewers called it very surprising, with more twists and turns than a Hollywood narrative. They also said that the film highlights how unregulated the art market is and exposes some the horrible actions taken by powerful and greedy profiteers in the art world.
The Witch: Subversion - Also known as The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, this picture is a South Korean action film about a high school student who has suffered from amnesia and can’t remember the early parts of her life. However, after appearing on a local TV broadcast, strange figures start appearing and her history is slowly revealed. This foreign-language effort was a big box office success in its homeland and it has been reported that sequels will be following in the near future. The movie also made an impression with reviewers.
While one or two thought it started so slowly that it ultimately lost them, everyone else called it a blast and suggested that the wild and frenetic final act was filled with incredible action. Kim Da-mi, Park Hee-soon, Jo Min-soo and Choi Woo-sik headline the feature.
Bombshell - Fox News is the setting for this biopic that details the indignities placed upon Fox journalists Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson and Kayla Pospisil after they each separately contact human resources, stating that Fox President Roger Ailes sexually harassed them. With their jobs at risk, the women are pressured by internal forces to keep quiet about their boss. Notices were very good for this drama. A percentage did complain that the movie felt a bit by-the-numbers in its storytelling and could have done with a deeper analysis of sexism at the company.
However, the majority stated that the cast was exceptional and the make-up (which won an Academy Award) made the leads look identical to the real-life figures being portrayed. It stars Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, John Lithgow, Kate McKinnon and Connie Britton.
Charlie’s Angels - Inspired by the ‘70s TV-show about female private investigators (and also taking some pointers from the 2000 and 2003 movies that were also based on the property), the latest redux involves a new set of women. They are called into action after an employee at a private company blows the whistle on new technology being developed at the firm that could put the world in danger. Unfortunately, the press was fairly muted and split over the latest edition. About half thought that it was entertaining and genuine in its efforts to empower the film’s protagonists.
Unfortunately, just as many complained that the story was predictable and blandly presented, and that the film had some contradictory messages. The cast includes Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Balinska, Elizabeth Banks, Djimon Hounsou, Sam Claflin and Patrick Stewart.
Inherit the Viper - Three siblings struggling to make ends meet decide that becoming opioid dealers is the best shot they have at making some cash. They try to avoid the violence that comes with their illegal profession, but find the work environment difficult to manage after one deal goes south. When one of the three suddenly decides to leave the business, it creates even more danger as the other family members debate what to do about it. This crime/drama received mixed reviews.
A group thought that it was an effective feature, noting that the performances elevated the familiar material. Still, slightly more wrote that the cast couldn’t quite overcome the routine script and thought that it wouldn’t make a lasting impression. Josh Hartnett, Bruce Dern, Margarita Levieva, Chandler Riggs and Brad William Henke headline the feature.
Blasts from the Past!
There are plenty of enjoyable older titles getting upgraded to Blu-ray these days.
The Shout! Select line is delivering Masked and Anonymous (2003), a comedy from Larry Charles (who would go on to make Borat, Bruno and The Dictator) that was co-written by and stars Bob Dylan. He plays a singer whose career has faded and attempts to make a comeback by playing a hastily arranged benefit concert. As the film progresses, numerous issues arise as he tries to pull everything together for the show. The movie boasts an incredible supporting cast that features the likes of Jeff Bridges, Penelope Cruz, John Goodman, Jessica Lange, Luke Wilson, Angela Bassett, Steven Bauer, Bruce Dern, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer, Cheech Marin, Chris Penn, Giovanni Ribisi, Mickey Rourke, Christian Slater and Fred Ward.
It’s almost worth seeing just for the cast. The Blu-ray arrives with a new interview with Charles, a commentary track with the director, deleted scenes, a making-of and theatrical trailers.
Criterion is presenting the fantastic documentary Salesman (1969) on Blu-ray. Made by the Maysles Brothers (Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens), this excellent picture attacks consumerism by capturing the life of a door-to-door bible salesman. It contrasts his slick and polished sales approach as he ropes in strangers. Viewers also get an inside look at the man’s own personal troubles and disillusionment with his job.
It arrives with a new 4K high definition digital transfer with restored picture and sound from the Academy Film Archive. Those who pick it up will also enjoy a 2001 commentary from the directors, a television interview with them from 1968, a new appreciation of the film from actor Bill Hader, Hader’s own 2016 parody of the title featured in his television series Documentary Now!, an 2000 audio excerpt from a NPR interview with the salesman featured in the movie, behind-the-scenes stills and a trailer.
You Know, For Kids!
Here is a listing of titles that youngsters, and the young at heart, may appreciate.
Beauty and the Beast (1991) 4K
Beauty and the Beast (2017) 4K
Spies in Disguise
On the Tube!
And these are the week’s TV-themed releases.
The Affair: The Complete Series
Chesapeake Shores: Season 4 (Hallmark)
Jamestown: The Complete Collection (PBS)
NATURE: The Whale Detective (PBS)
Seven Worlds, One Planet (BBC)
True Love Blooms (Hallmark TV-Movie)
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
