Welcome back to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s another interesting edition with plenty of fascinating flicks being made available in a wide variety of genres. So, since you can’t or likely shouldn’t head out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
5 YEARS APART: The plot of this independent comedy involves two brothers who were born on the same day exactly five years apart. Now adults and completely estranged from one another, they cross paths once again after both of them head out to the family vacation home to celebrate their birthdays. Comic chaos ensues as they are forced into changing their plans, spending time together and reconnecting. This little title played at a few film festivals last year.
It won a prize or two and has now been picked up for distribution on disc, as well as through streaming platforms. However, there aren’t any reviews available for the feature, so interested parties won’t be certain of what they’re getting until they put it on. It features Scott Michael Foster, Chloe Bennet, Ally Maki and Michael Vlamis.
AFTER SO MANY DAYS: This documentary follows two recently married Los Angeles musicians. After many years of struggling to get their break in the business, the husband and wife duo decide to embark on a crazy idea ... to go on a lengthy tour and play a show a day for an entire year. The camera follows the highs and lows they experience over 365 days of stressful traveling, promotional appearances and shows in over 14 different countries. This feature won the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Nashville Film Festival.
Alas, there aren’t a great many write-ups for it just yet, but the few that have appeared online are upbeat. They state that the pair and their tireless efforts are interesting and engaging to watch, giving an idea to viewers of what life on the road is like.
CUT THROAT CITY: The latest movie from musician/producer/director RZA (The Man with the Iron Fists) is a crime thriller set in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Four friends return home to find their homes decimated. With little support from FEMA and no jobs to fall back on, they reluctantly agree to attempt a dangerous heist for a local gangster. Things don’t go according to plan and the group ends up on the run from the mob and the law.
Response toward this crime thriller was generally strong. A group of critics did suggest that the movie dragged a bit and that the story was too familiar and needed a sharper focus. However, the majority stated that the movie’s cast was excellent and the high-energy approach employed by the filmmaker invigorated this tale and made it entertaining. It stars Shameik Moore, T.I., Demetrius Shipp Jr., Kat Graham, Denzel Whitaker, Keean Johnson, Wesley Snipes, Ethan Hawke, Eiza Gonzalez, Rob Morgan, Isaiah Washington and Terrence Howard.
DROWNING: This independent feature follows a middle-aged woman dealing with several troubles in her life. Her estranged daughter has left home to study in another city, while her son sets off to join the military and serve in Iraq. Feeling lonely as well as guilt-ridden over the difficulties and challenges facing her children, the lead attempts to deal with her personal issues on two fronts. The first is by taking up swimming and the second visiting mental health professionals.
While there are no critic reviews or notices currently available, it is described as an interpretive and introspective look at the anguish of a mother. Those curious about this little feature should note that it does have a familiar cast that includes Melora Walters, Gil Bellows, Mira Sorvino, Jay Mohr and Steven Swadling.
HOW TO FIX A PRIMARY: This documentary focuses specifically on the political campaign of Muslim Rhodes scholar, Ivy League professor and doctor, Abdul El-Sayed. In 2018, he challenged the Democratic frontrunner as a Progressive in the hopes of taking the party nomination and fighting for the position of Governor of Michigan. This documentary goes behind the scenes and focuses on everything that went on behind the scenes, including attempts by competitors to undermine his grassroots campaign. The release of this title on disc and online has been timed to correspond with the election.
No reviews available right now to describe how effective it is. However, the ones that have been posted suggest that this is an interesting and enlightening documentary about the bizarre and hectic process of running for office.
THE OWNERS: Set in the 1990s, this British thriller focuses an elderly couple who decides to head out of their house for the day. A group in the neighborhood sees this as an opportunity to break in and raid the large safe inside the dwelling. When the couple returns home unexpectedly, the robbers are surprised but unconcerned, thinking that they can handle the old fogies. They’re very wrong, as the owners turn the situation into a game of cat and mouse and begin wiping the unwanted visitors out.
Response toward this picture was upbeat. A small number of write-ups found the violence on display disturbing and thought the story became more and more ridiculous as it progressed. However, most critics thought that the movie featured enjoyably sinister performances from its senior leads and delivered the B-movie goods. The cast includes Maisie Williams, Sylvester McCoy, Rita Tushingham and Jake Curran.
SPREE: This dark comedy/thriller involves an unhinged individual who works as a driver for a rideshare program. Determined to make his mark on the world via social media, he comes up with a violent and disturbing plan to make himself a viral sensation while he is on the job. One expects that his behavior ends up terrifying several passengers as they get caught in the backseat in his videos. Overall, critics were slightly more positive than negative about this eccentric, low-budget movie.
Around a third of them said that the message was obvious and that the film itself was more awkward than exciting in execution. However, more admitted that the film was high energy and criticized our obsession with technology in a new way. It features Joe Keery, Sasheer Zamata, David Arquette, Kyle Mooney and Mischa Barton.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Shout! Factory has some great Blu-rays arriving this week. The first is for the eccentric Nicolas Cage film, Adaptation (2002). Directed by Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich), it’s about an aspiring, but awkward and shy writer trying to pen a script for a book adaptation while also dealing with his twin brother. As the story progresses, the various plot threads begin to intersect with one another.
The movie is a darkly funny mindbender for those who enjoy something off the beaten path. This disc includes an original featurette, still gallery, and trailer.
Criterion has some arthouse Blu-ray titles that should appeal to many. The Gunfighter (1950) is a classic, Oscar-nominated western starring Gregory Peck about a figure with a shadowy past who can’t help but get himself into trouble wherever he goes. Besides a 4K digital restoration of the picture, there’s an interview about the movie’s director, audio excerpts with him recorded in 1970 and 1971, a video essay on the film and plenty more.
The Hit (1984) is an early gem from filmmaker Stephen Frears (My Beautiful Laundrette, Dangerous Liaisons, The Grifters, Philomena) about the lives of a gangster’s henchmen. It stars Terence Stamp, John Hurt and Tim Roth. The disc provides a 2K restored digital transfer, a 2009 audio commentary with Frears and crew members, a 1988 interview with Stamp and a trailer.
Just in time for Halloween, Kino is presenting a Double Feature Blu-ray release of the occult thrillers, Fear No Evil (1969) and Ritual of Evil (1970). Both flicks have been given 2K restorations and film expert commentaries. If you’re excited about horror movies involving possession, you’ll likely be taken by the Blu-ray of Killdozer (1974), a TV-movie starring Clint Walker, Robert Urich and Neville Brand that made an impression back in the day for its over-the-top craziness.
Warner Archive has some new made-to-order discs coming your way. You can pick up a Blu-ray of the Franklin D. Roosevelt biopic, Sunrise at Campobello (1960). They also have DVDs of the Yul Brynner western, Catlow (1971) and the Errol Flynn title, Adventures of Don Juan (1948).
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
If you’re looking for something new for a child, then it looks like Rainbow Rangers is going to be the one.
Rainbow Rangers: Rangers to the Rescue!
ON THE TUBE!
And here are the TV-themed highlights coming your way.
The Great: Season 1
Masterpiece: Flesh and Blood (PBS)
NOS4A2: Season 2
The Plot Against America: An HBO Limited Series (Warner Archive)
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun