Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and DVD. This edition is busier than the past few with some big Hollywood efforts and interesting independent fare coming out. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors for a few days, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
ALICE IN TERRORLAND: If you remember all of the press that the recent low-budget Winnie the Pooh slasher movie got, then this independent feature based on another property in the public domain makes more sense. The chiller uses Alice in Wonderland as its inspiration. After a family tragedy, a teen goes to live with her grandmother in the woods. Soon, she falls down a rabbit hole of evil, encountering various horrifying characters from a strange land.
This UK production hasn’t been seen by many critics, but those who caught it have written almost uniformly negative things about it. A few suggested that the sets and make-up are decent and make up for its flaws, but the majority state that there wasn’t a coherent or engaging story to back the concept up. They described the film as dull and flat.
For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. It features Lizzy Willis, Rula Lenska, Jon-Paul Gates and Steve Wraith.
ALL UP IN THE BIZ: For those who listened to music in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was hard to miss hip-hop artist Biz Markie’s hit song “Just a Friend” playing on the radio. This Showtime documentary seeks to inform viewers that the artist was far more than a one-hit wonder. It details his early life in New York, his success in the music business and the legacy that he has left for other performers after his untimely passing. Celebrity interviews with the likes of Nick Cannon, Tracy Morgan, Big Daddy Kane and many others are included in the film.
Reaction thus far has been entirely positive. They called the feature a sweet and wonderful examination of an eccentric but very charming and likable figure who succeeded in bringing some joy to the world, as well as attention to fellow artists from his neighborhood. This is currently a DVD-only release.
THE CANTERVILLE GHOST: This PG-rated family animated feature from the UK is loosely based on the Oscar Wilde short story of the same name. An American family moves to an English country manor haunted by a ghost who has been forcing owners out for hundreds of years. The spirit is shocked to discover that the family’s teenage daughter isn’t frightened of him at all. Still, she does want to return home and agrees to help him try to scare her parents and siblings so that they will leave. Those who didn’t like the movie commented that it was too talky and lacked visual panache. The same number and a few more thought the voice talent was excellent and that the film provided enough chuckles to entertain the whole family.
A CREATURE WAS STIRRING: If you’re not ready to leave the holidays behind quite yet, then this independent horror effort may be for you. It’s set on Christmas and follows a pair of drifters who take shelter in a home during a blizzard. There, the pair are introduced to a friendly nurse who claims that her daughter is locked away upstairs and is being treated for an affliction with methadone. The visitors learn that all is not as it seems, and that a fifth, perhaps even more dangerous figure is also lurking in the home.
This effort received a few more pans than praises from critics. Almost half enjoyed the work of the cast and the grisly make-up effects, stating that enough of it worked to earn the flick a pass. Unfortunately, most thought there wasn’t enough material here to justify a feature. They were particularly irked by the final act, in which they believed the entire story flew off of the rails.
Chrissy Metz, Scout Taylor-Compton, Annalise Basso and Connor Paolo headline the movie.
THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES: Believe it or not, it has been eight years since the last The Hunger Games film debuted at cinemas. This prequel was released back in November and performed quite well at the box office, suggesting there may be more chapters in the future. The story is set 65 years before the events of the original series and follows its villain, Coriolanus Snow, as a young man. During an early edition of the deadly title event, the lead befriends a competitor in the games. He uses personal and political manipulation to rise to a position of power.
It stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Peter Dinklage, Josh Andrés Rivera, Jason Schwartzman and Viola Davis. There are various editions available of this title, including 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray sets, as well as Blu-ray only editions.
HYPNOTIC: A Texas detective finds his marriage falling apart after his daughter is abducted. Three years later, she is still missing and he is in therapy. One day, the lead and his partner are given information about a potential robbery. The detective witnesses strange behavior from many within the bank and discovers a picture of his daughter along with instructions that suggest a connection between this heist and her disappearance. He goes on the hunt to try and locate her.
Write-ups were generally poor for this mystery/thriller. One-third of reviewers stated that while it didn’t make a lot of sense, the movie provided high-energy fun and delivered a few crazy twists. Sadly, everyone else called it an absurd and ineffectual thriller that lacked excitement. They described it as a substandard copy of Christopher Nolan films like Memento and Inception.
The cast includes Ben Affleck, Alice Braga, JD Pardo, Hala Finley, Jackie Earl Haley, William Fichtner, Dayo Okeniyi and Jeff Fahey.
THE MARVELS: The latest feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a follow-up to the 2019 Captain Marvel movie. After establishing a ceasefire in a civil war between the Kree empire and the Skrulls, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel finds her home planet under threat. It seems that the new leader of the Kree is attempting to piece together an instrument allowing instant space travel through wormholes. The protagonist and her compatriots attempt to stop this power from getting into the wrong hands.
Reaction towards this superhero film was upbeat, but not exceptional. More than one-third of reviewers found the story chaotic and confusing (apparently, it helps if you’ve seen the Ms. Marvel miniseries on Disney+ that precedes this title) and the new characters underdeveloped. They tired of the experience quickly. Regardless, more liked the female leads and wrote that the movie was fast-paced, breezy and had plenty of gags that kept them amused.
Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, Samuel L. Jackson, Zawe Ashton and Park Seo-joon headline the feature. There are multiple editions of this title available, including an 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set as well as a standalone Blu-ray version.
PRISCILLA: This biopic from Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation, On the Rocks) tells the story of the love affair between Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu. It takes the point-of-view of Beaulieu, a lonely girl who meets a famous musician at a party in Germany during his military service. The pair spend time together and reunite in the U.S. after the war. After their marriage, cracks emerge between them based on his treatment of her.
This film earned some press before its release with a couple of controversies. This included an assertion from Priscilla’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley that her father was presented inaccurately. Still, members of the press gave the film high marks. A small number of reviews stated that the film had a lot of style but tried to do too much and wasn’t emotionally engaging. But the consensus was that the picture was well-acted and clearly expressed the inner turmoil that the lead must have experienced in her time with Elvis.
The movie stars Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Ari Cohen and Dagmara Domińczyk.
THE STONES AND BRIAN JONES: Many are more than familiar with the music of “The Rolling Stones,” but this documentary focuses on the life of founding member Brian Jones who passed away at the young age of 27. He had left the band just as they were reaching new heights in popularity. Using previously unseen footage of Jones as well as interviews with band members and others who knew him, viewers learn about his influence in the band’s music and his part in their eventual fame.
Notices were very strong for this feature. A lone voice or two thought that the picture didn’t offer any big revelations and that the story could have been told with more edge. Everyone else thought it was a wonderful picture that helped them understand and relate to the tragic figure and his personal problems. They called the movie a moving and sad tribute to a legendary musician.
STRANGE WAY OF LIFE: The latest effort from Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar (All About My Mother, Talk to Her, Parallel Mothers), is, curiously enough, a short film and a western. The 31-minute tale involves a mysterious rancher who travels across the desert to visit a sheriff. As they meet again, it is revealed that they once worked together as hired gunmen. There is a longstanding bit of tension between them that must ultimately be resolved.
The press generally enjoyed this brief story. One-quarter thought it was impressively shot but needed to be fleshed out more and found the finale abrupt and unfulfilling. Still, most enjoyed the craftsmanship on display as well as the performances, calling the film complex and something that would linger in their memory.
This is a DVD-only release. It stars Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
If you’re looking for something older, there are plenty of options.
Arrow Video is releasing a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray of the Alistair MacLean adaptation Fear is the Key (1972). Barry Newman (Vanishing Point) stars in this unusual action/thriller as a mysterious man rampaging through Louisiana. He will break any law and do anything he can to get back at another mysterious figure.
The disc comes with a film critic commentary track, a visual essay on the movie, a new appreciation of the composer of the score, an archival featurette in which crew members look back on the making of the picture, an archival interview with the associate producer and a trailer. You’ll also get a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned art for the title and a double-sided foldout poster with this and the original art.
The Shaolin Plot (1977) is a classic Hong Kong kung-fu picture that marked Sammo Hung’s last feature under his mentor before he became a director himself. It’s about a prince who is desperate to own every last martial arts manual so that he can defeat any enemy. With only a few books left to collect, he sets his sights on stealing them. The movie has been given 2K restoration for this Blu-ray and comes with two commentary tracks from martial arts and action cinema experts, alternate credits, trailers, a reversible sleeve and an illustrated collector’s booklet.
Not to be confused with the teen romance series, the French crime picture Twilight (1990) is coming out through Arbelos. It’s about a detective who comes out of retirement to find the killer of a schoolgirl. The disc boasts a 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative, an interview with the cinematographer and the editor, two short films from the director, a U.S. trailer, a 12-page booklet on the feature and a “limited edition” slipcase.
Classic movie enthusiasts will also be excited to see the release of Columbia Collection: Volume 4 a “Limited Edition” box containing 4K Ultra HD discs and Blu-rays of some classics and popular catalog titles. They include His Girl Friday (1940), Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Starman (1984) and, interestingly, the short-lived TV-show Starman: The Series (1986 – 1987) that followed the release of the film. Also included is Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and Punch-Drunk Love (2002), all with the highest possible picture quality.
Criterion is presenting the Eric Rohmer Tales of the Four Seasons Blu-ray set, which contains A Tale of Springtime (1990), A Tale of Winter (1992), A Tale of Summer (1996) and A Tale of Autumn (1998). All of these French titles arrive with 2K restorations. There is a new interview program recorded at Rohmer’s home with cinematographer Baratier, producer Françoise Etchegaray, sound engineer Pascal Ribier and editor Mary Stephen. Additionally, the set includes radio interviews with Rohmer, a 2005 documentary on the making of A Tale of Summer, two short films made by Rohmer and a trailer.
Kino is releasing several Blu-rays as well. Alaska Seas (1954) follows two fishermen who come to blows when one of them joins a ruthless gang of fishing-trap robbers. It comes with a film historian commentary. Blood on the Sun (1945) features James Cagney as a reporter in Japan who discovers an enemy plan for world domination. This disc contains a new master of the movie from a 4K restoration, a film expert commentary and a trailer.
The distributor is also making a double-feature Blu-ray available called Godard Cinema (2022) and Trailer of a Film That Will Never Exist: Phony Wars (2023). Naturally, these are two recent titles from the famed French director. It comes with trailers and a look inside the cutting room of the second film with the movie’s assistant editor.
You can also purchase a Blu-ray of the Fred Astaire technicolor title Let’s Dance (1950). It also arrives with a film historian commentary. Madame DuBarry (1919) aka Passion is a silent feature about the famous French countess that is said to be visually striking with thousands of extras. The bonus is a film expert commentary. The same extra is included on the adventure film Man-Eater of Kumaon (1948), which is also arriving on Blu-ray.
Paramount would like you to know that the Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson action picture Faster (2010) is being reissued on Blu-ray through Allied Vaughn.
Footloose (1984) the box office smash starring Kevin Bacon as a teen breaking a no dancing policy in a small town, is getting a 40th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release. Paramount is giving the movie a picture upgrade and bonuses include a Kevin Bacon commentary, a track with the producer and the screenwriter, interviews with Bacon and Sarah Jessica Parker (who also appeared in the movie), as well as featurettes on the production, screen tests, a costume montage, a trailer and bit on the music in the film (which includes Kenny Loggins, Bonnie Tyler, Quiet Riot, John Mellancamp, Foreigner and more). This release will also be available in Steelbook packaging.
Shout! Factory is putting out a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray “Collector’s Edition” of the Nicolas Cage horror feature, Willy’s Wonderland (2021). It will also be available as a “Limited Edition” Steelbook. For those unfamiliar with the movie, Cage plays a janitor in a restaurant with animatronics that must do battle with them when they come to life. You’ll also get multiple featurettes on the production, a set tour and promotional materials.
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006) marked the Jack Black/Kyle Gass band in their major motion picture debut. In order to become the greatest group in history, they set out to locate a legendary guitar pick with special powers. Extras include a Black/Gass commentary, a director commentary, deleted/extended scenes, archival featurettes, home movies, internet shorts for the picture, a music video and a trailer.
And Universal is putting out the appropriately named Universal Classic Monsters: Limited Edition Collection, a special Amazon Exclusive reissue which includes 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray editions of the horror classics Dracula (1931), the Spanish-language Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Wolf Man (1941), Phantom of the Opera (1943) and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). It has been suggested that all of the bonuses from earlier editions will be included and this “Limited Edition” will come with book packaging with writing and stills of the films and discs in the sleeves. Apparently, only 5500 copies will be made.
Finally, you can also pick up a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo of the Harriet Tubman biopic Harriet (2019). The George Clooney/Julia Roberts comedy Ticket to Paradise (2022) is also arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray package.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
All the kid-friendly titles can be found below.
The Canterville Ghost (film) (Shout!) DVD
Monster High Season 1 (Paramount) DVD
Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City Season 1 (NCircle) DVD
ON THE TUBE!
And here are all of the week’s TV-related releases.
All Up in the Biz (Showtime) DVD
Flunk Season 1 (Allied Vaughn) Blu-ray or DVD
Flunk Season 2 (Allied Vaughn) Blu-ray or DVD
Flunk Season 3 (Allied Vaughn) Blu-ray or DVD
Hallmark Travel & Romance 6-Movie Collection: The Wedding Contract, A Winning Team, Love in the Maldives, Love in Zion National: A National Park Romance, Dream Moms, Make Me a Match (Hallmark) DVD
Monster High Season 1 (Paramount) DVD
Mrs. Scarlet & the Duke (Masterpiece Mystery!) Season 4 (PBS) DVD NOVA: Lee And Liza's Family Tree (PBS) DVD Planet Earth III (BBC) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City Season 1 (nCircle) DVD Transformers: Earthspark Season 1 (Episodes 11-26) (Paramount) DVD
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 1 (RLJ Entertainment) Blu-ray and Blu-ray Steelbook