By Rob Hunter
Plus 14 More New Releases to Watch This Week on Blu-ray/DVD!
Welcome to this week in home video! Click the title to buy a Blu-ray/DVD from Amazon and help support FSR in the process!
Pick of the Week
Dean
Why see it? Demitri Martin brings his dry humor to the screen as writer, director, and star of this humane comedy about facing loss and staying sane in the process. Our hero’s lost his mom and fiance in recent months, and while the grief blocks his creativity he heads off to spend time with friends new and old. It’s a sweetly humorous film with laughs and moments of genuine warmth spread among the supporting cast which includes Kevin Kline, Mary Steenburgen, and Gillian Jacobs. Martin’s real drawing talent is on display throughout as well with the simple illustrations offering a glimpse into the character’s wounded yet increasingly hopeful soul.
[DVD extras: Featurettes]
The Best
Amsterdamned [Blue Underground]
Why see it? Bloody kills and attractive scenery abounds in this killer thriller, but the standout sequence feels straight out of a James Bond movie as two speed boats engage in a chase through the tight canals. It’s a fun genre effort and an entertaining watch. Dick Maas’ serial killer thriller finally comes to home video in the US, and it’s a special edition worth picking up for fans as it delivers a great-looking film alongside some solid extras.
[Blu-ray/DVD extras: New 2K restoration, commentary, making of, interviews]
The Island of Dr. Moreau [Olive Films]
Why see it? I have great memories of watching this one as a kid and it being one of my first horror movies that I enjoyed with my dad. That’s a meaningless anecdote for the rest of you, but I mention it because even now, some decades later, the movie still holds up as a fun creature feature exploring ideas of life, creation, and what it means to play god. Michael York and Burt Lancaster are both great, and the movie is just a fun horror-themed adventure for the entire family.
[DVD extras: Commentary, featurette]
The Lion King
Why see it? One of Disney’s many crown jewels comes to Blu-ray via their Signature Collection, and it’s a must-own for households that don’t already own the film in a previous home video version. It’s a just a fantastic movie regardless of whether or not you have kids in the house, and its hand-drawn animation remains gorgeous and unbeatable by today’s CG creations. There are big laughs, bigger heart, and plenty of catchy musical numbers too, and it’s every bit as fantastic as you remember.
[Blu-ray/DVD extras: Featurettes]
The Man With Two Brains [Warner Archive]
Why see it? Director Carl Reiner made four features with Steve Martin, and I have to assume I’m in the minority in my belief that this one ‐ their third ‐ is the funniest. The Jerk and All of Me are both classics of course, but damn does this madcap, screwball adventure in love and murder make me laugh. The genius here is in sharp, fast gags and brilliant line delivery by all involved. There are some amazingly funny dialogue exchanges, wonderfully ribald innuendo, and probably the best killer reveal I can recall. There’s a sweetness to it all too though in Martin’s growing bond with the brain and the end revelation involving an eating disorder.
[Blu-ray extras: None]
Ronin [Arrow Video]
Why see it? Director John Frankenheimer is the man behind such classics as Seconds, The Manchurian Candidate, and Reindeer Games, but one of my favorites of his is this late 90s action gem that offers up master class in car chase action.The other elements work well too including gun fights, a twisty plot, and a fantastic cast (Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Sean Bean, Natascha McElhone), but hot damn are the car chases both memorable and exciting. Arrow’s new Blu looks fantastic and comes loaded with extras offering an in-depth look at the film’s production. This is a movie to play loud — both for the smart dialogue and wickedly entertaining action beats.
[Blu-ray/DVD extras: New 4K restoration, commentary, interviews, featurettes, alternate ending]
The Rest
Baywatch
Why see it? Like the big screen CHiPs reboot from earlier this year, this R-rated comedy fails to find the laughs despite the talents of the cast and crew involved. Jokes and gags alike fall pretty flat as the very obvious story unfolds, and not for nothing but this movie features the absolute worst-looking effects-heavy action scenes of Dwayne Johnson’s entire career. A few gags/jokes manage to earn a chuckle or too, but it’s a shame the script in general is so unfunny because Johnson and Zac Efron make for a fun pair. Alexandra Daddario also stars, so that’s something at least.
[Blu-ray/DVD extras: Featurettes, deleted scenes]
Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack
Why see it? The fifth direct-to-video sequel to the Kirsten Dunst hit continues the trend of diminishing returns in every regard but the actual cheers. Like the similarly structured Step Up franchise, these movies really only appeal to those who enjoy watching the subject at hand… in this case competitive cheerleading. The story and characters around it all are flat and uninteresting, and the humor that helped the first film become a hit is nowhere to be seen. All of that said, the cheer “action” is entertaining if you’re into that kind of thing.
[Blu-ray/DVD extras: Featurettes, gag reel]
Designated Survivor – The Complete First Season
Why see it? Kiefer Sutherland’s follow up to his long-running series 24 sees him in a far different kind of character. He’s a less capable guy, definitely not someone used to fighting bad guys or cracking conspiracies, and he’s now been dropped into an unbelievable scenario. The show does a good job keeping the twists coming, and while I can’t see it continuing apace for more than another season this first one is an engaging new experience for fans of Sutherland’s intense charms.
[DVD extras: Featurettes]
The Evil In Us
Why see it? There are a few threads running through this new horror thriller, but only the main one — friends in an isolated location brought face to face with intense violence — lands with any real consistency. The other two threads, one showing who’s behind the threat and the other following the investigation into their slaughter, lack urgency and interesting characters leaving two-thirds of the film underwhelming. There are some fun gore beats, and some sequences remind favorably of the likes of 28 Days Later, but there’s not nearly enough of the good stuff.
[DVD extras: None]
Grey’s Anatomy – Complete Thirteenth Season
Why see it? I’m old enough to remember when this series first premiered and quickly became a big deal as a sexier E.R., but while I stopped watching after the first season the rest of apparently stuck with it. Checking in many years later reveals that while much of the cast has changed the sexy hospital shenanigans remain (to some degree). Obviously it’s a tough show to drop back into, but for those of you who’ve been watching the new full season release includes some fun (albeit minor) extras.
[DVD extras: Gag reel, deleted scenes]
Hell Up in Harlem [Olive Films]
Why see it? Larry Cohen dabbles in several genres, but the one constant through them all is an energetic approach to the story and camerawork. Those stylistic touches are on full display here as chaotic action scenes play out in mansions, on cliffsides, and throughout the city’s streets. A beach assault involving spear guns, a bikini-clad kung fu girl, and hundreds of bloody squibs is especially fun. The story itself feels loose and chaotic beyond the core narrative, but it’s never less than an engaging ride.
[Blu-ray/DVD extras: New commentary with Larry Cohen]
Inconceivable
Why see it? Another week, another Nicolas Cage movie essentially making its debut on home video. He’s basically a supporting player this time around as Gina Gershon and Nicky Whelan take the lead as wife and interloper, respectively. The basic narrative is familiar, but the script throws in some specifics of its own involving surrogacy and eggs that add little to the suspense. It’s a wholly forgettable thriller as the revelations don’t build to any conflict of note. This isn’t The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is what I’m saying.
[Blu-ray/DVD extras: Commentary, ]
Prizzi’s Honor [KL Studio Classics]
Why see it? The legendary John Huston’s hit-person comedy predates Mr. & Mrs. Smith by two decades and understandably focuses more on the laughs and mafia culture than on the action. It’s hard to argue with this cast which includes Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, Robert Loggia, and Anjelica Huston. There are some laughs here, but several of the performances feel… off. The caliber of the talent suggests it’s by design, but it affects the overall feel to the point that neither the romance nor the drama lands instead leaving us solely with an offbeat, periodically funny comedy, for better or worse.
[Blu-ray/DVD extras: Commentary]
The Slayer [Arrow Video]
Why see it? The core of the story here is a familiar one with people trapped in a remote location while someone or something picks them off one by one, but there’s an interesting wrinkle this time around as one woman’s dreams are connected to the killings. The small cast of characters means there’s a lot of downtime before and between murders, but the film holds your interest anyway through the developing story and locale. Arrow’s new Blu cleans up this video nasty to present in sharper and cleaner than it’s ever been seen before, and the supplements provide an informative look at its production and history.
[Blu-ray/DVD extras: New 4K restoration, commentaries, making of documentary, featurette]
Also out this week:
Batman and Harley Quinn, Black Sails – The Complete Fourth Season, Elementary – The Fifth Season, Erik the Conquerer, A Family Man, Gotham – The Complete Third Season, Heal the Living, Killing Hasselhoff, The Love of a Woman, The Manster, Mouton, New Battles Without Honor and Humanity, The Originals – The Complete Fourth Season, Oxenfree, Panic, Red Roses of Passion, Snapshot, Star Wars Rebels 3, Timebomb, Vicious Lips, The White Princess
The article ‘Dean’ Finds Humor and Heart in Grief appeared first on Film School Rejects.
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