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
Game of Thrones – The Complete Series
What is it? A giant game of Risk.
Why see it? HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin was a risk when it first launched, but the combination of violence, sex, intrigue, deception, and a massive cast of characters quickly won over both audiences and critics alike. It faced its fair share of criticisms early on too, a reaction that would return for the series’ conclusion, but bumps and scrapes aside this remains a monumental achievement. All eight seasons are collected here along with all of the previous extra features collected over the years, and while it makes for one hell of a gift it’s also just a damn fine show worth having on your shelf. Story lines are dense and twisted, characters are constantly at risk of death, and the visual beauty offers a counterpoint to the character ugliness. It’s an epic in every sense of the word, and this Blu-ray collection gives it the beautiful HD home it deserves. Fans with extra change in their pocket should seek out the limited edition version, but for the rest of us this compact and complete set is perfect enough.
[Extras: Reunion special, commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, interviews]
The Best
Big Trouble in Little China [Scream Factory]
What is it? A trucker finds trouble in Chinatown.
Why see it? John Carpenter’s action/effects-heavy comedy is still every bit the modern classic it was when the film first premiered to disinterested audiences back int he 80s. Fools. Kurt Russell shines as the big talking wannabe hero whose intentions are good even when his execution is off, and the supporting cast is equally game with terrific turns by James Hong, Dennis Dun, Victor Wong, and others. It’s very funny, the martial arts action is solid, the mystical magic and creatures are glorious, and it’s a movie that never fails to lift spirits and entertain like gangbusters. Scream Factory’s new Blu adds plenty of new special features to an already packed release, and while it lacks a 4K restoration it’s still more than worth the upgrade for fans.
[Extras: Commentaries old and new, interviews new and old, featurettes, deleted scenes, music video, gag reel]
Fritz Lang’s Indian Epic
What is it? A two-part action/adventure epic.
Why see it? Fritz Lang gifted film lovers with several memorable features, and this double feature belongs in those same conversations. A truncated cut was released domestically, but the films are each deserving of their own glory as Lang delivers big adventure and romance that feels like a clear precursor to the likes of Indiana Jones and others. Epic set-pieces, stunts, animal action, large casts, and a still sexy dance highlight these films, and they’ve never looked better thanks to a new 4K restoration of both complete films. It’s grand, sweeping entertainment and adventure, and they look stunning.
[Extras: Commentaries, documentary, video essay, booklet]
The Rest
Battle of Leningrad
What is it? War is hell.
Why see it? World War II films are nothing new, but the majority of ones released in the West focus the US and its European allies. This Russian entry explores an event experienced by its own people as a barge filled with evacuating civilians finds tragedy in both bad weather and German attack. Lots of drama and big f/x sequences fill the screen, and it’s a solid enough feature for war movie fans. Just be sure to change the settings — it defaults to English dubbing, but the dramatic effect is stronger with subs and the original Russian language performances.
[Extras: None]
Funan
What is it? A family struggles to reunite under a vile regime.
Why see it? Animation is too frequently used for kids films only, but it’s a fantastic medium for telling more complex tales too. This personal tale of survival follows a woman’s separation from her family as their country falls under the control of the Khmer Rouge, and the emotional impact of it all is clear and evident. The animation is well done, colorful, and electric when necessary, and while it’s an intimate story the narrative is far bigger.
[Extras: Interview]
The Goldfinch
What is it? A teen struggles to move on from his mother’s death.
Why see it? The Goldfinch is a critically acclaimed bestselling novel, but this adaptation stumbles bringing it all to the screen. The case is certainly on point with lead Ansel Elgort supported by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Sarah Paulson, Jeffrey Wright, and others, but the drama of the boy’s journey can’t help but feel cluttered and melodramatic when it should feel direct and powerful. It’s far from a Serenity-like fiasco, but it just never lands.
[Extras: Featurettes, deleted scenes]
Jake Speed [Arrow Video]
What is it? A pulp paperback hero is real.
Why see it? Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins may be the better version of this tale, but there’s fun to be had in this slightly meta adventure that sees a woman discover the hero of a series of pulp novels is actually real and available for missions. It’s goofy fun, at least until a certain stunt clearly goes wrong as two stuntmen try to get away from a door before a Jeep comes crashing through. Lead Wayne Crawford also co-wrote, and he’s better suited for the latter job as his onscreen presence is a bit light for such a character. The two included interviews offer some interesting insight into the production as well.
[Extras: New 2K restoration, interviews]
Killerman
What is it? A man finds himself on the run from killer cops.
Why see it? This is a fairly low-key and familiar action/drama, but it succeeds well enough to warrant a watch for fans of the genre or lead Liam Hemsworth. We get some solid action beats leading up to a fantastic ending (just ignore the nonsensical onscreen text), and while the film won’t necessarily stick with you long after it’s an entertaining little thriller.
[Extras: None]
Savage
What is it? A cop struggles with loss and revenge.
Why see it? This Hong Kong flick takes a familiar setup — cops ambushed by bad guys and left for dead, but one survives to cross paths with the killers again — and bumps it up some with a wild and wintry setting in rural China in the dead of winter. The landscapes are appealing and isolating, and the action delivers a handful of gun play and fight scenes to keep genre fans happy. The women are shafted, as is too often the case, but it all works well enough.
[Extras: None]
Semper Fi
What is it? A cop makes a desperate choice to help his brother.
Why see it? Jai Courtney’s no longer being pushed on the world as leading man material, so it makes perfect sense that now is when he’d deliver his best lead performance. He plays a US Marine turned cop whose younger brother is (somewhat) wrongfully convicted and sent to prison where things don’t go well, so when the opportunity arises a breakout becomes the plan of the day. The drama between Courtney and Nat Wolff works as does the action and suspense making for a solid thriller with heart.
[Extras: Deleted scenes, featurettes, commentary]
Slaughterhouse-Five [Arrow Video]
What is it? A man becomes unstuck in time.
Why see it? Kurt Vonnegut’s classic novel gets an interesting adaptation from director George Roy Hill (The World According to Garp), and while it’s not wholly successful it is fairly respectful to the novel. The story follows a man who essentially shifts through time — his consciousness more than his body — from World War II to Upstate New York to an alien planet where he’s on display with a porn star, and it’s both jarring and somewhat engaging. Arrow’s new Blu-ray is a gift for fans, though, as the picture has never looked sharper and the included extras offer plenty of insight into the film’s production history.
[Extras: New 4K restoration, commentary, interviews]
Also out this week:
Boar, Camille Claudel [KL Studio Classics], Candy [Shout Select], The Magic Sword [KL Studio Classics], She [KL Studio Classics], The Story of Temple Drake [Criterion Collection], Tunes of Glory [Criterion Collection]
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