New DVD and Blu-ray Releases for the Week of February 20
Afire
(2023 — Germany) Directed by Christian Petzold. While vacationing by the Baltic Sea, writer Leon (Thomas Schubert) and photographer Felix (Langston Uibel) are surprised to encounter Nadja (Paula Beer), a mysterious young woman staying as a guest at the holiday home of Felix’s family. Nadja soon distracts Leon from finishing his latest novel, not only because of her passionate liaison with lifeguard Devid (Enno Trebs) but also because her brutal honesty forces Leon to confront his artistic inadequacies. As Nadja and Leon grow closer, an encroaching forest fire threatens the group and pushes the writer to discover whether he can truly care for anything beyond himself. Christian Petzold’s acclaimed latest film was the winner of the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. Extras: “Meet the Filmmakers,” a new interview with director Christian Petzold; trailer. (The Criterion Collection). Read more here.
This Week’s Best Bet:
Michael Roemer’s groundbreaking first feature “Nothing But a Man” (1964), sensitively shot by his close collaborator Robert M. Young, is a still-resonant expression of humanity in 
the face of virulent prejudice. Made at the height of the civil rights movement, “Nothing But a Man” reveals the toll of systemic racism through its honest portrait of a southern Black railroad worker (Ivan Dixon) confronting the daily challenges of discrimination and economic precarity, as he attempts to settle down with his new wife (jazz great Abbey Lincoln) and track down his father (Julius Harris). Admired by Malcolm X and now recognized as a landmark of American cinema, this tender film grounds its social critique in characters of unforgettable complexity and truth. On DVD, Blu-ray, from The Criterion Collection. Read more here.
Buzzin’ the ‘B’s:
“The Swiss Conspiracy” (1976) features a new restoration of director Jack Arnold’s last feature film with an all-star cast led by David Janssen. Scanned in 4K from original 35mm archival elements. Shot entirely in and around Zurich, “The Swiss Conspiracy,” based on the hit novel by Michael Stanley, was directed by Arnold, best known for B horror/cult movie classics such as “The Incredible Shrinking Man,” 
“Tarantula,” “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” “It Came from Outer Space” and “The Tattered Dress.” One of the best directors of science-fiction feature films, Arnold was also known for directing multiple hit television series such as ligan’s Island, Mod Squad, Wonder Woman Love Boat. The plot: a Swiss bank president hires a former U.S. Justice Department official to ferret out a group of blackmailers who have learned the identity of five, anonymous numbered account holders, including a Chicago mob figure who is also being pursued by American gangsters. Investigator David Christopher (David Janssen) identifies four potential suspects, including the bank vice president’s mistress, Rita (Elke Sommer). Adding to the intrigue are the suspicions of the Swiss Federal Police which complicates the investigation. When the bank pays the chief blackmailer in uncut diamonds, the ransom rendezvous results in a dramatic showdown in the snow-covered Alps and a shocking revelation. Also stars John Saxon, John Ireland, Senta Berger, David Hess and Ray Milland. On DVD, Blu-ray from Film Masters. Read more here.
Foreign Films:
The Criterion Collection presents a martial arts douible feature this week: “The Heroic Trio/Executioners” (1993 — Hong Kong). The star power of cinema icons Maggie Cheung, Anita Mui, and Michelle Yeoh fuels these gloriously unrestrained action joyrides from auteur Johnnie 
To and action choreographer Ching Siu-tung. “The Heroic Trio” and its sequel, “Executioners,” follow a new kind of justice league: a team of blade-throwing, shotgun-toting, kung fu–fighting heroines who join forces to battle evildoers in a dystopian, noirish city. Blending dazzling martial-arts mayhem with exhilarating blasts of comic-book lunacy, these beloved superhero movies reimagine the genre through the giddy genius of the Hong Kong film industry at its height. On Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo. 4K digital restorations with uncompressed monaural soundtracks. In the 4K UHD edition: One 4K UHD disc of the films and two Blu-rays with the films and special features. Read more here.
All DVDs and Blu-rays are screened on a reference system consisting of an Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio, a Rotel RSX-972 Surround Sound Receiver, and Phase Technology 1.1 (front), 33.1 (center), and 50 (rear) speakers, and Power 10 subwoofer.
