From the Big Screen:

Elemental

(2023) An all-new original Pixar feature film that transports moviegoers to an extraordinary place called Element City, where a host of elements live and work. The film features each element — air, earth, water and fire — and what sets them apart according to Ember, a quick-witted and fiery woman who’s always stayed close to home in Firetown. Now she finally ventures out of her comfort zone to explore this spectacular world, and her friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. “Element City” is inspired by big cities around the globe and embraces theorized contributions from each elemental community — from giant pine-tree-like buildings and waterfall skyscrapers to a tornado-shaped arena called Cyclone Stadium. Vitals: Director: Peter Sohn. Stars: Voices of Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Catherine O’Hara. CC, MPAA rating: PG, 109 min., Animated Family, North American box office gross: $146.6 million, worldwide $397.5 million, Disney. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Code, 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo + Digital Code, VOD, Digital. Extras: Three featurettes; deleted scenes; commentary. Read more here

Insidious: The Red Door

(2023) In Insidious: The Red Door, the horror franchise’s original cast returns for the final chapter of the Lambert family’s terrifying saga. To put their demons to rest once and for all, Josh (Patrick Wilson) and a college-aged Dalton (Ty Simpkins) must go deeper into The Further than ever before, facing their family’s dark past and a host of new and more horrifying terrors that lurk behind the red door.Vitals: Director: Patrick Wilson. Stars: Ty Simpkins, Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Sinclair Daniel, Hiam Abbass, Andrew Astor, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Lin Shaye, Bridget Kim. CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 107 min., Horror, North American box office gross: $82.060 million, worldwide $188.050 million, Sony. Formats: DVD + Digital Code, Blu-ray + Digital Code, VOD, Digital. Extras: “Past, Present, Further”; “Possessed Director.” Read more here

This Week’s Best Bets

From six-guns to schlock, here’s a pair of oldies from the 1950s: “Westward the Women” (1951), starring Robert Taylor, Denise Darcel, Julie Bishop and Beverly Dennis, chronicles the rugged pioneers and brave trailblazers who tamed the wild west. These were the women of the great frontier. Based on historical record, this wagon-train saga details a 2,000-mile journey from Chicago to California. The men seek gold; the women seek matrimony. Both strike pay dirt. Buck Wyatt (Taylor) is a tough, experienced scout who leads a wagon train comprised of two ex-showgirls (Darcel and Bishop), a hearty widow (Dennis) and fifteen men who act as guides. When one of the men disobeys Buck’s orders not to fraternize with the ladies, Buck shoots him, causing the others to desert. Instead of turning back, the determined women insist on going on, learning to ride, shoot, and drive mules. Although treacherous terrain and a deadly ambush lay ahead, these tough ladies are filled with the American frontier spirit, and nothing will stop them. Based on a story by Frank Capra, and directed with signature gusto by the masterful William Wellman, “Westward the Women” is a cinematic masterpiece. On Blu-ray from Warner Archive … The classic era of drive-in schlock was near its end in 1959, but there was still time for “The Giant Gila Monster” and “The Killer Shrews,” a pair of no-budget howlers from producer Gordon McLendon, both included in “The Giant Gila Monster/The Killer Shrews Double Feature” (1959). In “The Giant Gila Monster,” a lizard takes on a small town. If that’s not enough for you, there are plenty of cool cars and some ersatz rock ‘n’ roll sung by the movie’s star, Don Sullivan. “The Killer Shrews” stars James Best as a riverboat pilot stuck on an island where the shrews are the size of German Shepherds. These two features were originally released on a double-bill. On Blu-ray from Film Masters. Both films are offered in 4×3, in additional to the theatrical 16×9 … From the mid-century we travel to the mod 1960s for “The Girl From Rio” (1969). The only thing super-villain vixen Sumuru (Shirley Eaton) lusts for above all else is the power to control men. Her plan to dominate the male species – and the world – with an army of superhuman women is foolproof. Or so one thinks. Sumuru didn’t count on Jeff Sutton (Richard Wyler) and the $10 million he stole from crime boss Sir Masius (George Sanders) as being the perfect recipe for disaster. In the tradition of “Danger Diabolik,” “Our Man Flint,” “The Wrecking Crew” and other Swinging 60’s Mod classics, “The Girl From Rio” is everything you’d expect from notorious director Jess Franco – the sex, the adventure, the fun. In a 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo from Blue Underground. Read more here … There’s more shooting in “Carlito’s Way” (1993), just released in a 4K UHD + Blu-ray Limited Edition. Academy Award-winner Al Pacino reunites with his Scarface director Brian De Palma for this tough-minded thriller about a gangster looking for salvation down the mean streets of 1970s New York City. Gangster Carlito Brigante (Pacino) gets released early from prison thanks to the work of his lawyer, Kleinfeld (Sean Penn). Vowing to go straight, Carlito nonetheless finds dangers waiting for him in the outside world. As Carlito works toward redemption, Kleinfeld sinks into cocaine-fueled corruption. When Kleinfeld crosses the mob, Carlito gets caught in the crossfire and has to face a hard choice: remain loyal to the friend who freed him or protect a new life with the woman he loves (Penelope Ann Miller). With enemies closing in from all sides, Carlito must find his way before it’s too late. Also starring John Leguizamo, Luis Guzmán and Viggo Mortensen, “Carlito’s Way” has come to be regarded as among De Palma’s most accomplished films. A hard-hitting gangster noir laced with romance and melancholy, powerful performances and nail-biting suspense. From Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment. Read more here … The brief but incandescent life of rock-and-roll trailblazer Ritchie Valens is immortalized in “La Bamba” (1987), an enthralling biopic from another Mexican American icon, Luis Valdez, the father of Chicano cinema. With sweetness and swagger, Lou Diamond Phillips embodies the 1950s California teenager who, forged by his fiercely supportive mother (Rosanna DeSoto) and rebellious brother (Esai Morales), rises from his farm-working roots to chart-topping fame in the early days of rock — until one fateful night that haunts music history. Propelled by a hip-shaking soundtrack featuring Los Lobos and Carlos Santana, “La Bamba” captures the electric vitality of an artist who bridged cultures to create his own American dream. In a Blu-ray special edition with a new 4K digital restoration, approved by director Luis Valdez, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, from The Criterion Collection. Read more here … “Moonage Daydream” (2022) is an ecstatic voyage through the creative and spiritual universe of David Bowie, a fittingly unclassifiable tribute to the shape-shifting rock iconoclast and his singular sound and vision. Exploding the conventions of the music documentary, director Brett Morgen remixes dazzling, never-before-seen footage of the artist throughout his career, reveling in his otherworldly presence while revealing the restless philosophical inquiry that guided his myriad metamorphoses. Graced with soulful narration by Bowie, this immersive audiovisual head rush transmits the essence of a phenomenon that cannot be explained—only experienced. On Blu-ray, 4K UHD + Blu-ray combo edition, with 4K digital master, supervised by writer-director-editor-producer Brett Morgen, with Dolby Atmos and stereo soundtracks, from The Criterion Collection. Extras: Read more here.

Buzzin’ the ‘B’s:

There’s plenty of gore in store this week with “Dario Argento’s Tenebrae” (1982), starring Anthony Franciosa, John Saxon, Daria Nicolodi and John Steiner. As mystery writer Peter Neal (Franciosa) is promoting his newest novel “Tenebrae,” a serial killer begins to murder their victims in the very manner Neal describes in his book. As those around him are being picked off one by one and the police look at Neal as the sole suspect, the author must investigate and find the murderer himself before he’s either killed or framed for the murders. 4K UHD from a new 4K restoration from the original camera negative, presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with restored original DTS-HD MA lossless mono Italian and English soundtracks and English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack. In a 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo from Synapse Films. Read more here … and don’t forget “Repligator” (1988), starring “Leatherface” Gunnar Hansen and scream queen Brinke Steven. From director Bret McCormick (“The Abomination”) comes one of the most screwball, brain-melting late 90s direct-to-video entries ever made. At a top-secret military facility, a group of scientists and army brass work on the “The Replicator Project,” which quickly goes awry when it turns all the male soldiers into gorgeous, scantily clad nymphets, who then morph into alligators when they reach the peak of sexual excitement. On Blu-ray from Visual Vengeance, a label dedicated to vintage ‘Shot on Video’ and microbudget genre independents from the 1980s though 2000s.

Foreign Films:

“Suburra” (2015 — Italy), starring Pierfrancesco Favino, Claudio Amendola and Elio Germano, is based on real-life events of the Mafia Capitale that occurred in 2011, the film follows the attempts to turn a small-town — owned by the Capitale — into the Las Vegas of Italy. Corruption, triple-crossing, blackmailing, and murder all follow as politician Filippo Malgradi’s plans to help a Mafia boss known as Samurai turn upside-down when Malgradi is involved with the death of a sex worker. An all-out war happens as Malgradi and others fight for their slice of power and money. Adapted from the 2013 novel of the same name by Carlo Bonini and Giancarlo De Cataldo. On DVD, Blu-ray, from Unearthed Films.

For the Family:

In the animated “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” (2022), shy outcast Kokoro has been avoiding school for weeks when she discovers a portal in her bedroom mirror. She reaches through and finds herself transported to an enchanted castle where she is joined by six other students. When a girl in a wolf mask explains that they have been invited to play a game, the teens must work together to uncover the mysterious connection that unites them. However, anyone who breaks the rules will be eaten by a wolf. From acclaimed director Keiichi Hara (“Colorful,” “Miss Hokusai”) and based on the bestselling novel by Mizuki Tsujimura, “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” is a heartfelt drama about the pains of growing up and the unlikely bonds that can bring people together. On Blu-ray from GKIDS/Shout! Factory … In “Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too!” (2023), the world’s greatest heroes, DC’s Justice League, have mysteriously vanished and a terrifying phantom has taken up residence in The Hall of Justice. Now it’s up to the world’s greatest super sleuths, Scooby and the gang, to solve the mystery and save our heroes … with a little help from their new pal Krypto the Superdog. Formats: DVD, Digital. From Warner … “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” (2023), with the voices of Lana Condor, Toni Collette, Annie Murphy, Colman Domingo and Jane Fonda, dives into the turbulent waters of high school. The heartwarming action comedy follows a shy teenager who discovers that she’s part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens and that her destiny, in the depths of the oceans, is bigger than she ever dreamed. Learning to be an all-powerful sea creature while hiding among humans is hard enough for Ruby, but to make matters worse, her super popular new bestie, Chelsea, is secretly a mermaid. Mermaids have been battling the Krakens for eons to rule the ocean, but Chelsea has come to land to finally put an end to that conflict. However, when Chelsea double-crosses her, Ruby will ultimately need to embrace who she is and GO BIG to protect those she loves most. On DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, from Universal. Read more here.

From TV to Disc:

“Loki S1” (2021) is a two-disc set with all six episodes. Marvel Studios’ “Loki” features the God of Mischief as he steps out of his brother’s shadow. Set after the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” this action-packed, time-defying thriller stars Tom Hiddleston as the title characters with Owen Wilson as agent Mobius. In a Blu-ray Steelbook, 4K Ultra HD Steelbook, from Marvel/Disney. Read more here … “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Season Three” (2022) arrives in a three-DVD set and a two-Blu-ray set, with eight episodes. In Season 3, Jack (John Krasinski) races against time and across Europe to stop a rogue faction within the Russian government from restoring the Soviet Empire and starting World War III. Also starring Wendall Price, Nina Hoss, Betty Gabriel and Michael Kelly. From Paramount.

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.