New Releases for the Week of July 12

From the Big Screen:

“The Divergent Series: Allegiant,” “Everybody Wants Some!!” and “Miracles From Heaven.” For more information on other releases this week, see the Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases.

This Week’s Best Bets:

photo for Carnival of SoulsIn the quirky and cult-enjoyable “Carnival of Souls” (1962), a young woman in a small Kansas town survives a drag race accident, then agrees to take a job as a church organist in Salt Lake City. En route, she becomes haunted by a bizarre apparition that compels her toward an abandoned lakeside pavilion. Made by industrial filmmakers on a modest budget, this eerily effective B-movie classic was intended to have “the look of a Bergman and the feel of a Cocteau” — and, with its strikingly used locations and spooky organ score, it succeeds. Herk Harvey’s macabre masterpiece gained a cult following on late-night television and continues to inspire filmmakers today. In a new, restored 4K digital transfer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. From The Criterion Collection.

“Belladonna of Sadness” (1973 — Japan): Psychedelic, man — it’s sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. One of the great lost masterpieces of Japanese animation, newly restored in 4k for this first-ever U.S. release. photo for Belladonna of SadnessDirector Eiichi Yamamoto’s film follows the mad and sensual tale of Jeanne, an innocent young woman who makes a pact with the devil (voiced by Tatsuya Nakadai, from Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran”). Filled with explicit Egon Schiele-inspired eroticism, the film is a swirling, psychedelic light-show of medieval tarot-card imagery replete with horned demons, haunted forests and La Belle Dame Sans Merci. Extremely transgressive and not for the easily offended, “Belladonna” is fueled by a mindblowing Japanese psych rock soundtrack by noted avant-garde jazz composer Masahiko Satoh. Restored by Cinelicious Pics using the original 35mm camera negative and sound elements — including over eight minutes of surreal and explicit footage cut from the negative. On Blu-ray Disc.

In the early eighties, British enfant terrible Ken Russell travelled to America and placed photo for Crimes of Passionhis unorthodox imprint on a pair of US movies. The first was the “Altered States,” so out-there its screenwriter disowned it. The second was the equally crazy “Crimes of Passion” (1964), starring Kathleen Turner at the height of her powers. Fashion designer Joanna Crane (Turner) leads a double life. By night she is China Blue, a prostitute who’s attracted the unwanted attention of two men. One is a sexually frustrated private detective hired by her employees. The other is psychopathic priest (played by Norman Bates himself, Anthony Perkins) in possession of a murderous sex toy. With its outré screenplay by Barry Sandler and over the top score by Rick Wakeman, “Crimes of Passion” is one of the most outrageous Ken Russell films ever made. Brand new 2K restoration of the film from original film materials in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo. from Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment.

From TV to DVD:

“Colony: Season One” (2016) is a three-disc set with all 10 episodes of the series that enters on one family’s struggle to survive in an occupied Los Angeles, now a dangerous world of divided ideologies. While some choose to collaborate with the occupation and benefit from the new order, others rebel and suffer the consequences. From Universal … “The Dresser” (2016) stars Ian McKellen, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Watson and Vanessa photo for Colony: Season OneKirby is adapted from the classic 1980 West End and Broadway play by Ronald Harwood (and made into a 1983 film by Peter Yates starring Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay and Edward Fox). One fateful night in a small English regional theatre during World War II, a troupe of touring actors stage a production of Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” Bombs are falling, sirens are wailing, the curtain is going up in one hour, but the actor-manager Sir (Hopkins), who is playing Lear, is nowhere to be found. His dresser, Norman (McKellen), must scramble to keep the production alive. Meanwhile, Sir reflects on his lifelong accomplishments and seeks to reconcile his turbulent friendships with those in his employ before the final curtain. Recently aired on Starz. From Anchor Bay Entertainment … With sirens blaring, dedicated paramedics Roy DeSoto (Kevin Tighe) and John Gage (Randolph Mantooth) respond to the most desperate calls in the City of Angels in “Emergency! The Complete Series,” from Universal … “iZOMBIE: The Complete Second Season” (2015-16) is a four-disc set with all 19 episodes of the series that stars Rose McIver as Olivia “Iv” Moore, a medical resident on the fast track to a perfect life … until she’s turned into a zombie. But Iv finds her calling — and an endless supply of food — working at the Seattle coroner’s office, helping to solve crimes with her “visions,” while her boss and sole confidante, Dr. Ragi Chakrabarti, works on a cure for her condition. As Season Two begins, Liv’s ex-fiancé and love, Major, is reeling from recent events and the knowledge that Iv is a zombie. From Warner … In the 10 episode spin-off, “Naked and Afraid XL: Season 1” (2015), six men and six women, all extreme survivalists with their own photo for iZOMBIE: The Complete Second Season expertise, must take on a grueling survival challenge. With no food, no water, and no clothing, the challengers must have the skills and willpower to endure 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness. From Lionsgate … “Slasher: Season One” (2016) is a two-disc set with eight episodes. Thirty years ago, in the sleepy community of Waterbury, a killer known as “The Executioner” murdered Sarah Bennett’s parents. Now Sarah (Katie McGrath) and her husband Dylan (Brandon Jay McLaren) have returned to town, only to find herself the centerpiece in a series of horrifying murders centered around the seven deadly sins. It seems “The Executioner” is back. But if Tom Winston — the original Executioner — is behind bars, who is the new person behind the mask? As the murders escalate, long-buried secrets are revealed, making everyone around Sarah a suspect … or a victim. On DVD, Blu-ray Disc Scream Factory.

Buzzin’ the ‘B’s:

In “Green Room” (2016), starring Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, Patrick Stewart, Anton Yelchin and Mark Webber, members (Anton Yelchin, Alia Shawkat) of a punk-rock band and a tough young woman (Imogen Poots) battle murderous white supremacists at a remote Oregon roadhouse after witnessing a murder. On DVD, Blu-ray Disc from Lionsgate … photo for Sressed to Kill To reduce his blood pressure after a heart attack, a man begins killing the people who are stressing him out in “Stressed to Kill” (2016), starring Armand Assante, Bill Oberst Jr., Derek Roberts, Marshal Hilton and Sonia Curtis. From MVD Visual … “The Dark Horse” (2014 — New Zealand), based on a powerful true story, is the uplifting portrait of a man searching for the courage to lead, despite his struggles with mental illness. Genesis ‘Gen’ Potini (Curtis), a brilliant but troubled New Zealand chess champion, finds purpose by teaching underprivileged children about the rules of chess and life. After years in and out of mental institutions, Genesis is released into the care of his estranged brother Ariki (Hapi) and thrust into his volatile gang lifestyle. Seeking to escape this toxic environment, Genesis finds solace by volunteering at the Eastern Knights chess club and sharing his gift with the disadvantaged Maori children of his community. Stars Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston, Wayne Hapi. From Broad Green Pictures … Imagine a world where, since 1953, women have been able to reproduce without men and they are no longer giving birth to male babies. Now, over 60 years later, the deadpan mockumentary “No Men Beyond This Point” (2015) follows the youngest man still alive — 37-year-old Andrew Myers. Working as a housekeeper for a family of women, Andrew finds himself at the center of a battle to prevent men from going extinct. Stars Rekha Sharma, Ben Cotton, Patrick Gilmore, Hilary Jardin, Tara Pratt and Bruce Harwood.From Samuel Goldwyn Films/Sony.

Foreign Films:

“My Golden Days” (2015 – France), starring Mathieu Amalric, Lou Roy-Lecollinet, Dinara Drukarova and Françoise Lebrun, is the story of Paul De´dalus (Almaric), an anthropologist preparing to leave Tajikistan. Reflecting on his life, he has a series of flashbacks starting from his childhood in Roubaix — his mother’s attacks of madness, his father’s alienating depression. He remembers a student trip to the USSR, where a clandestine mission led him to offer up his own identity for a young Russian, whom he considered a phantom twin for the remainder of his life. He remembers University life, and returning to his hometown to party with his sister and her best friend, his shifting circle of friends and their casual betrayals. And most of all he remembers Esther (César nominated newcomer Lou Roy-Lecollinet), the beautiful, rude, haughty soul and love of his life. From Magnolia Home Entertainment.

For the Family:

“LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Gotham City Breakout” (2016) is a new animated feature. When Batgirl and Nightwing take Batman on a trip down memory lane — literally — to visit one of the key mentors from his formative years, it’s up to the Justice League to keep Gotham City crime-free. But neither situation proves to be a “vacation” as the Bat trio encounters old nemeses on their adventure, and the Justice League discovers just how busy Batman is on a regular basis. On DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo (with an exclusive LEGO Nightwing Figurine) from Warner.

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