Join the
Sixties generation
DVD
Blu-ray Releases
OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases
March 1:
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Against all the odds, a 13-year-old boy in Malawi invents an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine. Based on the true story of William Kamkwamba. (Theatrical/Netflix)
We Die Young: Action legend Jean-Claude Van Damme takes a powerful dramatic turn as a war veteran with PTSD helping two boys get revenge on a violent drug lord. (VOD only)
March 3:
Soldier of War: Deep in the forest, two boys discover the entrance to a secret military bunker hidden since World War II and inadvertently awaken an undead soldier, who embarks on a grotesque, ritualistic killing spree. (DVD April 9)
March 5:
Aquaman: Arthur Curry, the human-born heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, goes on a quest to prevent a war between the worlds of ocean and land. (DVD, Blu-ray release: March 26)
Between the Trees: Four friends on a weekend retreat to the mountains encounter a deranged killer and their fun weekend becomes a deadly fight for survival. (DVD: June 11)
The Cannibal Club: Widely regarded as one of the goriest films in years, this Brazilian horror hit revolves around a very wealthy couple of the Brazilian elite who have the habit of eating their employees. (VOD only)
Do It Yourself: Small-time crook and ex-con Alkis is double-crossed by an ex-cellmate and finds himself trapped in a working porn studio where his shady, trigger-happy accomplices have no intention of letting him out alive. The disheveled crook has only one option -- to escape by any means possible. (DVD: Day & date)
Donna Haraway: Story Telling For Earthly Survival: Donna Haraway, the author of the groundbreaking "A Cyborg Manifesto," explores gender, cyborgs, animals, post-colonialism, capitalism, science fiction, unconventional marital and sexual partnerships, humans and dogs, the suppression of women’s writing, the surprisingly fascinating history of orthodontic aesthetics, and the need for new post-patriarchal narratives. (DVD: Day & date)
The House: Set in the frozen wilderness of Norway during WWII, two German soldiers escort a Norwegian soldier to a prisoner of war camp but as the weather begins to take a toll on them, they find an empty house to get some rest. What seems to be a warm and welcoming shelter turns much more sinister and deadly. From the director of "Christmas Blood." (DVD: Day & date)
Liz and the Blue Bird: Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki are a pair of best friends in their final year of high school, both obsessed with the school's brass band club ... until the club begins to practice songs inspired by the fairy tale "Liz and the Blue Bird." Immersed in this story, Mizore and Nozomi begin to realize that there may be no such thing as being together forever. (DVD, Blu-ray release: Day & date)
100 Yards: A famous but flawed college athlete turns down the NFL to search for his mother who has gone missing, only to find out he has an illness that takes him on an unexpected journey. (DVD: Day & date)
March 10:
The Case Against Adnan Syed: Directed by Academy Award nominee Amy Berg, this documentary explores the 1999 disappearance and murder of 18-year-old Baltimore County high school student Hae Min Lee, and the subsequent conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, a case brought to global attention by the hugely popular Serial podcast. (HBO Streaming)
March 11:
Manhunt: Based upon the memoirs of former London Metropolitan police detective DCI Colin Sutton, the three-part feature length series is the real-life story of how the murder of French National Amelie Delagrange, on Twickenham Green in August 2004, was eventually linked to two other murders. (Acorn TV only)
Ben Is Back
(2018) Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, Courtney B. Vance, Kathryn Newton. Follows the charming yet troubled Ben Burns (Hedges), who returns home to his unsuspecting family one fateful Christmas Eve. Ben's wary mother Holly Burns (Roberts) welcomes her son's return, but soon learns he is still very much in harm's way ... and he promptly disappears. During the 24 hours that may change their lives forever, Holly must do everything in her power to avoid the family's downfall.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: Audio commentary with writer-director Peter Hedges, "Ben is Back" photo gallery. (Lionsgate).
The Clovehitch Killer
(2018) Charlie Plummer, Dylan McDermott, Samantha Mathis. Tyler Burnside (Plummer) is a Boy Scout, a volunteer at his local church, and the dutiful son of an upstanding, community leader dad (McDermott). Only one thing troubles the quiet Kentucky town he lives in: the unsolved murders — in which 10 women were brutally tortured and killed by a psychopath known as Clovehitch — that rocked the community more than a decade ago. When Tyler discovers a cache of disturbing images in his father’s possession, he begins to suspect that the man he trusts most in the world may be Clovehitch … and that his deadly rampage may not be over. Formats: Blu-ray, DVD. Extras: Making-of featurette, theatrical trailer. (IFC Midnight/Scream Factory).
Do It Yourself
(2017 -- Greece) Small-time crook and ex-con Alkis is double-crossed by an ex-cellmate and finds himself trapped in a working porn studio where his shady, trigger-happy accomplices have no intention of letting him out alive. The disheveled crook has only one option -- to escape by any means possible.
Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. (Artsploitation Films).
Donna Haraway: Story Telling for Earthly Survival
(2018) Donna Haraway is the author of the groundbreaking "A Cyborg Manifesto." This documentary features Haraway in a playful and engaging exploration of her life, influences, and ideas. Best-known for her ground-breaking work on gender, cyborgs, animals and post-colonialism, Haraway is a passionate and discursive storyteller. The film is structured around a series of discussions on subjects including capitalism, science fiction, unconventional marital and sexual partnerships, the role of Catholicism in her upbringing, humans and dogs, the suppression of women’s writing, the surprisingly fascinating history of orthodontic aesthetics, and the need for new post-patriarchal narratives. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: Q&A and screening intro by Haraway. (Icarus Films).
Fear the Walking Dead: The Complete Fourth Season
(2018) Four-disc set with all 16 episodes. In Season 4 of “Fear the Walking Dead,” we see the world of Madison Clark and her family through new eyes — the eyes of Morgan Jones, who is joining the story from the world of “The Walking Dead.” The characters’ immediate pasts mix with an uncertain present of struggle and discovery as they meet new friends, foes, and threats. They fight for each other, against each other, and against a legion of the dead, and work to build an existence strong enough to resist the crushing pressure of lives coming apart. There's darkness and light; terror and grace; and the heroic, mercenary, and craven, all crashing together toward a new reality. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, Digital. Extras: Audio commentary on select epiosdes. (Lionsgate).
House of Cards: Season Six
(2018) Three-disc set with all eight episodes. The final chapter in the critically acclaimed and award-winning political drama. Following the death of President Frank Underwood, Vice President Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) has ascended to the position of Commander in Chief of the United States, working to rally her allies and outwit those who oppose her. The intrigue and political maneuverings inside the White House continue as the first female president seeks to solidify her legacy. Co-stars Michael Kelly, Diane Lane and Greg Kinnear. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. (Sony).
Jupiter's Moon
(2017 -- Hungary) The director of the critically acclaimed "White God" employs his uniquely talented eye to create this riveting Palme d’Or nominated supernatural thriller. Aryan, a young Syrian refugee (Zsombor Jéger) is shot while trying to cross the Hungarian border. While treating his wounds, a doctor (Merab Ninidze) at the refugee camp discovers that Aryan has gained an extraordinary talent -- he can levitate at will. The corrupt doctor sees an opportunity and offers to smuggle Aryan out of the camp if, in return, he helps him make some money by using his new miraculous gift. Director Kornél Mundruczó marks himself as one his generation’s most visionary directors by tackling eternally mythic themes and contemporary political issues with mind-bending aplomb. Formats: DVD. (Icarus Films).
Kalifornia Collector’s Edition
(1993) Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis, David Duchovny, Michelle Forbes. When urban intellectuals Brian (Duchovny) and Carrie (Forbes) set out on a cross-country trip to research a book about serial killers, they share the ride with a couple they barely know -- Early Grayce (Pitt) and his girlfriend Adele (Lewis). Locked in a car hurtling westward, the four travelers struggle to find some common ground. But when they finally do connect, Early's violent nature abruptly emerges and the terrified Brian and Carrie realize that they don’t need to go very far to learn about ruthless killers ... because they are already face-to-face with one! Includes both the theatrical cut and unrated version of the movie. Formats: Blu-ray. Extras: New interview with director Dominic Sena, original featurette, cast interviews, trailers and TV spots. (Shout! Factory).
Krypton: The Complete First Season
(2018) Two-disc set with all 10 episodes of the series that tells the origin story of DC’s iconic Superman in a whole new way. What if Superman never existed? Set two generations before the destruction of Superman’s home planet, Krypton follows a young Seg-El, the legendary Man of Steel’s grandfather, who is faced with a life and death conflict -- save his home planet or let it be destroyed in order to restore the fate of his future grandson. With Krypton’s leadership in disarray and the House of El ostracized, Seg fights alongside Earthly time-traveler Adam Strange to redeem his family’s honor and protect the ones he loves while saving the future of his legacy from DC Super-Villain Brainiac. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, Digital. Extras: Krypton: 2017 Comic-Con Panel, "Krypton: Bringing the Home World to Life," "A Lost Kingdom: Life on Krypton," gag reel, deleted scenes. (Warner).
The Standoff at Sparrow Creek
(2018) James Badge Dale, Chris Mulkey, Brian Geraghty, Robert Aramayo, Patrick Fischler, Happy Anderson. After a shooting at a police funeral, reclusive ex-cop Gannon (Dale) finds himself unwittingly forced out of retirement when he realizes that the killer belongs to the same militia he joined after quitting the force. Understanding that the shooting could set off a chain reaction of copycat violence across the country, Gannon quarantines his fellow militiamen in the remote lumber mill they call their headquarters. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. Extras: "The Making of the Standoff at Sparrow Creek," photo gallery. (RLJE Films).
The Vanishing (aka Keepers)
(2019) Gerard Butler, Peter Mullan, Connor Swindells. Action-packed thriller based on true events. After three lighthouse keepers arrive for work on a remote Scottish isle, they make a fateful discovery: a wrecked rowboat -- with a chest full of gold. As a mysterious boat heads toward the island, the three men make a choice that will change their lives forever, ensnaring them in a web of greed, paranoia, and guilt.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, VOD, Digital. Extras:
Vox Lux
(2018) Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Jennifer Ehle. The film begins in 1999 when teenage sisters Celeste (Raffey Cassidy) and Eleanor (Stacy Martin) survive a seismic, violent tragedy. The sisters compose and perform a song about their experience, making something lovely and cathartic out of catastrophe -- while also catapulting Celeste to stardom. By 2017, the now 31-year-old Celeste (Natalie Portman) is mother to a teenage daughter of her own and struggling to navigate a career fraught with scandals when another act of terrifying violence demands her attention. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, VOD, Digital. Extras: "Wrapped Up" music video, trailer. (Universal).
When Calls The Heart: The Greatest Blessing
The Favourite
A bawdy, acerbic tale of royal intrigue, passion, envy and betrayal in the court of Queen Anne in early 18th century England. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne, and her closest friend, confidante, adviser and clandestine lover, Lady Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, (Rachel Weisz), governs the country while tending to Anne’s ill health and volatile temper. When the Duchess’s younger cousin Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, Sarah takes Abigail under her wing as she cunningly schemes to return to her aristocratic roots, setting off an outrageous rivalry to become the Queen’s favourite.
Vitals: Director: Yorgos Lanthimos. Stars: Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone.
2018, CC, MPAA rating: R, 119 min., Drama, Box office gross: $26.878 million, Fox.
Extras: Deleted scenes, "The Favourite: Unstitching the Costume Drama."
Creed II
Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family.
Vitals: Director: Steven Caple Jr. Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Wood Harris, Andre Ward, Florian Munteanu, Russell Hornsby, Dolph Lundgren.
2018, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 130 min., Drama, Box office gross: $115.570 million, Warner.
Extras: "The Rocky Legacy." Blu-ray adds "From Father to Son," "Blood Runs Hot," "Finding the Authentic," "The Women of Creed II,” deleted scenes.
Instant Family
When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15 year old girl (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family
Vitals: Director: Sean Anders. Stars: Rose Byrne, Mark Wahlberg, Isabela Moner, Octavia Spencer, Eve Harlow, Iliza Shlesinger, Tom Segura, Julie Hagerty.
2018, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 118 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $67.309 million, Paramount.
Blu-ray extras: Deleted & extended scenes; Gag Reel; commentary by director-writer Sean Anders and writer John Morris; "Mr. and Mrs. Fix-It" behind the scenes with Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne; "Kid Power" young cast; "I Need Some Support" Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro guide a group of parents through the laughter and tears of foster care; "Order in the Court" inside one of the film’s most heartfelt moments; "The Families Behind the Fair" real foster families; "Crew Inspiration" in which crew members share their own foster care stories; The Anders Family" real-life inspiration for the film; Isabela Moner “I’ll Stay” promotional music video; "On Set Proposal" surprising wedding proposal from one crew member to another.
Vox Lux
This 21st century portrait begins in 1999 when teenage Celeste (Raffey Cassidy) survives a violent tragedy. After singing at a memorial service, Celeste transforms into a burgeoning pop star with the help of her songwriter sister (Stacy Martin) and talent manager (Jude Law). Celeste's meteoric rise to fame dovetails with a personal and national loss of innocence, consequently elevating the young powerhouse to a new kind of celebrity: American icon, secular deity, global superstar. By 2017, adult Celeste (Natalie Portman) is mounting a comeback after a scandalous incident almost derailed her career. Touring in support of her sixth album, a compendium of sci-fi anthems entitled "Vox Lux," the indomitable, foul-mouthed pop savior must overcome her personal and familial struggles to navigate motherhood, madness and monolithic fame.
Vitals: Director: Brady Corbet. Stars: Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Jennifer Ehle.
2018, CC, MPAA rating: R, 114 min., Drama, Box office gross: $.727 million, Universal.
Extras: "Wrapped Up" music video, trailer.
Creed II
(2018) Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Wood Harris, Andre Ward, Florian Munteanu, Russell Hornsby, Dolph Lundgren. Under the tutelage of Rocky Balboa, heavyweight contender Adonis Creed faces off against Viktor Drago, son of Ivan Drago. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: "The Rocky Legacy." Blu-ray adds "From Father to Son," "Blood Runs Hot," "Finding the Authentic," "The Women of Creed II,” deleted scenes. (Warner).
The Favourite
(2018) Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone. In early 18th-century England, a frail Queen Anne (Oliva Colman) occupies the throne, and her closest Friend, Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), governs the country while tending to Anne’s ill health and volatile temper. When new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, Sarah takes Abigail under her wing as she cunningly schemes to return to her aristocratic roots, setting off an outrageous rivalry to become the Queen’s favourite. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, VOD, Digital. Extras: Deleted scenes, "The Favourite: Unstitching the Costume Drama." (Fox).
The House
(2016 -- Norway) Set in the frozen wilderness of Norway during WWII, two German soldiers escort a Norwegian soldier to a prisoner of war camp but as the weather begins to take a toll on them, they find an empty house near the forest where they finally can get some rest. However, what seems to be a warm and welcoming shelter turns much more sinister and deadly. They begin to wonder if they somehow have stepped into a psychological hell from which there may be no escape. From the director of "Christmas Blood." Formats: DVD, Digital, VOD. (Artsploitation Films).
Instant Family
(2018) Rose Byrne, Mark Wahlberg, Isabela Moner, Octavia Spencer, Eve Harlow, Iliza Shlesinger, Tom Segura, Julie Hagerty. A couple find themselves in over their heads when they foster three children. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Blu-ray extras: Deleted & extended scenes; Gag Reel; commentary by director-writer Sean Anders and writer John Morris; "Mr. and Mrs. Fix-It" behind the scenes with Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne; "Kid Power" young cast; "I Need Some Support" Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro guide a group of parents through the laughter and tears of foster care; "Order in the Court" inside one of the film’s most heartfelt moments; "The Families Behind the Fair" real foster families; "Crew Inspiration" in which crew members share their own foster care stories; The Anders Family" real-life inspiration for the film; Isabela Moner “I’ll Stay” promotional music video; "On Set Proposal" surprising wedding proposal from one crew member to another. (Paramount).
Liz and the Blue Bird
(2018 -- Japan) Naoko Yamada here presents her fourth feature film with a subtle yet entrancing brilliance in this complex look at friendship and growing up. Mizore Yoroizuka plays the oboe, and Nozomi Kasaki plays the flute in Kita Uji High School’s concert band. Mizore is shy and soft-spoken, while her best friend, Nozomi, is outgoing. The two girls grow closer as they practice for their last duet before graduating, a piece called “Liz And The Blue Bird.” However, the impending separation may be more than their friendship can handle. Interspersed with their story is the fantasy tale of Liz, who like Mizore, seeks a friendship that may be too hard to hold onto in this beautiful coming-of-age story. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, Digital. (Shout! Factory).
Phantom Lady
(1944) From one of the masters of the film noir, Robert Siodmak ("The Killers," "The Dark Mirror"), comes this consummate crime classic. After a fight with his wife, Scott Henderson (Alan Curtis) heads to a bar to drown his sorrows. There he strikes up a conversation with a mysterious, despondent lady who agrees to accompany him to a show uptown but withholds her name. Arriving home, Scott is met by grimly countenanced cops -- his wife has been strangled with one of his neckties and he is the prime suspect. He has a solid alibi but his theater companion is nowhere to be found and no one remembers seeing them together. When Scott is charged with murdering his wife, it falls to his devoted secretary "Kansas" (Ella Raines) to find the phantom lady and save Scott from the electric chair. Adapted from a hit novel by acclaimed crime writer Cornell Woolrich, "Phantom Lady" boasts stylish cinematography, cruel characters and memorable performances from Raines and Franchot Tone.. The film is presented here for the first time in stunning High Definition. Formats: Blu-ray. Extras: "Dark and Deadly: 50 Years of Film Noir," an insightful archival documentary featuring contributions from Robert Wise, Edward Dmytryk, Dennis Hopper and more; rare, hour-long 1944 radio dramatization of "Phantom Lady" by the Lux Radio Theatre, starring Alan Curtis and Ella Raines; gallery of original stills and promotional materials; reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options. FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by author Alan K. Rode. (Arrow Academy/MVD Entertainment).
Sister Street Fighter Collection
(1974) Etsuko Shihomi is the half-Chinese, half-Japanese Li Koryu, who travels to Yokohama to investigate the disappearance of her brother, an undercover cop. When she discovers a smuggling ring run by a drug lord with his own personal army of deadly fighters, she must penetrate his evil lair and defeat not only his champion (Masashi Ishibashi from the Street Fighter films) but also a group of female Thai kickboxers called The Amazon Seven. Shin'ichi Chiba appears in a cameo as a fellow karate master who helps Koryu in her mission. Released only three months later, the sequel, "Sister Street Fighter: Hanging By a Thread," once again follows Li Koryu as she investigates another smuggling ring, this time involving diamonds implanted into the derrieres of prostitutes! Teaming up with enigmatic fighter Tsubaki (Yasuaki Kurata), she once again calls upon her fighting skills to take down another round of colorful bad guys. The final film of the official trilogy, "Return of the Sister Street Fighter," finds her back in Yokohama searching for a woman who has become the mistress of another crime kingpin. Kurata again co-stars but this time as a crazed fighter working for the villains who swears that he's the man who can kill Li Koryu. Genre entertainment of the highest order, the Sister Street Fighter films are a wild ride through some of the best exploitation cinema Japan produced in the 1970s. Funky and over-the-top, filled with wall-to-wall action, and featuring some of the craziest villains ever depicted onscreen, the series embodies female power in a male-dominated genre and is a magnificent showcase for the physical presence and martial arts skills of its lead star. Formats: Blu-ray. (Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment).
“Emerging from the Darkness: The Vanishing” featurette.
(Lionsgate).
(2018) Latest entry in the series based on the books by celebrated author Janette Oke ("The Love Comes Softly" series). When a group of orphans become stranded in Hope Valley for Christmas, their caretakers -- sisters who have a mysterious backstory -- lead Bill to investigate the circumstances of their arrival. He discovers the sisters and their orphanage are in jeopardy, so Abigail and the other residents rally to make it a Christmas to remember for the orphans. Elizabeth, who is preparing for the birth of her child, organizes her students to engage in selfless gift-giving. That, along with a Christmas miracle, help bring wonder, hope, joy, and love to all this Christmas season. Formats: DVD. (Shout! Factory).
© 1996 -- 2019 OnVideo. All rights reserved
March 4, 2019
(ISSN 1094-3676).
|
|
