One of director Joe Dante's weaker films, the Tom Hanks “comic thriller” THE ‘BURBS (**½, 102 mins., 1989, PG) has managed to net something of a cult following over the years. Between Hanks’ involvement and the movie’s engaging premise, it’s easy to understand, though the finished product – sabotaged by a writer’s strike that prevented a much-needed polish to Dana Olsen’s script – is markedly uneven and seldom more than mildly amusing.
Olsen’s screenplay is set in a quaint cul-de-sac where a group of disparate suburbanites – staycationing dad Walter (Hanks), gung-ho military veteran Rumsfield (Bruce Dern) and their next-door, meddlesome neighbor Art (Ric Ducommun) – continuously wonder what’s going on at the spooky-looking Klopek home, where their basement is forever hosting a thunder-and-light show and appearances of the family itself (Henry Gibson, Brother Theodore, Courtney Gains) are fleeting at best.
It’s not hard to surmise why Dante became involved in “The ‘Burbs” and its scenario of something sinister lurking beneath the façade of small-town America. Unlike “Gremlins,” though, what ends up plaguing its mostly-irritating, forever-bickering lead characters is not very interesting, ultimately, while the movie as a whole is clunkily assembled with awkward comings-and-goings, attributable to the movie having to rely on cast improvisation instead of a needed screenplay overhaul. “The ‘Burbs” just doesn’t feel as inspired, clever or cohesive as Dante’s other films, getting its mileage out of occasionally goofy gags (Hanks and Ducommun going berserk upon finding what they believe are the bones of a missing neighbor) and the energy of the performers, which in the end, only carries the film so far.
Also featuring a thankless role for Carrie Fisher as Hanks’ wife plus assorted alumni of Dante’s other films (Corey Feldman, Wendy Schaal, Dick Miller and Robert Picardo), “The ‘Burbs” received a swath of negative reviews when it opened in the winter of 1989 as Imagine Entertainment’s inaugural release.
Time, though, has given the film a new lease as a viewer favorite, and Shout Factory’s “Select” Blu-Ray is out March 20th to appease “Burbs” fans everywhere. Technically, the 2K restoration (1.85) is solid though not quite up to the marvelous Arrow Blu-Ray release from a couple of years back – yet for those who didn’t pick it up (or have access to a multi-region machine), Shout’s AVC encode may be perfectly fine, offering ample detail over Universal’s prior Blu-Ray master. The 2-channel DTS MA stereo sound is workable when matrixed into Dolby Surround, and Shout has included several new interviews (with Dante, editor Marshall Harvey, and “additional” cinematographer John Hora) in addition to reprising extras from the Arrow release (Dante’s VHS workprint copy, an hour-plus documentary, commentary with Dana Olsen and historian Calum Waddell, and an alternate ending, though here in standard-definition only).
The Dante interview is interesting in that he reveals Georges Delerue was initially considered to score the film. Though admitting he may have been the wrong choice, one can imagine how different the film may have been with Delerue instead of Jerry Goldsmith’s perfectly serviceable but sometimes overbearing outing, which makes an already cartoonish film more heavy-handed through its comical approach.
Also New From Shout: Scream Factory fans can look forward to the release of BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON (91 mins., 2017, R), an interesting indie effort from producer-director Scott Glosserman, who utilizes a faux-documentary approach to profile one Nathan Bansel, a masked killer who discusses the ins-and-outs of committing murder along the lines of Jason, Freddy and Michael Myers before him. This 2007 effort was generally well-received by fans and offers appearances from Zelda Rubinstein, Scott Wilson and Mr. Kruger himself, Robert Englund, in a mix of black comedy and gory horror that slasher fans should groove to. A new HD master (1.85) from the digital intermediate, fresh interviews with co-writer David Stieve and cast members, previously-released commentaries and featurettes, deleted scenes and the trailer comprise Shout’s Blu, out March 27th…On DVD March 20th is WHEN CALLS THE HEART: THE HEART OF HOMECOMING (84 mins., 2017), a Christmas film derived from the popular Hallmark Channel series. Here, the Hope Valley citizens utilize a Wishing Tree to help their holiday hopes and dreams come true, with Elizabeth holding steadfast for Jack’s return and the group gathering for a special yuletide parade. Shout’s DVD includes a 16:9 transfer and stereo sound…Available March 27th is the third anthology of episodes from the PEYTON PLACE (13 hours, 1965) series, which adapted 20th Century-Fox’s successful big-screen soap-operas for the small screen, where the material met with similar commercial success. Mia Farrow and Ryan O’Neal appear in these 33 episodes from the series, shot in B&W and presented here from Shout in a five-disc DVD set with full-screen transfers and mono sound.
Kino Lorber New Releases
One of the seminal films of the late ‘60s, Antony Harvey’s film of James Goldman’s THE LION IN WINTER (****, 134 mins., PG) won widespread critical acclaim and an Oscar for Katharine Hepburn’s performance as Queen Eleanor, wife of King Henry II (Peter O’Toole in one of his best performances), who watches as her sons contend for the English crown at Christmas time. And, of course, what sons they are: Anthony Hopkins, Nigel Terry, and John Castle essay the brothers while Timothy Dalton appears in an early role as King Philip of France.
With John Barry’s memorable, Oscar-winning score supporting the action, rarely have filmed adaptations of stage plays been so utterly alive as “The Lion In Winter.” Goldman’s script — another Oscar winner — crackles with crisp dialogue, the performances sing, and Harvey adeptly utilizes the wide Panavision frame in crafting a classic film that has been long overdue for a Blu-Ray release.
Kino Lorber’s Blu-Ray is out this week, sporting a 1080p (2.35) AVC encoded transfer culled from Studio Canal’s 4K restoration from 2016. This presentation is generally quite acceptable even if some of the elements don’t appear to be in pristine condition – between that and some noise-reduction having been applied by Studio Canal, it’s not a flawless transfer (nor is it up to the level of most 4K restorations we routinely see on Blu-Ray), but it’s the best Kino could work with. Certainly it’s far superior to MGM’s last DVD edition of the film, offering more detail and a wider pallet of colors.
Kino also reworked the audio from the Studio Canal Blu-Ray for their release. The mono soundtrack on the Studio Canal disc was marred by jarring level shifts, often from quiet dialogue to ear-splitting music or sound effects, making one constantly reach for the remote to adjust the volume. Kino produced a new 5.1 track for this release as well as included the original 2.0 mix, both of which seem to have used some equalization to reduce the disparity in sound elements that afflicted the Studio Canal release. It’s not a radical overhaul by any means – the 5.1 track is not a stereo remix, and basically centers the dialogue while keeping activity confined to the front channels – but it’s a gentle improvement if nothing else over the Studio Canal disc.
Harvey’s commentary from the old MGM release has been ported over while a new, 10-minute interview with sound recordist Simon Kaye is on-tap along with the trailer. Highly recommended!
NO ORCHIDS FOR MISS BLANDISH Blu-Ray (103 mins., 1948; Kino Lorber): One of the wildest novels of the 1930s became a hugely derided film a decade later, hammered by critics worldwide for its then-scandalous levels of sex and violence. British author James Hadley Chase’s book was written in the wake of “The Postman Always Rings Twice” and spins the story of an heiress (Linden Travers, who played the same role in a stage version) who falls in love with her kidnapper (Jack La Rue) after his gang takes her hostage for a $1 million ransom. Chase’s book was condemned as being amoral and this 1948 British film version – set in New York City but filled with unconvincing accents and unsteady performances – was similarly rebuked. “No Orchids…” nevertheless provides an interesting view for film noir enthusiasts in spite of its shortcomings, and was later remade by director Robert Aldrich in his 1971 effort “The Grissom Gang.” Kino Lorber’s Blu-Ray features a crisp B&W (1.33) AVC encoded transfer licensed by Euro London Films.
THE SOLDIER Blu-Ray (87 mins., 1982, R; Kino Lorber): Slow-moving yet endearingly silly – and occasionally unintentionally funny — thriller from writer-producer-director James Glickenhaus chronicles the theft of plutonium by KGB agents posing as terrorists who hope to drive Israel into a conflict with the U.S. – and out of the West Bank of Jordan. Though sold as a “Ken Wahl action movie,” it takes nearly a half-hour before our covert CIA op even appears (in a movie that’s over and done with before the 90 minute mark), with Glickenhaus setting up a deadly serious premise with occasional bursts of R-rated violence, capped by unconvincing make-up effects. There is, however, one brilliant moment when Wahl manages to wage a gun battle with the bad guys – on skis! Had Glickenhaus thrown in some humor this obvious attempt at launching a low-grade American 007 might’ve had more of a future as a B-movie favorite, yet “The Soldier” is still watchable cable TV fodder from the early ‘80s – co-starring Alberta Watson with brief appearances by Jeffrey Jones, Steve James and a tiny role for Klaus Kinski. Kino Lorber’s Blu-Ray includes two commentaries (one from Glickenhaus, another from historian Jim Hemphill), plus the trailer, a 1080p (1.85) MGM licensed transfer and DTS MA mono sound.
New on 4K
JUSTICE LEAGUE 4K UHD Combo Pack (**½, 120 mins., 2017, PG-13; Warner): Director Zack Snyder’s mostly underwhelming culmination of Warner Bros.’ DC Comics post-Christopher Nolan relaunch was heavily worked over in post-production by Joss Whedon, who received a screenplay credit for his efforts. The seams, in fact, are so obvious that it’s easy to figure what Snyder’s original “Justice League” played like – one only needs to go back to “Batman V Superman” to guess what this super-hero team-up would’ve been without Whedon’s clearly more “upbeat” alterations. Adding humor, a lighter tone and Danny Elfman’s orchestral score, “Justice League” almost becomes the silly super-hero brawl you’d hope for, with Ben Affleck’s (bored) Batman, Gal Godot’s Wonder Woman, The Flash (Ezra Miller, one of the film’s few bright spots), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and Aquaman (Jason Momoa) taking on the intergalactic threat of Steppenwolf (a horribly CGI’d creation that looks straight out of a ‘90s video game) minus the help of a MIA Superman (Henry Cavill, intermittently sporting CGI’d moustache removal!). Decidedly less pretentious than “Batman V Superman,” this “Justice League” is also less epic in scope and seems stuck in a middle ground between typical Whedon-isms and the overly solemn tone of the prior DC movies, but undemanding super-hero fans might still enjoy it – and its occasionally clunky moments – if their expectations are dialed back.
4K Rundown: Warner’s UHD presentation of “Justice League” is as punchy as you’d expect, with both HDR and Dolby Vision capability. The Dolby Atmos audio is constantly active and extras include a handful of featurettes, just a brief deleted scene (fans pining for a full-fledged edit of Snyder’s original cut will have to hope this sells well enough to generate such a release) and a Digital HD copy.
Kids may instead prefer checking out LEGO DC SUPER HEROES: THE FLASH (78 mins., 2018; Warner), a feature-length, sunny animated production from the Lego stable that focuses on the fast-moving speedster. Here, when the Joker and Justice League do battle, the Flash becomes trapped in a time loop requiring the help of new JLA members The Atom, Krypo the Superdog and Ace the Bat-Hound to break him free. Good fun for all with Warner’s 1080p (1.78) transfer and 5.1 DTS MA sound being top notch from start to finish. A DVD and Digital HD copy are also included.
PITCH PERFECT 3 4K UHD Combo Pack (**, 93 mins., 2017, PG-13; Universal): The principle of diminishing returns catches up full-force with this needless third entry in the comedy series, bringing back Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow and Halee Steinfeld as the now-graduated Bellas, who become involved with a USO tour – and, of course, espionage – in a script from Mike White and series creator Kay Cannon. Trish Sie helmed “Pitch Perfect 3,” which offers the same chemistry between the aging cast and a few sporadic laughs, but never gives viewers a valid reason for its existence outside of fulfilling contractual obligations and generating box-office, which the film did only mildly this time out. Universal’s 4K UHD edition looks and sounds fine (HVEC-encoded 2160p HDR and DTS: X audio), with Blu-Ray extras that include a deleted scene, gag reel, featurettes, and a Digital HD copy.
DOWNSIZING 4K UHD Combo Pack (**, 135 mins., 2017, R; Paramount): Paramount’s recent string of auteur-friendly box-office flops (which also included “mother!” as well as another Matt Damon vehicle, “Suburbicon”) hit its peak with this utterly bizarre misfire from the usually reliable Alexander Payne. Working again with co-writer Jim Taylor, this overlong comic fantasy stars Damon as an average man who decides to shrink his existence – literally – in a journey of supposed self-discovery and scientific breakthroughs. Payne tries, unsuccessfully, to pack social satire and comedy into a bloated running time with a tone that’s all over the place, finally ending on a depressing ecological note as unsatisfying as the rest of this mess. Paramount’s 4K UHD shows off the film’s high production values with HDR enhancements and DTS MA audio; extras include a handful of mostly fluffy featurettes and a Digital HD copy.
THE SHAPE OF WATER 4K UHD (**½, 125 mins., 2017, R; Fox): Guillermo Del Toro’s Oscar winner checks off most of the boxes you’re looking for in a movie: gorgeous cinematography, a sense of time and place, and committed performances for starters. In fact, for a while, “The Shape of Water” is as magical as its opening sequence. With Richard Jenkins’ narration and (literally) flowing shots of an underwater landscape, Del Toro conjures up a dreamy cinematic world that’s easy to lose yourself in – at least until the movie’s heavy-handed story begins to unravel.
Sally Hawkins plays a mute girl working at a top-secret Baltimore government laboratory during the early ‘60s where a mysterious new arrival — an “elemental River God” that resembles a hunkier, more emotive Creature From the Black Lagoon – is kept chained and confined to the water. Hawkins’ character bonds with the monster while a despicable government agent (Michael Shannon) – who (of course) quotes the Lord and (of course) has a sunny, “Leave It To Beaver” suburban family – sadistically mistreats the creature, hoping to utilize him, one way or another, in a Cold War battle with the Russians.
Del Toro and co-writer Vanessa Taylor’s script is a weird mismash of familiar concepts – a bit of the “Black Lagoon,” a dash of “Splash,” a little “Mad Men” (Hawkins’ best friend is Jenkins’ gay, recovering-alcoholic advertising artist), some Cold War intrigue and a heaping of broad characterizations make for a movie that understandably polarized some viewers while receiving a mostly rapturous ovation from critics. If you buy into the film and its romance, the picture likely works wonders, but I found too much of the movie curiously detached from an emotional standpoint – it’s hard to believably feel Hawkins’ eventual connection with the Creature (played by Del Toro favorite Doug Jones), with the movie requiring a major suspension of disbelief once the couple “do it” in her bathroom. Beyond that, there are lots of cutesy moments between Hawkins and Jenkins that still come off as pleasant if nothing else, as well as supporting characters embodied by Octavia Spencer and Michael Stuhlbarg. In fact, the cast is uniformly fine with one exception – and that’s connected with the film ultimately morphing into “The Michael Shannon Show.”
Seriously, how many times do we have to see Shannon playing the same morally repugnant psycho he’s essayed on-screen in nearly every prior performance, from General Zod to “Premium Rush” to countless other films? Del Toro’s heavy-handed preachiness – we get it, the supposedly church-going authority figure with a family is the real monster! – is laid on as thick as Shannon’s overbearing villainy, and neither the script nor Shannon’s performance do anything to break the predictable narrative line one expects the film to go down once Del Toro lays all of the movie’s cards on the table.
“The Shape of Water” has been hailed as a “movie lover’s movie,” but I suppose I wasn’t the right movie lover for its waterlogged dramatic conflicts, which bog down what otherwise contains some of Del Toro’s most assured aesthetic work.
Fox’s 4K UHD combo pack of “The Shape of Water” features a gorgeous HVEC encoded, HDR enhanced transfer. The color range on this disc is superb, the image fully capturing the texture of Del Toro’s visuals in a beautifully crafted UHD presentation. The Blu-Ray is also quite excellent, but it doesn’t have the color variety that permeates the 4K platter. Special features are somewhat thin (featurettes, “Anatomy of a Scene” segments, trailers), with a Digital HD copy and DTS MA soundtrack rounding out the release.
THE HANDMAID’S TALE Season 1 Blu-Ray (525 mins., 2017; MGM/Fox): Margaret Atwood’s dystopian-future book was previously brought to the screen in an erratic, underwhelming Hemdale film back in 1990. This Netflix rendition supposedly adheres closer to its source material, starring “Mad Men”’s Elisabeth Moss as the Handmaid struggling to find her daughter while navigating a male-dominated society with plenty of intentional political parallels to the present day. Season 1 of “The Handmaid’s Tale” has been released on Blu-Ray by MGM and Fox in a multi-disc package featuring two featurettes, 1080p (1.78) transfers and 5.1 DTS MA soundtracks.
THE DISASTER ARTIST Blu-Ray/DVD (***, 104 mins., 2017, R; Lionsgate): Until the “Me Too” movement appeared to sabotage James Franco’s chances, the actor/director seemed to have a decent chance of at least copping an Oscar nomination for his efforts on “The Disaster Artist.” This completely watchable if somewhat overpraised true story follows the misadventures of would-be movie auteur Tommy Wiseau, whose unconventional, maverick attempts at making his epic “The Room” would’ve made Ed Wood proud. Franco is funny and offbeat as the eccentric Wiseau, playing off his real-life brother Dave, who deftly embodies Wiseau’s best friend. That so much of the film adheres to Wiseau’s actual filmmaking methods and background story makes “The Disaster Artist” all the more entertaining, and even more so if you’ve actually seen “The Room.” Lionsgate’s Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack also includes a gag reel, commentary with the Francos, Wiseau and friends, a handful of featurettes, 1080p (2.40) transfer, 7.1 Dolby TrueHD sound and a Digital HD copy.
Cult Corner
BASKET CASE Blu-Ray (91 mins., 1983; Arrow Video): Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) heads to New York City along with a wicker basket carrying his Siamese twin brother Belia in one of the more memorable cult-horror indie efforts of the early ‘80s. Director-writer Frank Henenlotter’s subsequent career may have never lived up to the potential of this quirky, gory and occasionally very amusing effort – with some memorable stop-motion animation – but “Basket Case” stands alongside “The Evil Dead” as one of the decade’s more unique low-budget genre outings.
Previously available on Blu-Ray in a Something Weird/Image release, Arrow’s deluxe Blu-Ray edition easily surpasses that and any prior video release of the film. A new 4K restoration from the original 16mm negative courtesy of MoMA is superb, and the PCM uncompressed mono audio is likewise clear. New commentary from Henenlotter and Van Hentenryck is paired with an archival commentary while other goodies include Henenlotter’s new short “Basket Case 3-1/2: An Interview with Duane Bradley,” a new interview with Van Hentenryck, a 2017 Henenlotter conversation, interviews with supporting cast members, feature length documentaries, archival featurettes, outtakes, animated shorts, a full range of trailers and much more. If you’re a fan, this presentation is as definitive as we’re likely to get.
Also new from Arrow in a deluxe box-set is SACHA GUITRY: FOUR FILMS 1936-38, a retrospective that pays tribute to the “Gallic Noel Coward,” in a quartet of films based on his theater works. Included here are “The New Testament,” “My Father Was Right,” “Let’s Make a Dream…” and “Let’s Go Up the Champs-Elysees,” all in matching Blu-Ray and DVD presentations courtesy of Arrow’s Limited-Edition Dual Format box-set (limited to 1500 copies) with French soundtracks and English subtitles. Extras include a new introduction to Guitry’s works, as well as selected-scene commentaries, by French cinema authority Ginette Vincendeau, plus four video essays by critic Philippe Durant; French filmmaker Francis Veber and filmmaker Pascal Thomas discussing Guitry; sound tests and the trailer on “Let’s Make a Dream”; plus a 60-page booklet and credits for all films (available March 27th).
Synapse New Releases: The granddaddy of ‘70s Italian horror finally gets its due on Blu-Ray in the U.S. courtesy of Synapse. For genre fans, Dario Argento’s SUSPIRIA (98 mins., 1977) needs next to no introduction: a dreamy, surreal nightmare starring Jessica Harper as an American student who uncovers all kinds of supernatural shenanigans at a German dance academy. The widescreen imagery and atmosphere, along with Goblin’s celebrated score, make for an off-kilter viewing experience enhanced immeasurably by Syanpse’s new 4K restoration of the uncut Italian 35mm camera negative with color correction supervised by cinematographer Luciano Tovoli. There’s also the original 4-channel English sound mix on-hand (unheard since the 1977 theatrical release), presented in a full, high-res 96/24 DTS track, plus an Italian 5.1 surround mix with English subs. Supplements include two commentaries by historians Derek Botelho, David Del Valle and Troy Howarth, a 30-minute visual essay from Michael Mackenzie, a featurette on the locations, an all-new anniversary retrospective on the film and its legacy, interview with Barbara Magnolfi, plus trailers and TV spots, the “Breathing Letters” opening credit sequence from the U.S. release, along with all-English opening/closing credits, available via seamless branching for those who’d prefer those titles. Needless to say, this release is one of the year’s top catalog discs to date and comes highly recommended!
Also new from Synapse is UNEARTHED & TOLD: THE PATH TO PET SEMATARY (97 mins., 2016), Justin White and John Campopiano’s documentary on the Stephen King book and eventual film adaptation from Paramount and director Mary Lambert. Stars Denise Crosby and Dale Midkiff are among the interviewees along with a look at the Maine locations and people who inspired one of King’s creepiest creations. Campopiano and White provide commentary with additional featurettes, edited/alternate scenes, a promo trailer and numerous other extras, along with a 1080p (1.78) transfer and 5.1 DTS MA sound in Synapse’s Blu-Ray…Synapse also brings Eric Power’s animated Samurai film PATH OF BLOOD (62 mins., 2016) to Blu-Ray this week for the first time. Shot frame-by-frame in “traditional paper stop motion,” this homage to Japan’s Samurai cinema – with ample violence and a rich visual design – makes for an interesting view for the curious. Synapse’s Blu includes a featurette, Power’s original short, a promo trailer, image gallery, 1080p (2.35) transfer and 2.0 DTS MA stereo sound in Japanese with English subtitles.
THE CHURCH Blu-Ray (102 mins., 1989, Not Rated; Scorpion Releasing): Italian horror fans who enjoyed Scorpion and Music Box’s recent release of Michele Soavi’s “The Sect” should take to this remastered edition of another collaboration between Soavi and producer/co-writer Dario Argento. “The Church” finds an ancient evil reawakened when a sealed crypt is unopened, unleashing a supernatural terror that only Tomas Arena and friends can stop. Fedor Chaliapin, Hugh Quarshie and Barbara Cupisti co-star in “The Church” which has been dusted off by Scorpion and treated to a new 2K scan of the original negative. The 1080p (1.78) image also boasts over “45 hours of color correction” exclusive to this release, plus brand-new interviews with co-star Asia Argento and Soavi, the trailer and stereo sound.
DAUGHTER OF THE NILE Blu-Ray (93 mins., 1987; Cohen Media Group): Hou Hsai-hsien’s 1987 film about life in modern-day Teipei profiles a young woman who works at a Kentucky Fried Chicken and the relationship she has with her younger brother, who’s already involved with gangs, and younger sister, who may be headed for that same life. A tale of disillusionment, crime and family relationships, “Daughter of the Nile” received critical kudos at the time of its original release but hasn’t circulated much in the U.S. since. Cohen’s restoration includes commentary from historian Richard Suchenski, a new interview with Japanese cinema authority Tony Rayns, a 2017 trailer, 1080p (1.85) transfer and mono sound.
WOMEN IN LOVE Blu-Ray (131 mins., 1969, R; Criterion): One of director Ken Russell’s defining films, “Women in Love” catapulted the British filmmaker onto the international stage with this adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s novel about the relationships between two sisters (Glenda Jackson, Jennie Linden) and their respective mates (Oliver Reed, Alan Bates) in 1920s London. Lawrence’s examination of the different sexes combined with Russell’s poetic imagery, and particularly the film’s frank exploration of sexuality, made for a groundbreaking film of the late ‘60s, marked by period detail and strong performances from the cast. Criterion’s Blu-Ray offers a sparkling 4K restoration of the film that positively sings with its detail and color (1.85), while the uncompressed PCM audio highlights a Georges Delerue score. Special features include 2003 commentaries featuring Russell and producer Larry Kramer; a 2007 BAFTA interview with Russell; Russell’s own 1989 profile of himself, “A British Picture”; a 1976 interview with Glenda Jackson; archival set interviews with Kramer, Bates, and Linden; new interviews with cinematographer Billy Williams and editor Michael Bradsell; and a 1972 Lawrence short, “Second Best,” starring and produced by Bates.
Quick Takes
Lionsgate New Releases: Available March 20th, SMALL TOWN CRIME (92 mins., 2017, R) stars John Hawkes as an alcoholic ex-cop who uncovers the body of a woman left to die on the side of the road. Hawkes’ Mike Kendall subsequently tracks down her killers – and tries to turn his personal life around – in Ian and Eshom Nelms’ Saban Films offering, co-starring Anthony Anderson, Michael Vartan, Clifton Collins, Jr., Robert Forster and the prolific Octavia Spencer. Lionsgate’s Blu-Ray includes a Digital HD copy and numerous extras: deleted/extended scenes, “Crime and Character” and “Devising a Small-Town Crime” featurettes, three different commentaries, a 1080p (2.40) transfer and 5.1 DTS MA sound…Also newly released on March 20th from Lionsgate is THE VANISHING OF SIDNEY HALL (117 mins., 2017, R), an uneven film about a young author (Logan Lerman) who pens a bestselling novel based on the death of one of his high school classmates. After pressure mounts on him and his girlfriend’s (Elle Fanning) relationship, Lerman disappears, leading a detective (Kyle Chandler) to investigate the case a decade later. Michelle Monaghan, Blake Jenner and Tim Blake Nelson co-star in Shawn Christensen’s film, available on Blu-Ray featuring a 1080p (2.39) transfer with 5.1 DTS MA sound and a Digital HD copy.
Also new on Blu-Ray from Lionsgate is the latest entry in the endless “Children of the Corn” franchise, CHILDREN OF THE CORN: RUNAWAY (82 mins. 2018, Not Rated). Given the checkered standards of this series – loosely based from the start on Stephen King’s short story – “Runaway” is slight, if respectable, genre fodder, following a young woman who escapes from the murderous cult with her son, only to have those pesky kids come chasing her. Marci Miller does a capable job in the lead role and horror vet Joel Soisson is an old pro at this kind of thing, understanding the parameters of the series and successfully – more or less – focusing the material on the mother and her son’s plight. Worth a rental at least, Lionsgate’s Blu-Ray of this Dimension Films release includes a 1080p (2.40) AVC encoded transfer with 5.1 DTS MA sound and a Digital HD copy…Coming March 27th from Lionsgate on Blu-Ray is THE LAST MOVIE STAR (94 mins., 2017, R), Adam Rifkin’s “Ode to Burt Reynolds,” with the aging star playing…an aging star…who reluctantly decides to head to Nashville to pick up a Lifetime Achievement Award from a small film festival. En route, he reflects on his life along with his chauffeur (“Modern Family”’s Ariel Winter, trying hard to play against type). Chevy Chase and Clark Duke co-star in an intermittently amusing film that’s filled with good intentions but needed a zap of energy or two; recommended mostly for Reynolds fans. Lionsgate’s Blu-Ray boasts deleted scenes, a featurette, Rifkin’s commentary, a 1080p (2.40) transfer, 5.1 DTS MA sound and a Digital HD copy...on DVD March 27th is A&E’s ambitious limited series WHO KILLED TUPAC? (252 mins., 2017-18), a sprawling, six-hour Biography production that examines the death of the rapper/actor. Looking at his life as well as his death through the lens of civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, Lionsgate brings this lengthy effort to DVD later this month featuring a 16:9 transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound.
LEGO STAR WARS: THE FREEMAKER ADVENTURES Season 2 DVD (267 mins., 2017; Disney): Set between the events of “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” this enjoyable, freewheeling Lego series follows a family of scavengers as they construct starships based on debris flowing through the galaxy. Soon, though, the Scavengers’ young son finds the ancient Kyber Saber and plunges his clan into the struggle between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance. In the dozen Season 2 episodes from the series, the Feemakers’ Rebel encounters include run-ins with the Hutts, Imperial forces, Sith Lords and the Emperor’s plaything, M-OC. Disney’s DVD (Season 1 was also available on Blu-Ray) includes 16:9 transfers and 5.1 sound, plus five bonus adventures with guest appearances by Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca.
ROWAN AND MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN: The Complete Third Season DVD (1413 mins., 1969-70; Time Life). WHAT IT IS: Standalone DVD release of the influential TV comedy’s third season is now available from Time-Life. When it premiered as a one-shot NBC special on September 9th, 1967, “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” broke new ground on television. Viewers had scarcely seen such a rapid-fire comic anthology on TV before, and the hour-long program was the right show at the right time in the turbulent late ‘60s. “Laugh-In” was timely, motivated by generation-gap/culture-clash jokes, the hippie movement, and provided the right tonic for audiences looking to laugh while the country was embroiled in numerous struggles socially, politically and militarily. Ratings for the initial special were strong, leading to a weekly series that aired on Mondays at 8pm starting in January of ‘68 – a time slot the series would occupy until it signed off, finally, in May of 1973. DVD TECH SPECS: Time-Life’s 7-disc Season 3 DVD release of “Laugh-In” streets this week, featuring all 26 episodes from its third season. Extras include an interview with Lily Tomlin and “Still Laugh-In: A Tribute to George Schlatter.”
PBS New Releases: There seems to be a major spike in interest for Mister Rogers, whose “Neighborhood” was visited by many of us kids of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Fred Rogers’ legacy lives on today through PBS’ animated “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” and a forthcoming film supposed to star Tom Hanks as the gentle TV host who spoke to children in a calming, caring manner. PBS’ MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD: IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY COLLECTION (15 hours) is a superb four-disc sampler from the series’ run, sporting some 30 episodes, primarily from its 1979-2001 years though also including the show’s original B&W premiere. Though this compilation doesn’t include Mister Rogers’ memorable visit to the set of “The Incredible Hulk” (which featured cameos from Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno), nostalgic parents may want to give this set a look, and PBS’ affordable, $20 price makes it even more appealing…Also available March 27thfrom PBS is DOLORES (96 mins., 2017), a documentary on activist Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the first farm workers unions with Cesar Chavez and continues to fight for migrant rights even at age 87. PBS’ DVD of Peter Bratt’s documentary includes a 16:9 transfer and 5.1 sound…Victor Borge fans rejoice! Two different volumes of the unique entertainer’s specials have been newly released by PBS: Volume 1 of THE VERY BEST OF VICTOR BORGE includes 100 Years of Music and Laughter, Comedy in Music, An Eightieth Birthday Celebration, The Great Dane of Comedy and “Then & Now Parts 1-3.” Volume 2 boasts The Early Years, A Tribute to Victor Borge, The Best of Victor Borge, The Lost Episodes I & II, Timeless Comedy, The Legendary Victor Vorge, and Victor Borge’s Funniest Moments. Capping the latter release is a bonus CD, “The Two Sides of Victor Borge,” offering musical performances and comedy routines from the multi-faceted star, who worked across radio, television and stage performances worldwide for decades.
THE GOOD FIGHT DVD – Complete First Season DVD (8 hours, 2017; CBS): After an investment scam wrecks Diane Lockhart’s retirement plans, she’s forced out of her own law firm and has to join another group as a junior partner. That sets in motion Robert and Michelle King’s follow-up to their CBS series “The Good Wife,” with Christine Baranski reprising her supporting role from the latter in a series that’s aired on CBS’ premium streaming service. Season 1, for those who may not be subscribers, is now on DVD from CBS sporting deleted/extended scenes, a gag reel, a 16:9 transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound.
DIRT DVD (102 mins., 2018, PG-13; Warner): DeRon Horton stars in “Dirt” as a young man, trying to make ends meet for his younger sister, who’s busted doctoring cars for an auto-theft ring. Horton gets one more chance to straighten himself out with the help of former championship race-car driver Kevin Dillon – assistance he’ll need to take on actual off-road racing champ Carl Renezeder, playing himself in Alex Ranariveld’s film co-starring Christina Moore. Warner’s DVD is out this week with a gag reel, “An Off-Road Film,” 16:9 transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound.
ROBOT CHICKEN: THE WALKING DEAD SPECIAL DVD (22 mins., 2018; Warner): The Cartoon Network favorite is back with a brand-new, full-episode parody of the AMC series, serving up “Robot Chicken” comedy with a zombie flair. Warner’s DVD of the special includes cut sketches, commentary, featurettes, a 16:9 transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound.
NEXT TIME: STAR WARS – THE LAST JEDI on 4K UHD! Until then, don’t forget to drop in on the official Aisle Seat Message Boards and direct any emails to our email address. Cheers everyone!
