By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
Welcome to another look at some of the highlights arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. This edition includes award winners and nominees, wacky comedies, and international fare, along with a ton of upgrades of older releases. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
THE BRUTALIST: Set just after the close of World War II, a Hungarian immigrant arrives In the U.S. to make a name for himself. Despite being a brilliant architect, he is poorly treated and must try his hand at several menial jobs. Eventually, a wealthy industrialist sees the protagonist’s talent and hires him to design an elaborate building. But even then, the lead endures horrors as he tries to complete the project.
This independent film was nominated for several Academy Awards and won Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Score. It also received plenty of rave reviews. A few voices took issue with the very long running time, calling the film dull and stating that they weren’t sure what it all meant. But everyone else was deeply impressed with the actors and technical specs, stating that the movie was an epic that offered an effective and disturbing examination of the treatment of immigrants by the American system.
The film can be purchased either on 4K Ultra HD or on Blu-ray. The film stars Adrian Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pierce, Joe Alwyn and Raffey Cassidy.
HER BODY: Andrea Absolonová is the subject of this dramatic biopic from the Czech Republic. It follows the young diver as she joins her country’s national team and competes to qualify in the 1996 Summer Olympics. After a terrible vertebra accident, she retires from professional sports and takes up modelling, only to eventually become an adult film actress. The lead finds success in her new career but is soon diagnosed with brain cancer.
The movie was released in Europe at the end of 2023 and was well-received, but took some time to find a distributor in North America. Critics in this part of the world also paid the movie compliments. They wrote that the story was fascinating and painted an enlightening portrait of an individual and the unique choices made during an unfortunately short life.
The cast includes Natalia Germani, Denisa Baresová, Zuzana Mauréryand Martin Finger.
HERE COMES A NEW CHALLENGER: This documentary takes you back to a period in the 1980s when most kids went to arcades and used their allowances to play video games. By the end of the decade, with many home gaming systems becoming available, the business was beginning to suffer. That is, until the release of “Street Fighter II” in 1991, which revitalized the industry with its tournament-style play. Viewers learn how the game was created, and then see its popularity grow with a well-designed release on Super NES. A toy line and other developments (including movie adaptations) are detailed during interviews with gaming authorities.
This hasn’t been seen by many, but several online reviewers rated the film highly. They called it a fun and fascinating look at the creation of an iconic game and believed it would entertain anyone who remembers playing it.
IN FLAMES: Initially set for release in late February, this effort was delayed at the last minute. It is now arriving on disc. This is a horror film from Pakistan involving a mother and her teenage daughter who struggle to see eye-to-eye. When the family patriarch dies, they must fend for themselves in an old-fashioned society that offers little assistance.
The teen finds a boyfriend, but is followed and stalked by a figure who disapproves of the romance. These two must eventually find common ground to fight back and save themselves.
Write-ups were strong for this foreign-language feature. One or two didn’t think that mixing a tale of societal oppression with horror tropes worked well. Still, the overwhelming majority called the film tense and terrifying as it depicted the psychological toll of a patriarchy forcing its will onto women.
It features Ramesha Nawal, Omar Javaid, Bakhtawar Mazhar, Adnan Shah and Mohammad Ali Hashmi.
MEMOIR OF A SNAIL: Set in 1970s Australia, this animated film tells the story of a girl and her twin brother, whose mother passed away tragically. The lead’s depressed, alcoholic father does his best to raise them, but ultimately dies not long afterward. The two kids are separated, with the brother being sent into the foster care of a cruel evangelical family, and the protagonist in another strange and faraway home. Over several years, the girl withdraws into herself and takes care of snails, until an eccentric senior inspires her.
This film earned raves and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards. One or two called it slow-moving and didn’t appreciate its unique stop-motion animation. However, the vast majority of critics were impressed. They wrote that the film was bleak, but that it charmed them as an original, personal and darkly humorous tale that delivered a deeply moving finale.
The voice cast includes Sarah Snook, Eric Bana, Jacki Weaver, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Nick Cave and Dominique Pinon.
NOT AN ARTIST: A group of struggling artists are brought together by a wealthy patron in this comedy. They are given an ultimatum by the man who has brought them together. By the end of their one-month residency, they must unlock their full creative potential… or give up art forever. As the days pass, some use the initiative to create quickly, while others begin to panic. When an outsider arrives unexpectedly and begins asking questions, the entire program is put in jeopardy.
Reaction was quite positive toward this independent feature. Most of those who saw the movie thought that the concept was clever and that it managed to delve amusingly into the creative process. Despite there being a number of characters, they wrote that it didn’t lose focus and was engaging throughout.
It stars Haley Joel Osment, Betsy Sodaro, Rosalind Chao, Matt Walsh, Ciara Bravo, Cleopatra Coleman, Robert Schwartzman and RZA.
SURVIVE: This French/Belgian science-fiction/disaster film follows an American husband and wife, who set sail with their son and daughter on a birthday celebration. When a storm suddenly appears and capsizes their boat, they wake up surrounded by a desert-like vista. After making radio contact with another survivor, the family learns that a reversal of polarities on Earth has moved ocean waters onto land, leaving the seas dry and submerging all the continents. After discovering that all the water will soon be rushing back toward them, they must find a way to survive.
This film was shot with most of the actors speaking English, and the press was more positive than negative about the final product. About one-quarter found it all preposterous, particularly when the family are attacked by oversized, hungry crabs. Still, most were impressed by the visuals and described it as a fun B-movie with effective jolts and exciting sequences.
For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. Émilie Dequenne, Andreas Pietschmann, Lisa Delamar and Lucas Ebel headline the picture.
THUNDER: Looking for a more serious international production? This Swiss period drama, released as Foudre in its homeland, involves a woman in a convent readying to become a nun. When she receives word that her sister has passed away under mysterious circumstances, she returns home. The protagonist is reunited with three childhood friends and discovers a revealing diary, helping put some of the pieces together about the death. In the process, she begins to doubt her calling and tries to figure out what to do next.
This effort was released in its homeland a couple of years ago to a warm reception and was considered for inclusion as a Best International Film nominee at the Academy Awards (it didn’t end up earning a nod), but is only just now arriving on disc in North America. The press stated that the film was beautifully shot, atmospheric and meditative. They wrote that it captivated them with its story of a woman finding herself.
It features Lilith Grasmug, Mermoz Melchior and Benjamin Python.
BLASTS FROM THE PAST!
Looking for something older?
Well, you definitely have options this week. Severin Films is delivering the effective chiller Antiviral (2012) from Brandon Cronenberg (son of David Cronenberg) in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo pack. The story is set in a celebrity-obsessed world where people pay to be infected with viruses (like herpes) from their favorite performers.
A company salesman (Caleb Landry Jones) specializing in this service finds his own life at risk after being accidentally infected with the disease that killed a major star. The film’s internegative was scanned in 4K for this release, with the specific color adjusted to the specifications of the cinematographer and director. The set contains a Cronenberg and director of photography commentary, a short from the filmmaker than inspired the feature, a making-of, a detailed look at the interesting restoration process for this release, as well as director interview, deleted scenes with optional commentary, a first meeting between two cast members, a featurette on the production design, an EPK with cast and crew and a trailer.
The French comedy/horror Delicatessen (1991) is also arriving in a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set from the same distributor (a standalone Blu-ray is also available). This tale is set in a grim future where people live in squalor. Some of humanity have even resorted to cannibalism to survive. A sweet young man shows up to work at a delicatessen, only to discover that his boss/landlord is planning on carving him up for food.
The 4K restoration of the movie was overseen by co-director Jean-Pierre Jeunet at StudioCanal, who used the original 35mm negative and restored it to match the original image created by cinematographer Darius Khondji (Se7en, Panic Room, Mickey 17). Jeunet provides a commentary track to the film, and bonuses include an interview with Jeunet and co-director Marc Caro, a making-of, a lengthy and recent talk with Caro, another discussion with filmmaker Terry Gilliam about his connection to the movie, as well as a trailer.
Arrow Video is releasing a title that was previously available as part of a box set. You can now pick up a 4K Ultra HD only version of the entertaining Antonio Banderas action picture Desperado (1995). It comes with a commentary from director Robert Rodriguez, several interviews with cast and crew and more.
Don’t Torture a Duckling(1972) is a “giallo” slasher from Lucio Fulci that is arriving as a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD. This one is set in a small village and involves a killer who may be closely associated with the Catholic Church. In addition to a remaster of the 35mm camera negative, the disc features a film expert commentary, a video conversation with another “giallo” authority, a video essay on the movie, audio interviews with Fulci, cast and crew discussions and a trailer.
The new company Cinematographe is presenting the indie comedy/drama Go Fish (1994) on Blu-ray. It details a lesbian college student in Chicago searching for her soulmate. The 16mm camera negative from the black and white feature has been given a 4K restoration, and the disc includes a director/co-writer/editor commentary, a queer film historian commentary, cast and crew interviews and a trailer.
The horror picture The Strings (2020) is arriving on Blu-ray from Shudder. It follows a musician who retreats to an isolated cottage to write new tunes, only to experience supernatural events.
This film debuted on the streaming site and is now arriving on disc with a filmmaker commentary, a cast featurette, deleted and alternate scenes, a photo montage, a look at the music, an extended musical performance scene, a soundtrack album teaser, a trailer, and a booklet with writing on the film.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Looking for something kids might enjoy? Here are your options.
Care Bears: Unlock the Magic – Seeds of Caring (NCricle Entertainment) DVD
Magilla Gorilla The Complete Series (1964 animated series) (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
ON THE TUBE!
And this week’s TV-themed releases can be found below.
Asia Season 1 (BBC) Blu-ray
Care Bears: Unlock the Magic – Seeds of Caring (NCricle Entertainment) DVD
Earth II (1971 TV-movie) (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
Hallmark Dayspring 2-Movie Collection: An Easter Bloom, The Blessing Bracelet (Hallmark) DVD
Hallmark 3 Movie Collection: Easter Under Wraps, Home by Spring, Tulips in Spring (Hallmark) DVD
Magilla Gorilla The Complete Series (1964 animated series) (Warner Archive) Blu-ray
Star Trek: Lower Decks The Complete Series (Paramount Pictures) Blu-ray Steelbook
Star Trek: Lower Decks The Final Season (Paramount Pictures) Blu-ray
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
