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Review: No shortage of variety in this week’s releases (Includes first-hand account)

A Bucket of Blood (DVD)

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Olive Films

Influenced by the artists that circle his orbit at The Yellow Door Café, busboy Walter Paisley (Dick Miller) ventures into the world of sculpting where he can nurture the Rodin that lives inside of him. The downside is that his subjects are dead — by his hand. His beginnings, both humble and accidental, start with a small statue called “Dead Cat.” Unfortunately, “Dead Cat” is followed by “Murdered Man.”

This has been a popular title over the years, but director Roger Corman’s picture is the gruesome original that includes very little blood but a lot of destructive ambition. The desire to fit in and be admired is overpowering for Walter, and he’d do anything to gain the acceptance of the beatniks that surround and belittle him day-in and day-out. In particular, he wants to impress Joan, who is otherwise kind but takes little notice of him. Miller captures Walter’s insecurity to a tee, as well as his quickly inflated ego when his work gains recognition. Similar to House of Wax, the truth behind the realism of his works of art cannot stay a secret for long, which leads to the stereotypical ending for these types of narratives.

There are no special features. (Olive Films)

An Ordinary Man (DVD)

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Lionsgate Home Entertainment

An infamous war criminal and former general (Ben Kingsley) spending his life on the run from international authorities is suddenly moved to a new hideout, where he develops a relationship with the maid (Hera Hilmar) that looks after him. But when he discovers that she is actually an agent hired to protect him, he makes a decision that will drastically change both of their lives.

In addition to portraying a controversial subject, the film itself seems conflicted. The general and his unwelcome entourage are supposed to be Yugoslavian, yet it’s clear none of the actors fit the bill — regardless of Kingsley’s chameleon qualities. Therefore, it’s difficult to become lost in the narrative since those the audience is watching are not representative of the characters they’re playing. Moreover, the fact that local authorities are actively concealing a war criminal is never explored. The focus is designed to be his relationship with the maid who doesn’t ask questions, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t questions to be answered. In any case, the acting is expectedly excellent as Kingsley and Hilmar have an appropriately awkward chemistry.

There are no special features. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)

Black Venus (Blu-ray)

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Arrow Academy

A stark portrait of the life of Saartjie Baartman (Yahima Torres), also known as the “Hottentot Venus.” Saartjie was taken from her South African home as a 21-year-old and shipped to Georgian London, where she would be caged and exhibited as a freak show. Presented semi-nude, her physique — especially her large buttocks — was the source of much curiosity. But as her ‘fame’ spread, so too did her exploitation.

Director Abdellatif Kechiche‘s portrayal of Saartjie is very difficult to watch as she’s continually exploited by all those around her; the humiliation she repeatedly endures in the live show is especially vexing as so many people clamour to degrade her. She drowns her despair in alcohol, while attempting to maintain some level of self-respect off-stage, which includes rebuking sexual advances and refusing to satisfy the “scientific” curiosity of a group of men who wish to examine her genitals. This bleak and pointed exploration of sex, science, race and social attitudes ends where it begins, misusing Saartjie in death as she had been in life. Torres is exceptional in this role, which must have been physically and mentally exhausting as she goes deep into Saartjie’s sorrow to portray a woman who found a new trap at every turn.

Special features include: appreciation of Black Venus and the cinema of Abdellatif Kechiche by critic Neil Young; theatrical trailer; and reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain. (Arrow Academy)

The Bloodthirsty Trilogy (Blu-ray)

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Arrow Video

In The Vampire Doll, a young man goes missing after visiting his girlfriend’s isolated country home. His sister and her boyfriend trace him to the creepy mansion, but their search becomes perilous when they uncover a gruesome family history. Lake of Dracula begins with a young girl suffering a terrifying nightmare of a vampire with blazing golden eyes. Eighteen years later, the dream is revealed to be a hellish prophecy when a strange package containing an empty coffin mysteriously turns up at a nearby lake. In Evil of Dracula, a professor takes up a new post at an all-girls school only to discover the school’s principle conceals a dark secret and the pupils are in grave danger.

While Toho is better known for its epic monster movies, they were inspired by the success of Western gothic horror films to make their own version of the genre pictures. Focusing on the legend of Dracula, Michio Yamamoto’s trilogy combines eerie nights, ghostly houses and vampire bites with some of the aesthetics of Japanese ghost stories, including the pale, long-haired woman in a white dress. His blending of key attributes from both gothic horror and Japanese genre cinema provides audiences with the best of both worlds. The stories are unrelated, though they share a distinct aesthetic that unquestionably link them to each other and the filmmaker. In spite of their similarities, the narratives differ enough that viewers will likely have a favourite amongst the three films.

Special features include: “Kim Newman on The Bloodthirsty Trilogy”; and reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin. (Arrow Video)

Body of Evidence (Blu-ray)

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Shout Factory

Rebecca Carlson (Madonna) is a powerful woman. Intelligent, successful, and breathtakingly beautiful, she can bring almost any man to his knees … and that’s exactly where she wants them. But when a night of unbridled sexual abandon results in the death of a prominent businessman, Rebecca finds herself on trial for murder. Now it’s up to her attorney (Willem Dafoe) to prove her innocence … but when he becomes entangled in her web of erotic games, his road to the truth proves to have as many curves as his enigmatic and seductive client.

This is one of the most provocative films to hit the mainstream in the ‘90s, earning particular recognition due its high-profile cast, which also included Joe Mantegna, Julianne Moore, Mark Rolston, Anne Archer and Frank Langella. The unrated cut of the film included in high-definition in this release is a little more salacious than the R-rated version, which is also included, as it contains more nudity and explicit sexuality. Yet, one can see why the actors were attracted to this modern-day femme fatale narrative. Rebecca is an independent and uninhibited woman who, outside of being a potential murderer, encompassed all the things Madonna was trying to represent at that time. Dafoe appears to have always been intrigued by men who are repressed and find the path to their awakening down the wrong road. Even by today’s standards this film is pushing the envelope, which is why it’s still an intriguing picture to watch.

Special features include: unrated and R-rated versions of the film; “Love or Murder”; still gallery; and theatrical trailer. (Shout Factory)

Bruce’s Deadly Fingers (Blu-ray & DVD)

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MVD Visual

After malicious gangsters capture Bruce Wong’s (Bruce Lee) sister, the young martial artist attempts to rescue her — and retrieve his late master’s book containing lethal techniques for killing with one’s fingers.

This is one of Lee’s earlier pictures and he’s clearly still honing his acting skills, while also trying to establish some signature traits for his impending stardom. While the English dubs of these films are notoriously bad, the ridiculous narrative certainly doesn’t help. The characters go around in circles, kidnapping and chasing each other; and these scenes are intersected with random attacks that generally feature one good guy versus a group of bad ones. There are also several characters whose purpose or origin are unknown, causing the narrative to not make sense in some sections. Nonetheless, even a younger and less experienced Lee is worth watching — even if only to better appreciate the actor he’d become.

Special features include: commentary by Michael Worth, author, director, actor and expert on Bruce Lee and ‘Bruceploitation films’; interviews with the cast; photo and poster gallery; and original theatrical trailer. (MVD Visual)

Cold Turkey (Blu-ray)

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Olive Films

Reverend Clayton Brooks (Dick Van Dyke), a minister in the small town of Eagle Rock, Iowa, takes up the challenge presented by ad exec Merwin Wren (Bob Newhart), a mouthpiece for Hiram C. Grayson (Edward Everett Horton) of the Valiant Tobacco Company: any city or town in America that can give up smoking for 30 days will receive a $25 million check. Based on the addictive nature of the nation, Valiant is positive that their publicity stunt won’t cost them a dime. And so begins the comic tale of the residents of Eagle Rock, and their struggle to butt out and grab the dough.

This is a comedy that could not be made again, which is part of its charm. The town is in desperate need of an injection of cash in order to secure a military contract that will revitalize its citizenry and economy. However, rather than simply tell this to the townsfolk, they focus on the good the money would do for the community, which is a tough sell for some. Amusingly, one of the town’s wealthier residents refuses to partake, instead going on vacation for a month to maintain his vices. As everyone butts out when the clock strikes 12, it ironically turns out the one with the worst habit and lowest will power is the town doctor who must be forcibly restrained from smoking. In the meantime, Merwin is taking the heat for his blundered promotion and doing all he can to ensure the town loses. With some great comedians at the forefront, this is a lighthearted movie that may astound many contemporary audiences.

There are no special features. (Olive Films)

Coming to America: 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray & Digital copy)

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Paramount Home Media Distribution

Pampered African prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) rebels against an arranged marriage and heads to America to find a new bride. Murphy’s regal father (James Earl Jones) agrees to allow the prince 40 days to roam the U.S., sending the prince’s faithful retainer Semmi (Arsenio Hall) along to make sure nothing untoward happens. To avoid fortune hunters, Prince Akeem conceals his true identity and gets a “Joe job” at a fast-food restaurant.

Apparently Murphy had this idea for a prince out-of-water story, which he then handed off to a couple of Saturday Night Live writers to flesh out before taking it apart and putting it back together with Hall and director John Landis. The result is a still-hilarious comedy featuring a number of well-known actors, as well as several characters played by a nearly unrecognizable Murphy and Hall — Rick Baker deserves infinite credit for the incredible make-up transformations he created, which are further detailed in the related featurette. The comedy is intrinsic to the narrative and delivered flawlessly so no one ever appears to be trying too hard, even though the jokes are spot-on in every scene. The bonus features provide some interesting tidbits about the making of the film, though they are unfortunately missing a few key voices.

Special features include: “Prince-ipal Photography: The Coming Together of America”; “Fit for Akeem: The Costumes of Coming to America”; “Character Building: The Many Faces of Rick Baker” “Composing America: The Musical Talents of Nile Rodgers”; a vintage sit-down with Murphy and Hall; and photo gallery. (Paramount Home Media Distribution)

Death Smiles on a Murderer (Blu-ray)

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Arrow Video

Set in Austria in the early 1900s, Greta (Ewa Aulin) is a beautiful young woman abused by her brother Franz (Luciano Rossi) and left to die in childbirth by her illicit lover, the aristocrat Dr. von Ravensbrück (Giacomo Rossi Stuart). Bereft with grief, Franz reanimates his dead sister using a formula engraved on an ancient Incan medallion. Greta then returns as an undead avenging angel, reaping revenge on the Ravensbrück family and her manically possessive brother.

Without first reading the synopsis, audiences may be a little confused by the events in the first half of the film. Touching on a number of subjects, including classic zombies (somnambulists), Edgar Allen Poe and science vs. magic, the film also hints at the more taboo topics of incest and sexual freedom. Since Greta is no longer of this world, her place in it is similarly uncertain. Her now seemingly unnatural beauty gives her sway over some people, which seals their fates without them even realizing it. Director Joe D’Amato takes advantage of his impressive cast to tell this twisting tale of sex and revenge; in fact, he had so much confidence in their abilities and the film, he used his real name for the picture’s director credit.

Special features include: commentary by writer and critic Tim Lucas; “D’Amato Smiles on Death”; “All About Ewa”; “Smiling on the Taboo”; stills and collections gallery; original trailers; and reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx. (Arrow Video)

Devil’s Gate (Blu-ray & DVD)

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Scream Factory

When a woman and her son mysteriously vanish, FBI agent Daria Francis (Amanda Schull) is dispatched to the small town of Devil’s Gate, North Dakota to investigate the No. 1 suspect: religious fanatic Jackson Pritchard (Milo Ventimiglia), husband and father of the missing persons. But when Francis and local deputy Colt Salter (Shawn Ashmore) arrive at Pritchard’s foreboding property, they discover much more than they bargained for lurking in the basement.

This is a strange sci-fi/horror movie that may be a better setup for a prequel than a standalone picture as the potentially more interesting backstory is only briefly mentioned. There’s nothing inviting about Pritchard’s home, which resembles a murder house from a cannibal movie on the outside. But he’s not that deranged… not yet. Daria and Colt don’t really know what they’re getting into, but as people tend to believe what they see they’re quick to get on board. Unfortunately the film feels fragmented as filmmakers try to find the balance between religion, monsters and aliens.

There are no special features. (Scream Factory)

Ducktales: Destination Adventure (DVD)

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Disney Home Entertainment

An ancient tomb in Toth-Ra, the mountain peak of Mt. Neverrest, a vacation island for Greek gods…global expeditions await! Thanks to Huey, Dewey, Louie and Webby, trillionaire Scrooge McDuck is back in action, leading the way to death-defying exploits stretching all the way from Duckburg to legendary destinations around the world.

Travelling the world, solving mysteries and having fun is the formula to any ducky episode in this series, and it works every time. In the tomb, they’re separated and must use the allure of burritos to free the trapped ducklings. The show’s tallest mountain turns out to be shrouded in not only mystery, but invisible portals. In another story, rival companies compete for supremacy in chauffeur robots — only no one seems to be able to figure out how to keep the machines from turning evil. This episode also sees the revival of Gizmoduck. Even Webby goes on her own adventure that starts with a message in a bottle and ends with a Warriors-style hunt. There’s never a dull moment in Duckburg and this series continues to make its predecessor proud.

Special features include: two bonus classic episodes. (Disney Home Entertainment)

East West 101: Series 2 (DVD)

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Acorn

Detective Zane Malik (Don Hany) is a Muslim Arab living in post-9/11 Australia. After a deadly car bomb goes off in a Sydney suburb, fear and suspicion thrive as the community blames it on Islamic extremists. However, Malik is not convinced it was a terrorist attack, and he joins a joint task force led by Agent Richard Skerritt (Gerald Lepkowski). The investigation throws Malik into a high-stakes undercover mission targeting a suspected arms-dealer, but the job takes him away from his family and even threatens their safety. Meanwhile, Malik’s boss, Inspector Patricia Wright (Susie Porter), deals with a personal crisis that stirs up painful memories from her past.

This season focuses much more heavily on Malik, which is somewhat disappointing after the broader series debut. Nonetheless, the core themes of terrorism and racism are maintained, though they do not unfold in a stereotypical manner. Local Muslims are labeled terrorists by their small-minded neighbours, while it turns out the real criminals are those no one would suspect. The first episode ends in a heartbreaking rescue, while the last is a display of courage and betrayal. Patricia’s troublesome brother and her attempts to help him are the other side of the personal story this season, which reveals much more about her character than one may have expected.

Special features include: behind-the-scenes featurette. (Acorn)

Forrest Gump (4K UHD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)

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Paramount Home Media Distribution

Stupid is as stupid does, says Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) as he discusses his relative level of intelligence with a stranger while waiting for a bus. Despite his sub-normal IQ, Gump leads a truly charmed life, with a ringside seat for many of the most memorable events of the second half of the 20th century. Entirely without trying, Forrest teaches Elvis Presley to dance, becomes a football star, meets John F. Kennedy, serves with honour in Vietnam, meets Lyndon Johnson, speaks at an anti-war rally at the Washington Monument, hangs out with the Yippies, defeats the Chinese national team in table tennis, meets Richard Nixon, discovers the break-in at the Watergate, opens a profitable shrimping business, becomes an original investor in Apple Computers, and decides to run back and forth across the country for several years. Meanwhile, as the remarkable parade of his life goes by, Forrest never forgets Jenny (Robin Wright Penn), the girl he loved as a boy, who makes her own journey through the turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s that is far more troubled than the path Forrest happens upon.

Hanks has a longstanding habit of playing iconic roles in movies and this is undoubtedly one of his most memorable. Gump captured the hearts of audiences as he stumbled through life, unwittingly contributing to all these historical events, which are cleverly portrayed by splicing him into actual archival footage. In between making history, he is in constant pursuit of free-spirited Jenny who always treated him well and stole his own heart in the process. The other humanizing aspect of this picture not requiring visual effects is the friendship he forges with Bubba Blue (Mykelti Williamson), who Forrest in some ways takes under his own ill-formed wing. This film was a game changer when it was released and it’s still easy to see why all these years later.

Special features include: commentary by director Robert Zemeckis, producer Steve Starkey and production designer Rick Carter; commentary by producer Wendy Finerman; “Musical Signposts to History”; “Greenbow Diary”; “The Art of Screenplay Adaptation”; “”Getting Past Impossible — Forrest Gump and the Visual Effect Revolution”; “Little Forrest”; “An Evening with Forrest Gump”; “The Magic of Makeup”; “Through the Ears of Forrest Gump — Sound Design”; “Building the World of Gump — Production Design”; “Seeing is Believing — The Visual Effects of Forrest Gump”; and screen tests. (Paramount Home Media Distribution)

Freak Show (Blu-ray)

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Shout Factory

Billy Bloom (Alex Lawther) is one-of-a-kind: a fabulous, glitter-bedecked, gender-bending teenager whose razor-sharp wit is matched only by his outrageous, anything-goes fashion sense. When his glamorous mother (Bette Midler) is forced to send him to live with his straight-laced father (Larry Pine), Billy finds himself a diva-out-of-water at his new ultra-conservative high school. Undaunted by the bullies who don’t understand him, the fearless Billy sets out to make a big statement in his own inimitable way: challenging the school’s reigning mean girl (Abigail Breslin) for the title of homecoming queen.

This film tries to walk the line between empowering and intolerable, but it spends most of its time wavering between the two. Billy is used to “letting his freak flag fly” thanks to his mother’s support, but his new school prefers all non-conformists to remain in their closets. The way they’re permitted to assert their dissension is quite appalling and extreme, which is meant to cause the audience to question Billy’s commitment to being “different.” However, it strangely jumps between a few lessons as it tries a little too hard to be all-encompassing while also following a plotline that must contort itself to get to the final scene. Luckily, Lawther is a likeable actor that makes the Billy character engaging, even if not always believable. Breslin and Midler also play their parts to a tee with the latter’s inclusion in the film being extra special due to her prominence in the gay community and amongst drag queens.

There are no special features. (Shout Factory)

Fury (4K UHD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)

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Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Out-numbered, out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier (Logan Lerman) thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

Other than the fact that most of this platoon’s fighting takes place within the confines of a tank, the film doesn’t differ much from other war movies. There are several firefights and the carnage is explicit as there’s no scarcity of close-ups of bodies being torn apart. Though these men display heroism on the field, many of them act quite the opposite during breaks between battles. As the Sherman tanks come under fire, the proceedings are reminiscent of a game of Battleship as they fire at each other’s presumed locations. Pitt’s character is both the hard-nosed authority and heart-of-gold boss. The other actors — Shia LaBeouf, Michael Peña and Jon Bernthal — all play their roles to a tee, though the picture still runs long at more than two hours.

Special features include: deleted and extended scenes; “Director’s Combat Journal”; “Armored Warriors: The Real Men Inside the Shermans”; “Taming the Beast: How to Drive, Fire, & Shoot Inside a 30-Ton Tank”; “Blood Brothers”; and photo gallery. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

Gringo (Blu-ray)

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VVS Films

Mild-mannered businessman Harold Soyinka (David Oyelowo) finds himself in Mexico and at the mercy of his back-stabbing business colleagues (Joel Edgerton and Charlize Theron) back home, local drug lords and a morally conflicted black-ops mercenary (Sharlto Copley). Crossing the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal, Harold battles to survive his increasingly dangerous situation in ways that raise the question: Is he out of his depth — or two steps ahead?

This all-star comedy relies on its actors’ ability to play their scenes straight in order to be funny, even though they’re often saying rather ridiculous things in fairly dire situations. Harold is a nice guy who plays by the rules and now he’s paying for his reliability both personally and financially. His bosses are despicable people only looking out for themselves, while the head of the cartel will maim and kill anyone who stands between him and what he wants. The semi-retired soldier is amusing because he also seems like a decent guy, but made a living killing people before attempting to turn over a new leaf. Director Nash Edgerton finds the perfect balance between violence and comedy to produce a fun and occasionally surprising narrative.

Special features include: making-of featurette; “Filming Gringo in Mexico”; “Stunts”; and “Who is Harold.” (VVS Films)

Jerry Lewis 10 Film Collection (DVD)

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Paramount Home Media Distribution

The Stooge (1951) — Features one of Lewis’ earliest pairings with Dean Martin as a musical-comedy duo.
The Delicate Delinquent (1956) — A “teenage terror” is recruited for the Police Academy.
The Bellboy (1960) — Lewis plays a friendly but clumsy bellboy in this slapstick classic.
Cinderfella (1960) — Lewis’ take on the classic Cinderella story.
The Errand Boy (1961) — Paramount enlists a bumbling Lewis to spy on their productions in this film studio comedy.
The Ladies Man (1961) — A girl-shy man finds work in a women-only hotel with uproarious results.
The Nutty Professor (1963) — A socially awkward professor invents a serum that turns him into the handsome but obnoxious Buddy Love.
The Disorderly Orderly (1964) — Lewis wreaks havoc in a private rest home.
The Patsy (1964) — Lewis directs and stars as a novice recruited to replace a big-time comedian.
The Family Jewels (1965) — Lewis directs and plays seven distinct roles in this family inheritance farce.

Jerry Lewis was a brilliant American comedian who found he was most appreciated in France where they seemed to “get him” more than his home country. Nonetheless, he’s a celebrated performer at home and abroad, and this collection gathers some of his best films. Lewis built his career around his nerdy appearance and ability to alter his voice. The result was a variety of awkward/goofy characters that often starred alongside more polished/confident individuals. In The Stooge, Lewis plays one-half of a successful comedy act featuring a character played by Dean Martin who refuses to acknowledge his partner’s contributions to their success. The Nutty Professor is probably one of his best known pictures as Lewis convincingly transitions from a bumbling scientist to a smooth-talking ladies’ man; which, ironically, he is not in The Ladies Man, where Lewis plays a guy who’s sworn off women. These are all excellent films that showcase a terrific talent who didn’t necessarily get his dues.

There are no special features. (Paramount Home Media Distribution)

The Midnight Man (Blu-ray)

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Scream Factory

Teenager Alex (Gabrielle Haugh) and her best friend Miles (Grayson Gabriel) discover a mysterious box hidden away in the attic in her grandmother’s (Lin Shaye) sprawling mansion. Inside are instructions for The Midnight Game, an ancient pagan ritual said to summon the player’s greatest fears. It all seems like harmless fun to Alex and Miles — until they unleash the terrifying spirit of The Midnight Man, an unholy force who pits them against their darkest demons and dares them to survive.

This movie fuses the concepts of an Ouija board and summoned ghoul, like The Candyman. There are rules to follow in the game that are meant to protect its players, but their assailant doesn’t respect the rules and is constantly looking for ways to get around them. However, there’s another force at play that Alex and Miles can’t comprehend until it’s too late. Robert Englund is the other adult in the narrative who acts as somewhat of a harbinger. As The Midnight Man is not an invisible spectre, filmmakers combine a number of influences — not the least of which must be the Dementors — in order to create its alarming appearance. It’s a decent horror film built around an interesting idea with a couple of genre icons to add some credibility.

Special features include: original Irish feature film; and theatrical trailer. (Scream Factory)

Night Zero (DVD)

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MVD Visual

A dinner party turns deadly when a group of friends are trapped inside of their house after a massive alien invasion threatens to take over the world. Things take a turn for the worse when they discover that the chemical the military is using to destroy the aliens is also turning humans into zombie-like savages. Now the group must band together and try to survive the night… if they don’t kill each other first.

This movie is comprised of all the common elements of this type of movie, but with no flair of its own. The group of mostly couples eventually devolves to bickering as those in the seemingly happy relationship can’t keep it together under pressure, and the already fighting couple discover harmony in the face of death. There’s several scenes that don’t really make sense as things suddenly go from bad to worse in the last act, though filmmakers do try to provide some catharsis at the end in relation to its quarrelling couple. The one key opportunity this low budget picture misses is a chance to do something different, rather than the same old script mediocrely.

Special features include: behind-the-scenes featurette. (MVD Visual)

The Patriot (4K UHD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)

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Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

In 1776 South Carolina, widower and legendary war hero Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) finds himself thrust into the midst of the American Revolutionary War as he helplessly watches his family torn apart by the savage forces of the British Redcoats. Unable to remain silent, he recruits a band of reluctant volunteers, including his idealistic patriot son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger), to take up arms against the British. Fighting to protect his family’s freedom and his country’s independence, Martin discovers the pain of betrayal, the redemption of revenge and the passion of love.

Since it’s a period film, it’s already in itself somewhat timeless; therefore it’s not surprising that this movie still stands up nearly 20 years after its initial release. Knowing the outcome of the war is not a deterrent to watching the picture either, as it is about the battles not included in history books. Martin doesn’t join the Continental Army, but rather forms a militia of other non-conscripted men to fight the war away from the frontlines — they throttle their supply lines and ambush groups of soldiers on the road. However, the Redcoats’ retaliation is shown to be shamefully ruthless. Director Roland Emmerich produces a film that feels true-to-life, largely because most of it was done practically with up to 1,000 extras to capture the grit and blood of battle. (The fact that the movie’s two stars and director are not American is no matter.)

Special features include: theatrical & extended versions of the film; commentary by director Roland Emmerich and a producer; deleted scenes with optional commentary; “The Art of War”; “The True Patriots”; “Visual Effects Interactive” conceptual art to film comparisons; photo galleries; and theatrical trailer. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

Satellite Girl and Milk Cow (Blu-ray & DVD)

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GKids

An out of commission satellite picks up a lovelorn ballad on her radio antenna and descends to Earth to find the source of such sincere emotions. But on the way she is caught in a raging magical battle and transforms into Satellite Girl, complete with rocket shoes and weapon-firing limbs. Meanwhile, the balladeer in question — a loser twenty-something at a café open mic — meets the fate that befalls all broken-hearted lovers: he is turned into a farm animal. But love knows no bounds and aided by the wise and powerful Merlin – a wizard who has been turned into a roll of toilet paper – the duo must evade the all-consuming incinerator monster, the wily pig witch, and other nefarious adversaries in an attempt to be together.

This is an incredibly odd tale that feels like it was conceived while under the influence of some illegal substance… or, alternatively, by a very imaginative child. The satellite is sentient, but completely satisfied with her existence until she hears the song. When she falls to Earth, even though she looks like a girl she is still just a conscious machine in a girl’s body. The singer, on the other hand, is completely dissatisfied with his life; even more so now that he’s been transformed into a farm animal. While many of the peculiar things in the film are upsetting to some of the characters, magic appears to be so pervasive that no one is particularly surprised. There doesn’t seem to be any moral to the story, or even much of a point, except that watching a strange group of characters band together can be entertaining.

Special features include: “Coffee Vending Machine and Its Sword” short film; trailers. (GKids)

Savannah Smiles (Blu-ray & DVD)

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MVD Rewind

Savannah (Bridgette Andersen) is the precocious six-year-old daughter of a busy politician who is consumed by his re-election campaign. She decides to run away from home and sneaks into a car driven by two escaped convicts, Alvie (Mark Miller) and Boots (Donovan Scott). Hiding in an abandoned house, the two bumbling crooks initially try to hold the adorable Savannah for ransom to obtain a hefty reward for her return, but an unexpected bond grows among trio, creating a surrogate family they have never known before. Their relationship is tested when the convicts, now seen as kidnappers, must choose between their freedom and their new friend.

This is one of those heartfelt TV movies perfect for family time around the television. Savannah is of course lucky to stowaway into the back of a car belonging to a couple of soft-hearted criminals. Even though they try to demand a reward for her safe return, they care for her like she’s their own daughter in the meantime. Alvie and Boots are definitely some of the nicest crooks audiences have ever seen and they’re just smart enough to stay on the run if they hadn’t encountered Savannah. It’s clear the cast got along very well, both on-screen and in the bonus features where they discuss their experience working with Andersen who passed away several years ago.

Special features include: making-of featurette; “Memories of Bridgette Andersen”; “The Songs and Music of Savannah Smiles”; theatrical trailer; and collectible mini poster. (MVD Rewind Collection)

Sherlock Gnomes (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)

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Paramount Home Media Distribution

When Gnomeo (James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt) discover their friends and family have gone missing, there’s only one gnome to call — the legendary detective Sherlock Gnomes (Johnny Depp). Working together, the mystery takes them beyond the garden walls and across the city on an unforgettable journey to save the day and bring the gnomes home.

There’s just something about these gnomes that are highly entertaining. The first film was a romantic musical, but those elements are toned down in the sequel. Instead, Gnomeo and Juliet are a married couple trying to keep the spark alive while also embarking on this quest to find their friends. While Sherlock is a big personality character, the spotlight still remains on the couple, which keeps the movie on track. The hunt for the kidnapper is very amusing as all the gnomes are constantly bumping heads and trying to head in different directions. With Elton John returning to handle the film’s music, it’s not surprising they don’t miss a beat; however, the addition of Mary J. Blige and her powerhouse single “Stronger Than I Ever Was” is unparalleled.

Special features include: “Gnome is Where the Heart Is”; “All Roads Lead to Gnome: London Locations in Sherlock Gnomes”; “Miss Gnomer: Mary J. Blige and the Music of Sherlock Gnomes”; “Stronger Than I Ever Was” music video; “Animating Sherlock Gnomes”; and “How to Draw.” (Paramount Home Media Distribution)

South Park: The Complete Twenty-First Season (Blu-ray)

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Paramount Home Media Distribution

Join Cartman, Kenny, Stan, and Kyle as they take on the opioid epidemic, experiment with water bears, dig into the underbelly of social media and go to war with Canada.

This season creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone return to the previous series format, foregoing a single plot that carries through the whole season for individual narratives that begin and end with a single episode. Randy’s misunderstanding of the word “indigenous” leads to an unreciprocated relationship with a Native American man. An episode featuring The Coon and Friends takes on superhero franchises and fake news on social media, particularly Facebook. A science fair invites the return of Nathan and Mimsy, as well as the coveted discovery of water bears. There is one interesting storyline that does extend through the season: Cartman’s relationship with Heidi, which is actually more amusing than you’d expect and has an unforeseen tie-in to Amazon’s Alexa.

Special features include: mini-commentaries on all episodes; and #socialcommentary on all episodes. (Paramount Home Media Distribution)

Terminator Genisys (4K UHD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)

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Paramount Home Media Distribution

In the war of man against machine, Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) is sent back to 1984 by resistance leader John Connor (Jason Clarke) to protect his young mother, Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke). However, this time unexpected events have altered the past and threaten the future for all mankind. Now Reese must join forces with Sarah and her “Guardian” (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to save the world and stop the next evolution of Terminators.

It’s incredibly difficult to reboot a franchise that has not just one, but two films that are beloved by fans. The fact that Schwarzenegger was really back this time — and not just a CGI version of him — helped, but he’s a different kind of character now too. The throwbacks to the original movies range from subtle to undeniably recognizable, which is fun for admirers of the franchise. But the plot itself bends time so much, it almost becomes work to track the continuity. It’s clearly an attempt to modernize the narrative in a way that makes it more accessible to contemporary viewers, but it loses some of its passion along the way — perhaps the desire to utilize now-advanced CGI techniques led them astray. Yet you still have to applaud Schwarzenegger as he’s the best part about this film since he still knows these machines inside and out.

Special features include: “Reset the Future: Constructing Terminator Genisys”; and “Battle on the Bridge: Multi-Angle Scene Breakdown.” (Paramount Home Media Distribution)

Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God…Be Back by Five (Blu-ray)

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MVD Visual

As kids, Daniel (Jon Cryer) Stan (Rick Stear) and Richie (Rafael Báez) were inseparable. But as they grew up, they grew apart, and now Richie has gone missing, sending Daniel and Stan on a wintry trek to Coney Island to find their long-lost friend. Their trip leads them on a wild journey to the famed amusement park in the off season, where they encounter some of the strangest people this side of the Brooklyn Bridge. Along the way, Stan and Daniel discover they have demons of their own and as they search for their friend, they make revelations about themselves which will change their lives forever.

As much as this is a film about finding their long lost friend, it’s more a movie about self-discovery. Flashbacks seemingly shoehorned into the narrative illustrate the delinquent fun they used to have before Richie disappeared. In the meantime, Stan reflects on the mess he’s made of his life as his addiction harms all those closest to him and now threatens his own physical safety due to unpaid debts. Cryer is expectedly the guy living the least exciting life without realizing he’s got the better end of the deal. The mystery surrounding Richie’s disappearance is rather heartbreaking, as well as a surprising spotlight on mental health. Unfortunately, the picture isn’t very engaging otherwise and the revelations of the final act aren’t really worth the effort.

Special features include: commentary by director Richard Schenkman and Jon Cryer; introduction by Schenkman and Cryer; behind-the-scenes featurette; ‘The Producer,’ short film directed by Schenkman; photo gallery; original theatrical trailer; and collectible mini poster. (MVD Visual)

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Written By

Sarah Gopaul is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for film news, a member of the Online Film Critics Society and a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved critic.

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