Knives Out
A fun, modern-day murder mystery tribute to mystery mastermind Agatha Christie where everyone is a suspect. When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death.
Vitals: Director: Rian Johnson. Stars: Christopher Plummer, Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana De Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell.
2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 131 min., Crime Comedy, Box office gross: $147.004 million, Lionsgate.
Extras: Audio commentary by writer-director Rian Johnson, director of photography Steve Yedlin, and actor Noah Segan; in-theatre commentary by Rian Johnson; two deleted scenes; "Making a Murder” eight-part documentary; “Rian Johnson: Planning the Perfect Murder” featurette; writer-director and cast Q&A; marketing gallery; “Meet the Thrombeys” viral ads.
This Week's Digital Releases
February 25
Bombshell: Based on the real scandal, this is a revealing look inside the most powerful and controversial media empire of all time; Fox News, and the explosive story of the three women newscasters who brought down the infamous man -- Roger Ailes -- who created it. (DVD, Blu-ray release: March 10)
Color Out of Space: After a meteorite lands in the front yard of their farm, Nathan Gardner (Nicolas Cage) and his family find themselves battling a mutant extraterrestrial organism as it infects their minds and bodies, transforming their quiet rural life into a technicolor nightmare. (DVD, Blu-ray release: Day & date)
Spiral Farm: When two outsiders arrive on an isolated commune, seventeen-year old Anahita begins to question her role at home, and what a future out in the world-at-large could be. (VOD only)
Uncut Gems: A charismatic jeweler (Adam Sandler) makes a high-stakes bet that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. In a precarious high-wire act, he must balance business and family, fending off adversaries on all sides in pursuit of the ultimate win. (DVD, Blu-ray release: March 10)
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All DVD Releases
The Astrologer
(1977) Before he became NYC’s favorite 80s action auteur with hits like "The Exterminator," "The Protector," and "Shakedown," as well as executive producer of grindhouse classics that included "Maniac Cop," "Frankenhooker" and "Basket Case 2 & 3", writer-director James Glickenhaus made his feature debut with this bizarre tale of government skullduggery, satanic killings, zodiacal mayhem, and messianic horror. Playboy centerfold Monica Tidwell stars in the ultra-obscure thriller. Also known as "Suicide Cult" and a one-time U.K. Section 3 "Video Nasty," the film is based on the novel by John Cameron. In a 4k scan from the director’s personal answer print. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. Extras: "Sign of the Times": James Glickenhaus on "The Astrologer"; "Monica and the Astrologer" interview with Actress Monica Tidwell; "Tales From the Set" interviews with filmmakers Brendan Faulkner and Frank M. Farel, "Zodiacal Locations" filming sites. (Severin Films).
The Beast and the Magic Sword
(1983 -- Spain) Paul Naschy, Shigeru Amachi, Beatriz Escudero, Junko Asahina, Violeta Cela, Yoko Fuji. In the 16th Century, the lycanthrope Waldemar Daninsky goes from his native Europe to Japan, seeking a way to cure himself of being a werewolf. Only a Japanese sorcerer named Kian and a magic silver sword can save him. Co-starring Japanese stage and screen veteran Shigeru Amachi, and shot in the studios of Toshiro Mifune, the film is a highly successful and colorful melding of European werewolf legends and dark Japanese fantasy. It features a fight between a werewolf and a tiger, an evil scarlet-cloaked witch who imprisons Daninsky, a sword fight with a troupe of ghost samurai, and many other unforgettable scenes. This is the first Blu-ray release of this film and its first-ever US release and includes both a full-frame version and a widescreen version. 4k digitally restored transfer from a film negative. Formats: Blu-ray. Extras: "The Smile of the Wolf" interview with star Paul Naschy, introduction to the film by Naschy, interview with the writer and critic Gavin Baddeley. audio commentary with the cast, original trailer. (Mondo Macabro).
The Climbers
(2019 -- China) Wu Jing, Zhang Ziyi, Jackie Chan. A cinematic retelling of the first Chinese climbers to summit Mount Everest - the first ever to do so from the North Ridge. Well-known as the most challenging side of the mountain, the perilous journey takes its toll on the mountaineers, physically and mentally, forcing them to make life or death decisions at every turn. Formats: Blu-ray, Digital. (Well Go USA).
Color Out of Space
(2019) Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeleine Arthur, Brendan Meyer, Julian Hilliard, Elliot Knight, Q'orianka Kilch. After a meteorite lands in the front yard of their farm, Nathan Gardner (Cage) and his family find themselves battling a mutant extraterrestrial organism as it infects their minds and bodies, transforming their quiet rural life into a technicolor nightmare. Based on the H.P. Lovecraft short story. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: "The Making of Color Out of Space," deleted scenes, photo gallery. (RLJE Films).