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OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases
June 26:
The Endless: A mind-bending supernatural thriller about two brothers who revisit the UFO death cult they escaped as teens, only to find there may have been truth to the cult’s otherworldly beliefs all along. (DVD, Blu-ray release: Day & date)
Isle of Dogs: Visionary director Wes Anderson’s film tells the story of Atari Kobayashi, 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi, who sets off in search of his bodyguard dog, Spots, when all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to the vast Trash Island. (DVD, Blu-ray release: July 17)
A Quiet Place: A taut and original thriller that follows a family who must navigate their lives in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by sound. (DVD, Blu-ray release: July 10)
Rampage: When three different gigantic animals become infected with a dangerous pathogen, a primatologist and a geneticist team up to stop them from destroying Chicago. (DVD, Blu-ray release: July 17)
A Taste of Phobia and German Angst: Two eye-popping horror anthologies. (DVD, Blu-ray release: Day & date)
The Addiction
(1995) Dir.: Abel Ferrara; Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, Annabella Sciorra, Edie Falco, Paul Calderon. Philosophy student Kathleen (Lili Taylor) is dragged into an alleyway on her way home from class by Casanova (Annabella Sciorra) and bitten on the neck. She quickly falls ill but realizes this isn't any ordinary disease when she develops an aversion to daylight and a thirst for human blood. She now must learn to come to terms with her new lifestyle. Shot in stunning black and white on
The Banishment
(2007 -- Russia) Konstantin Lavronenko, Maria Bonnevie, Aleksandr Baluev. Andrey Zvyagintsev ("Loveless," "Leviathan") proffers an ambitious exploration of the human condition in his second feature. Much like his critically acclaimed debut "The Return" (2003), the film investigates the bonds of family, this time tackling the relationship between a husband and wife. A trip to the pastoral countryside reveals a dark, sinister reality for a family from the city. Eschewing easy answers and tackling a wide array of themes, "The Banishment" poetically renders the persistent human state of exile from our surroundings. Based on the novel "The Laughing Matter" by William Saroyan.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, interview with director Andrey Zvyagintsev, trailers.
(Kino Lorber).
Black Lightning: The Complete First Season
(2017) Two-disc set with all 13 one-hour episodes of the series about a crusading school principal who gets back into action as the original African-American electrical superhero. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, Digital. Extras: Black Lightning Comic-Con panel, "A Family of Strength," "Black Lightning Come Visit Georgia," gag reel, deleted scenes. (Warner).
China Salesman
(2017) Mike Tyson, Steven Seagal, Dong-Xue Li, Janicke Askevold, Li Ai, Eriq Ebouaney. Based on a true story, the film tells of a dangerous adventure in Africa where a Chinese engineer/salesman comes face-to-face with a corrupt competitor over the contract for the first African mobile telecom technology. Local tribesman Kabbah (Tyson) and mercenary Lauder (Seagal) get drawn into the conflict in a classic, brutal hand-to-hand fight while the entire country faces civil war battles. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, Digital. (MVD Entertainment).
The Escape of Prisoner 614
(2018) Ron Perlman, Martin Starr, Jake McDorman. Irreverent contemporary Western in which two sheriff's deputies, who have just been fired from their jobs, decide to go after an escaped prisoner in hopes of getting their jobs back. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, VOD, Digital. (Lionsgate).
Female Trouble
(1974) Glamour has never been more grotesque than in "Female Trouble," which injects the Hollywood melodrama with anarchic decadence. Divine, director John Waters’ larger-than-life muse, engulfs the screen with charisma as Dawn Davenport -- who progresses from a teenage nightmare hell-bent on getting cha-cha heels for
German Angst
(2017 -- Germany) Three German tales of love, sex and death in Berlin from Germany’s most shocking directors. This German horror anthology features three films -- all of which focus on the dark, violent, and disturbing nature of love and sex were written and directed by three controversial underground filmmakers: the legendary Jörg Buttgereit ("Nekromantik" (1987), "The Death King" (1990); Andreas Marschall ("Tears of Kali" (2004); and Michal Kosakowski ("Zero Killed" (2014). Formats: Blu-ray. Read more. (Artsploitation Films).
The Martian Chronicles
(1980) Rock Hudson, Gayle Hunnicutt, Bernie Casey, Darren McGavin, Roddy McDowall, Bernadette Peters, Joyce Van Patten, Fritz Weaver, Maria Schell, James Faulkner. Making contact was the beginning of the end ... From the mind of legendary writer Ray Bradbury springs what is perhaps his most epic vision. Capturing mankind's first venture into the colonization of another planet -- and its tragic first contact with another species -- "The Martian Chronicles" is a stunning achievement that will take you from the edge of your seat and to the stars. Earth is on the verge of extinction. To survive, mankind must find another place to live. And when three expeditions to Mars, headed by Col. John Wilder (Rock Hudson), find suitable conditions for relocations, humans pour in by the shipload, bringing the old evils of Earth with them. As Wilder begins to heed the lessons of the dying Martian civilization, can he save humanity from repeating its own doom? The three-part miniseries has been fully remastered. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. (Kino Lorber Studio Classics).
The Return
(2003 -- Russia) Vladimir Garin, Ivan Dobronravov, Konstantin Lavronenko. This is the stunning debut feature of Russian master Andrey Zvyagintsev ("Leviathan," "Loveless"), which won the Golden Lion for Best Picture, as well as the Best First Film award, at the Venice Film Festival. Young brothers Andrei (Vladimir Garin) and Ivan (Ivan Dobronravov) have grown close in a household their father (Konstantin Lavronenko) abandoned. But when they least expect it, the man the boys have never known returns. Eager and bewildered, Andrei and Ivan join this mysterious stranger for a week-long fishing trip. As they travel deeper into the Russian wilderness, their journey devolves from vacation to boot camp, turning into a violent test of wills. Disturbing, tender and transcendent, "The Return's" skillful marriage of psychological complexity and mythic imagery effortlessly evokes the watershed films of Andrei Tarkovsky. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. Extras: Interview with director Andrey Zvyagintsev, trailer. (Kino Lorber).
Spinning Man
(2018) Guy Pierce, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver, Jamie Kennedy. When a 17-year-old girl goes missing, family man and distinguished college professor Evan Birch’s (Pearce) life is turned upside down as circumstantial evidence convinces gruff Detective Malloy (Brosnan) that Birch is a prime suspect. As Malloy begins to peel back the layers of Birch’s past indiscretions with female students, and Birch’s wife (Driver) begins to question his alibi, Birch’s life starts to unravel, and suddenly the questions that he faces aren’t merely academic -- they’re a matter of life and death. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, VOD, Digital. Extras: Director’s commentary, “Inside Spinning Man” featurette; deletes scenes. (Lionsgate).
A Taste of Phobia
(2017) A horror anthology in which 14 international directors delve into the terrifying truths and horrors of phobias. Formats: DVD. Read more. (Artsploitation Films).
Terminal
(2018) Margot Robbie, Simon Pegg, Mike Myers, Max Irons, Dexter Fletche. In the dark heart of a sprawling, anonymous city, "Terminal" follows the twisting tales of two assassins carrying out a sinister mission, a teacher battling a fatal illness, an enigmatic janitor and a curious waitress leading a dangerous double life. Murderous consequences unravel in the dead of night as their lives all intertwine at the hands of a mysterious criminal mastermind hell-bent on revenge. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. Extras: “The Cast of Terminal” featurette, “Building the World of Terminal” featurette, “From Concept to Creation” featurette, photo gallery. (RLJE Films).
Turtle Tale
(2015) Voices of Mikey Bolts, Noah Schnacky, Tom Arnold, Ambyr Childers, Lydia Hull, Mary Rachel Dudle. Family adventure awarded the Dove Seal of Approval. Follow the adventures of sassy, outspoken box turtles Rafi and Hank and their friend, a gruff snapping turtle named Goliath. After vandals break into a nature park and kidnap Hank, it’s up to Rafi and Goliath to hit the trail in search of their missing friend.
Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: “Giving the Turtles a Voice: At the Recording Studio” featurette, “The Making of Turtle Tale” featurette, trailer gallery.
(Lionsgate).
Acrimony
Written, directed, and produced by the multi-talented Tyler Perry, the thriller reunites Perry and Taraji P. Henson for the first time in nine years. A faithful wife (Henson) is driven over the edge when it becomes clear she has been betrayed by her devious husband.
Vitals: Director: Tyler Perry. Stars: Taraji P. Henson, Lyriq Bent, Crystle Stewart, Ajiona Alexus, Antonio Madison.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: R, 120 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $43.241 million, Lionsgate.
Extras: “Unleashing Acrimony” featurette.
Acrimony
(2017) Dir.: Tyler Perry; Taraji P. Henson, Lyriq Bent, Crystle Stewart, Ajiona Alexus, Antonio Madison. A faithful wife, tired of standing by her devious husband, is enraged when it becomes clear she has been betrayed. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: “Unleashing Acrimony” featurette. (Lionsgate).
the streets of New York, "The Addiction" is a raw and shocking vampire film that only Abel Ferrara could make. New restoration from a 4K scan of the original camera negative by Arrow Films, approved by director Abel Ferrara and director of photography Ken Kelsch. Formats: Blu-ray. Extras: Audio commentary by Abel Ferrara, moderated by critic and biographer Brad Stevens; "Talking with the Vampires"(2018), a new documentary about the film made by Ferrara especially for this release, featuring actors Christopher Walken and Lili Taylor, composer Joe Delia, Ken Kelsch, and Ferrara himself; new interview with Ferrara; new interview with Brad Stevens; "Abel Ferrara Edits The Addiction," an archival piece from the time of production; original trailer; reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain; FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet containing new writing on the film by critic Michael Ewins. (Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment).
The Curse of the Cat People BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1944) Filled with wonderful atmosphere and fine, moody fantasy, this continuation of 1942’s "Cat People" follows Oliver Reed (Kent Smith), now remarried, living in idyllic Tarrytown, New York, and the father of six-year-old Amy. When Amy becomes withdrawn and speaks of consorting with a new “friend,” Oliver worries that she may be under the influence of the spirit of first wife. Is it just Amy’s imagination that has manifested the enigmatic Irena (Simone Simon), who long believed herself to be descended from a race of Cat People? Extras: New audio commentary with author/historian Steve Haberman; audio commentary with historian Greg Mank, with audio interview excepts with actress Simone Simon; new "Lewton’s Muse: The Dark Eyes of Simone Simon" video essay by filmmaker Constantine Nasr ("Shadows in the Dark: The Val Lewton Legacy"); new audio interview with Ann Carter, moderated by Tom Weaver; theatrical trailers; still gallery. (Scream Factory).
The Endless
(2017) Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, Callie Hernandez, Emily Montague, Lew Temple, Tate Ellington, James Jordan. A mind-bending supernatural thriller about two brothers who revisit the UFO death cult they escaped as teens, only to find there may have been truth to the cult’s otherworldly beliefs all along.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, VOD, Digital. (Well Go USA).
Christmas to a fame monster whose egomaniacal impulses land her in the electric chair -- in the ultimate expression of the film’s lurid mantra, “Crime is beauty.” Shot in Baltimore on 16mm, with a cast drawn from Waters’ beloved troupe of regulars, the Dreamlanders (including Mink Stole, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Edith Massey, and Cookie Mueller), this film, the director’s favorite of his work with Divine, comes to life through the tinsel-toned vision of production designer Vincent Peranio and costume designer/makeup artist Van Smith. An endlessly quotable fan favorite, "Female Trouble" offers up perverse pleasures that never fail to satisfy. On DVD and Blu-ray, with new 4K digital restoration, supervised by director John Waters, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray.
Extras: Audio commentary from 2004 featuring Waters; new conversation between Waters and critic Michael Musto; new and archival interviews with cast and crew members Mink Stole, Pat Moran, Vincent Peranio, Susan Lowe, Mary Vivian Pearce, and more; interview from 1975 featuring Waters and cast members Stole, Divine, and David Lochary; deleted scenes and alternate takes; rare on-set footage; an essay by film critic Ed Halter.
(The Criterion Collection).
Vigil
(1984 -- New Zealand) Vincent Ward -- once described as "the Antipodean Werner Herzog" -- made his feature debut with "Vigil," heralding his status as one of New Zealand's most distinctive filmmaking talents. An 11-year-old grow attempting to get over the death of her father is determined to protect her family from a mysterious stranger that she believes to be the Devil. This New Zealand classic was the first from the country to screen in competition at the Cannes Film Festival and the film's young star, Fiona Kay, was rewarded with a standing ovation. Formats: Blu-ray. Extras: Brand-new ; on-set report from the long-running New Zealand television programme Country Calendar; extract from a 1987 Kaleidoscope television documentary on New Zealand cinema, focusing on "Vigil" and Vincent Ward; theatrical trailer; FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Carmen Gray. (Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment).
The Virgin Spring
(1960 -- Sweden) Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign-language film, Ingmar Bergman’s "The Virgin Spring" is a harrowing tale of faith, revenge, and savagery in medieval Sweden. With austere simplicity, the director tells the story of the rape and murder of the virgin Karin, and her father Töre’s ruthless pursuit of vengeance, set in motion after the killers visit the family’s farmhouse. Starring frequent Bergman collaborator and screen icon Max von Sydow, the film is both beautiful and cruel in its depiction of a world teetering between paganism and Christianity. On DVD and Blu-ray, with new 2K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray.
Extras: Audio commentary from 2005 by Ingmar Bergman scholar Birgitta Steene; new video interviews from 2005 with actors Gunnel Lindblom and Birgitta Pettersson; introduction by filmmaker Ang Lee from 2005; an audio recording of a 1975 American Film Institute seminar by director Ingmar Bergman; alternate English-dubbed soundtrack; a booklet featuring essays by film scholar Peter Cowie and screenwriter Ulla Isaksson and the medieval ballad on which the film is based.
(The Criterion Collection).
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June 24, 2018
(ISSN 1094-3676).
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