This week’s releases include a universally relatable musical about community; another season in a world overrun with the undead; a horse that helps a girl find her home; a critically-acclaimed depiction of war; and an unusual take on a classic genre.
Beasts of No Nation (Blu-ray)
Based on the acclaimed novel by Uzodinma Iweala, the film unfolds in an unnamed, civil-war-torn West African country, where the young Agu (Abraham Attah,) witnesses carnage in his village before falling captive to a band of rebel soldiers led by a ruthless commander (Idris Elba), who molds the boy into a hardened killer.
This movie struck a chord with audiences when it was released in 2015. Director Cary Joji Fukunaga’s relentless camera work and dedication to realism brings viewers into the heart of guerilla warfare, widely being waged by school-aged children. Told through the eyes of a child soldier, the film captures the utter tragedy of its violence and the horrific life of these boys, brainwashed to live and die for their commander. Fuelled by drugs, alcohol, fierce loyalty and blind rage, this band of roving boys kill indiscriminately in the name of their leader. It’s shocking to know Attah had never acted before as he delivers a sincere and heart-wrenching performance that takes viewers on an incredible journey as Agu’s innocence is ripped from him in more ways than one. Elba portrays a very difficult character as audiences must understand why the boys follow him and how he positions himself as a father figure in spite of despising him for the same reasons. The bonus features explore the production, which was shot in Ghana, and also catches up with the now grown young star.
Special features include: commentary featuring Fukunaga and first assistant director Jon Mallard; documentary on the development and making of the film; conversation between Fukunaga and film and television producer and cultural commentator Franklin Leonard; interview with costume designer Jenny Eagan; trailer; and essay by film critic Robert Daniels. (Criterion Collection)
Bugsy Malone (Blu-ray)
Set in 1929 New York City, the film captures a flashy world of would-be hoodlums, showgirls, and dreamers — all portrayed by child actors. As Tallulah, the sassy girlfriend of the owner of Fat Sam’s Grand Slam Speakeasy, future superstar Jodie Foster leads a talented cast.
It seems like a solid proposition to take a violent genre with widespread appeal and make it accessible for a PG market. It’s hard to say if the resulting picture would play well for its target market, but it’s definitely not very attractive to adults. It’s a very cutesy take on the mafia movie with guns and knives replaced whip cream pies. The kids try to adopt the tough personas of their counterparts, but it’s just kids playing a part meant for grown-ups and it shows. Scott Baio as the title character has all the charm, while Foster’s Tallulah exudes the misplaced sex appeal that would follow her throughout her young career. Finally, it’s strange that the movie is also a musical with young people lip syncing to adult voices — a choice some of the crew would later regret.
Special features include: “Give a Little Love”; and “Filmmaker Focus” with executive producer David Puttnam. (Paramount Home Entertainment)
Fear The Walking Dead: The Complete Sixth Season (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
After being torn apart by the Pioneers, Morgan’s (Lennie James) group is now dispersed across their far-reaching settlements, with life behind the Pioneers’ walls testing each of the group’s members in different ways — and forcing them to define who they really are in this new world. As Morgan’s bid to free the remaining members of the group grows bolder, Virginia’s (Colby Minifie) desperation to find her sister accelerates, as does her need to protect the settlements from the enemy forces outside…and within. With new alliances forming, relationships dissolving, loyalties switching, and everyone forced to take sides, “The End Is the Beginning” reveals its deepest meaning.
After the events of last season, Morgan is hell-bent on saving his tribe and destroying Virginia for all she’s done. However, as the world remains entirely unpredictable, his plans are repeatedly intercepted and altered by new — and old — encounters. In the meantime, Virginia doubles down on keeping her group safe, which is good for them and bad for everyone else. Several people thought to be dead are found alive this season, though their returns aren’t all met with warm welcomes. This season, a cryptic message accompanies several disasters that devastate the survivor communities. Finding its source reveals a threat to mankind that may supersede the walkers and prove very difficult to stop. The season ends on a pretty grave note and it’s hard to imagine where the show will go now.
Special features include: commentaries. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
In the Heights (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Lights up on Washington Heights…The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.
There’s a universal quality to this story as many first-generation Americans grew-up in similar neighbourhoods, regardless of in which borough or state it happened to be located. As the ever-evolving neighbourhood faces gentrification that threatens to push out its current inhabitants, they demonstrate their sense of community is not reliant on their vicinity to each other. A lively adaptation from the stage musical, the story blends Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s dynamic music and lyrics with director Jon M. Chu‘s energetic and genuine knack for storytelling to capture a world that feels simultaneously local and universal. Whether singing about still unrealized dreams, secret loves or the importance of their connections and community, the performers are engaging and the dancers captivating. It very much plays like an elaborate and expanded Broadway production, which maintains the narrative’s spirit while taking advantage of the big screen format to convey it on an even larger scale. The only downside is the lack of an intermission makes the film feel a bit too long at two hours and 23 minutes.
Special features include: making-of featurette; “When You’re Home”; “Hundreds of Stories”; “Alza La Bandera/Raise the Flag”; “Wepa!”; “That Music in the Air”; “Who Keeps our Legacies”; “In the Heights” sing-a-long; “96,000”; sing-a-long. (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
Spirit Untamed (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Free-spirited Lucky Prescott (Isabela Merced) moves to Miradero to join her estranged father (Jake Gyllenhaal). She is decidedly unimpressed with the sleepy town until she discovers a unique tie to her late mother who was a fearless horse-riding stunt performer. She quickly forms a bond with a wild mustang named Spirit and makes two new pals who love horses as much as she does. When a heartless wrangler (Walter Goggins) plans to capture Spirit and his herd, Lucky and her friends set off on an epic journey to rescue the horse who has given her an unbreakable connection to her mother’s legacy.
The first half of this movie is a mundane story about a girl forced to live in a new town trying to make friends — human and horse — and find a way to get along with her father, who she hasn’t seen in some time. Lucky has a friendly and tenacious personality, which allows the girls to warm up to her instantly and for her to wear down Spirit eventually — turns out an apple a day has the opposite effect on horses. The girls go on an impossible quest to upend the wrangler and liberate the wild horses he captured, which makes for some brave riding and insane heroics. Where Lucky is unsure of her home, Spirit knows exactly where his is and wants desperately to get back to them. It’s a vibrant picture with lots of far-fetched story to amuse audiences of all ages.
Special features include: commentary with director Elaine Bogan, co-director Ennio Torresan, and producer Karen Foster; deleted and extended scenes; “Finding Your Spirit”; “Behind The Voices – The Cast”; “Cowgirls Rule”; “Drawing Spirit – Spirit Untamed”; “Create Your Own Indoor ‘Campfire’”; “How to Ukelele”; “Snack Time – S’mores”; “Abigail’s Hand Shadow Secrets”; “How to Zoetrope”; and sing-alongs. (DreamWorks Animation & Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
