This week’s releases include a biopic with a different perspective; a resort steeped in social satire; the last chapter in a celestial series; a team seeking balance; an unusual animation; an all-star comedy; an iconic horror picture; a seductive thriller; and a tale of revenge.
Canadian Bacon (Blu-ray)
Faced with sagging approval ratings and disgruntled arms manufacturers, the U.S. President (Alan Alda) decides to cook up a new Cold War with Canada! And after a flood of media propaganda, Americans waste no time in “patriotically” burning their ice skates and swearing off maple syrup. But when bumbling U.S. Sheriff Boomer (John Candy) and his hair-trigger deputy Honey (Rita Perlman) decide to take matters into their own hands and lead a pre-emptive strike, they soon find themselves embroiled in an international incident that’s too close for comfort.
This movie is hilarious from top to bottom. The cast and many cameos play their ridiculous roles with such vigour, their commitment to the narrative is a key component of the entertainment. The American ban on all things related to Canada results in silly drives to surrender their otherwise harmless paraphernalia. An attempt to smear the country’s sensibilities is exasperated by its bilingual laws, while Canadians’ perpetual politeness and apologetic attitudes are on constant display. If there’s a stereotype, it’s featured in some way throughout the picture. It’s satire at its very best and most self-deprecating.
Special features include: original theatrical trailer. (MVD Visual)
Checkered Ninja (DVD)
A possessed Ninja doll teams up with a teen, Alex, to avenge the murder of a poor child factory worker. Alex learns courage enough to vanquish the school bully and score points with his school crush.
While this picture seems like a children’s animation at first glance, it actually deals with a pretty heavy subject, is relatively violent and features a fair amount of dark humour. The Ninja doll appears very docile, but has some real ninja skills from stealth maneuvers to hard-hitting martial arts moves. He forces Alex to confront his bullies with mixed results, though the boy does eventually gain enough confidence to stop being pushed around. In the meantime, the little Ninja is determined to get his revenge and is demanding Alex help him, consequently making him an accessory to murder. It’s an odd yet entertaining story that combines childish fantasy with bloody vengeance.
There are no special features. (Synergetic Distribution)
Elvis (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & Digital code)
A thoroughly cinematic drama, Elvis Presley’s (Austin Butler) story is seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). As told by Parker, the film delves into the complex dynamic between the two spanning more than 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).
When one watches a Baz Luhrmann movie, there are certain expectations regarding the aesthetic and music. Taking on an icon with such an established look and sound of his own, it proves somewhat difficult to marry the two. Yet, there are moments of genius when it all comes together and the result is a spectacular cinematic moment. It’s not often Hanks plays a movie villain, but Parker is undoubtedly painted as a scoundrel in this picture as he exerts control over Elvis’ music and life in a manner that benefits him and is a detriment to the singer. Wearing various levels of prosthetics depending on Parker’s age in the story, Hanks is well-hidden physically, while his talent still shines through. Butler does an excellent job channelling the spirt of Elvis, though his performance wanes as the singer’s life becomes more difficult. The soundtrack is powerful and doesn’t just include hits from the height of rock n’ roll, though Elvis’ relationship with the music of Black artists seems a little sugar-coated.
Special features include: “Bigger Than Life: The Making of Elvis”; “Rock ‘N Roll Royalty: The Music & Artists Behind Elvis”; “Fit for a King; The Style of Elvis”; “Viva Australia: Recreating Iconic Locations for Elvis”; and “Trouble” lyric video. (Warner Bros. Discovery)
Fatal Attraction (4K Ultra HD & Digital code)
Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas), a New York attorney, has a tryst with seductive Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) while his wife (Anne Archer) is away. Dan later shrugs off the affair as a mistake and considers it over. But Alex won’t be ignored. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever…even if it means destroying Dan’s family to keep him.
This movie was the ultimate affair deterrent as it demonstrated that even a seemingly harmless tryst could have epic ramifications. Dan is, of course, the good husband that made one (incredibly) bad decision by cheating on his wife. The bad is simply exasperated by the fact that his extramarital activities involved a mentally unstable woman — which, while problematic, is not the key issue at play. Perhaps if hiding one’s transgressions had more serious repercussions, people would be less likely to commit them. Nonetheless, the movie is a thriller and Close plays her role to a tee as a woman unwilling to forget what passed between them. On the other hand, this picture also changed how some people viewed their pet rabbits going forward.
There are no special features. (Paramount Home Entertainment)
Friday the 13th (4K Ultra HD & Digital code)
A group of young counsellors prepare for the reopening of Camp Crystal Lake, where a boy drowned years earlier. One by one, the counsellors are stalked by a mysterious and violent killer.
While Jason Voorhees would become the star of the franchise, this film featuring his brutally murderous mom launched the series. Complete with salacious young people and inventive kills, this movie has scared and entertained audiences for more than 40 years. Released right in the midst of the slasher movie’s heyday, the gory massacre became a cult favourite and horror classic. It also helped establish the formula and “survival rules” that would define the genre. Many aspiring actors got their break in horror pictures and this one features a young Kevin Bacon among its many victims. The bonus features take audiences behind-the-curtain, including tidbits about low budget filmmaking and practical effects, as well as tribute to the late director.
Special features include: commentary by director Sean S. Cunningham with cast and crew (uncut version only); “Friday the 13th Reunion”; “Fresh Cuts: New Tales from Friday the 13th”; “The Man Behind the Legacy: Sean S. Cunningham”; “Lost Tales from Camp Blood — Part 1”; “The Friday the 13th Chronicles”; and “Secrets Galore Behind the Gore.” (Paramount Home Entertainment)
Lucifer: The Sixth and Final Season
With Los Angeles no longer the battleground for Lucifer’s angelic siblings, his relationship with Chloe has never been stronger. Life is good. But if we know anything about this fallen angel, it’s that his past always finds a way of catching up to him.
The final season is a culmination of all the seasons that came before it. Lucifer is finding his place in the world, while renouncing the throne. Unfortunately, his new take on life is complicated by a mysterious angel hell-bent on killing him. In the meantime, Linda throws everyone for a loop with a secret she’s been keeping, which is both upsetting but, in some cases, enlightening. So much had happened in this series, it was important the characters had a proper conclusion. Thus, this season is about the end of a journey. It’s not an easy or predictable path, but it is a satisfying end to an entertaining show.
Special features include: deleted scenes; and gag reel. (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
Massacre At Central High (Blu-ray)
When new student David (Derrel Maury) arrives at Central High, he discovers that it is lorded over by a gang of bullies who rule the school through intimidation and violence. David’s friend, Mark (Andrew Stevens), encourages him to join this dominant clique, but instead David stands up for their victims and the gang cripples him in retaliation. Soon David begins taking steps to end their reign of terror permanently, setting in motion an explosive cycle of killing that may not end until no one is left to graduate.
This is the ultimate bully revenge picture as David wages a secret war against the high school’s thugs. Their tyranny seems to know no limits as they pick on the weak, causing physical and emotional damage — culminating in a very disturbing rape scene in a classroom. Their consistent criminal behaviour makes it easy to side with David, though his invisible tactics don’t make much of a statement. In the end, it’s difficult to distinguish the bad from the good in the story, which is probably the most realistic aspect of the narrative. After all, cut off the head of a snake, another one grows in its place.
Special features include: interviews by Mike White, featuring cast members Andrew Stevens, Robert Carradine, Derrel Maury and Rex Steven Sikes; interview with director Renee Daalder; “Hell in the Hallways”; making-of documentary; TV and radio spot; and theatrical trailer. (Synapse Films)
SEAL Team: Season Five (DVD)Bravo Team must execute high-stakes missions on foreign soil, but also face explosive troubles much closer to home. The band of patriots, led by Jason Hayes (David Boreanaz), selflessly put their lives on the line for a call of duty that includes rescuing a weapons expert, taking on an enemy’s nuclear program, and racing against the clock to stop a terrorist attack. Trust will be tested, commitment will be questioned, and unlikely heroes will rise.
The season begins with a two-episode story arc as the team goes on a highly strategic mission. Jason’s health is at the centre of this season as it may have advanced to a stage that is endangering the team. In the meantime, he’s revitalizing his emotional connections with an old flame and his daughter — coming to some new realizations during a healing, drug-induced journey. The other guys are also having a difficult time balancing their personal and professional lives with one reactionary bender nearly shortening the team’s roster. Lisa Davis (Toni Trucks) has a larger role this season that grows beyond being Sonny’s love interest, which brings a welcome female perspective to the narrative.
Special features include: deleted scenes; “Bravo Team: Operation Season 5”; “Bravo One Behind the Camera”; “From the Ground Up”; “Uncaging the Seals”; and gag reel. (Paramount Home Entertainment)
The White Lotus: The Complete First Season (DVD)
Set at an exclusive tropical resort, this series follows the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of one week. Checking into the luxurious White Lotus are a group of vacationers who run roughshod over the resort manager and head of spa services. As darker dynamics emerge with each passing day, this six-episode series gradually reveals the complex truths of the seemingly picture-perfect travelers, cheerful hotel employees and idyllic locale itself.
The series begins with a superficial introduction to its upper-class guests, which includes honeymooners, a family vacationing and a woman on the edge. There’s definitely some visible cracks early on, but as the narrative progresses it becomes clear these people do not lead the picture perfect lives they want people to believe. The newlyweds don’t actually know each other that well and have different expectations for their future. The family dynamic is strained with secrets and desires that don’t fit their idealistic appearances. And a woman attaches herself to the head of spa services with promises of grandeur as she clumsily navigates an emotional milestone. In the meantime, the resort manager must accept all of their complaints with a smile, while trying to ignore or conceal his own needs and problems. The character transitions from the first to last episode are so well orchestrated, it’s a gripping and tight watch. The cast features Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario, Fred Hechinger, Jake Lacy, Brittany O’Grady, Natasha Rothwell, Sydney Sweeney and Steve Zahn.
Special features include: “Invitation to the Set”; and “Snap Judgements.” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
