This week’s releases include a larger-than-life biopic; a sci-fi mystery; a throwback Western; a warrior’s promise; a giallo master’s murder investigation; an ode to the City of Angels; and a B-movie collection.
Deep Red (4K Ultra HD)
One night, musician Marcus Daly (David Hemmings), looking up from the street below, witnesses the brutal axe murder of a woman in her apartment. Racing to the scene, Marcus just manages to miss the perpetrator… or does he? As he takes on the role of amateur sleuth, Marcus finds himself ensnared in a bizarre web of murder and mystery where nothing is what it seems.
This movie is a classic murder mystery, but with director Dario Argento’s signature giallo markers. Marcus isn’t much of a detective, but he’s compelled to investigate this murder as he can’t shake the feeling he knows the identity of the killer. Teaming with a gung-ho tabloid reporter eager to get the scoop, the pair put themselves in increasing danger as they grow closer to the truth. The best part about this film is nothing is straightforward. Just as viewers may think they’ve solved the crime, some new occurrence points them in an entirely new direction. The investigation is propelled by the throbbing score provided by the Italian progressive rock band Goblin, which frequently collaborated with Argento on his film’s soundtracks. From a psychic premonition to a child’s creepy drawing to a secret room, this movie never stops contributing to its eerie atmosphere.
Special features include: both the original 127-minute Italian version and the 105-minute export version from the original negative by Arrow Films; commentary by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson; commentary by Argento expert Thomas Rostock; almost three hours of new interviews with the cast and crew; archival introduction to the film by Claudio Simonetti of Goblin; “Profondo Giallo,” an archival visual essay by Michael Mackenzie; archival interviews with Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi, Claudio Simonetti and long-time Argento collaborator Luigi Cozzi; image galleries; trailers; illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Alan Jones and Mikel J. Koven, and a new essay by Rachael Nisbet; fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Obviously Creative; and six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproduction artcards. (Arrow Video)
The Emperor’s Sword (Blu-ray)
During a time of peace, a deadly sword that bestows great power upon its wielder was divided and hidden. After the emperor dies, a deranged rebel seizes power and stages a massacre during his search for the blade, leaving only one survivor. Now, the young daughter of a great general is all that stands between a tyrant and his quest for domination.
Taking place during the Qin Dynasty, parts of this movie is actually rooted in real Chinese history. Peace was initially gained with the support of the “The Seven Gentlemen,” who then went their separate ways to live the remainder of their days in passive existence. Unfortunately, the rise of this destructive rebel force begrudgingly calls them out of retirement to stage some very intricate and entertaining fight sequences. The choreography is enhanced by slow-motion photography reminiscent of The Matrix, while 360 camera angles bring viewers into the action. The story could’ve been better developed, and would’ve benefitted from some more background to help audiences better understand the significance of the characters and the history. However, the relentless warriors are just enough to keep viewers engaged.
There are no special features. (Well Go USA)
He Came from the Swamp: The William Grefé Collection (Blu-ray)
Killer sharks and human jellyfish and living mummies, oh my! Arrow Video presents the first ever collection of works by William “Wild Bill” Grefé, the maverick filmmaker who braved the deep, dark depths of the Florida everglades to deliver some of the most outrageous exploitation fare ever to go-go dance its way across drive-in screens. Bringing together seven of Grefé’s most outlandish features, all new to Blu-ray, the collection packs in a macabre menagerie of demented jellyfish men (Sting of Death), zombified witch doctors (Death Curse of Tartu), homicidal hippies (The Hooked Generation) and seductive matrons (The Naked Zoo) — not to mention the ubiquitous go-go dancing college kids.
Grefé made a career of B-movie schlock. Starting with 1966’s Sting of Death, which features a crude jelly fish monster that looks like it was made from an old diver’s suit, a garbage bag and silly string and appears to protecting an attractive damsel. That same year, voodoo comes to the Florida everglades in Death Curse of Tartu. In 1968, The Hooked Generation presented a twisted, directionless, drug-induced crime spree. A few years later, The Psychedelic Priest followed a priest’s chemical awakening after accidentally ingesting a hallucinogen, resulting on a grim journey to skid row. American exploitation picture, The Naked Zoo (1971), surprisingly starred Rita Hayworth as a sugar momma for gold-digging gigolo who eventually gets his just desserts. In a counter to Jaws, Mako: The Jaws of Death features a man who can communicate with the giant fish and steer their killer instincts. Finally, 1977’s Whiskey Mountain pits a group of vacationing young people against a gang of drug dealers with impossible results.
Special features include: commentaries by director William Grefé and filmmaker Frank Henenlotter; introductions to the films by Grefé; “Sting of Death: Beyond the Movie – Monsters a-Go Go!”; “The Curious Case of Dr. Traboh: Spook Show Extraordinaire”; original director’s cut of Naked Zoo; “They Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefé”; still and promotion gallery; trailers; and illustrated collector’s booklet. (Arrow Video)
L.A. Story (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Being in a magical city with predictably pleasant weather can make the life of a meteorologist seem monotonous. When TV weatherman Harris Telemacher (Steve Martin) begins receiving secret messages from an electronic freeway sign, he leaves his long-time girlfriend (Marilu Henner) and embarks on a frivolous romance with a vapid, young model (Sarah Jessica Parker), which ultimately leads him to true love with the woman of his dreams (Victoria Tennant).
This film was also written by Martin as a love letter to his home, Los Angeles. When the story begins, Harris is on the brink of a mid-life crisis. He phones in his job everyday and no one seems to care if he delivers the weather report anyway. Lost and unhappy, an errant freeway sign pushes him to change his life and take risks. His regular circle of friends wouldn’t understand, so he branches out and tries to connect with someone completely outside the box, as well as someone who may be an ideal, complementary partner. Trying to crawl out of a rut, Harris attempts to interpret the sign’s messages and make all the wrong choices in the process. It’s not a traditional, straight-forward comedy, but it’s got a quality, quirky sense of humour.
Special features include: deleted scenes; “O2BINLA: Mick Jackson’s L.A. Stories”; “The Story of L.A. Story”; “The L.A. of L.A. Story”; outtakes; theatrical trailers. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
Old Henry (Blu-ray)
A widowed farmer (Tim Blake Nelson) and his son (Gavin Lewis) warily take in a mysterious, injured man (Scott Haze) with a satchel of cash. When a posse of men (Stephen Dorff et al.) claiming to be the law come for the money, the farmer must decide whom to trust. Defending against a siege on his homestead, he reveals a talent for gunslinging that surprises everyone, calling his true identity into question.
The film opens with a murder before featuring a different kind of conflict between father and son. Henry is finding it difficult to raise his teenage son since his wife’s passing as the boy demands he be treated like a man. There are clues that indicate Henry wasn’t always a farmer and may have been on the wrong side of the law at some point in his life, but he tries very hard to maintain this quiet life he’s built for his family. The mystery man tells some big tales during his recovery, but Henry just wants trouble off his doorstep. The throwback Western lacks the aesthetic grit of its predecessors, but it doesn’t disappoint in delivering a proper shootout worthy of an Old West cowboy.
Special features include: behind-the-scenes featurette. (Shout Studios)
Reminiscence (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Nick Bannister (Hugh Jackman), a private investigator of the mind, navigates the darkly alluring world of the past by helping his clients access lost memories. Living on the fringes of the sunken Miami coast, his life is forever changed when he takes on a new client, Mae (Rebecca Ferguson). A simple matter of lost and found becomes a dangerous obsession. As Bannister fights to find the truth about Mae’s disappearance, he uncovers a violent conspiracy and must ultimately answer the question: how far would you go to hold on to the ones you love?
When watching this movie, it’s nearly impossible not to think about Minority Report, even though the premise and technology differ — one dwells on the past, while the other predicts the future. Nick’s partner, Watts (Thandiwe Newton), tries to keep him in line, but she’s no match for his obsession with Mae. The opening and closing acts of the story are pretty compelling, but the middle meanders a bit as it gets bogged down by Nick’s fixation and actual character development falls to the wayside. Consequently, Watts seems like a far more interesting personality that doesn’t get enough screen time. First-time feature writer/director Lisa Joy certainly shows promise, but her debut is not without issues. The bonus features include an interesting exploration of the real-life construction of the projection apparatus that plays a key role in the film, while it also discusses the inspiration for the narrative.
Special features include: “You’re Going on a Journey”; “The Sunken Coast”; “Crafting a Memory”; “Reminiscence: A Family Reunion”; and “Save My Love.” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
Respect (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s (Jennifer Hudson) career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, the film chronicles the remarkable journey of the music icon’s path to find her voice.
Franklin earned the title, “Queen of Soul,” in her mid-20s — a young age to be proclaimed a legend, but she definitely deserved it. Though the singer lived to be 76, this movie focuses on her early life and the most momentous events in her career. However, even though it doesn’t shy away from any subject — including childhood trauma, an overbearing father, political activism, spousal abuse, addiction and faith — it also doesn’t delve too deeply into any of them. The film’s attempt to be comprehensive causes it to also feel superficial, missing the opportunity to do more with these significant parts of her life. Fortunately, Hudson’s powerhouse performance, whether she’s singing or not, is the movie’s driving force. She embodies Franklin’s strength, confidence and presence, and so much more when she’s belting out one of the star’s hits. Hudson’s transformation is supported by the flawless recreation of the diva’s wardrobe, as well as a dialect coach to really bring out the actress’ inner queen.
Special features include: making-of featurette; “Becoming Aretha”; “Capturing a Legacy”; “From Muscle Shoals”; and “Exploring the Design of Respect.” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
