New to View: April 21

By Bob Bloom

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many distributors have closed their warehouses and are not releasing 4K UHD, Blu-ray or DVD titles. Instead, they are offering digital releases of many upcoming titles at Movies Anywhere, Amazon and other sites.

The following titles are being released on Tuesday, April 21, unless otherwise noted: “Alastair Sim’s School for Laughter” (Blu-ray) Details: 1947-60, Film Movement Classics Rated: Not rated The lowdown: The vast majority of American filmgoers know Alastair Sim for his memorable performance as Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 British version of “A Christmas Carol.” The Scottish Sim was a mainstay in mostly British cinema from the mid-1930s to his death in 1976. Sim was a versatile actor, appearing in such movies as the murder thriller “Green for Danger” and Alfred Hitchcock’s “Stage Fright.” This set features four of Sim’s comedies — “Hue and Cry” (1947), “Laughter in Paradise” (1951), “The Belles of St. Trinian’s” (1954) and “School for Scoundrels” (1960). “Hue and Cry,” an Ealing Studios comedy directed by Charles Crichton, features Sim as writer Felix Wilkinson who, after being alerted by teenager Joe Kirby (Harry Fowler), that the teen’s favorite comic is being used to send messages between a master criminal and his gang, turns the table on the crooks. In “Laughter in Paradise,” Sim portrays retired army officer Deniston Russell, a cousin of practical joker Henry Russell (Hugh Griffith). Henry Russell leaves 50,000 pounds to his four surviving relatives with the stipulation that, for a month, each has to undertake a task completely out of character. Sim plays dual roles as headmistress Miss Millicent Fritton and her twin brother, Charles, in “The Belles of St. Trinian’s,” a comedy about schoolgirls more interested in boys than academics. “School for Scoundrels” features Sim as “Professor” Stephen Potter, who runs the College of Lifemanship. Perennial loser Henry Paffrey (Ian Carmichael) enrolls after continually losing out to rotter Delauncey (Terry-Thomas). The professor teaches is newest pupil “how to win without actually cheating.” All four of these films have been upgraded and restored, and make for laugh-inducing viewing. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture (“Hue and Cry,” “Laughter in Paradise” and “The Belles of St. Trinian’s”) and 1.66:1 picture (“School for Scoundrels”); English 2.0 LPCM monaural. Don’t miss: Extras include interviews with various film historians on all the movies, a featurette, “The Girls of St. Trinian’s” and a location featurette on “Hue and Cry.”

Delta Zoo (DVD) Details: 2019, IndiePix Films Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A different kind of documentary that looks examines the link between young men in the 1990s who viewed karate action films and dreamt of being the hero and the 1991 fight for Lithuanian independence from the Soviet Union. A group of young Lithuanians joined the nation’s Special Forces Unit, which was tasked with halting Soviet aggression. Most members of the unit were given animal nicknames, thus the unit became known as the Zoo. The men received training in parachute jumping, hand-to-hand combat and securing the KGB building Vilnius. The documentary tells the little-known story of these brave young men and their courageous fight to ensure their nation’s freedom. Director Andrius Lekavicius uses animation, archival footage and interviews to tell this interesting piece of history. Technical aspects: 16:9 picture; Lithuanian Dolby digital stereo; English subtitles.

Tin Cup (Blu-ray) Release date: April 14 Details: 1996, Warner Archive Collection Rated: R, language, nudity The lowdown: ‘Bull Durham” writer-director Ron Shelton and star Kevin Costner reunite for this golf feature about a Roy McAvoy, a talented pro who owns a driving range in the middle of nowhere Texas. McAvoy is content swinging a bucket of balls or drinking some beers with his buddy. And, occasionally, he plays an actual round of golf. His life changes when he meets psychologist Molly Griswold (Renee Russo) and gives her some lessons. When he learns that Molly is the girlfriend of his old rival, David Simms (Don Johnson), Roy decides to return to the PGA tour and compete in the U.S. Open. For Roy, it is not about winning or losing, but how you play the game. Even if you have no interest in golf, the film makes for fun viewing because of Shelton’s witty script, co-written with John Norville, and Costner’s charming performance. “Tin Cup” is a made-on-demand release from the Warner Archive Collection and can be ordered at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other online retailers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16:9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.

Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: The Last Full Measure (Blu-ray & DVD & digital) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD Promane (Shout! Factory-GKids) Even Money (MVD Marquee Collection, April 14) Haven (MVD Marquee Collection, April 14) Lycanimator (Wild Eye Releasing-MVD Visual Entertainment, April 14) My Big Gay Jewish Conversion (MVD Visual Entertainment, April 14) Possession (MVD Marquee Collection, April 14) Wendy (Fox Home Entertainment, April 17) Circus of Books (www.netflix.com/circusofbooks) (Netflix, April 22) Eating Up Easter (Music Box Streamlocal, April 22) The Restaurant: Season 3, Episode 6 (Sundance Now, April 23) Sanctuary: Episode 1 (Sundance Now, April 23) Bush: Live in Tampa (Cleopatra Entertainment, April 24) Extraction (www.netflix.com/Extraction) (Netflix, April 24) Murder in the Front Row: The San Francisco Bay Area Trash Metal Story (MVD Visual Entertainment, April 24) Barristers (Acorn TV, April 27) The Bridge (Sundance Now, April 27) Deadwater Fell: Episode 4 (Acorn TV, April 27) Lovejoy: Series 6 (Acorn TV, April 27) Never Have I Ever (Netflix, April 27) Seachange: Series 1 & 2 (Acorn TV, April 27)

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook. My movie reviews also can be found at Rottentomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.