By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, April 7, unless otherwise noted: Little Women (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2019, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rated: PG, thematic elements, smoking The lowdown: The magic of Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” rests upon the method Gerwig — who also wrote the script — uses to construct the movie. Rather than linear storytelling, Gerwig begins with the March girls as young ladies and uses flashbacks to show the challenges, triumphs and heartbreaks they faced as they matured from girls to women. Gerwig’s film feels fresh and modern despite being set during the Civil War. That is because, throughout, she weaves in the social and cultural limitations, restrictions and expectations faced by women during the 1860s. She definitely gives the movie a subtle feminist slant, without distracting from the overall presentation. And while some purists may object to Gerwig’s approach overall, she stays true to the spirit of Alcott’s beloved work. The center of the story is Jo (Saorise Ronan), the oldest March sister. She is a writer, believing her work is good enough to be published. But, as she discovers, publishers — all men — determine what stories women may write and to which specific guidelines they need to conform to be profitable. Jo’s sister, Amy (Florence Pugh), is in Europe studying to be a painter. She, too, faces biases about the subjects women can put on canvas. The majority of the film’s 134-minute running time focuses on the journeys of Jo and Amy. Together they bring Alcott’s book to life in an energized and self-assured manner. The movie, which received six Academy Award nominations, garnered a 95 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English and French audio description tracks; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English and French audio description track; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus options include a making of featurette and one that look at the source material and crafting the book for modern audiences; a behind-the-scenes look at Gerwig; hair and make-up test sequences; a behind-the-scenes featurette; and a discussion about the life of Alcott.
Dolittle (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2020, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: PG, action, rude humor, language The lowdown: Robert Downey Jr. follows in the steps of Rex Harrison and Eddie Murphy in the story of a doctor who can talk to animals. The movie is set in Victorian England and finds Dolittle living like a hermit in his manor, mourning the death of his wife. Soon, however, he is called into service and begins an adventure to save the queen, who has become gravely ill. He sets sail with his animal friends and some children to seek a cure for her majesty. The first-class cast, some of whom supply vocal talent for the animals, include Academy Award-winners Octavia Spencer, Rami Malik, Marion Cotillard and Emma Thompson, as well as Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Ralph Fiennes, Tom Holland, Selena Gomez, John Cena and Kumail Nanjiani. The cast may be impressive, but the movie, according to a vast majority of critics, was not. The film received a paltry 15 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos, French and Spanish 7.1 Dolby digital Plus and English 2.0 Dolby digital DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English 2.0 Dolby digital DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include a behind-the-scenes look at the cast members who supplied animal voices, a featurette on the bond between Downey Jr. and young costar Harry Collett, a look at Downey Jr.’s transformation into Dolittle, conversations with Banderas and Sheen about their villainous roles and a tour of the Dolittle manor.
Army of Shadows: Special Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1969, The Criterion Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Jean-Pierre Melville’s tragic wartime drama about the sacrifices and struggles of those who fought in the French Resistance during World War II. The cast features Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel and Simone Signoret who fight Hitler’s occupation of their country. The film also is a story of betrayal; it’s strength lies in its unromantic portrayal of the Resistance as bleak and dangerous, with death the expected outcome. Initially, the movie was not well received in France for political reasons. It was not released in the United States until 40 years later. Today, the movie is considered a classic, garnering a 97 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; French LPCM monaural and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a 2006 commentary track, a 2007 interview with director of photography Pierre Lhomme and editor Françoise Bonnot, on-set footage and archival interviews with Melville, cast members, author Joseph Kessel and actual Resistance members, a 2003 short program on Melville and the movie, a documentary shot on the front lines of the final days of the German occupation of France and essays about Melville and the movie.
Dodsworth (Blu-ray) Release date: March 24 Details: 1936, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: William Wyler directed this adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’ best-selling novel about Sam Dodsworth (Walter Huston), a small-town millionaire, who started with nothing and climbed the ladder of success. Dodsworth discovers that his money cannot bring him happiness, mainly because his wife, Fran (Ruth Chatteron), craves glamour and sophistication. She persuades her husband to take her on a trip to Europe. Once there, she deserts him for a penniless baron; she is more interested in his title than lack of money. The despondent Dodsworth meets Edith (Mary Astor), a young widow, who renews his spark for life; a romance ensues. After many ups and downs, Dodsworth realizes that his true happiness rests with Edith, as she has rejuvenated his life and willingness to attempt new ventures. The film was restored in 2019 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Film Archive and The Film Foundation in association with the Samuel Goldwyn Jr. Family Trust. The release is a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other online retailers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles.
The Vinyl Revival (DVD) Release date: April 10 Details: 2020, Wienerworld Presentation-MVD Entertainment Group Rated: Not rated The lowdown: An interesting documentary that looks at the renewal in all things vinyl. The movie features record shop owners, musicians and music-industry officials and writers who discuss this renaissance. The film looks at the importance of record stores as well as vinyl; their emotional and cultural connections and how vinyl has brought people together. Musicians from Pink Floyd and Radiohead also offer their thoughts about vinyl. I still have all my vinyl Beatles albums as well as some Motown favorites. Technical aspects: widescreen picture; English stereo. Don’t miss: The main extra is an eight-page booklet about the making of the movie.
Swift (Blu-ray + DVD) Details: 2019, Shout! Kids Rated: Not rated The lowdown: An animated, kid- and family-friendly feature about Manou, who grows up believing that, like his parents, he is a seagull. Manou discovers that he is adopted and actually is an off-spring of the swifts, whom other birds hate. One night Manou fails to guard the eggs, and one is taken by rats. The angry seagulls exile Manou, who decides to discover the “Swift Way.” Later, those same rats still some swift eggs; at the same time, a violent storm threatens his seagull friends. Manou is determined to save them all. The movie features the voices of Kate Winslett, Willem Dafoe, Josh Keaton, Mikey Kelley and others. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles; DVD: 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a making of featurette and an interview with Dafoe.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: BraveStorm (DVD & digital) (GVN Releasing-Distribution Solutions) Dead by Dawn (DVD & digital) (Uncork’d Entertainment) Gold Dust (DVD & digital) (High Octane Pictures) Rootwood (DVD & digital) (High Octane Pictures) Strike (DVD & digital) (Indican Pictures)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD The 420 Movie (ShineHouse) Birds of Prey and the Fabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (Warner Home Video) Gretel & Hansel (Warner Home Video) The Hacker Wars (Sundance Now) Ip Man 4 (Well Go USA) The Last Full Measure (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) Same Boat (Dark Star Pictures) She’s Allergic to Cats (Giant Pictures) Playing for Keeps: Episode 8 (Sundance Now, April 9) The Restaurant: Season 3, Episode 4 (Sundance Now, April 9) We Summon the Darkness (Saban Films, April 10) Deadwater Fell: Episode 2 (Acorn TV, April 13) Lovejoy: Series 5 (Acorn TV, April 13) Murdoch Mysteries: Series 13, Episode 18 (Acorn TV, April 13) Vintage Roads Great & Small: Series 2 (Acorn TV, April 13) When the Starlight Ends (Sundance Now, April 13)
Coming next week: Just Mercy
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.