By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Aug. 6, unless otherwise noted:
Pokemon, Detective Pikachu (Blu-ray + DVD + digital)
Details: 2019, Warner Home Video
Rated: PG, action danger, rude and suggestive humor, thematic elements
The lowdown: Fans of the Pokemon franchise will enjoy this outing that begins when detective Harry Goodman goes missing.
His son, Tim, and Harry’s former Pokemon partner, Detective Pikachu, come together to unravel the mystery of Harry’s disappearance and hopefully find him.
Their investigation uncovers a dastardly plot that could eliminate the entire Pokemon universe.
This fantasy offers several clever moments and is abetted by the vocals of Ryan Reynolds as Detective Pikachu.
Critics enjoyed the film, giving it a 67 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos TrueHD, English 5.1 Dolby digital descriptive audio and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and descriptive audio and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus features the option of watching the movie in “Detective Mode,” which offers hidden clues, behind-the-scenes footage, pop-up trivia, Pokemon facts, fun featurettes and Easter eggs. Other extras include an alternate opening, a series of “Creating the World of Detective Pikachu” featurettes, a “My Pokemon Adventure” featurette, a look at Reynolds at work, a commentary track and a music video.
The Curse of La Llorona (Blu-ray + DVD + digital)
Details: 2019, Warner Home Video
Rated: R, violence, terror
The lowdown: This formulaic horror feature is set in 1970s Los Angeles and centers on an ancient legend of “The Weeping Woman.”
Supposedly, those who hear her death call during the night are doomed. She hides in the shadows and preys on children, determined to replace her own.
The legend serves as a backdrop for a story about a troubled mother suspected of child endangerment whose warnings about “The Weeping Woman” are ignored by a social worker.
Soon, the worker and her children become part of a dangerous and scary supernatural realm. Their hopes of surviving La Llorona rest with a disillusioned priest and the mysticism he practices holding off evil.
The movie’s scares are the usual gusts of wind through windows and things jumping into the scene. It’s really adds nothing new to the genre.
Critics agreed, giving the movie a 30 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos TrueHD, English 5.1 descriptive audio and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English 5.1 descriptive audio; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include featurettes on the myth of La Llorona, what is behind the curse and a making of a movie monster as well as deleted scenes.
The Good Place: The Complete Third Season
Release date: July 30
Details: 2018, Shout! Factory
Rated: TV-PG
The lowdown: In season three of his popular series, the humans are given a second chance, sent from the afterlife back to Earth.
But will Kristen Bell’s Eleanor, William Jackson Harper’s Chidi, Jameela Jamil’s Tahani and Manny Jacinto’s Jason take advantage of their new timeline and reset their lives?
Former demon Michael (Ted Danson) and his able assistant, Janet (D’Arcy Carden) do their upmost to keep their charges on the right track.
However as the 12 episodes in this two-disc set show, Michael has problems of his own on Earth, eventually putting Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani and Jason on a path that could lead back to the faux Good Place instead of the real thing.
This is one of the brightest and most original shows on TV. You never tire of watching it because you don’t know what surprise will be sprung and at what inopportune moment.
Technical aspects: 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English closed-captioned.
Don’t miss: Extras include extended episodes, a gag reel and a visual effects reel.
The Front Page (Blu-ray)
Details: 1974, Kino Lorber
Rated: PG, language
The lowdown: This third film version of the famous Ben Hecht-Charles MacArthur play is not as fast and lively as its predecessors but makes up for it with a stellar cast headed by Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
This adaptation, directed by Billy Wilder and co-written by Wilder and longtime collaborator I.A.L Diamond, retells the story of Chicago newspaper editor Walter Burns (Matthau) and his ace reporter, Hildy Johnson (Lemmon).
A crisis ensues when Hildy decides to get married and leave the newspaper game. As he begins to groom his replacement, the biggest story of the century unfolds — and Hildy wants in on the story.
One of the film’s flaws is that Lemmon and Matthau appear too old for their characters, but the chemistry between the longtime costars compensates, as does the supporting cast, which includes Susan Sarandon, Carol Burnett, Charles Durning, Vincent Gardenia, David Wayne, Allen Garfield, Austin Pendleton, Herb Edelman, Martin Gabel, Harold Gould and Dick O’Neill.
The movie also seems a bit more cynical and bitter than previous versions, but that probably is because the movie was made at a more disillusioned time in our history, plus the natural inclination of Wilder and Diamond’s acerbic outlooks.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include interviews with Pendleton, first assistant director Howard G. Kazanjian and Wilder assistant Rex McGee and a commentary track by film historians Michael Schlesinger and Mark Evanier.
What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Blu-ray)
Details: 2019, Shout! Studios
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: “Star Trek” fans will be enthralled by this documentary that looks at the franchise’s “Deep Space Nine,” a series that presented a darker and edgier addition to Gene Roddenberry’s universe that many fans originally disliked but, as the series progressed, they came to embrace and appreciate its tone and characters.
The documentary’s directors, former “Deep Space Nine” showrunner Ira Steven Bahr and David Zappone, producer of “For the Love of Spock” and “The Captains”), use extensive interviews with the cast and crew as well as episode footage to talk about the series and its impact.
They also focus on the original writers of the series as they craft a new episode if the show were to return to television.
The movie is entertaining and insightful and will not disappoint Trekkers.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH, German, Dutch, French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles.
Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include an introduction by Bahr, a history of the series, deleted scenes from the series, a filmmaker discussion, input from fans and a behind-the-scenes at a photoshoot.
Charlie Says (Blu-ray)
Details: 2018, IFC Films-Shout! Factory
Rated: R, disturbing violent content, sexual content, nudity, drug use, language
The lowdown: This movie centers on the three female disciples of Charles Manson and the attempts by a graduate student to rehabilitate them and break down the psychological barriers Manson created to hold them in his grip.
Director Mary Harron (“American Psycho”) offers a brutal and disturbing drama that offers a new perspective on one of the most horrific and notorious crimes of the 20th century.
Former Doctor Who Matt Smith portrays Manson. Merritt Wever plays graduate student Karlene Faith and Manson women Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins are played by, respectively, Hannah Murray, Sosie Bacon and Marianne Rendón.
The movie is compelling as it focuses on Manson’s first victims — the young women he seduced and brainwashed into heartless killers.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Interviews with cast and crew members are the major bonus components.
CMA Awards Live: Greatest Moments 1968-2015
Details: 1968-2015, Time Life
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Country-music fans will enjoy this 10-disc set that spotlights the songs and artists who have entertained listeners for more than 50 years.
The set features 127 performances and several Country Music Awards moments, as well as bonus interviews with the biggest stars in the genre.
Among those appearing and performing are Johnny Cash, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Carrie Underwood, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Rogers, Buck Owens, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.
Acceptance speeches and backstage interviews also are included.
The set also gives fans a chance to remember those who have left the country-music scene such as Cash, Owens and Campbell as well as discover the new generation of country artists.
Technical aspects: 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English Dolby digital.
Don’t miss: Extras include interviews with many of the stars of country music as well as a 44-page Collectible Memory Book.
Alice, Sweet Alice (Blu-ray)
Details: 1976, Arrow Video
Rated: R, graphic violence
The lowdown: A slasher movie that is better than most, but primarily remembered because it marked the film debut of Brooke Shields, who plays Karen Spages, the little girl brutally murdered in a church just before she is to receive her first communion.
The main suspect is Karen’s older sister, Alice, who used to torment her sister by scaring her when wearing a mask and a yellow rain mac.
But others also come under suspicion. Director Alfred Sole’s movie offers more tension and suspense than the run-of-the-mill mindless slasher offering, bringing in elements from Hitchcock and Italian giallo features.
He also unmasks the killer before the finale, but without allowing other characters to know the identity, which then heightens your apprehension.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: A commentary track is among the bonus offerings.
Penguin Highway (Blu-ray + DVD)
Details: 2019, Shout! Factory-Eleven Arts Anime Studio
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: When penguins begin appearing in a suburban town hundreds of miles from the sea, young, budding genius-fourth-grader Aoyama, decides to investigate and unravel the mystery.
He soon discovers that the arrival of the penguins is linked to a mysterious young woman from his dentist’s office.
When he meets her, they team up for an exciting summer adventure.
The movie is solid and magical and will enchant young viewers and anime fans.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.20:1 widescreen picture; Japanese and English dubbed 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles; DVD: 2.20:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; Japanese and English dubbed 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus materials include an interview with director Hiroyasu Ishida, a promo video of Ishida’s past works, a promo video and an interview with author Tomihiko Morimi, on whose best-selling novel the movie is based.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
American Killing (DVD & VOD) (High Octane Pictures)
Belong to Us (DVD & VOD) (Archstone Distribution)
The Buskers and Lou (DVD & digital & VOD) (Random Media)
De-Railed (DVD & digital) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
The Iron Orchard ((Blu-ray & DVD & VOD) Santa Rosa Film Co.)
Jesus: His Life (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
The Night Sitter (DVD & VOD) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Three Lives (DVD & digital) (High Octane Pictures)
The Devil’s Playground (DVD & VOD) (Artsploitation Films, Aug. 8)
Wicked Witches (DVD & VOD) (Midnight Releasing, Aug. 9)
FOR KIDS
The Jungle Bunch (Shout! Kids)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD
Brightburn (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
A Dog’s Journey (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)
The Hustle (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)
Perception (Gravitas Ventures)
The Sun Is Also a Star (Warner Home Video)
Bring the Soul: The Movie (Big Hit Entertainment-Trafalgar Releasing, Aug. 7)
The Tracker (Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Aug. 9)
My Life Is Murder: Episode 3 (Acorn TV, Aug. 12)
Neil Dudgeon’s Top Ten (Acorn TV, Aug. 12)
The Scapegoat (Acorn TV, Aug. 12)
COMING NEXT WEEK: Avenger’s Endgame
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.