By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Aug. 7, unless otherwise noted: Life of the Party (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2018, Warner Home Video Rated: PG-13, sexual situations, drug use, partying The lowdown: Over the past few decades, a fair share of movies has followed the trajectory of an older woman who, in her younger years, was either a success or on-track to a prominent career, only to be sidetracked by falling in love, marriage and children. What many of these stories also have in common is a woman betrayed — typically through a cheating, unfaithful husband. After hitting bottom, the woman rises, regaining her self-worth and becoming a success in her chosen field or profession. Joining that list of movies is “Life of the Party,” written by Melissa McCarthy and her husband, Ben Falcone, starring McCarthy and directed by Falcone. In this comedy, McCarthy’s Deanna is dumped by her husband of 20-plus years the day they drop their daughter, Maddie (Molly Gordon), off at Decatur University for her senior year. Deanna, of course, is shattered, but after a short period of mourning, she decides to go back to Decatur for her own senior year to finally earn a degree in archaeology, which was her plan before getting married and giving birth. As you’d expect, Maddie is not thrilled to see her mom on campus, dropping in at her sorority house and visiting with her friends. “Life of the Party” is an entertaining, though formulaic, effort that, despite all the clichés it throws at you, continues to draw you in. A majority of critics did not appreciate the movie as much as I did, giving it a 37 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, 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: Extras include deleted scenes, a gag reel, an ’80s party featurette, a mom sandwich featurette, a line-o-rama reel and a Bill Hate-O-Rama featurette.
Breaking In: Unrated Director’s Cut (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2018, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: Unrated & PG-13, violence, bloody images, sexual references, language The lowdown: Gabrielle Union stars in this action thriller about a woman whose two children are being held hostage in a house designed with an impenetrable security system. But that does not stop this bad-ass mom determined to rescue her kids. The movie is familiar with formulaic and cliched situations that many viewers will immediately recognize and comprehend. The set contains the 88-minute theatrical version and 89-minute director’s cut of the film. Critics wanted to break away from the film, giving it a meager 24 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Spanish 5.1 DTS digital surround, English 2.0 DVS and French 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English 2.0 DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include an alternate opening, a featurette with Union about the film, a featurette on director James McTeigue, a behind-the-scenes look at the physical demands on Union, a featurette on how leading roles are shifting and becoming more diverse, deleted and extended scenes and a commentary track.
Here and Now (DVD + Ultraviolet) Details: 2018, HBO Home Entertainment Rated: TV-MA The lowdown: Tim Robbins and Holly Hunter star in this HBO limited series about the Bayer-Boatwright family of Portland, Ore. On the surface, the family, which includes a biological daughter and three adopted children from around the world, seems your average progressive family. Dad Greg (Robbins) is a philosophy professor and wife Aubrey (Hunter) is a conflict-resolution consultant. Cracks, though, begin to appear in the facade of this so-called happy family when one son begins seeing things others cannot, while, at the same time, developing a mystical connection with a Muslim psychiatrist who has his own demons to battle. The four-disc set features the entire series. Technical aspects: 16:9 picture; English and French 5.1 Dolby digital and Spanish 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
The Miracle Season Release date: July 31 Details: 2018, Fox Home Entertainment Rated: PG, disturbing elements The lowdown: Academy Award-winners Helen Hunt and William Hurt head the cast of this inspirational sports movie inspired by true events. The Iowa City West High School girls’ volleyball team is dealt a devastating blow when star player Caroline “Line” Found is killed in an accident. The team must step up in its drive to win a state championship. They are driven by the tough love of their coach, played by Hunt, and the will and inspiration of Found’s father, portrayed by Hurt. The movie is rather formulaic and contains the usual quota of sports clichés, yet it’s a feature that can touch your heart. Critics were nearly split on the film, giving it a 47 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and descriptive audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a “Star Player” featurette.
Wildling (Blu-ray) Details: 2018, IFC Midnight-Scream Factory Rated: R, bloody images and violence, language, sexual content, teen drinking The lowdown: This feminist slant of the werewolf saga is a coming-of-age tale about Anna (Bel Powley), a teenager who, since birth, has been raised in isolation by a man she knows only as Daddy (Brad Dourif). Daddy has done everything possible to conceal the truth from Anna about her origins. But circumstances force Anna into the real world under the protection of Ellen (Liv Tyler), a stern police officer. It soon becomes clear that Anna is not your normal teenager. The girl finds it impossible to conform to normal society. Anna finds herself drawn to the freedom of the forest while, simultaneously, resisting the bloodlust that is awakening and growing inside her. This movie comes a thriller’s suspense with the eerie atmosphere of the supernatural. 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: Outtakes and deleted scenes comprise the major bonus components.
In the Mouth of Madness: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1995, Scream Factory Rated: R, horror images, language The lowdown: Sam Neill stars in this John Carpenter-directed thriller about a best-selling author whose newest novel is literally driving people insane. When the writer mysteriously vanishes, his publisher send investigator John Trent (Neill) to find him. Trent is drawn to a town that exists solely in the author’s books, thus crossing a threshold between fantasy and fact, entering a world from which he may never escape. The movie was inspired by the stories of writer H.P. Lovecraft. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a look at the movie’s locations, a new commentary track, new interviews with cast member Julie Carmen and make-up effects artist Greg Nicotero and an archival commentary track.
Pyewacket (Blu-ray) Details: 2018, IFC Midnight-Scream Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Teenage Leah (Nicole Munoz) is mourning the death of her father as well as dealing with the strained relationship with her mother. Her refuge is dabbling in the dark arts, which, to her, seems like harmless fun. That is, until after a stormy argument with her mother she puts a death curse on her. Regretting her decision, Leah cannot rescind her actions. An evil presence known as Pyewacket has risen and is threatening to destroy Leah and her mother. The movie works as a horror film, a psychological thriller and a study in mother-daughter relationships. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: A making of featurette is the major bonus component.
Bye Bye Germany Details: 2018, Film Movement Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This German import is set in Frankfurt in 1946, where David Bermann (Moritz Bleibtreu) is set on succeeding in the postwar times by recruiting some friends from a displaced persons camp to sell linens at inflated prices to unsuspecting Germans. Most of the recruits have a simple goal — earn enough money to leave Germany and move to the United States. They use charm to flatter housewives, thus ensuring sales. But Bermann has a dark secret, one that a lovely American Army investigator seeks to uncover, including why he has two passports and could he have been a Nazi collaborator. As the investigator digs deeper, Bermann uses his charm to continually fend her off. So, will she ever discover the truth about him? You will have to see the movie to find out. Technical aspects: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; German 5.1 Dolby digital surround; English subtitles and closed-captioned subtitles. Don’t miss: A three-minute animated film is the major extra.
Supergirl (Blu-ray) Release date: July 24 Details: 1984, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: After the success of the first three “Superman” movies starring Christopher Reeve, Warner Bros. turned its studio eye on the Man of Steel’s cousin, Supergirl. This feature, in which Helen Slater — in her film debut — stars as Supergirl-Linda Lee, was not very well received. The movie was very campy, laughing at itself and overall disrespecting the character. It did not help that Faye Dunaway as the main villain — the evil sorceress Selena — gave a hammy performance that made her turn as Joan Crawford in “Mommie Dearest” look absolutely tame. The interesting aspect of this newest home entertainment release of the film is that it includes the international cut and a companion DVD featuring the director’s cut. The set is a made-on-demand Blu-ray 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 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include a vintage making of documentary and a commentary track.
LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman — Rage of Atlantis (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Release date: July 31 Details: 2018, Warner Home Video Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Another LEGO animated adventure featuring members of the Justice League. The spotlight, though, is on Aquaman, who must leave his kingdom of Atlantis for dry land to aid Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern Jessica Cruz battle an extraterrestrial threat to Earth. The feature is family-friendly with the usual nonthreatening action that won’t keep the youngsters awake at night. The digital transfer is first class, with vivid colors and sharp audio. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: The major extra is an mini-action figure of one of the characters from the movie.
Village of the Damned (Blu-ray) Release date: July 24 Details: 1960, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: The title is more lurid than this chilling science fiction feature proports to be. The film, based on the sci-fi novel, “The Midwich Cuckoos,” centers on a small group of platinum-haired, innocent-faced children all born on the same day, nine months after a strange event in which the entire town was put to sleep and all the child-bearing women in the village became pregnant. The children, of course, are of alien origin, and all have hypnotic powers and mind-reading capabilities that they use to protect themselves. This English thriller is rather stark and, at times, placid. George Sanders stars as a scientist and father of one of the children, who uses his intellect in an attempt to help and control the youngsters. The release is a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or at other online dealers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: A commentary track is the major extra.
Lowlife (Blu-ray) Details: 2018, IFC Midnight-Scream Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A look at a trio of sleazy characters — a fallen Mexican wrestler with rage issues, a recently released ex-con with a unusual face tattoo and a motel owner who is a recovering junkie in search of a kidney — who unite for this bloody feature set in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. The movie jumps back and forth as it charts how fate, as well as a ruthless crime boss, connects the trio of lowlifes. They become involved in an organ-harvesting scheme that goes badly off the rails. This is thriller that never lets up. 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: Extras include a making of featurette, some short films and a commentary track.
Marrowbone (Blu-ray) Details: 2018, Magnolia Home Entertainment Rated: R, violence The lowdown: Four siblings move to the United States with their mother to escape a harrowing past. After her death, the siblings vow to stay together. But when a ghostly presence torments them, the four must unite or be separated forever. The movie offers several chills and thrills that will grab your attention. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos; English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a behind-the-scenes featurette, a visual effects reel and deleted and extended scenes.
Flight from Glory (DVD-R) Release date: July 24 Details: 1937, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A drama about grounded, disgraced pilots who sign up for the Trans-Andean Air Service of Delgado, Argentina. The job is more deadly and dangerous than those who enlist imagine, especially under the stewardship of the ruthless Ellis (Onslow Stevens), who puts profits over pilots. After one pilot is killed trying to traverse the frozen peaks of the Andes, a replacement, George Wilson (a young Van Heflin) arrives — and brings his bride with him. Of course, tensions boil and conflicts simmer as the woman’s presence creates distractions. Chester Morris stars as head pilot Paul Smith in this made-on-demand DVD-R from the Warner Archive Collection. It can be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other Internet sellers. Technical aspects: 1.37:1 (4x3) full-screen picture; English Dolby digital monaural.
The Boxcar Children: Surprise Island (Blu-ray + digital) Details: 2017, Shout! Factory Kids Rated: Not rated The lowdown: The Alden children, now living with their grandfather, find new adventures. The foremost is learning they will spend the summer on a private island where a kind stranger is always happy to help the kids. But does this new friend have a secret? And will the children uncover it? To find out, you’ll have to watch this animated feature. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include cast and crew interviews and a behind-the-scenes interview with the sound editing and mixing team.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: Alien Code (DVD + digital) (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) Brotherly Love (DVD + VOD) (Breaking Glass Pictures) Dead Shack (Blu-ray) (Shudder) The Nursery (Uncork’d Entertainment) Street Mobster (Blu-ray) (Arrow Video) Pickings (Blu-ray) (Digital Magic Entertainment-Dark Passage Films, Aug. 10)
FOR KIDS Big Fish & Begonia (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) (Shout! Factory)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD An Eye for an Eye (Uncork’d Entertainment) (VOD) Deadpool 2: Super Duper Cut (Fox Home Entertainment) (digital download) Dragon Mountain (High Octane Pictures) (digital download) Euthanizer (Uncork’d Entertainment) (VOD) Ghost Source Zero (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) (digital download) It Lives Inside (High Octane Pictures) (VOD) National Lampoon’s Van Wilder (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) (digital download) 800 Words: Series 3, Part 2 (Acorn TV, Aug. 8) (streaming) Along Came the Devil (Gravitas Ventures, Aug. 10) (digital download + VOD) Demetri Martin: The Overthinker (Netflix, Aug. 10) (streaming) Five Days: The Train (Acorn TV, Aug. 13) (streaming) Murder Investigation Team, Series 1 & 2 (Acorn TV, Aug. 13) (streaming)
Coming next week: Avengers: Infinity War
I am a 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.