By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Dec. 10, unless otherwise noted:
Hustlers (Blu-ray + DVD + digital)
Details: 2019, Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Rated: R, sexual material, nudity, drug usage, language
The lowdown: At one point near the finale of “Hustlers,” Jennifer Lopez’s character, Ramona, explains why she and her friends scam various men.
This country, she tells a journalist (Julia Stiles), who is interviewing her, is like a strip club — there are those who throw money and those who have to dance.
In a nutshell, that sums up this surprisingly sharp movie, which goes deeper and has more substance than anticipated.
The movie, written and directed by Lorene Scafaria (“The Meddler), is more a story of economic survival than a caper drama about a group of former strippers who band together to scam Wall Street high rollers.
Scafaria’s script, while justifying the women’s actions, does not condone them. She portrays the women as survivors, trying to make life easier for themselves and their families.
She does, however, undercut her own premise by showing them buying high-end clothing, accessories and cars — basically, placing themselves in the same category as the men they are ripping off.
“Hustlers” is a flashy, energetic feature, with a whiff of anger and indignation. The complexities and perceptions Scafaria brings to her project make it more than a standard-issue crime caper.
Critics also applauded the movie, giving it an 88 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos, English 2.0 Dolby digital DVS and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH and Spanish subtitles: DVD: 2.39:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English 2.0 Dolby digital DVS; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus features include a commentary track with Scafaria.
IT Chapter Two (Blu-ray + DVD + digital)
Details: 2019, Warner Home Video
Rated: R, disturbing violent content, bloody images, language, crude sexual material
The lowdown: “It Chapter Two” returns the now-adult members of The Losers Club to Derry, Maine, where they again must face down their fears and put an end to the evil entity, Pennywise, who has returned after 27 years to again go after the town’s children.
The movie runs 169 minutes, and a lot of that time is filled with flashbacks to the group’s initial encounter with Pennywise, with new footage featuring the young actors from the first movie.
While “Chapter Two” is a solid movie with some sharply scary moments — courtesy of another devilish performance by Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise — the sequel lacks the emotional heft and resonance of the first feature.
Perhaps, that is because the notion of adults battling the malevolent clown does not deepen your investment as much as a group of youngsters facing off against a monster.
That said, “Chapter Two’s” most powerful moments focus on the mental turmoil that continue to ravage the adult Losers years after their adolescent encounters with Pennywise.
The power of “Chapter Two” is the strength the adults channel when working together to finally rid Derry of its supernatural scourge.
Gary Dauberman’s script is too long and cluttered. Even with its extended running time, the movie feels overstuffed.
Despite all its bells and whistles, the horror elements lack the punch of the original.
Admittedly, “It Chapter Two” is chaotic, but it offers enough substance to make it a solid and acceptable horror sequel. It’s just not the epic that audiences may have anticipated.
A majority of critics felt the same way, giving the movie a 62 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos TrueHD, English 5.1 Dolby digital descriptive audio and Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 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: Bonus options include two documentaries on “The Summers of IT” that look at both features; featurettes on the return of Pennywise, the adult members of the Losers Club and finding the deadlights; and a commentary track.
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (Blu-ray)
Details: 2019, Kino Lorber
Rated: PG-13, language, drug use
The lowdown: Since the late 1960s, Linda Ronstadt has been a musical force. She transcended genre, performing rock, country, ballads, Gilbert & Sullivan, standards and Mexican songs that captivated audiences in clubs, stadiums and arenas, albums and CD collectors and radio listeners.
Ronstadt sang songs that touched her and called to her. She could not — and would not — be defined or constricted by category.
And Ron Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s documentary, “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice,” puts an exclamation point to that definition.
Music, Ronstadt explains in the movie, always has been a part of her life. Her family would sing Mexican songs her father taught the family around the dinner table, in the living room or the car.
Ronstadt’s impact and contributions to the music industry are often overlooked because she was not a singer-songwriter like many of her contemporaries.
She would hear a song and cover it in her own style, usually making it better than the original — as some fellow artists admit in the film.
“Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” is a treasure, a loving tribute to a magnificent talent who loved to sing and passed on that joy to millions who breathed in her exquisite gift.
Critics felt the same, giving the documentary an 88 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
And this Blu-ray complements Ronstadt’s talents with a clear and crisp audio track that captures the magic of her voice.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Additional interviews comprise the major bonus component.
Ready or Not (Blu-ray + digital)
Release date: Dec 3
Details: 2019, Fox Home Entertainment
Rated: R, violence, bloody images, language, drug use
The lowdown: This wickedly funny and bloody feature centers on Grace, a young bride, played by Samara Weaving, who marries into a very rich and eccentric family.
Her husband, Alex (Mark O’Brien), tells her she must participate in the family’s long tradition of playing games.
She chooses hide-and-seek, then learns that the game is more lethal than she ever imagined. She must survive the night as the various family members, including Andie MacDowell, Adam Brody and Henry Czerny, seek her out.
This macabre feature tickled critics who gave it an 88 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby digital 5.1 English descriptive audio, French and Spanish; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a making of featurette, a gag reel and a commentary track.
The Loudest Voice
Details: 2019, Showtime Entertainment-Paramount Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This Showtime seven-part, limited-series is based on the book “The Loudest Voice in the Room,” which looks at the life and career of Fox News founder Roger Ailes.
The series, starring Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe as Ailes, chronicles his efforts to launch Fox News and build it into a media force that would challenge the norms of televised journalism.
The series also covers the sexual indiscretions that led to his downfall and his influence in conservative politics and the Republican Party — shaping the events that led to the rise and election of Donald Trump as president.
The series costars Naomi Watts as former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson, Sienna Miller as Ailes’ wife, Elizabeth, Seth MacFarlane as former Fox News public relations chief Brian Lewis and Simon McBurney as News Corp. leader Rupert Murdoch.
This series makes interesting viewing. It also is a solid primer for the upcoming release of the movie, “Bombshell,” which covers the sexual improprieties at the organization from the viewpoint of the women involved.
Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include a featurette on creating the series.
The Story of Temple Drake: Special Edition (Blu-ray)
Release date: Dec. 3
Details: 1933, The Criterion Collection
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This notorious Pre-Code feature has been out of the public eye for decade.
The movie, starring Miriam Hopkins, is a tame, watered-down version of William Faulkner’s controversial novel, “Sanctuary,” which tells the story of a head-strong young Southern woman who falls into the hands of a brutal gangster and rapist.
Hopkins portrays Temple Drake, the coquettish granddaughter of a respected, small-town judge. Temple has a savory reputation around town because she continually refuses the marriage proposals of her boyfriend, lawyer Stephen Benbow.
One night, she goes to a speakeasy with another of her suitors. He crashes his car near a run-down plantation, now serving as a speakeasy.
There, brutal gangster Trigger rapes Temple, kidnaps her and makes her his moll. He takes her to a brothel in the city.
Later, Temple’s speakeasy date, charged with a murder committed by Trigger, tells Benbow where to find the pair.
Fearing for Benbow’s life, Temple lies to him about her circumstances.
During an argument, Temple gets hold of Trigger’s gun and kills him. She then returns to her hometown, takes the stand in the murder trial and confesses everything.
The movie differs greatly from the dark novel, including adding a more redemptive finale.
The Gothic-influenced cinematography by Karl Struss is one of the movie’s major assets.
Hopkins gives a fiery performance, one of the best of her career.
The film is a small part of cinema history that should be viewed and studied.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a conversation about the movie’s style between noted cinematographer John Bailey and Matt Severson, director of the Margaret Herrick Library at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; a featurette with critic Imogen Sara Smith discussing the movie and Hopkins’ performance; an interview with critic Mike LaSalle about the film, censorship and the Production Code; and an essay about the film.
“The Anne Bancroft Collection” (Blu-ray)
Details: 1952-87, Shout! Factory
Rated: PG, PG-13, not rated
The lowdown: This eight-disc set spotlights the versatility of Academy Award-winning performer Anne Bancroft.
Starting with her appearance as a lounge singer in 1952’s “Don’t Bother to Knock” (not rated), the set includes her Oscar-winning portrayal of Annie Sullivan in “The Miracle Worker” (1962, not rated), “The Pumpkin Eater” (1964, not rated), her classic turn as Mrs. Robinson in “The Graduate” (1967, PG), her directorial debut with “Fatso” (1980, PG), her display of her comic timing opposite her husband, Mel Brooks, in “To Be or Not to Be” (1983, PG), “Agnes of God” (1985, PG-13) and “84 Charing Cross Road” (1987, PG).
This set is a wonderful tribute to Bancroft, and will definitely please her fans.
The digital transfers are very strong, offering sharp pictures and the best quality audio available for the titles.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture (“Don’t Bother to Knock”), 1.85:1 widescreen picture (“The Miracle Worker,” “The Pumpkin Eater,” “Fatso,” “To Be or Not to Be,” “Agnes of God” and “84 Charing Cross Road”) and 2.35:1 widescreen picture (“The Graduate”); English DTS-HD Master Audio monaural (“Don’t Bother to Knock,” “The Pumpkin Eater,” “Fatso” and “84 Charing Cross Road”), English DTS-HD Master Audio stereo (“The Miracle Worker” and “Agnes of God”) and English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (“The Graduate” and “To Be or Not to Be”); English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes on “The Pumpkin Eater,” an isolated music score on “Don’t Bother to Knock,” commentaries, interviews and behind-the-scenes featurettes on “The Graduate” and featurettes on “Fatso” and “To Be or Not to Be.”
The Simpsons: The Complete Nineteenth Season
Release date: Dec. 3
Details: 2007-08, Fox Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A few fan-favorite episodes are featured in this four-disc, set that features all 20 animated antics of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, the rest of the family as well as various residents of Springfield.
The Emmy Award-winning “Eternal Moonshine of the Simpsons Mind” is among the episodes that are included in the set.
Guest stars also abound, including Glenn Close, Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, Matt Dillon, Stephen Colbert, Jack, Black, “Weird Al” Yankovic and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
As usual, this long-running series will keep you laughing as its spoofs movies, celebrities, cultural fads, physical humor and wordplay.
Technical aspects: 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English 5.1 and French and Spanish 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include commentaries on every episode and an introduction by Matt Groening.
“The 2019 World Series” (Blu-ray)
Release date: Dec. 3
Details: 2019, Shout! Factory
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This exciting Fall Classics provided many firsts, the biggest beginning with the road teams winning all seven games.
Despite having home-field advantage, the Houston Astros, who won a season-high 107 games, fell to the scrappy Washington Nationals, who faced many challenges during the regular season.
The team was 19-31 in May before going on a tear that saw them going 74-38 during the remainder of the season. Manager Dave Martinez had a health scare, but the team continued to persevere.
The Nationals were the comeback kids of 2019, falling behind in the wild card game and the National League Division Series.
This Blu-ray features all the highlights — the big plays, clutch hits and strong pitching that led the Nationals to be crowned World Series champions.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Supplemental options include regular season highlights, clinching moments and the Nationals World Series parade.
The Limits of Control (Blu-ray)
Details: 2009, Arrow Academy
Rated: R, nudity, language
The lowdown: Jim Jarmusch wrote and directed this dense feature that relies on the imagination of his audience to fill in details and connect plot points.
None of the characters have names, they are referred to by description or appearance.
The movie, set in Spain, focuses on The Lone Man (Isaach de Bankolé), who moves through the film, but without any seeming function.
No sense of logic or time really exists, and the film moves at a very deliberate pace.
True fans of Jarmusch will probably embrace the movies, but others will find this feature testing their patience.
The overall transfer is solid, with no discernable flaws.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 LPCM; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus materials include an overview of the film and Jarmusch’s career, a featurette about the movie, an archival featurette about Jarmusch and an archival piece that looks at the movie’s locations.
Joan the Maid (Blu-ray)
Release date: Dec. 3
Details: 1994, Cohen Film Collection
Rated: R, violence
The lowdown: This two-part film, directed by Jacques Rivette, is a historical epic that covers the life of Jan of Arc.
The movies are “Joan the Maid: The Battles” and “Joan the Maid: The Prisons,” both released in 1994.
The first part deals with Joan finding her calling, meeting French royalty, joining the army and leading the French against the English.
The second movie follows the final two years of Joan’s life including her time in prison and her execution at the stake.
Rivette’s films are restrained; they also are long. The total running time is 336 minutes. Yet the saga does not feel slow.
Rather, it is a serious study of a teenage girl’s faith and courage that made her a national hero.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; French 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles.
Blue Collar (Blu-ray)
Details: 1978, Kino Lorber
Rated: R, language, violence
The lowdown: Between 1976 and 1980, Paul Schrader penned a series of acclaimed screenplays, starting with “Taxi Driver” and including “Hardcore,” “American Gigolo” and “Raging Bull.”
During this period, he also co-wrote, with his brother, Leonard, and made his directorial debut with “Blue Collar,” a thriller that looks at the exploitation of workers, union corruption and the links between union officials and organized crime.
The movie stars Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel and Yaphet Kotto, as Zeke, Jerry and Smokey, who are being inundated with bills they are having difficulty in paying and the inaction of their superiors.
They decide to rob their union headquarters. The heist goes terribly wrong, creating tensions that undermines their friendship, leading to recriminations, paranoia, betrayal and death.
This is an intense work that features strong performances by its three main actors.
The cast also includes Cliff De Young, Ed Begley Jr. and Harry Bellaver.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio.
Don’t miss: The major extra is a commentary track with Paul Schrader and journalist Maitland McDonagh.
“The Fly Collection” (Blu-ray)
Details: 1958-89, Scream Factory
Rated: Not rated & R, disturbing images, language, violence
The lowdown: This five-disc set features these science-fiction thrillers that began with 1958’s “The Fly,” which spawned a series of sequels and remakes.
Today, the original “Fly” is considered a cult and camp favorite, especially because of its ending, which finds the head of the transformed scientist on the body of a fly pleading to “Help me, help me,” as a spider advances to devour him.
But the movie was meant to be taken seriously, and thankfully, stars Vincent Price and Herbert Marshall played it straight and showed respect for the material — though anecdotal evidence claims they were convulsing with laughter during the finale.
“The Fly” was a success, spawning “The Return of the Fly” (1959), in which the son of the scientist from the original decides to continue his father’s work.
The final sequel in this original trilogy, “The Curse of the Fly” (1965), centers on a young woman who marries into a family in which the leader of the clan is experimenting with a teleportation machine that is doing nothing but creating mutants.
In 1986, director David Cronenberg revived by series with this R-rated, gruesome remake of the original, starring Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis. The film was a critical success, spawning a 1989 sequel, the lazily titled “The Fly II,” starring Eric Stoltz as the son of Goldblum’s character.
Unfortunately, Cronenberg was not involved in the sequel, though Frank Darabont was one of its screenwriters.
Overall, sci-fi fans should enjoy this set as it has something to offer everyone, including chills and some gross special effects.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 (“ The Fly,” “Return of the Fly” and “Curse of the Fly”) and 1.85:1 (“The Fly and “The Fly II”) widescreen pictures; English 4.0 DTS-HD Master Audio (“The Fly”), DTS-HD Master Audio monaural (“Return of the Fly” and “Curse of the Fly”) and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (“The Fly” and “The Fly II”); English subtitles.
Don’t miss: The set is filled with extras, including commentary tracks, documentaries and making of featurettes on the films, extended scenes and an alternate ending on Cronenberg’s “The Fly” and a deleted scene and alternate ending on “The Fly II.”
A Stranger Among Us (Blu-ray)
Details: 1992, Kino Lorber
Rated: PG-13, violence, language
The lowdown: This feature, starring Melanie Griffith, is one of the few misfires in the stellar directorial career of Sidney Lumet.
Griffith plays Emily Eden, a New York City cop, who goes undercover to investigate the murder of a Jewish jeweler and the theft of more than $1 million in diamonds.
Eden tries to become part of the close-knit Hasidic community, learning its unwritten rules and laws, and getting a first-hand look at its power.
Complicating matters is Eden’s romantic interest in a member of the community.
The movie’s major drawback is that it tried to be a crime thriller and a romantic drama, but the two did not mesh.
Plus, Griffith was out of her depth in the title role, which called for a more nuanced performer.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English DTS; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: A commentary track is the major bonus component.
“Fritz Lang’s Indian Epic” (Blu-ray)
Details: 1959, Film Movement Classics
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Fritz Lang was a legendary filmmaker during the heyday of German cinema in the 1920s and early 1930s, directing such movies as “Dr. Mabuse the Gambler, “Spies,” “Woman in the Moon,” “M’ and “The Testament of Dr. Mabuse.”
Fleeing Nazi Germany, Lang made such noteworthy American movies as “Fury,” “You Only Live Once,” “Man Hunt,” “Hangmen Also Die!,” “The Woman in the Window,” “Ministry of Fear” and “Scarlet Street.”
This two-disc set features a pair of movies that Lang directed after returning to Germany. The movies, “The Tiger of Eschnapur” and “The Indian Tomb,” were based on original stories by Lang’s ex-wife and former collaborator, Thea Von Harbou.
The movies follow German architect Harold Berger (Paul Hubschmid) and beautiful temple dancer Seetha (Debra Paget) in an epic of adventure and forbidden passion.
In “The Tiger of Eschnapur,” Berger travels to the city of Eschnapur, where he falls in love with the dancer, who also is desired by the local Maharajah. After much conflict, the architect and dancer are reunited.
In “The Indian Tomb,” court intrigue and a search for the architect by his family consume most of the running time.
The films are filled with action, adventure, betrayal and lust.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture; German audio; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: A commentary track, a documentary about the films and a video essay about Paget are the main extras.
The Dick Cavett Show — New York Radio Pioneers
Release date: Dec. 13
Details: 1972-95, Liberation Hall
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: In this two-disc set, Dick Cavett sits down with popular New York radio personalities Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding, who as Bob & Ray entertained New Yorkers for decades.
Cavett also interviewed controversial on-air stars as Howard Stern and Don Imus.
Cavett talked with Bob & Ray in 1972 and 1986, Imus in 1995 and Stern in 1986 and 1991.
The talk-show host had an engaging manner that made his guests feel at ease and allowed them to open up about their professional and personal lives.
This is an interesting series of interviews, especially for fans of radio.
Technical aspects: 1.37:1 full-screen picture; English audio.
Kenny Rogers — The Gambler’s Last Deal (DVD + CD)
Release date: Dec. 13
Details: 2017, Wienerworld-MVD Visual Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This concert, filmed in 2017 at the London Palladium, is more than a stage show, it’s a musical journey through Rogers life and career.
Besides the songs he sings, this set contains archival footage, music videos and past concert footage with such guests as Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss and Dottie West.
At the Palladium show, Rogers and special guest Linda Evans keep the audience engaged with their songs.
Among the featured songs are “Ruby,” “Something’s Burning,” Lady” and, of course, “The Gambler.”
Rogers fans will enjoy this timeless set.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
5 Galaxies (DVD & VOD) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Crypsis (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Hard Night Falling (DVD & digital download & VOD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
The League of Legend Keepers: Shadows (DVD & digital download) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Lucky Day (Blu-ray + digital download & DVD & digital) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
Piranhas (Blu-ray & DVD & VOD) (Music Box Films)
The Snowman Trek (Breaking Glass Pictures)
Come on Feel the Noize: The Story of How Rock Became Metal (Cleopatra Entertainment-MVD Visual Entertainment, Dec. 13)
I’ll Never Forget You: The Last 72 Hours of Lynyrd Skynyrd (MVD Visual Entertainment, Dec. 13)
Voice of the Eagle: The Enigma of Robbie Basho (Blu-ray) (MVD Visual Entertainment, Dec. 13)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD
Judy (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
The Gulf: Episode 2 (Sundance Now, Dec. 11)
Cheat: Episode 4 (Sundance Now, Dec. 12)
Hell on the Border (Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Dec. 13)
Mob Town (Saban Films, Dec. 13)
Rabid (Shout! Studios, Dec. 13)
Valiant (digital & VOD) (Music Box Films, Dec. 13)
Care (Acorn TV, Dec. 16)
Photo: A History from Behind the Lens (Sundance Now, Dec. 16)
Slings & Arrows: Series 3 (Acorn TV, Dec. 16)
To Kid or Not to Kid (Helpman Productions, Dec. 16)
Coming next week: Downton Abbey
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.