New to View: Dec. 11 Update

By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Dec. 11, unless otherwise noted: Smallfoot (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2018, Warner Home Video Rated: PG, action and rude humor,thematic elements The lowdown: An animated feature that basically is a reverse Bigfoot legend tale. In this take, it’s a Yeti (voiced by Channing Tatum) who finds something thathe did not think existed — a human. The news about the human, named Percy (voiced by James Corden), throws the Yeti community into a tizzy, causing concern about what else could be out in the world beyond their isolated village. The movie, which features music by Zendaya and Common, also features the vocal talents of Danny DeVito. Gina Rodriguez and some basketball player named LeBron James. A majority of critics enjoyed the film, giving it a 76 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080phigh definition, 2.40:1 (16×9 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 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1Dolby digital and English 5.1 Dolby digital descriptive audio; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a “Yeti Set Go” sing-along; a “Super Soozie” mini movie, featuring the Yeti toddler; Migo in “The Secret of the Yeti Stones”; a making of featurette; two music videos; and the song “Wonderful Life” in 28 languages.

Operation Finale (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Release date: Dec. 4 Details: 2018, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: PG-13, disturbing and violent images, language The lowdown: This could have been a compelling drama, but the story is told in such a cut-and-dried, matter-of-fact manner that it undercuts any suspense the film tries to create. The movie retells the capture of Adolf Eichmann, Hitler’s “architect of the Holocaust,” who, after World War II, fled with his family to Argentina. “Operation Finale” details how Israeli officials learned of his whereabouts, set in motion a plan to kidnap him and bring him to Israel to stand trial for war crimes against the Jewish people and, finally, carried out their scheme. What the film lacks is passion. Some of the agents involved want revenge for murdered family members and itch to put a bullet in Eichmann’s head. After his capture, they abhor being around him. What the movie needs is the fiery display of moral outrage that the audience should feel when Eichmann is on the screen. For many Holocaust survivors in Israel — and around the world — the capture and trial of Eichmann was an affirmation that the murder of 6 million Jews was not a hoax or some fabrication, but a fact. Eichmann was the face of that genocide The film fails to ignite your anger and disgust because, like its Israeli protagonists, the film holds its emotions in check. Critics were nearly split on the movie, as well, giving it a 58 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080phigh definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and2.0 Dolby digital DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.85:1anamorphic widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and 2.0 DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: A featurette on the operation to capture Eichmann and a commentary track comprise the major bonus components.

The Happytime Murders (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Release date: Dec. 4 Details: 2018, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: R, sexual content, language, drug use The lowdown: I found “The Happytime Murders” a disgrace to the legacy of the late Jim Henson. The movie, directed by Henson’s son, Brian, is filthy, mean-spirited and sloppy. The only people who will enjoy the movie are those excited by seeing puppets having sex, dropping f-bombs or using drugs. “The Happytime Murders” offers a modicum of social spoof as it presents a world in which humans and puppets coexist in Los Angeles. But puppets, derisively called “socks,” are treated as second-class citizens. “Happytime’s” premise is that the cast of a beloved ’90s children’s TV show is being murdered one by one. One of those killed is the brother of Phil Phillips, a puppet who was the first to serve on the police department, but he was dismissed in disgrace for failing to shoot a puppet who was holding hostage his partner, Connie Edwards (Melissa McCarthy). Instead, Phillips’ shot killed an innocent bystander — also a puppet; thus, his fall from grace. Henson and his writers, Todd Berger and Dee Austin Robertson, seem more intent on seeing how low they can go rather than in telling a coherent story. The film is simply a one-trick pony, a gimmick feature that wears thin very quickly. McCarthy is wasted, and I really wonder why she participated in this travesty. Critics thought so, too, giving the movie a 23 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 Dolby digital DVS: English SDH and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and 2.0 Dolby digital DVS; English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a gag reel, deleted scenes, a line-o-rama featurette, a virtual environments featurette, an avatar demonstration, a VFX breakdown and a commentary track.

Instinct: Season One Details: 2018, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Alan Cumming stars as Dr. Dylan Rinehart, a former CIA operative lured back into his former life when the New York Police Department needs his help in stopping a serial killer. The encounter changes his life, as this four-disc set, 13-episode set, reveals. It seems Rinehart, who has become an author and a professor teaching classes in psychopathic behavior, is needed because the killer is using his first book as a tutorial to commit his murders. He is paired with Detective Lizzie Needham, with whom — as in all good crime shows — he initially clashes, until both realize they make a perfect team. Returning to his old life, though, does cause problems at home for Rinehart as his husband, Andy, is concerned that he is breaking his promise about putting his old life behind him for good. Cumming always is interesting to watch, and his performance elevates what could have been a routine procedural drama. Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus features include extended and deleted scenes, a gag reel and pilot episodes of “Bull,” “The Good Fight” and “SEAL Team.”

Support the Girls (Blu-ray) Release date: Dec. 4 Details: 2018, Magnolia Home Entertainment Rated: R, language, sexual references, nudity The lowdown: Regina Hall has been cited for her performance as the manager of a sports bar called Double Whammies. The film covers one day on the job as Hall, always the optimist, must deal with sketchy employees, bad customers and a boss who is even worse. The supporting cast includes Haley Lu Richardson, James Le Gros, Dylan Gelulaand Brooklyn Decker. The film garnered a 93 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects:1080p high definition, 1.85:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.

De Palma & De Niro: The Early Films: Limited Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1968-70, Arrow Video Rated: R & X, language, sexual content The lowdown: This is a small set that will intrigue a vast majority of movie buffs — three films that feature a young director and a young actor at the beginnings of their careers. The director is Brian De Palma, known for such movies as “Carrie,” “Scarface,”“Dressed to Kill” and “The Untouchables.” The actor is two-time Academy Award-winner Robert De Niro, whose credits are too numerous to mention. This set includes “The Wedding Party,” which was shot in 1963, but not released until 1969; “Greetings” (1968) and its sequel, “Hi, Mom! (1970). These movies are subversive and provocative. They also show two artists learning their craft. Interestingly, De Niro (misspelled Denero in “The Wedding Party” credits, is just a supporting player in that movie, but has more substantial parts in the other two. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, “The Wedding Party”: 1.37:1 full-screen picture; “Greetings” and“Hi, Mom!”: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a commentary track on “Greetings,” an appreciation of the early films of De Palma and De Niro, an interview with the producer of “Greetings” and “High, Mom!”

2018 World Series Collector’s Edition: Boston Red Sox (Blu-ray) The 2018 World Series (Blu-ray + DVD+ digital) Release date: Dec. 4 Details: 2018, Shout! Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Red Sox nation has two options for celebrating their team’s World Series championship — a two-disc sett hat offers highlights of the fall classic and an eight-disc set that offers all five complete World Series games from the first pitch to the final celebration. Boston dominated the American League and Major League Baseball from opening day to the last out of the series, winning 108 regular-season games, a record for the franchise, then eliminating the rival New York Yankees and Houston Astros to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, which featured an epic 18-inning game that became an instant classic. This is a set that baseball fans in general — and Red Sox fans, specifically —can enjoy over and over. Technical aspects: 2018 World Series: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles; DVD: 1.78:1 widescreen picture;English Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles: 2018 World Series Collector’s Edition: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: The eight-disc Collector’s Edition offers a Spanish-language broadcast, television and home and away radio broadcasts, the complete games four and five of the ALCS and a sleevestats insert with game trivia and official statistics, while the two-disc set features regular-season highlights, the World Series victory parade, clinching moments and an overview of the 2018 season.

The Last Command (Blu-ray) Details: 1955, Kino Lorber Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This movie, the last directed by two-time Academy Award-winner Frank Lloyd (“The Divine Lady,”“Cavalcade,” “Berkeley Square” and “Mutiny on the Bounty”), is another retelling of the defenders of the Alamo, this one concentrating on Jim Bowie,played by Sterling Hayden. The movie, produced by Republic Pictures, originally was a project for John Wayne in the early 1950s, who was going to produce, direct and star as Davy Crockett. But disputes with Republic boss Herbert J. Yates doomed the film as well as ending Wayne’s relationship with the studio. Yates had the studio rework the screenplay and cast Hayden. Others in the cast include Richard Carlson as Travis, Arthur Hunnicutt as Crockett, veteran character actor J. Carrol Naish as Gen. Santa Anna, John Russell as Capt. Dickinson, as well as Anna Marie Alberghetti, Ernest Borgnine, Otto Kruger and Russell Simpson. Interestingly, “The Last Command,” which was released in August 1955, followed by a few months the theatrical release of Disney’s feature version of his three-part Davy Crockett series, compiled from his television show. Wayne, of course, finally filmed his dream project, which was released in 1960. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: The major extra is a commentary track.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1984, Scream Factory Rated: R & not rated, demented material and torture, language The lowdown: We’ve all been taught to be kind to strangers, but sometimes you should ignore that advice. In this bloody sequel, a helpful family invites two unsuspecting and lost prom-night couples in for — a massacre. The couples, of course, have nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. The movie combines gore and guffaws. The big draw for this movie is the cast, headed by Renee Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey. Hey, we all had to start somewhere! The set features the R-rated theatrical cut (pardon the pun) as well as the unrated director’s cut of the movie. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio stereo. Don’t miss: Supplemental offerings include interviews with director of photography Levie Isaacks, actor Tyler Cone, special effects creator J.M. Logan and behind-the-scenes footage.

The Sea Hawk (Blu-ray) Release date: Dec. 4 Details: 1940, Warner ArchiveCollection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Swashbuckler Errol Flynn stars in this historical adventure as Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe who, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, harasses Spanish ships that threaten England. The movie features an all-star cast, including Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains,Alan Hale and Flora Robson. The film, directed by the versatile Michael Curtiz, features a classic and rousing score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. The movie was timely, as Robson’s Elizabeth exhorts her nation to keep alert and ready to fight tyranny — a message to then-contemporary Great Britain to continue battling Adolf Hitler and his Nazi armies. The feature is a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other online sellers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 (4×3) full-screen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural;English SDH subtitles Don't miss: The major extra is Leonard Maltin hosting a “Warner Night at the Movies” featuring “The Sea Hawk: Flynn in Action” featurette, a newsreel, an “Alice in Movieland” short and a “Porky’s Poor Fish” cartoon.

Brewster McCloud (Blu-ray) Release date: Nov. 27 Details: 1970, Warner Archive Collection Rated: R, violence, language, sexual situations The lowdown: Robert Altman directed this fantasy cult favorite about a young man who lives in the bowels of the Houston Astrodome and dreams of flying — with strapped-on wings he is designing. He is encouraged by a mysterious woman, played by Sally Kellerman, who may be his guardian angel. The movie is part whimsy and party serial-killer mystery as people, mostly conservative, button-downed types, who want to thwart Brewster’s aspirations wind up dead, covered with bird droppings. These include his cheap boss, played by Stacey Keach, and an old crone (“The Wizard of Oz’s” Margaret Hamilton), who enjoying belting out “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The cast also includes Shelley Duvall, in her screen debut, who plays Brewster’s love interest, who may lead to his undoing, and Michael Murphy as the San Francisco super-cop investigating the killings. This is one of Altman’s strangest movies, but it does have a devoted following. The release is a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection. Itcan be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or at other online sellers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles.

River Runs Red (Blu-ray) Details: 2018, Cinedigm Rated: Not rated The lowdown: The movie begins as a promising story about justice, but quickly devolves into a bloody,revenge-driven melodrama, obliterating all the noble sentiments that came in the first half of the movie. That is too bad, because the movie, written and directed by Wes Miller, offers some compelling arguments. The movie has significance in this time of #BlackLivesMatter as it centers on the fatal shooting during a traffic stop of an unarmed young black man, CJ, by two sheriff’s deputies. It turns out the young man is the son of a judge — and his mother is a police officer. The deputies try to cover up their mistake by planting a gun by the young man’s body at the scene. Miller’s mistake is that he stacks the deck against the Hon. Judge Charles Coleman (Taye Diggs) by presenting simplistic situations and one-dimensional characters, who frustrate Coleman’s search for, not only the truth, but his egal attempts to hold the deputies accountable. Miller questions the fairness of the judicial system but offers no viable answers— except for violence and vigilante justice. “River Runs Red” is one of those could-have-been movies — a serious examination of a complex law enforcement-societal issue with no easy remedies. Instead, it takes the path of least cinematic resistance, undermining its shouts of moral outrage into sensationalistic whispers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.

The Thing (Blu-ray) Release date: Dec. 4 Details: 1951, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This science-fiction classic, which coined the phrase, “Keep watching the skies,” follows a team of Arctic researchers and military personnel who find a being frozen inside a crashed UFO. When the creature, played by James Arness, thaws, the humans must battle for their lives against this “giant carrot” from space. The movie is loaded with suspense aided by a Theremin-infused score by Dimitri Tiomkin. The movie, produced by Howard Hawks, features the rapid-fire and overlapping dialogue, favored by the moviemaker. “The Thing” is one of the seminal science fiction features of the 1950s,spurring other studios to jump on the sci-fi, outer-space invasion bandwagon. The release is a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection andcan be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other Internet sellers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 (4×3) full-screen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles.

The Mangler (Blu-ray) Details: 1995, Scream Factory Rated: Unrated The lowdown: Robert Englund stars and Tobe Hooper directs this horror outing based on a story by Stephen King. Ted Levine (serial killer Buffalo Bill in “The Silence of the Lambs”) plays a cop who is investigating a series of grisly accidents. He discovers a deadly secret that the town has been hiding for years — an iron folding machine that has been taken over by an entity with a taste for people. Englund plays the owner who wants to find new victims for his machine. This is not one of King’s better stories, and that is reflected in the movie. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85: widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a commentary track, behind-the-scenes footage and an interview with Englund.

Popeye the Sailor: The 1940s, Volume 1 (Blu-ray) Details: 1943-45, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A treat for animation fans: 14 Popeye cartoons that are completely intact and as funny as ever. The usual cast of supporting characters appear, including girlfriend Olive Oyl as well as Popeye’s arch-rival, Bluto. Also making appearances are Popeye’s nephews, Pipeye, Poopeye, Peepeye and Pupeye, as well as Popeye’s pal, Shorty. The crux of most of the cartoons are the constant love triangle between Popeye and Bluto for the favors of Olive Oyl. The cartoons and colorful and most are adult-oriented. The release is from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other online sellers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 (4×3) full-screen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural.

Await Further Instructions (Blu-ray) Details: 2018, Dark Sky Films Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A thriller set on Christmas day about a family who wakes up to discover their house surrounded bya strange black substance. Concerned that something is happening in the world outside, they turn on the television only to see a message that says, “Stay indoors and Await Further Instructions.” As no updates appear, and the television gains a more sinister grip on the family, paranoia increases, which escalates into bloodshed. The movie is a combination of intensity and graphic horror. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include interviews with filmmakers and cast members.

Maniac: 3-Disc Limited Edition (Blu-ray + CD) Details: 1980, Blue Underground-MVD Visual Entertainment Rated: Not rated, graphic, gory and bloody violence The lowdown: Character actor Joe Spinell (“Rocky,” “The Godfather”) stars, co-produced and cowrote this controversial feature, which, because of its graphic violence and disturbing images, was either banned or censored in several countries. Spinell plays Frank Zito, a very disturbed man who is haunted by the trauma of childhood abuse. When the horrific memories begin to impact him, Frank walks the streets of New York, stalking and slaughtering innocent young women. Frank also has begun a relationship with a beautiful photographer, played by Caroline Munro, but that cannot quiet his deadly compulsions. Frank, through no fault of his own, is a human monster, driven to madness. The movie features vivid gore effects by the legendary Tom Savini. This Blu-ray features a 4K restoration from the recently discovered 16mm original camera negative. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, 2.0 DTS-HD and Castilian Spanish, French, German and Italian 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Danish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Swedish, Finnish, Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Thai subtitles. Don’t miss: Hours of extras including two commentary tracks, outtakes, a “Returning to the Scene of the Crime” featurette with director William Lustig, an interview with Munro, interviews with Savini, composer Jay Chattaway and songwriters Michael Sembelloand Dennis Matkosky, a featurette and profile of Spinell, a promo reel for “Mr. Robbie: Maniac 2,” looks at the film’s controversy and publicity and a booklet about the film.

Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days (Blu-ray + DVD) Details: 2018, Well Go USA Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This epic fantasy is a sequel to a film that set box office records in Korea. In “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” the soul Su-hong and his three afterlife guardians face their remaining trials to achieve their reincarnation. The guardians must deal with the buried truth of their tragic time on earth, a thousand years earlier, which culminates in a final battle with a rogue god. The movie, which runs 142 minutes, will entertain genre fans. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080phigh definition, 2.38:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Korean DTS X and7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles; DVD: 2.38:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Korean 2.0 Dolby digital; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include character introductions and a behind-the-scenes documentary.

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1987, Scream Factory Rated: R, graphic violence, language The lowdown: I have never been a fan of slasher movies. I always believed their aim was to instantly shock instead of building suspense and tension to scare you. And I especially disliked those that were centered around holidays. I never believed killings were causes for celebration — be it Valentine’s Day,Christmas or even Halloween. But, I digress. So, this sequel follows Ricky, the younger brother of Billy,who went on a murder spree in the original movie. Ricky is released from a mental hospital but is still traumatized by the death of his brother, for which he holds Mother Superior responsible. Ricky aims to start a new life by avenging his brother’s death and killing Mother Superior. The movie relied on some flashbacks from the original to help pad its running time. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include two commentary tracks with cast members and filmmakers, a making of featurette, a look at the movie’s locations, a 2018 interview with Ricky Caldwell and an interview with makeup effects artist Christopher Biggs.

Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: Male Shorts: International V2 (Breaking Glass Pictures) Marie Curie: The Courage of Knowledge (Big World Pictures) SK8 Dawg (DVD + digital & VOD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) The Sound and the Fury (MonarchFilms) Un Traductor (Film Movement) We, the Marines (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + digital) (Shout! Factory)

FOR KIDS Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero (DVD +digital) (Paramount Home Entertainment)

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD 1985 (Wolfe Releasing) I Miss You When I See You (Breaking Glass Pictures) Kusama: Infinity (Magnolia Home Entertainment) Night School (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment) Scarecrows (Uncork’d Entertainment) White Boy Rick (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) Blood (Acorn TV, Dec. 17) The Brokenwood Mysteries: Series 5, Episode 3: Tontine (Acorn TV, Dec. 17) Lord and Ladles, Series 1 (Acorn TV, Dec. 17) Santa Claus (Under the Milky Way, Dec. 17)

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.