The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Dec. 18, unless otherwise noted: Fahrenheit 11/9 (Blu-ray + digital) Details: 2018, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: R, language, disturbing material and images The lowdown: Michael Moore’s latest documentary looks at the nation during the presidency of Donald Trump. The movie, however, is not so much about Trump, but how American ideals are shattering and our institutions are failing us. The movie really adds nothing new to Moore’s cautionary look at a nation, he believes, is slipping into apathy and dictatorial rule. He examines the broken political system and lays the blame at the feet of Democrats and Republicans. The movie is a call to arms to get involved in the political process. Despite its problems — it is rather overwrought — Moore is sincere in his love of country and his plea to make it better. The movie was warmly received by critics, who gave it an 81 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Our Cartoon President: Season One With World Class Amenities Details: 2018, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Late-night host Stephen Colbert is no fan of President Donald Trump, as most viewers of his showreadily know. Colbert serves as executive producer of this satiric animated series, which airs on Showtime. This three-disc set features all 17 episodes that skewer the president, his family and many of those in his administration, as well as members of both political parties. The show tackles Trump sons, Don Jr. and Eric, Russian collusion and the president’s temptation to nuke anyone whom he doesn’t like. Technical aspects: 16:9 picture; English Dolby digital stereo; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include an introduction by Colbert, insights by the show’s creators, writers, animators and art directors, clips, table reads and commentaries on select episodes.
The Equalizer 2 (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Release date: Dec. 11 Details: 2018, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rated: R, graphic, bloody and brutal violence, language, drug content The lowdown: This movie is your run-of-the-mill sequel that relies on a tired and formulaic plot about rogue government agents and betrayal. Denzel Washington returns as Robert McCall, and his solid performance keeps the film afloat. The movie diverts from the premise of the old TV series, in which McCall helped ordinary people in distress. McCall, working as a Lyft driver, helps people in small and bigger ways. He is like a guardian angel, driving around Boston and keeping an eye on its residents. The main story really does not kick in until about 40 minutes into the movie. First, though, we are given various threads of subplots that are slowly tied together. They finally involve McCall when tragedy touches an old friend from his past life. From that point, “Equalizer 2” becomes a series of cliched situations and dialogue spews forth as we have seen in dozens of movies in recent years. “Equalizer 2” is dark and unsatisfying. It lacks the moral clarity of the original and seems content on getting by on Washington’s charisma alone. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 108p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio ,French 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 Dolby digital audio description track and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English 5.1 Dolby digital audio description track; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a “Retribution Mode” option for viewing the movie with comments by Washington and director Antoine Fuqua; deleted and extended scenes; a featurette on Washington reprising his role as McCall; a trivia-track pop-up; an action sequence breakdown; and a look at the cast.
Sharp Objects (Blu-ray + digital) Release date: Nov. 27 Details: 2018, HBO Home Entertainment Rated: TV-MA, sexual content, language The lowdown: Amy Adams stars in this psychological drama as a reporter assigned to cover a series of murders in her hometown. She is reluctant to return because of the bad memories and scars she carries from her childhood. Once there, her self-destructive impulses awaken, as she clashes with her mother, played by Patricia Clarkson, and worries about her younger sister. The two-disc set features all the twists and turns as each episode unfolds.This is a disturbing and moody piece, based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn (“Gone Girl”). Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 DTS digital surround and Spanish (Latin and Castilian) 5.1 DTS digital surround; English SDH, French, Spanish (Latin and Castilian), Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a featurette on creating the town of Wind Cap, a profile of Flynn, character pieces and an anatomy of a scene.
Peppermint (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Release date: Dec. 11 Details: 2018, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: R, strong and graphic violence, language The lowdown: “Peppermint” is a thoroughly unpleasant movie, shallow and simplistic with one-dimensional,stereotypical characters and a lazy, very predictable plot. It’s a revenge-driven movie without a moral fiber, as Jennifer Garner’s Riley North sets out to avenge the murder of her husband and daughter, as well as hold accountable those in the justice system who failed her. “Peppermint” is a very brutal and violent movie. Heads are blown away, and the bodies begin littering the streets. Plus, the movie is not very kind to Hispanics. All the bad guys work for a stereotypical Hispanic drug lord who is sadistic and cruel. His minions are mindless gunmen. The film is an nasty experience that only those who enjoy violent features will find interesting. At Rottentomatoes.com, the movie garnered an 11 percent fresh rating, if that’s any indication about how the movie was greeted. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 Dolby digital DVS; English SDH and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) 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 behind-the-scenes featurette with Garner and director Pierre Morel and a commentary track.
Forty Guns: Special Edition (Blu-ray) Release date: Dec. 11 Details: 1957, The Criterion Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Samuel Fuller directed this Western with a feminist leaning that stars Barbara Stanwyck as a land baroness who meets her match in lawman Barry Sullivan. The movie is a mix of action, broad humor, double entendres and romance as Stanwyck’s Jessica Drummond uses her posse of 40 cowboys to maintain her iron grip around Cochise County, Arizona. Sullivan’s Griff Bonell is a U.S. marshal and his brothers arrive in the area with a warrant for one of Drummond’s gunmen. Stanwyck gives a fiery and imperious performance as only she can. The vivid black-and-white cinematography add to the movie’s luster. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include an interview with Fuller’s widow, Christa Lang Fuller, and daughter, Samantha Fuller; a 2013 documentary, “A Fuller Life,” made by the director’s daughter featuring comments by filmmakers Wim Wenders and William Friedkin as well as actors Mark Hamill, Jennifer Beals, Monte Hellman, Constance Towers and James Franco; a 1969 audio interview with Fuller; an interview with critic and author Imogen Sara Smith; and an essay about Fuller and an excerpt from his autobiography.
Starman: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1984, Scream Factory Rated: PG, sexual content, violence,language The lowdown: Jeff Bridges gives a stellar performance as an alien stranded on Earth after his spaceship is shot down over Wisconsin. He alien finds its way to the remote cabin of a Jenny (Karen Allen), a young widow still grieving her husband. The alien clones himself into the form of her husband and coerces Jenny to drive him several hundred miles to a pickup point. She has three days to get him to his rendezvous. Of course, government agents begin tracking them wanting to capture or kill the alien. Along the way, an attraction develops between Jenny and the alien, who leaves her with a life-altering gift. The movie, directed by John Carpenter, is somewhat formulaic and derivative, but the chemistry and performances by Bridges and Allen overcome these flaws. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include interviews with Bridges, Carpenter and script supervisor Sandy King Carpenter.
Doctor Who: Peter Davison: Complete Season One (Blu-ray) Release date: Dec. 4 Details: 1982, BBC Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Peter Davison takes up the Tardis of Doctor Who in this eight-disc set featuring all 26 newly-remastered episodes of this venerable science-fiction series. The season was comprised of seven story arcs as Davison, as a younger Time Lord, battles various threats to Earth, the galaxy and the universe. Fans of the series will find some of the episodes whimsical, while others may view the season as more adult-oriented than kid-friendly. Still, fans of the series will enjoy the Doctor’s various adventures. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 4x3 full-screen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: The set features hours of extras, including a conversation with Davison; interviews and discussions with cast members; a series of making of documentaries; studio footage from some of the story arcs; an extended version of the “Black Orchard: Part One”episode; optional updated special effects; immersive 5.1 surround sound mixes for “Kinda” and “Earthshock” stories; and PDF production material.
Who We Are Now: Special Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 2017, FilmRise Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Julianne Nicholson stars as Beth, an ex-convict, who is working with a public defender, played by Jimmy Smits, to get her son back from her sister who was awarded custody while Beth was in prison for 10 years. Along the way, Beth forms a friendship with Jess (Emma Roberts), an idealistic protégé on the public defender’s team. The movie holds your attention while posing questions that make you think about fairness of the judicial system. The cast also includes Zachery Quinto and Jason Biggs. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 stereo surround; English SDH subtitles.
The Jerk: 40th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1979, Shout! Factory Rated: R, sexual content, language,violence The lowdown: This newest release in the Shout Select series stars Steve Martin in one of his earliest — and most famous roles — that of Navin Johnson, the adopted son of a poor black sharecropping family in Mississippi. When Navin learns that there is a world outside of Mississippi, he leaves to make his fortune and find his “special purpose.” The movie, directed by Carl Reiner, is funny; though not all the jokes land perfectly. Martin cowrote the script with Carl Gottlieb and Michael Elias. Still, it’s Martin’s performance that keeps the movie afloat, with able assistance from Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Mabel King and Jackie Mason, among others. The film helped launch Martin’s film career as a comedic leading man. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include conversations with Martin and Reiner and with Gottlieb and Elias; a learning to play “You Belong to Me” featurette and “The Lost Film Strips of Father Carlos Las Vegas De Cordova” featurette.
Dracula: Prince of Darkness: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1966, Scream Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Eight years after making an impact as Bram Stoker’s vampire Count Dracula in Hammer Film’s 1958 “Horror of Dracula,” Christopher Lee returned to the role in this 1966 sequel. Strangely, though he had dialogue in the original — and in many of the sequels that followed — Lee did not utter a word in this movie. The story centers on four English tourists who find themselves stranded in the village of Karlsbad. They wind up at the abandoned castle of Dracula, where, the blood of one of them leads to the resurrection of the evil vampire. It’s up to a determined priest, played by Andrew Keir, to save the tourists and destroy the count — at least until the next sequel. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include two commentary tracks, a “World of Hammer” episode about Dracula and a “Back to Black” documentary.
Topper Takes a Trip (Blu-ray) Details: 1938, VCI Entertainment-MVD Visual Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Roland Young and Constance Bennett return in this sequel to “Topper,” but Cary Grant is AWOL. His George Kirby has supposedly made it to the Pearly Gates, but wife Marian (Bennett) is still has not reached the appropriate spirit level. Seeing that her friend, banker Cosmo Topper (Young), is having marital and personal problems, she decides to pitch in and help him. Of course, this leads to a bunch of zany episodes as Topper is off to the Riviera in the fantasy-comedy. The cast also includes such fine character actors as Billie Burke, Alan Mowbray and Franklin Pangborn. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture; English LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles.
An Afghan Love Story Details: 2013, Film Movement Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This movie was Afghanistan’s submission for the 2014 best foreign language film Academy Award. The story centers on a relationship between a handsome waiter who charms a pretty young law student. Despite society’s rules about intimacy, the young woman becomes pregnant and the waiter refuses to marry her. The repercussions fall directly on the woman, and events turn violent when her father is compelled to take action. The question is, who will bear the brunt of his rage? The movie is an indictment of Afghanistan’s patriarchal society and its consequences. Technical aspects: 2.35:1 widescreen picture; Persian 2.0 Dolby digital; English subtitles.
“Retro Afrika Collection”: Charlie Steel, Revenge, The Comedians Details: IndiePix Films, 1980-85 Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Three more movies spotlighting little seen African movies made by black filmmakers during the Apartheid era in South Africa. “The Comedians” (circa 1980) centers on a magic ring used by Ace Bhona to make himself rich. However, his new wealth soon makes Bhona greedy and he wants more. He hires a group of thugs to steal the ring from the friend who owns it. The friend, though, is a step ahead of Bhona and puts a curse on him. He loses his fortune, and the police come to take him away. “Charlie Steel” (1984) is a thriller about a kidnapped girl. Private detective Charlie Steel is hired by his old friend, the girl’s father, to retrieve her. Various complications, some tragic, soon follow until everything works out. “Revenge” (1985) is an old African Wild West feature about a peace-loving family man who moves to a vacant farm in search of a new life. A gang of ruthless thugs shatter his dream by murdering his wife and beating his son. The man also is beaten and left for dead. A former gunfighter finds him, nurses him back to health and trains him so he can exact his vengeance. These rare features are an interesting collection for cinephiles interested in films from around the world. Technical aspects: Zulu Dolby digital stereo; English subtitles.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: 1985 (Wolfe Releasing) Bloody Birthday (Arrow Video) Coby (Film Movement) Gamechangers: Dreams of Blizzcon (FilmRise) I Miss You When I See You (BreakingGlass Pictures) Mantovani: The King of Strings(Blu-ray) (FilmRise) Memoirs of War (DVD + VOD) (MusicBox Films) Scarred Hearts (Big World Pictures)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD Bad Times at the El Royale (Fox Home Entertainment) Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable (Netflix) Night Shift (Distribution Solutions) Weightless (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) Hell Fest (Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Dec. 21) A Moody Christmas + The Moodys (Acorn TV, Dec. 24) Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam (Acorn TV, Dec. 24) The Brokenwood Murders: Series 5, Episode 4 (season finale): The Dark Angel (Acorn TV, Dec. 24) Murdoch Mysteries: Season 12, Episodes 1 & 2 (Acorn TV, Dec. 24) Stand Up and Away! With Brian Regan(Netflix, Dec. 24)
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.