By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Feb. 12, unless otherwise noted: Bohemian Rhapsody (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2018, Fox Home Entertainment Rated: PG-13, mature themes, suggestive material, language, drug use The lowdown: While this biopic about Freddie Mercury and Queen contains the formulaic tropes of the genre, it is the energetic and committed performance of Rami Malek as Mercury that carries the film. Mercury and Queen were extraordinary and dynamic performers. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said of the movie. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a formulaic, rags-to-riches story that treads an overused cinematic road to chronicle the band and Mercury’s rise to fortune and fame. While the film provides lots of glitz and glamour, it comes up short when delving into the offstage, behind-the-scenes lives and interactions with the supergroup. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is, like Mercury, a flamboyant and lively, production. What it lacks — and sorely needs — is insight into what made Mercury the larger-than-life performer he was. That should not, deter you from viewing the movie, which features an excellent transfer for home market consumption. The audio components bring the musical experience into your screening room with clean and clear precision. And Malek’s Academy Award-nominated performance helps carry the movie, which earned a 62 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 2.0 Dolby digital, English 5.1 descriptive audio and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English 2.0 Dolby digital; English 5.1 descriptive audio; French and Spanish 2.0 Dolby digital surround; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus features include the complete Live-Aid performance not seen in theaters, a featurette on Malek’s transformation into Mercury; a behind-the-scenes look at recreating Live-Aid and a featurette on the look and sound of Queen.
Shoplifters Details: 2018, Magnolia Home Entertainment Rated: sexual content, nudity The lowdown: Japan’s entry for the best foreign language film Academy Award deals with a poor, but happy, family that survives through petty thievery. One day the father and his son come upon a little girl freezing in the cold. They are reluctant to give the girl shelter, until the wife prevails and takes her in. A strong loyalty bonds the family who seems content on surviving by their trade. But when the son is arrested, the connections of blood are stretched and tested, and family secrets come to light. The movie greatly impressed critics who gave it a 99 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; Japanese 5.1 Dolby digital; English subtitles.
A Private War (Blu-ray + digital) Release date: Feb. 5 Details: 2018, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: R, disturbing and graphic violent images, language, sexual situations, nudity The lowdown: Rosamund Pike stars as journalist Marie Colvin, a war correspondent who travels the world to show the true cost of war. Along with war photographer Paul Conroy (Jamie Dornan), the two accept dangerous assignments to the frontlines of various conflicts in which they risk their lives to inform readers around the globe to the true nature of conflicts. Pike portrays Colvin as a driven and single-minded individual who seeks the truth and is not afraid to confront dictators. The film is about Colvin, who lost an eye and began wearing a patch after being wounded by a grenade in Sri Lanka, and the importance of journalism to continually report on events and their impact on people. The movie earned an 89 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 Dolby digital DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a featurette on Pike’s transformation to Colvin, a “Women in the World Summit” question-and-answer session and a music video.
American Vandal: Season One Details: 2017, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This Netflix series, a parody of true-crime shows, investigates the aftermath of a prank that left 27 faculty cars vandalized with phallic images. The alleged perp Dylan Maxwell, a well-known dick-drawer and prankster, was blamed and expelled by Hanover High School administrators, even after proclaiming his innocence. Two classmates, Peter Maldonado and Sam Ecklund, begin filming a documentary detailing the incident. Their goal is to uncover the truth and the real culprit. As the eight episodes in this two-disc set unfolds, suspects arise, and secrets are revealed. But is what they find enough to clear Dylan? The series was nominated for an Emmy Award and won a Peabody Award. Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include interviews with characters Mr. Krazinski and Dylan Maxwell, a point-counterpoint with characters Alex Trimboli vs. The Wayback Boyz and an extended version of school board hearings.
Doctor Who: The Complete Eleventh Season (Blu-ray) Release date: Jan. 29 Details: 2018, BBC Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This is the season that made history for this series that has been running for more than half a century. Jodie Whittaker takes over control of the TARDIS as the show’s first female Doctor Who, and she gets off to a fast start battling to thwart an alien huntsman who is stalking humans. The Doctor recruits three new helpers, Ryan, Yasmin and Graham who travel with her across the universe through 10 episodes of exciting adventures and dangers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a featurette on Whittaker becoming the Doctor, a look at regenerating Doctor Who, a commentary track, cast video diaries, a behind-the-scenes on directing the episodes, a look at the Doctor’s friends, an “Everything You Need to Know About the TARDIS” featurette, making the theme tune and more.
Audition (Blu-ray) Details: 1999, Arrow Video Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A recent widower is advised by his son to find a new wife. The widower takes advantage of his position at a film company by holding a fake audition for a leading lady and interviewing dozens of hopefuls to find the perfect woman. Soon, Shigeharu Aoyama, the widower, is enchanted by Asami, a quiet 24-year-old woman and former ballerina. They begin a courtship that soon veers into a psychopathic nightmare as Asami is not what she appears to be. First, Aoyama wonders about the scars on her legs, and he later discovers a man trussed up in her living room with his tongue cut out and his feet lopped off. The movie shocked audiences with its various twists and turns as well as its disturbing and depraved finale. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; Japanese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus features include interviews with cast members, an appreciation of the movie by Japanese film historian Tony Rayns, an interview with director Takashi Miike, two commentary tracks, one of which features Miike and a booklet with writings about the movie.
Four Weddings and a Funeral: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1994, Shout! Factory Rated: R, language, sexual situations The lowdown: Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes this beloved romantic comedy addition to the Shout Select series. Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell star in this delightful movie about Charlie, a charming bachelor and frequent best man at the weddings he attends with his friends. MacDowell is Carrie, an American woman who catches Charlie’s eye. Unfortunately, she is engaged and about to marry the wrong man. Their rocky road to romance takes many funny and heartfelt detours until all ends well. A fun supporting cast including Simon Callow, Kristin Scott Thomas, John Hannah, James Fleet, Charlotte Coleman, David Bower, Colin Redgrave and Rowan Atkinson add to the enjoyment. If you are looking for a romantic gift for a significant other, this title should fit the bill. 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 an interview with director of photography Michael Coulter, a commentary track with director Mike Newell and others, a featurette on the making of the movie, a “Wedding Planners” documentary, deleted scenes and a featurette with Grant, MacDowell and Newell.
Valentine: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 2001, Scream Factory Rated: R, strong horror violence, sexual situations, language The lowdown: If you literally want to shoot Cupid’s arrow through someone’s heart, here’s the movie to help you do it. David Boreanaz, Denise Richards and Katherine Heigl are among the cast members in this horror outing about a Cupid-masked killer who doesn’t take rejection well. The scares are laced with humor as many of the cast members bite the dust. Some of these young dating-scene veterans wind up dying for love — or the unrequited equivalent. Beware of receiving boxes of candy or flowers; they may contain deadly surprises in this shocker. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus options include two commentary tracks, interviews with cast members, co-writers, the film’s composer and editor and vintage cast and crew interviews.
Horror Express (Blu-ray) Details: 1972, Arrow Video Rated: PG, violence The lowdown: Hammer Film alums and chums Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing star in this chiller thriller set aboard the Trans-Siberian Express. Lee plays a famous anthropologist who boards the train with a crate containing the frozen remains of a primitive humanoid that he believes is the missing link in human evolution. Of course, something goes amiss, the creature thaws and returns to life creating havoc and death. The movie is an odd mixture of horror and science fiction. The cast of this Spanish-produced production also includes Telly Savalas. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 picture; English LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Supplemental offerings include appreciations of the film by filmmakers Steve Haberman and Ted Newsom, an interview with composer John Cacavas, a featurette on producer Bernard Gordon, an interview with co-writer-director Eugenio Martin, an introduction by film journalist Chris Alexander, a commentary track and a booklet with writings about the movie.
“The Poison Ivy Collection” (Blu-ray) Details: 1992-2008, Scream Factory Rated: R, not rated, sexual situations, language The lowdown: These four films of seduction are definitely guilty pleasure features that are geared toward a younger, 20somethings audience. The movies are “Poison Ivy” (1992), which stars Drew Barrymore; “Poison Ivy 2: Lily” (1996), featuring Alyssa Milano; “Poison Ivy: The New Seduction” (1997), starring Jaime Pressly; and “Poison Ivy: The Secret Society” (2008) with someone named Miriam McDonald. The films all deal with young women using their feminine wiles to seduce and manipulate. Three of the four movies offer R-rated and unrated versions of the movies, with “Poison Ivy” The Secret Society” simply providing an unrated version only. These films are truly niche-market products aimed at a specific audience. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio stereo; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a commentary track on “Poison Ivy.”
Tarzan Goes to India (Blu-ray) Release date: Jan. 29 Details: 1962, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Actor-stuntman Jock Mahoney dons the loincloth of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Lord of the Jungle in this adventure that finds Tarzan more of a global troubleshooter than protector of his beloved African jungles. Mahoney, who was the villain opposite Gordon Scott in “Tarzan the Magnificent,” was a leaner Tarzan, who made his entrance in the movie by leaping out of a plane into a lake. Mahoney’s stuntwork included doubling for Charles Starrett in his series of “Durango Kid” Westerns and leaping onto a villain doubling Errol Flynn in “The Adventures of Don Juan.” So, Mahoney was used to the action required to portray Tarzan. The story centers on Tarzan working to save elephants threatened by the construction of a dam. Tarzan must deal with several adversaries — animal and human — before saving the day. The release is a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection. It can be ordered at www.wb.com/warnerarchive, or other online distributors. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English SDH subtitles.
Tarzan’s Three Challenges (Blu-ray) Release date: Jan. 29 Details: 1963, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Actor-stuntman Jock Mahoney made his second and last appearance as Tarzan, this time traveling to Thailand to lead a young heir to that nation’s spiritual throne to his ordination, thus undermining the plans of Khan, evil warlord played by Woody Strode, to place his own son on the throne. But before he can help, Tarzan must prove who he is to the heir by passing tests of skill, strength and wisdom — no sweat Tarzan, but a problem for Mahoney who was sick during much of the shooting and lost about 40 pounds. After proving his worth to the young leader, Tarzan must then face Khan in a ritualistic duel to the death. The release is a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other Internet sellers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles.
The Key to Rebecca Details: 1985, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This two-part, made-for-TV adaptation of Ken Follett’s best-seller is set in Cairo during World War II. Academy Award-winner Cliff Robertson stars as British Major William Vandam who is hoping to trap a German spy, Alex Wolff (David Soul of “Starsky and Hutch”), who is attempting to infiltrate the British command so he can help German Gen. Erwin Rommel (Robert Culp) capture Egypt. To help discover the spy, Vandam enlists the help of an exotic dancer, Sonja El Aram (Lina Raymond) as well as Elene Fontana (Season Hubley). Actor David Hemmings, who also appeared in a supporting role, was behind the camera for this four-hour presentation. Also, in the cast, was veteran actor Anthony Quayle. Technical aspects: 4x3 full-screen picture; English Dolby digital monaural; English SDH subtitles.
The Giant Behemoth (Blu-ray) Release date: Jan. 29 Details: 1959, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Another giant prehistoric creature threatens mankind in this feature from director Eugene Lourie (“The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms”). The beastie threatens England as it stomps its way through London, flattening cars, and emits a flesh-burning radioactive ray. Legendary stop-motion animator Willis O’Brien contributed some of the effects. The movie is akin to the Japanese “Gojira,” as radiation is blamed for the monster’s rise to the surface and eventual rampage. The release 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, 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: A commentary track with special effects creators Dennis Muren and Phil Tippett is the main bonus feature.
Road House 2 (Blu-ray) Release date: Jan. 22 Details: 2006, MVD Marquee Collection Rated: R, violence, language, nudity, sexual content The lowdown: The spirit of Patrick Swayze’s Dalton is resurrected in this sequel that finds the legendary cooler’s son, Shane (Johnathon Schaech), working as an undercover DEA agent. When a gang of drug runners start terrorizing Shane’s uncle Nate (Will Patton) to run him out of business so they can take over the premises for drug trafficking (yes, I don’t understand the attraction of such a public place to drug dealers, but, then, I’m not a screenwriter), Shane springs into action to protect his uncle and deal with the dealers. Jake Busey is featured as the villain, the aptly named Wild Bill. The movie seems to have had a very limited theatrical release since only four critic reviews are posted at Rottentomatoes.com, and all are rotten. But, somewhere out there is someone chomping at the bit to get this movie. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio surround and English, French and Spanish 2.0 Dolby digital surround; English SDH subtitles.
Haunted Hospital: Heilstatten (Blu-ray + DVD) Details: 2018, Well Go USA Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A group of young vloggers sneak into an old, condemned asylum outside Berlin for a “Will You Survive the Night” viral social media challenge. And guess what? Some of them don’t as they chase rumors of paranormal activity in the facility. The movie, in which night vision equipment and thermal cameras are used, features the usual clichés found in many similar movies. The movie offers German and English language tracks. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; German and English DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; German and English Dolby digital; English subtitles.
Antonio Lopez 1970: Sex Fashion & Disco Details: 2018, Film Movement Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A documentary that looks at the world of fashion in the 1970s through the eyes of fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez. Lopez was born in Puerto Rico but raised in the Bronx. His drawings were featured in “Vogue” and “Elle.” He was an arbiter of style and fashion and brought distinct urban elements to a fashion industry that, in the years after World War II, needed change and diversity. Lopez is known for discovering such personalities as Grace Jones, Jessica Lange and Jerry Hall. His friends included photographer Bill Cunningham and designers Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent. Many of them discuss Lopez and his life during the movie. Technical aspects: 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital surround; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include archival footage and Cunningham interview excerpts.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: Band vs. Brand (DVD + digital) (Cleopatra Entertainment-MVD Visual Entertainment) Ferah Ships Feza (IndiePix Films) Maria by Callas (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) Moko Jumbie (IndiePix Films) Nude Area (Omnibus Entertainment)
FOR KIDS Ben 10: Out to Launch (Cartoon Network-Warner Home Video) Norm of the North: Keys to the Kingdom (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-3 (Warner Home Video) Shimmer and Shine: Flight of the Zahracorns (Nickelodeon-Paramount Home Entertainment, Feb. 5)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD Creed II (Warner Home Video) The Favourite (Fox Home Entertainment) The Little Mermaid: 30th Anniversary Edition (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment) London Fields (Fox Home Entertainment) Pinsky (Breaking Glass Pictures) Ralph Breaks the Internet (Walk Disney Studios Home Entertainment) Ken Jeong: You Complete Me, Ho (Netflix, Feb. 14) Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Warner Home Video, Feb. 15) Murdoch Mysteries: Series 12, Episode 10 (Acorn TV, Feb. 18) The Oldenheim Twelve (Acorn TV, Feb. 18)
Coming next week: A Star Is Born
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.