By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Jan. 8, unless otherwise noted: Castle Rock: The Complete First Season (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + digital) Details: 2018, Warner Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A set that contains all 10 season one episodes of this psychological horror series from Stephen King and J.J. Abrams, set in the rural town in Maine, where King has set many of his stories. The season follows Death Row attorney Henry Deaver (André Holland), who returns to his hometown of Castle Rock after receiving an anonymous phone call from the infamous Shawshank State Penitentiary. Intrigued, Deaver learns the call is about a nameless young man, played by Bill Skarsgard, who is found locked in an underground cage that’s located in an abandoned cell block beneath the prison. When Deaver goes to investigate, the young man whispers the attorney’s name, causing Deaver to begin investigating who the young man is and why he was imprisoned. Deaver, who wants to leave Castle Rock, is drawn to the town and stays. Aside from having to help “The Kid,” as the prisoner is called, he must deal with his adoptive mother, played by Sissy Spacek, who is struggling with onset dementia. Scott Glenn guest stars as town sheriff Alan Pangborn. Others in the cast include Terry O’Quinn as Shawshank’s warden, Melanie Lynskey and Jane Levy. King fans will find many references to other works by the author throughout the series. As required by the Federal Trade Commission, I must inform my readers that, “Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the 4K UHD I received in this post. The opinions I share are my own.” Technical aspects: 4K UDH: 2160p UHD; 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH and French subtitles; 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. Don’t miss: Bonus features include inside the episode featurettes on all episodes and two featurettes, “Castle Rock: Blood on the Page” and “Castle Rock: Clockwork of Horror.”
The Oath Details: 2018, Lionsgate Home Entertainment Rated: R, language, violence, drug use The lowdown: This dark, satiric comedy mirrors the tribalism and divisiveness that has infected our nation in the past couple of years. The movie stars Ike Barinholtz and Tiffany Haddish as Chris and Kai. He is a progressive news junkie and she is more level-headed. As Thanksgiving nears, citizens are asked to sign a loyalty oath to the president. Ike and Tiffany are shocked, their idealism shaken. Thus, they refuse. The strain begins to show as relatives arrive for the holidays, as well as two government agents. Tensions escalate in this comedy that creates a level of discomfort because it does not sound as far-fetched as it seems. The movie received a 61 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include deleted scenes and two behind-the-scenes featurettes, “Fake News or Facts” and “Turkey Day Trauma.”
When Harry Met Sally: 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1989, Shout! Factory Rated: R, language, sexual situations The lowdown: This beloved romantic comedy is the latest release in the Shout Select series. It’s the perfect viewing experience for those cold winter nights when you simply want to snuggle. The interplay between Billy Crystal’s Harry and Meg Ryan’s Sally engages you from the outset. The two, working from a script by the late Nora Ephron, under the direction of Rob Reiner, create charming characters whom you want to fall in love. The highlight of the movie is the delicatessen scene, capped by a memorable cameo by Reiner’s mother, whose line, “I’ll have what she’s having,” usually brings down the house. Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby offer strong support to the lead players. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Supplemental options include conversations with Reiner and Crystal, an archival commentary with Reiner, Ephron and Crystal, another commentary with Reiner only, a documentary about the movie, deleted scenes, a music video by Harry Connick Jr. and vintage featurettes.
Time Freak (Blu-ray) Details: 2018, Lionsgate Home Entertainment Rated: PG-13, sexual content, language, drug use The lowdown: This time-travel romance is in the genre that produced “The Butterfly Effect” and “About Time.” Young Stillman (“Ender’s Game” Asa Butterfield) is a psychics genius who has been dumped by his girlfriend, Debbie (“Game of Thrones” Sophie Turner). Stillman creates a timeline of their romance and a machine that can rewind the past. With his friend, Evan (Skylar Gisondo) in tow, he sets off to right all the wrongs he made with Debbie. But as each mistake is corrected, something new pops up to detour Stillman’s perfect scenario. The movie had a very limited theatrical release before landing in the home entertainment arena. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include two commentary tracks, a making of featurette and the Academy Award-nominated short fil on which the movie is based.
Bent (Blu-ray) Details: 1997, Film Movement Rated: NC-17, strong sexual content The lowdown: This film adaptation of Martin Sherman’s landmark play dramatizes the persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany. Clive Owen stars as Max who, with his partner, Rudy (Brian Webber), are exposed as gays during a club raid during the Nazis’ “Night of the Long Knives” purge. The two escape the club and are on the run for two years before being captured and sent to Dachau. Rudy is beaten to death, but Max survives, with the help of Horst (Lothaire Bluteau). The two men form an unbreakable bond that gives Max the will to survive the horrors of the camp. Originally, “Bent” was released in two versions, an uncut NC-17 for a sequence that featured strong sexual content, and a trimmed R-rated version. This offering features the NC-17 version of the movie. The cast also features Ian McKellen and Mick Jagger, as well as “Game of Thrones” Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Paul Bettany as well as early appearances by Rachel Weisz and Jude Law. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus options include behind-the-scenes footage, cast and crew interviews, a Jagger music video and an essay about the film.
The Great Battle (Blu-ray + DVD) Details: 2018, Well Go USA Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This epic historical drama is based on the Siege of Ansi, a well-known moment in Korean history, set in the 7th century. It tells of how Gorguryeo forces held their fortress for 88 days against 200,000 invading Tang soldiers. And while some of the historical aspects of the movie may be suspect, its scope should entice fans of such Asian features. A bit of knowledge about Korean history could help you appreciate the politics of the movie, but it’s not really a necessity. An English audio track is available, but I would stick with the Korean track and use the subtitles. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Korean and English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a look at the characters and a commentary track.
8mm (Blu-ray) Details: 1999, Scream Factory Rated: R, violence, language, sexual content The lowdown: Nicolas Cage stars in this thriller as a “surveillance specialist” who lives a normal, routine life. He spends most of his time handling routine cases, most dealing with unfaithful spouses. But his life is changed when he stumbles upon a small reel of film that sets him on a journey into some of the darkest corners of human behavior. His main purpose becomes finding and identifying the girl in the film. The movie features a strong supporting cast including Joaquin Phoenix, James Gandolfini, Peter Stormare, Catherine Keener, Anthony Heald and Chris Bauer. A vast majority of critics dislike the movie, believing the weak script undercut the movie’s interesting premise. Thus, it earned a 23 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include an interview with producer-director Joel Schumacher, a commentary track and a vintage making of featurette.
The Captain (Blu-ray) Details: 2018, Music Box Films Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This German import, based on true events, is set during the final weeks of World War II. The story’s protagonist is a German army deserter who, after escaping a death squad, finds an abandoned Nazi captain’s uniform and dons it. Emboldened by his newfound power, he assembles a group of soldiers who are willing to follow him. The fake captain claims to have orders directly from Hitler and takes command of a work camp for German criminals. There, he proceeds to dispense his own war-time justice. This is a dark movie with some comedic moments that also is brutal and sadistic. It also is an allegory about the corruption and misuse of power. The movie impressed critics, who gave it an 86 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; German 5.1 Dolby digital; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, cast and crew interviews, a commentary track, deleted scenes and storyboard-to-film comparisons.
Willie Dynamite (Blu-ray) Details: 1974, Arrow Video Rated: R, violence, sexual situations, language The lowdown: This Blaxploitation drama centers on pimp Willie Dynamite (Roscoe Orman) who decides to use capitalist ideals to run his prostitution ring. As usual in such features, rivals and corrupt cops attempt to thwart his plans, working together to shut Willie down. Cora (Diana Sands), a woman from his past, tries to help Willie and rescue his girls from a future on the streets. As pressure and tension mount, Willie must decide whether he wants to change his life or end it in a blaze of glory. The movie features many devices familiar to the genre, including a score that features the sounds of Motown superstar Martha Reeves. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 1.0 LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a featurette, hosted by Ice-T, that looks at the blaxploitation genre and includes interviews with Richard Roundtree, Isaac Hayes, Melvin van Peebles and others; and a booklet with essays about the movie.
CMA Awards Live: Greatest Moments 1968-2015 Details: 2018, Time Life Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Country-music fans will enjoy this three-disc set that spotlights the songs and artists who have entertained listeners for more than 50 years. The set features 40 live performances and several Country Music Awards moments, as well as bonus interviews with the biggest stars in the genre. Among those appearing and performing are Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Dierks Bentley, Alabama, Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Tanya Tucker, Randy Travis, Buck Owens and Reba McIntire. Acceptance speeches and backstage interviews also are included in this more than three hours of entertainment. The set also gives fans a chance to remember those who have left the country-music scene such as Cash, Owens and Campbell. Technical aspects: 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English Dolby digital. Don’t miss: Extras include interviews with many of the stars of country music.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: Family Guy: 20Greatest Hits (Fox Home Entertainment) Intensive Care (DVD + VOD) (Screen Media) Kusama: Infinity (Magnolia Home Entertainment) Memoir of War (Music Box Films)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD First Man (Universal Studios Home Entertainment) The Hate U Give (Fox Home Entertainment) Johnny English Strikes Again (Universal Studios Home Entertainment) Loophole (High Octane Pictures) Terror Tales (High Octane Pictures) Norm of the North: Keys to the Kingdom (Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Jan. 11) Art Detectives, Series 3 (Acorn TV, Jan. 14) Murdoch Mysteries: Series 12, Episode 5 (Acorn TV, Jan. 14) Murphy’s Law, Series 1 (Acorn TV, Jan. 14)
Coming next week: Halloween
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.