By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, June 11, unless otherwise noted:
Captain Marvel (Blu-ray + digital)
Details: 2019, Marvel Studios-Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Rated: PG-13, science fiction action and violence, language
The lowdown: “Captain Marvel,” set in the mid-1990s, is not the best offering from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s like an old car on a freezing, winter day. It sputters when you start it, but gradually warms up and hits on all cylinders.
“Captain Marvel” is not so much an origin story as it is a mental odyssey, as Carol Danvers, who believes she is a Kree warrior named Vers, seeks answers to who she really is and how she became who she is now.
Like the majority of movies in the MCU, “Captain Marvel” blends action and humor.
The movie’s major asset is the back-and-forth repartee between Brie Larson’s Danvers and a digitally de-aged Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).
One of “Captain Marvel’s” drawbacks is, ironically, Larson. Whether it is by script design or her own acting choices, the Oscar-winning Larson fails to give her character the personality and spark needed for us to embrace this newest superhero.
At times, it feels as if she is foundering, unsure of how to project her character. And that indecision is relayed to the audience. You feel Larson grasping for something tangible to grab onto in her portrayal and seemingly unable to get a firm grip.
The movie may not be in the top echelon of Marvel movies, but it soars when needed and gives you a hero — who saves a people and a planet — for whom you can cheer.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 descriptive audio and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a gag reel, deleted scenes, a featurette on the origin of Nick Fury, a featurette on the Skrulls and Kree alien races, a featurette on Captain Marvel’s impact as she joins the MCU, a featurette on Larson and a profile of Goose the cat.
Magnum P.I.: Season One
Details: 2018-19, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A five-disc set featuring all 20 episodes of this CBS reboot of the popular series that made Tom Selleck a star.
Jay Hernandez portrays Thomas Magnum, a retired Navy SEAL, who moves to Hawaii to take a cushy job as security for wealthy and reclusive novelist Robin Masters.
Living in a cottage on Robin’s Nest, Magnum supplements his income as a private investigator, sometimes aided by Masters’ majordomo and former MI6 agent Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks).
As in the original series, conflicts always arise between Magnum and Higgins, especially when the P.I. borrows Masters’ Ferrari 488 Spider.
The new series combines action and fun.
Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the pilot episode, a look at season one highlights, a look at the recording of the iconic theme music, a gag reel, deleted scenes, interviews with new cast members Amy Hill and Tim Kang and a magazine shoot with Hernandez.
Gloria Bell (Blu-ray + digital)
Release date: June 4
Details: 2019, Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Rated: R, sexual content, nudity, language, drug use
The lowdown: Julianne Moore so dominates “Gloria Bell” that everyone else in the cast — even John Turturro, Brad Garrett, Michael Cera and Rita Wilson — seem like shadow figures when they are in Moore’s presence.
Nothing really earthshaking or profound occurs in “Gloria Bell,” yet it resonates with truth, love, passion and heartache.
Gloria is a 50-something divorcée who works a boring day job and spends her nights going to clubs around Los Angeles because she enjoys dancing.
She seems carefree and full of life, but you notice a touch of loneliness about her. She calls her adult children, asking if she can help them with anything or if they need anything because Gloria has a desire to be needed.
At a club one night, she meets Arnold (Turturro), and they begin a bumpy romance.
The movie is driven by Moore’s stellar performance. You can’t help but fall in love with her.
The film charts the complexities, pitfalls and perplexities of middle age — not only on an emotional level, but within socio-economic and feminist views, as well.
Moore makes “Gloria Bell” an experience that should not be missed.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus components include a look at the making of the movie and a commentary track.
I Am the Night
Details: 2019, TNT-Warner Home Video
Rated: TV-14, language, sexual content, violence
The lowdown: Chris Pine stars in this limited-edition, noir-like series about Fauna Hodel (India Eisley), a teenager who was given away at birth.
She grew up outside of Reno, Nev., and really had no curiosity about her origin. One day, though, she makes a discovery that leads her to question everything she was brought up to believe.
Fauna begins investigating the mysteries of her past. Along the way she meets a down-on-his-heels reporter, played by Pine, who is haunted by the case that ruined his career.
Together, they follow clues that lead them to a Los Angeles gynecologist, who has been involved in many of Hollywood’s darkest escapades as well as one of the most infamous unsolved crimes in the history of Los Angeles.
The six-episode series was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Patty Jenkins.
Technical aspects: 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include a featurette that looks at the infamous Black Dahlia murder, an inside the episode featurette, a look at the “Myths from Inside the Swoden House,” a behind-the-scenes “Who Is Fauna Hodel” profile, a look at Hollywoodland 1965 and a building character featurette.
Frankenstein Created Woman: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray)
Details: 1967, Scream Factory
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Hammer Films’ “Frankenstein” series took a different path than those of the Universal Monster Classics.
The latter dealt with various efforts by the sons, daughters and assistants of Dr. Frankenstein to continually revive and fix the creature he created.
Hammer’s series focused on the efforts of Dr. Frankenstein trying various methods — all with disastrous results — to create life.
This was the studio’s fourth film in the series and Peter Cushing’s fourth outing as the obsessed Baron Frankenstein.
In this outing, Frankenstein and his assistant, Dr. Hertz (Hammer regular Thorley Walters), are working on capturing the souls of the dead and placing them in other bodies.
Their young assistant, Hans (Robert Morris), is unjustly accused of murdering the father of his girlfriend, Christina (Susan Denberg). After Hans is convicted and executed, the two scientists claim his body and trap his soul in their lab.
The bereaved Christina takes her own life. Frankenstein and Hertz take Christina’s body, heal it and transfer Hans’ soul into her body.
Things quickly head south as the now beautiful and irresistible young woman uses her seductive charms to seek revenge for Hans’ death.
This feature is more science fiction than horror. And don’t even try to figure out the concept of how one captures and contains a soul as if it was a butterfly fluttering around a room.
Still, this is a decent feature in the series and one worth viewing.
Terence Fisher was again directing and John Elder contributed another script.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus options include two commentary tracks; a “World of Hammer” episode “The Curse of Frankenstein”; and a “Hammer Glamour” documentary.
“The Buster Keaton Collection: Volume 1”: The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. (Blu-ray)
Release date: May 14
Details: 1926, 1928, Cohen Film Collection
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Two of Buster Keaton’s greatest features are combined in this new Blu-ray release that will please fans of the silent clown.
“The General” (1926) is recognized as one of the great comedies of all times. It is set during the Civil War and based on a true incident, in which a group of Union soldiers steal a train — Keaton’s locomotive. He takes after them in a hilarious chase that spotlights Keaton’s comic skills and timing.
In “Steamboat Bill, Jr.” (1928) Keaton is the son of a famous steamboat captain. He falls in love with the daughter of a rival steamboat owner.
The movie includes the famous cyclone sequence in which a house falls around Keaton. It is one of the most breathtaking stunts ever put on film.
Both movies feature original scores by composer Carl Davis.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.
Don’t miss: Extras include reflections on “The General” and a look at Keaton.
Nixon (Blu-ray)
Release date: May 21
Details: 1995, Kino Lorber
Rated: R, language
The lowdown: Oliver Stone co-wrote and directed this look at the life of President Richard M. Nixon who allowed his personal grievances and passion for power destroy him and his presidency.
Anthony Hopkins captures the complexities of Nixon, who was his own worst enemy.
His performance is what anchors this 212-minute feature that seems, at times, to overstay its welcome.
Also shining is Joan Allen as Pat Nixon. Others in the all-star cast include Ed Harris, Powers Booth, E.G. Marshall, Bob Hoskins, David Paymer, David Hyde Pierce, James Woods, Mary Steenburgen and Paul Sorvino.
The movie is almost Shakespearean in tone, a tragedy about a leader whose flaws were his downfall.
This three-disc set includes the theatrical and extended director’s cut of the movie.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include featurettes with Stone discussing the performances, style and script of the movie as well as discussing the politics and history of the era; three commentary tracks, two of which feature Stone; deleted scenes introduced by Stone; a “Beyond Nixon” documentary; a making of featurette; and a Charlie Rose interview with Stone.
The Sower
Details: 2019, Film Movement
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A historical drama set in 1850s’ France in which autocratic President Louis Napoleon Bonaparte has ordered the arrest of all the men of a remote farming village following a Republican uprising.
The women, now isolated, taken an oath; if a man comes to the village, they all will share him as a lover.
Sure enough, a mysterious and handsome stranger arrives, and his appearance ignites passions and jealousies that threaten to unravel the tight-knit village.
This female-focused historical drama received a limited theatrical release, but is a feature that should be seen for its beauty and content.
Technical aspects: 1.33:1 full-screen picture; French 5.1 Dolby digital; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: The main extra is a short film by the movie’s director, Marine Francen.
Cielo
Details: 2017, Juno Films-MVD Visual Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This breathtaking documentary is a cinematic love letter to the star-filled night sky as seen from Chile’s Atacama Desert.
Filmmaker Alison McAlpine’s movie moves between science and spirituality as it moves to unlock our knowledge of our planet, ourselves and our imaginations.
The movie features the desert dwellers of the Atacama as well as planet hunters and those in the desert’s astronomical observatories.
The movie is really a love poem to the night sky and all its majestic wonders.
Technical aspects: 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English, Spanish and French 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 PCM stereo; English subtitles.
Shaft’s Big Score! (Blu-ray)
Release date: May 28
Details: 1972, Warner Archive Collection
Rated: R, violence, language, sexual situations
The lowdown: The success of “Shaft” in 1971 and the rise of blaxploitation films led to Richard Roundtree returning as the tough private eye in “Shaft’s Big Score!”
In this outing, Shaft investigates the murder of a friend, while dealing with the police and competing mobs.
The movie, like its predecessor, was directed by Gordon Parks and written by Ernest Tidyman.
It was not as well-received as the first movie, but it still packs a wallop and is enjoyable to watch.
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 retailers.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Shaft in Africa (Blu-ray)
Release date: May 28
Details: 1973, Warner Archive Collection
Rated: R, violence, language
The lowdown: The third outing for John Shaft finds him thousands of miles off his New York home turf.
The movie was advertised as “The Brother Man in the Motherland” as Shaft (Richard Roundtree) is drugged and kidnapped.
He awakes naked in an African hellhole, where he is recruited for an assignment in which he poses as a slave to unmask the leaders of an African-to-Europe slavery cartel.
Since this is Shaft, he mixes some pleasure with his business, making love to a beautiful princess — the lovely Vonette McGee.
The cast also includes the reliable British character actor Frank Finlay.
This feature was written by Stirling Silliphant and directed by John Guillermin, a pair of Caucasian dudes, which may explain why it is the weakest of the trio.
The movie is a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other Internet dealers.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Constructing Albert
Details: 2017, Juno Films-MVD Visual Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This documentary examines Albert Adria, younger brother of famed chef Ferran Adria, who ran the kitchen in the very renowned and honored elBuli restaurant, which closed in 2011.
The movie, made over a four-year period, follows Albert Adria as he emerges from the shadow of his older brother by opening five restaurants in Barcelona’s theater district, each with their own distinctive and innovative cuisine.
The film looks at the restaurants, which, will different, all are branded with the personal signature of the self-assured Albert.
Technical aspects: 1.33:1 full-screen picture; Spanish and Catalan 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 PCM stereo; English subtitles.
Sinatra in Palm Springs: The Place He Called Home (Blu-ray)
Details: 2018, Shout! Factory
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This documentary explores legendary entertainer Frank Sinatra’s attachment to and affection for this desert community about 100 miles east of Los Angeles.
Sinatra made his home at his Rancho Mirage compound for 50 years, beginning with his short-lived marriage to Ava Gardner,
For the rest of his life, Palm Springs and his compound was his sanctuary from his public life.
Even today, the community feels the spirit of Sinatra, even naming a street, Frank Sinatra Drive.
Director Leo Zahn explores Sinatra’s attachment to Palm Springs and the surrounding area, as well as paying tribute to his lifestyle.
Among those interviewed are his widow, Barbara, and other friends and colleagues who knew him and lived in the vicinity. The documentary also features archival footage as well as movie and TV clips.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.
The Man Who Found Himself (DVD-R)
Release date: May 28
Details: 1937, Warner Archive Collection
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Second-tier leading man John Beal stars in this 67-minute programmer as a society doctor whose secret passion is aviation — though why it’s a secret is beyond me.
No one can keep Beal’s Dr. James Stanton from flying. An accident unjustly involves Stanton in a scandal. He quits the medical profession and takes to the road as a hobo.
He makes his way to California, where he hooks up with Dick Miller (Philip Huston), an old flying pal, who offers him a job at an aviation company.
Stanton takes a job as a mechanic, with the promise by Miller that he keeps his friend’s true identity a secret.
Stanton is surprised to discover that Roberts Aviation has a flying hospital plane staffed by the lovely, of course, Doris King (Joan Fontaine, in her film debut as a leading lady).
The young woman is attracted to Stanton and begins drawing him out of his shell. All is right with the world, until a nosy reporter uncovers the former doctor’s secret.
Not to worry, everything is fine by the fade-out.
The release is a made-on-demand DVD-R from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other online retailers.
Technical aspects: 1.37:1 (4x3) full-screen picture; English Dolby digital monaural.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
Between the Trees (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Crisis Hotline (DVD & VOD) (High Octane Pictures)
Everything Is Free (DVD & VOD) (Breaking Glass Pictures)
Hallowed Ground (DVD & VOD) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Kinky (MVD Visual Entertainment)
Michelin Stars: Tales from the Kitchen (Juno Films-MVD Visual Entertainment)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD
The Aftermath (Fox Home Entertainment)
Do Something: The Jeffrey Modell Story (digital download & VOD) (Giant Pictures)
The Outsider (digital download & VOD) (Cinedigm, June 14)
Plus One (digital download & VOD (RLJE, June 14)
Penelope Keith’s Village of the Year, Series 1-4 (Acorn TV, June 17)
The Poison Tree (Acorn TV, June 17)
Coming next week: Us
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.