By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, June 16, unless otherwise noted: “Universal Horror Collection: Volume 5” (Blu-ray) Details: 1941-45, Scream Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This quartet of creepy B-movie features — one from Paramount Pictures and three from Universal Pictures — all deal with some sort of ape-to-human or human-to-ape transplants. The first movie in the set is “The Monster and the Girl,” a 1941 Paramount release, that deals with a young man who, while trying to save his sister from a prostitution ring, is framed for murder and convicted. A scientist, played by George Zucco, is given the man’s body. He transfers the dead man’s brain into that of an ape which, later goes on a killing spree, killing the mobsters and the corrupt prosecutor who railroaded him. The cast for this release is rather impressive for a programmer; beside Zucco, it includes Paul Lukas as the gangland boss; Onslow Stevens as the prosecutor; Joseph Calleia, Robert Paige, Marc Lawrence and Gerald Mohr as the head mobster’s underlings; Ellen Drew as the victim’s sister; and Phillip Terry as the framed brother. The three Universals are “Captive Wild Woman” (1943) in which mad scientist John Carradine transplants the glands — and later — the brain of women in the body of a female gorilla he has kidnapped from the circus, transforming her into a beautiful woman he names Paula Dupree, played by Acquanetta. Because of her gift of dominating animals, Paul is given a job at the circus, helping wild animal trainer Fred Mason (played by future “Gunsmoke” Doc Adams, Milburn Stone). But when Paula becomes emotionally aroused, she transforms back into a gorilla and goes on a killing spree. The film was an early effort by noted director Edward Dmytryk. The movie, which runs only 61 minutes, contains a lot of stock footage from a 1933 feature, “The Big Cage,” starring Clyde Beatty. The first follow-up is “Jungle Woman” (1944), again features Acquanetta as Paula Dupree, who again causes mayhem and meets her demise in the finale. J. Carrol Naish plays the scientist in this outing. The final film in the trilogy, “Jungle Captive” (1945), with Vicky Lane taking over the role of Paula Dupree. Otto Kruger plays the scientist who experiments on the gorilla to transform her back to human form. The cast also includes Rondo Hatton, Amelita Ward and Phil Brown. The movies are rather campy by today’s standards and are enjoyable in a kooky manner. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus features include commentary tracks on all four movies.
The Hunt (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Release date: June 9 Details: 2019, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: R, strong, bloody violence, language The lowdown: This action flick mixes bloody violence and political satire in its “Most Dangerous Game”-type premise of 12 strangers who awaken in a clearing with no idea of how or why they are there. They soon find a mini-arsenal of weapons and come to realize that they have been chosen as the prey in The Hunt. The twist here is that the hunted are right-leaning, conservative individuals, while the hunters are liberal elitists. And that’s about it for the film’s political commentary. The best parts of the movie involve Betty Gilpin (GLOW) as Crystal, one of those being tracked. She is smart enough to turn the tables on her predators, finally making it to the finale for a showdown with the CEO who runs the game — a smug Athena, played by two-time Oscar-winner Hillary Swank. The movie doesn’t offer anything new in the way of the current divisions in our nation. It’s simply a fun B-movie with higher aspirations that it fails to reach. Critics were nearly split on the movie, giving it a 56 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, 2.0 DVS and French and Spanish 5.1 DTS digital surround; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English 2.0 DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus options include death scene breakdowns, a featurette on crafting the movie and a featurette on Athena vs. Crystal.
Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band (Blu-ray) Release date: May 26 Details: 2020, Magnolia Home Entertainment Rated: R, language, drug references The lowdown: “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band” is a simultaneously entertaining and frustrating documentary. Fans of The Band will enjoy the archival footage of performances and Band members, as well as the interviews with friends, family and collaborators. The movie, though, has a rather narrow focus. It is based on the memoir by Robertson and emphasizes his musical journey from a teenager playing with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, through his and the then-unnamed band’s time playing with Bob Dylan, to the years recording and on the road as The Band. The film also goes into the group’s demise, but, again, from Robertson’s perspective. Be that as it may, “Once Were Brothers” offers interesting observations about the evolution of Robertson as a songwriter and a musician. The documentary also is one of those cautionary tales of how success — and the pressures that come with it — can slowly rip apart a tight-knit group of bandmates because of alcohol and drugs. It’s a sad but familiar story — one that has infected many rock groups through the decades. The heart of “Once Were Brothers” is Robertson, whose joy for music is infectious. Robertson had to overcome adversity — his parents split — in his childhood. He found an outlet in music as well as camaraderie. He considered his bandmates his family. The movie captures a period in which five superb musicians were at the top of the world, performing the music they wanted to make before it all went up in smoke. Critics enjoyed the documentary, giving it an 81 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Mary, Queen of Scots (Blu-ray) Details: 1971, Kino Lorber Studio Classics Rated: PG-13, violence The lowdown: The rivalry between the Catholic Queen Mary of Scotland and the Protestant Elizabeth, Queen of England, has been chronicled on film several times, most memorably by Katharine Hepburn as Mary and Florence Eldridge as Elizabeth in John Ford’s 1936 production, “Mary of Scotland.” In 2018, Saorise Ronan portrayed Mary and Margot Robbie was Elizabeth in “Mary Queen of Scots.” This 1971 version featured two British heavyweights — Glenda Jackson as Queen Elizabeth I and Vanessa Redgrave as Mary. The movie follows the political intrigue that springs to life once Mary returns to Scotland after the death of her husband, the king of France. Fearing that Mary may someday have a child who could sit on the throne of England, immediately causes Elizabeth to begin plotting against her. The movie is filled with deceit, murder and political and religious corruption. It is propelled by the performances of its two stars. And, like other versions of the movie, it plays fast and loose with historical facts. The film features a strong supporting cast, including Timothy Dalton, Patrick McGoohan, Ian Holm, Nigel Davenport and Trevor Howard. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a commentary track and an isolated music track with commentary.
Lost in America (DVD) Release date: June 9 Details: 2020, Indican Pictures Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This documentary looks at the shameful issue of teenage homelessness in the United States. By most estimates, nearly 4.2 million teens are without permanent shelter. The film, written and directed by Rotimi Rainwater, a former homeless youth and a Navy veteran, traveled the country to capture this epidemic and look for its causes. He enlists celebrities and politicians who, themselves, have experienced homelessness. Rainwater’s feature brings this national issue to a more personal level that will make you want to get involved. Technical aspects: 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles.
“Two Films by Sautet/Schneider” (Blu-ray) Details: 1970-72, Film Movement Classics Rated: GP & R The lowdown: Director Claude Sautet emerged as one of the influential directors of the French New Wave mainly because of his collaboration with actress Romy Schneider. This Blu-ray features a pair of their collaborations, the 1970 “Les Choses de la Vie” (“The Things of Life) and 1972’s “Cesar et Rosalie.” Both are romantic dramas featuring Schneider with such leading men as Michel Piccoli and Yves Montand. In “Les Choses de la Vie,” Schneider plays Hélène, the young lover of Pierre, a middle-aged engineer whose life flashes before him after a horrific car accident. Pierre thinks of the choices he has made and the events that occurred between him and his estranged wife, Catherine (Lea Massari). The movie examines the compromises produced by marriage. It was the first of the five films Schneider made with Sautet. “César et Rosalie” finds Schneider’s newly divorced Rosalie dating Montand’s César, a rich playboy and businessman. Things are fine until Rosalie’s former boyfriend, David (Sami Frey) steps back into her life. The two men compete for Rosalie in a movie that looks at the strange nature of romantic love. Both movies are in French with English subtitles. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 widescreen picture; French monaural; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include documentaries about both movies and a booklet with an essay about Sautet and Schneider.
I’important C’est d’Aimer (The Most Important Thing: Love) (Blu-ray) Details: 1975, Film Movement Classics Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Romy Schneider stars in this feature about a down-on-her-luck actress who must earn a living accepting demeaning roles negotiated by her erratic husband. On the set of her latest movie, Schneider’s Nadine meets tabloid photographer Servais who, to win her love, borrows money from a shady associate to bankroll her next project, an adaptation of “Richard III,” opposite a maniacal German actor, portrayed by Klaus Kinski. The movie is a portrait of the highs and lows in the life of a performer. The Blu-ray features an alternate English-language version of the film. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 widescreen picture; French and English LPC monaural; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include an interview with director Andrzej Zulawski and a booklet with an essay about the movie.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: 2 Minutes of Fame (DVD & digital & VOD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) The Candy Witch (DVD & digital) (Uncork’d Entertainment) The Luring (DVD & digital) (Wild Eye Releasing) The Marshes (Blu-ray & DVD & digital & VOD) (RLJE Films) Project Blue Book: Season 2 (DVD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) The Quarry (Blu-ray & DVD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) Sniper: Assassin’s End (Blu-ray & DVD & digital) (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) Sukiyaki Western Django (Blu-ray) (FilmRise-MVD Visual Entertainment) The Three Christs (Blu-ray & DVD) (IFC Films-Shout! Factory) Wrestle Massacre (DVD & VOD) (Wild Eye Releasing
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD Roger Waters: Us + Them (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) The Short History of the Long Road (FilmRise) Bad Mothers: Episode 7 (Sundance Now, June 18) The Bureau: Season 5, Episode 1 (Sundance Now, June 18) Liar: Season 2, Episode 3 (Sundance Now, June 18) Babyteeth (IFC Films, June 19) Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy (Greenwich Entertainment, June 19) Jack and Yaya (Freedom Cinema LLC, June 19) My Darling Vivian (The Film Collaborative, June 19) The Politician: Season 2 (www.netflix.com/thepolitician) (Netflix, June 19) Runner (This Is It Films, June 19) Another Country (Sundance Now, June 22) Bad Education (HBO-Warner Home Entertainment, June 22) Coast and Country: Railways (Acorn TV, June 22) McLeod’s Daughters: Series 2 (Acorn TV, June 22) Paradise (Sundance Now, June 22) Terribly Happy (Sundance Now, June 22) Vidal Sassoon (Sundance Now, June 22)
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.