By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, June 19, unless otherwise noted: Pacific Rim: Uprising (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2018, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: PG-13, science fiction action, violence and destruction, language The lowdown: Some sequels, are worthy successors to their originals, while others are simply embarrassments. “Pacific Rim: Uprising” falls into this latter category. “Pacific Rim: Uprising” is sloppy and incompetent. It plays like a Saturday-matinee kids’ show, borrowing bits and pieces from “Transformers” movies, “Independence Day: Resurgence” and “Power Rangers”-style offerings. It features dumbed-down, grade-school science, an almost incoherent plot that makes little sense and characters mostly defined by their gender and ethnicity. The movie is insipid and lazy, coasting by on the reputation of its predecessor. It makes no effort, but, instead, it offers by-now formulaic special-effects destruction and clichéd-robot-on-robot and robot-on-monster battles that level cities. A majority of critics felt the same way, giving the movie a 43 percent fresh rating at Rottontomatoes.com. Ironically, the movie works better at home, where the more intimate confines make the destructive sequences seem more impressive. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos and 2.0 DVS, French 5.1 Dolby digital and Spanish 7.1 Dolby digital plus; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.40:1 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: Extras include various behind-the-scenes featurettes, including a look at the “Hall of Heroes,” “Bridge to Uprising,” “Becoming Cadets,” an unexpected villain, a look at next level Jaegers and deleted scenes.
Unsane (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + digital) Details: 2018, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: R, disturbing behavior, violence, language, sex references The lowdown: Claire Foy stars in director Steven Soderbergh’s suspenseful drama about a young woman fighting to reclaim her freedom even if it costs her own sanity. Foy’s Sawyer Valentin, still scarred from the trauma of being terrorized by a stalker, is receiving treatment at a mental facility. However, shortly after committing herself to the institution, and being unable to leave, she sees a faculty staffer whom she believes is her stalker. The question the movie poses, is the stalker real or simply Sawyer’s imagination playing tricks? Soderbergh keeps you on edge throughout, and his work impressed critics who gave the film a 79 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 4K UHD: 2160p UHD HDR10 1.56:1 side matted picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.56:1 side matted picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 2.0 Dolby digital DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie is the major bonus component.
In Syria Details: 2017, Film Movement Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This drama that follows one family’s fight for survival amid the most brutal circumstances. The movie centers on a mother of three trapped with her family and neighbors in a city under siege. She converts her Damascus apartment into a barricaded shelter for her family and neighbors. Escape is impossible with war raging outside and snipers taking aim at anyone trying to leave. The situation becomes even more terrifying when an armed group of bandits infiltrate the building and begin to threaten its residents. The film is a gripping, suspense-filled feature that tries to call attention to the dire situation in Syria to which too many people appear to be apathetic. The movie garnered an 86 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1.78:1 widescreen picture; Arabic 5.1 Dolby digital surround; English subtitles. Don’t miss: A short French film is the major extra.
Back to Burgundy Details: 2018, Music Box Films Rated: Not rated The lowdown: In this French feature, three siblings reunite to save the family vineyard in Burgundy. This is a sweet story about a new generation discovering its own vintage. Of course, the siblings — a black sheep older brother, a practical sister and a recently married younger brother — experience a few familial conflicts, but in the end they work together to find trust in each other and to preserve the land that binds them. The movie, which received a limited release in the United States, earned a 71 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 2.35:1 widescreen picture; French and English 5.1 Dolby digital; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a blooper reel, additional scenes, a making of featurette, a look at the wine of Burgundy and a commentary track.
Double Lover (Blu-ray) Details: 2018, Cohen Media Group Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A French drama about a fragile young woman who falls in love with her psychoanalyst. A few months later, she moves in with him, only to discover that he is hiding part of his life from her. The movie is rather dark and a bit kinky. It also has some thematic tones reminiscent of David Cronenberg’s “Dead Ringers.” And if you know what that film is about, you may not be very surprised at some of the twists and turns of this feature. The movie does have a rather Gallic and chauvinistic attitude about women that may disturb some. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; French 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include conversations with the movie’s director and star.
Furious (Blu-ray + DVD) Details: 2017, Well Go USA Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This historical costume drama is set in the mid-13th century and deals with ruthless Mongol hordes slowly taking over Russia by burning cities and killing people. But one Ryazan warrior, Evoaty Kolovrat, stands against the invaders. He leads the effort to avenge his people and his nation. The story is one of courage, self-sacrifice and love of country, told against the backdrop of a nation’s emergence. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Russian and English DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Russian and English Dolby digital; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras look at the making of the movie.
Night of the Lepus (Blu-ray) Details: 1972, Scream Factory Rated: PG The lowdown: A creature feature centering on a hormone intended to alter the breeding cycle of rabbits overrunning Arizona ranchlands has the effect of turning the bunnies into flesh-eating, 150-pound monsters. A veteran cast including Stuart Whitman, Janet Leigh, Rory Calhoun and DeForest Kelley are among the stars battling the ravenous rabbits. Where is Elmer Fudd when you really need him? Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Two commentary tracks comprise the major extras.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: Pressing On: The Letterpress Film (DVD + VOD) (Giant Interactive-Bayonet Media) The Swap (Monarch Home Entertainment
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD Blockers (Universal Studios Home Entertainment) Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (Netflix) The Princess and the Matchmaker (CJ Entertainment) Ronnie Coleman The King (Generation Iron Fitness Network-The Vladar Company, June 22) Bed of Roses, Series 2 (Acorn TV, June 25) Shoreline Detectives, Series 1 & 2 (Acorn TV, June 25)
I am a 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.