By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, June 30, unless otherwise noted:
Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations (Blu-ray) Details: 1927-42, Kit Parker Films-MVD Visual Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This four-disc set features two Laurel & Hardy feature films plus 17 shorts the comedy legends made. Among the more interesting films is the restored 1927 silent short, “The Battle of the Century,” the Oscar-winning short, “The Music Box,” a 1937 Hardy short entitled “That’s That” and the 1942 U.S. government short that showcases how wood is used in thousands of American products. Stan and Ollie do not speak in this short, which is narrated by Pete Smith, but you get to see them in color for the only time in their career. The movies have been restored in conjunction with the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the Library of Congress. Fans of Laurel and Hardy will not be disappointed with this set. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture; English audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include commentaries, film and audio interviews with Laurel and Hardy coworkers, alternate sound and music tracks, a shipboard interview with Hardy and about 2,500 photos, posters and studio files.
Narrow Margin (Blu-ray) Details: 1990, Kino Lorber Rated: R, violence, language The lowdown: Gene Hackman and Anne Archer star in this remake of a 1952 film noir thriller about a woman who, after witnessing a murder, decides to testify against the mob. Hackman stars as an deputy district attorney taking the reluctant witness, played by Archer, from Canada to Los Angeles by train. The 20-hour trip is fraught with danger as the mob knows the woman is on the train, only they do not know what she looks like. A fine supporting cast, including James B. Sikking, J.T. Walsh, M. Emmet Walsh, Susan Hogan and Harris Yulin, add to the suspense. 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 a making of featurette, two commentary tracks, B-rolls and selected sound bites.
Corpus Christi (Blu-ray) Release date: June 23 Details: 2019, Film Movement Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This Polish feature was nominated for an international best picture Academy Award, losing to “Parasite.” The story centers on a 20-year-old reformed convict sent to a small village to do manual labor. Once there, he is mistaken for the new priest. Though he is not trained as a minister, his passion and charisma inspire the villagers. However, his unconventional sermons and unpriestly behavior do raise some eyebrows and suspicions among the congregation. Despite the suspicions of some, the young man’s fervor helps the community begin a healing process from a tragedy. The movie was acclaimed by critics who gave the movie a 97 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Technical aspects: 2.39:1 widescreen picture; Polish 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 5.1 Dolby digital; English subtitles. Don’t miss: A short film from Poland and a making of featurette are the major extras.
A Good Woman Is Hard to Find (DVD) Details: 2019, Film Movement Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A crime thriller about Sarah, a widowed young mother, whose husband was murdered. The killing was witnessed by the couple’s young son, who has been an elective mute since. Police have not been working hard to find the killer, believing it was a falling out among thieves. One day, Tito, who rips off drug dealers, bursts into her home and decides to stash his stolen goods there. Sarah, though very frightened, decides to use Tito in an effort to discover the truth about her husband’s death and return to a normal life. The film, which stars Sarah Bolger, earned a 91 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Technical aspects: 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital surround; English closed-captioned. Don’t miss: Extras include outtakes, a commentary track, deleted scenes, an alternate opening, a making of featurette and behind-the-scenes footage.
What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael (DVD) Release date: June 16 Details: 2019, Juno Films Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A documentary that looks at the life and career of “New Yorker” film critic Pauline Kael, who reviews could make or break a film — or a filmmaker. The movie, which features interviews with such personalities as Quentin Tarantino, Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola and Alec Baldwin, is a balanced portrait of Kael and her standing in the movie and magazine industries. Sarah Jessica Parker reads Kael’s words on the soundtrack. The movie is a tribute to Kael and an era in which film criticism was read and honored and features some interesting archival footage of the critic. Technical aspects: Widescreen picture; English audio. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include interview excerpts with Tarantino and writer-director Paul Schrader, deleted scenes and excerpts from Kael’s interview with Alfred Hitchcock.
Romance on the High Seas (Blu-ray) Release date: June 16 Details: 1948, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Doris Day made her film debut in this sea-going musical about Georgia Garrett, young singer whose career is stalled until she goes on a cruise under the name of Mrs. Elvira Kent, while the real Mrs. Kent secretly stays home to spy on her husband, whom she believes is stepping out on her. At the same time, the husband hires a spy to keep tabs on the voyaging Mrs. Kent, not knowing it is really Georgia. The musical, directed by Michael Curtiz with dance numbers staged by Busby Berkeley, features Jack Carson and Oscar Levant. The songs, written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, include the hit, “It’s Magic.” The feature 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, 1.37:1 (4x3) full-screen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a Warner Bros cartoon and a musical short.
The Etruscan Smile (Blu-ray) Release date: June 16 Details: 2018, Lightyear Entertainment Rated: R, language The lowdown: Brian Cox gives a strong performance as irascible Scotsman Rory MacNeil who leaves his Hebridean island home for San Francisco to seek medical treatment. There, he moves in with his estranged son, Ian (JJ Field), and the two slowly begin to reconnect, especially when father and son bon over Ian’s baby son. The movie also features Rosanna Arquette, Thora Birch, Peter Coyote, Tim Matheson and Treat Williams. The film is a heartwarming experience that showcases the strength of family. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English (some Gaelic) 5.1 Dolby digital; English subtitles.
Dede (DVD) Details: 2017, Corinth Films Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This Georgian feature is based on true events that occurred at the outset of that nation’s civil war. The film takes place in a small mountainous community that is mostly isolated from the modern world. It is a patriarchal society that includes forced marriages, pride and tradition that run daily life. Dina is a young woman promised to David, a soldier just returned from the war. Tradition dictates that once a marriage arrangement is forged by two families, failure to follow through on the commitment is unthinkable. Dina, however, does not love David. She is attracted, though, to Gegi, who saved David’s life during combat. The humiliated David, after learning the truth from Dina, tries to kill Gegi. David fails, and is so ashamed that he takes his own life. Dina is upset but proceeds to marry Gegi. Together, they flee the village to make a new life, but the bitterness held by David’s family casts a long shadow over their lives and happiness. Technical aspects: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; Georgian Dolby digital; English subtitles.
Cannery Row (Blu-ray) Release date: June 16 Details: 1982, Warner Archive Collection Rated: PG The lowdown: Nick Nolte and Debra Winger star in this adaptation of two John Steinbeck novels, “Cannery Row,” and its sequel, “Sweet Thursday.” The movie adapted and directed by David S. Ward, follows a group of down-and-out souls in World War II-era Monterey, Calif., who have banded together in their own small community. Nolte portrays Doc, a marine biologist, and Winger is Suzy, a newcomer with a good heart. The movie meanders through some plot clichés, but fans of Nolte and Winger will appreciate their efforts. 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, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Street Survivors: The True Story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash (Blu-ray + DVD + CD) Details: 2020, Cleopatra Entertainment-MVD Visual Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This movie is a dramatic re-enactment of the 1977 plane crash that killed members of the Southern rock group, Lynyrd Skynyrd, including frontman Ronnie Van Zant. The movie told from the perspective of one of the survivors, drummer Artimus Pyle, who also narrates the film, highlights Pyle’s efforts to rescue survivors and then proceeding to a nearby Louisiana farmhouse to get help. This three-disc set offers the movie on Blu-ray and DVD as well as including a soundtrack CD. Fans of the group will most likely find this an interesting experience, though there is some disagreement among about Pyle’s actual contributions to the rescue efforts. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, widescreen picture; English audio; DVD: widescreen picture; English audio.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: Baby Frankenstein (DVD & VOD) (Wild Eye Releasing) Force of Nature (Blu-ray & DVD & digital & VOD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) Four Kids and It (Blu-ray & DVD & digital & VOD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) Traditional Wild America: Duck Hunting on the Santee Delta (DVD) (MVD Visual Entertainment)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD Eating Up Easter (Music Box Home Entertainment) We’ll Do It for Half (www.netflix.com/WellDoItForHalf) (Netflix) Friends With Money (Sundance Now, July 1) Blinded (Sundance Now, July 2) The Bureau: Season 5, Episode 3 (Sundance Now, July 2) Liar: Season 2, Episode 5 (Sundance Now, July 2) The Outpost (Falco Ink July 3) The Truth (IFC Films, July 3) Accidents Happen (Sundance Now, July 6) An American Ascent (Sundance Now, July 6) Bodily Harm (Acorn TV, July 6) Edward & Mary: The Unknown Tutors (Acorn TV, July 6) Sensitive Skin: Series 1 (Acorn TV, July 6)
Coming next week: Trolls: World Tour
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.