New to View: March 24

By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, March 24, unless otherwise noted: 1917 (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2019, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Rated: R, violence, disturbing images, language The lowdown: Up front, I will admit I was in the minority about this World War I drama. I believed it was overlong and pretentious, with one-dimensional characters who jumped from one perilous situation to another like avatars in a “Call of Duty: World War I” video game. The camera work by the great Roger Deakins calls too much attention to itself and distracts from the story at hand — which is simple: two soldiers must reach the front to deliver a message canceling an offensive that would send British soldiers into a German trap. Admittedly, “1917” looks and sounds impressive. But the scenery and noise are mere coverups for a weak story told in a disruptive manner that fails to honor the subject or benefit you or the film. But, what do I know. The movie received several Academy Award nominations and won for best cinematography. It also garnered an 89 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. So, check it out for yourself. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos and French and Spanish 7.1 Dolby digital plus; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: A featurette with director Sam Mendes discussing his personal connection to World War I, a look at the making of the movie, a featurette on the musical score, a behind-the-scenes featurette with cast members, a look at the production design and two commentary tracks are among the major bonus options.

The Song of Names (Blu-ray) Details: 2019, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rated: PG-13, language, sexual content, thematic elements, smoking The lowdown: “The Song of Names” offers an intriguing premise that is undercut by its convoluted presentation. The movie starts in London in 1951, flashes back to 1939 and forward to 1986, with various stops in between. It’s a historical drama about the healing power of music, the bonds of brotherhood, the devastation of loss and faith — lost and rediscovered — all told against a backdrop of an odyssey that journeys from London to Warsaw to New York and back to London. “The Song of Names” is not a bad movie; it is merely too artificial and bloodless. It is a feature with the potential to warm your heart and make you weep, instead it leaves you cold and tempts you to yawn. Critics were not too impressed with the movie, giving it a 40 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 5.1 Dolby digital audio description track; English SDH and English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a featurette on composer Howard Shore and a behind-the-scenes featurette.

Cunningham (DVD) Details: 2019, Magnolia Home Entertainment Rated: PG, smoking The lowdown: A documentary that looks at legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham and his artistic growth and development over three decades, from 1944 to 1972, when he went from a struggling dancer to his rise as a visionary. The movie is an exploration of dance and music, supported by archival footage and interviews. The film is a tribute to the artistic creativity of one of dancing’s greatest modern artists. Critics enjoyed the documentary, giving it an 87 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English closed-captioned subtitles. Don’t miss: The major extra is a look at the creation of “Summerspace.”

Bamboozled: Special Edition (Blu-ray) Release date: March 17 Details: 2000, The Criterion Collection Rated: R, language, violence The lowdown: Spike Lee’s biting satire on the state of race relations in the nation divided audiences and critics alike. Some thought it was a smart jab at the media, while others believed it was too scattershot and sloppy. Either way, it’s a movie that merits a look and discussion. The story centers on television writer Pierre Delacroix (Damon Wayans), a young Harvard-educated writer, who is told by his boss, Dunwitty (Michael Rappaport), to come up with a hit show for the floundering network or be fired. Delacroix creates “The New Millennium Minstrel Show,” hiring Manray (Savion Glover), a homeless tap dancer and his partner, Womack (Tommy Davidson). The show is an outrageous and unbelievable farce of stereotypical comedy. Much to Delacroix’s surprise, the show is a ratings boom for the network and a cultural phenomenon that has critics and pundits raving. Thus, Delacroix and collaborators must continue with the feeding the public’s insatiable appetite for demeaning and dehumanizing stereotypes of black people. Lee’s project is an indictment of racism and the lengths to which mass entertainment will sink to attract audiences and sponsors. The cast also includes Jada Pinkett Smith, Mos Def and Paul Mooney. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.77:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a 2001 commentary track with Lee; a new conversation between Lee and film programmer-critic Ashley Clark; interviews with Glover, Davidson and costume designer Ruth E. Carter; “On Blackface and the Minstrel Show,” an interview program with film and media scholar Racquel Gates; a 2000 making of featurette featuring cast and crew members; deleted scenes; music videos; an alternate parody commercial for the film; and an essay about the movie.

April Fool’s Day: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1986, Scream Factory Rated: R, violence The lowdown: A young woman invites her college friends to her parents’ secluded island home — is there any other kind in horror features — for some April Fool’s fun and games. The problem is, the jokes, at first harmless, begin to turn deadly and bodies pile up one murder at a time. This Canadian film is more horror parody than straight slasher feature, playing off audience expectations of tropes from other slasher movies. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include interviews with director Fred Walton, actors Deborah Goodrich Royce and Clayton Rohner, cinematographer Charles Minsky and composer Charles Bernstein.

Beau Brummell (Blu-ray) Release date: March 10 Details: 1954, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: MGM never really had a swashbuckling star; an actor who looked good in period costumes and could handle a sword. That changed in the 1950s when Stewart Granger joined the studio’s roster. Ironically, his one of his earliest movies was “King Solomon’s Mines,” in which he played Alan Quartermain, a role that had been offered — and rejected — by Errol Flynn. That was followed by such movies as “Scaramouche,” “The Prisoner of Zenda,” “Salome” and “Young Bess.” Granger, whose real name was James Stewart,” then starred in “Beau Brummell,” the story of a gallant and handsome young rascal who ingratiates himself into royal society through his friendship with the Prince of Wales (a wonderful Peter Ustinov). As an advisor to the prince on fashion and other matters, Brummell becomes involved in political intrigue as well as a love affair with beautiful Lady Patricia (a stunning Elizabeth Taylor). The film is presented on a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other online dealers. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.75:1 widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.

Pet Sematary Two: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Release date: Feb. 25 Details: 1992, Scream Factory Rated: R, strong and graphic horror violence, language, sexual content The lowdown: Veterinarian Chase Matthews (Anthony Edwards) and his 13-year-old son, Jeff (Edward Furlong), move to Ludlow, Maine, to rebuild their lives after the death of Matthews’ wife. Jeff is bullied by kids in the neighborhood, but befriends another outsider, Drew Gilbert, who is afraid of his cruel stepfather, Gus (Clancy Brown). After Gus kills Drew’s dog, the boys bury the pet in the local Indian burial grounds — a place rumored to have the power of resurrection. The evil is truly awakened and the boys realize that they should have simply left the dog — now on a murderous spree — dead. The movie, which did not involve Stephen King, was directed by Mary Lambert. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a commentary track with Lambert and an interview with Furlong.

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians (DVD) Details: 2018, Big World Pictures Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A young theater director is planning to stage an accurate re-enactment of the Odessa Massacre — in which Romanian soldiers murdered tens of thousands of Ukrainian Jews. The municipal government is attempting to censor the director and her choices about the presentation anger a city official who threatens to close the play because of its anti-Romanian look at history. The reaction to the play, however, is one that nobody anticipated. The movie is a dark satire about the selective and willful national amnesia that infects a society that is fueled by populist sentiments. The movie is wonderfully conceived and not very subtle. Technical aspects: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; Romanian 5.1 Dolby digital; English subtitles.

The Passion of Darkly Noon (Blu-ray) Details: 1995, Arrow Video Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Brendan Fraser stars in this strange allegorical tale as Darkly Noon who, after the death of his parents at an isolated religious community, wanders off in a daze into a nearby forest, where he is rescued by Callie (Ashley Judd), a free-spirited woman, who nurses Darkly back to health. Darkly begins experiencing feelings and desires he never knew he had for Callie. But his world is shattered when Callie’s mute lover, Clay (Viggo Mortensen) returns. Darkly cannot control his feelings nor his rage, which leads to more tragedy. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include demos of the musical score, a 2015 featurette that includes interviews with director Philip Ridley and Mortensen, an interview with editor Leslie Healey, an isolated score track, a commentary and a booklet about Ridley and the movie.

Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: Hunter’s Moon (DVD & digital & VOD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) The Wizard: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) (Shout! Factory)

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD Birds of Prey and the Fabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (Warner Home Video) Doolittle (Universal Studios Home Entertainment) Just Mercy (Warner Home Video) The Way Back (Warner Home Video) Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (Netflix, March 25) Playing for Keeps: Episode 6 (Sundance Now, March 26) The Restaurant: Series 3, Episode 2 (Sundance Now, March 26) Uncorked (Netflix, March 27) Blood: Series 2, Episode 5 (Acorn TV, March 30) Liverpool: Series 1 & 2 (Acorn TV, March 30) Murdoch Mysteries: Series 13, Episode 16 (Acorn TV, March 30) The Schouwendam 12 (Acorn TV, March 30)

Coming next week: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

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.