By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, May 22, unless otherwise noted: Game Night (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2018, Warner Home Video Rated: R, language, sexual references, violence The lowdown: Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams star as Max and Annie in this sometimes-dark comedy who host a weekly game night with friends. This night is different because Max’s brother, Brooks, arranges a murder-mystery party complete with fake killers and bogus federal agents. Things go very wrong when Brooks is actually kidnapped and Max, Annie and their friends slowly begin to realize that the game may be for real. The movie, which also features Kyle Chandler, Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Jesse Plemons, Danny Huston and Michael C. Hall, was a hit with critics, who gave it an 82 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 descriptive audio and French 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English and French 5.1 Dolby digital and English 5.1 descriptive audio; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a making of featurette and a gag reel.
The 15:17 to Paris (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2018, Warner Home Video Rated: PG-13, bloody images, violence, suggestive material, language, drug references The lowdown: Clint Eastwood directed this heartfelt tribute to the three American servicemen who, on Aug. 21, 2015, thwarted a terrorist attack on Thalys train #9364 for Paris. Eastwood, however, undercut his own project by casting the actual trio to portray themselves — and while their lack of acting experience may have added some realism, it also diminished the movie’s dramatic impact. The movie, which runs two hours, spends a majority of its running time in flashbacks exploring the lives of the three young Americans. Comparatively, very little time is spent on the incident itself, which was the major objection of the majority of critics. That is probably the reason the movie garnered a weak 25 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos TrueHD, English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 descriptive audio and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.40:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English 5.1 descriptive audio; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the movie and a talk with the three Americans — Spencer Stone, Alex Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler — as they go moment-to-moment through the dramatic event.
Red Sparrow (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2018, Fox Home Entertainment Rated: R, graphic and bloody violence, torture, language, sexual content, nudity The lowdown: Jennifer Lawrence stars in this international spy thriller as a former ballerina forced to enter the Sparrow School, a secret government program that puts her in the center of a cat-and-mouse game of espionage between Russia and America’s CIA. Though Lawrence’s Dominika has been trained as a lethal instrument of her government, her sole wish is to escape the new life she has been forced to adopt. At points, the movie is rather sadistic and uncomfortable, especially in dealing with the training of the young women into the Sparrow program. Despite its glossy veneer, the movie did not impress critics, who gave it a tepid 47 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 descriptive audio and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and 5.1 descriptive audio and Spanish and French 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a look at the origins and adaptation of the movie, a featurette on the cast, a behind-the-scenes look at achieving visual authenticity, a look at filming on location, a look at the Sparrow School, a commentary track, deleted scenes and a look at the movie’s post-production process.
A Fantastic Woman (Blu-ray) Details: 2017, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rated: R, language, sexual content, nudity, a violent assault The lowdown: This Chilean feature, honored as best foreign-language film at the 90th Academy Awards, is a stunning and well-crafted drama about an individual’s right to live her life as she sees fit, despite the prejudice and scorn of others. It is a story of dignity, self-identity and self-worth in the face of societal discrimination. Daniela Vega stars as Marina, a waitress and aspiring singer, who is planning a future with Orlando, an older man. They are in love, as evidenced by the tenderness of the scenes Vega shares with Francisco Reyes’ Orlando. Marina’s life is shattered when Orlando unexpectedly suffers a fatal aneurysm. Marina, who rushed Orlando to the hospital, is not given any time to mourn her loss. Instead, she is treated with suspicion by the medical staff as well as the police. The reason: Marina is a trans-woman, which casts doubt and intolerance on her and Orlando’s relationship. Almost immediately, Marina faces hostility from Orlando’s family: She is barred from the funeral, his ex-wife wants his car back and his son wants her to vacate the apartment she and Orlando shared. Orlando’s family claims to be mourning his death, but they seem to spend more time harassing and persecuting Marina. They are disgusted with her life choices and consider her sexual identity an aberration and perversion. The sympathies of director Sebastián Lelio, who coauthored the script, are definitely with Marina. This is a heart-wrenching movie whose ferocity is restrained, making it even more tragic and powerful. Critics were mightily impressed with the movie, showering it with a 94 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; Spanish 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English Dolby digital 5.1 audio description track; English SDH, English and French subtitles. Don’t miss: A making of featurette and a commentary track comprise the major bonus offerings.
The Misadventures of Biffle and Shooster! Details: 2013-15, Kino Lorber Rated: Not rated The lowdown: In the 1930s and ’40s, going to a movie was a much fuller experience than it is today. Back then, you would not only get a feature film, but possibly a cartoon, a newsreel and a short subject, which could be something dramatic such as MGM’s “Crime Doesn’t Pay” or “Passing Parade” series or a comedy featuring Laurel & Hardy, The Three Stooges, Our Gang or some other comedian. Writer-producer-director Michael Schlesinger, with the help of actors Nick Santa Maria and Will Ryan, has recreated those popular comedy two-reelers with Santa Maria and Ryan’s characters Benny Biffle and Sammy Shooster. The premise is simple: Biffle and Shooster were former vaudevillians who starred in a series of shorts in the mid- and late 1930s. This DVD features five of those movies: “The Biffle Murder Case,” “Imitation of Wife,” “Schmo Boat,” “Bride of Finklestein” and “It’s a Frame-Up!” Movie buffs will laugh at all the old-time film references and inside jokes, but even without those, these shorts are funny. It’s worth a trip down this faux memory lane to view the antics of these “Merry Madcaps of Mayhem” as Biffle and Shooster were known back in the day. Technical aspects: 1.33:1 (16x9 enhanced) full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital surround and monaural; English closed-captioned. Don’t miss: Extras include about an hour of bloopers and outtakes, deleted scenes, two extended musical numbers, behind-the-scenes footage, commentaries on all five shorts with Schlesinger and the two stars, a 1928 Vitaphone short, “First Things Last,” a Spanish outtake from “Imitation of Wife,” a “Mad Mad World” outtake, a 1962 interview with Biffle and Shooster” and a Will Rogers public service announcement.
Wild at Heart: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1990, Shout! Factory Rated: R, adult situations, nudity, language, violence The lowdown: Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern star in this latest Shout Select offering about a pair of young lovers on the run. Cage is Sailor and Dern is Lula, who are fleeing from Lula’s domineering mother, Marietta (Dern’s real-life mother, Diana Ladd). Sailor and Lula face several challenges as they travel through the dark heart of the nation in this David Lynch-directed road trip. The movie costars Willem Dafoe in a sinister, unforgettable turn as Bobby Peru. The movie is violent, witty, sexy and sometimes scary. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a new interview with author Barry Gifford, on whose novel the movie is based; deleted scenes; a making of documentary; extended interviews; a profile of Lynch; a talk with Lynch on the DVD process; and an original 1990 making of featurette, with an EPK image gallery and TV spots.
Of Unknown Origin (Blu-ray) Details: 1983, Scream Factory Rated: R, violence, language The lowdown: Peter Weller stars in this thriller about a successful Wall Street executive whose New York brownstone becomes a battlefield when he finds himself under siege by a determined group of home intruders — namely some very pesky rats. The movie’s undercurrent of hygiene and genealogy is a subtext that director George P. Cosmatos (“Tombstone”) adds to the proceedings to further discomfort viewers. The film is an overlooked feature that will definitely bother those who have a rat phobia. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio monaural. Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include a commentary track and interviews with producer Pierre David and screenwriter Brian Taggert.
“The Bloodthirsty Trilogy” (Blu-ray) Details: 1970-74, Arrow Video Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A trio of Japanese horror movies that were inspired by England’s Hammer Films and American gothic horror features of the 1960s. The movies in this set — “The Vampire Doll,” “Lake of Dracula” and “Evil of Dracula” — emphasize atmosphere. These films, while not masterpieces, do have moments of style that will please genre fans. The movies also have truly Japanese sensibilities that are common to most features in Japanese horror. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; Japanese LPCM monaural; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include an appreciation of the trilogy the author-critic Kim Newman and a booklet about the movies.
Night Zero Details: 2018, Conquest Pictures-MVD Visual Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A group of friends enjoying a dinner party find their world shattered when an alien invasion traps them inside the house. Things get even worse when they discover that the chemical the military is using to combat the aliens has the charming side effect of turning humans into zombie-like savages. So, the group must band together to survive the aliens and each other in this very dark thriller. Technical aspects: 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby digital stereo. English closed-captioned.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Presents Singles Collection Details: 1950s-’60s, Shout! Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Fans of this wacky TV series that makes mincemeat of old B-, C- and Z-movies, will enjoy this set that puts together some of the original DVD releases that came out as individual titles or paired with another movie. This set includes such weird cinematic offerings as “The Crawling Hand,” “The Hellcats,” “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,” Eegah,” “I Accuse My Parents” and “Shorts, Volume 3.” As usual, the fun is listening to the crew of the Satellite of Love just rip the heck out of these movies — but in a manner that will make you laugh, or sometimes, wince. Technical aspects: 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English Dolby digital; English closed-captioned. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a featurette on Poverty Row filmmaker Sam Newfield, new introductions by Joel Hodgson, “MST Hour Wraps” and a “Don’t Knock the Strock” featurette.
Savannah Smiles: Special Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray + DVD) Details: 1982, MVD Visual Entertainment Rated: PG The lowdown: This newest release in the MVD Rewind Collection is a family-friendly offering about a precocious 6-year-old, the daughter of a very busy politician, who is laser focused on his re-election campaign. Savannah decides to run away from home. She sneaks into a car driven by two escaped convicts. The movie is sort of a kind-hearted version of O’Henry’s “The Ransom of Red Chief,” as the bumbling crooked duo at first decide to ransom Savannah, but soon grow to love her. The three create a goofy surrogate family. The time comes, though, when the escapees must choose between their freedom and their new little friend. The supporting cast includes Pat Morita, Peter Graves, John Fielder and Michael Parks. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English LPCM monaural; DVD: 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English monaural. Don’t miss: Among the extras a documentary on the making of the movie; a featurette on star Bridgette Andersen headlined by her mother, Teresa; a featurette on the movie’s songs and music; and a mini-poster.
Swung Details: 2015, Omnibus Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A couple who are having difficulties in the bedroom decide to shake up their sex lives after an erotic encounter with two singers. The pair decide to expand their sexual territories and explore more intimate relationships with strangers. The film offers a candid look at sex in our contemporary society. The cast includes Owen McDonnell, Elena Anaya and Elizabeth McGovern. Technical aspects: 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and 2.0 Dolby digital stereo.
Gunsmoke: The Thirteenth Season: Volumes One & Two Details: 1967-68, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: These two volumes feature all 26 episodes of this classic, long-running Western series, starring James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon. The show rides familiar territory with such staple characters as Amanda Blake’s Miss Kitty, Milburn Stone’s Doc Adams and Ken Curtis’ Deputy Festus Haggen. In an era when TV Westerns were beginning to ride off into the sunset, “Gunsmoke” remained standing tall, airing for another seven seasons. Technical aspects: 4:3 full-screen picture; English Dolby digital monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: The main extras are previews of all the episodes.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: Black Venus (Blu-ray) (Arrow Academy) Daphne & Velma (Blu-ray + DVD +digital) (Warner Home Video) Death Smiles on a Murderer (Blu-ray) (Arrow Video) Elis (Cleopatra Entertainment-MVD Visual Entertainment) Negative (Monarch Home Entertainment) Desolation (Blu-ray) (IFC Midnight-Scream Factory, May 1)
FOR KIDS The Loud House: It Gets Louder: Season 1, Volume 2 (Nickelodeon-Paramount Home Entertainment) Sunny Day (Nickelodeon-Paramount Home Entertainment)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD Death Wish (Fox Home Entertainment) Every Day (Warner Home Video) Fatal Crossing (Screen Media) Soft Matter (Wild Eye Releasing) The Strangers: Prey at Night (Universal Studios Home Entertainment) Tig Notaro: Happy to Be Here (Netflix) Troll, Inc. (Content Farm) The Looming Tower (Warner Home Video, May 21) Lost in London (Vertical Entertainment, May 25) Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (Netflix, May 25) A Place of Execution (Acorn TV, May 28) The Art Detectives, Series 2 (Acorn TV, May 28) Bed of Roses, Series 1 (Acorn TV, May 28)
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.