By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Nov. 12, unless otherwise noted: Good Boys (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2019, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: R, strong crude sexual humor, language, drug and alcohol usage and material all involving tweens The lowdown: One of life’s major ironies is that when you are a kid, you can’t wait to grow up. You feel that the entire adult world knows some big secret that you don’t. You believe adulthood is the cool club — and you want to join it as quickly as possible. Of course, when you’re an adult — and grow older — you more and more begin to yearn for those uncomplicated days when you could just hang out with your friends and do childish things. “Good Boys” touches on that time when a child works hard to convince the world — and his peers — that he is not a kid; that he is cool and mature. Max, Thor and Lucas are best friends who have just started sixth grade. They call themselves the Beanbag Boys and are out to prove to their classmates — as well as themselves — that they are no longer little boys, but young men who know all about worldly matters, including girls, sex and drugs. An immediate challenge faces the boys when Max is invited to a “kissing party” by the popular clique at school. Thor and Lucas are excluded, but the loyal Max wrangles an invitation for them. Their first challenge is learning how to properly kiss a girl. That quest begins a series of disasters and bad choices involving a drone, the young women who live next door, sex toys, and a visit to a frat house, among other misadventures. “Good Boys” is a low-brow, very funny comedy that overflows with “f”-bombs and sexual innuendo. The fun is quickly comprehending that Max, Thor and Lucas really have no concept about any of these things — despite their fake bravado. Consider the movie homework or scouting for potential hazards. And if you want to show it to the kids, ignore the movie’s “R”-rating and use it as a bonding experience. It couldn’t hurt. Critics believed it was worth a look, giving the film a 79 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 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 components include a gag reel, deleted and extended scenes, an alternate ending, a featurette on the casting process and friendship between the young actors, a featurette with Jacob Tremblay showing the sites in Vancouver, a discussion on how the young actors delivered some of their colorful and raunchy dialogue, a featurette with filmmakers discussing how they were able to navigate adult questions from child actors, a commentary track, a behind-the-scenes look at the movie’s “bad” girls and a look at the film’s guest stars.
The Angry Birds 2 Movie (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2019, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rated: PG, rude humor and action The lowdown: In this sequel, the flightless birds and green pigs take their rivalry to the next level when a new threat emerges that puts both their islands in danger. The two sides must forge an uneasy alliance to save their respective homes. The voice cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Peter Dinklage, Rachel Bloom, Awkwafina, Sterling K. Brown and Bill Hader. The film is a charming little effort that will please youngsters. A majority of critics enjoyed the movie, giving it a 73 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English, English audio description track, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English, English audio description track, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include six hatchling mini movies, a featurette on the making of the movie, a featurette on the artists who traveled to the Los Angeles Zoo to view the real-life bird species that inspired their characters, a trio of family activities, a look at the hatchlings, an introduction to the new birds and pigs and looks at how the birds and pigs celebrate their own versions of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Aquarela (Blu-ray) Details: 2019, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rated: PG, thematic elements The lowdown: It takes patience and fortitude to watch “Aquarela.” This maddening documentary from Russian filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky has neither a narrator nor explanations of its sequences. “Aquarela” is a celebration of water — its beauty, power and danger. The movie basically tells us what we already know — that people are no match for water, no matter how we try to tame or control it. The 89-minute feature offers ample evidence of the random nature of the planet’s most unpredictable element. “Aquarela’s” best moments are spent in the vast northern regions of Earth, where constant rumbles that sound like thunder actually are the crackling noise of pieces breaking off of icebergs, adding more water to our oceans — water that, without Kossakovsky having to tell us, will eventually overrun the coastal areas of our continents, creating massive shifts in populations. The sequences of breaking icebergs are beautiful yet terrifying. The various mountains of ice look like some alien landscape. Kossakovsky treats water as a living entity that is continually moving and breathing. No words seem necessary, as his cameras capture images that need no explanation — giant waves assailing a yacht or floodwaters that ravaged Miami during Hurricane Irma. “Aquarela” isn’t exactly a canary-in-the-coal-mine documentary, but it comes close enough that you may pause and rethink your views not just about climate change, but how it seems the Earth’s most powerful element seems to be rebelling and fighting back — sending us a clear message that, before it is too late, we must become better stewards of our environment. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; Russian Dolby Atmos and 7.1 Dolby TrueHD; English SDH, English and French subtitles.
Star Trek: Discovery: Season Two Details: 2019, CBS Home Entertainment-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A four-disc set featuring all 14 second-season episodes of this series streaming on CBS All Access. The major arc of the season finds First Officer Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Burnham’s estranged brother, Spock (Ethan Peck) and the rest of the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery trying to unravel the mystery of the Red Angel. The episodes offer some major surprises, poignant moments and lots of action. The series also features Doug Jones as Commander Saru, Anthony Rapp as Lt. Cmdr. Paul Stamets, Mary Wiseman as Ensign Sylvia Tilly, Shazzad Latif as Ash Tyler, Wilson Cruz as Dr. Hugh Culber, Mary Chieffo as L’Rell, Tig Notaro as Chief Engineer Reno, Rebecca Romijn as Number One and Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou. The final episode of season two sets up situations that will be revealed in the third season of the series, so watch for it. Technical aspects: 16:9 widescreen picture; English and French 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH and French subtitles. Don’t miss: Supplemental options include nine behind-the-scene featurettes that offer an overview of the season and looks at various aspects of the series, its making and its characters; a pair of “Star Trek: Short Treks”; commentaries on select episodes; a gag reel; and deleted and extended scenes.
The Far Country (Blu-ray) Details: 1954, Arrow Academy Rated: Not rated The lowdown: “The Far Country” was the fourth of five Westerns starring James Stewart that were directed by Anthony Mann. In these movies, Stewart was a flawed hero who was seeking revenge, retribution or something of value. In “The Far Country,” he portrays Jeff Webster who, along with his sidekick, Ben Tatum (Walter Brennan), is driving a herd of cattle to market from Wyoming to Dawson, Alaska. Along the way, they become embroiled with a crooked judge, played by John McIntire, and his henchmen. Helping the good guys is Ruth Roman as a saloon keeper who falls for Webster. Webster, intent on selling his herd, ignores the cheating and corruption going on and it eventually costs him dearly. It forces him to take sides and act. The movies on which Stewart and Mann collaborated were adult Westerns with themes that went beyond the genre. This two-disc set offers the movie in its original and alternate aspect ratios. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.00:1 and 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a profile of Mann and his Westerns, a commentary track, a documentary on Mann’s work at Universal and a booklet with writings about the movie.
Tel Aviv on Fire (Blu-ray) Details: 2018, Cohen Film Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A comedy about Salam, young Palestinian who lives in Jerusalem. He is a trainee on a popular Palestinian soap opera. Every day, to reach the TV studio, he must pass an Israeli checkpoint. There, he meets Assi, the commander of the checkpoint, whose wife is a big fan of the soap. To impress his wife, Assi gets involved with Salam on the writing of the show. This boosts Salam’s career. But a problem arises when Assi and the show’s financial backers disagree on how the soap should end. Salam, caught in the middle, must devise a solution that will extricate him and please everyone else. The movie, while funny, is not as satiric as its potential allows. Still, critics gave it a 91 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; Arabic and Hebrew 5.1 Dolby digital; English subtitles. Don’t miss: A conversation with director Sameh Zoabi is the major extra.
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (Blu-ray) Details: 1974, Kino Lorber Rated: R, adult situations, violence, language The lowdown: Michael Cimino wrote and directed this crime caper starring Clint Eastwood as Thunderbolt, a veteran master thief with nerves of steel, who is about to return to his chosen profession. Jeff Bridges is Lightfoot, a young and brash drifter who energizes Thunderbolt and gives him an new perspective on life. Together, they decide to rob the supposedly impenetrable Montana Armored Depository. Thunderbolt recruits his old crime partners, Red (George Kennedy) and Eddie (Geoffrey Lewis) to help with the heist. The movie marked Cimino’s directorial debut. It includes a wonderful supporting cast including Catherine Bach, Gary Busey, Bill McKinney and Dub Taylor. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a commentary track and a featurette with Cimino.
Charley Varrick (Blu-ray) Details: 1973, Kino Lorber Rated: PG, violence The lowdown: Walter Matthau was a fine actor who easily transitioned between comedy and drama. In “Charley Varrick,” directed by the legendary Don Siegel, Matthau plays the title character, a career criminal who usually robs small banks with small payrolls. This keeps him out of trouble and mostly off the radar. But when he stumbles onto the secret stash of the mob, Varrick must take it on the lam and keep one step ahead of the Mafia hitman, played by Joe Don Baker, sent to get him. The movie was styled as a story about the last of the independent outlaws vs. the mob criminal organization mentality. The supporting cast includes Felicia Farr, Andy Robinson, John Vernon, Sheree North, Norman Fell, Benson Fong, Woodrow Parfrey and William Schallert. The movie offers one of Matthau’s most memorable performances. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a video essay by film historian Howard S. Berger, a making of featurette, a commentary track, a “Trailers from Hell” segment and a limited edition booklet essay.
The Red Rider (Blu-ray) The Roaring West (Blu-ray) Details: 1934, 1935 VCI Entertainment-MVD Visual Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Buck Jones was one of the biggest cowboy stars of the 1930s. He was a no-nonsense hero with a fine sense of humor. One of the pleasures of watching Jones was his self-deprecating comic timing and his wisecracking, especially in the midst of danger. With his white horse, Silver, Jones made an imposing figure. Between 1934 and 1937, Jones starred in a series of B-Westerns as well as four 15-chapter serials for Universal Pictures. Two of those serials have been upgraded and released on Blu-ray. The first is “The Red Rider” (1934), in which Jones plays “Red Davidson,” a former sheriff who travels to Mexico to help prove his best friend, “Silent” Slade (Grant Withers) innocent of murder. A noteworthy clue to the identity of the real killer, played by perennial Universal villain Walter Miller, a popular star of silent serials in the 1920s, is that he smokes marijuana cigarettes. “The Roaring West,” released in 1935, finds Jones playing Montana Larkin, who helps the brother of his partner, Jinglebob Morgan (Frank McGlynn Sr.), securing a gold mine and keep it from being stolen by a band of outlaws led, as usual by Miller. “The Roaring West” features a lot of action, but the plot is basically a back-and-forth of mine-owner Morgan being kidnapped, rescued by Jones and his allies, then recaptured. Both serials look and sound great; no hissing in the audio track and the pictures are crystal clear. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture; English LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a featurettes about the two serials, “The Filming of the West” based on a book by film historian-author Jon Tuska and a Buck Jones episode from an unreleased TV series.
Madigan (Blu-ray) Details: 1968, Kino Lorber Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A cast of veteran actors, led by Richard Widmark and Henry Fonda, are featured in this hard-boiled New York City police drama. Widmark plays the hard-boiled detective who, with his partner, played by Harry Guardino, is given a couple of days to track down a vicious killer, played by Steve Ihnat, who has outsmarted the pair, stolen their service revolvers and escaped. To make matters worse, he has used their weapons to kill a couple of other cops. The angry police commissioner, played by Fonda, gives them time to make matters right. The movie, directed by Don Siegel, also delves into the personal lives of the cops. Madigan’s wife, played by Inger Stevens, hates his job and wants him to spend more time at home. Fonda’s police commissioner not only is carrying on an adulterous affair, but discovers that his best friend, a police inspector played by James Whitmore, has been taking bribes. The blazing finale is rather cynical and not what you would expect from a film from that era. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: The main bonus option is a commentary track.
Road Games: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1981, Scream Factory Rated: PG, violence, language The lowdown: This Australian action-thriller stars Stacy Keach, a truck driver who travels the Australian Outback. Jamie Lee Curtis is the hitchhiker he picks up along the roadway. There is someone else out there as well, a crazed serial killer in a van who may be killing young women along the highway. Keach’s Pat Quid sets out to hunt him down. Richard Franklin directed the feature, which contains some twists and turns that will keep you guessing. The film has a Hitchcockian flavor to it that holds you in suspense. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a new interview with Keach; a new commentary with cinematographer Vincent Monton, production designer Helen Watts and costume designer Aphrodite Kondos; a 1980 script read, composer Brian May’s music demos, a commentary track with Franklin, a making of featurette, extended interviews from filmmaker Mark Hartley’s documentary “Not Quite Hollywood” featuring Keach, Curtis, Franklin and others associated with the movie, a lecture on the making of the film with Franklin and others, a 2001 audio interview with Franklin, a 1981 profile of Franklin and 2016 audio interviews with Keach and actor Grant Page.
Flowers in the Attic (Blu-ray) Details: 1987, Arrow Video Rated: PG-13, violence, language The lowdown: In this horror outing, a mother takes her children to live with their tyrannical grandparents after the death of her husband. In their new and remote home, the children are locked in a room just below the attic, where they are visited daily by their very stern grandmother and their mother, who is growing more and more distant. The mother also is becoming less concerned about the children’s health and welfare, focusing more on the inheritance she plans to win back from her dying father. This is a very strange movie with all kinds of religious and sexual overtones that are never really finalized. The film, features an over-the-top performance by Academy Award-winner Louise Fletcher. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 2.0 LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: A commentary track by Kat Ellinger; interviews with cinematographer Frank Byers, production designer John Muto, composer Christopher Young and actor Jeb Stuart Adams, who portrayed Tom; the original ending, the revised ending and an insert booklet.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: A Snow White Christmas (Monarch Home Entertainment) Bunuel: In the Labyrinth of the Turtles (Blu-ray + DVD) (Shout! Factory-GKids) Cross: Rise of the Villains (DVD & digital) (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) D-Day: Battle of Omaha Beach (Cinedigm) Pretenders (Cleopatra Entertainment) Scared of Revolution (Film Movement) Truth (Random Media) Yesterday Was a Lie (Blu-ray) (IndiePix Films) The Weekend (Blu-ray & digital) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
FOR KIDS Steven Universe: The Movie (Cartoon Network-Warner Home Entertainment)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD Bennett’s War (Warner Home Entertainment) If the Dancer Dances (Monument Releasing) Motherland: Season 2 (Sundance Now) Doc Martin: Series 9, Episode 8 (Acorn TV, Nov. 14) No One Saw a Thing: Episode 7 (Sundance Now, Nov. 14)) The Turkey Bowl (Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Nov. 15) Ballers: Season 5 (HBO Home Entertainment, Nov. 18) Mount Pleasant, Series 3 (Acorn TV, Nov. 18) Relative Strangers (Acorn TV, Nov. 18) The Righteous Gemstones (HBO Home Entertainment, Nov. 18) What’s My Name Muhammed Ali (HBO Home Entertainment, Nov. 18)
Coming next week: The Kominsky Method: The Complete First Season
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.