By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Nov. 19, unless otherwise noted:
Blinded by the Light (Blu-ray & digital) Details: 2019, Warner Home Entertainment Rated: PG-13, thematic material, language, ethnic slurs The lowdown: The music of Bruce Springsteen is the springboard for this story of Javed, a British Pakistani teen, who lives in Luton, England. The year is 1987. Javed writes poetry to escape pressure from his father and racial prejudice at school. His life is turned around when he discovers — and is inspired by — the music of Springsteen. The movie may be predictable, but it smartly displays how the influence of a rock star can change a person’s outlook about his environment, family and life. Critics enjoyed the film, giving it a 89 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2,39:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos TrueHD and English descriptive audio; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: A making of featurette, a behind-the-scenes look at the true story that inspired the film and deleted scenes comprise the bonus materials.
The Kominsky Method: The Complete First Season Details: 2018, Warner Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Academy Award-winning actors Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin are fabulous in this Netflix series created by Chuck Lorre. Douglas plays once-famous acting coach Sandy Kominsky and Arkin is his longtime agent and best friend, Norman Newlander. The DVD set, which contains all eight first-season episodes, takes a humorous view of several topics close to senior citizens: death, dating, infirmities and the aging male body. The death of Norman’s terminally ill wife, a drug-addicted daughter and an overdue IRS bill are among the episode arcs. Yet, it is all done with a touch of wit and warmth. And, according to Warner Bros., I must stipulate that “Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of this DVD I reviewed in this … post. The opinions I share are my own.” Technical aspects: Widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles.
Cold Case Hammarskjöld Details: 2019, Magnolia Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This documentary follows Danish journalist, filmmaker and provocateur Mads Brügger who is out to prove that the 1962 plane crash that killed United Nations secretary-general Dag Hammarskjöld and the crew was no accident. Brügger hits many dead ends, has several false starts and searches for elusive interview subjects. The filmmaker works hard to make the case that Hammarskjöld was murdered. The killing is tied into the Cold War and efforts by emerging African nations to throw off their European yokes. In this era of paranoia, it is not too far-fetched to believe Brügger’s supposition. At least, it makes for compelling viewing. Technical aspects: 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English closed-captioned subtitles. Don’t miss: Deleted scenes comprise the major extra.
After the Wedding (Blu-ray) Release date: Nov. 12 Details: 2019, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rated: PG-13, adult and mature themes, language The lowdown: In the end, “After the Wedding” boils down to be a glossy, high-class soap opera. Now, that is not meant to denigrate the movie. I enjoyed it because of the performances of its four leading actors — Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, Billy Crudup and Abby Quinn. The path the movie takes is what holds your interest. It is a very straightforward movie — revelations, many of which an astute filmgoer will pick up on early — are sprinkled throughout the 110-minute feature. The movie produced by Moore and her husband, Bart Freundlich, who also directed, is an old-fashioned throwback. It’s a tearjerker. Williams’ Isabel has dedicated her life to working with children in an orphanage in Calcutta, India, where funding is hard to come by. The orphanage is in line for a large donation from a media company run by Theresa (Moore). The only catch is that Isabel must fly to New York and meet with Theresa about the details. Once in New York, Isabel’s life begins to unravel, and her past comes back to meet her face-to-face. “After the Wedding” is a movie about secrets, regret, sacrifice, second chances and guilt. It is a decent movie because of the work of its quartet of actors. Unfortunately, critics were not as favorable about the movie as I was, giving it a 43 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English 5.1 audio description track; English SDH, English and French subtitles. Don’t miss: The major extra is a making of featurette.
Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1987, Shout! Select Rated: PG The lowdown: In 1986, a group of famous musicians accepted an invitation by Keith Richards to honor Chuck Berry. This documentary, directed by Taylor Hackford, covers that concert, which featured, among others, Robert Cray, Eric Clapton, Linda Ronstadt, Etta James and Julian Lennon. The movie also features archival footage of Berry, including a duet with John Lennon. Rock fans will swoon at the all-star lineup and the music that pops off the screen. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a 2006 introduction to the movie by Hackford; two “Witnesses to History” featuring Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Berry together for the first time as well as a look at the birth of rock with Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon, Roy Orbison, Sam Phillips and Ahmet Ertegun; a 54-minute featurette of Berry’s rehearsals with Richards, Clapton, James and others; a making of documentary; a collection of classic Berry remarks; and Berry and Robbie Robertson reminiscing.
The Fan (Blu-ray) Details: 1981, Scream Factory Rated: R, violence, language, adult situations The lowdown: A thriller about an adoring fan of a legendary Broadway star whose obsession soon turns to violence when his letters to his idol go unanswered and he believes he is being rejected. Lauren Bacall stars as Sally Ross, the performer whose life becomes upended by the young man, played by Michael Biehn, who unhinged actions create tragedy for Sally and those in her circle. The cast also includes James Garner, Maureen Stapleton and Hector Elizondo. The movie has been labeled everything from a taut thriller to campy trash. You can decide for yourself. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include a commentary track and interviews with Biehn, director Edward Bianchi and editor Alan Heim.
The Divine Fury (Blu-ray + DVD) Details: 2019, Well Go USA Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A young man, who lost his father at an early age, abandons his Christian faith, thinks only of himself and becomes a champion fighter. Soon, though, a mysterious wound appears on the palm of his hand. The young man finds himself in the fight of his life — battling supernatural forces that seek to create havoc throughout the world. The film features various religious overtones as the fighter learns that he can use his stigmata to expel or kill demons possessing various people. The movie features some “Exorcist”-like moments. Overall, it is a strange mixture of supernatural and marital arts. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Korean and English dubbed 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Korean and English dubbed 2.0 Dolby digital; English subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a series of making of and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
The Demons Details: 2019, Film Movement Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This psychological examination of childhood centers on 10-year-old Felix, who lives in a Montreal suburb. The city is in a panic over the kidnappings of young boys. Felix is a sensitive boy with a very active imagination. He is afraid of mostly everything he sees. Little by little, his imaginary demons begin to creep into his everyday experiences and the disturbing world in which he lives. The movie looks at a troubled world through the eyes of a little boy. It was highly praised, earning an 86 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 2.39:1 widescreen picture; French 5.1 Dolby digital surround; English subtitles.
Hitch Hike to Hell (Blu-ray) Details: 1977, Arrow Video Rated: R, violence, sexual situations, language The lowdown: An exploitation thriller about Howard, a mild-mannered momma’s boy, who makes deliveries for a cleaning agency. This allows Howard many hours alone on the road. When he begins picking up young women who have run away from home, he is transformed into a killer, who rapes and murders them for their “transgressions.” Soon, the cops are aware of the killings and begin investigating. But can they stop Howard before more young women meet their demise? Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen and 1.33:1 full-screen pictures; English LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include an appreciation of the movie by “Nightmare USA” author Stephen Thrower, a booklet with essays about the film, a video essay about hitch-hiking and its potential dangers and a BD-ROM press kit.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated: Animal Among Us (DVD & digital) (Uncork’d Entertainment) Ancient Aliens: Season 12, Volume 1 (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) Genese (Film Movement) Go Fish (DVD & digital & VOD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) Once Upon a Time in Deadwood (Uncork’d Entertainment) Queen of Hearts (DVD & VOD) (Breaking Glass Pictures)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD The Goldfinch (Warner Home Entertainment) It: Chapter Two (Warner Home Entertainment) Kiwi Christmas (Level 33) The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father’s Eyes (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) Where’d You Go, Bernadette (Fox Home Entertainment) Cheat: Episode 1 (Sundance Now, Nov. 21) The Courier (Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Nov. 22) Balthazar, Series 1 (Acorn TV, Nov. 25) The Deuce: Season 3 (HBO Home Entertainment, Nov. 25) Slings & Arrows: Season 2 (Acorn TV, Nov. 25) Striking Out: Season 2 (Sundance Now, Nov. 25)
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.