This week, there are quite a number of new releases coming to Blu-ray, as well as an exciting 4K box set and some Blu-ray debuts from boutique labels.
Let’s take a dive and see what’s coming out this week!
​​***ALL IMAGES SERVE AS DIRECT LINKS TO PURCHASE THE MOVIES THROUGH AMAZON***
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​By far, the biggest release of the week is the “Indiana Jones: 4-Movie Collection”, a box set containing 4K upgrades of all four films in the franchise to celebrate 40 years of Indiana Jones. The films included in this set are, of course, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984), “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989), and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008). All four films have been newly remastered in 4K from the original camera negatives and feature new Dolby Atmos sound mixes, all supervised by director Steven Spielberg. This includes each film on a 4K UHD disc (so four discs) and a Blu-ray disc featuring over seven hours of extras from previous releases, all contained in a digipak box. It also includes a collectible booklet with behind-the-scenes images from all four films. A Best Buy Exclusive MetalPak edition is also available. |
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As I said before, many new releases are coming to Blu-ray this week. One of the most high-profile of these releases is the 2020 Netflix comedy “The Lovebirds.” Directed by Michael Showalter, this film stars Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani. This is being advertised as the “Unrated” version of the film. |
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​Another newer film receiving a Blu-ray this week is the thriller “City of Lies,” directed by Brad Furman and starring Johnny Depp, Forest Whitaker, Rockmond Dunbar, Neil Brown Jr., and Xander Berkeley. Although considered a 2018 film due to its international release, this film was not released in the US until early 2021. This Blu-ray includes an audio commentary track with Furman and author Randall Sullivan, a making-of featurette, and deleted scenes. |
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We also have the 2021 thriller “Flashback,” directed by Christopher MacBride and starring Dylan O’Brien, Maika Monroe, Hannah Gross, and Emory Cohen. This includes an audio commentary track with MacBride and deleted scenes. |
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​There is also a new release coming from Arrow Video in the form of the 2021 horror film “The Stylist.” Directed by Jill Gevargizian, this film stars Najarra Townsend, Brea Grant, Millie Milan, Laura Kirk, and Kimberly Igla. It includes an audio commentary track with Gevargizian and Townsend, an introduction by Gevargizian, featurettes on the making of the film, a video essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, outtakes, the original Kickstarter video to advertise funding for the film, and a couple of short films. |
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Rounding out the new releases, we have the 2020 horror film “The Unhealer” from Shout Factory. Directed by Martin Guigui, this stars Lance Henriksen, Natasha Henstridge, Adam Beach, Branscombe Richmond, Chris Browning, and Gavin Casalegno. This release includes interviews and deleted, extended, and alternate scenes. |
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​From the Criterion Collection, we have a Blu-ray upgrade of a previous DVD release in Masaki Kobayashi’s “The Human Condition,” a six-part trilogy of films from 1959 and 1961. This is a three-disc set featuring a high-definition digital restoration. It carries over all the supplements from the previous DVD release, now in HD.
From the Film Movement comes the 1991 film “Center Stage,” directed by Stanley Kwan and starring Maggie Cheung, Han Chin, Tony Ka-Fai Leung, Carina Lau, and Waise Lee. This features a new 4K master. It also includes a new introduction by Kwan, archival interviews with Kwan and Hong Kong cinema expert Paul Fonoroff, and a 16-page booklet.
Finally, from the Warner Archive Collection, we have the 1970 film “There Was a Crooked Man.” Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, this stars Kirk Douglas, Henry Fonda, Hume Cronyn, Warren Oates, and Burgess Meredith. ​​
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​CASEY’S WEEKLY BLU-RAY RECOMMENDATION
​This week, I just wanted to recommend one of my favorite films that I fell in love with during quarantine and that I’ve seen discussed a little on Twitter recently (primarily by me) and that’s “Blow Out” from 1981. Directed by Brian De Palma, this stars John Travolta, Nancy Allen, and John Lithgow, and it is an incredible paranoia thriller. For my money, it is also the best Philadelphia movie (the city where I currently live), showcasing so many unique parts of the city that are so identifiable to those who are familiar with it. All of the performances are great, and it is my favorite of De Palma’s films that I have seen thus far.
The release of the film from the Criterion Collection is, naturally, stellar. It features a restored digital transfer supervised and approved by De Palma and looks incredible, particularly the haunting final sequence. It includes a number of wonderful interviews, including an hour-long interview with De Palma conducted by filmmaker Noah Baumbach. It also includes De Palma’s 1967 film “Murder à la Mod.” This is an incredible film with an astonishing release that I would highly recommend to anyone who hasn’t seen it.
​Are there any releases you will be picking up this week? Let us know in the comments section below or on our Twitter account.
​You can follow Casey and hear more of her thoughts on the Oscars and Film on Twitter at @CaseyLeeClark
