Dangerous Enterprise [4K UHD, Criterion]
What’s it? An 80s comedy traditional.
Why see it? Tom Cruise is an motion star lately, however his early years noticed him tackling extra diverse fare from dramas to comedies. This 1983 function is without doubt one of the latter, unfairly labeled a teenage intercourse comedy, and it stays a unbelievable coming of age story that, sure, dabbles in teen intercourse comedy. It’s a humorous time, it’s an attractive time — the practice scene! — and that’s greater than sufficient. If, for some cause, it’s not although, the movie additionally gives some fascinating observations on capitalism and particular person duty that make for some thought-provoking dialog starters. However actual speak, it’s the attractive comedy antics that may hold you coming again. Add in a nonetheless terrific rating by Tangerine Dream, and you’ve got a traditional from the 80s.
[Extras: New 4K restoration, theatrical and director’s cuts, commentary, interviews]
The Greatest
The Fall Man [4K UHD]
What’s it? A giant display screen tackle a small display screen hit!
Why see it? This one obtained dumped on whereas in theaters, and that’s unlucky because it’s a enjoyable, innocent little motion/comedy with two sturdy leads — each with chemistry and nice comedic chops — and a few actual good instances. Ryan Gosling is a stunt man, Emily Blunt is the director, and so they was a factor. Now they are often once more if solely they will get previous the lacking star, the useless physique, the accusations of homicide, and extra. It’s possibly not all that humorous, but it surely’s loads enjoyable between the gags and motion beats. Individuals like to hate on director David Leitch, however as with most of his movies, his model of foolish leisure appears to upset of us.
[Extras: Theatrical and extended cuts, gag reel, deleted scenes, featurettes]
Woman on the Bridge
What’s it? A knife thrower finds a brand new assistant.
Why see it? This French story is a romantic drama pairing two misplaced souls, one is a carnival knife thrower discovering that means on the finish of his blades, and the opposite is a younger girl already giving up on life. Their pairing is each candy and attractive, and Daniel Auteuil and Vanessa Paradis make each look simple. Drama builds of their time collectively, and the main target sits on the reality of their time collectively — he’s throwing lethal knives at her each day. It’s removed from a heavy movie, but it surely’s equally distant from a quick and unfastened one.
[Extras: Commentary, short film]
The Relaxation
Again to Black
What’s it? The Amy Winehouse story, type of.
Why see it? As biopics go, that is one about Amy Winehouse exploring her early days up by means of her breakthrough success. It’s commonplace fare throughout the board, and in the event you’re a giant Winehouse fan it would really be a bit offensive too. The movie focuses fairly a bit on her specific addictions, nearly extra so than her abilities, and along with being one thing of a downer it additionally appears like a blame recreation for a girl whose life ended far too early. Meh. Performances are nice.
[Extras: Featurettes, commentary]
The Cocaine Fiends
What’s it? Two propaganda movies!
Why see it? Youngsters again within the 20s by means of the 50s had been simply vulnerable to the affect of unhealthy dudes and naughty women, so filmmakers made propaganda movies to warn them of the hazards of medicine, intercourse, and such. These movies, a late 20s unique and the 1935 remake, discover the drug angle by bringing unhealthy concepts to a younger couple who shortly succumb to the pull of the satan’s mud. Movies like these are fascinating cultural artefacts, however they not often maintain any worth of their very own on the leisure entrance.
[Extras: The Pace That Kills and its remake, commentaries]
The Strangers – Chapter 1
What’s it? An actual misfire.
Why see it? 2008’s The Strangers stays a legitimately horrifying thriller a couple of younger couple and the three sadistic killers ruining their night. It obtained a sequel in 2018 that’s by no means scary however nonetheless delivers a number of trendy slasher enjoyable. To this point so good, however now Renny Harlin’s rebooting the franchise — as a trilogy — and chapter 1 sucks a number of ass. Selections made depart it devoid of scares or suspense, we by no means care in regards to the characters, and its wrap up teases a component 2 we all know is coming however completely don’t want. Such a bizarre selection throughout, and whereas I like seeing Renny Harlin again in horror… this simply ain’t it.
[Extras: Commentary, featurettes]
Underground Aces [KL Studio Classics]
What’s it? An 80s comedy movie you’ve by no means heard of!
Why see it? Whereas Dangerous Enterprise above was a fantastic movie within the 80s and a fantastic movie now, this 1981 comedy has additionally remained the identical — a light diversion with a pair laughs, a enjoyable solid, and a number of useless air. Dirk Benedict is a newcomer who will get a job in a parking storage beneath a elaborate lodge, and the ensemble round him introduce him to their goofy existence. Like a PG-rated D.C. Cab, it’s the ensemble that brings many of the enjoyable as we’re joined by Melanie Griffith, Frank Gorshin, Michael Winslow, Sid Haig, Jerry Orbach, Ernie Hudson, and extra acquainted faces. It’s not all that humorous, but it surely squeezes in some smiles.
[Extras: New 2K scan, commentary]
Additionally out this week:
Arcadian, The Crippled Masters, Farewell My Concubine [Criterion], Jaws 3 [4K UHD], Jaws: The Revenge [4K UHD], The Linguini Incident