Wow. That’s the best possible word to use in response to the huge array of new DVDs and Blu-rays being released this week. From new collector’s editors of old horror favorites to family classics, cult films, TV faves and more, these new releases have something for fans of every genre. Check out for yourself what fantastic flicks are now available!
The Silence of the Lambs (Criterion Collection)
The third film in Oscar history to win all five top awards (Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Adapted Screenplay), director Jonathan Demme’s harrowing cinematic thriller stars Jodie Foster as an FBI trainee who engages in a mental duel with jailed serial killer Hannibal “the Cannibal” Lecter (the understatedly sinister Anthony Hopkins) to gain information needed to track down another murderer. With Scott Glenn, Ted Levine.
Night of the Living Dead (Criterion Collection)
Director/co-writer George Romero’s gruesome and groundbreaking cult classic pioneered the zombie genre of horror films and spawned a host of sequels, remakes, and imitators. A disparate group of people takes refuge in an isolated farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania in a desperate bid for survival as they come under siege by hordes of the recently deceased, returned to “life” as bloodthirsty, flesh-eating ghouls. Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Karl Hardman star.
America’s most huggable hero makes his screen debut in this unforgettable family film. As marvelous mutt Benji attempts to find a family to care for him, he intervenes in the lives of those around him. But when some kidnappers snatch the children who are nicest to him, Benji sets out to save the day-with heartwarming results! Deborah Walley, Edgar Buchanan, and Higgins as Benji star; Charlie Rich sings the theme song.
The Deuce: The Complete First Season
The sleazy, neon-drenched streets of early-1970s New York City provide a vivid backdrop to “The Wire” creator David Simon’s gritty drama series that debuted on HBO in 2017. Mob-connected twins (James Franco, in a dual role), a Times Square prostitute (Maggie Gyllenhaal), an NYPD officer (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.), and a reporter (Natalie Paul) are just a few of the people whose lives are impacted by the burgeoning business of legalized pornography. With Chris Bauer, Gary Carr, Michael Rispoli. All eight episodes from the debut season are included in this three-disc set.
Back in 1880s Montana, grizzled old ranch hand Lefty Brown (Bill Pullman) was contentedly used to life in the shadow of his boss and best pal, lawman-turned-U.S. senator Edward Johnson (Peter Fonda). After Ed got dry-gulched, however, Lefty was determined to track down his killers…and prove something to all the doubters who thought such a mission of vengeance was beyond him. Singular, sidekick’s-perspective sagebrusher also stars Kathy Baker, Jim Caviezel, Tommy Flanagan.
Diabolical thriller stars Simone Signoret as Lisa Schindler, a German immigrant woman who, while peddling cosmetics door to door, happens upon bored Manhattan socialites Paul (James Caan) and Jennifer Montgomery (Katharine Ross). After revealing she possesses psychic abilities, the Montgomerys ask Lisa to devise strange and kinky games for them to play. But when one of her “games” turns deadly, all manner of twists and turns occur. With Don Stroud, Kent Smith; Curtis Harrington directs.
From the outset, something seemed peculiar about a young doctor and his wife’s new seaside village home. They were warned about the Templar Knights, but never realized the hellish nightmare in store as the undead warriors start to rise from their watery graves. Fearful fourth film in the “Blind Dead” series stars Victor Petit, Maria Kosti. AKA: “The Blind Dead 4,” “Night of the Death Cult.”
Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend
Paleontologist Dr. Susan Matthews-Loomis (Sean Young) and her husband, George (William Katt), make an amazing discovery when they find a family of live brontosaurs in the African jungle. But they soon learn that they may be the only ones who can protect the animals from Dr. Eric Kiviat (Patrick McGoohan), a sinister scientist who wants to capture the creatures through the use of military force. Thrilling sci-fi adventure tale for the whole family co-stars Julian Fellowes, Kyalo Mativo, Hugh Quarshie, Olu Jacobs.
Kathleen Turner plays sexy, streetwise Chicago private eye V.I. Warshawski, in this comedic crime tale, based on the book “Deadlock” from the series of detective novels by Sara Paretsky. When her would-be boyfriend is murdered, Warshawski puts her life and career on the line to help his young daughter (Angela Goethals) catch the killer. The trail to find the culprit is filled with dangerous chases and encounters with some of the Windy City’s seediest characters. With Jay O. Sanders, Charles Durning.
Tensions between America and Russia over the Middle East finally culminate in an exchange of atomic weaponry…and for the working-class community of Sheffield, England, the immediate horrors of the global warfare would become outstripped by the devastation of over a decade’s nuclear winter to follow. Sobering BBC docudrama marked by its groundbreaking depiction of thermonuclear war’s aftermath stars Reece Dinsdale, Karen Meagher, David Brierley, June Broughton; Mick Jackson directs.
Two astronauts returning from a deep space mission splash down off the L.A. coast, only to find civilization ravaged by nuclear and biological disaster. When the psychotic cycle gang chieftain (Sid Haig) who’s taken over the town learns of their existence, their long-term survival prospects don’t get any better. Apocalyptic actioner also stars writer/director Steve Barkett, Lynne Margulies, Forrest J. Ackerman, Jim Danforth.