Further, faster, higher. Led by Captain Marvel, that’s exactly where this week’s new releases will take you. Although it’s still not technically summer, the rising temperatures and longer days mean that you’ll want to get inside to enjoy some air conditioning and even cooler movies. We can help with this last part, for this week’s Blu-ray and DVD new releases feature a variety of different titles — from cult hits to recent dramas to classics unearthed from the vaults — that will be able to scratch whatever moviegoing itch you may have right now. Take a look at what memorable movies are waiting for you!
Across the galaxy, Kree soldier Vers (Brie Larson)–troubled by gaps in her memory, and abilities she didn’t fully comprehend–began a pursuit of enemy Skrulls that left all crashed and stranded in 1995 Los Angeles. As their presence sparked pursuit from S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Vers found the backwater planet to hold the uncanny truth concerning her past, powers, and destiny. Smash take on the Marvel Comics heroine co-stars Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Annette Bening, Lashana Lynch.
Doing solitary in a Nevada penitentiary, recalcitrant, angry Roman Coleman (Matthias Schoenaerts) was finally let into gen-pop–and into a rehab program where the inmates were coached in breaking wild horses into harness. Matched up with a particularly stubborn mustang, the bonds he forges with his charge help him to face his circumstances, and his tattered relationship with his daughter (Gideon Adlon). Compelling effort co-stars Jason Mitchell, Connie Britton, Bruce Dern.
Frankenstein Created Woman (Collector’s Edition)
Lively Hammer Films horror opus pulls a switcheroo on the monster legend, as Peter Cushing’s Baron Frankenstein implants the executed Hans’ (Robert Morris) soul into the body of his handicapped lover, Christina (Playboy model Susan Denberg), after she commits suicide. With some plastic surgery, Christina is transformed into a truly beautiful creature, but one who is also possessed by Hans and out for revenge. With Thorley Walters, Duncan Lamont.
Joan Rivers co-wrote this dark made-for-TV comedy which stars Stockard Channing as Miriam Knight, a homely girl who’s involved in a devastating car accident that causes her to need extensive plastic surgery. When the bandages come off and she’s become a real stunner, Miriam uses her newfound beauty to get revenge on the cheerleaders and jocks who treated her like dirt. Ed Asner, Jim Backus, Fred Grandy, Annette O’Toole co-star.
His efforts to claim an inheritance thwarted by his ruthless uncle (Donald Pleasence), young David Balfour (Lawrence Douglas) finds himself kidnapped and put on a slave ship. While at sea, David befriends Jacobite rebel Alan Breck (Michael Caine), and the two soon embark on a series of thrilling adventures across 18th-century Scotland. Action-packed filming of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel also stars Vivien Heilbron, Trevor Howard, Jack Hawkins.
Ron Howard stars in the title role in this made-for-TV version of the Mark Twain classic. Seeking to escape his boring life and self-absorbed father, Huck strikes up a friendship with runaway slave Jim (Antonio Fargas) and the pair set off for untold adventures while sailing a raft down the Mississippi River. With Jack Elam, Merle Haggard, Royal Dano as Twain, and Howard’s “Happy Days” co-star Donny Most as Tom Sawyer.
Manhattan psychiatrist Mildred Watson (Joanne Woodward) took on a most intriguing case: evaluate Justin Playfair (George C. Scott), a retired, wealthy judge who believes he’s Sherlock Holmes–and whose grasping family wants control of his holdings. Against her better judgment, the doctor finds herself drawn into Playfair’s elaborate fantasy life, in this charming comedy from James Goldman’s play; directed by Anthony Harvey. Lester Rawlins, Jack Gilford, Rue McClanahan also star.
After coming up with depilatory shaving cream–and getting paid a quarter-million bucks by the razor industry to squelch it–now-flush inventor Tom Wakefield (Robert Young) wanted to share his good fortune with the world. Vowing to aid helpful travel agent Kitty Brent (Florence Rice) by making sure her insurance salesman fiancé (Hugh Marlowe) landed a problem client, all kinds of mishaps, misunderstandings, and romance ensue. Charming screwballer co-stars June Clayworth, Barnett Parker.
Sheriff “Red” Davidson (Buck Jones) tosses aside his tin star to help innocent friend “Silent” Slade (Grant Withers) escape a hanging, in this shoot-’em-up serial, a remake of Jones’ 1931 oater “The Range Feud.” Now, Red and Silent must work together to catch the real killer–rancher and diamond smuggler Jim Breen (Walter Miller). Marion Shilling, Richard Cramer, and Jim Thorpe co-star; based on the story “The Redhead from Sun Dog” by W.C. Tuttle.
Paul Rudnick scripted this screen adaptation of his hit off-Broadway comedy that takes a sardonically funny look at gay romance in the age of AIDS. Steven Weber stars as Jeffrey, a lovelorn New Yorker whose vow of celibacy is put to the test when he meets the man of his dreams–who turns out to be HIV-positive. Great cast includes Michael T. Weiss, Patrick Stewart, Bryan Batt, and Sigourney Weaver.
Floundering reporter Chick Brian (Eric Linden) was on a date with his girlfriend (Dorothy Jordan) when car trouble brought them to a highway dive–and the aftermath of a double homicide. After seeing the killer flee, and then gathering up the incriminating evidence left behind, Chick determines to jump-start his career by claiming credit for the crimes…but his plan to exonerate himself might not be quite foolproof. Nifty thriller co-stars Bruce Cabot, Phyllis Clare, Roscoe Ates, Purnell Pratt.
The Entity (Collector’s Edition)
Reportedly based on a true story, this terrifying tale stars Barbara Hershey as a divorced mother who experiences brutal sexual and physical assaults by an unseen entity. After seeking help from a psychiatrist and parapsychologists, she tries to convince them the demonic force is not a figment of her imagination. Ron Silver, Margaret Blye, George Coe also star in Sidney J. Furie’s adaptation of Frank De Felitta’s novel.
The first (and, so far, the only) film musical to star The Village People, this campy “guilty pleasure” features a fictionalized account of the disco sextet’s rise to stardom with such hit songs as “Macho Man” and “Y.M.C.A.” Valerie Perrine, Bruce Jenner, Steve Guttenberg, Paul Sand, Tammy Grimes, June Havoc, and Barbara Rush also star, all under the direction of beloved paper towel spokeswoman Nancy Walker.
In the late ‘60s, biracial Nevada adoptee Fauna Hodel (India Eisley) was delving into her past when she discovered that her grandfather, physician George Hodel (Jefferson Mays), was living in Los Angeles. Her quest to meet him brought her into the orbit of troubled reporter Jay Singletary (Chris Pine)–and into knowledge of George’s rumored involvement in the Black Dahlia slaying. Gripping take on Fauna Hodel’s memoir co-stars Connie Nielsen, Golden Brooks, Leland Orser, Yul Vazquez.
Cystic fibrosis–and the attendant rigors of her medical routine–didn’t keep teenager Stella Grant (Haley Lu Richardson) from immersion in her hobbies or an upbeat outlook. At first, she didn’t have much use for her CF ward neighbor, the morbidly cocky Will Newman (Cole Sprouse)…but a tender bond would form that belied the physical distance they were required to keep. Popular, effective young adult weepie also stars Claire Forlani, Parminder Nagra, Emily Baldoni, Moisés Arias.
Frank Sinatra’s sole directorial assignment casts him as a Navy pharmacist’s mate who’s among the survivors of a military transport downed over the South Pacific during World War II. Landing upon an island, they soon discover that they’re sharing their refuge with a small platoon of stranded Japanese soldiers…and facing life under a tenuous truce that may collapse at any time. Provocative battle tale co-stars Clint Walker, Tommy Sands, Brad Dexter, Tony Bill, Tatsuya Mihashi, Takeshi Katō.
Johnny Quest: The Complete Original Series
In 1964, Hanna-Barbera broke new ground in TV animation with their first foray into the action genre with the thrilling comic book-inspired exploits of young Jonny Quest, created by veteran artist Doug Wildey. Along with his scientist father Dr. Benton Quest, East Indian orphan pal Hadji, special agent/bodyguard Race Bannon, and faithful dog Bandit, Jonny travelled the world, encountering strange mysteries and menaces. Voice talent includes Tim Matheson, Don Messick, Mike Road, Danny Bravo. All 26 episodes of the series are included in this three-disc set.
Swing Time (Criterion Collection)
Delightful musical stars Fred Astaire as “Lucky” Garnett, a roguish gambler/dancer who is challenged by his fiancée’s (Betty Furness) father to come up with $25,000 to prove he’s worthy of her hand. But after he falls in love with a dance instructor (Ginger Rogers), Lucky’ll do anything to keep from earning the bucks. The Jerome Kern-Dorothy Fields score includes “The Way You Look Tonight,” “A Fine Romance,” and “Pick Yourself Up.” With Victor Moore, Helen Broderick, Eric Blore.
For a complete overview of all of this week’s new releases, click here.