As the summer heat rages on, new DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD releases will help keep things cool. We think you’ll love the latest batch of new releases — everything from recent theatrical hits to classics making their high-definition debut. Here then are this week’s latest offerings!
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Cole Young (Lewis Tan) thought he was done with fighting after he stepped away from MMA competition. He wouldn’t know how wrong he was, as destiny tapped him to join an elite squad of fighters for an extradimensional tournament–with our reality’s continued freedom in the balance. Riveting reboot of the video game-inspired action franchise for a new generation co-stars Mehcad Brooks, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Joe Taslim, Tadanobu Asano.
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020)
The third theatrical foray for the Krusty Krew finds Plankton devising his latest scheme to rid himself of our favorite fry cook–by delivering beloved pet snail Gary to the clutches of King Poseidon, and sending SpongeBob and Patrick on a rescue mission from which there’s no return! First CGI/live-action mix for the franchise features the voices of Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Keanu Reeves, Awkwafina, Tiffany Haddish, Snoop Dogg, Danny Trejo.
Deep Cover (Criterion Collection)(1992)
Straight-edged Cincinnati cop John Hull (Laurence Fishburne) was approached by the DEA to go to Los Angeles and covertly work his way into the operations of the city’s most powerful drug importers. As he works up from street crack peddler–and ingratiates himself with a sleazy lawyer (Jeff Goldblum) who deals on the side–can he fight off the seduction of this seamy lifestyle? Bill Duke’s unrelenting thriller co-stars Victoria Dillard, Charles Martin Smith, Gregory Sierra.
Snatch (4K Ultra HD)(2000)
“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” director Guy Ritchie returns with this audacious heist comedy-thriller. Two small-time London hoods in debt to a crooked promoter and a stolen diamond are the elements that bring together a colorful crew of smugglers, hit men, transatlantic crime bosses, boxing Irish Gypsies, and excitable dogs. Dennis Farina, Jason Flemyng, Alan Ford, Vinnie Jones, Brad Pitt, Jason Statham, and Benicio Del Toro star.
No Man’s Land (2021)
Young Texan Jackson Greer (Jake Allyn, who co-scripted) followed his border rancher dad (Frank Grillo) into Mexico to herd escaped cattle when they fatefully encountered a seasoned coyote (Jorge A. Jimenez) and his son (Alessio Valentini). After the run-in escalated into tragedy, Jackson took flight in a land where he’s the illegal–and found adventure and revelations on a road seeking forgiveness. Andie McDowell, George Lopez, Alex MacNicoll, Esmeralda Pimental co-star.
Alias Nick Beal (1949)
The story of Faust gets a film noir twist in this tale of Joseph Foster (Thomas Mitchell), a straight-arrow district attorney waging war on his city’s criminal element while eyeing the governor’s mansion. He gets some unexpected assistance from the mysterious Nick Beal (Ray Milland), who leads Foster down a road of corruption and prostitution. Is Beal simply a bad influence, or could he something more supernaturally sinister? With Audrey Totter, George Macready, Fred Clark, Geraldine Wall.
The Web (1947)
Attorney Bob Regan (Edmond O’Brien) is hired as a bodyguard to wealthy Andrew Colby (Vincent Price), who believes a former employee who just did a five-year bit for embezzlement is gunning for him. Forced to kill the ex-con when he attacks Colby at his home, Regan starts to wonder if the whole thing wasn’t an elaborate set-up and begins his own investigation with the help of Colby’s secretary (Ella Raines). William Bendix, Maria Palmer co-star in this taut thriller.
Larceny (1948)
While unscrupulous con artist Rick Maxon (John Payne) was talking war widow Deborah Owens Clark (Joan Caulfield) into raising money to construct a memorial in her husband’s honor, he, of course, intended to bilk her for every penny. That was until he fell in love with her. But Maxon’s problems are just beginning, as he’s still beholden to Silky (Dan Duryea)–the crook who planned the scam–and having an affair with Silky’s gal (Shelley Winters). Offbeat film noir co-stars Dorothy Hart.
Wrath of Man (2021)
Jason Statham teams with director Guy Ritchie for the fourth time in this explosive remake of the French actioner “Cash Truck.” Statham stars as H, an armored truck company employee who finds himself up to his neck in danger when his mysterious and violent past collides with the present, thrusting him smack in the middle of a daring heist–and maybe affording him the opportunity to settle a very personal score. With Holt McCallany, Scott Eastwood, Josh Hartnett, and Andy Garcia.
Chasing Waterfalls (2021)
Studies of people were the forte of photographer Amy Atwater (Cindy Busby), but if she wanted to move up at the nature magazine where she worked, she’d have to deliver a spread of one of the continent’s most beautiful, yet obscure, waterfalls. The trip finds her developing chemistry with tour guide Mark North (Christopher Russell)–but will her ambitions collide with his desire to keep the landmark’s traffic low? Hallmark charmer co-stars Cassidy Nugent, Rhonda Dent, Miranda Frigon.
Objective, Burma! (1945)
For special forces officer Nelson (Errol Flynn), leading 50 paratroopers on a drop into occupied Burma and knocking out a Japanese communications center would prove to be the easy part. With their escape airstrip in the hands of the enemy, a return to friendly ground would have to come on foot–through 150 miles of jungle. Stirring combat classic co-stars George Tobias, Henry Hull, Warner Anderson; Raoul Walsh directs.
Skin Deep (1989)
Writer/director Blake Edwards’ farce stars John Ritter as Zach Hutton, an author who trashes his marriage to beautiful newscaster Alex (Alyson Reed) for a series of slapstick flings with younger women. Following a divorce, he eventually realizes that he wants his ex back. But can he cast aside his randy habits long enough to once again win her heart? Don’t miss the now-legendary condom fight scene! With Julianne Phillips, Chelsea Field, Denise Crosby, Raye Hollitt.
Working Girls (Criterion Collection)(1987)
Director Lizzie Borden’s controversial and critically praised film tracks a day in the life of high-end hooker Molly (Louise Smith) and her colleagues at a busy Manhattan brothel, as they deal with the demands of the clientele–and the machinations of their madam–in a most unlikely yet all-too-familiar office grind. Unflinching, graphic, and completely engrossing drama co-stars Deborah Banks, Ellen McElduff, Liz Caldwell, Amanda Goodwin.
The Two Worlds of Jennie Logan (1979)
After moving into an old Victorian house with her husband, Jennie Logan (Lindsay Wagner) finds an antique dress in the attic–and discovers it has the power to transport her to another era. But as she continues using the garment to revisit the past, Jennie finds herself falling in love with another man–and another world. With Alan Feinstein, Marc Singer, Linda Gray.
The Great Gabbo (1929)
Erich Von Stroheim gives a mesmerizing performance in the title role of this early talkie musical melodrama, portraying an unbalanced ventriloquist who’s incapable of any meaningful expression unless it’s through his ever-present dummy, “Otto.” Though his mania drives away the assistant (Betty Compson) who loves him, he continues to climb the show business ladder–but can he find the words to win her back when they share a bill? Donald Douglas, Marjorie Kane also star.
The Night (2020)
Though reunited in Los Angeles, the marriage of expatriates Babak and Neda Naderi (Shahab Hosseini, Niousha Noor) was far from calm…and a rocky evening out found them checking into the nearest hotel to sleep it off. Incredibly, they find themselves prisoners of the creepy old edifice–and their only out rests with owning up to one another about the secrets that they’ve buried in the past. Eerie U.S.-Iranian co-production also stars George Maguire.
Charmed: The Complete Fourth Season (2001)
After learning they’re descended from a long line of witches, Halliwell sisters Prue (Shannen Doherty), Piper (Holly Marie Combs), and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) are each granted unique magical abilities that they combine to do battle with the forces of evil. The girls are later joined by long-lost half-sister Paige (Rose McGowan, who replaced Doherty in 2001) in this sexy and supernatural WB series. 21 episodes on 5 discs.
Held (2020)
Emma (Jill Awbrey, who scripted) and Henry Barrett (Bart Johnson) thought it’d salve their fraying marriage to take an anniversary getaway to a remote luxury rental tricked out with the latest smart-house amenities. They’d awaken to find they’d been chipped by an intruder doling out punishment if they don’t obey his intercom commands–and forced to play out his domestic fantasies to the letter. Stunner from the directors of “The Gallows” co-stars Rez Kempton, Zack Gold, Tessa Munro.
Separation (2021)
For graphic novelist Jeff Vahn (Rupert Friend), his rancor with his collaborator wife Maggie (Mamie Gummer) over his stalled career reached the point where she was ready to leave with their daughter Jenny (Violet McGraw). After Maggie perished in a car wreck, he vowed to be a protective dad–but can he do so as their home becomes plagued by living manifestations of his bizarre creations? Chiller from director William Brent Bell co-stars Madeline Brewer, Brian Cox, Simon Quarterman.
The Castle (1999)
Tow truck driver Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton) and his family knew a happy life in their humble abode–situated just off on a runway at Melbourne’s airport. When the hub plans to expand and they’re threatened with compulsory eviction, a fed-up Darryl decides it’s time to stand up for the little guy and takes on the government and the airport in a series of increasingly ridiculous legal battles. Acclaimed satire from Australia also stars Anne Tenney, Eric Bana, Stephen Curry, Sophie Lee.
Limbo (2021)
Like many sharing his circumstances on a small Scottish isle, young Syrian musician and refugee Omar (Amir El-Masry) looked to fill the days as he waited for his asylum request to be approved. The quirky experiences and quiet sorrows he finds along with Afghan roomie Farhad (Vikash Bhai) and Nigerian brothers Abedi (Kwabena Ansah) and Wasef (Ola Orebiyi) fuel Ben Sharrock’s sweetly observed dramedy; Sidse Babett Knudsen, Kenneth Collard also star.
Two-disc set includes The Frightened Lady (1940), The Brass Monkey (1948), Third Time Lucky (1949), Tall Headlines (1952), and Breakaway (1956).
Click here for a complete overview of all of this week’s new releases!