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Spring may feel as though it’s still years away, but we’re just about a month from the release of six titles on Blu-ray and 4K special editions from the Criterion Collection. Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed neo-western crime drama, a timeless romance from Claude Lelouch, and a haunting look at a family trying to survive a nuclear attack are among the works coming out in new formats and filled with special features. Check out the titles here, then go to the Movies Unlimited homepage to pre-order them (or to purchase them in DVD or Blu-ray only format):
The Blade (1995) –When the swordmaker who raised him as a son─and apprenticed him─falls prey to a pack of murderous thieves, foolhardy Ding On (Zhao Wenzhuo) rushes into a confrontation with the killers, losing an arm as a result. Humiliated, he drives himself into perfecting a fighting style where his loss becomes an asset instead of a handicap…and sets out to retrieve a bloody retribution. Tsui Hark’s kinetic re-imagining of “One-Armed Swordsman” also stars Sonny Su, Valerie Chow, Collin Chou. 106 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: Cantonese mono, English (dubbed) mono; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; bonus documentary “Action et Vérité” (2006); featurettes; English opening and end credits; theatrical trailer.
Classe Tous Risques (1960) — A gang leader (Lino Ventura) risks everything by returning to Paris with his children after a French court condemns him to death in absentia. His former associates send a young guardian (Jean-Paul Belmondo) to meet him, a gesture that leads the aging mobster to question his colleagues’ loyalty to him as well as the trustworthiness of his untested escort. Rich in character and mood, director/co-writer Claude Sauter’s French film noir co-stars Sandra Milo, Michel Ardan. AKA: “The Big Risk.” 108 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; bonus footage; interviews; documentary; theatrical trailers.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) — After World War I, aimless vet Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) drifted to Oklahoma and the employ of his cattle baron uncle William Hale (Robert De Niro). Unfortunately, Hale’s empire was supplemented by grifts upon his oil-rich, civil rights-poor Osage neighbors–and Ernest’s wooing and wedding of heiress Molly Kyle (Lily Gladstone) would become the crux of a murderous scheme. Martin Scorsese’s epic-length, stunning true crime opus co-stars Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Brendan Fraser. 3 1/2 hrs. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Atmos, descriptive audio; Subtitles: English (SDH); making-of documentaries; featurettes; theatrical trailer. Three-disc set.
A Man and a Woman (1966) — One of cinema’s great romances, this lyrical love story between script girl Anne Gauthier (Anouk Aimée) and auto racer Jean-Louis Duroc (Jean-Louis Trintignant)–two widowed single parents who each questioned if they could know true connection again–captured worldwide acclaim, the Best Foreign Film Academy Award, and the hearts of a generation. With Pierre Barouh, Valérie Lagrange; directed by Claude Lelouch. 103 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: French; Subtitles: English; “making of” documentary; featurettes; bonus short “C’était un Rendez-vous” (1976); theatrical trailers
Testament (1983) — The global horror that would be World War III is brought into heartbreakingly intimate detail in this drama of one family’s struggle. A small California community is cut off from the world after the bombs fall, while one woman fights to keep her family and neighbors going. Jane Alexander, William Devane, Roxana Zal, Lukas Haas star; look for early appearances by Kevin Costner, Rebecca De Mornay. 89 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Uncompressed PCM mono; Subtitles: English (SDH); documentaries; featurettes; theatrical trailer; essay; more.
Viridiana (1961) — Darkly satiric drama from Luis Buñuel follows would-be nun Viridiana (Sylvia Pinal) after she is raped by an uncle (Fernando Rey)–who then kills himself. Determined to find some light amidst all this darkness, Viridiana decides to turn her uncle’s estate into a home for the destitute who live in the area. she quickly discovers, though, how good intentions can have bad results. With Francisco Rabal, José Calvo, Margarita Lozano. 91 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: Spanish Uncompressed PCM mono mono; Subtitles: English; interviews; theatrical trailer; essay; more. Two-disc set.