Welcome to another week of new releases! This time around, we’ve got archival favorites, recent releases, cult classics, and so much more! Here’s a rundown of the latest DVDs and Blu-rays that you’ll want to explore in the days ahead!
The Grand Budapest Hotel (Criterion Collection)(2014)
Told in an unusual flashback-within-a-flashback style, this quirky seriocomedy from writer/director Wes Anderson (mostly) centers on Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes), the concierge of the titular European hotel, in the 1930s. The film chronicles the unshakeable, longtime bond that develops between Gustave and his trusted friend, lobby boy Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori), during a series of misadventures together. With Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Saoirse Ronan, Jeff Goldblum, and Bill Murray.
The Rhythm Section (2020)
After the jet carrying her parents and brother went down over the Atlantic, Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively) lost all bearings for her existence. That was until she was approached by a covert agency that showed her the crash resulted from terrorism…and she eagerly took their offer to train as a covert operative, and settle accounts with all responsible. Gripping vengeance thriller co-stars Jude Law, Sterling K. Brown, Max Casella, Daniel Mays; Mark Burnell adapted his novel for the screen.
Billy Liar (1962)
Classic Mittyesque satire from director John Schlesinger with Tom Courtenay as Billy Fisher, a British working-class Everyman who spends his time daydreaming and spinning tall tales, earning him the nickname “Billy Liar.” But Billy must face a very real-world problem when he finds himself juggling three fiancées (Julie Christie, Helen Fraser, and Gwendolyn Watts). Mona Washbourne, Wilfred Pickles, and Finlay Currie co-star.
Desperate Journey (1942)
After an RAF bomber is brought down deep behind enemy lines, the mission’s topkicks (Errol Flynn, Ronald Reagan) must lead the few survivors of the multinational crew from the clutches of capturing German soldiers…and on a perilous trek by foot to safety in the Netherlands with the critical intel they pilfered. Spirited WWII drum-beater from Warners co-stars Raymond Massey, Arthur Kennedy, Alan Hale, Ronald Sinclair, Sig Ruman; Raoul Walsh directs.
The Assistant (2019)
To realize her own aspirations at film production, lowest-end gofer Jane (Julia Garner) knew that she had to deal with the demeaning scutwork left by her unseen Manhattan mogul boss with her head down and mouth shut. However, when the “job responsibilities” of a young new hire (Kristine Froseth) became apparent, she was confronted with doing what’s right in the face of career suicide. Writer/director Kitty Green’s telling indictment co-stars Matthew Macfadyen, Makenzie Leigh, Jon Orsini.
Tartuffe (1925)
Molière’s timeless satire of bourgeois hypocrisy is brought to the screen by F.W. Murnau in this silent German drama. Surrounding the tale of master manipulator Tartuffe (Emil Jannings) and his businessman patsy (Werner Krauss) is a modern story of a young man trying to stop a conniving housekeeper from taking advantage of his grandfather. With André Mattoni, Lil Dagover. Restored version includes color-tinted scenes.
Blood on the Moon (1948)
Pistol-for-hire Jim Garry (Robert Mitchum) saddled up for an enforcer’s job with old amigo Tate Riling (Robert Preston), who was looking to squeeze rancher John Lufton (Tom Tully) into selling his herd cheap. Attracted to Lufton’s daughter Amy (Barbara Bel Geddes) and disgusted by the strong-arm scheme, Garry finds himself switching sides for a showdown. Robert Wise’s film noir-ish oater, adapted from Luke Short’s “Gunman’s Chance,” co-stars Walter Brennan, Frank Faylen, Phyllis Thaxter.
The Sound Barrier (aka Breaking the Sound Barrier) (1952)
With the war’s end, aviation magnate John Ridgefield (Ralph Richardson) single-mindedly focused his corporate resources into the achievement of supersonic flight. His efforts may instead create a barrier between himself and his daughter (Ann Todd) after her test pilot husband (Nigel Patrick) becomes a sacrifice to the pursuit. David Lean’s stirring sky saga co-stars Denholm Elliott, Dinah Sheridan, John Justin, Joseph Tomelty; screenplay by Terence Rattigan. AKA: “Breaking Through the Sound Barrier.”
The Wind (1986)
Mystery writer Sian Anderson (Meg Foster) moves to an isolated Greek vacation paradise where she happens to witness creepy handyman Phil (Wings Hauser) dumping her landlord’s (Robert Morley) corpse in a freshly dug grave. She’d run for her life, if not for the brutally strong wind blowing outside that will keep her stuck in the house with only the murderous Phil to keep her company. Chilling suspenser co-stars Steve Railsback, David McCallum.
Them! (1954)
Landmark sci-fi classic chronicles how atomic testing in a New Mexico desert results in ordinary ants being mutated into behemoth killing machines. As the enlarged insects wreak murderous havoc across the Southwest, police sergeant Ben Peterson (James Whitmore) teams with FBI agent Robert Graham (James Arness) to stop a pair of queen ants before they can give birth to another generation of terror. With Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon.
Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)
Young wastrel Chance Wayne (Paul Newman) returned to his Florida backwater hometown with fading screen star Alexandra Del Lago (Geraldine Page) in tow, hoping that ex-lover Heavenly Finley (Shirley Knight) would join him in his last-ditch bid for Hollywood discovery. Unfortunately, Heavenly’s political boss dad (Best Supporting Actor Oscar-winner Ed Begley) ran Chance off in the first place…and will make him sorry he ever came back. Powerful rendering of the Tennessee Williams classic also stars Rip Torn, Madeleine Sherwood; Richard Brooks directs.
Room 222: Season Two (1970)
Deftly blending comedy and drama, this acclaimed 1969-74 ABC series was set in Walt Whitman High School in Los Angeles, where the diverse, multiracial student body got life lessons as well as an education from dedicated history instructor Lloyd Haynes, understanding counselor Denise Nicholas, crusty principal Michael Constantine, and enthusiastic student teacher Karen Valentine. All 26 episodes from the second season are included in this four-disc set.
Underdog: The Complete Collector’s Edition
There’s no need to fear, because everyone’s favorite super-powered canine is on DVD! Watch as humble, lovable Shoeshine Boy becomes Underdog and protects the world (and Sweet Polly Purebred) against such foes as Simon Barsinister, Overcat, and Riff Raff. The series, which spanned from 1964-1967, also includes shorts featuring Go Go Gophers, Klondike Kat, Tennessee Tuxedo, Tooter Turtle, and more. 62 episodes–each consisting of four cartoons–on 9 discs.
Arrow: The Eighth and Final Season (2019)
DC Comics’ iconic archer superhero Green Arrow received a reimagining in this hit CW series. Believed lost at sea five years earlier, playboy heir Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) returns to his corruption-ridden home town, applying his acquired bow and survival skills to take on the city’s criminal element. Katie Cassidy, Colin Donnell, David Ramsey co-star. All 10 episodes from the final season are featured in a three-disc set.
All 170 episodes of the series are featured in this 15-disc set.
Shatter (1974)
Stuart Whitman stars as Shatter, a top international assassin-for-hire who travels to Hong Kong for a hit that he thinks was arranged by the U.S. government, only to become ensnared in a deadly double cross. Shatter teams with a martial arts instructor to bring down a global drug cartel in this hard-hitting actioner from Hammer Films. Peter Cushing, Ti Lung co-star.
Olivia (1983)
Traumatized since witnessing her hooker mom’s murder as a child, Londoner Olivia (Suzanne Love) drifted into an abusive marriage…and then into her mother’s profession as a means of escape. She found renewed hope from the attentions of a kindly American engineer (Robert Walker, Jr.)–but a confrontation with her angry husband (Jeff Winchester) threw the fate of all three in bizarre directions. Ulli Lommel’s stylish thriller also stars Bibbe Hansen, Nicholas Love. AKA: “Prozzie,” “Double Jeopardy,” “A Taste of Sin,” “Beyond the Bridge.”
Innocent Blood (1992)
The notion of a bloody gangland turf war in Pittsburgh didn’t scare gorgeous vampire Marie (Anne Parillaud), who welcomed the carnage as cover for her feeding habits. However, she didn’t count on falling for the case’s lead cop (Anthony LaPaglia)…and she now must help him stop the mob boss (Robert Loggia) she put the bite on from turning his goodfellas into an undead army. John Landis’ erotic horror-comedy co-stars Chazz Palminteri, Angela Bassett, Don Rickles, Tony Sirico.
The Lost Continent (1968)
A tramp steamer carrying a cargo of illegal explosives becomes stranded in the mysterious region of the Atlantic known as the Sargasso Sea, where giant crabs and jellyfish, killer seaweed, and some Spanish conquistadors are among the perils awaiting the ship’s passengers, in this sci-fi thriller from Hammer. Eric Porter, Suzanna Leigh, Hildegard Knef star.
Don’t Drink the Water (1969)
Adapted from Woody Allen’s Broadway play and directed by Howard Morris, this riotous comedy of errors follows the plight of an American family on vacation in Europe, trapped at an American embassy behind the Iron Curtain when their plane makes an unscheduled landing. To make matters worse, they find themselves accused of espionage! Jackie Gleason, Estelle Parsons, Ted Bessell, Avery Schreiber star.
The Curse of the Cat People (1944)
In this haunting, Val Lewton-produced sequel to the 1942 shocker, a lonely young girl with an overactive imagination suddenly makes two new friends: an aging, reclusive actress estranged from her own daughter, and, much more unusually, the spirit of her father’s first wife, who died believing she was descended from the titular race of “cat people.” Kent Smith, Simone Simon, Jane Randolph, Ann Carter, Julia Dean star; co-directed by Robert Wise (his directorial debut).
Just One of the Guys (1985)
Bright teen Terri Griffith (Joyce Hyser) wanted to show her journalistic aspirations were warranted, so while her parents were out of town, she enrolled at a neighboring high school…disguised as a boy. However, she finds the pose bringing on its share of twists, particularly when she finds herself falling in love with the sensitive classmate (Clayton Rohner) whose self-esteem “Terry” built up. Enduring gender-bender co-stars Bill Jacoby, William Zabka, Leigh McCloskey, Sherilyn Fenn.
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
TV’s campy queen of creature features makes her scream screen debut in an outrageous comedy. When her great-aunt dies, Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) inherits the family estate in Massachusetts. But she soon must deal with a scheming great-uncle (W. Morgan Sheppard) and hostile townsfolk who don’t take kindly to her outrageous lifestyle and sexy wardrobe. With Jeff Conaway, Edie McClurg, Daniel Greene, Susan Kellermann.
Outcast of the Islands (1951)
Sacked from a Singapore shipper when his underhanded dealings catch up with him, Peter Willems (Trevor Howard) begs old mentor Capt. Tom Lingard (Ralph Richardson) for passage up the Indonesia coast and another chance. Receiving a position with Lingard’s son-in-law (Robert Morley), Willems wastes little time in betraying them both–and seducing a local chieftain’s daughter (Kerima) to boot. Carol Reed’s atmospheric take on the Joseph Conrad novel co-stars Wendy Hiller, George Coulouris.
The Caper of the Golden Bulls (1967)
In Spain, American ex-pat restaurateur Peter Churchman (Stephen Boyd) had the respect of a community unaware that his philanthropy was funded by a generation of high-end robberies. An old flame (Giovanna Ralli) threatens to spill the tea unless he knocks over Pamplona’s biggest and most secure bank–and he concocts a scheme to do so in the middle of the Running of the Bulls. Engaging heist flick based on the William McGivern (“The Big Heat”) novel co-stars Yvette Mimieux, Vito Scotti, Walter Slezak.
Only (2019)
Most young couples face a make-or-break relationship challenge, but Eva (Freida Pinto) and Will (Leslie Odom, Jr.) found theirs in a space-spawned pandemic that was killing every woman on Earth. After jerry-rigging a quarantine situation for her–and as external society crumbled and a prayed-for cure ever came–they’re left having to make shattering decisions for their survival. Sobering post-apocalyptic parable co-stars Chandler Riggs, Tia Hendricks, Jayson Warner Smith, Noor Naghmi.
Ride Like a Girl (2019)
Michelle Payne (Teresa Palmer) was literally born to the saddle–the youngest of 10 kids born to a competitive horse trainer (Sam Neill)–and wanted to ride for as long as she could remember. Turning professional as a teenager, she’d weather traumatic on-track injuries in pursuit of her childhood dream…and in 2015, she’d become the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Sturdy sports biodrama co-stars Sullivan Stapleton, Brooke Satchwell; feature directing bow for Rachel Griffiths.
Guns Akimbo (2019)
Sad-sack coder Miles (Daniel Radcliffe) didn’t hold back as he maliciously trolled Skizm, the breakout online entertainment service that brokered mano-a-mano fights to the death and live-streamed them to millions of satisfied subscribers. Not the brightest move, as the objects of his contempt kidnapped him–bolted pistols into his hands–and made him their latest participant. Darkly comic fantasy-actioner also stars Samara Weaving, Ned Dennehy, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Rhys Darby.
Click here for an overview of all of this week’s new releases!