New to View: May 17
By Bob Bloom
The following Blu-rays and DVDs are being released on Tuesday, May 17, unless otherwise noted:
Dirty Grandpa: Unrated (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet)
Details: 2016, Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated and R, language, sexual content, nudity, drug use
The lowdown: Robert De Niro and Zac Efron star in this generational and raunchy comedy about an uptight young man who, a week before his wedding, is tricked into driving his foul-mouthed and free-living grandfather to spring break in Florida.
There, they get into the usual kinds of trouble and situations associated with this genre.
However, the two, especially De Niro, seem to be having some fun.
The supporting cast includes Aubrey Plaza, Julianne Hough, Danny Glover and Dermot Mulroney.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English 2.0 Dolby digital optimized for late-night listening; English SDH, English and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.40:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, English and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: The supplemental offerings include a making of featurette, a Daytona heat featurette, a featurette on lessons in seduction, a commentary track, a look at Daytona’s most vibrant drug dealer and a gag reel.
Angie Tribeca: The Complete First Season
Details: 2015, Warner Home Video
Rated: TV-14, language, sexual situations, violence
The lowdown: Rashida Jones stars in this TBS police series spoof about a detective who, preferring to work alone, is reluctantly paired with a partner to solve cases.
Steve and Nancy Carell serve as executive producers of the series, which features such guest stars as Bill Murray and Lisa Kudrow.
The cases involved include the murder of a ventriloquist and a rash of baker suicides.
Police work has never been so much fun.
Technical aspects: Widescreen picture; English 2.0 Dolby digital stereo; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include an inside look at all the episodes, an overall look at the series, a “Meet Jagger” featurette, a look at the stunts, a featurette on the production design and featurettes on Andree’s dilemma and Andree’s vermeulen.
The Naked Island: Special Edition (Blu-ray)
Details: 1960, The Criterion Collection
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: The dialogue is very minimal in this documentary-like feature from director Kaneto Shindo, which follows a family that lives on a remote island in the Japanese archipelago.
Their lives are harsh, as they must row a far distance to another shore, collect water from a well in buckets and row back to their island.
The movie is visually spectacular, as you come to respect these people whose backbreaking existence is a daily struggle for survival.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; Japanese LPCM monaural; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: A 2011 introduction to the film by Shindo, a 2000 commentary track with Shindo and composer Hikaru Hayashi, an appreciation of the film by Oscar-winning actor Benicio Del Toro, an interview with film scholar Akira Mizuta Lippit and an essay about the movie comprise the major bonus features.
Deadpool (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet)
Release date: May 10
Details: 2016, Fox Home Entertainment
Rated: R, graphic violence, language, nudity, sexual content
The lowdown: Marvel’s Deadpool is brought to the screen in an uproarious and violent action flick that continually breaks the fourth wall and offers enough in-jokes to satisfy any comic book-superhero nerd.
This latest Marvel movie, with its thumb-your-nose attitude, is an anti-superhero superhero feature, and it’s the most profane, violent and funny production in the history of the franchise.
The movie is gleefully dark and twisted, constantly pushing and daring its audience to hoot, holler or simply try to dismiss it.
All this flamboyance obscures a standard comic-book adaptation origins story of how former mercenary Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) was transformed into smart-alecky, wisecracking Deadpool.
Reynolds is given free reign to quip his way from scene to scene, nudging the audience as he remarks on whatever situation arises.
This is a movie driven by attitude — and at a speed that makes NASCAR races look like soapbox-derby contests.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 descriptive audio track and Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles; DVD: 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English 5.1 audio descriptive track and Spanish and French 2.0 Dolby digital surround; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Among the hours of bonus offerings are deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary; a gag reel; storyboards; a featurette on the transition of the character comics to the big screen; a “Deadpool’s Fun Sack” featurette and two commentary tracks.
The Merchant of Venice
Details: 1973, Shout! Factory
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Laurence Olivier plays Shylock in this production of the Shakespeare play about the moneylender who cannot get his pound of flesh after a loan he made is not repaid.
The cast also features Joan Plowright as Portia, a pre-Sherlock Holmes Jeremy Brett as Bassanio and Anthony Nichols as Antonio, the friend Bassanio names as guarantor for the loan.
This is a strong adaptation with a first-rate cast. And watching Olivier perform Shakespeare always is a treat.
Technical aspects: 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English Dolby digital monaural.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Blu-ray)
Release date: May 10
Details: 1966, Warner Archive Collection
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Elizabeth Taylor won her second Academy Award for her portrayal of Martha opposite then-husband Richard Burton as George in this film adaptation of Edward Albee’s acclaimed play.
Mike Nichols made his directorial debut as the movie went on to also earn costars George Segal and Sandy Dennis best supporting actor and actress Oscars.
The great Haskell Wexler beautifully photographed the story about a longtime married couple, whose fight and spite are boundless, in stark black and white. Composer Alex North contributed a memorable score.
This is a timeless classic, being released as a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection. It can be ordered at www.wbshop.com or other online retailers.
Technical aspects: 1.85:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural and French and Spanish 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a couple of featurettes on the making of the movie and two commentary tracks, one with Wexler, the other with Nichols and producer-director Steven Soderbergh.
Synchronicity (Blu-ray)
Release date: May 10
Details: 2016, Magnolia Home Entertainment
Rated: R, language, sexual references
The lowdown: A time-traveling science fiction thriller about an inventor who creates the world’s first time machine.
The inventor, played by Chad McKnight, soon finds himself battling his benefactor, played by Michael Ironside, for control of his device.
To keep the rights to his invention, the scientist travels back in time to prove his machine works. During his travels, he meets a woman played by Brianne Davis, whom he suspects of being in league with his benefactor.
But what he actually discovers in the past could destroy his reality and possibly his entire future.
Fans of time travel features will find this movie intriguing.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English and French 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include interviews with McKnight and Davis as well as writer-director Jacob Gentry; a music video and a commentary track.
The Nasty Terrible T-Kid 170: Julius Cavero
Release date: May 20
Details: 2014, Love Machine Films-MVD Visual Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A documentary that looks at well-known graffiti artist who gained fame — or notoriety, depending on your point of view — for his subway graffiti.
For 30 years, T-Kid 170 has been going into train yards all around the world leaving his art.
The movie covers his story from his teen years in New York gang life, through his addictions, arrests and triumphs.
Filmgoers interested in this subculture will find this movie very enjoyable.
Technical aspects: Widescreen picture.
Air Force (DVD-R)
Release date: May 10
Details: 1943, Warner Archive Collection
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Howard Hawks directs an all-star Warner Bros. cast in this World War II drama about a B-17 Flying Fortress that leaves San Francisco on Dec. 6, 1941, for Honolulu and flies directly into the opening days of World War II.
The ship makes its way across the Pacific Ocean from Hawaii to Wake Island to the Philippines to the Coral Sea, finally ending up in Australia.
The cast includes John Garfield, Harry Carey, Gig Young, George Tobias, John Ridgley, Arthur Kennedy and James Brown.
This is one of those flag-waving dramas that movie studios released during the war years to entertain the troops overseas and boost morale at home.
The release is a made-on-demand DVD-R from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wbshop.com or other online retailers.
Technical aspects: 1.37:1 (4×3) full-screen picture; English Dolby digital monaural; English and French subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include the Oscar-nominated wartime short, “Women at War”; two wartime-themed cartoons, “The Fifth-Column Mouse” and “Scrap Happy Daffy”; and a radio adaptation of the film.
Cop Rock: The Complete Series
Details: 1990, Shout! Factory
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Producer Steven Bochco has had success with such TV police dramas as “Hill Street Blues” and “NYPD Blue.”
“Cop Rock,” which tried to mix drama and music, did not fare well. The blend of Bochco’s character-driven drama did not mesh with his vision of rock and musical theater beats.
It was a bit disconcerting for audiences when cast members broke into song and dance.
Though a groundbreaking idea, the show, with songs composed by Randy Newman, was a noble failure for Bochco.
Technical aspects: 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English Dolby digital stereo.
Don’t miss: Interviews with Bochco and Anne Bobby.
I Saw What You Did (Blu-ray)
Details: 1965, Scream Factory
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Joan Crawford was nearing the end of her career when she starred in this William Castle production about a prank phone call that goes terribly wrong.
The story centers on two teenagers who make prank random phone calls, telling those at the other end, “I saw what you did, and I know who you are.”
However, the tables are turned when a man who has recently murdered his wife is the person at the other end of the line.
The veteran cast also includes John Ireland and Leif Erickson.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: A photo gallery and trailers comprise the main extras.
Stranger on the Third Floor (DVD-R)
Release date: May 10
Details: 1940, Warner Archive Collection
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Movie buffs point to this little B-release starring Peter Lorre as the feature that launched the film noir movement that took root after World War II.
The story centers on a reporter, played by John McGuire, whose testimony sentences a petty crook, Elisha Cook Jr., to the electric chair for murder.
But when the reporter becomes the main suspect in a second murder, he realizes both killings are the work of the same person — a sneaky stranger who keeps to himself.
The movie came at a point in Lorre’s career when he was transitioning from playing Japanese detective Mr. Moto at 20th Century Fox to more character roles in films at Warner Bros. and other studios.
The film is a made-on-demand DVD-R from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wbshop.com or other online dealers.
Technical aspects: 1.37:1 (4×3) full-screen picture; English Dolby digital monaural.
Hired to Kill (Blu-ray + DVD)
Details: 1990, Arrow Video
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Veterans Oliver Reed and George Kennedy star in this action feature about a mercenary — played by action star Brian Thompson — sent to track down a rebel leader.
He poses as a fashion designer, and to maintain his cover, he brings along a bevy of beauties — who are as deadly as they are delicious to look at.
The movie is worth seeing simply because of Reed’s hammy performance. So, enjoy, and get the popcorn ready.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles; DVD: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby digital stereo; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include interviews with Thompson and director Nico Mastorakis, a commentary track, BD/DVD-ROM of the screenplay and a commentary track.
Other Blu-rays and DVDs being released or available for download on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
Dementia (Blu-ray + DVD) (IFC Midnight-Scream Factory)
The Films of Maurice Pialat: LouLou, The Mouth Agape and Graduate First (Blu-ray) (Cohen Media Group)
FOR KIDS
Super Sentai: Ninja Sentai Kakuranger: The Complete Series (Shout! Factory)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
The Mermaid (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Race (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)
Shrek: 15th Anniversary Edition (DreamWorks-Fox Home Entertainment)
Triple 9 (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)
Song of Lahore (Broad Green Pictures, May 20)
Vinyl: The Complete First Season (HBO Home Entertainment, May 23)
Coming next week: The Finest Hours
How to Be Single
Bob Bloom is a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. He reviews movies, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. He can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow Bloom on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook. Movie reviews by Bloom also can be found at Rottentomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.