New to View: July 2
By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, July 2, unless otherwise noted:
FM (Blu-ray)
Details: 1978, Arrow Video
Rated: PG
The lowdown: Decades ago, FM radio was new and fresh, playing records and spotlighting artists that more commercial, play-it-safe AM radio stations were too afraid to touch.
“FM’ celebrates the DJs and station managers who provided music that many listeners craved.
The comedy star Michael Brandon as the cool program director at Q-SKY Radio in Los Angeles, who encourages a free-wheeling work culture.
He also employs an eccentric set of personalities behind the mics, including Mother (Eileen Brennan), a husky, world-weary ex-hippie; Eric Swan (Martin Mull), a crazy romantic always seeking love; and The Prince of Darkness (Cleavon Little), who keeps the night airwaves crackling.
The station’s free-wheeling environment is soon threatened by corporate bosses looking to cash in on the station’s popularity, leading to a full-fledged rebellion by the DJs.
The movie combines the comedy in the studio with footage of such performers as Linda Rondstadt and Jimmy Buffett as well as a soundtrack featuring Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, Tom Petty and the Eagles.
Technical aspects: 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 LPCM; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus materials include interviews with Brandon and screenwriter Ezra Sacks, an appreciation with writer-critic Glenn Kenny about the era of FM radio, isolated music and effects tracks and a collector’s booklet.
Mia and the White Lion (Blu-ray + DVD)
Details: 2018, Shout! Studios
Rated: PG, language, thematic elements
The lowdown: A Dove Foundation-recommended feature about a young girl who is uprooted when her family moves from London to manage a lion farm in South Africa.
At first, Mia is resentful, but her attitude changes after the birth of Charlie, a white lion. She develops a special relationship with the cub. But as Charlie grows to full size, Mia undercovers a disturbing secret and does what she can to protect her friend.
The two set off on a journey to find an animal sanctuary where Charlie can be free for his whole life.
This is a touching, family-friendly movie with a nice environmental message about the treatment of wildlife.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles; DVD: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include casting footage, deleted scenes, a commentary track, a making of featurette and a behind-the-scenes look at the friendship between actor Daniah De Villiers, who plays Mia, and the lion.
Gaslight (Blu-ray)
Release date: June 25
Details: 1944, Warner Archive Collection
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Ingrid Bergman won the first of her three Academy Awards in this period drama about a young wife who is slowly being driven insane by her smooth and suave husband, played by Charles Boyer.
It seems the evil Gregory (Boyer) is searching the house where he and his bride, Paula (Bergman), live for some jewels hidden by a relative of Paula’s who used to live in the house before her untimely death.
The movie costars Dame May Whitty, Joseph Cotton as a detective and an 18-year-old Angela Lansbury as the housekeeper allied with Gregory.
The film was skillfully directed by the legendary George Cukor.
The release is a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and can be found at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other online sellers.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 (4×3) full-screen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include the original British 1940 version of the film, a 1946 “Lux Radio Theatre” adaptation of the film, a featurette looking at the movie’s impact featuring Lansbury, a reminiscence by Bergman’s daughter, Pia Lindstrom about her mother and a 1944 Academy Award ceremonies newsreel.
Okko’s Inn (Blu-ray + DVD)
Details: 2018, Shout! Factory-GKids
Rated: PG, thematic material
The lowdown: Okko is a young girl dealing with tragedy. Her parents were killed in a car accident.
In the aftermath of that calamity, Okko goes to the countryside to live with her grandmother who runs a traditional inn near an ancient spring, which is said to have healing waters.
Okko soon discovers that there are spirits living in the waters that only she can see. These are welcoming ghosts who keep her company, play games and help her adapt to her new surroundings.
Okko works hard at being a gracious host and soon learns what a challenge that is when a string of difficult guests all arrive with different stories.
Okko soon discovers that dedicating herself to others is the key to also taking care of herself.
This is a beautiful animated feature with a sweet story appropriate for the entire family.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.77:1 widescreen picture; English and Japanese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and French 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.77:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English, Japanese and French 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include interviews with the film’s director and the Okko voice talent and a question-and-answer session at the film’s Japanese premiere.
Styx
Details: 2019, Film Movement
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A drama about an emergency room doctor who embarks on a one-woman sailing trip to Ascension Island in the Atlantic.
During her voyage, she comes across a sinking ship filled with refugees. Suddenly ripped out of her solitary contentment, the doctor tests her physical, moral and psychological limits and must decide whether to sail on or help her fellow human beings.
The movie has been termed a modern parable of Western indifference.
The movie’s star, Susanne Wolff, was named best actress at the German Film Awards and also at the Valletta Film Festival.
Technical aspects: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English and German 5.1 Dolby digital; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include a short film from Nepal and a commentary track.
Furie (Blu-ray + DVD)
Release date: June 25
Details: 2019 Well Go USA Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A little girl is kidnapped by a trafficking ring in this Vietnamese drama.
What the abductors don’t know is that the girl’s mother is a notorious former gang leader who is hot on their trail.
She also do whatever it takes and eliminate whoever gets in her way to retrieve her daughter.
The film works because it takes its time setting up the mother-daughter relationship before the kidnapping.
And it is filled with action as the mother goes full tigress to recover her offspring.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 2.39:1 (16:9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Vietnamese 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Vietnamese and English 2.0 Dolby digital; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: A behind-the-scenes featurette is the major extra.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
Crown & Anchor (DVD & digital) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
The Dark Within (DVD & digital) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Dolls (DVD & VOD) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Escape Plan: The Extractors (Blu-ray & DVD & digital) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
My Days of Mercy (Lionsgate Home Entertainment, July 5)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD
Aruanas (Vimeo)
Breakthrough (Fox Home Entertainment)
Shazam! (Warner Home Video)
Missing (Acorn TV, July 8)
Neil Dudgeon’s Top Ten (Acorn TV, July 8)
Penelope Keith’s Village of the Year: Series 19-24 (Acorn TV, July 8)
Coming next week: Little
I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook. My movie reviews also can be found at Rottentomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.