New to View: March 3
By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, March 3, unless otherwise noted:
Dark Waters (Blu-ray + DVD + digital)
Details: 2019, Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Rated: PG-13, thematic content, disturbing images, language
The lowdown: Mark Ruffalo stars as attorney Rob Bilott in this story inspired by true events that pits Bilott against a chemical company whose pollution is linked to a growing number of unexplained deaths in the Parkersburg, West Virginia, area.
Bilott, who, ironically, is a corporate defense attorney, is at first reluctant to take the case, which was brought to his Cincinnati, Ohio, firm by a West Virginia farmer.
Bilott eventually files a lawsuit against DuPont and, after many years and contentious legal battles, gets justice for the area’s residents.
The movie, which was directed by Todd Haynes, garnered a 90 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 2.0 DVS and French and Spanish 5.1 DTS digital surround: English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English 2.0 DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a profile of the real-life Bilott, a featurette on the making of the movie and a look at the actual residents of Parkersburg who share their experiences and were impacted by the contaminated water.
Queen & Slim (Blu-ray + DVD + digital)
Details: 2019, Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Rated: R, violence, nudity, sexual content, language, drug use
The lowdown: A young black couple on their awkward first date are pulled over for a minor traffic infraction.
Soon, the situation deteriorates, the police officer pulls his weapon, a struggle ensues and the cop is shot and killed in self-defense.
Daniel Kaluuya’s Slim and newcomer Jodie Turner-Smith’s Queen are terrified and flee the scene. The shooting though has been captured on video and soon goes viral making Slim and Queen folk heroes and a symbol for the grief inflicted on black people by police across the nation.
The movie marks the feature-film directorial debut of Melina Matsoukas, who taps into the fears minorities feel about law enforcement.
The film, which received a 82 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com, is stylish with sympathetic characters but also a bit ragged.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos, English 2.0 DVS and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English 2.0 DVS; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Supplemental features include a featurette on the meaning of the movie, a behind-the-scenes look at the creative partnership between Matsoukas and screenwriter Lena Waithe, a featurette with Waithe reading from her original screenplay, a commentary track and a behind-the-scenes featurette with the cast and filmmakers as they shoot on locations in Cleveland and New Orleans.
The Climbers (Blu-ray)
Release date: Feb. 25
Details: 2019, Well Go USA Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This Chinese feature, based on true events, follows a group of Chinese attempting to reach the summit of Mount Everest, first in 1960 and later in 1975.
The film documents the various hardships, including a couple of avalanches, that bedeviled the climbers.
One notable absence is the mention of Tibet, where Mount Everest is located, but that is probably because of the political tensions between the two nations.
The movie, which runs 123 minutes, features a guest appearance by Jackie Chan.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Mandarin 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: A behind-the-scenes featurette is the major bonus component.
Kansas City (Blu-ray)
Details: 1996, Arrow Academy
Rated: R, language, violence, drug use
The lowdown: Robert Altman cowrote and directed this 1930s melodrama that mixes politics, race, crime and the movies set against a jazz atmosphere.
A sturdy cast, including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Miranda Richardson, Harry Belafonte, Dermot Mulroney and Michael Murphy, are featured in a story about a kidnapping and its political implications, which rocked Kansas City.
The film also is a story about family and loyalty. It’s not one of Altman’s best features, but it is an interesting movie.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include a commentary track, an appreciation of the movie, two promotional featurettes and a booklet about the movie.
El Esqueleto de la Senora Morales (The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales) (Blu-ray)
Release date: Feb 25
Details: 1960, VCI Entertainment-MVD Visual Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This entry in VCI’s “Classics of Mexican Cinema” series is a black comedy, ranked no. 19 on “Somos” magazine’s list of 100 best Mexican films.
The story centers on taxidermist Pablo Morales, who suffers the indignities heaped upon him by his prudish, demanding and hypochondriac wife, Gloria. So, after 20 years of putting up with Gloria, the quiet Morales decides to kill her.
The film, which stars Arturo de Cordova and Amparo Rivellas, and leans more toward black comedy. The movie features some delightful twists.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Spanish audio; English subtitles.
CMA Awards Live: Greatest Moments: 2008-2015 (Blu-ray)
Details: 2008-15, Time Life
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Country music fans will enjoy this Blu-ray featuring 25 CMA performances highlighting such stars as Miranda Lambert, Loretta Lynn, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire and Lady Antebellum.
The disc also showcases collaborations such as Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake, Lambert, Sheryl Crow and Lynn and Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.
In addition to the music, you go behind the scenes at the ceremonies.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio.
Don’t miss: Extras include an interview with Robert Deaton, executive producer of the CMA Awards, as well as Lambert and Shelton.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
A Wakefield Project (DVD & VOD) (High Octane Pictures)
Carol of the Bells (DVD & digital) (High Octane Pictures)
Dead Sound (DVD & digital) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Two Graves in the Desert (DVD & digital & VOD) (4Digital Media)
FOR KIDS
Playmobil: The Movie (DVD & digital) (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD
A Hidden Life (Fox Home Entertainment)
Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (Sundance Now)
Holly Slept Over (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Jumanji: The Next Level (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Richard Jewell (Warner Home Video)
Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis (Netflix)
Idiomatic: Series 1 (Sundance Now, March 5)
Playing for Keeps: Episode 3 (Sundance Now, March 5)
Final Kill (Music Box Films, March 6)
Blood: Series 2, Episodes 1 & 2 (Acorn TV, March 9)
Life (Sundance Now, March 9)
Mount Stewart: The Big House Reborn (Acorn TV, March 9)
Murdoch Mysteries: Series 13, Episode 13 (Acorn TV, March 9)
Soufra (Sundance Now, March 9)
Coming next week: Bombshell
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.