New to View: Sept. 3
By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Sept. 3, unless otherwise noted:
Ma (Blu-ray + DVD + digital)
Details: 2019, Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Rated: R, violent & disturbing material and images, language, sexual content, teen drug and alcohol use
The lowdown: Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer stars in this thriller with horror overtones about Sue Ann, a lonely woman in a quiet Ohio town.
Sue Ann becomes involved with a group of teenagers after one of them asks her to buy them liquor.
Sue Ann then offers them her basement to use as a party hangout — but with certain rules that cannot be disobeyed, including that one person must stay sober, there be no cursing, no one can go upstairs and everyone must call her “Ma.”
Soon her generosity turns to obsession as Ma becomes more and more entrenched in the lives of her new young friends.
The movie is noteworthy mostly because of Spencer’s performance. She seems to be having a fun time with the material, even being a bit campy at times.
Overall, though, the tone of the movie was rather inconsistent, causing critics to basically split over the movie. It earned a 54 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 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.
Don’t miss: Extras include deleted scenes, an alternate ending, a look at creating Sue Ann and her backstory and a making of featurette.
Men in Black International
Details: 2019, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rated: PG-13, science fiction action and violence, language, suggestive material
The lowdown: This is one of those unnecessary sequels produced in an attempt to reboot a tired franchise.
Unfortunately, it did not work.
“MIB International” is a misfire all around, from the storyline to the lethargic acting to the by-the-numbers special effects.
The movie is padded with one-liners that sound as if they were cribbed from back issues “Mad-libs.”
There is no chemistry between stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson.
The movie simply exists to fill studio coffers, which is no reason to produce such a lame feature.
The majority of critics agreed, giving the movie a 22 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: 2.00:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English, French, Spanish and English audio description 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus options include a look at the cast, a gag reel, a behind-the-scenes featurettes on the stunts, a featurettes on the various MIB weapons, a featurette on the movie’s locations, a look at dance sensations Les Twins and their alien moves, a recap of the entire franchise, Frank and Pawny watch key scenes and share their views and a look at the MIB meeting NBA stars.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco (Blu-ray + digital)
Release date: Aug. 27
Details: 2019, Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Rated: nudity, language, drug use
The lowdown: This charming movie is a love letter to San Francisco as well as a story about changing landscapes and a yearning to find a place to call home.
Jimmie enlists his best friend, Mont, to help him reclaim and take care of the Victorian home his grandfather built in the heart of the city.
They feel out of place in the rapidly evolving city that seems to have left them behind.
The feature, directed by Joe Talbot and cowritten by Talbot and Rob Richert, is a wistful journey that looks at the locals who are on the margins of the city’s citizens.
The movie is a story of those who want to keep the memories of their hometowns alive.
Critics fell in love with the movie, rewarding it with a 93 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: A featurette that celebrates San Francisco and looks at the making of the movie and a commentary track are the major bonus components.
NCIS: The Sixteenth Season
Details: 2018-19, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A six-disc set featuring all 24 16th-season episodes in which Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and his team reopen cold cases, deal with an active shooter situation and battle criminals both foreign and domestic.
The best, however, is saved for last — the last couple of minutes of the season finale brings back a familiar face that will have fans take notice.
“NCIS” is driven by the personalities of its cast members and their interactions, rather than the usual procedural drama.
The show also touches upon topical issues involving veterans and drug dependency.
It always in interesting and well-written.
Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include deleted scenes, an overview of the season, a featurette on new cast member Diona Reasonover, who plays forensic scientist Kasie Hines and a discussion with series show runners about “NCIS,” the characters and Harmon’s Gibbs.
CMA Awards Live: Greatest Moments 1968-2015
Details: 1968-2015, Time Life
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Country-music fans will enjoy this 10-disc set that spotlights the songs and artists who have entertained listeners for more than 50 years.
The set features 127 performances and several Country Music Awards moments, as well as bonus interviews with the biggest stars in the genre.
Among those appearing and performing are Johnny Cash, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Carrie Underwood, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Rogers, Buck Owens, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.
Acceptance speeches and backstage interviews also are included.
The set also gives fans a chance to remember those who have left the country-music scene such as Cash, Owens and Campbell as well as discover the new generation of country artists.
Technical aspects: 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English Dolby digital.
Don’t miss: Extras include interviews with many of the stars of country music as well as a 44-page Collectible Memory Book.
Bull: Season Three
Details: 2018-19, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Michael Weatherly returns as Dr. Jason Bull, head of a jury consulting firm who, along with his team, uses his expertise in psychology, demographics and data analysis to help defend clients he believes are wrongly accused, misrepresented or are being railroaded by a moving-too-fast judicial system.
This five-disc set includes all 22 episodes, which, among various story arcs, touch upon the loss of one of Bull’s team members, Bull’s health and drinking challenges and various family issues.
Aiding Bull is brilliant defense attorney — and former brother-in-law — Benny Colón (Freddy Rodriquez), former Homeland Security neurolinguistics expert Marissa Morgan (Geneva Carr), former NYPD detective Danny James (Jaime Lee Kirchner), investigator Taylor Rentzel (MacKenzie Meehan) and Chunk Palmer (Christopher Jackson), who helps prepare clients for trial.
Among the season’s cases is a priest suspected of a hit-and-run, a clinical sociopath accused of murder and an insurance company that is being sued by a young mother who was denied coverage for a liver transplant.
It is Weatherly’s sincere — and sometimes smug and smarmy — performance that drives the series.
Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include an overview of the season, an introduction to new cast member MacKenzie Meehan, deleted and extended scenes and a featurette on filming in New York City.
Jezebel (Blu-ray)
Release date: Aug. 27
Details: 1938, Warner Archive Collection
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Bette Davis won her second Academy Award for portraying Julie, a fiery Southern belle, a year before Vivien Leigh took on the role of Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind.”
Davis’ Julie is a headstrong New Orleans beauty used to having her way with everything — including men.
That especially is true of her fiancé, Pres Dillard (Henry Fonda), whom she continually tries to goad into jealousy. Julie’s actions go too far, causing Pres to break their engagement and leave town in disgrace.
A year later, Pres returns — and with him comes his Yankee wife. Julie, at first, seeks revenge for what she considers Pres’ betrayal, but circumstances finally brings her to her senses, and she makes a noble sacrifice to ensure the happy future for Pres and his bride.
“Jezebel” was directed by William Wyler, who collaborated with Davis on other prestigious features, including “The Letter” and “The Little Foxes.”
This Blu-ray release is a made-on-demand product from the Warner Archive Collection and can be ordered at www.wb.com/warnerarchive or other online retailers.
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 a featurette about the movie, a commentary track with film historian-author Jeanne Basinger, a musical short, a cartoon and a promotional tour of the studio.
Clarence Clemons: Who Do I Think I Am? (Blu-ray + DVD)
Release date: Aug. 27
Details: 2019, Virgil Films
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A documentary that follows Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons after the group’s grueling “Rising Tour” came to an end in 2003.
Clemons, needing a break, headed to China where he would simply be an anonymous American traveler.
The movie follows his post-band trajectory and his transcendent awakening that was tragically cut short when he suffered a stroke and died in 2011.
The film features interviews with former bandmates, friends, other musicians such as Joe Walsh and Nils Lofgren, as well as former President Bill Clinton.
The documentary presents Clemons on and off stage.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1.85:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; DVD: 1.85:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital.
The Witches (Blu-ray)
Release date: Aug. 27
Details: 1990, Warner Archive Collection
Rated: PG
The lowdown: This adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book was directed by Nicolas Roeg and features Anjelica Huston in a fun-filled performance as the Grand High Witch, who leads a society of witches who aim to change all the children in the world into mice.
Trying to stop them is 9-year-old Luke (Jasen Fisher), who has accidentally uncovered their plot. Making Luke’s efforts more difficult is that he already has been transformed into a mouse.
Jim Henson served as the movie’s executive producer.
The release is a made-on-demand Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and is available at www.wb.com/warnarchive or other Internet dealers.
Technical aspects: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio stereo; English SDH subtitles.
Santana: Live at US Festival (Blu-ray)
Release date: Sept. 6
Details: 1982, Shout! Factory
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This concert film features Carlos Santana performing on Sept. 4, 1982, at the US Festival.
The festival, conceived by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and music promoter Bill Graham, was one of the highlights of Santana’s legendary career.
The Blu-ray features 11 tracks from the festival. The concert features an appearance by Herbie Hancock.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio stereo; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include interviews with Santana, in which he reflects on his career and explains his signature sound; a theory about Santana’s music and outtakes from the Santana interview.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, except otherwise indicated:
Dragon Kingdom (DVD & digital) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
The Fall of the American Empire (DVD & digital & VOD) (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
FOR KIDS
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?: Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Mystery Mansion (Warner Home Entertainment)
Sunny Day: Welcome to the Pet Parlor (Nickelodeon-Paramount Home Entertainment)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD
Clownado (Wild Eye Releasing)
Debunkers, Inc. (Prolific Pictures)
Gags the Clown (Doppleganger Releasing-Bloody Disgusting)
Squadron 303: The Battle of Britain (digital & VOD) (Shout! Studios)
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (Fox Home Entertainment)
Dauntless: The Battle of Midway (digital & VOD) (Shout! Studios, Sept. 6)
The Fanatic (Quiver Pictures, Sept. 6)
Strange but True (Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Sept. 6)
Digging for Britain, Series 1 (Acorn TV, Sept. 9)
My Life Is Murder, Episode 7 (Acorn TV, Sept. 9)
Coming next week: Aladdin (live-action)
Aladdin (animated)
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.