New to View: March 10
By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, March 10, unless otherwise noted:
Bombshell (Blu-ray + DVD + digital)
Details: 2019, Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Rated: R, sexual material, language
The lowdown: “Bombshell” is an indictment of the toxic misogynistic environment that infested Fox News, generated from its leader, Roger Ailes, and cascading upon the executives, producers and male newscasters and commentators working for him.
The problem is that director Jay Roach’s movie is told in an entertaining manner that dilutes the outrage that should accompany the project.
Like most dramas based on true events, “Bombshell” blends fact and fiction, detailing the struggles of Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) and Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman), with those of a fictional composite character, Kayla Pospisil, portrayed by Margot Robbie.
Also detracting is the script by Charles Randolph, which portrays mostly every male at Fox as either a spineless toady or a sexist lout.
The specifics of the story basically is public record: in separate actions, Carlson and Kelly file lawsuits attacking a culture of sexual harassment at Fox and by Ailes, played by John Lithgow, in a fat suit that would make Russell Crowe proud.
“Bombshell” works best when it focuses on the situation’s inner-office politics. Silence and fear are the weapons that keep others from speaking out.
“Bombshell” fails to create to the moral outrage and true disgust needed to truly take the film seriously.
“Bombshell’s” major asset is offering hope and courage to other women who, though not as well-known or financially independent, can have their voices heard.
A majority of critics believed the movie worthwhile, rewarding it with a 70 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English descriptive audio; English and French SDH and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital, French 2.0 Dolby digital and English descriptive audio; English and French SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: The major bonus offering is a seven-part making of documentary.
Charlie’s Angels (Blu-ray + DVD + digital)
Details: 2019, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rated: PG-13, action violence, language, suggestive material
The lowdown: Elizabeth Banks, who plays Bosley, directed this newest reboot of the TV and movie franchise, with Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska portraying the newest agents for the mysterious Charles Townsend, whose agency has gone global, with angels all over the world.
In this outing Stewart’s Sabina, Scott’s Elena and Balinska’s Jane must protect a revolutionary technology from becoming weaponized. To succeed, these Angels must cooperate and rely on each other, even as their mission becomes more dangerous and complicated, and it becomes risky to trust anyone — even those closest to them.
The movie feels dated in its presentation of the Angels, and its tone also is uneven.
Critics were divided by the film, giving it a 52 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, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English and French 5.1 audio description tracks; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital and English and French 5.1 descriptive audio; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus options include deleted scenes, a gag reel, four behind-the-scenes featurettes and a music video.
Whisky Galore & The Maggie: Two Films by Alexander Mackendrick (Blu-ray)
Details: 1949, 1954, Film Movement Classics
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Alexander Mackendrick is best known for directing such Ealing Studios’ British comedies as “The Ladykillers” and “The Man in the White Suit.”
He also is remembered for directing the cynical and dark, “Sweet Smell of Success” with Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis.
The two movies in this set spotlight Mackendrick’s Scottish roots. “Whisky Galore” (1949) is set on the Hebridean island of Todday, whose residents are very upset because the island is without whisky.
One night, during a heavy fog, a freighter runs aground off the island. It’s cargo includes 50,000 cases of whisky headed for the United States.
Soon a cat-and-mouse game ensues between the local Home Guard commander, played by Basil Radford, and the islanders, as both try to seize the treasured cargo.
“The Maggie” (1954) is the name of one of the dozens of puffer boats that travel among the Western Isles of Scotland. The vessel is aging and can only be saved it is skipper can get her repaired.
Without funds, he concocts a scheme for “The Maggie” and her four-person crew to be entrusted to host and transport a wealthy American, played by Paul Douglas.
The films witty and charming and belong in the collection of anyone who enjoys great comedies.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture; English LPCM monaural.
Don’t miss: A documentary, commentary track and look at the real events that inspired “Whisky Galore” and a 16-page booklet about the films comprise the extras.
The Affair: The Complete Series (DVD)
Details: 2014-19, CBS DVD-Showtime Entertainment-Paramount Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A 19-disc set that includes all 53 episodes of this popular Showtime drama about when happily married father Noah Solloway (Dominic West) meets married waitress Alison Lockhart (Ruth Wilson), and they begin a romance.
Over the course of the series’ five seasons, the stories are told from various perspectives and from the vantage point of the main characters.
The story takes place against the backdrop of an ongoing murder investigation.
The series shows the consequences of actions on all members of both families.
Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English and French 5.1 Dolby digital and Spanish 2.0 Dolby digital (season one), English 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby digital (season two) and English 5.1 Dolby digital (seasons three through five); English SDH, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles (season two) and English SDH subtitles (seasons three through five).
Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include character profiles, a tour of Montauk Memory Lanes, a tale of two costumes featurette, a storytelling featurette with executive producer and co-creator Sarah Treem, a where does it end featurette with Treem and featurettes from earlier releases of other seasons of the series.
Masked and Anonymous (Blu-ray)
Details: 2003, Shout! Factory
Rated: PG-13, language, violence
The lowdown: This Shout Select release features a heavyweight cast, including Bob Dylan in one of his rare screen appearances, as well as Academy Award-winners Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange, plus Luke Wilson, John Goodman and Penelope Cruz.
It is too bad the movie is unworthy of their talents and efforts.
Dylan plays Jack Fate, a former traveling troubadour, who is released from prison by his devious manager, played by Goodman, to headline a sketchy and questionable benefit concert for an America going to ruin.
After his release, Fate crosses the paths of characters played by Bridges, Lange, Cruz and Wilson as well as Angela Bassett, Bruce Dern and Mickey Rourke.
Even though the film features musical performances by Dylan’s Fate, it still is an overblown and pretentious effort.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus options include an interview with the film’s director, Larry Charles, a commentary by Charles, a making of featurette and deleted scenes.
Little Joe (DVD)
Details: 2019, Magnolia Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Alice (Emily Beecham), a single mother, is a dedicated plant breeder at a corporation working on developing new species.
She has created a crimson flower that is beautiful as well as therapeutic.
If kept at the proper temperature, fed regularly and spoken to often, the plant makes its owner happy.
Alice breaks company policy and takes one of the plant’s home for her teenage son, Joe. They name the plant “Little Joe.”
But as it grows, so does Alice’s foreboding that her creation may not be as harmless as it appears.
The movie is a sci-fi tinged thriller that is a distant cousin to “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”
Technical aspects: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English closed-captioned.
Don’t miss: Extras include a question-and-answer session with Beecham and director Jessica Hausner.
By the Grace of God (DVD)
Release date: March 13
Details: 2019, Music Box Films
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A drama, based on true events, that remains a pertinent and controversial issue — abuse of children by priests.
The French film, directed by Francois Ozon, centers on three men who unite to expose a priest and break down the wall of silence that continues to protect the priest who abused the men.
The film is based on the 2019 conviction of Father Bernard Preynat, illustrates the trauma that not only the survivors, but their families, face for coming forward and speaking out.
The movie impressed critics, who gave it a 96 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: 1.85:1 widescreen picture; French 5.1 Dolby digital; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include deleted scenes, a question-and-answer session with Ozon and a member of the Catholic diocese in Lyon, lighting and costume tests and a look at recording the movie’s music.
Temblores (Tremors) (DVD)
Details: 2019, Film Movement
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This Guatemalan drama centers on Pablo, who his evangelical community in Guatemala City considers the perfect husband, father and son.
His sudden announcement that he is leaving his wife for another man creates a shock wave through Pablo’s conservative society.
As Pablo tries to adapt to his new life with his free-spirited lover, his very religious family does all it can be get its prodigal son back no matter the cost.
This is a mournful, gut-wrenching movie about identity and sexual freedom.
The movie earned an 89 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com.
Technical aspects: 2.39:1 widescreen picture; Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English closed-captioned subtitles.
Don’t miss: A short film, “Black Hat,” about a Hasidic man leading a double life.
Playmobil: The Movie (DVD)
Release date: March 3
Details: 2019, Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Rated: PG, action danger, language
The lowdown: More toys get their own movie in this kids-friendly animated feature in which secret agent Rex Dasher (voiced by Daniel Radcliffe) must solve the mystery about a top-secret group that has caused citizens from different lands to vanish.
Dasher is aided by Del (voiced by Jim Gaffigan), a food truck driver, and the smart and savvy Marla (Anya Taylor-Joy), in his effort to rescue those who have disappeared.
Youngsters will find the movie amusing, adults can basically use it as a baby-sitting tool.
Technical aspects: 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and 2.0 DVS; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
The Adventures of A.R.I.: My Robot Friend (DVD & digital & VOD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
The Alpha Test (DVD & digital) (High Octane Pictures)
Don’t Speak (DVD & digital) (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Exit 0 (DVD & VOD) (Breaking Glass Pictures)
Inherit the Viper (Blu-ray & DVD & digital) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
Jurassic Thunder (DVD & digital) (High Octane Pictures)
Stuffed (DVD & VOD) (Music Box Films)
Christian Death — Death Club (DVD + CD) (Cleopatra Entertainment, March 13)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD
1917 (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)
The Grudge (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Little Women (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Marc Maron: End Times Fun (Netflix)
The Pig Farm (Sundance Now)
Spies in Disguise (Fox Home Entertainment)
Playing for Keeps: Episode 4 (Sundance Now, March 12)
Safe House: Season 1 (Sundance Now, March 12)
Blood: Series 2, Episode 3 (Acorn TV, March 16)
The English Teacher (Sundance Now, March 16)
Murdoch Mysteries: Series 13, Episode 14 (Acorn TV, March 16)
Princess Diana: Life After Death (Sundance Now, March 16)
The Return (Acorn TV, March 16)
Coming next week: Richard Jewell
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.