New to View: Sept. 22
By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Sept. 22, unless otherwise noted:
Babyteeth (Blu-ray)
Details: 2019, IFC Films
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: The dramedy centers on Milla, a seriously ill teenager, who falls in love with Moses, a smalltime drug dealer, much to the consternation of her parents.
But Milla’s first encounter with love generates a new passion for life. Of course, things get messy as traditional morals are tossed out the window.
Milla begins to display a new grasp of life — living every day as if she has nothing to lose. Her parents, Moses, a sensitive music teacher, a budding child violinist and a very frank pregnant neighbor all are impacted by the changes in Milla.
The family comes to see how what they perceived as a disaster leads to letting go and discovering the blessings of accepting chaos of life.
This coming-of-age story garnered a 94 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 descriptive audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
The Good Fight: Season Four (DVD)
Details: 2020, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This multi-disc set spotlights the fourth season of this popular CBS All Access series, originally spun off from “The Good Wife.”
The main arc of the season is the decision by the law firm of Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart to reluctantly accept an offer by a huge international law firm STR Laurie to become one of its small subsidiaries.
The action follows the law firm’s loss of its biggest client, Chumhum.
Now, the members of Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart must deal with their loss of their independence as well as being second-guessed by the parent company.
The cast of Christine Baranski, Lucca Quinn, Audra McDonald and Delroy Lindo are joined by such guest stars as John Larroquette and Hugh Dancy as well as returning guest star Michael J. Fox.
The series covers such timely issues as race relations, gender constructs and power dynamics.
Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen format; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles.
Outlander: Season Five (Blu-ray)
Release date: Sept. 15
Details: 2020, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: In season five of this popular Starz series, Claire and Jamie battle to protect their loved ones from the various dangers in colonial America, especially as the outbreak of the American Revolution looms on the horizon.
Jamie strives to defend the family’s home at Fraser’s Ridge, while Claire puts her skills and medical expertise to good use.
In the meantime, Brianna and Roger MacKenzie struggle to find their respective places and strive to raise their son in the new world.
Fans of the show will not be disappointed by the wonderful blend of action and romance, which is the hallmark of this series.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and French 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH , English and French subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, a blooper reel, episode commentaries, looks at the women of the series and the season finale and a video.
I Am a Dancer (Blu-ray)
Details: 1972, Film Movement Classics
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This documentary presents a portrait of ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev at the apex of his artistry.
The movie looks at his training and dedication to his art, his methods of preparation, his fiery personality and his technique.
It also includes excerpts from classical and modern performances with various dancers, including his longtime partner, Margot Fonteyn.
Fans of Nureyev will appreciate the movie.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture; English 2.0 LPCM monaural; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include appreciations of Nureyev and Fonteyn and a 16-page booklet with an essay about the movie and the dancers.
The Dead Ones (Blu-ray)
Details: 2019, Artsploitation Films
Rated: Not rated, violence
The lowdown: A teen horror outing about four outcast high school students assigned to summer detention, which translates into them cleaning up their school after a horrendous incident.
Of course, the teens soon discover they are not alone. A ghoulish mask-wearing gang, whose guises are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse — famine, pestilence, war and death — is stalking them through the halls.
As the students battle to survive they all must face supernatural elements of traumas they have worked hard to put behind them — and now may be forced to relive.
At 73 minutes, the film moves at a nice pace with goose-bump moments that will provide a few scares.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.
Don’t miss: Supplemental options include a special effects featurette, a tour of the set and two commentary tracks.
Other titles being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
Amor Amor (DVD) (IndiePix Films)
Beckman (DVD & digital) (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)
The Dancing Dogs of Dombrova (DVD) (Film Movement)
Let It Snow (DVD & digital & VOD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs (Blu-ray & DVD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
The Secret: Dare to Dream (Blu-ray + digital & DVD) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
Whiplash (4K UHD) (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD
Jay Sebring … Cutting to the Truth (Shout! Studios)
Red, White & Wasted (Dark Star Pictures)
The Secret Garden (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)
Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story (Shout! Studios)
Enola Holmes (www.netflix.com/enolaholmes) (Netflix, Sept. 23)
I’ll Be Around (Indie Rights, Sept. 23)
One Lane Bridge: Episode 2 (Sundance Now, Sept. 24)
Slings and Arrows: Season 2 (Sundance Now, Sept. 24)
We Got This: Episode 4 (Sundance Now, Sept. 24)
LX 2048 (Quiver Distribution, Sept 25)
Misbehaviour (Shout! Studios, Sept. 25)
Public Trust (YouTube, Sept. 25)
The Advocates (Acorn TV, Sept. 28)
The Black Velvet Gown (Acorn TV, Sept. 28)
One Million American Dreams (Sundance Now, Sept. 28)
People You May Know (Sundance Now, Sept. 28)
The Sounds: Episode 6 (Acorn TV, Sept. 28)
Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans (Sundance Now, Sept. 28)|
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 Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.