New to View: Sept. 29

By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Sept. 29, unless otherwise noted:
Forbidden Planet: Limited Edition (4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray)
Details: 1956-57, Arrow Video
Rated: G
The lowdown: This outer space adventure-mystery is considered one of the best science fiction films of the 1950s. And I can attest to that, having watched this movie dozens of times, beginning when I was a young boy who saw it at a Saturday matinee at my neighborhood theater.
The story is considered a very loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” set in the 23^rd century.
The plot deals with the United Planet’s ship C-57D, sent to distant planet of Altair IV to determine the fate of the ship Bellerophon, its crew and passengers.
When the ship lands on Altair IV, despite the warning of Dr. Edward Morbius (Walter Pidgeon), seemingly the expedition’s only survivor, explains to ship captain John J. Adams (Leslie Nielsen) and Lieutenants Jerry Farman (Jack Kelly) and “Doc” Ostrow (Warren Stevens) that an unseen planetary force killed all the others.
In the midst of this, the three men meet Morbius’ daughter, Altaira (Anne Francis) and Robby the Robot, one of Morbius’ creations.
Morbius resists returning to Earth with Adams and his crew, stating that for 20 years he has been studying the Krell, an advanced civilization that had inhabited the planet until the entire race disappeared one night more than 200,000 years ago.
Soon, more deaths occur among the crew of the C-57D. It is not revealing anything the vast majority of fans of the film know that the invisible, monstrous creature wreaking havoc is a “monster from the id” — the mind of Morbius.
“Forbidden Planet” received a 92 percent fresh rating on 52 reviews. It’s special effects may look primitive by today’s standards, but the animated sequences still provide a scare.
Technical aspects: 4K: 2160p ultra-high definition, 2.55:1 widescreen picture; English LPCM monaural, 5.1 and 3.0 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles; Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.55:1 widescreen picture; English LPCM, 5.1 and 3.0 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus features include a commentary track by film historians Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw on the 4K UHD disc and, on the Blu-ray disc, a new appreciation by historian and composer Neil Brand of Bebe & Louis Barron’s pioneering electronic score; three archival documentaries — one about 1950s sci-fi movies, a second specific to “Forbidden Planet” and a third about the creation of Robby the Robot; deleted scenes; lost footage, a bonus movie, “The Invisible Boy,” which features Robby the Robot; and an episode of “The Thin Man” TV series also featuring Robby; and an original shooting script.

Dead Poets Society (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + digital)
Details: 1989, Buena Vista-Touchstone Pictures-Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Rated: PG, smoking
The lowdown: Robin Williams stars as John Keating, a new professor at Welton Academy, where for generations students have been groomed to live lives of tradition and conformity.
Keating sees his mission as opening and expanding the minds and outlooks of his students, inspiring them to think for themselves and live life to the fullest.
He instills in them the message “Carpe Diem” — seize the day. His unconventional teaching approach awakens the spirits of the students, but draws the ire of the disapproving faculty, especially after an unexpected tragedy shakes the school.
The movie garnered an 85 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes.
Technical aspects: 4K: 2160p ultra-high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby Atmos, 2.0 Dolby digital descriptive audio, French 5.1 DTS-HD high resolution and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD master audio, 2.0 Dolby digital and French 5.0 Dolby digital; English SDH and French subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus aspects include interviews with director Peter Weir, actors Ethan Hawk, Robert Sean Leonard and others; a raw takes featurette; interviews with Weir and filmmaker David Lynch about sound engineer Alan Splet; a workshop centering on cinematographer John Seale’s lighting scheme; and a commentary track with Weir, Seale and screenwriter Tom Schulman.

Mrs. Doubtfire (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + digital)
Details: 1993, Buena Vista-20^th Century Fox
Rated: PG-13, sexual references
The lowdown: Robin Williams shines as divorced dad Daniel Hillard who, to be near his children, disguises himself as doting British housekeeper Mrs. Doubtfire.
As Mrs. Doubtfire, Hillard tries to spend as much time as he can with his kids without his former wife, Miranda (Sally Field), learning his true identity.
Williams’ performance is one of his most beloved in which his timing and improvisation create hilarity throughout the movie. And he balances his outlandishness with love and emotion for his kids.
The cast also includes Pierce Brosnan as Miranda’s new beau, as well as Harvey Fierstein, Polly Holiday, Matthew Lawrence, Mara Wilson and Robert Prosky.
“Mrs. Doubtfire,” directed by Chris Columbus, earned a 71 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes.
Technical aspects: 4K: 2160p ultra-high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos, 2.0 Dolby digital descriptive audio, French 5.1 DTS digital surround and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD master audio and Dolby digital and French and Spanish Dolby digital surround audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Supplemental options include deleted, extended and alternate scenes; an “Evolution of Mrs. Doubtfire” featurette; a look at the movie; a behind-the-scenes photo gallery; a conversation with legendary animator Chuck Jones; an original pencil test; the final animation sequence; a makeup application; photo gallery and tests; the movie’s improvisation sequences; and an original 1993 featurette.

Reading Lolita in Tehran (DVD)
Details: 2024, Kino Lorber-Greenwich Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A feature film based on the memoir of Azar Nafisi, a literature professor in revolutionary Iran who, amidst censorship and religious extremism, gathers seven of her most dedicated female students to immerse themselves in banned literary classics.
The movie, despite some flaws, is a powerful tribute to art and literature under the boot of authoritarianism and a patriarchy that views women as second-class individuals.
The performance of Golshifteh Farahani as Nafisi is the bedrock on which the film rests.
At Rotten Tomatoes, “Reading Lolita …” earned an 81 percent fresh rating on 32 reviews.
Technical aspects: 2.39:1 (16:9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English and Persian 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby digital; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: A behind-the-scenes featurette is the main extra.

Jesus Christ Superstar (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Details: 1973, Kino Lorber Studio Classics
Rated: G
The lowdown: This film adaptation of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera was first transformed into a hit Broadway musical before being brought to the screen by director Norman Jewison.
The story of Christ’s final weeks are told through a series of songs, images and music, with Ted Neeley as Jesus, basically making a career of playing Christ in various touring productions of the musical.
The musical must be placed in the context of the era in which it was released. It does have kind of a hippie vibe, and the concept did offend some religious people who believed it was disrespectful and, dare I say, blasphemous.
The most memorable performances in the movie are Carl Anderson’s conflicted Judas and Yvonne Elliman’s soulful Mary Magdalene. Also, Rice and Webber’s score overcome most of the movie’s shortcomings.
The cast also includes Barry Dennen as Pontious Pilot, Bob Bingham as Caiaphas and Josh Mostel as King Herod.
The film divided critics as much as it did viewers, but I, for one, always have enjoyed it — though it is a relic of its time.
Technical aspects: 4K: 2160p ultra-high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles; Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Supplemental options include an archival commentary track by Jewison and Neeley on both discs as well as two new commentaries, one by filmmaker-screenwriter Gary Gerani and the other by film critic-author Simon Abrans and an updated audio mix by musician and engineer Brian Kehew, also on both discs. The Blu-ray disc also features an interview with Rice.

The Lost Patrol (Blu-ray)
Release date: Sept. 22
Details: 1934, Warner Archive Collection-Allied Vaughn
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Victor McLaglen and Boris Karloff head the cast in this adventure film set in World War I Mesopotamia in which a unit of British soldiers, whose officer — the only one who had the knowledge of their mission — is killed by a sniper.
McLaglen plays the no-nonsense sergeant who, though unaware of their location, leads his men to an oasis for shelter and where Arab snipers begin picking off the 12 men in the patrol one-by-one.
Karloff’s performance as Sanders, a religious fanatic, is hammy and out-of-synch with the rest of the cast members, who include Reginald Denny, Wallace Ford, J.M. Kerrigan, Billy Bevan and Alan Hale.
The movie, directed by John Ford, is not one of his best, but does create an oppressive atmosphere.
“The Lost Patrol” can be found at www.moviezyng or other online sellers.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 (with side mattes) (16:9) full-screen picture; English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include two Popeye cartoons — “Axe Me Another” and “The Man on the Flying Trapeze.”

The Caveman’s Valentine (Blu-ray)
Details: 2001, Kino Lorber Studio Classics
Rated: R, language, violence, some sexuality
The lowdown: Samuel L. Jackson stars as Romulus Ledbetter, a once-promising composer, who now lives in a cave in one of New York City’s parks.
When Romulus discovers the body of a homeless young drifter dead in a tree on Valentine’s Day, the authorities, including Romulus’ police officer daughter, Lulu (Aunjanue Ellis), believe the death is accidental.
But Romulus is convinced that the young man was murdered by prominent photographer David Leppenraub (Colin Feore).
But how to prove it, since Romulus suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. It is Jackson’s performance more than the plot and murder investigation that make “The Caveman’s Valentine” interesting.
The cast also includes Ann Magnuson, Tamara Tunie and Anthony Michael Hall.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus components include a commentary track by director Kasi Lemmons and editor Terilyn A. Shropshire and deleted scenes.

Catch a Fire (Blu-ray)
Details: 2006, Kino Lorber Studio Classics
Rated: PG-13, torture, abuse, violence, language
The lowdown: Tim Robbins and Derek Luke star in this political thriller based on true events in 1980 South Africa.
Luke portrays Patrick Chamusso, a young apolitical man accused of terrorism.
The film, directed by Philip Noyce, offers a powerful and complex examination of radicalization.
Luke and Robbins, who portrays South African police officer and interrogator Col. Nick Vos, offer strong performances, while Noyce tries to take a balanced approach to South Africa’s political climate of that era when protests against the abuses of Apartheid were beginning to increase.
The film’s emotional and dramatic tones are not excessive, which make “Catch a Fire” more believable.
At Rotten Tomatoes, the movie earned a 75 percent fresh rating.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include a commentary track by Noyce, Robbins, Luke, writer Shawn Slovo, Chamusso, producer-actor Robyn Slovo and actor Bonnie Henna; and deleted scenes.

Ninja Wars (Blu-ray)
Details: 1982, Toy Robot Video
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A Japanese supernatural action movie set in feudal Japan that combines ninja lore with horror and fantasy elements.
Jotoro is a wandering ninja who becomes entangled in a deadly conflict between rival clans after a massacre kills his comrades.
As Jotoro investigates, he discovers that the violence is tied to a conspiracy involving a demonic sect seeking power through forbidden rituals. The group uses grotesque, otherworldly abilities — blurring the line between human and monster — to eliminate its enemies and dominate the area.
Jotoro joins forces with a mysterious woman survivor whose past is filled with tragedy and who is seeking vengeance. Together they confront increasingly strange and terrifying enemies, each using unnatural powers.
As the battles increase, Jotoro must rely on his physical skill as well as an inner resolve to resist corruption and defeat the dark forces threatening the devour the land.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; Japanese 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include a commentary by Jonathan Clements; a featurette on the movie by “A Japanese Ninja” author Matt Alt; a featurette on the ninja in Japanese cinema by author-academic Daisuke Miyao; and a VHS standard-definition version of the movie.

Go (Ultra HD)
Details: 1999, Arrow Video
Rated: R, drug content, sexual situations, language, violence
The lowdown: Doug Liman directed this crime comedy — his third effort after “Getting In” and “Swingers.”
“Go” tells the story of a drug deal from three different perspectives — channeling late ’90s youth culture about drugs, raves and disastrous decisions over one wild and messy Christmas weekend.
“Go” stars Sarah Polley as Roma, a supermarket clerk who, desperate for rent money, agrees to broker a drug deal that quickly soars out of control.
Elsewhere, two soap opera actors Zack and Adam (Jay Mohr and Scott Wolf), become enmeshed with a too friendly narcotics detective Burke (William Fichtner) and his wife, Irene (Jane Krakowski).
Meanwhile, a road trip to Vegas by Roma’s coworker, Simon (Desmond Askew), explodes into sex, violence and mayhem.
Soon, the stories collide with every bad choice pushing the night closer to utter catastrophe. The cast also includes Timothy Olyphant, Katie Holmes and Taye Diggs.
Technical aspects: 2160p ultra-high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.
Bonus materials include a commentary by Bryan Reesman and Max Evry; an archival commentary with Liman and editor Stephen Mirrione; an interview with screenwriter-co-producer-second-unit director John August; an interview with cast member Desmond Askew; an archival making of featurette; 14 deleted scenes; “God,” a short film by August featuring Melissa McCarthy; an optional commentary on “God” by August, McCarthy and editor Douglas Crise; and a booklet about the movie.

“Angelique: Complete Five Film Collection” (Blu-ray)
Details: 1964-68, Kino Lorber Studio Classics
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A three-disc set featuring five historical dramas featuring the adventures of Angelique, a heroine who fights for love, justice and survival under the scandalous reign of France’s King Louis XIV.
In “Angelique” (1964), the penniless young woman is forced to marry the wealthy Joffrey de Peyroc. Eventually, though, she falls in love with him. So, when he is arrested disappears she sets out to find him.
“Angelique: The Road to Versailles” (1965) finds her falling into the dark Paris underground, where she joins a band of the city’s outlaws. Fron there, she travels to Versailles to become a successful businesswoman.
The king asks for her help in “Angelique and the King” (1966), begging her to seduce the Persian ambassador into signing a treaty.
“Untamable Angelique” (1967) finds her on a fraught search for her true love, setting sail for the swashbuckling shores of the Mediterranean.
Finally, in “Angelique and the Sultan” (1968), she is sold into a harem and must use all her wiles to survive.
The character, based on the best-selling novels by Anne and Serge Golon, is portrayed by Michele Mercier in all five movies.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.35:1 widescreen picture (“Angelique,” “Angelique: The Road to Versailles,” “Untamable Angelique” and “Angelique and the Sultan”), 2.39:1 widescreen picture (“Angelique and the King”); French DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus materials include commentary tracks by film historian Tim Lucas on “Angelique,” film critic Simon Abrams on “Angelique: The Road to Versailles” and film historian Sam Deighan on “Untamable Angelique.”

Other titles being released in the upcoming week:
Shadow Force (4K Ultra HD & digital)

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD
10 Kilos (Breaking Glass Pictures)
Battle Cabin (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
Dracula’s Fiancée (Kino Film Collection)
The Fisherman (Film Hub)
Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story (Upstream Flix)
Ghost Light (One Tree Entertainment)
Moana With Sound (Kino Film Collection)
The Swan: Behind the Mirror (Hulu)

SEPT. 30
Brothers: Episode 3 (Apple TV)
Last Seen: Episode 5 (Apple TV))
Slow Horses: Season 6, Episode 3 (Apple TV)
Ted Lasso: Season 4, Episode 9 (Apple TV)

OCT. 1
East of Eden: Episodes 1-7 (Hulu)
Soulm8te (Hulu)

OCT. 2
Adventure Time: Side Quests: Season 2 (Hulu)
Backpay (Buffalo 8 Distribution)
Crushed (GrimmVision)
Dark Matter: Season 2, Episode 6 (Apple TV)
Her Will Be Done (Yellow Veil Pictures)
Holding Liat (Protozoa-Meridian Hill Pictures)
Infirmary (Shudder)
Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars: Season 2, Episode 3 (Apple TV)
The Last First: Winter 2K (Apple TV)
The Marching Band (Greenwich Entertainment)
Nickels (Briarcliff Entertainment)
The Sisters Grimm: Season 2, Episodes 1-6 (Apple TV)
Stranglehold (Quiver)
Tyler Perry’s Doing Life (Netflix)

OCT. 5
Family Guy: Halloween Special (Hulu)

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, 4K UHD, Blu-rays and DVDs at 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, on Facebook at ReelBob.com and on Bluesky at @bobbloom1948.bsky.social or the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.