New to View: Nov. 17
By Bob Bloom
The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Nov. 17, unless otherwise noted:
The Dirty Dozen: Limited Edition (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray & Blu-ray)
Details: 1967, Arrow Films
Rated: Not rated, violence, language
The lowdown: This World War II action-adventure, directed by Robert Aldrich, was the benchmark for many, men-on-missions features that followed over the years.
The story is well known: a hard-bitten Army major, John Reisman (Lee Marvin) is assigned what is likely a behind-the-lines suicide mission to destroy a chateau in France that houses many high-ranking Nazi officers, including generals.
Reisman’s team is comprised of 12 vicious criminals — many of whom have been sentenced to death. If they succeed and survive, they will receive a pardon.
Reisman must select his 12 men, then train and unify them in a single working unit. Among his “dirty dozen” are John Cassavetes, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, Donald Sutherland, Telly Savalas, Clint Walker and Trini Lopez. The cast also includes Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine, Richard Jaeckel, George Kennedy, Ralph Meeker and Robert Webber.
The movie, which features some dark moments, is driven not only by its action, but by the sequences of male humor and bonding.
“The Dirty Dozen” garnered an 82 percent fresh rating on 55 reviews at Rotten Tomatoes.
Technical aspects: 2160p ultra-high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 and 6.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles; 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 and 6.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Bonus features include a collector’s booklet on the making of the movie and about Aldrich; a commentary by Alain Silver and James Ursini; an archival commentary with Brown, Lopez, actors Stuart Cooper and Colin Maitland, producer Kenneth Hyman, novelist E.M. Nathanson, film historian David J. Schow and veteran military advisor Capt. Dale Dye; an archival introduction to the film by Borgnine; a feature-length sequel, “The Dirty Dozen: The Next Mission” starring Marvin and Borgnine; a newly-discovered on-set interview with Marvin; a new appreciation of the movie by film historian-author Kim Newman; a breakdown of Frank De Vol’ score; an archival making of featurette; an original promotional featurette; and a Navy recruitment film narrated by Marvin.
The Seduction of Mimi (Blu-ray)
Details: 1972 Raro Video
Rated: R, sexual content, nudity, adult themes
The lowdown: Lina Wertmüller directed gained international recognition with unruly sex comedy that centers on sad sack Mimi (Giancarlo Giannini), a Sicilian laborer whose refusal to vote for the Mafia’s candidate causes him to lose his job, his wife and his home.
At rock bottom, he revives his spirits by falling in love with the beautiful and radical Fiorella (Mariangela Melato), with whom he starts a new life as a reliable husband and father.
But, as expected, his past comes back to bite him, piling on comical complexities as all his energies surge into defending his honor, as obsession that has horrendous but hilarious consequences.
“Mimi” is a searing satire about Italy in the 1970s, taking aim at corrupt government, compromised labor leaders and the caveman-like sexual politics of men in power.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; Italian 2.0 DTS-HD monaural; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: A commentary track by film historian Samm Deighan is the main extra.
Clash of the Titans: Limited Edition (4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray)
Details: 1981, Arrow Video
Rated: PG, scary images
The lowdown: “Clash of the Titans” is notable as the last film of stop-motion special effects legend Ray Harryhausen, and he went out at the top of his game.
Harryhausen returned to the realm of Greek mythology for this story of Perseus (Harry Hamlin) who, to win the hand of the Princess Andromeda (Judi Bowker), must solve riddles, tame the winged horses Pegasus, battle formidable creatures and outwit the gods — led by Laurence Olivier, Claire Bloom, Ursula Andress and Jack Gwillim, among others.
Perseus must battle giant scorpions, two-headed hounds, the gorgon Medusa and even the gigantic Kraken.
Harryhausen provides some memorable effects — most notably the sequences of a flying Pegasus and the confrontation between Perseus and Medusa.
“Clash of the Titans” is not as impressive as “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad,” “Jason and the Argonauts” or “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms,” but re-enforces his status as a master of his art and craftsmanship.
The cast also includes Burgess Meredith, Siãn Phillips, Flora Robson and Neil McCarthy. “Titans” garnered a 65 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes, far outpacing its weak 2010 remake that received a 27 percent fresh rating.
Technical aspects: 2160p ultra-high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos, 7.1 Dolby TrueHD and 2.0 LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles; Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos, 7.1 Dolby TrueHD and 2.0 LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include a booklet with new and archival writings about the movie; a 1981 interview at the British Film Institute with Harryhausen; a second BFI interview, this one with Harryhausen and his producer Charles Schneer; a new feature-length documentary by David Cains and Fiona Watson celebrating “Clash of the Titans” and the works of Harryhausen with contributions by filmmakers Joe Dante, John Landis and Randall Wi; a conversation with Harryhausen about the movie; and a series of archival featurettes with Harryhausen discussing his “Clash of the Titans” creatures.
Miami Blues (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Details: 1990, Radiance Films
Rated: R, violence, gore, nudity, sexual content, language
The lowdown: Alec Baldwin stars as Frederick J. Frenger Jr., a sociopathic criminal recently released from prison.
Arriving in Miami, he immediately begins committing one crime after another. Then he meets Susie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a hooker with the proverbial heart of gold.
The two begin a pseudo married life together including home cooking and the white picket fence. Frenger tries to juggle domesticity with his increasing crimes, while, after stealing the gun and badge of detective Hoke Mosseley (Fred Ward), continues his crime spree.
Frenger must also deal with Mosseley, while posing as the officer, and he must convince Susie that he is the perfect man.
“Miami Blues,” directed by George Armitage, earned an 89 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes.
Technical aspects: 4K: 2160p ultra-high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 2.0 LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles; Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 2.0 LPCM monaural; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include interviews with Baldwin and Leigh; a short look at the role of Jonathan Demme’s role in the production; a featurette on Mosseley character who appears in other novels by Charles Willeford, who wrote the book “Miami Blues”; and a booklet about the movie, including interviews with Armitage, a look at Baldwin in comedy and a feature on Ward.
“Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XXVIII” (Blu-ray)
Details: 1941-56, Kino Lorber Studio Classics
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Kino Lorber spotlights another trio of movies that examine crime and the dark side of humanity.
“Citadel of Crime” (1941), set in the town of Pine Flats, centers on a plan to distribute moonshine statewide. Robert Armstrong stars as ex-con Cal Fullerton, who is from Pine Flats.
He convinces the local moonshiners to supply him with corn liquor. Of course, the movie features double-crosses, an undercover federal agent and, since it is from Republic Pictures, lots of action.
The cast also includes Frank Albertson, Linda Hayes, Russell Simpson, “Skeets” Gallagher, Paul Fix, William Haade and Jay Novello, all under the direction of famed B-Western director George Sherman.
Dick Powell stars as bookie Rocky Mulloy in “Cry Danger” (1951). Mulloy has been framed, tried and imprisoned for a holdup and murder he did not commit. When he is released with the help of a phony alibi, he focuses on revenge — and the $100,000 stolen payroll stashed five years earlier.
The cast also includes Rhonda Fleming, Richard Erdman, William Conrad, Regis Toomey and Jean Parker. Powell co-directed the film with Robert Parrish.
Closing out the trio is 1956’s “Terror at Midnight.” By now, film noir was taking its final gasps. The story here follows young detective Neal Rickards (Scott Brady) who is investigating an interstate stolen car racket. At the same time, his fiancée, Susan Lang (Joan Vohs), becomes a victim of circumstances when she brings her car in for repairs to a garage whose owner is involved with the racketeers.
Franklin Adreon, another Republic Pictures veteran, directs a cast that also includes Frank Faylen, John Dehner, Virginia Gregg and Ric Roman.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include commentary tracks by film historian Gary Gerani on “Citadel of Crime,” film historian-author Alan K. Rode on “Cry Danger” and on “Terror at Midnight” by mystery writer-filmmaker Max Allan Collins with film historian and host of the “Cereal at Midnight” podcast Heath Holland.
Baseball: Echoes From the Bleachers (DVD)
Details: 2026, PBS-Allied Vaughn
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Baseball fans will enjoy this 60-minute PBS show, using handwritten letters from legends, rare photographs and forgotten stories, that uncovers the sport’s hidden links to America’s greatest moments, such as the 1936 exhibition game American ballplayers staged in Hitler’s Berlin, the day outfielder Rick Monday sprinted across the outfield to save a burning American flag and the towering home run Mike Piazza hit to uplift New York after 911.
The DVD, which can be found and purchased at www.moviezning.com, is filled with never-before-seen footage that is more than a tribute to baseball — it is about the soul of America itself.
The program looks at Jewish ballplayers who went to war, Roberto Clemente’s final flight, Sandy Koufax declining to pitch on Yom Kippur and many other memorable moments in the national game.
Technical aspects: 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby digital stereo; English SDH subtitles.
A Free Woman (Blu-ray)
Details: 1954, Radiance Films
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This Italian drama centers on a young architect who, on the verge of her marriage to a man she barely knows, becomes convinced that her life should not be defined in service to a man.
Liana (Francoise Christophe), instead, leaves for Amalfi, where she begins an affair. From there, she heads to Paris, but each new adventure is compromised by some kind of emotional constraint, ending in a final act of tragedy.
Filmmaker Vittorio Cottafavi’s film is akin to the Douglas Sirk melodramas of the 1950s bounded to a style that will remind viewers of Max Orphuls.
Thiis is, for 1954, a modern exploration of female autonomy.
An interesting aspect of the film is that Cottafavi is not afraid to make Liana a bit unsympathetic at times.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.37:1 full-screen picture; Italian LPCM monaural; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include an archival interview with Cottafavi and a booklet about the movie.
Simone Barbès or Virtue (Blu-ray)
Details: 1980, Radiance Films
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: This French feature focuses on Simone, an usherette at an adult movie theater. Simone, argues with her colleague as they welcome their unconventional clientele.
After her shift, Simone waits for her girlfriend at a lesbian nightclub full of eccentric characters, before sharing a slow drive home with a stranger.
The movie is more vignette than plot driven as the focus of the film seems to be the difficult lives endured by marginalized people, particularly women.
“Simone Barbès” is an attractive movie that, despite some sordid surroundings, provides some interesting views of nighttime Paris. It is an example of the cinema in France’s post New Wave era.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 widescreen picture; French LPCM monaural; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include a visual essay about the movie, film scholar Elena Gorfinkel offering her views on how radical the movie is, a 1980 TV interview with actor Ingrid Bourgoin who portrays Simone, a short film and a booklet.
Black Chariot (Blu-ray)
Details: 1971, Kino Classics
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: In his first starring role, Bernie Casey stars as Tuck, a k a The Drifter, an irreverent young man living aimlessly in South Central Los Angeles, where a Black militant group is organizing.
Tuck is persuaded by join by Sylvia (Barbara O.,) the group’s outspoken recruiter.
When one of the group’s members, played by Robert L. Goodwin, who wrote, produced and directed the movie, betrays them to the police, a death warrant is issued and Tuck must decide between loyalty to the organization and the inner voice of his newly awakened conscience.
Goodwin failed to get any studio support so resorted to a crowd funding campaign to raise money, and then shot the movie guerrilla-style on the streets of L.A.
The movie uses a flashback structure and a variety of film and video formats, providing an early example of what a 1970s Black cinematic voice could look like.
“Black Chariot” is rather obscure, receiving a very limited theatrical release.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.33:1 full-screen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include a “Black Chariot: Hiding in Plain Sight” featurette that includes interviews with Robert L. Goodwin Jr. and film historian Rhea L. Combs; a 1963 television drama written by Goodwin and an episode of the TV series “Insight” written by Goodwin.
The Deputy (Blu-ray)
Details: 2026, Well Go USA Entertainment
Rated: R, violence, bloody images, nudity, sexual content
The lowdown: Rookie deputy Toby Sawyer (Duke Nicholson) is assigned by Chief Kreuger (William H. Macy) to guard a dead body. But when the corpse vanishes, Sawyer begins a feverish search that unearths decades of small-town rot.
Sawyer, pressured to look the other way, finds a lone ally in deputy Amanda Jackson (Tiffany Haddish) and sets out to unravel a lethal web of corruption to clear his name in a town where secrets stay buried.
This neo-noir, quirky feature is interesting, despite some slow spots, and is abetted by a decent supporting cast, which includes Stephen Dorff, Billie Lourd, Julia Fox and Colleen Camp.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 16:9 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH and French subtitles.
Zipang (Blu-ray)
Details: 1990, Toy Robot Video
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A Japanese film set in an alternate Japan, in which modern technology and ancient legend co-exist. The outlaw samurai, Jigoku (Masahiro Takashima) and his band of renegades discover the keys to a mythical kingdom of gold.
Unfortunately their activities also attract the attention of a female bounty hunter, Yuri the Pistol (Narumi Yasuda), a top gunslinger who soon is hot on their trail.
“Zipang” features supernatural ninja warriors, remarkable, choreographed swordplay and very unpredictable plot twists.
This is an engaging and enjoyable fantasy epic that includes a golden sword, a woman locked up in an ice prison, ninjas trying to take the sword from Jigoku and a warrior — the imprisoned woman’s lover — who also is seeking Jigoku.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1; Japanese 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio monaural; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: The main extra is a commentary track by Jasper Sharp and Joe Hickinbottom.
Other titles being released during the upcoming week include:
Ghost in the Cell (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray) (Well Go USA Entertainment)
Model Citizen (DVD) (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, STREAMING or VOD
67 Bombs to Enid (Antenna)
The Beast (Aura Entertainment)
Money by Sundown (One Tree Entertainment)
The Odyssey (Apple TV-Prime Video)
The Optimist (Well Go USA Entertainment)
Once Upon a Time in Texas (Strike Back Studios)
Phony: Episode 6 (Hulu)
Re-Creation (Kino Film Collection)
NOV. 18
All’s Fair: Season 2, Episode 5 (Hulu)
Gentle Monster (Netflix)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 3, Episodes 5-6 (Prime Video)
Madden (Prime Video)
Rivals: Season 2, Part 2, Episode 10 (Hulu)
Stick: Season 2, Episode 4 (Apple TV)
VisionQuest: Episode 6 (Disney+)
Where’s Wanda: Season 2, Episode 5 (Apple TV)
NOV. 19
Above Ground (Ramah Studios-Prime Video)
Bird in Hand (Persimmon)
Crystal Lake: Episode 6 (Peacock)
NOV. 20
12 12 12: Episode 3 (Apple TV)
Best Pancakes in the County (IFC Films)
The Great Departure (Buffalo 8 Distribution)
My Sassy Girl (Film Movement Classics)
Nocturne: Episode 5 (Apple TV)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 3, Episodes 1 & 2 (Disney+-Hulu)
Primetime Preacher$ (Netflix)
Steps (Netflix)
The Vile (Dark Sky Films)
You Had to Be There (Greenwich Entertainment)
NOV. 22
The Chosen: Season 6, Episode 4 (Prime Video)
NOV. 23
Dig: Episodes 1-10 (Peacock)
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.