Ghosts [4K UHD, Scream Factory]
What is it? An ancient evil rises from the earth.
Why watch it? By Dean Koontz Ghosts It was the first novel I ever read by him and it remains one of my favorites. This 90s adaptation should have been something special, but instead the Weinsteins made one bad decision after another, resulting in very bad casting, a weak director, and some terrible editing choices. All that said, I’m still a sucker for his charms. Two sisters arrive in a small town in Colorado and find it empty. Well, empty of life, with bodies and limbs strewn everywhere. It seems that some sort of prehistoric creature, responsible for other mass disappearances in history, has returned. Elements of The fog and The drop It’s not hard to spot them, but the film finds its own footing with some solid practical effects, that eccentric cast, and a commitment to cool settings. It’s a fun time – sometimes intentionally, sometimes not – and while it’s far from a great film, it’s still one worth watching for fans of the genre (or fans of the ’90s). It’s not a film I ever expected to see get the 4K UHD treatment, but the folks at Scream Factory felt otherwise and have delivered a marked improvement here.
[Extras: New 4K scan, interviews]
The best
Secret in the mountain [4K UHD, KL Studio Classics]
What is it? Two men find love in an unexpected place.
Why watch it? Ang Lee’s romantic drama is a gorgeous film with a cast that includes Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, and Anne Hathaway working at the top of their game. It won, or was nominated for, numerous Oscars for acting and direction, screenplay, and photography. The fact that it’s also a gay romance about two cowboys who discover a love they didn’t expect is ultimately the benefit here, as great filmmakers bring a love story to the screen in a way this kind of top-tier production doesn’t often get. Kino’s new 4K release highlights the natural beauty of the landscape while also capturing the emotional longing, affection, and desire on the faces of the men who know they can’t have what they know they want.
[Extras: New 4K scan, commentary, making of, interviews, featurettes]
Captain Phillips [4K UHD, steelbook]
What is it? A container ship is attacked by Somali pirates.
Why watch it? Paul Greengrass applies his realistic filmmaking style to the true story of a ship attacked by pirates off the coast of Africa. Tom Hanks is at the helm on screen and the film is a fascinating, thrilling and emotionally charged look at a dangerous assault and the economic impulses that led to it. It’s a great film, but the lasting impact comes from Hanks’ performance throughout the film, culminating in one of the rawest and most heartbreaking sequences ever played by an actor. The danger has passed, the drama is over, but the shock and stress are relentless and ever-present even after the threat has passed. It’s incredibly moving. This new 4K UHD film brings the siege to life in crisp, captivating fashion. But be careful of the metal box cover, as it’s incredibly easy to scratch!
[Extras: Commentary, featurette]
Colombo: The Return 1989-2003 [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? The final twenty-four episodes of Lieutenant Columbo’s mysterious reign.
Why watch it? The 70s were a great decade for funny TV shows with incredibly charismatic protagonists. Colombo, Rockford ArchivesOthers probably, and Columbo maintained that quality when it returned in the late ’80s. New guest stars, new mysteries, the same old Peter Falk delivering magic as the grizzled but wise Lt. Columbo. This comeback spanned the years from 1989 to 2003 — twenty-four episodes in fourteen years — and the joy of watching Falk’s Columbo interact with the characters remains as powerfully entertaining as ever. The banter, the cocky killers, the clever detective work — it’s all here, and it’s still an absolute blast. Kino brings it all home on Blu with newly remastered episodes from NBC Universal, and while this release lacks extras, it’s a worthy purchase for fans.
[Extras: New 4K remaster]
Invasion of the Body Snatchers [4K UHD, KL Studio Classics]
What is it? The first film adaptation of Jack Finney’s classic novel.
Why watch it? Finney’s story has been adapted numerous times for the big screen (four times at last count, though I may be forgetting one), and while the 1970s version still triumphs, this first attempt is still a hit. Kevin McCarthy takes the lead role as the voice of reason during a subtle alien attack, but what do you do when no one is listening to your well-informed ramblings? Don Siegel directs, and there’s real tension and dark wonder in the third act. Kino’s new 4K film captures the black-and-white photography with sharpness and shadows that belie interstellar evils.
[Extras: New 4K scans, commentaries, interview, featurettes]
The last stop in Yuma County
What is it? A group of strangers find themselves caught between opportunities and dangers.
Why watch it? This is a clever thriller that offers a fun premise, an eclectic cast, and creeping darkness. Jim Cummings is a traveling salesman who is having trouble selling and circumstances have left him wandering around a small town diner when two men who have just been robbed show up for the same reason: the town’s only gas station is waiting for a shipment of gasoline. Bad decisions, poor choices, lucky breaks, risky moves, and good luck all come into play as everything goes from boring to worse. It’s just a low-key good time that turns cruel in an instant, and we’re lucky to have it.
[Extras: Commentary, making of]
The rest
Paternity [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? A self-confessed bachelor seeks a surrogate mother to bear his child.
Why watch it? Burt Reynolds spent the ’70s and ’80s bouncing between comedies and tough guy roles, sometimes even mixing the two, and found success and failure on both sides. This 1981 comedy wasn’t exactly a box office hit, but Reynolds is in his element as a cocky guy, prone to wisecracks and mischief, who falls for the great Beverly D’Angelo. Add to that supporting roles from Paul Dooley, Norman Fell, Lauren Hutton and more, and it’s a pretty entertaining time.
[Extras: New 4K scan, commentary]
When eight bells ring [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? An adaptation by Alistair MacLean.
Why watch it? My favorite adaptation of an Alistair MacLean novel remains the 1972 one. Fear is the keyand this is the movie that came out a year earlier. It also comes closer to the type of stories most associated with the author, such as The Guns of Navarone either Where eagles dareIn this film, Anthony Hopkins plays a spy whose mission is to identify and stop those responsible for millions of dollars in gold heists. While some have compared it to a James Bond adventure, I’d argue that it rarely resembles one. This one is harder and faster, quick to hit and throw, but lacking the personalities, locations and gadgets that typically make up a Bond. It’s still a moderately good time, though, thanks to Hopkins and the general sense that someone new is waiting to get kicked in the ass around the corner.
[Extras: Commentary]
Also available this week:
Black God White Devil [Criterion]Monk – Season Eight, Perfect Days [Criterion]Rocky Collection: Ultimate Knockout [4K UHD]Yvonne’s perfume