By Harley Lond - 06/21/21 at 11:53 PM CT
FROM THE BIG SCREEN
Nobody (2021) Hutch (Bob Odenkirk) is a nobody. As an overlooked and underestimated father and husband, he takes life’s indignities on the chin and never rocks the boat. But when his daughter loses her beloved kitty-cat bracelet in a robbery, Hutch hits a boiling point no one knew he had. What happens when a pushover finally pushes back? Hutch flips from regular dad to fearless fighter by taking his enemies on a wild ride of explosive revenge. 
Vitals: Director: Ilya Naishuller. Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, RZA, Christopher Lloyd. 2021, CC, MPAA rating: R, 91 min., Action, US box office gross: $6.820 million, worldwide $26.083 million, Universal Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Code, 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: Deleted scenes; "Hutch Hits Hard" featurette; "Breaking Down The Action (Bus Fight, Home Invasion, Car Chase and Tool & Die Sequences)" behind-the-scenes action featurette; "Just a Nobody" production featurette; feature commentary with actor-producer Bob Odenkirk and director Ilya Naishuller; feature commentary with director Ilya Naishuller. Read more here.
The Unholy (2021) Based on James Herbert’s best-selling book Shrine,the film follows a young hearing-impaired girl who is visited by the Virgin Mary and can suddenly hear, speak and heal the sick. As people from near and far flock to witness her miracles, a disgraced journalist (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) hoping to revive his career visits a small New England town to investigate. As terrifying events begin to happen all around him, he starts questioning if these miracles are the works of the Virgin Mary 
or something much more sinister. Director: Evan Spiliotopoulos. Stars: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Katie Aselton, William Sadler, Cricket Brown, Diogo Morgado, Cary Elwes. 2021, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 99 min., Horror, US box office gross: $14.777 million, worldwide $26.777 million, Sony. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Read more here.
THIS WEEK'S BEST BETS:
Drawn from the pen of one of Japan's foremost writers of the 20th century, Junichiro Tanizaki ("A Fool's Love," "The Makioka Sisters"), "Irezumi" (1966 -- Japan) is a stylish tale of lust, betrayal and revenge directed by Yasuzo Masumura. Masumura's muse Ayako Wakao stars as Otsuya, the daughter of a rich merchant, who is tempted by her lover, Shinsuke, a lowly
employee of her father's, to elope. During their flight, Otsuya's beauty attracts the gaze of Seikichi, a mysterious master tattooist who sees her pristine white skin as the perfect canvas for his art. The image of the large demonic spider that he emblazons across Otsuya's back marks her as the property of another man, radically altering her relationships with all around her as her personality transforms under its influence. Available for the first time outside of Japan in a new 4K restoration, "Irezumi" sports some of Japanese cinema's most respected talent of its day, both in front of and behind the camera. The bewitching cinematography by Kazuo Miyagawa ("Rashomon," "Ugetsu") captures the sensual atmosphere of the period setting, while the script by Kaneto Shindo ("Onibaba," "Kuroneko") lends a modern twist to this feverish meditation on obsession and the act of creation. On Blu-ray from Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment ... There has never been a filmmaker like Marlon Riggs (1957–1994): An unapologetic gay Black man who defied a culture of silence and shame to speak his truth with resounding joy and conviction. An early adopter of video technology who had a profound understanding of the power 
of words and images to effect change, Riggs employed a bold mix of documentary, performance, poetry, music, and experimental techniques in order to confront issues that most of Reagan-era America refused to acknowledge, from the devastating legacy of racist stereotypes to the impact of the AIDS crisis on his own queer African American community to the very definition of what it is to be Black. Bringing together Riggs’s complete works -- including his controversy-inciting queer landmark "Tongues Untied" and "Black Is ... Black Ain’t," his deeply personal career summation -- "The Signifyin' Works of Marlon Riggs" traces the artistic and political evolution of a transformative filmmaker whose work is both an electrifying call for liberation and an invaluable historical document. The films: "Ethnic Notions" (1986), "Tongues Untied" (1989), "Affirmations" (1990), "Anthem" (1991), "Color Adjustment" (1992), "Non, je ne regrette rien (No Regret)" (1993), "Black Is ... Black Ain’t" (1995). On DVD, Blu-ray, with new high-definition digital masters of all seven films, with uncompressed stereo soundtracks on the Blu-rays, from The Criterion Collection ... 
The 1970s were a time of intense uncertainty and instability in Italy. Political corruption and widespread acts of left and right-wing terrorism, alongside a breakdown in social cohesion and a loss of trust in public institutions such as the government and police, created a febrile atmosphere of cynicism, paranoia and unexploded rage. Throughout this period, these sentiments found expression in a series of brutal, often morally ambiguous crime thrillers that tapped into the atmosphere of violence and instability that defined the so-called Years of Lead. The box set "Years Of Lead: Five Classic Italian Crime Thrillers 1973-1977" gathers five films from the heyday of the "poliziotteschi" - the umbrella term used to describe this diverse body of films. In Vittorio Salerno's "Savage Three" (1975) and Mario Imperoli's "Like Rabid Dogs" (1976), random acts of violence committed by vicious young sociopaths threaten the fragile fabric of respectable society. In Massimo Dallamano's "Colt 38 Special Squad" (1976) and Stelvio Massi's "Highway Racer" (1977), renegade cops battling against red tape and political corruption turn to new and morally dubious methods to dispense justice. Finally, class dynamics are explored in Salerno's "No, the Case is Happily Resolved" (1973) as an innocent man finds himself under suspicion for a savage crime committed by a highly respected member of society. Featuring an impressive line-up of Euro-cult stars, including Joe Dallesandro This collection of stylish, hard-hitting Euro-crime thrillers showcases the range and breadth of the genre and is a must-have for newcomers and grizzled veterans alike. Restored from the original camera negatives, including a brand new 2K restoration of "Colt 38 Special Squad" exclusive to this release. Three-disc Blu-ray set from Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment ... 
In Munich in 1972, eight renowned filmmakers each brought their singular artistry to the spectacle of the Olympic Games -- the joy and pain of competition, the kinetic thrill of bodies in motion -- for an aesthetically adventurous sports film unlike any other. Made to document the Olympic Summer Games -- an event that was ultimately overshadowed by the tragedy of a terrorist attack -- "Visions of Eight" (1973) features contributions from Miloš Forman, Kon Ichikawa, Claude Lelouch, Juri Ozerov, Arthur Penn, Michael Pfleghar, John Schlesinger, and Mai Zetterling, each given carte blanche to create a short focusing on any aspect of the Games that captured his or her imagination. The resulting films -- ranging from the arresting abstraction of Penn’s pure cinema study of pole-vaulters to the playful irreverence of Forman’s musical take on the decathlon to Schlesinger’s haunting portrait of the single-minded solitude of a marathon runner -- are triumphs of personal, poetic vision applied to one of the pinnacles of human achievement. On DVD, Blu-ray, with new 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray, from The Criterion Collection ... The Warner Archive has two new Blu-ray debuts this week: "Chain Lightning" (1950): Matt Brennan (Humphrey Bogart) plans to show the potential of the JA-3, an experimental jet – by flying it from Nome over the North Pole and into the Pentagon’s lap in Washington, D.C. The JA-3 has never been tested at this range and can’t provide enough pressurization at 80,000 feet. But Brennan has modifications in mind…and no shortage of courage. Eleanor Parker, as a former World War II flame, fuels the romance in this adventure that tapped into the era’s fascination with jet aviation. And "It Happened at the World's Fair" (1963): Fun, music and Elvis all happen in this romp boasting one of the best backdrops of any Elvis Presley movie: the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. The King plays pilot-for-hire Mike, whose hope of starting his own flying business is grounded by the gambling of his copilot Danny (Gary Lockwood). The two hitch to Seattle, where Mike finds romance, Danny finds easy marks and both find problems prior to a “Happy Ending.” Keep an eye out for Kurt Russell as the child who wallops Mike in the shins.BUZZIN' THE 'B'S:
"Georgetown" (2021), starring Christoph Waltz, Annette Bening, Vanessa Redgrave, Corey Hawkins, Laura de Carteret and Dan Lett, is a thrilling true story filled with twists, turns, and political turmoil. Waltz stars as Ulrich Mott, an eccentric and smooth-talking social climber who seems to have everyone in Washington, D.C. wrapped around his finger. But when his wealthy, well-connected and much older wife (Redgrave) turns up dead in their home, her daughter Amanda (Bening) suspects Ulrich may not be all that he seems as the police investigation begins to uncover a larger deception that goes far deeper than anyone ever imagined.
From Paramount ... In "The Paper Tigers" (2020), starring Alain Uy, Ron Yuan and Mykel Shannon Jenkins, kung fu disciples Danny, Hing and Jim were inseparable as teenagers. Fast forward 25 years, and each has grown into a washed-up middle-aged man seemingly one kick away from pulling a hamstring -- and not at all preoccupied with thoughts of martial arts or childhood best friends. But when their old master is murdered, the trio reunites, soon learning that avenging their sifu will require conquering old grudges (and a dangerous hitman still armed with ample knee cartilage) if they are to honorably defend his legacy. On DVD, Blu-ray, from Well Go USA ... In "Death in Texas" (2020), starring Ronnie Gene Blevins, John Ashton, Bruce Dern, Lara Flynn Boyle and Stephen Lang, when he returns home from prison, an ex-convict with a wicked past learns his mother is dying of liver failure. With time running out and limited options, he must take matter into his own hands to get the resources that will save her life -- even if it means stealing from the cartel. From Lionsgate ... 
In "Siberia" (2021), starring Willem Dafoe, Dounia Sichov, Simon McBurney, Cristina Chiriac and Daniel Giménez Cacho, Clint (Defoe) tends bar at a snowbound roadhouse whose patrons speak a language he doesn’t understand, and things may not be what they seem. Desperate for answers, he drives a sled team to a nearby cave, but finds no peace. Are the spirits that confront him mere figments of his imagination -- or will they slowly tear his body and soul to pieces? This mind-blowing psychological thriller is directed by Abel Ferrara ("Bad Lieutenant"). On DVD, Blu-ray, from Lionsgate. Read more here ... While transporting the family of a key witness in a federal trial against the cartel, DEA agents are ambushed in a fatal shootout in "Night of the Sicario" (2021), starring Natasha Henstridge, Manny Perez and Costas Mandylor. Now the survivors, including the witness’ young daughter, must take refuge in a nearby home as the ruthless sicarios hunt them down. With danger at every corner and a violent hurricane wiping out any chance of outside help, they must play a deadly game of cat and mouse with the cartel to live through the night. From Paramount. Read more here ... He remains one of the most beloved horror/fantasy icons in US/UK pop culture history, but Christopher Lee delivered several of the most compelling, acclaimed and bizarre performances of his entire career in 1960s Europe. The eight-disc "The Eurocrypt of Christopher Lee Collection" brings together five of these Lee classics - the 1964 gothic shocker "Crypt of 
the Vampire"; the 1964 cult hit "Castle of the Living Dead" co-starring an unknown Donald Sutherland; 1962's celebrated "Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace"; 1967's lurid favorite "The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism" and the rarely-seen 1963 oddity "Challenge the Devil" - with the 24 surviving episodes of the 1971 Film Polski anthology series "Theatre Macabre" hosted by Lee, all remastered from original negative materials with over 10 hours of trailers, rare promos, audio commentaries & vintage interviews, plus the "Castle of the Living Dead "soundtrack and an all-new 88-page book by Lee biographer Jonathan Rigby. On Blu-ray, from Severin Films. Read more here ... In the remote wilderness, fur trapper Joseph Mersault and his family struggle to make ends meet in "Hunter Hunter" (2020), starring Camille Sullivan, Summer H. Howell and Devon Sawa. Believing their traps are being hunted by a returning rogue wolf, Joseph leaves his wife Anne and daughter Renée on their own as he launches a determined search to catch the apex predator in the act. Growing increasingly anxious as Joseph’s absence continues on, Anne reaches new depths of paranoia when a mysterious and severely injured man appears on her doorstep — and soon the threat of a predator in the woods becomes a threat much closer to home. On DVD, Blu-ray, from IFC/Shout! Factory ... The animated "Batman: The Long Halloween Part One" (2021) is inspired by the iconic mid-1990s DC story from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale: A brutal murder on Halloween prompts Gotham’s young vigilante, the Batman, to form a pact with the city’s only two uncorrupt lawmen (Police Captain James Gordan and District Attorney Harvey Dent) in order to take down The Roman, head of the notorious and 
powerful Falcone Crime Family. But when more deaths occur on Thanksgiving and Christmas, it becomes clear that, instead of ordinary gang violence, they’re also dealing with a serial killer -- the identity of whom, with each conflicting clue, grows harder to discern. From Warner. Read more here ... Severn Films has released three 1980s action films this week: "Invaders of the Lost Gold" (1988): From producer Dick Randall -- whose international trashterpieces include "Escape From Women's Prison," "The Wild Wild World of Jayne Mansfield" and "Pieces" -- comes perhaps the most notorious all-star Philippine productions of the '80s: In the last days of WWII, a Japanese platoon is attacked by headhunters while attempting to hide millions in gold. 36 years later, a grizzled guide (onetime Academy Award-nominee Stuart Whitman) is hired to lead an expedition -- including Woody Strode, Harold 'Oddjob' Sakata and Laura 'Emanuelle' Gemser -- into a jungle inferno of greed, violence, nudity and murder ... "Strike Commando" (1986): Bruno Mattei's legendary "Rambo" rip-off now scanned from the original negative. Two years before the deranged genius of "Robowar" and "Shocking Dark," writer-director Bruno Mattei and co-writers Claudio Fragasso & Rossella Drudi borrowed from rambo: "First Blood Part II, Missing In Action" and more to create their own mind-blowing 'Namsploitation masterpiece: Reb Brown stars as Sgt. Mike Ransom, a one-man war machine on a screaming-for-vengeance mission against brutal Vietcong, merciless Russians, double-crossing U.S. officers and acres of bullet-blasted Philippines 
jungle. Christopher Connelly, Luciano Pigozzi and Jim Gaines co-star in this exploding bamboo gun-tower of "Mattei magic at its finest," now mastered in 2K from the original negative for the first time ... "Strike Commando 2" (1988): Director Bruno Mattei and screenwriters Claudio Fragasso & Rossella Drudi return to the Philippine jungles with a higher budget, bigger action and Richard Harris (yes, that Richard Harris) for a crowd-pleaser that shamelessly borrows from "Apocalypse Now," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Rambo" and beyond. This time, Sgt Mike Ransom (Brent Huff) battles the KGB, rogue CIA agents, an army of ninjas, a tough bar owner (Miss World 1977 Mary Stavin) and "all the stuntman craziness and explosions you can cram into 90 minutes" (DTV Connoisseur). Mel Davidson and Vic Diaz co-star in this slow-motion machine-gun of Mattei mayhem that's "just as insane as its predecessor," now featuring a 2K scan from the original negative for the first time ever. Read more here.SPECIAL INTEREST:
"Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts" (2018) is an eye opening documentary that explores the
life of a unique American artist, a man with a remarkable and unlikely biography. Bill Traylor was born into slavery in 1853 on a cotton plantation in rural Alabama. After the Civil War, Traylor continued to farm the land until the late 1920s. Aging and alone, he moved to Montgomery and worked odd jobs in the thriving segregated black neighborhood. A decade later, in his late 80s, Traylor became homeless and started to draw and paint, devising his own visual language to depict his memories of slavery and scenes of a radically changing urban culture. He made well over a thousand drawings and paintings between 1939-1942, which reflect the profound social and political change he experienced during his life spanning slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, and the Great Migration. A revelatory examination of one of America’s most essential artists. From Kino Lorber.DUE NEXT WEEK:
"His Dark Materials: The Complete Second Season," "Pariah (2011)," "The Perfect Candidate" (2019 -- Saudi Arabia), "Poison" (1991), "Stardust" (2020), "Wildcat."
Check out other new DVD/Blu-ray releases, streaming films, and information and reviews at OnVideo.
