Steel Magnolias [4K UHD]
What is it? A bunch of girls rally collectively within the face of tragedy.
Why see it? Sometimes the films that hit hardest on the emotional entrance, those that actually make you cry, are additionally loaded with persona and laughs. Terms of Endearment is a good instance, and Steel Magnolias is one other. Sally Field performs a lady whose grown daughter has simply began a household of her personal, however that selection comes with a well being threat, and shortly Field finds herself carrying an sudden weight. The pleasure of the movie comes within the friendships she shares with a gaggle of girls (Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis) who assist her by the powerful occasions. They’re a enjoyable and humorous bunch, as full of life as you may hope, they usually give the movie a heartbeat. It’s a celebration of life, legacy, and laughter, and we actually can’t get sufficient of these.
[Extras: Commentary, featurette, deleted scenes, TV pilot]
The Best
Monolith
What is it? A podcast leads a lady down a harmful path.
Why see it? Movies with a single character is usually a powerful promote as they typically really feel too confined by design, however this little gem feels something however. Lily Sullivan performs a disgraced journalist who’s resorted to beginning a podcast about unsolved mysteries. She finds listener success with an ongoing investigation into some mysterious objects, however the deeper she digs, the nearer she will get to some very uncomfortable truths. This is a fantastically shot movie, and the dialogue/reveals draw you in with questions, solutions, and the fascinating areas in between. Sullivan does nice work with a personality who earns our empathy alongside our curiosity. Good stuff.
[Extras: Commentary]
Nostalghia [4K UHD]
What is it? I don’t know.
Why see it? Look, I received’t fake to grasp (and even care about) what’s taking place right here or what the movie is attempting to say, however Andrei Tarkovsky’s movie is an insanely attractive watch. Beautiful compositions, managed digicam actions that pull you effortlessly alongside, sepia-toned sequences that counsel goals, recollections, and/or fantasies. It’s a visually beautiful characteristic permitting a number of factors of magnificence in practically each body. Kino’s new restoration is a murals in its personal proper, and the disc additionally consists of extras providing perception and enlightenment for viewers like myself who aren’t selecting up what Tarkovsky’s placing down. Questions are requested, observations are made, however I’m undecided if solutions are given. Happily, it seems they’re not at all times wanted in spite of everything.
[Extras: New 4K restoration, commentary, interview, documentary]
Rolling Thunder [4K UHD, Shout Select]
What is it? Bad guys pay the worth for crossing a not too long ago returned POW.
Why see it? This late 70s flick has a repute as a badass revenge thriller, and it’s that, however the movie can be way more of a personality drama than newcomers are in all probability anticipating. William Devane is a Vietnam veteran not too long ago arrived again residence after time spent as a POW, and whereas his fellow prisoner (Tommy Lee Jones) understands the psychological state he’s in, nobody else does. So when some pricks kill his spouse and son and depart him for useless, the pair staff as much as actual some vengeance. There are some compelling and intense beats right here main as much as an explosive finale, so motion fiends will get their repair there. But be ready for the drama too, brough to life by good actors doing good work. Shout’s new 4K UHD is a stable launch, wanting nice and loaded with extras.
[Extras: New 4K transfer, commentaries, interviews]
The Rest
Drive-Away Dolls
What is it? Two younger ladies get caught up with criminals.
Why see it? The Coen brothers could also be on a hiatus so far as their collaborations go, however they’re nonetheless performing some standalone work. Ethan Coen directs and co-writes this little road-trip comedy, and it’s each bit a blended bag. The spotlight is arguably Margaret Qualley who totally immerses herself into the movie’s goofy tone as one among two lesbians delivering a automotive to Florida, unaware of what’s sitting within the trunk. The movie’s script and elegance decisions simply can’t hold tempo along with her, although, as beats really feel pressured and false in equal measure. It’s quick, in order that’s a plus, and effectively value awaiting Qualley.
[Extras: Featurettes]
Graphic Sexual Horror [Synapse]
What is it? A documentary on an web web site you’re in all probability (hopefully) by no means visited.
Why see it? As the title suggests, the web site on the coronary heart of this documentary is one centered on the struggling of scantily clad/nude ladies. It’s staged, not snuff, however because the interviews with these concerned and people who subscribed reveal, its success got here from simply how convincing it was. We see imagery and movies from the positioning, and we hear varied folks discuss their time with it and the consequences it had on them. It’s arguably attention-grabbing seeing this demographic reveal their kinks, however for many of us, the subject itself is one thing of a flip off.
[Extras: Deleted scenes, interviews]
Household Saints
What is it? Three generations face household, religion, and dinner.
Why see it? Nancy Savoca directs this oddly comedian slice of magical realism and weirdness, and whereas some beats work like gangbusters others fall flatter than a New York fashion pizza. It’s quirky and odd, typically an excessive amount of in order it drowns out the elements that do work. To that time, it’s the forged that shines brightest right here with nice turns by Vincent D’Onofrio, Tracy Ullman, Lili Taylor, and Michael Imperioli. They’re all good enjoyable even because the movie round them stumbles by some admittedly atypical turns and story beats. Italian American viewers might discover extra to like right here, although, because it very a lot appears like a love letter on to that have.
[Extras: Short films, documentary, interview]
The Road to Ruin
What is it? A cautionary story about teenagers performing out!
Why see it? You may discover this tough to imagine, however we was once a prudish nation. (I child, we’re nonetheless fairly rattling restrained and puritanical.) The films had been typically used as cautionary tales to warn dad and mom and their youngsters what awaits those that stray from the straight and slender. This movie, each the silent authentic and the talkie that arrived the next decade, exhibits wildin’ teenagers racing towards the tragedy their dangerous conduct earns. It’s not a enjoyable movie, but it surely stays an attention-grabbing glimpse into the mindset of our tradition 100 years in the past.
[Extras: Both the 1928 and 1934 versions, commentaries]
Also out this week:
The Beekeeper, Black Mask, The Departed [4K UHD], Goodbye Uncle Tom [4K UHD, Blue Underground], Hansel and Gretel, I Am Cuba [4K UHD, Criterion], The Kingdom Trilogy
