A Second Round of Paramount Scares Creeps Into Our Pick of the Week

Paramount Scares Collection Volume 2 [4K UHD]

What is it? A brand new assortment of 4K UHD horrors from Paramount.

Why see it? Paramount stays one of many huge Hollywood studios delivering blockbuster fare and managing their very own streaming service, however fortunately, they’re additionally huge proponents of bodily media. For the second yr in a row, they’ve launched a Paramount Scares assortment of horror movies on 4K UHD, and three of the titles are making their premier on the format. The absolute spotlight is Breakdown which stays a stellar road-trip thriller utilizing sensible results and killer performances from Kurt Russell, J.T. Walsh, and others. It’s only a terrific experience that jumps shortly into gear and doesn’t let up till the ultimate beat. Friday the thirteenth Part 2, arguably one of many high three entries within the franchise, makes its 4K debut too, and each the darkish shadows and bloody kills have by no means seemed higher. Orphan: First Kill is feels a bit too current for this honor, very similar to Smile within the first quantity, however you’ll get no complaints from me because it stays a extremely entertaining time. It surpasses the primary movie in my eyes due to a wild third act that doesn’t depend on a single reveal. Finally, whereas this isn’t the debut of World War Z in 4K, it’s nonetheless an incredible slice of motion/horror that deserves extra love. I by no means completed the e-book so I can’t evaluate, nevertheless it’s a enjoyable, thrilling film all the identical. The surprisingly fairly priced set additionally contains numerous ephemera for collectors, and right here’s hoping Paramount retains the Paramount Scares line coming for years to return as their again catalog stays full of spooky goodies.

[Extras: Interviews, commentary, featurettes, poster, Fangoria magazine, iron-on patches, pins, sticker]

The Best

Burn, Witch, Burn [KL Studio Classics]

What is it? A professor discovers his spouse is, gulp, a witch!

Why see it? Richard Matheson and Charles Beaumont are two of the massive names in style fiction and movie/TV again within the 50s and 60s, and this function is a uncommon mixture of their writing abilities. A well-liked faculty professor discovers two issues in succession — his colleagues are jealous of his success, and his spouse is a witch. She claims her spells are what’s defending and selling him, however is she telling the reality? Drama, suspense, deception, and horror mix for a slick little shocker written by Matheson and Beaumont. The new 4K scan brings sharp element and shadow to this traditional, and it’s an incredible pickup for the Halloween season.

[Extras: New 4K scan, commentaries, interview]

The West Wing: The Complete Series

What is it? A masterful American collection in a single blue field.

Why see it? The West Wing will get referenced and memed so much today, usually whereas mentioning its similarities to our real-life political conditions. (Not as usually as Veep, although.) Happily, it’s additionally one of many best American collection on the market, bumps and all. Aaron Sorkin was the driving power by the present’s first 4 seasons, and his rapid-fire dialogue and sharp conversations maintain issues transferring and interesting even when it’s only a dialogue scene. Martin Sheen’s portrayal of the American president is an all-timer, a personality wealthy intimately and morality, and a grasp orator whose phrases transfixed audiences week in week out. Supporting characters deliver further wit, vitality, and depth making this an enchanting have a look at a political panorama that resembles are personal however feels in much better arms. This is the collection’ debut on Blu-ray, and whereas the improve isn’t as huge as some followers may hope — it appears to be like to be the identical grasp used for the 2010 DVD launch, and there aren’t any new extras — a bolder colour palette and lossless audio bump it up sufficient to suggest a pickup for followers who don’t personal a bodily copy but.

[Extras: Commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, gag reels, interviews]

The Rest

Body and Soul [KL Studio Classics]

What is it? A boxer learns a useful lesson about successful and shedding.

Why see it? Anti-capitalism movies are their very own little area of interest, however this one carries the additional weight of (many in) its solid and crew touchdown earlier than the McCarthy Hearings on suspicion of being communists earlier than being blacklisted. But don’t fear, director Robert Rossen named dozens of commies and shortly bought again to work. That’s all aspect story, although, because the movie itself is a stable story of a boxer’s experience from nowhere to the highest of the heap, all whereas being taken benefit of as a part of a greed-oriented society. The ethical lesson is evident, and whereas it’s sturdy sufficient by itself, it’s heightened that rather more by the behind the scenes drama.

[Extras: Newish 4K scan, commentary]

First Love [KL Studio Classics]

What is it? A narrative about falling in love in school.

Why see it? This is an odd one. Its deserves are undeniably as a female-directed drama with a robust solid (William Katt, John Heard, Susan Dey, Beverly D’Angelo, and extra) inform a serious-minded story about falling in love. Maybe it’s simply the cynical eyes of somebody in 2024, however watching it now, it’s clear that critical strategy lends itself to some unintended laughs. The result’s a movie that wobbles some in tone because it explores some delicate matters and relationships even when it stays compelling sufficient to stick with it by to the hump-related ending. (It is sensible whenever you watch it.)

[Extras: Newish 4K scan, commentary]

Also out this week:

The Blob [4K UHD], Imaginary [4K UHD], Sebastian