Now Streaming:
Photo: Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemonsin The Power of the Dog.
The Power of the Dog (2021) (**) Benedict Cumberbatch shines in the lead of the long-awaited return of film director, Jane Campion (The Piano), an adaptation of Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel. His performance, along with the film’s exquisite cinematography and musical score, are two of the film’s assets. Unfortunately, the film’s technical merits are not enough to overcome what basically amounts to a one hour fifty-minute run up to a fifteen-minute payoff that requires a herculean amount of patience on the part of the viewer. It’s basically a revenge tale/power struggle between a bullying rancher (Cumberbatch) and his brother and the brother’s spouse and stepson.
Don’t Look Up (2021) (***) Director Adam Mckay (Vice, Anchorman) guides a huge cast of familiar faces in this satirical look at what might happen should earth’s existence be threatened by a comet. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence are the scientists attempting to inject reason and science into the proceedings while fighting an uphill political battle with the current president (Meryl Streep). Mark Rylance turns in a very amusing performance as a character clearly based on Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos. Uneven to be sure but never uninteresting.
New To Disc:
Universal:
Halloween Kills (2021) The second installment in the Halloween trilogy from filmmaker David Gordon Green makes its way to home video along with extras including new featurettes.
Warner Brothers:
Dune (2021) The third attempt to make a film out of Frank Herbert’s lauded novel has been issued in both 4K and Blu Ray. Extras include multiple featurettes.
Paramount:
Juice (1992) Veteran cinematographer Ernest Dickerson made his directing debut with this tale of four friends whose lives are upended once one of them makes the fatal decision to enter a life of crime. Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps star in the film now making its 4K debut. Previous extras have been retained.
Kino:
The Great Escape (1963) Steve McQueen leads the impressive cast of this classic prison escape film, now making its debut in the 4K format. Extras include commentaries, featurettes and a documentary.
The 7th Dawn (1964) William Holden stars as a guerilla fighter turned plantation owner in this WW II era action film from director Lewis Gilbert. Extras include the film’s trailer.
Gambit (1966) A burglar (James Garner) and a dancer (Shirley MacLaine) attempt to make off with an ancient artifact in this caper film from director Ronald Neame. Extras include two commentaries and the film’s trailer.
Journey to Shiloh (1968) James Caan and Michael Sarrazin lead the cast in this civil war era tale of a group of Comanches who find themselves at the Battle of Shiloh. Harrison Ford also appears in a small role. Extras include commentary and interview.
Also new this week from Kino: The Pink Jungle (1968). Impasse (1969), Breaking In (1989) and The Mafu Cage (1978)
Corinth Films:
Historical Drama Collection (2009-2016) is a new collection containing the following international films from the company; Calm at Sea, Haberman, Remembrance, The Chronicles of Melanie, Within the Whirlwind.
Questions/comments? [email protected].
