Now in Theaters:
Hamnet (**) After a brief foray into mainstream filmmaking with the Marvel entry, Eternals, Oscar winner Chloe Zhao (Nomadland) returns to the world of smaller scale fare with her adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name. The film, like the novel, is a purely speculative take on what may or may not have led to the creation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. There are admittedly some decent performances from Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal to be found as Mrs. And Mr. Shakespeare respectively. Unfortunately, they are not enough to save it from its glacial pacing and the arthouse clichés, of which the film is filled to the brim. Add to that an entire 15 minutes of screen time that’s devoted to a reenactment of the play in question during the film’s final act. This reviewer was more than ready for the film, which felt like an eternity at 130 minutes, to be over. Curiously unmoving as well.
Photo: “Hamnet’: Jessie Buckley (center)
New to Disc:
Warner Brothers:
Boogie Nights (1997) The film that put filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another) on the map comes to the 4K format this week (finally!) with bonus materials ported over from the previous Blu Ray/DVD releases.
Criterion:
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (1985) finally gets a long overdue 4K makeover this week courtesy of the label with a combination of new and archival features that include interviews and commentaries.
Also being issued on 4K disc is Spike Lee’s filmed portrait of David Byrne’s one man show, American Utopia (2020).
Kino:
New releases from the label this week include a Monk: The Complete Series Blu Ray (2002-2023) box set.
Also getting new 4K upgrades from the label are the Dwayne Johnson starring remake, Walking Tall (2004) and the Hammer Films entry, Scars of Dracula (1970). Both include new commentary tracks.
VCI:
The label is issuing another in its Blu Ray series entitled The Psyhcotronica Collection, Delinquent Schoolgirls (1975).
Radiance Films:
The label is issuing on Blu Ray for the first time the 1985 entry in the career of director Robert Altman, O.C. and Stiggs, starring Paul Dooley and Jon Cryer.
Warner Archive:
New releases from the label this week include Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har: The Complete Series (1962-63), Wally Gator: The Complete Series (1962-63), On Borrowed Time (1939), San Antonio (1945), The Valley of Decision (1945), Interrupted Melody (1955), I Love Melvin (1953),
Film Masters:
A Blu Ray restoration of William Castle’s, The House on Haunted Hill (1959), is making its way to disc with a new commentary.
Shout Factory:
New 4K upgrades of David Cronenberg’s horror entry, Rabid (1977) and the Oscar winning drama, Leaving Las Vegas (1995), are among the new releases from the label this week.
Hong Kong New Wave Essentials (1985-1990) is a new collection that includes the Blu Ray debuts of Painted Faces, The Story of My Son and Women. New bonus materials are also included.
Arrow:
The label is issuing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990-1993) 4K box set that includes the first three movies in the franchise and is packed with new bonus materials. Fans of a certain age will surely be pleased with this one.
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