New to Streaming:
Irresistible (2020) Former TV host, Jon Stewart, writes/directs his second film, a satire on the political machinations inherent in the current election process. Stewart uses the story of a failed Democratic politician (Steve Carrell) and his efforts to get a mayoral candidate (Chris Cooper) elected in a small Wisconsin town as a microcosm for what’s wrong with the current process. It’s a mixed bag that sometimes works and sometimes falls flat but Stewart’s heart is clearly in the right place, making this one definitely worth a look.
Steve Carrell and Rose Byrne in Irresistible
My Spy (2020) A CIA operative agrees to teach a nine year old girl the tricks of the trade in this comedy directed by Peter Segal and starring Dave Bautista and Ken Jeong.
Eurovision Song Contest:
The Story of Fire Saga (2020) is the latest from writer and star, Will Ferrell. Here he’s a small town singer going for the brass ring at the famed global song contest known as Eurovision. Ferrell fans will dig out. Others beware.
New to Disc:
MVD Visual:
What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael (2018) Filmmaker Rob Garver pays tribute to the legendary New Yorker film critic in this engrossing documentary. Kael is widely considered to be one of the greatest of all film critics and Garver’s film is a worthy salute to Kael’s talent and influence. Extras include a never before heard interview Kael conducted with Alfred Hitchcock in 1974.
Laurel and Hardy: The Definitive Restorations (1927-1937) Some of the greatest shorts featuring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are found on this four disc set. The films have never looked better and the set contains over 9 hours of extras. Films included in the set are Helpmates, The Music Box, County Hospital, Sons of the Desert, Brats and The Midnight Patrol.
Magnolia:
Lost in America (2019) The epidemic of youth homelessness in America is spotlighted in this illuminating film from director Rotimi Rainwater. The film paints a compassionate portrait in its dissection of the issue at hand.
Olive Films:
Hair (1979) The celebrated play from the late 1960s was stunningly adapted into a film by director Milos Forman at the height of the disco era. A failure at the time of its release, it’s now considered a minor classic. This new Olive Signature special edition features over half a dozen featurettes spotlighting the creation of the film. Highly recommended.
Warner Archive:
Romance on the High Seas (1948) Doris Day’s film debut is this musical comedy about a woman being sent to spy on a philandering husband. Michael Curtiz directs and Busby Berkeley provided the choreography. Extras include a musical short, cartoon and the trailer.
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