Now in Theaters:
Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret (** ½) The long awaited film adaptation of Judy Blume’s celebrated book has finally arrived and, sadly, the results are a mixed bag. The 1970s set tale of the adolescent daughter of parents of differing religious persuasions, dealing with the normal woes of a girl entering the teenage years, gets most of the period details right so there’s that. Unfortunately, the early section of the movie relies on sitcom style jokes that fall flat more often than not and mostly eschews anything resembling dramatic conflict. Things pick up a bit during the third act with some dramatic fireworks but it’s a case of too little, too late. Abby Ryder Fortson is fine as Margaret. So are Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates as Margaret’s mother and grandmother. They just deserve a better film.
New to Disc:
Paramount:
Deep Impact (1998) The world’s population deals with the impending collision of a comet with earth in this box office hit now getting its first ever 4K issue. Previously issued bonus content has been retained.
Abby Ryder Fortson in “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”
80 for Brady (2023) The recent film about a group of senior women on a mission to see their football hero Tom Brady in action also gets a Blu Ray issue this week from the label with a few new extras.
Arrow:
The Assasination Bureau (1969) Oliver Reed and Diana Rigg star in this WWII set dark comedy about an organization with the specific purpose of killing people. Extras include a 30 minute appreciation and commentary.
Criterion:
Wings of Desire (1988) Wim Wenders’ fantasy about an angel’s romance with a trapeze artist gets the 4K treatment from the label this week in a new edition that features commentary, deleted scenes and a documentary.
Warner Archive:
Clash by Night (1952) Barbara Stanwyck returns to her girlhood home of Monterey, California and begins an affair with the best friend of her fisherman husband in this Fritz Lang directed adaptation of the Clifford Odets Play.
Border Incident (1949) Ricardo Montalban stars as a border agent attempting to stop those who prey on illegal aliens in this searing drama from director Anthony Mann. Extras include an audio commentary.
Universal:
Champions (2023) The latest comedy from Bobby Farrelly is the tale of a minor league coach (Woody Harrelson) who finds himself forced to coach a team with intellectually disabled players. Extras include deleted scenes and commentary.
Film Movement:
Moonlight Wives (1966)/ The Naked Fog (1966) Two of Sexploitation producer Joseph Sarno’s forgotten psycho sexual dramas have been restored on Blu Ray with terrific new transfers in a double feature that includes a new commentary and interviews.
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