Now in Theaters:
Limbo (* 1/2) Simon Baker stars as a detective attempting to solve a decades old missing persons case in a small town in the Australian outback in this noir wannabe from filmmaker Ivan Sen. What starts out as a film with potential quickly devolves into cliches of the worst kind as more is revealed of the Baker character while he simultaneously goes through the predictable notions we’ve seen in a gazillion other films of this genre. Inexplicably praised in most critical circles when first released last fall, Limbo is a film that will satisfy those who really appreciate cinema that is devoid of conflict, lacking a dramatic arc and offers no solutions for the central dilemma introduced into the film’s narrative. If that’s your thing or if you’re simply in need of sleep you’ve found your film. Others need not apply.
Simon Baker in Limbo, a new film from Ivan Sen.
Photograph: Bunya Productions
The Fall Guy – Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt star in this loosely adapted big screen update of the 1980s ABC TV series. Gosling is the stuntman of the film’s title, now out of work and tracking down a missing movie star.
New to Disc:
MVD Visual:
Hardware Wars (1977) The very first Star Wars parody comes to Blu-ray in a new edition. The film was shot over 4 days on an $8,000 budget which adds to its charm. Additional film parodies included are A Pork Lips Now and Plan 9.1 from Outer Space along with interviews and commentary.
Also being released by the label this week is the long out of print teen comedy Joysticks (1983) which also includes a commentary as a bonus.
Sabotage (1996) A Navy commando turned bodyguard uses his skills to track the killers of an arms dealer he was protecting in this action film coming to Blu-ray. Extras include new interviews. Carrie Anne-Moss, Tony Todd and Mark Decascos star.
Arrow Video:
Night falls on Manhattan (1997) Sydney Lumet’s adaptation of the novel Tainted Evidence comes to Blu-ray for the first time in this new edition. Andy Garcia stars as an assistant district attorney whose father may be a guilty party in a criminal case he is prosecuting. Extras include onset interviews, behind the scenes footage, trailer, TV spots, a director profile and multiple commentaries.
Kino Lorber:
High Noon (1952) The classic western, starring Gary Cooper as a retiring Sheriff forced to come back for one last job, makes the leap to the 4K format in a new edition that includes a commentary, featurettes and a making of documentary.
Fletch (1985) and its sequel, Fletch Lives (1989), are both being issued in separate Blu-ray editions with a new commentary. The Chevy Chase starring adaptations of the Gregory McDonald series of novels have received fresh new transfers for the release as well.
Also being released this week from the label are the thriller The Secret Beyond the Door (1947) and The Complete Sixth season of Monk.
Paramount:
The Crow (1994) is being issued in a 30th Anniversary Edition on 4K for the first time ever. Brandon Lee is the vengeful spirit of a dead man in this film that has become a cult classic since its release. Extras include new featurettes and archival extras.
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