Now in Theaters:
Eleanor the Great (** ½) 95-year-old actress June Squibb turns in a delightful performance as a woman who loses her friend of 70 years unexpectedly and decides to pass off the friend’s life story as her own. Of course, this leads to complications when the story gets picked up for broadcast as a morning news story. The film contains some moving scenes to be sure, but the film’s script is so riddled with implausibility and cliches that the overall result is greatly hampered. Scarlett Johansson makes her directing debut here and does a competent job but there’s nothing that screams out at the viewer that she’s a filmmaker we should watch out for. The whole endeavor is a misfire but not without some merit leaving one to wonder why the director chose this as her feature debut.
Photo: June Squibb in Eleanor the Great.
New to Disc:
Warner Brothers:
Superman (2025) The third iteration of the Man of Steel in nineteen years (!) arrives on Blu Ray and 4K physical disc formats this week. Extras include a documentary and featurettes.
Tim Burton’s animated film, The Corpse Bride (2005) also gets a 20th anniversary 4K release and retains previously issued bonus materials.
Criterion:
The acclaimed animated film, Flow (2024), gets the deluxe treatment in a new 4K set with new bonus materials, while the remake of the 1978 film, Fingers, The Beat My Heart Skipped (2005), makes its way to Blu Ray as well. Also being issued in 4K by the label this week is the drama, Read My Lips.
Kino:
Airplane 2: The Sequel (1982) The lesser but still funny sequel to the 1980 comedy classic makes its 4K debut this week and includes two commentary tracks, one by Mike White of The Projection Booth podcast.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) also gets a newly remastered Blu Ray release and includes a new commentary as well.
The love affairs of three young Englishman are the centerpiece of French Without Tears (1940), now getting a first ever Blu Ray release by the label.
88 Films:
The Cat (1991) A man, a woman and her cat are on the trail of aliens in this Asian cinema cult classic making its Blu Ray debut with a new restoration and slipcase packaging. A new commentary is included.
Shout/Scream Factory:
Peking Opera Blues (1986) The Hong Kong action comedy- revolving around three women’s efforts to steal a valued document in turn of the century Peking-comes to 4K UHD and includes a bonus commentary and interviews.
Disney:
The Sound of Music (1965) makes its way to 4K UHD disc in a new 8K restoration timed to coincide with the film’s 60th anniversary. In addition to the restored video and audio, the archival extras have been retained.
Sony:
Night of the Living Dead (1990) Tom Savini’s remake of the 1968 horror classic makes its way to 4K UHD disc in a new edition that includes a never-before-seen alternate cut of the film as well as the original version. The steelbook release sports some pretty decent bonus material as well.
The recent horror sequel from director Danny Boyle, 28 Years Later (2025), makes its disc debut this week as well in both Blu Ray and 4K formats.
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