NEW TO THEATERS:
Tron: Ares – The second attempt to turn the original 1982 film into a franchise, coming fifteen years after the last try, is now in theaters. Jared Leto joins the proceedings this time and Jeff Bridges also reprises his character from the other film entries.
NEW TO STREAMING:
John Candy: I Like Me (***) Colin Hanks directs this loving tribute to the great actor and comedian which utilizes lots of previously unseen home movies and new interviews. There aren’t many salacious revelations to be found but the film is very moving and ultimately satisfying. Even more so for those who grew up with Candy as a regular presence on TV and in film. (Amazon Prime)
NEW TO DISC:
Warner Archive:
The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) The classic reworking of the Mary Shelley novel from Britain’s Hammer Studios comes to 4K for the first time. The three-disc edition includes a bounty of extras.
Also getting a first time Blu Ray release from the label are the drama, A Sumer Place (1959), the long forgotten road movie starring Alan Arkin, Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins (1975), the crime drama, The Racket (1951) and the romantic comedy, Lovely to Look At (1952).
The label is also reissuing several of its Blu Ray releases in themed sets. Titles being issued this week are Hollywood Legends of Horror (1932-1939), The Judy Garland Collection (1940-1954), The Bette Davis Collection (1938-1940) and The Joan Crawford Collection (1932-1950).
Kino:
New 4K releases from the label abound this week. They are the cult exploitation entry, Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS (1975) and the Denzel Washington-Angelina Jolie starring thriller, The Bone Collector (1999). Both releases include new commentary tracks.
Warner Brothers:
Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series (2000-2024) At long last, the terrific HBO series comes to the Blu Ray format in a new box set containing the entire series run and a few bonus features as well.
Lionsgate:
The psychological horror thriller from Ghost scribe Bruce Joel Rubin and starring Tim Robbins, Jacob’s Ladder (1990), comes to the 4K format in a new limited-edition set. Also being issued on Blu Ray by the label as part of its Vestron series is the thriller, Hider in the House (1989), starring Gary Busey.
Severin:
Asylum (1972) is another of the great horror anthology films from the British studio, Amicus, now getting a 4K release with some new extras.
Criterion:
The label is issuing in 4K the French thriller, Eyes Without a Face (1960), which unspools the tale of a scientist going to extreme measures to give his daughter a new face. A nice selection of bonus material is included.
Disney:
The fifth (!) attempt to launch a Fantastic Four film franchise in 31 years, The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), comes to 4K and Blu Ray format this week courtesy of the label.
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Photo: Jared Leto in Tron: Ares
