NOW IN THEATERS:
Tuner (***1/2) Academy award winning filmmaker, Daniel Roher (Navalny), makes a smashing impression with his narrative feature debut. Loosely based on a true story, the film is the tale of a twenty-something piano tuner, Niki (Leo Woodall) with a rare condition that allows him to hear things others cannot. When his mentor (Dustin Hoffman) suddenly takes ill and winds up with a stack of medical bills, Niki utilizes his skills to get some quick cash but gets more than he bargained for in the process. Well-acted, briskly paced/edited and, in equal doses, both touching and suspenseful. A rare film being loudly praised that actually delivers.
NEW TO STREAMING:
Janis: Little Girl Blue (***) Acclaimed documentarian, Amy Berg, has crafted a satisfying portrait of legendary singer, Janis Joplin. The film utilizes both archival footage and new/archival interviews to create a three-dimensional portrait of one of the pivotal figures of the music world of the 1960s and early 1970s. Fans will find much to enjoy as there are some interesting new angles not generally explored.
NEW TO DISC:
Shout Factory:
A generally acknowledged classic in the horror genre, Robert Wise’s first take on the Shirley Jackson novel The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting (1963), comes to 4K this week with a few new bonus features.
I Love Maria (1988) (also known as RoboForce), a Hong Kong sci-fi action comedy directed by David Chung, also makes its 4K debut from the label.
Vinegar Syndrome:
The controversial “mondo” horror film presented as a fake documentary, Faces of Death (1978), comes to 4K with a combo of new and archival bonus materials. The movie follows fictional pathologist Dr. Francis B. Gröss as he narrates graphic footage of death, violence, autopsies, accidents, executions, animal killings, and disasters.
Explorers (1985) Joe Dante’s sci-fi adventure film about three teenage boys who accidentally build a real spaceship after receiving mysterious visions from outer space also gets a 4K release this week.
Robert Altman’s Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean (1982) comes to 4K disc this week as well. The film is adapted from Ed Graczyk’s stage play about a small Texas town in 1975, where members of a James Dean fan club reunite twenty years after his death inside an aging five-and-dime store. Cher’s performance in the film led to her acceptance as a serious actress.
Radiance Films:
Brian DePalma’s satirical comedy, Hi Mom! (1970), gets a 4K upgrade as well with some new bonus material.
Arrow:
The box office smash of its year, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), starring Kevin Costner, gets a 4K upgrade and handsome new packaging. Expect the usual number of copious extras.
Kino:
The horror outing starring Jamie Lee Curtis aboard a train of partying teens with a killer in the midst, Terror Train (1980), gets a 4K upgrade this week from the label. Commentary and interviews are included.
Also getting 4K upgrades are the John Hughes penned comedy, The Great Outdoors (1988) and the Steven Spielberg produced family film, Harry and the Hendersons (1987). Both include new commentaries.
Additional 4K UHD releases from the label include the crime thriller, The Snowman (2007) and the Jess Franco-directed 1977 women-in-prison exploitation film starring Dyanne Thorne, Ilsa, The Wicked Warden (1977). New commentaries are include on these as well.
Lionsgate:
Rambo: The Complete Collection (1982-2019) is an Amazon-exclusive 4K UHD box set which includes all five films plus new Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos upgrades for several entries.
Universal:
The Ron Howard directed comedy-drama, Parenthood (1989), finally gets a 4K facelift from the label this week. Archival extras have been retained.
Criterion:
The critically acclaimed tale of an estranged filmmaker father reconnecting with his daughters through art and memory, Sentimental Value (2025), comes to the 4K format from the label as well as Bob Fosse’s Oscar nominated look at the life and times of comic, Lenny Bruce, Lenny (1974). Both contain new and archival extras.
Warner Archive:
The label is issuing a huge amount of catalog titles on Blu Ray with terrific new transfers taken from the original camera negatives. These include The Late Show (1977), The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964), Possessed (1931), Follow Me Quietly (1949), It’s a Wise Child (1931) and the collection, Monogram Matinee Volume 3 (1946-49). Most include bonus materials which vary from release to release.
Questions/comments? filmfan1970@hotmail.com
Photo: Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall in Tuner
