New To Theaters & Streaming

NOW IN THEATERS:

The Naked Gun – Liam Neeson steps into the shoes formerly filled by Leslie Nielsen in this updating of the popular franchise. Neeson is the son of Nielsen’s character from the original trilogy of films, Frank Drebin, and he’s out to solve a mystery involving a sinister red-light device and aided by Pamela Anderson.

Photo: Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson in The Naked Gun

NEW TO STREAMING:

Sunday Best (***) is an insightful new documentary chronicling Ed Sullivan and his legendary Sunday night variety show. Those who came of age during the show’s original run are certain to find this one appealing. (Netflix)

Disney:

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) Peter Weir’s adaptation of one of the novels in a series penned by Patrick O’Brian, the only one filmed and a best picture nominee, comes to the 4K format. Unfortunately, the release comes sans most of the bonus materials from previous releases.

Paramount:

Two classics from the studio are getting 4K UHD makeovers this week with meticulously restored new transfers. They are Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard (1950) and Savage Steve Holland’s Better Off Dead (1985). No new extras but archival extras have been retained.

A24:

Friendship (2025) Tim Robinson stars as a man whose desperate attempts to make a new adult male friend with neighbor Paul Rudd leads to disastrous results, in this acclaimed comedy getting a Blu-Ray release this week.

Kino:

Convoy (1978) One of the final features of director Sam Peckinpah, a film adaptation of the number one pop song from early 1976 and starring Kris Kristofferson and Ali MacGraw, makes its 4K debut this week from the label. Bonus materials include three commentaries, deleted scenes, video essay and documentary.

Criterion:

The tale of Japanese soldiers stranded on an island in WWII, Fires on the Plain (1959), makes it 4K debut with a release including bonus interviews. Another film from the same director, Kon Ichikawa, The Burmese Harp (1956), the plot of which involves a soldier posing as monk, also comes to 4K with interviews.

Shout/Scream Factory:

The Shaw Brothers Collection: Volume 7 (1973-1980) is yet another Blu-Ray collection of films from the legendary Hong Kong studio. The titles in this latest release include The Imperial Tomb Raiders / Legend of the Bat / The Shadow Boxer / The Spiritual Boxer / Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre / Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre 2 / Shaolin Handlock / Swordsman and Enchantress / The Proud Twins / A Deadly Secret and Heroes Shed No Tears. There are copious amounts of extras along with the fresh transfers.