Paramount:
Star Trek Beyond (2016) (** ½) Stranded on a deserted planet, the crew of the Enterprise confronts a race of alien warriors in the latest big screen Star Trek entry. The emphasis is on action and not the philosophical overtones found in the original series. Extras include deleted scenes and featurettes.
Warner Brothers:
War Dogs (2016) (** 1/2) Miles Teller and Jonah Hill star in the true story of two twentysomethings who made a killing selling arms to the US government until things went south. Good moments abound but not enough to overcome familiarity with the subject. Extras include three featurettes
Sony:
Robert DeNiro in Taxi Driver — Image by © Steve Schapiro/Corbis
Taxi Driver: 40th Anniversary Edition (1976) (*** ½) There’s not much else that can be said about director Martin Scorsese’s iconic tale of alienation as personified by lonely, disillusioned taxi driver, Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro). It’s still great. Extras in the two disc set include a new Q and A, two commentaries, making of documentary, photo galleries and several featurettes.
Don’t Breathe (2016) (***) Some delinquent teens decide to rob a blind man, figuring it’ll be an easy score. Of course they’re wrong. Well directed suspense film offers enough requisite thrills to recommend it. Extras include deleted scenes, five featurettes and a commentary track.
Sausage Party (2016) (***) Seth Rogen leads an all star voice cast in this animated take on what happens in the grocery store after the doors close for the day. The film’s subversive subtext provides more than a few good moments. Extras include seven featurettes.
Lionsgate:
Indignation (2016) (** ½) The latest attempt at adapting a Phillip Roth novel, a tale of the experiences of a Jewish youth (Logan Lerman) at a conservative college in the 1950s, is a strictly hit and miss affair. Extras include two featurettes.
Hell or High Water (2016) (***) One of the better films of this calendar year features Jeff Bridges as a Texas lawman in pursuit of a pair of bank robbing brothers (Chris Pine, Ben Foster). Extras include five featurettes.
Imperium (2016) (***) Daniel Radcliffe is an FBI agent who must subvert his personal views in order to infiltrate a right wing terrorist group in this absorbing thriller. Extras include two featurettes, interviews, trailers and commentary.
Criterion:
Punch Drunk Love (2002) (*** ½) features Adam Sandler in one of his best performances as a socially awkward misfit who finds the woman of his dreams (Emily Watson). Extras include deleted Scenes, interviews/featurettes covering the music and production of the film, a faux TV commercial, trailers and a booklet.
Olive Films:
Hannie Caulder (1972) (***) One of Raquel Welch’s better starring vehicles as a woman who is left raped, widowed and homeless and seeks violent revenge against the three men responsible. The film has never looked better than it does here. Extras include audio commentary, two featurettes and a booklet/essay.
J’acccuse (1938) (***) is director Abel Gance’s remake of his own 1919 silent film of the same name. A scientist creates a device to stop war but things don’t go as planned. No extras.
One of Our Aircraft is Missing (1942) (***) is another of the fine collaborations of Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger. This tale of an RAF crew’s escape attempt from Nazi forces after being shot down is wonderfully executed and one of the better of these kinds of films. No extras.
Kino:
Finders Keepers (1984) (**) stars Louis Gossett Jr. in a comedic caper involving a stolen fortune stashed away in a coffin and onboard a speeding train. Directed by Richard Lester and featuring his trademark slapstick found in his films made during this period, the film also features Jim Carrey in a very early role. No extras
I, The Jury (1982) (***) is one of the better big screen adventures featuring author Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer character. Here he’s played by Armand Assante. It’s a basic revenge tale but feautures enough chases and violent goings on to recommend it. Extras include audio commentary and a trailer gallery
Twilight Time, whose releases are limited to a pressing of 3000 units for each of their titles, has issued a new batch of classics. Their product can only be ordered via www.twilighttimemovies.com and www.screenarchives.com. October releases from the company include:
The Boston Strangler (1968) (***) Director Richard Fleischer’s dramatization of the string of murders that rocked the city of Boston in the early 60s is one of the most stylishly made films of its era. Tony Curtis stars along with Henry Fonda, George Kennedy and Murray Hamilton. Extras include commentary, music/effects track, trailers and featurettes, one of which involves director William Friedkin (The Exorcist) discussing the film.
Moscow on the Hudson (1984) (*** ½) Paul Mazursky directs this tale of a Russian musician (Robin Williams) who defects while visiting Bloomingdales. The film is brimming with the humanity and warmth found in the majority of the director’s work and stands among the best of his ouput. Extras include two audio commentaries and isolated score track.
Pretty Poison (1968) (*** ½) Anthony Perkins, shades of Norman Bates, portrays an arsonist who’s just been released from an insane asylum. He gets involved with a pretty teen (Tuesday Weld) and his life takes an even worse turn once she convinces him to assist in a murder. This darkly comedic take on the perils of smalltown life is well worth a look. Extras include music/effects track, two audio commentaries, deleted scene script and the original trailer.
Gran Bollito (1977) (** ½) Shelley Winters stars in this Italian chiller as a disturbed woman who will sacrifice anything to protect her grown son from harm. Extras include commentary and the film’s trailer.
I Want to Live (1958) (***) is director Robert Wise’ sterling dramatization of the first woman sent to Death Row for her crimes. It also features an Oscar winning performance by Susan Hayward. Extras include score track, audio commentary and theatrical trailer.
Moby Dick (1956) (***) The only big screen adaptation to date of Herman Melville’s novel features great direction by John Huston and a script co-written by Rad Bradbury. Gregory Peck’s performance as the obsessive Captain Ahab is as good as ever. Extras include score track, audio commentary, featurette and theatrical trailer.
Coming soon: Jason Bourne, Francis Foster Jenkins, Southside With You, The Secret Life of Pets, Ben Hur and The Hollars.
Questions or comments? [email protected]
Photos: Anton Yelchin & Chris Pine in Star Trek Beyond, and Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver
