Universal:
Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (2018) (**) This prequel to the 2009 film Mamma Mia unravels the tale of the character played by Meryl Streep in the first film. Some decent musical sequences but the plot is perfunctory. Extras include sing along version of the film, featurettes and Today show interview.
Skyscraper (2018) (**) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars in this so-so hybrid of Die Hard and The Towering Inferno. Extras include deleted scenes, commentary, and featurettes.
Scream/Shout Factory:
Feral (2017) A group of hikers quickly become victims after a member of the group is bitten by a strange creature, leading to a taste for blood and the spread of a rabies-like disease amongst the group. Full disclosure: A conflict of interest (the writer and director are personal friends) prevents me from reviewing this one. No extras.
John Travolta & Gene Hackman in Get Shorty
The House on Haunted Hill (1999) (**) Geoffrey Rush takes the Vincent Price role in this remake of the 50s classic. The premise remains intact but, unfortunately, it’s a rather pedestrian affair populated with bland characters. Extras include vintage featurette, deleted scenes, trailer and new interviews with the director.
Creepshow (1982) (*** 1/2) One of the best of all horror movie anthologies, this collaboration between horror masters Stephen King and George Romero set a new bar for that sort of thing that’s rarely been surpassed. The superb new Blu-ray set comes with a 40 page booklet, featurettes containing over 100 minutes of cast/crew interviews, deleted scenes and more.
Trick R Treat (2007) (** ½) is a decent enough horror anthology film featuring intertwined tales all taking place on Halloween night. Stories include a school principal moonlighting as a serial killer and a battle between an old man and a demon in disguise. Extras include multiple featurettes, deleted scenes and trailer.
Dragnet (1987) (***) Dan Aykroyd’s terrific performance as Joe Friday’s nephew in this comedic update of the 50s/60s series is the real reason to see this one. Tom Hanks co-stars. Extras include audio commentary, promotional film, photo gallery and a new featurette.
Valley Girl (1983) (***) Deborah Foreman is the title character, torn between the boy she loves (Nicholas Cage) and her group of friends, in this memorable coming of age tale from Martha Coolidge. Extras include music videos, new featurettes and audio commentary.
Get Shorty (1995) (***) John Travolta is loan shark Chili Palmer who wants to make a change by getting in on the movie business in this terrific action comedy adapted from an Elmore Leonard novel. Extras include commentary, trailer, and multiple featurettes.
Man in the Iron Mask (1998) (** ½) is yet another telling of the classic Alexander Dumas Musketeer tale. Decently done and this one stars Leonardo DiCaprio, John Malkovich and Gabriel Byrne. Extras include new interviews, commentary, featurettes.
Warner Archive: (Available at www.wbshop.com)
Bad Ronald (1974) (***) This classic horror TV movie stars Scott Jacoby as a disturbed teen terrorizing the new owner of the house in which he once lived. Well done. No extras.
Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972) features the interesting twist of having Dracula (Christopher Lee) seek victims in the (at the time) modern era of the early 70s. No extras.
Sword of Sherwood Forest
Olive Films:
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) (*** ½) is the first and, one of the best, stabs at Jack Finney’s tale of alien plants taking over the human population. Classic sci-fi at its best. Extras on this terrific special edition include tons of featurettes, gallery of rare documents, essay book and the original trailer.
VCI:
Blood and Black Lace (1964) (** ½) Mario Bava directs this tale of murder in a brothel. As in most Bava films, style trumps substance. It does have its moments, though. Extras include multiple commentary tracks, video interviews, photo gallery and isolated music score.
Criterion:
Shampoo (1974) (***) Warren Beatty is a Los Angeles hairdresser with an eye for the ladies in director Hal Ashby’s inventive comedy set against the backdrop of the 1968 election. Extras include essay book and a 1998 interview with star Warren Beatty.
Sisters (1973) (*** 1/2) Margot Kidder delivers an excellent performance in director Brian DePalma’s suspense yarn about Siamese twins with dual personalities. Extras include new and vintage interviews, a Dick Cavett show clip, photo gallery and radio spots and essay booklet.
Kino:
Love Cecil (2018) (***) is a very interesting portrait of artist, Cecil Beaton. Extras include two hours of deleted scenes.
Twilight Time: (limited to 3,000 units and available for purchase at www.screenarchives.com and www.twilighttimemovies.com)
Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971) (** ½) Odd Italian horror film starring Jean Sorel as a deceased (!) reporter attempting to determine what happened to his missing girlfriend. Extras include music track, commentary and trailers.
The Adventures of Hajji Baba (1954) (** ½) Stars John Derek as a barber who finds himself entrusted with escorting a princess to her wedding, along the way defending her from many obstacles. Extras include music track and trailer.
Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) (** ½) is a feature film version of the 50s Robin Hood television series and retaining the series cast. Extras include music track and trailer.
Black Widow (1954) (***) Peggy Ann Garner is a scheming woman with big plans in this noir film which also stars Van Heflin and Gene Tierney. Extras include music track, commentary, featurettes and the film’s trailer.
