Albert Brooks Films Our Home Video Pick of the Week
Real Life [4K UHD, Criterion]
What is it? Albert Brooks’ debut feature as writer/director/star!
Why see it? Brooks plays “himself,” a filmmaker interested in capturing the truth of life on camera, and he decides to immerse himself with a normal American family to watch, experience, and record their very real lives. Of course, if a camera is present, real life has a way of becoming something… else. This feature ranks right behind Defending Your Life and Lost in America for me in Brooks’ filmography, and it is a fantastically fun and funny time. Brooks is brilliant, Charles Grodin is his usually reliable self, and the commentary is years ahead of its time.
[Extras: New 4K restoration, interviews]
The Best
Frogs [Kino Cult]
What is it? A family of wealthy pricks upsets nature for the last time.
Why see it? While this early 70s slice of eco-horror is every bit as silly as the Kino Cult titles below, it rises above the pack with both its commitment to the bit and a heavier commentary. Like a schlockier companion piece to 1979’s Long Weekend, the theme here is a slam against people who are poor stewards of the earth. The rich family consists mostly of pricks treating the great outdoors like their toilet, and when nature decides to strike back it’s in the form of goofy, fun kills. Sam Elliot co-stars, sans mustache, and it’s just an entertaining time watching the frogs mastermind the mayhem. I guess? It’s not clear, but that’s my take.
[Extras: Commentary, interview]
High Crime [4K UHD, Blue Underground]
What is it? A new police commissioner battles organized crime.
Why see it? Franco Nero headlines this rough and tumble tale of corruption and cruel criminals, and he’s great as a guy dedicated to the job despite the dangers it brings his family. We get some solidly entertaining action beats, from chases to gun fights, alongside lessons in the high price of doing the right thing. Director Enzo Castellari brings the heat as he brings the streets of Genoa to bustling and brutal life. Blue Underground continues to be one of the best labels out there when it comes to giving genre fare the 4K upgrade, and this is a beauty. The release is also loaded with extras detailing the film’s production and place in Italian genre history.
[Extras: New 4K master, commentaries, alternate ending, interviews]
Kingdom of the Spiders [Kino Cult]
What is it? Pesticides lead to a spider invasion!
Why see it? William Shatner in the 70s was an undeniable good time — his acting, his ego, his presence all combine into something special onscreen. Even if that wasn’t the case, though, this would still be a terrific piece of spider horror as poisonous tarantulas invade a small desert town with murder on their tiny minds. We get some creepy crawlie beats, some legitimately thrilling stunts, and one terrific ending. While Arachnophobia remains the best spider horror, in part because it’s funny and avoids offing the spiders en masse, there’s no denying that this late 70s entry is a fun time too.
[Extras: Commentaries, interviews]
Mother [4K UHD, Criterion]
What is it? A twice-divorced writer moves back in with his mom.
Why see it? As much as I love Albert Brooks, this mid 90s effort didn’t work for me upon release. A revisit as an older, hopefully wiser adult, though, has left me appreciating it a lot more. Brooks plays a sci-fi writer who’s found some success on that front even as he fails at his personal life, so he moves back in with his disapproving mother played by a charismatic and spunky Debbie Reynolds. It’s a funny time filled with minor but relevant observations and revelations about the effect our upbringing can have on our life as adults, and both Brooks and Reynolds are clearly having a blast being at each other’s throats.
[Extras: New 4K restoration, interviews]
My Father Is a Hero [Vinegar Syndrome]
What is it? Jet Li and son kick all kinds of ass.
Why see it? Jet Li plays an undercover cop, a secret hidden even from his son, who finds himself in over his head on his latest case. His preteen son, equally adept at the martial arts, finds his own way into the mix, and soon the two generations of fighting talents are standing tall against criminal elements. The late Corey Yuen directs, and his masterful eye for fight choreography is on full display here with some stellar battles and set-pieces guaranteed to thrill fight fans. Vinegar’s new restoration, done off a supplied 4K master, looks fantastic, and combined with the numerous extras make this a killer release.
[Extras: New restoration from 4K master, commentary, interviews, deleted scene]
Sudden Death [4K UHD, KL Studio Classics]
What is it? An ex-firefighter stops a violent attack at a hockey game.
Why see it? Peter Hyams was as reliable an action filmmaker as you’ll find in the 90s, and this Die Hard riff sits towards the top of his filmography. Jean-Claude Van Damme plays an ex-firefighter whose new job feels demeaning to some, but when violent robbers take the vice president hostage at a hockey game, he’s forced into action to save his won kids, the crowd, and the vp. Hyams delivers big set-pieces, fun action, and a real scale to the proceedings making it all feel big, dangerous, and fun. Kino’s new 4K looks great and delivers crisp action details.
[Extras: New 4K master, commentary, interviews]
The White Dawn [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? Three lost whalers find refuge with Inuit villagers.
Why see it? This atypical tale of survival was released in the mid 70s and set in the late 19th century. It stars Warren Oates, Timothy Bottoms, and Louis Gossett Jr. as whalers taken in by an Inuit tribe after they get separated from their ship. The westerners soon corrupt the village leading to resistance, and while it’s an inevitable story, director Philip Kaufman crafts it with beauty, desolation, and an optimistic eye (that’s soon forced to face reality). Heads up, there are some real animal hunts here alongside a cool polar bear encounter that was (thankfully) staged and left the bear unharmed.
[Extras: New 4K scan, commentary, introduction, featurettes]
The Rest
Aces High [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? A look at the courage, cowardice, and deadly realities of war.
Why see it? World War I doesn’t get as many movies about it as, say, its sequel or the Vietnam-set spinoff, so we should really cherish the ones we do get. Thankfully, this mid 70s tale of British biplane pilots flying combat missions along the front line is good stuff. The drama is solid enough, anchored by Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Plummer, and more familiar faces, but it’s the aerial combat that shines brightest. Some fantastic cinematography and action in the sky makes it one worth watching.
[Extras: New restoration, commentary, interviews, featurette]
Bloodbath at the House of Death [Vinegar Syndrome]
What is it? A group of investigators head to a house where a mass murder occurred.
Why see it? The 80s were a boom time for horror/comedies, some good and most bad, but at least they’re known. This UK production isn’t really all that talked about, and it’s something of a minor shame as the film delivers some fun beats along with a lot of goofy gore. It’s admittedly and wildly inconsistent, though, meaning it never approaches the level of lost classic. But riffing on films like Legend of Hell House, Carrie, and more, it finds enough laughs to brighten up the day for most horror fans.
[Extras: New 4K restoration, commentary, interview, featurette]
Devil Times Five [4K UHD, Vinegar Syndrome]
What is it? A drive-in classic about killer kids!
Why see it? The 70s were a wild time where anything goes, as evidenced by some of the animal attack features this week. That also includes kiddie killer flicks too, as the murderous tykes here wouldn’t be seen in a movie these days. Leif Garrett leads a group of kids who recently escaped their mental ward captors, and they set their sights on a wintry chalet where a group of adult friends are vacationing. Bloody murder ensues! It’s a silly time with a handful of highlights, and while it’s never scary or unsettling really, the genre beats still bring some fun. Vinegar’s new 4K release has it looking better than it ever has.
[Extras: New restoration, commentaries, interviews]
Empire of the Ants [KIno Cult]
What is it? Man effs up, creates chemicals, and accidentally mutates ants into big bastards!
Why see it? Bert I. Gordon was a master of eco-horror schlock — not a criticism! — and this late 70s entry is one of his better known creature features. Joan Collins headlines, a big reason it found traction, but even beyond her the film delivers with some terrific B-movie thrills as a group of people come face to face with giant ants. A dash of conspiracy, some fun sci-fi trappings, and a lot of encounters with giant ants leads to an entertaining time. Kudos to Kino for rereleasing these titles!
[Extras: Commentaries]
The Food of the Goods [Kino Cult]
What is it? An island begins oozing, and the wildlife grows!
Why see it? Yeah, Bert I. Gordon was serving up sweet and savory schlock in the 70s, and I am a return customer. A year before unleashing the big ants above, Gordon made this monster movie about a strange substance coming out of the ground that works as a growth hormone for all kinds of animals. Rats, wasps, and more grow and begin fighting back against the human inhabitants of the island, and it’s just a fun piece of B-movie horror. Today’s audiences will scoff, but there’s a real charm to the practical puppets and old-school optical work. That said, the real rats being slaughtered is difficult to watch, so tread carefully.
[Extras: Commentaries, interview]
Hell’s Trap [Vinegar Syndrome]
What is it? A group of friends are targeted by a flamboyant killer.
Why see it? Pedro Galindo III’s filmography is a reliable source of fun enough horror films from Mexico, and Vinegar Syndrome has been doing great work bringing them to English-speaking audiences. This latest rediscovery sees a masked killer with a Freddy-like razor-fingered hand stalking and killing some young folks hanging out in his woods. It’s bloody, the characters aren’t annoying, and Galindo’s directorial chops ensure the pacing and visuals never grow old. It’s worth a watch for slasher fans.
[Extras: New 4K restoration, making of, interviews]
I Am a Sex Addict
What is it? Alert the media, this guy likes blowjobs.
Why see it? I’ll say upfront that I’m lacking in the empathy department for sex addicts as putting them in the same realm as those addicted to drugs or alcohol just seems silly. This may make me an asshole, and that’s okay. All of that said, the film — a pseudo-autobiographical near documentary — finds some laughs along the way as our lead explains his predicament over the past several years leading up to the actual moment of his wedding. There are probably worse motivations for making a movie than seeing yourself engage in sexual situations with a cast of attractive women, but this is still a pretty creepy affair. Be sure to check out the extras to watch the director/star spend a substantial amount of time trying to convince an actress to disrobe against her repeatedly stated wishes.
[Extras: Short film, deleted scenes]
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
What is it? Another Apes movie!
Why see it? Many generations after Caesar’s rise and triumphant reign, apes and humans are still at odds one way or another. Ape factions are at war with each other, and while most despise humans on site, some know the way forward is working together. Fools. Anyway, director Wes Ball delivers a compelling and visually exciting entry in the franchise, and while it takes a bit to get cooking, the film as a whole works to deliver some thrills on its way to an ending that closes this chapter while hinting at more to come.
[Extras: Making of, deleted scenes]
Sepa: our Lord of Miracles
What is it? A lost documentary about an unusual prison.
Why see it? Director Walter Saxer made a documentary back in the 80s only to see it lost to time — until someone found the only print gathering dust in a closet. Its discovery is a welcome find as the film offers up an intriguing look at an unusual concept and execution as Peruvian officials created an open-air, free-roaming prison in the jungle. The freedoms were unprecedented, but the men still fell into despair and depression leading to problems. Like I said, it’s an interesting idea explored well, even if it never grows to become something bigger than that.
[Extras: New 4K restoration, Q&As, booklet]
Sky Pirates [Umbrella]
What is it? An action/adventure from down under.
Why see it? If you’re gonna riff on some other successful film, make it a Spielberg joint. This Aussie adventure finds its inspiration in the Indiana Jones films as it sends its charismatic, wise-cracking pilot and sharp young woman on a global romp facing baddies and other obstacles along the way. We get chases, big stunts, banter, and a real treat in locales that include Easter Island, and all of it makes for a fun enough time making up for the silliness of it all.
[Extras: Commentary, interviews, deleted scenes, featurettes]
Squirm [Kino Cult]
What is it? An electrical storm turns mean earthworms even meaner!
Why see it? While this creature feature is ultimately dragged down by a slow pace and cheap feel, there are real highlights here starting with the very real worms themselves. These little fuckers have teeth, and they are creepy as hell, and I would hate to cross paths with them. They manage a handful of grisly kills and feel unique in the animal horror pantheon (although Slugs delivers more consistently on a similar threat), so while it’s not great there’s still enough here to warrant a watch.
[Extras: Commentary, featurettes]
Super soul Brother and the Films of Rene Martinez Jr. [AGFA]
What is it? Three films from Rene Martinez Jr.
Why see it? A wino becomes a guinea pig and is injected with a super strength serum in Super Soul Brother. A sketchy private investigator goes head to head against a crime boss leading to action and antics galore in The Guy from Harlem. A pair of musicians seek revenge against unruly bikers in Road of Death. These are very inexpensive films, presented on film stock that in two cases represent the only existing elements, so don’t go in expecting pretty pictures. There’s charm here, though, as a micro budget exploitation filmmaker explores varied genre interests.
[Extras: None]
Sweet Substitute
What is it? A Canadian indie about horny teens.
Why see it? Two friends, hungry for sex and ignorant of the fairer gender, meander through their days adding little society. Part muted sex comedy, part muted social commentary, Larry Kent’s mid 60s tale of teens focused only on sex offers up some minor moments of interest, but they’re spread a bit too thinly throughout the running time. As it stands, the film is instead more of an interesting artefact in Canadian cinema.
[Extras: New 4K restoration, introduction, commentaries, interviews, additional scene from US release, booklet]
T-Blockers
What is it? Teens deal with monsters and monstrous people.
Why see it? There are surface positives here, from the very clear themes to director Alice Maio Mackay being just eighteen years old, but the bulk of the film falls into two halves — the genre elements and the non-genre. First up, Mackay’s poor sense of pacing, the overuse of horror host snippets, and apparent disinterest in narrative context leave nearly every horror scene landing with a terrible thud. Far, far more successful is the friendship between the two leads. I could have watched another hour of Sophie and Spencer bouncing between banter and verbal support for each other as their relationship feels convincing, sweet, and fun.
[Extras: Interview, bonus feature film Bad Girl Boogey, short films]
Also out this week:
Alphaville [4K UHD], A Fat Wreck, The Garfield Movie, A Heart of Love, Last Year in Marienbad [4K UHD], The Mexico Trilogy [4K UHD, Arrow], Omen, Poltergeist II [4K UHD], Ride, The Underground Films of Richard Baylor, Watchers, A Wounded Fawn
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