New Blu-ray Reviews

Three Films by Yasujirō Ozu Blu-ray Movie    

Dragnet Girl / Record of a Tenement Gentleman / A Hen in the Wind

BFI Video | 1933-1948 | 3 Movies | 256 min | Rated BBFC: PG | Oct 23, 2023 | Dr. Stephen Larson

This year marks the 120th anniversary of Japanese filmmaker Yasujirō Ozu’s birth. From his early silent films to his final features in the 1960s, Ozu perfected a style that stripped away unnecessary plot mechanics and camera movement. In doing so, he produced a cinema whose surface simplicity belies character studies of depth, warmth and on occasion, humour. This new set features three newly restored films, all presented on Blu-ray in the UK for the first time.

Crime / Drama / Foreign

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III - Glorification Blu-ray Movie  

FUNimation Entertainment | 2018 | Rated TV-14 | No Release Date | Neil Lumbard

With his spell of impressive successes seemingly behind him, Lelouch Lamperouge’s hopes of destroying the Britannian Empire presided over by his father are crumbling at an alarming rate. With his sister kidnapped, his former friend Suzaku ignoring his pleas for help, and his organisation the Black Knights losing their faith in him, the man behind Zero’s mask is left with nowhere to turn. With his power waning and betrayals around him rising, the only option left on Lelouch’s board in this all-or- nothing game of political chess is to take on the Britannian Empire - and his father - from the inside.

Action / Anime / Sci-Fi / Foreign

Record of a Tenement Gentleman Blu-ray Movie    

長屋紳士録 / Nagaya shinshiroku

BFI Video | 1947 | 72 min | Rated BBFC: PG | No Release Date | Dr. Stephen Larson

In an impoverished Tokyo neighborhood that has been partly destroyed in bombing raids, a hard-hearted middle-aged widow reluctantly takes in a child abandoned by his father. Bitter at first, she soon finds herself growing fond of the boy.

Drama / Foreign

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II - Transgression Blu-ray Movie  

FUNimation Entertainment | 2018 | Rated TV-14 | No Release Date | Neil Lumbard

Having racked up numerous miraculous victories against the odds in his quest to end their tyrannical reign across the globe, Lelouch Lamperouge - via his anonymous public persona of Zero - has shocked the empire of Britannia to its core. From humble beginnings, Zero is now the leader of the Black Knights, an increasingly powerful para-military organisation with the equipment and tactical nous to match even Britannia’s finest. However, there are still plenty of hurdles in Lelouch’s path... not least close friend turned rival Suzaku Kururugi, whose own abilities also appear to be reaching their zenith. With more unexpected arrivals and appearances as the conflict between Britannia and the Black Knights intensifies, the ability of Lelouch to navigate this increasingly complex game of chess - and the sacrifices he’s willing to make - will be tested to the limit.

Action / Anime / Sci-Fi / Foreign

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I - Initiation Blu-ray Movie  

FUNimation Entertainment | 2017 | Rated TV-14 | No Release Date | Neil Lumbard

In a world dominated by the Holy Empire of Britannia, most of the globe has been conquered and forced into submission by this behemoth of a superpower. Japan, now renamed Area 11 after its defeat at the hands of the Empire, continues to harbour pockets of seemingly futile resistance that seems powerless in the face of the might before them. Enter Lelouch Lamperouge, an exiled Britannian prince hidden away under a false name in Area 11 – harbouring a deep hatred for the empire which has forsaken him, he grabs the chance to fight back when a mysterious power known as “Geass” is bestowed upon him, and begins working from the shadows to bring Britannia to its knees as the faceless leader of Area 11’s resistance.

Action / Anime / Sci-Fi / Foreign

Dumb Money Blu-ray Movie  

Blu-ray + Digital Copy

Sony Pictures | 2023 | 104 min | Rated R | Dec 12, 2023 | Kenneth Brown

A ragtag group of amateur investors, gamers and internet trolls bring Wall Street to its knees by reviving the challenged brick-and-mortar video game retailer GameStop, making it the first so-called meme stock.

Biography / Comedy / Drama

The Monster Squad Blu-ray Movie  

4K Restoration

Kino Lorber | 1987 | 82 min | Rated PG-13 | Nov 28, 2023 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

A small town is disrupted with the arrival of Dracula to retrieve an amulet controlling the balance between good and evil.

Action / Comedy / Family / Fantasy / Horror / Supernatural

The Monster Squad 4K Blu-ray Movie  

4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray

Kino Lorber | 1987-2018 | 2 Movies | 83 min | Rated PG-13 | Nov 28, 2023 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

A small town is disrupted with the arrival of Dracula to retrieve an amulet controlling the balance between good and evil.

Action / Comedy / Documentary / Family / Fantasy / Horror / Supernatural

The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz Blu-ray Movie  

Fun City Editions | 1974 | 121 min | Rated PG | Dec 12, 2023 | Brian Orndorf

Duddy Kravitz is an enterprising young Jew with big dreams but little going in coming from a motherless family and in competition with his medical school bound brother.

Comedy / Drama

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story 4K Blu-ray Movie  

4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray

Shout Factory | 2022 | 107 min | Rated TV-14 | Dec 12, 2023 | Brian Orndorf

Explores every facet of Yankovic's life, from his meteoric rise to fame with early hits like 'Eat It' and 'Like a Surgeon' to his torrid celebrity love affairs and famously depraved lifestyle.

Biography / Comedy / Music

American Graffiti 4K Blu-ray Movie  

50th Anniversary Edition / 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy

Universal Studios | 1973 | 112 min | Rated PG | Nov 07, 2023 | Martin Liebman

A group of teenagers in California's central valley spend one final night after their 1962 high school graduation cruising the strip with their buddies before they pursue their varying goals.

Comedy / Drama / Music / Romance / Teen / Period / Coming of age

Pollock Blu-ray Movie  

Sony Pictures | 2000 | 123 min | Rated R | Dec 12, 2023 | Kenneth Brown

The life and career of American painter Jackson Pollock.

Biography / Drama

Depeche Mode: Strange/Strange Too Blu-ray Movie  

Rhino Music | 1988-1990 | 61 min | Not rated | Dec 08, 2023 | Jeffrey Kauffman

No synopsis for this title.

Music

The Collector Blu-ray Movie  

Cinedigm | 2009 | 90 min | Not rated | May 16, 2023 | Kenneth Brown

Handyman and ex-con Arkin aims to repay a debt to his ex-wife by robbing his new employer's country home. Unfortunately for Arkin, a far worse enemy has already laid claim to the property - and the family. As the seconds tick down to midnight, Arkin becomes a reluctant hero trapped by a masked "Collector" in a maze of lethal invention - the Inquisition as imagined by Rube Goldberg - while trying to rescue the very family he came to rob.

Crime / Horror / Thriller

Shaun the Sheep: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie  

Shout Factory | 2007-2021 | 1188 min | Rated TV-G | Dec 12, 2023 | Neil Lumbard

Join Shaun the Sheep and his barnyard buddies, Bitzer, Shirley, Timmy, and more as they deliver a flock-load of wacky shenanigans from the farm...from bath time to party time and everything in between!

Animation / Comedy / Family / Foreign

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie 4K Blu-ray Movie  

Collector's Edition / 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray

Shout Factory | 1990 | 93 min | Rated R | Nov 28, 2023 | Neil Lumbard

Three chilling tales with a connecting story. In "Lot 249", a college student is menaced by a mummy. "Cat From Hell" finds the millionaire owner of the titular feline hiring a hitman to kill the pet. Finally, in "Lover's Vow" an artist suffers severe retribution after taking a vow of silence after witnessing the murder of a friend.

Fantasy / Horror / Supernatural

A Hen in the Wind Blu-ray Movie    

風の中の牝鶏 / Kaze no naka no mendori

BFI Video | 1948 | 84 min | Rated BBFC: PG | No Release Date | Dr. Stephen Larson

Tokiko is a mother forced to turn to sex work in order to pay off her ill son's medical bills. When her husband returns home from the war, her suffering is compounded by his refusal to forgive her actions.

Drama / Foreign

Stella Maris Blu-ray Movie  

Blu-ray + DVD

VCI | 1918 | 84 min | Not rated | Dec 12, 2023 | Kenneth Brown

Two young women - a paraplegic girl sheltered by her wealthy guardians and a more experienced orphan - fall in love with a man separated from his violent wife.

Drama

Horrors of the Black Museum Blu-ray Movie  

Special Edition

VCI | 1959 | 93 min | Not rated | Dec 12, 2023 | Kenneth Brown

The promotion announced that this film was released in "Hypnovision," which gives an idea of the story. A frustrated thriller writer wants accurate crimes for his next book, so he hypnotises his assistant to make him commit the required crimes.

Horror

Crazy Rich Asians 4K Blu-ray Movie  

4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy

Warner Bros. | 2018 | 121 min | Rated PG-13 | Nov 20, 2018 | Neil Lumbard

American-born Chinese economics professor Rachel Chu accompanies her boyfriend to Singapore for his best friend's wedding only to get thrust into the lives of Asia's rich and famous. She discovers that her boyfriend comes from a wealthy family with a dark past and that every woman wants him. Based on the novel by Kevin Kwan.

Comedy / Romance