New Blu-ray Reviews

Let Him Go Blu-ray Movie  

Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy

Universal Studios | 2020 | 114 min | Rated R | Feb 02, 2021 | Martin Liebman

A retired sheriff and his wife, grieving over the death of their son, set out to find their only grandson.

Crime / Drama / Thriller

Martial Law/Martial Law II: Undercover Blu-ray Movie  

Vinegar Syndrome Archive

Vinegar Syndrome | 1990-1991 | 2 Movies | 180 min | Rated R | Nov 27, 2020 | Brian Orndorf

In MARTIAL LAW, Sean Thompson (Chad McQueen) is a tough as nails, martial arts master, LA street cop with the appropriate nickname of "Martial Law." After a body is discovered bearing telltale signs of "Dim-Mak," or 'death touch,' Sean and his female partner Billie Blake (Cynthia Rothrock) take on the case, which soon leads them to ruthless crime lord Dalton Rhodes (David Carradine) whose kung fu fighting band of thugs is preparing to unleash bloody mayhem on the city. All the while, and unknown to Sean, his younger brother Michael has become one of Dalton's henchman… The saga continues in MARTIAL LAW UNDERCOVER when the body of a cop is found dead in a park, Sean Thompson and his kickboxing, crime fighting partner Billie Blake are hot on the trail of suspects, which leads them to a high-end nightclub where rich and powerful men are entertained by beautiful women and high-stakes martial arts fighting. Billie decides to go undercover in order to expose the shocking truth about the club and its patrons before more bodies turn up... Co-starring the queen of 90s kickboxing cinema, Cynthia Rothrock, these action packed, direct-to-video classics are making their Blu-ray debut from Vinegar Syndrome Archive, newly restored in 4K from their 35mm original camera negatives.

Action / Martial arts

Martial Law Blu-ray Movie  

Vinegar Syndrome | 1990 | 89 min | Not rated | Nov 24, 2020 | Brian Orndorf

Martial Law is a no-brainer action flick starring Steven McQueen, the son of the late, great Steve McQueen. Buddy cop duo Sean Thompson and Billie Black are on the trail of a killer whose signature weapon is a punch that stops the heart. The bad guy, played by David Carradine, also runs a number of illicit businesses, including trafficking in drugs. Things get personal when Sean realizes his little brother has fallen under the killer's sway, and hot when Sean realizes the feisty Billie might be falling for him. The film runs a predictable course as the two close in on the killer, rescue the little brother, defeat the evil henchmen, and finally capture the bad guy. Its formulaic story aside, Martial Law is an interesting film for its blending of the early-'90s hysteria around serial killers with the equally prevalent hysteria around gangs and urban youth.

Action / Martial arts

Martial Law II: Undercover Blu-ray Movie  

Vinegar Syndrome | 1991 | 92 min | Not rated | No Release Date | Brian Orndorf

This martial-arts sequel follows the further adventures of LA cops Billie and Sean, two members of the department's urban-warfare martial arts unit, "Martial Law." The two team up again to look into the suspicious death of a fellow officer and discover a complex network of corruption and murder all centered around a posh nightclub. Female martial-arts champion Cynthia Rothrock plays Billie.

Action / Martial arts

711 Ocean Drive Blu-ray Movie    

Indicator Series

Powerhouse Films | 1950 | 102 min | Not rated | Feb 15, 2021 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

Mal Granger is telephone repairman who uses his knowledge to help his bookie expand his business to increased profits and rises to the top. But when syndicate head Otto Kruger wants to take over, things start to get dicey — and Granger's in too deep to call the cops.

Crime / Drama / Film-Noir / Thriller

Tesla Blu-ray Movie  

Shout Factory | 2020 | 103 min | Rated PG-13 | Feb 02, 2021 | Brian Orndorf

The intriguing life of Nikola Tesla, as a young man in NYC.

Biography / Drama

Thunder Road Blu-ray Movie  

Special Edition

Passion River | 2018 | 92 min | Not rated | Jul 16, 2019 | Randy Miller III

A police officer faces a personal meltdown following a divorce and the death of his mother.

Comedy / Drama

Supergirl: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Movie  

Blu-ray + Digital Copy

Warner Bros. | 2019-2020 | 1015 min | Rated TV-PG | Sep 08, 2020 | Jeffrey Kauffman

Meet Kara Danvers, aka Kara Zor-El, who escaped the doomed planet Krypton at age 12 and was raised on Earth by her foster family, the Danverses. Years later, Kara lives in National City working for fierce taskmaster Cat Grant alongside her friends, IT technician Winslow "Winn" Schott and photographer James Olsen. But Kara's days of keeping her talents a secret are over when Hank Henshaw, head of a covert agency, enlists her to help protect the world from sinister threats.

Action / Drama / Sci-Fi / Comic book

The Ascent Blu-ray Movie  

Восхождение / Voskhozhdenie

Criterion | 1977 | 109 min | Not rated | Jan 26, 2021 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

Two Soviet partisans depart their starving band on a short march to a nearby farm to get supplies. The Germans have reached the farm first, so the pair must go on a journey deep into occupied territory, a voyage that will also take them deep into their souls.

Drama / Thriller / War / Psychological thriller / Foreign

Freaky Blu-ray Movie  

Killer Switch Edition / Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy

Universal Studios | 2020 | 102 min | Rated R | Feb 09, 2021 | Martin Liebman

After swapping bodies with a deranged serial killer, a young girl in high school discovers she has less than 24 hours before the change becomes permanent.

Comedy / Horror / Thriller

Jiang Ziya Blu-ray Movie  

Legend of Deification / 姜子牙

Well Go USA | 2020 | 110 min | Not rated | Feb 09, 2021 | Jeffrey Kauffman

Jiang Ziya, a top commander in the divine army of the Kunlun Sect, is victorious in the battle between the Heavenly powers and the Shang dynasty. Before he can ascend to his new position among the Gods, he is ordered to execute the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon who threatens the mortals' very existence. But when the Fox Demon shows him the secret to her power, an innocent human girl, he is unable to complete his task resulting in his banishment to the mortal realm forever. Ten years later, atop the ruins of war, Jiang Ziya is once again given a task that will bring him back to the Heavenly realm – execute the Nine Tail Fox Demon regardless if the innocent life is lost. Now Jiang Ziya must decide – follow the will of heaven or find his own path to becoming a true god.

Action / Adventure / Animation / Fantasy / Supernatural / Martial arts / Foreign

Just Before Dawn Blu-ray Movie  

Code Red | 1981 | 1 Movie, 2 Cuts | 91 min | Not rated | Jan 12, 2021 | Brian Orndorf

Five campers arrive in the mountains to examine some property they have bought, but are warned by the forest ranger Roy McLean that a huge machete-wielding maniac has been terrorising the area.

Horror / Thriller

Born a Champion Blu-ray Movie  

Blu-ray + Digital Copy

Lionsgate Films | 2020 | 111 min | Rated R | Jan 26, 2021 | Jeffrey Kauffman

After a blood-soaked jujitsu match in Dubai, fighting legend Mickey Kelley falls to superstar Blaine. But years later, an online video proves that Blaine cheated, and the world demands a rematch. Can the aging underdog get back into shape in time to vanquish his foe, get revenge, and claim his prize?

Action / Drama / Sport

Smooth Talk Blu-ray Movie  

Criterion | 1985 | 92 min | Not rated | Feb 23, 2021 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

Connie Wyatt is a teenager who spends her summer days moping around the house and exploring her sexuality in the Northern California suburbs. But the thrills and innocence of youth are forever shaded by the predatory behavior of an older man named Arnold Friend whom she encounters at a drive-in.

Drama / Romance / Thriller

Framed Blu-ray Movie    

Indicator Series

Powerhouse Films | 1947 | 82 min | Not rated | Feb 15, 2021 | Dr. Svet Atanasov

Mike Lambert, unemployed mining engineer, arrives in a small town with a bang when the brakes fail on the truck he's driving. After meeting seductive Paula at the La Paloma Cafe, he finds himself in trouble with the law. On the basis of a few burning glances, Paula pays his fine and finds him a room, but her motives are not what they seem. Mike lucks into a job with miner Jeff Cunningham, but against his will he's drawn ever deeper into Paula's schemes.

Crime / Drama / Film-Noir

The Ambulance Blu-ray Movie  

Shout Factory | 1990 | 96 min | Rated R | Mar 13, 2018 | Martin Liebman

Josh Baker meets a very special woman, Cheryl, in the streets of New York. Suddenly she collapses, and she's picked up by an ambulance. When Josh wants to visit her in the hospital, it appears that she hasn't been admitted in the hospital. Josh follows the roommate of Cheryl, and she disappears after a ride in the same ambulance.

Action / Comedy / Horror / Thriller

Good News Blu-ray Movie  

Warner Archive Collection

Warner Bros. | 1947 | 93 min | Not rated | Jan 26, 2021 | Randy Miller III

June Allyson and Peter Lawford star in this enjoyable musical about a football hero who falls in love with his French tutor.

Comedy / Musical / Romance / Sport

Holiday Inn Blu-ray Movie  

75th Anniversary Edition | Plus Holiday Inn: The Broadway Musical - Live / Blu-ray + UV Digital Copy

Universal Studios | 1942 | 2 Movies | 101 min | Not rated | Oct 17, 2017 | Jeffrey Kauffman

A retiring show song and dancer leaves showbiz to start up a New England country inn with the unique idea of being open only on national holidays. Conflicts arise when his former partner shows up and they fall for the same woman, and sparks fly -as do their feet - in a variety of inventive, holiday themed song-and-dance productions.

Comedy / Drama / Musical / Romance / Holiday

Holiday Inn: The New Irving Berlin Musical - Live on Broadway Blu-ray Movie  

Universal Studios | 2017 | 128 min | Not rated | Oct 17, 2017 | Jeffrey Kauffman

No synopsis for this title.

Musical

Gangs of New York Blu-ray Movie  

Remastered / Blu-ray + Digital Copy

Paramount Pictures | 2002 | 167 min | Rated R | Sep 22, 2020 | Jeffrey Kauffman

Set in New York City, 1840-1863, a young man named Amsterdam seeks vengeance against Bill 'The Butcher' Poole, the man who killed his father. Though he secures the help of pickpocket Jenny Everdeane, the task at hand may be more dangerous than Amsterdam ever imagined when he realizes that his father was murdered as a result of gang warfare between the powerful Manhattan Irish and Italian gangs. Amid the crooked cops and corrupt politicians of the Tammany Hall era, political enforcer Bill Poole stands out as only one scoundrel in the crime-plagued Five Points section of lower Manhattan in the early 1860s.

Crime / Drama / History / Period