This week’s releases include one of last year’s best dramas; an impressively accurate biopic; an unconventional animated film; a step-up for the DC cinematic universe; and the next chapter in the LEGO ‘Star Wars’ saga.
This week’s releases include one of last year’s best dramas; an impressively accurate biopic; an unconventional animated film; a step-up for the DC cinematic universe; and the next chapter in the LEGO ‘Star Wars’ saga.
Birdboy: The Forgotten Children (Blu-ray & DVD)
GKids & Shout Factory There is light and beauty, even in the darkest of worlds. Stranded on an island in a post-apocalyptic world, teenager Dinky and her friends hatch a dangerous plan to escape in the hope of finding a better life. Meanwhile, her old friend Birdboy has shut himself off from the world, pursued by the police and haunted by demon tormentors. But unbeknownst to anyone, he contains a secret inside him that could change the world forever.
It’s been said there are certain movies that can only be made in animated form; conversely, there are other stories one may be surprised to see as animated films due to its association with children’s pictures. This narrative deals with environmental devastation, unemployment, abuse, addiction, depression and multiple illegal activities. Yet the sooty illustrations deftly convey all these things with a dark sense of humour and graphic imagery that causes the film to be spellbinding, but not necessarily something that’d be deemed “enjoyable.” Based on Alberto Vázquez’s graphic novel and award-winning short film, the anthropomorphic animals that live in this harsh world are pitiful while their endless hope is moving.
Special features include: interview with the filmmakers; Birdboy original short film; Decorado short film by Alberto Vázquez; and theatrical trailer. (GKids & Shout Factory)
Call Me by Your Name (Blu-ray & Digital)
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment It’s the summer of 1983 in Italy and Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), a precocious 17-year-old, spends his days in his family’s villa transcribing and playing classical music and reading. Elio’s sophistication and intellectual gifts suggest he is already a fully-fledged adult, there is much that yet remains innocent and unformed about him. One day, Oliver ( Armie Hammer), a charming American scholar arrives as the annual summer intern tasked with helping Elio’s father ( Michael Stuhlbarg), an eminent professor. Amid the sun-drenched splendor of the setting, Elio and Oliver discover the heady beauty of awakening desire over the course of a summer that will alter their lives forever.
This is a coming of age film that is rare in its sincerity and lack of fantasy. Elio, via his independence and thoughtfulness, gives the impression of a mature young man… a near-adult; though it’s obvious to audiences he’s still on the cusp of adulthood with many firsts still ahead. Oliver is aware of all of this when he begins flirting with the teen, but he’s also intrigued by Elio and his evanescent position in life. The pair have a wonderful chemistry as they first repel one another like two magnets before the attraction between them is too difficult to resist. However, one of the most elevating moments in the film is actually a conversation near the end of the picture between Elio and his father, likely leading to the latter’s awards recognition. In short, this is a beautiful adaptation about first love and loss.
Special features include: commentary by actors Timothée Chalamet & Michael Stuhlbarg; making-of featurette; “In Conversation with Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg & Luca Guadagnino”; and music video for “Mystery of Love” by Sufjan Stevens. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Children of the Corn: Runaway (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Lionsgate Home Entertainment The film tells the story of young, pregnant Ruth (Marci Miller), who escapes a murderous child cult in a small Midwestern town. She spends the next decade living anonymously in an attempt to spare her son the horrors that she experienced as a child. Ruth and her son (Jake Ryan Scott) end up in a small Oklahoma town, but something is following her. Now, she must confront this evil or lose her child.
Even though this is a franchise with eight sequels, few of the movies have anything to do with the ones that preceded them. In this case, Ruth’s escape from her deadly cult of children is shown in snippets throughout the picture until audiences have a complete understanding of her past and how it affects her present. Using a number of clichés, it’s not all that difficult to figure out what’s happening or how the story will end. It’s amazing the pair even made it this far, but less surprising that their journey comes to a head in this judgemental town.
Special features include: deleted scene. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
The Disaster Artist (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Lionsgate Home Entertainment Based on the best-selling tell-all book about the making of the cult-classic disasterpiece The Room, the film tells the true story of aspiring filmmaker and infamous Hollywood outsider Tommy Wiseau ( James Franco) — an artist whose passion was as sincere as his methods were questionable — into a celebration of friendship, artistic expression, and dreams pursued against insurmountable odds.
Wiseau has been an enigma since the day his directorial debut, The Room, was received with riotous laughter, which he unexpectedly embraced. Since then, the movie became a rep cinema/midnight favourite, but still little was known about Wiseau. This biopic doesn’t answer the big questions, such as where he’s from or how old he is, though it does provide some insight into this perplexing personality and his relationship with his best friend and Room star, Greg Sestero (played by Dave Franco). James Franco delivers an uncannily accurate portrayal of Wiseau, while also directing the complex movie within a movie within a movie. The side-by-side comparisons during the credits of this film’s version of The Room and the original demonstrate everyone’s dedication to doing this as well as possible.
Special features include: commentary with James Franco, Dave Franco, Tommy Wiseau, Greg Sestero, and more; “Oh, Hi Mark!: Making a Disaster”; “Directing a Disaster”; “Just a Guy Leaning on a Wall: Getting to Know Tommy”; gag reel; and theatrical trailer. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
Fear the Walking Dead: The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Lionsgate Home Entertainment When this season returns, the families are brought together in the vibrant and violent ecotone of the U. S.-Mexico border. With international lines done away with following the world’s end, the characters must attempt to rebuild not only society, but their families as well.
Much like in its counterpart, the characters are constantly in search of community, protection… and peace. But even when they find it, any semblance of armistice during war is temporary. Escaping a cruelly run base, they find refuge at a ranch, which is soon to be under siege over a land dispute with aboriginals. In the meantime, water is becoming scarce as someone takes control of the local supply. Death and betrayal are as reliable as any impending Walker attack, creating threats everywhere — especially where one thought they were safe. By the end of this season, once solid alliances are fractured and in some ways they’re back to where they started.
Special features include: commentaries; and deleted and extended scenes. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
Justice League (4K UHD, Blu-ray & Digital copy) (Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s ( Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne ( Ben Affleck) enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince ( Gal Gadot), to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes — Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman ( Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and The Flash ( Ezra Miller) — it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.
The first half of the movie is a muddled mix of trying to enlist the young heroes and protecting the Mother Boxes. Unfortunately, this section lacks structure as it jumps from story to story with no real direction. This movie is only two hours long; however, it feels as if they’re still trying to cram in three hours’ worth of story. The battle involving the Amazons occurs quite early in the picture, which is the most exciting thing to happen for some time after. With previous DC pictures considered too dark, there’s a definite effort to make this movie lighter in tone. The Flash is undoubtedly the most amusing aspect of the film, playing the role of the novice in awe of this new world to which he’s received a special invitation. This film is meant to set up the superhero standalones expected over the next couple of years, as well as establish the future of DC team-ups, which it does rather effectively. Audiences will definitely be ready to see more of Miller’s Flash and get more than a glimpse at Momoa’s Aquaman who shows potential in several scenes.
Special features include: “Road to Justice”; “Heart of Justice”; “Technology of the Justice League”; “Justice League: The New Heroes”; “The Return of Superman”; “Steppenwolf the Conqueror”; “Suit Up: The Look of the League”; and four “Scene Studies.
