Peter O’Toole Headlines Our Pick of the Week

Plus 11 more new releases to watch at home this week on Blu-ray/DVD!
Discs My Favorite Year

Welcome to this week in home video!


Pick of the Week

My Favorite Year [Warner Archive]

What is it? A legendary film actor finds renewed vigor in the age of television.

Why see it? The story here involves a young man working on a popular live TV show tasked with “babysitting” an alcoholic, washed-up actor up through his guest star role on the show, and the result is all manner of shenanigans and mishaps. The heart of it all, though, is Peter O’Toole’s performance. He’s hilarious, heartfelt, and human, and his journey carries viewers through as the catalyst for the betterment of those around him. It’s just a fun flick.

[Extras: Commentary]


The Best

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith

What is it? A young man rebels against white assholes.

Why see it? This late 70s Australian feature is a tough watch as the journey at hand involves a young aboriginal man forced to endure racism, abuse, and societal indifference at the hands of a racist society. He has a breaking point, though, and once crossed the film becomes a violent descent into madness and survival. Like I said, it’s rough, but it’s also incredibly well made and important.

[Extras: Two versions of the film, interviews, commentary]

My Son

What is it? A man searches for his missing son.

Why see it? The setup feels straight out of the thriller section at your local bookstore, but it finds its own twists and turns throughout. Guillaume Canet stars as the father laser focused on finding his boy, and the journey is one filled with revelation and surprise — both for the character and the actor as the director kept certain plot turns away from the actor until the moment of filming. It’s a fast, affecting thriller for fans of films like Tell No One.

[Extras: Featurettes]

Noir Archive – Volume 3: 1957-1960

What is it? A collection of nine noir films.

Why see it? The nine films included are The Shadow on the Window, The Long Haul, Pickup Alley, The Tijuana Story, She Played with Fire, Man on a String, The Case Against Brooklyn, and The Crimson Kimono. All of them have something to offer noir fans, but The Crimson Kimono is reason enough to buy the set.

[Extras: None]

Support Your Local Sheriff [KL Studio Classics]

What is it? A cowboy looking for temporary work becomes a sheriff.

Why see it? James Garner headlines this western comedy and delivers a fine blend of comic timing and suave, gunfighter antics. He’s simply trying to save some money before heading to Australia, but greed, romance, and dastardly villains keep getting in his way. Add in a supporting cast that includes Walter Brennan, Jack Elam, and Harry Morgan, and you have an enjoyable romp.

[Extras: Commentary]


The Rest

Candy Corn

What is it? A bullied man seeks vengeance.

Why see it? The story here is a familiar one despite starting its shenanigans in a carnival sideshow, and that generic nature leaves the film reliant on details and kills that never impress. We get some bloodletting, but it’s more messy than cool, and the script leaves quite a bit to be desired. It’s clear the filmmakers have an affection for the genre, but the movie is too basic and obvious to be any fun.

[Extras: Featurettes, commentary]

Cluny Brown [Criterion Collection]

What is it? A young woman finds love in the realm of class commentary.

Why see it? Ernst Lubitsch’s last film is a delightful little comedy exploring class and hierarchy as a regular woman struggles to find herself amid expectations. She’s a great plumber, but that’s something men aren’t quite looking for. The dialogue is usually fast and witty, the comedy comes out of the interactions and observations, and it delivers a satisfying tale. Criterion’s new disc reveals a sharp restoration and some informative extras.

[Extras: New 4K restoration, interviews, video essay, 1950 radio adaptation]

Do or Die

What is it? A bad guy targets a federal agent with revenge.

Why see it? Andy Sidaris was a special kind of filmmaker in that, while he never made great cinema, he still made quite a few good times. This 1991 effort is a lesser example, but there’s still enough here to entertain as Pat Morita (?) targets scantily clad agents with termination. Excessive termination. Sidaris’ usual script joys — silliness, wholesomeness, reasons to get naked — are all present, so enjoy.

[Extras: New 4K restoration, introduction, commentary, featurette]

Guns

What is it? A gunrunner meets resistance from saucy government agents.

Why see it? As with Do or Die above, this is once again a lesser Andy Sidaris effort that still manages to entertain. Erik Estrada is the big bad this time around — interestingly, he returns in Do or Die as a different character all together who joins the team — and he brings the fight with all manner of hardware and attitude. It’s goofy fun.

[Extras: New 4K restoration, introduction, commentary, featurette]

I Spy

What is it? A boxer and a secret agent join forces.

Why see it? This feature adaptation on the popular 60s television show ramps up both the action and comedy with mixed results. It helps that Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson headline, but it’s still a pretty safe and middling studio effort. You’re better off giving Guy Ritchie’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E. a spin.

[Extras: None]

Support Your Local Gunfighter [KL Studio Classics]

What is it? A cowboy finds love and trouble.

Why see it? This follow up to the fantastic Support Your Local Sheriff brings the cast back together but sets them as different characters in a different story. The result is a lesser feature with beats and laughs that don’t quite work as well this time around, but it’s hard to resist the pull of this cast all the same.

[Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes]

X-Men: Dark Phoenix

What is it? Jean Grey goes dark.

Why see it? This final (?) X-Men film is fairly derided by critics and audiences alike, but it’s fine. Not good or great, mind you, but fine. Sophie Turner takes lead as the hero undergoing some alien-infused changes, but it’s really Michael Fassbender who gives it his all with an intensely serious performance. Jennifer Lawrence, by contrast, gets out as soon as possible.

[Extras: Deleted scenes, featurettes, commentary]


Also out this week:

Bottom of the Ninth, Chicago Cab, Dead Water, Duplicity, The Homecoming, Houses of Hell, In the Aisles, Kung Fu League, Last Dance [KL Studio Classics], Pasolini, Popeye the Sailor – The 1940s: Volume 3, Savage Nature, Supergirl – The Complete Fourth Season, Who Saw Her Die? [Arrow Video]

Rob Hunter: Rob Hunter has been writing for Film School Rejects since before you were born, which is weird seeing as he's so damn young. He's our Chief Film Critic and Associate Editor and lists 'Broadcast News' as his favorite film of all time. Feel free to say hi if you see him on Twitter @FakeRobHunter.