Streaming might be the future, but physical media is still the present. It’s also awesome, depending on the title, the label, and the release, so each week we take a look at the new Blu-rays and DVDs making their way into the world. Welcome to this week in Home Video for December 12th, 2023! This week’s home video selection includes Point Break in 4K, Running Scared, and more. Check out our picks below.
Pick of the Week
What is it? A double feature of OSS 117 laughs and thrills.
Why see it? There are no shortage of spy films, both serious and goofy, but two of the best that are also the lesser seen are now available in a two-disc set absolutely worth your time. Director Michel Hazanavicius and lead Jean Dujardin team up for a pair of adventures, Cairo Nest of Spies and Lost in Rio, and both are terrifically funny riffs on the genre complete with intrigue, action, gadgets, and saucy beats. They’re silly in the best way, and both will quickly land as new favorites for you.
[Extras: Commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, bloopers]
The Best
What is it? The war between humans and AI creations comes to a head.
Why see it? There’s not a fresh or original idea to be found in Gareth Edwards’ latest sci-fi adventure, but it’s still an entertaining and visually attractive ride. John David Washington and Gemma Chan star, but it’s the landscapes, set-pieces, and CG effects that steal your attention. Washington plays a soldier fighting the good fight who realizes a truth that shakes his whole foundation, and as the action spills out across Southeast Asia locales and sci-fi trappings it makes for a good time.
[Extras: Featurette]
What is it? A masterpiece.
Why see it? John Woo’s American output aren’t all new classics, but they are all entertaining across the board. This 1997 effort, though, is just pure Woo magic from start to finish. Nicolas Cage is a villain, and John Travolta is the honorable cop, but one quick visit to “the Face/Off machine” and they’re swapped and causing all kinds of havoc. Big action, bigger performances, and the pure joy of seeing a B-movie premise given a budget capable of bringing all the madness to its absolute peak. This is big, action spectacle that never forgets to be fun, and Kino’s new 4K disc brings it all home with the best picture yet.
[Extras: New 4K scan, commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes]
What is it? An FBI agent goes undercover with bank-robbing surfers.
Why see it? Kathryn Bigelow’s early 90s action film remains a terrifically charismatic and fun thriller pitting Keanu Reeves against Patrick Swayze — only for them to become best friends. Aww! It’s a film very much of its time, but Bigelow delivers action beats that are timeless including a foot chase that ranks among the best ever filmed. Gary Busey and Lori Petty co-star, and everyone involved is doing strong work creating a tale of brotherhood, loyalty, and thrill-seeking. Shout’s new disc is a solid one delivering an attractive picture. Worth the upgrade for fans.
[Extras: New 4K scan and restoration, deleted scenes, featurettes]
What is it? A buddy cop comedy!
Why see it? Peter Hyams is one of the great blue-collar directors with solid flicks like Outland, Timecop, and more on his resume. This mid-80s action/comedy is another banger with Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines playing tough, goofball cops prone to breaking the rules on the streets of Chicago. Action scenes, plenty of laughs, and a fun, practical ride with good guys, bad guys, and choices made on the run. The duo probably suggest a silliness, but the film earns its R-rating with some hard-hitting antics. Hyams offers up a commentary track here adding additional fun to the release.
[Extras: Commentary, featurette, outtakes]
What is it? A NYC street gang must traverse the whole island while being chased by every other gang.
Why see it? Walter Hill’s cool as hell gang movie eschews realism — multi-cultural gangs, the ones in baseball outfits, etc — in favor of style, and the result is a spectacular, action-fueled ride through 70s New York City. A simple premise goes a long way, and Hill finds plenty to do with it as our “heroes” make their way home. The director’s cut remains an anomaly, the rare DC that is far, far worse than the original, so stick with the original. Both cuts get fantastic new restorations, and the extras are numerous and enlightening. Absolutely worth the upgrade!
[Extras: New 4K restoration, theatrical and director’s cuts, commentary, featurettes, interviews]
What is it? The 100% true story of Weird Al Yankovic’s rise to superstardom.
Why see it? Spoof movies can be tough to balance out between the story and the absurdity, but when they get it right? Well that’s just a hilarious good time. This totally accurate biopic of Weird Al’s life hits all the actual important beats in his life and career, but they’re all embellished with either a tweak or some full-blown lies. Much of it is extremely funny, so you’ll find no fault with the fiction and instead eat up this loving ode to the man, the myth, and the legend. Did it need a 4K UHD release? Probably not, but if you don’t already own it this is the one to pick up.
[Extras: New 4K master, commentary, featurette, deleted scenes, interviews]
The Rest
Five Nights at Freddy’s [4K UHD]
What is it? A night watchman at a Chuck E. Cheese ripoff discovers secrets in the animatronic animals.
Why see it? It’s worth noting here that I have zero connection to the source material, so while all of the fans love it, as an outsider I found this to be pretty mediocre. One creepy beat aside, the film fails to generate much in the way of thrills or chills, and the storyline about grief and regret just falls flat despite being pushed incredibly flat. The dream mish mash doesn’t help.
[Extras: Featurettes]
House of the Long Shadows [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? A horror/comedy with an all-star cast of legends.
Why see it? Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and John Carradine headline this fun little romp about a writer hoping for a quiet evening in a big, creepy house. Weirdos come out of the woodwork, though, with murder and malice on their minds, leading to laughs and thrills. The film is no lost classic, but fans of these legends can’t help but find the fun whether it be to the gags themselves or mere nostalgia.
[Extras: Commentaries, documentary, interview]
The Man Who Wasn’t There 3-D [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? A Steve Guttenberg comedy you’ve never heard of.
Why see it? Invisible man movies come in all shapes and sizes, from thrillers to comedies to mean-spirited sex romps, and this early 80s movie falls somewhere in between. Guttenberg plays a poor sap caught up in a top secret mission gone wrong leaving him invisible and the target of assassins. The comedy is more miss than hit, and the thrills are equally minor, but it does feature a surprising amount of female nudity for an otherwise lighthearted studio comedy. Is that a plus? You can judge for yourselves.
[Extras: New 4K scan, commentary, 2-D and 3-D versions]
Suspect Zero [4K UHD, KL Studio Classics]
What is it? A film that really wants you to know its makers saw Seven.
Why see it? A series of grisly murders befuddles law enforcement until Aaron Eckhart’s FBI agent gets the case and finds a new way to pursue it. Astral projection, baby! The film is a mess with a convoluted presentation undercutting anything resembling suspense or drama. On the plus side, both Eckhart and Ben Kingsley are acting with a capital A.
[Extras: New 4K scan, commentary, featurettes, alternate ending]
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
What is it? An origin story, a new adventure.
Why see it? While some viewers may take issue with the animation style here, fans should otherwise embrace this new TMNT feature. Once the origin angle is out of the way, the story shifts in focus to explore the ideas of acceptance and self-confidence as the turtles find their voice and individual personalities. It’s a good time for fans, and while newcomers voice the turtles their teacher Splinter is voiced by Jackie Chan. The franchise has never been for me, and I probably prefer the live-action films for their utter silliness, but this is fine.
[Extras: Featurettes]
Also out this week:
Clue [4K UHD, Shout Select], Dumb Money, A Midwinter’s Tale [Warner Archive], Passages, Pinocchio [Criterion], Radical Wolfe