SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Last week I was away enjoying Florida's weather and Disney's hospitality. As a result, this week’s roundup features numerous titles released last week. If it had been a quiet week, I might have just skipped it. It was anything but quiet. Quite noisy in fact.
Recent theatrical releases “Bob Marley: One Love,” “Drive-Away Dolls,” and “Madame Web” are now available to rent or buy from your retailer of choice. Don’t sleep on the indie releases, there is everything from action to animation with some heavy drama in between.
On the Blu-ray and DVD front, this week is dominated by 4K releases of older titles. Last week, however, saw the release of “Poor Things,” “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” “Anyone But You,” “Rick and Morty: Season 7,” “The Color Purple,” and “Wish.”
James Cameron’s vault was opened last week and the long-awaited 4K releases of “The Abyss,” “Aliens,” and “True Lies” finally spilled out. Take a look at all those titles and more.
Bob Marley: One Love
Studio Synopsis:Celebrate the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love, peace, and unity. In "One Love," discover Bob Marley's powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music that changed the world.
Drive-Away Dolls
Studio Synopsis:Written by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, this comedy caper follows Jamie, an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.
One-Percent Warrior
Studio Synopsis: After his devastatingly fast, samurai-style combat approach sets filmmakers against him, a legendary action star (Tak Sakaguchi) films his own movie—on turf claimed by feuding yakuza gangs, including Japan’s deadliest martial arts assassin.
Also Available On:Blu-ray and DVD
Madame Web
Studio Synopsis:"Meanwhile, in another universe” -- In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing's most enigmatic heroines. The suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who may have clairvoyant abilities. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women destined for powerful futures ... if they can all survive a deadly present.
Origin
Studio Synopsis: From Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay, "Origin" explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future. While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.
Anselm
Studio Synopsis:Anselm Kiefer is one of the greatest contemporary artists. His past and present diffuse the line between film and painting, thus giving a unique cinematic experience that dives deep into an artist's work and reveals his life path.
Asleep in My Palm
Studio Synopsis: "Asleep in My Palm" explores the nature of parenthood and class in America as a father and daughter live off the grid in rural Ohio near a small liberal arts college. The two must face the challenges of her sexual awakening and need for independence as he escapes his violent and conflicted past. At once poignant and mordantly funny, the film delves into an America rarely seen, while juxtaposing it with the rarified privileges of an elite college in the social media age.
Driving Madeleine
Studio Synopsis:A seemingly simple taxi ride across Paris evolves into a profound meditation on the realities of the driver and his fare, a 92-year-old woman whose warmth belies her shocking past. Charles (Dany Boon) is a taxi driver in Paris, and he is having a very bad day. Enter Madeleine (Line Renaud), an immaculately groomed nonagenarian, who informs Charles that the trip today will not be a direct one. She is moving into a nursing home and would like to make some stops along the way predicting that this might be her last car ride through the city. Their ride takes them through the momentous locations of her life and their brief friendship deepens as Madeleine listens to Charles confess his own worries. Boon, an actor best known for his comedic work, creates a dramatic portrait of a frustrated man facing a personal crisis of epic proportions. His darker, sharper edges allow Renaud (renowned for decades in France as a singer) to shine as the pure shimmering light that is Madeleine, reminding us that inside every seemingly benign elderly woman we might pass on the street is a warrior, a nurturer, and a spirited adventurer.
Also Available On: Blu-ray
French Girl
Studio Synopsis: Zach Braff, Vanessa Hudgens, and Evelyne Brochu star in this heartwarming romantic comedy. Gordon, a hopeless romantic, finds his proposal plans are thrown into chaos when his girlfriend is swept away to Quebec by a job offer from her ex, a sophisticated celebrity chef. Determined to keep their love alive, Gordon leaves Brooklyn for her hometown, only to find himself hilariously out of his depth in attempting to charm her hard-to-impress, French-speaking family.
Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell
Studio Synopsis:Winner of the prestigious Camera d’Or for Best First Feature at the Cannes Film Festival, this enthralling debut from Vietnamese filmmaker Thien An Pham is a reverie on faith, loss, and nature expressed with uncommon invention and depth. The sudden death of his sister-in-law brings unexpected responsibilities to Thien (Le Phong Vu), who is reluctantly tasked with bringing his five-year-old nephew Dao to their countryside hometown. On the road, Thien is drawn into a search for his long-missing older brother, haunted and spurred forward by a series of sublime dreams that reignite suppressed memories, forbidden desires, and specters of his own youth. What began as a journey home becomes a pilgrimage marked by visual splendor and mystical overtones, a quest for understanding and certainty in a Vietnam that seems unable to provide any clear answers. As Thien battles with the existential question of what is worth living for, "Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell" interrogates the persistence and complexity of faith, not only in the spiritual but in the delicate beauty of earthly existence.
Also Available On: DVD
Land of Bad
Studio Synopsis:Starring Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth, a covert Special Forces operation in the South Philippines spirals into a brutal 48-hour battle for survival. When an elite extraction team is ambushed deep in enemy territory, rookie officer Kinney (Hemsworth) is left outnumbered but determined to leave no man behind. With an air strike closing in, Kinney's only hope hinges on the guidance of Air Force drone pilot Reaper (Crowe), navigating unknowable danger where every move could be their last.
Lourdes
Studio Synopsis:A Fipresci prize-winner in Venice, Jessica Hausners' third feature follows a group of religious believers on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, the iconic shrine in the Pyrenees famed for its apparent miraculous cures. This poignant and intelligent film circles beautifully around the subject of miracles and faith, giving equal time to both skepticism and wonder.
Lovely Rita
Studio Synopsis:Feeling confined by her well-mannered suburban environment, the pubescent Rita gradually attempts to test and break the expectations made of her. As she skips class to pursue her infatuation with a local bus driver as well as her own desires, her disapproving parents and classmates begin to question the motivation behind her provocations. However, Rita’s adolescent rebellions occlude a more sinister intention.
Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain
Studio Synopsis: John Goodman narrates the adventure of Ben, Martin, and John, three childhood friends turned deadbeat co-workers, who fend off hairless bears, desperate park rangers (played by Meg Stalter and X Mayo) and a hypocritical cult leader (Bowen Yang) in the hopes of finding a priceless treasure, only to discover that finding the treasure is the easiest part of their journey. Oh, and Conan O'Brien plays Ben’s dad in it. Produced by Judd Apatow ("Superbad") and Jimmy Miller ("Bad Teacher"), the film is written, executive produced and stars Martin Herlihy, John Higgins, and Ben Marshall – aka the Please Don’t Destroy guys, and directed by Paul Briganti ("Saturday Night Live").
Reckless Summer
Studio Synopsis:Solange, a 15-year-old girl living near the French Alps, experiences a sexual awakening one summer after her parents separated. Her father leaves to be with his new girlfriend and her mother spirals into depression. After meeting the intellectually curious Arnaud at a party, she falls for him just before he moves away. Left with the company of her neighbor and long-time babysitter, Guillaume, Solange starts to realize the power of her sexuality. Unsure where to get the affection she seeks, both Arnaud and Guillaume become the sexual targets of her awakening. But when these worlds collide, Solange must face the consequences.
The Soldier's Tale
Studio Synopsis:Stravinsky's masterpiece comes alive in this Emmy-winning animated program. Adapted by illustrator R.O. Blechman in collaboration with PBS’ "Great Performances" series, this legendary fable asks, when the common man is faced with the devil's temptation, can he make a deal with the devil and win? The soldier in this tale believes so but tragically spends his life learning otherwise.
Also Available On: Blu-ray
Blu-ray & DVD Highlights
Poor Things
Studio Synopsis:Filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos directs this incredible tale of the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter's protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Studio Synopsis:As Arthur Curry confronts the responsibilities of being King of the Seven Seas, a long-buried ancient power is unleashed. After witnessing the full effect of these dark forces, Aquaman must forge an uneasy alliance with an old enemy, and embark on a treacherous journey to protect his family, his kingdom, and the world from irreversible devastation.
Anyone But You
Studio Synopsis:In the edgy comedy "Anyone But You," Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell) look like the perfect couple, but after an amazing first date something happens that turns their fiery hot attraction ice cold - until they find themselves unexpectedly thrust together at a destination wedding in Australia. So, they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.
Rick and Morty: Season 7
Studio Synopsis:It’s season seven, and the possibilities are endless: what's up with Jerry? EVIL Summer?! And will they ever go back to high school?! Maybe not! But let’s find out! There's probably less piss than last season. “Rick and Morty,” 100 years! Or at least until season 10!
The Color Purple (2023)
Studio Synopsis:Experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in "The Color Purple." This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
Wish
Studio Synopsis: Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Wish" is a captivating, animated musical-comedy about the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force-a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable fo, the ruler of Rosas King Magnifico, to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.
Lynch/Oz
Studio Synopsis:"Lynch/Oz" explores one of the most fascinating puzzles in the history of motion pictures: the enduring symbiosis between America’s primordial fairytale, The Wizard of Oz, and David Lynch’s singular brand of popular surrealism. Through six distinct perspectives, and narrated by some of contemporary cinema’s most exciting voices, "Lynch/Oz" will take us down the proverbial rabbit hole, help us re-experience and re-interpret The Wizard of Oz by way of David Lynch, to deliver a whole new appreciation for Lynch’s symbolism through the lens of his greatest influence.
The Criterion Collection: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
Studio Synopsis:Fearless documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras’s career-long pursuit of truth and justice finds powerful expression in an epic story of art, activism, and survival. Made in collaboration with renowned artist Nan Goldin, "All the Beauty and the Bloodshed" entwines the mission of PAIN—an advocacy group she founded to raise awareness about the billionaire Sackler family’s integral role in the ongoing crisis of opioid overdoses—with an intimate journey through Goldin’s life, from her rebellious adolescence and immersion in New York City’s thriving underground art scene to her personal experiences of addiction and the AIDS epidemic. Through it all, her indelible photographs and candid reflections on memory and trauma reveal her unyielding solidarity with marginalized communities that refuse to remain silent.
The Criterion Collection: All That Money Can Buy (a.k.a. The Devil and Daniel Webster)
Studio Synopsis:Jabez Stone is a hardworking farmer trying to make an honest living, but a streak of bad luck tempts him to do the unthinkable: bargain with the devil himself. In exchange for seven years of good fortune, Stone promises “Mr. Scratch” his soul. But when the troubled farmer begins to realize the error of his choice, he enlists the aid of the one man who might save him: the legendary orator and politician Daniel Webster. Directed with stylish flair by William Dieterle, "All That Money Can Buy" brings the classic short story by Stephen Vincent Benét to life with inspired visuals, an unforgettable, Oscar-winning score by Bernard Herrmann, and a truly diabolical performance from Walter Huston as the devil.
The Criterion Collection: The Runner
Studio Synopsis:Childhood takes on mythic dimensions in one of the defining works of post-revolutionary Iranian cinema. Inspired by director Amir Naderi’s own boyhood, "The Runner" is lit from within by Madjid Niroumand’s electrifying performance as a young orphan fending for himself on the streets of a port city, determined to rise above his circumstances—working odd jobs, passing time with friends, learning to read—and running, always running, toward the future. Water, fire, the human body in motion: in hypnotic images of lyrical power, Naderi finds unexpected glory in the world of a boy suspended between modernity and elemental natural forces as he chases his path forward.
The Abyss 4K UHD
Studio Synopsis:In this underwater sci-fi adventure written and directed by James Cameron, a nuclear sub mysteriously sinks and a private oil rig crew, led by foreman Bud Brigman (Ed Harris), is recruited to join a team of Navy SEALs on a search and rescue effort. The group soon finds themselves on a spectacular life-and-death odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean's surface, where they find a mysterious force that could either change the world — or destroy it. "The Abyss" also stars Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Michael Biehn.
Aliens 4K UHD
Studio Synopsis:The terror continues in this chilling, critically acclaimed sequel written and directed by James Cameron. Ripley, the sole survivor of the space tug Nostromo’s deadly encounter with the monstrous Alien, is found after drifting through space in hypersleep for 57 years. She agrees to accompany a team of Colonial Marines back to LV-426—and this time it’s war. "Aliens" stars Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn and Paul Reiser.
Carrie (2013) 4K UHD
Studio Synopsis:After merciless taunting from classmates and abuse at the hand of her religious fanatic mother (Julianne Moore), Carrie (Chloë Grace Moretz) lets her anger get the best of her ... and her telekinetic powers are unleashed. And when a prom prank goes horribly wrong, events spiral out of control until the terrifying conclusion of this powerful, pulse-quickening horror story.
Changing Lanes 4K UHD
Studio Synopsis:Modern society draws lines between right and wrong, good and evil, rage and redemption. A moment of self-absorption and a spark of anger will cause two men to cross them. As the battle of wills escalates, both lives are changed forever. Samuel L. Jackson ("Pulp Fiction") and Ben Affleck ("Gone Girl") deliver gripping performances in this provocative “thinking person’s thriller” (New York Post) that exposes the best and worst in all of us. Written by Chap Taylor and Michael Tolkin ("The Player"), directed by Roger Michell ("Notting Hill") and featuring Toni Collette ("The Sixth Sense"), Sydney Pollack ("Eyes Wide Shut"), Richard Jenkins ("Step Brothers"), Amanda Peet ("Identity") and William Hurt ("Gorky Park").
Child's Play 4K UHD
Studio Synopsis:From the producers of "It" comes this shocking re-imagining of the 1988 horror classic. Realizing that her son Andy (Gabriel Bateman, "The Fabelmans," "Lights Out") is lonely, Karen (Aubrey Plaza, "The White Lotus," "Ingrid Goes West") buys him a seemingly innocent, AI-enhanced doll named Chucky. But Chucky's safety restrictions have been disabled, and soon, a gruesome series of events unfolds. Unable to convince his mom that the doll is responsible for the carnage, Andy becomes the target of the bloodthirsty Chucky!
K-19: The Widowmaker 4K UHD
Studio Synopsis:At the height of the 1960s Cold War, Russia launches its flagship nuclear submarine, the K-19. In command is iron-willed Captain Alexei Vostrikov (Ford). Also aboard is the popular executive officer Mikhail Polenin (Liam Neeson), who clashes with Vostrikov, but shares his unwavering patriotism. As the K-19 heads toward American waters, a shocking discovery is made: the vessel's nuclear reactor system is leaking, imperiling the men and the sub's missiles. With time running out, the fearless Vostrikov and his crew join together as brave countrymen who must decide the true meaning of duty, honor and sacrifice.
The Manchurian Candidate (2004) 4K UHD
Studio Synopsis:From director Jonathan Demme ("The Silence of the Lambs") comes this bone-chilling adaptation of the classic 1959 novel and 1962 film of the same name. Years after his squad was ambushed during the Gulf War, Major Ben Marco (Denzel Washington, "Man on Fire") finds himself haunted by terrible nightmares. He begins to doubt that his fellow squad-mate Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber, "Spotlight"), now a vice-presidential candidate, is the hero he remembers him being. As Marco’s fears deepen, Shaw’s political power grows, and, when Marco finds a mysterious implant embedded in his back, the bizarre memory of what really happened begins to return. An all-star cast featuring Jeffrey Wright ("The Batman"), Jon Voight ("Runaway Train"), Anthony Mackie ("The Hurt Locker") and screen legend Meryl Streep ("Silkwood")—mesmerizing in the role originated by Angela Lansbury— highlights this edge-of-your-seat mindbender of a movie.
The Ring Collection 4K UHD
Studio Synopsis:Three-film collection of the English language versions of "The Ring" franchise.
The Ring: This cinematic thrill ride will keep you on the edge of your seat, from the stunning opening to the astonishing conclusion! It begins as just another urban legend – the whispered tale of a nightmarish videotape that causes anyone who watches it to die seven days later. But when four teenagers all meet with mysterious deaths exactly one week after watching just such a tape, investigative reporter Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts, "Mulholland Drive") tracks down the video ... and watches it. Now, the legend is coming true, the clock is ticking, and Rachel has just seven days to unravel the mystery of "The Ring."
The Ring Two:A terrifying legacy haunts a single mother in this sequel to the frightening box-office hit, "The Ring." Hoping to leave their terrifying experiences in Seattle behind them, Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) and her son, Aidan (David Dorfman, "Zombie Roadkill"), move to the small town of Astoria, Oregon. When Rachel learns of an unexplained murder that occurred after a teenager watched a strange videotape with his girlfriend, she suspects her past is following her.
Rings:Discover the terrifying new chapter in the groundbreaking Ring franchise. When a radical college professor (Johnny Galecki, "The Big Bang Theory") finds the mysterious video rumored to kill viewers seven days after watching it, he enlists his students in a dangerous experiment to uncover the secrets behind the Samara legend. When the deadly video goes viral, they must figure out a way to break the curse and defeat Samara before her evil is unleashed upon the world. But how do you stop her when she's everywhere?
True Lies 4K UHD
Studio Synopsis:Writer-director James Cameron creates an exhilarating mix of non-stop action-adventure and romantic comedy. Secret agent Harry Tasker is a top spy in the ultra-secret Omega Sector — although to his wife Helen, he’s just a dull computer salesman. But while Harry’s been busy saving the world, Helen’s been gathering secrets of her own. When their two lives unexpectedly collide, Harry and Helen find themselves in the clutches of international terrorists, fighting to save not only their marriage but also the world. "True Lies" stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold and Bill Paxton.
Witness 4K UHD
Studio Synopsis:When a young Amish boy inadvertently witnesses a brutal murder while en route to Philadelphia with his recently widowed mother, Rachel (Kelly McGillis), Detective John Book (Harrison Ford) is assigned to the case. With the perpetrators desperate to silence the sole witness, Book and his two wards are forced to hide out in the heart of the Amish community. As passions between Book and Rachel ignite, the killers close in, culminating in a dramatic, life-and-death clash of cultures that will change the lives of those involved forever.
