Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Carina Lau, Feng Shaofeng, Mark Chao
• Director: Tsui Hark
• Format: Color, Dolby, Widescreen
• Language: Mandarin Chinese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Mandarin Chinese (DTS 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: Well Go USA
• Release Date: November 13, 2018
• Run Time: 132 minutes

        Based on the Chinese folk hero Di Renjie (known as Judge Dee in a series of western mystery novels), Detective Dee was clearly intended as an Eastern Sherlock Holmes in the franchise’s earlier installments. While there are still some mysteries for Dee to solve in The Four Heavenly Kings, emphasis has shifted more on the supernatural and the martial arts instead. Although the original film may have had some basis in reality, by now the film series is simply choosing the stories that will be most cinematic, especially when considering what will provide the most special effects and mindless entertainment.

BlacKkKlansman 4K Ultra HD Review

• Actors: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Topher Grace, Corey Hawkins
• Director: Spike Lee
• Writers: Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott
• Producers: Spike Lee, Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Shaun Redick
• Format: 4K
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: French, Spanish, English
• Region: Region A/1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: Restricted
• Studio: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: November 6, 2018
• Run Time: 135 minutes

        BlacKkKlansman has all of the subtlety that its title would suggest, and feels nearly as pointlessly gimmicky as well. One would think that Spike Lee was the perfect director to herald this project, but gone are the days of Do the Right Thing, or even Malcolm X. Although BlacKkKlansman still has Lee’s signature righteous anger over issues of race in America, the screenplay’s insistence that we see the connection to our current political climate becomes overbearing.

Believer Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Cho Jin-woong, Ryu Jun-yeo, Kim Sung-ryoung
• Director: Lee Hae-young
• Disc Format: Color, Dolby, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Language: Korean (Dolby Digital 5.1), Korean (DTS 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: Well Go Usa
• Release Date: October 30, 2018
• Run Time: 123 minutes

        Drug War is easily one of best entries into the Chinese crime genre in recent years, so I was immediately skeptical of the decision to remake it, especially a mere six years after the original film’s release. Not only is the decision to remake a good film always a dangerous one due to audience expectations, Drug War also has a plot twist rendered ineffective by previous knowledge. While some of the problems with this may be solved by the fact that Believer is a South Korean remake, ensuring a different national audience, those who watch a lot of foreign films may still find more than a little bit familiar in this one. But even with the largest twist of the film slightly spoiled, Believer still managed to improve on an already great film.

A Happening of Monumental Proportions DVD Review

• Actors: Common, Bradley Whitford, Anders Holm, Rob Riggle, Katie Holmes
• Director: Judy Greer
• Disc Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Lions Gate
• DVD Release Date: October 23, 2018
• Run Time: 82 minutes

        If ever there was evidence that getting a film made is more about who you know than what you can do, A Happening of Monumental Proportions would be exhibit A. Filled to the brim with recognizable and name actors, mostly an assembly line of glorified cameos, one can’t help but wonder what they are all doing in a film with such an unimpressive script. The answer comes with the realization that this unfocused ensemble comedy is the directorial debut of character actor Judy Greer. Greer has had an impressive career as a supporting actress, which is undoubtedly how she was able to get so many fellow actors to commit to being in the first screenplay by Gary Lundy (another working actor) that fails at every turn.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again 4K Ultra HD Review

• Actors: Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Andy Garcia
• Director: Ol Parker
• Writer: Ol Parker
• Producers: Judy Craymer, Gary Goetzman
• Disc Format: 4K
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: French, Spanish, English
• Region: Region A/1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: PG-13
• Studio: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: October 23, 2018
• Run Time: 114 minutes

        Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a shameless excuse to shoehorn more ridiculous over-the-top renditions of ABBA songs into a near non-existent story. That’s it. There is no need to consider this film’s artistic merits, because the filmmakers didn’t make this effort. This movie is a self-indulgent cash-grab, and one that effectively capitalized on an often neglected audience demographic. It is the same reason that faith-based films continue to thrive in the box office, regardless of quality, But the Mamma Mia sequel is far from a Christian film, this time allowing us to see the flashbacks of Donna (played by Lily James) as she sleeps with three men in a row.

Generational Wealth DVD Review

• Producer: Lauren Greenfield
• Disc Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Lions Gate
• DVD Release Date: October 16, 2018
• Run Time: 105 minutes

        It is ironic that in creating a documentary about the narcissism of the entitled and wealthy, filmmaker Lauren Greenfield chooses to make herself and her family a part of the conversation. Fragmented doesn’t even begin to describe the film, jumping around from theory to theory about the wealthy, Greenfield is more concerned with shoehorning herself into the discussion than any thoughtful consideration. One gets the impression that despite being a documentary about the character flaws of the wealthy, Generation Wealthy is mostly just an excuse for self-promotion.

Rodin Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Vincent Lindon, Izïa Higelin, Séverine Caneele, Bernard Verley
• Director: Jacques Doillon
• Producer: Kristina Larsen
• Disc Format: Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: French
• Subtitles: English
• Dubbed: French
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: October 2, 2018
• Run Time: 119 minutes

        Along with last year’s Final Portrait, Stanley Tucci’s bare-bones adaptation of James Lord’s memoir from his encounters with artist Alberto Giacometti, Rodin seems to solidify a trend in the depiction of the creative process of artists in progress. Often painfully monotonous and undeniably obsessive, these films do not make the life of an artist out to be glamorous, though indulgence seems to be key. Although the narrative of Rodin covers the crucial years of Auguste Rodin (Vincent Lindon), beginning with his rise to fame in his 40s, there is far more consideration given to his personal/romantic relationships.

Blackkklansman Blu-ray Giveaway!

 Blackkklansman is available on Digital on October 23rd and Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and DVD on November 6th

And Real Movie News has a copy for you! 

To enter the Blackkklansman Giveaway leave a comment with your favorite Spike Lee film on the Real Movie News Facebook or Twitter pages.

Girls vs. Gangsters DVD Review

• Actors: Mike Tyson, Ivy Chen, Yang Zishan
• Director: Barbara Wong Chun-Chun
• Disc Format: Color, NTSC, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Language: Mandarin Chinese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: Well Go USA
• DVD Release Date: November 6, 2018
• Run Time: 138 minutes

        Although Girls vs. Gangsters is a sequel to a previously established Chinese franchise, most American audiences are more likely to find it recognizable due to the similarities in plot structure to the Hangover movies. Besides a gender swap and a far more conservative approach to the content, Girls vs. Gangsters owes so much to the Hangover formula that derivative is the only fair word to use in description. On the other hand, those who long for the silliness of those stories within an innocuous female buddy comedy need look no further.

The Witch Files DVD Review

• Actors: Paget Brewster
• Director: Kyle Rankin
• Disc Format: Color, Dolby, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: Mpi Home Video
• DVD Release Date: October 9, 2018
• Run Time: 87 minutes

        The Witch Files feels like a rejected CW teen series that was reworked into a low budget independent film. And in case it isn’t clear, I don’t mean that as a compliment. With a cast of flat teenage stereotypes played by attractive mannequins standing in for actors, a nonsensical found-footage format, and cheesy CGI effects, I was thankful for a run-time under 90-minutes. Even with improved budget and cast, I don’t think I could have endured an entire season of a Witch Files TV series.

Molly Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Julia Batelaan, Emma de Paauw, Annelies Appelhof, Andre Dongelmans, Joost Bolt
• Directors: Colinda Bongers, Thijs Meuwese
• Disc Format: Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated:
  PG-13
  Parents Strongly Cautioned
• Studio: Artsploitation
• Release Date: October 2, 2018
• Run Time: 91 minutes

        Had Molly been a Hollywood film, it would feel like a dozen other postapocalyptic sci-fi films. Add to that a teenage protagonist with special supernatural abilities that may save the world, and little about Molly doesn’t feel derivative. The most original and impressive things about the film have to do with the production rather than the final product. Not only is the scope of the film more impressive due to the obvious budget limitations, but it also has the unique distinction of being from the Netherlands.

The First Purge Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Y'lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade, Steve Harris, Marisa Tomei
• Director: Gerard McMurray
• Writer: James DeMonaco
• Producers: Jason Blum, Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Sebastien K. Lemercier
• Format: 4K
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), French (DTS 5.1), Spanish (DTS 5.1)
• Subtitles: French, Spanish, English
• Region: Region A/1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: October 2, 2018
• Run Time: 98 minutes

        Horror movies are an indicator of their times, and there seems to be no better example in the past decade than The Purge franchise. Following the unexpected attacks of 9/11, The Purge captured those anxieties in a home invasion thriller. And as the sequels continued the narrative, they only became more political, with the last installment utilizing a tagline that was blatantly borrowed from Donald Trump’s political campaign slogan. The First Purge is a prequel, but it is every bit as politically and socially relevant, even if it lacks the focus of previous installments.

Occupation Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Temuera Morrison, Bruce Spence, Jacqueline McKenzie
• Disc Format: NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Lions Gate
• Release Date: September 25, 2018

        For those who haven’t had their fill of Hollywood blockbusters and don’t want to wait until next summer for more mindless entertainment, the Australian film industry has begun to follow suit. Although they are not the only national cinema to imitate America’s money-based industry of spectacle, the shared language makes the Australian film industry and natural one for easy import. While most foreign films are thought to bring American audiences respite from the typical special-effects-driven narratives, Occupation embraces them.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom 4K Ultra HD Review

• Actors: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rafe Spall, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda
• Director: J.A. Bayona
• Writers: Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow
• Producers: Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, Belen Atienza, Steven Spielberg
• Disc Format: 4K
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: French, Spanish, English
• Region: Region A/1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
• Rated: PG-13
• Studio: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: September 18, 2018
• Run Time: 129 minutes

        If nothing else, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom finally advances the narrative of the Jurassic Park franchise beyond the usual creature feature thrills. Before the film’s halfway mark, gone is the amusement park, destroyed by lava and forcing the story in a new direction. Even the revival of the franchise with Jurassic World simply felt like a derivative rehash of the original premise, but the latest sequel has added an interesting moral question to the story. While the first film utilized knowledge about cutting edge science to image the possibilities of cloning dinosaurs, it is only with the latest film that these ideas have been advanced to the next natural step.

Phantasm IV: Oblivion Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Angus Scrimm;A. Michael Baldwin;Reggie Bannister
• Director: Don Coscarelli
• Disc Format: Digital Sound, Dolby, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Language: English (DTS 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Well Go Usa
• Release Date: September 18, 2018
• Run Time: 90 minutes

        Easily the most confusing film since the original, I had no idea what was happening through much of Phantasm IV: Oblivion. It does the familiar plot structure lifted from the previous films in the franchise, which mostly features Reggie hitting on young women he meets on his journey to find/help Mike. There is creative gore and some beyond surreal sequences, with none of the coherence from the previous two films. Fans of filmmaker Don Coscarelli’s bizarre world may appreciate the continuation of carnage, but most will recognize that the ideas that were once boldly original must continually be reinvented, and Phantasm IV is not always successful in this endeavor.

Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Angus Scrimm;A. Michael Baldwin;Reggie Bannister
• Director: Don Coscarelli
• Disc Format: Digital Sound, Dolby, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Well Go Usa
• Release Date: September 18, 2018
• Run Time: 92 minutes

Although it may mostly just be more of the same bizarre supernatural horror as the first sequel, and in some ways it is an even more blatant attempt to recapture some of the successful elements of the first film, I tend to like Phantasm III more than any of the other sequels in the franchise. Even though they had distribution established, Phantasm III was made independently of a studio, allowing director Don Coscarelli to retain his artistic freedom once again. This meant the return of A. Michael Baldwin, as well as some of the franchise’s most graphic scenes of violence.

The Escape DVD Review

• Actors: Gemma Arterton, Dominic Cooper
• Director: Dominic Savage
• Disc Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: IFC Independent Film
• DVD Release Date: August 14, 2018
• Run Time: 101 minutes

        Despite a title that sounds like a thriller or action vehicle of some sort, The Escape is as minimalistic as filmmaking gets. It is a character study that only allows us an outside view of the character. Although we spend nearly all of the running time with a single character, it is possible to get to the end of the film without having much insight into what is going on internally. The Escape is singularly focused on the depression of a mother and wife in London, but it only allows the audience a surface view of the emotional distress, and the result is often less than sympathetic.

Operation Red Sea Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Zhang Yi;Huang Jingyu;Hai Qing;Du Jiang
• Director: Dante Lam
• Disc Format: Color, Digital Sound, Dolby, NTSC, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Language: Mandarin Chinese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Mandarin Chinese (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: Well Go USA
• Release Date: July 24, 2018
• Run Time: 139 minutes

        Although not quite a sequel, Operation Red Sea is the continuation of a franchise, of sorts, following up 2016’s Operation Mekong. The films don’t share characters or continue any storylines from the previous film, but both are based on true stories of Chinese military heroics and directed by action filmmaker Dante Lam. The films are both patriotic, to the point of nearly feeling like recruitment videos for military service, and are dedicated to creating realistic battle scenes.

Traffik Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Paula Patton, Omar Epps, Laz Alonso, Roselyn Sanchez, Dawn Olivieri
• Director: Deon Taylor
• Disc Format: NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Region: Region A/1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Lions Gate
• Release Date: July 17, 2018
• Run Time: 96 minutes

        Traffik may be well intentioned in its message, but it is contradictorily sordid in its approach. While the film may be book-ended with reminders of the ugly truth about sex trafficking in the United States, most of the content in the film is far more interested in ridiculous B-film thrills than an accurate depiction of the social issue of choice. Even more disconcerting in a film about the buying and selling of women is the blatant objectification of the female form along the way. There is nothing wrong with a little eroticism, but steamy sex scenes and a constantly bra-less heroine just feels tasteless in a movie about sex trafficking.

Blockers Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, John Cena
• Director: Kay Cannon
• Writers: Brian Kehoe, Jim Kehoe
• Producers: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen, James Weaver, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
• Disc Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (DTS 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (DTS 5.1)
• Subtitles: French, Spanish, English
• Region: Region A/1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: R
• Studio: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: July 3, 2018
• Run Time: 102 minutes

        Ever since the teen film re-emerged from the days of James Dean to the coming-of-age films of the 1980s, the genre adopted a far franker discussion of sex. Sex and teen films often go hand-in-hand now, and after nearly three decades of movies about teenagers losing their virginity, one would think that there is nothing new left to discover. Some reviewers have pointed out the gender reversal of the typical sex comedy as the defining new element of Blockers, but I actually found the inclusion of the parental figures a far more original element of the film. Not only is the film about the teenagers, but an equal amount of time is spent with the parents as they come to terms with their daughters growing up, in the most haphazard and comical ways possible.