Film Review

Now in theaters:

Don’t Breathe 2 (2021) (**) Stephen Lang returns as the butt kicking blind man from the surprise horror hit of 2016. Having survived the events of the first film, he’s tasked with protecting a young girl who’s been in his care since the last we saw him onscreen. Here the filmmakers ask us to accept a character, previously revealed to be of questionable moral integrity, as a concerned father figure and it’s a tough pill to swallow. Alas, there’s blood and mayhem to spare and if that’s all you’re asking for in a sequel you’ve found your film. Others beware.


Stephen Lang in Don’t Breathe 2

 

New to Streaming:

After the End (2021) A duo attempt to make their way through a post pandemic world in this thriller from filmmaker Ron Hanks.

New to Disc:

Paramount:

Friday the 13th: 8 Movie Collection (1980-1988) The first eight films in the series have been issued in a new six disc Blu Ray set with new transfers of the first four films and lots of archival bonus materials to boot.

Kino:

Fitzwilly (1967) Dick Van Dyke is the butler turned thief of the film’s title as he orchestrates a series of robberies to keep the bills paid when his employer’s funds evaporate. Barbara Feldon co stars. Extras include a new commentary and trailer.

The Fortune Cookie (1966) Walter Matthau won an Oscar for his portrayal of a shyster lawyer attempting to persuade an injured TV cameraman to exaggerate his injuries in this comedy classic from Billy Wilder. Extras include a new commentary.

The Emperor Waltz (1948) Billy Wilder directed Bing Crosby in this film, his only attempt at a musical, in which the dog of a phonograph salesman falls for the dog of a countess (Joan Fontaine). Extras include a new commentary. 

Corinth Films:

Nakom (2021) A medical student attempts to settle his family’s debt after his father’s sudden passing in this foreign drama.

Film Movement:

The Real Thing (2021) is a 10 part limited Japanese series about a toy salesman whose life is upended when he saves a woman’s life. Gangsters and kidnapping also figure in the plot. No extras.

Indie Pix:

Stone Time Touch (2020) is an award-winning portrait of a trio of Canadian Armenians coming to terms with the early 20th century genocide in their country.

Extras include two short films.

Warner Archive:

One Crazy Summer (1986) John Cusack reteams with the director of his earlier film Better Off Dead in this cult comedy. He’s a cartoonist attempting to win the love of a girl (Demi Moore) during the crazy summer of the film’s title. No Extras.

In the Good Old Summertime (1949) Judy Garland is shocked to find her new love is actually despised by his co-workers in this musical comedy.

 Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) A murder at a local race track forms the plot of this entry in the continuing adventures of husband and wife sleuths Nick and Nora.


Questions/comments? [email protected].