Catnip Reviews: NADINE, IRON MAIDEN: BURNING AMBITION and PULP MODERN: HAND OF DOOM

Snack-sized opinions from the frisky felines at Free Kittens…

NADINE (Blu-ray) - To be honest, I forgot this one even existed, and there’s a good reason for that. That isn’t to suggest Nadine is a bad movie, not with the caliber of talent on both sides of the camera. There’s Kim Basinger, whose career was riding pretty high at the time, sharing the screen with national treasure Jeff Bridges. The guy in the director’s chair, Robert Benton, was certainly no slouch either, having written and/or directed the likes of Bonnie & Clyde, Kramer vs. Kramer and The Late Show. So the end result of such a collaboration shouldn’t be so…well, forgettable. Basinger and Bridges have their moments, but are undermined by their own static characters and a generic story where the combined crime and comedy elements never rise above mildly amusing. Back in the day, this was the kind of movie you’d grab off video shelves because of its star appeal and passively watch without giving it another thought afterwards. In that respect, I suppose that makes it a fitting addition to Alliance Entertainment’s ongoing Retro VHS series. (1987/86 min/Alliance Entertainment).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼

IRON MAIDEN: BURNING AMBITION (4K/Blu-ray SteelBook) - We all need a little more Iron Maiden in our lives, and as someone who’s been a fan almost from the beginning, it does my heart good to see they’re still packing arenas and “upping the irons” 50 years later. During that time, there’s been no shortage of books and documentaries chronicling the band’s career, and there isn’t a hell of a lot offered in Burning Ambition that would be revelatory to dedicated fans. Still, it’s an affectionate tribute to both the band and those same fans. The film nicely summarizes the ups and downs of Maiden’s lengthy career through plenty of vintage footage, live performances and new interviews from current & former band members (mostly bassist/founder Steve Harris and lead singer Bruce Dickinson). Along the way, various peers and fans (including Javier Bardem) offer personal testimonials to the band’s greatness. However, some of the animated sequences in between leave a lot to be desired. Other than that, this handsomely packaged 4K SteelBook is a great way to include more Maiden in your life. (2026/106 min/Universal).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼😼

PULP MODERN: HAND OF DOOM (Blu-ray) - Pulp Modern, which I must confess I’d never heard of until now, is a fiction digest that’s been kicking around for about fifteen years, and has recently ventured into producing horror anthology films. Hand of Doom is the second one, a series of vignettes assembled by several writers and directors. The overall aesthetic, comedic tone and framing device reflect aspirations of being another Creepshow, but with a fraction of the resources. Keeping the obvious micro-budget in mind, the film ain’t half bad. As with most anthologies, consistency is sort of an issue, but other than an aggressively stupid wraparound story, none of the segments are terrible, and a few are actually quite good. Highlights include “Overtime,” where an overworked paper pusher tries to make it home before the full moon turns him into a werewolf, and the visually bizarre “Hell Hole,” featuring an inept maintenance man who accidentally opens a portal and releases a giant demon. Elsewhere, “Croak!” has its moments, mostly gross ones. Performances run hot and cold, as do the visual effects, but with tempered expectations, there’s some campy fun to be had here. (2025/71 min/Indie Rights).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺😺

The Original SCARY MOVIE (now in 4K) Has a Lot To Answer For

SCARY MOVIE (4K UHD SteelBook)

2000 / 88 min

Paramount

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😼

With 2026’s lamentable Scary Movie inexplicably cleaning up at the box-office, I suppose it's inevitable that we’d be getting a 4K edition of the one that started it all…at least in the eyes of a certain generation of fans.

But those with longer memories might realize 2000’s Scary Movie didn’t really start it all. When it comes to modern movie parodies, that distinction belongs to Airplane!, which remains the best one ever made. It inspired a slew of similar films ranging from good to godawful…mostly the latter, made by people (even the great Mel Brooks) who tended to overlook what made Airplane! a masterpiece: More than just a string of gags and pop culture references, it was satire presented with a totally straight face and a cast not typically associated with comedy.

At the time it was released, Scary Movie represented what movie parodies had become. Not that it wasn't funny. Even 26 years later, sometimes it’s very funny and certainly more entertaining than many other anemic atrocities of the era, such as 2001: A Space Travesty, Fatal Instinct or Dracula: Dead and Loving It (sorry, Mel). Still, one can’t overlook the fact that it was mostly satirizing film (Scream) that was basically a satire itself. 

An Arkansas Halloween (an Arkansas Christmas, too).

As directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, which he co-wrote with a slew of cohorts (including the future hacks Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer, who’d soon run the entire genre into the ground), this one opened the door for movie parodies to devolve into collections of film and cultural references laced with scatological humor, sex jokes, slapstick and teams of comedians aping before the camera. But while Scary Movie never approaches the brilliance of the ZAZ team or Brooks in his prime (nor does it really try), it's Citizen Kane compared to the plethora of crap it inspired (including its own sequels).

I guess the film could be considered something of a classic these days, since it has been nearly as influential as Airplane! and certainly endeared itself to legions of fans over the years. And admittedly, quite a few of its gags stick the landing, sometimes by their sheer audacity (though some haven’t aged all that well). But the Wayans Brothers also have a lot to answer for, namely the eventual dumbing down of an entire genre.

Those who still consider Scary Movie to be the height of hilarity can now experience that brilliance in 4K, in a limited edition SteelBook, no less. I'm not sure how movies like this really benefit from the 4K treatment, but it’s here if you want it, with a decent overall picture and a 5.1 audio track (I couldn’t tell you if either improves much on previous Blu-ray releases). It also comes with a handful of vintage bonus features.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FEATURETTE

MOVIE SHOWCASE - This feature lets the viewer go to a few specific scenes.

ADDITIONAL SCENES

TRAILER

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (4K): Still Mean & Green

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (4K UHD)

1986 / 94 & 103 min (2 cuts of the film)

Warner Bros

#InPartnershipwithWB

Review by Mr. Paws😺

I distinctly recall a humorous moment during the 1986 Academy Awards broadcast, when Bernadette Peters announced the nominees for Best Song. As usual, it was a list of drippy ballads and turgid torch songs, save for a ditty titled “Mean Green Mother from Outer Space,” from Little Shop of Horrors. Even Ms. Peters looked amused while reading it.

It’s a funny song filled with expletives, the kind of thing the Academy previously seemed too “dignified” to acknowledge. It didn’t win, but just maybe paved the way for the likes of “Blame Canada” and “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” to get a little Oscar love. 

Or maybe not, but the song does bring Little Shop of Horrors to a wild, showstopping conclusion (though an even wilder ending was intended at one time). As for the film overall, it’s arguably the best musical of the 1980s. Granted, it didn’t have much in the way of competition, but unlike many others from the same era that have aged like fine milk, there’s a timeless quality to this one that makes it look, sound and feel fresh four decades later.

It’s also the kind of musical you’d show to someone who professes to hate them. Based on the popular off-Broadway play, which in turn was inspired by the semi-classic Roger Corman cheapie from the 1950s, Little Shop of Horrors tells the twisted tale of plant lover Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis), a lowly floral shop employee who nurtures an unusual plant no one’s ever seen before, only to discover it survives on human blood. 

"You're seeing other plants, aren't you?"

He names it Audrey II (voiced by Levi Stubbs), in honor of the co-corker he’s in love with, Audrey (Ellen Greene, reprising her role from the stage version). Initially feeding it his own blood, Audrey II grows to immense size and becomes a popular attraction, reversing the fortunes of the floral shop owned by taskmaster boss Mr. Mushnok (Vincent Gardenia). However, Audrey II’s hunger is insatiable, which Seymour can no longer sate by himself.

As directed by Frank Oz (this remains his best work), the film is funny, colorful and filled with great musical numbers by Alan Menkin and Howard Ashman (including one song that definitely sounds like a dry run for The Little Mermaid’s “Part of Your World”). While Moranis and Greene are engaging in their roles, Steve Martin steals the film on a couple of occasions as Orin Scrivello, a biker and sadistic dentist whose own musical introduction is hilarious (though his abusive treatment of Audrey sometimes threatens to kill the mood). Of course, the visual highlight is Audrey II, an animatronic/puppet creation that is funny, menacing and still a special effects marvel. 

Now a cult classic, Little Shop of Horrors has been given a great 4K facelift, with two cuts of the film and an overall image that is bold and colorful. There are also two audio options, the original 2.0 stereo track and an all new Dolby Atmos track, which makes the many musical numbers really pop. In addition to some archival supplements, a couple of new retrospective bonus features are included (outlined below). For both longtime fans and curious newcomers, this is a disc worth grabbing.

EXTRA KIBBLES

THEATRICAL VERSION AND DIRECTOR’S CUT - The latter runs about 10 minutes longer.

NEW KIBBLES - To Feed or Not to Feed: For the Love of Little Shop features director Frank Oz and actor Ellen Greene looking back on the making of the film. Frank is interesting, while Ellen’s over-exuberance is exhausting. Mean Green Mother: Creating Audrey II focuses on creating the endearing carnivorous plant.

VINTAGE FEATURETTE - A Story of Little Shop of Horrors

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Frank Oz (theatrical version only).

OUTTAKES AND DELETED SCENES - With optional commentary.

DIRECTOR’S CUT ENDING - I can see why it wasn't used, but it’s certainly interesting, with some pretty great special effects. Includes optional commentary.

FIREFLIES AT EL MOZOTE: War Is Hell For Children, Too

FIREFLIES AT EL MOZOTE (Blu-ray)

2025 / 99 min

Alliance Entertainment

Review by Princess Pepper😽

“Inspired by true events” touts this movie during the opening credits. Yeah, lots of movies begin this way and I always take such claims with a grain of salt. But while watching Fireflies at El Mozote, I found myself hoping the first half-hour wasn't the true part.

Jose (Mateo Honles) is a 10-year old kid living in the remote El Salvador village of El Mozote, which is seized upon by vicious government soldiers. Though he manages to escape into the jungle, everyone else is slaughtered, including his mother and little sister. It’s a truly harrowing sequence, not only because of the cruelty and sadism committed by the soldiers (which includes hanging children), but because Jose sees first-hand what happened to his family. 

The boy is later found by a team of guerillas who regularly broadcast underground radio programs to the oppressed population. While Alma (Paz Vega) is protective of him - having lost a son herself - Jose stubbornly insists on doing his part in fighting back, a feeling eventually shared by her commander/ex Aurelio (Juan Pablo Shuk). Meanwhile, Colonel Reynaldo Montenegro (Yancy Arias) and his troops are hunting down the team in order to nab the transponder they use for broadcasts.

"No, kid...that ain't the ice cream truck."

None of the subsequent narrative is as intense or visceral as that first act, and the movie kind of suffers for it. But even with the tension dialed down, it remains fairly interesting, if erratically paced. The frequent bursts of action are well executed, vivid and suitably violent. Alma and Jose's relationship is engaging, while most of the other characters are either cannon fodder or serve to provide exposition (though their cause has us invested). The bad guys are strictly one-note caricatures, which is probably fine because their acts are so repugnant that all we really want is to see them die.

Well made on what looks like a limited budget, Fireflies at El Mozote is worth a watch. Knowing that writer/director Ernesto Melara (who passed away before it was released) drew inspiration from real events certainly makes the film more distressing, and I can’t escape the sinking feeling that the most horrific aspects of the story are also the most accurate.

THE LAST BOY SCOUT (4K): Quintessential Bruce

THE LAST BOY SCOUT (4K UHD)

Also available on Blu-ray

1991 / 105 min

Arrow Video

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the Baller😺

In many ways, The Last Boy Scout is the quintessential Bruce Willis vehicle. That’s not to say it was ever one of his best films…far from it. Looking back at it over three decades later, it’s obvious everyone involved had the sole intention of cranking out a flashy, high concept blockbuster. And coming off a string of flops at the time, Willis certainly needed one. 

So why not shape another action film around his quasi-comedic persona, which made Die Hard so memorable? And why not pair him with a currently hot comedian (Damon Wayans)? And why not enlist the services of Tony Scott, the Michael Bay of his day? And why not use the latest screenplay by Shane Black, who certainly knows his buddy comedies? How could it miss?

I suppose it didn't miss, doing okay in theaters but becoming absolutely huge on home video. And I can kinda see why. Big, loud, violent and expertly assembled to pander to fans of that stuff, The Last Boy Scout has always been the movie equivalent of comfort food, the kind of lunkheaded boomfest you pop into your player when you can’t think of anything else to watch. I, myself, have owned the thing in every format, even though it has never been what I consider a great film.

Kinda makes 'Deflategate' seem trivial, doesn't it?

What can I say? Burned-out private detective Joe Hallenbeck (Willis) and ex-quarterback Jimmy Dix are funny together and display a lot of chemistry, even if their quips and comebacks are almost too clever and rapid-fire at times. And God knows the bloodshed, gunplay, car crashes and kaboom gleefully cross the line of plausibility at every turn, but it’s sure fun to watch…and may even be a little cathartic. As usual, Scott and his cohorts display admirable slight-of-hand by glossing over the ridiculous story with enough flash, hyper-editing and dizzying camerawork to make everyone think they’re watching a more substantial movie than it really is.

But who cares? I love empty calories as much as the next junk-food junkie. As Bruce Willis vehicles go, I probably revisit this one more often than any other movie that doesn't have Die Hard in the title. Each time, it gets a little sillier, a little more archaic and a lot more vulnerable to scrutiny. The Last Boy Scout is ultimately as dumb as shooting your way to the endzone, but there are a lotta guys on both sides of the camera working on all thrusters to showcase Bruce at his Bruciest.

All those fans who made the film a latent cult classic will certainly appreciate what Arrow Video has put together for its 4K release. The overall picture quality is excellent, and a big improvement over the old Warner Bros. Blu-ray. There are also three audio options, the original (restored) stereo track, a DTS-HD 5.1 track and Dolby Atmos, the latter of which is new. Finally, there’s a great selection of new bonus features (listed below), the best being interviews with screenwriter Shane Black and child-actor-turned-scream-queen Danielle Harris. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

NOTE: Free Kittens Movie Guide was provided with a promo disc for review purposes. Physical supplemental material included with the final product (booklets, artwork, inserts, etc) were not available for review. 

INTERVIEWS - All new individual interviews with screenwriter Shane Black and actor Danielle Harris. Both are very entertaining.

THE ART OF TONY SCOTT is an appreciation by author/historian Stephanie Moissakis.

SHANE BLACK AT THE AMERICAN CINEMATEQUE is an on-stage interview/discussion between Black and historian Jim Hemphill. Filmed in 2025.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By critics Josh Nelson and Martyn Pedler.

EXTENDED/ALTERNATE SCENES

2 TRAILERS

2 IMAGE GALLERIES

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY - This actually features two drafts of the screenplay.

THE POOP SCOOP: "Wonderful" Edition

UPCOMING KIBBLES THAT MAKE US PURR!

FALL 2: DEADPOINT on digital now and Blu-ray & DVD November 17 from Lionsgate. On a perilous climb across Thailand's Mount Kwan, two climbers become trapped thousands of feet above the ground, where vertigo-inducing heights, sheer exposure, and impossible odds turn every moment into a fight for survival. On October 6, FALL 2: DEADPOINT will be available to buy via Electronic Sell-Thru on participating digital platforms where movies are purchased, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango, Google TV, YouTube, and more.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 80th Anniversary Limited Edition Gift Set coming November 17 from Paramount. Frank Capra’s heart-warming masterpiece has been embraced as a cherished holiday tradition by families around the world! This new Amazon Exclusive set includes 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and digital copies, as well as a keepsake book by actor/author Jimmy Hawkins.

PRACTICAL MAGIC 2 on digital October 14 and 4K, Blu-ray and DVD December 1. The Owens Sisters return in Practical Magic 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved modern classic Practical Magic, debuting on digital at home on October 13. Practical Magic 2 stars Academy Award winners Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, along with Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, Solly McLeod, with Academy Award winner Dianne Wiest, and Academy Award nominee Stockard Channing.

COYOTE VS. ACME on 4K and Blu-ray December 1 from Ketchup Entertainment. After decades of being blown to bits by bombs, demolished by dynamite, mangled by magnets, battered by boulders, trampled by trains, tricked by tunnels, sprung by springs, steamrolled by steamrollers, maligned by misfires, bedeviled by bungees, rattled by rockets, backstabbed by bat suits, rocked by rocket skates, upended by unicycles, quaked by quake pills, rubberized by rogue bands, and hurled headlong off every cliff in the Southwest, Wile E. Coyote (Genius) finally fights back. Teaming up with billboard accident lawyer Kevin Avery (Will Forte), he takes on slick corporate counsel Buddy Crane (John Cena) and ACME, Inc., the profit-obsessed conglomerate behind every one of the Coyote's chaotic catastrophes. 

LOGAN’S RUN on 4K and Blu-ray December 8 from Arrow Video. This new limited edition features a new restoration with plenty of new and vintage bonus features.

BULLITT on 4K and Blu-ray December 8 from Arrow Video. This new limited edition features a new restoration with plenty of new and vintage bonus features.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER - SEASONS 1 & 2 on 4K November 3 from Alliance Entertainment. Set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, this epic drama follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil in Middle-earth.

THE END OF OAK STREET on Digital September 15 and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD November 3 from Warner Bros. After a mysterious cosmic event rips Oak Street from suburbia and transports their neighborhood to someplace unknown, the Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognizable surroundings.

FLIC STORY on Blu-ray October 20 from Kino Lorber. Director Jacques Deray follows in the footsteps of master filmmaker Jean-Pierre Melville (Un flic) by bringing unsentimental verve, intelligent pacing and multi-layered performances to this hard-boiled classic of ’70s French film noir. 

THE LAST BOY SCOUT on 4K and Blu-ray October 13 from Arrow Video. The Limited Edition release features a brand-new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films, approved by director of photography Ward Russell. A Limited Edition Blu-ray release will also be available.   

KPOP DEMON HUNTERS on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD November 3 from Criterion Collection (seriously!). Few films have taken the world by storm quite like KPop Demon Hunters, an Academy Award–winning sensation overflowing with dazzling animation, unforgettable characters, and tenaciously catchy songs. 

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE on 4K, Blu-ray & DVD October 20 from Alliance Entertainment. After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicolas Galitzine) back to Eternia where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto).

GONE WITH THE WIND in 4K and Digital November 3 from Warner Bros. The classic returns newly remastered with extraordinary picture and sound and includes new bonus content. 

Guillermo del Toro’s FRANKENSTEIN on 4K and Blu-ray October 27 from Criterion Collection. A decades-in-the-making triumph of darkly ravishing visual invention and operatic storytelling. 

THE COMPLETE KUBRICK Coming to 4K + Blu-ray October 20 from Criterion Collection. Collected here for the first time are Kubrick’s thirteen features and three shorts, all restored in 4K, over twenty-five hours of interviews, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes materials; and deluxe packaging.

Catnip Reviews: LANDMAN (Season 2), THE MONSTER and BURNING

Snack-sized opinions from the frisky felines at Free Kittens…

LANDMAN Season Two (Blu-ray) - I know series creator Taylor Sheridan is a big deal right now (he practically owns Paramount+). But to be honest, I wish he’d go back to doing more movies because he’s written some real bangers over the years. But I get it…Yellowstone and its spin-offs were much bigger than the likes of Sicario and Wind River (and probably made his wallet a lot fatter). But I think he’s starting to spread himself a little thin now. Tulsa King is okay, but Lioness? Marshalls? The Madison? Meh. Like those shows, Landman boasts a killer cast, this time led by Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, a Texas oil landman and president of T-Mex Oil. Having never seen Season One, it took me a while to sort out the various subplots and who’s who, but once I did, I kinda felt like I was watching Dallas with F-bombs. While there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with that, there are way too many characters to keep track of, and not all of their conflicts are very interesting, which tends to detract from these 10 episodes’ overall bingeworthiness. Fighting for screen time in Season Two include Demi Moore, Andy Garcia, Sam Elliot, Ali Larter, though the show is at its best when focused on Thornton and his character. (2025/418 min/Paramount).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼

THE MONSTER (Il mostro) (Blu-ray) - This Italian obscurity walks, talks and generally looks like classic Giallo, but to call it such isn’t entirely accurate. The plot involves a mysterious killer who calls themself  “The Monster” and commences bludgeoning a seemingly random batch of victims, but not before sending letters to down-and-out reporter Valerio Barigozzi (Johnny Dorelli), announcing each attack in advance. Seizing the opportunity to get back the respect and notoriety he once had, Valerio milks the situation for all its worth, with histrionic, tabloid-style articles that are a media sensation. Along the way, he becomes a celebrity by actually creating the news rather than simply reporting it. Sorelli himself is a real piece of work. Bitter and angry at first, sudden fame goes to his head, while new-found ambition and greed turn him into something of a monster himself. Though there are certainly Giallo elements to be found, both narratively and aesthetically, actual onscreen violence is limited and the story itself largely unfolds like a black comedy. As such, the film is pretty entertaining, with a wonderfully acidic performance by Dorelli (who was largely known as a Sinatra-like crooner back then). I also wonder if The Monster served as partial inspiration for the conceptually similar Kurt Russell vehicle, The Mean Season. (1977/95 min/Radiance Films).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼

BURNING (DVD) - Not to be confused with the critically-acclaimed 2018 South Korean thriller with the same title, this one hails from Kyrgyzstan. And despite the ominous cover art, grim overall tone and some genuinely creepy sequences (especially during the first act), Burning is ultimately not a horror film...yet arguably more disturbing. It opens with a fire that destroys a young couple’s home, then focuses on a few neighbors who’ve gathered in a nearby shop, three of whom each have different accounts of what caused the fire. Taking a narrative cue from the likes of Rashomon, the film presents three different versions of the same scenario. Only the first segment - the recollection of an old man with a drinking problem - is horror-based and features a couple of effectively nasty scenes. The other accounts are more grounded in reality, and interestingly, based on the subjectivity of the characters telling them. Throughout the story, more is revealed about the young couple (and their history), which eventually alters our perception of each. All the while, Burning becomes an increasingly downbeat, emotionally harrowing film to endure. Though it features good performances, effectively moody direction and timely themes worth exploring, be prepared for one hell of a Debbie Downer.  (2024/101 min/IndiePix).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺😺