THE POOP SCOOP: Sheep, Snipers & Stars

UPCOMING KIBBLES THAT MAKE US PURR!

THE SHEEP DETECTIVES on Blu-ray and DVD August 25 from Alliance Entertainment. In the English village of Denbrook, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. The Sheep Detectives was adapted from the 2005 international bestseller Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann. The heartwarming whodunnit was translated into English (and eventually more than 30 languages) and was adapted by Craig Mazin (The Last of Us, Chernobyl). The film holds a staggering 95% ‘Certified Fresh’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and audiences agreeing that The Sheep Detectives is a film the whole family will be coming back to for years to come. 

The Original PRACTICAL MAGIC on 4K August 25 from Warner Bros. Based off the book Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, the film, directed by Griffin Dunne, features an all-star cast including Academy Award Winners Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, and Dianne Wiest. The 4K Ultra HD digital release will include a new bonus content featuring the cast and creative team discuss the film’s legacy. The newly remastered film will be available ahead of the theatrical release of the highly anticipated sequel Practical Magic 2 on September 11. 

SEVEN SNIPERS on Blu-ray and DVD August 11 from Well Go USA. A retired elite sniper (Radha Mitchell) and her daughter (Annabel Wolfe) live a quiet life in the remote Australian countryside. That peace is shattered when a ruthless warlord (Tim Roth) from her past returns for retribution. Calling in her old crew, she prepares to defend her family in director Sandra Sciberras’ taut action-thriller SEVEN SNIPERS, which is loosely inspired by the Akira Kurosawa masterpiece Seven Samurai.   

TROY Limited Edition on 4K and Blu-ray 8/18. Wolfgang Petersen’s epic action blockbuster set against the legendary Trojan War, arrives on 4K UHD just in time for the theatrical debut of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. The acclaimed director of Poseidon and Das Boot adapts Homer’s classic poem The Iliad to capture a sweeping saga of love, war, honor, and devastation. The Limited Edition release features brand new 4K remasters of both the Director’s Cut and Theatrical Cut of the film from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films, hours of special features, and newly commissioned extras. A Blu-ray edition release will also be available. 

The Surprise Horror Hit, OBSESSION, in Digital NOW and Blu-ray, 4K & DVD July 14 from Universal. The critically acclaimed breakout from Focus Features and rising horror auteur Curry Barker, is an unsettling, nightmare fueled psychological thriller unlike anything the genre has seen in years. 

BARBARIAN Coming to 4K + Blu-ray August 11 from 20th Century Studios.  Released in September, 2022, shocking and captivating audiences with its bizarre twists, violence, carnage, and delightfully subversive sense of humor. "Barbarian," which stars Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, and Justin Long and is written and directed by Zach Cregger (Weapons). 

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 on Digital NOW from 20th Century Studios. Celebrate the box office smash, which took the worlds of fashion and media by storm when it opened in theaters this past May, on its way to grossing more than $677 million worldwide. 

FORBIDDEN PLANET Limited Edition on 4K September 28 from Arrow Video. For the very first time, Forbidden Planet is presented in its original Cinemascope aspect ratio of 2.55:1 with its theatrical "Perspecta" stereo soundtrack in an eye-popping brand new 4K restoration. 

PROJECT HAIL MARY on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD August 11 from Alliance Entertainment. Based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, screenwriter Drew Goddard adapted Project Hail Mary for the screen, and it was brought to life by directors Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray releases of Project Hail Mary include out of this world bonus content.

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.

MARS ATTACKS! on 4K August 11 from Warner Bros. The newly remastered film will also include new bonus content featuring the behind-the-scenes filmmakers reflecting on the making of Mars Attacks! 30 years later. 

SOYLENT GREEN, Proud Owner of the Second Greatest Plot Twist in Sci-fi History, Coming to 4K UHD and Blu-ray July 28 from Arrow Video.  The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films, hours of special features and newly commissioned extras. A Blu-ray edition will also be available. 

Every angry man’s wet dream, FALLING DOWN, Coming to 4K UHD and Blu-ray 7/21 from Arrow Video. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films approved by cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak, hours of special features and newly commissioned extras. A Blu-ray edition will also be available. 

KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR 4K/Blu-ray Combo Pack Coming July 28 from Lionsgate. This release also comes with an assortment of physical extras, including posters, collectors cards and a 40 page booklet.

An Underseen Gem from the 70s, THE OUTFIT, on Blu-ray July 28 from Arrow Video. The Outfit is as tough, taut, and relentless as its protagonist. This release includes numerous new bonus features.

MORTAL COMBAT II on Digital Now and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD July 28 from Warner Bros. From New Line Cinema, the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory. 

MICHAEL on digital Now and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD July 17 from Lionsgate. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music.

DEEP WATER and a Cause for Optimism

DEEP WATER (Blu-ray)

2026 / 108 min

Magenta Light

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the Chumbucket😼

Nobody needs to be told that shark movies are a dime a dozen these days. They also don’t need to be reminded that most of them are cheap garbage. And only the truly delusional hold out optimism that any new shark movie is gonna be another Jaws. That will never happen.

But it's reasonable to be optimistic that at least some of them will turn out to be decent, and we’re occasionally rewarded with some good ones, such as 1999’s Deep Blue Sea. Directed with workmanlike skill by Renny Harlin back when his name was still (sort of) revered in the action genre, the film was a lot of wild, ridiculous fun. 

Deep Blue Sea remains a pretty highly regarded slab of sharky cinema, so even though he hadn’t made a movie worth enduring since then, one probably can’t help but be equally optimistic over Harlin’s return to shark infested waters with Deep Water. This one doesn’t reach the same heights, but with tempered expectations, it’s an enjoyable chompfest.

Part shark thriller, part disaster movie, Deep Water certainly boasts an irresistible premise (for genre fans, anyway). Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley star as the pilots of a commercial airliner that crash lands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, which kills most of the passengers. Kingsley earns his paycheck in the first 30 minutes, leaving Eckhart and the remaining survivors to contend with a swarm of hungry sharks encircling the crash site. Some get eaten, some don’t.

Aaron Eckhart & co-star.

Taking a cue from the old Airport franchise, Deep Water frontloads its story with a gaggle of stock characters, along with their prerequisite side stories. Most are standard issue, though Angus Sampson is highly amusing as a cartoonishly obnoxious passenger. In fact, so much effort is put into making the audience hate him that the (enormous) team of screenwriters neglect to develop other passengers beyond potential fish food. 

Elsewhere, the action sequences are pretty enjoyable, starting with the plane crash, which is lengthy, destructive, well edited and surprisingly violent. The bloody shark attack scenes, of which there are plenty, run hot and cold. While fairly convincing beneath the surface, the spell is broken whenever these beasties burst from the water, rendered through GCI that’s no more convincing than it was in Deep Blue Sea 30 years ago. 

With a bigger budget and better overall performances than the typical straight-to-video shark flick, at least Deep Water more-or-less justifies our initial optimism. Nobody’s gonna walk away thinking they’ve seen a great film, nor will it dispel the consensus that Renny Harlin’s best days are behind him, but tireless fans of this stuff should have a good time.

THE DRAMA: When Confession is Bad for the Soul

THE DRAMA (4K UHD)

2026 / 106 min

A24

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😼

I’ll give The Drama props for one thing…it serves up a story that’s unlike anything I recall seeing before, at least in the romantic comedy genre. Actually, this one is probably more accurately described as a romantic black comedy, built around a premise that, in lesser hands, might be considered in bad taste.

It’s also one of those movies that’s best going into cold, so I’m refraining from going into much detail about the plot. The set-up has young couple Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya) in the midst of finishing up plans for their upcoming wedding. They’re an attractive, charming couple, as shown through flashbacks that summarize their relationship thus far (including how they met and amusing details of their first date). Right from the get-go, we genuinely like these two.

Then during a night of drinking with their two best friends, married couple Rachel (Alana Hain) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie), each takes a turn confessing something horrible they did in their past, to the amusement of the others…at least until it’s Emma’s turn. What she reveals not only shocks everyone, it immediately outrages Rachel and, more significantly, impacts how Charlie perceives her. Much of the following narrative involves Charlie trying (and mostly failing) to come to terms with this new knowledge of her past.

Zendaya discovers that Batman does indeed smell.

At this point, writer-director Kristoffer Borgli approaches the internal and external conflicts in some interesting ways, often blurring the line between fantasy and reality from Charlie’s perspective. Considering the nature of Emma’s confession, Borgli manages to mine genuine humor from the situation, but also ventures into some dark territory. The story is also given a considerable boost by its two stars, who deliver excellent performances. 

But conceptually, a little of this goes a long way. The film ultimately struggles with maintaining a consistent level of interest, with certain plot and character developments being a little superfluous. Throughout the film (mostly the middle act), I wavered between amused, uncomfortable and impatient for the story to just get on with it. I also gotta confess that I wasn’t nearly as shocked by Emma’s revelation as the other characters are, and did find myself questioning whether or not something from her childhood would truly trigger such extreme reactions. On the other hand, I’m no psychoanalyst, so what do I know?

What I do know is The Drama is well crafted and features some terrific moments (both humorous and dour). But despite the incendiary subject matter and Borgli’s creative narrative approach, it’s also kind of meandering. Not your typical romantic comedy by any stretch, the film is worth checking out - especially for fans of its two stars - but once is probably enough.

EXTRA KIBBLES

MAKING-OF FEATURETTE - Unpacking the Drama includes interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By costume designer Katina Danabassis, production designer Zosia Mackenzie and editor Joshua Raymond Lee.

WARDROBE & CAMERA TEST - With optional commentary by  Katina Danabassis.

CHARLIE & EMMA WEDDING VIDEO

“RELATIONSHIP HOTLINE” PROMO

6 POSTCARDS - Artwork by Kristina Tzekova.

THEY WILL KILL YOU Strikes a Familiar Blow

THEY WILL KILL YOU (4K UHD)

2026 / 94 min

Warner Bros. 

#InPartnershipwithWB 

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat😼

Asia Reeves (Zazie Beetz) has just been released from prison after a 10 year stint for shooting her father to project younger sister Maria (Myha’la). Now she’s found a job as a live-in maid at the Virgil, an elegant downtown apartment with a sinister past. She finds out how sinister on her first night, when she’s violently attacked by the hooded tenants, led by building superintendent Lily Woodhouse (Patricia Arquette). They’re a satanic cult who regularly sacrifice unsuspecting victims in an exchange for immortality.

But Asia has a few surprises of her own (and a pleasant surprise to the audience as well). A decade in prison has made her a consummate ass-kicker, and she immediately fights back with fists, kicks, knives and anything else in the vicinity that happens to be handy. It also turns out that Asia didn’t actually arrive looking for employment; she’s there to find her sister, who disappeared shortly after being hired. Most of the remaining narrative consists of one bloody clash after another, punctuated by the occasional flashback providing background to most of the main characters.

Though They Will Kill You is obstinately a horror film, there’s a big emphasis on comedy, action and ‘splatstick’ violence. For the most part, it’s a pretty entertaining ride, with director//co-writer Kirill Sokolov wearing his influences proudly. It quickly becomes obvious he was clearly inspired by the likes of Ready or Not, From Dusk ‘till Dawn, the Evil Dead franchise and maybe a little Kill Bill thrown in for good measure. There are a few surprises here and there, but for the most part, we’ve seen most of this before, both narratively and visually.

That duck didn't stand a chance.

On the other hand, originality has never been a prerequisite for entertaining horror, otherwise fans would spend their entire lives in a perpetual state of disappointment. They Will Kill You may be derivative, but it’s certainly enjoyable in the moment. Sometimes it’s genuinely funny, and aside from occasionally clumsy CGI, the special effects and violence are pulled off with panache. The chase through air vents involving a wayward eyeball is especially amusing. The film also benefits from good performances. Reeves is great in a physically demanding role, while Arquette appears to be having fun playing against type.

At the same time, I don’t know how well They Will Kill You would hold up to repeated viewings. I watched this one with my daughter (who loves horror), and we agreed that it’s one of those movies that genre fans probably won’t regret seeing. But since it will mostly just remind them of other movies, once is probably enough. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - Director’s Log: The Making of They Will Kill You features interviews and behind-the-scenes footage; Developing the Virgil focuses on the elaborate production design of the setting; Asia Reeves’ Attacks is about the star’s action scenes; Crafting Carnage covers the bloody special effects.

DIGITAL COPY

THE POOP SCOOP: Blockbusters Edition

UPCOMING KIBBLES THAT MAKE US PURR!

The Surprise Horror Hit, OBSESSION, in Digital NOW and Blu-ray, 4K & DVD July 14 from Universal. After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price. The critically acclaimed breakout from Focus Features and rising horror auteur Curry Barker, is an unsettling, nightmare fueled psychological thriller unlike anything the genre has seen in years. With an A CinemaScore and Certified Fresh and Verified Hot Rotten Tomatoes scores anchored by standout performances, OBSESSION has become a cultural phenomenon and is the must-watch horror event of the year. Take the Obsession further with an exclusive look behind-the-scenes and discover why some obsessions are impossible to escape.

BARBARIAN Coming to 4K + Blu-ray August 11 from 20th Century Studios.  Traveling to Detroit for a job interview, a young woman books a rental home. But when she arrives late at night, she discovers that the house is double-booked and a strange man is already staying there. Against her better judgment, she decides to spend the evening, but soon discovers that there's a lot more to fear than just an unexpected house guest. The film opened in first place at the domestic box office when it was released in September, 2022, shocking and captivating audiences with its bizarre twists, violence, carnage, and delightfully subversive sense of humor. "Barbarian," which stars Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, and Justin Long and is written and directed by Zach Cregger (Weapons). 

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 on Digital NOW from 20th Century Studios. Bring the runway to your living room with 20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2 on digital June 30, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Celebrate the box office smash, which took the worlds of fashion and media by storm when it opened in theaters this past May, on its way to grossing more than $677 million worldwide. The Devil Wears Prada franchise recently crossed the $1 billion mark. From Dior, Versace, Armani, Givenchy, and Cartier to Dolce, Tiffany, and Fendi, the film features avant-garde fashions and is packed with celebrity cameos and luminaries from the worlds of fashion and music.

FORBIDDEN PLANET Limited Edition on 4K September 28 from Arrow Video. For the very first time, Forbidden Planet is presented in its original Cinemascope aspect ratio of 2.55:1 with its theatrical "Perspecta" stereo soundtrack in an eye-popping brand new 4K restoration. 

PROJECT HAIL MARY on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD August 11 from Alliance Entertainment. Based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, screenwriter Drew Goddard adapted Project Hail Mary for the screen, and it was brought to life by directors Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray releases of Project Hail Mary include out of this world bonus content.

THE COMPLETE KUBRICK Coming to 4K + Blu-ray October 20 from Criterion Collection. The Complete Kubrick brings together the entirety of a body of work that opened popular cinema up to new realms of moral profundity and metaphysical mystery. 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.

MARS ATTACKS! on 4K August 11 from Warner Bros. The newly remastered film will also include new bonus content featuring the behind-the-scenes filmmakers reflecting on the making of Mars Attacks! 30 years later. 

SOYLENT GREEN, Proud Owner of the Second Greatest Plot Twist in Sci-fi History, Coming to 4K UHD and Blu-ray July 28 from Arrow Video.  The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films, hours of special features and newly commissioned extras. A Blu-ray edition will also be available. 

Every angry man’s wet dream, FALLING DOWN, Coming to 4K UHD and Blu-ray 7/21 from Arrow Video. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films approved by cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak, hours of special features and newly commissioned extras. A Blu-ray edition will also be available. 

The International western classic, THE RED SUN, Coming to 4K UHD & Blu-ray July 14 from Arrow Video. The Limited Edition release features a brand new definitive 4K restoration, hours of special features and newly commissioned extras. A Blu-ray edition will also be available. The loaded cast includes Charles Bronson Alain Delon, Tishiro Mifune and Ursula Andress.

KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR 4K/Blu-ray Combo Pack Coming July 28 from Lionsgate. This release also comes with an assortment of physical extras, including posters, collectors cards and a 40 page booklet.

An Underseen Gem from the 70s, THE OUTFIT, on Blu-ray July 28 from Arrow Video. The Outfit is as tough, taut, and relentless as its protagonist. This release includes numerous new bonus features.

MORTAL COMBAT II on Digital Now and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD July 28 from Warner Bros. From New Line Cinema, the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory. 

MICHAEL on digital Now and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD July 17 from Lionsgate. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music.  

Lee Cronin’s THE MUMMY on Digital Now and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD July 14 from Warner Bros. The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace—eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare.

DEEP WATER Coming to Blu-ray July 14 from Magenta Light Studios. Of course you’re ready for another shark movie directed by Renny Harlin (Deep Blue Sea). Well, so are we.