THE POOP SCOOP: Runners, Reptiles & Rampage Edition

UPCOMING KIBBLES THAT MAKE US PURR!

THE RUNNING MAN on 4K, 4K SteelBook and DVD on March 3 from Paramount. In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall. Directed by Edgar Wright from Stephen King’s classic novel, this release also includes several bonus features.

The New SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT on Digital Now and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD February 17 from Cineverse. The unique take on the iconic ‘80s holiday franchise quickly became a fan-favorite, and now audiences at home can experience the bloody absurdity of Silent Night, Deadly Night on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K + Blu-ray. The film is written and directed by Mike P. Nelson (Wrong Turn, V/H/S/85). The film stars Rohan Campbell as Billy and Ruby Modine as Pamela, along with Mark Acheson, David Lawrence Brown, and David Tomlinson. A twisted reimagining of the controversial classic – After witnessing his parents' brutal murder on Christmas Eve, Billy grows up to deliver an annual spree of holiday violence. This year, his blood-soaked mission collides with love, as a young woman challenges him to confront his darkness. "Have you been naughty?"'

ZOOTOPIA 2 on digital Now and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD March 3 from Disney. Rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De’Snake turns the animal metropolis upside down. Both the digital and physical releases include several featurettes and deleted scenes.

Disaster Movies Rule! GREENLAND 2: MIGRATION on Premium Digital Now from Lionsgate. In the aftermath of a comet strike that devastates most of the Earth, GREENLAND 2: MIGRATION follows devoted family man John Garrity (Gerard Butler) and his wife and son (Morena Baccarin, Roman Griffin Davis) after they’re forced to leave the safety of their bunker in Greenland to search for a new home in a shattered world. 

The New ANACONDA on 4K and Blu-ray March 17 from Sony. Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) have been best friends since they were kids, and have always dreamed of remaking their all-time favorite movie: the cinematic "classic" Anaconda. But things get real when an actual giant anaconda appears, turning their comically chaotic movie set into a deadly situation. 

The Original WESTWORLD on 4K February 24 from Arrow Video. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration from the original negative by Arrow Films, hours of special features, and newly commissioned extras. There is also a Blu-ray release.

EXCALIBUR on 4K February 24 from Arrow Video. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative by Arrow Films presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 for the first time on home video,and hours of special features, and newly commissioned extras. There is also a Blu-ray release.

Dave’s a little pissed…POINT BLANK Coming to 4K and Blu-ray April 21 from Criterion Collection. Free Kittens’ CEO bought himself an older Blu-ray copy of this action classic, then literally the next day, Criterion announces this release! In addition to a 4K restoration, this disc comes with a bunch of bonus features.

MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN on 4K and Blu-ray April 14 from Criterion Collection. Featuring ribald Roman puns, sharp political commentary, and an audacious crucifixion-themed musical number, the Pythons’ most ambitious film is a hilarious satire of dogma and blind faith in which nothing is sacred.

It’s about damn time! Martin Scorsese’s KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD March 24, 2026 from Criterion Collection. An epic elegy of greed, betrayal, and murder, Scorsese brings a dark chapter of American history to the screen with gripping narrative power and a profound feeling for the weight of systemic injustice.

The Sobering Nuclear War Classic, TESTAMENT, on Blu-ray March 17 from Criterion Collection Taking a hauntingly intimate approach to an often sensationalized subject, the singular Testament depicts one family’s daily life in the wake of nuclear devastation. 

NETWORK on 4K and Blu-ray February 24 from Criterion Collection. This media satire, directed by Sidney Lumet from a brilliantly incisive script by Paddy Chayefsky, is a no-holds-barred New Hollywood classic remains as fearlessly funny as it is unnervingly relevant.

THE DARK HALF: What's in a Pen Name?

THE DARK HALF (Blu-ray)

1993 / 122 min

MGM

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

George A. Romero is, of course, the Godfather of the modern zombie movie. Without him, the genre as we know it might not even exist. And 100 years from now, people will still be talking about the original “Dead” trilogy. His other films, the ones that don’t feature gut-munching? Not so much.

Creepshow notwithstanding, most of Romero’s work outside of the zombie genre has largely been forgotten…sometimes for good reason, but just-as-often due to circumstances beyond his control. An example of the latter is 1993’s The Dark Half, one of the few times the fiercely independent director worked with a major studio. Unfortunately for him, that studio was Orion Pictures, which was famously falling apart at the time and resulted in this film being unceremoniously dumped into theaters two years after it was completed.

Too bad, really, because while no masterpiece, The Dark Half is one of Romero's better films that doesn’t have ‘dead’ in the title, and a pretty faithful adaptation of Stephen King’s novel (especially in terms of its tone). Timothy Hutton plays Thad Beaumont, an author whose literary work goes largely unnoticed, but the violent, sleazy potboilers he writes under the pseudonym of George Stark are bestsellers. Rather than be blackmailed into keeping his identity secret, Thad decides to go public as the real author of those books…effectively ‘killing’ Stark through a publicity campaign.

"I see you've highlighted the naughty bits."

But Stark (also Hutton) refuses to die. Coming back to life in flesh and blood, he starts murdering everyone who had a hand in killing him off. And because he was Thad’s creation in the first place, they have the same physical traits and finger prints, meaning Thad is Sheriff Pangborn’s (Michael Rooker) primary suspect as the bodies pile up. Thad and Stark also share a telepathic connection of sorts, each knowing how the other thinks…which stems from the former’s childhood, when emergency surgery revealed the remains of an absorbed twin in his brain.

For the most part, it’s an intriguing story inspired by King’s experiences related to his own pseudonym, Richard Bachman. Romero, who also adapted the screenplay, does a good job establishing a consistently dark tone and depicting the ominous presence of sparrows (symbolically important to the story). Largely free of the visceral gore Romero is known for, things still get plenty bloody at times. Elsewhere, the overall performances are quite good, especially Hutton in a dual role. Amy Madigan is less effective as Thad’s wife, though that’s largely because her character mostly just exists to be put in peril.

But just like the original novel, the final act leaves something to be desired. As much as I’ve always enjoyed Stephen King’s work, sometimes he struggles to stick the landing and The Dark Half is a prime example. Similarly, Romero doesn’t appear to know how to effectively end this thing, resulting in an uninspired conclusion that’s also maddeningly abrupt. Other than that, this is an underseen, underappreciated horror thriller from a director who did more during his lengthy career than make zombies shamble.

EXTRA KIBBLES

GALLERY

TRAILER

DILLINGER: Hanging Out with the Bad Guys

DILLINGER (Blu-ray)

1973 / 107 min

MGM

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Back in the ‘70s, John Milius would’ve been a shoe-in Oscar nominee for “Best Director Most Likely to Instigate a Bar Brawl." His main competition probably would have been Walter Hill, which prompts me to ponder who would win if they fought each other. Of course, it goes without saying that if Sam Peckinpah showed up, he’d wiped the floor with both of ‘em.

But if Peckinpah was too drunk to throw-down that day, I’d put my money on Milius. After all, this is the guy who came up with “I love the smell of Napalm in the morning,” and his overall filmography as both writer and director is just bursting with thuggery and testosterone. One can’t help but suspect that part of him envies the characters he creates.

Take his directorial debut, for instance. Dillinger depicts the legendary gangster (played by Warren Oates) as cocky, remorseless, cold-blooded, and most tellingly, proud of his notoriety as a violent bank robber. Whether or not the film is historically accurate doesn’t matter…Milius’ admiration for his subject is obvious in every frame. 

Though clearly inspired by the success of Bonnie & Clyde, there’s no attempt to romanticize (or even humanize) John Dillinger or the crew who runs with him. This episodic film is mostly driven by action, the narrative speeding from one robbery & gunfight to the next, with determined, cigar-chomping G-man Melvin Purvis (Ben Johnson) narrating his ongoing pursuit. One gets the impression that, if he couldn’t be Dillinger, Milius would be just as happy being Purvis…so long as he got to shoot somebody.

Warren displays his fondness for peppy showtunes.

And that’s okay. The film’s unapologetic emphasis on outlaw mayhem and squib-happy gunplay doesn’t leave much room for insight into the criminal mind, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun…even exhilarating at times. With The Godfather redefining the gangster genre at the time, this scrappy little potboiler from American-International Pictures is comparatively quaint, but it moves with the single-minded purpose of taking the viewer on a ride.

Considering its limited budget, Dillinger boasts good production design and authentic period detail. The action scenes are well executed and jarringly violent. And though this obviously ain’t a character study, the cast is effective in their roles. Oates is the standout, of course, depicting the titular antihero with more gusto than anyone else has before or since. Elsewhere, Johnson is amusingly stoic as Purvis, while a baby-faced Richard Dreyfuss (playing Babyface Nelson!) engages in some prime scenery chewing. Then there’s the indelible Harry Dean Stanton, providing most of the comic relief.

Brash, brutal and sensationalistic, Dillinger is movie that clearly loves its antagonists, and made with such panache that, for a brief time, so do we. As a director, John Milius would go on to bigger things, but this is his most purely entertaining film, mainly because it’s bursting with bad boy behavior…much like Milius himself.

Catnip Reviews: KNOCK OFF (4K), LONDON CALLING and THE VISITOR (4K)

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

KNOCK OFF (4K UHD) - It’s ironic that the only time I ever found Rob Schneider funny was in a film where he’s more or less trying to play it serious. But there’s a reason for that. Not only is Schneider one of SNL’s least funny alumni, he can’t escape his own shadow. At least the real star of the film, Jean-Claude Van Damme, has always been aware of his limitations, dutifully serving as the guy producers go to when they can’t afford a bigger action hero. Of all of his fightfests, Knock Off might conceptually be the weirdest, with a story that tries to pass him off as a fashion designer while throwing in exploding dolls and ‘nanobombs’ stitched into trousers. Director Tsui Hark puts together a few decent action scenes, but this is a far cry from his Hong Kong glory days. While good for shits & giggles (often at its own expense), this one is mostly for Van Damme completists or those who still think Schneider was robbed of an Oscar for The Hot Chick. The former will be pleased with this impressive 4K transfer, as well as the big batch of new and archival bonus features, including a mini poster (1998/88 min/MVD Visual). KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼

LONDON CALLING (DVD) - Man, talk about your misleading covers! The box art and plot synopsis suggest yet another generic, low-wattage action flick starring some guy you’ve seen in other stuff, though nothing that stood out because of him. In this case, that guy would be Josh Duhamel, probably best known for the TV show, Las Vegas, as well as a supporting role in a batch of Transformers flicks. But lo and behold, not only is London Calling an action-comedy, it’s a pretty damn funny one and Duhamel is a big reason why. He plays Tommy Ward, a once-elite hitman who kills the wrong guy…that just happens to be related to a British mob boss. With a price on his head, he retreats to LA, but wants to return to London where is family is. His current employer offers to make that possible on one condition…that Tommy takes the man’s nerdy, socially awkward teenage son, Julian (Jeremy Ray Taylor), on his next hit in hopes of manning the kid up. The two make an engging pair, their relationship being both amusing and endearing. Though there are plenty of laughs, the movie doesn’t skimp on the action and bloody violence. A minor gem worth checking out.  (2025/109 min/Quiver Distribution).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺😺

THE VISITOR (4K UHD) - This one is a strong candidate for the craziest '70s film not directed by Ken Russell or Alejandro Jodorowski. The Visitor comes courtesy of producer Ovidio G. Assonitis, the man behind such kooky copycat classics as Tentacles and Beyond the Door. Like those films, it’s an Italian-produced knockoff that liberally borrows from American blockbusters. However, this horror/sci-fi mashup must be seen to be believed. Nowhere else will you find aliens, the antichrist, exploding basketballs, killer kids, Franco Nero as Jesus, Glenn Ford bested by a bird and an clearly shitfaced Sam Peckinpah in a cameo as an abortion doctor. These tasty ingredients are stirred into a concoction that’s as baffling as it is entertaining. With surprisingly decent production values and not-half-bad special effects, the film also boasts a pretty solid cast that includes Shelley Winters, Mel Ferrer, Lance Henriksen, cult film cutie Joanne Nail and legendary director John Huston (whose character defies description). Adding to the fun are some great bonus features, including two visual essays and interviews with a few people involved in the film whose opinions are very candid. (1979/109 min/Arrow Video).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼

A Big Batch of SPENCER TRACY

SPENCER TRACY 4-FILM COLLECTION (Blu-ray)

1936-1955 / 399 min (4 movies)

Warner Archive Collection

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😸

I like what Warner Archive has been doing these past few years…gathering four classic films featuring one particular star and putting them out as a set. Sure, they’re just collections of previously released Blu-ray titles, but it’s cheaper than buying them separately, and if you’re like me, you might even discover a gem or two that’s new to you.

The Spencer Tracy 4-Film Collection is a solid batch of films showcasing one of classic Hollywood’s greatest actors. Personally speaking, it might be the best collection so far, partially because it includes one of my all time favorite films, but also because it introduced me to an absolute banger.

That banger is 1936’s Fury, an early Tracy film directed by Fritz Lang. A knockout from beginning to end, it’s about everyman Joe Wilson (Tracy), who’s on his way to marry his sweetheart, Katherine (Sylvia Sydney), when he’s arrested as a kidnapping suspect. Though he’s innocent, gossip and rumors about his capture turn the townspeople into a mob that escalates into violence while taking the law into their own hands. Afterwards, Joe’s presumed dead, but he actually survived the lynching (but not his dog!) and now wants to see those same people tried for murder. Equal parts courtroom drama and revenge thriller, certain aspects of it are also unnervingly timely (if you’ve been paying attention to current events). 

Released the same year, Libeled Lady is charming comedy with Tracy as part of an ensemble cast that includes Myrna Loy, William Powell and Jean Harlow. Perhaps something that more prominently showcases Tracy would’ve been preferable (I’d throw my hat in the ring for Pat and Mike), but let’s not nitpick. In this one, newspaper editor Warren Haggerty (Tracy) is trying to save his paper after it prints a libelous story about a millionaire’s daughter, Connie Allenbury. He concocts a scheme by arranging a "marriage" between his beleaguered fiancé Gladys Benton and ex-reporter Bill Chandler. Then Chandler will romance Connie so she’ll be caught in an actual scandal. Instead, he ends up falling in love with her. This film boasts a witty screenplay with enough rapid-fire dialogue and throwaway one-liners that we can’t catch it all the first time.

Spencer's plan to dine 'n' dash is unexpectedly thwarted.

In 1940’s Northwest Passage, Tracy plays Major Robert Rogers, who commands a group of soldiers known as “Rogers’ Rangers” on an arduous journey, facing enemy French troops and vicious Native American tribes. Though not a bad film, it’s the weakest of the four. Tracy is solid as usual, which is a testament to his abilities because his character isn’t particularly dynamic to begin with. While sometimes exciting, with great use of wilderness locations, it’s ultimately exhausting and ends rather anticlimactically. It also must be said that certain aspects of this film haven’t aged well at all, mainly how it presents Native Americans. While I understand that many older movies need to be viewed in the context of the time they were made, the racial depictions in this one are kind of cringeworthy. 

Capping things off is a true masterpiece, 1955’s Bad Day at Black Rock, featuring Tracy in one of his greatest roles…John MacCready, a deceptively docile stranger who steps off a train in the tiny town of Black Rock, stirring up the locals while inquiring about a missing war buddy. Congenial and passive at first, he grows increasingly determined as he begins to uncover the town's terrible secret. The outstanding supporting cast includes Anne Francis, Ernest Borgnine, Walter Brennan, Lee Marvin and a menacing turn by Robert Ryan as ringleader Reno Smith. Director John Sturges is renowned for some sprawling epics, but with Bad Day at Black Rock, he gives us a lean, mean mash-up of film-noir and classic western with thought-provoking themes, trimmed of all the fat and presented with such narrative efficiency that not a single one of its 81 minutes is wasted.

As with most Warner Archive Blu-ray releases, the picture and sound restorations for these movies are quite good. Content-wise, the set is worth grabbing for Fury and Bad Day at Black Rock alone, but overall, the great Spencer Tracy is nicely represented here.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FURY - Audio Commentary; Trailer.

LIBELED LADY - 3 Short Subjects; Radio Promo; Trailer.

NORTHWEST PASSAGE - Promotional Featurette; Trailer.

BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK - Audio Commentary; Trailer.

THE NARROW MARGIN vs Narrow Margin

THE NARROW MARGIN (Blu-ray)

1952 / 72 min

Warner Archive Collection

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

I remember renting 1990’s Narrow Margin from my local video store back in the day, mostly choosing it because it starred Gene Hackman, who had an uncanny knack for elevating anything he appeared in (well…except for maybe Superman IV). Beyond that, I knew nothing about the film, but it turned out to be a wonderful surprise. In my humble opinion, it remains an underrated thriller by an underappreciated director (Peter Hyams), with one of my personal favorite Hackman performances.

While I was vaguely aware that Narrow Margin was a remake of “an old black & white” film, young me wasn’t interested in things like that. But since those dark days, I’ve become a big fan of classic film noir, so maybe it was finally time to give the original a spin. If nothing else, it would be fun to compare the two. 

Fast paced and economically made, 1952’s The Narrow Margin features Charles McGraw as L.A. cop Walter Brown, charged with escorting a witness from Chicago to testify in a mob trial. That witness, Frankie Neall (Mary Windsor), is the bitchy widow of a murdered mob boss, and she’s in possession of a list that can incriminate many others. So naturally, she’s got a target on her head. Most of the film takes place on a passenger train, where Walter stashes Frankie in a sleeping compartment while trying to get the upper hand on those onboard trying to kill her.

"Hey, you're right. Your eyes are up there."

The plot - as well as certain scenes and situations - is more-or-less the same in both films. I’m still kinda partial to the remake, but this one isn’t without its virtues. Running a lean 72 minutes, the film wastes no time with peripheries, jumping right into the meat of the story. Though Richard Fleischer’s direction is perfunctory, he does manage to create tension here and there. McGraw’s no Hackman, to be sure, but his stoic performance is adequate for the role. Conversely, Windsor’s a real hoot as Frankie, constantly belittling the guy responsible for her safety while stealing the movie from the actor playing him. 

Additionally, this version throws in a whopper of a plot twist (regarding a major character) that I didn’t see coming. As much as I revere the remake, I do appreciate the original’s unpredictable final act. The Narrow Margin doesn’t rank up there with the best film noir of the era, but it’s pretty entertaining.

EXTRA KIBBLES

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Willian Friedkin, along with interview excerpts by The Narrow Margin’s director, Richard Fleischer.

SHORT SUBJECT - “So You Never Tell a Lie,” a Joe McDoakes comedy short from 1952.

CARTOON - “The Super Snooper,” featuring Daffy Duck, also from 1952

TRAILER