THE POOP SCOOP: Collections & Classics

🕵JAMES BOND: SEAN CONNERY 6-FILM COLLECTION on 4K June 10 from Warner Bros/MGM. The action, the intrigue, the women…The films and THE Bond that established the enduring franchise. The six James Bond films starring Sean Connery as 007, will be available to own on June 10 as a 4K UHD collection for the first time for the ultimate at home movie watching experience. The collection includes Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever. The collection will be available in collectible steelbook packaging and as a standard 4K collection. These six films will also be available on Digital from MGM. 

🦆THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP - A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE on Blu-ray & DVD May 27 from Ketchup Entertainment. A new buddy comedy starring Porky Pig and Duffy Duck! This richly crafted, hand drawn 2D animated adventure marks the first fully-animated feature-length film in LOONEY TUNES history, told on a scope and scale that’s truly OUT OF THIS WORLD!

🪐STAR TREK 10-FILM COLLECTION Blu-ray coming May 6 from Paramount. For the first time, the big-screen adventures of the original and next-generation crew are ready to engage STAR TREK fans of all ages, and beyond, remastered from their 4K film transfers. This essential 12 Blu-ray set—begins with STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) through STAR TREK: NEMESIS (2002), and features legacy special features as well as the acclaimed STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE—THE DIRECTOR’S EDITION (2022).

🦈JAWS 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Coming To Disc and Digital June 17 from Universal. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment celebrates this cinematic milestone with the JAWS 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. This Combo Pack features the never-before-seen documentary, JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY, a brand-new look at the making and legacy of the film. The disc and digital include over five hours of additional bonus features! JAWS will also be available in an all-new limited edition SteelBook..

😺Jason Statham’s A WORKING MAN on 4K, Blu-ray & DVD June 10 from Warner Bros Discovery/Amazon MGM Studios. Directed by David Ayer from a screenplay by Ayer and Sylvester Stallone. Starring Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, Merab Ninidze, Maximillian Osinski, Cokey Falkow, with Michael Peña and David Harbour.

😺THE ALTO KNIGHTS on Digital NOW and Blu-ray & DVD May 27 from Warner Bros.  From Warner Bros. Pictures, “The Alto Knights,” stars Academy Award winner Robert De Niro in a dual role and is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson. 

😺NOVOCAINE on Digital April 8 and 4K/Blu-ray June 24 from Paramount. Fans who purchase NOVOCAINE on Digital or 4K Ultra HD will have access to over 35 minutes of action-packed bonus content. 

THE POOP SCOOP: Jaws 50th Anniversary Edition

JAWS 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Coming To Disc and Digital June 17 from Universal. JAWS made history in 1975, turning a young Steven Spielberg into a household name and boldly establishing the summer blockbuster spectacle that revolutionized the film industry. Winner of three Academy Awards, including Best Original Score, JAWS has become a global phenomenon, and half a century later, it still holds a grip on audiences around the world. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment celebrates this cinematic milestone with the JAWS 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. This Combo Pack features the never-before-seen documentary, JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY, a brand-new look at the making and legacy of the film directed by Laurent Bouzereau and from National Geographic, in partnership with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries, Nedland Media, and Wendy Benchley. The disc and digital include over five hours of bonus features with an inside look at the making of the film, deleted scenes, original on-set footage, and much more! JAWS will also be available in an all-new limited edition SteelBook with never-before-seen artwork.

JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY:

• Steven Spielberg shares an authorized look inside the story of JAWS in this documentary. From Peter Benchley’s epic novel to Spielberg’s film, JAWS continues to influence pop culture, cinema and shark conservation. With interviews from Hollywood’s most influential directors and shark scientists, the legend of JAWS is endless.

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K UHD, BLU-RAY AND DIGITAL INCLUDE:

• Deleted Scenes and Outtakes – Over 13 minutes of content

• The Making of JAWS - An insider look into the making of this classic film, this original full-length documentary is filled with exhaustive cast and crew interviews, archival footage, outtakes, and much more!

• JAWS: The Restoration - An in-depth look at the intricate process of restoring the movie.

• The Shark is Still Working: The Impact and Legacy of JAWS - A fan-made documentary that focuses on the many ways JAWS has helped shape elements of pop culture and influence a generation of filmmakers.

• JAWS Archives

• Storyboards

• Production Photos

• Marketing JAWS

• JAWS Phenomenon

• From the Set – Available on Disc only

• Theatrical Trailer

A Fistful of CLINT EASTWOOD in 4K

DIRTY HARRY, THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES and PALE RIDER (4K UHD)

From Warner Bros

#InPartnershipwithWB

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Three of Clint Eastwood’s most popular American films are finally available on 4K. For fans who already have one or all of them of DVD or Blu-ray, the good news is that the video and audio restorations are excellent. But even if technical upgrades aren’t really your thing, each disc includes some interesting new bonus features along with those from previous releases.

Best field trip ever.

Of these films, Dirty Harry (1971/102 min) is the undisputed classic. Hugely influential, to say nothing of controversial, the film was a game changer in the action genre while firmly establishing Eastwood as a superstar. Certain aspects obviously haven’t aged well, but when viewed within the context of the era when it was released, it’s easy to see why it connected with audiences (though this writer actually prefers the second film, Magnum Force). Thematic elements notwithstanding, it’s Don Siegel’s sharp direction, Eastwood’s iconic performance and still quotable dialogue that remain timeless.

EXTRA KIBBLES: FEATURETTES - Generations and Dirty Harry (NEW); Lensing Justice: The Cinematography of Dirty Harry (NEW); Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows; Dirty Harry’s Way; Dirty Harry: The Original; DOCUMENTARIES - Clint Eastwood: The Man from Malpaso; Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy; AUDIO COMMENTARY - By critic Richard Schickel; INTERVIEW GALLERY; DIGITAL COPY.

"There he is...the guy who called you Chief Poopy Pants."

Though the Dirty Harry franchise offered the strongest evidence to date that Eastwood had panache beyond revisionist westerns, he still knew his way around a horse and never truly left the genre behind, even as most of Hollywood already had. Along with High Plains Drifter, The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976/136 min) showed that no director was better suited to keeping westerns alive in the 70s than Eastwood himself. Initially a revenge film, the main character’s transformation from vengeance-fueled killer to regaining his humanity is something we hadn’t really seen in an Eastwood western before (though he still kicks serious ass). While a little overlong and occasionally meandering, this features one of Eastwood’s most affecting performances.

EXTRA KIBBLES: FEATURETTES - An Outlaw and an Antihero (NEW); The Cinematography of an Outlaw: Crafting Josey Wales (NEW); Clint Eastwood’s West; Eastwood in Action; Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales. DOCUMENTARY - Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy - Reinventing Westerns; AUDIO COMMENTARY - By critic Richard Schickel; DIGITAL COPY.

Clint calls his shot.

If the western was on life support in the 70s, it was all but dead in the 80s. Even Lawrence Kasdan’s magnificent Silverado was more of an homage to a bygone era than an attempt to revitalize the genre. But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and by this time, who didn’t want to see Eastwood strap on his six-guns again? His penultimate western, Pale Rider (1985/116 min), doesn’t reinvent the wheel - it’s kind of a benevolent variation of High Plains Drifter - but sure was a satisfying slice of cinematic comfort food back then. While the film’s legacy has since been somewhat overshadowed by 1992’s Unforgiven (Eastwood’s inarguable masterpiece), Pale Rider remains a solid western from the only guy who could have gotten away with making one at the time.

EXTRA KIBBLES: FEATURETTES - The Diary of Sydney Penny: Lessons from the Set (NEW); Painting the Preacher: The Cinematography of Pale Rider (NEW); DOCUMENTARIES - Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy - Reinventing Westerns; Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story; The Eastwood Factor; AUDIO COMMENTARY - By critic Richard Schickel; DIGITAL COPY.

All three releases feature new case & slipcover design, none of which reflect much imagination (original one-sheet artwork would’ve been awesome), but I guess that’s a minor quip. Elsewhere, I doubt there will be too many complaints about the technical specs or substantial bonus features, new and old, included with each disc. These are must-owns for Clint Eastwood fans.

THE GOOD GERMAN (4K): Looks Aren't Everything

THE GOOD GERMAN (4K UHD)

2006 / 108 min

From Warner Bros.

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Princess Pepper😼

I don’t care for everything Steven Soderbergh has directed. Of his films that I’ve seen, I enjoyed maybe a third of them. But I admire the guy because he’s unafraid to take risks. Equally at home doing blockbusters and indie darlings, he also did a couple of movies with just a cellphone. When it comes to different ways to make a film, Soderbergh appears willing to try anything…for better or worse.

That adventurous spirit also applies to 2006’s The Good German, a World War II mystery-thriller shot in black & white in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio that was standard for movies of that era. Soderbergh and cinematographer Peter Andrews perfectly capture the look, tone and style of classic film noir, aided by Thomas Newman’s evocative score. If one didn’t know better, they’d assume they were watching something from the 1940s (at least until Tobey Maguire is shown vigorously boning Cate Blanchett).

The Good German gets a lot of mileage out of its throwback aesthetic, especially scenes that are obvious homages to the films which inspired it (Casablanca anyone?). And the overall image looks terrific in 4K. But as they say, looks aren’t everything. 

"Sorry...I don't date superheroes."

The narrative itself is sporadically interesting. As World War II ends, George Clooney plays Captain Geismer, a war correspondent in Germany who’s compelled to investigate the murder of conniving, opportunistic GI Patrick Tully (Maquire). His digging leads him back to old flame Lena Brandt (Blanchett), as well as the U.S. and Russia’s efforts to snag German rocket scientist, Emil Brandt, Lena’s husband. However, the Brandts have some very dark secrets related to their roles in the war.

But here’s the problem…while the story is okay, none of these characters are very interesting. In fact, all that’s really revealed about Geismer is that he’s a newsman and once had a fling with Lena, who I suppose qualifies as a femme fatale. But aside from Tully being established as a reprehensible bastard (and Maquire’s screen time is far less than his billing suggests), everyone else is just a talking head providing exposition.

In a way, this sort of makes watching The Good German kind of like going on a date with someone who’s drop dead gorgeous, only to discover over dinner they have zero personality. You don’t regret asking them out, but one date is probably enough. Ultimately, this is another Steven Soderbergh cinematic exercise that’s easier to admire than enjoy.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K & BLU-RAY COPIES

TRAILER

THE MASK OF SATAN: Like Father...Not Like Son

THE MASK OF SATAN (Blu-ray)

1990 / 98 min

From Severin Films

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

The son of legendary Italian horror director Mario Bava, Lamberto Bava’s greatest claim to fame on this side of the pond is probably Demons and its sequel, Demons 2. Both are held in pretty high regard among 80s-era gorehounds (though I personally think they’re devoid of any real appeal beyond the special effects).

1990’s The Mask of Satan is Lamberto’s loose remake of Dad’s most famous film, Black Sunday. However, he displays little of Mario’s eye for atmosphere or narrative coherence. In fact, it plays more like a Demons sequel, without the vivid gore that at-least made that film watchable. 

This one features a group of obnoxious skiers who become trapped in an ice cave where a witch was buried centuries earlier. Of course, she’s resurrected, and the remainder of the story is pretty much Demons in the snow…people become possessed and chase around those who aren’t. That’s about it.

"I don't suppose any of you thought to bring cocoa, did you?"

Characterization is minimal, as are the acting abilities of its cast, though Eva Grimaldi, as sexy witch Anibas, is certainly easy on the eyes (too bad we don’t see more of her). And while some of the production design is impressive, Lamberto’s direction reflects little real imagination or panache. Never once approaching scary, isn’t long before the whole thing grows tedious.

The Mask of Satan was originally filmed as an episode of an Italian miniseries called Sabbath, which could partially explain why its cinematically underwhelming. But even with tempered expectations, I think fans of Italian horror will find this one a chore to sit through. Stick with Dad’s original.

EXTRA KIBBLES

INTERVIEWS - Individual interviews with director Lamberto Bava, actress Mary Sellers and actress Debora Caprioglio.