The Blu-ray Crypt – Jan. 22

End of Watch

This is one of 2012’s releases that has just slipped through the cracks and has yet to present itself before my eyeballs.  With it hitting Blu-ray, I anticipate I’ll be seeing this rather soon.  I’ve heard mostly positive things in regards to this crime thriller from director David Ayer (Street Kings, Harsh Times) and with all the talent involved, I’m eager to check it out.

Deadly Blessing

I’m super pumped for this new release from Scream Factory.  Deadly Blessing is a lesser known Wes Craven horror film from 1981, starring Sharon Stone and Ernest Borgnine, that has been rather difficult to find since I found out about it a few years ago.  I figured it would be a film that I wouldn’t have easy access to since it hasn’t readily been available since it hit VHS and that kind of bummed me out.  I wanted to see Craven’s seemingly forgotten film and when Scream Factory made their release announcement I got incredibly excited.  With Scream Factory’s great track record thus far, this is an easy blind buy for me and is something horror fans should be happy to add to their collection.  Deadly Blessing is set in Amish Country after a woman’s husband is killed and the mystery of his death entangles the woman and her friends in revealing a dark secret.

Searching for Sugar Man

Those of you who, like me, like to see as many of the Oscar nominated releases as possible before the awards show airs in late February will be happy to see one of the Documentary Feature nominated films is now available for your home video viewing.  Searching for Sugar Man is about a 70’s singer-songwriter named Rodriguez who dropped out of sight and was rumored to be dead until the singer started attracting a cult following in South Africa.  The film is a result of two fans that decided to track him down to find out the truth behind his disappearance.

Hold Your Breath

If I’m being honest, the premise of Hold Your Breath sounds exceptionally lame.  “Did you hold your breath as we passed that cemetery?   No?   Ah crap, now you’re going to die!”  That being said, this could still be fun in a bad horror movie kind of way.  Katrina Bowden is the biggest appeal of the film and seems to be vying for the Scream Queen title based on how many horror films she’s involving herself in recently like Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, Piranha 3DD and Nurse 3D.  Despite the eye rolling premise, I’m not going to lie, I’m kind of excited to check this out.

Cujo

Cujo has been previously released on Blu-ray before in a 25th Anniversary Edition from Lionsgate and this new disc release is from Olive Films.  The previous Lionsgate release featured a commentary with director Lewis Teague and a three-part documentary, Dog Days: The Making of Cujo.  This new release from Olive Films does not contain the documentary like the previous disc but it does have a brand new commentary with Teague and host Jeff McKay.  It looks like the video transfers on both discs look very similar, even if Olive opted for a brand new transfer.  I don’t see much of a reason to get this new disc if you already own the Lionsgate release, unless you are wanting the brand new commentary track, but it looks like this new release from Olive Films will be the one that people will be picking up as it appears the 25th Anniversary may start to become harder to find as it goes out of print.

For A Good Time, Call…

I remember being at Comic Con last year and being handed little cards/flyers that stated “For A Good Time, Call…” and thought that I was being propositioned by a new escort service targeting Comic Con attendees.  Instead, I was in the midst of a marketing push for this low-budget girls-behaving-badly comedy.  The story follows two friends that start their own phone sex business out of necessity and, well, comedy ensues… possibly.  The film apparently has a premise that has great potential but seems to fail to deliver on its promise by ending up having a typical storyline.  The supporting cast appears to be the main attraction and provide the most laughs.  For a Good Time, Call… sounds like it might be worth a rental but ultimately forgettable.

The Sex Thief (Remastered Edition)

Here’s another sex comedy, this time from 1974.  Martin Campbell (Casino Royale, Goldeneye) directed this British film about a jewel thief that seduces the women he steals from while being pursued by two bungling policeman.  The Sex Thief marked Martin Campbell’s directorial debut and it sounds kind of fun based on some of the reviews I’ve read.  If 70s British sex romps intrigue you, you may want to check this one out.

Ticks

This 1993 creature feature is one that I’ve never heard of until now, but after reading about it, I feel like this is a must watch.  For one, it stars a young Seth Green, Alfonso Ribeiro (yes, that is Carlton from Fresh Prince of Bel Air), Clint Howard, Rance Howard and Rosalind Allen, who you may know of if you geeked out over the TV show seaQuest DSV growing up like me.  That cast would have me interested regardless, but then on top of that it is supposed to be an old school practical effects movie with some fun gorey moments and a giant Tick monster.  Ticks sounds like a B-movie blast.  I can’t wait.

More titles released today:

Nobody Walks

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning

Death Race 3: Inferno

Nature Calls

The Quiet Man

Pina

Ivan’s Childhood

Indiscreet

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

Trust

Keep the Lights On

Officer Down

A Thousand Cuts

Gamera the Brave

Tai Chi Zero

Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai

Mumford & Sons: The Road to Red Rocks

by Ben McBride