And another friendly hi-def hello to our fellow blu-ray geeks. Welcome to the weekly look at our most wanted titles coming to blu-ray and/or 4K Ultra HD for the week of May 21, 2019.
A fairly good offering is on tap this week for hi-def lovers with a couple of new movies hitting home video for the first time. However, that's not to say that some fantastic catalog titles aren't also making some noise with Shout Factory, Vinegar Syndrome, and the Warner Archive Collection getting on the action in a big way.
The romantic comedy starring Rebel Wilson called Isn't it Romantic is getting its debut release on blu-ray from Warner Bros. that will include a featurette and some deleted scenes, while The Brian Cranston / Kevin Hart comedy/drama The Upside gets a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD release that will feature a gag reel, some deleted scenes and a handful of special features. {googleads}
Coming out with 4K Ultra HD editions are the Jason Statham action flick Crank and the family-friendly How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World which gets a 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital HD, a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD, and a gorgeous Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook / 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital HD edition as well as a couple of other two-disc retail exclusive packages.
Leading the way for catalog titles is Shout Factory's release of the two-disc Collector's Edition of the 1974 disaster flick Earthquake which gets a brand new 2K remaster of the theatrical cut as well as the same for the TV version. The release will also come with a couple of brand new featurettes as well as all of the previously released bonus materials.
Vinegar Syndrome is releasing a Limited Edition Indicator Series of the 1976 horror classic Satan's Slave while the Warner Archive Collection is putting out a Shaft Triple Feature which comes with three signature blaxploitation films from the Shaft archive, Shaft (1971), Shaft's Big Score (1972), and Shaft In Africa (1973).
And finally, Kino Lorber is putting out a beautiful blu-ray release called RKO Classics which includes three classic western films from the 1930s: The Pay-Off (1930); The Silver Horde (1930); and The Painted Desert (1931).
Here is what is coming out on blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD This week
Isn't It Romantic (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD)
Warner Bros.
Street Date: May 21, 2019
New York City architect Natalie (Rebel Wilson) works hard to get noticed at her job but is more likely to be asked to deliver coffee and bagels than to design the city's next skyscraper. And if things weren't bad enough, Natalie, a lifelong cynic when it comes to love, has an encounter with a mugger that renders her unconscious, waking to discover that her life has suddenly become her worst nightmare—a romantic comedy—and she is the leading lady.
Blu-ray Details:
- I Wanna Dance! - Featurette
- Deleted scenes
The Upside (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD)
Universal Studios
Street Date: May 21, 2019
A recently paroled ex-convict, Dell (Kevin Hart), strikes up an unusual and unlikely friendship with a quadriplegic billionaire, Phillip Lacasse (Bryan Cranston), in this "funny and warm-hearted buddy comedy" (Pete Hammond, Deadline). From worlds apart, Dell and Phillip form an unlikely bond, bridging their differences and gaining invaluable wisdom in the process, giving each man a renewed sense of passion for all of life's possibilities. Inspired by a true story, this heartfelt comedy also stars Nicole Kidman, Julianna Margulies, and Aja Naomi King
- Deleted Scenes
- Gag Reel
- Onscreen Chemistry: Kevin and Bryan
- Creating a Story of Possibility
- Bridging Divisions
- Embracing Positivity
- Presenting a Different Side of Kevin Hart
- Trailer
Crank (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy)
Lionsgate Films
Street Date: May 21, 2019
There are a thousand ways to raise your adrenaline, and today hit man Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) will need every one! He has one hour to settle the score and say good-bye to his girl and go out with a little style! The only question is, will he stay alive long enough to see it happen?
- NEW "Crank @ Comic-Con" Featurette
- NEW "More Stories from Crank" Featurette
- "Shooting Crank" Featurette
- "The Stunts of Crank" Featurette
- "Pushing Crank" Featurette
She Devils on Wheels (Blu-ray)
Arrow Films
Street Date: May 21, 2019
An all-female motorcycle gang, called 'The Maneaters' hold motorcycle races, as well as terrorize the residents of a small Florida town, and clash off against an all-male rival gang of hot-riders.
- Bonus Feature! 1968’s Just for the Hell of It!
• Introductions to both films by Herschell Gordon Lewis
• She-Devils on Wheels feature-length audio commentary with H.G. Lewis and Something Weird’s Mike Vraney
• The Shocking Truth! – filmmaker and Grindhouse Releasing head honcho Bob Murawski on his discovery of the films of H.G. Lewis
• Garage Punk Gore – filmmaker and musician Chris Alexander discusses the films and music of H.G. Lewis
• H.G Lewis on his 1968 film The Ally Tramp
• H.G. Lewis Promo Gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by The Twins of Evil
Earthquake (Two-Disc Collector's Edition Blu-ray)
Shout Factory
Street Date: May 21, 2019
When the most catastrophic earthquake of all time rips through Southern California, it levels Los Angeles and sends shockwaves through the lives of all who live there. Now strangers must become saviors as the city struggles to get to its feet before the next terrifying aftershock hits! Also starring Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene, Victoria Principal, Geneviève Bujold and Richard Roundtree, Earthquake combines outstanding performances with Academy Award®-winning sound and groundbreaking special effects.
DISC ONE:
- Brand new 2K remaster of the Theatrical Cut of the Film
- Audio Options: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.1 w/Sensurround audio and 2.0
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Original TV Spot
- Original Radio Spots
- Vintage audio Interviews with Charlton Heston, Lorne Greene and Richard Roundtree
- Still Galleries – movie stills, posters and lobby cards, behind-the-scenes photos and matte paintings and miniatures
DISC TWO:
- Brand New 2K remaster of the TV version, featuring over 20 mins of made-for-broadcast footage (presented in 1.33:1)
- NEW Sounds of Disaster: Ben Burtt talks about SENSURROUND
- NEW Scoring Disaster: The Music of EARTHQUAKE
- NEW Painting Disaster: The Matte Art of Albert Whitlock
- Isolated TV scenes – Play them without watching the TV version of the film
- Additional TV scenes (taken from best available film elements)
Bitter Moon (Blu-ray)
Kino Lorber
Street Date: May 21, 2019
A cool married couple strike up an unlikely friendship on a cruise liner with wheelchair-bound Peter Coyote, a dissolute writer who takes it upon himself to teach Grant the secrets of the erotic arts so that he can satisfy both Scott-Thomas and Coyote's wife, Emmanuelle Seigner.
Special Features:
- New Interview with star Peter Coyote
- New Audio Commentary by Film Historian Troy Howarth
- Theatrical Trailer
Satan's Slave (Evil Heritage | Indicator Series | Limited Edition Blu-ray)
Vinegar Syndrome
Street Date: May 21, 2019
A young girl is caught up in a devil cult run by her evil uncle and cousin. She can trust no one and even people she thought were dead comes back to haunt her.
Bandolero (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy)
Twilight
Street Date: May 21, 2019
Posing as a hangman, Mace Bishop arrives in town with the intention of freeing a gang of outlaws, including his brother...
Special Features:
Shaft Triple Feature (Blu-ray)
Warner Archive Collection
Street Date: May 21, 2019
When Harlem P.I. John Shaft first appeared on the movie scene, he was a "shut your mouth" detective to reckon with, a fact underscored by Isaac Hayes' Oscar®-winning* Best Original Song (1971). Richard Roundtree plays the hard-hitting, street-smart title role in these signature "blaxploitation" films, hunting for a kidnap victim in Shaft (1971) and seeking a friend's murderer in Shaft's Big Score! - mixing it up with mob thugs each time. Finally, there's Shaft in Africa ("He's the Brother Man in the Motherland," proclaimed ads), with our hero bringing down a slavery cartel. Shaft's the name. Excitement's the game!
Special Features:
The Seduction (Blu-ray)
Shout Factory
Street Date: May 21, 2019
L.A. anchorwoman Jamie Douglas (the stunning Morgan Fairchild in her big screen debut) has it all: a glamorous career on a top-rated news show, a luxurious house in the hills, and a devoted young admirer named Derek (Andrew Stevens). But when Jamie rebuffs his romantic advances, Derek becomes an obsessed stalker who plays out an increasingly psychotic courtship with the frightened newswoman. Soon he is threatening every part of her life, secretly watching even her most intimate moments. Her tough-talking lover (Michael Sarrazin) can't console her. A by-the-book cop (Vince Edwards) can't protect her. But Jamie is far from helpless ... and ready to fight back with all the weapons at her command. When the smoke clears ... who will survive The Seduction?
- NEW "Beauty And Strength" – An Interview With Actress Morgan Fairchild
- NEW "The Seducer" – An Interview With Actor Andrew Stevens
- NEW "Flashbacks" – An Interview With Producer Bruce Cohn Curtis
- Audio Commentary With Producer Irwin Yablans, Bruce Cohn Curtis, And Writer/Director David Schmoeller
- "Remembering The Seduction" Featurette Featuring Interviews With Bruce Cohn Curtis, Irwin Yablans, David Schmoeller, Actress Colleen Camp, Actor Kevin Brophy, And Associate Producer Tom Curtis
- "Remembering The Locations And Production" Featurette With Bruce Cohn Curtis And Location Manager Charles Newirth
- "Remembering The Seduction And The Law" Featurette
- Original Theatrical Trailer & TV Spot
- Still Gallery
RKO Classic Adventures (Blu-ray)
Kino Lorber
Street Date: May 21, 2019
- The Painted Desert (1931) Dir: Howard Higgin | William Boyd, Helen Twelvetrees & Clark Gable
- The Pay-Off (1930) Dir: Lowell Sherman | Lowell Sherman, Marian Nixon & Hugh Trevor
- The Silver Horde (1930) Dir: George Archainbaud | Evelyn Brent, Joel McCrea & Jean Arthur
And now for our MOST WANTED ON BLU-RAY AND 4K for the week of May 7, 2019
How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital HD)
Universal
Street Date: May 21, 2019
From DreamWorks Animation comes a surprising tale about growing up, finding the courage to face the unknown… and how nothing can ever train you to let go. What began as an unlikely friendship between an adolescent Viking and a fearsome Night Fury dragon has become an epic trilogy spanning their lives. When the sudden appearance of a female Light Fury coincides with the darkest threat their village has ever faced, Hiccup and Toothless must journey to a hidden world thought only to exist in myth. In this last chapter, Hiccup and Toothless will finally discover their true destinies, and dragon and rider will fight together to protect everything they've grown to treasure.
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Dean DeBlois, Producer Bradford Lewis and Head of Character Animation Simon Otto
- Alternate Opening with Intro by Writer/Director Dean DeBlois
- DreamWorks Shorts:
- Bilby – Directed by Liron Topaz, Pierre Perifel and JP Sans; produced by Jeff Hermann and Kelly Cooney Cilella. Threatened daily by the deadly residents and harsh environment of Australia's Outback, a lonesome Bilby finds himself an unwitting protector, and unexpected friend, to a helpless (and quite adorable) baby bird.
- Bird Karma – Directed by William Salazar and produced by Jeff Hermann, the beautifully artistic 2D short film Bird Karma tells a delightfully lyrical and fully unexpected tale of a long-legged bird's journey of blissful joy, inescapable greed and the accidental discovery of the consequences when too much is not enough.
- Deleted Scenes with Intros by Writer/Director Dean DeBlois
- How to Voice Your Viking – Go behind the scenes with the cast as they record the Viking voices of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD.
- Creating an Epic Dragon Tale – Discover what filmmakers learned while crafting this epic dragon trilogy.
- How I Learned from Dragons – The diverse cast of characters reveal why they think the dragon trilogy is so special.
- Brave Wilderness Presents: Nature + Dragons = Awesome – Join Coyote Peterson, host of Brave Wilderness, as he explores what it takes to make the dragon's characters come to life.
- The Dragon Sheep Chronicles – Protecting sheep from the dragons of Berk is no easy task but Hiccup has a plan.
- A Deck of Dragons – Observe four new dragons as Fishlegs unveils his original deck of dragon trading cards.
- Growing Up with Dragons – After years of being with these characters, hear the lasting effects of the dragon trilogy from the filmmaker's perspective.
- The Evolving Character Design of Dragons – Cast and crew reveal what it was like to evolve not only the characters of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD, but themselves as well.
- Drawing Dragons – Get a glimpse of what goes in to designing a DreamWorks dragon.
- Epic Villain – A different kind of villain, Grimmel brings great challenges to the village of Berk. Go behind the scenes as filmmakers breakdown this epic character.
- Astrid's Whole Dragon Trilogy in 60 Seconds – Hold on tight as Astrid sums up the whole dragon trilogy in a legendary 60 seconds.
- Welcome to New Berk – With Hiccup as your guide, get a firsthand look at the updated Viking village of New Berk.