Man Push Cart – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)
February 4th, 2021 by Aaron Neuwirth
For February, the Criterion Collection has decided to honor filmmaker Ramin Bahrani by releasing his first two features on brand-new Blu-rays. In this post, Bahrani’s first feature, Man Push Cart, tells a simple story serving as an update of the “Myth of Sisyphus.” With that in mind, Bahrani was praised early on for his style fitting into the realm of Italian Neorealism, given the minimalist nature of the filmmaking, combined with a focus on the conditions of a lesser everyday life, utilizing mostly non-professional actors. Now, looking at this film, having seen Bahrani’s work since, it remains a fascinating effort from a filmmaker harnessing his talents.
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Warner Archive Collection’s February lineup dug into a lot of very early classic Hollywood stuff, but one title stood out from the pack. 1990’s Pump Up The Volume was the most “recent” film from this month’s catalog to make its debut on Blu-ray. The Christian Slater pirate radio teen drama is a cult favorite and seems a little past due for release. Unfortunately, it doesn’t carry more than a trailer in terms of bonus materials, but having the film look and sound great finally, 22 years after it came out on DVD, is a fair compromise to have and keep from begging. Sure, it had a reissue on DVD a couple years ago, but this thing came out in 1999. Yes, it had a snap case. This arrives on Blu-ray February 23rd. And you can pre-order your copies now. You may use the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review if you so choose.
It surely sucks not being able to get to see movies I’m very excited about in the theater. Freaky is one of those films. Yes, it did have a theatrical release, but I’m not heading back to the theater anytime soon. Luckily this was a Blumhouse film and theatrically did well considering its budget. It likely did terrific on its VOD premiere, which is how I saw it back in December. Now, its arriving for even more consumption on Blu-ray, where I’m sure its going to be getting plenty of spins in this house. It has nice swath of short featurettes and a commentary from director Christopher Landon included as well as a digital code and the standard DVD version. The film arrives on Blu-ray February 9th. That gives you plenty of time to still pre-order it. You can do so by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
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Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing came out at just the right time. Released in 1989 with a new wave of social commentary on the injustices of racism in America, the groundbreaking classic breathed new life into an old, ever relevant topic. Now, 32 years later, the film still feels as fresh and timely in 2021 and is making its 4K Blu-ray review too! Find out my thoughts on this brilliant film below, and be sure to click the paid link at the end to get your copy!
Every so often, the Paramount Presents line does a double dip and improves the quality of a past classic. They started the line with two of them and recently did Trading Places. Now, for its 50th anniversary, they are putting out a new edition of 1971’s phenomenon Love Story starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal. Its a film that was quite well regarding and an awards darling during its time, but seems to have a reflection on it as being a bit plain despite how groundbreaking it was seen at the time. Perhaps this new release will bring a restored discussion on the film. Paramount has given the film a new 4K restoration as well as a couple new featurettes, one with Leonard Maltin and the other a TCM introduction from a time it was on television. It’ll release in time to have it for some Valentine’s Day movies watching (If you’re not like me and watching Valentine’s Day themed slashers all day) on February 9th. You can order yourself a copy from the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
A Tale of Two Cities is one of those great classic novels that has been adapted by film and television almost as long as they’ve been around. One of the earliest adaptations is the 1935 version from legendary producer David O. Selznick. I believe its the first “talkie” production of the film. Warner Archive Collection has chosen it to be one of their titles for their February slate. They’ve been going very classic in the past few months and A Tale of Two Cities more than fits the bill. The Blu-ray will come with a full audio drama/radio play adaptation as well as some classic MGM cartoons and a PSA video about 3-D. The film will make its debut on February 9th. You can pre-order the film using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
Paramount Presents continues to dig into the studio’s history from all eras and fill in the missing gaps of their Blu-ray catalog. Elizabethtown, Cameron Crowe’s 2005 effort, is a surprising film to be lacking. It came out the year before Blu-ray/HD-DVD launched, which feels like it would have made the film a candidate for an upgrade. Being a recent romantic dramedy to showcase the new format seemed like a good spot for Elizabethtown. But alas, here we are 16 years later and the film is finally making its debut on Blu-ray, as HD-DVD failed to catch on and we now have a new 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format that is roughly 5 years old. Crazy to think about. Just me? Well, Paramount Presents has given the film a 4K restoration as well as a new interview with Cameron Crowe for its debut onto Blu-ray. It arrives just in time for Valentine’s Day, hitting (probably virtual) shelves on February 9th! You can pre-order using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced today that 2014’s Godzilla will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on March 23rd. An epic action adventure directed by Gareth Edwards (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”), Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla marked the long-awaited big screen return of the King of the Monsters.Directed by Edwards from a screenplay by Max Borenstein and a story by David Callaham, Godzilla is based on the character “Godzilla,” owned and created by TOHO CO., LTD. Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni produced the film with Mary Parent and Brian Rogers. Patricia Whitcher and Alex Garcia served as executive producers, alongside Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira.
Fatman came to homes quick as a flash just in time for the holidays. Reading about the movie was enough for me to think the premise was sort of bat$h** crazy. Seeing it is a whole ‘nother animal. If you have your tongue placed firmly in cheek though, you may be pleasantly surprised. Check out more about this “new holiday classic” below and be sure to click the paid link at the end to get your copy! I know I’m a day late (weeks, really) but hopefully my thoughts aren’t a dollar short…
Behind our world, there is another: a world of dangerous and powerful monsters that rule their domain with deadly ferocity. When an unexpected sandstorm transports Captain Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and her unit (T.I. Harris, Meagan Good, Diego Boneta) to a new world, the soldiers are shocked to discover that this hostile and unknown environment is home to enormous and terrifying monsters immune to their firepower. In their desperate battle for survival, the unit encounters the mysterious Hunter (Tony Jaa), whose unique skills allow him to stay one step ahead of the powerful creatures. As Artemis and Hunter slowly build trust, she discovers that he is part of a team led by the Admiral (Ron Perlman). Facing a danger so great it could threaten to destroy their world, the brave warriors combine their unique abilities to band together for the ultimate showdown.
Directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (“Inside Out,” “Up”), co-directed by Kemp Powers (“One Night in Miami”) and produced by Academy Award nominee Dana Murray, p.g.a. (Pixar short “Lou”), Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” will be available on digital, 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on March 23. The digital and physical releases of “Soul” will include exclusive, never-before-seen deleted scenes and audio commentary by Pete Docter, Kemp Powers and Dana Murray. Additionally, fans can find the film packaged as a collectible SteelBook® at Best Buy and packaged with a limited-edition gallery book at Target.
Truth be told, I have never seen a Sharknado film in its entirety, though I have seen my fair share of campy movies. There never seems to be a shortage of the style which can be a double-edged sword. Some are just bad they are funny and some are just so bad that they’re, well, bad. The first low-budget campy title of 2021 is none other than Sky Sharks, directed by Marc Fehse (The Power of Soul). Fehse and crew take viewers on a 106-minute romp that combines sci-fi with humor, action and gore…plenty of gore. A film that is definitely not for the squeamish at heart, or the prude at heart for that matter, Sky Sharks deliberately delivers as an in-your-face production.
While some may not instantly know the name John Badham (shame on you!), chances are you have definitely seen one of his many hit films. The prolific director has helmed so many memorable movies (Saturday Night Fever, y’all!), worked with a gaggle of notable actors early in their careers (how about a young Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy in the 1983 classic War Games!) and has created so many magical movie moments and lines that linger (“Number 5 is alive!”) that his vast body of work undoubtedly stands the test of time. Currently the filmmaker has the second edition of his book 
It’s the hottest day of the summer. You can do nothing, you can do something, or you can…DO THE RIGHT THING. In 1989, Academy Award® winner and visionary filmmaker Spike Lee mesmerized audiences with one of the most insightful and provocative films of its time, DO THE RIGHT THING. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment continues to celebrate diversity and Black stories by bringing one of the most thought-provoking and groundbreaking films of its time, DO THE RIGHT THING, to 4K Ultra HD for the first time on February 2, 2021. The controversial story centers around one scorching inner-city day, when racial tensions reach the boiling point in a tough Brooklyn neighborhood. Culturally significant and featuring over four hours of bonus features including a brand-new introduction by Director Spike Lee, a retrospective documentary with the original cast and crew, a feature commentary from Lee, deleted and extended scenes, DO THE RIGHT THING captures a vital look at American life. The film will also be available in 4K Ultra HD format on Digital.
