Welcome to Home Again, where each and every Tuesday I’ll be running down some of the best genre releases coming to home media.
All info is from the excellent Blu-ray.com. This isn’t every genre release, just the ones I find interesting. For the full list, follow that link.
11/19
Suspiria 4K (1977) – Synapse Films – This might have been the first Dario Argento film I saw and I’ll be honest – I didn’t like it at the time.
I had just discovered Italian horror via Anchor Bay’s releases of Lucio Fulci’s Zombie, The Gates of Hell, The Beyond, and probably other films I can’t remember by directors I don’t recall. But if it sounded Italian and had subtitles, I was in.
Argento’s work was a little too artsy for me then and I still can’t claim he’s a favorite, but there are a few films of his that I’ve come to appreciate and Suspiria is one. I’m excited to see Synapse’s new 4K restoration from the original uncut, uncensored 35mm Italian camera negative. I need something beautiful to wash away the *HOT TAKE* amateurish wannabe taste of the remake.
3000 Miles to Graceland (2001) – Sony Pictures – Kurt Russell as an Elvis-impersonating criminal sounds like a can’t-miss proposition until you realize that Kevin Costner is also in this as an Elvis-impersonating criminal. If there’s anything that can negatively balance Kurt Russell’s inherent charm, coolness, and likeability, it’s the dry load that is Kevin Costner.
To be fair, I have enjoyed some films that have featured Costner, but it’s despite his presence, not because of it. And unfortunately 3000 Miles to Graceland isn’t strong enough in any way to support the burden of Costner; not even considering the supporting cast of Kevin Pollak, Christian Slater, Thomas Haden Church, and plenty of other appealing names.
I have to admit, though, that just looking at that cast makes me want to give this another chance.
The Fan (1981) – Shout Factory – I didn’t even know there was another The Fan besides the 1996 Robert DeNiro/Wesley Snipes version, let alone one with Michael Biehn.
The themes are similar to the ’96 film, with Biehn as a mentally unstable man who is obsessed with Lauren Bacall’s successful actor character, Sally Ross. It sounds like this movie gets pretty ugly and graphic, to the point where it’s a Scream Factory release and being marketed as a “Slasher”. This, of course, makes me want to see it.
Rock N’ Roll High School 40th Anniversary Steelbook (1979) – Shout Factory – Look, I’m not gonna lie – I’m not a big fan of this one. But it stars PJ Soles, Clint Howard, and the Ramones so we all have to watch it at some point.
Farscape: The Complete Series (1999-2004) – Sony Pictures – Finally, the classic science fiction series that you had better refer to as the best ever if any of its loony fans are in earshot is available in glorious HD!
The Boys Next Door (1985) – Severin Films – Written by Glen Morgan and James Wong – creators of Final Destination and The X-Files alumni – this movie stars Charlie Sheen and Maxwell Caulfield as misanthropic suburban teens who go on a killing spree in LA. Not the best subject matter for our current social climate, perhaps, but it looks like Severin timed this release with Warner’s Joker in mind.
Jawbreaker 20th Anniversary Edition (1999) – Sony Pictures – Speaking of murderous suburbanites, they’re somehow more palatable when they come in the forms of Rose McGowan, Julie Benz, and Rebecca Gayheart, who I had a MAJOR crush on back when this movie came out.
Writer/director Darren Stein’s movie is definitely style over substance, but it’s a fun watch that most of us liked a lot back in the day despite the terrible reception Jawbreaker got from the public. Judy Greer is great in an early role as protagonist Fern Mayo and Rose McGowan is absolutely diabolical. This was just before Marilyn Manson dumped her for being “too crazy”.
I am, of course, kidding. She actually dumped Manson due to “lifestyle differences” (he wasn’t crazy enough).
Other Titles Worth Noting
Cold War (2018), Scarface (1932), American Me, Charlie’s Angels: The Complete Series, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Hitch Hike to Hell, Someone Behind the Door
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