Spring may be refusing to show its face, but there are plenty of titles this week to keep you busy until it does. We kick off the week with a magnificent addition to the 4K catalog, Singin’ in the Rain. In 1927 Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are the king and queen of silent pictures. But when Hollywood enters the age of ‘talkies’, Lina just doesn’t have the voice for it. Enter Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), who is brought in to dub Lina’s songs for a spectacular new musical. With the help of Don’s best friend Cosmo (Donald O’Connor), they must all work together if they are going to survive the biggest change the motion picture industry has ever seen! Or heard!
What can I say about Singin’ in the Rain? It is absolutely the greatest musical of all time in my opinion, full of happiness, laughs and pure joy. From the wonderful acting by the entire cast, to the spectacular and now legendary dance numbers, to the songs, the romance and the humor, Singin’ in the Rain literally has it all. The new 4K edition is a marvel to behold, it is like watching the film for the first time all over again. The picture is stunningly gorgeous, the sound deep and enveloping, and the special features and commentary engaging and enlightening. The previous Blu-ray release was top notch but you can pass that one on to a friend, Singin’ in the Rain 4K is an absolute must own.
Next up this week is the new Roland Emmerich FX extravaganza, Moonfall. After a disastrous mission in space for astronauts Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson) and Jo Fowler (Halle Berry), a mysterious force knocks the moon from its orbit and sends it on a collision course with Earth itself. Now Jo and Brian must team up with a conspiracy theorist (John Bradley) to leave an Earth being bombarded with debris behind and fly to the moon to try and figure out how to stop it before it ends all life as we know it.
I love Roland Emmerich films. They are the pure definition of popcorn entertainment. Stargate. Independence Day. The Day After Tomorrow. 2012. Nobody knows how to bust up the Earth like Emmerich. Moonfall has everything you want in a disaster film and more. The cast is great and obviously having fun with the material, the effects are awesome and the audio track will test the limits of your home theatre system. There are plenty of laughs as well, and it is fun for any age out there. So grab your snacks, your drinks and your friends, suspend your disbelief, and enjoy the ride. Moonfall is highly recommended to be exactly what you think it will be.
Also of note this week are both of the brilliant and super fun Happy Death Day films debuting in 4K, a new 4K special edition of the Terry Gilliam sci fi classic 12 Monkeys, and the Blu-ray debut of the lesser known Wes Craven horror film Cursed.
Until next week movie lovers, stay safe!
DVD and Blu-ray Releases for Tuesday April 26, 2022
12 Monkeys (1995) 4K
Ascension (2021)
Breakout (1975)*
Caligula & Messalina (1981)*
Caligula The Untold Story (1982)*
Cockfighter (1974)*
Cursed (2005) - Collector's Edition
Dementia (1955)*
Expired (2021)
Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) (2020) - Criterion Collection
For All Mankind (1989) 4K - Criterion Collection
Gasoline Alley (2022)
Grand Slam (1967)*
Happy Death Day (2017) 4K
Happy Death Day 2U (2019) 4K
He Said, She Said (1991)*
Hey, Stop Stabbing Me! (2003)*
King David (1985)*
Mardi Gras Massacre (1978)*
Moon Manor (2021)
Moonfall (2021)
One for the Road (2003)*
Orange County (2002)*
Reform School Girls (1986)*
Rocco Schiavonne: Ice Cold Murders Season One (2021)
Round Midnight (1986)* - Criterion Collection
Singin' in the Rain (1952) 70th Anniversary Edition 4K
Slashdance (1989)*
Stone (1974)*
The Beautician and the Beast (1997)*
The Big Sleazy Jack Weis Double Feature (1975-1976)*
The Forbidden Door (2009)
Thief of Hearts (1984)*
Twisting The Knife: Four Films By Claude Chabrol
Walker (1987)* - Criterion Collection
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)*
*New to Blu-ray