Although this week may not be huge in terms of selection, there are some pretty big releases for us home theatre fans. And of course we kick it off with The Indiana Jones 4 Movie Collection in 4K. Encompassing four films (with a fifth being filmed literally as we speak), The Indiana Jones 4 Movie Collection starts with the classic 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark (now titled Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark). We are introduced to our hero, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), a globetrotting archeologist tasked with finding the mythological Ark of the Covenant. Along with former flame Marion (Karen Allen), Indy must fight the Nazi’s for the legendary power of the ark. Next comes the prequel Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. In 1935, Indy, along with unwitting companion Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw) and faithful sidekick Short Round (Ke Huy Quan), goes to India and tries to find a mystical stone and free hundreds local children kidnapped by a malicious cult. Next, in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indy is reunited with his estranged father Henry (Sean Connery) to search for the legendary Holy Grail, again trying to thwart the plans of the Nazi’s to harness its power. And lastly in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indy is reunited with his former flame Marion (Karen Allen) and a young adventurer named Mutt (Shia LaBeouf) to race against time and Russians to find a quartz skull and learn the secrets of its power before a diabolical Russian, Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) gets it and uses it to endanger the entire world.
The Indiana Jones films are just pure cinematic gold. Adventure films don’t get better than these films and movie heroes don’t get better than Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford has created many iconic characters over the years from Han Solo to Rick Deckard, but Indiana Jones may be his most beloved. All directed by Steven Spielberg, the four films are full of laughs, incredible stunt work, beautiful locations and non-stop action. And this new 4K collection is an absolute must in terms of upgrading your existing Blu-rays. With significant and noticeable improvements in both visual and audio departments, this set is simply stunning. It also includes a Blu-ray packed full of previous special features, but it is really the 4K movies that are the main attraction here. It’s like travelling the world with Indiana Jones all over again. I cannot recommend The Indiana Jones 4 Movie Collection highly enough.
The other gem this week is the release of one of the pandemic’s biggest successes, Godzilla vs. Kong. Following the events from Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Kong: Skull Island, scientists are using Kong to try and find a way into a hidden world within the Earth to find a power source that could save the world’s energy problems. But Godzilla, who saved mankind from the threat of other giant monsters, suddenly goes on an unexplained rampage and goes after Kong, threatening the entire mission. Now the team must pit Kong against Godzilla in order to save the world.
Godzilla vs. Kong is another great success after the last two excellent films, amping up the good in every possible way. The effects are stunning, the action plentiful and the story intriguing. The fact that we not only get the two most famous monsters in movie history to battle, but also get a retro trip into the center of the Earth all in one film is beyond brilliant. There is so much fun to be had with Godzilla vs. Kong, I sincerely hope they keep coming up with ideas to keep the stories of these cinematic titans going.
Also of note this week is the disturbing and totally entertaining horror film Anything for Jackson starring Sheila McCarthy and Julian Richings, and Vanquish, a new action film starring Ruby Rose and Morgan Freeman.
Until next week movie lovers, stay safe!
DVD and Blu-ray Releases for Tuesday June 15, 2021
Anything for Jackson
Body Slam (1986)*
French Exit (2020)
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Guns for San Sebastian (1968)*
Hey Arnold! The Ultimate Collection
In the Line of Fire (1993) 4K
Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection 4K
Kindred (2020)
Last Train From Gun Hill (1959)*
Lust For Gold: A Race Against Time (2020)
One Potato, Two Potato (1964)*
Parks and Recreation: The Complete Series
Resurrection (2021)
Rock Dog 2 (2021)
Sphinx (1981)*
Streetwise/Tiny: The Life of Erin Blackwell (1984-2016)* - Criterion Collection
Take This Job And Shove It (1981)*
The Awakening (1980)*
The Being (1983)*
The Great War of Archimedes (2019)
The Walking Dead: World Beyond: Season 1
Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle (2008-2009)*
Ultraman Zero Collection (2010-2012)*
Vanquish
Vikings: Season 6: Volume 2
Voyagers (2020)
Your Honor
Ziegfeld Follies (1945)*
*New to Blu-ray