The Corner Penthouse

Join me as I do a quick review round-up for the best of this month's new home video releases...

All of the items below have already been released and are available for purchase from Amazon at the links provided. The Corner Penthouse will earn a very tiny commission from your purchase using these links.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: An alien race, undefeatable by any existing military unit, has launched a relentless attack on Earth, and Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) finds himself dropped into a suicide mission. Killed within minutes, Cage is thrown into a time loop, forced to live out the same brutal combat over and over, fighting and dying again and again. Training alongside Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), his skills slowly evolve, and each battle moves them a step closer to defeating the enemy in this intense action thriller.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: In the 4K/Blu-ray combo pack, all can be found on the Blu-ray disc only. Operation Downfall - Adrenaline Cut (2:34) - An alternate cut of one of the "Operation Downfall" sequences. Storming the Beach (8:59) - Director Doug Liman hosts this introductory behind-the-scenes featurette. Weapons of the Future (8:25) - The cast and crew discuss the future warriors' exo-armor and armaments. Creatures Not of This World (5:38) - A look at the film's alien creatures. On the Edge with Doug Liman (42:37) - Director Doug Liman provides plenty of candid, fly-on-the-wall insight into the development of the film. Deleted Scenes (7:38) - Not all of the effects work is completed, but the bits and pieces trimmed from the final film are still worth watching.

• RATING: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and brief suggestive material.

• NOTES: A fun sci-fi action film that feels like a cross between Groundhog Day, Starship Troopers, and The Twilight Zone.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: The jobless ex-GI Easy Rawlins (Denzel Washington) sees a chance to make some quick cash when he's recruited to find the missing lover (Jennifer Beals) of a wealthy mayoral candidate in late-1940s Los Angeles - only to find himself embroiled in murder, political intrigue, and a scandal that crosses the treacherous color lines of a segregated society.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary - with director Carl Franklin, recorded in 1998. Don Cheadle and Carl Franklin (36:45) - Don Cheadle and Carl Franklin discuss some of the unique qualities of the former's character, Mouse. Filmed for Criterion in March 2022. Don Cheadle Screen Test (13:15). Attica Locke and Walter Mosley (25:05) - Author Walter Mosley discusses the film adaptation of his novel. Filmed for Criterion in March 2022. Noir City Chicago (25:58) - Film noir expert Eddie Muller and director Carl Franklin discuss the film before and after a screening at Noir City Chicago, Music Box Theatre, in Chicago on August 17, 2018. Trailer (2:29).

• RATING: R for violence, sexuality and language.

• NOTES: A beautiful film noir with excellent performances by Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Criterion for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Show Opening, Season 2 Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: Focusing on the support crew serving on one of Starfleet's least important ships, the U.S.S. Cerritos, Ensigns Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome), Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid), Samanthan Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) and D'Vana Tendi (Noel Wells) have to keep up with their duties and their social lives, while the ship is being rocked by a multitude of sci-fi anomalies.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentaries - For "Kayshon, His Eyes Open" with Mike McMahan, Jack Quaid, and Jonathan Frakes. For "An Embarrassment of Dooplers" with Mike McMahan and Jack Quaid. For "Where Pleasant Fountains Lie" with Tawny Newsome, Paul Scheer, and Garrick Bernard. For "Wej Duj" with Mike McMahan, Gabrielle Ruiz, and Kathryn Lyn. Animatics - Conceptual animation juxtaposed against the final animation. Accompanying the episodes "Strange Energies" (0:58), "Kayshon, His Eyes Open" (1:00), "We'll Always Have Tom Paris" (1:03), "Mugato, Gumato" (1:01), "An Embarrassment of Dooplers" (1:00), "The Spy Humongous" (0:43), "Where Pleasant Fountains Lie" (0:50), "I, Excretus" (1:03), "Wej Duj" (0:51), and "First First Contact" (1:03). Easter Eggs - A look into the connections to the Star Trek universe in each episode. Included are "Strange Energies" (1:01), "Kayshon, His Eyes Open" (1:31), "We'll Always Have Tom Paris" (1:26), "Mugato, Gumato" (1:03), "An Embarrassment of Dooplers" (1:04), "The Spy Humongous" (1:03), "Where Pleasant Fountains Lie" (1:01), "I, Excretus" (1:07), "Wej Duj" (1:02), and "First First Contact" (1:03). A Sound Foundation (13:19) - As sound for an animated series is particularly important, go behind the scenes in an interview with the team that creates the dynamic audio for Lower Decks while they discuss how they bring the series to life. Lower Decktionary: Season 2 (32:37) - Take a deep dive into all things Season Two through interviews with the producers, cast and creatives about developing and executing the characters' journeys in the second season.

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: Includes all 10 episodes that were released on Paramount+ from August 12th to October 14th 2021: "Strange Energies" (24:45), "Kayshon, His Eyes Open" (24:33), "We'll Always Have Tom Paris" (25:08), "Mugato, Gumato" (25:08), "An Embarrassment of Dooplers" (23:54), "The Spy Humongous" (24:53), "Where Pleasant Fountains Lie" (24:53), "I, Excretus" (24:56), "wej Duj" (26:17), and "First First Contact" (29:28). The show was fun in Season 1 - available on Blu-ray, Blu-ray in Steelbook Packaging, and DVD - and it's just as fun in Season 2. What I love about this show is that it plays out like someone at CBS/Paramount saw Seth MacFarlane's Star Trek: The Next Generation spoof The Orville and said, "Hey, we can do that, too... and make it official... and animated!"

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by CBS/Paramount for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: A rooftop sniper guns down 14 pedestrians on the streets of New York City. A mild-mannered dad takes a shotgun and blows away his wife and children. A cop goes on a sudden shooting spree at the St. Patrick's Day Parade. And each of these unlikely killers makes the same dying confession: "God told me to." Now a repressed Catholic NYPD detective (Tony Lo Bianco) must uncover a netherworld of deranged faith, alien insemination and his own unholy connection to a homicidal messiah with a perverse plan for the soul of mankind.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: In the 4K/Blu-ray Combo Pack, the 4K disc includes commentaries and advertising (trailers and TV spots), while the Blu-ray disc includes everything. Audio Commentary - with writer/producer/director Larry Cohen. Audio Commentary - with critic and filmmaker Steve Mitchell and author and critic Troy Howarth. Heaven & Hell On Earth: Interview with Star Tony Lo Bianco (11:31) - This interview with the star of the film was filmed in 2015. Bloody Good Times: Interview with Special Effects Artist Steve Neill (9:12) - This interview with special effects artist Steve Neill was filmed in 2015. God Told Me To Bone: New Beverly Q&A with Larry Cohen (21:21) - This filmed Q&A session from 2015 features director Larry Cohen discussing the casting process, shooting process, the scoring of the film, etc. Lincoln Center Q&A with Larry Cohen (8:08) - An archival Q&A session with director Larry Cohen which was held after a screening at New York's Lincoln Center on Saturday, October 19, 2002. God Told Me To Advertising (3:49) - Marketing for the film, which includes one trailer and five TV spots. Demon Advertising (2:12) - Marketing for the film under its alternate title. Includes one trailer and two TV spots. Poster and Still Gallery - An excellent collection of archival posters, production stills, photographs, lobby cards, VHS covers, DVD covers, and LaserDisc covers.

• RATING: R (under the "Demon" title).

• NOTES: The first print run of the 4K UHD/Blu-ray combo pack includes an embossed slipcover. Ghostbusters fans may want to pay attention around the 49-minute mark for an appearance of the Wienerwald & Embassy theater in Times Square. Both of those now-defunct businesses appeared behind Louis in the second montage of the original Ghostbusters (1984).

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Blue Underground for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray (Mill Creek), Blu-ray (Universal), DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: Two ambitious cops, Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) and Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett), investigate the shocking murder of an aspiring young starlet. With a corpse so mutilated that photos are kept from the public, the case becomes an obsession for the men, and their lives begin to unravel. Blanchard's relationship with his girlfriend Kay (Scarlett Johansson) deteriorates, while Bleichert finds himself drawn to the enigmatic Madeleine (Hilary Swank), a wealthy woman with a dark and twisted connection to the victim.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: None.

• RATING: R for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and language.

• NOTES: If you're looking for just the movie, this is a great budget release. If you're looking for special features ("Reality and Fiction: The Story of The Black Dahlia", "The Case File", and "The De Palma Touch"), you'll need to pick up the Universal Blu-ray or DVD; though they may cost you more than Mill Creek's offering. Either way, the movie is a great film noir, and would pair well with Devil in a Blue Dress (see above).

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Mill Creek Entertainment for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray (Mill Creek), Blu-ray (Universal), DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: When childhood friends Joe Cooper (Trey Parker) and Doug Remer (Matt Stone) are challenged to a pickup basketball game, they propose a new sport combining basketball and baseball. As the ridiculous game unexpectedly becomes a hit, the friends are suddenly faced with a greedy businessman who has plans of his own.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: None.

• RATING: R for strong language and crude sex-related humor.

• NOTES: If you're looking for just the movie, this is a great budget release. If you're looking for special features (Spotlight on Location, Music Video, Theatrical Trailer), you'll need to pick up the Universal Blu-ray or DVD (the DVD also includes the text-based "Production Notes" and "Cast and Filmmakers" and a liner booklet); though they may cost you more than Mill Creek's offering. The covers are similar, but Universal's has Jenny McCarthy in between Matt and Trey. Either way, the movie is dumb fun and an absolute blast!

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Mill Creek Entertainment for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: Inept lounge singers Sam (Sam Rockwell) and Eddie (Steve Zahn) find themselves breaking into the burglary biz when they're mistaken by a low-level mobster (Paul Giamatti) for the best safecrackers in town. Now two guys who can't carry a tune are carrying off a series of hysterical heists.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: None.

• RATING: R for language.

• NOTES: The old Focus Features/Universal DVD included some bonus features: Audio Commentary with John Hamburg, Sam Rockwell, and Steve Zahn; two Deleted Scenes ("Taco Restaurant" and "Da Chop") with optional commentary by the trio; and the "Tick" short film by John Hamburg. It's not surprising that these are not included on Mill Creek's Blu-ray, which is sad, since this is the film's Blu-ray debut. The film includes performances by many great actors, including Peter Dinklage, and I definitely recommend it. If you have no interest in special features, then Mill Creek's Blu-ray is the way to go. If you want those extras, you'll have to also pick up a copy of the DVD and make your own "combo pack".

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Mill Creek Entertainment for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray.

• VIDEOS: Season 1 Show Opening.

• SYNOPSIS: The amazing adventure begins in the mid-21st century, as humankind expands its undersea colonization efforts and a tenuous world peace is enforced by the United Earth Oceans (UEO). In order to protect the fledgling underwater colonies from unknown dangers and hostile invaders lurking in the depths of Earth's last frontier, the UEO recruits Captain Nathan Bridger (Roy Scheider) to command the high-tech battle submarine SeaQuest and its diverse and eclectic crew.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: These can only be found on the first five discs, which cover Season 1. There are no special features for the other two seasons. Deleted Scenes - For the episodes "To Be or Not to Be" (8:18), "The Devil's Window" (0:59), "Treasure of the Mind" (3:04), "Nothing But the Truth" (3:25), "Greed for a Pirate's Dream" (1:29), "Hide and Seek" (2:13), "The Last Lap at Luxury" (1:10), "Abalon" (5:41), and "Such Great Patience" (1:33). Creating SeaQuest with Rockne S. O'Bannon (10:02) - A newly-filmed interview with writer Rockne S. O'Bannon. Directing SeaQuest with Bryan Spicer (11:03) - A newly-filmed interview with episode director Bryan Spicer. Directing SeaQuest with John T. Kretchmer (13:43) - A newly-filmed interview with episode director John T. Kretchmer. Directing SeaQuest with Anson Williams (11:53) - A newly-filmed interview with episode director Anson Williams. Yes, he played Potsie on Happy Days. Maiden Voyage: Scoring SeaQuest (13:00) - A newly-filmed interview with composer John Debney.

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: The 10-disc set includes all 57 episodes in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Quality is a mixed bag due to the source material. Some shots looks fantastic, while others look like upscaled standard definition video - sometimes within the same scene. If you go into this with that in mind, you won't be disappointed with what you'll find here.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Mill Creek Entertainment for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD Steelbook (Best Buy), Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: After a ruptured water main creates a sinkhole in front of Bob's Burgers and blocks the entrance, Bob and Linda Belcher struggle to keep the business afloat, and the kids try to solve a mystery that could save the restaurant.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary - with Loren Bouchard, H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, writer Nora Smith, director Bernard Derrmina, and production designer Ruben Hickman (in two separate groups). Making of the Movie (18:52) - Features Loren Bouchard detailing some of the challenges working during a pandemic. My Butt Has a Fever (5:51) - A short featuring the Bob's Burgers family. There is also an animatic version that runs 5:30. Deleted Scenes - The following four scenes with optional commentary by Loren Bouchard and Nora Smith: "The Movie We Didn't Make" (5:46), "Metal Detector" (1:19), "Burning Piers" (0:50), and "Grover's Office" (0:48). Animatics - Storyboards and rough animation for the following scenes: "Sunny Side Up Summer" (3:45), "Lucky Ducks" (2:19), "Not That Evil" (6:39), and "End Credits" (1:22). Animating the Scene - A look at the animation process for the following three scenes with commentary by director Bernard Derriman: "Linda Through the Pass Through" (4:34), "Bob and Linda Go to the Bank" (7:25), and "Louise Grabs the Fuse" (2:25).

• RATING: PG-13 for rude/suggestive material and language.

• NOTES: I love the television show, and I loved the movie just as much. What's nice about the movie is that it didn't add any new characters or locations just to make things feel a bit more "epic", as some feature film adaptations of TV shows are want to do. It truly felt like an extended version of an episode. The only thing I didn't like were the songs. The show usually has some great songs - all of which are available on the albums Volume 1 and Volume 2 - but the songs in the movie just seems to get in the way. While I can instantly recall songs from the show, which has been on the air for over 10 years now, I can't remember a single song from the movie. Anyway, if you like the show, you'll like the movie.

• CREDIT: A digital copy of the movie (via Movies Anywhere) was provided by 20th Century Studios/Disney for review on this site. It included all of the on-disc bonus content.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: Officer Louis Burke (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is a roguish police detective who goes undercover to investigate a series of inmate murders at Harrison Penitentiary. Posing as a prisoner, Burke encounters brutal inmates, corrupt guards, death and betrayal at every turn. He also encounters his rival, The Sandman! But when he unearths the shocking secret behind the penitentiary's inner workings, Burke must attempt a daring escape that pits him against not only hundreds of murderous inmates...but also a deadly enemy from his own past, The Sandman (Patrick Kilpatrick).

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary - with director Deran Sarafian. Patrick Kilpatrick Interview (9:59) - A recent interview with the actor who plays The Sandman. Art LaFleur Interview (7:20) - A recent interview with the actor who plays Sergeant DeGraf. Trailer (1:36). Trailer Compilation - After this movie's trailer are several additional trailers for films of the same genre or era: The Delta Force (1986) (1:48), P.O.W. The Escape (1986) (1:29), Death Wish 3 (1985) (1:38), The Dogs of War (1980) (2:30), Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) (2:24), Rollerball (1975) (0:52), and Body and Soul (1981) (1:58).

• RATING: R.

• NOTES: I already own the MGM Blu-ray (as part of a triple feature with Cyborg and Double Impact), and this new Blu-ray from Scorpion Releasing is a VAST improvement. For starters, it has a menu! Yes, the MGM disc only has a pop-up menu while the movie plays; no main menu at all. The only special features on the MGM disc is a trailer. Scorpion included that, PLUS new interviews and a commentary, and a few trailers for other films of the era. If you like Jean-Claude Van Damme, and you like Death Warrant, this is the disc to buy. Now I can only hope that Scorpion releases Cyborg and Double Impact so I can get rid of that basic triple feature set.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Scorpion Releasing for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: At the University Hospital School of Medicine, five ambitious students (Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin, and Oliver Platt) subject themselves to a daring experiment: to temporarily induce their own deaths, hoping to glimpse the afterlife before being brought back to life. But as competition within the group intensifies and their visions of the world beyond increasingly bleed into their waking lives, they're about to learn that the greatest threat comes not from the spirit world but from the long-suppressed secrets of their own pasts.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary - with critics Bryan Reesman and Max Evry. The Conquest of Our Generation (19:11) - A new interview with screenwriter Peter Filardi. Visions of Light (18:23) - A new interview with director of photography Jan de Bont and chief lighting technician Edward Ayer. Hereafter (14:22) - A new interview with first assistant director John Kretchmer. Restoration (10:27) - A new interview with production designer Eugenio Zanetti and art director Larry Lundy. Atonement (11:35) - A new interview with composer James Newton Howard and orchestrator Chris Boardman. Dressing for Character (6:26) - A new interview with costume designer Susan Becker. Theatrical Trailer (1:27). Image Gallery - Contains a mere 12 images.

• RATING: R.

• NOTES: As is usually the case with Arrow Video, included inside the thick one-disc black 4K UHD case is an illustrated collector's booklet featuring essays (by Amanda Reyes and Peter Tonguette) and photographs, along with a cast & crew list, and information on the transfer/restoration. The case artwork is reversible, featuring the original poster artwork on one side and newly-commissioned artwork (by Gary Pullin) on the other. A suede-like slipcover is included in the first print run.

Ghostbusters fans may want to check out Flatliners (1990) due to the fact that various parts of the Los Angeles firehouse used for Ghostbusters Headquarters interiors in the original two films was used for the student's apartments. It should also be noted that Flatliners was remade in 2017, starring Ellen Page and Nina Dobrev, and that film is available on Blu-ray and DVD.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Arrow Video for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer, Featurette Clip: Jungle Rescue, Featurette Clip: The Jumpsuit, Deleted Scene: Hammock, Deleted Scene: Navigates Drone.

• SYNOPSIS: Loretta Sage's (Sandra Bullock) novels are filled with ancient tombs and daring adventures, but that doesn't mean she's prepared for them in real life. When she is kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) to locate a legendary lost city, Loretta's handsome cover model, Alan (Channing Tatum), sets off on a heroic but hapless rescue mission. Thrust into an epic thrill-ride through the jungle, the unlikely pair must work together to survive the elements, and survive each other, to find the city's fabled treasure before it's lost forever.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Dynamic Duo (4:42) - Behind-the-scenes fun with Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum to see how their comedy chemistry perfectly aligns for this odd-couple comedy adventure. Location Profile (7:09) - Take a trip to the exotic Dominican Republic movie location and find out how the crew dealt with heavy rain and mosquitos! Jungle Rescue (6:25) - See how the movie's incredible action set pieces and crazy stunts were filmed. The Jumpsuit (3:41) - Discover what went into designing Loretta's eye-catching purple sequin jumpsuit. Charcuterie (3:32) - A hilarious breakdown of Loretta's big kidnapping scene and what it's like to come under attack from a giant charcuterie board! The Villains of The Lost City (5:29)- Meet the bad guys: Abigail Fairfax and his henchmen. Building The Lost City (7:23) - A look at building the film's incredible island world. Deleted Scenes (8:52) - Included are "Spying on Fairfax", "Beth Looks for Loretta", "The Climb", "Allison's Dance", "Hammock", "Navigates Drone", "Loretta Calls Nana", and "Trainer Has a Headache". Bloopers (5:33) - Laugh along with the cast at their hilarious on-set bloopers.

• RATING: PG-13 for violence and some bloody images, suggestive material, partial nudity and language.

• NOTES: This fun action comedy seems like a loose remake of Romancing The Stone (1984), a film that's been one of my favorites since I was a kid. While I wouldn't say that Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum are as good of a couple as Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas, I think they worked very well together. My only issue with this release is that Paramount doesn't seem to do combo packs anymore. Just like Scream (2022), the 4K UHD release does NOT contain a Blu-ray disc, as well. That makes it impossible for me to take the movie to a friend who doesn't have a 4K player. Other than that, this is a recommended release. (Check out Paramount's site for additional images and videos.)

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Paramount for review on this site.

If you're looking for more cool stuff to buy, check out all of the other items I've reviewed over the years. I'm sure you'll find something you'll love.