Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is set to release “The Flash” on 4K UHD in a brand-new edition that will also include a digital copy of the film. The 2023 superhero feature from DC Studios faced an uphill battle due to COVID-19 delays, various post-production setbacks, and the film’s controversial star. Yet the movie delivered big action, good humor, and some terrific fan moments. Its self-referential style and open-armed embrace of nostalgia was icing on the cake. Read my full review of the film HERE.

This feature-filled 4K UHD version of “The Flash” will release on August 29th. See below for a full synopsis and release information.

Official Synopsis

Year: 2023

Runtime: 144 Minutes

Director: Andy Muschietti

Screenwriter: Christina Hodson

Cast: Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, Michael Keaton, Jeremy Irons, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Rudy Mancuso, Sanjeev Bhaskar

Rating: PG-13 for partial nudity, action sequences of Violence, some strong language

From the Studio:

Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?

“The Flash” ensemble also includes rising star Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue and Michael Keaton. “The Flash” is produced by Barbara Muschietti and Michael Disco. The screenplay is by Christina Hodson, with a screen story by John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein and Joby Harold, based on characters from DC. The executive producers are Toby Emmerich, Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman and Marianne Jenkins.

Bonus Features  

• “The Flash: Escape the Midnight Circus” podcast – Six-part original scripted audio series featuring Max Greenfield as The Flash
• The Flash: Escape the Midnight Circus Behind the Scenes
• Deleted Scenes
• Saving Supergirl – featurette
• The Bat Chase – featurette
• Battling Zod – featurette
• Fighting Dark Flash – featurette
• The Flash: The Saga of the Scarlett Speedster – featurette
• Making the Flash: Worlds Collide – featurette
• Let’s Get Nuts: Batman Returns, Again – featurette
• Supergirl: Last Daughter of Krypton – featurette
• Flashpoint: Introducing the Multiverse – featurette

Fans of Zack Snyder have been waiting for a good glimpse at the filmmaker’s upcoming sci-fi action epic “Rebel Moon”. Netflix has granted their wishes with their brand-new teaser trailer. Of course Snyder has his social media detractors, many of them as feral (if not more so) than his most ardent supporters. Whatever. I’m really intrigued by this fresh original sandbox that Snyder creates, defines, and gets to play in.

Scheduled as the first film in an epic-sized two-parter, “Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire” takes place in a universe under the rule of an oppressive government known as the Mother World and its power-mad leader, Regent Balisarius (Fra Fee). But when a peaceful colony on the moon of Veldt is threatened by Balisarius and his armies, an unexpected hero named Kora (Sofia Boutella) begins uniting the people to stand up against the Mother World. And she assembles a ragtag band of warriors to lead the charge.

The film features an electric cast that also includes Djimon Hounsou, Charlie Hunnam, Ray Fisher, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae, Cary Elwes, Corey Stoll, Jena Malone, Staz Nair, E. Duffy, Charlotte Maggi, Cleopatra Coleman, and Sky Yang among others. The trailer shows off a truly incredible and fantastical world. The scope looks enormous with thrilling action, strange and imaginative creatures, and Snyder’s distinct visual style which is icing on the cake. I can’t wait.

“Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire” premieres December 22nd on Netflix. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

I’m always up for a new Benicio Del Toro movie and it looks like we’ll be getting one in October courtesy of Netflix. “Reptile” sees Del Toro cast with Justin Timberlake, Alicia Silverstone, Ato Essandoh, Frances Fisher, and Eric Bogosian among others in what looks like a wild crime thriller that marks the directorial debut for Grant Singer. The new trailer gives us an interesting yet hard to read first look at this beguiling feature.

Set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, “Reptile” sees Del Toro playing Nichols, a hardened detective seeking to uncover the truth behind the brutal murder of a young real estate agent. Timberlake plays the unassuming husband of the victim while Silverstone plays Nichols’ wife. As with any good neo-noir crime thriller, nothing is quite as it seems and there is a healthy selection of possible suspects. There is certainly some exciting potential. It’s be fun to see if Singer can pull it off. I’m really intrigued.

“Reptile” will hit select theaters on September 29th before streaming on Netflix starting October 6th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” took home the Palme d’Or at this year’s 76th Cannes Film Festival. Now distributor NEON (who is no stranger to acquiring Palme d’Or winners) is preparing for its release of the highly acclaimed French thriller by dropping a brand new trailer. Led by its star Sandra Hüller, the film looks to be a gripping mix of mystery, family drama, and courtroom procedural.

Written by Triet and Arthur Harari, “Anatomy of a Fall” sees Hüller playing a wife and mother named Sandra whose life is forever changed after her husband’s death. Suspicious circumstances spark an investigation which soon leads to Sandra being suspected of murder. She sets out to show her innocence but it proves difficult, especially with the only witness being their blind son Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner). The very concept is thoroughly compelling and the small bite we get from the trailer is simmering with tension.

“Anatomy of a Fall” opens in New York and Los Angeles on October 13th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

This month Kino Lorber Studio Classics is bringing acclaimed filmmaker René Clément’s 1966 epic “Is Paris Burning?” to home video in a handsome new special edition. Based on the best-selling book by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, this classic film features an incredible international ensemble cast along with Oscar-nominated cinematography and art direction. This beautiful new release is a must for any fan of the film.

The new Blu-Ray Special Edition of “Is Paris Burning?” will release on August 15, 2023. See below for a full synopsis and release information.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Year: 1966

Runtime: 173 Minutes

Director: René Clément

Screenwriters: Gore Vidal, Francis Ford Coppola

Cast: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Kirk Douglas, Alain Delon, Glenn Ford, Orson Welles, Charles Boyer, Leslie Caron, Jean-Pierre Cassel, George Chakris, Bruno Cremer, Claude Dauphin, Pierre Dux, Gert Fröbe, Daniel Gélin, Georges Géret, Hannes Messemer, Harry Meyen, Yves Montand, Anthony Perkins, Michel Piccoli, Wolfgang Preiss, Claude Rich, Simone Signoret, Robert Stack, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Pierre Vaneck, Marie Versini

From the Studio:

Acclaimed filmmaker René Clément (Forbidden Games, The Day and the Hour, Rider on the Rain) brings you the explosive, courage-filled story of the Allied Resistance and the Paris Liberation of 1944. As the Nazi jackboot marches through Europe, the freedom fighters of Paris mount a brave resistance. An insane and desperate Hitler sends a top general to determine if the Nazis can hold the city. If not, Paris will be burned.

With a powerful script by Gore Vidal (Suddenly, Last Summer) and Francis Ford Coppola (The Conversation); and a rousing score by legendary composer Maurice Jarre (Doctor Zhivago), this epic film boasts an international cast of screen legends, including Jean-Paul Belmondo, Charles Boyer, Leslie Caron, Jean-Pierre Cassel, George Chakris, Alain Delon, Kirk Douglas, Glenn Ford, Gert Fröbe, Yves Montand, Anthony Perkins, Michel Piccoli, Simone Signoret, Robert Stack, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Orson Welles. Is Paris Burning? is a staggering portrait of heroism and brotherhood, and one of the most riveting stories to come out of World War II.

Bonus Features

• Digitally Restored from a 4K scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative by Paramount Pictures in Association with American Zoetrope and Francis Ford Coppola
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Daniel Kremer and Howard S. Berger
• The Roadshow Overture, Intermission, Entr’acte
• 5.1 Surround/Lossless 2.0 Stereo English Audio and Lossless 2.0 Mono French Audio
• Optional English Subtitles

With the 2023 summer movie season winding down, what better time to reflect on one of the most perplexing, surprising, troubling, and just downright strange summer seasons ever. Big tentpole blockbusters came and went as the always do. But this year’s batch left us with more questions than ever before as franchises floundered and big stars couldn’t push their films into profitability. But just as the movie theater experience appeared in jeopardy, a truly bizarre cultural phenomenon sent people to the theaters in droves.

So what do we make of the 2023 movie season? There’s certainly a lot to glean from the past few months and a lot to wonder about concerning the future of cinema. Perhaps it’s the cynical side of me, but a lot of what we saw isn’t all that promising. Sure, there are things to be optimistic about and some may see it as a step forward. But it’s more complex than that and some of the trends are worrisome.

For starters, the 2023 summer movie season has proved that increasing your movie’s budget most certainly doesn’t guarantee success. That’s pretty much a no-brainer, but 2023 has shown to be true like never before. This summer we saw some of the most expensive movies EVER MADE hit theaters and woefully underperform. Studios lost significant money while others had to claw just to break even. Some have been quick to celebrate, as if the dawn of a new age of discerning moviegoers had arrived. I don’t think that’s the case.

That leads to one of the more concerning aspects – people just aren’t going to the theater like they once did. This is especially true domestically. We’ve already seen this trend hurt mid-budget movies – really good films from top-tier filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, Guillermo del Toro, and Ridley Scott that simply couldn’t draw an audience. For the most part big blockbusters had remained immune. Not anymore. Turnouts, most notably here in the States, are nothing like they once were.

Some will be quick to point to the recent Barbenheimer boom as proof positive that people will come out if a movie demands it. But that phenomenon almost requires an entirely different analysis. The Barbenheimer craze might be studied for years as it reached a fever pitch before most people had laid eyes on either “Barbie” or “Oppenheimer”. It became the cool thing to embrace.

But I don’t want to downplay the mind-boggling success of “Barbie” which certainly goes beyond the rabid enthusiasm. You don’t make that kind of money without resonating with audiences. On the more skeptical side, much of the hype was due to a brilliant commercially-driven marketing campaign that treated “Barbie” more like a product than a movie. But it got people in the seats.

In many ways “Oppenheimer” is more impressive. It’s an R-rated dialogue-driven biopic about a theoretical physicist with a running time of three hours. By that description there’s no way it should be making the money it’s making. Some attribute it to riding on the coattails of “Barbie” but that’s unfair. “Oppenheimer” is actually a phenomenal film and the Christopher Nolan effect once again proves to be a very real thing.

But what of all the other blockbusters that have failed to hit their projections? Here’s some of the bigger ones:

• “The Flash”. It’s easy to forget that the earliest reactions were calling this one of DC’s very best movies. But (sadly) social media tends to drive so much of the conversation these days and people quickly turned on “The Flash”. Without question it had its baggage. But the regurgitated criticisms and the unfortunate apathy towards DC movies led to this becoming one of biggest box office bombs in recent memory. It deserved better.
• “Fast X”. The latest chapter in the Fast & Furious franchise has made over $700 million worldwide putting it on par with its previous installment. The big difference is the budget. “Fast X” cost a whopping $340 million to make not counting promotion. What hurt it most were the underwhelming domestic numbers. For some reason audiences in the States didn’t turn out the way they have in the past. Sense a trend?
• “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”. Disney was counting big on the fifth and final Indiana Jones adventure. While it was nowhere near as good as the first three films, it did capture their spirit. But maybe younger crowds simply have no attachment to Indy. The movie made only $358 million against a $300 million budget. It was overly long but still fun. Yet it couldn’t muster the audience that the franchise once did.
• “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”. Now here’s one of the biggest frustrations of the year. This much-anticipated Mission: Impossible film was an extraordinary big screen experience. But it made the mistake of coming out the week before “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”. The film dropped 65% to $19.4 million domestically in its second weekend. You would hope people might go see it after getting their Barbenheimer fill but that hasn’t been the case. So here we have one the year’s best movies sitting at just over $454 million, well below projections.
• “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”. Yet another big budget studio blockbuster that ultimately underperformed at the box office. “Rise of the Beasts” has made $430 million yet it currently stands as the lowest grossing installment in the Transformers franchise. It’s a good movie that’s closer to the terrific “Bumblebee” than the eye-melting Michael Bay films. Yet many didn’t give it a shot.
• “Haunted Mansion”. While it didn’t operate on a budget as big as the above films, Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” was yet another movie that flopped. Granted it wasn’t as good as the above movies and releasing in the summer rather than closer to Halloween probably wasn’t a great idea. But it seemed like a bankable title, especially for younger audiences. Yet so far it has only made $42 million since its July 28th release.

There have been a few successes (“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”, the aforementioned “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”). But there’s no denying that studios have taken a hit this summer. Again I ask, what do we make of this? Yes, things like swollen budgets, franchise fatigue, and smaller windows before streaming have parts to play in it. But I think there is more going on.

Simply put, the big screen experience isn’t as appreciated as it once was and the numbers seem to bear it out. And this isn’t just reserved for summer spectacles. We’ve seen it during the winter months as well. It’s just more glaring during the blockbuster season where the financial losses are so pronounced. So what does it mean for the future of cinema? That continues to be the ultimate question. The optimist may say that it may usher in a new era of original ideas. The pessimist may say the clock is ticking on the big screen experience. I hope not. But as Bob Dylan so eloquently put it, “The Times, They Are a-Changin‘”.