Well Go USA Entertainment has announced the Blu-Ray and DVD release of the intensely thrilling “The Ambush”. Based on a gripping true account, the movie follows three UAE soldiers who fight to stay alive after they are ambushed during patrol in a remote section of war-torn Yemen. The action is gritty and grounded but it never loses sight of the human element. Best of all, it’s told from the soldiers’ perspective, and that alone makes it a story worth telling. Read my full film review HERE.

This new Blu-Ray edition of “The Ambush” hits shelves DECEMBER 13, 2022. See below for a full synopsis and breakdown of the bonus features.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 2022

Rating: R

Runtime: 112 Minutes

Director: Pierre Morel

Starring: Marwan Abdulla Saleh, Khalifa Al Jassem, Mohammed Ahmed, Abdulla Saeed Bin Haider, Saeed Alharsh, Hassan Yousuf Alblooshi, Khalifa Albahri, Ghanim Nasser and Mansoor Alfeeli.

On the final patrol of their deployment, three soldiers are ambushed by heavily armed militants, leaving them wounded, isolated, and nearly out of ammunition. Upon receiving word of the attack, their commanding officer undertakes a daring, midnight-hour operation to free his men.

From Well Go USA Entertainment:

Based on a true story, the unrelentingly intense action drama THE AMBUSH—by Pierre Morel, the director of Taken—debuts on Blu-ray^™ and DVD with an all-new English dub on December 13 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Three UAE soldiers desperately await rescue after their armored vehicle is attacked by heavy enemy gunfire, leaving them trapped in a remote canyon with only one chance for survival: a daring, midnight-hour rescue mission plotted by their courageous commander.

Kino Lorber Studio Classics is giving a beloved Clint Eastwood Western the 4K UHD treatment. “High Plains Drifter” is both directed by and stars Eastwood. He plays a mysterious stranger who drifts into a small mining town to dole out his own brand of justice. Heavily influenced by his spaghetti western trilogy with the great Sergio Leone, “High Plains Drifter” shares many similarities with his ‘Man With No Name’ films. Yet the movie has its own distinct identity in large part thanks to Eastwood’s terrific direction.

This new 4K UHD of “High Plains Drifter” hits shelves NOVEMBER 22, 2022. See below for a full synopsis and breakdown of the bonus features.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 1973

Rating: R

Runtime: 105

Director: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Marianna Hill, Verna Bloom, Mitchell Ryan, Geoffrey Lewis, Jack Ging

THEY’D NEVER FORGET THE DAY HE DRIFTED INTO TOWN! From Clint Eastwood, the acclaimed director/star of The Outlaw Josey Wales, Pale Rider, Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino and The Mule, comes this western masterpiece and homage to his “The Man with No Name” legend. Eastwood portrays a mysterious stranger who emerges out of the heat waves of the desert and rides into the guilt-ridden town of Lago. After committing three murders in the first 20 minutes, The Stranger is hired by the town’s citizens to protect them from the three vengeful gunmen about to be released from jail.

Eastwood’s second film as a director is a tribute to his three spaghetti western classics with the great Sergio Leone, and features a strong supporting cast that includes Verna Bloom (Medium Cool), Marianna Hill (The Baby), Mitchell Ryan (The Hunting Party), Jack Ging (Play Misty for Me), Geoffrey Lewis (Every Which Way but Loose), Anthony James (In the Heat of the Night), John Hillerman (Blazing Saddles), John Quade (Breakheart Pass) and Billy Curtis (The Terror of Tiny Town). Beautifully shot in CinemaScope by Bruce Surtees (Dirty Harry) with a great screenplay by Ernest Tidyman (The French Connection) and a memorable score by Dee Barton (Thunderbolt and Lightfoot).

BONUS FEATURES:

DISC 1 (4KUHD): Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative | NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson | Audio Commentary by Filmmaker Alex Cox | 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio | Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc | Optional English Subtitles

DISC 2 (BLU-RAY): Brand New HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative | NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson | Audio Commentary by Filmmaker Alex Cox | LADY VENGEANCE: Interview with Actress Marianna Hill | HELL TO PAY: Interview with Actor Mitchell Ryan | THE BARBER OF LAGO: Interview with Actor William O’Connell | A MAN NAMED EASTWOOD: Vintage Promo in HD | TRAILERS FROM HELL Episodes with Josh Olson & Edgar Wright | Poster and Image Gallery | TV & Radio Spot | 2 Theatrical Trailers | 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio | Dual-Layered BD50 Disc | Optional English Subtitles

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has just brought four perennial holiday classics to 4K UHD for the first time. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, “A Christmas Story”, “Elf”, and “The Polar Express” are now available in their own individual Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Packs in sparkling 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and with gorgeous new cover art. Each film will come with 4K, Blu-ray, and digital versions of the film along with their pre-existing special features.

These new 4K UHD Blu-ray Combo Packs for “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, “A Christmas Story”, “Elf”, and “The Polar Express” hit shelves NOVEMBER 1, 2022. See below for a full synopsis and breakdown of the bonus features.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 1989

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 97 Minutes

Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik

Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Diane Ladd, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Miriam Flynn, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Nicholas Guest

As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark’s employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.

The film is directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik. The screenplay is by John Hughes and based on characters by Hughes. The film is produced by Hughes and Tom Jacobsen and stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and Randy Quaid.

Ultra HD Blu-ray Languages: English, Spanish, French

Ultra HD Blu-ray Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, Parisian French

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 1983

Rating: PG

Runtime: 94 Minutes

Director: Bob Clark

Starring: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Ian Petrella, Scott Schwartz, R.D. Robb, Zack Ward, Yano Anaya

Set in a 1940s-era Midwestern town and told from the viewpoints of a seven-year-old boy, who only wants one thing for Christmas — a Red Ryder BB gun — the episodic tale chronicles not only his schemes to convince his mother and father to buy him one, but also offers a warmly nostalgic look into 1940s middle-class American life. From the stories of, and narrated by, Jean Shepherd.

The film is directed by Bob Clark. The screenplay is by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark and is based on the novel “In God We Trust: All Other Pay Cash by Shepherd. The film is produced by Rene Dupont and Bob Clark and stars Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin and Peter Billingsley.

Ultra HD Blu-ray Languages: English, Spanish, French

Ultra HD Blu-ray Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, Parisian French

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 2003

Rating: PG

Runtime: 97 Minutes

Director: Jon Favreau

Starring: Will Farrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner, Bob Newhart

This hilarious Christmas film tells the tale of a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts on Christmas Eve and is transported back to the North Pole and raised as an elf. Years later Buddy learns he is not really an elf and goes on a journey to New York City to find his true identity.

The film is directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum. It is produced by Jon Berg, Todd Komarnicki , and Shauna Robertson, and stars Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner and Bob Newhart.

Ultra HD Blu-ray Languages: English, Spanish, French

Ultra HD Blu-ray Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, Parisian French

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 2004

Rating: G

Runtime: 100 Minutes

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Starring: Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, Jimmy Bennett, Eddie Deezen

When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay by Zemeckis and William Broyles Jr. It is based on the classic Caldecott award-winning children’s book written by Chris Van Allsburg. The film is produced by Steve Starkey, Zemeckis, Gary Goetzman, and William Teitler, and features the voices of Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, Jimmy Bennett, and Eddie Deezen.

Ultra HD Blu-ray Languages: English, Spanish, French

Ultra HD Blu-ray Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, Parisian French

James Cameron’s much anticipated sequel to his quintessential blockbuster “Avatar” is finally upon us. A while back 20th Century Studios gave us our first tease. Yesterday they dropped the first full trailer for “Avatar: The Way of Water”, and to no surprise it was a visual showcase more than a story reveal. While many of the effects look amazing, it was hard not to notice the clear CGI in some scenes. Still, for me the biggest question mark is the story. So much about the first film’s narrative felt copied-and-pasted from several other movies. I’m really hoping the new “Avatar” has a fresh story to tell.

In the trailer Cameron again treats us to the glory of Pandora. We see its forests, animal life, and most significantly this time around, its waters. We also see Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana reprising their roles as Jake Sully and Neytiri. Set a decade after the events of the first film, we see the couple starting a family and enjoying life on their planet. But we also see the dangers they face just to survive and it’s pretty clear that a greater threat looms in the near distance. Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, CCH Pounder, and Giovanni Ribisi also return while Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, and Jemaine Clement are among the newcomers. I’m really anxious to see how the $250 million investment turns out, especially 13 years after the original.

“Avatar: The Way of Water” hits theaters December 16, 2022. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

One of my favorite films from this year’s Sundance Film Festival was “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul”, a biting and often hilarious critique of pseudo-Christianity and megachurch corruption. Now Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is bringing this snarky satire home with a brand new Blu-Ray Collectors Edition. The film marks the feature directorial debut for writer-director Adamma Ebo and stars the superbly cast Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown as a megachurch power couple trying to bounce back following a huge public scandal. You can read my full film review HERE.

This new Blu-Ray Collector’s Edition of “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” hit shelves NOVEMBER 1, 2022. See below for a full synopsis and breakdown of the bonus features.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 2022

Rating: R

Runtime: 102 Minutes

Director: Adamma Ebo

Starring: Regina Hall, Sterling K. Hall, Nicole Beharie, Conphidance, Austin Crute, Devere Rogers, Avis Marie Barnes

“Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” is a satirical comedy starring Regina Hall as Trinitie Childs – the proud first lady of a Southern Baptist megachurch, who together with her husband Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Sterling K. Brown), once served a congregation in the tens of thousands. But after a scandal forces their church to temporarily close, Trinitie and Lee-Curtis must reopen their church and rebuild their congregation to make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen.

AVAILABLE TO OWN NOW ON BLU-RAY AND DVD FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

BONUS FEATURES:

• Alternate Opening – Watch the never-before-seen alternate opening for a different take on the beginning of Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
• Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes – Watch unreleased scenes from the laugh-out-loud comedy.
  • Showtime
  • Skate Rink
  • Childs in the Attic
  • Trinitie in the Bath
  • Highway Pedestrian Guy
  • Trinitie Bringing Food
  • Trinitie Praying Over Lee-Curtis in Bed
  • Trinitie Sees Sidewalk Woman Again
  • Anita Speaks
• Gag Reel – A highlight reel of bloopers and outtakes featuring main cast.
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
• Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian, Latin American Spanish
• Languages/Sound: English (Dolby Digital 5.1 for Feature and Dolby Digital 2.0 for Bonus Content) and Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Robert De Niro plays a small town sheriff in the upcoming crime/revenge thriller “Savage Salvation”. Peculiar title aside, the story looks to cover a lot of familiar crime movie territory. But interesting casting and some potentially good action may make this a pretty fun and gritty feature. It’s directed by Randall Emmett who’s recently been best known for producing the recent wave of direct-to-VOD Bruce Willis movies. Hopefully “Savage Salvation” has a little more to offer.

The trailer sets the story up like this: a former addict named Shelby (played by Jack Huston) is devastated when his fiancé (Willa Fitzgerald) loses her battle to get clean and dies of a heroin overdose. Furious and seeking revenge, Shelby sets out to pay back the drug dealers who supplied her. With the bodies stacking up, a sympathetic sheriff (De Niro) seeks to help Shelby before he takes things too far. Again, several familiar elements to the story, and some of the action looks a little cheap. But hopefully there’s a good enough to story to make it all worthwhile viewing.

“Savage Salvation” opens December 2nd in select theaters and on VOD. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.