New Releases for June 30!

It’s the last New Release Tuesday of June!

BLU = Also available to rent on Blu-ray disc

3D BLU = Available for rent on lovely 3D Blu-ray, though you must have a 3D TV to experience the full glory

@ = Available for sale in the store (but we can special order anything, see us for details).

First up this week is legendary Russian filmmaker Alexei German’s final film, HARD TO BE A GOD (@ BLU). Up front, we’re calling this a flat-out masterpiece. Based on a novel by the authors of STALKER, it follows a human scientist stationed on an alien world that’s basically an exact replica of medieval Europe. He’s there to observe but not interfere, but the relentless brutality of the society is starting to get to him. This film is completely immersive and very long, basically a three-hour trek through the muck an filth and insanity that its characters inhabit, and at the end you might feel not only exhausted but maybe like you’ve gone a little bit mad yourself. HARD TO BE A GOD is a challenge for sure, but an essential one.

Next up is one of the most long-awaited DVD and blu-ray releases ever, Penelope Spheeris’ groundbreaking documentary series THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION (@ BLU). This new box set contains all three films. The first is all about the LA punk scene. PART II is subtitled THE METAL YEARS. And then there’s the until-now-unreleased PART III, which breaks from music and follows homeless self-described “gutterpunk” teens. All three are funny, sad, powerful artifacts, and we’re thrilled to have them out on disc for the first time.

As for the rest, don’t forget to check out the following: Those Heroes at the Criterion Collection bring us Czech new-wave fantasy classic VALERIE AND HER WEEK OF WONDERS (@ BLU) as well as a stand-alone blu-ray of FIVE EASY PIECES (@ BLU). Sean Penn tries the Liam Neeson ass-kicking thing in THE GUNMAN (BLU). A trio of Italian post-apocalypse classics: 1990: THE BRONX WARRIORS (@ BLU), THE NEW BARBARIANS (@ BLU), and ESCAPE FROM THE BRONX (@ BLU). Pacino as an aging rock star in DANNY COLLINS (BLU). A vintage 80’s horror double feature from Scream! Factory with GHOSTHOUSE and WITCHERY (@ BLU). Will Ferrel is headed to prison in GET HARD (BLU). Tom Cruise needs tech support in VANILLA SKY (@ BLU). Urban legend meets movie magic in the sort-of-based-on-a-true-story-but-not-really KUMIKO THE TREASURE HUNTER (@ BLU). And last but not least there’s Noah Baumbach’s latest comedy WHILE WE’RE YOUNG (BLU).