by Malakie Peters

New Release Tuesday! This week we’ve got Justice Leagues, Thin Men, Mortal Kombat, Ed Asner (RIP), THE THING in 4K, and more!

ACTION PACKED 3-MOVIE COLLECTION (RAMPAGE: PRESIDENT DOWN / ELIMINATION GAME / AMERIGEDDON) (DVD)

RAMPAGE: PRESIDENT DOWN (2016) (DVD)

Bill Williamson is back in the last and final chapter of the Rampage Trilogy. In part 2 he said that we need to “kill the rich and rip Washington apart” and this is exactly what he is doing now in President Down. After shooting the President of the United States, he ignites the biggest manhunt in American history. This act of domestic terrorism will change the country forever.

ELIMINATION GAME (2014) (DVD)

Disgraced Navy SEAL Rick Tyler (Dominic Purcell) is sentenced to rot in a maximum security military prison until he is offered the opportunity to put his life on the line and win his freedom in a kill-or-be-killed Reality TV show. A one-man force of nature, Tyler will have to eliminate some of the world’s most ruthless killers on live TV to gain his freedom and clear his name. Can he accomplish all of this before game over?

AMERIGEDDON (2016) (DVD)

After the US and UN conspire to attack the energy grid, martial law is declared. The constitution is suspended and all personal guns are seized. Patriots in Texas fight back.

ALL THE STREETS ARE SILENT (2021) (DVD)

In the late 80s and early 90s, the streets of downtown Manhattan were the site of a collision between two vibrant subcultures: skateboarding and hip hop. Narrated by Zoo York co-founder Eli Gesner with an original score by legendary hip-hop producer Large Professor (Nas, A Tribe Called Quest), All the Streets Are Silent brings to life the magic of the time period and the convergence that created a style and visual language that would have an outsized and enduring cultural effect. From the DJ booths and dance floors of the Mars nightclub to the founding of brands like Supreme, this convergence would lay the foundation for modern street style. Paris Is Burning meets Larry Clark’s KIDS, All the Streets Are Silent is a love letter to New York, examining race, society, fashion, and street culture.

BERLIN STATION: SEASON TWO (2017) (DVD)

Season Two of Berlin Station opens in the thick of a New World Order that has taken root and is steadily deepening. In the wake of the Far Right tide sweeping across continental Europe, Germany finds itself on the precipice of a pivotal election.

CRAZY NIGHTS (1978) (DVD)

Italian exploitation icon Joe D’Amato’s outrageous and rarely seen 1978 “mondo” movie meltdown Crazy Nights is one the strangest snapshots of the disco era you’ll ever see. The legendary and controversial performer Amanda Lear appears as herself, singing her signature dance floor hit “Follow Me,” while D’Amato’s camera uses her as an entry point into the glamorous, eccentric, often depraved annals of Rome’s after hours nightclub scene. But that’s only scratching the surface. Crazy Nights meanders all over the world, filling the screen with strippers, sex and ritualistic absurdity, all set to the beat of Lear’s sultry cabaret pop sound. 

DOWNING OF A FLAG (2021) (DVD)

This PBS documentary focuses on the Confederate Battle flag and its impact on the people, politics, and perceptions of South Carolina and beyond.

THE GATEWAY (2021) (DVD)

Shea Whigham, Olivia Munn, and Frank Grillo star in this gritty, edge-of-your-seat crime-thriller. Whigham plays Parker, a down-on-his-luck social worker who finds himself in over his head when he tries to protect his client from her recently paroled husband. Can Parker save the family from the violent threat of the maniacal drug dealer and his crew, desperate to reclaim their priceless stash at any cost?

GREAT WHITE (2021) (DVD)

A blissful tourist trip turns into a nightmare for five passengers when their seaplane goes down near a shipwreck. Stranded miles from shore in an inflatable life raft, they find themselves in a desperate fight for survival as they try to make it to land before they either run out of supplies or are taken by a menacing pack of sharks lurking just beneath the surface.

GUNS FOR SAN SEBASTIAN (1967) (DVD)

Anthony Quinn and Charles Bronson star in an action-packed Western that explodes with passion, excitement and fiery intensity. Leon Alastray (Quinn), a rebel on the run from the Mexican Army, escapes to the remote village of San Sebastian, where the locals believe he’s a holy man. But when Leon discovers that the area has been devastated by Yaqui attacks, he knows he cannot hide the warrior within himself. Revealing his true identity, he leads villagers against the threat, while at the same time battling another enemy: Teclo (Bronson), an antagonist with a shocking secret of his own. As the tension mounts, the people of San Sebastian prepare for an explosive fight to regain their courage and reclaim their town.

IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME (1949) (BLU-RAY)

Judy Garland and Van Johnson star in this tale of squabbling music-shop clerks who don’t know they’re romantic pen pals. Sparked by Garland’s comedic zest and musical appeal, this confection is “one of the sweetest, most unpretentious entertainments of 1949” (Clive Hirschhorn, The Hollywood Musical). It’s also a nostalgic farewell and a sunny hello: Buster Keaton appears in his final film for the studio he first joined in 1928, while Liza Minnelli, all of 18 months young, makes her debut in the finale.

ZACK SNYDER’S JUSTICE LEAGUE (2021) (4K UHD + BLU-RAY) (DVD)

Determined to ensure Superman’s (Henry Cavill) ultimate sacrifice was not in vain, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) aligns forces with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) with plans to recruit a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions. The task proves more difficult than Bruce imagined, as each of the recruits must face the demons of their own pasts to transcend that which has held them back, allowing them to come together, finally forming an unprecedented league of heroes. Now united, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash may be too late to save the planet from Steppenwolf, DeSaad, and Darkseid and their dreadful intentions.

THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS (2020) (DVD)

The Killing of Two Lovers follows David, who desperately tries to keep his family of six together during a separation from his wife, Nikki. They both agree to see other people but David struggles to grapple with his wife’s new relationship.

LE CRABE-TAMBOUR (1977) (DVD)

A dying French naval captain and a doctor recall a soldier of fortune’s exploits in French Indochina.

A LIFE AT STAKE [SPECIAL EDITION] (1955) (DVD)

Angela Lansbury and Keith Andes star in this highly charged mystery thriller from director Paul Guilfoyle. Spoiled young Doris Hillman (Lansbury) invites struggling architect Edward Shaw (Andes) to come in as her husband’s partner in a lucrative real estate deal. However, when Edward becomes romantically involved with Doris, he learns that something deadly is going on. There’s a life at stake, and it could be his own.

LOU GRANT: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON (1978) (DVD)

Season Two’s twenty-four episodes finds city editor Grant continuing to lead his crack staff at the Los Angeles Tribune as they strive to report the stories upon which society turns. Investigating matters of journalistic ethics as well as powerful, sometimes controversial stories with hard questions and no easy answers, the series impressed audiences and critics alike. Robert Walden, Linda Kelsey, Mason Adams, Jack Bannon, and Nancy Marchand also star in a series whose timely and thoughtful examination of both the inner workings of the newspaper business and contemporary societal concerns made it one of the premier dramas of its era.

MALNI: TOWARDS THE OCEAN, TOWARDS THE SHORE (2020) (DVD)

A poetic, experimental debut feature circling the origin of the death myth from the Chinookan people in the Pacific Northwest, this documentary follows two people as they wander through their surrounding nature, the spirit world, and something much deeper inside. At its center are Sweetwater Sahme and Jordan Mercier, who take separate paths contemplating their afterlife, rebirth, and death. Probing questions about humanity’s place on earth and other worlds, Sky Hopinkas’ film will have audiences thinking (and dreaming) about it long after.

MORTAL KOMBAT LEGENDS: BATTLE OF THE REALMS (2021) (BLU-RAY)

After the events of the first Mortal Kombat tournament, Liu Kang, Raiden, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade and Jax Briggs return home to find EarthRealm has been invaded by the forces of Outworld. The evil warlord Shao Kahn presents our heroes with an ultimatum: agree to a new Mortal Kombat tournament or face an all-out war with Outworld. Now our heroes, along with new allies Kung Lao and Stryker, must journey to Outworld and fight for the survival of Earthrealm in the tournament to end all tournaments: the final Mortal Kombat!

ONE CRAZY SUMMER (1986) (BLU-RAY)

Hoops McCann has the name but not the talent to carry on the family basketball tradition. He’d rather use his drawing skills to earn an art school scholarship by writing and illustrating a love story. This summer in Nantucket, he’s going to get the necessary romantic experience. John Cusack, Demi Moore, Curtis Armstrong, and Bobcat Goldthwait headline One Crazy Summer, a zany comedy from Savage Steve Holland, creator of the cult favorites Better Off Dead and How I Got into College. The annual Nantucket regatta sets the stage for Hoops’ bid to earn his lady’s love, and a larcenous land developer’s party sets the stage for an attack by Godzilla (as only Goldthwait can play him). Overworked and under-vacationed? Then join one crazy cast of characters for One Crazy Summer and soak up some laughs!

THE POWER OF KANGWON PROVINCE (1998) (BLU-RAY) (DVD)

Presented in a beautiful restoration and newly translated, Hong Sangsoo’s breakthrough second feature is an early masterwork from the prolific filmmaker. Playing with structure, perspective, and time – elements that would become hallmarks of his later work – the film follows a young woman, Jisook, who, fresh off her relationship with a married man, joins two girlfriends for a vacation in the mountainous Kangwon region and quickly makes the same mistakes, tumbling into bed with a married policeman. The film then shifts to her ex, Sangwon, who happens to be visiting the same region at the same time, threatening to cross Jisook’s path.

THE PUPPETOON MOVIE: VOLUME 2 (2020) (BLU-RAY)

The Puppetoon Movie: Volume 2 is a second landmark collection of more dazzling George Pal Academy Award® winning stop-motion animated films. Brilliant Puppetoons not seen in generations are fully restored from their original Technicolor negatives. With special appearances by Bugs Bunny and Superman! Producer-Director Arnold Leibovit proudly presents 18 High Definition Puppetoons never before released on any home video format. Set includes: “Dipsy Gipsy,” “A Hatful of Dreams,” “Jasper and the Choo-Choo,” “Love On The Range,” “The Gay Knighties,” “Jasper Goes Hunting,” “Two Gun Rusty,” ” Sky Pirates,” “Jasper’s Close Shave,” “Good Night Rusty,” “Wilbur the Lion,” “Jasper Tell,” “Radio Valve Revolution,” “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”, “Rescue Brigade”, “In Lamp Light Land”, “The Ship of the Ether”, Shell Oil “Prospecting for Petroleum” plus Bonus Extras!

SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN (1941) (BLU-RAY)

Nick and Nora Charles are looking forward to a relaxing day at a racetrack, but when a jockey accused of throwing a race is found shot to death, Police Lieutenant Abrams requests Nick’s help. The trail leads to a gambling syndicate that operates out of a wrestling arena, a murdered reporter, and a pretty secretary whose boyfriend has been framed. Along the way, Nick and Nora must contend with a wild wrestling match, a dizzying day at a merry-go-round (accompanied by Nick, Jr.), and a table-clearing restaurant brawl.

SLAXX (2020) (DVD)

A possessed pair of jeans is brought to life to punish the unscrupulous practices of a trendy clothing company. Shipped to the company’s flagship store, the killer jeans proceed to wreak carnage on staff who are locked in overnight to set up the new collection.

SUMMER OF 85 (2020) (BLU-RAY) (DVD)

When Alexis capsizes off the coast of Normandy, David comes to the rescue and soon opens the younger boy’s eyes to a new horizon of friendship, art, and sexual bliss. David’s worldly demeanor and Jewish heritage deliver an ardent jolt to Alexiss traditional, working-class upbringing. After Alexis begins working at the seaside shop owned by David’s mother, the two lovers steal every possible moment for a fugitive kiss, a motorcycle ride, or a trip to the cinema. Their relationship is soon rocked by a host of challenges, including an unexpected sexual rival and a romantic oath that transcends life itself.

THEATER OF BLOOD (1973) (BLU-RAY)

Screen legend Vincent Price delivers a thrilling tour-de-force performance as a small-time actor plotting big-time revenge! After years of suffering deadly reviews, hammy Shakespearean actor Edward Lionheart (Price) decides it’s curtains for his critics. Bumping off his detractors with executions inspired by the Bard, Lionheart stages a beheading in the manner of Cymbeline, a stabbing inspired by Julius Caesar, and even an untimely removal of a pound of flesh improvised from The Merchant of Venice, proving once and for all that all the world really is a stage… for murder! 

THE THING (1982) (4K UHD + BLU-RAY)

Director John Carpenter teams Kurt Russell’s outstanding performance with incredible visual effects to create a chilling version of the classic. Set in the winter of 1982 at a research station in Antarctica, a twelve-man research team finds an alien being that has fallen from the sky and has remained buried in the snow for over 100,000 years. Soon it is unfrozen and unleashed, creating havoc and terror as it changes forms and becomes one of them.

THE TOMB OF LIGEIA (1965) (BLU-RAY)

Star Vincent Price, director Roger Corman, and screenwriter Robert Towne hook up for horror in Edgar Allan Poe’s most terrifying tale of passion, possession and purr-fect evil! When a dead wife sinks her claws into immortality and comes back as a ferocious feline, she leads her husband’s new bride in a deadly game of cat and mouse. And when the fur starts flying, she soon learns that even in death… she can land on her feet! 

TREASURE OF RUBY HILLS (1955) (DVD)

Two ruthless cattle ranchers have pushed everyone else out of the government range of Ruby Hills and are now fighting for sole control of its precious water rights. Unexpectedly, they find a third party in the middle of the feud when an outlaw’s son decides to settle down on the valuable land. Zachary Scott, Lee Van Cleef, Dick Foran, and Barton MacLane star.

THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS (2020) (DVD)

Guided by a secret culture passed down for generations, as well as by their cherished and expertly trained dogs, a group of men in Italy hunt for the rare and expensive white Alba truffle.

TRUTH TO POWER (2020) (DVD)

Millions fill stadiums across the world for the sound of Serj Tankian, the Grammy winning lead singer of System Of A Down. With exclusive interviews, adventures, and original footage personally filmed by Serj, Truth to Power allows audiences backstage access to an international rock star whose faith in music not only revolutionized heavy metal, but also world events. Set to the propulsions of an original soundtrack composed by Serj, his critically acclaimed solo work, as well as the iconic music of System Of A Down, the documentary is also an artist portrait with a revealing look at the musician as he writes music and pursues ambitions outside of the band. It includes his bandmates’ candid insights, memories from legendary producer Rick Rubin, and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello on his bond with Serj, and their Axis of Justice nonprofit.

WAR OF THE GOD MONSTERS (1985) (DVD)

Dr. Kim, a recently widowed scientist, believes that ancient dinosaurs are waking up due to global warming rapidly melting the glaciers where they have slept for thousands of years. Now studying his theories in isolation outside the judgemental eye of the public, he struggles to find balance with his obsession and raising his young daughter, Sohee. Kang Ok-hee, a reporter, discovers his hideout and infiltrates his home in the guise of a housekeeper. When gigantic creatures start to appear on the mainland and cause massive destruction, the doctor and journalist must find a way to save themselves, and the world. Also known as The Flying Monster and Bicheongoesu, this kaiju classic has never been released in North America until now!