I’ve started writing my Pick of the Week article for Cinema Sentries again. That’s where I look at the new Blu-ray releases and talk about the ones I find interesting. I’m actually rotating the writing duties with someone else – I write it one week then he writes it the next, etc. But I thought it would be fun to go ahead and write my picks out here on my off weeks. The plan is to link over to Cinema Sentries when I write the article there, but I keep forgetting.
In the 1930s there were a number of film series in which white actors played Asian detectives. Warner Oland as Charlie Chan is probably the most famous but Boris Karloff starred as Mr. Wong for a series of five films and Kino Lorber has just released a boxed set of them.
While it is easy to dismiss these films as straight-up racist (and certainly they are not beyond that criticism) these films were actually a step forward for Asian representation in American films. I dip into that a little in my review, but you can find a lot more on the subject with a little digging.
The Chan films aren’t by any means great cinema, but they are charming in their own way. I’m a huge fan of these odd little nooks of cinema history and that’s why the Mr. Wong Collection is my Pick of the week.
Also, out this week that looks interesting:
Avatar: The Way of the Water (2022): When the original Avatar came out I somehow missed seeing it on the big screen. At the time we were living in a small town and it was a bit of a drive to the nearest movie theater. We did drive out one weekend to see it but the 3D showing was sold out and I didn’t want to see it in 2D. At the time I figured we’d catch it another day and that just didn’t happen.
I did borrow my father’s Blu-ray at some point and watched the film, but I found it rather disappointing. It didn’t help that he didn’t have his TV set up correctly and the frame rate was a bit wonky. Had I seen it on the big screen I may have been blown away, but as it is, I’ve not given it much thought since my initial viewing.
All of that is to say that when this sequel came out I wasn’t all that excited about it. Once again I had planned to see it on an IMAX screen but for one reason or another, we just didn’t make it. Now it is out on Blu-ray and I’ll probably give it a watch at some point, but I’m in no hurry.
That being said, it was a huge hit and I’m sure lots of folks are interested in watching it at home. It comes in a variety of packages from a variety of stores so do your research before purchasing.
The Covenant (2023): Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this Guy Ritchie war film about an American soldier who is aided by his local guide when he gets injured in Afghanistan.
The Bridges at Tokyo-Ri (1954): William Holden, Grace Kelly, Fredric March, and Mickey Rooney star in this Korean War film about a group of jet pilots.
Skinamarink (2022): Two children wake up in the middle of the night to find their father is missing, and all the windows and doors in their home have vanished.
The Servant (1963): Criterion is releasing this drama about a manservant who is so efficient the lines between servant and master get crossed.
The Game Trilogy (The Most Dangerous Game / The Killing Game / The Execution Game): This has been called the Japanese John Wick (though it was made a few decades before Keanu Reevers would make those films). Yusaku Matsuda stars as a cold-as-ice hitman and I’m already sold.
Medicine For Melancholy (2008): Barry Jenkins directed this drama about the tentative relationship between two people navigating the conundrum of being minorities in an increasingly gentrifying city.
Whisper of the Heart (2022): A live-action, sort-of-sequel to the beloved Studio Ghibli animated film.
Red River (1948): My beloved Criterion Collection brings this classic Howard Hawks western starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift to Blu-ray with their usual aplomb.
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