Kicking off our 30th (!) Anniversary season of The Aisle Seat this month are the latest UHDs from Arrow. Their roster this month includes a vivid 4K UHD of TEQUILA SUNRISE (115 mins., 1988, R), “Chinatown” scribe Robert Towne’s contemporary noir about a southern California drug dealer (Mel Gibson) trying to go straight, his former friend-turned-cop (Kurt Russell) and the girl – a local restaurant owner – who comes between them (Michelle Pfeiffer).
Beautifully shot by Conrad L. Hall, “Tequila Sunrise” has lots of style and a moody Dave Grusin score, along with ample chemistry between the leads. Watching this movie again in 4K accentuated, in fact, all of its positive attributes: there’s not many places you can see Mel, Michelle and Kurt all in their prime, and while the movie initially seems too squeaky clean for a “rough and tumble noir,” that’s because it isn’t trying to be “Chinatown.” This is a slick, sexy star vehicle that works the more you separate it from what it’s not, and accept it for what it is.
The movie’s back story is laid out in the disc’s supplements: Towne needed to fill a contract with Warner so producer Thom Mount asked him for a script (this after Towne script-doctored some of Mount’s Polanski production “Frantic” with Harrison Ford). According to Mount in a new Arrow interview here on UHD, Towne’s “Tequila Sunrise” script came out of his own, real-life obsession with a restaurant hostess (that became an actual marriage!), and the project seemed ideal for his sensibilities. Alas, Ford – who was approached by Mount to star – backed out of the movie after meeting Towne, whose “lateness to the set” also resulted in the great Conrad Hall being brought into shoot the film – and also “shadow direct” quite a bit of it whenever Towne (apparently suffering from substance abuse) wasn’t “available.”
The end result, though, is pretty seamless: an absolute ‘80s movie right down to the blazing saxophone of the great David Sanborn, whose riffs grace Dave Grusin’s score (alas, the soundtrack was a song-heavy Capitol release with just two Grusin cuts). Mel looks relaxed, Kurt dons a Pat Reilly-like slicked back hairstyle, and Michelle is gorgeous as the girl who finds her loyalties ultimately extend in only one direction. Their chemistry is palpable, and then the movie enjoyably throws the late, great Raul Julia at us in its second half, chewing up the scenery (and, of course, singing a few times) as the heavy…though even here, the movie manages to be “lighter” than expected with characters who aren’t nearly as heavy-handed as you might expect (the lone exception is character actor great J.T. Walsh, playing a CIA goon).
Wrapped up in a happy ending that fits the material, “Tequila Sunrise” is the epitome of late ‘80s studio filmmaking for adults – absolutely not the kind of film we see any more in theaters, alas. Mount had shot the film outside Warner’s studio, on-location without Hollywood unions and saved quite a bundle on the budget: it’s to the credit of the Warner executives at the time that they would offer audiences an R-rated romantic noir like this at Christmas time back in 1988 when theaters were otherwise flooded with the likes of “The Naked Gun,” Bill Murray’s obnoxious “Scrooged” and the wan Schwarzenegger/DeVito comedy “Twins.”
Arrow’s impressive UHD (1.85) offers Dolby Vision HDR and either 2.0 or 4.0 DTS MA mixes. Extras include the before-mentioned new interview with Thom Mount who recalls getting the picture made; additional interviews with 2nd AD Robert Roda and actress Lala Sloatman, plus an appreciation of Towne by Lucy Bolton. Ample booklet notes and Mount’s 1997 DVD commentary round out the limited-edition package.
Some sci-fi films truly need no introduction to genre fans: FORBIDDEN PLANET (98 mins., 1956) is, of course, one of them. One of the quintessential science-fiction films, this is an elaborate MGM production that still sends a chill up the spine through its vivid Cinemascope framing and the electronic music of Louis and Bebe Barron, with Leslie Nielsen and crew discovering the suspicious Dr. Morbius (Walter Pidegeon), his lovely daughter (Anne Francis), a peculiar robot named Robby and…something else that’s still “alive” on the surface of planet Altair IV.
“Forbidden Planet” popped up first on HD-DVD then some time later on Blu-Ray. Arrow’s new 4K UHD includes a restoration from the OCN (2.55) with Dolby Vision HDR from Arrow, and while some of the elements still show their age, the image offers pleasing detail and color enhancements over Warner’s old HD master. Mono and 5.1 DTS MA sound options are available, as is the 3-track Perspecta stereo sound, also in DTS MA.
New extras include a Kim Newman-Barry Forshaw commentary, plus an appreciation of the Barrons’ groundbreaking score by Neil Brand. Other extras are recycled from Warner’s previous releases:
deleted scenes, lost footage, the terrific TCM documentary “Watch the Skies!”, a pair of featurettes, trailers, vintage excerpts from the “MGM Parade” TV series, and two Robby the Robot follow-up features (“The Invisible Boy” and a “Thin Man” TV series episode “Robot Client”) round out the highly recommended package.
Also making its 4K UHD debut this month from Arrow is GO (102 mins., 1998, R; Arrow), director Doug Liman’s follow-up to his cult favorite “Swingers” that was a bit overrated at the time of its release, but remains mildly entertaining and always watchable.
Playing like “Pulp Fiction Lite,” or a teen Tarantino-wannabe where nobody gets killed, Liman and screenwriter John August employ a three-pronged narrative structure that begins and ends with 17-year old supermarket clerk Sarah Polley needing to cough up some rent money or be evicted from her apartment. Stepping in to feed narcotics (actually pharmaceuticals like aspirin and allergy medication) to unsuspecting teens thinking it’s the ultimate high, Polley is soon flung right into the middle of trouble with a real drug dealer and the picture moves forward with its two other, barely interconnected stories: the first involving Polley’s coworker pal Desmond Askew and a group of friends causing havoc in Las Vegas, the second revolving around soap opera stars Jay Mohr and Scott Wolf going undercover to expose a drug ring for a strange cop played by William Fichtner.
Although Liman paces the film extremely well and August’s dialogue is occasionally amusing, the trouble with “Go” is that it isn’t terribly compelling or outrageously funny. The film’s first act, establishing Polley’s inner-circle of friends (including Katie Holmes) selling ersatz-drugs, isn’t particularly interesting and never becomes the integral focal point that the movie needs to ground the story; after Liman and August leave the bookending plot for the other two tales of reckless teens, there doesn’t seem to be much motivation to return to the opening sequences with characters who weren’t all that interesting to begin with. As for the following stories, both are more amusing though neither achieves (comically or dramatically) the high-pitched level of manic energy Liman infuses in his direction.
Still, “Go” offers a game cast and energy to augment its Tarantino-wannabeisms, and Arrow’s UHD sports a terrific new Dolby Vision HDR (2.39, 5.1 DTS MA) transfer from the OCN that’s an appreciable upgrade over previous releases. Extras include a new commentary by Bryan Reesman and Max Evry; a new talk with John August and another sit-down with actor Desmond Askew. An archival Making Of and commentary by Liman and editor Stephen Mirrone are reprieved from older releases, while 14 deleted scenes, August’s short “God” with Melissa McCarthy (plus a commentary track), the trailer, and ample booklet notes put the finishing notes on another visually captivating new UHD.
Finally, “Lone Wolf & Cub” front man Tomisaburo Wakayama starred as the “Wicked Priest” whose five-film adventures have been collected in the properly titled WICKED PRIEST COLLECTION (1968-71; Arrow). Wakayama gets to do more here, emotionally at least, as Sinkai, as opposed to his role of Ogami in the Lone Wolf series. In fact, his Buddhist monk, Shinkai, is a sinner himself who redeems others with judo – all the while enjoying drinking, gambling, and getting into general trouble.
Beautiful widescreen lensing adorns all five of the “Wicked Priest” films, here collected on Blu-Ray (2.35, mono) from Arrow. You also get an essay on composer Isao Tomita by James Balmont; a video essay on the movie’s historical setting with Jonathan Clements; a talk with James Mudge on ‘60s Japanese cinema; a new talk with genre authority Patrick Macias plus Matt Alt on Wakayama; a new primer on Buddhism and pop culture by Macias and Alt; trailers; and writing on the films by Camille Zaurin.
Radiance New Releases
THE HOT SPOT 4K UHD (131 mins., 1990, R; Radiance): Regrettably disappointing noir stars Don Johnson as a drifter who gets wrapped up with two women (Virginia Madsen and an especially sultry Jennifer Connelly) in a dusty Texas town during the ‘50s.
Dennis Hopper directed this Orion Pictures production that received scant distribution for, regrettably, good reason: with a bloated two-hour plus running time and meandering direction from Hopper, “The Hot Spot” lamentably isn’t a whole lot of fun. Its primary appeal to film buffs (or, at least, some of us high schoolers back in the day) was seeing the nubile Connelly and Madsen together in a topless shot – beyond that, it’s a grimy, depressing picture without much appeal and a serious lack of editorial rhythm. Most of this movie lumbers on like a formless “Director’s Cut,” with the potential tension ratcheted back as a result.
Radiace’s UHD (1.85, 2.0) sports a brand new 4K restoration of the OCN with Dolby Vision HDR, approved by dp Ueli Steiger, that offers crisp detail and contrasts. Extras include an archival interview with Dennis Hopper, interviews with Virgnia Madsen and William Sadler, a tribute to Hopper by Nick Dawson and Duane Sweirzynski discussing Charles Williams and his original novel which formed the basis of the movie.
Also new from Radiance are a pair of films by prolific Japanese filmmaker Kon Ichikawa.
His 1961 film TEN WOMEN IN BLACK (103 mins., 1961) is a contemporary-set tale of a Japanese television executive who fakes his own death after one of his nine (!) mistresses tells him the other women in his life are out to kill him. A satirical look at gender, power and role reversals in post-WWII Japan, this acclaimed effort arrives on Blu-Ray (2.35, mono) featuring a stark B&W widescreen transfer based on a 4K restoration along with a feature-length documentary on Ichikawa; a new interview with Yashuharu Konishi and trailers…Ichikawa’s later drama THE INUGAMI FAMILY (146 mins., 1976) reportedly received scant distribution outside its native Japan. Also remastered in 4K, this picture plays out like an Ichikawa variation on a gaillo thriller, with Yoko Shimada starring as a young woman who inherits the fortune of a wealthy family’s patriarch, with the single stipulation she has to marry one of his grandsons. Radiance’s Blu-Ray (1.85, mono) includes archival interviews with Ichikawa and Koji Ishizaka, a new talk with Aaron Gerow, and a look at the 4K restoration.
Also new from Radiance is a Blu-Ray of Antonio Pietrangeli’s THE MAGNIFICENT CUCKOLD (125 mins., 1964), starring Ugo Tognazzi as a married businessman who begins to suspect his wife (Claudia Cardinale) of infidelity. A fresh 4K restoration (1.85 B&W, mono) graces Radiance’s Limited Edition with extras including a new interview with Italian genre expert Richard Dyer; a visual essay by professor Remi Fournier Lanzoni; and an alternate color sequence…making its world English-subtitled premiere is Mauro Bolognini’s 1963 drama CORRUPTION (83 mins.), offering Jacques Perrin as a young man who wants to become a priest, much to the chagrin of his father (Alain Cuny), who schedules a sun-drenched yachting trip with his mistress (Rosanna Schiaffino) in order to convince him otherwise. Radiance’s Blu-Ray (1.85 B&W, mono) includes a 2K restoration plus an interview with Adrian Wootton and archival conversations with producers Alfredo Bini and Manolo Bolognini.
Toy Robot: A New Label Rises!
Something of a spiritual partner to Arrow Video is Toy Robot Video, whose first releases this month include some wild Japanese martial arts efforts and a UHD of an ‘80s cult favorite.
The latter is one of the last great gasps of the ill-fated (though fondly remembered) Cannon Group: MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE (106/110 mins., 1987, PG), a big-budget adaptation of the Mattel action figures (and syndicated cartoon) whose popularity had already started to wane by the time this live-action feature went into production.
The resulting film saw Cannon pouring much of its remaining resources into this late summer ‘87 release, bringing in Dolph Lundgren to play He-Man and Frank Langella as arch villain Skeletor in a plot concocted by David Odell (“The Dark Crystal,” “Supergirl”). Odell’s script saw the duo take their fight out of planet Eternia and onto Earth where (in addition to saving money) they each try to find a Cosmic Key that could give Skeletor unlimited power. Up against him are He-Man plus teenager Courtney Cox and boyfriend Robert Duncan McNeill, plus Billy Barty and Chelsea Fields as “Teela.”
With Richard Edlund VFX, production design by genre vet William Stout, and a score by Bill Conti, “Masters of the Universe” is a quality production – it’s just unfortunate the end result is kind of a dopey Saturday matinee kids’ film, one that played to the diminishing fan base of the toy line and few others.
Still, the movie has generated a decent sized cult fandom over time, and Toy Robot’s UHD offers a special treat: not just the theatrical cut of “Masters” but a never-before-seen Preview version running about five minutes longer, filled with some alternate takes in addition to scene additions. Since the movie’s home video rights were sold off in North America to Warner Bros. back in the 80s, the disc was licensed through WB even though the excellent Dolby Vision HDR (1.85) new 4K remasters were produced and supplied by MGM. The 5.1 and 2.0 DTS MA audio options are each serviceable, supporting Conti’s rousing score.
Toy Robot has also included some new extras: a commentary with William Stout on the preview cut, along with interviews with Stout, Robert Duncan McNeill and actor Anthony DeLongis. Reprieved from previous releases is a commentary with director Gary Goddard, along with an archival featurette, teasers/trailers and still galleries.
“Masters” isnt’ the only Toy Robot release on the docket – two early ‘80s Japanese imports starring Hiroyuki Sanada and Sonny Chiba are also freshly available, offering distinctively different pleasures for martial arts fans.
ROARING FIRE (95 mins., 1982) apparently received some play in the U.S. through New Line Cinema back in the day, no doubt due to its premise of a Texas-raised Japanese rancher (Sanada) who finds out the twin brother he never knew back in Japan was killed. He investigates his death while battling all kinds of enemies in a globe-trotting adventure – with one phenomenal bus-top chase sequence – that nearly plays like the kind of vehicle Jackie Chan would become synonymous with just a few years later. There’s some amusing humor, a few topless girls, and a groovy Kentaro Haneda score all on-hand here in Toy Robot’s Blu-Ray (1.85, 2.0). Supplements include a new commentary with historian Brian Bankston; interview retrospectives with Akihiko Ito (on Sonny Chiba) and James Mudge (on the movie), plus Chris Lines on co-star “Abdullah the Butcher” and Clement Raugher on the movie.
Sanada and Chiba reteamed for NINJA WARS (100 mins., 1982), a zany concoction set in feudal Japan with some supernatural/horror elements and decapitations that are utterly hilarious to behold. This movie doesn’t hold together as well as “Roaring Fire” but fans may enjoy this regardless on the second half of a double-bill with the picture. Toy Robot’s Blu-Ray (1.85, 2.0) sports a new commentary by Jonathan Clements; an interview with Matt Alt on the movie and Daisuke Miyao on the history of the ninja in Japanese cinema. A rip of the VHS version is also on-hand for the curious.
Back in the ‘90s I vaguely recall renting “The Guyver,” an early (and quite lousy) U.S. adaptation of a Japanese anime wherein a cop played by Mark Hamill gets mutated into a spider-crab creature. It didn’t take much for THE GUYVER 2: DARK HERO (123 mins., 1994, R) to top its predecessor, and despite being overlong and working off an even slimmer budget, director Steve Wang’s follow-up is a far superior effort with Sean Barker (David Hayter) back as “The Guyver” and taking on aliens hoping to take over the world. Toy Robot’s Blu-Ray includes both the original director’s cut (1.85, 5.1/2.0) as well as an enhanced version with new effects; three new commentary tracks; new interviews with Wang, the cast/crew; behind the scenes footage; an archival Making Of and more…Finally, the recent MARSHMALLOW (93 mins., 2025, Not Rated) offers a modern horror spin on “Meatballs” (and other kids camp flicks) when a quiet 12-year-old (Kue Lawrence) at a summer camp begins to uncover a real-life “campfire story” involving a devious doctor and unforgivable secrets. Daniel Pelgurgatorio’s film tries to offer a host of Shyamalan-worthy twists and turns but doesn’t quite connect; Toy Robot’s Blu-Ray (2.35, 5.1/2.0) boasts commentary from the director and his two leads; a deleted scene; two shorts from the director, storyboards; and video podcast interviews.
Also New on 4K UHD
Ignite Films’ latest 4K UHD restoration is a fresh remaster of BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR (96 mins., 1989), the follow-up to the Stuart Gordon ‘80s cult classic. Featuring newly produced bonus features and a superb new 4K presentation, Ignite’s release should prove to be a big draw with fans, while reprising legacy extras that were found in producer Mike Matessino’s late ‘90s DVD edition.
This independently produced 1989 sequel was a follow-up to the hugely popular (and highly regarded) 1985 Empire Pictures release, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s story “Herbert West, Re-Animator” about a mad scientist driven to bring the dead back to life. Filled with black humor and gory effects, Re-Animator” was one of those rare horror movies that was embraced by both genre fans and many film critics, making the movie into a bona-fide cult classic over the years since its initial theatrical and video premieres.
“Bride” finds several cast members back (including Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, and however improbably, David Gale) and reprises the gory make-up FX of its predecessor, but basically the movie lacks the panache of the original and feels as if it was put together quickly (which it was) under tight budgetary constraints. More over, Stuart Gordon did an excellent job directing and co-writing the original picture, and his absence particularly in the screenplay department robs the sequel of the more effective laughs and chills that its predecessor contained. It’s a gorier rehash that still, however, will be of interest to the many “Re-Animator” fans out there, while students of make-up FX will want to take a look at the movie’s effectively gross-out blood and guts gore, which the film provides in spades. Richard Band’s quirky electronic score, meanwhile, contains more than a few strains of “Psycho” and countless other classic soundtracks in its musical brew.
In addition to the Brian Yuzna-approved UHD transfer with Dolby Vision HDR (5.1/2.0), the disc features a brand-new, feature-length Making Of doc; extended cast/crew interviews; and a new commentary with Sarah Sherman (aka “Sarah Squirm”). Carried over from the 1999 DVD and other associated releases is a fun and insightful audio commentary (featuring Combs, director Brian Yuzna, and many of the make-up artists), a deleted scene culled from behind-the-scenes videotape, interviews and much more. The disc, right now, is available for sale at Ignite’s own site.
Making a fast return to 4K UHD after Kino Lorber’s 2023 format effort is 12 ANGRY MEN (96 mins., 1957; Criterion), the classic 1957 Sidney Lumet courtroom drama backed by a marvelous cast and a great script by Reginald Rose, which Rose and star Henry Fonda produced so memorably for the screen. Fonda gives one of his finest performances as the one dissenting juror trying to convince his peers (Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Joseph Sweeney, George Voskovec and Robert Webber) that a Puerto Rican teen charged with murdering his father may not be as guilty as he initially appears. Lumet’s taut direction and the uniformly strong performances make for a great film that’s been celebrated on home video many times before – including a Criterion Blu-Ray.
The label’s new 4K UHD (1.85) offers the same Dolby Vision HDR master (1.85) as seen on the KL disc, but with superior encoding, also adding a layer of heightened contrast over the older Blu-Ray edition. It’s a crisp and satisfying image with extras including the 1954 Franklin J. Schaffner-helmed television version; a production history of “12 Angry Men”; interviews with Walter Bernstein, Paley Center curator Ron Simon, cinematographer John Bailey (discussing the work of Boris Kaufman), and an archival talk with Lumet. Lumet’s 1956 teleplay “Tragedy in a Temporary Town” is also on-hand along with the Blu-Ray, mono sound, an an essay by Thane Rosenbaum
MINIONS & MONSTERS 4K UHD/Blu-Ray (90 mins., 2026, PG; Universal): “Minions” mania seems to be dying down a bit – at least judging from the drop off in worldwide box-office for Illuminations’ latest outing, “Minions & Monsters.” Still, kids and even some adults should get some mileage out of this latest entry which sends Kevin and the gang back to Hollywood in the 1920s, allowing for some homages to classic movies that older buffs should enjoy. Younger viewers, of course, should appreciate the slapstick in this colorful concoction from “Despicable Me” helmer Pierre Coffin, which has a lot of energy before it falls into the series’ typical trap of just getting louder – and not funnier – in a bombastic final act. Universal’s gorgeous 4K UHD (2.39) includes Dolby Atmos sound, a host of featurettes, a Blu-Ray and Digital HD code.
BATMAN KNIGHTFALL Part 1: Knightfall 4K UHD (79 mins., 2026, R; Warner): The latest direct-to-video Batman effort finds the Dark Knight up against all kinds of Gotham City enemies, all taking their toll on Bruce Wayne, including the introduction of none other than Bane. This adaptation of a hugely popular Batman storyline offers R rated violence that makes it unsuitable to kids despite the production’s familiar animated design, but the material is pretty faithful to its source and entertaining for all of its 79 minutes. Warner’s 4K UHD includes Dolby Vision HDR and 5.1 DTS MA sound along with two featurettes.
Quick Takes
Visual Vengeance New Releases: An ultra low-budget, in-name-only spoof of the “Re-Animator” series, RE-ANIMATOR ACADEMY (69 mins., 1992) finds “Edgar Allen Lovecraft” trying out his early “talents” by bringing back a recently deceased comedian’s head from the grave, leading to zaniness all around. Ridiculous comedy from director Bret McCormick, credited under the pseudonym “Judith Priest,” Visual Vengeance brings “Re-Animator Academy” to Blu-Ray in a transfer from existing standard-def tape masters (1.33, 2.0). Copious extras include a director interview, commentary by Sam Panico and Bill Van Ryn, an alternate 2023 soundtrack for the film, additional interviews and more…FATAL FLYING GUILLOTINE (88 mins., 1977) was one of many knockoffs of the 1976 martial arts hit “Master of the Flying Guillotine,” offering some grizzly kills, wacky martial arts action and horrendous dubbing, all restored here in a zesty Visual Vengeance Blu-Ray. Mastered from a new 35mm scan in 2K by archivist Toby Russell, “Fatal Flying Guillotine” will be best appreciated by fans of the Bruce Lee knockoffs we also saw back in the ‘70s, and has been augmented with all kinds of special features here: commentary by Justin Decloux, video essays on the “Flying Guillotine” genre and Chan Siu-Pang, a “dirty VHS” version, image gallery, archival interview with star Carter Wong, and both the English dub and original Chinese audio.
TAG: THE ASSASSINATION GAME Blu-Ray (91 mins., 1982, PG; Synapse): Long forgotten early ‘80s action comedy finds a group of college students playing a mock-game of “battle royale” with dart guns, when one of them goes too far. Nick Castle helmed this entertaining film which inspired the likes of “Gotcha!” with Anthony Edwards a few years later; his script gets a major assist from a terrific cast including Robert Carradine, Linda Hamilton, Michael Winslow and Forest Whitaker (among others). Synapse’s Blu-Ray has been restored in 2K (1.78, 2.0) with extras including a commentary with Castle, Carradine and moderator Sean Clark plus the trailer.
SWEET MEATS Blu-Ray (2025, Troma): What’s the secret to country legend Bobby Sweet’s meats? If you’ve been around the genre block at all you undoubtedly already know the answer in this relatively lighthearted (though no less gory) Troma release, new to Blu-Ray (1.78) sporting commentary, interviews, featurettes and more.
DVD Round-Up: The fascinating life and times of TWIGGY (97 mins., 2024; Cleopatra) are laid out in Sadie Frost’s documentary featuring interviews with Paul McCartney, Brooke Shields, Sienna Miller, Dustin Hoffman, Lulu and many others…Also from Cleopatra is MUTANT GENESIS (95 mins.), a futuristic sci-fi thriller from China given an English dub here (16:9) in addition to its original native soundtrack; and THE BEHEMOTH (90 mins., 2025), another low-budget horror entry about a couple who wish they never took a holiday trip to the mountains (16:9)…Bryan Crain’s documentary OIL CAPITAL UNDERGROUND (126 mins., 2018; VCI) looks at Tulsa, Oklahoma’s fertile punk/new wave scenes from the late ‘70s through the early ‘90s. Live footage and musical performances, along with special features (commentary, outtake reel), make this a worthwhile doc for punk rock fans.
NEXT TIME: More of the latest releases! Until then, don’t forget to drop in on the official Aisle Seat Message Boards and direct any emails to our email address. Cheers!