THE POOP SCOOP: One More Conjuring & Two More Spielberg Classics

THE CONJURING: LAST RITES on Digital October 1 and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD November 25 from Warner Bros. “The Conjuring: Last Rites” delivers another thrilling chapter of the iconic Conjuring cinematic universe, based on real events.  Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite for one last case as renowned, real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in a powerful and spine-chilling addition to the global box office-breaking franchise. From New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, the film is directed by franchise veteran Michael Chaves and produced by franchise architects James Wan and Peter Safran. Additionally, a 4-film collection featuring the 4 “Conjuring” films and a 9-film collection featuring the entire “Conjuring” universe will be available on Digital on October 7.  The 4-film collection will also be available on Blu-ray and DVD on November 25.

Steven Spielberg’s MINORITY REPORT and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN on 4K December 9 from Paramount. Both Minority Report and Catch Me If You Can were remastered this year in 4K and the sparkling new transfers were reviewed and approved by Spielberg.  The films also will be presented with Dolby Vision and HDR-10 for optimal image quality.  The 4K Ultra HD and Limited-Edition SteelBook presentations will include the feature film on 4K Ultra HD, a Blu-ray with legacy bonus features, and access to a Digital copy of the film. Originally released in 2002, Minority Report was a global hit hailed as one of the best sci-fi films of the 21st century. Catch Me If You Can also premiered theatrically in 2002 and was a massive hit with both audiences and critics.

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST on 4K UHD november 11 from Warner Bros. Now that the movie is 50 years old, perhaps we can finally forgive it for winning the Best Picture Oscar over Jaws (buy probably not). Based on the 1962 novel of the same name by author Ken Kesey, the film is considered by critics and audiences to be one of the greatest films ever made.  

F1: THE MOVIE on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD October 7 from Warner Bros. Starring Brad Pitt, directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, “F1: The Movie" is (so far) the highest grossing original feature of the year.

Dr. Seuss’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION on 4K Ultra HD & Steelbook Coming November 11 from Universal.  This special release also includes over 30 minutes of brand-new bonus content exploring the making of the beloved holiday classic.

EDDINGTON on Blu-ray October 7 from A24. A standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as the neighbors feud in May 2020. From Ari Aster, director of Hereditary and Midsommar, the movie stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler.

WEAPONS on Digital Now and Blu-ray, 4K & DVD October 14 from Warner Bros. When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. 

The Gialli Cult Classic, A HYENA IN THE SAFE, on Blu-ray November 25 from Celluloid Dreams. A Hyena in the Safe has never been officially released in the US. In fact, no English dub exists, and this Blu-ray release will feature the film in its original Italian language with English subtitles exclusively. 

NOBODY 2 on Digital Now and 4K, Blu-ray and DVD October 7 from Universal. Bob Odenkirk returns as Hutch, an overworked assassin who just needs a break, in this bareknuckle action-thriller. 

SHUDDER: A DECADE OF FEARLESS HORROR and CREEPSHOW: THE COMPLETE SERIES on Blu-ray November 11 from Shudder. 10 of the streaming service’s best movies in one boxed set. On the same day, Shudder releases all four seasons of their acclaimed anthology series, Creepshow, based on the original film by George A. Romero and Stephen King. 

THE NAKED GUN (2025) on 4K, Blu-ray & DVD November 11 from Paramount. Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father's footsteps in THE NAKED GUN, directed by Akiva Schaffer. 

David Cronenberg’s THE SHROUDS on Blu-ray & DVD October 21 from Criterion Collection. David Cronenberg returns with one of his most personal films.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING on Digital Now and 4K & Blu-ray October 14 from Paramount. Both the digital and physical releases come with hours of bonus content, including behind-the-scenes interviews, exclusive commentary, and deleted footage not seen in theatres.

Experience THE LIFE OF CHUCK

THE LIFE OF CHUCK (Blu-ray)

2025 / 111 min

Neon/Decal Releasing

Review by Princess Pepper😻

Considering Stephen King’s reputation, it’s ironic that the best adaptations of his work have generally been those that aren’t horror stories. Maybe that’s because, while certainly good at scaring the pants off of you, he might be even better at creating vivid, authentic characters, the kind that good filmmakers love to sink their teeth into. 

And considering director Mike Flanagan’s reputation, it’s also ironic that The Life of Chuck is his best film, though maybe not too surprising. Sure, he’s mostly known for horror, but the best parts of his two previous King adaptations (Gerald’s Game & Doctor Sleep) were their character driven moments. And because Flanagan himself wrote or co-wrote those screenplays, he does more than simply pull exposition from the books…he seems personally invested in these people.

The Life of Chuck is entirely driven by its characters, with a premise and plot that defy genre classification. Like the King novella, it consists of three acts presented in reverse chronological order, which isn't some kind of narrative stunt either. If told chronologically, the story would have lost all of its impact. Instead, this might be the most emotionally affecting Stephen King movie since The Shawshank Redemption (though not always the most uplifting).

“Act III: Thanks, Chuck” sees the world apparently coming to an end, as experienced through middle school teacher Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his ex-wife, Felicia Gordon (Karen Gillan). Little by little, everything simply seems to be sort-of shutting down, both societally and physically. While no explanation is offered, the apocalypse has something to do with a guy named Chuck (Tom Hiddleston), whose face appears everywhere - billboards, windows, television - though nobody knows who he is.

We’re actually introduced to Chuck in “Act II: Buskers Forever.” He’s a 39 year old accountant who - as Nick Offerman’s narration informs us - is less than a year away from dying of cancer, though Chuck is currently unaware of this. While walking down the street, he comes across street drummer Taylor Franck (Taylor Gordon), drops his briefcase and spontaneously begins dancing to the beat she's laying down. The scene turns into a full-blown dance number as he’s joined by a stranger, Janice (Annalese Basso), and the two attract an enthusiastic crowd. Viewed out of context, it’s the most joyous and charming sequence in the entire film…

"He followed me home. Can we keep him?"

…but its narrative significance becomes clear during “Act I: I Contain Multitudes," where Chuck’s childhood is revealed. After his parents are killed in a car crash, he’s raised by his grandparents, Sarah (Mia Sara) and Albie (Mark Hamill), both of whom have a huge impact on his life. Sarah instills him with a love for dancing, while Albie - though he drinks too much - stresses the importance of mastering mathematics, as well as warning Chuck never to unlock the cupola upstairs. 

But the singular moment in his young life occurs in middle school, a conversation with his teacher, Miss Richards (Kate Siegel, Flanagan’s wife, BTW) about a Whitman poem that turns out to be the crux of the entire narrative. To elaborate further would be a disservice, as would hinting at the thread that ultimately ties all three acts together. Based on one of the few King stories I actually haven’t read, I knew nothing about The Life of Chuck beyond the title, so going into it completely cold turned out to be a great experience and full of surprises. By turns, the film is eerie, ominous, whimsical, bittersweet, rousing, surreal, sentimental, poignant and ultimately inspirational. 

Flanagan masterfully moves from one key moment in Chuck’s life to the next, with nearly every story & character development vital to the overall narrative, but waiting until the opportune time to reveal their significance. He’s greatly helped by a terrific ensemble cast, all of whom deliver earnest, engaging performances. The big surprise might be Mark Hamill. We all know who he is, of course, but this might be the first time I’ve ever seen him completely disappear into his character, where I didn’t immediately go, “Hey, it’s Mark Hamill.” 

By the end credits, I was drained…in a good way. The Life of Chuck is the kind of movie that emotionally grabs you and doesn’t let go until the haunting denouement, which could either be seen as depressing or life-affirming (I choose the latter). Either way, it’s a unique film and one of the best of 2025.

EXTRA KIBBLES

MAKING-OF FEATURETTE

ON-SET INTERVIEWS - Individual interviews with actors Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mark Hamill.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By writer-director Mike Flanagan.

TRAILER & TEASER TRAILER

“HEART” & “MULTITUDES” - These are also essentially teaser trailers.

Revisiting CREEPSHOW 2 in 4K

CREEPSHOW 2 Limited Edition (4K UHD)

1987 / 90 min

Arrow Video

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

As a big fan of Stephen King, George A. Romero and anthology horror films in general, I loved the original Creepshow. While not as flat-out scary as I expected, the movie was a hell of a lot of fun, with great stories, plenty of humor and a colorful aesthetic that paid homage to the ancient horror comics that inspired it. Decades later, it remains the best (certainly the most consistent) anthology film I’ve ever seen. 

For once, here was a horror film that justified and deserved a sequel…maybe lots of sequels. 

So imagine my initial disappointment at 1987’s Creepshow 2, which was (and still is) inferior in almost every way. Shorter (only three stories), cheaper and aesthetically drab, the movie largely eschews the comic book flourishes that made the first one unique. Though Romero returns to write the screenplay based on King stories, he’s sorely missed in the director’s chair, replaced by longtime associate Michael Gornick. And save for one segment, much of the original’s giddy gallows humor is conspicuously absent. At the time, I felt like those responsible for the sequel didn’t really give a damn about it, resulting in a movie that should have been called CHEAPshow.

But you know what? Time has actually been somewhat kind to Creepshow 2. While it still doesn’t hold a candle to the original (nor to many episodes of the recent Shudder series), I’ve revisited the movie on numerous occasions over the years, and like Jordy Verrill's fungus, it has sort of grown on me. Without the baggage of elevated expectations, I’ve learned to enjoy it on its own terms. So have many other fans, because what was once a critical and commercial dud has since earned something of a cult following.

Shoulda gone to Supercuts.

As for the stories themselves, I enjoy the first one, “Ol’ Chief Woodenhead," more than I used to. A fairly straightforward tale of just-desserts, its utter predictability doesn’t help, but the segment features a terrific villainous performance by a very young Holt McCallany (who’s now a reliable character actor) and some nice atmospheric touches. Conversely, one of King’s best stories, “The Raft,” is turned into the movie’s cheesiest segment, with unlikable characters, shitty performances and a man-eating slab of lake-dwelling goo that resembles a bunch of Hefty bags tied together. However, this one does feature some nasty gore effects. 

The best segment, “The Hitchhiker,” is the only one that would have been right at home in the first film. The story of a hit-and-run victim who won’t stay dead, this one boasts fun performances by Lois Chiles as a self-absorbed driver and Tom Wright as the title character seeking revenge. Creepshow 2 also has a wraparound story tying it all together, that of a comic book fan getting revenge on bullies with the help of Venus fly traps. This story (as well as The Creep himself) is animated, and cheaply, too, but it’s pretty amusing.

In the end, I no longer think Creepshow 2 was made by folks who didn’t give a damn. They simply did their best with the talent and meager resources available to them at the time. So all things considered, everyone involved who wasn’t a pencil pusher did manage to put together an entertaining little horror film. 

Now it’s available on 4K as a limited edition boxed set and features a pretty good video upgrade, though the three audio options are the same as Arrow’s previous Blu-ray release (and not really a complaint since the DTS-HD Master Audio track is really good). Having been sent a promo disc for review, I can’t comment on any physical supplements, but all of the other bonus material (outlined below) is the exactly same as the Blu-ray. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

NOTE: Free Kittens Movie Guide was provided with a promo disc for review purposes. Physical supplemental material included with the final product (booklets, artwork, inserts, etc) were not available for review.

FEATURETTES - Screenplay for a Sequel is an interview with screenwriter George A. Romero; Tales from the Creep is an interview make-up legend with Tom Savini (who plays The Creep in the wraparound segments); Poncho’s Last Ride and The Road to Dover are interviews with actors Daniel Beer (Randy) and Tom Wright (The Hitchhiker); Nightmares in Foam Rubber is special effects featurette, including interviews with Howard Berger & Greg Nicotero; My Friend Rick is an appreciation of make-up artist Rick Baker, featuring Howard Berger.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Michael Gornick.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOOTAGE

TRAILERS & TV SPOTS

SCREENPLAY GALLERIES

Catnip Reviews: BETTER OFF DEAD (4K), WATSON Season One & SPAWN (4K)

Snack-sized opinions from the frisky felines at Free Kittens…

BETTER OFF DEAD 40th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD) - 1985 was a pretty damn good year for John Cusack, with a couple of films that put him directly in the spotlight. One of them, Better Off Dead, didn’t make much of an impression when it was first released, but has since become something of a cult film. 40 years later, it at least deserves a few kudos for its quirkiness and black comedy elements, which helped distinguish the film from countless other ‘80s era teen comedies. But as an obvious product of its time, how much one enjoys it today depends largely on nostalgic reverence for that decade, and so small amount of tolerance for director “Savage” Steve Holland’s sense of humor. Considering this release touts the film’s 40th Anniversary, the 4K video/audio quality is merely average and there are no additional bonus features. Fans who already own the film in other formats have little reason for an upgrade. (1985/96 min/Paramount). 

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼

WATSON Season One (DVD) - Just when you think they’ve run out of ways to serve up iconic characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, along comes the first season of Watson. As the title indicates, the focus is on Sherlock Holmes’ longtime loyal sidekick. However, it’s set in the present day, with the title character (Morris Chestnut) as the head of a Pittsburgh clinic. Not the worst idea as these things go, but it doesn’t necessarily need to feature characters we’re already familiar with (including Holmes’ nemesis, Moriarity). With a few name changes here and there, this could be any typical TV detective series. Still, Chestnut is good in the lead role, and if not quite bingeworthy, the show has its moments. This 4-disc DVD includes a few featurettes, deleted scenes and a gag reel.  (2025/560 min/Paramount). 

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺

SPAWN Limited Edition (4K and Blu-ray) - Spawn was a garbage truck movie back in 1997 and time hasn’t been any kinder to it. Too bad, really, because the basic premise has the makings of a compellingly dark and brutally bloody comic book movie. But instead of appealing to the same older audience that made Blade a sleeper hit a year later, Spawn aims for the mallrat crowd. But even that doesn’t excuse the shipshod direction, bad writing (with eye-rolling dialogue) and tremendous overacting. Speaking of which…if they gave out awards for the most irritating performance of all time, John Leguizamo (who apparently improvised a lot of his dialogue) would be a strong contender. Instead of rebooting Batman over and over, how about somebody try to give this character a decent movie? However, fans of the film will certainly appreciate Arrow Video’s excellent restoration and big batch of all new bonus features, including two commentaries and interviews with several primary cast members. It also features both the theatrical and director’s cut (a marginal improvement). (199798 min/Arrow Video). 

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼

Blu-ray Giveaway: MATERIALISTS

FREE KITTENS MOVIE GUIDE is giving away a Blu-ray copy of the sleeper hit, MATERIALISTS, courtesy of A24 FILMS. 

A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex in this perceptive romantic drama. Starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans. Directed by Celine Song.

TO ENTER:

Shoot us an email at freekittensmovieguide@gmail.com

Contest ends 10/15

U.S. Residents Only

MATERIALISTS: Clean Pedro vs. Grimy Pedro

MATERIALISTS (Blu-ray)

2025 / 116 min

A24

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😽

Another sleeper hit from A24, another opportunity to jump on-board the Pedro Pascal train. Not that it’s a difficult task. The guy is everywhere these days…five movies in 2024 alone, three this year, and lets not forget two of the most high-profile sci-fi TV series of the last 10 years. I imagine Pedro wakes up every morning with a big high-five to himself.

For the most part, he deserves to. Unlike a lot of other actors running the risk of overexposure, Pascal’s track record has been pretty solid and he’s proven to be quite versatile, though my daughter, who has a celebrity crush on him, prefers the gritty, grimy & grizzled Pedro from The Last of Us. Seeing him as sharp-dressed, handsome and wealthy Henry Castillo in Materialists would probably leave her cold.

Despite the collective aesthetic appeal of the cast (which includes Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans), I can kind-of see how Materialists might leave a lot of people cold, especially those expecting the kind of light romantic comedy they're used to. There’s comedy, sure, but it’s understated and ultimately not part of writer-director Celine Song’s playbook. 

It certainly begins like something Julia Roberts used to do in her sleep back in the ‘90s, with Johnson as Lucy Mason, a professional matchmaker whose clients largely consists of entitled rich people with a checklist of physical and/or financial qualities they seek in a potential mate. Lucy’s mathematical approach to matchmaking makes her successful, though she herself isn’t really part of that world. In fact, when she meets charming single bachelor Henry Castillo, Lucy uses her personal analytics to explain why they aren’t compatible (which doesn’t really dissuade him, of course).

Chopsticks, too? Is there anything Pedro can't do?

At roughly the same time, Lucy’s old boyfriend, struggling actor John Pitts (Evans), re-enters her life during a chance meeting. We sense they still love each other, but as seen through flashbacks, she left him because he didn’t meet the same shallow criteria many of her clients demand (and she hates herself for it). Meanwhile, Lucy does begin a relationship with Henry, though it’s obvious she doesn’t actually love him. As love triangles go, the movie takes a few unexpected turns, but it’s sometimes pretty slow going and Lucy isn’t a particularly sympathetic protagonist. I also could have done without the subplot involving one of Lucy’s clients, Sophie (Zoe Winters), and an abusive man she set her up with.

Still, I guess it could be considered a fairly perceptive, mature look at relationships - even if we don’t necessarily relate to some of these people - and the overall performances keep it watchable. Though his character is more of a plot device, fans of “clean” Pedro will enjoy what he brings to the film, while those who love “grimy” Pedro (like my daughter) should give it a pass. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - The Math of Modern Dating: Making Materialists; Composer Deep Dive with Japanese Breakfast.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By writer-director Celine Song.

SIX BEHIND-THE-SCENES POSTCARDS - Standard with all A24 releases.