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PREDATOR: BADLANDS (Digital) - One could argue that Predator should never have become a franchise in the first place, but we don’t live in that world, do we? That being said, if you simply must keep returning to the well, this is the way to do it and director Dan Trachtenberg is the breath of fresh air the series needed. By thinking outside the box, he’s given us the wonderfully minimalist Prey, followed by an unexpected turn to animation with Predator: Killer of Killers. His latest, Predator: Badlands, may be the most surprising detour yet. The first film to feature its titular character as the primary protagonist, it further explores the creatures’ social structure and rites of passage through hunting. It’s also a hell of a lot of fun, with an engaging story, violent action, humor and even a few emotionally affecting moments. The film also introduces a vivid world where damn near everything - including plants - is trying to kill you. And don’t be put-off by the PG-13 rating. Badlands is just as violent and bloody as others in the franchise…there just aren't any human casualties. This digital release includes several short featurettes, deleted scenes and an audio commentary, with 4K, Blu-ray and DVD editions coming February 17. (2025/107 min/20th Century Studios).
KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼😼
SNAKES ON A PLANE (4K UHD) - Snakes on a Plane was always more of a marketing campaign than a movie. Exploiting a deliberately stupid title and Samuel L. Jackson’s public persona (and his indelible way with expletives) briefly turned the film into something of a cultural phenomenon, especially on the internet. But once the hype died down and the smoke cleared, what remains is a competent-but-unremarkable disaster/killer critter hybrid that panders to the yahoo crowd with cheap shocks and gratuitous sex, all clumsily inserted to earn an R-rating. Though it never became the cult film it was obviously aspiring to be, there’s some sleazy fun to be had if you’re in the right frame of mind and Jackson looks like he’s having a great time. I’m not sure a movie like this really benefits from the 4K treatment, but Arrow’s got it if you want it, along with a big batch of new and archival bonus features. (2006/105 min/Arrow Video).
KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺😺
BLOOD OF REVENGE (Blu-ray) - This early yakuza film will be of historic interest for fans of the genre. Set in 1907, the film focuses on rising tensions between yakuza families following an assassination attempt on one of the leaders, who then aspires to go straight and turn his family into a legitimate organization. This is the first yakuza film by Tai Kato, a director whose films not particularly well known on this side of the pond. But in Japan, he became one of the more respected names in the genre. Perhaps not a violent as some hardcore fans may be used to, Blood of Revenge is still pretty entertaining, with good performances and impressively vivid production design, making it worth seeking out. This Blu-ray features a great restoration, as well as an early short by Kato and video essay. (1965/90 min/Radiance Films).
KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼
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