ÆON FLUX (4K): The Anniversary You Probably Forgot

ÆON FLUX 20th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD SteelBook)

2005 / 92 min

Paramount

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😾

A 20th Anniversary edition of Æon Flux? I could be wrong, but isn’t that like celebrating the anniversary of a single date you had with someone whose name and face you barely remember?

For the sake of clarity, Æon Flux was an animated sci-fi series that aired on MTV back in the 1990s. This live-action film starring Charlize Theron followed about a decade later, which was a critical and box office dud. Then it sort of became forgotten, never developing anything resembling a cult following (though it has been repeatedly released on Blu-ray and DVD over the years). Now it’s getting the 4K SteelBook treatment, so surely someone out there must fondly recall this one. Right?

This is the first time I’ve ever actually watched it. Having never seen the original show either, I have no idea how it measures up or if it’s faithful to the source material, but it does a fairly decent job establishing the dystopian setting, where a virus has wiped out most of the world’s population. The remaining five million people survive within the walls of a single city called Bregna. However, not everything is hunky dory. Bregna is under authoritarian rule by the Goodchilds, the family whose ancestors created the city in the first place.

The world's greatest lawn ornament.

Theron plays the title character, a kick-ass supersoldier who fights with a telepathic resistance group called the Monicans. After her sister is mistakenly identified as a Monican and murdered, Æon accepts a mission to kill Bregna’s leader, Trevor (Marton Csokas). But not only is it revealed the two have a past together, Trevor’s being undermined by his own counsel, led by hot-headed brother, Oren (Jonny Lee Miller). 

Æon Flux is competently made and features the expected quota of CGI-enhanced action and special effects. However, there’s absolutely nothing memorable about it, visually or narratively. Theron looks good and gives a dedicated physical performance, but her character is purely defined by action (hell, she barely reacts to her own sister’s death). Everyone else is even less defined. It all moves along at an urgent pace, but at no point are we instilled with the same urgency. We’re simply watching everything unfold with the enthusiasm of watching someone else play a video game.

Aside from Theron’s costume and its combat-functional boob window, I can’t think of a single noteworthy scene or moment that raises Æon Flux above anything but empty eye candy. Still, if that single date you had with someone left a lasting impression, the film has been given a pretty decent 4K facelift and comes with bonus features carried over from previous releases. I suppose the biggest selling point would be the new SteelBook packaging, which features a variation of the original promotional artwork, but is at least an improvement over the crappy looking Blu-ray SteelBook from a few years ago.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES

FEATURETTES - Creating a World: Aeon Flux; The Locations of Aeon Flux; The Stunts of Aeon Flux; The Costume Design Workshop of Aeon Flux; The Craft of the Set Photographer on Aeon Flux.

2 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By Charlize Theron & producer Gale Anne Hurd; 2) By screenwriters Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi.

EDDINGTON: A Guided Tour of Historical Chaos

EDDINGTON (Blu-ray)

2025 / 148 min

A24 Films

Review by Princess Pepper😸

If nothing else, writer-director Ari Aster is unpredictable. After making a name for himself in horror circles with Hereditary and Midsommar, one might've naturally assumed he’d stay the course. Instead, he did Beau is Afraid, a surreal, often self-indulgent exploration of extreme anxiety. Being that the film was somewhat pretentious, to say nothing of really long, I think more than a few people wished he’d stick to horror.

But that would make Aster less interesting. There’s a what-the-hell-did-I-just-watch? quality to his visual and narrative approach that makes all of his films memorable, even if we don't always like what he shows us. From a story standpoint, Eddington might be Aster’s most straightforward effort - it’s certainly his least ambiguous - but its themes and social commentary are undoubtedly polarizing. That alone makes the film worth seeing. Too bad few people actually did, because this might be the director’s most compelling work.

It’s arguably his most timely, while also serving as a blistering piece of historical fiction that none-too-subtly singles out a couple of key recent events which widened the already extreme political divide this country is still experiencing today. In that sense, Eddington can be seen as Aster’s most distinctly “American” film, with a small New Mexico town serving as its microcosm. 

Taking place in 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic, Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) is the sheriff of Eddington and a fervent anti-masker, despite a state mandate. Depending on the viewer, this establishes Joe as either sympathetic or a willfully ignorant dumbass. Then again, I’m of the belief that anybody who’d view this character positively probably wouldn’t choose to watch a movie like Eddington in the first place, so maybe Aster is just preaching to the converted.

"That's my hat, goddammit!"

Cross’ frequent clashes with progressive-minded mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) prompt him to spontaneously announce his own candidacy for the upcoming election, running on a freedom of choice campaign. On the homefront, Joe’s life is kind of a mess, with an anxiety-ridden wife, Louise (Emma Stone), and looney, conspiracy-theorist mother-in-law Dawn (Deidre O’Connell). His complacency is further threatened when the police murder of George Floyd has far-reaching societal impact, even in the small town of Eddington. Once again, Joe is (willfully?) ignorant of the cultural climate, unable to understand why the town is suddenly so divided and out of control.

Ongoing themes permeate the story, such as the motivations of activists on both sides of the political spectrum, as well as how people can take advantage of the media to push their own agendas (facts be damned). And one thing is certain…you sure as hell don’t need a slide rule to figure out how these characters and their actions relate to the real world. Still, Eddington is generally more of an observation than a subjective commentary. 

At the same time, it’s very entertaining, even as the tone grows increasingly dark. Filled with an eclectic array of interesting characters and anchored by terrific performances (especially Phoenix), the film also includes healthy amounts of black comedy, as well as Aster’s usual aesthetic flourishes, quirky touches and bursts of brutal violence. In addition to presenting an original and unpredictable story, Eddington perfectly captures the chaos of the most tumultuous era in our recent history. Best of all, I can imagine just as many people hating it, and any movie that potentially polarizing is certainly worth experiencing.

EXTRA KIBBLES

MAKING-OF FEATURETTE

6 SOUVENIR POSTCARDS - Not the usual behind-the-scenes card A24 has typically included. These look like actual retro postcards.

Catnip Reviews: BUSTER KEATON, SMURFS & ULTRAMAN ARC

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

THE BUSTER KEATON SHOW (Blu-ray) - Until this 2-disc set arrived, I wasn’t aware Buster Keaton even had a TV show. Perhaps some of you were unaware, too, since it wasn’t particularly successful and many episodes have since been lost. However, this set has dug up and restored nine of them, which is kind of a bittersweet viewing experience. On one hand, here’s a silent movie legend decades removed from his glory days, and it shows. He never took to talkies too well, and some of these episodes see him sadly trying to erase the passage of time. On the other hand, some of his greatness still shines through on occasion…a reminder that, at one time, nobody was funnier. Also included are a couple of episodes not previously available, as well as Buster’s appearances in other shows, but the best bonus kibbles are two of his silent shorts from the early twenties. Far from Buster’s greatest work, but from a historical perspective, it’s well worth checking out. (1949-50/332 min/Liberation Hall). 

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼

SMURFS (Blu-ray) - “Isn’t Rihanna in that?” asked my 21-year-old daughter, Lucy, as she passed through the room while I was watching this. “Yeah,” I ruefully replied before tapping the blurb on the box, “Rihanna is Smurfette.” That was the extent of Lucy’s interest, but she used to watch this stuff as a kid. A reboot I didn’t know anyone was asking for, Smurfs is yet-another cynically assembled, pop song-laden product with Rihanna and a huge cast of well-known actors lending their voices (and marquee value). Since the average five-year-old probably doesn’t give a damn who these people are, I’m not sure why they went to all the trouble. While there are a few interesting animated bits, this is one of those movies that you pop into your machine to keep the wee ones amused while you do something else.  (2025/90 min/Paramount). 

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺

ULTRAMAN ARC (Blu-ray) - And you thought Disney knew how to milk a franchise…Ultraman has been kicking around since 1966, when the first series aired in Japan. Since then, there have been dozens and dozens of TV shows, miniseries, movies, games, comics, manga and trading cards. And yours truly has never seen a single frame until now, with this 2024 series, Ultraman Arc. Since this type of science-fiction is not my bag, I’m kinda going-by-feel here when it comes to any recommendation. From the characters to the lore to the action itself, most of this was lost on me, like attending a party where you know none of the guests. But since it appears to be aesthetically identical to other recent series, I suspect it’ll please fans of the franchise. If you count yourself among them, dig in. This 4-disc set features 25 episodes, as well as a full length Ultraman Arc movie, The Clash of Light and Evil. Additionally, it comes with a card that can apparently be played with an Ultraman card game. (2024/700 min/Mill Creek). 

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼

4 HALLOWEEN...is Not

4 HALLOWEEN (Blu-ray)

2022 / 67 min

Darkside Releasing

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

If you love a good horror anthology flick - and who doesn’t? -  look elsewhere...please.

4 Halloween opens with a ten minute sequence of a masked psycho, wearing nothing but a slaughterhouse apron, cutting away a dead man’s nose, lips and eyes. Then with no transition whatsoever, he stabs a young woman in her bathroom about 50 times. The gore is all shot in voyeuristic close-up, which I suppose is fine if that’s your sort of thing. 

But that’s the entire plot of this dialogue-free segment, which is indicative of the rest of them, prompting one to wonder if the film had an actual written screenplay. While the ‘stories’ sort of intersect, none of them are all that coherent and mostly appear to exist for the sake of a gross-out scene…save for the last story, which so blatantly rips-off of Killer Klowns from Outer Space that the Chiodo Brothers should consider suing. 

In addition to being nearly nonsensical, 4 Halloween is amateurish and cheap looking, with godawful performances and, aside from some of the gore, visual effects that look like something cooked up by a public access TV station…from the 90s. Not only is this garbage a complete waste of time, it’s a waste of the disc it’s burned on. Dust off your old copy of Creepshow instead.

EXTRA KIBBLES

ALTERNATE SCENES, BEHIND-THE-SCENES & BLOOPERS - All rolled up into one featurette. more entertaining than the movie.

TRAILERS - For this and other Darkside releases.

THE POOP SCOOP: Space, Spinal Tap & Stephen King

🙀Stephen King’s THE LONG WALK on Digital October 21 and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD November 25 from Lionsgate. The film is a hit with theatrical audiences, having taken in $57.6 million at the worldwide box office—and still walking. From Francis Lawrence, the visionary director of The Hunger Games franchise films (Catching Fire, Mockingjay – Parts 1 & 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), comes the highly anticipated adaptation of master storyteller Stephen King’s first completed novel THE LONG WALK, an intense, chilling, and emotional thriller that challenges audiences to confront a haunting question: how far could you go?

🎸🎸SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES on 4K and Blu-ray November 11 from Decal/Bleecker Street. This Is Spinal Tap chronicles England's loudest and most punctual band on their disaster-filled U.S. tour. Experience the remastered, remixed, and definitive version of what can only be described as a mockumentary masterpiece. Includes deleted scenes.

🪐OUTLAND and RED PLANET on 4K November 4 from Arrow Video. Two underrated sci-fi films are finally on 4K from Arrow with new restorations and loads of bonus features. In Outland, Writer-director Peter Hyams (Capricorn One, 2010, The Relic) takes classic Western tropes off-world and into the future, starring Sean Connery as a federal marshall assigned to keep the peace on a distant moon. In Red Planet, Val Kilmer and Carrie-Anne Moss headline the sci-fi adventure that offers, an exciting glimpse into a future, where humankind's last hope for survival rests on escaping the bounds of Earth and colonising the cosmos.

🙀HIM available 10/7 on Digital Now and Blu-ray & 4K November 11 from Lionsgate. Attacked by an unhinged fan, quarterback Cameron Cade receives a lifeline when his football idol Isaiah White offers to train him. But as Isaiah’s charisma curdles into something sinister, Cam descends a disorienting spiral that may cost him more than he bargained for. 

😺PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE on 4K & Blu-ray December 16 from Criterion Collection. One of the most eccentric comedies of the 1980s, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure is a pop-culture touchstone that helped make a manic oddball named Pee-wee Herman—the creation and alter ego of actor-comedian Paul Reubens—into an icon for outsiders of all ages.

🏆OUT OF AFRICA 40th ANNIVERSARY Edition on 4K November from Universal. This exquisite, intelligent romantic drama based on the life Karen Blixen, was the most highly acclaimed film of its time. Directed by Academy Awards winner Sydney Pollack and starring the late, great Robert Redford.

🙀THE CONJURING: LAST RITES on Digital October 1 and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD November 25 from Warner Bros. 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.

😺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.  

🏆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.  

🎄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.

😺The Gialli Cult Classic, A HYENA IN THE SAFE, on Blu-ray November 25 from Celluloid Dreams. This Blu-ray release will feature the film in its original Italian language with English subtitles exclusively. 

🙀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.

WEAPONS: A Wild, Twisted Ride

WEAPONS (Blu-ray)

2025 / 128 min

Warner Bros

#InPartnershipwithWB

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

I have a feeling that being a Zack Cregger fan is going to be something of a challenge. 

Reviewing his first film, Barbarian, a few years ago, I had the good fortune of knowing absolutely zero about the premise or plot. In addition to being extremely well written and atmospheric, to say nothing of brutal, it repeatedly surprised me with its story turns and dramatic tonal shifts. That unpredictability was a big part of what made it the best horror film of 2022. 

While elevated expectations were probably unavoidable, I did manage to avoid learning anything about Cregger’s Weapons beyond the title and an intriguing trailer that revealed little (the way all of trailers should be). That wasn’t easy because, unlike Barbarian, this one was a blockbuster and all the hype made the internet a virtual minefield. So it was with a sense of victory that my daughters and I bought our tickets over a week into the movie’s theatrical run…

…and not only did Weapons live up to the hype, it surpassed my expectations. Like Barbarian, it’s a wild, original film that's best viewed cold, so consider yourself lucky if you’re able to. Because of this, I’ll avoid revealing the plot in any detail, which begins with the unexplained disappearance of 17 children from a small suburbia. At exactly 2:17 AM, they simply wake up, leave their homes and run off into the night.

When the ice cream truck arrives past curfew.

Obviously, the children' s disappearance is central to the narrative, but the story is no mere mystery. It’s still primarily a horror film - and a pretty brutal one, too - but divided into intersecting chapters, each presented from a specific character’s point of view somewhat akin to Kurosawa’s Rashomon. With each chapter comes unexpected plot or character revelations - some which are shocking - and it all comes together for a memorable climax.

This time around, Cregger infuses his intelligent story with unexpected personal drama and twisted black comedy, the latter of which I suspect some horror purists may not appreciate. But as someone who enjoys my expectations being subverted, I thought it was a great touch. Elsewhere, the story features an ensemble of engaging, believable characters, all well-performed by a great cast (including Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich and Amy Madigan). 

Overall, 2025 has been a pretty damn good year for smart, original horror, with the likes of Sinners, Bring Her Back and now Weapons ranking among the best of them. Here’s hoping Zack Cregger remains this dedicated to unpredictability for the rest of his career, even if it does keep me off the internet for a couple of weeks every few years (which probably ain’t a bad thing)

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - Director Zack Cregger: Making Horror Personal; Weaponized: The Cast of Weapons; Weapons: Texture of Terror. Each featurette runs 6-10 minutes, and their titles are more-or-less explanatory.