THE POOP SCOOP: Super Secret Scary Kibbles!

UPCOMING KIBBLES THAT MAKE US PURR!

EVIL DEAD BURN on Digital Now and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD September 18 from Warner Bros. EVIL DEAD BURN unleashes the franchise’s most savage and terrifying ride to date with an all-new chapter of carnage and demonic mayhem. After the loss of her husband, a woman seeks solace with her in-laws in their secluded family home. As one by one they are transformed into Deadites—turning the gathering into a family reunion from hell—she comes to discover that the vows she took in life live on… even in death. EVIL DEAD BURN stars Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Erroll Shand and Maude Davey. The film is directed by Sébastien Vaniček and written by Sébastien Vaniček & Florent Bernard. It is produced by Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi. The executive producers are Bruce Campbell, Romel Adam, Sarah Spurway, Jose Cañas and Lee Cronin.

SUPERGIRL on Digital Now and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD September 8 from Warner Bros. In its inaugural flight into the new DC Cinematic Universe, “Supergirl” reveals the origin of the interplanetary nomad Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, cousin of Kal-El, better known as Superman. Headstrong, worldly-wise, and often reckless, Supergirl exudes a brand of heroism all her own—truthful, relatable, and always on her own terms. But when an unexpected and ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion. Together they undertake an epic, interstellar journey, struggling to balance one’s need for vengeance with the pursuit of justice—and to save the life of Kara’s best friend, her dog Krypto. Ultimately Supergirl will prove that doing good can be tough… and it doesn’t always have to be nice. 

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE on 4K, Blu-ray & DVD October 20 from Alliance Entertainment. Amazon MGM Studios and Alliance Home Entertainment announce the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD release of the epic adventure that’s fun for the whole family, Masters Of The Universe, starring Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Kristen Wiig, Jared Leto, and Idris Elba. After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicolas Galitzine) back to Eternia where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto). To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba) and embrace his true destiny as He-Man – the most powerful man in the universe.

Nominated for Multiple Oscars, THE SECRET AGENT Comes to 4K, Blu-ray & DVD September 22 from Criterion Collection. With an electrifying blend of kinetic punch and elegiac historical sweep, Kleber Mendonça Filho connects life under Brazil’s twentieth-century military dictatorship to the living present, delivering a kaleidoscopic period thriller pulsing with resonance. In 1977, under the alias Marcelo, a man (Wagner Moura) arrives in the city of Recife to try to make a fresh start with his young son. However, the threat of violence immediately encroaches, while around him swirl corrupt cops, grimy hit men, haunted exiles, and a wild urban legend that ignites a public frenzy. Continually spinning off its temporal and narrative axes, The Secret Agent unfurls an epic canvas teeming with life and love for those who refuse to submit to systems of oppression. 

GONE WITH THE WIND in 4K and Digital November 3 from Warner Bros. The film quickly became an “Instant Classic” when it was first released over eighty-five years ago and now returns newly remastered with extraordinary picture and sound and includes new bonus content. 

Guillermo del Toro’s FRANKENSTEIN on 4K and Blu-ray October 27 from Criterion Collection. A decades-in-the-making triumph of darkly ravishing visual invention and operatic storytelling, Frankenstein is a deeply personal statement from a director who has long been drawn to the realm where men and monsters merge.  

STAR TREK: THE COMPLETE ORIGINAL SERIES 60th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray and DVD September 8 from Paramount. Blending action, philosophy, and visionary storytelling, the series remains one of the most influential sci-fi shows of all time. .

POWER BALLAD on Blu-ray (+DVD & Digital) August 25 from Lionsgate. From writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once), POWER BALLAD is a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition. 

THE SHEEP DETECTIVES on Blu-ray and DVD August 25 from Alliance Entertainment. The film holds a staggering 95% ‘Certified Fresh’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and audiences agreeing that The Sheep Detectives is a film the whole family will be coming back to for years to come. 

The Original PRACTICAL MAGIC on 4K August 25 from Warner Bros. The newly remastered film will be available ahead of the theatrical release of the highly anticipated sequel Practical Magic 2 on September 11. 

TROY Limited Edition on 4K and Blu-ray 8/18. Features brand new 4K remasters of both the Director’s Cut and Theatrical Cut of the film from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films, hours of special features, and newly commissioned extras. A Blu-ray edition release will also be available. 

BARBARIAN Coming to 4K + Blu-ray August 11 from 20th Century Studios.  Released in September, 2022, shocking and captivating audiences with its bizarre twists, violence, carnage, and delightfully subversive sense of humor. "Barbarian," which stars Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, and Justin Long and is written and directed by Zach Cregger (Weapons). 

FORBIDDEN PLANET Limited Edition on 4K September 28 from Arrow Video. For the very first time, Forbidden Planet is presented in its original Cinemascope aspect ratio of 2.55:1 with its theatrical "Perspecta" stereo soundtrack in an eye-popping brand new 4K restoration. 

PROJECT HAIL MARY on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD August 11 from Alliance Entertainment. Based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, screenwriter Drew Goddard adapted Project Hail Mary for the screen, and it was brought to life by directors Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray releases of Project Hail Mary include out of this world bonus content.

THE COMPLETE KUBRICK Coming to 4K + Blu-ray October 20 from Criterion Collection. Collected here for the first time are Kubrick’s thirteen features and three shorts, all restored in 4K, over twenty-five hours of interviews, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes materials; and deluxe packaging.

MARS ATTACKS! on 4K August 11 from Warner Bros. The newly remastered film will also include new bonus content featuring the behind-the-scenes filmmakers reflecting on the making of Mars Attacks! 30 years later.

Catnip Reviews: RELENTLESS, I WAS A TEENAGE SEX PISTOL and NCIS: TONY & ZIVA

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

I WAS A TEENAGE SEX PISTOL (Blu-ray) - You’d be hard pressed to name another artist or band who became legendary with one album…and one album only. Such is the legacy of the Sex Pistols, four young British blokes of marginal musical ability who captured lightning in a bottle - as well as the pulse of disenfranchised youth - with a bit of help from opportunistic manager Malcom McLaren. Through interviews, archival footage and stills from the era, this revealing documentary tells the band’s story (and the enormous controversy that followed wherever they went) from the perspective of one of its founding members, bassist Glen Matlock. Additionally, former bandmates Steve Jones and Paul Cook are on-hand to discuss the band’s quick rise and fall (mostly corroborating Matlock’s recollections), while singer John Lydon is conspicuously absent. Other interviewees include Blondie, Billy Idol, Tracii Guns, The Faces’ Kenney Jones and The Damned’s Rat Scabies, all of whom convey their appreciation for the Pistols’ musical and cultural impact (well, maybe not Jones so much). The film is also about Matlock himself (based on his own book), and dedicates some time to his life & career after the Sex Pistols (which is a bit less interesting). For anyone who continues to love that one great album, or those simply curious over what the hubbub was about, this documentary is essential viewing…and really entertaining. (2025/102 min/Vantage Media).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼😼

NCIS: TONY & ZIVA, SEASON ONE (DVD) - Sometimes thinking outside the box doesn’t always pay off. Take Tony & Ziva, for instance. As the umpteenth spinoff in the never-ending NCIS franchise, this one takes two popular characters from the original series (played by Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo) and reunites them in Paris, along with a kid they had together. But it isn’t business as usual. This season eschews the tried & true episodic format for an ongoing narrative of a mysterious, high-tech thief who’s framed Tony for an Interpol theft. The main story is fairly engaging and its two stars slip comfortably back into their roles, but as someone who never religiously watched the original show, I was less interested in the flashbacks depicting how the couple fell apart. Perhaps many others felt the same, because Tony & Ziva has already been canceled. For those who did appreciate the franchise’s attempt to try something a little different, this 10 episode set comes with a few interesting bonus features.    (2025/437 min/Paramount)

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺😺

RELENTLESS (Blu-ray) - Former Brat Packer Judd Nelson plays Buck Taylor, a sadistic serial killer in this silly concoction from director William Lustig, best known for the gory cult classics, Maniac and Maniac Cop (no relation). But Relentless is no horror film. Instead, it's a crime thriller that features an ambitious rookie detective (Leo Rossi) teaming up with a cynical, seasoned cop (Robert Loggia) to find and stop Buck, who selects his victims at random. There’s a decent story in there somewhere, but it’s largely undermined by a static pace, lapses in logic (such as Buck being able to crash through a skylight without so much as a scratch) and an overwrought performance by Rossi (despite the deceptive billing, he’s the actual star of the film). And maybe it’s because of all the Brat Pack baggage he brings with him, but I simply didn’t buy Nelson as a psychotic killer, though he gives it a good sporting try. Still, Relentless enjoyed a healthy afterlife on home video (spawning three sequels, all starring Rossi), making this a logical choice for inclusion in Alliance Entertainment's ongoing Retro VHS series. (1989/92 min/Alliance Entertainment)

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼

IS GOD IS: Bittersweet Revenge

IS GOD IS (Blu-ray)

2026 / 99 min

Alliance Entertainment

Review by Princess Pepper😺

Humorist Josh Billings once wrote, “There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness.” Yeah, okay…but show me someone who doesn’t enjoy a good revenge flick now and again and I’ll show you someone whose life is devoid of joy…and spicy food…and novelty socks…and sex with the lights on. Sure, in real life, revenge seldom works out the way we want it to, but in movies? Sometimes there’s nothing more satisfying than swift violent payback. 

Of course, the inherent problem with the subgenre is there are a finite number of scenarios, meaning we tend to see variations of the same story over and over again. And if done well, I’m generally cool with that. After all, who goes to an AC/DC concert hoping to hear a ballad? Still, I always appreciate one that tries to do something unique with the formula. With the awkwardly titled Is God Is, first-time writer-director Aleshea Harris has made a Tarantinoesque revenge film that's both rousing and bittersweet.

Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson) are twins who were disfigured during childhood and raised in numerous foster homes. As adults, all they really have is each other. When unexpectedly summoned by their dying mother (Vivica A. Fox), who they thought was already dead, they see that she, too, bears similar scars. She then reveals how they all ended up this way: Years earlier, their father set her on fire, and the two girls suffered burns trying to save her. Worse yet, their father got away with it thanks to a fast talking lawyer. 

Sometimes you gotta dance like the entire state of Tennessee is watching. 

Mom (whom they refer to as God, since she “created” them) has one dying wish…for Racine and Anaia to find their dad and kill him, along with everything he now loves. Though Anaia has mixed feelings over committing murder, Racine  (who’s always been the more aggressive twin), is more than ready to exact revenge, reasoning that he’s solely responsible for the misery they’ve endured all their lives.

The middle act is an episodic journey to find him. While this stretch is sometimes a little pokey, the sisters have some amusing encounters with Dad’s old acquaintances. In fact, the film is often pretty damn funny, due to how well-realized the two protagonists are…so in-tune with each other that they’re able to carry on conversations without speaking (the subtitles are a clever touch). There’s also conflict between them, largely because of their opposing views over the quest they’ve undertaken. We get the impression this is the first time they don’t see eye to eye. But their unconditional love for each other is very clear, which endears us to them.

I won’t reveal anything that transpires after they do finally find their father (Sterling K. Brown) and his new family (including Janelle Monae as his wife, who might also be suffering from abuse). However, I will say that Harris delivers a wild, violent and emotionally-charged finale. Whether or not it’s a satisfying ending depends on what viewers expect from their revenge flicks, but I appreciated how it made me feel.

Catnip Reviews: MICKI & MAUDE, RED SUN (4K) and NETWORK (4K)

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

MICKI & MAUDE (Blu-ray) - One of the more unlikely Hollywood success stories of the ‘80s, diminutive British comedian Dudley Moore elevated himself from respected cult figure to leading man status with a couple of classics, 10 and Arthur. While those two more-or-less cemented his legend (at least in the U.S.), the reality is that subsequent films were a mixed bag, largely consisting of middling romantic comedies and forgettable family films. One exception might be 1984’s Micki & Maude, which reteams Moore with 10 director Blake Edwards (whose own career was also in creative decline). As a reporter who marries two different women, both of whom end up pregnant at the same time, Moore manages to make his character a likable protagonist (no small feat, considering the premise). Elsewhere, the farcical aspects of the film are pretty enjoyable and somewhat reminiscent of Edwards’ classic comedies. While no classic itself, it’s arguably the last film by either of these guys that’s worth revisiting. Like other releases in Alliance Entertainment’s Retro VHS series, this one is nicely packaged, but doesn’t include any bonus material.    (1984/118 min/Alliance Entertainment).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼

RED SUN (4K and Blu-ray) - If nothing else, Red Sun boasts a once-in-a-lifetime ensemble cast of international superstars…Charles Bronson, Toshiro Mufune, Ursula Andress and Alain Delon, all under the able direction of Bond veteran Terence Young. The result is a lively western with a distinctively European flavor, yet I’d argue that it stops just short of spaghetti territory. Featuring its three male stars at their coolest (and the lovely Ms. Andress at her sultriest), you get bad guys against worst guys in a plot that includes a train heist, revenge and the hunt for an ancient stolen sword. There ain’t much depth, but for a revisionist western chock full of antiheroes, the movie’s a lot of violent & sexy fun. Considering the talent on both sides of the camera, it’s a shame more people haven’t actually seen this one, but Arrow rectifies that with a solid restoration and a good selection of new & vintage bonus material.   (1971/114 min/Arrow Video).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺😺😺

NETWORK (4K and Blu-ray) - With all due respect to Rocky and its fans, there were three other Oscar nominated movies that year that more-deserved to take home the Best Picture statue. One of them was Sidney Lumet and Paddy Chayefsky’s scathing satire on the TV news business, Network. Featuring a top-notch cast that includes William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall and Peter Finch, not only does the film pull no punches depicting a (fictional) network’s relentless drive for ratings and revenue, it might be even more timely today than it was 50 years ago. If you were to take away Finch’s legendary (and Oscar winning) histrionics, this could be a fairly convincing behind-the-scenes portrayal of any number of current cable news networks that trade in journalistic integrity for sensationalism. In addition to a solid 4K restoration, this release includes some terrific bonus material, including a feature-length documentary on Chayefsky. (1976/121 min/Criterion Collection).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😺😺

DEAD MAN’S WIRE: Just the Facts...Probably

DEAD MAN’S WIRE (Blu-ray)

2025 / 105 min

Alliance Entertainment

Review by Princess Pepper😽

Whenever a movie purports to be “based on a true story,” I generally don’t scrutinize the accuracy of such a claim. Unless it’s a documentary, I ain’t looking for a history lesson, and all that really matters is whether or not the movie is enjoyable. Most of these things would be pretty damn dull without a little dramatic embellishment.

That being said, I did get the impression that Dead Man’s Wire mostly sticks to the facts, at least regarding the incident it depicts. Taking place in Indianapolis in 1977, disgruntled Tony Kiritsis (Bill Skarsgård) believes Meridian Mortgage cheated him out of a land deal, which has left him financially destitute. So he goes into the place and takes company president Richard Hall (Dacre Montgomery) hostage, wiring a shotgun to his head, which will fire if Richard tries to flee or Tony himself is killed.

A majority of the three-day stand-off takes place at Tony’s apartment, which is surrounded by police and news reporters. Not only does he demand compensation for the money he feels he’s owed, Tony wants immunity and a public apology from Meridian’s CEO, Richard's father, M.L. Hall (Al Pacino, who literally phones in his entire performance). 

Tony can't understand why a taxi doesn't stop for him.

Directed by Gus Van Sant, the narrative primarily focuses on Tony himself and the particulars of the stand-off, including the trust he has in local DJ Fred Temple (Colman Domingo) to make his side of the story public. There are also pointed observations about questionable mortgage company practices and how the media sensationalized the entire incident. However, the film refrains from declaring Tony as the victim he claims to be, and whether or not Meridian is actually guilty of swindling him (though we suspect they are).

In fact, Tony is depicted as a very flawed character…short-tempered, self-aggrandizing and maybe enjoying the media spotlight more than he should. Conversely, Richard ultimately comes across as somewhat sympathetic, a victim caught in the conflict between Tony and M.L. Both are well-realized by excellent performances from Skarsgård and Montgomery. The film is less effective whenever it ventures outside of Tony’s apartment. Cary Elwes is wasted in a thankless role as a frustrated cop Mike Grable, while Linda Page (Myha’la) embodies every ambitious reporter trope we’ve seen in countless other films. 

Still, Dead Man’s Wire is well-made and features excellent attention to period detail…the production design, the hit-heavy soundtrack and some creative cinematography reflecting the video technology of the time. The film never really connects on an emotional level, but as an account of a nationally televised hostage crisis, it's pretty interesting and we’re largely convinced this is how it all went down.

THE POOP SCOOP: Sheep, Snipers & Stars

UPCOMING KIBBLES THAT MAKE US PURR!

THE SHEEP DETECTIVES on Blu-ray and DVD August 25 from Alliance Entertainment. In the English village of Denbrook, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. The Sheep Detectives was adapted from the 2005 international bestseller Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann. The heartwarming whodunnit was translated into English (and eventually more than 30 languages) and was adapted by Craig Mazin (The Last of Us, Chernobyl). The film holds a staggering 95% ‘Certified Fresh’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and audiences agreeing that The Sheep Detectives is a film the whole family will be coming back to for years to come. 

The Original PRACTICAL MAGIC on 4K August 25 from Warner Bros. Based off the book Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, the film, directed by Griffin Dunne, features an all-star cast including Academy Award Winners Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, and Dianne Wiest. The 4K Ultra HD digital release will include a new bonus content featuring the cast and creative team discuss the film’s legacy. The newly remastered film will be available ahead of the theatrical release of the highly anticipated sequel Practical Magic 2 on September 11. 

SEVEN SNIPERS on Blu-ray and DVD August 11 from Well Go USA. A retired elite sniper (Radha Mitchell) and her daughter (Annabel Wolfe) live a quiet life in the remote Australian countryside. That peace is shattered when a ruthless warlord (Tim Roth) from her past returns for retribution. Calling in her old crew, she prepares to defend her family in director Sandra Sciberras’ taut action-thriller SEVEN SNIPERS, which is loosely inspired by the Akira Kurosawa masterpiece Seven Samurai.   

TROY Limited Edition on 4K and Blu-ray 8/18. Wolfgang Petersen’s epic action blockbuster set against the legendary Trojan War, arrives on 4K UHD just in time for the theatrical debut of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. The acclaimed director of Poseidon and Das Boot adapts Homer’s classic poem The Iliad to capture a sweeping saga of love, war, honor, and devastation. The Limited Edition release features brand new 4K remasters of both the Director’s Cut and Theatrical Cut of the film from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films, hours of special features, and newly commissioned extras. A Blu-ray edition release will also be available. 

The Surprise Horror Hit, OBSESSION, in Digital NOW and Blu-ray, 4K & DVD July 14 from Universal. The critically acclaimed breakout from Focus Features and rising horror auteur Curry Barker, is an unsettling, nightmare fueled psychological thriller unlike anything the genre has seen in years. 

BARBARIAN Coming to 4K + Blu-ray August 11 from 20th Century Studios.  Released in September, 2022, shocking and captivating audiences with its bizarre twists, violence, carnage, and delightfully subversive sense of humor. "Barbarian," which stars Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, and Justin Long and is written and directed by Zach Cregger (Weapons). 

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 on Digital NOW from 20th Century Studios. Celebrate the box office smash, which took the worlds of fashion and media by storm when it opened in theaters this past May, on its way to grossing more than $677 million worldwide. 

FORBIDDEN PLANET Limited Edition on 4K September 28 from Arrow Video. For the very first time, Forbidden Planet is presented in its original Cinemascope aspect ratio of 2.55:1 with its theatrical "Perspecta" stereo soundtrack in an eye-popping brand new 4K restoration. 

PROJECT HAIL MARY on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD August 11 from Alliance Entertainment. Based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, screenwriter Drew Goddard adapted Project Hail Mary for the screen, and it was brought to life by directors Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray releases of Project Hail Mary include out of this world bonus content.

THE COMPLETE KUBRICK Coming to 4K + Blu-ray October 20 from Criterion Collection. Collected here for the first time are Kubrick’s thirteen features and three shorts, all restored in 4K, over twenty-five hours of interviews, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes materials; and deluxe packaging.

MARS ATTACKS! on 4K August 11 from Warner Bros. The newly remastered film will also include new bonus content featuring the behind-the-scenes filmmakers reflecting on the making of Mars Attacks! 30 years later. 

SOYLENT GREEN, Proud Owner of the Second Greatest Plot Twist in Sci-fi History, Coming to 4K UHD and Blu-ray July 28 from Arrow Video.  The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films, hours of special features and newly commissioned extras. A Blu-ray edition will also be available. 

Every angry man’s wet dream, FALLING DOWN, Coming to 4K UHD and Blu-ray 7/21 from Arrow Video. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films approved by cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak, hours of special features and newly commissioned extras. A Blu-ray edition will also be available. 

KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR 4K/Blu-ray Combo Pack Coming July 28 from Lionsgate. This release also comes with an assortment of physical extras, including posters, collectors cards and a 40 page booklet.

An Underseen Gem from the 70s, THE OUTFIT, on Blu-ray July 28 from Arrow Video. The Outfit is as tough, taut, and relentless as its protagonist. This release includes numerous new bonus features.

MORTAL COMBAT II on Digital Now and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD July 28 from Warner Bros. From New Line Cinema, the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory. 

MICHAEL on digital Now and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD July 17 from Lionsgate. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music.