THE POOP SCOOP: Unfriendly Skies Edition

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD August 12 from Warner Bros. Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) has a talent for solving complex problems. When an old acquaintance is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to “find the accountant,” Wolff is compelled to solve the case. Realizing more extreme measures are necessary, Wolff recruits his estranged and highly lethal brother, Brax (Jon Bernthal), to help. In partnership with U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), they uncover a deadly conspiracy, becoming targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried. Directed by Gavin O’Connor (“The Accountant”) from a screenplay by Bill Dubuque (“The Accountant,” “The Judge”).

AIRPORT: THE COMPLETE 4-FILM COLLECTION on 4K and Blu-ray September 30 from Kino Lorber. This 4-Film collection includes all four newly-restored Airport movies, accompanied by new audio commentaries. AIRPORT – Take a nonstop flight with an all-star cast to a world of tension-filled human drama in this trend-setting box-office blockbuster. Based on Arthur Hailey’s runaway bestseller, the emotion-charged adventure stars Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Jean Seberg, Jacqueline Bisset, George Kennedy, Van Heflin, Maureen Stapleton, Lloyd Nolan and Helen Hayes in the role that won her a second Oscar (Best Supporting Actress, 1970).. AIRPORT 1975 – Charlton Heston is in the cockpit for this incredible adventure as the only man who can save the 747 and its passengers when it’s hit in midair by a private plane. Karen Black is the chief stewardess who must act as the blinded pilot’s hands and eyes to take control of the plane or die trying. Myrna Loy, Helen Reddy, Linda Blair, Dana Andrews, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Sid Caesar, George Kennedy (recreating his acclaimed Airport role) and Gloria Swanson (playing herself in her final film) are among the all-star cast. AIRPORT ’77 – Jack Lemmon is the fearless pilot risking death at every turn in an attempt to save the luxury airliner when it is skyjacked and sent crashing to the ocean’s floor. Aboard for the ill-fated trip are Lee Grant, Brenda Vaccaro, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, Darren McGavin, Christopher Lee and George Kennedy. THE CONCORDE… AIRPORT ’79 – The lives of Alain Delon, Sylvia Kristel, Eddie Albert, Bibi Andersson, Charo, John Davidson, Martha Raye, Cicely Tyson, David Warner, Mercedes McCambridge and the mighty George Kennedy hang in the balance amid flying missiles and exploding bombs in this enthralling globe-trotting adventure.

MEGAN 2.0 On Digital Now and 4K & Blu-ray September 23 from Universal. She’s back. Taller, stronger, faster and now unrated, M3GAN 2.0 is available to own exclusively on digital platforms on July 15, 2025, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The rewired bot will also be launching on 4K UHD and Blu-ray on September 23, 2025, and you can unlock M3GAN’s newest updates with over 30 minutes of exclusive bonus content including scene breakdowns and a behind-the-scenes look at rebuilding M3GAN when you purchase from participating digital retailers nationwide including Apple TV, Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu), Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Microsoft Movies & TV. Slay even harder at home with the bloodier M3GAN 2.0 UNRATED version upgraded with moments too intense for the theater, only available when you purchase from participating retailers.

POSEIDON Limited Edition 4K Coming 8/12 from Arrow Video. Thousands of vacationers celebrate New Year’s Eve on the luxury liner Poseidon. While VIP guests dance away in the grand ballroom after midnight, a massive rogue wave overtakes the ship and sends it to the ocean depths. 

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING Limited Edition 4K (available separately) Coming 8/25 from Arrow Video. The explosive remake of the massive cult classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the origins of Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning will be available for the very first time on 4K UHD..

THE CONJURING on Digital NOW and 4K UHD 8/26 from Warner Bros. From New Line Cinema comes a feature film drawn from the case files of married demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren.  The Conjuring stars Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as the Warrens. James Wan directs from a screenplay by Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes. 

1990’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - UNCENSORED CUT on 4K SteelBook September 23 from Sony. It’s about damn time, with two versions, as well as gobs of new bonus features.

THE UNHOLY TRINITY on Digital NOW, and Blu-ray DVD August 26. A tale of revenge, dark secrets, and buried treasures, the film is set against the turbulent backdrop of 1870s Montana. Starring Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson.

THUNDERBOLTS* on Digital NOW and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD July 29. The Thunderbolts are The New Avengers, the ultimate surprise to both audiences and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine as this misfit team of burned assets rallies their powers and unites against all odds. 

Oscar Winning FLOW on 4K, Blu-ray & DVD September 23 from Criterion Collection. A thrilling tale of friendship and survival that took indie animation to ecstatic new heights of ambition and imagination, this Academy Award–winning international sensation follows a courageous cat after its home is devastated by a great flood. 

THIS IS SPINAL TAP Goes to 11 on 4K & Blu-ray September 16 from Criterion Collection. This Is Spinal Tap, now beautifully restored, Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) embark on their final American tour, with filmmaker Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) capturing all the mishaps, creative tensions, dwindling crowds, and ill-fated drummers. 

Wes Anderson’s ISLE OF DOGS on 4K September 30 from Criterion Collection. Wes Anderson conjures a dystopian future Japan in magical stop-motion. Innovatively blending English and Japanese dialogue through a cross-cultural voice cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Greta Gerwig, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Yoko Ono, and Koyu Rankin, this fable of loyalty and disobedience combines Anderson’s signature themes.

THE WES ANDERSON ARCHIVE: 10 FILMS, 25 YEARS Coming to 4K & Blu-ray September 30 from Criterion Collection. This momentous twenty-disc collector’s set includes new 4K masters of the films, over twenty-five hours of special features, and ten illustrated books, presented in a deluxe clothbound edition.

THE POOP SCOOP: Upcoming Kibbles!

🧟1990’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - UNCENSORED CUT on 4K SteelBook September 23 from Sony. It’s about damn time. Legendary make-up artist Tom Savini’s directorial debut is the underappreciated remake of George A. Romero’s seminal zombie film, Night of the Living Dead. Now available in 4K, with two versions, as well as gobs of new bonus features.

🤠THE UNHOLY TRINITY on Digital NOW, and Blu-ray DVD August 26. A tale of revenge, dark secrets, and buried treasures, the film is set against the turbulent backdrop of 1870s Montana. It picks up in the moments before the execution of Isaac Broadway, as he gives his estranged son, Henry, an impossible task: Murder the man who framed him for a crime he didn’t commit. Intent on fulfilling his promise, Henry travels to the remote town of Trinity, where an unexpected turn of events traps him in town and leaves him caught between Gabriel Dove, the town’s upstanding new sheriff, and a mysterious figure named St Christopher. Starring Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson.

🦸THUNDERBOLTS* on Digital NOW and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD July 29. Thunderbolts* turns up the heat this summer as it blasts onto digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home on July 1, before making its explosive entry on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on July 29. The Thunderbolts are The New Avengers, the ultimate surprise to both audiences and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine as this misfit team of burned assets rallies their powers and unites against all odds. Their namesake movie Thunderbolts* is an action-packed, international adventure, with audiences embracing the film’s super-powered humor and adrenaline. 

😺Oscar Winning FLOW on 4K, Blu-ray & DVD September 23 from Criterion Collection. A thrilling tale of friendship and survival that took indie animation to ecstatic new heights of ambition and imagination, this Academy Award–winning international sensation follows a courageous cat after its home is devastated by a great flood. 

🎸THIS IS SPINAL TAP Goes to 11 on 4K & Blu-ray September 16 from Criterion Collection. This Is Spinal Tap, now beautifully restored, Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) embark on their final American tour, with filmmaker Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) capturing all the mishaps, creative tensions, dwindling crowds, and ill-fated drummers. 

🐶Wes Anderson’s ISLE OF DOGS on 4K September 30 from Criterion Collection. Wes Anderson conjures a dystopian future Japan in magical stop-motion. Innovatively blending English and Japanese dialogue through a cross-cultural voice cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Greta Gerwig, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Yoko Ono, and Koyu Rankin, this fable of loyalty and disobedience combines Anderson’s signature themes.

🙀FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES on Digital June 17, 4K, Blu-ray and DVD July 22 from Warner Bros. “Final Destination Bloodlines” is the newest chapter (and the great Tony Todd’s final role) in New Line Cinema’s bloody successful franchise which takes audiences back to the very beginning of Death’s twisted sense of justice.

🐍COBRA Limited Edition 4K Coming July/22 from Arrow Video. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration of the film from the original 35mm negative, and is packed with bonus content. 

😺THE WES ANDERSON ARCHIVE: 10 FILMS, 25 YEARS Coming to 4K & Blu-ray September 30 from Criterion Collection. This momentous twenty-disc collector’s set includes new 4K masters of the films, over twenty-five hours of special features, and ten illustrated books, presented in a deluxe clothbound edition.

EXPERIMENT IN TERROR: Ross the Boss

EXPERIMENT IN TERROR (Blu-ray)

1962 / 123 min

Sony

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Blake Edwards’ legacy has him largely associated with comedies, probably for good reason since some of them rank among his best. But he directed plenty of films in other genres to varying degrees of success. One of them was 1962’s Experiment in Terror, a nifty piece of neo-noir starring Glenn Ford and Lee Remick.

Remick plays Kelly Sherwood, a bank teller who’s threatened at home with an ultimatum by a shadowy figure: Steal $100,000 from the bank where she works. If Kelly fails, refuses or calls the police, not only will he kill her, but kid sister Toby (a very young Stephanie Powers). Still, she does manage to alert FBI agent John Ripley (Glenn Ford), who immediately puts both sisters under constant surveillance while trying to ID and locate the man before Kelly’s forced to commit the robbery.

The suspect turns out to be a man named Garland “Red” Lynch, who has not-only committed previous robberies in the same manner, he’s a dangerous, sadistic killer who also appears to be sort of a pedophile. For me, the big surprise of the film is that Red is played by none other than Ross Martin. I’m used to seeing him in such lighter TV fare as The Wild, Wild West and The Twilight Zone. But not only is Martin wonderfully disturbing as Red, he manages to steal the film from his bigger co-stars (and was nominated for a Golden Globe).

Waiting for the next available agent.

Elsewhere, Ford is his reliable solid self, giving his no-nonsense character quiet intensity. I’ll be upfront and confess I’ve never been a huge fan of Remick, and here, she’s required to do little outside of her wheelhouse, which is to look terrified. It doesn’t help that her character isn’t particularly interesting to begin with. But hey, somebody has to be put in peril…otherwise we wouldn’t get the tension filled climax set at a crowded ballpark.

Experiment in Terror is a little overlong, and I can’t help but feel that a director who specializes in crime thrillers could have tidied up the story to a brisk 90 minutes. Still, the film is stylishly directed by Edwards, who deftly incorporates a film noir aesthetic to the largely police procedural story. The result is one his better films outside of the comedy genre.

THE LORDS OF FLATBUSH: A Historical Footnote

THE LORDS OF FLATBUSH (Blu-ray)

1974 / 84 min

From Sony

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😽

Poor Paul Mace. Not only did he die pretty young (in 1983), he’s the only primary cast member of The Lords of Flatbush who never went on to bigger things. I wonder what he thought of his co-stars’ hitting the big time almost immediately after this film’s release, while he spent what was left of his life guest starring on TV shows.

Not that The Lords of Flatbush itself catapulted the careers of Sylvester Stallone, Henry Winkler, Susan Blakely and Perry King. This low budget American Graffiti wannabe had a short run in theaters before quietly disappearing…until Happy Days and Rocky made Winkler and Stallone household names. Then the film enjoyed a lot of renewed attention when it aired on television. Of course, we were all curious, perhaps some of us unaware this was made when they were still struggling actors.

Taking place in the ‘50s, the movie is a coming-of-age, slice of life drama focusing on the titular characters, four high school hoods (who don’t remotely resemble teenagers) that spend their days disrupting class, shooting pool, hanging out and stealing cars. There are couple of subplots along the way, such as Chico (King) trying to get with a girl way out of his league (Blakely), and Stanley (Stallone) being coerced into getting married by his bossy girlfriend. But other than that, there isn’t much of a story.

"I ordered my fries an hour ago."

The film meanders along at a leisurely pace, none of it particularly thought provoking and, overall, pretty light on significant conflict. There are also a lot of scenes where the dialogue feels improvised, and is sometimes pretty raunchy for a PG-rated film. The four leads are decent in their roles, with Stallone being a particular standout as Stanley, who could be seen as a precursor to Rocky Balboa. 

Today, I imagine the primary appeal of The Lords of Flatbush is largely nostalgia…or maybe curiosity. The film is watchable and occasionally engaging, but mostly just a historical footnote in the careers of its impressive cast. Except for poor Paul Mace, who pretty-much became a footnote himself.

EXTRA KIBBLES

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Cary Grant is THE TALK OF THE TOWN in 4K

THE TALK OF THE TOWN (4K UHD)

1942 / 117 min

From Sony

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Leopold Dilg (Cary Grant) is an outspoken political activist accused of burning down the paper mill where he works, which resulted in a death. During the trial, he manages to escape - injuring himself in the process - and takes refuge in a house owned by Nora Shelley (Jean Arthur). 

Though they’re old friends, she wants no part of harboring a fugitive, especially since she’s renting the place to famous law professor Michael Lightcap (Ronald Colman), who wants some peace and quiet to write his book. This situation is made more complicated when he actually arrives a day early, just minutes after Leopold. So Nora stashes Leopold in the attic.

The trial and escape are big news around town, with most people (including the local police and an inept judge) already convinced Dilg is guilty. As the manhunt continues, Leopold’s lawyer, Sam Yates (Edgar Buchanan), feels Michael could greatly help in the case, but Michael wants to remain neutral, especially since he’s up for a seat on the supreme court. However, Sam and Nora - offering her services as a secretary - work on wearing him down.

Michael eventually meets Leopold, but doesn’t know who he really is, told by Nora he’s Joseph the gardener. However, they strike up a friendship based on their philosophies regarding the law, having numerous spirited discussions on the subject over meals and chess. The story has a romantic angle, too. Leopold has always had a crush on Nora, while Michael grows increasingly enamored with her. When Michael finally realizes Joseph is really the fugitive everyone’s looking for, he plans adhere to the law and turn him in, despite their friendship. However, Leopold knocks him out and escapes. After being admonished by Nora, Michael decides to investigate the details behind the case, uncovering a conspiracy to set-up Leopold, framing him for the mill fire. 

"Checkmate, my friend. Now how 'bout a little Hungry Hungry Hippos."

The Talk of the Town takes an entertaining narrative path, kicking things off as a thriller with film noir touches before evolving into a light comedy with romantic flourishes. Finally, it evolves into a procedural as Michael attempts to solve the mystery - and motive - behind the crime. For the most part, it’s an enjoyable journey. Grant’s role, and much of his dialogue, seem tailor-made for him, so while he ain’t exactly stretching himself here, it’s an enjoyable performance. Colman makes an interesting foil, his character undergoing the most change throughout the story. As Nora, Arthur is initially kind-of irritating, but the more she gets involved, the more endearing she becomes.

While never uproarious, The Talk of the Town largely achieves a congenial comic tone, with director George Stevens maintaining a lively pace. I don’t know if I’d rank it among his greatest films, but it was nominated for a lot of Oscars. Though it didn’t win any, a strong argument can be made that its witty, sometimes thought-provoking screenplay deserved a trophy. 

Over eight decades later, The Talk of the Town film holds up pretty well. It’s an intelligent and engaging dramatic comedy, given a considerable boost by its trio of lead actors. Somewhat perplexingly, this 4K UHD disc is the first time the film has been re-issued since the DVD 20 years ago, foregoing any kind of Blu-ray release. While that might be sad news for some, it does look and sound quite good in high definition.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTE - Talking About Talk of the Town features the director’s son, George Stevens Jr., discussing his father’s career, particularly his collaborations with Cary Grant.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By author Marilyn Ann Moss.

DIGITAL COPY

2024 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

‘Tis the season, when we present our annual Holiday Gift Guide, chock full of delicious crunchy kibbles for that special cinephile in your life. CLICK HERE!

THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (4K): Welles Knows Something About Wickedness

THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (4K UHD)

1948 / 87 min

FROM SONY

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws

If Citizen Kane is his greatest, Touch of Evil his grittiest, The Stranger his most underrated and The Trial his most experimental, then The Lady from Shanghai might be the Orson Welles at his most playful. Not that the film is a light-hearted barrel of laughs, but the director seems to be having a good time on both sides of the camera. Juggling film noir, mystery, romance, courtroom drama and occasional surrealism, Welles creates a compelling concoction that’s sometimes narratively messy, but thoroughly enjoyable. 

Not bad for a guy who only agreed to star and direct the film in exchange for financial help to save a doomed stage production he was working on. In fact, the story behind The Lady from Shanghai is nearly as interesting as the movie itself, which is discussed in bonus features by Peter Bogdanovich, who has not only written about Welles, he knew the man personally.

The movie itself is a twist-laden thriller with a tough, cynical protagonist, a fetching femme fatale and a couple of despicable bad guys. Welles himself plays Michael O’Hara, an Irish seaman who meets Elsa Bannister (Rita Hayworth) and becomes immediately smitten by her. She offers him a job onboard her private yacht, but when learning she’s married, he angrily declines. Elsa’s husband, wealthy-but-ailing defense attorney Arthur Bannister (Everett Sloane), later convinces him to join the boat crew for a lengthy cruise. 

Michael has a dark past, having once killed a man, which is exploited by Arthur’s lecherous partner, George Grisby (Glenn Anders). Grisby offers Michael $5000 to “murder” him, which is to help Grisby fake his own death while Michael hands the police a written confession. Grisby assures him that, with no body, there will be no conviction. Concurrently during the cruise, Arthur’s cruelty towards his young wife infuriates Michael, who eventually accepts Grisby’s offer and use the payoff for he and Elsa to escape from under Arthur's thumb.

"I ain't cleaning this up."

Anyone even remotely familiar with film noir already knows Michael’s being set up. But when Grisby is actually murdered by a yet-unknown killer, Michael is caught by police, confession in-hand. And during what might be the weirdest trial in movie history, Arthur Bannister himself handles his defense. But the plot twists don’t end there. The final act holds plenty of surprises, as well as some bravura imagery and camerawork during the iconic climax, set inside a funhouse’s hall of mirrors. 

The narrative occasionally suffers from plot contrivances and a bit of sloppy writing (by Welles’ standards anyway), resulting in a film that sometimes tries to do too many things at once. But overall, the story is very compelling and comes to a satisfying conclusion. Elsewhere, the performances are generally really good. Welles manages to instill Michael with equal measures of toughness and vulnerability, while Hayworth makes a worthy temptress even without her legendary red locks. But the true scene stealers are Sloane and Anders, both of whom waste little time turning the audience against them (in the best possible way).

Though somewhat maligned when first released, The Lady from Shanghai has since become a film noir classic and it’s easy to see why. It may not be Orson Welles’ greatest film, but it might be his most purely entertaining one. The film has been given an excellent 4K UHD facelift, along with a few enjoyable and revealing bonus features. The overall picture and sound is a significant improvement over any previous Blu-ray or DVD version.

EXTRA KIBBLES

A CONVERSATION WITH PETER BOGDANOVICH - The late director discusses Welles, the movie and his admiration of both.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By Peter Bogdanovich.

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DIGITAL COPY

THUNDERHEART: An Empathetic Thriller

THUNDERHEART (Blu-ray)

1992 / 119 min

FROM SONY

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Pepper the Poopy😺

Thunderheart is another one of those movies with a terrific cast, great performances, authentic dialogue, relevant themes and a plot just murky enough that we tend to forget it over time.

That’s not really intended as criticism either. I don’t recall ever talking with anyone who didn’t enjoy Thunderheart, but you generally have to bring up the subject first. “Oh, yeah,” a colleague recently replied when I mentioned I was reviewing the Blu-ray. “The one with Val Kilmer, right? That was pretty good.” He did, however, forget what it was about.

And Thunderheart is pretty good, as is Kilmer in the role of Ray Levoi, a young FBI agent assigned to help Agent “Cooch” Colutelle (Sam Shepard) in a murder investigation on a Native-American reservation in South Dakota. Somewhat dubiously, the bureau thinks the fact that Ray has a little Native ancestry will be good PR and perhaps loosen up some of the locals, though he knows nothing of their customs.

"Pull my finger."

There’s been an ongoing conflict between the tribal council and the radical Aboriginal Rights Movement (ARM), whose leader, Jimmy Looks Twice, is the prime suspect. Ray reluctantly finds an ally in tribal police chief Walter Crow Horse (Graham Greene, who pretty much steals the movie). It’s an amusingly antagonistic relationship at first, but as Ray begins to understand and empathize with the locals, they depend on each other. He also suspects that Jimmy may not be the killer, especially after a local teacher is murdered.

That’s the quick & dirty summary, which I’ll probably forget again over time. But I believe the plot might be perfunctory by design, a clothesline on which to hang themes of racism, cultural awareness and Native American injustice. 

Ultimately, Thunderheart is a plea for empathy gift-wrapped as a mystery-thriller. As such, it’s remains pretty entertaining, with bursts of intense action interspersed throughout the story, as well as some humorous moments. But it’s the thematic elements, characters and performances that make the film memorable.

EXTRA KIBBLES

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By screenwriter/co-producer John Fusco

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