Catnip Reviews: SHAKESPEARE'S SH*TSTORM, THE OGRE OF ATHENS, AIRPORT 4-FILM COLLECTION

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

SHAKRESPEARE’S SHITSTORM (4K UHD/Blu-Ray) - If Dick Clark was the “World’s Oldest Teenager,” then Lloyd Kaufman is unquestionably the world’s oldest 12 year old boy. His sense of humor hasn’t changed one whit since first assuming the throne of low-budget bad taste in 1984 with The Toxic Avenger. If anything, he’s since plunged to new depths of immaturity, as demonstrated with Shakespeare’s Shitstorm. If nothing else, the title is accurate. Traces of The Tempest can be found if you squint hard enough, while massive amounts of spewing excrement are the catalyst to what can loosely be called a plot. Elsewhere, there’s plenty of the juvenile, scatological, gross out gags that helped build Kaufman's empire, along with heavy-handed “satire” attacking modern political correctness with the subtlety of a jackhammer. But I’ll give the Troma team props for one thing…Blu-ray & 4K releases of their titles are generally loaded with bonus material and this one is no exception. (2020/94 min/Troma Entertainment). KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼

THE OGRE OF ATHENS (Blu-ray) - In this 1956 obscurity, Thomas (Dinos Iliopoulos) is a lonely, nebbish banker who is suddenly mistaken for The Ogre, a notorious criminal who’s been terrorizing the city of Athens. But upon a chance meeting with a sultry dancer, he ends up falling-in with a crew of small time gangsters who are planning a big heist, believing Thomas to be The Ogre himself. Along the way, Thomas strikes up a friendship with another young dancer who’s unhappy with her life. Considered a milestone in Greek cinema, The Ogre of Athens features fine moments of perceptive human drama, charming comedy and even some film noir touches. Well worth seeking out, this disc also comes with a few supplements that offer valuable historical context.  (1956/104 min/Radiance Films). KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺😺

AIRPORT - THE COMPLETE 4-FILM COLLECTION (Blu-ray) - This set is a disaster lover’s dream. Obviously products of their time - when disaster movies were plentiful and profitable - none of them are works of art, but remain tons of melodramatic fun...occasionally at their own expense. While the original Airport is widely considered the best one (and credited for popularizing the genre to begin with), I’ve always been more partial to Airport 1975 and Airport ‘77, both of which are more action driven. As for The Concorde - Airport ‘79…it’s still a morbidly fascinating, unintentionally hilarious train wreck. All four films have been given terrific 4K restorations, so they look and sound great, though I do wish more effort was put into providing some substantial bonus material. There’s a booklet featuring a perfunctory essay, along with insightful new audio commentaries for each, but considering their cultural impact of ‘70s cinema (for better or worse), surely they deserve a bit more. (1970-1979/470 min/Kino Lorber). KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼😼

THE POOP SCOOP: Killers, Corpses & Creeps

😺FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA arrives on Blu-ray, 4K UHD, and 4K UHD Steelbook on September 9 from Lionsgate. The next chapter from the World of John Wick follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. Eve seeks revenge for her father’s death, and finds herself crossing paths with John Wick himself (Keanu Reeves). Featuring a diverse and star-studded ensemble including Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus and Ian McShane, FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA continues to push the envelope with high-paced action and a gripping story. 

🪐LOST IN SPACE on 4K UHD September 2 from Arrow Video. The science fiction adventure Lost In Space makes its global 4K UHD debut. A surprise hit upon its 1998 release—famously topping Titanic at the box office for a brief moment—Lost In Space returns in a definitive 4K restoration from the original camera negative, approved by director Stephen Hopkins. The Limited Edition set is packed with hours of special features, collectible packaging, and such newly commissioned extras as assorted interviews and a video essay.

🙀CREEPSHOW 2 on 4K UHD September 30 from Arrow Video. Stephen King (Maximum Overdrive) and George Romero (Night of the Living Dead) reunite for Creepshow 2, a spine-tingling horror anthology that will give you the chills. The Limited Edition 4K UHD features a brand new 4K restoration from the original negative, packed with hours of special features, including an audio commentary; an archive featurette on the special effects; behind-the-scenes footage; an image gallery; trailers & TV spots; original screenplay galleries; a Limited Edition booklet; and an illustrated collector’s booklet.

👰Tim Burton’s CORPSE BRIDE on 4K UHD September 23 from Warner Bros. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the stop-motion-animated fantasy musical film Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, the 2005 film will be available for purchase on 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital for the first time on September 23. Returning to the painstaking stop-motion animation he employed with amazing success in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Burton presents Corpse Bride, a hair-raising legend based on a 19th-century Russian folktale.Additionally, the new 4K restoration of this classic film -- in all its macabre romance and glory -- can be seen on the big screen in cinemas worldwide this October. Showtimes in the United States and Canada can be found here: https://wbclassics.warnerbros.com/anniversary/. Select territories across EMEA, APAC and Latin America will also be joining in on the anniversary celebration in cinemas -- check local listings for details.

🙀BRING HER BACK Coming to Blu-ray August 19 from A24 Films. From Danny & Michael Phillipou, the writer-directors of Talk to Me, Bring Her Back features a brother and sister who uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother. Starring Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, and Stephen Phillips.

😺MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING on Digital August 19 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.

😺MATERIALISTS Coming to Blu-ray August 26 from A24 Films. A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. Starring Pedro Pascal, Dakota johnson and Chris Evans.

✈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. 

🤖MEGAN 2.0 On Digital Now and 4K & Blu-ray September 23 from Universal. 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.

🙀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 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.

🐈Oscar Winning FLOW on 4K, Blu-ray & DVD September 23 from Criterion Collection. 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, capturing all the mishaps, creative tensions, dwindling crowds, and ill-fated drummers.

Revisiting POSEIDON in 4K

POSEIDON Limited Edition (4K UHD)

2006 / 98 min

Arrow Video

Review by Mr. Bonnie McBoatface

A brief rant before we get started…

Ever since The Towering Inferno floored me as a kid, I’ve been a die hard disaster movie lover and it remains my favorite genre. Good ones, bad ones, so-bad-they’re-good ones…serve-up mass destruction and melodrama and I’m all in. Though some great ones are still being made from time to time, most of the acknowledged classics hail from the 1970s, including The Poseidon Adventure.

However, we’re getting a deluxe 4K edition of 2006’s Poseidon, while the original (and far more revered) film that inspired it hasn’t been re-released or upgraded since debuting on Blu-ray over a decade ago. Neither has The Towering Inferno, for that matter. In a day & age when The Toxic Avenger gets the 4K treatment, surely two blockbusters that defined the disaster genre for millions are just as worthy. Fucking Disney (who own 20th Century Fox’s entire back catalog).

As for The Poseidon Adventure...of course it’s a classic, but hardly a cinematic masterpiece. While the special effects remain pretty impressive even today, the dialogue is often groanworthy and every character is painted (and performed) in broad strokes. Though still a boatload of fun (no pun intended), I never felt it was such a sacred cow that a remake was out of the question. NBC tried it first with a soapy, soggy two-parter that not only succeeded in making me detest Steve Guttenberg even more, it actually had the balls to remove the goddamn tidal wave from the plot!

Then a year later, we got this one, boasting a massive budget, impressive cast (Kurt Russell’s always been one of my favorites) and Wolfgang Peterson, a solid director who was certainly no stranger to high sea adventures. Now this was more like it! So guess who was there on opening night with the family in tow.

The basic plot is the same. After a cruise ship is capsized by a massive tidal wave, the survivors must find their way to the hull (now above them) before it sinks for good. There’s plenty of death and peril along the way…some people live, others die. But aside from that, Poseidon serves up different characters, conflicts and obstacles. And that’s fine because there’s no bigger waste of time than doing a remake that’s exactly like the original.

Not everybody's heart will go on.

First and foremost, the special effects and production design are nothing less than spectacular, especially on the big screen (though everything looks and sounds mighty fine on this 4K edition, too). While the original’s tidal wave & capsizing sequence still holds up pretty well, Poseidon practically puts you on deck with torrents of water and flying bodies. Longer, louder and far more detailed, the film is worth checking out for this sequence alone. Petersen must’ve thought so too, because he can’t wait to get to it, rocketing through shallow, superfluous character introductions before the deadly wave hits, all in the first 15 minutes. 

The remainder of the film sees a handful of survivors making their way through the ship, barely staying above the rising water. There’s plenty of action and vivid visuals as they go from one deadly obstacle to the next. However, that’s all there really is to Poseidon. The original film had more than its share of silly subplots involving exaggerated characters, but at least we got to know everyone well enough to be personally invested in their survival. But none of Poseidon’s characters are as interesting as the sets they’re slogging & swimming through. In a way, it’s like watching someone guide a video game character through various levels. 

The one exception is Lucky Larry, played with gusto by Kevin Dillon. His character is a fun throwback to the disasters of yesteryear, when all of 'em had a guy who was so obnoxious, hateful or evil that we couldn’t wait to see them die. Since Larry is a self-aggrandizing, misogynist pig, his untimely demise comes a bit too early, but it’s also satisfying and actually kinda funny. And that ain’t a spoiler, folks. Guys like this are born to buy the farm in disaster movies.

Poseidon has destructive spectacle to spare and it’s obvious nearly every penny of its budget is up there on the screen. But it’s ultimately never as engaging or suspenseful as the original classic because we don’t really care who lives or dies. We’re watching to see how they live or die with a curious sense of detachment, which is fine if mayhem all you’re looking for. And that mayhem looks pretty damn good on this Limited Edition 4K release from Arrow Video, who provide the kind of quality upgrade and extras I wish someone would give the original Poseidon Adventure. But enough of my ranting about that.

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.

INTERVIEWS - Unsurprisingly, most of the interviews are with people associated with the technical aspects of the film, including director of photography John Seale, production designer William Sandell (who shoulda won an Oscar), FX supervisor Boyd Shermis (who was at-least nominated for one), make-up effects supervisor Michael Deak.

FEATURETTES - Poseidon: A Ship on a Soundstage is an archival featurette with cast/crew interviews; Poseidon: Upside Down is another archival bit about the set design; A Shipmate’s Diary features production assistant Malona Voigt.

SET A COURSE FOR ADVENTURE - A new appreciation by Heath Holland, who’s pretty enthusiastic.

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: Rogue Wave Edition

🛳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 special features include new interviews with director of photography John Seale, production designer William Sandell, visual effects supervisor Boyd Shermis, and make-up effects on-set supervisor Michael Deak; a new retrospective on the film by Heath Holland; featurettes; a reversible sleeve; and an illustrated collector’s booklet with an essay by Priscilla Page.

🙀THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING Limited Edition 4K (available separately) Coming 8/25 from Arrow Video. Tthe explosive remake of the massive cult classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre from director Marcus Nispel (Friday the 13th) makes its global premiere on 4K UHD. This blockbuster was the first movie produced by Michael Bay's studio Platinum Dunes, and the Limited Edition features a 4K Ultra HD (2160p) presentation in Dolby and hours of special features. The origins of the infamous horror icon Leatherface are exposed in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, also available for the very first time on 4K UHD. Director Jonathan Liebesman (Darkness Falls) captures the nightmare in Platinum Dunes’ prequel to their remake of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The Limited Edition release features a 4K Ultra HD presentation of the original Theatrical Version and the extended Uncut Version along with hours of special features.

🙀THE CONJURING on Digital NOW and 4K UHD 8/26 from Warner Bros. Before there was Amityville, there was Harrisville.  Based on the true-life story, The Conjuring tells the tale of how world-renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were called upon to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful demonic entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most horrifying case of their lives. 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 (Up in the Air) and Patrick Wilson (Insidious) as the Warrens. James Wan (Saw, Insidious) directs from a screenplay by Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes (The Reaping). 

🧟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.

🙀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.