Our Home Video Pick of the Week: Albert Brooks Films

Real Life [4K UHD, Criterion]

What is it? Albert Brooks’ debut feature as writer/director/star!

Why see it? Brooks plays “himself,” a filmmaker interested in capturing the truth of life on camera, and he decides to immerse himself with a normal American family to watch, experience, and record their very real lives. Of course, if a camera is present, real life has a way of becoming something… else. This feature ranks right behind Defending Your Life and Lost in America for me in Brooks’ filmography, and it is a fantastically fun and funny time. Brooks is brilliant, Charles Grodin is his usually reliable self, and the commentary is years ahead of its time.

[Extras: New 4K restoration, interviews]

Frogs [Kino Cult]

What is it? A family of wealthy pricks upsets nature for the last time.

Why see it? While this early 70s slice of eco-horror is every bit as silly as the Kino Cult titles below, it rises above the pack with both its commitment to the bit and a heavier commentary. Like a schlockier companion piece to 1979’s Long Weekend, the theme here is a slam against people who are poor stewards of the earth. The rich family consists mostly of pricks treating the great outdoors like their toilet, and when nature decides to strike back it’s in the form of goofy, fun kills. Sam Elliot co-stars, sans mustache, and it’s just an entertaining time watching the frogs mastermind the mayhem. I guess? It’s not clear, but that’s my take.

[Extras: Commentary, interview]

High Crime [4K UHD, Blue Underground]

What is it? A new police commissioner battles organized crime.

Why see it? Franco Nero headlines this rough and tumble tale of corruption and cruel criminals, and he’s great as a guy dedicated to the job despite the dangers it brings his family. We get some solidly entertaining action beats, from chases to gun fights, alongside lessons in the high price of doing the right thing. Director Enzo Castellari brings the heat as he brings the streets of Genoa to bustling and brutal life. Blue Underground continues to be one of the best labels out there when it comes to giving genre fare the 4K upgrade, and this is a beauty. The release is also loaded with extras detailing the film’s production and place in Italian genre history.

[Extras: New 4K master, commentaries, alternate ending, interviews]

Kingdom of the Spiders [Kino Cult]

What is it? Pesticides lead to a spider invasion!

Why see it? William Shatner in the 70s was an undeniable good time — his acting, his ego, his presence all combine into something special onscreen. Even if that wasn’t the case, though, this would still be a terrific piece of spider horror as poisonous tarantulas invade a small desert town with murder on their tiny minds. We get some creepy crawlie beats, some legitimately thrilling stunts, and one terrific ending. While Arachnophobia remains the best spider horror, in part because it’s funny and avoids offing the spiders en masse, there’s no denying that this late 70s entry is a fun time too.

[Extras: Commentaries, interviews]

Mother [4K UHD, Criterion]

What is it? A twice-divorced writer moves back in with his mom.

Why see it? As much as I love Albert Brooks, this mid 90s effort didn’t work for me upon release. A revisit as an older, hopefully wiser adult, though, has left me appreciating it a lot more. Brooks plays a sci-fi writer who’s found some success on that front even as he fails at his personal life, so he moves back in with his disapproving mother played by a charismatic and spunky Debbie Reynolds. It’s a funny time filled with minor but relevant observations and revelations about the effect our upbringing can have on our life as adults, and both Brooks and Reynolds are clearly having a blast being at each other’s throats.

[Extras: New 4K restoration, interviews]

My Father Is a Hero [Vinegar Syndrome]

What is it? Jet Li and son kick all kinds of ass.

Why see it? Jet Li plays an undercover cop, a secret hidden even from his son, who finds himself in over his head on his latest case. His preteen son, equally adept at the martial arts, finds his own way into the mix, and soon the two generations of fighting talents are standing tall against criminal elements. The late Corey Yuen directs, and his masterful eye for fight choreography is on full display here with some stellar battles and set-pieces guaranteed to thrill fight fans. Vinegar’s new restoration, done off a supplied 4K master, looks fantastic, and combined with the numerous extras make this a killer release.

[Extras: New restoration from 4K master, commentary, interviews, deleted scene]

Sudden Death [4K UHD, KL Studio Classics]

What is it? An ex-firefighter stops a violent attack at a hockey game.

Why see it? Peter Hyams was as reliable an action filmmaker as you’ll find in the 90s, and this Die Hard riff sits towards the top of his filmography. Jean-Claude Van Damme plays an ex-firefighter whose new job feels demeaning to some, but when violent robbers take the vice president hostage at a hockey game, he’s forced into action to save his won kids, the crowd, and the vp. Hyams delivers big set-pieces, fun action, and a real scale to the proceedings making it all feel big, dangerous, and fun. Kino’s new 4K looks great and delivers crisp action details.

[Extras: New 4K master, commentary, interviews]

The White Dawn [KL Studio Classics]

What is it? Three lost whalers find refuge with Inuit villagers.

Why see it? This atypical tale of survival was released in the mid 70s and set in the late 19th century. It stars Warren Oates, Timothy Bottoms, and Louis Gossett Jr. as whalers taken in by an Inuit tribe after they get separated from their ship. The westerners soon corrupt the village leading to resistance, and while it’s an inevitable story, director Philip Kaufman crafts it with beauty, desolation, and an optimistic eye (that’s soon forced to face reality). Heads up, there are some real animal hunts here alongside a cool polar bear encounter that was (thankfully) staged and left the bear unharmed.

[Extras: New 4K scan, commentary, introduction, featurettes]

Aces High [KL Studio Classics]

What is it? A look at the courage, cowardice, and deadly realities of war.

Why see it? World War I doesn’t get as many movies about it as, say, its sequel or the Vietnam-set spinoff, so we should really cherish the ones we do get. Thankfully, this mid 70s tale of British biplane pilots flying combat missions along the front line is good stuff. The drama is solid enough, anchored by Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Plummer, and more familiar faces, but it’s the aerial combat that shines brightest. Some fantastic cinematography and action in the sky makes it one worth watching.

[Extras: New restoration, commentary, interviews, featurette]

Bloodbath at the House of Death [Vinegar Syndrome]