If you are looking to rent or buy a new DVD or Blu-ray to entertain visiting family, several new titles have just been released.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” Grade B: Fans of the original get Michael Keaton’s irreverent and over-the-top (in a good way) performance as the demon who only comes to the living world when his name is said three consecutive times. The fact his makeup to play the demon was so macabre in the first helps hide the fact 36 years have passed.
This offering from the original director and cast members to the addition of the extremely talented Jenna Ortega is a spirited comedy that goes from the manically macabre to the ghostly ghoulish. It is strong enough for new and old fans to want to say the demon’s name three times if it means another sequel.
“Reagan” Grade C-: The new biopic looking at the life of Ronald Reagan from his childhood to his Presidency, will be an instant hit for those who continue to have a deep respect and admiration for the actor and politician. Those who don’t have those kinds of fond memories will have a completely different opinion.
The production values of “Reagan” fall short from a poorly designed script to inconsistent performances. Those who appreciate quality filmmaking will find this production as appealing as a bowl full of only green jelly beans.
“The Killer’s Game” Grade C-: The film starts out on a serious direction with the life of the hired assassin and how quickly things can change when love enters the picture. Dave Bautista should be about 100th on the depth chart of actors who should star in romantic comedies, but he pulls together enough likability to make the love story feel semi-real.
Novice director J.J. Perry makes a fundamental mistake with his new romcom/action thriller “The Killer’s Game.” His inability to guide the film through a distinct genre ends up making the film a collection of interesting scenes but with a pacing that is more erratic than a cardiac patient’s EKG readout.
“Speak No Evil” Grade B: Patience definitely will be a virtue when seeing “Speak No Evil.” The film has been classified as being in the horror genre, but it is structured differently than the standard tales of terror. Instead of the audience being slammed in the face by an evil entity that often exists outside the realm of reality, this production leans more toward being a psychological thriller that could happen in the real world.
It is built on the concept that real life can be more terrifying than fiction.
“Speak No Evil” is a remake of a 2022 Danish thriller that went a lot heavier into the horror elements. The ending has been changed to make the film more acceptable to American moviegoers who tend to shy away from films with a depressing ending. It takes a path similar to the 1971 film “Straw Dogs.”
Also new on DVD and Blu-ray as of Nov. 19
“House of the Dragon: The Complete Second Season”: The series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” is based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.”
“Godzilla Minus One”: Survivors in post-war Japan face a new threat.
“Skincare”: Someone is trying to sabotage the efforts of aesthetician Hope Goldman to launch her very own skin care line.
“Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock: Season 1”: Fraggles, Doozers, and Gorgs are back in this updated version of the Jim Henson series.
“Yoshiki: Under the Sky”: The music documentary features the world-renowned rock star and composer leading a global concert.
“A Sudden Case of Christmas”: Couple take their daughter Claire to her grandfather Lawrence’s grand hotel in Italy to tell her they’re breaking up.
Available on digital platforms
“Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter Is Dead”: This remake features a group of siblings hiding the fact the person watching them has passed so they can live life on their own terms.