What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – January 27, 2026 – Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, House Party, Altered, King of Beggars and more

It’s a little bit of a smaller release slate this week, although if you like foreign films, we’ve definitely got you covered. Take a look at all the newest discs below!

In This Week’s Column:

• Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (Blu-ray + Digital)
• House Party (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
• Altered (4K Ultra HD)
• King of Beggars (Blu-ray)
• Illustrious Corpses (Blu-ray)
• Blood of Revenge (Blu-ray)
• Pig Wife (Graphic Novel)

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (Blu-ray + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

Jeremy Allen White stars in this intimate film about the making of Bruce Springsteen’s acoustic album “Nebraska.” On the cusp of global superstardom, the young musician struggles to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past. “Nebraska” marked a pivotal time in the Boss’s life and is considered one of his most enduring works.

The Movie: 

Okay, I’ll admit that I’m not a Bruce Springsteen fan right up front. In that way that means, you know, I like a handful of his hit singles but never had much use for his music beyond that. That said, I love a good biopic. I famously can’t stand Bob Dylan’s music but absolutely loved A Complete Unknown. Walk the Line full-on converted me into a Johnny Cash fan. I was hoping Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere would have the same effect. Sadly, it did not.

I don’t know if Bruce Springsteen is a really boring person or if Deliver Me From Nowhere is just a really boring movie, but man, this was an incredibly disappointing experience, and my expectations were already a little low. The film takes place after Springsteen’s first sold-out tour and a Top 10 radio hit, as he’s struggling to make his next album (what would eventually become “Nebraska.”

Now, ultimately what we come to discover is that Bruce was struggling with depression, which is, of course, a real and serious issue. But from a moviemaking perspective, what this means is we get endless shots of Springsteen standing and looking off in the distance pensively while a sad song plays in the background, coupled with an equal amount of scenes of The Boss throwing a petulant tantrum because he can’t get a song to sound as low-fi as he wants it to. Again, not to downplay the seriousness of mental health, but am I supposed to feel sorry for a guy who just came off a sold out tour because he has a beautiful woman who wants to be with him and people catering to him and he can’t get his songs to sound right? It was a struggle for me to get there. And because the film sort of buries the depression angle until the end, it really just makes him seem like he’s simply difficult and ungrateful.

Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong give great performances as Springsteen and his producer/friend Jon Landau, but everyone else either feels like set dressing or like they’re trying too hard. The wigs and mustaches all feel a little fake and it takes away from the effect of the film. Ultimately, it veered way too far into melodrama and never rose above being really boring for me, and that’s not because I’m not a Springsteen fan, but because it’s a flawed movie.

The Bonus Features: 

• The Liner Notes: Making Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere –
  • Act 1: From Book to Screen – See how Warren Zanes’ moving book inspired filmmakers to bring Bruce Springsteen’s most intimate chapter to life on screen.
  • Act 2: Beyond the Music – An intimate look at Bruce Springsteen’s raw and enduring masterpiece “Nebraska” — its sound, spirit, and powerful influence on the film’s tone and emotion.
  • Act 3: Becoming Bruce Springsteen – Jeremy Allen White dives deep into the mind and music of Bruce Springsteen, capturing the grit, grace, and humanity that define the icon’s artistry.
  • Act 4: Deep Authenticity – From vintage wardrobe to the Asbury Park boardwalk, experience how the filmmakers captured the raw soul of Bruce Springsteen’s New Jersey.

Digital Copy Included: Yes

House Party (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

In this dazzlingly imaginative teen comedy, the breakthrough feature debut by writer-director Reginald Hudlin, hip-hop duo Kid ’n Play bring their star power to the big screen as aspiring MCs preparing for the party of the year. When Kid’s father (Robin Harris) forbids him from attending Play’s party, Kid sneaks out anyway, kicking off a wild night full of dance-offs and rap battles, run-ins with bullies and cops, and a bit of romance. With an ensemble cast that also includes Tisha Campbell, AJ Johnson, Martin Lawrence, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, and members of the music group Full Force, plus a hit soundtrack, House Party is a beloved, feel-good snapshot of early-1990s hip-hop culture that brought Black teenage experience to the mainstream, and that shines bright to this day.

The Movie: 

Full disclosure: I was not an African-American teenager in the 1990s, and my exposure to the House Party films was limited, and what exposure I had probably didn’t resonate with me the way it did with Black teenagers at the time. I say that to say that I understand why The Criterion Collection has added House Party to its ranks, even though at first glance it’s not the kind of film you’d expect to see in the collection. It was a seminal and important film and it spoke to a generation of youths who were not represented in mainstream cinema to any large degree, and you can’t understate the importance of that.

That said, while I can appreciate the film, it’s a bit of a mixed bag for me. There are some really funny and raucous moments in the film, and those are a lot of fun. But the film is also a low-budget affair from a largely-inexperienced filmmaker, and there are parts that are a little harder to watch. The film takes a little while to get going, but once the action and humor kick into high gear, the film improves. Kid and Play aren’t exactly Oscar-caliber actors, but they work well enough to carry the movie and supporting roles by a young Martin Lawrence and Daryl “Chill” Mitchell bolster the proceedings.

So while House Party might not rank as a personal favorite for me, I can see why Criterion has included it in their hallowed halls, and this is a top-notch release. While I doubt we’ll see the three sequels or the remake enter the Criterion pantheon, this one is a nice addition for fans.

The 4K Video/Audio:

The audiovisual upgrade for House Party is definitely noticeable, even if it doesn’t exactly look like a brand-new production. Imagery is super clear with strong black levels, while colors are bright and the overall picture quality is impressive. Since most people probably grew up watching this movie on VHS, a 4K release is going to look pretty stupendous, comparatively speaking. The surround soundtrack won’t win any awards, but it does create a nice, active atmosphere throughout the film while dialogue remains clear and present and music is lively, so it’s hard to complain.

The Bonus Features: 

• New audio commentary featuring director Reginald Hudlin
• New conversation featuring Hudlin, producer Warrington Hudlin, and film scholar Racquel Gates
• New cast reunion featuring actors B-Fine, Bowlegged Lou, and the Legend Paul Anthony of Full Force; Tisha Campbell; AJ Johnson; Christopher “Play” Martin; Daryl “Chill” Mitchell; and Christopher “Kid” Reid
• House Party (1983), the student short by Reginald Hudlin on which his feature is based
• Trailer
• PLUS: An essay by author Michael Harriot

Digital Copy Included: No

Altered (Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

In a dystopian future, genetically enhanced humans dominate society in a life of luxury, while those without struggle in poverty-stricken ghettos. A disabled inventor has a mission to level the playing field and fight against the corrupt and oppressive system. He constructs an armored suit giving him strength and mobility, and risks everything to change the world and protect genetic outcasts, but every revolution has a cost.

The Movie: 

It’s interesting to see Tom Felton play a good guy, as he does in the new sci-fi actioner Altered. Felton, of course, will always be known for playing Draco Malfoy so memorably in the Harry Potter movies, but has also given good heel turns in movies like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and even the recent spoof film Fackham Hall. So to see him here as a sort of low-rent Iron Man is a change of pace, but honestly, he kind of works.

Felton plays a wheelchair-bound “special” in a rebuilt future world where genetically enhanced people live like royalty and specials are effectively the peons of the world. When he discovers a conspiracy that is keeping everyone from having access to the enhancements, he uses an armored suit to lead a revolution. Like I said, it’s a bit weird to see him play the good guy, but in this movie it does work well enough.

The film itself is a bit on the so-so side, however. There’s no denying that it’s hard to pull off a fully dystopian future with a low budget, and there are times when that constraint shows. There are also some very impressive special effects sequences and a few mildly decent action scenes, so it’s not a complete disaster. But a few of the supporting performances aren’t overly strong and the film just has some moments that work and some that don’t. Ultimately it’s not an awful movie, but it’s not a great one either.

The 4K Video/Audio:

I was a little surprised to see a movie like Altered get a 4K release, just because it’s a more indie release and not a huge budget affair. That said, the 4K A/V quality is surprisingly good. The picture quality is impeccable, if a little too sheen at times, but colors are bold and vivid (at least in the scenes that are more colorful. Some of the film is purposefully dingey looking.) The Dolby Atmos soundtrack also offers up more ambitious sound than I was expecting, with a generous use of the surround channels, solid low end bass, and a good overall ambience. This is a pretty great looking and sounding transfer overall.

The Bonus Features: 

There are no bonus features on this release.

Digital Copy Included: No

King of Beggars (Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

At the dawn of the 1990s, following a decade in which Hong Kong martial arts cinema was dominated by Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung, a new superstar emerged: Stephen Chow. Chow rose to fame as the star of both the Fight Back to School and Royal Tramp series and King of Beggars – a comedic take on the story of famed martial artist and folk hero So Chan, which helped pave the way for Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle. So, Chan (Chow) is a naturally gifted martial artist – but lazy, unmotivated and spoiled by his wealthy parents. He is forced to make something of himself when he falls in love with Yu Shang (Sharla Cheung), a prostitute who agrees to marry him on one condition: that he enters and wins the upcoming imperial martial arts tournament. So Chan only hopes to win Yu Shang’s hand in marriage, but entering the competition soon leads him to become embroiled in a bitter feud between the famed Beggar Clan and a corrupt government official, Chiu Mo-kei (Norman Chiu).

A beloved character previously played by the likes of Yuen Siu-tien, Lau Kar-leung, Philip Kwok, Chow Yun-fat and Gordon Liu, So Chan – popularly known as Beggar So – was a legendary master of drunken boxing who lived during the late Qing dynasty, vividly brought to life in King of Beggars by a star on the rise in Stephen Chow. Eureka Classics is proud to present the film on Blu-ray for the first time outside of Asia.

The Movie: 

I love Eureka Classics’ line of releases because they always put out Blu-rays that feature amazing artwork, copious extra features, and collectors’ booklets with writings on a film (which is one of my favorite things.) Now, their choice in movies isn’t always aligned with my tastes; obviously they focus largely on foreign releases, but they also tend to release a lot of films from the ‘60s and ‘70s, a time when filmmaking was much different than it is today.

Sometimes, though, they release a movie that falls more in line with my tastes, such as with this week’s release, King of Beggars. Starring a young Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle, Shaolin Soccer), this 1992 martial arts epic takes place in the ancient past but features a more modern sensibility.

The story is fairly standard fare for the genre, with a less-than-disciplined martial artist trying to win the hand of a woman by becoming more than he has been his whole life. But the film isn’t just another staid by-the-numbers effort. It infuses a healthy dose of humor to go with its over-the-top action, and it allows Chow to utilize his natural charisma to light up the screen. It’s a much more swagger-filled approach than someone like, say, Jackie Chan, who always used humor but never strayed from his oh-so-humble characters.

This week’s excellent King of Beggars Blu-ray release lives up to the Eureka Classics standards by giving us gorgeous packaging, some great extra features, and a collector’s booklet. While this was a new film for me, I would definitely recommend it for fans of Chow or Asian cinema in general.

The Bonus Features: 

• Limited edition booklet featuring new writing on King of Beggars and director Gordon Chan by Andy Willis
• New audio commentary with East Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
• Beggars and Tramps – new interview with director Gordon Chan
• So Chan and Stephen Chow – new video essay by East Asian cinema scholar Gary Bettinson, co-editor of The Cinema of Stephen Chow
• Original theatrical trailer

Digital Copy Included: No

Illustrious Corpses (Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

When a series of Supreme court judges are murdered, inspector Rogas (Lino Ventura, Army of Shadows) is sent to discover the truth. A procedural noir soon turns into a labyrinthine conspiracy thriller as corruption and institutional power converge. An investigative mystery by a titan of the form, Francesco Rosi’s (The Mattei Affair) urgent adaptation of Leonardo Sciascia’s (The Day of the Owl) novel is set to a haunting score by Piero Piccioni (The Tenth Victim) and features legendary stars Charles Vanel (The Wages of Fear), Max von Sydow (The Exorcist) and Fernando Rey (The French Connection).

The Movie: 

Radiance continues to bring cult and foreign cinema to home video with this Blu-ray release of Italy’s 1976 thriller, Exquisite Corpses. An engaging thriller in which a serial killer is taking out judges and magistrates, it’s part cat-and-mouse tale and part police procedural/murder mystery.

While most of the cast will be unknown to audiences outside of Europe, Max Von Sydow shows up as a potential victim and brings some gravitas to the role, while Fernando Rey is more of a character actor that will be known to some people. The film is filled with 1970s trappings, but I have to say that it starts off interesting and remains pretty engaging throughout its run time. The pacing is pretty solid although it bogs down just a touch in one or two places.

The Blu-ray release from Radiance is another excellent effort. There’s no shortage of bonus features and the collector’s booklet with writings on the film is always a welcome addition. If you’re a fan of Italian cinema or director Francesco Rosi, this will be a welcome addition to your collection.

The Bonus Features: 

• Audio commentary by filmmaker Alex Cox (2021)
• Archival interview with director Francesco Rosi (1976)
• Archival interview with Francesco Rosi and Lino Ventura (1976)
• New interview with Gaetana Marrone, author of The Cinema of Francesco Rosi (2025)
• Trailer
• Gallery
• Limited edition booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michael Atkinson, and newly translated writing by and interview with Rosi

Digital Copy Included: No

Blood of Revenge (Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

Osaka, 1907. The upstart Hoshino gang tries to assassinate the boss of the Kiyatatsu syndicate, who are in charge of the construction business. The attempt fails but sets in motion a spiral of violence, as the Hoshino sabotage building sites and kill a junior Kiyatatsu member. When the old boss dies of his wounds, senior lieutenant Kikuchi (Koji Tsuruta, Big Time Gambling Boss) decides to take on the Hoshino gang alone. Director Tai Kato’s first yakuza film is a feast for the eyes, with bold set design, vivid colours and daring shot compositions bringing to life a timeless tale of honour and vengeance. Co-written by Red Peony Gambler creator Norifumi Suzuki and featuring a stunning central performance from Tsuruta, this is one of the finest of Toei’s classic “chivalrous” yakuza films.

The Movie: 

Also from Radiance this week is Blood of Revenge, a 1965 action/drama from director Tai Kato. Kato may not be a household name to western audiences, but in his native Japan, he was an acclaimed and respected director who was active in the 1950s and 1960s. He was best known for Yakuza (or Japanese mafia) films, and apparently, this one was his first movie to focus solely on that subject matter.

It’s not hard to see why Kato was so well respected. He has a keen eye for the visual and also makes sure that the characters are real and interesting, not just vehicles to get us from one action scene to another. I’m not always the biggest fan of foreign cinema from the 60s and 70s, but Blood of Revenge is a surprisingly well-made film. It might seem a little slow-paced to some of today’s audiences, but I found it to be engaging from start to finish.

This week’s Blu-ray release isn’t overflowing with extras, but there are a couple of included ones, plus that oh-so-important collector’s booklet with a new essay on the film. Very cool.

The Bonus Features: 

• Lice Are Scary – short film by Tai Kato (1943, 14 mins)
• Junko Fuji: Flower and Storm – a visual essay by Mark Schilling (2025)
• Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Earl Jackson and an archival review of the film

Digital Copy Included: No

Pig Wife (Graphic Novel)

Official Synopsis:

Accidentally trapped in an underground bunker, a teen girl must navigate the bizarre secrets within. This astonishing indie-horror graphic novel will keep readers guessing—and turning pages!

Mary had a bad feeling even before they arrived at dead Aunt Pearl’s house. Dragged to a remote mining town so her mom and stepdad can settle Pearl’s estate, Mary can’t wait to escape from her wreck of a family—but she’s stuck with them in the middle of nowhere. After a vicious fight, Mary runs off to hide in an abandoned gold mine. Her escape plan backfires when she realizes she’s trapped inside. Even more terrifying… she’s not alone.

Filled with suspense, dark humor, and spectacular nightmares, Pig Wife is a shockingly ambitious debut from graphic novelist Abbey Luck, seizing readers by the heart and the throat with a story of isolation, abuse, trauma, and survival. In this truly twisted coming-of-age tale, Luck suggests that survival doesn’t depend on our strength and wits alone—but on our ability to love others, even in the most horrific circumstances.

The Book: 

It amazes me that Pig Wife is the debut graphic novel by writer/artist Abbey Luck; it’s 540 pages long! Who does that for their very first book? Wow.

It’s not only an impressive feat, but it’s a hard work to describe. The book is definitely a drama about a teenage girl who get swept up into circumstances beyond her control while dealing with family difficulties. It’s also something of a horror story, but not in a traditional way. It has a hint of what I would describe as historical fiction to it, at least in the parts where we learn about the backstories of some of the characters. It’s also creatively dense, bringing to mind works by fellow author/artists like Chris Ware and Ben Wickey. There are some pages with dozens (or maybe even hundreds) of small panels, but there are also full-page splashes that will jump out at you.

I found the book compelling and interesting. There were some things I didn’t love about it, such as dream sequences that went on way too long and spanned 15 or 20 pages. I admit that I’m biased against dream sequences – I just don’t like ‘em! – but these just go on a bit too long for my tastes.

That said, Abbey Luck knows how to pace a story, and while her artwork isn’t overly polished, it perfectly fits the story she’s telling and there are some incredible pages to be found inside this massive book. Definitely track it down if you want something a bit outside the norm and that will take you a good amount of time to read through.

The Specs: 

• Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
• Format: Softcover
• Page Count: 540 pages
• Cover Price: $34.99