What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – November 10, 2026 – Backrooms, National Treasure, Con Air, Shrek, Hazbin Hotel, Memoirs of a Geisha and more
Backrooms
Not only is this a huge week in general, but I’m including a few titles that are streeting next week as well, as I’ll be traveling and will be skipping my column next week. But have no fear, I’ll be back the following week and will catch you up on any titles I missed! In the meantime, dig into this week’s huge release slate!
In This Week’s Column:
- Backrooms (4K Ultra HD) – November 17th
- Hazbin Hotel: Season 2 (Blu-ray) – November 17th
- Star Trek: The Original Voyages – A Visual History (Book)
- National Treasure (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Steelbook)
- Con Air (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Steelbook)
- Shrek: 25th Anniversary Edition (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
- Memoirs of a Geisha (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
- The Brady Bunch: The Complete Series (DVD)
- Dune Messiah: The Graphic Novel – Volume 1 (Graphic Novel)
- Mutts: Sunday Funnies: Volume 1 (Book)
- The Owl Vs Bumbo (Blu-ray)
- Where’s Officer Tuba? (Blu-ray)
- Salon Kitty (Blu-ray)
- Miranda (Blu-ray)
Backrooms (4K Ultra HD) – November 17th
Official Synopsis:
A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom, leading to an endless network of interconnected rooms where time bends and the only thing scarier than getting lost is the sense that something is lying in wait.
The Movie:
Backrooms was a true success story in every sense of the word. Based on a short film that was itself based on a simple Reddit post (and if you don’t know the backstory of Backrooms, you should definitely look it up!), the film was produced on a low budget and directed by the creator of the original short film, Kane Parsons, who was just 20 years old when it hit theaters.
In fact, the only part of the movie that wasn’t a success story was the film itself. Or, to be more accurate, the second half of the movie. I was actually all-in on the first half of the film, which sees Chiwetel Ejiofor’s put-upon furniture store owner discover a “backrooms” labyrinth in the basement of his store. The initial exploration and hazards of the back rooms are fascinating, eerie, and menacing, and I was really enjoying everything.
Now, I’ll avoid any spoilers here, but right about at the halfway point, the movie completely fell off a cliff. What I will describe as a sort of Big Bad was utterly ridiculous and removed any sense of fear from the film. And then the final act took an interesting twist, but it ended so abruptly and without any kind of concrete conclusion that it felt completely unsatisfying. Now to be clear, it’s not like I was expecting a complete explanation of what the backrooms were; I knew that trying to explain it all completely would be a misstep. But to veer into such vague and ambiguous territory didn’t do the film any favors, either.
Ultimately, Backrooms is an interesting movie that will clearly get a sequel, and maybe that film will explore the mythology better. But for now, there’s half of a great film in Backrooms and half a movie that’s utter nonsense.
The 4K Video/Audio:
Having seen Backrooms in theaters and on 4K, what I will say is that the 4K Ultra HD home video release perfectly replicates the theatrical experience. The movie itself is a sort of found footage hybrid movie, with a lot of shots that re meant to emulate footage shot on a camcorder. These shots are grainy and dull and muffled and feature visual noise, like you’d expect. The rest of the film is much more dark and deep, with clearer imagery and more vibrant colors. The surround soundtrack is quite atmospheric, not hitting you over the head with directional effects but creating a creepy, tense atmosphere throughout. All in all, it’s exactly the kind of A/V presentation you’d want for a movie like this.
The Bonus Features:
- Everything Must Go bonus footage – The 16‑minute post‑credits cut shown in limited theatrical runs,
- “Building the Backrooms” featurette
- VFX & Scene Breakdown with Kane Parsons
- Prop Walkthrough with Kane Parsons
- Two VFX Breakdowns with optional commentary
- Six collectible postcards
Digital Copy Included: No
Hazbin Hotel: Season 2 (Blu-ray) – November 17th
Official Synopsis:
Following Charlie’s victory against Heaven’s army, the hotel is booming with new residents. Though, to her dismay, many are not there for the right reasons. As resentment against Heaven brews and sinners realize they can fight back, there are plenty of sinners looking to capitalize on the growing tensions: namely the overlord trio known as ‘The Vees’. Whilst Charlie struggles to maintain the Hotel’s goals and protect her public image, the Vees (led by Vox) make a plan to take over Heaven placing themselves at the top. Meanwhile, in Heaven, the angels must deal with the repercussions of Sir Pentious’s redemption and their own part in the previous atrocities committed against Hell.
The Show:
Hazbin Hotel has become so popular, such a cultural juggernaut, that it almost feels unsafe to do anything but heap glowing praise upon it. Now, don’t worry, I’m not here to tear the show apart or anything like that, but as someone who doesn’t like Rick and Morty, I know what it’s like to be on the wrong end of popular opinion.
So here’s what I’ll say: Hazbin Hotel is a show that does what it does very well. Clearly, it’s working, because the show has become a legit phenomenon. The idea of an animated series set in hell and focusing on a group of characters who are trying to reform (some of whom are trying much harder than others) is a concept rife with possibility. It’s also trying to accomplish that in the most crass way possible. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it is one of those shows that’s like, “HEY! We’re for adults even though we’re animated! We are NOT for kids! And we’re going to throw in every swear word, every X-rated joke, and every sex thing we can to PROVE it to you!” It’s about as subtle as a hammer to the face.
That said, the show also has some truly funny moments, and I think the musical numbers are pretty damn amazing. The voice cast is outstanding, and the show is fast-paced and keeps things moving at all times. So, like I said, it’s not like I dislike the show or anything, I just haven’t fallen in love with it the way many people have.
The second season of Hazbin Hotel is now out on Blu-ray, and it includes all eight episodes from Season Two. And there’s a lot of change this season, with new characters, new power dynamics, and of course, new songs. What did strike me about watching the second season was just how complex the narrative in this show is. On the surface, it can be easy to think it’s just about demons and sex jokes, but try missing an episode and still knowing what’s going on… you’ll be completely lost. There are politics, power struggles, relationship issues, and everything else you’d expect in a more traditional show. It’s really an impressive feat to juggle it all. Hazbin Hotel fans, you will once again want to add this new Blu-ray set to your collection, I’m sure.
The Bonus Features:
- Audio Commentaries for all eight Season Two episodes with Creator Vivienne Medrano, Animation Director Skye Henwood, and Art Director Sam Miller
- Fold-out poster
- Exclusive promo card
Digital Copy Included: Yes/No
Star Trek: The Original Voyages – A Visual History (Book)
Official Synopsis:
Boldly celebrate 60 years of Star Trek™ with this official visual history of the original series, documenting how its iconic characters and storylines reshaped the science fiction genre.
It began as a “five-year mission,” but for sixty years Star Trek has captivated the world. When the original Star Trek series burst onto the screen in 1966, few could have anticipated the enduring legacy it would create. Although it lasted just three seasons and 79 episodes, Star Trek left an indelible mark on popular culture, and it soon spawned an animated television series, a blockbuster major motion picture franchise, and for its most dedicated fans, a way of life.
The story of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew—James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Montgomery Scott (James Doohan), Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig), and Hikaru Sulu (George Takei)—as well as the behind-the-scenes story of its creators, The Great Bird of the Galaxy Gene Roddenberry and his many collaborators, is extraordinary.
The story of the brand itself is every bit as remarkable and, in many ways, even stranger than the fiction. Featuring hundreds of quintessential and rarely seen images, Star Trek: The Original Voyages: A Visual History is a cultural history of and tribute to the brand’s sixty-year journey through television, film, novels, comic books, video games, merchandise, and more.
Timed for Star Trek’s 60-year anniversary, Star Trek: The Original Voyages: A Visual History will be a must-have for every fan: a document of its impact on pop culture and commemoration of how Star Trek’s original cast have touched our lives and changed our culture. New fans will discover a comprehensive history of original-cast Star Trek (from 1966 through 1991), and longtime fans will cherish fresh insights from original interviews and previously unpublished images.
The Book:
Wow.
Let me say that again: Wow.
Now, look, I’ve been a Star Trek fan longer than some people reading this column have been alive. I’ve seen all the shows and all the movies, collected all the comics, read the novels, absorbed all the magazine articles, played with the toys… in short, I’ve done all the things. There’s not a lot of Star Trek left for me to explore.
Or so I thought.
Then came Star Trek: The Original Voyages – A Visual History, Ten Speed Press’s new 60th Anniversary release celebrating Star Trek: The Original Series, and I can say with no hyperbole whatsoever that this is easily one of the greatest Star Trek books I’ve ever seen. This coffee table book is a behemoth, weighing in at over 400 pages, and it strikes the perfect balance of text and imagery. It is packed with photos, many of which I’ve never seen before – and that’s saying something! – but it also has endless interviews, commentary, analysis, trivia, and information about the phenomenon of Star Trek.
But here’s the thing I loved: it focuses solely on the original crew’s adventures. So it dives deeply into the Original Series as well as the Animated Series and the first six movies, but then it stops there. It would have been so much less in-depth if they tried to shoehorn in every series and movie. Here we learn all about the making of the show and the movies, but we also dive deep into the pop culture impact of Trek, with in-depth sections on things like the original merchandise. (So many cool photos of 1960s era merch!)
I don’t know any other way to say this, other than that Star Trek: The Original Voyages – A Visual History is one of my favorite releases of the year — in any medium or format. It’s truly a treasure trove of entertainment for any Star Trek fan, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
The Specs:
- Publisher: Ten Speed Press
- Format: Hardcover
- Page Count: 416 pages
- Cover Price: $60.00
National Treasure (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Steelbook)
Official Synopsis:
Ever since he was a boy, Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been obsessed with finding the legendary Knights Templar Treasure, the greatest fortune ever known. As Gates tries to find and decipher ancient riddles that will lead him to it, he’s dogged by a ruthless enemy who wants the riches for himself. Now in a race against time, Gates must steal one of America’s most sacred and guarded documents – the Declaration of Independence – or let it, and a key clue to the mystery, fall into
dangerous hands.
The Movie:
“I’m gonna steal it. I’m gonna steal the Declaration of Independence.”
You can think whatever you want about Nicolas Cage’s career as an actor and his overall level of talent, but anybody who can deliver that line and do it in a way that makes it an instantly recognizable quote (not to mention a meme) deserves some credit.
Now, personally, I love National Treasure. It’s like an American version of The Da Vinci Code, but with a much more lighthearted sense of humor and sense of adventure. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking TDVC, it’s just a much more serious work.) Watching Nicolas Cage and his compatriots run from monument to monument, artifact to artifact, all while contending with bad guys and trying to solve a puzzle is an inordinate amount of fun, and director Jon Turtletaub infuses the movie with the right amount of humor and action to keep it moving.
This week we get a new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release of National Treasure (coupled with another Nic Cage Steelbook release; see the next review.), and it’s a – ahem – real treasure. Underneath new artwork on a sharp-looking Steelbook case, you get the film in 4K Ultra HD (as well as a Blu-ray and a digital copy), plus a copious collection of extra features. While there’s nothing new to this release, it’s still a great pick-up if you don’t already own the film. Just, you know, don’t steal it like Benjamin Franklin Gates would have.
The 4K Video/Audio:
The 4K Ultra HD upgrade for National Treasure is certainly impressive. The image clarity is top-notch, and colors are both brilliant and stylized in the way that the filmmakers clearly intended. There’s a sense of deliberate color palettes to the movie at times that are clearly how the movie was shot, and that is captured accurately. There’s a nice depth to the imagery as well, and overall the picture quality is quite impressive. The surround soundtrack is constantly active; fluctuating easily between action sequences and quieter moments. The satellite channels offer up constant movement and activity, all while solidly anchoring the dialogue in the center channel. It’s a nice audio experience.
The Bonus Features:
- Mission History: Inside The Declaration Of Independence
- Audio Commentary With Director Jon Turteltaub And Actor Justin Bartha
- Alternate Ending With Optional Director’s Audio Commentary
- Deleted Scenes With Optional Director’s Audio Commentary
- Seven Featurettes
Digital Copy Included: Yes
Con Air (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Steelbook)
Official Synopsis:
Buckle up as the explosive high-flying action of Con Air soars in 4K Ultra HD* Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and John Malkovich star in this edge-of-your-seat thrill ride. A prison parolee (Cage) on his way to freedom faces impossible odds when the maximum security transport plane he’s on is skyjacked by the most vicious criminals in the country…led by the infamous murderer Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom.
The Movie:
The greatest Michael Bay movie ever made by somebody other than Michael Bay, Con Air might just be the most ‘90s action film of all time, and I’m here for it.
The second in a Steelbook 4K Ultra HD double release week from Sony, Con Air actually makes its 4K debut this week. Starring Nicolas Cage (in his second meme-worthy appearance of the week, with that flowing mane of long hair!) as a prisoner about to be paroled who ends up on the worst plane ride in history, Con Air is one of those films that should be a disaster, yet somehow it’s so much fun that you can overlook any of its flaws. With a terrific cast that also includes John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, John Cusack, Colm Meaney, Monica Potter, and plenty of other familiar faces, Con Air fires on all cylinders.
The new 4K Ultra HD release is a solid one. Obviously the film looks and sounds great in 4K, and the Steelbook is a collectible piece of art, but I do wish we had gotten more in the way of bonus features than just two archival featurettes. Still, for Con Air fans, this is a great package overall, and it’ll make for a heck of a double feature with National Treasure!
The 4K Video/Audio:
The audiovisual upgrade for Con Air is definitely noticeable, even if the film does show its age just a little bit. Imagery is nice and clear with it most notable on close-ups, where fine detail is extra visible. There’s excellent shadow delineation and strong contrasts, while colors are bold and the overall look of the film is a step up from previous home video efforts. The surround soundtrack really shines, creating an active atmosphere throughout the film while dialogue remains clear and present. There are some fun directional effects and the soundfield is constantly active in the satellite speakers, plus the bass channel offers up some good low-end-oomph. All in all, I’m very pleased with this 4K presentation of the film.
The Bonus Features:
- A View From Above
- The Destruction of Las Vegas
Digital Copy Included: Yes
Shrek: 25th Anniversary Edition (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
You’ve never met a hero quite like Shrek, winner of the first Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature. Relive every moment of Shrek’s (Mike Myers) daring quest to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), with the help of his lovable loudmouthed Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and win back the deed to his beloved swamp from scheming Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow).
The Movie:
Once upon a time… there was a landscape where only Disney and Pixar movies ruled the animated roost. Then, in 2001, came this little animated film called Shrek, and it upended everything the box office pundits knew to be true.
Starring Mike Myers as a grumpy ogre, Eddie Murphy as a congenial Donkey, and Cameron Diaz as a princess, Shrek took some well-loved fairy tales and turned them on their heads while adding in a healthy dose of Mike Myer’s trademark sense of humor, and the result was a pop culture juggernaut that spawned three sequels and a spin-off film series in the Puss in Boots movies.
What makes Shrek so great is not only that it’s funny and endearing and felt unique when it was released, but that it’s equally enjoyable for kids and adults and it has a lot of replay value. I’ve seen the movie dozens of times at this point (that happens when you have kids) and I can honestly say I noticed something new or caught a new joke or visual gag every time I watched it. Its sense of sarcasm and slightly more PG-13 humor also set it apart from Disney flicks in a way which was refreshing.
While it’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Shrek came out, this new 4K Ultra HD release gives you everything you could want to celebrate!
The 4K Video/Audio:
Not surprisingly, Shrek looks and sounds great in 4K Ultra HD. The colors are off the charts and really bring the film to life, while the CGI animation looks crisp and clean. Black levels are deep and inky, and the film just really pops. The surround soundtrack is constantly active and all of the speakers get a full workout between music, background noise, audio humor, sound effects, and dialogue. All in all, this is a terrific A/V presentation.
The Bonus Features:
- Origins of an Ogre
- Spotlight on Donkey
- Deleted Scenes
- Secrets of Shrek
- Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party
- Three Music Videos
- Feature Commentary with Directors Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson and Producer Aron Warner
- The Animators’ Corner
- Shrek’s Interactive Journey
- Far Far Away Idol
- Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos
- The Ghost of Lord Farquaad
- Scared Shrekless
- Thriller Night
- The Pig Who Cried Werewolf
- Shrek the Halls
- Donkey’s Caroling Christmas-tacular
- Shrek’s Yule Log
- The Adventures of Puss in Boots Episodes 1-5
Digital Copy Included: Yes
Memoirs of a Geisha (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
A Cinderella story set in a mysterious and exotic world, this stunning romantic epic shows how a house servant blossoms, against all odds, to become the most captivating geisha of her day.
The Movie:
One thing I love about the 4K Ultra HD format is that it brings us a supply of movies that are from deep in studios’ catalogs, many of which can benefit from a little reminder of what made them hits in the first place.
Take Memoirs of a Geisha, for example. Released in 2005 and based on a best-selling book, the film was produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Rob Marshall, who’s best known for helming musicals such as Chicago, Into the Woods, The Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins Returns. It’s a sweeping period drama set in the first half of the 20th century, looking at how the world of traditional Japanese Geishas was transforming with a modernizing society, framed around a core cast of central characters that take us on their journey.
Memoirs of a Geisha is a visually sumptuous film – indeed, it won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography – and it looks resplendent on 4K Ultra HD. Some people criticize the film for being all style and no substance, and while I can’t entirely argue with that, I think it’s a little dismissive. The story is engaging and intriguing, and while it might not be the most captivating movie ever, the visuals do add another layer that make the film impossible to ignore. And, as I stated at the beginning of the review, Memoirs of a Geisha is a movie that’s fallen out of the public pop culture consciousness a bit. Personally, I’d never actually seen it before, so I enjoyed watching it in 4K Ultra HD for the first time.
The 4K Video/Audio:
Memoirs of a Geisha looks absolutely beautiful in 4K Ultra HD. The film has a lot of incredibly color-forward scenes and settings in it, so color saturation si absolutely terrific. There’s a sense of scope and scale that the 4K imagery really gets across, and the razor-sharp clarity is impeccable. The surround soundtrack has a good amount to work with and it makes the most of it, featuring strong directional effects and razor-sharp dialogue, with music that sounds like the orchestra is in your living room with you. It’s a terrific A/V presentation from start to finish.
The Bonus Features:
- Commentary with Rob Marshall & John DeLuca
- Commentary with Colleen Atwood, John Myhre & Pietro Scalia
- 11 Behind‑the‑Scenes Featurettes
- Photo, Illustration & Recipe Galleries
- Theatrical Trailer
Digital Copy Included: Yes
The Brady Bunch: The Complete Series (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
When widower Mike Brady (Robert Reed) marries a lovely lady named Carol Ann (Florence Henderson), their two families become one. The six children include Carol’s Daughters: Marcia (Maureen McCormick), Jan (Eve Plumb) and Cindy (Susan Olsen), as well as Mike’s sons: Greg (Barry Williams), Peter (Christopher Knight), and Bobby (Mike Lookinland). Together with their dog Tiger and quirky housekeeper Alice (Ann B. Davis), this wild clan became the Brady Bunch! From the debut episode with Mike and Carol tie the knot, to the heartwarming series finale, this series is filled with family fun, outrageous outfits, and loads of sibling rivalry. Experience all the chaos and laughter of The Brady Bunch with this 117-episode collection!
The Show:
Here’s the story of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three very lovely girls…
Here’s the story of a man named Brady, who was busy with three boys of his own…
Well, you probably know the rest. That’s the way they became The Brady Bunch. And now, thanks to Paramount/CBS, you can revisit their story all over again, with The Brady Bunch: The Complete Series, a new 20-disc set that includes all five seasons and 117 episodes of the adventures of America’s quintessential mixed family.
Now, I have a special place in my heart for The Brady Bunch, as I’m sure many people do who grew up with them in reruns or when they aired originally. So I’m always glad to see a complete series collection like this, but I do have a few quibbles. First off, the show has been available as a complete series on DVD at least two other times before, maybe more. Would it have killed them to put it on Blu-ray for once? I realize the picture wouldn’t be high def per se, but let’s at least get it on the format. Also, this set is fairly bare-bones, giving you the episodes but none of the spin-offs or TV movies or anything like that, which have been available in at least one other set before. And it’s not even like the previous sets are particularly hard to find. So I’m not trying to be a Negative Nancy, but this one feels like a little bit more of a cash grab than some other Complete Series sets.
That said, The Brady Bunch is quintessential Americana and a great sitcom to boot. It’s also a snapshot of another time period in American culture. If you don’t already own the show on home video, this is a nice and affordable way to get it.
The Bonus Features:
There are no bonus features included.
Digital Copy Included: No
Dune Messiah: The Graphic Novel – Volume 1 (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
A visually stunning graphic novel adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah, this volume brings one of science fiction’s most pivotal stories to life in a bold, immersive new format. Adapted by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson and illustrated by Michael Shelfer, Dune Messiah: Book 1 transforms the iconic sequel into a cinematic graphic experience. Rich, detailed artwork captures the scale of Arrakis and the complexity of its characters, while the visual format sharpens the story’s core tensions―power, religion, and destiny―with new immediacy.
Paul Atreides is now Emperor of the known universe―but absolute power has made him both a ruler and a target. Revered as a messianic figure by the Fremen and feared by rival houses, Paul must confront a growing conspiracy that threatens to unravel his reign. As political enemies close in and his prophetic visions begin to shift, the future of his empire―and the people he loves―hangs in the balance.
Perfect for fans of the Dune films, longtime readers of the novels, and newcomers alike, this adaptation offers a unique view of the saga’s darker second act. Whether you’re returning to Paul Atreides’s story or encountering it for the first time, this edition delivers a compelling, visually driven way to experience a landmark work of science fiction.
The first installment of a two-part adaptation, Dune Messiah: Book 1 is an essential addition to any graphic novel or science fiction collection―and a powerful new way to experience the world of Arrakis. Like the bestselling volumes in the first series of Dune graphic novel adaptations, Dune Messiah features a spectacular painted cover by artist Bill Sienkiewicz.
The Book:
I have a bit of a mixed history with the world of Dune. I really liked the first Denis Vilanueve movie, but I really didn’t like the second one. The 1980s version is okay, but I really liked the pair of Sci-Fi Channel miniseries that ran back in the early 2000s. I’ve never read the books, because they seem so daunting and dense. But I am always curious about the world of Dune.
Which leads us to Dune Messiah: The Graphic Novel – Volume 1, the graphic novel adaptation of Frank Herbert’s second Dune novel, written by Brian Herbert (Frank’s son) and noted sci-fi author Kevin J. Anderson, with stunning artwork by Michael Shelfer. (For reference, this story would align with the second Dune movie, although this is a much more direct adaptation of the book.)
After a thoughtful and detailed introduction by Brian Herbert on the book and the changes within – mostly that Paul Atreides is not exactly the hero this time around – we are treated to the first half of the Dune Messiah story. Brian Herbert and Anderson do a great job of taking a complex and dense text filled with politics and varied cultures and making them as understandable as possible, but I’ll admit there were still a few times I wasn’t sure I was smart enough to be reading this. Michael Shelfer’s art is a revelation; so many book adaptations choose styleless, soulless artwork, but Shelfer uses a style reminiscent of the popular artists in today’s comic book scene. It’s visually dazzling and he really brings the world of the Dune Universe to life.
While I’m still a casual Dune fan at best, Dune Messiah: The Graphic Novel – Volume 1 is a terrific way to get a fix of Dune while you’re waiting for the new movie.
The Specs:
- Publisher: Abrams
- Format: Hardcover
- Page Count: 128 pages
- Cover Price: $29.99
Mutts: Sunday Funnies: Volume 1 (Book)
Official Synopsis:
From Patrick McDonnell, author and artist of MUTTS and the national bestseller Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story, comes the first in a series of the complete MUTTS Sunday comic strips, starting from the very beginning. Created by Patrick McDonnell in 1994, MUTTS follows the heartwarming adventures of Earl the dog, Mooch the cat, and an endearing cast of animal and human pals. It has captured the hearts of millions, garnering international recognition for its gentle humor and powerful themes of kindness, compassion, and friendship.
Sunday Funnies is the first-ever collection of the Sunday MUTTS comic strip that are complete, in color, and reprinted one per page and in chronological order. Included are all of the full-color title panels (which many newspapers drop for space constraints), along with a “Title Panel Tribute Guide” by McDonnell at the back of each volume, in which he shares his sources of inspiration for the first time.
Also included is an all-new preface by McDonnell. This first volume of Sunday Funnies reprints comic strips from 1994–96 and is the perfect gift for MUTTS fans new and old.
The Book:
Right off the bat, let me say how much I love the format of Mutts: Sunday Funnies: Volume 1. This collection of Patrick McConnell’s full-color Sunday-only comic strips is effectively the size and shape of a comic strip; it’s a hardcover book that measures about 12 inches wide by about 5 inches tall. So it reads exactly like a comic strip should, just in a high quality, full color, premium format hardcover book. I love innovation like that!
Mutts has never been a particularly laugh out loud strip. I don’t say that as a knock against it; McConnell’s heartfelt tribute discusses his influences which include things like Walt Kelly’s Pogo and Charles Schulz’s Peanuts, strips which didn’t always go for endless gag after endless gag. Mutts is more of a lighthearted strip with a streak of silliness that’s only rivaled by its streak of sentimentality.
This book collects the first two years’ worth of Sunday strips, in which you can see McConnell’s art and storytelling grow. We also see the cast of characters grow, although many of these strips do focus on Earl and Mooch, something I’m sure most fans won’t complain about. Mutts: Sunday Funnies: Volume 1 is a terrific collection of a well-loved comic strip, and there’s already a Volume 2 available as well.
The Specs:
- Publisher: Abrams
- Format: Hardcover
- Page Count: 144 pages
- Cover Price: $19.99
The Owl Vs Bumbo (Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
Chan (Sammo Hung, The Prodigal Son) and Wong (George Lam, King of Beggars) AKA Bumbo and The Owl, believe their criminal days are behind them. However, their pasts come back to haunt them when ex-cop Chung (Shui-Fan Fung, Wheels on Meals) returns to blackmail them. At his behest, the pair find themselves teaching at a reform school. But how long can their earlier criminal lives stay in the past. Featuring Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) in her very first role, expect action, thrills and laughs in this non-stop rollercoaster tale of blackmail and hijinks.
The Movie:
I’m glad to see Sammo Hung getting a little love this week, as 88 Films releases not one but two new deluxe Blu-ray editions of early Hung films. Sammo Hung may not have reached the same level of fame on Western shores as his compatriot Jackie Chan, but any true student of Asian cinema knows what a force he’s been in the genre for the past 40 years or so. Between acting and directing, Sammo Hung has been involved in more films than I can count, and this week we get two releases that focus on Hung as the actor, always a welcome treat.
The first one is The Owl Vs Bumbo, which also stars Asian cinema stalwart George Lam. (The film also marks the debut of one Michelle Yeoh, now an international superstar, of course.) And yes, Sammo Hung did actually direct this one as well, but since he’s one of the two main stars, I decided to focus on that. This 1984 film is an action comedy about two former thieves forced into teaching at a youth reform center, which obviously has a lot of comedic potential. But, as expected, there’s no shortage of action either, and the end result is a really fun movie, despite its somewhat silly name.
88 Films continues to give us a great home video catalog with Blu-ray releases that come with a handful of extra features and some truly gorgeous packaging. But wait, there’s another offering this week…
The Bonus Features:
- Audio Commentary by Hong Kong Film Expert David West
- Those Who Kam-Bo Teach – Ricky Baker on The Owl VS Bumbo
- Original Trailer
- Image Gallery
Digital Copy Included: No
Where’s Officer Tuba? (Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
This hilarious supernatural action comedy, catapults us into a world of ghosts and mayhem. A must for fans of Hong Kong action flicks.
When timid police officer Tuba (Sammo Hung, Martial Law) – more interested in music than chasing crooks, is put on a dangerous mission, he witnesses the killing of decorated hero Chow, who makes him promise to avenge his death. However, when he fails to live up to his promise, Chow returns as a ghost. This hilarious supernatural action comedy, catapults us into a world of ghosts and mayhem. A must for fans of Hong Kong action flicks.
The Movie:
Continuing their trend of releasing Sammo Hung movies with silly names this week, 88 Films also gives us a new Blu-ray release of Where’s Officer Tuba?. This incredibly fun film came just two years after The Owl Vs. Bumbo in 1986, and this time the film adds in some supernatural hijinks to keep things interesting, as Hung plays a man haunted by a ghost who tries to get him to avenge his death.
As you would expect, the comedy takes the front seat here, but there are some good action scenes as well. Hung did not direct this outing, choosing instead to focus solely on acting, but it’s still a rousing adventure. Hung is a fun screen presence, but he also plays certain types of characters better than others, and he’s in his element here.
Again, Where’s Officer Tuba? is another strong release from 88 films, with excellent packaging and artwork that will be a nice addition to your shelf.
The Bonus Features:
- Audio Commentary by Hong Kong Experts Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto
- English Opening and Closing Credits
- Original Cantonese Trailer
- Image Gallery
Digital Copy Included: No
Salon Kitty (Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
A young prostitute and her madam risk everything to bring down an SS officer who bugs their brothel and swaps its women for trained spies.
Berlin, in the final years of the Third Reich. Salon Kitty is an elegant, high-class brothel where officers, diplomats and party officials come to unwind far from the pressures of the war. What none of them know is that the whole place has been quietly turned into a trap. Wallenberg (Helmut Berger, The Damned, The Godfather Part III) an ambitious and ruthless SS officer, has had hidden microphones installed in every room and has replaced Madame Kitty’s girls with party-loyalist women he personally selected and trained to seduce, listen and report. His plan is coldly simple: gather every secret, every doubt and every disloyal word spoken in those beds, then use that mountain of compromising material to blackmail his way to the very top, even above Hitler himself.
Among the new recruits is Margherita (Teresa Ann Savoy, Caligula), an idealistic young woman who genuinely believes she is serving the Reich by giving herself to its soldiers. Little by little she begins to notice the strange details around her, and she uncovers the truth behind the salon and the man pulling the strings. Her faith collapses into disgust, and disgust hardens into a need for revenge.
Working carefully alongside Madame Kitty (frequent Bergman collaborator, Ingrid Thulin, Wild Strawberries, The Silence), who has her own reasons to want Wallendorf destroyed, Margherita sets out on a dangerous game of double deception.
Set against the decadence and moral rot of a regime collapsing in on itself, director Tinto Brass (Caligula: The Ultimate Cut, Death Laid an Egg) blends eroticism, power and betrayal into a lurid, provocative portrait of corruption. As the walls close in and loyalties dissolve, Margherita and Kitty push toward a final reckoning where sex is a weapon, silence is survival, and the price of the truth may be everything they have left.
The Movie:
We have another two-fer release set this week with two Tinto Brass movies from CultFilms. The first one is a real humdinger, too: Salon Kitty, an erotic thriller set in a Nazi brothel. (Yes, you read that right.)
For those not familiar with him, Tinto Brass was an Italian filmmaker (who actually just passed away a few days ago as I write this) who eventually became mostly known for his erotic films, most famously Caligula. And having reviewed a fair number of these movies over the years, I think It’s safe to say that a large number of Brass’s films were fairly lightweight fluff, diving into relationships and sex but not much else.
But Salon Kitty is something different. It focuses on a brothel where Nazis go to unwind, and which an unscrupulous Nazi offer has bugged in order to gain power over his compatriots. Enter young brothel worker Margherita, who decides she needs to bring the man down. So in addition to the usual erotically charged scenes, you have a sort of spy story mixed with an attempt at a thriller. And on some level, it works. (And on some levels, it doesn’t, too.) It’s a different kind of film for Brass, but I can’t say it wasn’t intriguing. It might not be what most Brass aficionados are looking for but Salon Kitty is certainly a standout entry in his career.
The Bonus Features:
- Making Salon Kitty – unique English-language Tinto Brass interview
- International theatrical trailer
- USA trailer
- Original Madam Kitty American release poster, reproduced to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary
Digital Copy Included: No
Miranda (Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
Post-war Italy. Miranda runs a roadside inn, awaiting a husband who may never return. Three suitors court her. Brass at his most sensual.
Northern Italy, the Po Valley, in the raw years after World War II. The countryside is slowly shaking off the dust of the conflict, and along a quiet road stands a modest inn run by Miranda (Serena Grandi, The Great Beauty), a warm, full-blooded young woman with a laugh that fills the room and an appetite for life that the war never managed to dampen. She keeps the place going while she waits for her husband, a soldier who left for the front and has not come home. Word of him has gone silent. Miranda tells herself she is still waiting, yet as the seasons turn she begins to wonder whether she is holding a place for a man who may already be gone for good.
The inn is busy, and Miranda is very much its heart. Three very different men circle her, each hoping to win more than a room for the night. There is Berto, the devoted farmhand who has loved her quietly for years and asks for nothing but a chance. There is a well-off, older suitor who can offer her comfort, security and a way out of the daily grind. And there is a charming American, easy and worldly, who brings the promise of somewhere far beyond these fields. Miranda is in no hurry to choose. With open curiosity and a healthy love of pleasure in her own body, she tastes what each of them has to offer, weighing tenderness against wealth against adventure, before deciding whether any single one of them is worth keeping.
Loosely drawn from Carlo Goldoni’s classic comedy La Locandiera, Miranda is director Tinto Brass (Caligula, Salon Kitty) at his most sunlit and sensual. He trades cruelty and politics for warmth, laughter and desire, painting a portrait of a woman who refuses to shrink herself to fit anyone else’s idea of a good wife. Ripe, earthy and unashamedly erotic, it is a comedy of the senses in which pleasure is not a sin to be punished but simply part of being fully, gloriously alive, and Miranda holds every card right up to the last.
The Movie:
The second Tinto Brass release from CultFIlms this week is Miranda, which is a much more traditional film, or at least much more what we’ve come to traditionally expect from Brass.
The film’s titular character is at the heart of the action. Miranda is a war widow whose husband never returned home from World War II. Of course, she’s young and beautiful and there are plenty of men who would love to fill a void in her life, three in particular. This erotic romantic dramedy embraces Miranda’s journey to decide which of the three men she might choose to take her missing husband’s place, if any at all.
As usual for a Tinto Brass movie, there’s lots of soft lighting but there’s also a strong female protagonist, which is one of the best things about it. Miranda is the one playing these men around her little finger, she’s not waiting on them or wanting for anything, so when she’s sexually adventurous it feels like it’s on her own terms, not anyone else’s. Miranda isn’t a masterpiece, but it is one of the more endearing Tinto Brass films I’ve reviewed, and that’s a nice bonus.
The Bonus Features:
- Tinto Brass Reveals All – Interview with the director
- Theatrical trailer
Digital Copy Included: No
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