What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – October 29th, 2024 – Deadpool & Wolverine, Twisters, Thanksgiving and more

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 50th Anniversary Edition

Well, it’s always an exciting week when the biggest movie of the year gets released on home video! And this week we get not only the biggest movie of the year, but also one of the other biggest blockbusters of the summer. We’ve also got a new toy for anime fans, a massive horror box set, and much more!

In This Week’s Column:

• Deadpool & Wolverine
• Twisters
• Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
• Thanksgiving (4K Ultra HD Steelbook)
• The Crown: The Complete Sixth Season 
• Addams Family Values (4K Ultra HD)
• Shibajuku Anime Dolls

Deadpool & Wolverine 

The Movie: Okay, I know how this is going to sound. Because everyone on the planet LOVED Deadpool & Wolverine. It grossed over a billion dollars at the box office and is universally well-loved. So why did I think it was just okay? Look, the funny parts were funny; the highs of the film are high, but there’s just too many problems with the movie for me to outright fall in love with it.

For one, the story is a mess. I get that it’s all in service of the multiverse aspect of the plot (which has already been waaay overdone, by the way), but the mechanics of the various universes are a train wreck. Which universe does Deadpool start off in? Why is he there? It seems like a different one than the one he was in for the first two movies. How did he get there? It all gets muddled. But then the plot just becomes an incredibly thin device used to get Wolverine involved and bring in a bunch of other characters. Admittedly, those characters (no spoilers here!) are a lot of fun, and there are some great moments to be found, but the story is weak at best. And much as I love Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, his version of Logan in this film is so broken, so bittered, that he’s completely one note. It’s Angry Wolverine With a Capital A, and he doesn’t show any kind of interesting character moments until the very end of the film. Also, all of the characters from the previous Deadpool movies were basically completely ignored – or worse, given bad story development plot points (*cough* Vanessa! *cough*)

Ultimately, I didn’t hate the movie, and there were parts where I laughed a lot. But I think a lot of people went way too easy on this film, and I wish I could have had that same exact experience, but for me, the flaws shone too brightly.

The Bonus Features:

• Audio Commentary by Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy
• Gag Reel
• Deleted Scenes
• Finding Madonna: Making the Oner
• Practical Approach: Celebrating the Art of Ray Chan
• Loose Ends: The Legacy Heroes
• Deadpool’s Fun Sack 3

Digital Copy Included: Yes

The Wrap-Up: At the end of the day, what I said about Deadpool & Wolverine will matter very little. People loved this movie way more than I did, and I will just have to accept that I’m in the minority here. That said, this is a terrific release for fans of the movie and I’m sure it’s going to be on a lot of people’s shelves.

Twisters 

The Movie: You won’t find a lot of people out there who are bigger fans of the original 1999 film Twister than me. I’m a disaster movie junkie to begin with, and Twister became one of my absolute favorite disaster movies on top of that. So, from the moment I found out about it, Twisters was my number one most anticipated movie of 2024.

Set in the same world as Twister, the film sees the return of the DOROTHY technology from the first movie, but other than that, there are no characters or storylines that carry over from the original. This time around, Daisy Edgar-Jones’ Kate plays a weather scientist who lost a group of friends in college to a massive tornado and – of course – feels guilty about it. When her surviving friend Javi (Anthony Ramirez) convinces her to come back to Tornado Alley to help refine some technology that could save lives, she reluctantly comes along. Enter Glen Powell’s Tyler, a cowboy-minded storm chaser who chases not only tornadoes but also YouTube views. And from there, it’s… well, it’s the usual twister-themed mayhem.

The film is a lot of fun. Does it match the original? If I’m being honest, I have to say no. It’s a good time, sure, and Glen Powell is all swagger and charm in the co-lead role, but the film seems to try a little too hard at times, and the supporting characters feel a little forced. Daisy Edgar-Jones playing another reluctant, remorseful, slightly damaged female character feels a little too derivative of Helen Hunt’s Jo in the first movie. That said, is the movie ultimately meant to be a fun thrill ride and does it succeed in that respect? It absolutely does. It just doesn’t have a lot of depth to it.

The 4K Video/Audio: Twisters comes to home video in 4K Ultra HD (as well as Blu-ray and DVD) and it looks absolutely beautiful in 4K Ultra HD. The film has a lot of greys, greens and browns in it, so while color saturation is terrific, there isn’t a ton to work with. Blacks are also deep and inky, and the image has an almost 3D quality to it that you don’t always get on Blu-ray. There are a few scenes scattered throughout the film that will take your breath away. The surround soundtrack has a lot to work with and it makes the most of it, featuring strong directional effects and an immersive sound field, plus a thumping low-end bass that really gives the action scenes some oomph. It’s a terrific A/V presentation from start to finish.

The Bonus Features:

• Audio commentary by director Lee Isaac Chung
• Deleted scenes
• Gag reel
• Tracking the Fronts: The Path of Twisters (15 minutes)
• Into the Eye of the Storm (24 minutes)
• Glen Powell: All Access
• Front Seat to a Chase
• Voice to a Villain
• Tricked-Out Trucks

Digital Copy Included: Yes

The Wrap-Up: Despite my minor complaints above, I really enjoyed Twisters and I’m hoping the fact that it made well over $200 million at the U.S. box office means we’ll get another one real soon. In the meantime, this 4K release should hold you over and hold up to repeat viewings.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 50th Anniversary Edition

The Movie: Just in time for the holidays, the original Leatherface classic is back! Dark Sky Video has delivered what is – without a doubt – the ultimate home video version of Texas Chain Saw yet. Before I get to the movie itself, let me say that this new limited edition, numbered gift set is massive! It comes housed in a replica of Leatherface’s chainsaw that is easily a foot long. It’s immense! And it’s ridiculously cool! So this release is not for the casual Texas Chain Saw Massacre fan!

As for the iconic film itself, first off, let me get this out of the way: I’m not an overwhelmingly huge fan of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. It’s a seminal film in the horror genre and I recognize its importance, and I don’t hate it or anything, but every Texas Chain Saw film I’ve ever seen always leaves me feeling like I need to take a shower afterwards. They’re just a bit too brutal and gruesome for my tastes. I lean more towards the Halloween brand of horror, personally, which has a little more restraint, at least in the early films. That said, this new release is absolutely outstanding. Offering both a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray disc with the movie, there’s also a bonus Blu-ray packed with extra features (and even a limited edition VHS copy inside!) The whole package is wrapped up in the aforementioned chainsaw case and includes the discs housed in a gorgeous Steelbook case, which is always a bonus. This is, without a doubt, one of the coolest home video releases I’ve ever seen for a horror movie.

The 4K Video/Audio: Inside the very collectible packaging, you get the film on both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, as well as a limited-edition VHS copy for those of you who either collect VHS tapes or just like cool, nostalgic collectibles. The 4K Ultra HD upgrade is a worthwhile one. Let’s be honest, the film was made in the 1970s with a budget of about $35, so you can only do so much in terms of A/V upgrade. But the picture looks crisper, cleaner, and more vibrant than I’ve ever seen it before. The surround soundtrack won’t compare to a 2020s-era big budget remakes, but it does utilize the rear speakers enough to give you a solid atmosphere, and the sound of the chainsaw is powerful enough to send chills up your spine.

The Bonus Features: As I mentioned, this set is loaded with extra features. Here’s the full breakdown:

• Two new features: The Merchandise of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Restoration of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
• 4 Audio Commentaries:  Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper, Actor Gunnar Hansen, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl • Actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, and Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert Burns • Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper • Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou
• Feature-Length Documentary: The Legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
• The Cinefamily Presents Friedkin/Hooper: A Conversation About The Texas Chain
• Saw Massacre Between William Friedkin and Tobe Hooper
• Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw
• A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen
• Off the Hook with Teri McMinn
• The Business of Chain Saw: An interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman
• Deleted Scenes & Outtakes
• Grandpa’s Tales: An Interview with Actor John Dugan
• Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview with Editor J. Larry Carroll
• Blooper Reel
• Horrors Hallowed Grounds: TCSM
• Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents “Making Grandpa”
• Still Gallery, Trailers, TV Spots, and Radio Spots

Digital Copy Included: No

The Wrap-Up: This is a jam-packed release packed with extras, an upgraded picture and sound experience, and a truly unique and collectible package with an actual replica chainsaw case (as well as a sharp-looking steelbook case), making it a must have for fans of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!

Thanksgiving (4K Ultra HD Steelbook) 

The Movie: Despite my comments about The Texas Chain Saw Massacre above, I do love me some slasher films. But that might not be evident when you read my review of Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving, which returns to home video this week (just in time for Thanksgiving – and Halloween!) as a limited edition Steelbook 4K Ultra HD release.

The story sees the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and finding themselves under siege by a slasher killer wearing a John Carver mask – get it? John CARVER? The previous year, there was a Black Friday riot at the local RightMart (a stand-in for Wal-Mart) that resulted in many people’s deaths. Now, this John Carver killer is gaining revenge on people in the town who might have been involved in the disaster.

I interviewed Eli Roth once, and he was one of the coolest, most enthusiastic people I ever spoke to. I loved him as a person; I just wish I loved him as much as a director. Thanksgiving suffers from some traditional Roth hallmarks: an overabundance of gore, which I’ve never been a fan of; and a cast filled with likable actors playing largely unlikable and/or annoying characters. Honestly, at times you’re rooting for the killer. Rick Hoffman – so great as Louis Litt on Suits – is terrific here, but he’s not enough to save the movie. That said, I know a lot of people don’t have issues with too much gore and annoying characters like I do, so those people should enjoy this film a lot.

The 4K Video/Audio: Thanksgiving has been released on home video before, but this week it’s available as a 4K Ultra HD release in a Steelbook case (that also includes a Blu-ray disc of the film.) The film looks and sounds very good in the premium format. The color saturation is quite vibrant, image clarity is sharp, and shadow delineation is very strong, helpful in a film that takes features endless nighttime scenes and dark moments. The surround soundtrack isn’t the most immersive ever, but it does a great job of maximizing what it has to work with and extending the sounds of mayhem into your living room.

The Bonus Features:

• Behind-the-scenes featurettes Carve Diem & Giving Shanks
• Audio Commentary with Eli Roth and Jeff Rendell
• Deleted & Extended Scenes
• Outtakes
• Massachusetts Moivies: Eli & Jeff’s Early Films
• Behind the Screams
• Gore Galore
• Theatrical Trailer

Digital Copy Included: Yes

The Wrap-Up: Thanksgiving has a few fun and scary moments, but it also revels too much in the disturbing gore and not enough on the fun that can be had with slasher movies. It isn’t quite my cup of tea, but this is a terrific release for fans of the movie.

The Crown: The Complete Final Season

The Movie:  The popular television series The Crown is once again back on home video for those who missed it on air or who just want to relive the drama. Over the past six seasons, the show has advanced the cast to reflect the aging of the real-world characters as well as the introduction of new ones. So in this sixth season, Imelda Staunton absolutely impresses as Queen Victoria, Jonathan Price quietly reigns as Prince Philip, Dominic West shows a new side as Prince Charles, and Elizabeth Debicki shines as Princess Diana.

In the past, The Crown has been one of those productions where everything clicks on multiple levels — especially the performances — but it hadn’t necessarily clicked with me. Despite lavish production values, sharp writing, and flawless acting, the show has always focused on a subject matter I really don’t care all that much about (historical drama/biopics have never been my favorite genre). That said, I was once again really impressed by the sixth season. These last two seasons have definitely won me over, I think because they take place in a more modern time period that I lived through and I remember. It doesn’t hurt that the cast is simply outstanding, either.

The Bonus Features:

• Three featurettes: A Family Saga, Royal Weddings, and A Lasting Legacy

Digital Copy Included: No

The Wrap-Up: I can appreciate that I may not be the target audience for this series, but I was pleased that The Crown: The Complete Final Season (along with the previous season) resonated with me in a way that none of the first four seasons did. Fans of the show should be prepared for another collection of episodes of exactly what they love.

Addams Family Values (4K Ultra HD)

The Movie: With Wednesday having become a cultural phenomenon on Netflix along with two recent animated movies becoming solid box office hits, there’s no better time for Paramount to release a 4K Ultra HD version of the hit Addams Family Values sequel from the ‘90s. (The original movie was released on 4K a couple of years ago.)

It’s fascinating that these movies worked as well as they did; I always loved The Addams Family TV show as a kid, but I thought it felt pretty mired in the ‘60s, and to see it adapted for the big screen and have people really take to it was a big surprise for me. Going back and rewatching this second film, I was pleased to see that – while a little dated in terms of feeling like a 90s movie – it still holds up pretty well. In fact, there are parts of the second film that I like better than the first. They both have their charms, but just because the second movie wasn’t the box office juggernaut that the first one was doesn’t mean this is a bad sequel at all.

The 4K Video/Audio: This new 4K Ultra HD version of Addams Family Values sees it getting a nice upgrade from the Blu-ray and DVD releases in the past. The 4K treatment benefits the film nicely, with rich and even blacks and strong contrasts. Color saturation is strong, with the few daytime scenes bright and vivid, while nighttime scenes remain visible due to good shadow delineation. The surround soundtrack isn’t a masterpiece, but it does feature strong musical cues and clear dialogue, as well as some decent directional effects in the surround speakers. It’s a good overall presentation for an older movie.

The Bonus Features:

• All new audio commentary with Barry Sonnenfeld and writer Paul Rudnick
• All new featurette, Crafting Family Values

Digital Copy Included: Yes

The Wrap-Up: The Addams Family movies from the ‘90s are a lot of fun and can almost (almost!) serve as a prequel of sorts to the Wednesday show (which has a second season coming soon). But even on their own merits they’re fun movies and it’s nice to have the second one on 4K Ultra HD now to add to the first one on 4K that might already be in your collection.

Shibajuku Anime Dolls

The Official Description: Hunter Products, the global leader in innovative design and manufacturing, is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of the Shibajuku Anime dolls. Inspired by the iconic Harajuku fashion scene, these beloved fashion dolls are back and better than ever, bringing their unique blend of eclectic street style and playful charm, available now exclusively at Walmart. The Shibajuku Anime Dolls stand out with their impressive 13-inch size and fully articulated bodies, allowing for a wide range of poses and dynamic play. Each doll is meticulously crafted to reflect the unique charm of Japanese fashion, with sparkling eyes, fluttery lashes, and beautifully detailed outfits.

Shibajuku Anime Doll Features:

●  Fully Articulated Design: Standing at 13 inches tall, they come with fully poseable joints, enabling endless play and creative expression.

●  Japanese Fashion Inspiration: The dolls are inspired by the colorful and diverse styles of the Harajuku district, bringing a touch of Japanese street fashion into the world of play.

●  Stunning Details: Each doll features intricate details, including sparkling eyes and real lashes, adding to their realistic and charming appearance.

●  Removable Outfits and Shoes: The dolls come dressed in removable outfits and shoes, offering a variety of fashion possibilities and encouraging mix-and-match play.

The Toy (Our Take): Okay, this may surprise some of you, but I’m not the target demographic for a 13-inch-tall anime-inspired doll. I say that not because I can’t objectively review a product that isn’t marketed to me; instead, I say it so that you understand that my knowledge of the history of these toys is a little limited. Apparently, an earlier iteration of Shibajuku Anime Dolls was popular back in the mid-2000s. I – as an adult male at that time – was not dialed into the anime doll world and was not familiar with them at all. Now, thanks to a toy company called Hunter Products, Shibajuku Anime Dolls are back.

I received one of the dolls to review, and I got Yumi. She’s described as “sugar, spice, and everything nice” and she’s all about positivity. This is reflected in her overwhelmingly pink outfit and the joyful anime-art portrait of her on the box. The dolls are a really great size: they’re 13-inches tall, so they’re bigger than Barbie dolls, but their packaging is only a couple of inches bigger than a Barbie box. The heads are quite large, and the eyes and facial features are made to replicate the look of an anime character. The doll feels hefty and high-quality, not cheap or flimsy.

The packaging is outstanding. It’s bright and colorful, it includes an anime portrait of the character, a short bio of her on the back, and a foil embossed sticker on the front of the box that ensures it’s an authentic Shibajuku Anime Doll collectible. These will be great toys for kids but also easily storable/displayable for collectors.

The Wrap-Up: If you have a child who loves anime and is also into dolls, or if you’re a doll collector yourself and you like the worlds of manga and anime, Shibajuku Anime Dolls should be right up your alley. I’m not a doll expert – although I am pretty well-versed in the world of toys in general — and I’m impressed by the quality of these toys.