10 Must-Watch Films | Coming Attractions

A fantastic group of soon-to-be-released DVD/Blu-ray titles, including Tom Hanks's A Man Called Otto, an early gem from director John Woo, and a welcome 4K restoration for cult hit Party Girl, starring Parker Posey. 

Babylon. 189 min. Damien Chazelle, Paramount. 2022. DVD UPC 191329234235. $25.99; Blu-ray UPC 191329234242. $31.99. Rated: R. DRAMEDY

Twenties-era Hollywood strains to make the transition from silent films to talkies amidst the struggles of multiple characters (Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Jean Smart, Diego Calva, et al.) in an outsized tale of decadence leavened by a love for movies.


Chilly Scenes of Winter. 97 min. Joan Micklin Silver, Criterion Collection. 1979. Blu-ray UPC 715515282710. $39.99. Rated: PG. ROM-COM

A civil clerk (John Heard) falls for a married coworker Laura (Mary Beth Hurt) who is separated from her husband. Adapted from Ann Beattie’s best-seller and directed by a pathfinding woman filmmaker flourishing in ’70s-era Hollywood.


Inland Empire. b/w & color. David Lynch, Criterion Collection. 2006. Blu-ray UPC 715515282611. $39.99. Rated: R. DRAMA

Laura Dern stars as a “woman in trouble” in easily Lynch’s most inscrutable film—lensed with early, primitive digital cameras for a decidedly un-pristine look—now available in a 4K restoration with supplemental features for the director’s fan base.


Last Hurrah for Chivalry. 100 min. In Cantonese w/English subtitles. John Woo, Criterion Collection. 1979. Blu-ray UPC 715515282512. $39.99. ACTION

A pair of rowdy swordsmen (Wai Pak, Damian Lau) team up to aid a nobleman (Lau Kong) in his quest to avenge the death of his father. Deception reigns and trust is elusive in this martial-arts (“wuxia”) genre film from Woo’s early career.


Let It Be Morning. 101 min. In Arabic & Hebrew w/English subtitles. Eran Kolirin, Cohen Media Group. 2021. DVD UPC 738329261696. $19.95. Blu-ray UPC 738329261702. $29.95. DRAMA

Family man Sami (Alex Bakri) travels from Jerusalem to his Arab hometown for his brother’s wedding, only to become trapped by an Israeli military blockade. The director of The Band’s Visit (2007) explores the human cost of political strife.


Little Miss Marker. b/w. 80 min. Alexander Hall, Kino Lorber. 1934. Blu-ray UPC 738329262068. $24.95. DRAMEDY

In perhaps her best-known role, famous child star Shirley Temple plays a waif left as an IOU for a gambling debt in a heartwarming tale based on a story by Damon Runyon (Guys and Dolls). This family-friendly classic makes its high-def debut.


A Man Called Otto. 126 min. Marc Forster, Paramount. 2022. DVD UPC 043396583863. $30.99; Blu-ray UPC 043396631755. $38.99. Rated: PG-13. DRAMEDY

A cantankerous widower (Tom Hanks) who’s lost his joie de vivre meets his match when a young family moves in next door. This remake of the higher-rated A Man Called Ove (2015) predictably beat the box office odds. Hey, it’s got Tom Hanks!


Nova: Rebuilding Notre Dame. 60 min. Jody Lubman, PBS. 2023. DVD UPC 841887046862. $24.99. DOCUMENTARY

A team of engineers, masons, carpenters, and other experts work on reconstructing the iconic cathedral ravaged by a fire in 2019. Behind-the-scenes footage details a miraculous rise from the ashes of the roof and spire, stained glass, and much more.


Party Girl. 94 min. Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Fun City Editions. 1995. Blu-ray UPC 760137122753. $39.95. Rated: R. COMEDY

Nineties art-house cinema darling Parker Posey stars as a Manhattan night clubber whose aunt helps her land a job as a library clerk and perhaps launch a career as a librarian. A cult hit begging for an upgrade finally gets a welcome 4K restoration.


Women Talking. 104 min. Sarah Polley, Universal. 2022. DVD UPC 191329241189. $29.98; Blu-ray / DVD UPC 191329241196. $34.98. Rated: PG-13. DRAMA

Eight women (Frances McDormand, Claire Foy, et al.) in a modern-day Mennonite colony try to square their faith with the fact that men in their community are rapists. Do they accept the situation, fight back, or leave their remote enclave?

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