Bad Times at the El RoyaleWhile this week certainly offers up a much more robust selection of titles coming to blu-ray and/or 4K Ultra HD than we had last week on Christmas Day, it is still a sub-par slate with only three major new titles making their debuts on home video. But that's to be expected at holiday time.

Kino Lorber gets the party started with five, yes five!, catalog titles the company is giving its special brand of hi-def love to this week. Tell Them Willie Boy is Here, Washington Square, The Bounty, The Appaloosa and The Scarlet Letter are hitting blu-ray from Kino Lorber with one of those titles getting a brand new audio commentary.

A pretty spooky little horror movie called Silent Scream starring horror queen Barbara Steele is coming from Scorpion Releasing with a new 2K remaster and brand new audio commentary, while a six-disc release of Ken Burns' Civil War documentary also gets the hi-def treatment from PBS.

Two new films are making their home video debuts in the form of the science fiction adventure called A.X.L. and the Kevin Hart comedy Night School that also stars Tiffany Haddish. In addition, Dazzler Media is putting out all six episodes of Black Mirror: Season Four on blu-ray this week.

But there's one title coming out this week that is big and bold and badass enough to pick up the prize as our most wanted on blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD. Hint: it stars Thor's Chris Hemsworth who very nearly steals the show in an ensemble cast that includes such Hollywood stalwarts as Jeff Bridges, Jon Hamm, and Nick Offerman.

Night SchoolNight School (4K UltraHD)

Universal Studios

Street Date: January 1, 2019

Star Kevin Hart and producer Will Packer, who partnered for the hit Ride Along and Think Like a Man series, bring their signature style to Night School. The comedy from director Malcolm D. Lee (Girls Trip) follows a group of misfits who are forced to attend adult classes in the longshot chance they’ll pass the GED exam. Co-stars Tiffany Haddish, Rob Riggle, Taran Killam and Romany Malco join Hart on-screen for the film that Hart produces for his Hartbeat Productions, and Packer via his Will Packer Productions.

Blu-ray Details:

  • EXTENDED CUT OF THE FILM
  • Feature Commentary with Director Malcom D. Lee
  • Alternate Opening
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Gag Reel – Prepare to laugh (or cry) yourself silly through this hilarious montage of behind-the-scenes antics performed by the cast of NIGHT SCHOOL.
  • NIGHT SCHOOL'S In Session – Ring the bell as we introduce you to NIGHT SCHOOL's band of misfits.Who's the Student? Who's the Teacher? – Fans were thrilled to see friends Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish starring in their first film together. In this piece, the comedy titans give us their backstory on how they became ride-or-die friends more than a decade ago.
  • Prom Night Revisited – Take a trip down memory lane as the cast of NIGHT SCHOOL looks back at their own high school proms. You'll never guess who dressed up as a famous movie character and who never made it to the dance at all.
  • Cap 'n Gown 'n Giggles – Teddy may deliver a heartfelt graduation speech, but behind the scenes cast and crew were exploding with laughter as Kevin Hart's speech turned into a full blown standup comedy show.
  • Making of the Dance Battle – Take a sneak peek into the dance rehearsal of the infamous prom night dance battle.
  • Christian Chicken – When Teddy gets a sign from the Lawd to sell precious poultry, it only makes sense that he take it global. Check out this never before seen Christian Chicken commercial that was simply too delicious to air.
  • Game Over – Our favorite misfit, Teddy may be the class clown but he's not fooling the ladies who keep him in check. Watch as Kevin Hart joins castmates Yvonne Orji and Megalyn Echikunwoke to discuss the complicated relationship between Maya and Teddy.
  • Extended Performance "El Sueno" – Every prom needs a hit song and this extended version of Luis's original "El Sueno" is sure to make you swoon.

A.X.L.A.X.L. (Blu-ray + DVD)

Sony Pictures

Street Date: January 1, 2019

A.X.L. is a top-secret, robotic dog with advanced artificial intelligence created by the military. After an experiment gone wrong, A.X.L. is discovered hiding in the desert by a kind-hearted outsider, (Alex Neustaedter), who finds a way to connect with him after activating his owner-pairing technology. The two develop a special friendship based on trust, loyalty, and compassion. A.X.L. will go to any length to protect his new companion, including facing off against the scientists who created him and who will do anything to get him back. To protect his new best friend from being captured, Miles teams up with a smart, resourceful ally named Sara (Becky G) on a timeless, epic adventure for the whole family.

Blu-ray Details:

 

washington squareWashington Square (Special Edition)

Kino Lorber

Street Date: January 2, 2019

She must choose between her father’s fortune and the man she loves! Riveting performances from an all-star cast highlight this passionate tale of a young heiress who must choose between love or money. Jennifer Jason Leigh (Rush, Heart of Midnight, A Thousand Acres) is Catherine, a lonely young woman in search of happiness... until she is swept off her feet by the handsome Morris Townsend (Ben Chaplin, Feast of July). Suspicious of the young man's true intentions, however, her controlling father (Albert Finney, Murder on the Orient Express) threatens to disown Catherine if she follows her heart and marries against his wishes. Directed by Agnieszka Holland (Europa Europa, The Secret Garden) with a screenplay by Carol Doyle (Veronica Guerin), based on a novel by Henry James (The Heiress). Maggie Smith (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie), Judith Ivey (Hello Again), Jennifer Garner (13 Going on 30) and Peter Maloney (The Thing) co-star in this timeless story both powerful and entertaining.

Special Features:

  • Audio Commentary by director Agnieszka Holland
  • Theatrical Trailer

The BountyThe Bounty (Special Edition)

Kino Lorber

Street Date: January 2, 2019

Screen legends Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal) and Mel Gibson (The Road Warrior, Braveheart) lead a stellar cast that includes Sir Laurence Olivier (Rebecca), Daniel Day-Lewis (The Crucible), Edward Fox (The Day of the Jackal), Bernard Hill (Titanic) and Liam Neeson (The Grey) in this action-packed adventure bursting with sensational battles, raging storms and an intensity as powerful as the mighty sea itself. Bristling with commanding performances, blazing dialogue and superb action scenes, this spectacular movie is everything a high-adventure fan could want. Hopkins delivers a brilliant portrayal as William Bligh, a real-life sea captain who, in 1787, steered The Bounty on a 27,000-mile voyage into danger, chaos and madness. After 31 days of battling severe sea squalls and Bligh's ever-increasing cruelty, the weary crew is relieved to finally land on a remote island. But soon their tyrannical captain wants to sail again, and the desperate men turn to first mate Fletcher Christian (Gibson) to help them take the ship back... or die trying. Directed by Roger Donaldson (Cadillac Man) with a screenplay by Robert Bolt (Lawrence of Arabia), based on a novel by Richard Hough (Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian).

Special Features:

  • Audio commentary by director Roger Donaldson, producer Bernard Williams and production designer John Graysmark
  • Audio commentary by historical consultant Stephens Walters
  • 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo Audio
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature

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Tell Them Willie Boy is HereTell Them Willie Boy is Here (Special Edition)

Kino Lorber

Street Date: January 2, 2019

Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here is a modern western classic based on the true story of a Pauite Indian named Willie Boy (Robert Blake, Busting, In Cold Blood) and his bride Lola (Katharine Ross, The Graduate, The Stepford Wives), who become the objects of the last great western manhunt after Willie Boy kills Lola’s father in a “marriage by capture.” The manhunt, led by Sheriff Christopher Cooper (Robert Redford, Legal Eagles, The Sting), turns into a media circus when President Taft comes to visit the area and a mishap becomes twisted by the newspapers of the day. Released in 1969, Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here was a triumph for Redford and was called by Time Magazine, “A subtle, intense document of racial persecution that stands as one of the finest films of the year.” Written and directed by formerly blacklisted Abraham Polonsky (Force of Evil) and featuring stunning on-location cinematography by the great Conrad Hall (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid). The wonderful cast includes Susan Clark (Valdez Is Coming), Barry Sullivan (Planet of the Vampires), John Vernon (The Outlaw Josey Wales) and Charles McGraw (The Narrow Margin).

Special Features:

  • Audio Commentary by Actor/Filmmaker Pat Healy and Film Historian Jim Healy
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Reversible Art
  • Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature

 The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter

Kino Lorber

Street Date: January 2, 2019

An erotic tale of forbidden love! Sexy Demi Moore (Disclosure, Indecent Proposal) heats up this powerfully sensual story of illicit love. In a time when adultery is punishable by death, Hester Prynne (Moore) becomes involved in a risky and scandalous affair with her town's handsome minister (Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). But when their secret passion results in a child, Hester is confronted with the town's overwhelming scorn... and is condemned to forever wear the scarlet letter "A" as a public brand of shame. A proactive retelling of the classic tale of forbidden love, The Scarlet Letter combines a sizzling story with exciting stars and delivers must-see entertainment. Directed by Roland Joffé (The Mission, The Killing Fields) with a screenplay by Douglas Day Stewart (An Officer and a Gentleman), based on a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (The House of the Seven Gables). The stellar cast includes Robert Duvall (True Confessions), Joan Plowright (Enchanted April), Edward Hardwicke (The Return of Sherlock Holmes) and Robert Prosky (The Chamber).

Special Features:

  • Audio Commentary by director Roland Joffé
  • 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo Audio
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature

 AppaloosaThe Appaloosa (Special Edition)

Kino Lorber

Street Date: January 2, 2019

Southwest to Sonora rode the lustful, the lawless… living on the edge of violence! Screen icon Marlon Brando (The Missouri Breaks, On the Waterfront) stars in a tale of vengeance against a Mexican bandito and his gang of pistoleros. Matt Fletcher (Brando) has killed many men and sinned against many women. Vowing to give up his sordid past, he returns to his sleepy hometown on the Mexican border with a magnificent Appaloosa stallion. His hopes to start a horse ranch take a deadly turn when the Appaloosa is stolen by the sadistic bandit Chuy (John Saxon, Enter the Dragon, Queen of Blood), who controls the land with his bloodthirsty gang. Seeking revenge, Fletcher disguises himself as a Mexican and trails the gang back to their village. Barely escaping death, he flees with not only his horse, but also Chuy’s beautiful lover, Trini (Anjanette Comer, The Baby, Guns for San Sebastian). When the relentless Chuy stalks Fletcher across the desert into the snow-capped mountains in a final showdown, only one man will leave with the woman, the Appaloosa… and his life. Directed by Sidney J. Furie (The Ipcress File, The Taking of Beverly Hills) with a screenplay by James Bridges (The China Syndrome) and Roland Kibbee (The Midnight Man), based on a novel by Robert MacLeod (100 Rifles). Beautifully shot in Scope by Russell Metty (Spartacus) and co-starring Emilio Fernández (The Wild Bunch) and Frank Silvera (Valdez Is Coming).

Special Features:

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Lee Pfeiffer, Publisher of Cinema Retro Magazine with Film Historian Paul Scrabo
  • Theatrical Trailer (2:44)

 The Civil WarKen Burns: The Civil War (Special Edition)

PBS

Street Date: January 1, 2019

The Civil War, the Emmy® Award-winning nine-part series from Ken Burns, is now fully restored to high definition, achieving the optimal picture quality originally intended. This six-disc collector's set also features over two hours of new bonus video. Hailed as a film masterpiece and landmark in historical storytelling, Ken Burns's epic documentary brings to life America's most destructive and defining conflict. Here is the saga of celebrated generals and ordinary soldiers, a heroic and transcendent president and a country that had to divide itself in two in order to become one.

Special features:

  • Making The Civil War: 25 Years Later
  • Restoring The Civil War
  • Complete High Definition Shelby Foote Interviews
  • Additional Interviews

 Silent ScreamSilent Scream (Standard Retail Special Edition)

Scorpion Releasing

Street Date: January 2, 2019

Horror icon Barbara Steele stars in this 1980 horror classic that was number one at the box office in 1980! Young co-ed Scotty is unable to find housing on the campus.She finds a vacancy at the Engels’ mansion, now a boarding house for college students. Mrs. Enge and her son seem nice enough, but it becomes clear to Scotty that something is not right at her new residence. When her fellow borders begin dying, two detectives must solve the mystery of the Engels’ boarding house before the body count rises!

BLU-RAY INCLUDES NEW LIMITED EDITION SLIP COVER ARTWORK BY NATHAN THOMAS MILLINER

  • 2K remaster struck from the original interpositive
  • NEW audio interview with star Barbara Steele
  • Audio commentary with writers Ken and Jim Wheat and star Rebecca Balding
  • Audio interview with director Denny Harris
  • Scream of Success - 30 Years Later
  • Silent Scream - The Original Script
  • The Wheat Brothers: A Look Back
  • Interview with Rebecca Balding
  • 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo
  • TV Spot
  • Theatrical Trailer

 Black MIrror: Season FourBlack Mirror: Season Four

Dazzler Media

Street Date: December 31, 2018

Episodes:

  • USS Callister A woman wakes up on a Star Trek-esque space ship where the crew praise their all-knowing and fearless captain, who has used DNA scans to simulate real people within his game.
  • Arkangel After nearly losing her daughter, a mother invests in a new technology that allows her to keep track of her child.
  • Crocodile A woman's past comes back to haunt her while an insurance adjuster questions people about an accident with a memory machine.
  • Hang The DJ A new dating app allows the matched couples to be told how long their relationships will last.
  • Metalhead A woman attempts to survive in a dangerous land full of robotic guard-dogs.
  • Black Museum A woman enters a museum where the proprietor tells her stories relating to the artifacts.
  • Includes subtitles for the Hard of Hearing

And now for our MOST WANTED ON BLU-RAY AND 4K for the week of January 1, 2019

Bad Times at the El RoyaleBad Times at the El Royale (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy)

20th Century Fox

Street Date: January 1, 2019

Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Hemsworth lead an all-star cast in this powerful thriller filed with gripping suspense and startling revelations. Seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, meet at Lake Tahoe's El Royale, a rundown hotel with a dark past. Over the course of one fateful night, everyone will have a last shot at redemption... before everything goes to hell. 

Special Features and Technical Specs:

  • Making Bad Times at the El Royale Gallery
  • Subtitles: English for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Spanish, French