10 NEW TO NETFLIX
“Andre is an Idiot“
“Another Round“
“Color Book“
“Drinking Buddies“
“Lawrence of Arabia“
“Poor Things“
“Side Effects“
“Song Sung Blue“
“Ticket to Paradise“
“Under the Silver Lake“
12 NEW TO BLU-RAY/DVD
“Audition” (Arrow)
It’s hard to pick a favorite film from someone as prolific as Takashi Miike (he’s made over 100), but the consensus pick would probably be this horror masterpiece, now given a lavish 4K limited edition treatment by the geniuses over at Arrow. If you haven’t seen “Audition,” it’s best to know as little as possible. Just know that it’s about a widower (Ryo Ishibashi) who fakes auditions to find a girlfriend, his toxic masculinity leading him into the world of a deeply disturbed young woman. The Arrow edition now in stores includes a brand-new restoration from the original negative along with a new interview with Ishibashi and hours of previously available material, including aa commentary by Miike, interview with him, and a great essay by the brilliant Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. New writing in the collectors booklet also shines in one of the most essential horror 4K releases of the year.
Special Features
- BRAND NEW 4K RESTORAITON from the original Super 16mm camera negative by Arrow Films approved by director of photography Hideo Yamamoto
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- Newly restored original lossless stereo and 4.0 audio, plus optional DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
- Optional English subtitles
- Introduction by director Takashi Miike
- Audio commentary by director Takashi Miike and screenwriter Daisuke Tengan
- Audio commentary by Miike biographer Tom Mes
- Callback, a brand new interview with actor Ryo Ishibashi
- Ties that Bind, an interview with director Takashi Miike
- Damaged Romance, an appreciation by Japanese cinema historian Tony Rayns
- Archive interviews with stars Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Renji Ishibashi and Ren Osugi
- Deeper Deeper Into Audition, an audio essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
- Trailers
- Image gallery
- Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anton Bitel, Jennie Kermode and Jamie Graham
- Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Dark Inker – Sampson and original UK artwork by Graham Humphreys
“Charade” (Criterion)
When people ask me the best gateway film for classic cinema for young people, I generally pick “Rear Window,” but this would make a solid alternate choice. I know I saw it a young age, captivated by the gorgeous setting and twisting screenplay. Stanley Donen directs Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn to two of their most charismatic performances in a film that really does a bit of everything, playing as both a taut thriller and engaging rom-com. Most of all, it’s a movie that feels both glamorous and quirky, allowing two of the most beautiful people in the history of filmmaking to also be a bit eccentric and funny. Criterion had released it before, but have now updated it in 4K, including a great audio commentary that the legendary Donen did back in 1999.
Special Features
- New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- Audio commentary from 1999 featuring director Stanley Donen and screenwriter Peter Stone
- Trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by film historian Bruce Eder
Written off by a lot of critics (not ours) when it was released as a rehash of “Heat,” this Amazon MGM thriller is better than its reputation as a critical and commercial bomb would have you believe. It’s one of the few films from the first half of 2026 that feels like it could have a strong reappraisal in five to ten years with people wondering why it wasn’t beloved in 2026. Of course, it’s not “Heat,” and it’s undeniably a tick too long, but the self-indulgence fits what Bart Layton is going for: a thriller that deftly maintains a rolling simmer for its entire runtime (the non-stop, thumping score helps). Chris Hemsworth plays an L.A. jewel thief who hits stores along the 101 freeway in L.A. When he’s grazed by a bullet in the film’s opening job, it sets in motion a series of dominoes that lead to more violence. Hemsworth gives a wonderfully subtle performance, and the ensemble also includes great turns from Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, Nick Nolte, and many more. One thing that’s not going to help the film’s 2026 reputation is a truly bare-bones physical release, one that not only doesn’t include a digital code (probably because the film is on Prime), but also nary a special feature. What a crime.
“Hoppers“
The best original Pixar film since “Luca,” this quirky environmental comedy should have been a bigger hit. It’s hard to say that about a movie that made $400 million worldwide, but that’s chump change compared to the Minions and Marios of the world. Get the kids to watch this one if they haven’t, and you’ll all be pleasantly surprised by a movie that feels relatively predictable at first before getting remarkably weird in a way that mainstream animated blockbusters are rarely allowed to be. Daniel Chong’s clever flick gets a strong Disney physical media release with excellent video and audio transfers, and a reasonable amount of insight gleaned from special features.
Special Features
- The Critter Diaries: Wander behind the scenes with director Daniel Chong and the Pixar team as they explore Yellowstone, study wildlife, and find real-life inspiration for our favorite new animated characters from Hoppers.
- Hopping In: The Making of Hoppers: Hop into the making of the movie as filmmakers, cast, and crew share how their ideas, collaboration, and creative process brought the story, animation, and lovable characters to life in Pixar’s Hoppers.
- “Meet King George” Scene Breakdown: Dive deep with director Daniel Chong and his filmmaking team as they reveal the craft of making King George’s Superlodge. Get insight into the directing process, editing, VFX, animation, and production design.
- Beaverton Revealed: Explore Hoppers to find surprising Pixar film cameos, hidden references, and plenty of fun, behind-the-scenes facts.
- Dam Good Bloopers: Laugh along with your favorite voice actors from Hoppers as they have fun bringing their characters to life in the recording booth.
- Deleted Scenes: Check out these scenes that didn’t make the final cut, as introduced by director Daniel Chong and editor Axel Geddes.
- Cold Open
- The Glade
- The Mission
- Kings Arrive
- George’s Bachelor Pad
- Helicopter Ride
“It Was Just an Accident” (Criterion)
One of the biggest snubs of the last Oscar season was the fact that Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or-winning masterpiece missed the cut for Best Picture (it was my personal #4 of the year). The masterful director made one of his most ambitious dramas, another personal study of the cost of vengeance that plays like a movie Hitchcock would have loved. When Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) hears what he thinks is the unmistakable squeak of a prosthetic leg, he becomes convinced that his former captor and torturer is in his shop. Kidnapping his enemy, Vahid gathers the assistance of other former prisoners to determine his fate. Sharp, unpredictable, and even funny at times, “It Was Just an Accident” builds to one of the best endings of the 2020s. Criterion has given it the full Criterion spine # treatement (not Criterion Premieres or Janus Contemporaries), and accompanied the film with a new conversation between Panahi and the brilliant Ramin Bahrani.
Special Features
- New digital master, approved by director Jafar Panahi, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- New conversation between Panahi and filmmaker Ramin Bahrani
- Cannes Film Festival press conference from 2025 featuring Panahi and members of the cast and crew
- Trailer
- New English subtitle translation
- PLUS: An essay by poet, scholar, and translator Sheida Dayani
“Magellan” (Criterion)
Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz is one of the kings of modern slow cinema, directing films that could often be called glacial in terms of pacing. “Norte, the End of History,” arguably his breakthrough due to its UCR placement at Cannes, ran 250 minutes. “From What is Before” is 338 minutes! So the 164-minute runtime and the presence of a movie star in Gael Garcia Bernal arguably make this the master’s most accessible work to date. Bernal plays Ferdinand Magellan in a chapter that chronicles the explorer’s actions in the early 16th century in Southeast Asia. Praised as one of the best films of the year so far, it’s been released on the offshoot label Criterion Premieres, as well as made available on Criterion Channel.
Special Features
- Meet the Filmmakers: Lav Diaz, a Criterion Channel original interview
- Trailer
- Notes by critic Beatrice Loayza
“Marlowe” (Arrow)
This is a weird one. James Garner is effortlessly cool in a movie that’s better viewed as an audition tape for “The Rockford Files” than part of the legacy of Raymond Chandler’s iconic character, Philip Marlowe. The 1969 mod style and the gritty noir of Chandler’s source material (The Lost Sister) don’t ever really come together in a film that’s oddly incongruent at times, even if it looks remarkable thanks to a new restoration courtesy of Arrow. There’s a new appreciation of the movie and new artwork, but this odd duck of a noir is for genre, Chandler, or Garner completists only.
Special Features
- NEW RESTORATION from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films
- Original lossless mono audio
- $100 A Day (Plus Expenses), a brand new appreciation by film historian Howard S. Berger
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by John Pearson
- Collectors’ booklet containing new writing by critics Jeff Chang and Priscilla Page
No one had a better 2026 than Josh O’Connor, who gave four radically different performances in “History of Sound,” “Rebuilding,” “Wake Up Dead Man,” and this quirky dramedy from the singular Kelly Reichardt. In “The Mastermind,” the star of “Disclosure Day” plays JB Mooney, a Massachusetts family man who plans a heist to steal art from a nearby museum. As protests rage against the Vietnam War in this period piece, JB struggles to pull off his robbery, seemingly unaware of the world around him. As with all Reichardt, it’s a smart, subtle movie that really only comes together in its hysterical final scene, an image of a man swept up by a world he never bothered to consider. Sadly, MUBI, perhaps to push people to its streaming service, haven’t included a single special feature on the physical release. Given Reichardt has been inducted before, perhaps a Criterion release is being planned?
“Mortal Kombat Kollection” (Arrow)
“Mortal Kombat” is one of entertainment’s most resilient franchises. It’s been a part of the fabric for over 35 years with the first game launching way back in 1992 and a movie releasing in theaters just last month. Arrow Home Video has always been smart with timing, launching a two-disc limited edition mini-box-set to coincide with the new movie, one that includes 4K restorations of 1995’s “Mortal Kombat” and 1997’s “Mortal Kombat Annihilation.” Both films weren’t exactly stellar when they were released, and neither has aged very well, but there’s still something so wonderful about how Arrow treats its fans. You’d think these were inarguable masterpieces. For the first film, they commissioned two new commentaries, including one with Paul W.S. Anderson himself, and there’s an accompanying one from “Annihilation” director John R. Leonetti. New interviews, new posters, new artwork, new writing: It’s overwhelming in a way that something called the “Mortal Kombat Kollection” should be.
Special Features
- TWO-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
- Brand new 4K restorations of the two films by Arrow Films
- 4K presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the two films
- Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio and lossless stereo audio on both films
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for both films
- Collectors’ perfect-bound booklet featuring new writing on the films by Simon Ward and John Torrani
- Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
- Two double-sided foldout posters featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
- DISC ONE – MORTAL KOMBAT
- 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by Arrow Films approved by director Paul W.S. Anderson
- Brand new audio commentary with director Paul W.S. Anderson
- Brand new audio commentary with comic book expert and podcast host Dave Baxter
- Cage Match, a newly filmed interview with with actor Linden Ashby
- Leveling Up, a newly filmed interview with cinematographer John R. Leonetti
- Quarters to Millions, a newly filmed interview with producer Lawrence Kasanoff
- The Heavyweight, a newly filmed interview with designer and suit performer Tom Woodruff
- Mortal Kombat: A Journey Behind the Scenes featurette
- On-set interview bites with the cast and director and B-roll footage
- Theatrical trailers
- Image gallery
- DISC TWO – MORTAL KOMBAT: ANNIHILATION
- 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by Arrow Films approved by director John R. Leonetti
- Brand new audio commentary with director John R. Leonetti moderated by filmmaker Gillian Wallace Horvat
- Brand new audio commentary with comic book expert and podcast host Dave Baxter
- The Queen of the Night, a newly filmed interview with actor Musetta Vander
- Techno, Taiko, Orcho, a newly filmed interview with composer George S. Clinton
- The Man of a Thousand Deaths, a newly filmed interview with stunt performer J.J. Perry, who played Cyrax, Scorpion and Noob Saibot
- On-set interview bites with the cast and director and B-roll footage
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
“Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie“
One of the funniest movies of the first half of 2026, this indie gem comes courtesy of our friends in the North, more specifically the twisted genius of Matt Johnson and his BFF Jay McCarrol. In the late ’00s, Johnson and McCarrol made a web series called “Nirvanna the Band,” loosely about their own quest for artistic success. That footage has allowed them to make a riff on “Back to the Future” that includes younger versions of themselves as the 2020s Matt and Jay end up going back to 2008, shaking reality with their efforts to play the Rivoli. Funny and sweet, this has been a sturdy hit for Neon, who have given the film a loaded Blu-ray that comes with two commentaries a deleted scene and much more. We’ll forgive that awful cover art.
Special Features
- Audio commentary with Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol
- Audio commentary with Matt Johnson and the Production Team
- Alternate Opening
- Animatics
- Back to 2008, Running Cable
- Deleted Scene
- Home Movies
- Figured it Out Featurette
- Nirvana the band, the Show – Episode 101
- The Banner
- Post Credit Scene
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie“
The first “Super Mario” movie was a loose assembly of references to the video games that spawned it, but at least it had a few characters and set pieces that sparked (MVP Donkey Kong). You can’t really say that about this cat toy of a movie, a bunch of bright colors and lights meant to distract you from the fact that it’s about as hollow as blockbuster filmmaking gets. Loyal readers may be wondering why it’s included in a monthly column that generally features only highlights, but this movie is too big to ignore, and the truth is that the Blu-ray is stacked with special features for the fans of this nostalgic light show and we try to highlight whenever a company treats buyers right. The filmmakers here are another story.
Special Features
- NEXT LEVEL: MAKING THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE – Go behind the scenes of this epic journey across the cosmos as the visionary creators at Nintendo, the acclaimed filmmakers and artists of Illumination, and the extraordinary cast who redefined these iconic characters reveal the artistry behind every meticulously crafted moment.
- CAST OF CHARACTERS – Explore how this impeccable cast masterfully embodied the iconic MARIO BROS. characters, honoring their legacy while captivating audiences across generations worldwide.
- Mario & Luigi
- Peach & Rosalina
- Bowser & Bowser Jr.
- Toad & Yoshi
- EXPLORING THE GALAXY – Guided by the filmmakers and cast, audiences embark on a journey through the film’s most iconic settings, revealing the thoughtful layers of nostalgia embedded in each one.
- GALACTIC THEMATICS – The emotional core of any SUPER MARIO BROS. film lies in its relationships. This piece delves into the bonds between characters, examining the alliances that are tested, the connections that are broken, and those that endure and evolve forever.
- COSMIC TUNES – Some sounds are unmistakably SUPER MARIO BROS. Composer Brian Tyler invites audiences inside his creative process, reimagining the franchise’s iconic game music as a powerful cinematic score that drives the action and elevates this epic adventure.
- POWER-UPS – There is no greater tool in the galaxy than a perfectly timed power-up. Take a closer look at the many power-ups featured in the film, explore how the filmmakers selected which to include, and hear from the cast as they share their personal favorites.
- SECRETS OF THE GALAXY – Brimming with cleverly hidden Easter eggs, the film invites fans to return again and again to catch them all. In this feature, the filmmakers and cast offer insider guidance on where to look, what to watch for, and the surprises waiting to be discovered.
“Wake in Fright” (Arrow)
I was lucky enough to see this 4K restoration at Fantastic Fest in 2024, and it was one of the most memorable film experiences of that year. You can almost feel the heat coming off the celluloid in this vision of a schoolteacher who essentially goes mad in the middle of nowhere. The restoration is finally available on physical media thanks to the great folk at Arrow, who have loaded the movie with tons of archival materials, including interviews, two commentaries, and much more. One of the most controversial films of its era, “Wake in Fright” is an unforgettable experience, a case study in madness and moral degradation that’s increasingly been rightfully recognized as one of the essential films of its era.
Special Features
- 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- Original lossless mono audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary by director Ted Kotcheff and editor Anthony Buckley
- Audio commentary by Peter Galvin, author of The Making of Wake in Fright
- Return to the ‘Yabba, a featurette tracking down the film’s Broken Hill locations
- Take in Fright, an interview with director of photography Brian West
- Sounds of the Outback, a previously unreleased interview with sound editors Keith Palmer and Eddy Joseph
- The Cinema’s Great Squeaky Bald Git, an appreciation of actor Donald Pleasence by film historian Kim Newman
- The Filmmaker and the Film Buff, a discussion between Philippe Mora and Paul Harris
- Yer Mad, Ya Bastard!, an archive interview with director Ted Kotcheff
- Not Quite Hollywood, an archive interview with actor Jack Thompson
- Q&A with Ted Kotcheff from the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival
- Audio interview with Ted Kotcheff, conducted by Paul Harris
- Audio interview with composer John Scott, conducted by music historian Daniel Schweiger
- Alternate scenes from Outback
- 2009 TV report on the rediscovery and restoration of Wake in Fright
- Who Needs Art?, a 1971 TV segment with behind-the-scenes footage
- Chips Rafferty obituary by Ken G. Hall
- US theatrical trailer and TV spot
- Foreign Visions of Local Stories, a trailer reel of Australian films helmed by overseas filmmakers
- Image gallery
- Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Jay Slater, Paul Lê and David Michael Brown plus archive materials
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jeff Marshall
