‘Atomic Blonde’ packed with explosive action
In the mood for some high-voltage fun? Check out “Atomic Blonde” (2017, Universal, R, $28), a deliciously nasty and deliriously stylish spy thriller.
All of the ingredients are killer good from a plot rich in double-crosses to relentlessly explosive action scenes. Charlize Theron is the main attraction as Lorraine, a cold-blooded MI6 assassin sent to Berlin to find a secret list of spies. There’s romance thanks to Lorraine’s affair with a French agent (Sofia Boutella) but the real fireworks come from the fight sequences which feel bonecrunchingly authentic. Extras: deleted scenes, featurettes and commentaries.
Also New on DVD
Unlocked (2017, Lionsgate, R, $20): Nearly as twisty and terrific as “Atomic Blonde,” this actioner stars Noomi Rapace as a CIA agent trying to stop terrorists from implementing a biological attack on London. After the CIA is breached, Rapace is on her own, bouncing around the city trying to locate the bad guys while wondering if she can trust her superiors (John Malkovich, Toni Collette), her mentor (Michael Douglas) and a wise-cracking thief (Orlando Bloom). Director Michael Apted directs with flair, blending a character study of a toughas-nails agent with some well-staged action scenes. Extras: featurette.
Rumble (2017, Kino, unrated, $25): Fresh from its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival comes an engrossing documentary which charts the contributions Native Americans have made to popular music. Among the figures profiled are Link Wray who is credited with creating the power chord that influenced countless hard rockers; Mildred Bailey whose phrasing influenced Frank Sinatra; and Charley Patton who is considered the most influential bluesman of all time. While “Rumble” points out the American government’s desire to obliterate Indian culture, it’s not an angry movie but a joyous one. Just try sitting still when Wray starts to groove. Extras: none.
The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981, Shout Factory, PG, $30): This sweet-natured spoof of “The Incredible Shrinking Man” finds a suburban housewife (Lily Tomlin) getting smaller and smaller after being exposed to too many household chemicals. When her disease proves incurable, a group of evil scientists scheme to use her blood to shrink their enemies. It’s fun for a while, with scripter Jane Wagner managing to satirize consumerism, celebrity and the advertising industry. But it eventually runs out of steam. That said, the bright colors and general goofiness might appeal more to kids than adults. Extras: featurettes and deleted scene.
The Wedding Banquet (1993, Olive, R, $20): Before he directed “Brokeback Mountain,” Ang Lee oversaw this charming, surprisingly poignant dramedy about a gay couple (Winston Chao, Mitchell Lichtenstein) who decide to make Chao’s parents happy by arranging for Chao to marry a friend (May Chin) in desperate need of a green card. It’s a sitcomish-set-up which Lee manages to instill with real emotion and authentic humor. It’s a sweet treat. Extras: none.
The Sissi Collection (1955-1957, Film Movement, unrated, $40): Newly remastered for Bluray, this lovely set collects the trilogy of colorful German films from the 1950s starring Romy Schneider as Princess Elizabeth of Austria. The real Princess was reportedly an unhappy woman but you’d never know it from these lively, familyfriendly fairy tales which track the radiant royal from nature-loving schoolgirl to mature empress capable of dealing with affairs of state. Extras: featurettes and two additional features including “Victoria In Dover” and “Forever My Love.”
The Lost Worlds of Gerry Anderson (2017, MPI, unrated, $15): Now on DVD for the first time are a collection of rare films from the mastermind behind “Thunderbirds” and “Space 1999.” On tap: Anderson’s early puppet film “Here Comes Kandy,” pilots for “The Investigator” and “Space Pilot,” and the final segment of the stop-motion animated comedy series “Dick Spanner.” Running nearly six hours, this set is a must-see for Anderson fans. Extras: none.
Preacher - Season Two (2017, Sony, unrated, $35): Pursued by the evil Saint of Killers, Texas preacher Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper), his gal pal Tulip (Ruth Negga) and their Irish vampire comrade Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) hit the road to find God in New Orleans. It turns out to be quite a wild ride with many gripping developments along the way, including Cassidy encountering his now-elderly son who longs to become a bloodsucker too. Jesse, meanwhile, has his hands full with the Saint and the aftermath of his decision to banish Eugene to hell. Extras: gag reel and featurettes.
Beauty For The Asking (1939, Warner Archive, unrated, $20): The classic “Dance, Girl, Dance” is not the only feminist film Lucille Ball made during Her days at RKO. In this engaging romp, Ball plays a manicurist who, after being thrown over by her beau (Patric Knowles) for an heiress (Frieda Inescourt), devotes her attention to starting her own beauty crème business. But when Inescourt winds up as Ball’s biggest investor, complications ensue. Given Ball’s crack comic timing, it’s a shame she didn’t get a few more zingers. But watching Lucy navigate her way through big business and two-timing men is good fun. Extras: none.
Gun Fury (1953, Twilight Time, unrated, $30): Monument Valley was practically a supporting player in many of John Ford’s best westerns. But Ford wasn’t the only one who knew how to get the most of those iconic vistas, as this entertaining 3D western from Raoul Walsh proves. Rock Hudson stars as a rancher who arrives in Arizona to pick up his fiancé (Donna Reed) only to have her kidnapped by a bad man (Phil Carey) and his posse (Lee Marvin, Neville Brand). Walsh demonstrates his knack for pacing and composition while drawing bracing turns from Hudson and, particularly, Carey. “Gun Fury” is a real blast. Extras: none.