Movies

The Best New Blu-Ray Releases: Bones And All, The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen, And More

Bones MGM
By Chris Evangelista/

We're back with another Blu-ray round-up! As always, I gather up the latest releases for you in one handy spot. You're welcome. This latest round-up includes Criterion's release of Terry Gilliam's "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen," Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet playing a pair of fine young cannibals in "Bones and All," Ralph Fiennes serving up "The Menu," and a tooth-drilling double feature of "The Dentist" movies. 

Bones and All

Bones MGM

Luca Guadagnino's "Bones and All" is a beautiful road trip movie that just happens to be about cannibals. It's the 1980s, and Maren (Taylor Russell) has a big secret: she's a cannibal who can't resist eating human flesh. After an unfortunate incident involving a classmate, Maren hits the road. She eventually encounters Lee (Timothée Chalamet), another cannibal. It turns out there are cannibals all over the country, and they can sense each other. Lee and Maren fall into a romance together as they traverse the country, "On the Road"-style. It's somehow both gruesome and lovely, as Guadagnino refuses to flinch away from the bloodier aspects of these characters. Throw in Mark Rylance as another cannibal, one who is lonely and badly wants Maren to be his friend, and you've got a cannibal stew going. 

Special features:

  • A look inside.
  • Luca Guadagnino: The Vision of Bones and All
  • Meet Lee
  • Meet Marren
  • Outsiders in love

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Baron Columbia Pictures

"The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" is one of Terry Gilliam's best films. It also comes with some significant baggage, specifically due to how child actor Sarah Polley was treated on set (Polley recently released a statement saying: "I have seen some discussion about whether or not people can still like this movie after hearing about my horrible experiences working on it as a child. You may not be asking for it or care – but you have my unconditional permission to still love this movie."). If that bothers you to the point that you have no interest in watching the film, that's understandable. But if you can put that aside, you'll find a swooning, operatic adventure about tall tales. Using wonderful practical effects and boasting a triumphant score from Michael Kamen, "Baron Munchausen" is now on Blu-ray thanks to the Criterion Collection. I remember seeing the film as a child and being enchanted, and I have to say it still holds up. It's inventive as hell and full of big, bold set pieces that have to be seen to be believed. 

Special features:

  • New 4K digital restoration, approved by writer-director Terry Gilliam, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
  • One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the film and special features
  • Audio commentary featuring Gilliam and his coscreenwriter, Charles McKeown
  • Documentary on the making of the film
  • New video essay by critic and filmmaker David Cairns about the history of the Baron Munchausen character
  • Behind-the-scenes footage of the film's special effects, narrated by Gilliam
  • Deleted scenes with commentary by Gilliam
  • Storyboards for unfilmed scenes, narrated by Gilliam and McKeown
  • Original marketing materials including a trailer and electronic-press-kit featurettes, as well as preview cards and advertising proposals read by Gilliam
  • Miracle of Flight (1974), an animated short film by Gilliam
  • Episode of The South Bank Show from 1991 on Gilliam
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by critic and author Michael Koresky

The Menu

The Menu Searchlight Pictures

"The Menu" is the latest "eat the rich" film to generate buzz, and this time, the "eating" part is literal. The story follows a group of wealthy diners who head to a private island to be treated to a night of fine dining. But the chef (a wonderful Ralph Fiennes, who makes the movie work as well as it does) and his staff have other, deadly plans. Caught in the middle of this is Anya Taylor-Joy, playing a not-so-rich character who gets lumped in with the wealthy patrons. Funny, sharp, and surprising, "The Menu" is also a little wobbly in its storytelling (the middle drags). But Fiennes is so damn good here that it almost doesn't matter. 

Special features:

  • Open Kitchen: A Look Inside The Menu – Feast on the special ingredients of The Menu to see how director Mark Mylod and his formidable cast, the biting script and renowned chef consultants concocted the perfect recipe to bring authenticity and dark humor to the film's high-end culinary world.
  • First Course: Take a seat at the table as director Mark Mylod delves into some of the key ingredients that went into crafting The Menu. Meet the renowned chefs and food stylist who brought their culinary expertise to the set.
  • Second Course: Savor the world-building of Hawthorn, from kitchen "boot camp," to the meticulous details of the production design. Hear from the cast and writers about the director's naturalistic approach to capturing the nuances of the performances.
  • Dessert: Dig into the creation of the s'mores sequence as costume designer Amy Westcott explains the painstaking process of sewing ponchos made of actual marshmallows. The cast discusses chocolate hats and the absurd predicament of their characters.
  • Deleted Scenes

The Dentist Collection

The dentist Lionsgate

Sleazy, gory, and silly, "The Dentist" films aren't exactly good. But they are fun, in a trashy sort of way. In both films, Corbin Bernsen is a dentist who has flipped, using his various dental tools to cause violence. Bernsen is Dr. Alan Feinstone, and in the first film, he goes off the deep end after finding out his wife is having an affair. The sequel has Alan busting out of a mental institution to take up his drills once again. It's very silly, but there's a trashiness to it all that makes the films kind of endearing if you're into that sort of thing. Now if only we had been blessed with "The Dentist vs. Dr. Giggles" back in the 1990s. Now, both "Dentist" films have been packaged together in a nifty package. It's worth seeking out if you're a fan of these films. Now, go brush your teeth. 

Special features:

THE DENTIST:

  • Audio Commentary with Director Brian Yuzna and Special Makeup Effects Supervisor Anthony C. Ferrante
  • Isolated Score Selections & Audio Interviews with Composer Alan Howarth and Director of Photography Levie Isaacks
  • "The Doctor Is Insane" – An Interview with Actor Corbin Bernsen
  • "Medical Malpractice" – An Interview with Cowriter Dennis Paoli
  • "Mouths of Madness" – Interviews with Special Makeup Effects Supervisor Anthony C. Ferrante and Makeup Effects Artist J.M. Logan
  • Trailer
  • Still Gallery

THE DENTIST 2:

  • Audio Commentary with Director Brian Yuzna and Special Makeup Effects Supervisor Anthony C. Ferrante
  • Isolated Score Selections & Audio Interviews with Composer Alan Howarth and Editor Christopher Roth
  • "Jamie's New Neighbor" – An Interview with Actress Jillian McWhirter
  • "A Tale of Two Dentists" – An Interview with Producer Pierre David
  • Mouths of Madness: The Dentist 2 – Interviews with Special Make-Up Effects Supervisor Anthony C. Ferrante and Make-up Effects Artist J.M. Logan
  • Trailer
  • Still Gallery

Recommended