Movies

Chinatown (Drama, Mystery, Thriller)

The haunting noir classic “Chinatown” celebrates its 50th anniversary by debuting as a limited-edition 4K Ultra HD release Tuesday, June 18, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Jack Nicholson (“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”) is unforgettable as private eye Jake Gittes, living off the murky moral climate of sunbaked, pre-war Southern California. Hired by a beautiful socialite (Faye Dunaway, “Bonnie and Clyde”) to investigate her husband’s extra-marital affair, Gittes is swept into a maelstrom of double dealings and deadly deceits, uncovering a web of personal and political scandals that come crashing together for one unforgettable night.

Produced by the legendary Robert Evans (“Urban Cowboy”), “Chinatown” was originally released on June 26, 1974, and received widespread critical acclaim along with 11 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. In 1991, the film was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

The limited-edition Paramount Presents release includes the restored film on 4K Ultra HD disc for the first time ever. The exacting restoration was completed using the original camera negative, which was repaired using the latest technology in areas that had been previously damaged. The result is a sparkling 4K Ultra HD presentation that uses more of the best possible source than previous masters and faithfully captures the film’s distinctively dreamy and simultaneously realistic look.

Additionally, the release includes extensive new and legacy bonus content, access to a Digital copy of the film and a bonus Blu-ray disc with the 1990 sequel “The Two Jakes,” directed by and starring Jack Nicholson and written by Robert Towne (“Mission: Impossible”). New bonus materials on the 4K Ultra HD disc include “A State of Mind: Author Sam Wasson on ‘Chinatown,’” featuring the film historian and bestselling author of “The Big Goodbye: ‘Chinatown’ and the Last Years of Hollywood” reflecting on the importance of the film and its legacy; “‘Chinatown’ Memories,” featuring legendary producer Hawk Koch sharing stories from his time as assistant director on the film; and “The Trilogy That Never Was,” featuring Sam Wasson discussing the planned third installment of what would have been a trio of movies featuring the character Jake Gittes. Legacy bonus content on the 4K Ultra HD disc includes: a commentary by screenwriter Robert Towne with David Fincher (“Se7en”); the three-part “Water and Power” (The Aqueduct, The Aftermath and The River & Beyond); “‘Chinatown’: An Appreciation,” “‘Chinatown’: The Beginning and the End;” “‘Chinatown’: Filming” and “‘Chinatown’: Legacy.”

Founders Day (Comedy, Horror, Mystery)

The satirical political slasher “Founders Day” is now available to own on Blu-ray from Dark Sky Films.

A small town is shaken by a series of ominous killings in the days leading up to a heated mayoral election. As accusations fly and the threat of a masked killer darkens every street corner, the residents must race to uncover the truth before fear consumes the town.

Fresh off of a multi-city national theatrical run, “Founders Day” has enjoyed both strong festival and great critical reception. The latest feature film from fraternal writing-director duo Erik and Carson Bloomquist (“She Came from the Woods”) and production outfit Mainframe Pictures boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including the reunion of “13 Reasons Why” stars Devin Druid and Amy Hargreaves, Naomi Grace (“NCIS”), Catherine Curtin (“Stranger Things”), Emilia McCarthy (“SkyMed”), Olivia Nikkanen (“The Society”) and William Russ (“Boy Meets World”). Bonus features on the release include a feature commentary with writer/director/actor Erik Bloomquist, writer/producer/editor Carson Bloomquist and director of photography Mike Magilnick (“Intermedium”); “Blair and Harold Visit DC: Interviews & Debate;” a timelapse production video; a behind-the-scenes gallery; a Regal Mystery Movie Monday intro; a concept trailer with commentary; a teaser trailer; and the film’s theatrical trailer.

The Karate Kid (Action, Drama, Family)

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the iconic fan favorite “The Karate Kid” returns to 4K Ultra HD Tuesday, June 18, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, with collectible VHS-style packaging and all-new special features.

There is more to karate than fighting. This is the lesson that Daniel (Ralph Macchio, “My Cousin Vinny”), a San Fernando Valley teenager, is about to learn from a most unexpected teacher: Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita in his Academy Award-nominated performance), an elderly handyman who also happens to be a master of the martial arts. His training and these vital lessons will be called into play when an outmatched Daniel faces Johnny (William Zabka, “Back to School”), the skilled leader of the Cobra Kai — a vicious gang of karate school bullies — in a no-holds-barred karate tournament for the championship of the valley.

The 4K Ultra HD disc included with the two-disc release features the coming-of-age classic restored from the original camera negative, presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision and English Dolby Atomos + English 5.1 + English Stereo sound. Special features include an all-new commentary with the creators of “Cobra Kai,” Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, plus more than 30 minutes of new deleted scene dallies that showcase raw footage from a variety of unused scenes. Legacy content on the 4K disc includes four deleted scenes, the “Remembering ‘The Karate Kid’” featurette and the film’s theatrical trailer.

The Blu-ray disc included with the release, meanwhile, includes the film presented in high definition with English 5.1 sound. Previously released special features on the disc include a Blu-Pop pop-up track; a commentary with director John G. Avildsen (“Rocky”), writer Robert Mark Kamen (“Taken”) and actors Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita; the multi-part making-of featurette “The Way of ‘The Karate Kid;’” “East Meets West: A Composer’s Notebook;” the “Beyond the Form” featurette; and the “Life of Bonsai” featurette.

Nowhere Special (Drama)

The 2020 drama “Nowhere Special” debuts on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, June 18, from Cohen Media Group.

James Norton (“Bob Marley: One Love”) stars as John, a 35-year-old window cleaner who has dedicated his life to bringing up his 4-year-old son, Michael (Daniel Lamont, “The Doll Factory”), after the child’s mother left them soon after giving birth. When John is given only a few months left to live, he attempts to find a new, perfect family for Michael, determined to shield him from the terrible reality of the situation. As John struggles to find the right answer to his impossible task, he comes to accept the help of a young social worker, opening himself to solutions he would never have considered. He finally comes to accept his anger at the injustice of his destiny, the need to share the truth with his son and to follow the child’s instincts on the biggest decision of their lives.

Bonus features on the release include “The Making of ‘Nowhere Special,’” an interview with writer-director Uberto Pasolini (“Still Life”) and actors James Norton and Daniel Lamont by Anna Smith, and the film’s theatrical trailer.