By John Mulderig
NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews from Catholic News Service of new and recent video releases available on DVD and/or Blu-ray — as well as for online viewing. Theatrical movies have a Catholic News Service classification and Motion Picture Association rating. These classifications refer only to the theatrical version of the films below, and do not take into account any extra content.
“The Invisible Man” (2020)
Shortly after escaping her maniacally possessive live-in boyfriend (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), a cutting-edge optics researcher, a former architect (fervent Elisabeth Moss) learns that he has killed himself and left her a sizable portion of his vast wealth. But a series of unsettling events soon convinces her that he faked his death and is somehow stalking her, even though she can’t see him. Understandably, both her sister (Harriet Dyer), who aided her getaway, and the childhood friend (Aldis Hodge), in whose home she has taken refuge, refuse to accept this outlandish idea and, with her former lover apparently intent on ruining her life, her plight becomes increasingly desperate. Though far more intelligent than many thrillers, writer-director Leigh Whannell’s remarkably absorbing monster movie, which bears only a very distant relationship to H.G. Wells’ 1897 novel, includes intense bloodletting while its conclusion appeals to viewers’ basest instincts. Only the gulf separating the film’s sci-fi scenario from anything in the real world makes it acceptable for a narrow swath of grown-ups. Much gory violence, including gunplay, vigilantism and vengeance themes, cohabitation, at least one use of profanity, about a half-dozen rough terms, fleeting crude and crass language. Spanish language and titles options. The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. (Universal Studios Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray)
“Old Boyfriends” (1979)
Recently divorced woman in her 30s (Talia Shire) tries to make sense out of her life by hitting the road in her Firebird and looking up old boyfriends (Richard Jordan and John Belushi). A third, she discovers, has died in Vietnam and she quickly transfers her affections to his mentally disturbed younger brother (Keith Carradine). Directed by Joan Tewkesbury, the dreary story suffers from the same malaise that afflicts the heroine. Some rough language and adult situations. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. (KL Studio Classics; also available on Blu-ray)
Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.