The Corner Penthouse

Join me as I do a quick review round-up for the best of this month's new home video releases...

All of the items below have already been released and are available for purchase from Amazon at the links provided. The Corner Penthouse will earn a very tiny commission from your purchase using these links.

The first four items will make fantastic holiday presents for the children and teens in your family. Most of the rest are R-rated, suitable for the adults. Horror, Comedy, Animation, Action, and Superheroes... a little something for everyone.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer #1, Trailer #2.

• SYNOPSIS: Krypto the Super-Dog (Dwayne Johnson) and Superman (John Krasinski) are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack - Ace the hound (Kevin Hart), PB the potbellied pig (Vanessa Bayer), Merton the turtle (Natasha Lyonne), and Chip the squirrel (Diego Luna) - to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the superheroes.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: How to Draw Krypto (6:48) - Animation supervisor Dave Burgess presents a quick art tutorial. Behind the Super Voices (14:39) - Features interviews with voice actors Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, and Vanessa Bayer (all the main Super-Pets), along with writer/director Jared Stern and others. Super-Pets Animation 101 (8:18) - Various crew members talk about the pitch and early development in 2018, establishing the characters, visual designs, and more. The World of Super-Pets (7:41) - Various crew members talk about using decades of DC lore for its characters and story. Find the Easter Eggs (3:39) - Writer/co-director Sam J. Levine and writer/director Jared Stern provide a quick tour of fun little background details for DC fans. Deleted Scenes (20:48) - Includes these 12 deleted scenes: "Storm Scenes", SC 50" "Meet the Rescue Animals (Backstory Version)", SC 100: "Krypto Powerless", SC 110: "Wild for the Night", SC 135: "Lulu Visits LexCorp", SC 170: "Hero Team Assemble (Previous Version)", SC 190: "Meanwhile at the HOJ (A)", SC 220: "Meanwhile at the HOJ (B)", SC 285: "Capturing the JLA", SC 340: "Stryker's Island", SC 367: "Lulu Gathers the Troops", and SC 377: "Krypto's Solo Flight".

• RATING: PG for action, mild violence, language and rude humor.

• NOTES: A fun, light-weight film with a movie-stealing performance by Kate McKinnon as the megalomanic guinea pig, Lulu. Inside the case is an advert for the spin-off book "The Great Mxy-Up" by Heath Corson and Bobby Timony. The first print run includes a shiny slipcover.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: A humorous and heartfelt look back at the adventures of childhood. Set in suburban Chicago in the late 1980s, the story centers on ten-year-old Jake Doyle's (Winslow Fegley, Neil Patrick Harris as an adult) herculean quest to get the latest and greatest video game system for Christmas.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: 8-Bit Miracles (3:12) - The standard EPK-style making-of featurette. Character Series (2:06) - A series of six super-quick character studies. Includes "Adult Jake Doyle", "Young Jake Doyle", "Mikey Trotter", "Hodges Twins", "Evan Olsen", and "Jeff Farmer".

• RATING: PG for rude humor and some mild violence, language and suggestive references.

• NOTES: Although it is based on the novel "8-Bit Christmas" by Kevin Jakubowski, the movie is an unofficial remake of the film A Christmas Story. If the two films were not both owned by Warner Brothers, I could easily see a lawsuit happening. Both films feature an adult telling a tale of how he wanted a special toy for Christmas when he was a kid. A Christmas Story was about a child in the 1940s wanting a BB gun, while 8-Bit Christmas is about a child in the 1980s wanting a Nintendo Entertainment System. In essence, 8-Bit Christmas is A Christmas Story for MY generation. The film premiered on HBO Max in 2021, and I suspect that Warner Brothers wants the HD copy of the movie to remain as a streaming exclusive, which is why it's only getting a DVD disc release. Yes, there is NO BLU-RAY RELEASE!

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: Ahhhh, to be young…and charged with saving the world from impending doom! That's the burden that 11-year-old Jonathan Kent (Jack Dylan Grazer) and reluctant young sidekick Damian Wayne (Jack Griffo) face in this all-new DC Animated Movie. On his birthday, Jonathan Kent learns his dad is Superman and that he has latent superpowers of his own! He also meets the legendary Dark Knight and current Boy Wonder, Damian. But when the two boys are forced to team up to protect their loved ones from a hostile alien force, will they become the Super Sons they're destined to be?

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Rival Sons: Jonathan and Damian (14:41) - Legacies collide as Jonathan Kent and Damian Wayne set aside their differences, forming an unlikely alliance to save the world. From the DC Vault - Two episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, "The Demon's Quest" Part One (22:22) and Part Two (22:18), starring Batman, Robin, Ra's al Ghul, Talia, and Ubu.

• RATING: PG-13 for violence and language.

• NOTES: Although I don't care much for the art style, this was actually a decent film about the sons of Batman and Superman. The first print run includes a shiny slipcover.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer #1, Trailer #2.

• SYNOPSIS: Hard-on-his-luck hound named Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain's (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem... cats hate dogs!

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Cool Cats and One Hot Dog (9:02) - Meet Hank (Michael Cera), Jimbo (Samuel L. Jackson) and their nemesis Ika Chu (Ricky Gervais) plus more hilarious characters! In the Drawing Room with Director Rob Minkoff (19:02) - Learn to draw the characters with director Rob Minkoff. Giving Voice to Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (8:07) - Voice cast Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, and Ricky Gervais share behind-the-scenes fun and a sneak peek at what happens during voiceover sessions.

• RATING: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor, and some language.

• NOTES: Had I not watched the film for myself, I never would have believed that a family-friendly remake of Blazing Saddles would work... but it does! It's a great film in and of itself, but it's even better if you're familiar with Blazing Saddles and know the jokes, some of which get a new spin here. The first print run includes a slipcover.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Paramount for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD, Two-Movie 4K Collection.

• VIDEOS: Trailer #1, Trailer #2.

• SYNOPSIS: After more than 30 years of service as a top naval aviator, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot. Yet, Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past when he returns to Top Gun to train a group of elite graduates and comes face-to-face with Lt. Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of his former wingman, "Goose". Bitter rivalries ignite as the pilots prepare for a specialized mission, which will require the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Cleared For Take Off (9:15) - Witness the most intense film training program as the cast prepare themselves for filming while pulling multiple G's in a fighter plane. Breaking New Ground: Filming Top Gun: Maverick (7:56) - Prepare to take flight as you go behind-the-scenes with the cast and crew of Top Gun: Maverick on a journey to capture the most spectacular aerial sequences ever! A Love Letter To Aviation (4:48) - Tom Cruise shares his passion for aviation as he pilots his own aircraft, a vintage World War II P-51 Mustang, which would have been the Top Gun aircraft of its day. Forging The Darkstar (7:31) - Pushing the limits beyond Mach-10, the future of aviation is unveiled through an impressive experimental aircraft specially designed for the movie. Masterclass with Tom Cruise: Cannes Film Festival (49:04) - Tom Cruise discusses his incredible career at the flagship event of the 75th Cannes Film Festival. "Hold My Hand&quot Lady Gaga Music Video (3:52) - Watch Lady Gaga's music video for her standout lead single hit on the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack. "I Ain't Worried&quot OneRepublic Music Video (2:37) - Check out the music video to the original new song from OneRepublic.

• RATING: PG-13 for sequences of intense action, and some strong language.

• NOTES: A love letter to the original film, and a fantastic film in and of itself. One of the best legacy sequels ever made, and highly recommended. The first print run includes an embossed slipcover. If you don't buy the Two-Movie 4K Collection (link in Buy It section above), the first movie is available separately on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, and DVD.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Paramount for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer.

• SYNOPSIS: Recently widowed father Dr. Nate Samuels (Idris Elba) returns to South Africa with his two daughters Meredith (Iyana Halley) and Norah (Leah Jeffries) to visit an old friend, Martin Battles (Sharlto Copley) on a game reserve. What begins as a journey of healing turns into a fearsome fight for survival as his family find themselves hunted by a massive, rogue lion intent on proving that the savanna has but one apex predator.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Deleted Scene (0:47) – A brief scene of dialog between the two sisters. Creating The Beast (4:07) – The vicious title character of Beast is no ordinary lion. He's bigger, he's meaner, and he's got an axe to grind against humanity. Sit down with director Baltasar Kormákur as he explains what he envisioned for The Beast. Man Vs. Lion: The Final Battle (2:57) – Go inside the epic final battle between Nate and the beast himself as Director Baltasar Kormákur, star Idris Elba, and key members of the VFX team walk us through putting it all together. Making It Real: The Wounds (4:10) – Sit down with prosthetics supervisor Clinton Smith and prosthetic assistant Daleen Badenhorst as they walk us through all the gory details of creating realistic looking slices, gashes, and tears caused by a massive, predatory lion. Filming In The Beast's Territory (5:03) – Visit Limpopo South Africa where the cast and crew of BEAST traveled to capture all the vistas, planes, and mountains of Africa authentically on film. Family Bond: The Cast Of The Beast (6:05) – Meet the family at the heart of this story as director Baltasar Kormákur and cast members Idris Elba, Iyana Halley, and Leah Jeffries take us inside their characters' journeys as they come together and heal in the direst of circumstances. A Lion's Pride (7:42) – Learn the tragic truth of lion poaching with this factual piece that takes viewers inside the fight to protect the big game of Africa.

• RATING: R for violent content, bloody images and some language.

• NOTES: On the surface, Beast sounds like Jaws in the African savanna. I actually think it takes its inspiration from Stephen King's Cujo, especially as both feature scenes where a quadruped animal terrorizes people locked inside a disabled motor vehicle. The first print run includes an embossed slipcover. The movie is currently available on the Peacock streaming service. If you're already a subscriber, you can preview/rent the film that way, then buy it on disc if you like it.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer, Gag Reel Clip, Gordy's Home Birthday, UFO Sounds & Blood Rain, Terry Attack.

• SYNOPSIS: Following their father's shocking death, Hollywood animal wrangler OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and his sister Emerald (Keke Palmer) begin observing unexplained phenomena on their vast Southern California ranch that leads them down an obsessive rabbit hole as they plot attempts to capture the mystery on camera. Along with former child star turned family theme park ringmaster Ricky 'Jupe' Park (Steven Yeun), who neighbors the siblings, the pair's efforts to chase the spectacle soon bring terrifying consequences and unimaginable horror.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Deleted Scenes (9:25) - The five scenes are "The Hiker", "Mallory", "The Offer", "Terry Attack", and "Be Careful". Gag Reel (5:29) - A highlight reel of bloopers and outtakes featuring main cast. Shadows: The Making of Nope (56:05) - Secrets are revealed with this exploration of the film's unanswered questions, taking you on an intimate journey inside every aspect of production and offering a detailed look at Peele's revolutionary filmmaking process. Call Him Jean Jacket (14:22) - The object of the Haywood siblings' fascination is an entity known only as "Jean Jacket." Filmmakers provide insights into the conception, design, and execution of this mysterious organism. Mystery Man of Muybridge (5:30) - A deep dive into "The Horse In Motion" by Eadweard Muybridge, its relationship to the Haywoods, and how it relates to the larger themes in Nope.

• RATING: R for language throughout and some violence/ bloody images.

• NOTES: Following Get Out and Us, Jordan Peele is back with another film, this time blending Sci-Fi and Westerns. Honestly, with a runtime over 2 hours long, it's about 40-minutes too long with a lot of extraneous scenes that have nothing to do with the story. Without going into spoilers, there was no reason for Ricky to have been a former child star, and the incident that happened on the set of his TV show is completely pointless to the plot. OJ & Emerald Haywood being related to the jockey from the Eadweard Muybridge footage also has nothing to do with the plot. You can fast-forward through most of the first half of the film and not miss a thing. Once the big reveal is made, most of the suspense is lost, and the real stupidity begins. At best, I'd say to rent this film, and have the remote in hand to skip past all of the scenes on the movie set, Ricky's secret nostalgia room, and all of his flashbacks to the chimpanzee incident. The first print run includes an embossed slipcover.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD.

• VIDEOS: Trailer #1, Trailer #2.

• SYNOPSIS: Ladybug (Brad Pitt) is an unlucky assassin determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug's latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe - all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives - on the world's fastest train.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary - with director David Leitch, producer Kelly McCormick, and screenwriter Zak Olkewicz. Mission Accomplished: Making of Bullet Train (6:11) - A look at David Leitch's background in stunt work, the film's fight choreography, and more. All Aboard the Pain Train: Stunts (5:13) - A look at the film's fight and stunt work inside the limited available spacing. Outtakes & Bloopers (3:00) - Humorous moments from the shoot. Trained Professionals: The Cast (6:53) - Praising the cast's camaraderie and performances. Catch What You Missed: Easter Eggs (4:14) - A look at some of the little winks and nods in the film. Select Scene Stunt Previs (3:57) - Early conceptual video paired with the final film clips. Bullet Train Goes Off the Rails (4:36) - Lemon and Tangerine pitch the film in conjunction with the NBA.

• RATING: R for strong and bloody violence, pervasive language, and brief sexuality.

• NOTES: Based on the Japanese novel "Maria Beetle" by Kotaro Isaka, Bullet Train is similar in style to the Guy Ritchie films Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. So, if you love those films, and you like frenetic fight scenes, you'll like Bullet Train. The first print run includes a slipcover.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 18-Disc Blu-ray in Sleeve Pkg with 2 Bonus Discs, 16-Disc Blu-ray in 4-Cases, 16:9 DVD Black Cvr, 4:3 DVD Yellow Cvr.

• VIDEOS: Every Show Intro.

• SYNOPSIS: Flash-back to the decade of disco with Eric, Kelso, Jackie, Hyde, Donna and Fez. From chillin' out in the Forman's basement to hittin' the road in the Vista Cruiser, this Complete Series leaves no peace, love and hilarity behind. So tune in and prepare to trip out with the funky fooleries of your favorite groovy gang!

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio commentary on select episodes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, a series retrospective and bloopers special, season overviews, promos, and more!

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: As you can see from the Buy It section above, Mill Creek has released the complete series of That '70s Show in four different configurations. They sent me the new 2022 16-disc DVD set in the box with the black cover, which presents the show reformatted into a 1.78:1 aspect ratio (16:9 anamorphic widescreen), just like on Blu-ray. I would think that the original 18-disc Blu-ray set (black cover with floating colored heads) in the cardboard sleeves/cases with the two bonus discs would be the BEST version to get, even though I despise that kind of packaging. If you want the show in the original 4:3 television aspect ratio, then the DVD set with the yellow/orange cover would be the way to go. The repackaged 16-disc Blu-ray (black group photo cover) in the four plastic cases should be avoided if you don't want to lose out on some special features. If you don't care about that, then go ahead and buy that release since it has the best packaging. The choice is really dependent on which aspect ratio you prefer and if you want all of the special features or not.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Mill Creek Home Entertainment for review on this site.

If you're looking for more cool stuff to buy, check out all of the other items I've reviewed over the years. I'm sure you'll find something you'll love.