Bonus Features: October brings home thrills, chills and family favorites on 4K and Blu-ray
If October is known for one thing, it’s scary movies. Spooky season is in full swing, and that means at the theater and at home. While most horror re-release head home in late September, like “Fright Night” or “Poltergeist” this year, a few other films have trickled into October.
On top of these scary sights, a few new releases from 2022 make their 4K and Blu-ray debuts this month, while one beloved classic is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Let’s take a look at everything heading home this month.
“Scream 2” – (Oct. 4)
Last year brought the 25th anniversary Steel Book for the original “Scream,” and now we’re doing it all over again to celebrate 25 years of the sequel, “Scream 2.” In a world of formulaic slasher films, “Scream” revolutionized the genre with its meta self-awareness, and the second film took aim at all the tropes of blockbuster sequel with tremendous success. While simultaneously being bigger, bloodier and better, “Scream 2” makes fun of sequels for doing just that, all while introducing a star-studded cast.
Special Features on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital
Audio Commentary by Director Wes Craven, Producer Marianne Maddalena and Editor Patrick Lussier
Deleted Scenes (with optional commentary by Director Wes Craven, Producer Marianne Maddalena and Editor Patrick Lussier)
Outtakes
Featurette
“Scream” and “Suburban Life” Music Videos
Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots
“DC League of Super-Pets” – (Oct. 4)
At the rate studios are churning out superhero content, it was only a matter of time until we crossed capes with canines. To be fair, the Legion of Super-Pets made their DC Comics debut back in 1962, we’ve just never seen them on the big screen before. As long as you’ve got the right mindset heading into this Dwayne Johnson-led animated adventure, it’s safe to say you’ll have a pretty fun time. It’s not going to reinvent animation or the super hero genre, but it’s a light, enjoyable family adventure, with an incredible voice cast. I mean, Johnson aside, you’ve got Kevin Hart, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, Vanessa Bayer, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, John Krasinski, Keanu Reeves, Daveed Diggs, Olivia Wilde, Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwartz and more! Geez.
Special Features on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital
Way back in 2009, “Paranormal Activity” changed the game. The low-budget horror film revitalized the found-footage genre and had people Googling to see if the events of the film were actually real. It was a wild time. Since then, six sequels have followed, with the franchise’s eighth film set for 2023. But now, you can get all seven movies in the Ultimate Chills collection, including “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin,” which had previously only released on Paramount+. If you think the MCU weaves a wild web of interconnectivity, just wait until you dive into the Paranormal Activity Universe, because there are some crazy connections waiting for you.
Special Features on Blu-ray and Digital
Unknown Dimension: The Story of Paranormal Activity – A 90+ minute documentary that chronicles the complete story of “Paranormal Activity,” from indie sensation to blockbuster franchise. It features interviews with cast and crew, newly revealed footage from the terrifying films, and insight from fans.
“Beast” – (Oct. 11)
It’s Idris Elba versus a lion. What else needs to be said? “Beast” hit theaters in August to strong reviews from critics and audience alike. Whatever you imagine a movie about Idris Elba fighting a lion to be, that’s exactly what “Beast” is – and that’s all it needs to be. It knows exactly what it is and leans into it, going heavy on the action, suspense and over-the-top combat, while sprinkling in some emotional family throughlines. It’s nothing particularly special on the narrative front, but “Beast” lives oup to expectations because it gives us what we want: Idris Elba fighting a lion.
Special Features on Blu-ray and Digital
DELETED SCENE – Watch an exclusive unreleased scene from Beast
MAN VS. LION: THE FINAL BATTLE – 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.
CREATING THE BEAST – 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.
MAKING IT REAL: THE WOUNDS – 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 – Visit Limpopo South Africa where the cast and crew of BEAST travelled to capture all the vistas, planes, and mountains of Africa authentically on film.
FAMILY BOND: THE CAST OF THE BEAST – 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 – Learn the tragic truth of lion poaching with this factual piece that takes viewers inside the fight to protect the big game of Africa.
“Bullet Train” – (Oct. 18)
Speaking of being exactly what it needs to be, here’s “Bullet Train.” Brutal violence and gore, nonstop action, and funny quips and liners, aka exactly what the trailer promised. After not catching this one in theaters, the home release certainly does the movie justice. The rainbow color palette and neon lights that permeate the film look fantastic at home, and the depth and detail are extremely sharp, including the high-speed action and visual effects of the bullet train itself. The real fun here, though, comes in the bonus features. New releases don’t often get many extras these days, but “Bullet Train” is generous with about a half-hour of featurettes breaking down stunts, easter eggs, cast interviews and more.
Special Features on Blu-ray and Digital
Outtakes & Bloopers
Catch What You Missed: Easter Eggs
All Aboard the Pain Train: Stunts
Mission Accomplished: Making of Bullet Train
Trained Professionals: The Cast
Select Stunt Previs
Audio Commentary with David Leitch, Kelly McCormick & Zak Olkewicz
“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” – (Oct. 18)
It’s not every day an all-time classic film turns 40. Well this month marks 40 years since Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial first hit theaters, which means we’re celebrating with not one, not two, but three limited edition 4K releases. There’s the all out gift set loaded with collectible items, a lesser gift set, and the Steel Book release. The anniversary release showcases over 45 minutes of all-new bonus features including a retrospective of the film and its lasting legacy and a featurette with Steven Spielberg reflecting on his career and the making of E.T. 40 years later. This release also includes all the original bonus features including deleted scenes, cast and filmmaker reunion, a discussion with John Williams about the iconic music from the film, and more.
Special Features on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital
TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL: AN EVENING WITH STEVEN SPIELBERG – The acclaimed director reflects on his career and the making of E.T. 40 years later.
THE E.T. JOURNALS- Retrace the day-to-day experience of creating E.T. from never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage shot by Academy Award®-winning cinematographer John Toll.
DELETED SCENES
STEVEN SPIELBERG & E.T. – Watch an interview with Steven Spielberg, as he reflects back on the film and discusses his experience working with the actors, as well as his overall and current perspective on E.T.
A LOOK BACK – A special insider’s look into the making of E.T. featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg, the cast, and others intimately involved with the film.
THE EVOLUTION AND CREATION OF E.T.
THE E.T. REUNION – The cast and filmmaker reunite to discuss their thoughts on the impact of the film.
THE MUSIC OF E.T.: A DISCUSSION WITH JOHN WILLIAMS – Interviews and footage focused on the long-standing relationship between John Williams and Steven Spielberg.
THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY PREMIERE – Composer John Williams played the score of E.T.live at the Shrine Auditorium for the re-release premiere of E.T. This featurette gives us a behind the scenes look at this presentation.
DESIGNS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND MARKETING
E.T. Designs by Production Illustrator Ed Verreaux
Zach Goins is a member of the North Carolina Film Critics Association based in Raleigh, N.C. Zach co-founded Inside The Film Room in 2018 and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the website and co-host of the podcast. Zach also serves as a film critic for CLTure.org.
