Cinematographe has debuted a pair of titles with queer themes paramount to their importance on 4K UHD. Both find two directors adapting stage plays for the screen – one from the late ‘60s, another from the mid ‘70s – and each includes impressive performances, all remastered in brand-new 4K restorations from their original camera negatives.

THE BOYS IN THE BAND (120 mins., 1970, R) caused an off-Broadway sensation in 1968 when Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking play first debuted. The story of a group of gay men who gather on the Upper East Side in order to celebrate the birthday of self-proclaimed “Jew fairy” Harold (Leonard Frey), Crowley’s unflinching look at a series of relationships where the commonality is sexuality ends in resentment, anger and bitterness among the group – particularly when a supposedly straight man (Peter White) is brought along to the festivities.

William Friedkin helmed “The Boys in the Band” in a direct adaptation of its source, scripted and produced by Crowley (who went onto become a writer and producer on the hit TV series “Hart to Hart”) in an apparently faithful rendering of the play. One of the issues I had while watching the film – which, admittedly, is not an easy view – was that the modulation in performances from stage to screen could have been better handled by Friedkin, who was on his fourth feature but a year away from true stardom with “The French Connection.”

In fact, the entire stage cast was brought back for the movie, and there are times when you can sense lines that may have been “pitched for the last row” come off as more intensely cutting than they may have been when seen on stage. Accordingly, other lines which might have delivered a laugh carry an additionally sarcastic rendering in the film, and some of the performances – Cliff Gorman’s Emory for example — veer on outright stereotype. The show’s nervous energy and bitterness also comes off more explicitly in Friedkin’s film, which manages to remain an important, landmark work given its subject matter, but one that also needs to be viewed within the perspective of its era in order to be properly digested. I still think the film could’ve been pitched down a bit more and made more effective in the process.

Cinematographe’s 4K UHD (1.85, mono) hails from a new restoration of the movie’s original OCN and features a pleasantly filmic look throughout in Dolby Vision HDR. The pop-heavy soundtrack contains lifts from Burt Bacharach’s “Casino Royale” and a cover version of “Scarborough Fair,” with new extras including an interview with stage star Laurence Luckinbill, who “Star Trek” fans may remember from his role in the fifth Trek feature; historian Mark Harris; and entertainment writer Michael Musto. Daniel Kremer chips in a video essay while we also get a 2018 doc, “Friedkin Uncut,” a TCM intro to the film, plus text essays in the limited-edition hardbound package from Alonso Duralde, Caden Mark Gardner, Nat Segaloff, and Kyle Turner. On the commentary side, Farrah Freibert provides a new commentary while William Friedkin’s archival talk from an earlier release is also present and accounted for in both the UHD and remastered Blu-Ray.

Robert Altman, meanwhile, helmed playwright Ed Graczyk’s COME BACK TO THE 5 & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN (109 mins., 1982, PG), which is less a film about queer issues than it is a companion piece to the likes of Peter Bogdanovich’s “The Last Picture Show” and other chronicles of small-town Texas wasting away as the years tumble by (in fact, the film’s notable trans element is a plot twist best left unrevealed if you haven’t watched the picture).

Sudie Bond plays a shop owner in McCarthy, Texas where the remnants of her town’s James Dean fan club are to meet at the local Woolworth’s on the 20^th anniversary of his death. Among them are the likes of Sanny Denis, Cher, Kathy Bates, Mark Patton and Karen Black, with each having flashbacks to the world as it existed 20 years prior, contrasting with the reality of today.

At least, I think that’s what Graczyk was going for with his play, which Altman adapted for this generally well-received 1982 film produced by Mark Goodson (of game show gurus Goodson/Todman Productions). Like “Boys in the Band,” “Jimmy Dean” feels more of a theatrical experience than a cinematic one, even though there are some great performances here, especially Cher, who was able to parlay this “serious” role into an entire acting career that was on the precipice of taking off. In fact, Altman recruited the entire cast of the 1982 Broadway rendering for the movie, making for a picture faithfully anchored to its source and its assorted strengths and weaknesses.

Once again working off a beautifully crisp 4K UHD (1.85, mono) of the 35mm OCN, “Come Back to the 5 & Dime…” contains both UHD and remastered Blu-Rays with extras including a new commentary by trans film critics Willow Catelyn Maclay and Caden Mark Gardner. Lee Gambin also provides an archival commentary with other extras including an appreciation by filmmaker Isabel Sandoval; a video essay by professor Dakota Noot; archival interviews with editor Jason Rosenfield, production designer David Gropman, and two TCM intros to the movie. A full run of critical essays adorns Cinematographe’s Limited Edition UHD/BD box, limited to 3000 copies and now available at Vinegar Syndrome’s website.

OCN Wrap

Film Movement: Coming late July from Film Movement, SOME NIGHTS I FEEL LIKE WALKING (103 mins., 2024) is writer-director Petersen Vargas’ study of teenage hustlers who reunite in Manila where they bring the overdosed, deceased body of one of their friends back to his rural home. This acclaimed import (1.78, 2.0 stereo) includes on Blu-Ray a cast/crew Q&A, screen tests, deleted scenes, and commentary with Vargas, star Miguel Odron and producer Jade Castro.

The German western DARK VALLEY (114 mins., 2014) finds an established rancher family in the Alpine mountains visited by a mysterious American who claims he’s a photographer but seems to be looking for revenge. Impressive widescreen (2.35, 5.1/2.0) photography dominates “Dark Valley,” new to Blu-Ray from Film Movement featuring a Making Of, deleted scenes, and a 16 page booklet from Phillip Escott. The German-subtitled original soundtrack is included here as well as an English dub.

Director Neo Sora’s HAPPYEND (113 mins., 2024) chronicles the life of two Tokyo teenagers, about to graduate from high school, who respond to their school’s new surveillance system in contrasting ways. This acclaimed recent Japanese import debuts on Blu-Ray (1.85, 5.1/2.0) with Sora’s commentary, a talk with composer Lia Ouyang Rusli, deleted scenes, and a 16-page booklet with notes by critic Ryan Swen…THEEB (100 mins., 2014) is Naji Abuy Nowar’s debut feature, set in a Bedouin community during the Ottman Empire’s war in the early 20^th century. Excitingly presented in scope with Film Movement’s Blu-Ray (2.39, 5.1/2.09) including Ely Dagher’s short “Waves ‘98.”

The documentary WAD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN C. HOLMES (103 mins., 1999) looks at a real-life “Dirk Diggler” – a porno movie star who parlayed his career into mythmaking. Mike Sager, whose own Rolling Stones pieces informed the likes of “Boogie Nights,” narrated Cass Paley’s documentary that takes viewers back to the 70s and 80s. Film Movement’s Blu-Ray (1.55, mono) sports Casey Scott’s commentary, Dan Erdman’s liner notes and a behind-the-scenes featurette. Canadian International Pictures (CIP) celebrates the second anthology of THE OTHER FRENCH NEW WAVE with a new Volume 2 Blu-Ray release. Drawn again from Quebec’s ‘60s cinematic revolution are four pictures all scanned and restored in 2K (1.33/1.37): BETWEEN SWEET AND SALT WATER (85 mins., 1967), WHERE ARE YOU? (95 mins., 1969), GENEVIEVE (28 mins. 1964) featuring Genevieve Bujold; and FABIENNE (27 mins., 1967) from director Jacques Godbout. New interviews and commentaries adorn the double-disc set.

Dark Sky Films: A couple finds themselves in an endless loop of murder and mayhem in director Cody Ashford’s DRIVE BACK (94 mins., 2024), premiering on Blu-Ray (1:9, 5.1 DTSA MA) from Dark Sky with commentary from Ashford and producers Chris Lofing and Travis Cluff and a VFX featurette.

Darkstar Pictures premieres Alice Maio Mackay’s THE SERPENT’S SKIN (83 mins., 2025), the story of two outsiders who come together with supernatural powers, only to have to deal with a demon conjured accidentally from a tattoo. Mackay’s shorts, a photo and trailer gallery comprise Darkstar’s Blu-Ray (2.35, 5.1).

Delirium debuts AMOROUS SISTERS (79 mins., 1980) starring Brigitte Lahaie and Flore Sollier as swinging sisters who go nutty in an exploitation sex comedy from specialist producer Erwin C. Dietrich. Remastered in an uncut new Blu-Ray version, Delirium’s Blu-Ray (1.85) includes a commentary by Chris Alexander.

ETR Media: NINTENDO 64 QUEST (330 mins., 2025) finds collector Jay Bartlett back on the trail, this time of 296 Nintendo 64 games, and just 14 days to find them all, in this follow-up to his earlier “Nintendo Quest.” ETR’s Blu-Ray (1.85, 2.0) is chock full of bonuses including uncut interviews, deleted scenes and premiere event footage.

Factory 25: The 20^th Anniversary Edition of THE GITS (79 mins., 2025) offers a look at the groundbreaking but also under-appreciated punk rock band. Deleted scenes, live footage, and a 28-page booklet are included in Factory 25’s Blu-Ray (1.78, 5.1).

The Film Desk: Kent Jones’ debut picture DIANE (95 mins., 2019) stars Mary Kay Place as a middle-aged woman trying to keep together a fragile existence for both her and her troubled son (Jake Lacy). Video pieces by Jones, his commentary, and a Q&A with Jones are included in The Film Desk’s Blu-Ray (1.85, 5.1 DTS MA).

Icarus Films Home Video premieres French New Wave director Jacques Doniol-Valcroze’s A GAME FOR SIX LOVERS (84 mins., 1960), a tart art film with humorous components that has been restored in 2K here on Blu-Ray (1.66, mono) with the support of the Centre National du Cinema. Icarus’ Blu-Ray includes French subtitles and Jeanne Barbillon’s 1965 short “The Botanical Avatar of Mademoiselle Flora.”

IFC: Paula Beer and Franz Rogowski star in Christian Petzold’s UNDINE (89 mins., 2020), a reworking of the myth of Undine, adapted as a contemporary romantic thriller in present-day Berlin. IFC’s Blu-Ray (1.85, 5.1 DTS MA) includes commentary by Marco Abel and Jaimey Fisher, plus notes from Olivia Landry and Allie Margot…Coming on 4K UHD from IFC is John MacLean’s TORNADO (90 mins., 2025), starring Tim Roth and Takehiro Hira (a fellow high school classmate!) in a thriller involving a girl who goes after a gang that ransacked her father’s puppet Samurai show. Commentary with Maclean and dp Robbie Ryan, a director interview, Making Of and booklet are included in the HDR10 UHD transfer (5.1 DTS MA).

Kani Releasing brings Japanese cinema aficionados Ranmeiu Takahashi’s 1994 film A NEW LOVE IN TOKYO (115 mins.), starring Sawa Suzuki as a dominatrix who befriends a college girl (Reiko Kataoka) bound for a professional life, or so it seems. Japanese erotica follows in this quasi-sequel to Ryu Murakami’s “Tokyo Decadence,” with Kani’s Blu-Ray including a 2K restoration (1.85, 2.0) with interviews, booklet notes, and a 20-minute talk with the director.

KimStim has imported the Iranian production CRIMSON GOLD (98 mins., 2003), a look at a war veteran (played by an actual schizophrenic delivery person named Hossain Emadeddin) who runs his delivery route but is infatuated with the upper classes he cannot become a part of. A character-driven tragedy premiering here on Blu-Ray (1.66, 2.0 stereo) with extras including a new video interview with director Jafar Panahi and booklet notes by Sheida Dayani.

Magnolia features the Blu-Ray premiere of Brian DePalma’s poorly-received REDACTED (90 mins., 2007, R), a film juggling several stories about U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq, including the reported rape of a local girl by several squadmates. Adrian Martin’s commentary is new on Magnolia’s Blu-Ray (1.85, 5.1) along with a video essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and archival extras from its DVD release including an interview with DePalma.

Music Box Selects: In SUSPENDED TIME (106 mins., 2025), French auteur Olivier Assayas helms a winning character study about a filmmaker (Vincent Macaigne) who heads to his French countryside home during the pandemic where he meets up, reestablishes and reworks relationships with his girlfriend, brother, and his girlfriend. Funnier than anticipated, “Suspended Time” received solid reviews on the art-house circuit and Music Box’s Blu-Ray offers a 1080p (1.85) transfer, 5.1 DTS MA French audio with English subtitles, interviews with Assayas and the cast, the trailer, image gallery and featurette.

Several Futures brings French filmmaker Pierrce Creton’s work to the forefront in the multi-disc Blu-Ray EROTIC NATURE: THE FILMS OF PIERRCE CRETON, including the features A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER (82 mins., 2019), MANIQUERVILLE (84 mins., 2010), SECTOR 545 (105 mins., 2005) and VA, TOTO! (94 mins., 2017). Five additional shorts and a documentary on his works by Dominique Avray comprise the two-disc package (French with English subtitles).

Shudder: A self-help book author has to take matters into her own hands in order to stop a maniac coming after her in Natasha Kermani’s 2020 film LUCKY (90 mins., Unrated). Shudder’s Blu-Ray (1.78, 5.1) includes commentary with Kermani and star Brea Grant (who wrote the film), an intro from the duo and booklet with notes by Lindsay Hallam.

Umbrella unearths Aussie comedy SUBURBAN MAYHEM (89 mins., 2006) for its first U.S. Blu-Ray release. Paul Goldman’s acclaimed effort stars Michael Dorman and a young Mia Wasikowska in a look at a disaffected 19-year-old mother on society’s fringe. Ample special features include commentary from Goldman and other crew members, conversations with the crew including composer Mick Harvey, deleted scenes and much more (1.85, 5.1/2.0).

WildEye Releasing premieres the 2018 Japanese “J-Horror” release VIOLATOR (72 mins.), the story of a young woman who goes looking for her missing sister in a remote village. Commentary with critic Justin Decloux and writer Dylan Cheung, a talk with director Jun’ichi Yamamoto, a video essay and trailers are just a few of the extras in WildEye’s Blu-Ray (1.85, 5.1).

Watermelon Pictures: Mahdi Fleifel’s TO A LAND UNKNOWN (106 mins., 2025) looks at a pair of Palestinian cousins in Athens, trying to make it to Germany and the freedom they believe they will find there. Four shorts by Fleifel, a Q&A with the director, photo gallery and featurette are included in Watermelon’s Blu-Ray (1.66, 5.1 DTS MA).

Yellow Veil Pictures: THREE BY WOJCEICH J. HAS compiles a trio of films from the Polish director: HOW TO BE LOVED (98 mins., 1963), THE SARAGOSSA MANUSCRIPT (184 mins., 1965) and THE HOURGLASS SANATORIUM (124 mins., 1973) with extras including introductions and critical assessments with professor Annette Insdorf and interviews with critic Sebastrian Smolinski.

1-2 Special rolls out director Simon Mesa Soto’s A POET (123 mins., 2023), an “Un Certain Regard Jury” prize winner featuring a breakout performance by Ubeimar Rios. 1-2’s Blu-Ray (1.66, 5.1/2.0 DTS MA) includes commentary by Soto and booklet notes from critic Siddhant Adlakha.

NEXT TIME: Arrow & MVD new releases! Until then, don’t forget to drop in on the official Aisle Seat Message Boards and direct any emails to our email address. Cheers everyone!