Mike Spring
What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – April 14, 2026
It’s an interesting release slate this week, as we have both a movie and its sequel hitting home video, plus a new graphic novel in one of the most popular kids’ franchises in the world. Pretty cool! See what else is also available below!
In This Week’s Column:
- Greenland 2: Migration (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
- Greenland (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
- The Substitute (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
- Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga (Graphic Novel)
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
- Antonio Margheriti & The Jungles of Doom: His ‘80s Adventure Films (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + CD Box Set)
- The Key (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
- Suspended Time (DVD)
- Smother (DVD)
Greenland 2: Migration (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
In the aftermath of a comet strike that devastates most of the earth, Greenland 2: Migration follows devoted family man John Garrity (Gerard Butler) and his wife and son (Morena Baccarin, Roman Griffin Davis) after they’re forced to leave the safety of their bunker in Greenland to search for a new home in a shattered world. John leads the family on a dangerous journey, guided by his burning hope in a rumored safe haven. It’s a journey against the odds that will test the family’s deepest sense of love, sacrifice, and instinct to survive.
The Movie:
If you don’t already know it, I’m an unabashed disaster movie junkie. I will absolutely watch any movie involving natural disasters, the end of the world, or some combination thereof. I loved the first Greenland, so naturally I was excited to watch Greenland 2: Migration.
And I’m happy to report that it does not disappoint. This time around, the Garrity family have been (spoilers for the first movie and my next review!) living in the bunker in Greenland for the past five years. The earth is ravaged by radiation and massive electrical storms in the wake of the comet Clarke taking out most life on the planet. But when an earthquake takes out the bunker, the Garritys have to head for a rumored safe zone in the comet’s crater, a journey that is arduous at best.
What I really liked about Greenland 2, besides the spectacular action sequences, was how it realistically treats the situation. Not only in terms of the environment but also the various survivors the Garritys encounter on their journey. Some people are desperate, some are violent, some are kind. It always feels a little lazy when people in these kinds of movies are all either super benevolent or all super evil. In this case, it’s a mix, and part of the suspense of the movie is figuring out which ones are which. (Oh yeah, and the action sequences and special effects really are spectacular!)
If you liked the first Greenland, you should definitely check out Greenland 2: Migration. If you haven’t seen the first one, well, then I have good news for you. Check out my next review!
The 4K Video/Audio:
Greenland 2 looks and sounds fantastic on 4K Ultra HD. Disaster movies and special effects spectaculars are the kind of thing 4Ks are made for, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Colors are deep and rich, while image clarity is absolutely razor sharp. There’s a cinematic feel to the picture which enhances the overall effectiveness of the onscreen action. The surround soundtrack offers up a lot of directionality and detail, and your satellite speakers will all get a nice workout, as will the bass channel. A terrific effort overall.
The Bonus Features:
- Rebuilding
- Pushing Forward
- Heart and Soul
- What We Leave Behind
- Theatrical Trailer
Digital Copy Included: Yes
Greenland (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
John Garrity, his estranged wife and their young son embark on a perilous journey to find sanctuary as a planet-killing comet hurtles toward Earth. Amid terrifying accounts of cities getting levelled, the Garrity’s experience the best and worst in humanity. As the countdown to the global apocalypse approaches zero, their incredible trek culminates in a desperate and last-minute flight to a possible safe haven.
The Movie:
As mentioned above, I’m a disaster movie junkie, so when Greenland, an end-of-the-world thriller starring Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin, came out in 2020, I was pretty optimistic about it, mostly based on its terrific trailer.
It turns out that trailer sold a film that is everything it promised and more. The story starts with a comet flying near the earth that soon turns into a series of ever-worsening comet-chunk-strikes on the earth. Before long, it’s clear that there is an extinction-level event on the way, but there may be one chance: bunkers in Greenland. From there, it’s a race for survival, and I don’t want to give away the twists and turns but suffice it to say there are plenty. The film ratchets up the tension to unbearable levels and then gives you a break just long enough to catch your breath before it ratchets the tension up again, usually even higher. Butler and Baccarin both are terrific, and the film will keep you glued to the screen for the entirety of its running time.
This week, Greenland gets its long overdue 4K Ultra HD release, as it was previously only released on Blu-ray and DVD. And with a film that features such great visual effects and action scenes that will give your heart a jumpstart, a 4K release is a welcome one. It doesn’t add anything in the way of extra features, but you do get a nice audiovisual upgrade and it is definitely worth adding to your collection if you don’t already own it.
The 4K Video/Audio:
As mentioned above, Greenland never received a 4K UHD release, so Lionsgate is rectifying that mistake now that the second film is out on 4K. As the movie is only six years old, it looks and sounds very good in the premium format. The color saturation is quite vibrant, image clarity is sharp, and shadow delineation is very strong. The surround soundtrack really comes to life during the disaster scenes, and the low-end bass channel will have you thinking the comet is heading for your living room. This is the kind of film that needs to be seen in 4K and I’m glad that we finally have the chance.
The Bonus Features:
- Audio Commentary with director Ric Roman Waugh and producer Basil Iwanyk
- Deleted Scenes
- Humanity Featurette
Digital Copy Included: Yes
The Substitute (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
In this action-thriller favorite, now on 4K for the first time, a mercenary faces off against one of his most formidable enemies: a high school gang. Shale (Tom Berenger) is an ex-Vietnam vet reeling from a botched covert operation. Returning home, he reunites with his girlfriend, Jane (Diane Venora), a high school teacher who’s hospitalized after a beating by the Kings of Destruction gang. Hunting Jane’s attackers, Shale goes undercover as a substitute teacher, and uncovers a cocaine highway running through the school involving gang leader Lacas (Marc Anthony) and the school’s shady principal, Rolle (Ernie Hudson). Summoning his mercenaries, Shale goes to war with the Kings of Destruction – and rival guns for hire – on the unusual battleground of a high school, but for the usual stakes: life…and death
The Movie:
Lionsgate Limited has quietly been putting out some terrific Collector’s Edition home video releases over the past couple of years. Exclusively available through LionsgateLimited.com, these releases have often offered up exclusive bonus features, new Steelbooks, and exclusive artwork.
This week, we were able to get a review copy of their release of The Substitute as part of the Vestron Video sublabel, which brings VHS rental favorites to 4K Ultra HD. The Substitute is a 1996 action film starring Tom Berenger and Ernie Hudson. It wasn’t a major box office hit, but it did so well on video that it spawned three direct-to-video sequels starring Treat Williams. In the original film, Berenger plays a soldier who goes undercover as a substitute teacher at a crime-ridden high school to take out the student gangsters who assaulted his fiancée.
I’ll be honest, I really enjoy The Substitute. I remember watching it on video in the ‘90s, and it’s got that ‘90s action film vibe that is unbeatable, before CGI took over even the simplest special effects, such as blood, gunshots, etc. This film is filled with stunts, fistfights, and a solid enough story and characters to get roped into the action. It’s not a perfect movie by any stretch, but it’s a lot of fun and a throwback to one of my favorite eras for action movies!
The 4K Video/Audio:
The 4K Ultra HD presentation of The Substitute offers up a nice audiovisual upgrade. This is a film that’s been around for a few decades now, but it looks and sounds greatly improved here over previous releases. Image clarity is clean and crisp, and the print is largely free of any blemishes or dirt, and that’s what you would hope for in a catalog title. The surround soundtrack isn’t the most nuanced ever, but it kicks into high gear during the action scenes and will have you ducking for cover when gunshots start flying. The bass channel also gives everything an explosive feel, which fits the film nicely. Overall, this is another very strong effort.
The Bonus Features:
- Power Achieved Is Power Perceived: Director Robert Mandel on The Substitute
- Color Grade Is in Session
- Bullet Points: Storyboard-to-Film Exploration
- Theatrical Trailer
Digital Copy Included: Yes
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
The #1 global bestselling Captain Underpants series returns! Based on the first sensational chapter book, it’s a reimagined adventure perfectly paired with all-new manga artwork. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga is written and adapted by Dav Pilkey, illustrated by manga artist Motojiro, and totally reinvented for a new generation of readers. Tra-la-laaa!
Following the story arc of the first original chapter book, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga is reenvisioned as an engaging graphic novel reading in Western style (left to right). With dynamic manga artwork by Japanese artist Motojiro, all-new Flip-O-Ramas, and much more, it will captivate existing fans, capture new readers, and appeal to comics, manga, and anime aficionados alike!
Combining humor and action with empowerment and empathy, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga features the amazing adventures of best friends George Beard and Harold Hutchins and their waistband warrior superhero creation, Captain Underpants! He’s faster than a speeding waistband, more powerful than boxer shorts, and able to leap tall buildings without getting a wedgie. Night and day, Captain Underpants fights for truth, justice, and all that is pre-shrunk and cottony!
The Book:
I have a soft spot for Captain Underpants, because it was one of my son’s favorite book series when he was young. I’ve read many of Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants books over the years, and I always found them to be fun and creative.
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga is sort of like a… remix of the original Captain Underpants book. Effectively, it’s a remake of the inaugural story, only this time instead of Pilkey providing the artwork, it’s manga artist Motojiro providing the colorful artwork in a manga style. With manga and anime officially having taken hold in the United States and beyond, it makes sense to create a new take on Captain Underpants that might appeal to the demographic that’s obsessed with all things manga. I will admit I was surprised to find the book a reboot of the original book instead of an all-new story, but since most of the kids who read that first book when it came out are in high school, college, or beyond, I can see how Graphix would try to capitalize on a new audience.
Either way, the book is still a lot of fun, the artwork is colorful and dynamic, and hopefully a new generation of readers discovers this terrific series!
The Specs:
- Publisher: Graphix
- Format: Hardcover or Softcover
- Page Count: 192 pages
- Cover Price: $24.99 (HC) or $14.99 (SC)
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
Adapting sci-fi author Yasutaka Tsutsui’s famous 1967 novel, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time cast Tomoyo Harada in her feature film debut, launching the Kadokawa pop idol into superstardom. After suffering a fainting spell in her school’s laboratory, 16-year-old Kazuko Yoshiyama (Harada) begins to experience a strange phenomenon throughout her daily life–temporal leaps backward and forward in time–disorienting her as she relives moments time and time again, as days past return to present. Lost in a sea of time, Kazuko’s desperate pleas to exist in the present are answered, amidst the swell of FX wizardry, musical overtures and, most of all, the anchor of young love. Lyrical, romantic and longing, Obayashi’s film is a genuine expression of the filmmaker’s reflections on the poetic transcendence of love–cast across the stars for a young girl who lives in tomorrow.
The Movie:
A year or two ago, I reviewed an anime movie called The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, directed by Mamoru Hosoda. While I remain a casual anime fan at best, one of the few anime directors who really stands out for me is Mamoru Hosoda, who’s created some memorable anime original films that I’ve enjoyed, including Summer Wars and especially 2019’s musically cosmic (or cosmically musical) Belle.
But it turns out, the film was based on a popular Japanese novel from 1967, and it also turns out that there’s a live action movie adaptation as well, this one from 1983, some 20+ tears before the anime film was released. The film is about a teenage girl navigating high school and newfound crushes… with one twist. She discovers she has the power to jump back and forth in time. So while she can occasionally get a do-over, she also can’t control the power, which lends some mystery to the proceedings.
Much like the anime adaptation, the film is sweet and charming, with just enough time travel in it to make it a science fiction movie, without getting caught up in the usual trappings of time travel of science fiction. The film’s star, Tomoyo Harada, was just a teenager when the film was made, but her performance is outstanding. It also launched her into the stratosphere in her native Japan, as she went on to become a pop star as well as an actress. Even though The Girl Who Leapt Through Time feels very much like a product of the ‘80s, it’s an enjoyable and unique film that is nice to have on this excellent 2-disc 4K/Blu-ray release.
The 4K Video/Audio:
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time arrives on 4K Ultra HD and it’s a very good presentation overall, but it’s not a wholly new revelation in terms of A/V quality or anything like that. This is still a movie from 1983, and it looks it. However, image clarity is nice and sharp and the print is free of any blemishes or artifacts, and that’s what you would hope for. The color saturation is solid, with some moments where real vibrancy shines through. The surround soundtrack focuses mostly on music and dialogue for large portions of the film, both of which sound quite good. There’s little to complain about for a movie that’s over 40 years old.
The Bonus Features:
- Audio Commentary by Obayashi Scholar Alex Pratt
- A Movie: Obayashi’s Cinematic Life – Visual essay by Max Robinson
- Now and Then, Here and There: Onomichi Pt. 2 – Visual essay by Alex Pratt
- A Conversation with Nobuhiko Obayashi (2015) Japan Society NY
- Director Nobuhiko Obayashi Archival Interview
- The Tomoyo Harada Story
- Toki O Kakeru Shojo music video
- Theatrical Trailers
Digital Copy Included: No
Antonio Margheriti & The Jungles of Doom: His ‘80s Adventure Films (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + CD Box Set)
Official Synopsis:
For more than four decades, Antonio Margheriti was a maestro of gothic horror, westerns, giallo, sci-fi and beyond. And in the immediate wake of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, Margheriti directed three over-the-top action-adventure films that can only be described as ‘Indiana Jonesploitation’: In THE HUNTERS OF THE GOLDEN COBRA, David Warbeck and John Steiner star as a pair of WWII rogues in search of an ancient relic with supernatural powers. Warbeck and Steiner return in THE ARK OF THE SUN GOD to raid a mountaintop temple and snatch The Scepter of Gilgamesh. Christopher Connelly and Lee Van Cleef face booby traps, double-crosses and exploding miniatures to hunt a priceless jewel called The Ruby of Gloom in JUNGLE RAIDERS. All three films are newly scanned in 4K from their original camera negatives with 2+ hours of new and archival Special Features curated exclusively for this collection.
The Movies:
There’s a pretty good chance you don’t know the name Antonio Margheriti. Heck, there’s also a pretty good chance you’ve never seen any of his films, unless you were the kind of kid in the ‘80s who went “dumpster diving” through the shelves at your local video store to find the B-est of the B-movies. Then you might have encountered Margheriti’s “Indiana Jonesploitation” (not my term, but too good not to use!) films, The Hunters of the Golden Cobra, The Ark of the Sun God, and Jungle Raiders.
I am not one of the people who stumbled across these films in the 1980s, but that’s okay, because Severin Films is here to remind us all of what we missed. The studio, who focuses on cult classics and hidden gems, has a new box set out that is utterly fantastic.
Antonio Margheriti & The Jungles of Doom: His ‘80s Adventure Films is a limited edition box set available through Severin’s website (www.wseverinfilms.com) that consists of three films and seven discs, including copious amounts of extra features.
As for the films themselves, I mean, it’s pretty hard not to see what they were going for, as well as to know what to expect. The Hunters of the Golden Cobra is pretty much a straight rip-off/homage to Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s even got nazi airplanes, a supernatural relic, snakes, and so much more that’s lifted from Raiders. The Ark of the Sun God, meanwhile, parrots Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, while 1985’s Jungle Raiders takes on a more “original” story, in that it’s not lifted directly from any one Indy movie, but is still clearly trying it’s best to appeal to that franchise’s fans. All three movies are a delirious blend of cheesy action, mediocre acting, and B-movie glory. You can’t take them seriously as cinematic filmmaking efforts, but it’s also really hard not to enjoy them because they’re just so much fun!
The 4K Video/Audio:
All three of the films in this box set are low-budget movies from about 40 years ago, but they look better than they have any right to on 4K Ultra HD. It’s not like you’re going to think you’re watching brand new movies, but you’ll notice relatively well-saturated bright colors, sharp picture quality for the most part (with some softer moments here and there), and good contrasts. The audio is offered up in terms of the original mono soundtracks in either subtitled Italian or dubbed English, and while neither option offers up much more than a traditional mono soundtrack, dialogue and music remain relatively clear. It’s hard to complain about any of those things.
The Bonus Features:
In addition to all the extra features detailed below, there’s also a bonus Soundtrack CD that includes the musical scores for both Golden Cobra and Ark of the Sun God.
The Hunters of the Golden Cobra –
- The Path of The Cobra – Interview with Assistant Director Edoardo Margheriti
- Bloodline Of the Cobra – Interview with Second Camera Assistant Davide Mancori
- 1996 Festival of Fantastic Films Award Presentation And Q&A With David Warbeck
- Video Essay by Rob Hill, Author of The Bad Movie Bible
- Trailer
The Ark of the Sun God –
- Second Unit Chronicles – Interview with Assistant Director Edoardo Margheriti
- Raiders Of the Sun God – Interview with Writer Giovanni Paolucci
- Antonio Margheriti Recalls David Warbeck
- Trailer
Jungle Raiders –
- The Ruby Trail – Interview with Assistant Director Edoardo Margheriti
- Italian Credit Sequence
- Trailer
Digital Copy Included: No
The Key (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
THE KEY is Tinto Brass’ his erotic masterpiece featuring a seductive score by Ennio Morricone. Art professor Nino (Frank Finlay) feels he can no longer satisfy his younger, passionate wife Teresa (Stefania Sandrelli) the way she desires. He articulates his innermost thoughts and sexual fantasies in a diary, including the secret wish to see his daughter’s fiancéeé’s Laszlo (Franco Branciaroli) make love to Teresa. Nino leaves the key to the drawer, containing the diary, out for his wife to find.
THE KEY is based on the Japanese novel by Junichiro Tanizaki, but set in Venice, in the year 1940 during World War II. THE KEY is Tinto Brass’ his erotic masterpiece featuring a seductive score by Ennio Morricone. This is regarded worldwide as one of the best erotic arthouse movies ever made.
The Movie:
I’ve only seen a few Tinto Brass movies, all other discs that Cult Epics has released. Most of those were similar films, erotic movies that were masquerading as light comedies and romance films.
The Key, however, seems to be the director’s attempt at more serious fare, although still housed within the erotic cinema genre. This film is based on a Japanese novel, and it takes place during World War II rather than in a contemporary setting. The story focuses on an older man with a younger wife, and his fears that he can not keep up with her in… you know, certain departments anymore. So he captures his feelings and desires (one of which, oddly, includes his wish for his daughter’s fiancé to sleep with his wife, weird.) in a diary and then leaves the key to the diary out for her to find.
I probably don’t have to tell you what happens next, but it also doesn’t entirely matter. While Brass set out to make a more dramatic film, it’s still the eroticism and sex that’s at the center of it, and the plot is secondary to that. The film is well shot and the sensual scenes achieve what they’re trying to, so overall I would say this is definitely one of Brass’s better efforts.
The 4K Video/Audio:
4K Ultra HD releases of older movies can often be a bit of a mixed bag. The format offers up improvements over Blu-ray, obviously, but it’s not like you can magically transform the source elements from a movie that’s 45 years old. Cult Epics presents The Key on 4K Ultra HD, it also includes a Blu-ray of the film. I don’t know what the film looked like in theaters, but here it looks like a high-quality home video transfer. Image clarity is nice and sharp, colors feel natural and lifelike, and there’s enough grain to retain the cinematic feel of the films. There are multiple language options for the audio choices (Italian and English in 2.0 and 5.1); the surround soundtracks are a little front-channel heavy and the dialogue is clear, but don’t expect too much from the rear surround channels. The music sounds bright and lively, and the overall aesthetic fits the feel of the movie itself.
The Bonus Features:
- Audio Commentary by film historians Eugenio Ercolani & Marcus Stiglegger
- Brass’ Talisman: An Interview with actor Franco Branciaroli
- Keyhole Venice: A look at the Venetian locations of the film
- Sensuous Morricone: A special on Ennio Morricone and Tinto Brass
- Isolated Score by Ennio Morricone
- Archival Interview with Tinto Brass (2001)
- Outtakes of The Key: Venice
- The Key Poster Gallery
- Tinto Brass Photo Gallery
- Tinto Brass 4K Trailers
- Dual-layered Disc
- Slipcase
- Reversible Sleeve w/Original Italian Poster Art
- 20-Page illustrated Booklet w/Essay by Eugenio Ercolani
Digital Copy Included: No
Suspended Time (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
In this insightful comedy from master filmmaker Olivier Assayas (Personal Shopper, Irma Vep), as society recedes in the spring of 2020, film director Paul Berger returns to his childhood home in the provincial Chevreuse Valley. Paul hunkers down with his girlfriend Morgane, his brother Etienne, and Etienne’s new girlfriend Carole, but the makeshift household finds new ways to lacerate familiar wounds. Acclaimed in the US upon release, Suspended Time is a sharply personal and fiercely neurotic ode to the eternal expanse of memory and the allure of life beyond our personal screens.
The Movie:
Olivier Assasyas is probably best known for his 2016 movie Personal Shopper, which earned star Kristen Stewart several awards nominations and wins for her performance. But the film itself is kind of a dark vehicle, and I would say it’s good precursor of what to expect from Suspended Time.
The film takes place during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, and it sees two adult couples quarantining at an isolated farmhouse. As one would expect, eventually conversations lead to revelations and sometime tensions within the foursome, and the film is largely made up of people’s relationships shifting, coping, and evolving. Ostensibly, the film is a comedy, but as with most of Assayas’s films, it really falls more into the “dramedy” category.
Personally, the film didn’t quite click for me; I had a hard time becoming wrapped up in the characters, and even though the film is somewhat autobiographical (Assayas even shot it in a home he owns), the film felt too long and not involved enough to really embrace. It’s not a bad movie by any stretch; I think it just wasn’t the kind of film that resonates with me.
The Bonus Features:
- Interview featurette with Olivier Assayas, Vincent Macaigne, Micha Lescot and Nora Hamzawi
- “The Last Thing I Saw” podcast with Olivier Assayas and Nicolas Rapold
- Image Gallery
- Theatrical Trailer
Digital Copy Included: No
Smother (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
A young mother and recovering alcoholic is haunted by the suppressed demons of her childhood while staying at her family’s abandoned summer home. After the sudden death of her estranged father, Michi (Cornelia Ivancan), a young mother struggling to stay sober, returns with her eight-year-old daughter Hanna (Lola Herbst) to the remote summer house where she grew up. Cut off from the outside world, Michi is soon haunted by long-suppressed memories of her mother’s suicide, resurfacing through disturbing dreams and waking visions that seem to emanate from the darkest shadows of the home.
As the past intrudes on the present, Michi’s sense of reality begins to fracture. Convinced that an unseen evil is closing in on Hanna, Michi must confront the trauma she has spent years trying to bury before it’s too late.
The Movie:
This 2023 film comes from Germany, and I’m not sure if there was something lost in translation or if it just wasn’t the film for me, but I would say that Smother is more for people who like slow burning, atmospheric horror with a heavy dose of drama than for traditional horror fans.
Effectively, the film focuses on the idea of the past, family, and trauma, and there’s a supernatural element to it as well, with the main character’s mother perhaps still in the house as a spirit. It’s a deliberately paced story with a lot of atmosphere and mood, but also occasional jump scares that ratchet up the tension. It’s well acted, and so it’s not like it’s a badly made movie, it’s just a little too slow and dark and dreary for my personal tastes.
The Bonus Features:
There are no bonus features on the disc.
Digital Copy Included: No
