Netflix is remaking Netflix. In 2018, the streamer released “I Am Not an Easy Man,” a French production that detailed the experience of a male chauvinist who’s smacked in the head, waking up to a new world ruled by women, forcing him to negotiate a different reality that doesn’t sit well with him. In 2026, screenwriters Natalie Krinsky, Cinco Paul, and Katie Silberman look to bring the premise back for “Ladies First,” transforming a study of enlightenment into a Sacha Baron Cohen comedy. It’s not exactly an upgrade, placing the usually wily actor into a conventional picture that mines humor from the switcheroo scenario, which delivers about two minutes of satire. The rest of the feature is fairly soft and feeble, with director Thea Sharrock (“The One and Only Ivan,” “Me Before You”) unwilling to get sharper with the endeavor. Netflix didn’t provide “Ladies First” for review, and one can clearly see why after sitting through the opening act. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

Van living is the setting for “Passenger,” which is a generic title for what becomes a generic film. Screenwriters Zachary Donohue and T.W. Burgess are endeavoring to create a ghost story of some shape with the feature, and they want to establish the horror of a new movie maniac in the Passenger, who haunts the roads, becoming more of a curse as his malevolence is passed from driver to driver. Director Andre Ovredal has a history of genre employment (including “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” and his last effort, 2023’s “The Last Voyage of the Demeter”), but his veteran status doesn’t come into play in “Passenger.” Instead of sneaky, sinister work, there’s the usual in jump scares and labored characterization, keeping the offering underwhelming when it isn’t hellbent on trying to jolt viewers into submission. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

“The Mandalorian” became a major hit for the Disney+ streaming service after it debuted in 2019, commencing a move from the corporation to redirect “Star Wars” to the small screen, creating shows that explored the George Lucas-created galaxy. Now the studio wants to bring the saga back to theaters (seven years after the theatrical release of “The Rise of Skywalker”), and they’re using two of their most popular characters to do it, putting co-writer/director Jon Favreau to work on “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which looks to supersize the original show, delivering big action and character interactions to do it. This is action figure “Star Wars,” not fascism and pain “Star Wars,” and while there’s not a mammoth story to back up the refreshed scale of the production, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is immense fun and consistently playful, with Favreau embracing momentum and mayhem as he delivers a fresh round of adventuring for the bounty hunter and his Jedi charge. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

“Stolen Kingdom” is a documentary about the Disney black market. For those not paying close attention to the ways of theme park fandom, there are people out there who openly steal items from all the Disney parks, with many accessing “backstage” areas of the attractions to locate treasures for the taking. And there are buyers willing to pay top dollar for such finds, helping to add to personal collections. Director Joshua Bailey attempts to explain the whole subculture in the picture, putting focus on the character of Buzzy from the attraction “Cranium Command,” which was once open at Epcot in the Wonders of Life pavilion. The show closed in 2007, but Buzzy remained in place. That is, until one day some items of clothing were reported missing, and soon enough, the whole animatronic was gone. It’s a mystery ripe for examination, and Bailey gets most of the way there in “Stolen Kingdom,” examining the personalities and behavioral issues involved with those determined to access forbidden areas of Disney’s empire. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

Natalie Erika James made a strong impression with her debut film, 2020’s “Relic,” skillfully merging horror happenings with a meaningful tale of health woes and family issues. She followed it up with a nearly impossible directorial mission, tasked with revisiting the world of “Rosemary’s Baby” in 2024’s “Apartment 7A.” Against all odds, James made an interesting movie, continuing her exploration of female-centric stories and genre intensity. She returns to her dramatic interests in “Saccharine,” this time merging a most unusual haunting with an examination of eating disorders and self-worth. Once again, the helmer delivers an atmospheric and periodically chilling understanding of pressure put on the main character as she confronts psychological and physical issues while trapped in a worsening situation. “Saccharine” is body horror with a potent message, and James continues on her path as one of the more talented filmmakers working today. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

In 2018, musician Boots Riley made his filmmaking debut with “Sorry to Bother You.” It was a wild comedy flowing with artistic impulses and general craziness, helping to secure Riley as a director to watch. He’s finally back on screens with “I Love Boosters,” which is inspired by a 2006 song from Riley’s hip-hop group, The Coup, developing the central concept of fashion thieves confronting a top designer, on the hunt to lift her most expensive collection yet. It’s another wet slice of wackiness from Riley, who’s been handed a bigger budget to feel out his visual and thespian mischief, getting a little more epic with his vision. “I Love Boosters” is a lot, and not always in a fulfilling manner, but Riley is playful with the endeavor, keeping up with his interests in social commentary and extravagant imagery as he tries to surprise once again. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

“Corporate Retreat” is a comedy. Maybe? Or it could be a horror film. Co-writer/director Aaron Fisher is out to master many tones for this endeavor, attempting to enjoy the possibilities of dark comedy with a premise that invites a lot of ghoulish situations. The offering hopes to be a wicked good time for all, but Fisher isn’t all that refined a filmmaker, barely handling the basics in twists and turns for the feature, and his command over performances is severely lacking. Co-star Alan Ruck is the only capable actor in the ensemble effort, and I can’t imagine how intolerable “Corporate Retreat” would be without his commitment and skill with oddball material. He’s the only offering of hope in the mostly hopeless picture. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

Since 2019, there has been no shortage of Guy Ritchie movies. The man has been on a directing tear, putting projects into motion or taking paying gigs wherever he can find them. Heck, just last week saw the release of a new Richie offering (“In the Grey”) that almost nobody paid to see. And here comes “Reckless,” which is written by Matthew Robert Kelly and Stu Small, and it strives to retain that Ritchie screen energy when it comes to British crime films and their wacky characters. Director Elliott Montello doesn’t seem to mind the comparison, leaning into the sameness of the story, which follows an ex-con trying to reclaim stolen money from his old underworld partners, and they’re not in a cooperative mood. “Reckless” isn’t original work, but there’s a little spark with performances, putting Scott Adkins into action as a man in panic mode finding problems everywhere he turns. Such enthusiasm is enough to make the endeavor enjoyable, but it’s never remarkable. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

“Giant” is executive produced by Slyvester Stallone, because if there’s a boxing movie to be made, the man once known as Rocky Balboa must have something to do with it. However, this isn’t a “Rocky” sequel, but a British bio-pic of champion pugilist Naseen Hamed, focusing on his special relationship with longtime trainer Brenden Ingle. Writer/director Rowan Athale (2019’s “Strange But True”) attempts to make a very flashy picture, taking the lead from Hamed’s own high-flying ego and sporting showmanship, creating a few pockets of screen energy to help ease an otherwise laborious viewing experience. “Giant” doesn’t offer anything fresh to boxing cinema, and Hamed’s own story of triumph isn’t exactly compelling, leaving Athale to conjure drama with otherwise uninteresting people and their war of stubbornness. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

A respected, award-winning playwright, Alesha Harris makes her filmmaking debut with “Is God Is.” She’s adapting her 2018 play, which follows the agitated state of twin sisters on the hunt for their abusive father, following orders from their mother to kill a most monstrous man. It’s a powerful study of frustration and endurance, and the material finds blasts of raw power on the big screen. Harris is mindful of cinematic needs, and she makes a ferocious endeavor, and one that’s supported by many incredibly vivid performances and sharp technical credits. “Is God Is” doesn’t always offer commanding drama, but Harris achieves most of her goals, out to create an understanding of pain and fury contained within an odyssey that sends the two main characters into Hell, giving them a life-changing awakening as their bonds are tested. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

Once again, Guy Ritchie loves to work. His latest endeavor, “In the Grey,” is his eighth picture since 2019, finding the prolific filmmaker tearing through productions for reasons that will probably make for a good book one day. Some of these offerings have been satisfying (“The Gentlemen,” “The Covenant”), while others didn’t come together (“Fountain of Youth,” “Aladdin”), and “In the Grey” is definitely one for the “disappointment” pile. The movie hasn’t enjoyed a smooth road to release, once stuck in studio limbo waiting for reshoots that couldn’t be scheduled. Now it’s out, presumably in its initial form, and Ritchie sticks with his formula for another round of loquacious characters weaving around games of intimidation. There’s a blast of violence waiting at the end of the effort, but it takes some work to stay involved in the convoluted, undercooked screenplay and lifeless performances. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

Writer/director Curry Barker finds a fresh way to escalate the passion of a young person’s crush in “Obsession.” It’s a fright film, but it deals with the fixations of youth and how such energy is challenged by a horrifying new reality once dark magic enters the situation. It’s Barker’s riff on “The Monkey’s Paw,” twisting adolescent concerns with a slow-burn approach that picks up on the strange details of a mistake that comes for a young man simply trying to transform his feelings for someone into reality. “Obsession” has a few darkly comedic scenes, but it’s mostly a severe examination of a twisted situation, and the helmer has the guts to get fantastically grim with the premise. This understanding of despair helps to make the endeavor special, out to leave viewers fully disturbed instead of merely upset. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

In 2024, Steve Martin was the subject of a two-part documentary about his life and career. Martin’s good friend and show business partner, Martin Short, was featured heavily in the film, providing valuable insight and general silliness to best capture what makes their relationship work. Now Short has his own space to reflect on past achievements and emotional spaces, and Martin is there to support him. Director Lawrence Kasdan oversees “Marty, Life Is Short,” which is his first effort since 2012’s “Darling Companion,” returning behind the camera to take a good, long look at his dear friend and the incredible experience of life and love he’s enjoyed and endured over the years. The picture doesn’t take a scalpel to Short’s life and times, remaining very much in awe of the subject and his ability to persevere through so much, staying playful whenever possible. “Marty, Life Is Short” captures the magic of the man, but also offers access to a private life few have seen before. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

Timur Bekmambetov is a strong supporter of screenlife movies. He’s produced a slew of these endeavors over the last 12 years, embracing a deep love for the single word title with offerings such as “Unfriended,” “Bloat,” “Unfollowed,” “Profile,” “Searching,” and “Missing.” And yes, he had a hand in 2025’s disastrous “War of the Worlds.” Bekmambetov (who recently helmed the box office bomb “Mercy,” which was a semi-screenlife picture) is back once again with “LifeHack,” supporting co-writer/director Ronan Corrigan, who makes his moviemaking debut with the feature, and he tries to do something a little different with the production. Instead of focusing on suspense and horror, Corrigan (and co-writer Hope Kemp) launches a heist film with “LifeHack,” using the cinematic world of keyboard-n-clicking to follow four characters as they get in deep with their thrill-seeking ways. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

Director Daniel Roher built his career as a documentarian. He broke through with his work on 2022’s “Navalny” (which won an Academy Award), and was recently on screens with “The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist.” He now tries his luck in the realm of drama, co-scripting “Tuner” with Robert Ramsey, bringing his interests in the lives of people to the ways of a small-scale thriller. There’s a lot of Hollywood lubrication with the material, which follows the ways of a sound-sensitive piano tuner turning to crime to make sure his loved ones are financially supported. Roher shows real verve with the endeavor and, for the first two acts, he has something very special in the film, which delivers a lot of life with characterization and tension. The helmer doesn’t land a particularly strong ending, but there’s an incredible foundation here worth admiring, and Roher clearly has the skills to handle fictional entanglements. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com

The poster for “An Enemy Within” features two characters covered in blood, holding big guns, while sparks fly and fire burns all around them. It’s a typical poster for an action offering, but, as it turns out, writer/director John Michael Kennedy isn’t making an action film here. He’s out to generate a character study of untrustworthy people coming together for a wedding, eventually fighting for their lives when an outside force of vengeance threatens to kill them. “An Enemy Within” is small-scale stuff, largely taking place inside a single room, with Kennedy working to keep his budget down by eliminating locations. There’s a decent idea for a night of horror in the screenplay, but the helmer doesn’t push for a more active viewing experience, basically making a filmed play with the sluggish endeavor. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com