Blu Tuesday is a weekly column where we review the newest Blu-ray and 4K releases, along with a brief rundown of the included bonus material, to determine whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping.
Pick of the Week: “Hamnet”
Following her detour into blockbuster filmmaking with Marvel’s “Eternals,” director Chloe Zhao returns to more familiar territory with this intimate, character-driven drama about the death of William Shakespeare’s only son, Hamnet, and how it may have informed one of his most famous tragedies. Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name, “Hamnet” presents a unique reimagining of the playwright’s story through the eyes of Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, as they deal with the grief of losing a child. “Hamnet” is without a doubt one of the best movies of 2025, boasting some absolutely stunning visuals and a haunting score by Max Richter, but it’s the performances that really make it soar. Paul Mescal turns in great work as the famous playwright, while Jessie Buckley proves why she’s the runaway frontrunner for this year’s Best Actress award with a knockout performance as his loyal wife. It’s the type of raw, emotionally charged work that will be remembered for years to come, and it’s ultimately what makes “Hamnet” such an unforgettable, heart-wrenching experience.
Extras include an audio commentary by Zhao and a behind-the-scenes look at making the film. FINAL VERDICT: BUY
Also Out This Week:
“The Running Man” — There was a time when director Edgar Wright could seemingly do no wrong, but his recent string of films has been disappointing, to say the least. 2021’s “Last Night in Soho” was an intriguing but flawed psychological thriller, while his Sparks documentary was entertaining but forgettable. Still, both of those films at least felt like Wright productions, something that his adaptation of “The Running Man” is sorely missing. Though it’s a perfectly serviceable action movie, it feels like the kind of work-for-hire studio film that you wouldn’t expect from a creative like Wright. It lacks the personality and visual flair of Wright’s previous work, which is perhaps the most disheartening part of the whole project. Glen Powell does his best Tom Cruise impression in the lead role, and Michael Cera injects some much-need energy into the latter half, but while “The Running Man” gets off to a promising start, it’s unable to stick the landing. Extras include an audio commentary by Wright, Powell and co-writer Michael Bacall, as well as a collection of production featurettes, deleted scenes and more. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
“Zootopia 2” — The original “Zootopia” was such a massive global hit (especially in China) that it was only a matter of time until Disney made a sequel, but it’s a little surprising that it took as long as it did. Released nearly a decade after the first film, “Zootopia 2” builds upon its predecessor’s social commentary on prejudice by exploring complex themes like classism, gentrification and forced displacement. Though the movie can feel like reheated leftovers at times, it’s a mostly enjoyable sequel thanks to its charismatic voice cast, clever comedic beats and outstanding animation. “Zootopia 2” doesn’t reach the narrative or emotional heights of the original, but it’s a solid addition to the growing franchise that delivers yet another strong message in the guise of a bright and colorful family movie. Extras include some behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes and more. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
“Ella McCay” — It’s amazing that Disney ever considered an awards campaign for “Ella McCay” because, although it marks the long-awaited return of director James L. Brooks, it’s a messy and tonally uneven political dramedy that fails at every turn. It’s not funny or emotionally engaging, and none of the characters are particularly likable, which is odd for how nauseatingly optimistic it is. It’s the kind of tone-deaf film that is so out of touch with the current political climate that it had to be set in 2008 just so it would be somewhat believable. But even with that caveat, “Ella McCay” is still a largely absurd political fantasy that feels so artificial — like one of those fake movies within a movie — that it’s no wonder it rings hollow. Extras include a pair of featurettes and some deleted scenes. FINAL VERDICT: SKIP
Disclosure: Bullz-Eye was provided a copy of the above titles for review purposes.
