New streaming, on-demand highlights May 13-19, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — It’s a kaiju-sized release week as “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” stomps its way to your favorite digital retailers in the wake of its successful theatrical run ($558 million worldwide). I’d like to draw your attention to “Sting,” a little horror film that feels familiar and new at the same time. A little girl takes care of a spider unaware of the danger she dutifully nurtures.

There has been a lot of talk in critic circles about “Sasquatch Sunset.” Its box office numbers suggest that the conversation didn’t extend to the masses. Nonetheless, you can now watch this monstrosity about four sasquatches as they wander through the forest from the discomfort of your own home. I hated it. Numerous people I respect the opinions of thought it was brilliant.

This week’s Blu-ray and DVD releases include recent theatrical releases “Dune: Part Two,” “Imaginary,” and “One Life.” There’s also a crazy mix of 4K catalog releases. I’d argue that “Peeping Tom” and “Once Upon a Time in the West” are masterpieces that belong in every collection. I imagine mainstream audiences are more likely to rush out to buy “12 Strong” or “American Sniper.” Horror fans will rejoice over Shout! Factory’s 4K release of “Killer Klowns from Outer Space.” Shout is also releasing a collector’s edition of “Orphan” this week.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Synopsis: The epic battle continues! The cinematic Monsterverse follows up the explosive showdown of “Godzilla vs. Kong” with an all new adventure that pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence—and our own. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” delves further into the histories of these titans and their origins, as well as the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.

Sting

Synopsis: After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet—and fight for her family’s survival—when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster.

Amore Mio

Synopsis: Still in shock from the sudden death of her husband, Lola (Alysson Paradis, "A Good Man") makes a snap decision to flee the funeral with her 7-year-old son and sister, Margaux (Élodie Bouchez, "In Safe Hands").

As the impromptu escapade turns into a road trip through France, the long-estranged sisters are forced to contend with each other’s clashing personalities. The responsible and reliable Margaux bristles against Lola’s bohemian spontaneity, while the long hours on the road soon resurface unhealed wounds.

Noryang: Deadly Sea

Synopsis: In 1598, the seven-year Imjin War nears an end as Wae invaders prepare to withdraw from Joseon. Admiral Yi Sun-shin leads an allied fleet of Joseon and Ming ships to annihilate the Wae army. Joseon, Ming, and Wae forces clash at Noryang Strait, the deadly sea where Admiral Yi fights his last valiant battle.

Pitch People

Synopsis: The theatrical trailer of the restored, 25th Anniversary version of the feature documentary: An energetic look at the pitch business, a dynamic world that started in Europe, made its way to the U.S. boardwalks and exploded on television in the 1990s.

Sasquatch Sunset

Synopsis: In the misty forests of North America, a family of Sasquatches—possibly the last of their enigmatic kind— embark on an absurdist, epic, hilarious, and ultimately poignant journey over the course of one year. These shaggy and noble giants fight for survival as they find themselves on a collision course with the ever-changing world around them. Starring Riley Keough and Jesse Eisenberg, acclaimed directors David and Nathan Zellner ("Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter") bring you the greatest Bigfoot story ever told.

The Tiger's Apprentice

Synopsis: The life of Chinese-American teenager Tom Lee changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians. With guidance from a mythical tiger named Hu, Tom trains up to take on Loo, a force that is as powerful as a Guardian but with evil intentions to use magic to destroy humanity. To have a fighting chance against Loo, Tom must reunite all twelve Zodiac animal warriors and master his own newly discovered powers.

You Can't Run

Synopsis: Miranda, a young woman already suffering from acute anxiety due to a past tragedy, faces a new terror when a serial killer chooses her as his new target. In a harrowing hunt through the woods, Miranda finds strength she never knew she had as she tries to elude her murderous tracker. Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons stars in a spine-chilling thriller about the strength of family and the astonishing power of the human spirit.

Blu-ray & DVD Highlights

Dune: Part Two

Synopsis: Dune: Part Two explores the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Imaginary

Synopsis: When Jessica (DeWanda Wise) moves back into her childhood home with her family, her youngest stepdaughter Alice (Pyper Braun) develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds in the basement. Alice starts playing games with Chauncey that begin playful and become increasingly sinister.

One Life

Synopsis: "One Life" tells the incredible true story of Nicholas "Nicky" Winton, a young London broker who helps rescue hundreds of predominantly Jewish children from Czechoslovakia in a race against time before Nazi occupation closes the borders on the verge of World War II. Fifty years later, Nicky (Sir Anthony Hopkins) is haunted by the fate of those he wasn't able to bring to safety.

12 Strong 4K UHD

Synopsis: Set in the harrowing days following 9/11, a U.S. Special Forces team, led by their new Captain, Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth), is chosen to be the first U.S. troops sent into Afghanistan for an extremely dangerous mission. There, in the rugged mountains, they must convince Northern Alliance General Dostum (Navid Negahban) to join forces with them to fight their common adversary: the Taliban and their Al Qaeda allies. In addition to overcoming mutual distrust and a vast cultural divide, the Americans—accustomed to state-of-the-art warfare—must adopt the rudimentary tactics of the Afghani horse soldiers. But despite their uneasy bond, the new allies face overwhelming odds: outnumbered and outgunned by a ruthless enemy that does not take prisoners.

Amereican Sniper 4K UHD

Synopsis: Chris Kyle’s mission is to protect his brothers in arms while being a prime target of insurgents. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the spirit of the SEAL creed to “leave no one behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya, and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space 4K UHD

Synopsis: Finally the truth about clowns is out! Beneath their smirky sinister grins and wildly patterned clothes are clever killers from out of this world. The "juxtaposition of their toy-store arsenal and malevolent intent proves to be a tasty combination" (Los Angeles Times) in this killer entertainment that will leave you fearing these big-top creatures for good. A spaceship looking like a circus tent lands in a field near a small town, signaling the attack of deviant, red-nosed, balloon-twisting psychos from another world who plan to annihilate mankind by turning people into cotton candy! Luckily, the town's teen citizenry decides to fight back and teach the cosmic bozos a lesson. But these klowns are no klutzes, turning popcorn, peanuts and caramel corn into playful but deadly weapons of madcap destruction and mayhem!

Once Upon a Time in the West 4K UHD

Synopsis: Set in the dying days of the Old West, a struggle to control water in a dusty desert town embroils three hard-bitten gunmen in an epic clash of greed, honor, and revenge.

Orphan: Collector's Edition

Synopsis: The tragic loss of their unborn child has devastated Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard), taking a toll on both their marriage and Kate's fragile psyche as she is plagued by nightmares and haunted by demons from her past. Struggling to regain some semblance of normalcy in their lives, the couple decides to adopt another child. At the local orphanage, both John and Kate find themselves strangely drawn to a young girl named Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman). But Esther is not what she appears to be and, concerned for the safety of her family, Kate tries to get John and others to see past Esther's sweet facade. But her warnings go unheeded until it may be too late ... for everyone.

Peeping Tom: The Criterion Collection 4K UHD

Synopsis: Having brought British cinema into exalted realms of fantasy and imagination, Michael Powell took a dark detour into obsession, voyeurism, and violence with this groundbreaking metacinematic investigation into the mechanics of fear. Armed with his killer camera, photographer and filmmaker Mark Lewis (Carl Boehm) unleashes the traumas of his childhood by murdering women and recording their deaths—until he falls for his downstairs neighbor, and finds himself struggling against his dark compulsions. Received with revulsion upon its release only to be reclaimed as a masterpiece, the endlessly analyzed, still-shocking Peeping Tom dares viewers to confront their own relationship to the violence on-screen.