News From the Lake for February 18th, 2016

News in a nutshell: Universal’s still trying to make their classic horror “shared universe” happen, what’s new on DVD and Blu

After previously announcing Tom Cruise as the star of Universal’s rebook of The Mummy, and continuing their plans for a “shared universe” of horror films a la Marvel, Deadline reports that Johnny Depp is set to wrap himself up in bandages as The Invisible Man. According to the article there isn’t much known outside of Depp starring in the remake of the 1933 adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel starring Claude Rains. As with the upcoming Mummy film it’s hoped the film’s success will continue in various film sequels pairing up the classic Universal villains – although, based on the casting will they be villainous? The shared universe concept for this continues to confuse me in so many ways. That and the casting of Cruise and Depp – neither one doing much outside of previous franchises – leaves one wondering if this will be a big vanity project with the A+ talent stepping on each other for screentime.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

Criterion: Criterion is set to release Nicholas Ray’s 1950 film noir In a Lonely Place on DVD and Blu-ray May 10th. This marks the first time the film will get a Blu-ray release; it was released on DVD over 10 years ago and was previously out of print.

Columbia Classics: Sony’s MOD label has put out the Richard Crane football drama Triple Threat (1948) on DVD for the first time.

Universal: Fans of Doris Day and Rock Hudson will have the chance to own their three popular romantic comedies on Blu-ray in Universal’s new Doris Day and Ruck Hudson Romantic Comedy Collection. The three-disc set includes Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1962) and Send Me No Flowers (1964). The set arrives April 19th.