Greetings! It’s time for another look at what’s new on home video. The holidays are approaching, so the releases are going to thin out for the next few weeks. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some interesting movies on the way – here are the highlights. As always, there are a few links featuring detailed reviews if you’d like to know more about what you may be renting/purchasing. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to check out one of these titles!
Big New Releases!
At the Devil’s Door – This independent horror flick tells the story of a real estate agent stuck with a terrible property. Not only does the house itself have a nasty history, but the mentally unstable runaway daughter of the homeowners appears to pull the agent into its supernatural grip. So much for property values! The press didn’t care for this effort. While they suggested it starts with promise and is creepy in fits and starts, they ultimately found the story too jumbled, ultimately falling apart by the close. Now renters can make up their own minds.
Magic in the Moonlight – Director Woody Allen’s latest follows a magician send to expose a phony medium. Not only does the man find himself unable to debunk her claims, but also begins to fall for her. It split critics… half complained that the frothy romantic comedy was too slight and insubstantial. Others admitted that it wasn’t the director’s best but still called it an enjoyable effort that offers plenty of laughs and great chemistry between the leads. It stars Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Marcia Gay Harden and Simon McBurney. Read the site’s full-length review right here.
The Maze Runner – This translation of the young adult sci-fi book series involves a teenager who wakes one day trapped in the middle of a deadly labyrinth and suffering from amnesia. In order to discover his identity, he teams with other confused kids and tries to find a way out. Reviews fell more on the side of positive than negative for this flick. Some were frustrated by the open-endedness of the story, but many wrote that at least it was a better-than-average YA adaptation. Dylan O’Brien and Kaya Scodelario headline the cast. And in case you were wondering, it was successful enough at the box-office to spawn a sequel (coming at the end of 2015).
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Speaking of sequels, here’s a popular reboot of the comic book characters that will also receive a follow-up in the coming years. It retells the story of pet turtles who are radiated with a mystery chemical and become goofball superheroes that try to stop and evil ninja from destroying the city. Despite its financial success, the majority of critics hated it. They called it a cynical effort and disliked that the first half of the movie was so focused on the human counterpart of the turtles. Some even called it slow-moving and mean-spirited. Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Whoopi Goldberg and William Fichtner play the humans. Read a longer review of the title here.
This Is Where I Leave You – Based on the best-selling novel, this comedy/drama features the estranged members of a dysfunctional family sitting Shiva after the death of their patriarch. Cast members include Jason Bateman, Tiny Fey, Jane Fonda, Corey Stoll, Adam Driver, Kathryn Hahn, Rose Byrne, Timothy Olyphant and Dax Shepard. While the press appreciated the efforts of the exceptional cast, it received more pans than anticipated. They criticized the movie for being tonally uneven, bland and ultimately forgettable. Read our review here.
The Skeleton Twins – Unlike the previous entry, this smaller, independent comedy/drama got great notices and a lot of praise from the press. The story is about estranged, suffering (and possibly suicidal) twins who reunite and attempt to work out their differences. It’s been called a thoughtful and exceptionally well-acted film that effortlessly shifts from heartbreak to hilarity. It stars Saturday Night Live alums Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader as the twins, and features Luke Wilson and Ty Burrell in supporting roles. Sounds like an indie flick worth catching up with.
Stonehearst Asylum – This flick from independent fear auteur Brad Anderson (The Machinist, Transsiberian) is an adaptation of a work by Edgar Allan Poe. The period effort follows a new doctor at an insane asylum who witnesses some horrible procedures and attempts to expose the crimes of his superiors. It split the press evenly. While some called it a fun and atmospheric little B-horror effort with a great cast, others found it too slow-moving to be truly chilling. But with a cast that includes Jim Sturgess, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson and Jason Flemyng, it looks like it might be worth a try.
Blasts From the Past!
Recently, Shout! Factory released an elaborate Blu-ray of author/director Clive Barker’s Nightbreed. Now they’ve moved on to his follow-up effort, Lord of Illusions. The 1995 flick tells the tale of a private detective (Scott Bakula) hired to investigate the Hollywood inner circle of magicians – he soon discovers that strange, supernatural powers may actually be playing a large part in their mind bending tricks and personal lives. Much like his previous film, this title has developed a significant cult following. The Lord of Illusions: Collector’s Edition Blu-ray comes with the theatrical cut as well as an all new high definition transfer of the director’s cut (which runs an extra 12 minutes). Additional extras include a commentary track, documentary and deleted scenes among many other bonuses.
A couple of weeks back, I also recommended the Criterion Blu-ray of Tootsie. Well, it experienced delays and wasn’t released on time. Now it is available, so you can pick it up. Here’s what I wrote about it back then. This 1982 release is about a down-on-his-luck actor who needs a gig. Desperate, he dresses in drag to attempt to land a role on a popular daytime soap opera. Naturally, he succeeds. Unable to reveal his true gender, the actor must traverse carefully on the set and in public, and in the process learns what his profession is like for the opposite gender. Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Terri Garr, Dabney Coleman, Charles During and Geena Davis star. It also features some great supporting work from Bill Murray. Tootsie was nominated for several Oscars – Jessica Lange ended up taking home the Best Supporting Actress prize. Besides a new 4K transfer of the movie to Blu-ray, extras include a commentary (recorded in 1991) with late director Sydney Pollack, new interviews with Hoffman and screenwriter Phil Rosenthal, deleted scenes and several documentaries about the production.
You Know, For Kids!
Well, if you missed the live TV broadcast of Peter Pan with Christopher Walken or ever wanted to see a movie starring internet sensation Grumpy Cat, you’re in luck. Otherwise, it’s a pretty slow week for kids.
Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever
Peter Pan Live!
Uncle Grandpa – Tiger Trails (Cartoon Network)
On the Tube!
It’s a quiet week on the tube as well a reissue of the hugely popular Batman set from a few weeks back (this new version comes in a smaller box with fewer bells and whistles) and the Netflix produced fourth season of Arrested Development. Also coming is the final season of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. The show ran from 1959-63 and featured a girl-obsessed high school student striking out with every young lady he attempts to woo. It also starred future Gilligan’s Island lead Bob Denver as his scruffy comic relief. Here’s a clip from Dobie Gillis and a PSA from the 60s for the US Department of Labor featuring the Batman cast. Enjoy!
Americans: Season 2
Arrested Development: Season 4
Batman: The Complete Television Series (Reissue)
Extant: Season 1
Finding Your Roots: Season 2
Gold Rush: Season 3
Great Estates of Scotland (PBS)
How Murray Saved Christmas
Makers: Women Who Make America: Volume 2
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis: The Final Season
Nova: Emperor’s Ghost Army
Uncle Grandpa – Tiger Trails (Cartoon Network)