Hello once again. It’s time for another look at home video highlights coming your way. This is a busy edition so we’ll get right to it – there are plenty of options both new and old. Remember to click on any links to read full-length reviews. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure and give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
Believe Me – This independent Christian flick involves a group of young men using a scam charity who attempt to take money from gullible churchgoers. It received mostly negative notices. While many thought the movie had an interesting concept and an interesting moment or two, they also believed that it ended up playing it far too safe and not thoroughly examining the issues that it raises. It stars Alex Russell and features Christopher McDonald and Nick Offerman in supporting roles.
The Better Angels – Director Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life) takes on the role of producer in this black and white art film set in 1817 about the formative years of future president Abraham Lincoln. It’s directed by editor A.J. Edwards and the independent effort received a limited release in November. Reception to the project was mixed. While most thought that it looked interesting, many found it ponderous to a fault and bore too much of a resemblance to the producer’s own work to make its own impact. Fans of Malick’s unique style may still find it worth a look. It features Jason Clarke, Diane Kruger, Brit Marling and Wes Bentley.
The Captive – Years after their young daughter vanishes without a trace, a couple learn that their child may still be alive and desperately attempt to reclaim her. This Canadian indie drama/thriller from Atom Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter) more than likely takes some dark and grim turns before reaching its conclusion. The majority of critics disliked the tone and structure of the film, finding the unusual twists and actions of its characters increasingly difficult to relate to. Now viewers can make up their own minds. Ryan Reynolds, Mireielle Enos, Scott Speedman and Rosario Dawson headline the cast.
Foxcatcher – This Oscar nominee certainly falls into the gloomy category as well. It’s a biopic about eccentric and dangerous billionaire John du Pont, a wrestling enthusiast who decides to sponsor Olympian Mark Schultz. The two form a bond that leads to a violent end. While a few found the movie too cold and distancing, almost all the reviews were positive. Most called it a deliberately paced but well-acted and unsettling tale that possesses plenty of subtext. It features a nearly unrecognizable Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo and Vanessa Redgrave. To read a full review, click on the link here.
The Humbling – An aging thespian with early onset dementia is desperate to restart his sagging career. When he becomes romantically involved with his own goddaughter, he soon begins to confuse fantasy and reality. This independent comedy from director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Man of the Year) boasts an excellent cast that includes Al Pacino, Greta Gerwig, Kyra Sedgwick, Dan Hedaya, Dianne Wiest, Charles Grodin and Dylan Baker. Reaction from the press was split. While all thought that it served as an excellent showcase for its star’s acting prowess, many found the humor and drama hit and miss. Regardless, the subject matter suggests that it may appeal to fans of the recent Oscar-winner Birdman.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (released March 6th) – In a strange movie, interested parties will have to wait until Friday for this blockbuster to reach stores and rental shelves. It’s the third chapter in the series, and follows our heroine as she becomes a spokesperson for a resistance movement against the nation’s vindictive President. While this chapter wasn’t as widely liked, there were still more positive notices than negative ones. Most thought it served as a decent set-up for the upcoming final chapter. Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Julianne Moore and Donald Sutherland headline. For a full review, click here.
Innocence – Speaking of teen-centric entertainment, here’s another supernatural fantasy/romance effort aimed at younger viewers. The independent production tells the story of a young preparatory school student who suspects that her instructors may be hiding a dark secret. Critics generally disliked the movie, calling it a slow-moving effort that awkwardly cobbles together pieces of other young adult titles, resulting in more snickers than scares. It features Sophie Curtis, Kelly Reilly and Linus Roache. For a full write-up, click here.
The Last of Robin Hood – Kevin Kline, Susan Sarandon and Dakota Fanning take the lead roles in this indie biopic that details Hollywood actor Errol Flynn’s romance with a much younger woman and the media circus that followed. There wasn’t a big reaction to this effort, with most reviewers unimpressed despite the excellent work of its stars. While they found Kline solid as the flawed thespian, they found the approach of the filmmakers far too safe and controlled given the controversial subject matter.
Let’s Kill Ward’s Wife – A rather nasty spouse whom the main character wants rid of accidentally comes to a violent end in this low-budget black comedy. Panicked, the protagonist has no choice but to cover his tracks. There haven’t been a lot of reviews for this film thus far, but the ones that have popped up have been tepid. They state that the movie runs out of steam fairly early and that the silly actions of the main characters will likely annoy more than amuse. Now viewers can decide for themselves. It stars Scott Foley, Donald Faison, Amy Acker and Patrick Wilson.
Life Partners – The dynamic between two close 20-something friends undergoes a radical shift in this independent comedy when one of the women enters a serious romantic relationship. It received a few more positive notices than negative. While many called it fluffy and lightweight, some enjoyed the performances of its stars enough to earn the film a passing grade. The cast includes Leighton Meester, Gillian Jacobs, Adam Brody and Gabourey Sidibe.
Blasts From the Past!
Sure, it was already released on Blu-ray in 2009 via Echo Bridge, but Lions Gate is reissuing a great little flick that is worth your while if you’ve never seen it. The Grifters (1990) from director Stephen Frears (Philomena, The Queen, High Fidelity) tells the tale of a conman (John Cusack) working an elaborate score who finds that he may be being swindled by his cohorts. Strangely enough, those partners are his mother (Angelica Huston) and his girlfriend (Annette Bening). It’s an eccentric neo-noir with plenty of twists that was rewarded with a number of Oscar nominations a quarter-century ago.
Daring souls with morbid curiosity can also pick up a Lions Gate DVD re-release of the Robert Benigni misfire, Pinocchio (2002). It was the actor’s follow-up to the Academy Award winner Life is Beautiful and did not go over well with English-language audiences. In fact, it’s considered a notorious flop… although a few have claimed that the biggest problems with the film come as a result of an abominable dubbing job. Interested parties should check the disc to make sure the original Italian version is included (based on quick check, it doesn’t look like it).
Shout! Factory once again have a couple of noteworthy Blu-ray releases as well. Fans of 70s B-movie exploitation are sure to get a kick out of the company’s release of a double feature disc containing Blacula (1972) and Scream Blacula Scream (1973). The original hit tells the classic vampire tale from the perspective of a black African prince who stalks his prey through the streets of Los Angeles. Its follow-up features Pam Grier in a supporting role as the bloodsucker is raised from the dead. Besides bright and sharp new transfers, there are a couple of extras – the first film includes a commentary track from a film historian on its significance in cinema history.
Also from Shout! is the cheesy Italian Mad Max knock-off Exterminators of the Year 3000 (1983). It’s an very low-budget post-apocalyptic action flick (shot in Spain) that’s more likely to entertain viewers looking for bad acting than serious thrills. However, reportedly it is a fun bit of over-the-top nonsense that may amuse midnight cult movie fans. The Blu-ray also contains a commentary track from the lead actor that contains plenty of wacky behind-the-scenes stories about the making-of a “not-so-great” movie.
If B-movies aren’t your cup of tea, here’s a Blu-ray set you might be interested in. It’s the Warner Brothers Musicals – 4 Movie Collection, and it contains hi-definition versions of several classic titles. They include the Fred Astaire Oscar-nominee, The Band Wagon (1953), the gun-slingin’ Doris Day effort, Calamity Jane (1953), Kiss Me Kate (1953), and the famed Singin’ in the Rain (1952) (regarded by many as one of the top 100 movies ever made). If there’s only a couple there that strike your fancy, all four movies are also available individually.
Warner Bros. also has a more recent effort being reissued as a special edition. The Charlie & the Chocolate Factory: 10th Anniversary Blu-ray contains all of the extras from the original release of the 2005 Tim Burton production with a few bonuses that include an In-Movie experience (featuring a making-of that can be turned on while the movie is playing), as well as a Photo Book & Director’s Letter.
Finally, Universal has a couple of reissues this week that include the Jim Carrey-voiced family flick Horton Hears a Who (2008) and goofball Will Ferrell comedy Land of the Lost (2009). Additionally, they have one arriving for the first time on Blu-ray. Mobsters (1991) followed on the heels of Goodfellas and didn’t make much of a splash upon its original release (if memory serves, it isn’t particularly memorable either). However, it featured a young cast (Christian Slater, Patrick Dempsey, Richard Grieco) as young members of a crime syndicate and will be of interest to any of those actor’s fans.
You Know, For Kids!
It’s a kiddie-release bonanza, with a new straight-to-video Disney movie (that has been advertised relentlessly on TV), television programs and some older movies (mentioned previously) coming your way.
Adventure Time: Frost & Fire
Barbie in Princess Power
Bubble Guppies: Fin-tastic Collection
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory: 10th Anniversary (WB)
Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers
Horton Hears a Who (2008)
Leapfrog: Amazing Word Explorers
Paw Patrol: Marshall & Chase on the Case
Peg + Cat: Peg Rocks (PBS Kids)
Thomas & Friends: Dinos & Discoveries
Tinkerbell and the Legend of the Neverbeast
On the Tube!
Da Vinci’s Demons and Outlander are clearly the highest-profile TV releases this week. Also arriving is the third season of CHiPs. This was an extremely popular series that ran from 1977-1983 and featured a pair of California highway patrol policemen… on motorbikes! Yep, cops on bikes… that was the gimmick. Regardless, it was a massive hit and made a huge star of lead Eric Estrada. Included below is the original opening. Further down is the opening from a later season, after co-star Larry Wilcox had left the show. By this point, the program had taken an even more absurdist approach as Estrada’s character began to move away from the roads and tackle crooks in the air, at sea, at a nightclub, a beach volleyball game, or literally anywhere the producers could think of. It’s a hilarious intro! Also included is a brief SCTV commercial parody that’ll make more sense if you’re familiar with the TV series Barney Miller (the volume’s low, so you’ll have to crank it up). Enjoy!
CHiPs: Season 3
Da Vinci’s Demons: Season 2
Drug Inc.: Season 6 (National Geographic)
Hill Street Blues: Season 4
Longmire: Season 3
Nash Bridges: Season 1
Nash Bridges: Season 2
Nash Bridges: Season 3
Nazi Megaweapons: Series 2 (PBS)
Outlander: Season 1, Volume 1 (also Collector’s Edition)
A Place to Call Home: Season 1
Private Peaceful (BBC)
The Queen’s Garden (BBC)