Greetings and welcome to a new week. As always, here are the highlights of what is coming your way on DVD and Blu-ray. Please click on the links to read detailed reviews of several of the listings. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these movies a try!
Big New Releases!
The Dog – This biographical documentary tells the story of John Wojtowicz, who was the basis for the lead character in the Al Pacino film Dog Day Afternoon. It follows the bisexual bank robber both before and after the movie’s release, detailing the influence the Oscar-winning feature had, even on its inspiration. Notices were extremely positive for the doc, calling Wojtowicz a fascinating subject. They also praised the movie for eventually revealing a more personal portrait of a man who initially comes across as a gregarious braggart.
Frontera – In this gritty drama, a death investigation on the US-Mexico border leads to many surprising revelations and thematic ties to the subject of illegal immigration. Reviewers were mixed on the effort. While all stated that its heart was in the right place and that the subject matter was important, many claimed the narrative was awkwardly stitched together and the movie forgettable overall. Now audiences can decide for themselves. It stars Ed Harris, Amy Madigan and Michael Pena.
Hercules – The second Hercules-themed film of 2014 was a bit more successful at the box office and received decent reviews to boot. This re-imagining follows the Greek legend as a superhuman warrior who decides to live his life as a mortal and is then recruited to save his kingdom from an advancing army. Critics called it ridiculous, but many felt that its tongue was firmly planted in cheek and would be fun for action fans. It stars Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan and John Hurt. Multiple versions of the movie are being made available including a 3D version and a 2D extended cut.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Extended Edition) – Those excited for the next and final installment in the Hobbit trilogy can check out this new and longer version of the previous chapter – it contain more than 25 minutes of additional footage. The story follow hero Bilbo Baggins as he makes his way through hostile territory and faces a terrifying dragon. The press were largely positive about this effort, calling it fun and zippy adventure that doesn’t suffer from the lengthy set-up of the previous installment. It stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly among many others (including the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch). Read the site’s review of the theatrical version here. And if you’d like some Hobbit series-related trivia, you can find it here.
Land Ho! – This independent comedy follows two seniors who head off to Iceland for a wild adventure in an effort to reclaim their youth. The movie received solid reviews – many stated that while the story offered no frills, the character-based humor was very funny and the leads engaging as they share insight into their lives and partake in several oddball experiences. Also garnering compliments was the beautiful Reykjavik locations. It stars Earl Lynn Nelson and Paul Eenhoorn.
Maleficent – The highest profile release of the week has to be this Disney live-action re-imagining of the Sleeping Beauty tale, told from the point of view of the evil witch. In this box-office hit, the title character isn’t so much villainous as misunderstood, spurned by her own kingdom and forced to live in the fringes. Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley and Imelda Staunton headline the cast. Critics were split on the final film. While most praised the work of its star and found it great to look at, many found it choppy and filled with bizarre shifts in tone. Read a full-length review of the film right here.
A Most Wanted Man – An illegal immigrant arrives in Hamburg and is tracked by security forces desperate to find out if his intentions are true or part of a terrorist plot. The late Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright and Willem Dafoe headline the cast of this John le Carre thriller that impressed the majority of reviewers. A few complained this low-key thriller lacked excitement, but others found it atmospheric and fascinating. And of course, all praised the incredible and engaging work of its star.
The One I Love – Adventurous renters may want to try out this independent comedy/drama that follows a married couple whose marriage is on the brink of collapse. They head for a cottage to take stock of the situation and discover a bizarre phenomena occurring that may involve doppelgangers. Overall, the press were positive about this effort, calling it an unusual, fascinating and unpredictable take on a relationship drama. It stars Elizabeth Moss, Mark Duplass and Ted Danson.
Planes: Fire & Rescue – Disney’s Cars spin-off Planes was a big enough hit to warrant this sequel. The animated children’s film is centered around the protagonist from the first film – after an accident prevents him from continuing as a racer, he decides to join a forest fire rescue unit and stop a deadly blaze in a National Park. It was reasonably successful at the box office but drew mixed reaction from critics. While they called it much stronger than the first Planes movie, they didn’t find it very memorable and suggested it was for the kids only. Dane Cook, Julie Bowen, Ed Harris, Curtis Armstrong, John Michael Higgins, Hal Holbrook, Wes Studi, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Stacy Keach and Fred Willard provide the voices. Read the site’s original full-length review here.
Blasts From the Past!
Once again, Shout! Factory and their Scream line are releasing an interesting cult title on Blu-ray. Genre fans will likely be happy to see 1985’s The Doctor and the Devils. Directed by famed cinematographer Freddie Francis, its a period flick telling the tale of grave robbers acquiring bodies through murderous means to sell to the local university and a doctor who encourages them to do so. Its a low-key but interesting Hammer-esque effort starring Timothy Dalton, Jonathan Pryce, Stephen Rea, Patrick Stewart and Twiggy. The Blu-ray features a commentary track with a film historian and new interviews with producers (including Mel Brooks).
Those interested in very odd flicks should check out Henstooth’s release of the extremely bizarre but fascinating 1980 comic thriller The Ninth Configuration. The cult movie details a group of inmates at a mental asylum who live out their crazy delusions as part of therapy. It was written and directed by William Peter Blatty (who wrote the book, The Exorcist). The cast includes Stacy Keach, Jason Miller and Robert Loggia among other familiar faces. It includes an audio commentary with Blatty as well as deleted scenes and outtakes.
Warner Brothers have an incredible set coming with Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece Collection. It includes 10 Blu-rays spanning all of his features with the studio, including Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut. The final two discs include a feature documentary on the legend (Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures) as well as a few new extras. One involve today’s filmmakers commenting on his influences. There’s also a new doc about A Clockwork Orange and its controversial history that features comments from the director himself. If you haven’t picked up any of Kubrick’s flicks in the past, this is a set worth your while.
Kino also has a couple of noteworthy Blu-rays. First is director Louis Malle (My Dinner With Andre) and his 1965 very wild west flick Viva Maria! It’s a well-liked French/Italian cult comedy that tells the tale of a fictional revolution fronted by bombshells Bridgette Bardot and Jeanne Moreau. Based on the cover to the movie’s soundtrack (pictured to the right), they don’t look like ladies to be trifled with. George Hamilton also joins in the campy fun that is said to be a fun romp. Additionally, the distributor is bringing the 1958 Gary Cooper western Man of the West to Blu-ray. It’s a well regarded title about a reformed criminal who is forced into briefly rejoining his old gang after a hold up of the train he’s riding on.
Criterion are also releasing the lengthy 1963 French/Italian drama, The Leopard. It follows the story of an aristocratic Sicilian family trying to hold onto their fortune in the late 1860s. Amazingly enough, this lavish, Oscar-nominated foreign-language film (that starred an Italian dubbed Burt Lancaster) has never been released before in the US on home video. The Blu-ray features new transfers of the Italian version and the shorter, American English-language cut, as well as documentaries and interviews with producers and actors involves. Sounds like it could a fascinating discovery for North American audiences.
You Know, For Kids!
Not a lot of options this time out besides the big Disney titles mentioned earlier, but here’s what is coming your way.
Maleficent
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures: DVD Collection
Peppa Pig: Peppa’s Christmas
Planes: Fire & Rescue
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: 50th Anniversary
On the Tube!
Well, there’s plenty to choose from on the TV front with numerous series that are both new and old. Those who remember Quantum Leap (1989-93) will be happy to learn that they can now own the entire series in one 27 disc box set. It follows a protagonist who travels through time to right the course of history by taking over the bodies of various real and fictional characters. Universal have provided a few small extras that include a look back at history of the show. For a more immediate look back, check out this spot for an upcoming episode as it originally aired back in the day.
Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Set 13
Agatha Christie’s Poirot: The Final Cases Collection
Awesome Animals (National Geographic Kids)
Doctor Who: The Matt Smith Years
The Exes: Seasons 1 & 2
Hill Street Blues: Season 3
Hot in Cleveland: Season 5
Impractical Jokers: Season 2
Law & Order: Season 15
Law & Order: Season 16
Law & Order: Season 17
Merlin: The Complete Series
The Merv Griffin Show: Greatest Episodes (1962-1986)
Napoleon Dynamite: The Complete Animated Series
Nash Bridges: The Complete Series
The Newsroom: Season 2
Quantum Leap: The Complete Series
Reno 911: The Complete Series
Sherlock: Limited Edition Gift Set
Sgt. Bilko – The Phil Silvers Show: The Complete Series
The Sopranos: The Complete Series
Touch: Season 2
The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (TV movie)