Well, Halloween is over, which means expect to be bombarded with Christmas-themed re-releases this week. There are also plenty of new flicks as well. If you can’t make it out the movies this week, don’t worry. It’s a busy, busy week on home video and here are some home video release highlights. Check them out!
Big New Releases!
Grown Ups 2 – Adam Sandler returns for this lambasted-by-everyone sequel, which finds the lead and his family now enjoying small town life (which apparently involves having wild animals defecate on you regularly). Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, Maya Rudolph, Chris Rock and David Spade also return. Word on the street is you’ll have to be incredibly forgiving of scatological humor to have any shot at enjoying this effort.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Timed to coincide with the release of next month’s The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug at cinemas, viewers can catch up on the first chapter in the newest Tolkien trilogy. Martin Freeman stars as Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit recruited to join Ian McKellan’s wizard named Gandalf and a group of dwarves for a perilous journey into Middle Earth. Be sure to choose the right version for you – the film is being released in both 2D and 3D as well as in its Original form and an Extended Edition with 13 minutes of added footage. Special features vary, but the blu-ray editions contain various special features and a commentary track. Critic reviews and public reactions were generally positive to this film, although a little cooler in general than they were towards the previous Oscar winning series. Read the original review here.
Lovelace – This biopic of Linda Lovelace follows the Deep Throat star’s life in the adult film community in the early 1970’s. Amanda Seyfried plays the title character and the movie also features Sharon Stone, Peter Sarsgaard and Robert Patrick. Despite the potentially edgy subject matter, reviews were mixed with many complaining that this approach was too generic and formulaic to enlighten and engage viewers. Now renters can decide for themselves.
Parkland – Marcia Gay Harden, Zac Efron, Paul Giamatti and Billy Bob Thornton star in this independent feature that depicts the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy from the various perspectives of people peripheral to the incident, including doctors, nurses, cameramen and FBI agents. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and got a limited theatrical release at the beginning of October. After receiving a combination of both positive and negative reviews, it’s now coming to home video. Co-produced by Tom Hanks, this might be an interesting curiosity.
Passion – The latest thriller from visionary director Brian DePalma (Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Scarface, Carlito’s Way, Femme Fatale) pits a cold-hearted advertising marketing executive against her put upon creative department employee. As the stakes are raised, events get out of hand quickly. Rachel McAdams and Noomi Repace star. Read the original review here.
White House Down – Patterned in many respects after the disaster movies of the 70’s, this title was one of the silliest and most dated of the summer. Terrorists take over the White House and it’s up to one cop to take them down and save the President. Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, James Woods, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Richard Jerkins make just a small portion of the large cast in this over-baked flick. Audiences were indifferent and it was a box office bomb, but viewers may have a better time with this bizarre oddity on the small screen. Read the original review here.
Blasts from the Past!
As mentioned previously, studios are already unleashing their Christmas blu-ray catalogue of older films, one or two of which are new to the format. Of the numerous titles being released or re-released, Surviving Christmas doesn’t work and ultimately isn’t worth your while, but A Christmas Story: 30th Anniversary Edition, Elf: 10th Anniversary Edition and Scrooged: 25th Anniversary Edition are all excellent holiday entertainment choices. If you haven’t seen one or more of these, be sure to give them a chance.
The Right Stuff – 30th Anniversary Edition – Warner Bros. has put together a remastered special edition of this 1983 Best Picture nominee and winner of 4 Academy Awards. Reportedly, the image quality is fantastic and special features include a commentary, additional scenes, a PBS documentary on John Glen, some featurettes and a 40-page book (it’s part of the packaging, but features numerous notes and images). Fans of the film will likely be impressed with this elaborate package.
You Know, For Kids!
More Christmas themed entertainment on DVD for the kids!
Mickey’s Christmas Carol 30th Anniversary
Winnie the Pooh – A Very Merry Pooh Year
On the Tube!
Lots of new additions here as well, including the latest season of the award winning Mad Men and the Stephen King Summer ratings hit Under the Dome.
Boy Meets World – Complete Collection
Duck Dynasty: I’m Dreaming of a Redneck Christmas
Ice Road Truckers – Season 7
Law & Order – Season 13
Mad Men – Season 6
The Mentalist – Season 1
Naked City – The Complete Series
Under the Dome – Season 1