In case you can’t make it out to the movies this weekend, here are some home video release highlights. Check them out!
Big New Releases!
Iron Man 3 – First up is a small, independent film that you may not have heard of. Just kidding. Robert Downey Jr., Gweneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Ben Kingsley and Guy Pearce star in the year’s biggest box office hit. Director Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and writer of the Leathal Weapon series) adds a few neat twists and brings a fun, wiseacre 80’s action film vibe to the proceedings. Check out the original review HERE. The blu-ray comes with a commentary track, deleted scenes and a gag reel among numerous other features.
The Kings of Summer – This independent film was released this summer and received great praise from critics. It tells the story of a teen who runs away from home with his friends. He attempts to build an elaborate tree house in the forest and start a new life, but complications soon arise. The movie also features Nick Offerman (Parks & Recreation) and Alison Brie (Community, Mad Men) in supporting roles. Read the original review HERE.
Redemption – It’s been a tough year for old school action heroes. The latest Stallone and Schwarzenegger flicks didn’t fare well at the box office and this Jason Statham vehicle only received a limited release. Steven Knight (writer of Eastern Promises) directs this thriller that reportedly has a more dramatic and less action-packed slant to it. It didn’t get much of a release and reactions were split, but action fans looking to see Statham stretch as an actor may want to give it a shot.
Room 237 – This recent documentary interviews various subjects who present their theories on the hidden meanings and messages in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror classic The Shining. Whether you find their obsessive ramblings valid or just mad ravings, it’s a fascinating study and even works as a simple exercise on how fans can interpret the same work of art in entirely different ways. Anyone who loves The Shining won’t want to miss it. Review can be found by clicking HERE.
Something in the Air – Those with an interest in foreign films may want to check out this French picture that won prizes at last year’s Venice Film Festival French. It’s a coming-of-age tale that follows an idealistic student in the early 70’s who joins several protest movements.
Unfinished Song – This British flick about a grouchy senior (Terrence Stamp) who is forced into joining a local choir received a very limited release but got a decent reception from reviewers. The cast also features Vanessa Redgrave, Gemma Arterton and Christopher Eccleston.
V/H/S/2 – I disliked V/H/S… make that really, really disliked it (read a review of the original film HERE). However, this anthology sequel review has received a higher number of positive critical notices. The segments also features some interesting directors, including Jason Eisener (Hobo with a Shotgun), Gareth Evans (The Raid: Redemption), Eduardo Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project) and Adam Wingard (You’re Next). Let’s hope for the best!
Blasts from the Past!
Prince of Darkness – Originally only available on a bare bones DVD with no features, this fantastic Shout! Factory blu-ray release looks like a knockout. For those unfamiliar, this 1987 scare-fest features a group of quantum physic grad students that are sent to investigate a mysterious canister in the basement of a church. They find themselves trapped inside when fluid shoots from the canister turning victims into Satanic zombies. And it gets even stranger from there. It’s an oddball flick, but the mood established is creepy and foreboding. This is a highly underrated 80’s horror gem. The blu-ray features a sharp, brand new transfer, commentary from writer/director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing), interviews, an alternate opening and many other features.
Psycho II – Another great Shout! Factory release of the 1983 sequel to one of the best suspense films ever made. And for me, it’s something of a guilty pleasure. It’s certainly influenced by the slasher films of its day, but, if you can separate it from its classic predecessor and judge it on its own pulpy horror genre merits, you may enjoy yourself. It is well-acted (by a great cast including Anthony Perkins, Meg Tilly, Vera Miles, Robert Loggia and Dennis Franz), with some suspenseful moments, a surprise or two and memorably thrilling kick at the very end. In addition to a great new transfer, the blu-ray includes what will likely be an fascinating director commentary track with director Richard Franklin (Road Games, Cloak & Dagger) on the difficulties of shooting a follow up to such a famous work.
Psycho III – Hey, if you picked up II, why not give III a try? In the third(!) release of the week from Shout! Factory, Anthony Perkins directs himself in this sequel, set immediately following the events of the second film. It isn’t as strong as the first sequel, but there are still some great visuals (including a well filmed plunge from a bell tower) and plenty of moments that should please horror fans. The blu-ray presents the film with a brand new transfer, as well as interviews and a commentary track from screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue (who also scripted the 1986 remake of The Fly).
On the Tube!
If you’re got more time on your hands, you can always check out one of these TV shows just released this week to blu-ray and DVD. This includes brand new sci-fi for Whovians, horror (in the surprisingly effective Hannibal) as well as comedy, action. There’s even drama in the form of Law & Order: SVU – this clip from comic John Mulaney tells you everything he loves about the show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLkkYcVVYsQ
Doctor Who – Series 7
Hannibal – Season 1
Hawaii Five-0 – Season 3
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit – Season 14
Modern Family – Season 4
South Park – Season 16
Two Broke Girls – Season 2
2 and 1/2 Men – Season 10