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Blu-ray Releases
OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases
Convergence
(2015) Clayne Crawford, Mykelti Williamson, Ethan Embry. A detective on the trail of a terrorist is injured in an explosion and awakens to find himself trapped in a supernaturally mysterious hospital that serves as a gateway between heaven and hell ... where he must fight for the redemption of his soul. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. (Dark Sky Films).
Crimson Peak
(2015) Dir.: Guillermo del Toro; Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Charlie Hunnam. Thriller about a sheltered young woman who abandons the safe certainty of her upbringing for life with an alluring aristocrat on a remote English estate in a house that breathes, bleeds -- and remembers. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Deleted scenes; "The Light and Dark of Crimson Peak" production featurette; "Beware of Crimson Peak" walking tour of the many secret spaces in Allerdale Hall; feature commentary with co-writer and director Guillermo Del Toro. Blu-ray adds "I Remember Crimson Peak" interviews with del Toro, Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain; "A Living Thing" set featurette; "A Primer on Gothic Romance"; "Crimson Phantoms" make-up effects featurette; "Hand Tailored Gothic" costume design featurette. (Universal).
The Emigrants/The New Land
(1971/1972) This monumental mid-19th-century epic from Jan Troell charts, over the course of two films, a poor Swedish farming family's voyage to America and their efforts to put down roots in this beautiful but forbidding new world. Movie legends Max Von Sydow and Liv Ullmann give remarkably authentic performances as Karl-Oskar and Kristina, a couple who meet with one physical and emotional trial after another on their arduous journey. The precise, minute detail with which Troell depicts the couple's story — which is also the story of countless other people who sought better lives across the Atlantic — is a wonder to behold. New high-definition digital restorations of both films, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks on the Blu-rays. Three-DVD and two Blu-ray sets.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: New introduction by critic and Swedish-film expert John Simon; new conversation between film scholar Peter Cowie and director Jan Troell; new interview with actor Liv Ullmann; "To Paint With Pictures," a 2005 documentary on the making of the films, featuring archival footage as well as interviews with Troell, Ullmann, producer and co-screenwriter Bengt Forslund, and actor Eddie Axberg; trailers; booklet with an essay by critic Terrence Rafferty. (The Criterion Collection).
Freaks of Nature
(2016) Nicholas Braun, Mackenzie Davis, Josh Fadem, Joan Cusack, Bob Odenkirk, Keegan-Michael Key, Ed Westwick, Vanessa Hudgens, Denis Leary, Patton Oswalt. In a world where humans, vampires and zombies uneasily co-exist, a sudden alien invasion forces a trio of misfit high school students to unite in order to save their hometown from extinction. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. Extras: Gag reel, alternate opening, deleted scenes. (Sony).
Grandma
(2015) Director: Paul Weitz. Stars: Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, Laverne Cox, Sam Elliott. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "A Family Portrait: The Making of Grandma"; Q&A with Lily Tomlin, Sam Elliott and director Paul Weitz; commentary with Lily Tomlin, Sam Elliott, Julia Garner and Paul Weitz. (Sony).
The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season
(2015) Three-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray with all 10 episodes of the HBO series.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. (Warner).
Marshland
(2014 -- Spain) Javier Gutierrez, Raul Arevalo, Maria Varod. A series of brutal murders of adolescent girls in a remote and forgotten town in the Spainish deep South in 1980 bring together two disparate characters -- both detectives in the homicide division -- to investigate the cases. With deep divisions in their ideology, detectives Juan and Pedro must put aside their differences if they are to successfully hunt down a killer who for years has terrorized a community in the shadow of a general disregard for women rooted in a misogynistic past. Formats: DVD. (Strand Releasing).
99 Homes
(2015) Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon, Laura Dern, Tim Guinee, Noah Lomax, Clancy Brown. In this timely thriller, single father Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield) is evicted from his home and his only chance to win it back is to go to work for Rick Carver (Michael Shannon), the charismatic and ruthless businessman who evicted him in the first place. It's a deal-with-the-devil that provides security for his family; but as Nash falls deeper into Carver’s web, he finds his situation grows more brutal and dangerous than he ever imagined. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. (Broad Green Pictures).
Playin' for Love
(2015) Director: Robert Townsend. Stars Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Jenifer Lewis, Esai Morales, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Robert Townsend. Coach Banks (Townsend) is used to calling all the shots for his championship high school basketball team and in his own love life ... until he meets Talisa McCoy (Richardson-Whitfield), the mother of a star player, new to Jackson High, who has her own ideas on a winning team. Formats: DVD, Digital. (RLJ Entertainment).
Spectre
(2015) Dir.: Sam Mendes; Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux, Jesper Christensen, Dave Bautista, Christoph Waltz, Rory Kinnear. A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras:
Video Blogs: Director – Sam Mendes, Supercars, Day of the Dead Festival, Introducing Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci, Action, Music, Guinness World Record. Blu-ray adds "SPECTRE: Bond's Biggest Opening Sequence," gallery. (MGM/Sony/Fox).
Spectre
"Spectre" is the 24th "official" James Bond/007 big-screen adventure (not including the 1967 "Casino Royale" and the 1983 "Never Say Never Again") and -- despite the naysayers -- it continues the Bond tradition of mixing fast-paced action sequences and stunts with high-tech gadgets, nasty megalomaniac villains, and a little bit of love-interest. Daniel Craig returns as Bond, here on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he goes after the leaders of a sinister organization known as SPECTRE. To get to the heart of the group, he tracks down Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux), the beautiful daughter of his old nemesis Mr. White (Jesper Christensen), who gives him the clues he needs to unravel a chilling conspiracy masterminded by the leader of Spectre, one Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz). There's plenty of twists and turns in what is definitely a lower-key Bond, with some interesting thoughts on the nature of good and evil popping up that cause Bond to question his role in the spy universe. It's a fun ride, and definitely more mature and exciting than the many Bond imitators out there, including the "Mission Impossible" outings. Though past 50, don't count out the Bond franchise. The film also stars Ralph Fiennes as M, Ben Whishaw as Q, and Naomie Harris as Moneypenny. Vitals: Director: Sam Mendes. Stars: Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux, Jesper Christensen, Dave Bautista, Christoph Waltz, Rory Kinnear.
2015, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 148 min., Action-Thriller, Box office gross: $197.104 million, MGM/Sony/Fox.
Extras: Video Blogs: Director – Sam Mendes, Supercars, Day of the Dead Festival, Introducing Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci, Action, Music, Guinness World Record. Blu-ray adds "SPECTRE: Bond's Biggest Opening Sequence," gallery.
Crimson Peak
When her heart is stolen by a seductive stranger, a young woman is swept away to a house atop a mountain of blood-red clay -- a place filled with secrets that will haunt her forever. Between desire and darkness, between mystery and madness, lies the truth behind Crimson Peak: a house that breathes, bleeds -- and remembers.
Vitals: Director: Guillermo del Toro. Stars: Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Charlie Hunnam.
2015, CC, MPAA rating: R, 119 min.,Gothic Horror, Box office gross: $31.090 million, Universal.
Extras: Deleted scenes; "The Light and Dark of Crimson Peak" production featurette; "Beware Of Crimson Peak" walking tour of the many secret spaces in Allerdale Hall; feature commentary with co-writer and director Guillermo Del Toro. Blu-ray adds "I Remember Crimson Peak" interviews with del Toro, Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain; "A Living Thing" set featurette; "A Primer on Gothic Romance"; "Crimson Phantoms" make-up effects featurette; "Hand Tailored Gothic" costume design featurette.
99 Homes
"99 Homes" is the grueling down-to-earth flip side of "The Big Short," an indie film that looks at the 2008 economic melt down from the bottom up. In sunny Orlando, Florida, construction worker Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield) is evicted from his home by a charismatic, gun-toting real-estate broker, Rick Carver (Michael Shannon). Humiliated and homeless, Nash moves his mom and 9-year old son into a shabby, dangerous motel. But an unexpected opportunity arises for Nash to strike a deal with the devil -- he begins working for Carver in a desperate attempt to get his home back, causing him to live a double life: he hides his new boss and job -- evicting honest families from their homes, just as it happened to him -- from his family. But there are consequences ... . Great performances by Garfield and Shannon in a truly creepy film. Vitals: Director: Ramin Bahrani. Stars: Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon, Laura Dern, Tim Guinee, Noah Lomax, Clancy Brown.
2015, CC, MPAA rating: R, 112 min., Drama, Box office gross: $1.410 million, Broad Green Pictures.
Grandma
Unapologetic and candid film navigating the intricacies of relationships between three generations of women. Elle Reid (Lily Tomlin) has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when her granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner) unexpectedly shows up needing $600 before sundown. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash, as their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets.
Vitals: Director: Paul Weitz. Stars: Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, Laverne Cox, Sam Elliott.
2015, CC, MPAA rating: R, 79 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $6.952 million, Sony.
Extras: "A Family Portrait: The Making of Grandma"; Q&A with Lily Tomlin, Sam Elliott and director Paul Weitz; commentary with Lily Tomlin, Sam Elliott, Julia Garner and Paul Weitz.
The Carol Burnett Show: Treasures From the Vault
Six-disc collection ($59.95) featuring 15 complete and uncut episodes -- not seen in more than 40 years -- and over four hours of specially-produced bonus features, and a single disc ($12.95) featuring three episodes and bonuses. During the late-'60s, CBS was "The Carol Burnett Show" network, a joking reference based on the program's widespread popularity and huge ratings. Yet, the first five seasons have never resurfaced -- no reruns, streaming video, DVDs or other formats -- until now. Classic sketches: "The Old Folks," "The Ham Actors," "Carol and Sis," "Alice Portnoy" and "As the Stomach Turns"; TV and movie parodies including "Valley of the Dollars," "Bony and Clod," "Guess What's Coming to Dinner?," the epic "Mildred Fierce" and "Salute to Warner Bros. Studios, with Bugs Bunny." Iconic guest stars including Jonathan Winters, Joan Rivers, Sonny & Cher, Paul Lynde, Art Carney, Betty Grable, Mickey Rooney and many others, along with surprise appearances by Bob Hope and Ronald Reagan. Over four hours of exclusive bonus programming featuring newly-shot interviews with Tony Bennett, Steve Carell, Kristin Chenoweth, Tina Fey, Burt Reynolds and others; bonus sketches; featurettes including "The Song and Dance: Crooners, Hoofers & Balladeers," "Expecting the Unexpected" and "The Making of a Mackie"; never-before-seen outtakes. Formats: DVD. (Time Life).
Love the Coopers
(2015) Alan Arkin, Diane Keaton, Marisa Tomei, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Jake Lacy, Anthony Mackie, Amanda Seyfried, June Squibb, Olivia Wilde. When four generations of the Cooper clan come together for their annual Christmas Eve celebration, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Making the Coopers" featurette, "Rags the Dog" featurette, "Fun on Set" featurette, music video by Alison Krauss & Robert Plant.(Lionsgate).
MI-5
(2015) Kit Harington, Peter Firth, Tuppence Middleton, Jennifer Ehle, Laura Pulver. Based on the hit British TV series. When a terrorist escapes custody during a routine handover, Will Holloway must team with disgraced MI5 Intelligence Chief Harry Pearce to track him down before an imminent terrorist attack on London. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "The Making of MI-5" featurette, deleted scenes. (Lionsgate).
Sheba, Baby
(1975) Pam Grier, D'Urville Martin, Austin Stoker. Fresh off her career defining roles for Jack Hill in "Coffy" and "Foxy Brown," Pam Grier continued her domination of the Blaxploitation genre, in cult filmmaker William Girdler's "Sheba, Baby." Grier plays Sheba Shayne, a private eye based in Chicago who's called to her hometown to stop the local mob boss (D'Urville Martin) from moving in on her father's loan business. Aided by her father's partner, Brick Williams (Austin Stoker), Sheba finds out that the violent thugs aren't going go away without a fight. Car bombs, gun fights and boat chases ensue while armed with her curves, street smarts and a .44, Sheba is in for a bloodbath. Original mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray). Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Extras: Audio commentary with producer-screenwriter David Sheldon, moderated by critic Nathaniel Thompson; "Sheldon: Baby" new interview with David Sheldon; "Pam Grier: The AIP Years" look at the wonder years of the Blaxploitation queen with film historian Chris Poggiali; trailer; gallery featuring rare publicity images and lobby cards; reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sean Phillips; booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by Patty Breen, webmaster of WilliamGirdler.com, illustrated with archive stills and posters (Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment).
Sociopathia
(2015) Tammy Jean, Asta Paredes. Introverted and peculiar, Mara spends her days fabricating props for movies. At night, she hunts down additions to her collection, sadistically murdering them and keeping their corpses as living dolls. When she's hired by Kat, a fledgling producer, the two instantly hit it off. As their relationship grows more intense, Mara begins to lose her already fragile grip on reality. When her "dolls" begin demanding all of her attention, and Kat threatens to break her heart, Mara spirals into psychosis, leaving her no choice but to kill again. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: Complete B&W version of "Sociopathia", deleted scenes. (Cinema Epoch).
Welcome to Leith
(2015) Chronicles the attempted takeover of a small town in North Dakota by notorious white supremacist Craig Cobb. As his behavior becomes more threatening, tensions soar, and the residents desperately look for ways to expel their unwanted neighbor. With incredible access to both longtime residents of Leith and white supremacists, the film examines a small community in the plains struggling for sovereignty against an extremist vision.
Formats: DVD. (First Run Features).
© 1996 -- 2016 OnVideo. All rights reserved
February 8, 2016
(ISSN 1094-3676).
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