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OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases
Assassin's Game
(2014) Tom Sizemore, Vivica A. Fox, Bai Ling. When his son fails to assassinate an important target, a legendary hit-man is forced out of retirement to finish the job -- or his son will be killed. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Deleted scenes. (Lionsgate).
Ballet 422
Bob's Burgers: The Complete 4th Season
(2013-14) Single-disc with 22 episodes, $26.96. Formats: DVD. (Fox).
The Confession
(1970) The master of the political thriller, Costa-Gavras, became an instant phenomenon after the mammoth success of "Z," and he quickly followed it with the perhaps even more riveting "The Confession." Based on a harrowing true story, the film stars Yves Montand as an influential Czechoslovak dignitary who, in the early fifties, was abducted, imprisoned, and interrogated by fellow members of his country's Communist ruling party -- their intentions vague, their methods terrifying. Also starring Simone Signoret and Gabriele Ferzetti, Costa-Gavras's film is an unflinching depiction of a troubled historical period and the miasma of 20th-century politics. New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: "You Speak of Prague: The Second Trial of Artur London" (1971), a 21-minute documentary by Chris Marker shot on the set of "The Confession"; new interview with the film's editor, Francoise Bonnot; conversation between Costa-Gavras and programmer and scholar Peter von Bagh about the director's life and career, from the 1988 Midnight Sun Film Festival; "Portrait London," a 1981 interview with Artur and Lise London, the real-life figures on whose story the film is based; interview with Montand from 1970; new interview with John Michalczyk, author of "Costa-Gavras: The Political Fiction Film"; an essay by film scholar Dina Iordanova. (The Criterion Collection).
Empire of the Ants and Jaws of Satan BLU-RAY DEBUT
"Empire of the Ants": (1977) Joan Collins, Robert Lansing, John David Carson, Albert Salmi. Extras: New audio commentary with director Bert I. Gordon. "Jaws of Satan": (1981) Fritz Weaver, Gretchen Corbett, Jon Korkes, Norman Lloyd. (Scream Factory).
The Food of the Gods and Frogs BLU-RAY DEBUT
"The Food of the Gods": (1976) Marjoe Gortner, Pamela Franklin, Ralph Meeker, Jon Cypher, Ida Lupino. Extras: New audio commentary with director Bert I Gordon, new interview with actress Belinda Balaski. "Frogs": (1972) Ray Milland, Sam Elliott, Joan Van Ark, Adam Roarke. Extras: New interview with actress Joan Van Ark. (Scream Factory).
Island of Death
(1976 -- Greece) Welcome to Mykonos, the holiday destination of choice for sun, sea and slaughter. From cult director Nico Mastorakis, "Island of Death" is a travelogue of atrocities with scenes so strong that the British government was once compelled to ban it as a "video nasty." Arriving on the idyllic Greek island, Christopher and Celia appear to be every inch the perfect, handsome young couple. Little do the welcoming locals realize that they are in fact a pair of murderous degenerates, determined to spread their own particular brand of perversion across the island. DIY crucifixions, opportunistic bestiality, sexual peeing and murder by all conceivable forms ensue -- including death by makeshift blowtorch, samurai sword, dump truck and more. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Extras: New interview with director Nico Mastorakis; "The Films of Nico Mastorakis," in which the director hosts this documentary covering his varied career in cinema, including a look at "Island of Death"; reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys; collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters. (Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment).
The Loft
(2015) Karl Urban, James Marsden, Wentworth Miller, Rhona Mitra, Margarita Levieva, Eric Stonestreet. Five married guys conspire to secretly share a penthouse loft in the city -- a place where they can carry out hidden affairs and indulge -- but the fantasy becomes a nightmare when they discover the dead body of an unknown woman there. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). (Universal).
Looney Tunes Musical Masterpieces
Compilation comprised of 18 classic theatrical shorts with two hours of hilarious musical numbers, featuring opera, piano concertos, jazz and much more. From the brilliant minds of maestro Carl Stalling and animation legends including Friz Freleng and Chuck Jones, comes 18 musical treasures. Join the likes of Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, and Porky Pig in classics including "Corny Concerto," "What's Opera, Doc?", "Rabbit of Seville," "Three Little Bops," "I Love to Singa" and "Rhapsody in Rivets." The complete list: "Corny Concerto," "Page Miss Glory," "Rabbit of Seville," "Katnip Kollege," "One Froggy Evening," "High Note," "Rhapsody Rabbit," "Pigs in a Polka," "What's Opera, Doc?," "Three Little Bops," "Hillbilly Hare," "Rhapsody in Rivets," "Pizzicato Pussycat," "Back Alley Oproar," "Nelly's Folly," "Holiday Shoestrings," "I Love to Singa," "Lights Fantastic." These shorts were previously released on "Looney Tunes Golden Collections." Formats: DVD, $19.97. (Warner).
Magician: The Astonishing Life & Work of Orson Welles
(2014) Documentary looks at the remarkable genius of Orson Welles on the eve of his centenary -- the enigma of his career as a Hollywood star, a Hollywood director (for some a Hollywood failure), and a crucially important independent filmmaker. Orson Welles's life was magical: a musical prodigy at age 10, a director of Shakespeare at 14, a painter at 16, a star of stage and radio at 20, romances with some of the most beautiful women in the world, including Rita Hayworth. His work was similarly extraordinary, most notably "Citizen Kane," (considered by many to be the most important movie ever made), created by Welles when he was only 25. In the years following "Citizen Kane," Welles's career continued to change as he made film after film (some never finished, many dismissed) and acted in other projects often to earn money in order to keep making his own films. The documentary features scenes from almost every existing Welles film, from "Hearts of Age," (which he made in a day when he was only 18 years old) to rarely-seen clips from his final unfinished works like "The Other Side of the Dream," "The Deep" and "Don Quixote," as well as his television and commercial work. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: EPK featurette interview with Annette Insdorf, trailer. (Cohen Film Collection).
Major Crimes: The Complete Third Season
(2014-15) Four-disc set with all 19 episodes, $59.98. Formats: DVD. Extras: Deleted scenes, gag reel. (Warner).
Mutant World
(2014) Kim Coates, Ashanti, Holly Deveaux, Amber Marshall. After emerging from their bunker following an apocalyptic meteor strike, a group of survivalists discover that the world is overrun with crazed mutants. Formats: DVD. (Sony).
Nightlight
(2015) Shelby Young, Chloe Bridges, Carter Jenkins, Mitch Hewer, Taylor Murphy. Undeterred by the news of a classmate who recently took his life in nearby Covington Forest, five teens journey into the woods for an evening of flashlight games and ghost stories. But their plans go awry when the friends awaken an unseen evil that will seize upon their deepest fears and plunge them into a nightmare of absolute terror. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Nightlight Behind the Scenes" featurette, deleted scenes and alternate ending, commentary with writers-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and producer Darren Brandl. (Lionsgate).
The Rockford Files: Movie Collection - Volume 2
Two-disc set with four features: "Friends & Foul Play," "Murder and Misdemeanors," "Punishment and Crime" and "If It Bleeds... It Leads," $26.98. Formats: DVD. (Universal).
The Rockford Files: The Complete Collection
Thirty-four disc set with all 120 episodes from its six seasons and all eight television movies, $239.98. Formats: DVD. (Universal).
See You In Valhalla
(2015) Sarah Hyland, Steve Howey, Odeya Rush, Bret Harrison, Emma Bell, Jake McDorman, Beau Mirchoff, Michael Weston, Conor O'Farrell. After the bizarre death of her brother, Johana Burwood (Sarah Hyland) must return home after four years, to face her strange siblings, her out of touch father and her very touchy past. Formats: DVD. (ARC Entertainment).
Seventh Son
(2015) Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, Ben Barnes, Djimon Hounsou, Alicia Vikander, Olivia Williams, Jason Scott Lee. The queen of evil witches escapes the pit she was imprisoned in and only one man and his apprentice can stop her. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). (Universal).
Sons of Liberty
(2015) Five-hour HISTORY miniseries follows a group of very different men fighting in the American Colonies for freedom: Samuel and John Adams, George Washington, Ben Franklin and John Hancock, from the street brawls in the streets of Boston to the Boston Tea Party to Paul Revere's ride and the Battle of Lexington. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Lensing Liberty: The Making of Sons of Liberty" featurette, "Men of Independence: The Historic Figures of Sons of Liberty" featurette, "The Choreography of War: Creating the Battles and SPFX of Sons of Liberty" featurette. (Lionsgate).
State of Siege
(1972) Costa-Gavras ("Z") puts the United States' involvement in South American politics under the microscope in this arresting thriller. An urban guerilla group, outraged at the counterinsurgency and torture training clandestinely organized by the CIA in their country (unnamed in the film), abducts a U.S. official (Yves Montand) to bargain for the release of political prisoners; soon the kidnapping becomes a media sensation, leading to violence. Co-written by Franco Solinas ("The Battle of Algiers"), the electrifying "State of Siege" piercingly critiques the American government for helping institute foreign dictatorships while also asking difficult questions about the efficacy of radical violent acts to oppose such regimes. New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: New conversation between Costa-Gavras and film scholar Peter Cowie; NBC News excerpts from 1970 on the kidnapping of Dan Mitrione, on which the film is based; an essay by journalist Mark Danner. (The Criterion Collection).
Sword of Vengeance
(2015) Stanley Weber, Annabelle Wallis, Ed Skrein, Dave Legeno, Karel Roden. In 1066, following the brutal genocide ordered by William the Conqueror in order to control the unrelenting Rebels of the North, it's a world of dark times and dark deeds. After years of slavery, a Norman Prince (Weber) returns to the lost lands to seek revenge on his father's murderer by leading a band of farmers in bloody retribution. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. Extras: Interviews with the filmmakers, behind-the-scenes footage of key sequences. (Well Go USA).
Seventh Son
In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind. Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) is a knight who had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), centuries ago. But now she has escaped and is seeking vengeance. Summoning her followers of every incarnation, Mother Malkin is preparing to unleash her terrible wrath on an unsuspecting world. Only one thing stands in her way: Master Gregory. In a deadly reunion, Gregory comes face to face with the evil he always feared would someday return. He has only until the next full moon to do what usually takes years: train his new apprentice, Tom Ward (Ben Barnes) to fight a dark magic unlike any other. Man's only hope lies in the seventh son of a seventh son.
Vitals: Director: Sergey Bodrov. Stars: Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, Ben Barnes, Djimon Hounsou, Alicia Vikander, Olivia Williams, Jason Scott Lee.
2015, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 102 min., Fantasy Action-Adventure, Box office gross: $17.223 million, Universal.
The Loft
The story of five married guys who conspire to secretly share a penthouse loft in the city -- a place where they can carry out hidden affairs and indulge in their deepest fantasies. But the fantasy becomes a nightmare when they discover the dead body of an unknown woman in the loft, and they realize one of the group must be involved. Paranoia seizes them as everyone begins to suspect one another. Friendships are tested, loyalties are questioned and marriages crumble as the group is consumed by fear, suspicion and murder.
Vitals: Director: Erik Van Looy. Stars: Karl Urban, James Marsden, Wentworth Miller, Rhona Mitra, Margarita Levieva, Eric Stonestreet.
2015, CC, MPAA rating: R, 108 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $5.981 million, Universal.
(2014) From first rehearsal to world premiere, "Ballet 422" takes us backstage at New York City Ballet as Justin Peck, a young up-and-coming choreographer, crafts a new work. "Ballet 422" illuminates the process behind the creation of a single ballet within the ongoing cycle of work at one of the world's great ballet companies. New York City Ballet, under the artistic direction of Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins, boasts a roster of more than 90 elite dancers and a repertory of works by many of the greatest choreographers in the history of the art form. When 25-year-old NYCB dancer Justin Peck begins to emerge as a promising young choreographer, he is commissioned to create a new ballet for the company's 2013 Winter Season. With unprecedented access to an elite world, the film follows Peck as he collaborates with musicians, lighting designers, costume designers and his fellow dancers to create "Paz de la Jolla," NYCB's 422nd new ballet. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. Extras: Commentary with director Jody Lee Lipes and choreographer Justin Peck, "Creating Ballet 422," deleted scenes, choreography sketches gallery, costume design gallery, music, lighting and stage management gallery. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Cut Bank
(2014) Liam Hemsworth, Teresa Palmer, Billy Bob Thornton, Bruce Dern, Michael Stuhlbarg, Oliver Platt, John Malkovich. Looking to leave his sleepy town of Cut Bank, Dwayne McClaren (Hemsworth) hatches a get-rich scheme to get himself out. But when Dwayne's plan backfires and he's swept into a murder investigation led by the local sheriff (Malkovich), he discovers that Cut Bank is a small town full of big -- and deadly -- surprises in this thriller filled with plot twists, dark humor and a gallery of unforgettable characters. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Commentary with director Matt Shankman and writer Roberto Patino, "Bad Karma: Life in Cut Bank" featurette, deleted scenes, extended scenes. (Lionsgate).
Hello Ladies: The Complete Series and the Movie
(2013) Three-disc set, $19.98. Eight episodes of the HBO series about a gawky Englishman searching for the woman of his dreams in Los Angeles. In his first starring series role, Stephen Merchant portrays Stuart, a web designer who relocated to L.A. from England in hopes of finding excitement, romance, and maybe even a soul mate. Working out of his home office, Stuart has an easy rapport with his attractive roommate Jessica (Christine Woods), though it's clear she's not romantically interested in him. Half as charming as he thinks he is -- and twice as desperate -- Stuart is obsessed with infiltrating the glamorous world of beautiful people. Seduced by the promise of the best restaurants and hottest nightclubs, Stuart's cheapness and pettiness often finds him just outside the door of L.A.'s most desirable locales. Stuart doggedly hits the L.A. social scene in search of beautiful women, often in the company of pals Wade (Nate Torrence), who's in the throes of a divorce, and Kives (Kevin Weisman), a charismatic paraplegic who fares far better with the ladies than either Stuart or Wade. The series concludes with an 80-minute special, "Hello Ladies: The Movie." Formats: DVD. (HBO).
The Nanny: The Complete Series
(1993-99) Nineteen-disc set with all 146 episodes, $149.99. Starring Fran Drescher in her signature role, "The Nanny" -- that flashy girl from Flushing with the heart of an angel (and the voice of a slighty more nasal angel) -- charmed television audiences throughout its six-season network run detailing the comic misadventures of the sweet and sassy Fran Fine (Drescher), her sophisticated employer, Broadway producer Mr. Sheffield (Charles Shaugnessy), his boisterous brood (Nicholle Tom, Benjamin Salisbury and Madeline Zima) and his wisecracking staff (Lauren Lane and Daniel Davis). Formats: DVD. Extras: New interview with Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson about the real behind-the-scenes story of "The Nanny"; "Pilot" commentary with Drescher; "Imaginary Friend" commentary with Drescher; "I Don't Remember" commentary with Drescher; "The Making of the Nanny." (Shout! Factory).
Ray Donovan: Season Two
(2014) Ray Donovan (Liev Schreiber), Boston-bouncer turned Hollywood crisis fixer, can protect just about anything except the unity of his family. As his estranged ex-con father (Jon Voight) dodges the law, Ray's lonely wife Abby finds herself drawn to a cop. Son Conor may be too close to home while daughter Bridget is slipping away. Can he hold the pieces of his family together while going to bat for celebrities in crisis? Twelve episodes. Formats: Four-disc DVD: $39.98, three-disc Blu-ray: $49.99. Extras: Commentary on select episodes, "Shooting Ray Donovan," "Jon on Mickey," "Musically Ray" (via eBridge technology). (Paramount).
So Bright Is the View
(2014 -- Romania) Bianca Valea, Robi Ers, Ovidiu Niculescu. The debut of filmmaking brothers Michael and Joel Florescu and an official selection of the 36th Moscow International Film Festival. Romanian drama follows Estera (Bianca Valea), a middle class Jewish girl in modern-day Bucharest, who's at a crossroads, forced to choose between pursuing a job in Atlanta working for a nouveau riche business thug, or joining her mother in Israel. With her father in prison for unspecified crimes and her mother about to be evicted, the pregnant Estera -- trying hard to work out some sort of future with her boyfriend, Vlad (Robi Ers) -- has only one hope: a "friend-interview" with Mike (Ovidiu Niculescu), a Romanian-American businessman, who may or may not have a job offer. Formats: DVD. (IndiePix Films).
The Wonder Years - Season 3
(1989-90) Four-disc set with 23 episodes, $29.98. Kevin experiences a lot of firsts in Season 3 – he gets his first pimple and his first puppy; he has his first French Kiss and joins his first band; and he gets his first "D" in math class. Paul is still as allergic as ever, but gets a boost of confidence from a date with Norma; and Jack and Karen stop fighting long enough to celebrate her 18th birthday, if only for a moment. This season features many fan-favorite episodes -- including "Summer Song," "The St. Valentine's Day Massacre," and the Emmy award–winning "Goodbye" -- as well as over 50 songs as they were featured in the original broadcast, with classics by The Beach Boys, The Jackson 5, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Judy Collins, The Lovin' Spoonful, James Taylor, The Who, The Righteous Brothers, James Brown, The Byrds, Jackie Wilson, and many others. Extras: "Hall Pass: Roundtable With Danica McKellar, Fred Savage and Josh Saviano"; "A Family Affair: At Home With the Arnolds" featurette; interviews with Olivia d'Abo (Karen Arnold), Jason Hervey (Wayne Arnold), Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper), Crystal McKellar (Becky Slater). Formats: DVD. (StarVista/Time Life).
May 24, 2015
(ISSN 1094-3676).
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