This Week's DVD, Blu-ray Releases -- OnVideo

OnVideo Logo

Amazon Video
ales


Join the
Sixties generation

dvd DVD

blu-ray
Blu-ray Releases

calendar
home page
video resources
links


dujour

iway 500
winner

Good & Associates logo

Masthead created by Good & Associates

OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases

Tuesday, August 25 -- Monday, August 31

All DVD Releases

  • Citizenfour

    photo for Citizenfour You don't have to be a card-carrying liberal to be appalled at the revelations of indiscriminate criminality on the part of the U.S. Government (in particular the National Security Agency and the Obama administration) in its (successful) efforts to spy on American citizens. Do you have a debit card? Is it linked (via your checking account) to your Internet and telephone usage? Then every purchase, every written and verbal conversation and (thanks to mobile phone GPS) every place you visit in now residing in a database owned and operated by the U.S. Government. This critically acclaimed 2014 Academy Award-winner for Best Documentary is one of the most influential and timely documentary films in recent history. Just as the controversial U.S. Patriot Act was to expire on May 31, 2015 the U.S. Senate voted to pass the U.S. House version of the USA Freedom Act, the successor to the Patriot Act, which saw three of its major sections end, one of which was the mass surveillance of all Americans. Shortly thereafter, President Obama signed the bill into law. Edward Snowden and the events documented in "Citizenfour" were a powerful catalyst in calling attention to the unlawful surveillance of Americans by their government. It's a real life international thriller that unfolds by the minute ... and will make your blood boil as you witness one government official after another lie to the courts and to Congress about the surveillance. Whistleblower Edward Snowden -- working for a subcontractor of the NSA and realizing how nefarious the NSA database had become -- granted unprecedented access to award winning director Laura Poitras for a chilling behind-the-scenes chronicle that follows journalist Glenn Greenwald's remarkable encounters with Snowden in a Hong Kong hotel room as he hands over classified documents that provide the evidence of mass indiscriminate and illegal invasions of privacy by the NSA. Get ready to get really angry -- the film not only shows the dangers of governmental surveillance, but also makes audiences feel them. Vitals: Director: Laura Poitras. 2014, CC, MPAA rating: R, 114 min., Documentary, Box office gross: $2.799 million, Radius/Anchor Bay. Extras: Bonus scenes; New York Times talk with Laura Poitras, Glenn Greenwald, Edward Snowden and David Carr; Film Society of Lincoln Center Q&A with Laura Poitras; "The Program" New York Times Op-Doc by Laura Poitras. 3 stars


    Advertisement


  • Two Days, One Night

    photo for Two Days, One Night Oscar winner Marion Cotillard ("La vie en rose") received another nomination for her searing, deeply felt performance as a working-class woman desperate to hold on to her factory job, in this gripping film from master Belgian directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. Cotillard is Sandra, a wife and mother who suffers from depression and discovers that, while she was home on sick leave, a majority of her co-workers voted in favor of her being fired rather than give up their annual bonuses. She then spends a Saturday and Sunday visiting them each in turn, to try to convince them to change their minds. From this simple premise, the Dardennes render a powerful, humanist drama about the importance of community in an increasingly impersonal world. In French with English subtitles. Vitals: Director: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. Stars: Marion Cotillard, Fabrizio Rongione, Catherine Salee, Batiste Sornin. 2014 -- France, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 95 min., Drama, Box office gross: $1.433 million, The Criterion Collection. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: New interviews with the Dardennes and actors Marion Cotillard and Fabrizio Rongione; "When Leon M.'s Boat Went Down the Meuse for the First Time" (1979), a 45 minute documentary by the Dardennes, featuring a new introduction by the directors; new tour of the film's key locations with the directors; trailer; an essay by critic Girish Shambu. 3 stars

  • Iris

    photo for Iris Documentary pairs legendary 87-year-old documentarian Albert Maysles with Iris Apfel, the quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old style maven who has had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. More than a fashion film, the documentary is a story about creativity and how a soaring free spirit continues to inspire. "Iris" portrays a singular woman whose enthusiasm for fashion, art and people are life's sustenance and reminds us that dressing, and indeed life, is nothing but an experiment. Despite the abundance of glamour in her current life, she continues to embrace the values and work ethic established during a middle-class Queens upbringing during the Great Depression. "I feel lucky to be working. If you're lucky enough to do something you love, everything else follows." Vitals: Director: Albert Maysles. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 80 min., Documentary, Box office gross: $1.263 million, Magnolia Home Entertainment. Extras: Extended interview with Apfel, deleted scenes. 3 stars

  • Aloha

    photo for Aloha A celebrated military contractor (Bradley Cooper) returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs -- Honolulu, Hawaii -- and reconnects with a long-ago love (Rachel McAdams) while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watchdog (Emma Stone) assigned to him. Vitals: Director: Cameron Crowe. Stars: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Jay Baruchel, Bill Murray, John Krasinski, Danny McBride, Alec Baldwin. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 105 min., Romantic Comedy, Box office gross: $20.991 million, Sony. Extras: "The Untitled Hawaii Project: The Making of Aloha" feature length documentary; cast gag reel. Blu-ray adds original opening; alternate ending; deleted scenes; four featurettes: "The Awe of Space," "Mitchell's Film," "Ledward Kaapana: Music Is Everything," "Uncle Bumpy"; photo gallery, commentary by writer-director Cameron Crowe. 2 stars



    Blu-ray Debuts

  • Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon (1985)

    Read more.



go back to top



All DVD Releases

After the Ball photo for After the Ball (2015) Portia Doubleday, Marc-Andre Grondin, Chris Noth, Lauren Holly. Modern retail take on Cinderella. After the young fashion designer working for her retail guru clothes marketer runs afoul of her corrupt stepmother and stepsisters, she gets the help of a prince of a guy in the shoe department and, with her godmother's vintage clothes and a disguise she helps save the family business Formats: DVD. (Monarch Home Entertainment).

Aloha (2015) Dir.: Cameron Crowe; Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Jay Baruchel, Bill Murray, John Krasinski, Danny McBride, Alec Baldwin. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "The Untitled Hawaii Project: The Making of Aloha" feature length documentary; cast gag reel. Blu-ray adds original opening; alternate ending; deleted scenes; four featurettes: "The Awe of Space," "Mitchell's Film," "Ledward Kaapana: Music Is Everything," "Uncle Bumpy"; photo gallery, commentary by writer-director Cameron Crowe. (Sony).

photo for Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon BLU-RAY DEBUT Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon BLU-RAY DEBUT (1985) Taimak, Julius J. Carry III, Vanity. Debuts for the first time on Blu-ray for its 30th Anniversary. Martial arts student Leroy Green (Taimak) is on a quest to obtain the elusive all-powerful force known as "The Glow." Along the way he must battle the evil, self-proclaimed Shogun of Harlem -- a kung fu warrior also known as Sho'nuff -- and rescue a beautiful singer from an obsessed record promoter. Pulsating music, cutting edge dancing and the best in non-stop action, with an amazing Motown soundtrack including music by Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Vanity and DeBarge performing their smash hit "Rhythm of the Night." Extras: Commentary by director Michael Schultz, "Return of the Dragon" retrospective featurette on the making of the film, original theatrical trailer. (Sony).

Big Game (2014) Samuel L. Jackson, Onni Tommila, Ray Stevenson, Victor Garber, Ted Levine, Felicity Huffman, Jim Broadbent. In the rugged countryside of Finland, a young 13-year-old (Onni Tommila) embarks on a traditional quest to prove himself by spending 24 hours alone in the wild, armed with only a bow and arrow. After witnessing a spectacular crash, he discovers the escape pod from Air Force One, containing the president of the United States (Samuel L. Jackson). When they realize a group of kidnappers is hot on their trail with the intention of taking the president, this unlikely duo must escape their hunters as they search for the American Special Forces team sent out to find them. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay).

Camilla Dickinson (2012) Adelaide Clemens, Samantha Mathis, Gregg Sulkin, Cary Elwes, Colby Minifie, Margaret Colin, Camryn Manheim. Adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's novel follows the daughter of a well-to-do family in 1948 Manhattan. Fifteen-year-old Camilla Dickinson leads a sheltered life in New York City until her parents' marriage begins to fall apart. When Camilla meets her best friend's rebellious brother, Frank, she finds a way to escape her troubles. As her relationship with Frank deepens, Camilla discovers a world outside of her own and begins to understand a little of what it means to grow up. Formats: DVD. (Random Media/Cinedigm).

Citizenfour (2014) Real-life international thriller that unfolds by the minute. With unprecedented access, this behind-the-scenes documentary follows award-winning director Laura Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald's remarkable encounters with whistleblower Edward Snowden in a Hong Kong hotel room as he hands over classified documents that provide evidence of mass indiscriminate and illegal invasions of privacy by the National Security Agency (NSA). Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Bonus scenes; New York Times talk with Laura Poitras, Glenn Greenwald, Edward Snowden and David Carr; Film Society of Lincoln Center Q&A with Laura Poitras; "The Program" New York Times Op-Doc by Laura Poitras. (Radius/Anchor Bay).

photo for Criminal Minds: The Tenth Season Criminal Minds: The Tenth Season (2014-15) Six-disc set with 24 episodes. To solve the most twisted crimes, the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) explores the darkest places -- inside the depths of criminal minds. Seasoned undercover FBI Agent Kate Callahan (Jennifer Love Hewitt) joins the elite team led by Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) as they pursue a serial killer who hacks his victims beyond all recognition. Experienced profiler David Rossi (Joe Mantegna) is dogged by a mysterious woman from his past, while Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) grapples with the death of a mentor. Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) and Jennifer "JJ" Jareau (A.J. Cook) take on a cases that evoke grim memories from their personal histories, while technical analyst Penelope Garcia (Kristen Vangsness) heads to death row to confront a perp from her past. Regardless of the risks, the brilliant thinkers of the BAU fearlessly uncover the darkest secrets in order to unlock the most unpredictable solutions. Formats: DVD. Extras: "Top Ten" cast and crew featurette, "Salute" to Meshach Taylor, "Origin Story", "greatest Hits" favorite tracks, "Memo From the Acting Director" (Thomas Gibson), "Criminal Minds International," commentary. (CBS/Paramount).

Dusty's Trail: Summit of Borneo photo for Dusty's Trail: Summit of Borneo (2013) At the age of six, Dusty Brandom was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative disease that affects 1 in every 3,500 boys born. While life expectancy varies in each case, those with the disease rarely live past their 20s. Dusty s family realized that their happy and playful child would suffer a long, progressively weakening condition until his heart and breathing muscles ceased to function. As a family, they united to learn as much as they could about the disease and to enjoy every moment in life, which eventually led Dusty to ask the question "how come there are no old people with Duchenne?" This inspired Dusty's mother, Catherine Jayasuriya, to form Coalition Duchenne, in order to spread global awareness and raise funding for research and a cure. With the support of other affected families, they decide to scale Mt. Kinabalu, a sacred 13,455-foot high mountain, on the Malaysian island of Borneo. This is their journey ... which has resulted in five annual climbs to raise funds. Formats: DVD, VOD. Extras: Conversation with Dusty, "Mountain Guide Sing-a-long," filmmaker Q&A, "Doctors on Duchenne," "Coalition Duchenne." (Cinema Libre Studio).



Easy Money/Men at Work Blu-ray Double Feature "Easy Money" (1983): To inherit his mother-in-law's colossal fortune, a hard living, gambling addict (Rodney Dangerfield) must change his unhealthy ways before it gets the best of him. "Men at Work" (1990): Brothers Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez play rebellious garbage collectors who discover a little something extra in their usual pick-up: the body of a local politician, and find themselves in more trouble than usual. (Shout! Factory).

photo for Elementary: The Third Season Elementary: The Third Season (2014-15) Six-disc set with 24 episodes. Perfect crimes meet the perfect match. In the City That Never Sleeps, one mind never rests. The eccentric detective Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) possesses an unquenchable thirst for intellectual puzzles and a ruthless instinct for justice. As a consulting detective to the NYPD, he takes on bizarre cases that baffle the most seasoned cops. But he can't do it alone. Holmes relies on Joan Watson (Lucy Liu), a former physician who's the one person who can keep up with his racing mind. In this season, Watson has moved out of the brownstone and Holmes has accepted a job offer in London from MI6, the British intelligence agency. Now the detectives must solve the puzzle of how to move forward separately in the wake of the ending of their professional relationship. Formats: DVD. Extras: "Partners in Crime" cast and crew featurette, "Watson Style" wardrobe featurette, "The Elements of Deduction" featurette on the show's writing team, commentary, gag reel, deleted scenes. (CBS/Paramount).

photo for Falling Star (Stella Cadente) Falling Star (Stella Cadente) (2014 -- Spain) Alex Brendemuhl, Lorenzo Balducci, Alex Batllori, Lola Duenas. A surrealist historical drama set in 19th century Spain against a backdrop of growing discontent. In November 1870, the Spanish Courts elect the Italian Amadeo of Savoy as the King of Spain with a paltry 191 votes. Much to the dismay of the Spanish, Amadeo is a reluctant King who prefers beauty of power and passion over duty. Upon arrival in Madrid, his protector is assassinated. In the midst of a crumbling empire, Amadeo chooses to lose himself in wine, fruit, sex, and melancholy. His reign will be short ... . Formats: DVD. (IndiPix Films).

Father Forgive Him (2015) Documentary explores the exploitation, sexual abuse, and misuse of power within church leadership. Formats: DVD. (Cinedigm).

Gene Autry Movie Collection 11 Four restored films from Gene Autry's personal archives make their DVD debuts: "The Singing Cowboy" (1936), "Guns and Guitars" (1936), "Round-up Time in Texas" (1937) and "Springtime in the Rockies" (1937). Gene Autry is the only entertainer with all five stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, one each for Radio, Recording, Motion Pictures, Television and Live Performance. He was the silver screen's first singing cowboy and is credited with creating the genre of the musical Western. As the star of 89 feature films, Autry brings music, comedy and action to each of his roles. Formats: DVD: $16.97. (Timeless Media Group).

photo for The Good Wife: The Sixth Season The Good Wife: The Sixth Season (2014-15) Six-disc set with 22 episodes. Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) stood by her husband (Chris Noth) on his tumultuous path to the governor's office, but now she's entering the world of politics on her own terms by running for state's attorney. As Election Day approaches, Alicia must balance the demands of her firm and campaign as she supports her partner Car (Matt Czuchry) during shocking developments that could end his career ... and life as he knows it. Juliana Margulies returns in the role that earner her two Primetime Emmy Awards, and stars with Archie Panjabi, Christine Baranki, Alan Cumming and a roster of stellar guests. Formats: DVD. Extras: "Follow the leader: Inside the Season Finales," "The Temptation of Alicia Florrick" featurette, "The Esteemed Women of Sunday Nights," gag reel, deleted scenes. (CBS/Paramount).

Harry (2013) Still grieving his wife's suicide, Detective Harry Anglesea (Oscar Kightley) returns to Auckland’s Major Crime Unit after bereavement leave in his native Samoa. Harry begins to investigate a brutal homicide under the watchful eye of his boss DSS, Jim "Stocks" Stockton (Sam Neill); his investigation takes him deep into the seedy world of gangs and drug dealing, threatening what little peace he had managed to recover. Two-disc set with six episodes, $39.99. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (Acorn).

Iris (2015) Documentary pairs legendary 87-year-old documentarian Albert Maysles with Iris Apfel, the quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old style maven who has had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Extended interview with Apfel, deleted scenes. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).


Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom! (2015) Original animated feature. Crime is on the run as the newly formed Justice League keeps Metropolis safe -- and this makes evil genius Lex Luthor very unhappy. Together with Black Manta, Sinestro and a gang of ruthless recruits, Lex builds his own league and declares them the Legion of Doom. With this super powered team of terror and a plan to attack the top-secret government site, Area 52, can Lex finally be on the verge of victory? Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League must face off against the world’s greatest Super-Villains. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Extras: "Click, Zap, Boom! Creating the Sound Design" featurette. (Warner).

Metamorphosis/Beyond Darkness A double feature of insane Italian horrors. "Metamorphosis" (1990): When his experiments in genetics are mocked by his colleagues, a maverick scientist takes extreme measures to prove that his untested anti-aging serum works. But when he injects himself with his miracle cure, he soon experiences a terrifying change that threatens not only the lives of those around him, but also his own sanity. "Beyond Darkness" (1990): When a man of God and his loving family move into a new house, they think they’ve found the perfect home ... until they discover that their new digs were once the location where a coven of witches were burned at the stake. Formats: Blu-ray Disc. (Scream Factory).

The Mindy Project: Season Three (2014-15) Three-disc set with 21 episodes. Formats: DVD. (Universal).

photo for Skin Trade Skin Trade (2015) Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Ron Perlman, Michael Jai White, Celina Jade, Peter Weller. Detective Nick Cassidy (Dolph Lundgren) heads to Bangkok to hunt down Viktor Dragovic (Ron Perlman) and destroy his human trafficking network; Nick killed Dragovic's son in a shootout during a sting operation on the New Jersey docks, and Dragovic responded by attempting to kill Nick and his family. Nick miraculously survived the brutal attack that destroyed his family; with nothing but vengeance to live for, Nick smashes his way through the Bangkok underworld in search of the elusive Dragovic. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Eddie Reed (Michael Jai White) is sent in to bring Nick home even as Thai detective Tony Vitayakui (Tony Jaa) questions the motives and methods that have brought Nick across the globe to Thailand. As the crossfire between all sides grows more and more deadly, Nick has to determine who his true allies are.Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD. Extras: "Behind the Action: Fighting You Can Believe," "Making of Skin Trade," "A Look at Director Ekachai Uekrongtham," commentary with Lundgren, interview with Lundgren, deleted scenes. (Magnolia Pictures).

Transformers Rescue Bots: Dinobots! (2011-15) Five episodes from the animated series: "Land Before Prime," "Big Game," "Quarry's Quarry," "Did You See What I Thaw?" and "The Attack of Humungado." Formats: DVD: $14.93. (Shout! Factory Kids).

Two Days, One Night (2014 -- France) Dir.: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne; Marion Cotillard, Fabrizio Rongione, Catherine Salee, Batiste Sornin. Sandra, a young Belgian mother on sick leave from her job, discovers that her workmates have opted for a significant pay bonus, in exchange for her dismissal. She has only one weekend to convince her colleagues to give up their bonuses so that she can keep her job. New 2K digital transfer, approved by directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: New interviews with the Dardennes and actors Marion Cotillard and Fabrizio Rongione; "When Leon M.'s Boat Went Down the Meuse for the First Time" (1979), a 45 minute documentary by the Dardennes, featuring a new introduction by the directors; new tour of the film's key locations with the directors; trailer; an essay by critic Girish Shambu. (The Criterion Collection).

photo for The Walking Dead: The Complete Fifth Season The Walking Dead: The Complete Fifth Season (2014-15) Five-disc set with all 16 episodes. Season Four of "The Walking Dead" ended with Rick and the group outgunned, outnumbered, and trapped in a train car awaiting a grim fate. Season Five picks up shortly thereafter. What follows is a story that weaves the true motives of the people of Terminus with the hopeful prospect of a cure in Washington, D.C., the fate of the group's lost comrades, as well as new locales, new conflicts, and new obstacles in keeping the group together and staying alive. Stories will break apart and intersect. The characters will find love and hate. Peace and conflict. Contentment and terror. And, in the quest to find a permanent, safe place to call home, one question will haunt them: After all they've seen, all they've done, all they've sacrificed, lost, and held on to no matter what the cost ... Who do they become? Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Commentaries with cast and crew, deleted scenes, "Inside The Walking Dead," "The Making of The Walking Dead," "The Making of Alexandria," "Beth's Journey," "Bob's Journey," "Noah's Journey," "Tyreese's Journey," "A Day in the Life of Michael Cudlitz," "A Day in the Life of Josh McDermitt," "Rotters in the Flesh." (Anchor Bay).

A Wolf at the Door (2013 -- Brazil) Fabiula Nascimento, Milhem Cortaz, Leandra Leal. Based on real events. When Sylvia discovers her six-year-old daughter has been picked up at school by an unknown woman, police summon her husband Bernardo to the station for questioning. There he confesses his extra-marital affair with the beautiful young Rosa, whom detectives believe to be involved in the kidnapping. Formats: DVD. Extras: Original theatrical trailer. (Strand Releasing).


go back to top




rule


| Home | Resources | Links |


E-mail: mail@onvideo.org
August 23, 2015
(ISSN 1094-3676).

Get the latest DVD release information (free) every Tuesday morning. Subscribe here.

photoPrinter Friendly Version

Last Week's Releases: Tuesday, August 18 -- Monday, August 24