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, October 27 -- Monday, November 2

All DVD Releases

  • Pixels

    photo for Pixels When intergalactic aliens misinterpret video-feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war against them, they attack the Earth, using the games as models for their various assaults. President Will Cooper (Kevin James) has to call on his childhood best friend, 80s video game champion Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), now a home theater installer, to lead a team of old-school arcaders (Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad) to defeat the aliens and save the planet. Joining them is Lt. Col. Violet Van Patten (Michelle Monaghan), a specialist supplying the arcaders with unique weapons to fight the aliens. Vitals: Director: Chris Columbus. Stars: Adam Sandler, Michelle Monaghan, Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage, Kevin James, Ashley Benson, Jane Krakowski, Brian Cox, Lainie Kazan, Sean Bean. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 106 min., Animated/Family/Sci Fi, Box office gross: $73.990 million, Sony. Extras: Two featurettes: "Q*Bert," the adorable digital bit hopper comes to life; "Dojo Quest" look at the new classic arcade game that gave life to the unstoppable Lady Lisa; "Game On" music video by Waka Flocka Flame ft. Good Charlotte. Blu-ray adds Six more featurettes: "The Creator of the Machine" in which PAC-MAN creator Toru Iwatani goes on-set with a cameo, and discusses his experience and his take on "Pixels"; "The Space Invader" winner of an arcade contest had a walk on role in the film; "PAC-MAN" detailed look at the PAC-MAN action sequence; "Donkey Kong" stunts;behind-the-scenes "Centipede" giant insect attack; inside look at "Galaga," the 80 arcade favorite that leads the alien invasion. 2 stars


    Advertisement


  • The Gift

    photo for The Gift Chilling psychological thriller that asks the question, "Can you really go through life having never wronged anyone?" Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) are a young married couple whose life is going as planned until a chance run-in with Simon's high school acquaintance sends their world into a tailspin. At first Simon doesn't recognize Gordo (Joel Edgerton), but after a series of uninvited encounters and mysterious gifts prove troubling, a horrifying secret from the past is uncovered after more than 20 years. As Robyn learns the unsettling truth about what happened between Simon and Gordo, she starts to contemplate: HSow well do we really know those closest to us, and are bygones ever really bygones? Vitals: Director: Joel Edgerton. Stars: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton, Allison Tolman, Tim Griffin. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: R, 108 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $42.349 million, Universal. Blu-ray extras: Alternate ending, deleted scenes, "Karma for Bullies," "The Darker Side of Jason Bateman," trailers, commentary with writer-director Joel Edgerton. 2 stars

  • Max

    photo for Max A precision-trained military dog, Max serves on the frontlines in Afghanistan alongside his handler, U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott. But when things go terribly wrong on maneuvers, Kyle is mortally wounded and Max, traumatized by the loss of his best friend, is unable to remain in service. Sent stateside, the only human he seems willing to connect with is Kyle's teenage brother, Justin, so Max is saved when he is adopted by Kyle's family. But Justin has issues of his own, including living up to his father's expectations, and he isn't interested in taking responsibility for his brother's troubled dog. However, Max may be Justin's only chance to discover what really happened to his brother that day on the front, and with the help of Carmen, a tough-talking young teen who has a way with dogs, Justin begins to appreciate his canine companion. Justin's growing trust in Max helps the four-legged veteran revert back to his heroic self, and as the pair race to unravel the mystery, they find more excitement -- and danger -- than they bargained for. Vitals: Director: Boaz Yakin. Stars: Josh Wiggins, Lauren Graham, Thomas Haden Church, Luke Kleintank, Robbie Amell, Mia Xitlali. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 111 min., Action Adventure, Box office gross: $40.808 million, MGM/Warner. Extras: "Working with Max": Meet the dogs that play Max and see inside tricks of the trade. Blu-ray adds "Hero Dogs: A Journey" behind-the-scenes look at amazing military trained K9s. 2 stars

  • Southpaw

    photo for A story of tragedy, loss and the painful road to redemption. Billy "The Great" Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal) is the reigning Junior Middleweight Champion whose unorthodox stance, the so-called "Southpaw," consists of an ineloquent, though brutal, display of offensive fighting … one fueled by his own feelings of inadequacy and a desperate need for love, money and fame. With a beautiful family, home and financial security, Billy is on top both in and out of the ring until a tragic accident leaves his wife dead and sends him into a downward spiral. His days now an endless haze of alcohol and prescription drugs, his daughter taken by Child Services and his home repossessed by the bank, Billy's fate is all but sealed until a washed up former boxer named Tick agrees to take the bereaved pugilist under his wing so long as he agrees to his strict ethos. Relentless and utterly committed to a fighter that thinks as much as he throws punches, Tick rebuilds Billy into a new man: one that is agile, fearsome and uncompromising in the ring while thoughtful, loving and disciplined outside of it. Now, as he works to regain custody of his daughter and mounts a professional comeback, Billy must face his demons head-on as he learns that, sometimes, your greatest opponent can be yourself. Vitals: Director: Antoine Fuqua. Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Naomie Harris, Forest Whitaker, 50 Cent, Clare Foley, Rita Ora, Victor Ortiz. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: R, 124 min., Drama, Box office gross: $52.188 million, The Weinstein Company. 2 stars



    Blu-ray Debuts

  • Mulholland Dr. (2001) (Criterion)

    Read more.



go back to top



All DVD Releases

Army of Darkness Collector's Edition (1992) Special three-Disc Blu-ray set features four versions of the film: the Theatrical Cut of the film, the Director's Cut (with 15 minutes of extra footage), the International Cut and the TV version (in standard definition). Formats: Blu-ray Disc. Extras: DISC ONE Theatrical Version – 81 min., 1080p high-definition widescreen (1.78:1), DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 & 2.0: New "Medieval Times: The Making of Army Of Darkness" photo for Army of Darkness Collector's Editionfeaturing interviews with star & co-producer Bruce Campbell, actors Marcus Gilbert, Ted Raimi, Timothy Quill, Richard Grove, Bill Moseley, Patricia Tallman and Angela Featherstone, director of photography Bill Pope, editor Bob Murawski, production designer Anthony Tremblay, composer Joseph Lo Duca, costume designer Ida Gearon, special make-up effects artists Howard Berger, Tony Gardner, Robert Kurtzman and Greg Nicotero, "Pit Bitch" performer and effects artist William Bryan, mechanical effects artist Gary Jones, first assistant director John Cameron, visual effects supervisor William Mesa, and stunt coordinator Christopher Doyle; original ending; original opening; deleted scenes; theatrical trailer; TV spots; home video promo. DISC TWO Director's Cut – 96 min., 1080p high-definition widescreen (1.78:1), DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 & 2.0: Audio commentary with director Sam Raimi, actor Bruce Campbell and co-writer Ivan Raimi; new additional behind-the-scenes footage from KNB Effects; vintage "Creating the Deadites" featurette; vintage "Making Of" featurette; extended interview clips with Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell and Robert Tapert. DISC THREE International Cut – 88 min., 1080p high-definition widescreen (1.78:1), DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 & 2.0: New 4K scan of the international inter-positive. Television version with additional footage - 90 min., standard definition (1.33:1), DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Theatrical trailer, new still galleries with rare behind-the-scenes photos from production designer Anthony Tremblay, visual effects supervisor William Mesa, and special make-up effects artists Tony Gardner and KNB EFX, Inc. (Over 200 Stills); new still gallery of props and rare photos from the collection of super fan Dennis Carter Jr.; new storyboards for deleted or alternate scenes; vintage "The Men Behind The Army Featurette." (Scream Factory).

photo for Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure Barbie & Her Sisters in the Great Puppy Adventure (2015) Barbie and her sisters, Skipper, Stacie and Chelsea, and their adorable new puppy friends find unexpected mystery and adventure when they return to their hometown of Willows. While going through mementos in Grandma's attic, the sisters discover an old map, believed to lead to a long-lost treasure buried somewhere in the town. With their puppy pals in tow, the four girls go on an exciting treasure hunt. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "The Greatest Day" featurette, bloopers, "Tiny Dancer" motion comic. (Universal).

A Borrowed Identity (2014 -- Israel) Gifted Eyad (Tawfeek Barhom), a Palestinian Israeli boy, is given the chance to go to a prestigious Jewish boarding school in Jerusalem. As he desperately tries to fit in with his Jewish schoolmates and within Israeli society, Eyad develops a friendship with another outsider, Jonathan (Michael Moshonov) a boy suffering from muscular dystrophy, and gradually becomes part of the home Jonathan shares with his mother, Edna (Yael Abecassis). After falling in love with Naomi (Daniel Kitsis), a Jewish girl, he leaves school when their relationship is uncovered, and he discovers that he will have to sacrifice his identity in order to be accepted. Formats: DVD. (Strand Releasing).

photo for The Death of April The Death of April (2012) Katarina Hughes, Stephanie Domini, Adam Lowder. Nineteen-year-old college sophomore Meagan Mullen moves into a townhouse and keeps in touch with her friends and family through a video blog. As her entries (and her life) become more complex, dark and emotional, unexplained paranormal occurrences begin to happen in her room, and the camera captures it all. Formats: DVD. (ITN Distribution/MVD Entertainment).

Downton Abbey Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Led by Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, and Maggie Smith, the acclaimed ensemble cast brings to life all the drama and intrigue of the inhabitants of Downton Abbey, the lavish English country manor, home to the Earl of Grantham. This limited edition box set, available just in time for the holidays, includes every episode of the first five seasons of this Golden Globe and multi-Emmy Award-winning series, following the Crawley family and their servants from pre-war England through the storms of World War I, and into the social, political and technological upheaval of England in the 1920s. The lives of Downton's inhabitants are shaped by romance, heartbreak, scandals, rumors, blackmail, and betrayal. Formats: DVD: $99.99, Blu-ray Disc: $109.99. Extras: More than four hours of previously released bonus material. (PBS Distribution).

photo for Edgar Allan Poe's Black Cats: Two Adaptations by Sergio Martino & Lucio Fulci Edgar Allan Poe's Black Cats: Two Adaptations by Sergio Martino & Lucio Fulci Edgar Allan Poe's celebrated story "The Black Cat" has been the inspiration for numerous films over the years. But few adaptations are as stylish as those offered up by the twin Italian titans of terror, Sergio Martino and Lucio Fulci. In Martino's classic giallo "Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key" (1972), teacher Oliviero (Luigi Pistilli) finds himself under suspicion for murder when one of his students -- and mistress -- is found brutally murdered. As more bodies start to pile up, the arrival of Oliviero's attractive niece (Edwige Fenech) brings with it complications of its own. In "The Black Cat" (1981), from that "other" Godfather of Gore, Lucio Fulci, Scotland Yard Inspector Gorley (David Warbeck) find himself summoned to a sleepy English village to investigate the recent murder of a young couple. With no obvious signs of entry at the murder scene, Gorley is forced to start considering the possibility that his suspect may not be human ... . In new 2K restorations from the original camera negatives; with original Italian and English soundtracks in mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray). In a four-disc limited edition. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Extras: New interview with director Sergio Martino; "Dolls of Flesh and Blood: The Gialli of Sergio Martino" visual essay by Michael Mackenzie exploring Martino's unique contributions to the giallo genre; "On The Black Cat" by Stephen Thrower, author of" Beyond Terror - The Films of Lucio Fulci"; reversible sleeves featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Matthew Griffin; limited edition 80-page perfect-bound book featuring new writing on the films, Poe's original story and more, illustrated with archive stills and posters. (Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment).



photo for The Fifth Element Limited Edition Supreme Cinema Series The Fifth Element Limited Edition Supreme Cinema Series (1997) Dir.: Luc Besson; Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Chris Tucker. Collectible edition showcases 4k restorations, Dolby Atmos Audio upgrade and features a limited edition acrylic "clear case" with 24-page behind-the-scenes booklet. Also available as a standalone without the Clear case and booklet. Formats: Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Eight-part behind-the-scenes featurette available on Blu-ray for the first time: "The Visual Element," "The Digital Element," "The Star Element," "The Alien Element," "The Fashion Element," "The Diva," "Imagining The Fifth Element," "The Elements of Style" (Sony).

Flowers (2014) Colette Kenny Mckenna, Krystle Fitch, Anastasia Blue, Tanya Erin Paoli, Kara A. Christiansen, Makaria Tsapatoris. An abstract, surreal horror film centering around six dead women waking up in the crawl space below their killer's house, only to discover that they are trapped in their own limbo and purgatory. The house itself contains many rooms revealing hints and clues to their past lives and how they've come to end up where they are. One by one and alone, each girl is forced to accept her fate or remain in place. The movie has no spoken dialog and is surrounded in a cryptic and dark visual atmosphere. Formats: DVD. (Unearthed Films/MVD).

The Gift (2015) Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton, Allison Tolman, Tim Griffin. A young married couple's lives are thrown into a harrowing tailspin when an acquaintance from the husband's past brings mysterious gifts and a horrifying secret to light after more than 20 years. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Blu-ray extras: Alternate ending, deleted scenes, "Karma for Bullies," "The Darker Side of Jason Bateman," trailers, commentary with writer-director Joel Edgerton. (Universal).

The Great American Dream Machine Before "Saturday Night Live" and "The Daily Show", before "The Groove Tube" and "Kentucky Fried Movie" came "The Great American Dream Machine," an irreverent, satirical weekly photo for The Great American Dream Machine variety show that aired on PBS for two seasons from 1971-1972. Unlike anything ever seen on public television, the eclectic, often controversial series combined humorous skits, drama, musical performances and political commentary in an "experimental" format and was considered Channel Thirteen's first primetime hit, setting new records for attracting younger adult viewers to public broadcasting. Dubbed "the intellectual Laugh-In," the show immediately struck a countercultural chord in the '70s, poking fun at politics, commercialized mass culture, advertising, and television with eclectic vignettes and uproarious sketches. With no host, no narration and no set format, the imaginative, thought-provoking series gave free, creative reign to an astounding cast of actors, comedians and contributors who'd go on to far greater fame, including Chevy Chase (making his TV debut), Albert Brooks, Charles Grodin, Penny Marshall, Henry Winkler, Marshall Efron, Andy Rooney, writer Studs Terkel, David Steinberg, Carly Simon, Tiny Tim and many others. And though it drew the ire of conservative critics who had it cancelled after two seasons, "The Great American Dream Machine" is a heralded cultural time capsule ready to be unveiled after a 40+ year absence for a new generation to discover. The four-disc set includes nearly every hilarious, unforgettable and trenchant moment from the show's two season run -- nearly 13 hours of peerless and thoughtful comedy and opinion. Formats: DVD: $39.98. (Entertainment One).

photo for The Horror Network The Horror Network (2015) Serial killers, ghostly phone calls, inner demons, otherworld monsters and creepy stalkers collide in this frightening horror anthology. Six of horror's most promising new directing talents join forces to pay homage to classic horror like" Creepshow," "Tales From the Crypt," "V/H/S" and "The ABCs of Death," and weave an unforgettable, disturbing tapestry of terror. Created by Brian Dorton and Douglas Conner, this first volume of terror tales features segments directed by Dorton, Conner, Joseph Graham, Manuel Marín, Lee Matthews and Ignacio Martín Lerma. Formats: DVD. (Wild Eye Releasing).

Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer (2013) A bold documentary from director Charlie Ahearn. More than just vintage shots of kids rocking fresh kicks and fly street style in Times Square, Flatbush Ave, and a pre-gentrified Fort Greene Park, Shabazz's photographs have hundreds of stories behind them, and Ahearn's film gives voice to these images with intimate interviews with Shabazz himself, countless subjects of his iconic photographs, graffiti pioneer and hip-hop historian Fred "Fab 5 Freddy" Brathwaite, legendary rapper KRS-One, and many others. In a limited edition DVD (only 500). Formats: DVD. Extras: New interviews with Shabazz and Ahearn, outtakes, more. (Oscilloscope Laboratories).

photo for Leon the Professional Limited Edition Supreme Cinema Series Leon the Professional Limited Edition Supreme Cinema Series (1994) Dir.: Luc Besson; Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello. Collectible edition showcases 4k restorations, Dolby Atmos Audio upgrade and features a limited edition acrylic "clear case" with 24-page behind-the-scenes booklet. Also available as a standalone without the Clear case and booklet. Formats: Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Both the theatrical and extended versions of the film (both remastered in 4K and with Dolby Atmos; three featurettes: "Cast and Crew Look Back," "Jean Reno: The Road to Leon," "Natalie Portman: Starting Young"; original theatrical trailer. (Sony).


Max (2015) Josh Wiggins, Lauren Graham, Thomas Haden Church, Luke Kleintank, Robbie Amell, Mia Xitlali. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Working with Max": Meet the dogs that play Max and see inside tricks of the trade. Blu-ray adds "Hero Dogs: A Journey" behind-the-scenes look at amazing military trained K9s. (MGM/Warner).

Mining for Ruby (2014) Billy Zane, Mischa Barton, Jonathan Bennett, Antoinette Kalaj, Daniel Ponickly, Syd Wilder. A widower dealing with his depression falls for an environmental activist. Formats: DVD. (MVD Entertainment).

Monty Python and the Holy Grail: 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray photo for Monty Python and the Holy Grail: 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray(1975) Includes all-new artwork from Terry Gilliam and the all-new 30-minute "Monty Python and the Holy Grail at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival," a Q&A with Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, John Cleese and Eric Idle, hosted by John Oliver and recorded live at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. A Limited Edition Gift Set, a must-own for any Python fan, features collectible castle packaging with real catapult action and rubber farm animals, plus all-new exclusive introductory letters from Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. Additional extras for both the Blu-ray and Limited Edition: Outtakes and extended scenes with introduction by Terry Jones, Lost Animations with introduction by Terry Gilliam, Scintillating Commentary by Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones and Even More Revealing Commentary by John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin, "Quest for the Holy Grail" locations with Michael Palin & Terry Jones, "Lego Knights: The Knights of the Round Table in LEGO," "Special Japanese Version," "How To Use Your Coconuts (An Educational Film)," "BBC Film Night on Location," "Three Songs to Sing-Along," photo gallery, original theatrical trailer. (Sony).

Mulholland Dr. (2001) Blonde Betty Elms (Naomi Watts) has only just arrived in Hollywood to become a movie star when she meets an enigmatic brunette with amnesia (Laura Harring). Meanwhile, as the two set off to solve the second woman's identity, filmmaker Adam Kesher (Justin Theroux) runs into ominous trouble while casting his latest project. David Lynch's seductive and scary vision of Los Angeles's dream factory is one of the true masterpieces of the new millennium, a tale of love, jealousy, and revenge like no other. New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by director David Lynch and director of photography Peter Deming, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: New interviews with Lynch, Deming, actors Naomi Watts and Laura Harring, composer Angelo Badalamenti, and casting director Johanna Ray; interviews with Lynch and cast members, along with other footage from the film's set; trailer; a booklet featuring an interview with Lynch from filmmaker and writer Chris Rodley's 2005 edition of the book "Lynch on Lynch"; more. (The Criterion Collection).

My Fair Lady: 50th Anniversary Edition (1964) Dir.: George Cukor; Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Gladys Cooper, Jeremy Brett, Theodore Bikel. The iconic American film, starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison and directed by George Cukor, has just received a $1 million makeover in time for a limited theatrical re-release with more than 800 screenings nationwide beginning October 18. Acclaimed film historian and preservationist Robert A. Harris painstakingly restored the film to its original beauty. The 4K restoration comes from an 8K scan of the original negative and other surviving 65mm elements. Harris has previously restored such film classics as "Lawrence of Arabia," "Spartacus," "Vertigo," "Rear Window" and "The Godfather." The Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack comes in collectible packaging with an entire Blu-ray disc dedicated to 90 minutes of special features including a variety of original trailers and featurettes that were used in theaters to promote the film, as well as footage from the film's Los Angeles and British premieres in 1964. (Paramount).

Pixels (2015) Dir.: Chris Columbus; Adam Sandler, Michelle Monaghan, Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage, Kevin James, Ashley Benson, Jane Krakowski, Brian Cox, Lainie Kazan, Sean Bean. When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth in the form of the video games and it's up to Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad to save the world. Formats: DVD, 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD Combo, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Two featurettes: "Q*Bert," in which the adorable digital bit hoper comes to life; "Dojo Quest" look at the new arcade game that gave life to the unsoppable Lady Lisa. Blu-ray adds six more featurettes: "The Creator of the Machine," "The Space Invader," "PAC-MAN," "Donkey Kong," "Centipede" and "Galaga." (Sony).

Southpaw (2015) Dir.: Antoine Fuqua; Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Naomie Harris, Forest Whitaker, 50 Cent, Clare Foley, Rita Ora, Victor Ortiz. Boxer Billy Hope turns to trainer Tick Willis to help him get his life back on track after losing his wife in a tragic accident and his daughter to child protection services. Formats: DVD, Steelbook Blu-ray, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). (The Weinstein Company).


go back to top




rule


| Home | Resources | Links |


E-mail: mail@onvideo.org
October 26, 2015
(ISSN 1094-3676).

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

photoPrinter Friendly Version

Last Week's Releases: Tuesday, October 20 -- Monday, October 26