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OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases
American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered
(2014) Narrated by Stanley Tucci, the film -- which airs day and date on PBS channels -- explores Crosby's life and legend with unprecedented access to his archives, including never-before-seen footage, and reveals a man far more complex than his public persona. Thirty-seven years after his death, Crosby remains the most recorded performer in history with nearly 400 hit singles, an achievement no one -- not Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley or The Beatles -- has come close to matching. A brilliant entrepreneur, Crosby played an important role in the development of the postwar recording industry. As one of Hollywood's most popular actors, he won the Oscar for 1944's "Going My Way" and starred in the iconic "Road" films with Bob Hope. American Masters received unprecedented access to the entertainer's personal and professional archives, including never-before-seen home movies, Dictabelt recordings, photos and more. The film features new interviews with all surviving members of Crosby's immediate family: wife Kathryn, daughter Mary and sons Harry and Nathaniel. The film reveals Crosby's struggles with his first wife, Dixie Lee, and their sons Gary, Dennis, Phillip and Lindsay. Mary addresses accusations of abuse first published in Gary's 1983 memoir, which tarnished their father's legacy. Gary speaks candidly about both his and his mother's alcoholism as well as his difficulties with his father in a never-before-seen 1987 interview. Other new interviews include singers Tony Bennett and Michael Feinstein, record producer Ken Barnes, biographer Gary Giddins, and writers Buz Kohan and Larry Grossman, who both share the story behind Crosby's Christmas special duet with David Bowie. "American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered -- The Soundtrack" features songs heard in the documentary, including 16 previously unreleased recordings, and is available November 25 via Bing Crosby Archive and Universal Music Enterprises. Formats: DVD. (PBS Distribution).
As Above, So Below
(2014) Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Inside As Above/So Below" featurette. (Universal).
Cantinflas
(2014 -- Mexico) Oscar Jaenada, Michael Imperioli, Ilse Salas, Barbara Mori, Ana Layevska, Adal Ramones. Formats: DVD VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Cantinflas: From Mexico to the Big Screen" featurette. (Pantelion/Lionsgate).
The Congress
(2014) Robin Wright, Harvey Keitel, Paul Giamatti, Danny Huston, Jon Hamm. More than two decades after catapulting to stardom with "The Princess Bride," an aging actress (Robin Wright, playing a version of herself) decides to take her final job: preserving her 3-D digital likeness for a future Hollywood. Through a deal brokered by her loyal, longtime agent (Harvey Keitel) and the head of Miramount Studios (Danny Huston), the character known as "Robin Wright" will be exclusively owned and controlled by the studio, and will star in any film they want with no restrictions. Wright will remain an eternal thirtysomething in all Miramount films, but will also be forbidden from acting on any other stage, anywhere in the world, forever. In return, she'll receive healthy compensation so she can care for her ailing son. Twenty years later, under the creative vision of the studio's head animator (Jon Hamm), Wright's digital double has risen to immortal stardom. With her contract expiring, however, the real Robin is going through another crisis ... but there may yet be hope for her when she is invited to take part in "The Congress" convention as she makes her comeback straight into the world of future fantasy cinema. Inspired by the great novelist Stanislaw Lem's "The Futurological Congress." Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. Extras: Commentary with director Ari Folman, interview with Robin Wright, 12-page booklet, theatrical trailer, promotional spot. (Drafthouse Films/Cinedigm).
The Dark Place
(2014) Sean Paul Lockhart, Blaise Embry, Timo Descamps. A young man returns to the heart of California's wine valley to make peace with his long-estranged family. Instead, he finds a harrowing mystery that endangers his life and those he loves in this contemporary gay thriller.
Formats: DVD, VOD. Extras: Commentary by director Jody Wheeler and co-star Allison Lane, alternate and extended scenes, promotional videos. (Blue Seraph Productions/Breaking Glass Pictures).
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
(2014) Gary Oldman, Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Judy Greer. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray Disc Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Andy Serkis: Rediscovering Caesar," four galleries. Blu-ray adds Deleted scenes, "Journey to Dawn," "Humans and Apes: The Cast of Dawn," "The World of Dawn," "The Ape Community," "Move Like an Ape: An Artists Artist's Medium," "Weta and Dawn," "The Fight for a New Dawn," commentary by director Matt Reeves. (Fox).
Fagbug Nation
(2014) Erin Davies' follow up to her acclaimed first film 2009 "Fagbug." After the 11th Annual National Day of Silence in Albany, N.Y., Davies' VW Beetle was vandalized with the words "fag" and "u r gay" placed on the driver's side window and hood. In response, she took her car, now known worldwide as the "fagbug," on a 58-day trip around the United States and Canada. After getting it completely remodeled as the rainbow colored "Fagbug," Davies and her dog hit the road as she attempted to check off the last remaining states on her list: Alaska and Hawaii. Formats: DVD. (Garden Thieves Pictures).
Field of Lost Shoes
(2014) David Arquette, Luke Benward, Max Lloyd-Jones, Zach Roerig, Lauren Holly, Mary Mouser, Nolan Gould, Jason Isaacs, Tom Skerritt. Based on a true story of the American Civil War, about of a group of teenage cadets who were called upon to defend the Shenandoah Valley against General Grant's (Tom Skerritt) Union forces. Formats: DVD. (ARC Entertainment).
Gunsmoke: The Eleventh Season, Volume One and Volume Two
(1965-66) Four-disc sets with 16 episodes each, $42.99. James Arness returns in his legendary role as Matt Dillon, in charge of a Wild West town full of lawbreakers. From train-robbing outlaws and claim jumpers to cattle rushers and bounty hunters, disorder is everywhere. Its up to Dillon and company to restore order to a town where anything can happen. Jam-packed with famous guest stars including George Kennedy, Lesley Ann Warren, Leonard Nimoy, Joe Don Baker, Diane Ladd, Slim Pickens, Darren McGavin, Tom Skerritt and Bruce Dern. Formats: DVD. (CBS/Paramount).
Gutshot Straight
(2014) AnnaLynne McCord, Steven Seagal, Vinnie Jones, George Eads, Stephen Lang. A down-on-his-luck gambler makes a deal with a slick-talking, wealthy man in Las Vegas to make some quick money in order to repay his debts ... but the deal quickly turns deadly. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: Commentary with director Justin Steele and composer Keith Waggoner, behind-the-scenes with interviews, deleted scenes. (Lionsgate).
Happy Days: The Sixth Season
(1978-79) Four-disc set with 27 episodes, $42.99.
Formats: DVD. (CBS/Paramount).
The Hundred-Foot Journey
(2014) Dir.: Lasse Hallstrom; Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon, Farzana Dua Elahe. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "The Recipe, The Ingredients, The Journey." Blu-ray adds "The Hundred-Foot Journey With (producers) Steven Spielberg & Oprah Winfrey," "On Set With Oprah Winfrey," "Coconut Chicken" featurette teaches viewers how to make coconut chicken in this demonstration of a beautiful, Indian inspired dish with Chef Anil Sharma. (DreamWorks).
InRealLife
(2014) A journey from the world of Silicon Valley to the bedrooms of British teenagers asks an important question: What exactly is the Internet doing to our children? This revealing documentary examines how children are adapting to the technological world we live in, and how free and open connectivity can have alienating and addictive side-effects, especially on the youngest minds using it. Formats: DVD. (First Run Features).
Jingle All The Way 2
(2014) Larry the Cable Guy, Santino Marella, Kennedi Clements. Direct-to-video sequel to the 1996 hit about a dad trying to land the season's hottest toy, The Harrison Bear, for his daughter. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Deleted scenes, "Christmas Catastrophes," Harrison the Bear TV commercial, "Santa Santino," "Christmas Wishes," "Harrison the Bear: An Exclusive Interview," "Reindeer Riding at Roosters Tavern," Black Friday PSA. (WWE Studios/Fox).
Justified: The Complete Fifth Season
(2014) Three-disc set with 13 episodes. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Deleted scenes, commentaries on two episodes ("A Murder of Crowes" and "Restitution"), "Season of the Crowe: Making Season Five." Blu-ray adds "The Coolest Guy in the Room" tribute to the late, great Elmore Leonard; "The Onion Eulogizes Elmore Leonard"; "The Big House: Prison Set Tour"; "Writer's Diary: A Week of Starvation" on set with co-executive producer and writer Chris Provenzano as his episode, "Starvation," is filmed; "Getting the Shot" insight into the show's distinct look and style; "Raylan Givens: Two Roads Diverge" discussion about two characters from Season 5 who represent foils for Raylan Givens; "King Lear" discussion about a key scene from "Raw Deal"; "The Wall of Death: Season Five Body Count." (Sony).
Kung Fu Girl/Whiplash
(1973/1974) Double feature starring martial arts sensation Pei-Pei Cheng. Formats: DVD. (Shout! Factory).
The Legend of Korra Book Three: Change
(2014) Two-disc set with 13 episodes of the Nickelodeon hit animated series. Book Three starts with the world entering a new age as Korra discovers that new Airbenders are popping up all over the Earth Kingdom, and she makes it her mission to find them and rebuild the Air Nation. But when a group of dangerous criminals break out of prison, they have a dangerous mission of their own. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentaries from series creators and crew, behind-the-scenes featurettes including animatics. (Nickelodeon/Paramount).
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1939) This 4K remastering celebrates the film's 75th anniversary. Jean Arthur, James Stewart and Claude Rains star in Frank Capra's award-winning 1939 classic about an idealistic, small town senator who heads to Washington and suddenly finds himself single-handedly battling ruthless politicians out to destroy him. When Capra decided to film the novel "The Gentleman From Montana", he ran into an obstacle: Director Rouben Mamoulian owned the rights to the story. Unwilling to sell, Mamoulian eventually traded the material to Columbia on the condition that he be allowed to direct "Golden Boy." As Capra began working on the film, it was suggested that Gary Copper, the star of "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," take the lead. Capra selected Jimmy Stewart instead and the film solidified Stewart's movie career, garnering him his first Academy Award nomination. Receiving a total of eleven 1939 Oscar nominations (including Best Picture and Best Director), and winning one (Best Motion Picture Story), "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" is considered one of Capra's, Stewart's and Columbia's finest films. It also marked the end of an era: It was Capra's final film for the studio. Presented in Digibook packaging with rare photos and a new essay by film historian Jeremy Arnold. Extras: Audio commentary by Frank Capra Jr.; original theatrical trailer; rare international trailer which includes footage deleted from the final film; feature-length documentary: "Frank Capra's American Dream," narrated by Ron Howard and incorporating interviews with the director's friends, colleagues and admirers; "Frank Capra Jr. Remembers ... Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" featurette; four additional featurettes offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of Hollywood's greatest and most influential directors. (Sony).
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: Season Four
(2014) Four-disc set with all 26 episodes, $34.99. Available exclusively at Amazon. Formats: DVD. Extras: San Diego Comic-Con 2014 panel, sing-alongs. (Shout! Factory).
The Notebook (Le Grand Cahier)
(2013 -- Hungary) Andras Gyemant, Laszlo Gyemant, Piroska Molnar. Directed by Janos Szasz and based on the international best-seller "Le Grand Cahier" by Agota Kristof, the film is set in Hungary during World War II. Real-life brothers Laszlo and Andras Gyemant give powerful debut performances, playing twin boys who are forced by circumstances to leave their comfortable home and take refuge with their heartless grandmother. Previously pampered, the twins must learn how to survive alone in their new, rural surroundings. They realize that the only way to cope with the inhumane world of adults and war is to become completely unfeeling and merciless. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: (Sony).
Pay 2 Play: Democracy's High Stakes
(2014) If our political system is like a game of Monopoly, how can outsiders have a voice when only money speaks? Director John Ennis, driven to make the world better for his newborn daughter, documents comical corruption, follows political newcomers, and uncovers intrigue in this colorful journey that connects the dots of Big Money in our ever-challenging election process. Seeking for ways outsiders can lead when our country is run by insiders and pay-to-play politics, Ennis, who The Washington Post called "an optimist at heart", journeys through high drama on the Ohio campaign trail, uncovers the secret history of America's past time, and explores the underworld of L.A. street art on an odyssey that reveals how much of a difference one person can make. From billionaires meeting in secret to citizens taking to the streets, the documentary follows the money and connects the dots in this portrait of People Power rising. Includes interviews with Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor, UC Berkeley professor; Marianne Williamson, NY Times bestselling author, speaker; Noam Chomsky, MIT professor, author, linguist; Jack Abramoff, convicted lobbyist; Lawrence Lessig, Harvard professor, director of Center of Ethics; Jerry Springer, former mayor of Cincinnati; Mary Bottari, Center for Media and Democracy. Formats: DVD, VOD. Extras: Featurettes: "The Chili Hustle," "Who is Alec Monopoly?," "Free Humanity: The Diamond in the Lotus," "Lydia Emily, the Tattooed Artist Lady," "Teacher: Teaching Peace." (TDC Entertainment).
Planet of the Apes: Caesar's Warrior Collection Blu-ray
Includes "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" and "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" on Blu-ray and Digital HD. The collection comes in a limited-edition, fiercely lifelike replica bust of Caesar wearing his tribal war paint, designed by WETA, the special effects masters responsible for bringing Caesar to life on film. Also includes an all-new 32-page booklet "Planet of the Apes: Building an Icon" that explores WETA's creation of the Caesar replica, four battle-ready ape collectible character cards and more than five hours of special features. $129.99. (Fox).
Robin Williams Remembered A Pioneers Of Television Special
(2014) One-hour special features Robin Williams' last full-length television interview, including never-before-seen footage of his comments on life and work, tributes by those who knew and worked with him closely in all phases of his career, and clips from iconic moments throughout his career. Williams shares stories about his first stand-up act, his desire to be a serious dramatic actor, and his tireless efforts to entertain U.S. troops overseas. Also includes interviews with "Mork &
Mindy" co-star Pam Dawber, Henry Winkler and Yakov Smirnoff, to comedians Louie Anderson, Paul
Rodriguez, Rick Overton, Blake Clark and Pauly Shore, and comedy producer George Schlatter. Other interviews about Williams include: Penny Marshall, the late Jonathan Winters, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jimmie Walker. Formats: DVD, $19.99. (PBS Distribution).
The Simpsons Season 17
(2005-06) 22 episodes. Four-disc DVD, three-disc Blu-ray. (Fox).
Sliders: The Complete Series
(1995-2000) 22-disc set, $179.98. Formats: DVD. Extras: Pilot episode audio commentary with co-creators Tracy Torme and Robert K. Weiss, "The Making of Sliders" documentary, photo gallery, gag reel. (Universal).
Speak No Evil
(2013) Greg Bronson, Annalise Cavender, Elisabeth Cavender. A single mother fights to protect her daughter from demonically possessed children and a town gone mad. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (Cloud). (Lionsgate).
Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece Collection Blu-Ray
Ten-disc Blu-ray set ($199.99 SRP) includes eight Kubrick classics as well as the newly-produced documentary: "Kubrick Remembered," which captures intimate moments in Kubrick's very personal life, two new-to-Blu-ray documentaries: "Stanley Kubrick In Focus" and "Once Upon a Time ... A Clockwork Orange," plus two additional documentaries: "Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures," and O' Lucky Malcolm! Also included will be a new 78-page hardcover photo book using film archive photographs. Films in the collection are "Lolita" (1962), "Dr. Strangelove" (1964), "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968), "A Clockwork Orange" (1971), "Barry Lyndon" (1975), "The Shining" (1980), "Full Metal Jacket" (1987) and "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999). "Kubrick Remembered" offers a new look into the Kubrick archives, with special appearances by the director's wife, Christiane Kubrick, as well as never-seen footage of Kubrick's works, his house and his film production facilities. "Stanley Kubrick In Focus" presents such directors as Steven Spielberg, Steven Soderbergh, Oliver Stone, William Friedkin and Martin Scorsese relating how Kubrick's directorial style influenced them. (Warner).
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season Seven BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1993-94) Six-disc set with all 25 episodes of the final season with some of the most acclaimed episodes of the series: the two-part episode "Descent"; Worf's (Michael Dorn) conflict with his human foster brother who violates the prime directive to save a doomed primitive race in "Homeward"; the two-part episode "Gambit"; Data meeting a woman who claims to be his mother in "Inheritance"; and the stunning, final confrontation between Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Q (John de Lancie) in the series finale "All Good Things ..." Extras: Never-before-seen interviews with cast and crew, three-part documentary "The Sky's The Limit: The Eclipse of Star Trek: The Next Generation," "In Conversation: Lensing Star Trek: The Next Generation," commentaries, "Archival Mission Logs," gag reel, deleted scenes. (Paramount).
Star Trek: The Next Generation All Good Things BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1994) The epic feature-length series finale remastered into high-definition. The 1995 Hugo Award winner for "Best Dramatic Presentation" is a journey that takes fans to the end of the universe and beyond the boundaries of time itself, and begins when Q tells Captain Picard that he is to be the cause of humanity's ultimate annihilation. Thus begins an incredible adventure through space and time that follows Picard's first voyage on the Enterprise to 25 years into the future. Extras: Commentary, "The Unknown Possibilities of Existence: Making All Good Things ...," deleted scenes. (Paramount).
Tales from the Crypt and Vault of Horror BLU-RAY DEBUT
Features the rare, uncut version of "Vault of Horror," the two disc set includes three different cuts of the cult classic. The first disc includes "Tales from the Crypt" and "Vault of Horror's" uncut widescreen presentation. The second disc includes "Vault of Horror's" theatrical PG cut and a rare open-matte version of the BFI master. The release also includes an original trailer and an alternate opening scene for "Vault of Horror." "Tales From The Crypt" (1972): When five unwary travelers with dark hearts stumble into a series of catacombs, they find themselves in a cavern with no way out. But the horror's only just begun as a mysterious figure appears to reveal to each person the shocking events that will lead to their well-deserved, untimely -- and unavoidable -- demise. Starring Joan Collins, Peter Cushing, Patrick Magee, Ralph Richardson. "Vault of Horror" (1973) Five unsuspecting hotel guests step into an elevator, which leads them into an underground vault. Trapped with no way out, each guest shares a gruesome tale of an encounter with death. But as the stories unfold, the men begin to suspect that their presence in the vault is no coincidence, and that the only way out ... is death. Starring Tom Baker, Denholm Elliott, Curt Jurgens, Michael Craig, Daniel Massey, Terry-Thomas, Glynis Johns. (Scream Factory/Shout! Factory).
To Kill a Man
(2014 -- Chile) Daniel Candia, Alejandra Yanez, Daniel Antivilo, Ariel Mateluna, Jennifer Salas. A working class man, tired of being tormented by the neighborhood delinquent who received only two years in prison for killing his son, decides to take justice into his own hands. Formats: DVD, Digital. (Film Movement).
November 30, 2014 (ISSN 1094-3676). |
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