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

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OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases

Tuesday, December 8 -- Monday, December 14

All DVD Releases

  • Minions

    photo for Minions The breakout stars from the "Despicable Me" franchise headline their own movie. The story of Minions begins at the dawn of time. Starting as single-celled yellow organisms, Minions evolved through the ages, perpetually serving (and accidentally eliminating) the most despicable of masters. Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these masters -- from T. rex to Napoleon -- the Minions find themselves without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression. But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he -- alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob -- ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow. The trio embark upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain. They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in "mod" London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind ... from annihilation. Vitals: Director: Pierre Coffin, Kyle Balda. Stars: Voices of Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan, Jennifer Saunders, Geoffrey Rush, Pierre Coffin. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: 91, PG min., Animated, Box office gross: $333.923 million, Universal. Extras: Deleted scene, "Jingle Bells Minion Style." Blu-ray adds Three new original Mini-Movies: "Cro Minion," "Competition," "Binky Nelson Unpacified"; "Around The World Interactive Map" explores the world of the Minions with and features a collection of games, trivia, featurettes, storyboards, and more all themed to movie locations; "Behind the Goggles – The Illumination Story of the Minions" with eight "behind the googles" look at the history and evolution of the yellow henchmen; "Illumination Macguff Animation" seven-part exploration of the challenges and excitement behind the Minion characters and bringing them alive through animation in the movie. 2 stars


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  • Ant-Man

    photo for Ant-Man The next installment in Marvel's cinematic universe of "The Avengers" features a size-changing scientist using his technological advances to become a superhero. When a petty crook named Scott Lang gets his hands on a formula that enables him to shrink down to an insect's size, Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man and inventor of the formula, comes along to mentor Scott in taking over the role. With the help of his new powers and Hank's positive influence, Scott may just be able to turn his life around for the better as a crimefighter and defender of the world. With humanity’s fate in the balance, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a daring heist against insurmountable odds. Vitals: Director: Peyton Reed. Stars: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Michael Pena, Anthony Mackie. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 115 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $178.753 million, Disney. Extras: Deleted scene. Blu-ray adds "Making of an Ant-Sized Heist: A How-To Guide"; "Let's Go to the Macroverse" featurette; "WHIH NewsFront" collection of content, including a glimpse at the future of Pym Technologies with Darren Cross, anchor Christine Everhart's interview with soon-to-be-released prisoner Scott Lang on his notorious VistaCorp heist, and more; deleted and extended scenes; gag reel; commentary by Peyton Reed and Paul Rudd. 2 stars



    Blu-ray Debuts

  • Axe/Kidnapped Coed (1977/1976)
  • Battles Without Honor and Humanity (1973) (Arrow Video)
  • Jellyfish Eyes (2013) (Criterion)
  • Speedy (1928) (Criterion)
  • Thundercrack! (1975)
  • You Can't Take It With You (1938) )

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All DVD Releases

Ant-Man (2015) Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Michael Pena, Anthony Mackie. Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Doctor Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. With humanity's fate in the balance, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a daring heist against insurmountable odds. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, 3D-Blu-ray, VOD, Digital, Disney Movies Anywhere. Extras: Deleted scene. Blu-ray adds "Making of an Ant-Sized Heist: A How-To Guide"; "Let's Go to the Macroverse" featurette; "WHIH NewsFront" collection of content, including a glimpse at the future of Pym Technologies with Darren Cross, anchor Christine Everhart's interview with soon-to-be-released prisoner Scott Lang on his notorious VistaCorp heist, and more; deleted and extended scenes; gag reel; commentary by Peyton Reed and Paul Rudd. (Disney).

Battles Without Honor and Humanity BLU-RAY DEBUT (1973) Kinji Fukasaku ("Battle Royale") gave the world Japan's answer to "The Godfather" with this violent yakuza saga, influencing filmmakers from Quentin Tarantino to Takashi Miike. Made within just two years, the five-film series brought a new kind of realism and ferocity to the crime genre in Japan, revitalizing the industry and leading to unprecedented commercial and critical success. Fukasaku and his team broke with the longstanding studio tradition of photo for Battles Without Honor And Humanity BLU-RAY DEBUT casting marquee idols as honorable, kimono-clad heroes, defending their gang bosses against unscrupulous villains, and instead adapted true accounts torn from the headlines, shot in a documentary-like style, and with few clear-cut heroes or villains. The vibrancy and dynamism of the filmmaking, plus its shocking violence, Shakespearean plotlines, and wide tapestry of characters, launched a revolutionary new genre, establishing the series as one of the great masterpieces of world crime cinema. Thirteen-disc limited edition box set, $149.95. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Extras: Original Mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-rays); "Remembering Kinji," a new featurette about director Kinji Fukasaku and his work, featuring interviews with Kenta Fukasaku and film critic and Fukasaku biographer Sadao Yamane; "Secrets of the Piranha Army," a new documentary about the troupe of supporting actors who appeared throughout the series, featuring new interviews with original Piranha members Masaru Shiga and Takashi Noguchi, plus second-generation Piranha, Takashi Ni; "All the Bad Guys," a new, comprehensive video guide to the actors in the films; "Fukasaku Family," a new interview with Proxy War and Police Tactics assistant director Toru Dobashi; "Man of Action," a new interview with series fight choreographer Ryuzo Ueno; "Tales of a Bit Player," a new interview with supporting actor and stuntman Seizo Fukumoto; "Last Days of the Boss,' a new interview with Final Episode screenwriter Koji Takada; "Yakuza Graveyard,' a new interview with Takashi Miike about Kinji Fukasaku and the yakuza film genre; original trailers for the series; original poster gallery for the series; limited edition packaging and reversible sleeves for all five films including original and newly commissioned artwork by Reinhard Kleist; English-subtitled premiere of the 224-minute compilation edition of the first four films, previously screened only as part of a limited Japanese theatrical release in 1980 and on the Toei cable channel; introduction by Complete Saga editorial supervisor Toru Dobashi; 150-page hardback book featuring writing on the history of the yakuza film genre, the background and continuing importance of the Battles series, and additional essays on the men who made them. (Arrow Video/MVD).

Blind (Norway -- 2015) Ellen Dorrit Pettersen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Vera Vitali, Marius Kolbenstvedt. Ingrid -- lithe, beautiful, and married to an up-and-coming architect -- is a woman contending with the recent loss of vision. While attempting to navigate a world without sight, she spends her days reconstructing the visual world by writing salacious stories that slowly morph into fantasies about her husband and other characters that may or may not actually exist. When real-life crashes into Ingrid's creations, she must finally come to terms with her new reality. Screenwriter Eskil Vogt's ("Oslo, August 31," "Louder Than Bombs") highly acclaimed directorial debut. Formats: DVD. (Icarus Films).

photo for CPO Sharkey: The Best Of Season One CPO Sharkey: The Best of Season One For two seasons (1976-1978) and 37 episodes, Don Rickles brought his distinctive brand of comedy to NBC-TV as the star of "CPO Sharkey." Politically incorrect before the term existed, Rickles' character, Chief Petty Officer Otto Sharkey, a 24-year naval veteran, had pretty much seen and heard it all, and he whipped his recruits into shape at the San Diego naval training center with his sharpened shards of wisdom. This DVD delivers six complete episodes as they originally aired on NBC, highlighting Rickles' snappiest sitcom performances. Episodes include "Oh Captain My Captain," where the chauvinistic Sharkey meets his new commanding officer, who turns out to be a woman; "The Dear John Letter," in which Chief Robinson (Harrison Page) suspects Sharkey to be a smooth ladies man; "Goodbye Dolly," featuring an inflatable doll that causes a ruckus in the barracks until everyone's favorite Chief Petty Officer quickly deflates the situation; "Sunday in Tijuana," with some South of the Border jail time for the men of Company 144; "Sharkey Boogies on Down," where Rickles tests his dance moves at a disco for Chief Robinson's birthday; and "Sharkey's Secret Life," in which the recruits are convinced that Sharkey may be gay after he purchases a toupee from a mysterious, shoulder-purse-toting wig salesman. Formats: DVD: $12.95. (Time Life).

photo for Emptying the Skies Emptying the Skies (2015) Based on a widely republished New Yorker essay by best-selling novelist Jonathan Franzen, this documentary exposes the rampant poaching of migratory songbirds in southern Europe. Songbird populations have been drastically declining for several decades, with a number of species facing imminent extinction. This poignant documentary explores the wonder of these tiny globe-trekking marvels, millions of which are unlawfully slaughtered each year for large sums on the black market, and follows the intrepid squad of pan-European bird-lovers waging a secret war against poachers, disrupting illegal trapping to free as many as possible. Formats: DVD. (Music Box Films).



Family Guy Season 13 (2014-15) Three-disc set with 18 episodes. Formats: DVD. Extras: "On the Road to Springfield: The Making of The Simpsons Guy," commentary on select episodes, deleted scenes, "Baby Ways," "Who Let the Dog Out." (Fox).

The Garbage Pail Kids Movie Collector's Edition (1987) Anthony Newley, Mackenzie Astin, Katie Barber. Based on the wildly popular trading cards. When Dodger (Astin) accidentally releases the Kids from their magical trash can prison, all smell breaks loose. Despite their offensive personal habits -- and attitude problems -- Dodger soon becomes fond of the Kids. But when Messy Tessie, Foul Phil, Valerie Vomit and the whole misfit crew join his fight against thuggish bullies, their efforts just might land them behind bars at the State Home for the Ugly! Formats: DVD. Extras: New "The Effects of the Garbage Pail Kids Movie" interviews with special makeup effects creator John Carl Buechler and makeup effects artist Gino Crognale; new "On the Set" interview with first assistant director Thomas A. Irvine; new "The Artful Dodger" interview with actor Mackenzie Astin; new "The Kids Aren't All Right" interviews with Garbage Pail Kids actors Arturo Gil (Windy Winston) and Kevin Thompson (Ali Gator); theatrical trailer. (Scream factory).

photo for Hannibal: Season Three Hannibal: Season Three (2015) Four-disc DVD, three-disc Blu-ray with all 13 episodes of the series based on the characters and elements appearing in the novel "Red Dragon." Stars Mads Mikkelsen as the iconic Hannibal Lecter, Hugh Dancy, Gillian Anderson, and Laurence Fishburne. Hannibal (Mikkelsen) is on the run in Europe -- accompanied by his psychiatrist, Bedelia Du Maurier (Anderson) -- sporting a new identity, but servicing the same insatiable appetite. As the lives of Will (Dancy) and Jack (Fishburne) converge toward Hannibal again, each with their own motivations to catch him once and for all, their deadly dance turns in startling and unexpected ways. Formats: DVD: $24.98, Blu-ray Disc: $24.99, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Audio commentaries with cast and crew, "Getting the Old Scent Again: Reimagining Red Dragon" featurette, "Beyond the Mind Palace" featurette, "Hannibal on the Run" featurette, "Avid Fannibals," "Hannibal: Season 3: Killer Intentions" featurette, "Post Mortem With Scott Thompson" (Webisodes), gag reel, deleted scenes. (Lionsgate).

Jellyfish Eyes (2013) Takashi Murakami, one of the most popular artists in the world, made his directorial debut with "Jellyfish Eyes," taking his boundless imagination to the screen in a tale that is about friendship and loyalty at the same time as it addresses humanity's penchant for destruction. After moving to a country town with his mother following his father's death, a young boy befriends a charming, flying, jellyfish-like sprite -- only to discover that his schoolmates have similar friends, and that neither they nor the town itself are what they seem to be. Pointedly set in a post-Fukushima world, Murakami's modest-budgeted special effects extravaganza boasts unforgettable creature designs and carries a message of cooperation and hope for all ages. New, high-definition digital master, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: New interview with director Takashi Murakami, two new behind-the-scenes documentaries on the making of the film, trailer for "Jellyfish Eyes 2," an essay by critic Glen Helfand. (The Criterion Collection).

Knock Knock (2015) Keanu Reeves, Lorenza Izzo, Ana de Armas. When a devoted husband and father is left home alone for the weekend, two stranded young women unexpectedly knock on his door for help. What starts out as a kind gesture results in a dangerous seduction and a deadly game of cat and mouse, wreaking havoc upon his life and turning a married man's dark fantasy into his worst nightmare. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Commentary by director Eli Roth and cast members Lorenza Izo, Nicolas Lopez and Colleen Camp; deleted scenes; "The Art of Destruction: The Making of Knock Knock" featurette; stills gallery. (Lionsgate).

Minions (2014) Since the dawn of time, Minions have served (and accidentally eliminated) history's most despicable villains. After their latest explosive mistake leaves them without an evil leader, the Minions embark on a journey to find a new big boss, and their quest leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock), and their biggest challenge: saving all of Minionkind ... from annihilation! Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Deleted scene, "Jingle Bells Minion Style." Blu-ray adds Three new original Mini-Movies: "Cro Minion," "Competition," "Binky Nelson Unpacified"; "Around The World Interactive Map" explores the world of the Minions with and features a collection of games, trivia, featurettes, storyboards, and more all themed to movie locations; "Behind the Goggles – The Illumination Story of the Minions" with eight "behind the googles" look at the history and evolution of the yellow henchmen; "Illumination Macguff Animation" seven-part exploration of the challenges and excitement behind the Minion characters and bringing them alive through animation in the movie. (Universal).

One & Two (2015) Kiernan Shipka, Timothee Chalamet, Elizabeth Reaser. A Southern Gothic science-fiction film in which two siblings discover a supernatural escape from a troubled home, but find their bond tested when reality threatens to tear their family apart. Zac and Eva live in a confined, isolated world under the constant watch of a father who rules with strict routine and discipline. They live for nightfall, for moments of escape, and rely on each other for moments of levity. After a long dormant illness returns, their mother, once a beacon of light and joy, struggles to unite the family in an increasingly somber home. As their father searches for a divine answer to the heartbreaking circumstances of his crumbling world, Zac and Eva steal moments to explore their burgeoning otherworldly abilities and to dream of a life free of limitations. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (IFC Midnight/Shout! Factory).


One Eyed Girl (2014) Steve Le Marquand, Sara West, Mark Leonard Winter, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Craig Behenna. A young psychiatrist on the brink of a nervous breakdown after the death of a patient to whom he was inappropriately close meets a mysterious teenager and the representative of a secret church that promises salvation to even the most troubled of its members ... but a series of a tragedies befalls the group after he joins. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. (Dark Sky Films).

photo for Partisan Partisan (2015) Vincent Cassel, Florence Mezzara, Jeremy Chabriel. On the edge of a crumbling city, 11-year-old Alexander (Chabriel) lives in a sequestered, dystopian commune, alongside other children, their mothers, and charismatic leader, Gregori (Cassel). Gregori teaches the children how to raise livestock, grow vegetables, work as a community -- and how to kill. As Alexander nears his first job as an assassin, he begins to question the ways of the commune, particularly Gregori's quiet but overpowering influence. Threatened by Alexander's increasing unwillingness to fall in line, Gregori's behavior turns erratic and adversarial toward the child he once considered a son. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Interviews with director Ariel Kleiman and Cassel. (Well Go USA).

Speedy (1928) "Speedy" was the last silent feature to star Harold Lloyd -- and one of his very best. The slapstick legend reprises his "Glasses Character," this time as a good-natured but scatterbrained New Yorker who can’t keep a job. He finally finds his true calling when he becomes determined to help save the city's last horse-drawn trolley, which is operated by his sweetheart's crusty grandfather. From its joyous visit to Coney Island to its incredible Babe Ruth cameo to its hair-raising climactic stunts on the city's streets, "Speedy" is an out-of-control love letter to New York that will have viewers grinning from ear to ear. New 4K digital restoration. Musical score by composer Carl Davis from 1992, synchronized and restored under his supervision and presented in uncompressed stereo on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary featuring Bruce Goldstein, director of repertory programming at New York's Film Forum, and Turner Classic Movies program director Scott McGee; "In the Footsteps of Speedy," a new short documentary by Goldstein about the film's New York locations; selection of rare archival footage of baseball legend Babe Ruth, who has a cameo in the film, presented by David Filipi, director of film and video at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio; new visual essay featuring stills of deleted scenes from the film and narrated by Goldstein; selection of Lloyd's home movies, narrated by his granddaughter, Suzanne Lloyd; "Bumping Into Broadway," a 1919 Lloyd two-reeler, newly restored and with a 2004 score by Robert Israel; an essay by critic Phillip Lopate. (The Criterion Collection).

Thundercrack! (1975) Marion Eaton, George Kuchar, Melinda McDowell, Mark Ellinger, Mookie Blodgett, Ken Scudder, Moira Benson. The highly-anticipated restoration of the underground film classic, the world's only underground kinky art adult horror film, complete with four men, three women and rampaging circus animals. With the initial setup of an atmospheric gothic tale -- a dark and stormy night breakdown featuring a creepy old house on the hill -- it quickly turns into an eerie orgy of graphic humor, horror and sex. A tour de force of underground filmmaking with a plot beyond description, this film fully exposes itself with amazing dialogue and trash-noir lighting through which to peer at the pickles, the puke and the polymorphs. In 1975, Curt McDowell and writer-actor George Kuchar created the exceptionally perverse and utterly brilliant "Thundercrack!," a film not recommended for those with tender sensibilities. A true cult classic that has shocked, excited and amazed audiences worldwide for 40 years, this presentation is the first ever official North American video release. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Rare archival interview segments with director Curt McDowell presented as audio commentary. Blu-ray adds "It Came From Kuchar," directed by Jennifer Kroot, a documentary about the twin underground filmmakers George and Mike Kuchar; an additional bonus DVD loaded with additional extras: rare interviews, short films, audition footage, outtakes, more. (Synapse Films/CAV Distributing).

The Transporter Refueled (2015) Ed Skrein, Ray Stevenson, Loan Chabanol, Gabriella Wright, Tatiana Pajkovic. Frank Martin (Skrein) is the best driver money can buy, willing to deliver anything for a price. But when his father (Stevenson) is kidnapped by a gang of gorgeous thieves, Frank must shift his skills into overdrive to rescue him. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: "Frank Martin: The Reluctant Hero" featurette. Blu-ray adds "The Coeur Brise: Les Femmes of Refueled," "Rocketing from 0-60." (Fox).

The Unauthorized Full House Story (2015 -- TV) Garrett Brawith, Justin Mader, Justin Gaston, Stephanie Bennett, Writtney Wilson, Jordyn Ashley Olson. This "tell-all" TV movie, based on the 90s sitcom, showcases the stars' rise to fame and their attempts to balance life on and off the screen. "Full House" is more popular than ever with an eagerly anticipated Netflix continuation "Fuller House." The movie also explores the warm bond that grew between the actors over the eight-year run of the show.Formats: DVD, Digital. (Lionsgate).

photo for Xmas Without China Xmas Without China (2013) Two families living worlds apart in the same community collide when pride and mischief inspire Chinese immigrant Tom Xia to challenge the Jones family to celebrate Christmas without any Chinese products. Fed up with toy and food recalls, the Jones family accepts the consumer mission-impossible and is drawn into a surprising intercultural exchange with the Xia family. As the Joneses wrestle with the escalating influence of China in their lives and Tom struggles to get beyond the stereotypes, he realizes that he's on a deeper journey to understand the complexities of his own divided loyalties between the U.S. and China. In English and Mandarin, with English subtitles. Formats: DVD. (Bullfrog Films/Icarus Films).

You Can't Take It With You BLU-RAY DEBUT (1938) Dir.: Frank Capra; James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, Edward Arnold. All-new 4K restoration, presented in collectible 24-page digibook packaging with rare photos and a new essay by film historian Jeremy Arnold. Extras: Commentary by Frank Capra Jr. and author Cathrine Kellison, "Frank Capra, Jr. Remembers ... You Can't Take It With You," featurette, original theatrical trailer. (Sony).


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December 6, 2015
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