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OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases
ABCs of Death 2
(2015) Follow-up to the most ambitious anthology film ever conceived. It features segments directed by over two dozen of the world's leading talents in contemporary genre film. The motion picture is comprised of 26 individual chapters; each helmed by a different director assigned a letter of the alphabet. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (Magnolia Home Entertainment Magnet Label).
The Best of Me
(2014) James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan, Gerald McRaney. Based on the #1 New York Times Best Seller from Nicholas Sparks. A pair of former high school sweethearts reunite after many years when they return to visit their small hometown. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Tears of Joy" new storyline and "Storybook" alternate ending, "Along for the Ride," Commentary by director Michael Hoffman, Music Video: "I Did" by Lady Antebellum. Blu-ray adds Nicholas Sparks interviews, deleted scenes. (Fox).
Dear White People
(2014) Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Kyle Gallner, Teyonah Parris, Brandon Bell, Malcolm Barrett, Dennis Haysbert. A thought-provoking satire about race relations, "Dear White People" is the story of an eclectic group of black students trying to navigate a predominantly white Ivy League school. Dealing with the college's traditions and cliques is hard enough. But after a sequence of events including a controversial student election, an out-of-control party and the arrival of a reality TV producer, once-quiet Winchester University becomes a hotbed of conflict.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "The Making of Dear White People" featurette; "Get Your Life" music video (extended version) by Caught a Ghost; deleted scenes; outtakes; "Racism Insurance" skits; "The More You Know About Black People" (a PSA Web Series); "DVRS App: Black Friends When You Need Them"; "LEAKED: Banned Winchester U Diversity" commentary with writer-director Justin Simien and cast Tessa Thompson, Tyler James Williams, Teyonah Parris and Brandon Bell; commentary with writer-director Justin Simien. (Lionsgate).
Dracula Untold
(2014) Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Charles Dance, Sarah Gadon, Art Parkinson. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Day in the Life - Luke Evans" personal moments with the film's star on set; "Dracula Retold" production featurette; "Slaying 1000" behind-the-scenes look at the making of Vlad's epic battle against an army of thousands; commentary with director Gary Shore and production designer Francois Audouy. Blu-ray adds alternate opening; deleted scenes; "The Land of Dracula" interactive map that explores Dracula's mysterious world, including Castle Dracula, Cozia Monastery, Broken Tooth Mountain and Borga Pass; "Luke Evens - Creating a Legend." (Universal).
Every Man for Himself
(1980) After a decade in the wilds of avant-garde and early video experimentation, Jean-Luc Godard returned to commercial cinema with this work of social commentary, star-driven and narrative while remaining defiantly intellectual and visually cutting-edge. "Every Man for Himself," featuring a script by Jean-Claude Carriere ("The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie") and Anne-Marie Mieville ("Ici et ailleurs"), looks at the sexual and professional lives of three people -- a television producer ("Van Gogh's" Jacques Dutronc), his ex-girlfriend ("The Return of Martin Guerre's" Nathalie Baye), and a prostitute ("White Material's" Isabelle Huppert) -- to create a meditative story about work, relationships, and the notion of freedom. Made 20 years into his career, the film was, according to Godard, a second debut. New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: "Le scenario" (1979), a short video created by Godard to secure financing for "Every Man for Himself"; new video essay by critic Colin MacCabe; new interviews with actor Isabelle Huppert and producer Marin Karmitz; archival interviews with actor Nathalie Baye, cinematographers Renato Berta and William Lubtchansky, and composer Gabriel Yared; two back-to-back 1980 appearances by Godard on "The Dick Cavett Show"; "Godard 1980," a short film by Jon Jost, Donald Ranvaud, and Peter Wollen, featuring Godard; trailer; an essay by critic Amy Taubin. (The Criterion Collection).
John Wick
(2014) Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Willem Dafoe. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Six featurettes: "Don't F*#% With John Wick," "Calling in the Cavalry," "“Destiny of a Collective," "“Assassin's Code," "Red Circle" and "NYC Noir." Blu-ray adds commentary by filmmakers Chad Stahelski and David Leitch. (Lionsgate).
Hector and the Search for Happiness
(2014) Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Toni Collette, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard. By all appearances, Hector (Pegg) has it all -- a successful psychiatry practice, a comfortable home and a beautiful, loving girlfriend (Pike). However, he's frustrated that he can't provide his patients with real happiness -- or even define it for them. So, he decides to travel the world in search of the elusive emotion, from rural China to Africa and even to Los Angeles. Formats: DVD. Extras: "Around the World With Simon Pegg," "The Making of Hector and the Search for Happiness," director commentary by Peter Chelsom. (Fox).
Ouija
(2014) Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, Daren Kagasoff, Bianca Santos. A group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "The Sirit Board: An Evolution" featurette on the history of automatic writing and "talking boards," "Icon of the Unknown" featurette. Blu-ray adds "Adapting the Fear" behind-the-scenes featurette. (Universal).
The Reagans: The Legacy Endures
(2014) Documentary about the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, and his wife Nancy. Formats: DVD, Digital. (Image Entertainment).
Starred Up
(2014) Rupert Friend, Jack O'Connell, Ben Mendelsohn.
A troubled and explosively violent teenager is transferred to an adult prison where he finally meets his match - a man who also happens to be his father. Formats: DVD. (Tribeca Film/Cinedigm).
Starry Eyes
(2014) Alex Essoe, Noah Segan, Pat Healy, Amanda Fuller. Determined to make it as an actress in Hollywood, Sarah Walker (Essoe) spends her days working a dead-end job, enduring petty friendships with other struggling artists and competing actors, and going on countless casting calls in hopes of catching her big break. After a series of strange auditions, Sarah lands the leading role in a film from a mysterious production company. But this opportunity comes with some bizarre conditions that will transform her both mentally and physically into something beautiful ... and altogether terrifying. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Commentary with writer-directors Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer and producer Travis Stevens; 10 deleted scenes; a music video by the film's composer, Jonathan Snipes; Alex Essoe's audition video; behind-the-scenes photo gallery; theatrical trailer. (Dark Sky Films/MPI).
Studio Ghibli BLU-RAY DEBUTS
"Pom Poko," "Porco Rosso," "Tales From Earthsea." (Disney).
The Wonder Years: The Complete Second Season
(1988-89) Four-disc set with 17 episodes, $39.95. In this season, Kevin confronts the day-to-day pressures of junior high school life: kids don't know what they want, and the girls are just as confused as the boys. On the home front, older brother Wayne continues his bullying ways, but
Zombie Killers: Elephant's Graveyard
(2015) Billy Zane, Dee Wallace, Mischa Barton, Felissa Rose, Brian Anthony Wilson. A young militia is all that stands between the arrival of a horde of the living dead and their rural town decimated by the fracking industry. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: "Bloodbath and Beyond," "The Look of Zombie Killers: Elephant's Graveyard" and "Zombie Killers: Elephant's Graveyard Behind the Scenes" featurettes. (Anchor Bay).
John Wick
When sadistic young thugs senselessly attack John Wick -- a brilliantly lethal ex-assassin -- they have no idea that they've just awakened the boogeyman. With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground, Wick embarks on a merciless rampage, hunting down his adversaries with the skill and ruthlessness that made him an underworld legend.
Vitals: Director: Chad Stahelski. Stars: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Willem Dafoe.
2014, CC, MPAA rating: R, 101 min., Action Thriller, Box office gross: $42.960 million, Lionsgate.
Extras: Six featurettes: "Don't F*#% With John Wick," "Calling in the Cavalry," "“Destiny of a Collective," "“Assassin's Code," "Red Circle" and "NYC Noir." Blu-ray adds commentary by filmmakers Chad Stahelski and David Leitch.
Dracula Untold
The origin story of one of legend's most captivating figures. The year is 1462 and Transylvania has enjoyed a prolonged period of peace under the just and fair rule of the battle-weary Vlad III, the prince of Wallachia (Luke Evans). But when Sultan Mehmed II (Dominic Cooper) demands 1,000 of Wallachia's boys -- including Vlad's own son -- become child soldiers in his army, Vlad must enter into a Faustian bargain to save his family and his people. He gains the strength of 100 men, the speed of a falling star, and the power to crush his enemies. In exchange, he's inflicted with an insatiable thirst for human blood that could force him into a life of darkness and destroy all that he holds dear.
Extras: "Day in the Life - Luke Evans" personal moments with the film's star on set; "Dracula Retold" production featurette; "Slaying 1000" behind-the-scenes look at the making of Vlad's epic battle against an army of thousands; commentary with director Gary Shore and production designer Francois Audouy. Blu-ray adds alternate opening; deleted scenes; "The Land of Dracula" interactive map that explores Dracula's mysterious world, including Castle Dracula, Cozia Monastery, Broken Tooth Mountain and Borga Pass; "Luke Evens - Creating a Legend."
Vitals: Director: Gary Shore. Stars: Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Charles Dance, Sarah Gadon, Art Parkinson.
2014, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 93 min., Horror, Box office gross: $23.514 million, Universal.
The Aviators
(2008 -- Spain) Voices of Jeff Foxworthy, Brad Garrett. Thrilling and patriotic animated tale based on an incredible true story, set during World War I: follows the adventures of a courageous, albeit clumsy, group of pigeons and their sidekick, a resourceful engineer mouse. When their small farm is turned into a military training post and communications center for the Allies, the group of unlikely heroes enlists as carrier pigeons and bravely complete airborne missions to assist the soldiers on the battlefield. When given their biggest assignment yet, the team bands together to save the day and soar into history. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). (VIVA Pictures/Cinedigm).
Coffee Town
(2014) Glenn Howerton, Steve Little, Ben Schwartz, Adrianne Palicki, Josh Groban. When Will (Glenn Howerton), a website manager for an electronics company, discovers that the local Coffee Town (which he uses as his own personal office) is scheduled to be converted into a bistro, he leaps into action. With the help of his two best friends, Will enacts a plan to stage a robbery in the hopes of convincing the corporate interests behind the switch that the neighborhood is unsafe.
Formats: DVD. Extras: Commentary with director Brad Copeland and actors Ben Schwartz and Glenn Howerton, deleted scenes. (Shout! Factory).
The Demon's Rook
(2014) James Sizemore, Ashleigh Jo Sizemore, John Chatham. Chaos descends upon a quiet town when Roscoe, the pupil of a wizard monk from an ancient race of demons, unknowingly opens a portal that allows an unspeakable evil to travel freely into our world. When three grisly beasts cross into our dimension, the living are possessed and the dead rise to destroy everything in their path. Formats: DVD. (Tribeca Film/Cinedigm).
Exists
(2014) Dora Madison Burge, Samuel Davis, Roger Edwards, Chris Osborn, Brian Steele, Denise Williamson. A group of friends who venture into the remote Texas woods for a party weekend find themselves stalked by Bigfoot. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: Commentary with director Eduardo Sanchez, deleted scenes, two behind-the-scenes featurettes. (Lionsgate).
Sex (Ed) the Movie
(2014) How did you first learn about sex? Maybe it was a book with colorful illustrations, a talk with Mom or Dad, a corny classroom film, or just a random encounter with a dirty magazine.
This documentary offers a revealing, occasionally awkward, and often hilarious look at how Americans have learned about sex from the early 1900s to the present. Using clips from an astounding array of sex ed films, this entertaining documentary captures what it was like for the kids -- confusion, shock, embarrassment -- and as well for those doing the educating (often with moral agendas front and center). Formats: DVD. (First Run Features).
Tricked
(2013) Modern-day slavery is alive and well in the United States, as thousands of victims are trafficked across the country to satisfy America's $3-billion-a-year sex trafficking industry. Meet the pimps, the johns, the police, the parents and the victims of the thriving sex trade in Tricked, a comprehensive and daring documentary that uncovers one of America's darkest secrets.
Formats: DVD. Extras: Bonus scenes: "Abolition & Prohibition: A Consensual Sex Worker Speaks Out," "Prostitution Enforcement," "The Swedish Model: Criminalizing Demand," "Tackling Sex Trafficking at Super Bowl XLV"; resources; biographies. (First Run Features).
Kevin fights back and grows some backbone. However, his inner strength is tested when he participates in a class walkout to protest the Vietnam War, and joins his pals Paul Pfeiffer and Winnie Cooper to stop developers from destroying Harper's Woods, the site of many happy childhood memories. With over four dozen songs as they were featured in the original broadcasts with classics by Bob Dylan, Carole King, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Cream, Bing Crosby, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, Traffic, Diana Ross and the Supremes, James Taylor, Nat King Cole,The Miracles, Judy Collins, Donovan and many others. Formats: DVD. Extras: "School Days": Roundtable with Danica McKellar, Fred Savage and Josh Saviano; "The Times They Are A-Changin': The Era" featurette; interviews with: Dan Lauria (Jack Arnold), Alley Mills (Norma Arnold), Daniel Stern (Narrator). (StarVista Entertainment/Time Life).
February 1, 2015
(ISSN 1094-3676).
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