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OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases
March 16
Avenue 5: Season One : New HBO comedy set 40 years in the future when travelling the solar system is no longer the stuff of sci-fi fantasy but a booming, multibillion-dollar business. The series stars Hugh Laurie as Ryan Clark, the confident and suave captain of “Avenue 5” – a space cruise ship with luxury amenities like gourmet buffets, a spa, an observation deck and yoga classes. (Digital only)
March 17
Cats: Director Tom Hooper reimagines Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-shattering musical. Starring James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson and introducing Royal Ballet principal Francesca Hayward. With a world-class cast of dancers showcasing styles from classical ballet to contemporary, hip-hop to jazz, street dance to tap, this film reimagines the stage musical for a new generation. (DVD, Blu-ray release: April 7)
Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss: An offbeat comedy about a couple taking a chance on a place with impossibly low rent, not knowing the former occupant was a cult leader. To make matters more bizarre, an endless string of followers routinely break into their home to ceremoniously sacrifice themselves. (Digital, VOD only)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The ninth and final episode in the Skywalker saga. (DVD, Blu-ray release: March 31)
March 20
Emma (2020): In 1800s England, a well meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends. (VOD only)
The Hunt: Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing; they don't know where they are, or how they got there. And they don't know they've been chosen - for a very specific purpose - The Hunt. (VOD only)
International Falls: Dark comedy about Dee, a woman stuck in a small, snowbound border town in northern Minnesota who harbors a secret dream of a career in stand-up. When she forms a friendship with Tim, a burned-out touring comedian, these two lost souls are forced to face the harsh but funny truths of their lives. (VOD only)
The Invisible Man (2020): Complete redo of the Universal Monster Classic. (VOD only)
March 23
Torn Apart: Separated at the Border: This eye-opening, heartfelt documentary tells the stories of two mothers seeking to be reunited with their children after being separated at the U.S.-Mexico border. (Digital only)
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley: In 2004, Elizabeth Holmes dropped out of Stanford to start a company that was going to revolutionize healthcare. In 2014, Theranos was valued at $9 billion, making Holmes, who was touted as “the next Steve Jobs,” the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world. Just two years later, Theranos was cited as a “massive fraud” by the SEC, and her company was worthless. (VOD only)
Abigail
(2019 -- Russia) Tinatin Dalakishvili, Eddie Marsan, Rinal Mukhametov. Abigail's town has been closed for years due to a mysterious epidemic that caused most of the people in town to be taken away, including Abigail's father. When Abby discovers her father could still be alive, she sets out on a journey that will completely overturn everything she thought she knew about the world, her family and herself. Set in a cutting-edge magical steampunk world. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, Digital. (Well Go USA).
Black Christmas
(2019) Imogen Poots, Cary Elwes, Brittany O'Grady, Aleyse Shannon, Lily Donoghue, Madeleine Adams, Ben Black, Lucy Currey, Simon Mead, Caleb Eberhardt. A group of female students are stalked by a stranger during their Christmas break. That is until the young sorority pledges discover that the killer is part of an underground college conspiracy. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: TBA. (Universal).
By Days End
(2018) Andrea Nelson, Lyndsey Lantz. Follows a lesbian couple down on their luck and on the verge of breaking up who find themselves fighting against the undead when a pandemic disease that causes insatiable hunger ravages the world around them. Battling depression and a ravenous horde of flesh-eating zombies, they try to survive the apocalypse armed with only a video camera and a quickly dwindling supply of weapons. Formats: DVD, VOD. (Breaking Glass Pictures).
Cannibal Apocalypse (aka Cannibal in the Streets/Invasion of the Flesh Hunters)
(1980 -- Italy) The horrors of war take on a whole new meaning for Vietnam vet Norman Hopper (John Saxon), whose quiet domestic life in Atlanta is shattered by the return of Charlie Bukowski, a combat buddy who dredges up terrifying flashbacks of flesh eating and bloodshed in the war-torn jungles. Now on the run from the law after taking a bite out of an unwilling victim, Charlie begs Norman to help him get out of town with another fellow veteran, Tom (Tony King). Soon the ragtag team of cannibals are fighting for their lives, spreading a deadly contagion through the city before heading into the sewers for a gut-wrenching climax no one will soon forget. One of the most infamous Italian horror films of all time, "Cannibal Apocalypse" was heavily censored in many countries where it played under such titles as "Cannibals in the Streets" and "Invasion of the Flesh Hunters." Experience this thrilling collision of action-packed combat and monstrous horror from cult director Antonio Margheriti ("The Long Hair of Death," "Castle of Blood," "Take a Hard Ride," "Killer Fish") in its original gory splendor for the first time in fully restored HD. Not for the faint of heart or those with full stomachs! New 4K restoration. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. Extras: New audio commentary by film historian Tim Lucas; "Cannibal Apocalypse Redux" documentary featuring John Saxon, John Morghen (Giovanni Lombardo Radice) and director Antonio Margheriti; "Apocalypse in the Streets" video tour of filming locations; European theatrical trailer; Japanese teaser; alternate U.S. opening sequence. (Kino Lorber Studio Classics).
Crashing: The Complete Third Season
(2019) All eight episodes. The series draws on Peter Holmes' own experiences as a comedian as he navigates a happy balance between his old, faith-based self and the new, more ambitious comic he's becoming. "Crashing's" third season finds a reinvigorated Pete (Holmes) fresh off of his two-month college comedy tour, returning to New York with newfound confidence in his comedic abilities. No longer crashing on other people's couches -- he's got his own place in Ridgewood! - Pete reenters the NYC stand-up comedy world with newfound vigor, but soon discovers that just because he's improved, it doesn't mean he's at the head of the pack. This season, Pete starts to explore what he really wants out of comedy as he grows more assured of his talents but continues to struggle over finding a happy balance between his old, faith-based self and the new, more ambitious comic he's becoming. While Pete continues to orbit around fellow comic and ex-girlfriend Ali (Jamie Lee), he connects with a new woman, Kat (Madeline Wise), who has a unique perspective on the comedy world as someone not trying to make it big by telling jokes. Continuing to feature a who's-who of comedy talent and rising stars, "Crashing" takes a nuanced, but hilarious look at the state of comedy today, as Pete edges closer to success, one stand-up set at a time. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. (HBO).
Jumanji: The Next Level
(2019) Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Alex Wolff, Morgan Turner, Ser’Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Danny Glover, Danny DeVito. In this sequel, the gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, the players will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world's most dangerous game.
Richard Jewell
(2019) Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde, Jon Hamm, Kathy Bates, Nina Arianda, Paul Walter Hauser, Ian Gomez. Tells the true story of the security guard who discovers a bomb at the 1996 Atlanta Games and takes swift, heroic action, saving countless lives. But in a turn of events, he becomes the FBI’s number one suspect, vilified by the press and public alike.
Twin
(2019 -- Norway) Three-disc set with all eight episodes. One part thriller, one part character driven drama, this limited series from Norway starring "Game of Thrones" Kristofer Hivju is the story of Erik and Adam (both played by Hivju), identical twin brothers, who live completely different lives. Erik is a broke surfer bum. Adam is a successful family and business man. When Erik seeks out his brother for the first time in 15 years, a quarrel ends with Adam's wife, Ingrid (Rebekka Nystabakk), accidentally killing her husband. To avoid getting arrested for murder, and save his brother's family, Erik takes over Adam's identity. However, it soon turns out that the biggest challenge is not avoiding getting caught -- it's pretending to be someone you're not. Formats: DVD. (MHz Networks).
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Sequel catches up with Spencer (Alex Wolff), Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain), Martha (Morgan Turner) and Bethany (Madison Iseman) three years after their first adventure in Jumanji’s mystical video game world. When Spencer goes missing inside the game ahead of the group’s planned reunion from college, his friends, along with his grandfather (Danny DeVito) and his grandfather’s friend (Danny Glover), once again inhabit the avatars of Dr. Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson), “Mouse” Finbar (Kevin Hart), Professor Sheldon Oberon (Jack Black) and Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan) to rescue him. As they return to Jumanji, they discover that nothing is as they expect. With more action and surprises, the players will have to brave parts unknown and unexplored, from the arid deserts to the snowy mountains, in order to escape.
Vitals: Director: Jake Kasdan. Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Alex Wolff, Morgan Turner, Ser’Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Danny Glover, Danny DeVito.
2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 123 min., Action Adventure, Box office gross: $313.710 million, Sony.
Extras: “Body Swapping: Snapping Into Character"; “Back Together: Reuniting the Cast”; “Level Up: Making Jumanji: The Next Level”; AR Game: An interactive collectible map that employs Augmented Reality to bring Jumanji to life through a smart phone, allowing users to create their own 8-bit Avatar, navigate a series of mini games and much more. Blu-ray adds Gag reel; “Rhys Darby Wants To Jingle”; “Scene Breakdown: Ostrich Chase”; “Scene Breakdown: Mandrill Bridges”; “Awkwafina Cat Burglar”; “NPC Confessions: Jurgen The Brutal”; “Grow Up": Danny DeVito and Danny Glover help Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart get in touch with their inner grumpy old men; “Telenovela”: Kevin Hart gets lost in translation in this melodramatic promo; “VFX Pre-Vis: Zeppelin Battle”; “VFX Pre-Vis: Ostrich Chase.”
"There is a bomb in Centennial Park. You have thirty minutes." The world is first introduced to Richard Jewell as the security guard who reports finding the device at the 1996 Atlanta bombing—his report making him a hero whose swift actions save countless lives. But within days, the law enforcement wannabe becomes the FBI's number one suspect, vilified by press and public alike, his life ripped apart. Reaching out to independent, anti-establishment attorney Watson Bryant, Jewell staunchly professes his innocence. But Bryant finds he is out of his depth as he fights the combined powers of the FBI, GBI and APD to clear his client's name, while keeping Richard from trusting the very people trying to destroy him.
Vitals: Director: Clint Eastwood. Stars: Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde, Jon Hamm, Kathy Bates, Nina Arianda, Paul Walter Hauser, Ian Gomez.
2019, CC, MPAA rating: R, 129 min., Drama, Box office gross: $22.345 million, Warner
Extras: "The Real Story of Richard Jewell." Blu-ray adds "The Making of Richard Jewell."
Hawthorne College is quieting down for the holidays. But as Riley Stone (Imogen Poots) and her Mu Kappa Epsilon sisters—athlete Marty (Lily Donoghue), rebel Kris (Aleyse Shannon), and foodie Jesse (Brittany O'Grady) — prepare to deck the halls with a series of seasonal parties, a black-masked stalker begins killing sorority women one by one. As the body count rises, Riley and her squad start to question whether they can trust any man, including Marty's beta-male boyfriend, Nate (Simon Mead), Riley's new crush Landon (Caleb Eberhardt) or even esteemed classics instructor Professor Gelson (Cary Elwes). Vitals: Director: Sophia Takal. Stars: Imogen Poots, Cary Elwes, Brittany O'Grady, Aleyse Shannon, Lily Donoghue, Madeleine Adams, Ben Black, Lucy Currey, Simon Mead, Caleb Eberhardt. 2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 92 min., Horror, Box office gross: $10.429 million, Universal. Extras: TBA. 
From visionary writer-director Terrence Malick comes this story based on real events about an unsung hero, Franz Jägerstätter (August Diehl), who refused to fight for the Nazis during World War II. Drawing from actual letters exchanged between the Austrian farmer and his wife Fani (Valerie Pachner) while Franz was in prison, the film follows the family’s remarkable journey of love and sacrifice. After being absent from his wife and daughters for months during mandatory basic training with the German Army, Franz is permitted to return to his peaceful Austrian countryside home. But when the war unexpectedly escalates, Franz is called up to fight, and as a new soldier, to swear an oath of allegiance to Hitler and the Third Reich. Yet, despite pleas from his neighbors, fellow soldiers and even trusted clergymen, Franz repeatedly refuses to take the oath. This decision lands the peasant farmer in prison, where he awaits trial for treason. Meanwhile, not only must Fani take care of the family’s farm and their three daughters, she is ostracized by neighbors who have succumbed to the Third Reich’s demands for loyalty. Eventually, Franz’s case goes to trial. He is found guilty and sentenced to death. But his unwavering beliefs and love for Fani and their three children keep his spirit alive in this powerful drama.
Vitals: Director: Terrence Malick. Stars: August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Maria Simon, Karin Neuhäuser, Tobias Moretti, Ulrich Matthes.
2019, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 174 min., Bio Drama, Box office gross: $1.730 million, Fox.
Bamboozled
(2000) With this blisteringly funny, unapologetically confrontational satire, writer-director Spike Lee examined the past, present, and future of racism in American popular culture, issuing a daring provocation to creators and consumers alike. Under pressure to help revive his network’s low ratings, television writer Pierre Delacroix (Damon Wayans) hits on an explosively offensive idea: bringing back blackface for a “new-millennium minstrel show.” The white network executives love it, and so do audiences, forcing Pierre and his collaborators to confront their public’s insatiable appetite for dehumanizing stereotypes. Shot primarily on unvarnished digital video and boasting spot-on performances from Savion Glover, Tommy Davidson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Rapaport, Mos Def, and Paul Mooney, Bamboozled is a stinging indictment of mass entertainment at the turn of the twenty-first century that looks more damning with each passing year. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc with new 2K digital restoration, supervised by director of photography Ellen Kuras and approved by director Spike Lee, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Extras: Audio commentary from 2001 featuring Lee; new conversation between Lee and film programmer and critic Ashley Clark; new interviews with choreographer and actor Savion Glover, actor Tommy Davidson, and costume designer Ruth E. Carter; "On Blackface and the Minstrel Show," a new interview program featuring film and media scholar Racquel Gates; "The Making of Bamboozled” (2001), a documentary featuring members of the cast and crew; deleted scenes, music videos for 
the Mau Maus’ “Blak Iz Blak” and Gerald Levert’s “Dream with No Love,” and alternate parody commercials created for the film; poster gallery and trailer; an essay by Clark.
(The Criterion Collection).
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: “Body Swapping: Snapping Into Character"; “Back Together: Reuniting the Cast”; “Level Up: Making Jumanji: The Next Level”; AR Game: An interactive collectible map that employs Augmented Reality to bring Jumanji to life through a smart phone, allowing users to create their own 8-bit Avatar, navigate a series of mini games and much more. Blu-ray adds Gag reel; “Rhys Darby Wants To Jingle”; “Scene Breakdown: Ostrich Chase”; “Scene Breakdown: Mandrill Bridges”; “Awkwafina Cat Burglar”; “NPC Confessions: Jurgen The Brutal”; “Grow Up": Danny DeVito and Danny Glover help Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart get in touch with their inner grumpy old men; “Telenovela”: Kevin Hart gets lost in translation in this melodramatic promo; “VFX Pre-Vis: Zeppelin Battle”; “VFX Pre-Vis: Ostrich Chase.” (Sony).
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, VOD, Digital. Extras: "The Real Story of Richard Jewell." Blu-ray adds "The Making of Richard Jewell." (Warner).
