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OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases
November 21:
November 22:
November 28:
Almayer's Folly
(2011 -- Belgium) Stanislas Merhar, Marc Barbé, Aurora Marion. Visionary director Chantal Akerman's final narrative film, a loose adaptation of Joseph Conrad's novel of the same name, an eccentric exploration of cultural conflict, identity and colonialism. It's a tale of an occidental merchant, Kaspar Almayer, whose dreams of riches for his beloved daughter, Nina, collapse under the weight of his own greed and prejudice. Formats: DVD. (Icarus Films).
The Childhood of a Leader
(2015) Robert Pattinson, Stacy Martin, Liam Cunningham, Bérénice Bejo, Rebecca Dayan. A child's angelic face conceals a budding sociopath in the audacious, senses-shattering feature debut from actor Brady Corbet. Set amidst the turmoil of World War I and its aftermath, the film follows the young son of an American diplomat living in France as he learns to manipulate the adults around him -- a monstrous coming of age that ominously parallels the rising tide of Fascism in Europe. Formats: DVD. (IFC Films).
C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud
(1988) Brian Robbins, Bill Calvert, Tricia Leigh Fisher, Gerrit Graham, Robert Vaughn. The Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers return. A military experiment to create a race of super-warriors go awry, and legions of murderous zombies are unleased upon a suburban neighborhood. Formats: Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Audio commentary with director David Irving, interview with actor Gerrit Graham, interview with actress Tricia Leigh Fisher, interview with special effects artist Allan Apone, still gallery. (Vestron Video Collector’s Series).
I.T.
(2016) Pierce Brosnan, Anna Friel, Stephanie Scot, James Frecheville, Austin Swift. Mike Regan (Pierce Brosnan) is a successful, self-made man who has it all: a gorgeous wife, a beautiful teenage daughter and a sleek, state-of-the-art “smart home.” But he soon finds himself in a deadly, high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse when his I.T. consultant, Ed (James Frecheville), starts using his skills to stalk Mike’s daughter and endanger his family, his business, and his life. In a world where there is no privacy, and personal secrets can go viral by the click of a mouse, Mike needs to rely on his old connections to defeat a new kind of nemesis. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (RLJ Entertainment).
The Land
(2016) Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Moises Arias, Ezri Walker, Rafi Gavron, Linda Emond, Michael K. Williams, Erykah Badu, Machine Gun Kelly. Inner-city saga set amidst Cleveland's hip-hop underground. Teenage buddies Cisco, Junior, Boobie and Patty Cake shrug off school to practice skateboarding, which they hope will be their ticket to a better life. In the meantime, they steal cars to finance their dream. But when they get mixed up in a drug deal and cross a ruthless crime queen-pin, they put their friendship -- and lives -- on the line. Formats: DVD. (IFC Films).
Masterpiece: Poldark Season 2
(2015) Neither pestilence, starvation, nor betrayal can stop Ross Poldark from fighting for justice in his native Cornwall in the imaginative world created by Winston Graham in his bestselling "Poldark" novels, published between 1945 and 2002. Comprising an even dozen volumes, the epic commences in 1783, as British officer Ross Poldark returns to Cornwall, fresh from the American Revolutionary War. In the second season, Ross stands accused of murder and "wrecking" -- luring a cargo ship to the rocks for plunder. It's a capital offense, the judge is unsympathetic, hostile witnesses have been bribed and Ross appears headed for the gallows. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Three-disc set. (PBS Distribution).
Nestor
(2016) Disoriented and alone, a man (Daniel Robinson) awakes in the snow, clad only in yellow swim trunks, and finds himself in a place long abandoned. With only vague memories of his surroundings, he's forced to rely on his instincts to discover his purpose and survive the raw elements and crippling isolation. As time passes, however, he learns that he possesses a unique skill that helps him deal with the boredom of his solitary existence, but it can only take him so far. Written, filmed and edited in the wilds of Northern Ontario by filmmaker Robinson, "Nestor" was shot using a standard-issue DSLR camera (a Canon T3i). He also recorded ambient noise on his iPhone and hid a small shotgun mic wherever he could to capture sound. There were no costumes, no special effects and a budget that crept into the low four figures. The film, a blend of fiction, metafiction and documentary, is about one man, made entirely by one man, that uniquely explores the themes of loneliness, creativity, and the drive to keep moving forward.
Formats: DVD. (Candy Factory Films).
One-Eyed Jacks
(1961) A western like no other, "One-Eyed Jacks" combines the mythological scope of that most American of film genres with the searing naturalism of a performance by Marlon
Return of the Living Dead 3
(1993) Melinda Clarke, J. Trevor Edmond. When a young man uses the chemical Trioxin to bring his girlfriend back to life after a motorcycle accident, she is driven to eat the only thing that will nourish her ...human brains! She tries to stop her own feeding frenzy but a chain reaction has already begun, as hordes of undead are unleashed from their graves. Formats: Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Audio Commentary with director Brian Yuzna; audio commentary with actress Melinda Clarke and special make-up effects artist Tom Rainone; "Ashes to Ashes”" conversation with director Brian Yuzna and screenwriter John Penney; "Living Dead Girl" interview with actress Melinda Clarke; "Romeo Is Bleeding" interview with actor J. Trevor Edmond; "Trimark & Trioxin" interviews with production excecutive David Tripet and editor Chris Roth; "The Resurrected Dead" interviews with special effects designers Steve Johnson and Chris Nelson; still gallery. (Vestron Video Collector’s Series).
Sneakerheadz
(2015) An in-depth look into the exploding subculture of sneaker collecting and the widespread influence it has had on popular culture around the world. Formats: DVD. (Filmrise/MVD Visual).
The Squid and the Whale
(2005) With excruciating honesty, "The Squid and the Whale" chronicles the experiences of two young brothers growing up in 1980s Park Slope, Brooklyn, as they navigate the jagged contours of the divorce of their parents, both writers. The acclaimed third feature by
Throuple
(2015) Samantha Scaffidi, Todd Litzinger, Ingrid Vollset, Mikaal Bates. A conflicted young couple, a poly amorous trio trying to dig a hole, and a mysterious recluse spin a tale of love, murder and madness in a secluded Hawaiian jungle town on the edge of an active volcano. Formats: DVD. (Candy Factory Films).
War Dogs
(2016) Miles Teller, Jonah Hill. Based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who won a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America's allies in Afghanistan. Read more about "War Dogs" in the November Calendar.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "General Phillips: Boots on the Ground," "War Dogs: Access Granted," "Pentagon Pie." (Warner).
The Wild Life
(2016 -- Belgium/France) Voices of Matthias Schweighöfer, Kaya Yanar, Ilka Bessin, Dieter Hallervorden. Animated family yarn about a daring parrot who recounts how Robinson Crusoe came to be stranded on a tropical island. When savage cats invade their paradise, Robinson and the island’s animals team up to defend themselves and their home. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "A Wild World: Making The Wild Life" featurette, "Meet the Characters" featurette, "Tips for Your Trip" featurette, "The Wild Life Musical Adventure." (Lionsgate).
Hell or High Water
"Hell or High Water" is a modern Western about two brothers who turn to crime in order to save their family farm from the clutches of the bank. When a desperate young man (Chris Pine) learns that the bank is going to take his family's land, he and his ex-con brother (Ben Foster) decide to rob the bank's branches, putting themselves in the crosshairs of an aging Texas Ranger (Jeff Bridges) in a riveting story of crime, punishment, and brotherly love. It's a simple premise but director David Mackenzie (who, surprisingly, as a Brit nails 21st century mid-west Americana) uses the canvas of bank robbers vs. the law to paint a socially-conscious picture of hard-times in middle America, where people are robbed of their dignity and possessions by banks, not bandits (bringing to mind Woody Guthrie's lines from "The Ballad of Pretty Boy Floyd": "As through this world you travel, you'll meet some funny men; Some will rob you with a six-gun, and some with a fountain pen. And as through your life you travel, yes, as through your life you roam, You won't never see an outlaw drive a family from their home."). Almost every town in the film has endless rows of empty buildings and businesses, and the highways are dotted with "debt-relief" offers. So it's easy to root for the robbers despite their viciousness -- and have mixed feelings about the dogged Ranger hot on their trail. It's fast-moving and thrilling, with characters you get to know and enjoy. And, of course, it boasts another fabulous performance by the Great Bridges. The surprise hit of the year.Vitals: Director: David Mackenzie. Stars: Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Gil Birmingham, Dale Dickey, Katy Mixon.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 122 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $26.492 million, Lionsgate.
Extras:
War Dogs
Follows two friends in their early 20s (Jonah Hill and Miles Teller) living in Miami Beach during the Iraq War who exploit a little-known government initiative that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. Military contracts. Starting small, they begin raking in big money and are living the high life. But the pair gets in over their heads when they land a $300 million deal to arm the Afghan Military -- a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people, not the least of which turns out to be the U.S. Government.
Vitals: Director: Todd Phillips. Stars: Miles Teller, Jonah Hill.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 114 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $43.034 million, Warner.
Extras: "General Phillips: Boots on the Ground," "War Dogs: Access Granted," "Pentagon Pie."
High Maintenance: Season 1
The Secret Life of Pets (DVD, Blu-ray release: December 6)
Quarry: Season One
Chicken People
(2016) Documentary details the trials and tribulations of those who breed exotic birds in the world of competitive poultry. The film follows three remarkably diverse personalities whose shared passion of raising the perfect chicken brings them together in competition. From the Ohio National Poultry Show, considered the Westminster of Chickens, to the Dixie Classic in Tennessee, the movie chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the primary protagonists, along with a wide array of competitors, both human and chicken.
Formats: DVD. (Sony).
C.H.U.D.
(1984) John Heard, Daniel Stern, Christopher Curry. From the subterranean depths it crawls. Finally making its long-awaited debut on Blu-ray, director Douglas Cheek's cult '80s favorite "C.H.U.D." is the ultimate "underground movie experience." In downtown Manhattan, a police captain's hunt for his missing wife leads to the discovery of a series of mysterious disappearances in the area. Extending his search into the tunnels and sewers below the city streets, it soon becomes clear that something monstrous is lurking in that subterranean world -- and it won't stay there much longer ... Starring John Heard and Christopher Curry alongside an early appearance from John Goodman, "C.H.U.D." has built up a huge cult following in the years since its release in 1984, with one of the most iconic creature designs of the period. C.H.U.D. stands for: "Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dweller" or "Contamination Hazard Urban Disposal." Brand new restoration from the original film elements: High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Integral Cut from a new 2K film transfer and a High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Original Theatrical Cut [Limited Edition Exclusive]. Original uncompressed PCM Mono Audio. Formats: Blu-ray. Extras: Audio commentary by director Douglas Cheek, writer Shepard Abbott, and actors John Heard, Daniel Stern and Christopher Curry; "A Dirty Look" interview with production designer William Bilowit; "Dweller Designs" interview with special make-up effects and creature creator John Caglione, Jr.; "Notes From Above Ground: The NYC Locations of C.H.U.D." featurette hosted by journalist Michael Gingold and filmmaker Ted Geoghegan; new audio track featuring isolated score selections and an interview with composers Martin Cooper and David A. Hughes; behind-the-scenes gallery; extended shower scene; original theatrical trailer; reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dan Mumford; fully illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michael Gingold. (Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment).
Kubo and the Two Strings
(2016) Voices of Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes, George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Vaccaro, Rooney Mara, Matthew McConaughey. From the acclaimed animation studio LAIKA (Coraline) comes an original action adventure. Kubo mesmerizes the people in his village with his magical gift for spinning wild tales with origami. When he accidentally summons an evil spirit seeking vengeance, Kubo is forced to go on a quest to solve the mystery of his fallen samurai father and his mystical weaponry, as well as discover his own magical powers. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Japanese Inspiration," "Corners of the Earth" location featurette, "The Myth of Kubo," commentary with director-producer Travis Knight. Blu-ray adds Introduction by director-producer Travis Knight," Mythological Monsters" featurette, "Braving the Elements," "The Redemptive and Healing Power of Music," Epilogue by director-producer Travis Knight. (Universal).
Brando, all suffused with Freudian overtones and male anxiety. In his only directing stint, Brando captures the rugged landscapes of California's Central Coast and Mexico's Sonoran Desert in gorgeous widescreen, Technicolor images, and elicits from his fellow actors (including Karl Malden and Pina Pellicer) nuanced improvisational depictions of conflicted characters. Though overwhelmed by its director's perfectionism and plagued by production setbacks and studio re-editing, "One-Eyed Jacks" stands as one of Brando's great achievements, thanks above all to his tortured turn as Rio, a bank robber bent on revenge against his one-time partner in crime, the aptly named Dad Longworth (Malden). Brooding and romantic, Rio marks the last, and perhaps the most tender, of the iconic outsiders Brando imbued with such remarkable intensity throughout his career. New 4K digital restoration, undertaken with the support of The Film Foundation and supervised by filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: New introduction by Scorsese; excerpts from voice-recordings that director and star Marlon Brando made during the film's production; new video essays on the film's production history and its potent combination of the stage and screen icon Brando with the classic Hollywood western; trailer; an essay by film critic Howard Hampton. (The Criterion Collection).
Noah Baumbach marked a critical development for the filmmaker as he turned toward an increasingly personal style -- a move that garnered him an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay. Shot in Super 16 mm and featuring a quartet of nuanced, understated performances from Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline, this comic and poignant drama, peppered with autobiographical elements, deftly captures the heartache and confusion of a fracturing family. New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by cinematographer Robert Yeoman and director Noah Baumbach, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: New interviews with Baumbach and actors Jeff Daniels, Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline, and Laura Linney; new conversation about the score and other music in the film between Baumbach and composers Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips; "Behind The Squid and the Whale," a 2004 documentary featuring on-set footage and cast interviews; audition footage; trailers. (The Criterion Collection).
Texas Rising/Sons of Liberty
(2016) Two of HISTORY's highly celebrated miniseries, "Texas Rising" and "Sons of Liberty," will be available together for the first time on one double-feature DVD set. "Texas Rising" is the true story of how the state of Texas fought for its freedom from the rule of Mexican General Santa Anna and the formation of America's most legendary law enforcement agency — The Texas Rangers. Stars Bill Paxton, Brendan Fraser, Ray Liotta, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Thomas Jane, Olivier Martinez, Chad Michael Murray, Max Thieriot, Kris Kristofferson and Jake Busey. "Sons of Liberty" follows the stirring drama of the infamous Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere's ride, and the Battle of Lexington as the colonies join forces as a single, united country in the most epic revolution of our time. Stars Ben Barnes as Sam Adams, Henry Thomas as John Adams, Dean Norris as Ben Franklin, Michael Raymond-James as Paul Revere, Jason O'Mara as George Washington and Ryan Eggold as Dr. Joseph Warren. Formats: DVD, Digital. Extras: Six featurettes. (Lionsgate).
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November 20, 2016
(ISSN 1094-3676).
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