Lots of treats this week, including a fantastic Stallone film, the Evil Dead remake, bio-pic 42, plus a non-stop barrage of television titles.
Beat the heat and stay in the air conditioning, fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart and check out the latest releases!
Evil Dead
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| Sony Pictures Home Entertainment / Released 7/16/13 |
A secluded cabin. An ancient curse. An unrelenting evil. The original producers reunite to present a genuinely terrifying re-imagining of their original horror masterpiece. Five young friends have found the mysterious and fiercely powerful Book of the Dead. Unable to resist its temptation, they release a violent demon on a bloodthirsty quest to possess them all. Who will be left to fight for their survival and defeat this unearthly force of murderous carnage? Extras include featurettes and commentary.
Last Word: It’s pretty hard not to go into first time director Fede Alvarez’s Evil Dead without a bit of trepedition. Among cinegeeks, Evil Dead is a beloved property, which launched the careers of original director Sam Raimi, producer Robert Tapert and star Bruce Campbell. Now, the trio, who continue to work in mainstream Hollywood both in their own projects and also the occasional reunion, have reunited behind the scenes as producers for the inevitable remake.
But, somewhere along the line, the trio found a unique way to reimagine their “Cabin in the Woods” cult classic; honoring the original while developing a whole new set of characters.
Gone is Campbell’s beloved Ash Williams and Raimi’s over the top style (though Raimi’s old 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 is seen rotting next to the cabin).
Returning is the iconic cabin and the cause of all the trouble, the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, a fleshbound tome that serves as a gateway to hell. A prologue adds a bit to the mythology before introducing the new characters, childhood friends who reunite at the cabin to assist their friend Mia (a fantastic Jane Levy) to kick her heroin habit. Joining them is her estranged brother, David (Fernandez). It takes no time for someone to read the incantation and unleash the evil in the woods before everything goes to hell, literally.
Whereas Raimi played his original film for horror (and the sequel/remake Evil Dead II for laughs), Evil Dead 2013 is perhaps the most intense viewing experience I’ve ever had. The palpable tension from the audience in the theatre was invigorating and the Alvarez garnishes the thrills with practical splatter effects to satisfy any gore geek.
Alvarez smartly sets the film in the present and the mere existence of the Oldsmobile infers that this does, in fact, take place thirty years later in that very cabin. Story beats, which echo the original enough for some to cry remake, can easily be attributed to the Necronomicon itself. The cast is solid throughout and Jane Levy’s possessed is reminiscent of Linda Blair’s performance in The Exorcist. One solid critique is the film isn’t scary. It’s intense and often uncomfortable, but there isn’t much there in actually frightening you. But it is fun. Highly recommended.
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| Warner / Blu-ray Combo & Digital Download Released 7/16/13 |
In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, took a stand against Major League Baseball’s infamous color line when he signed Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team. The deal put both men in the crosshairs of the public, the press and even other players. Facing unabashed racism from every side, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and let his talent on the field win over fans and his teammates – silencing his critics and forever changing the world by changing the game of baseball. Extras include featurettes.
Last Word: Brian Helgeland’s bio-pic of baseball icon Jackie Robinson is a true American hero story elevated by a career making performance by newcomer Chadwick Boseman and one of Harrison Ford’s best characters to date. With strong ensemble including Nicole Beharie, Christopher Meloni, Ryan Merriman, Lucas Black, Andre Holland, Alan Tudyk, Hamish Linklater, T.R. Knight, John C. McGinley, Max Gail and James Pickens Jr., 42‘s message resonates more than ever. The film delivers a fairly atypical, linear look at Robinson’s entry into professional baseball, and although it’s not particularly subtle or even complex, it is entertaining and a wonderful testament to an icon. Recommended.
Bullet To The Head
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| Warner / Blu-ray Combo & Digital Download Released 7/16/13 |
Sylvester Stallone gives a powerful performances in this white-knuckle thrill-ride. When the partner of aging New Orleans hit man Jimmy Bonomo (Stallone) is murdered, Bonomo vows to take down those responsible. He teams up with a young D.C. cop (Sung Kang), and the unlikely partners are drawn into a tense, dangerous cat-and-mouse game with a ruthless “businessman” (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). Extras include a single featurette.
Last Word: A refreshing throwback mismatched buddy movie from genre director Walter Hill arrives without the event mentality that tends to elevate expectations and Bullet To The Head is a return to form for Stallone. When their respective partners are murdered, Stallone and the always affable Kang team up to bring down corrupt Akinnuoye-Agbaje and his lackeys Jason Momoa and Christian Slater. Sarah Shahi shows up as Stallone’s estranged daughter and Brian Van Holt as Stallone’s sometime criminal associate. Reminiscent of action films of the late eighties/early nineties, Bullet To The Head is violent, with good fight choreography, some genuinely funny banter and a solid reminder why both Hill and Stallone can still deliver. Recommended.
Spy: Series 2
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| BFS Entertainment / Released 5/21/13 |
Now a fully licensed MI5 agent under the eccentric eye of The Examiner (Robert Lindsay), Tim (Darren Boyd) is still raw from the disappointment of Caitlin’s fiancé turning up unexpectedly and so he sets about trying to sabotage their relationship with the help of best friend Chris. Meanwhile, Marcus (Jude Wright) starts a new school term only to discover that his status as top dog is under threat from new boy Nick. And the family has to deal with a new therapist, Owen, whose unorthodox methods give Philip cause for concern when he realizes that Owen is trying to seduce Judith.
Last Word: A very entertaining British import that hasn’t found a wide audience in the US yet, but might with if the ABC remake pilot filmed with Rob Cordrry airs.
Orphan Black: Season One
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| BBC Home Entertainment / Released 7/16/13 |
A clone is never alone. Smart, sexy and pulsating with suspense, Orphan Black is the new action thriller featuring rising star Tatiana Maslany (The Vow, Picture Day) that The Hollywood Reporter calls “so much more than pure entertainment.” Sarah (Maslany) is an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looks just like her. Sarah assumes her identity, her boyfriend and her bank account but quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy and must race to find answers about who she is and how many others there are just like her. Filled with surprising twists and turns, this addictive new series will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Extras include interviews, set tour and featurettes.
The Border – The Complete First Season
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| Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 7/16/13 |
Thrust into the fast-paced chaos of the elite unit in charge of defending and protecting the largest boarder in the world! Intensely trained and highly skilled, the department of Immigration and Customs Security (ICS) is the first to jump into the line of fire. Whether their mission is tracking suspected terrorists, hunting down escaped enemy combatants from a hijacked plane or breaking up major money laundering operations, the expertise and unconventional methods of the (ICS) team will have you on the boarder of your seat in anticipation. Witness the long tentacles of international crime try to break through the steel nerves of the world’s harshest and most shocking border-security task force!
Shameless – Seasons 1 & 2 – Original UK Series
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| Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 7/16/13 |
The critically acclaimed and brilliantly funny drama from award-winning writer Paul Abbott features the Chatsworth Estate’s Gallaghers, probably the UK’s most dysfunctional family. The story centers around a young group of siblings pretty much neglected by their alcoholic father (David Threlfall), surviving by their wits and humor on a rough Manchester council estate. Whilst they won’t admit it, they need help and find it in Steve (James McAvoy), a young middle class lad who falls for Fiona (Anne-Marie Duff), the oldest sibling, and increasingly finds himself drawn to this unconventional and unique family. Chaos ensues with more tales of how one extraordinary family goes about its normal everyday life.
Letters From Jackie: The Private Thoughts of Jackie Robinson
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| A & E Home Video / Released 7/16/13 |
Letters From Jackie: The Private Thoughts of Jackie Robinson explores Jackie’s deepest motivations as he solidifies his role in the civil rights movement after his days as a trailblazing baseball player. The film uses unedited and uncensored letters written by Jackie to iconic figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and President Eisenhower. Interviews with his daughter, Sharon Robinson; his pen pal, Ron Rabinovitz; historian Joe Dorinson; and an array of MLB players paint a vivid picture of this complex and inspirational man.
Last Word: A perfect companion to 42 and a fascinating, touching and educational look at baseball legend and American icon Jackie Robinson
Regular Show: Season 1 & Season 2
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| Cartoon Network / Released 7/16/13 |
The much anticipated Regular Show the Complete First and Second Seasons set includes all 40 episodes from seasons 1 and 2 plus over 2 hours of hilarious bonus content inspired by the creator. The Emmy award-wining hit comedy for Outstanding Animated Program stars two best friends and park groundskeepers, Mordecai and Rigby, who also happen to be a bluebird and a raccoon, whose attempts to escape their everyday boredom take them to fantastical extremes. Extras include commentaries for all 40 episodes, The Unaired Regular Show Pilot, Animatic for the Pilot, Animatic for “The Power”, Original Pencil Tests from Saerom, CG Test for Hodgepodge Monster, 2010 Comic Con Teaser Trailer, “The Naïve Man from Lolliland” Student Short, Party Tonight Music Video, Interview with JG Quintel, JG Pitches “The Power” and Original Regular Show Commercials.
Last Word: One of the two most unique animated series on television (Adventure Time is the other), Regular Show features slacker groundskeepers Mordecai and Rigby and their various adventures. Included are episodes The Power, Just Set Up The Chairs, Caffeinated Concert Tickets, Death Punchies, Free Cake, Meat Your Maker, Grilled Cheese Deluxe, The Unicorns Have Got To Go, Prank Callers, Don, Rigby’s Body, Mordecai and the Rigbys, Ello Gov’nor, It’s Time, Appreciation Day, Peeps, Dizzy, My Mom, High Score, Rage Against The TV, Party Pete, Brain Eraser, Benson Be Gone, But I Have A Receipt, This Is My Jam, Muscle Woman, Temp Check, Jinx, See You There, Do Me A Solid, Grave Sights, Really Real Wrestling, Over The Top, The Night Owl, A Bunch Of Baby Ducks, More Smarter, First Day, Go Viral, Skunked and Karaoke Video. Regular Show is both charming and creative and highly recommended.
Femme Fatales: The Complete Second Season
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| Entertainment One / Release 7/16/13 |
The half-hour program from creators Mark A. Altman and Steve Kriozere features stories inspired by such noir classics as Double Indemnity and Pulp Fiction and classic thriller TV series like The Twilight Zone. In each stand-alone episode of the series hailed as “a badass chick anthology series” by Entertainment Weekly, women find extraordinary ways of coping with their problems, channeling their survival instincts and bringing out their inner guile. Every episode is introduced by a mysterious and enigmatic host Lilith, played by Tanit Phoenix (Death Race 2, Lost Boys 3), and features different casts and storylines, some of which are intertwined as part of the series overall mythology. Extras include commentary, featurettes and deleted scenes.
Last Word: Part of the fun of Femme Fatales is just shutting off your mind, kicking back and watching the pure pulptastic tales of double crosses, tough guys, triple crosses, dangerous women and snappy dialogue. Among the cast members chewing scenery in this season are Antonio Sabato Jr., Kyle Gass, Chris Mulkey, Vivica A. Fox, Jeffrey Combs, Robert Picardo, Ashley Hamilton, Eric Roberts, Steve Railsback, Casper Van Dien and Jeff Fahey. Femme Fatales isn’t particularly great, but if you like your entertainment with a tongue firmly planted in cheek it definitely is a guilty pleasure and an entertaining way to spend an evening with a pizza and a few cold drinks.
Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited 1-4
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| BBC Home Video / Released 7/16/13 |
2013 marks the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, the longest running science fiction show in history! To celebrate, the BBC is releasing a curated selection of the best of each of this storied program’s eleven Doctors. This initial release showcases Doctor Who‘s first four doctors, including William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, and Tom Baker, spanning from 1963-1981, a period of almost twenty years! The Doctors Revisited includes a profile of each Doctor and one classic story for each, including: The Aztecs, Tomb of the Cyberman, Spearhead from Space, and Pyramids of Mars.
George Lopez: The Complete Third Season
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| Warner Home Video / Released /16/13 |
In season three of George Lopez, George’s life hasn’t become any less complicated in the years since he became the first assembly line worker to be promoted to plant manager at a Los Angeles airplane parts factory. Yet his true battle is managing his tough and acerbic but loving mother, Benny (Belita Moreno) while raising two kids alongside his wife, Angie (Constance Marie). Other unexpected surprises, including a long lost sister, a trip to “the happiest place on Earth,” and a guest appearance by Sandra Bullock, make this season a must watch.
Last Word: Underrated family sitcom, George Lopez works simply with realistic plots and universally relatable characters executed by a solid ensemble and good writing. Also, unlike many other sitcoms, George Lopez’s characters and storyline extends beyond it’s episodic running time; it’s honest and funny, but never contains a false moment. Guest stars this season include Lou Diamond Phillips, Paris Hilton, and Sandra Bullock. Charming and entertaining, George Lopez: The Complete Third Season is a solid and easy recommendation.
Misfits: Season Three
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| BBC Home Video / Released 7/16/13 |
This is a super-sized, super-powered Misfits, with brilliantly surprising, original storylines and a body count to make CSI proud. Things certainly haven’t got any quieter for the gang. When we left the Infamous Five, our Misfits were locked in a tense trade-off of powers with super-dealer Seth. But have any of them ended up with a power approaching something at least halfway useful? Following Nathan’s departure, there’s also a new kid on the block, Rudy, who is learning fast that probation Misfits-style involves not much community service, lots of running around, fighting baddies and disposing of bodies. With zombies, time-travel and some complicated relationships developing, there’s definitely nothing normal about our five favorite superheroes…
Blood & Sand
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| 20th Century Fox / Released 7/9/13 |
Tyrone Power and Rita Hayworth lead a star-studded cast in this Academy Award Winning classic. Juan Gallardo (Power) returns home to claim the hand of his childhood love and continue his rise toward becoming Spain’s greatest matador. But when he catches the eye of a beautiful seductress (Hayworth), Juan will learn that the battles that matter most are fought outside the ring. Extras include commentary.
Last Word: Overly melodramatic, but criminally dull Blood & Sand is a stunningly shot film that unfortunately bores rather than excites. The highlight is the commentary track from cinematographer Richard Crudo which primarily focuses on camera work and lighting.
Wild Deep
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| First Look Pictures / Released 7/16/13 |
Bring the oceans to life in crystal-clear high definition! In this landmark series, renowned diver and award-winning underwater photographer Darek Sepiolo explores the world’s oceans, taking in the most unique, beautiful and beguiling aquatic life from every continent on the planet. This breathtaking journey spans the entire globe and uses high definition technology to take a truly in-depth look at the enchanting realm beneath the sea. From the dreamlike landscape of Indonesia’s colorful coral reefs and South America’s famous Galapagos archipelago, to the majesty and beauty of sea-going creatures such as sharks, whales, seals and more, this epic series offers a privileged view of a stunning world that few will ever see face-to-face. Includes a previously unseen look at like underneath the Antarctic.
Last Word: A truly stunning look at the predators and prey under the ocean’s surface. Phenomenal photography highlights a unique opportunity to observe aquatic life. Recommended.
