Surprise! Caught up! Here’s some amazing titles that hit shelves this week including some tv series, a Disney classic and the funniest movie of the summer (This is the End).
Fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart. It’s that time of the week!
The Little Mermaid
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| Walt Disney Home Video / Released 10/1/13 |
The Little Mermaid,
one of the most celebrated animated films of all time, is now
spectacularly transformed with a state-of-the-art digitally restored
picture and brilliant high definition sound!
Venture under the sea
where Ariel, a free-spirited mermaid princess, longs to be part of the
human world. After bravely striking a bargain with Ursula, a sneaky sea
witch, Ariel embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. With Flounder and
Sebastian at her side, Ariel will need all of her courage and
determination to make things right in both her worlds. Extras include music video, sing along, featurettes, and downloadable music tracks.Last Word: One of the more historically significant releases from Disney, The Little Mermaid reignited the studios’ animation department after two decades of mediocrity. Utilizing some trademark Disney touchstones (based on a fairy tale, a “princess” lead character, excellent voice cast, strong story, solid character design and memorable music), The Little Mermaid is still an incredibly charming and excellent moviegoing experience. Highly recommended.
This Is The End
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| Sony / Released 10/1/13 |
This Is The End
follows six friends trapped in a house after a series of strange and
catastrophic events devastate Los Angeles. As the world unravels
outside, dwindling supplies and cabin fever threaten to tear apart the
friendships inside. Eventually, they are forced to leave the house,
facing their fate and the true meaning of friendship and redemption. Extras include commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, gag reel and the original short, Jay & Seth Vs. The Apocalypse.Last Word: This Is the End should be looked at as a viciously funny
rumination on friendship, success and what it means to be a good
person. Unfortunately, as we learn from the film, most actors in
Hollywood aren’t particularly good people.The movie opens with Seth Rogen picking up Jay Baruchel at LAX. Jay doesn’t like LA and Seth is on a mission to change that.
His plan is to bring Jay to James Franco’s housewarming party. Once Jay
gets to know all of Seth’s LA friends, he will totally be won over by
everyone and will learn to love them and LA. Jay feels like his
friendship with Seth is growing apart while his LA friends all think
he’s the greatest (most of all the Rogen obsessed Franco).The cameo rich party scene is stolen by Michael Cera who just may have perfected the role of Hollywood megalomaniac.
Unfortunately for Seth’s plan, we learn that everyone truly is a jerk
(especially the self important Hill) and then the Biblical apocalypse
unfolds. The party is over (most literally) and we are left with Seth,
Jay, and James Franco with Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride.
This crew of six rambles through a hilarity-strewn lock-down at
Franco’s while the world literally goes to Hell outside.With rations limited, an enormous amount of time on their hands (filming a guerrilla version of Pineapple Express 2)
and personalities grating, the actual coming of the apocalypse is
nothing more than a MacGuffin used to take a quick glance at major
philosophical ideas like the nature of good and evil, faith, and the
morals of survival.Much of the film’s success and humor is dependent on how well you know the actors and their work, but This Is The End is the rare self indulgent comedy that works. (– Joe Yezukevich)
How I Met Your Mother: Season Eight
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| 20th Century Fox /Released 10/1/13 |
In the uproarious Eighth Season of How I Met Your Mother,
the arrival of baby Marvin reminds Marshall and Lily of things they
need, like sleep, better jobs and sex! Meanwhile Barney uses his
playbook to win over Robin, but not her scary dad. Marshall tries to
right a wrong in court in hopes of becoming a judge, and Robin’s past is
judged. Ted designs an amazing building, and also has designs on
Barney’s half-sister! But does he meet his future wife? Check out all 23
hilarious, legend – wait for it – dary 23 Season 8 episodes, featuring
guest stars like Paul Shaffer, Ralph Macchio and Kyle MacLachlan. Extras include music video (and making of), commentaries, deleted scenes, set tour, and gag reel.Last Word: HIMYM is the perfect example of a series that’s success is defined on a season to season basis. Now with the Eighth Season, HIMYM announced mid-season that the Ninth would be it’s last. As a result, this penultimate season quickly stopped wasting time and started tying up loose ends (including the introduction of the “Mother” in the season finale). Overall, this season is one of the better ones in the last few years and seeing some of the long gestating pieces start to fall into place reinvigorated my interest in the series. The five leads continue to be an excellent ensemble and if you’re a long time fan of the series, or a former viewer who hasn’t seen it in a bit, this season is legend – wait for it -dary. Recommended.
New Girl: The Complete Second Season
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| 20th Century Fox /Released 10/1/13 |
The romantic
tension between Jess (Emmy Nominee Zooey Deschanel) and Nick (Jake
Johnson) escalates in the hilarious, quirky second season of New Girl –
but will they ever hook up? Meanwhile, Schmidt fails to be hip, Winston
isn’t “prepared” for a hot date, and Nick faces a death in his
dysfunctional family. While Jess does her best to replace Cece on a
modeling job and a drunk Elvis impersonator at a funeral, Schmidt and
Winston hope to rearrange Cece’s arranged marriage. Extras include featurettes, extended version of Virgins, gag reel, commentary and deleted scenes.Last Word: In it’s sophomore season, New Girl has become one of the best sitcoms currently on television. With a strong cast (Deschanel, Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamore Morris and Hannah Simone) and sharp writing overseen by creator Elizabeth Meriwether, the series has created rich and complicated plots and storylines (several of which are as touching as they are funny). Guest stars this season included Jamie Lee Curtis, Rob
Reiner, Parker Posey, Rachael Harris, Carla Gugino, Rob Riggle, Olivia
Munn, Margo Martindale, Brooklyn Decker, Brenda Song, Odette Annable,
Nick Kroll,Curtis Armstrong, Dermot Mulroney, Merritt Wever, Mary Lynn
Rajskub, Taylor Swift and the late Dennis Farina delivering a great performance as Nick’s father. New Girl may have stated as a vehicle for Deschanel, but it’s evolution into one of tv’s best ensembles. Highest recommendation.
Glee: The Complete Fourth Season
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| 20th Century Fox /Released 10/1/13 |
Season 4 of the
exhilarating Emmy-winning series finds Rachel and Kurt in New York
City, Finn with a surprising new career, Will and Emma at a crossroads
and Sue confronting a shocking situation! Meanwhile, tension mounts as
the kids in New Directions head for Regionals, facing new challenges.
Featuring exciting new cast members, electrifying musical numbers, and
superstar guests like Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Hudson and Whoopi
Goldberg, Glee remains TV’s most enthralling, most topically relevant show. Extras include music jukebox, featurettes and deleted scenes.Last Word: This transitional season lacked focus as it tried to cater to the high school cast as well as the post graduates. Much of the season was split focusing on the introduction of new characters into the glee club, and their interactions with previous members with the adventures of Kurt and Rachel in New York. Paralleling the writer’s challenges, Cory Monteith’s Finn Hudson returns to McKinley, after failing in the military and his relationship with Rachel having failed, he is taken under the wing of Will Schuster and discovers his life path as a teacher. The season ends with another class of characters graduating and a reconciliation of the friendship between Finn and Rachel. Certainly entertaining, but lacking the oomf of previous seasons.
Frozen Ground
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| Lionsgate / Released 10/1/13 |
The hunt for Alaska’s most prolific serial killer. Based
on the shocking true story of Alaska State Trooper Jack Halcombe
(Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage), who set out to end the murderous
rampage of one of the country’s most prolific serial killers, Robert
Hansen (John Cusack), with the help of Cindy (Vanessa Hudgens), a
would-be victim who narrowly escaped Hansen’s clutches. Will Halcombe be
able to negotiate the seedy underworld of Anchorage and the expansive
Alaskan wilderness in time to end this cat-and-mouse game before another
victim is claimed? Extras include commentary, interviews, deleted scenes, featurettes, and trailers.
Beauty & the Beast: The First Season
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| Paramount / Released 10/1/13 |
Catherine “Cat” Chandler (Kristin Kreuk, Smallville)
is a smart, no-nonsense homicide detective who is haunted by her own
tragic past. When she was a teenager, Cat witnessed the murder of her
mother at the hands of two gunmen. Cat would have been killed too, but
someone – or something – saved her. Nine years later, a case leads her
to discover that Vincent Keller (Jay Ryan, Terra Nova), a soldier
killed in action during military service, is actually alive. As Cat
gets to know him, she starts uncovering the mysteries surrounding her
mother’s murder and just who (and what) Vincent really is. Extras include featurettes, deleted scenes, gag reel and commentary.
From Here to Eternity
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| Sony / Released 10/1/13 |
In this
landmark film, passion and tragedy collide on a military base as a
fateful day in December 1941 draws near. Private Prewitt (Montgomery
Clift) is a soldier and former boxer being manipulated by his superior
and peers. His friend Maggio (Frank Sinatra) tries to help him but has
his own troubles. Sergeant Warden (Burt Lancaster) and Karen Holmes
(Deborahh Kerr) tread on dangerous ground as lovers in an illicit
affair. Each of their lives will be changed when their stories culminate
in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Winner of eight Oscars®,
including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting awards for
Sinatra in a career-defining role and for Donna Reed as a
not-so-wholesome “club hostess.” Extras include commentaries, making of, featurettes and graphics-in-picture eternal history track.Last Word: There’s a certain reason why a film is lauded during it’s release and in the years following, achieving the moniker of classic cinema. From Here to Eternity lives up to that reputation in every capacity. With amazing performances from Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, Frank Sinatra and Montgomery Clift, the film’s focus, a harsh look at military life in the days preceding the attack on Pearl Harbor is so meticulously well crafted and executed (and, entertaining) that this release is an essential addition to any cinegeek library. Highest recommendation.
Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel
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| Walt Disney Home Video / Released 10/1/13 |
The fate of the
Tri-State area – and the world – hangs in the balance as Agent P and
Danville’s most dynamic duo team up with four of Marvel’s greatest Super
Heroes in one awesome full-length adventure. It’s thwarted
business as usual for Dr. Doofenshmirtz – until a blast from his
“Power-Drain-Inator” ricochets off of Phineas and Ferb’s space station,
hitting Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Hulk and Thor. Now the kids must
restore the Super Heroes’ lost powers before a group of dastardly
super-villains destroy the planet! Fortunately, Nick Fury and
S.H.I.E.L.D. are also on the case, together with O.W.C.A.’s top agent,
Perry the Platypus. Aren’t Phineas & Ferb a little too young to help
avert a potential disaster? Yes. Yes they are! Bursting with original
songs and six additional episodes, Phineas And Ferb: Mission Marvel is a must-own, action-packed event of heroic proportions! Extras include bonus episodes Fly On The Wall, Sidetracked, Parts 1 & 2, Primal Perry, Parts 1
& 2, Backyard Hodge Podge, Knot My Problem, and Mind Share as well as a poster and comic book.Last Word: If I were ten years old this mash up would be as amazing as the first person who added macaroni to cheese. Phineas and Ferb, one of television’s sharpest animated series crosses over with characters (and voices) from the Avengers Assemble and Ultimate Spider-Man animated series, for a feature length adventure. Among the heroes and villains making appearances are Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Red Skull, Whiplash, Venom, Nick Fury, M.O.D.O.K. and Stan Lee. If you’re a willing enough participant to not take everything quite so seriously, Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel is incredibly entertaining (as are the other epsiodes as well!). Highly recommended.
Fright Night 2: New Blood
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| 20th Century Fox /Released 10/1/13 |
By day Gerri
Dandridge is a sexy professor, but by night she transforms into a
real-life vampire with an unquenchable thirst for human blood. So when a
group of high school students travel abroad to study in Romania, they
find themselves ensnared in Gerri’s chilling web of lust and terror.
Charley and “Evil” Ed must stop Gerri from drinking and bathing in the
blood of a “new moon virgin,” which just so happens to be Charley’s
ex-girlfriend, Amy. They enlist help from Peter Vincent, the vampire
hunting host of a reality show called “Fright Night,” to drive a stake
through Gerri’s plan and save Amy from a fate far worse than death. Extras include commentary, webisodes and featurette.Last Word: Having nothing to do whatsoever with the 2011 remake, this sequel uses the characters names, ignores all continuity and swaps genders for vampire Jerry (now Gerri) Dandridge. As a fan of the original series and the remake, I can’t say that I wasn’t more than a little disappointed that this is another uninspired direct to DVD/Blu that will likely play on the Syfy Channel within the next few months. It’s not horrible and it’s pretty by the numbers (think the Lost Boys sequels), but a disappointment to the Fright Night name.
Jack Irish, Set 1
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| Acorn Media / Released 10/1/13 |
Emmy winner Guy Pearce (Memento, Iron Man 3)
is Jack Irish, the brooding antihero of Australian writer Peter
Temple’s award-winning novels. Reeling in the wake of his wife’s murder,
the former lawyer has reinvented himself as a part-time private
investigator and full-time alcoholic, intent on drowning his demons. When
an old client dies after leaving Jack several frantic voicemails, the
PI realizes he can’t outrun or out drink his past. Jack returns to the
world that took everything away from him… a seedy place of lowlifes,
corruption, violence, and retribution. In these two feature-length
mysteries, Bad Debts and Black Tide, Pearce delivers a “mesmerizing” performance (Daily Record,
U.K.), imbuing Jack with world-weary gruffness and a dash of dark
humor. As much as he tries to break away, the underworld is where he
thrives… and the only place he can find redemption. Extras include behind the scenes.
Awkward: Seasons 1 & 2
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| Paramount / Released 10/1/13 |
Narrated in the first-person voice of Jenna’s blog posts, Awkward
captures the humor within the struggles and experiences everyone can
relate to from their formative years. The series picks up in the
aftermath of the accident as she must deal with a new not-so-fun stigma,
while at the same time managing the other daily drama that comes with
being a teenager. From a secret relationship with a popular guy, to
being undermined by a mean girl, and parents who just don’t get
it-Jenna’s misfortune will eventually serve as the catalyst for amazing
change, but it’s not without some missteps and mishaps along the way.
Dead Before Dawn
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| Vivendi Entertainment / Released 10/1/13 |
Half zombie. Half demon. All zemon! A
curse is unleashed! A group of college friends accidentally breaks an
evil urn and ends up inadvertently creating a horrible curse that causes
everyone they make eye contact with to kill themselves and turn into
Zombie Demons, aka Zemons! Now, with only 24 hours to reverse this
curse, and the fate of the entire world resting on their shoulders, our
heroes race through the night, armed with a slew of homemade weapons,
avoiding eye contact, dodging hickeys and seducing Zemons. A new
breed of Zombie is born in this blood-soaked horror-comedy that pits
college kids against Zemons! Will our heroes be able to reverse the
curse and save the day or will all of humanity be Dead Before Dawn?
