THAT TIME OF THE WEEK : Dozens of DVD/Blu-ray Reviews For Your Devil’s Night Pleasure

Wow.  That went by quick. 

Apologies on the tardiness of this column.  Days became weeks, weeks became a month, a month became longer….

Nevertheless, here’s a whopping number of titles to whet your watching appetites.  Fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart. It’s that time of the week…er, month.

Snowpiercer

Anchor Bay / Released 10/21/14

The film is set in the future (AD 2031) where, after a failed experiment to stop global warming, an Ice Age kills off all life on the planet except for the inhabitants of the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe and is powered by a sacred perpetual-motion engine. Its inhabitants are divided by class; the lower-class passengers in one of the last cars stage an uprising, moving car by car up to the front of the train, where the oppressive rich and powerful ride.

Last Word: Snowpiercer, the new action, science fiction, drama by Korean director Joon-ho Bong (The Host, Mother) is pretty damned amazing. The story, the stunning visuals, the acting and directing are all top notch and as fast-paced as the unstoppable train itself. This film is meticulously crafted and relentless. Based on a 1982 French graphic novel entitled Le Transperceneige written by Jacques Lob and illustrated by Jean-Marc Rochette, it is the story of the last group of surviving humans who’s miracle ‘ark’, a train, hundreds of cars long, has become their prison.

After a horribly failed ‘solution’ to global warming froze the Earth solid all life on Earth was wiped out. That is except for a few survivors. Their last hope was this enclosed eco-system and totally self-sufficient train created by a man named Willard. Willard has become an almost mythological figure, at this point, by the population of the train. He and the sacred, never stopping engine have never been seen before and control everything.

Various class systems have evolved over the train’s 17-year run on its infinite, closed loop track that spans the globe. In that time, the back of the train have become ‘the slums’. Tired of everything from food and water to other necessities ‘running backward’ and being left with the scraps and the refuse of the rich, at the front of the train; an uprising is eminent.

Curtis (Chris Evans, Captain America, The Avengers), a man born before the great freeze, leads the back of the train to revolt and with the help of sagely old Gilliam, played by John Hurt (Alien, Hellboy), the brains to Curtis’ brawn, hatches a plan to take over the train and bring equality to the people suffering in squalor in the rear compartments. Evans is fantastic as Curtis. He plays the role with gravitas, intensity and caring; bringing a likability and intelligence to the role.  You wouldn’t think twice about following him to your death for his cause. Tilda Swinton is magnificent as the authoritative and first-class citizen, Mason. Almost unrecognizable, Swinton, once again disappears in her role.

Conniving and deliciously privileged and entitled Mason is the perfect antithesis to Curtis. Curtis’ right hand man, Edgar, (Billy Elliot‘s Jamie Bell) and bad ass mother, Tanya (The Help star Octavia Spencer, who’s child is taken near the beginning of the film for reasons unknown and Ewen Bremmer (Trainspotting) as Andrew, who is disciplined for throwing a shoe at Mason all join Curtis in the taking of the sacred engine of the train. Along the way they acquire the help of the trains designer and drug burn-out, Namgoong Minsoo (Kang-ho Song, The Good, The Bad and The Weird) and his daughter Yona (Ah-sung Ko, The Host).

Some of the things that struck me about the film, as I watched it, was director Bong’s ability to create perfect classicism and rank in each car as the rebellion marches forward. He also conveys the working eco system and the perfect balance that is needed to maintain order and a sustainable society within the confines of the speeding locomotive. Visually this film is stunning and basically perfect. The fight scenes are expertly choreographed and the cinematography is gorgeous whether is is a close quarters axe fight with 200 people or a serene moment between two characters pondering their future. Each shot is purposeful and executed with grace.

As the up-risers get closer and closer to the front of the train and the sacred engine things get stranger and stranger. Decadence and excess become greater and greater and as the well to do folk of the front try to make their ‘world’ more and more like the world as it was the more and more that world seems ridiculous and absurd. Stuck on a train, grasping for the amenities of the past but without the resources you get a mishmash of styles, cultures and tastes that clash at best. When all is said and done, in the end this story is about people. About their class and status. About what is right and wrong. About making the hard choices. It is a microcosm of the world today. A world, Bong, screenwriter, Kelly Masterson and original graphic novel creators Lob and Rochette all question whether it is worth saving in the first place. Snowpiercer is great cinema.  (– Benn Robbins)

2 Broke Girls: Season 3

Warner Home Video / Released 10/14/14

Season Three serves up sweet surprises for two of Brooklyn’s hottest waitresses, Max (Kat Dennings) and Caroline (Beth Behrs), who continue to dish up sarcasm and smarts. They’ve got a new cupcake business at the diner’s back walk-up window, and Caroline and Max negotiate a work-study program at the Manhattan School of Pastry: Caroline works in the office so Max can study professional baking.

Plus, love – and the aroma of freshly cooked tarts – is in the air! Caroline has the hots for the school’s hunky master chef, and Max falls head over sticky buns for the outrageous class clown. The girls still worry about money…but their friendship is worth a million bucks. Sit back and savor all 24 outrageous and witty episodes iced with scandal and laughs! Extras include deleted scenes and a gag reel.

Last Word: Another season of the post-modern Laverne and Shirley, 2 Broke Girls continues to be sharp and funny, albeit becoming a bit more of the stereotypical sitcom tropes.  Extended storylines with Max and Caroline suddenly going to school (similar to last season’s store opening) do little other than add a new location beyond the diner and their apartment.  Guest stars include Gilles Marini, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Eric André, Brian Doyle-Murray, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jeff Garlin, and Hal Linden join regular ensemble cast members Garrett Morris, Jonathan Kite, Matthew Moy and Jennifer Coolidge (and new cast member who’s character didn’t click, Federico Dordei).  2 Broke Girls is still funny, but it’s execution is becoming as dated as the once popular cupcake trend.

Two and a Half Men: The Complete Eleventh Season

Warner Home Video / Released 10/14/14

Ashton Kutcher stars as Internet billionaire Walden Schmidt looking to start over in love and life. Walden buys the Malibu beach house, where tightly wound divorcé Alan Harper (Jon Cryer) and his underachieving teenage son, Jake, have been living rent-free for almost a decade. Even though Jake is now serving in the army, the carefree Walden keeps Alan around for companionship – as well as domineering housekeeper Berta (Conchata Ferrell). Despite Alan’s unsuccessful history with women, he finds himself mentoring the aloof Walden in the ways of love. While Walden and Alan continue to navigate their unusual living arrangement, they somehow maintain a family bond that promises to make each of them a better man.  Extras include gag reel.

Last Word: Never say die!  This season, former half man Angus T. Jones officially left the show.  What to do?  Introduce former man Charlie Harper’s illegitimate, substance-abusing, lesbian daughter (Amber Tamblyn) who can make jokes about drugs, booze and sleeping with women, too.  The season also continued the ridiculous plotline of Alan pretending to be someone else to Larry (D.B. Sweeney), Alan’s former girlfriend Lyndsey (Courtney Thorne-Smith)’s fiancé.  That is of course until Alan falls in love with Larry’s sister (Kimberly Williams-Paisley).  And Walden finds himself taking care of another man, Barry (Clarke Duke).  For a series that should have ended with Charlie Sheen’s absence, Two and a Half Men still plugs away, recycling jokes and delivering mediocrity. 

Begin Again

Anchor Bay / Released 10/28/14

British songwriter Gretta (Keira Knightley) is adrift in Manhattan after getting dumped by her philandering rock star boyfriend (Adam Levine). While playing at an open mic night at a local bar, she is discovered by struggling music producer Dan (Mark Ruffalo). Sensing her songwriting potential, Dan pushes Gretta to sign with him and record an ambitious outdoors album all across the city.   Extras include making of and music videos.

Last Word: Gretta (Keira Knightley) and Dave (Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and The Voice fame) are songwriting partners and lovers. But when Dave, the performing half of the duo, signs with a major label in New York, Gretta finds herself on the outside looking in as the man she thought she knew is quickly seduced by the dark side of the music biz.

Dan (Mark Ruffalo) is a disenchanted music exec and co-founder of his own successful label. Sick of the overproduced, manufactured talent his company now churns out, he’s looking for a diamond in the rough to nurture.

Dan meet Gretta.

When a drunken Dan discovers a heart-broken Gretta performing at a bar, it’s love at first listen. After some convincing, the two embark on a musical journey of self-discovery as they take things out of the studio and record an album using the raw sounds of the city as their guide.

John Carney, the writer/director of the fantastic Once, again lets the music tell the story. Keira Knightley’s raw vocal talents are on full display and she doesn’t disappoint. While Mark Ruffalo nails the quirky, manic Dan as he struggles to reconnect with his musical passions, estranged daughter, and the ex-wife that he still loves.

Begin Again is a sweet movie that wears its heart on its sleeve. But thankfully never forces a love story between its two leads, they have their own problems to work through, and it’s the music that binds and eventually heals them. ( – B.S. Walker)

In the Flesh: Season 2

BBC Home Video / Released 10/7/14

Creator Dominic Mitchell reignites the world of teenager Kieren Walker (Luke Newberry), a recovered zombie (Partially Diseased Syndrome (PDS) sufferer) who continues in his struggle to find acceptance in society. In the cauldron of Roarton, where the living and the undead have reached a fragile peace, Kieren is desperately keeping his head down and squirreling money into his “escape fund” for Paris. But in the wider world, fear is in the air. The radical Pro-Living Party, Victus, is gaining government seats with a resulting spate of PDS Terrorism linked to the Undead Liberation Army (ULA).With the arrival of new and explosive characters from both Victus and the ULA, Kieren’s plans are thrown into disarray as both set their sights on him. He’ll find himself caught in the emotional crossfire, making his desire for a quiet life an unrealistic option. 

Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs: Wakko’s Wish

Warner Home Video / Released 10/7/14

Life is not the same in the little village of Acme Falls. The once-cheerful villagers are being taxed to the extreme by the greedy Baron Von Plotz. To make matters worse, Dot has fallen ill and needs medical attention. Out of options, Wakko wishes upon a star. His wish is granted, but with a catch – he must find the fallen star and touch it for his wish to come true.

Word gets out about the lucky star, and the race is on! Pinky and the Brain, Slappy and Skippy Squirrel, Mindy and Buttons and many more well-known Animaniacs co-stars hit the road to animated pandemonium as they sprint to reach the star first. Features 15 original songs and the voice talent of Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Sherri Stoner, Nathan Ruegger, Nancy Cartwright and Frank Welker.

 

To Be Takei

Anchor Bay / Released 10/7/14

From outer space to Capitol Hill, from the silver screen to YouTube, the legendary George Takei has blazed his own trail while conquering new frontiers with a beaming trademark grin. Oh, my! To Be Takei is a hilarious, entertaining, and moving look at the many roles played by eclectic 77-year-old actor/activist George Takei. His wit, humor and grace have helped him to become an internationally beloved figure and internet phenomenon with 7-million Facebook fans and counting. The film offers unprecedented access to the daily life of George and his husband/business partner Brad and chronicles George’s fascinating personal journey from Japanese American internment camp to his iconic and groundbreaking role as Sulu on Star Trek, and his rise as an pop culture icon. The film shows what it truly means to be Takei. Featuring interviews with the cast of the original Star Trek, the new Sulu John Cho, and more. Extras include deleted scenes.

Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated – Complete Season Two

Warner Home Video / Released 10/7/14

Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, Norville “Shaggy” Rogers and Scooby-Doo make up the team of teenage mystery solving sleuths known as Mystery Inc who live in a small town called Crystal Cove. The older generation and parents use the town’s long history of ghost and monster sightings to bring in tourist and discourage Mystery Inc from solving the mysteries that bring in money. While solving mysteries and proving the monsters to be fake, a mysterious new character known as Mr. E warns them to stop solving mysteries before they reveal a deep dark secret of Crystal Cove.

Last Word: Set in the town of Crystal Cove, Mystery Incorporated fleshes out the familiar characters and pairs it with sharp writing. We’re finally introduced to the background and families of these characters and they are suddenly self-aware of their environment and their history as paranormal investigators. Also pretty awesome is the voice casting including movie Shaggy Matthew Lillard reprising his role. Other voices include Grey DeLisle as Daphne, Mindy Cohn (Natalie from the Facts of Life) as Velma, and legend Frank Welker as Scooby-Doo and Fred. Other notable voices within these episodes include Mark Hamill, Patrick Warburton, Matt Lanter, Linda Cardellini, John Billingsley, Lewis Black, Jim Rash, Vivica A. Fox, Tia Carrere, Tim Matheson, Phil LaMarr, Udo Kier, Charles Shaughnessy, Billy West, Maurice LaMarche, Laraine Newman, Clancy Brown, Kevin Michael Richardson, John O’Hurley, James Arnold Taylor, Frances Conroy, Jane Wiedlin, Amy Acker, Fred Tatasciore, James Marsters, Michael J. Anderson, Gary Cole and Harlan Ellison.   This is the Scooby-Doo I’ve been waiting my whole life for and is a must have for anyone who grew up loving or hating the original series.

Best of the Danny Kaye Show

MVD Visual / Released 10/7/14

Danny Kaye was at the height of his popularity when The Danny Kaye Show debuted on CBS in the fall of 1963. A pair of Broadway hits Lady In the Dark and Lets Face It and a succession of classic films including The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Inspector General, Knock on Wood, Up In Arms, The Court Jester, Hans Christian Andersen, and White Christmas made Danny Kaye one of the biggest stars in show business. His international humanitarian work for UNICEF, and sold out concerts at places like the London Palladium and the Palace Theater in New York helped make Danny Kaye a worldwide sensation. He won the Emmy Award for best variety performer in 1964, and the show was honored with three more Emmys, including outstanding variety series. The Danny Kaye Show was the perfect showcase for its stars unequaled range of talents. In this collection of six uncut episodes available now for the first time – Danny sings with Ella Fitzgerald, Nana Mouskouri and Harry Belafonte. He sings and dances with Liza Minnelli and Gene Kelly, and deftly clowns his way through comedy sketches with Art Carney, Rod Serling, Jackie Cooper, and a certain perennially 39-year old legend of comedy, who makes an unannounced cameo appearance. Also featured in this collection are Michelle Lee, Buddy Greco, John Gary, Joe & Eddie, Lovelady Powell and Alan Young. Series regulars include Harvey Korman, Jamie Farr, Joyce Van Patten and orchestra leader Paul Weston. Whether experiencing the joy that is Danny Kaye for the first time, or revisiting his extraordinary gifts, viewers of all ages will find the irresistible and legendary entertainer at the top of his game on The Best of the Danny Kaye Show.

Afterlife: Series Two

BBC Home Video / Released 10/7/14

As academic Robert (Andrew Lincoln, The Walking Dead) continues to document Alison’s psychic abilities, she accepts that the spirits she has seen since she was a child will never leave her. After nearly dying during a séance in which she was inhabited by the spirit of Robert’s dead son, she determines that the dead should not dictate her life and she wants help the living. Robert, meanwhile, is in turmoil. Once a total skeptic, his beliefs have been shaken by what he witnessed at the seance and he now struggles to make sense of his life. But Alison’s new found security is quickly shaken up by a terrifying presence: for the first time in her life she is being haunted by a spirit from her own past, a ghost she must learn to confront if she is to hold onto her sanity. 

From Dusk Till Dawn: Complete Season One 

Entertainment One / Released 9/16/14

After a bank heist leaves several people dead, brothers Seth and Richie Gecko escape to Mexico, taking a former pastor and his family hostage along the way. With the FBI and Texas Rangers hot on their trail, Seth and Richie use the familys RV to cross the border. Chaos ensues when they detour to a strip club filled with vampires and are forced to fight until dawn for survival. Featuring episodes directed by Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Machete Kills) and Eduardo Sánchez (The Blair Witch Project)

Last Word: The series is basically a re-boot of the movie dragged out across a season of television.  We’ve got the Gecko brother and once again Richie Gecko is crazier than a pocket full of spaghetti. All the women (including the vampire queen) are super sexualized chicks/victims who seem to exist for the sole purpose of appealing to a public who enjoys torture porn. While I can understand the necessity to appeal to an audience who are, lets face it, male, this over-simplification of women in horror is a tad sexist.  Stretching out the story (and the silly inclusion of Wilmer Valderrama as a crime boss) does nothing to make the journey any more exciting or engaging.  It’s dull and worse, forgettable.  Frankly, I expected more from Rodriguez, his talent for being a one-man movie studio has brought some of the most interesting original films and adaptations to the screen, but this just feels boring and, to be blunt, lazy.  Now I’m sure loads of viewers will enjoy the show, but to those fans that have been there since El Mariachi in 1992 this is a big letdown.  And one we won’t soon forgive.  (–  Elizabeth Weitz)

Kingpin

Paramount / Released 9/9/14

Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson), a pro bowler who seems destined for greatness, or as close to greatness as a bowler can get. But after a run-in with angry competitors, Roy finds himself sadder, wiser and minus his bowling hand! Years later, he meets the naive Ishmael (Randy Quaid) an Amish bowling whiz. Together they set out for a million-dollar tournament in Reno, and along the way pick up Claudia (Vanessa Angel), a sexy vixen with brains, attitude and really big…ideals. With her help, they make it to the tournament. But will Roy and Ishmael win the big match and score fame and fortune…or will all their hopes and dreams just go barreling down the gutter?  Also starring Bill Murray and Chris Elliott.  Extras include an extended, R-rated cut, commentary, trailer and featurette.

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

20th Century Fox / Released 10/14/14

Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world, and his mischievous boy Sherman, use their time machine – The WABAC – to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes The WABAC out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history. Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue, ultimately facing the most daunting challenge of any era: figuring out how to be a parent. Together, the time traveling trio will make their mark on history.  Extras include original cartoons that inspired the film, featurettes, games, gallery and trailer.

School Dance

Lionsgate / Released 10/7/14

High school freshman Jason (Bobb’e J. Thompson) has just found the girl of his dreams Anastacia (Kristinia DeBarge), but there is one problem. She has no idea he exists. He is pretty sure he has found a solution though: join the school’s hottest dance crew, which will be no easy feat. Before he can get his shot he will have to overcome his battle-ax of a mom, survive Anastacia’s gangsta brother and pass the crew’s initiation; will Jason be able to get through all of these obstacles and get his shot with the girl?  Extras include commentary.

Penny Dreadful: Season 1    

Paramount / Released 10/14/14

Some of literature’s most terrifying characters, including Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and iconic figures from the novel Dracula are lurking in the darkest corners of Victorian London. Penny Dreadful is a frightening psychological thriller that weaves together these classic horror origin stories into a new adult drama.  Extras include featurettes, trailers and bonus episodes of Ray Donovan.

Last Word: Taking a page from the work of Kim Newman and Alan Moore, Penny Dreadful is a wonderfully atmospheric love letter to the horror genre.  The phenomenal cast includes Timothy Dalton, Eva Green, Simon Russell Beale, Helen McCrory, Reeve Carney, Rory Kinnear, Billie Piper and Josh Hartnett.  The series explores one’s purgatory on earth, somewhere between life and death.  The chemistry throughout the ensemble is fantastic and elevates the series’ pulpy source material to a genuinely absorbing and thrilling narrative.  It’s sexy, violent and scare.  What’s not to like?

Sex Tape

Sony Home Entertainment / Released 10/21/14

Jay (Jason Segel) and Annie (Cameron Diaz) are a married couple still very much in love, but ten years and two kids have cooled the passion. To get it back, they decide – why not? – to make a video of themselves trying out every position in The Joy of Sex in one three-hour marathon session. It seems like a great idea until they discover that their most private video has gone public. In a panic, they begin a wild night of adventure – tracking down leads, roping in friends and duping Annie’s boss – all to reclaim their video, their reputation, their sanity and, most importantly, their marriage.  Extras include featurettes, bloopers and deleted & extended scenes.

Last Word: With the talent involved, Sex Tape is one of the year’s disappointments.  With a tired premise and lazy execution, this cliché filled farce is simply, just stupid.  With a premise that any ten year old with an iPhone can tell you is false (The Cloud doesn’t automatically distribute material via email to everyone, or anyone, in your address book automatically), Sex Tape succeeds only with the chemistry of stars Diaz and Segel (reteaming from Bad Teacher) and a fair amount of slapstick.  There isn’t much in terms of “sexy” in a film that centers on the very subject, and I’d imagine the talent involved are more embarrased by their participation in this rather than in say, a leaked sex tape.

Sleeping Beauty

Disney Home Video / Released 10/7/14

Beauty, wonder and adventure spin together in a grand legend that transcends time as Maleficent, one of animation’s most spectacular villains, sends the kingdom’s beloved Princess Aurora into an enchanted sleep. In a majestic story that awakens all your senses, Good Fairies arm brave Prince Phillip to defeat a fearsome fire-breathing dragon and rescue Aurora. But success in battle may not be enough, for the only way to awaken the Princess is with True Love’s kiss!  Extras include deleted scenes, featurettes, and sing a long.

Last Word: One of Disney’s most visually stunning films, Sleeping Beauty also features one of cinema’s most iconic villains, Maleficent.  Devoid of any songs, instead featuring a classical music score and based on a four paragraph fairy tale by Charles Perrault, the film is operatic in scope and the animation, particularly of it’s characters is simply amazing. As the last cel animated film from the studio inked by hand, Sleeping Beauty has a nuance and depth, lost in future productions.  With love, adventure, an amazing protagonist and a dragon, this classic has never looked or sounded better.  Highly recommended.

Desperately Seeking Susan    

Kino Lorber / Released 10/14/14

If you know what to look for, you can find almost anything in the personal ads… including the love of your life! Rosanna Arquette is irresistible in her first starring role and pop star Madonna gives a marvelously comic performance in this delightful madcap comedy about mistaken identity. Bored New Jersey housewife Roberta (Arquette) fills her days by reading the personals and following an ongoing romance between “Jim” and “Susan” (Madonna); mysterious drifters who appears to lead the kind of free-spirited lives she can only dream about. And dream she does, until the day she actually shows up at the couple’s pre-arranged rendezvous in New York City… and after a bump on the head, a bout of amnesia turns her into Susan and opens the door to intrigue, laughter and love! Directed by Susan Seidelman with a stellar supporting cast that includes Aidan Quinn, Mark Blum, Robert Joy, Laurie Metcalf, Will Patton, Steven Wright, Peter Maloney, Giancarlo Esposito and John Turturro. Extras include commentary, alternate ending and trailer.

Last Word: An unintentional love letter to both the Eighties and New York City, Desperately Seeking Susan is a fun, crisp romantic comedy that features Madonna at the height of her “Boy Toy” phase.  There are very few films that can combine deception, murder, adultery, amnesia and magic shows and not only work, but have you smiling.  This is one of those movies.  With a truly amazing cast of familiar faces at the beginning of their careers and Madonna living up to her status as a pop icon, Desperately Seeking Susan will get you into the groove and keep you there until the end credits roll.

Married to the Mob

Kino Lorber / Released 10/14/14

Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Modine, Dean Stockwell, Alec Baldwin and Mercedes Ruehl redefine family values in this bona fide mafia hit that’s so hilarious, it’s “an offer you can’t refuse”; (The Washington Post)! Angela De Marco (Pfeiffer) is stuck in a loveless marriage to an adulterous philanderer who also just happens to be a mobster. Tired of living with a two-timing husband and his laundered money, she gets a new lease on life when he’s iced by Tony “The Tiger” Russo; a ruthless kingpin who’s always had a thing for the beautiful Angela and now is free to put the moves on the grieving widow. Kissing the Long Island mafia arrivederci, Angela starts over in Manhattan, finding a new job in a beauty salon, but Tony’s hot on her trail, still determined to make her his mob mistress. Now, Angela must choose between helping the FBI or spend the rest of her life being Married To The Mob.  Extras include a trailer.

Last Word: A colorful, energetic, and charming film, Married to the Mob is a brilliant satire of mafia culture captured by director Jonathan Demme.  Matthew Modine plays a FBI agent Mike Downey investigating “Cucumber” Frank DeMarco (Alec Baldwin) who is murdered by Tony “The Tiger” Russo (Dean Stockwell) and follows Frank’s widow Angela (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her son Frankie, Jr. to New York City where she starts over, away from “The Family” she left behind.  One of Demme’s greatest talents is his eye for casting and this film is no exception, with a supporting cast that includes Nancy Travis, Oliver Platt, Mercedes Ruehl, Joan Cusack,  Colin Quinn, Charles Napier, O-Lan Jones, David Johansen, Tracey Walter, Al Lewis, Obba Babatundé and Chris Isaak.  The soundtrack from Talking Heads’ David Byrne is also phenomenal, and sets an overall quirky tone for the film.  The film is often over the top, played straight, but never feels campy.  A wonderful sleeper that deserves a wide audience.

The Prince

Lionsgate / Released 10/28/14

Paul (Jason Patric), a mechanic with past ties to the underworld, is unwittingly drawn back into the life he gave up when he suspects that his daughter has been kidnapped. To rescue her, he’ll have to team up with his old partner, Sam (John Cusack), and confront his former nemesis, Omar (Bruce Willis).  Also starring Rain, 50 Cent, Jessica Lowndes and Johnathon Schaech.  Extras include commentary, extended scenes, featurettes, and interviews.

Miss Marple Volume 1

BBC Home Entertainment / Released 10/28/14

Regarded by many fans as the definitive Miss Marple, Joan Hickson was one of the oldest actresses to take a lead role in a major television series when she was cast as Agatha Christie’s soft-spoken, sharp-eared sleuth at the age of 78 in 1984. She retired eight years later, having completed 12 mysteries in the Miss Marple series – four of which are collected in this volume. When the hated Colonel Protheroe is found murdered in the sleepy village of St. Mary Mead, Miss Marple wonders why so many people want to confess in “The Murder at the Vicarage.” A strange young blonde is found strangled at Gossington Hall, the home of Colonel and Dolly Bantry, in “The Body in the Library” – but luckily Miss Marple is their neighbor. In “The Moving Finger,” a nasty case of poison-pen letters bring Miss Marple to East Anglia. And finally, in “A Murder is Announced,” everyone in Chipping Cleghorn is intrigued by the advertisement predicting a murder at Little Paddocks – but when the lights go out at the appointed hour, no one thinks it’s a joke anymore. These four stories were shot entirely on location and feature appearances by A-List British actors including BAFTA Winner Cheryl Campbell, Samantha Bond and Ralph Michael.   Extras include documentary.

Mad Men: the Final Season-Part 1

Lionsgate / Released 10/21/14

From creator Matthew Weiner, the critically acclaimed show features a top-notch cast that includes Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Christina Hendricks, January Jones, John Slattery and Robert Morse.  Mad Men: The Final Season – Part 1 is set in the captivating world of 1960s New York and continues to follow iconic ad man Don Draper, his colleagues and his family, as viewers get a glimpse at how the renowned television series will end.

In May of 1966, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce posts an equal-opportunity newspaper ad to mock Y&R over a racism scandal. The ad unexpectedly draws actual applicants, prompting SCDP to hire a black woman, Dawn, as Don’s new secretary. Roger tries to poach business from Pete, while Peggy argues with Don when he doesn’t support her in front of clients.  Megan throws Don a surprise 40th birthday party and stages a risqué song-and-dance performance. Don and Megan fight after the party but have passionate make-up sex the next day.  Joan visits SCDP with infant Kevin to ensure she hasn’t been replaced during maternity leave. Greg returns from Vietnam only to announce he’s going back. When Joan learns that he volunteered, she kicks him out.

Betty’s mother-in-law Pauline encourages Betty to lose weight. Betty visits the doctor for diet pills but the doctor discovers a thyroid lump which turns out to be benign. Harry brings Don to a Rolling Stones concert to try and sign the band for a Heinz commercial, but mistakenly signs a lesser-known group.  Pete complains his office isn’t suitable for hosting clients and demands Roger’s, but Roger instead bribes Harry to trade offices with Pete. When Pete lands the Mohawk account, SCDP hires Michael Ginsberg as a copywriter.  Ginsberg pitches a Cinderella concept to Butler Footwear that Don had vetoed. The client loves the idea but Don scolds Ginsberg for pitching it without his approval. Feeling feverish, Don goes home early and dreams that he strangles a former lover. Peggy works late and discovers Dawn sleeping in Don’s office. She insists Dawn stay the night with her.

Lane fails to woo Edwin Baker from Jaguar Cars at a dinner meeting, so Roger, Don and Pete treat him to a brothel visit. The next day Lane reports that they lost Jaguar because Baker’s wife found out. Pete mocks Lane and they brawl.  Pete and Trudy host Don, Megan, Ken and Cynthia for dinner, where Ken admits his secret writing career. The kitchen faucet bursts due to a repair Pete had made, and Don fixes it. Pete flirts with a teenager in his driver’s ed class but is overlooked for a younger man.  Don excuses Megan from work to visit a Howard Johnson’s upstate. Once there, they fight over his insistence on controlling her life. Don angrily drives off without Megan and returns to find no trace of her except her sunglasses on the ground. Don searches for Megan through the night, but she’s taken a bus home.  Extras including commentaries and featurettes.

Seed: Complete First Season

Entertainment One / Released 10/21/14

Harry, a thirty-something bartender with no money, direction or aptitude for responsibility, discovers that his method of earning extra cash in his twenties, sperm donation, has resulted in kids…lots of kids! Now, Harry reluctantly begins a relationship with three unique and separate recipient families a laid-back lesbian couple with a 9-year-old son, a neurotically hopeful single mom-to-be, and an uptight, upper-class family with a rebellious teenage daughter with whom he will come to share more than just his DNA. 

Satellite

Indiepix Films / Released 10/21/14

When ad agency art director Ro Mars (Stephanie Szostak) notices Kevin Sinks (Karl Geary) on the street and impulsively follows him to a bar, it sets off a chain reaction that may undo them both.  An acclaimed festival favorite from director Jeff Winner, Satellite is, at its core, a romantic fable about a pair of millenials who give up everything they have in order to find something better.  During a three-day marathon of passion, they make a pact to push each other to do the things they’ve avoided or are afraid of, and never lie to one another.

Fueled by new love and a sense of adventure, Ro and Kevin impusively quit their jobs, sell all their possessions, and begin stealing to make ends meet.  However, their new life of free-spirited adventure is nearly derailed by Ro’s self-destructive streak of jealously and a dark secret she steadfastly refuses to reveal.  Equal parts American Indie and French New Wave, Satellite is carried along by combustible chemistry between the stars, dreamy cinematography and a superb soundtrack featuring original songs by Callas.  Extras include producers interview and commentary.

Letter to Momo

Bandai Entertainment / Released 10/21/14

From the creators of Ghost in the Shell and the director of Jin-Roh comes this supernatural anime classic featuring thousands of squirming, morphing ghosts and spirits.

The last time Momo saw her father they had a fight. Now all she has left to remember him by is an incomplete letter penned with the words “Dear Momo,” but nothing more. Moving with her mother to the remote Japanese island of Shio, Momo soon discovers three yokai living in her attic, a trio of mischievous spirit creatures that only she can see and who create mayhem in the tiny seaside community as she tries desperately to keep them hidden. But these funny monsters have a serious side and may hold the key to helping Momo discover what her father had been trying to tell her.  Extras include making of, and U.S. and international trailers.

Life After Beth

Lionsgate / Released 10/21/14

Zach (Dane DeHaan) is devastated after his girlfriend Beth (Aubrey Plaza) dies unexpectedly. After Beth suddenly and mysteriously returns to life, Zach is overjoyed to have the second chance to prove his love for her. But when Beth starts developing some bizarre tendencies – including a rather disturbing taste for flesh – Zach has to confront facts. Can love survive among the living dead? Extras include commentary, deleted scenes and featurettes.

Red Skelton Show: The Early Years – 1951 – 1955

Shout! Factory / Released 10/21/14

This set features 90 episodes of the beloved program on 11 DVDs, with episodes unseen since their original broadcast 60 years ago. Newly remastered from the original kinescopes, this collection represents Red’s best shows from 1951 to 1955 and includes a DVD of bonus features, including the documentary featurette America’s Clown: An Intimate Biography of Red Skelton, behind the scenes rehearsal footage and two bonus episodes.

In addition to the beloved recurring characters Clem Kadiddlehopper, San Fernando Red and Freddie the Freeloader,  The Red Skelton Show: The Early Years 1951-1955 also features guest appearances by some of the era’s biggest stars, including Jackie Gleason, Johnny Carson,  Diahann Carroll, John Wayne, Bob Hope, Peter Lorre and many more.

Experience the joy, laughter, and hijinks of the The Red Skelton Show with this collection of rarely seen episodes, and discover why Red Skelton is considered one of the great stars of the golden age of comedy. Whether on stage or on the radio; in the movies or on his hit television show; Red Skelton’s incomparable charm was always evident.

Crazysexycool: The TLC Story

Paramount / Released 10/21/14

Fame. Fortune. And all that comes with it. CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story is a scripted biopic that tells the story of TLC’s humble beginnings in Atlanta, GA, which led to an unprecedented rise to fame in the 1990’s as one of the world’s most talented, celebrated, and highest-selling female groups of all time. Through very public and high-profile turmoil, success, and tragedy, TLC left an indelible stamp of female empowerment that changed the face of the music industry forever.  Extras include archive footage, cast interviews and behind the scenes.

Sexina

MVD Entertainment / Released 10/21/14

Sexina is the world’s hottest teen pop star, but she’s also a secret crime-fighting detective battling evils in the music industry. When she discovers a missing scientist has been forced to create cyborg bands for “The Boss” of Glitz Records (TV Batman Adam West), the fists and power ballads fly! Featuring music by Davy Jones (The Monkees), and also starring Annie Golden (Orange Is The New Black).  Extras include music video, featurettes, bloopers, outtakes, deleted scenes and trailers.

The Soul Man: The Complete Second Season

Shout! Factory / Released 10/21/14

Former R&B superstar-turned-preacher Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine (Cedric The Entertainer) continues to find his footing in the transition from music to ministering in Season Two’s ten episodes, facing whatever challenges that come his way with grace and humor. Between a fiercely cutthroat choir competition, to an unexpected visit from an old flame, to the countless antics of his family, Boyce will need a miracle to keep it together!  Season Two of The Soul Man also stars Niecy Nash (Reno 911!) and Wesley Jonathan (What I Like About You), with guest stars including John Beasley (Everwood), Jazz Raycole (My Wife and Kids), Anthony Anderson (Law & Order), and Yvette Nicole Brown (Community)!  Extras include featurettes.

MVD Entertainment / Released 10/21/14

This 1973 documentary by the award-winning director Tony Palmer shone a light on the multi-millionaire Hugh Hefner and his Playboy empire. It gave Hefner the opportunity to tell his story and, of course, it offended the usual suspects – Mary Whitehouse, the Daily Express and many more. The film charts Hefner’s rise from a small-time publisher to Playboy becoming one of the world’s best known brands. As Hefner says: “We had no money at all, and I mean literally no money. I doubt that any major magazine in our time has ever been started with as little initial investment. My own investment in Playboy was $600, all of it borrowed. The entire enterprise is now valued, in 1973, at something around $200 million”

Good People

Millennium / Released 10/18/14

A young American couple (James Franco and Kate Hudson) falls into severe debt while renovating a home in London. When they discover that the tenant in the apartment below them was murdered and left $400,000 cash stashed in the ceiling, the couple thinks all of their problems are solved…but that’s when very bad things start happening to good people. Extras include featurette.

Life of Crime 

Lionsgate / Released 10/28/14

When pampered housewife (Jennifer Aniston) is kidnapped by a pair of blundering ex-cons (John Hawkes, yasiin bey) in an effort to extort money from her sleazy real-estate tycoon husband (Tim Robbins), the perfect crime becomes the perfect opportunity for the husband to ride off in the sunset with his sexy young mistress (Isla Fisher)… until the housewife decides to even the score.  Extras include deleted scenes, commentary and featurettes.

Last Word: Remember Ordell Robbie and Louis Gara from Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown?  Brought to life by Samuel L. Jackson and Robert De Niro, it was apparent that these characters had a long history together.  Life of Crime confirms that.  Based on Elmore Leonard’s The Switch, Life of Crime casts yasiin bey (aka Mos Def) and John Hawkes as Ordell and Louis and places them dead center in a farcical premise that we’ve seen several times before, but is nevertheless entertaining.

Part of the problem is that the film hits the right notes, but does so without enough energy.  It’s competent, but never really comes to life, which is a shame.  Leonard’s usually colorful characters come across as too schitcky and the film lacks the subtlety necessary to make the movie work.

Accused, Series 1 & 2

Acorn Media / Released 10/28/14

Murder, arson, and other deadly offenses all have a flash point, when a person loses control over something, or someone, in their life. Created by Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker), this acclaimed series turns the classic crime drama on its head and takes a compelling look at the true nature of guilt and innocence.

Sean Bean (Game of Thrones), Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who), Juliet Stevenson (Bend It Like Beckham), and Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) are among the celebrated actors who star in these 10 gripping tales from Series 1 and 2. Each episode reveals the crime through the eyes of the perpetrator, revealing how—and more importantly, why—it happened. Some characters are guilty, some are innocent, and others fall somewhere in between. But they’re all ordinary people whose lives have quickly gone sideways—and they all stand accused.

Child of God

Well Go USA / Released 10/28/14

Based on the acclaimed 1973 Cormac McCarthy novel, director James Franco’s Child Of God takes place in 1960s Tennessee, where Lester Ballard is a dispossessed, violent man – one the narrator describes as “a child of God much like yourself perhaps.” Deprived first of his family and then his home, Ballard descends literally and figuratively to the level of a cave dweller, falling deeper into a disturbing life of crime and degradation.

Behaving Badly

Anderson Merch. / Released 10/28/14

 In this fast-paced, outrageously funny, all-star romp, socially awkward high schooler Rick Stevens (Nat Wolff) is willing to do whatever it takes to win the heart of the girl of his dreams… and he does mean anything. But love’s a bitch! Particularly when your sights are set on the most beautiful and popular girl at school (Selena Gomez).

Now he must content with her psycho ex (Austin Stowell), his suicidal mother (Mary-Louise Parker), philandering father (Cary Elwes), his best friend’s horny mother (Elisabeth Shue), a manic stripe club manager (Dylan McDermott), a perverted principal (Patrick Warburton), a lecherous and immoral priest (Jason Lee), a promiscuous lawyer (Heather Graham), an angry police chief (Gary Busey), the wanton patron saint of teenagers… and a few corpses.

Bound By Flesh

MVD Visual / Released 10/28/14

Bound By Flesh tells the amazing story of Daisy and Violet Hilton, conjoined twins who rose to superstardom at the beginning of the 20th century as sideshow attractions, performing alongside the likes of Bob Hope and Charlie Chaplin. While most sideshow performers simply served as objects of curiosity for their passing audiences, the Hilton Sisters stood apart by putting on a full-fledged show, complete with singing, dancing, and music. Ruthlessly exploited by their managers, the sisters ultimately sued for their freedom which they won at a terrible cost. A gripping, roller-coaster tale of showbiz tragedy, Bound By Flesh puts a touchingly human face on two outsiders who went from the lowest rungs of society to the big time and back again. Extras include interviews, making of, audio interviews, gallery and trailer.

Where’s the Fair?

MVD Visual / Released 9/23/14

The simple question, ‘What happened to the World’s Fair?’ launches a journey that uncovers the sorted past, present, and future of the United State’s role in the largest global event in human history.                                                                                                                    

Robot Chicken DC Comics Special 2: Villains In Paradise

Warner Home Video / Released 10/14/14

Robot Chicken has fun with the DC Comics universe once again, but this time around, the villains take charge of the narrative, and their unpredictable tale takes them from the swamps to the sky to the beach, where they finally face a mind-boggling threat to their very existence! Voices include Seth Green, Alex Borstein, Clancy Brown, Zac Efron, Nathan Fillion, Sarah Hyland, Breckin Meyer, Alfred Molina, Paul Reubens, Giovanni Ribisi and Tara Strong.   It’s funny stuff, but at a mere 23 minutes, the release beefs itself up with ninety minutes or so of special features.  Perhaps bundling this special with Part One or other DC Comics sketches from Robot Chicken would make this release a bit more substantial.

Werewolf Rising   

Image Entertainment / Released 10/14/14

Desperate for a break from big city life, Emma heads to her family’s cabin deep in the Arkansas hills. As she settles in for some much-needed R&R, she learns that something unspeakable lurks in the surrounding darkness. As the full moon rises, a bloodthirsty werewolf emerges from the shadows, slaughtering everyone in its path and revealing a sinister underworld Emma never knew existed. Thrown into a fight for her life, and her very soul, Emma will need to escape these big bad woods before it’s too late.

Mobilize

E1 Entertainment / Released 10/14/2014

Mobilize is an investigative documentary that explores the potential long-term health effects from cell phone radiation, including cancer and infertility. The film examines the most recent scientific research, follows national legislative efforts, and illuminates the influence that technology companies have on public health. Mobilize features interviews with numerous doctors, politicians, cancer patients, and technology experts. 

The Equation of Life

Entertainment One / Released 10/14/14

Inspired by a true story. When 11 year old Adam (filmmaker Gerry Orz) is bullied in his new town on his way to school, he begins to video journal his daily experiences. When he finally takes matters into his own hands, everyone around him is affected. His parents, his sister, the bully and his mother… they all pay a price for their actions. The Equation of Life is a dramatic film by one child who is speaking to all children (and adults) about a subject so important it should be seen by everyone.  

Doctor Who: Deep Breath

BBC Home Video / Released 9/9/14

It’s the episode everyone has been waiting for … The Doctor makes his spectacular return in Deep Breath, the feature-length season premiere episode of the hit sci-fi series Doctor Who. A pulse-racing adventure through Victorian London, Deep Breath stars Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, Jenna Coleman as his companion Clara Oswald, Neve McIntosh as Madame Vastra, Catrin Stewart as Jenny Flint and Dan Starkey as Strax.

When the Doctor arrives in Victorian London he finds a dinosaur rampant in the Thames and a spate of deadly spontaneous combustions. Who is the new Doctor and will Clara’s friendship survive as they embark on a terrifying mission into the heart of an alien conspiracy? The Doctor has changed. It’s time you knew him. Extras include Prequel Scene only seen in theaters  Extras include featurette, live announcement of Capaldi getting cast as the next Doctor, and The Real History of Science Fiction: Episode 4 – TIME.

Castle: The Complete Sixth Season

ABC Studios / Released 9/16/14

After Castle’s stunning romantic proposal to Beckett, what happens next? TV’s magnetic crime-fighting couple faces a whole new set of challenges as they juggle wedding plans and their most intriguing cases yet in ABC’s Castle: The Complete Sixth Season.

Beckett’s new job with the Justice Department takes her away from the wisecracking love of her life. But Castle’s devotion to his new fiancee — and her fascinating line of work — jeopardizes her career and creates a chain of events that might separate them forever. Back on the home front, Castle is none too pleased to discover his daughter has seemingly been captivated by, and now living with, her new, free-spirited boyfriend. It’s a season of surprises you won’t want to miss!  Extras include featurettes, commentaries, bloopers and deleted scenes.

Last Word: Like James Garner’s Jim Rockford and Tom Selleck’s Thomas Magnum before him, Nathan Fillion’s Richard Castle has become heir apparent to the self-aware, charismatic television alpha male.  The chemistry between Castle and Beckett still drives the series and although in other shows an engagement tends to represent the kind of story that means uncertainty of the characters, Castle has embraced it, making them closer and allowing the viewers in on their intimacy.  Guest stars this season include Lisa Edelstein, Antonio Sabato Jr., Arye Gross, Joshua Gomez, Sam Daly, Tim Russ, William Mapother, James Brolin, Phil LaMarr, Jack Colemam, Kenny Johnson and  Claudia Christian.  Six seasons in, Castle isn’t quite as fresh as it once was, but it certainly is more comfortable than ever.  Highly entertaining and recommended.

South Park: Season 17

Comedy Central / Released 9/16/14

All ten episodes from South Park‘s epic 17th season are stuffed into this exclusive two-disc set. Join Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Princess Kenny as they infiltrate the NSA, thwart patient zero, tame some strange and fight in the greatest battle of their young, hot lives. Throw in some big floppy never-before-seen deleted scenes to dangle in your face and you’ve got a box set that will make everyone jelly.  Extras include deleted scenes, mini-commentaries and #socialcommentaries.

Last Word:  South Park continues to provide some of the sharpest societal commentary on television.  This highly recommended release includes the following episodes:

• Let Go, Let Gov: Cartman goes to infiltrate the NSA for his personal file, but doesn’t like what he finds.
• Informative Murder Porn: The children of South Park find out their parents are watching disturbingly violent television shows about sex, murder, and betrayal, otherwise nicknamed “Murder porn” (real life crime dramas), and once a husband is arrested for killing his wife they make take matters into their own hands by using parental blocks on their TV sets to block the murder porn. In order to break the block, the parents must learn to play Minecraft.
• World War Zimmerman: Cartman sees Token as a threat to all humanity.
• Goth Kids 3: Dawn of the Posers: The goth kids become worried after one of their members, Henrietta, returns from a camp intended to cure her goth, emo. But there is more going on than meets the eye. 
• Taming Strange: Ike is going through Canadian puberty and it puts a strain of his and Kyle’s friendship. The school installs a computer system hooked up to a website called IntelliLink. 
• Ginger Cow: After Cartman pulls a silly prank where he puts a red wig and red spots on a cow, saying it’s a “ginger cow”, the middle east experiences peace but comes with a price for Kyle. 
• Black Friday: The children of South Park form two battling contingents to get a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox One during a Black Friday sale. Meanwhile, Randy takes a temp job as a security guard at the mall in order to make a little extra holiday money. 
• A Song of Ass and Fire:The battle for which gaming console will dominate, PlayStation 4 or Xbox, builds, with both sides of kids and the companies of each game system, vying for the win. 
• Titties and Dragons: The horror of Black Friday has begun and the battle begins. Forces will join, back stabbing will occur and there will be blood. And big floppy wieners. 
• The Hobbit: After Butters turns down a fat girl that asks him out, Wendy is upset over Butters’ crush on Kim Kardashian because she says Kim is actually a short fat Hobbit who uses Photoshop to make herself look more attractive. But events turn against Wendy.

Death in Paradise: Season 1 

BBC Home Entertainment / Released 6/17/14

Quintessentially British cop Richard Poole (Ben Miller, Primeval) is a fish out of water when he is sent to the tiny island of Saint Marie to solve a mysterious murder. Poole encounters a very different type of policing at his new post that challenges his more buttoned-up sensibility. His new partner, Camille Bordey (Sara Martins, Paris, je taime), is instinctive, feisty and brilliant, and the rest of the Saint Marie police force certainly have their own unique way of doing things. Though Richard would never admit it, they make a perfect team. With a new mind-boggling mystery to solve in every episode, Death in Paradise will intrigue and tantalize.

Death in Paradise: Season 2

BBC Home Entertainment / Released 9/16/14

Detective Richard Poole is still trapped on the stunning Caribbean island of Saint Marie, but, for him, the sun, sea and sand aren’t quite paradise. Faced with puzzling murders and a local team with unorthodox approaches, Poole must use his eye for detail, relentless logic and stubborn refusal to leave anything unexplained to solve these cases. He is joined once again by the feisty Camille Bordey, instinctive, wild, exotic and brilliant. Together they face a pirate curse, murdered nuns and a case that must be solved while a hurricane bears down on the island.

Last Word: The BBC once again deliver the kind of series that used to be a staple of American television, the fish out of water procedural.  Set in a lush tropical setting, the series exchanges violence and grit, with mystery and humor.  Sure, people kill one another, but it’s not like anyone really gets hurt…With really solid writing and a cast with impeccable timing, Death in Paradise wastes no time in engaging the viewer with it’s soap operatic environment, intricate mysteries and clever detective making it one of the more enjoyable series in recent memory.

Father Brown: Season 1

BBC Home Entertainment / Released 9/16/14

Mark Williams stars as a priest with a gift for solving crimes in this hit BBC series, set in the picture-perfect village of Kembleford in the 1950s.  Don’t be fooled by Father Brown’s mild-mannered behavior. His compassion helps him see into the hearts of people on both sides of the law, while his playful wit and razor-sharp mind catch thieves and murderers off guard. Join the Father and his good-hearted helpers as they save an innocent woman from the gallows, foil a jewel thief, catch a poisoner and more. Inspired by the short stories of G. K. Chesterton and filmed on location in the beautiful Cotswolds.  Extras include featurette.

Last Word: Stock characters in a routine procedural doesn’t necessarily always mean bad television.  As a matter of fact, Father Brown is wonderful comfort television.  It’s charming, easy on the eyes and a perfect way to distract yourself from the realities of life.  Set in the far more innocent 1950’s, Father Brown focuses on small stories, and even the depiction of crime is done so more akin to the time period than it is the present day.  Recommended.

Scott & Bailey: Season 1

BBC Home Entertainment / Released 6/17/14

Gripping murder mysteries face Detective Constable Rachel Bailey and her partner Detective Constable Janet Scott in this series from award-winning writer Sally Wainwright. Beyond their defense of the law, these two tough women are battling challenges in their personal lives as well. Bailey is noisy, argumentative and single, while the more subtle Scott is a wife and mother. Join this witty detective duo as they solve complex crimes while they seek balance in their equally challenging personal lives. Extras include deleted scenes.

Scott & Bailey: Season 2

BBC Home Entertainment / Released 9/16/14

The thrilling investigative drama Scott & Bailey returns for a second season of serious crimes and complex personal struggles. This season Janet and Rachel deal with the brutal murders of two men. At the same time, Janet splits with her husband and struggles to run her family without his support. Rachel is invited to work on a high profile case with her boss DCI Gill Murray. Elsewhere, Rachel’s wayward brother turns up on her doorstep. Can Rachel trust him?

Last Word:  A solid police procedural that shines with humor and a genuine connection between the characters.  Unlike many American series where a police partnership doesn’t necessarily translate into a genuine friendship, both Scott and Baily often find themselves at the end of the day, sharing and engaging with one another in their personal lives.  Certainly inspired by Cagney & Lacey, this estrogen centric cop show succeeds for one simple reason, the genuine friendship between the characters.  Recommended.

TV Guide Spotlight: TV’s Spookiest Halloween Episodes

Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 9/16/14

Discover the buried treasures of TV’s Halloween hits! This ghoulishly good collection is packed with 13 eerie episodes from your favorite TV shows. These are the spooky specials that celebrated the magic and creativity of network TV. Filled with kooky characters and haunted hilarity this DVD collection is sure to be a boo-rific time!  Includes the following episodes: Bewitched (A Safe and Sane Halloween), I Dream of Jeannie (My Master, the Ghost Breaker), The Jeffersons (Now You See It, Now You Don t Part 1 and 2), Square Pegs (Halloween XII), The Facts of Life (The Halloween Show), Married…With Children (Take My Wife, Please), Roseanne (Boo!), The Cosby Show (Halloween), Mad About You (The Unplanned Child), 3rd Rock From The Sun (Scaredy Dick), Ned and Stacey (Halloween Story) and That 70s Show (Halloween).

Witch’s Night Out

Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 9/16/14

It s a spooky surprise when a witch s magic wand falls into the wrong hands in this nostalgic Halloween special! This long forgotten Halloween special features Gilda Radner voicing the title character.  When a witch hears of a party being held at her haunted mansion, she decides to bring on the fun! Showing off her magical tricks by turning the kids into whatever they want to be for Halloween. However, when her wand disappears the town is turned upside down!  The DVD also includes a comic book and Halloween themed cartoons featuring Casper the Friendly Ghost, Felix The Cat, Hoppity Hooper, Space Angel, Popeye the Sailor Man, New 3 Stooges and Meany, Miny & Moe.

Awkward: Season 3

MTV / Released 9/16/14

In seasons one and two, Jenna tackled “Who am I?” and “Who do I want to be with?” Now, coming into her junior year, Jenna for the first time is confronting the monumental question of “Who do I want to be?” In the wake of her romance with Collin, she begins to question the stability of her relationship with Matty, and whether her straying is a sign of something deeper. But after a surprise public kiss shakes her world, there is no going back. One mistake will make things awkward-er than ever, and Jenna’s personality makeover will leave her friends and family wondering who this new Jenna is. Extras include webisodes, cast interviews, aftershows, featurettes, and more.

Prisoners Of War: Season 2

Shout! Factory / Released 9/16/14

Picking up where season one left off, we discover that Amiel Ben Horin is not only alive, but he has been living as a Muslim in Syria, a leader in the terrorist organization that brutalized him for years. Has he turned? In these emotional, tense and densely plotted episodes, former prisoners of war Uri and Nimrod and their families continue to pick up the pieces of their lives; Amiel, now known as Yussuf, struggles with his identity and allegiances; a lifelong pursuit of vengeance comes to a climax; and a top-secret intelligence operation known as Operation Judas is put into motion with potentially devastating consequences.  This deeply moving, intense and thrilling series was adapted into the acclaimed drama Homeland. Extras include introduction by creator Gideon Raff, cast interviews and commentaries

Last Word: Comparisons to Homeland are inevitable, but Prisoners of War is it’s own equally addictive and must see series.   Far more subtle with the focus being on the soldiers becoming reacclimated to society, than on conspiracy and sleeper missions, Prisoners of War is thrilling and gripping with solid performances throughout.  Recommended.

Ben 10 Omniverse – Galactic Monsters

Cartoon Network / Released 8/12/14

Ben Tennyson is back on the alien-fighting scene in the all-new Cartoon Network DVD, Ben 10 Omniverse: Galactic Monsters. This release features five stories – the epic, three-part Galactic Monsters story arc earlier this year, as well as two bonus episodes – “Something Zombozo This Way Comes” and “Mystery, Incorporeal.” In nearly two full hours of content, Ben transforms into heroes like Frankenstrike and Whampire in order to battle the vilest villains in the galaxy, such as the evil Lord Transyl on Monster Planet.

The Dead 2

Anchor Bay / Released 9/16/14

In this ferocious sequel to the worldwide horror hit, The Dead, The Ford Brothers take their chilling vision of the zombie apocalypse to a different country and a whole new level: As the infectious epidemic spreads through India, an American turbine engineer (Joseph Millson of Casino Royale) learns that his pregnant girlfriend is trapped near the slums of Mumbai. Now, one man must battle his way across a 300-mile wasteland of the ravenous undead and into a nightmare city seething with flesh-eating madness. The Dead 2 puts the Ford Brothers’ unique apocalyptic vision on a far bigger canvas in terms of breathtaking scope, thrilling action , death-defying stunts, emotional resonance and spine-tingling fight.  Extras include making of and deleted scenes.

Armed Response

Lionsgate / Released 9/16/14

When a home security business falls on hard times, the owners decide to start robbing local houses in an attempt to add to their income and create a desperate need for their services. The plan seems to work perfectly until, in an attempt to one-up the competition, they finish a job with more in their haul than they bargained for. Extras include commentary, gag reel and trailer.

Warrior Princess

Lionsgate / Released 9/16/14

A monk renounces his kingship after his brother is killed. His new Queen is forced to choose sides between her husband and her father from a rival land, which eventually leads to an all-out war for sovereignty.

Halloween: The Complete Collection

Shout! Factory/Anchor Bay / Released 9/23/14

Halloween night – Haddonfield, IL. A young boy butchers his older sister with a kitchen knife. 15 years later, he escapes from a mental institution only to return home and terrorize the town, including babysitter Laurie Strode. Now pursued by Dr. Loomis, the doctor who tried to treat him until he realized that “what was living behind that boy’s eyes was purely and simply… evil”. His name is Michael Myers.

And so began one of the most iconic horror franchises in history, spawned 10 feature films and lasted over 35 years. Now, for the first time ever, experience the terror of every Halloween film available together in 1 set! This collection includes all 10 Halloween films: Halloween, Halloween II, Halloween III: Season of the Witch, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, Halloween H20, Halloween: Resurrection, Rob Zombie’s Halloween and Halloween II.

The limited edition deluxe set includes 15 discs jammed with content Halloween fans will love. Brand new, never before seen bonus features including new interviews with cast and crew, commentaries, behind the scenes documentaries, and so much more. Plus, the Never Before Released Producer’s Cut of Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers! The set also features both Blu-ray versions of Halloween as well as the Network TV versions of Halloween and Halloween 2.

Last Word:  Having the opportunity to review just two discs, a bonus features disc and the Halloween 6 Producer’s Cut, it’s hard not to be impressed with what I saw.

The bonus disc includes John Carpenter’s Halloween: Extended Version, Halloween Unmasked 2000 documentary, interview with producer Moustapha Akkad, still galleries, interviews, featurettes, radio spots, The Making of Halloween 4, The Making of Halloween 5, episodes of Horror’s Hallowed Grounds visiting shooting locations and TV spots.

The Producer’s Cut of Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers is a fairly mediocre sequel with a reputation elevated by the legendary fan circulated bootleg.  Notable for the film debut of actor Paul Rudd, the Producer’s Cut is a completely different take on Halloween 6 (as far as I can remember from my last viewing of it over two decades ago), presenting a more creative take as well as a better focus on Donald Pleasance’s Dr. Loomis.  The film does teeter a bit on camp, but it’s still an interesting look at the evolution of the creative process.  Extras include commentary, featurettes, interviews, alternate and deleted scenes, teaser trailer and more.

Ghost in the Shell 25th Anniversary

Anchor Bay / Released 9/23/14

2029 – A female cybernetic government agent, Major Motoko Kusanagi, and the Internal Bureau of Investigations are hot on the trail of “The Puppet Master”, a mysterious and threatening computer virus capable of infiltrating human hosts. Together, with her fellow agents from Section 9, they embark on a high-tech race against time to capture the omnipresent entity.

Ghost in the Shell took the world by storm, exhibiting a new dimension of anime with unprecedented, mesmerizing cinematic expression. Seamlessly merging traditional cel animation with the latest computer graphic imagery, this stunning sci-fi spectacle challenged the boundaries of mainstream animation with detailed artistic expression and a uniquely intelligent story line. Veteran director Mamoru Oshii skillfully creates the ultimate anime experience in this futuristic masterpiece based on the groundbreaking comic book by Masamune Shirow. A movie that questions human existence in the fast-paced world of the information age, this award-winning, cyber-tech thriller has established itself as one of the leading Japanese animation films of all time. Includes a Limited Edition Collectible 24-page book featuring an interview with Director Mamoru Oshii.

Very Good Girls

Well Go USA / Released 9/23/14

Two New York City girls (Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Olsen) make a summertime pact to lose their virginity before they leave for college. When they both fall for the same street artist (Boyd Holbrook), the friends find their connection tested for the first time. Extras include interviews and trailers.

We Are the Best!

Magnolia / Released 9/23/14

We Are The Best! is a story of three young misfit girls growing up in the early ’80s Stockholm. Pixieish, mohawk-sporting Klara and her best friend Bobo are 13-year-old rebels looking for a cause. Despite having no instruments-or discernible musical talent-the two put all their energy into forming an all-girl punk band, recruiting their shy, classical guitar-playing schoolmate Hedwig as a third wheel. With tender affection for its young characters, We Are The Best! paints a joyous and sharply observant portrait of the rebellious spirit of youth and growing up different.

Last Word: An energetic and enthusiastic movie that captures the early teen experience with neither nostalgia or manufactured emotion, but rather, honesty.  The performances are all truly spectacular, with the work by the adolescent ensemble are raw, engaging and charming.  It’s rare for a film to capture either the eighties or adolescence without a wink to the audience, yet We Are The Best! not only does it, but makes the film better for it.  Highly recommended.

The Rover

Lionsgate / Released 9/23/14

Set in a world 10 years into the general collapse of society, The Rover follows hardened loner Eric (Guy Pearce) as he travels the desolate towns and roads of the outback. When a gang of thieves steals his car, they leave behind a wounded Rey (Robert Pattinson). Forcing Rey to help track the gang, Eric will go to any lengths to take back the one thing that still matters to him. Extras include featurettes.

Last Word: In a way that only a film set in the Australian outback can bring, the film is a daring but quiet journey that relies more on that itself over the destination in the end. Using a tight camera, incredible performances, and an unpredictable story, the film sheds light on what a man can resort to when he has nothing else to lose.

The film takes place 10 years after an ambiguous “collapse”, but is assumed to be that of a financial and economic manner. Director David Michôd (2010’s Animal Kingdom) works with cinematographer Natasha Braier to take little time to set the stage with gorgeous shots of the expansive wasteland of a forgotten and dangerous countryside, with long shots that show off every distant plains that seem endless and brooding, much like the sense of disarray that pounds the narrative in setting.

The sweltering heat is felt immediately as the film opens with Eric, played by Guy (Fierce) Pearce, as he sits in his car glaring out into the empty world around him. Pearce has always been an exceptional actor (underrated, in my opinion), and he really shines in this picture. Grizzled, dirty, and angry, he commands the screen, especially alongside Robert Pattinson, but more on that in a minute. As Eric leaves his car to enter a shady, post-“apocalyptic” bar of sorts, three unknown rebels screeching past the bar flip their car and are sent careening down the dusty road outside the bar. One of them, played by Scoot McNairy, has left his own brother to seemingly die in the result of an ambiguous tiff between the pack and others, and expresses a great interest to return to him. It doesn’t happen, as the three rebels seek a new getaway car immediately: Eric’s. Between sips of old beer Eric watches these men steal his car, and sets off to get it back. That’s where the plot begins, and that’s where the plot stays throughout the movie. Soon into the film McNairy’s character’s brother, Rey, played by Pattinson in a departure (but fantastic) performance,he finds his way to Eric and attempts to take Eric to where his car may end up.

It should be mentioned that moviegoers may see Pattinson and immediately play the film off because of him, no doubt because of his role as Edward Cullen in Twilight, but his performance here is nothing short of wonderful, and a major difference from what we’re used to with him. His character is dumb. A blumbering idiot who has a hard time getting sentences out let alone fending for himself in the outback. It takes skill to pull a role like this off successfully, and one may grow irked by it near the end, but Pattinson plays it very well, and is very entertaining to watch. The true star of the show is Pierce, with his rustled and no-bullshit presence, but both actors are top-notch here.

The film is shot and edited in a slow, intense, and satisfying way. When the camera isn’t set back to showcase the desolate vistas of the outback, director Michôd sticks it close to the actors to make each encounter as tense as anything seen this year so far. Some more emotional shots linger far beyond the normal length, as one would see in a Steve McQueen film, that work to emphasize, if anything, Pearce’s ability to show the despair often felt inside of him due to past circumstances explained in the film. The sound design is a highlight in the film, especially with the sounds of gunshots. Deep, pounding shots are scarce, but leave a hugely satisfying impact each time. This helps tremendously when paired with Michôd’s decision to not stray away from the deaths that occur, often more violent and realistic than other films. The world of The Rover is a hopeless one, and when a man has nothing to lose, he can go to awful lengths to get what little he has left. The soundtrack of the film produces a bit of cognitive dissonance when paired with the visuals, but adds to the distorted flair the world emits throughout the 102 minute runtime. Often times it works in tandem to increase the impact, other times it can leave you scratching your head until you know the diegetic source of it.

Either way, like every other element of the film, the soundtrack works well to set the scene of desperation, despair, and hopeless of the world. David Michôd’s The Rover is a dark, violent, desperate work that asks the question: what is man capable of when he has nothing left to lose? While the plot may seem thin, Michôd himself has expressed that it’s about the journey these two men embark on more so than the destination, but the plot makes more sense by the end when you finally see what it is about that damn car. Without spoiling anything, the film can really be about what a man is capable enough when he loses the only thing he has left in the world. It is not a happy film, but movies don’t always have to be uplifting and cheerful, and sometimes you need a good reminder that these kinds of “apocalyptic” films are more possible than ever these days, and mankind is capable of much more than we think. (– Steve Carley)

The 100: Season 1

Warner Home Video /  Released 9/23/14

Ninety-seven years after nuclear Armageddon destroyed our planet, humanity’s sole survivors live on the Ark, an aging space station experiencing overpopulation and inadequate resources. When faced with difficult choices, the Ark leaders – chief medical officer Abby, Chancellor Jaha and the mysterious Kane – decide to send 100 juvenile prisoners back to Earth to test its living conditions. Among them are Clarke, Abby’s bright daughter; Wells, Jaha’s son; the daredevil Finn; and siblings Bellamy and Octavia. With the survival of all in their inexperienced hands, The 100 young people must learn to rise above their differences and forge a new path on a wild and dangerous landscape that teems with radioactive waste, turbulent weather and unimaginable predators… or face the ultimate extinction of the human race!  Extras include commentary, featurette, Comic Con panel and deleted scenes.

Last Word:  It’s post-apocalyptic teen drama, which is precisely what the CW does best.  The 100 doesn’t break any new ground, but it’s entertaining and engaging.  The too clean and too beautiful for a world recovering from Armageddon is a tad unrealistic, but then again, so is the entire concept of the series.  Nevertheless, The 100 finds it’s footing at the end of this season and the ride itself is worth your time. Recommended.

Mom: Season One

Warner Home Video /  Released 9/23/14

Anna Faris and Emmy winner Allison Janney star in a new comedy from Chuck Lorre. Anna Faris plays Christy, a single mom whose newly found sobriety has given her the ability to see her life clearly… and she does not like the view. Now she must try to untangle years of reckless decisions in order to make a better life for her and her kids. But she discovers that just because you want to be a better person doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Everywhere she looks there are challenges: She is trying to stop drinking in wine country, have a healthy romance with her unavailable boss, raise her young son to be a good man despite his father’s influence, convince her troubled teenage daughter to make better choices than she did, and, perhaps the most difficult task – forgive her estranged mother, Bonnie, played by Allison Janney, for not giving her any of the tools she needed to handle life in the first place. Extras include gag reel.

Last Word:  Lorre continues to extend his comedy empire exploiting less than desirable characters with hysterical results, in this case a recovering alcoholic mother dealing with her daughter and her mother.  The draw to Mom is the cast.  Both Faris and Janney are fantastic, with impeccable timing and sharp delivery.  Also excellent are supporting cast members Sadie Calvano, Matt Jones, Nate Corddry, and French Stewart as well as welcome guest appearances by Kevin Pollak, Octavia Spencer and Justin Long.  Mom is a solid sitcom that’s worth a look for fans of the genre.  Recommended.

Key & Peele: Season Three

Comedy Central /  Released 9/23/14

PB & J. Milk & cookies. Serial killers & showers. Some things just go together – like sketch masters Key & Peele. They’re back on Blu-ray, bringing an honest, unvarnished, and always brilliantly funny take on pop culture, race, and society. From returning faves (substitute teacher!) to fresh material (paintboobs!), this is one perfect duo. The third season of Key & Peele is one not to be missed! Extras include The Van and Mike Show and The Super Episode: Best of Seasons 1 & 2

Last Word:  The smartest sketch comedians working today, Key & Peele continue to produce the funniest and sharpest material on television.  Season Three doesn’t change their successful formula but continues to direct their focus on pop culture, politics, and societal norms and interactions.  Key & Peele: Season Three simply offers more of the same, but why mess with perfection?

My Name Is A By Anonymous

Wild Eye Releasing / Released 9/23/14

Inspired by real events. The search for a missing nine-year old girl exposes a dark world of lost and emotionally unstable teenage girls who are responsible for the girl’s disappearance and eventual murder. A raw and fascinating portrait of the alienation and despair found in teenagers who have been left to fend for their own emotional purpose. Based on the true crime of fifteen-year old Alyssa Bustamante who murdered her 9-year old neighbor Elizabeth Olten in 2009, and is currently in prison serving a life sentence.

Neighbors

Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 9/23/14

Earl Keese (John Belushi) is a slightly overweight, fairly average guy who is approaching middle age. He leads a reasonably comfortable life with his family in their suburban home… until the house next door is bought by a truly odd couple, Vic (Dan Aykroyd) and Ramona (Cathy Moriarty), who quickly proceed to drive Earl crazy. Vic s lunatic behavior has Earl running in circles while Ramona s coarse seductiveness leaves him panting. In short, Earl’s tranquil life is suddenly turned upside-down.

Last Word: The third and last cinematic pairing of Belushi and Aykroyd has them playing roles intended for one another.  The normally spastic Belushi plays the suburban husband and the more reserved Aykroyd plays the extroverted neighbor from hell.  Neighbors is a dark and very funny movie that was a departure for it’s stars, and has fallen into obscurity.  Fortunately this long overdue release will potentially expose it to a broader audience that can appreciate it.  Neighbors isn’t for everyone, but for fans of black comedy, it’s a must see.

Reign: Season 1

Warner Home Video /  Released 9/23/14

Over the course of the stormy first season, Mary, Queen of Scots, struggled to balance her many roles — as Queen of Scotland, as royal fiancée, and later as young wife to the future King of France, and as faithful friend to her ladies in waiting.

Challenges came in every form: the reigning queen consort of France, Francis’ mother, Catherine de Medici, did everything she could to destroy the union of Mary and Francis, even if that meant taking Mary’s life. Francis and Mary were both torn by their duties to their nations, paving the way for Mary to form a close bond with Bash, Francis’ illegitimate brother, who could offer Mary a level of devotion the future king could not. King Henry descended into madness. And a bloodthirsty menace in the woods was annihilated, but not before taking dozens of lives and heralding the coming of a plague. By the end of the season, the shocking death of King Henry made Francis and Mary the new King and Queen of France. But before their new crowns could be placed on their heads, Francis had placed himself on the wrong side of the quarantined castle’s gates, rushing to help Lola give birth to his first and possibly only child.  Extras include featurettes and deleted scenes.

A Long Way Down

Magnolia  / Released 9/19/14

In this touching comedy based on the acclaimed novel by Nick Hornby, A Long Way Down centers on four strangers (Pierce Brosnan, Toni Collette, Aaron Paul and Imogen Poots) who decide to end it all on New Year’s Eve. However, when they meet by chance on a London rooftop, they agree to halt their plans for six weeks. Along the way, they discover that even accidental, dysfunctional families make life worth living. Extras include featurettes, outtakes, deleted scenes, and trailer.

Last Word:  A moderately successful adaptation of one of author Horby’s less engaging novels, A Long Way Down features an impressive cast, but never truly comes together as a film.  Missing is the real connection to the characters that’s always present in Hornby’s books and in other films adapted from his works (About a Boy, High Fidelity).  Instead, we’re given a predictable and emotionally false look at depression and hopelessness that neither resonates or delivers. 

Spartacus: The Complete Series

Anchor Bay / Released 9/16/14

The House of Batiatus, a gladiator training camp, is on the rise, basking in the glow of its champion Gannicus. A young Batiatus, with his loyal wife Lucretia by his side, is ready to overthrow his father and betray anyone to keep his gladiators in demand. But when Batiatus falls on hard times, it will take a gladiator greater than current champion Crixus to turn his fortunes around. Doctore, Spartacus rises through the ranks to become the new champion. However, when Spartacus discovers that his wife Sura has been killed, he plots to avenge her death and free every slave; a bloody escape ensues. Gaius Claudius Glaber, the Roman responsible for bringing Spartacus and his wife into slavery, sends troops to crush the slave army. But Spartacus, with a rebellion swelling to thousands of freed slaves, becomes a force mightier than Rome had ever imagined. The Roman Senate turns to Marcus Crassus, a wealthy, strategic politician, for aid. With a young Julius Caesar as an ally, Crassus must crush the rebellion. And on final, bloody battle will be unleashed; a battle unlike anything ever seen before in the history of the Republic.

The classic tale of Spartacus, the Republic’s most infamous rebel comes alive in Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Then, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena will explore its deadly history before the arrival of Spartacus, and the death he carried with him. Spartacus: Vengeance continues to follow Spartacus as he is faced with a choice to either satisfy his personal need for vengeance, or make the sacrifices necessary to keep his growing army from breaking apart at the seams. Finally, in Spartacus: War of the Damned, Spartacus will carve his name into history as he plots to avenge his wife’s death and leads Batiatus’ slaves in a bloody uprising.

Betrayed by the Romans, forced into slavery, reborn as a Gladiator. The classic tale of the Republic’s most infamous rebel comes alive in the graphic and visceral new series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Torn from his homeland and the woman he loves, Spartacus is condemned to the brutal world of the arena where blood and death are primetime entertainment. But not all battles are fought upon the sands. Treachery, corruption, and the allure of sensual pleasures will constantly test Spartacus. To survive, he must become more than a man, more than a gladiator. He must become a legend.

The House of Batiatus is on the rise, basking in the glow of its infamous champion Gannicus, whose skill with a sword is matched only by his thirst for wine and women. These are the times a young Batiatus has been waiting for. Poised to overthrow his father and take control; he’ll freely betray anyone to ensure his gladiators are in the highest demand. And he’ll have his loyal and calculating wife Lucretia by his side for every underhanded scheme, drawing on the brazen talents of her seductive friend Gaia when it counts. Together, they will stop at nothing to deceive the masses, seize power, and bleed Capua dry in this audacious prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

On the heels of the bloody escape from the House of Batiatus that concluded. Spartacus: Blood and Sand, the gladiator rebellion continues and begins to strike fear into the heart of the Roman Republic in Spartacus: Vengeance.  Gaius Claudius Glaber and his Roman troops are sent to Capua to crush the growing band of freed slaves that Spartacus leads before it can inflict further damage. Spartacus is presented the choice of satisfying his personal need for vengeance against the man who condemned his wife to slavery and eventual death or making the larger sacrifices necessary to keep his budding army from breaking apart. Containing all of the blood-soaked action, exotic sexuality, and villainy and heroism that has come to distinguish the series, the tale of Spartacus resumes in epic fashion.

Gaius Claudius Glaber is dead. Many months have passed since his defeat, and the rebel army, led by Spartacus and his generals Crixus, Gannicus and Agron, continue to amass victories over Rome. With the rebel numbers swelling to thousands of freed slaves, Spartacus is more determined than ever to bring down the entire Roman Republic. Following Ashur’s death, Naevia and Crixus fight as one. Together, the rebels engage in one bloody skirmish after another and prepare for the inevitable: a full out war with Rome.

The Roman Senate turns to Marcus Crassus, a wealthy, strategic politician, for aid. He respects his opponent and refuses to make the same mistakes Glaber and his predecessors have. With a young and fiercely competitive Julius Caesar as an ally, Crassus is determined to crush Spartacus and his rebellion.  The epic conclusion of a legendary journey, Spartacus: War Of The Damned will unleash a battle unlike anything ever seen before.  Extras include commentaries, featurettes, behind the scenes, convention footage, bloopers, interviews and more.

Blue Thunder

Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 9/30/14

The Skies Will Never Be The Same.  Roy Scheider stars as a courageous police officer pilot battling government fanatics planning to misuse an experimental attack helicopter.

Chosen to test Blue Thunder, Frank Murphy is amazed by the high-speed high-tech chopper. It can see through walls, record a whisper or level a city block. Distrusting the military mentality behind Blue Thunder, Murphy and his partner Lymangood soon discover that the remarkable craft is slated for use as the ultimate weapon in surveillance and crowd control. Jeopardized after being discovered by sinister Colonel Cochrane, Murphy flies Blue Thunder against military aircraft in a spellbinding contest over Los Angeles. 

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 9/30/14

Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Prinze, Jr., Bridgette Wilson, Anne Heche and Johnny Galecki star in this terrifying tale of a body that just won’t stay dead.  After an accident on a winding road, four teens make the fatal mistake of dumping their victim’s body into the sea. Exactly one year later, the dead man returns from his watery grave and he wants more than an apology.

Are You Here

Millennium / Released 9/30/14

When his off-the-grid best buddy Ben Baker (Zach Galifianakis) inherits his estranged father s fortune, womanizing local weatherman Steve Dallas (Owen Wilson) joins forces with him to battle the legal challenge brought by Ben s formidable sister (Amy Poehler), in the hilarious big-screen directorial debut from Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner. Extras include commentary.

American Muscle

Well Go USA /  Released 9/30/14

But he didn’t deserve to go to prison. Now, after 10 years of hard time, he’s hell-bent on revenge.  Screaming across the scarred landscape of the Yucca Valley, Falcon’s got a list of scores to settle, and 24 hours to inflict brutal vengeance on everyone he holds responsible for putting him away.  Including his own brother. Extras include trailer and commentary.

Live Die Repeat: Edge Of Tomorrow

Warner Bros. / Released 10/7/14

An alien race, undefeatable by any existing military unit, has launched a relentless attack on Earth, and Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) finds himself dropped into a suicide mission. Killed within minutes, Cage is thrown into a time loop, forced to live out the same brutal combat over and over, fighting and dying again and again. Training alongside warrior Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), his skills slowly evolve, and each battle moves them one step closer to defeating the enemy in this fun action thriller.  Extras include featurettes and deleted scenes.

Last Word: Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt star in this dystopian sci-fi tale directed by Doug Liman. With spectacular robot control suits and space age firepower, the heroes take on the Mimics, a spindly looking race of alien monsters that seem to know what is happening next.  When Private Bill Cage (Cruise) has an encounter with one of the slippery beasts, his fate is changed by absorbing some of the Mimic’s power. Under Rita’s (Blunt) training, Cage and the misfit goons of Master Sergeant Farell’s (Bill Paxton) J Squad go after the enemy with guns blazing. The catch?

They get to do it over again by resetting Cage’s life.

No review of this movie is going to not reference Groundhog Day. So yeah, it’s kinda like Battlestar Galactica meets Groundhog Day.

Contrasting the star power of our leading man is the seriously bad ass Blunt, who’s Rita is the world’s ultimate super soldier. Her desiccation of Mimics in the course of the five years since the Invasion has given her the street nickname of “Full Metal Bitch:, inspiring recruitment videos for United Defense Force (UDF). She takes a full boar Lara Croft meets Kara “Starbuck” Thrace military leading role that of course makes the guys drool while the ladies in the audience get to see what they deserve to see but rarely get.

Blunt’s action heroine is as fierce and even more deadly than the leading male role and we hope she gets the attention she deserves. A veteran of the screen, seeing her blast and cut up the Mimics and inspire not only the nation, but the world as the supreme model of a soldier is beyond refreshing and frankly overdue.

Cage starts out the movie as a Major in rank, head of the UDF propaganda machine. His number one tool was spinning Rita’s soldier image into one that inspired millions to sign up against the invasion. By back talking to General Brigham (Brendan Gleeson) he is busted down to Private, delivered to Farrell (Paxton) and assigned to robot suit wearing J Squad. While in the field, he’s floundering and can barely move his suit or unlock the safety. After a lucky shot, he is forever changed and the movie takes on it’s Groundhog Day adventure.

Cage is killed and gets to relive his day from the moment he wakes up on the tarmac and is introduced to Farrell. After the first few resets, he’s telling Farrell what he is going to say next.  What this eventually serves as — even if the resets seem a bit overboard at some points — is a way for Cage to get muscle memory for the next time he dies and is resurrected. In string theory, or multiple universe theory, you could have him repeat this until the inevitable outcome of destroying the Mimics is achieved.

There is a catch however, if he is treated medically, the power goes away.  Eventually — and at one point particularly funny point where Cage miscalculates rolling under a moving vehicle —during his training he makes it to Rita to explain this phenomenon. Apparently she had it too, until her Achilles Heel was stricken. Rita and scientist du jour Dr. Carter (Noah Carter) are able to explain the reset phenomenon as well as the ultimate secret to taking down the Mimics. Cage will need to find the Mother (The Omega) and destroy it.

The third act is when we see it all go down, and just when we are sick of hearing Cage get called a “maggot” by drill instructor Terence Maynard (billed only as Cruel Sergeant) in one last reset, the team of Cage, Rita and J Squad head to Paris. We’re not told how or why the Mimics are here, or what they want exactly but they are a world conquering race. Edge of Tomorrow is a fun one you can enjoy again and again. (– Clay N Ferno)

Obvious Child

Lionsgate / Released 10/7/14

When a Brooklyn comedian gets dumped and fired, she has a one-night stand and ends up pregnant – just in time for the worst / best Valentine’s Day of her life. It’s a comedy.  Extras include commentary, short, extended scenes and featurette.

Last Word:  This “not-your-average” romantic comedy is a refreshing look at the ups and pitfalls of romance, one night stands, love, pregnancy and ultimately abortion.  In fact, what I love is that this film is about how two very opposite people find love even when dealing with the sticky subject of abortion. It, in fact, becomes the thing that ends up bringing them closer instead of the usual film trope of tearing them apart, typical of these types of films.

As the film starts out we watch the main character, Donna, performing her very straightforward and unflinching comedy act, mostly about her female parts and sex life with her boyfriend. She is brilliantly played by Jenny Slate. This is a little too much for said boyfriend, as she finds out when he dumps her in the co-ed bathroom of the club. This leaves her a bumbling, emotional wreck. The scene, in her apartment, right after being dumped and after a bottle of cheap wine, where she calls her shitty boyfriend multiple times harkens back to the uneasiness and uncomfortableness of Swingers, when Jon Favreau makes a complete ass of himself after getting a girl’s number at a bar.

Enter Max. A rather normal, unimposing and sweet guy whom Donna meets after one of her shows at the bar of the adjoining club she performs at. Max is wonderfully played by Jake Lacy (Pete from the U.S. The Office) and he is the perfect unsuspecting one-night stand turned chivalrous knight in slip on loafers. What starts out as as a sort of despicable people doing kinda crappy things to each other slowly and enjoyably turns into one of the sweetest rom-coms I have seen in a while.

Jenny Slate’s Donna is the perfect combination of scathing in-your-face shock comedian and vulnerable lost soul who just doesn’t know what she wants out of life. I quickly found myself in love with her and cringed when I saw her doing some of the exact same things I did when I was faced with the dump truck of life. The writing and direction harken back to classic Woody Allen and Neil Simon mixed with generous spoonfuls of Nora Ephron. Gillian Robespierre really takes her place among some of the best before her with this film This is a really well made and smart film that does not make an issue out of the woman’s right to choose or not to choose to have an abortion. It is just something that happens in the film, much like it does every day. It never says whether it is right or wrong, instead it leaves it up to the woman who is pregnant to decide. And I liked that her friends and the possible father all have their opinions and let her know how they feel but never tell her what to do. They are there to support her in whatever her decision is. Did I mention all this happens right before and on Valentine’s Day?

No? Well it does.  Rounding out the cast and supporting Slate and Lacy in their remarkable performances are Gabby Hoffman (Girls) as her loving and opinionated best friend, Nellie. Stand-up comedian, Gabe Liedman, as Donna’s gay comedian soul mate. Polly Draper as Donna’s professional matter-of-fact mother and in a wonderful bit of casting, Richard Kind (Spin City) as her Muppet creating/performing sweet dad. Finally David Cross in somewhat of a cameo as a fellow comedian and definite creeper who tries to make the moves on Donna.  All in all this film is really outstanding. I found it extremely refreshing and smart. It definitely made me cry as much as it made me smile and laugh. This is a good one folks with great acting and a well told story that comes from the heart.  I highly recommend it and I hope you get a chance to see it if you want something not usually spat out of the Hollywood machine. (– Benn Robbins)

Stunt Squad 

Kino Lorber / Released 9/30/14

Shopkeepers have been terrorized by a protection racket in Bologna, and the racketeers have found sneaky ways of planting explosives in the businesses of those who won’t pay. Police Inspector Grifi (Marcel Bozzuffi, The French Connection) tries to get information from witnesses and criminal informants, but they’re all brutally murdered. Grifi has no choice but to form a special squad — one not bound by the red tape that restricts other cops — who chase the racketeers with daredevil stunt driving and fight them with precision gunplay.  Extras include a booklet and introduction from genre expert Mike Malloy.

Last Word: A Eurocrime exploitation film that features over the top action that begs to be remade for a modern audience, Stunt Squad never really is as fun as you hope it will be.  The action and violence is spot on and the chase scenes are neat and the training sequences are appropriately over the top.  Characterization is where the film stumbles, with only actor Vittorio Mezzogiorno making much of an impression.  Stunt Squad is at times a brutal movie and a must see for fans of the genre.

A Million Ways to Die in the West

Universal / Released 10/7/14

This hilarious comedy from Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy and Ted, is filled with witty one-liners and an all-star cast. When Albert (MacFarlane) loses his girlfriend (Amanda Seyfried) to his moustached nemesis (Neil Patrick Harris), a mysterious and beautiful woman (Charlize Theron) rides into town and turns his luck around. But when her notorious outlaw husband (Liam Neeson) arrives seeking revenge, Albert must put his newfound courage to the test. Also starring the outrageous Giovanni Ribisi and Sarah Silverman.  Extras include commentary, unrated version, alternate opening and ending, deleted, extended and alternate scenes, featurettes, and gag reel.

Last Word:  The anachronistic dialogue and quite a few fart jokes peppered throughout the movie make for a fun ride, but if you are expecting Ted with cowboy boots, you might be disappointed.  Kudos to Seth MacFarlane for taking a swing at the classic Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles by adding his own vision to the Old West.  Fans of his writing and jokes, Family Guy et al. will once again be delighted to see this on the big screen. By sticking to a comedy romance story, much like Ted, the formula could work for him for years to come, dipping into different genres and film tropes a la Monty Python’s Life of Brian. 

As a leading man, he is able to carry the movie in the way that only someone so heavily invested in the story can do, a singular creator as the main hero with a redemption story. He starts the movie as a recently dumped sheep farmer who can’t shoot a bottle off of a fence and ends up with the girl at the end. Pretty standard stuff, but some people headed to this film might not realize that while the voice may seem familiar as Peter, Brian and Stewie Griffin is the leading man here staring back at them.  MacFarlane’s recognition factor aside, he does do his best to bring his vision to life. And he does so largely with support from his fantastic co-stars. His best friend Ed (Ribisi) is courting town whore Ruth (Silverman) but has yet to seal the deal with his girlfriend. Silverman’s Ruth has most of the funniest lines in the movie.

When Anna (Theron) rolls into town, escaping the clutches of her ruthless gunslinger husband Clinch (Neeson) she stands up for and props up Albert (MacFarlane) who has just been dumped by the gold digging Louise (Amanda Seyfried). Louise dropped the lowly sheep farmer Albert in favor of the steampunk dandy and owner of ‘The Moustacherie’ Foy (Harris).  The Moustacherie is a hilarious shoppe on Main Street, complete with a wooden sign, that sells, as you might imagine all manner of tonics, foams, and fortifying agents for the ultimate sign of class in this age and now — a well groomed mustache!

The Foy and Albert rivalry comes to a head when they challenge each other to a duel. Anna, in tribute to Annie Oakley is a fast and accurate shot and teaches these skills to Albert, in the film’s only montage (darn it, there is always room for another montage!).  Some of the jokes work, some don’t. The setting for the movie restricts any blatant reference to modern pop culture, but one analogy about kids playing with a hoop and a stick ruining kid’s attention span like iPhones do today was an example of a ‘nice try – but not quite there’ joke popping up in the movie occasionally.  What the movie did really well was the Western tropes from the Old Timey doctor (usually a dentist) with bizarre cures, the shootout (there are several, planned if not executed, with two gunslingers facing down on Main St.) and of course the “You spilled my drink,” spark to an all out Saloon Rumble, capital R.

When Neeson’s tough Clinch returns to town, even more tension pops off between Albert and Clinch, driving Albert from his sheep ranch and eventually on a vision quest with local Indians and drugs. An Alice In Wonderland CGI scene of his trip is bizarre and out of place, but does give Albert the strength to stand up to Clinch eventually.  At some point in the movie we are treated to a fully choreographed square dance scene, better than Footloose with Foy taunting Albert and switching partners between Louise and Anna the whole time.

And you know what Neil Patrick Harris is good at? That’s right, singing and dancing. Probably because he is singing and dancing to Stephen Foster’s “If You’ve Only Got a Moustache”. This here is the highlight of the film and is perfectly set up by a Bill Maher cameo, as the MC to the hoe-down.

Other highlights are the NPH sex scene, the Silverman/Ribisi sex scene and practically everything about the Fair scene.  Check out A Million Ways to Die in the West for the laughs, sprawling Old West cinematography and a cheerful score.  And fart and diarrhea jokes. (– Clay N Ferno)

Rick & Morty: Season 1 

Adult Swim / Released 10/7/14

From comedic masterminds Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland comes Rick and Morty: The Complete First Season. Adult Swim’s newest series follows the adventures of mad scientist Rick Sanchez, who returns after 20 years to live with his daughter, her husband, and their children Morty and Summer. Extras include commentaries, guest commentaries, animatics, behind the scenes and deleted scenes.

Adventure Time: Season 4 

Warner Bros. / Released 10/7/14

Prepare to sink your teeth into the complete fourth season of Adventure Time. A total of 26 episodes featuring fearsome creatures, such as wolves who like hugging, an unstoppable horde of penguins and a vampire queen who plays bass guitar! Oooo!!! The scariest though is when Jake flips out over a game of card wars. Yikes!  Extras include commentaries, and music featurette.

Last Word: Adventure Time is a show that generates strong emotions; few people like it, they love it or hate it.  At this point with this fourth season release, you should already know how you feel.  This season includes guest appearances by Erik Estrada, George Takei, Emo Phillips, Matthew Broderick, Dana Snyder, George Takei, Keith David, Paul F. Tompkins, Jonathan Katz, Brian Doyle-Murray, Ron Perlman, Lou Ferrigno, and Ming-Na Wen.  Surreal, charming, and definitely unique, Adventure Time continues to present imaginative and smart television for all ages.  Recommended.

The Devil Incarnate

Image Entertainment / Released 10/7/14

The future looks bright for newlyweds Trevor and Holly, but their dreams are about to devolve into a nightmare of unspeakable terror. On a random visit to a tarot reader, they encounter a mysterious old woman who tells them that Holly is pregnant. As the child grows within her, Holly begins to exhibit increasingly bizarre and violent behavior. Soon, their joy is overshadowed by a mounting sense of dread that something sinister lurks within her womb. Desperate to save his wife and unborn child, Trevor searches for answers and discovers Holly may have fallen prey to an ancient curse spawned by an evil demon with an insatiable lust for blood.

Sharknado 2: The Second One 

Asylum / Released 10/7/14

When a Category 7 hurricane pummels New York, the surging flood waters bring thousands of sharks. To make matters worse, tornadoes soon dot the horizon. As Sharknadoes tear through the city, no vehicle, building, or national monument is safe.  Extras include making of, gag reel, commentary, trailers, featurettes and deleted scenes.

Last Word:  The magic is back.

Hemlock Grove: Season 1

Shout! Factory / Released 10/7/14

In a small Pennsylvania town, something evil has come in search of prey. But who is the true monster in Hemlock Grove? The brutal slaying of a teenage girl sends the townspeople of Hemlock Grove into a desperate search to find her killer. But this sleepy community soon finds itself living a nightmare as secrets and rumors threaten to drive them all down a dark path as they struggle to uncover the truth.

Executive produced by Eli Roth, based on the novel of the same name by Brian McGreevy, and starring Famke Janssen, Bill Skarsgrd, Landon Liboiron, Penelope Mitchell, and Dougray Scott, Hemlock Grove: Season One’s thirteen episodes are an atmospheric and gripping horror thriller series unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Pack your bags and say your prayers: you’re on your way to Hemlock Grove.  Extras include commentary, and featurettes.

Last Word: The bastard child of Twin Peaks and Dark Shadows with a dash of Dawson’s Creek, Hemlock Grove spends an awful lot of energy trying to earn cult like appeal.  With over-the-top acting, kitschy dialog, people getting knocked up by an angel and dreamy looking actors playing werewolves who seem to enjoy undressing in front of one another, the series despite it’s decent production values feels derivative of other, better productions.  There’s plenty of effort trying to make the series stand out by throwing in as many genre tropes and archetypes in the mix.  And despite the mediocre final product, at least they’re trying.

Billion Dollar Brain 

Kino / Released 10/7/14

It’s Harry Palmer’s Wits Against The World’s Deadliest Mind! Secret agent Harry Palmer (Michael Caine, Get Carter) is blackmailed into working for MI5 again on his wildest – and most dangerous – assignment yet. An insane oil billionaire, intent on destroying Communism by starting a new world war, is close to achieving his goal with the help of the world’s largest, and most powerful, computer. Harry is the only man who may be able to stop him; but as he races from London to Finland to Latvia to Texas and back, he must determine who of his supposed allies is the one he can actually trust, a sexy Russian agent, Soviet colonel or an American mercenary. Legendary filmmaker Ken Russell (Altered States) directed this third and final film in the great Harry Palmer series. The wonderful supporting cast includes Karl Malden, Ed Begley and Francoise Dorleac.

Last Word: Tremendously fun spy film with lots of material that later is payed homage to in other work (For example, eggs containing virus’ showed up in Now and Again).  Caine’s Palmer, which Mike Myers paid tribute to as Austin Powers (as did Caine himself in Goldmember), isn’t quite as suave as Sean Connery’s Bond, James Coburn’s Flint or Dean Martin’s Matt Helm, but he seems to do fine with the ladies.  The over complicated plot, ironically is so over complicated, that it’s indecipherable, which works perfectly in this genre.  Not the best of the three Palmer films, but  The Billion Dollar Brain definitely has fun with the genre.

American Horror Story: Coven 

20th Century Fox / Released 10/7/14

An all-star cast reigns supreme in American Horror Story: Coven, including Emmy winner and two-time Oscar Winner Jessica Lange, Oscar Winner Kathy Bates and Academy Award Nominee Angela Bassett. The exceptional young witches at Miss Robichaux’s Academy are under assault by forces of ignorance and hate. Caught in the turmoil is new arrival, Zoe, who harbors a terrifying secret of her own. Fiona (Lange), a Supreme Witch with unimaginable powers, is determined to protect the Coven, but her obsessive quest for immortality will lead her to cross paths with a formidable voodoo queen (Bassett) and a murderous slave owner (Bates) cursed with eternal life.

Last Word: The third season of American Horror Story focuses on witches and unlike the previous two seasons, tends to focus more on camp than generating any actual suspense or scares.  Once again creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk utilize their regular ensemble and the performers all deliver; but it’s the writing that feels clunky having to use large amounts of exposition to bring the different divergent plot lines together and unfortunately they never really gel.  The acting continues to be pretty fantastic all around, but for me, this season was the least satisfying of the series thus far.

Lucky Them

MPI Home Video / Released 9/30/14

More interested in partying and flirting with young musicians than work, veteran rock journalist Ellie Klug (Toni Collette) has one last chance to prove her value to her magazine s editor: a no-stone-unturned search to discover what really happened to long lost rock god Matthew Smith (Johnny Depp), who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend. Teaming up with an eccentric amateur documentary filmmaker (Thomas Haden Church, Killer Joe), Ellie hits the road in search of answers, but what she finds along the way may instead bring her to uncover more truths about herself than she thought possible. Co-starring Oliver Platt (Fargo) and Amy Seimetz (Upstream Color), Lucky Them is a thoughtful and heartwarming journey of self-discovery in the often tumultuous world of music stardom.  Extras Behind the Scenes, Featurette, and Trailer.

Hellion

MPI Home Entertainment / Released 9/30/14

Amidst the haunting refineries of Southeast Texas, hard-drinking single dad Hollis (two-time Emmy Award-winner Aaron Paul) struggles to raise his two boys, including rebellious teenager Jacob (first-time actor Josh Wiggins, in a stunning breakthrough performance). Obsessed with heavy metal and seething with rebellious anger, Jacob finds release in the high-risk, white-knuckle world of motocross but his increasingly reckless behavior threatens to spin out of control, especially when it starts to involve his younger brother Wes (newcomer Deke Garner). When the local authorities catch wind of the increasingly volatile situation, Wes is taken into custody by his Aunt Pam (Academy Award nominee Juliette Lewis), leaving Jacob and Hollis to fend for themselves. In Wes absence, Jacob becomes increasingly obsessed with two things: winning a local motocross championship and getting his brother back. With a scorching central performance by Wiggins and heart-wrenchingly raw turns by Paul and Lewis, Hellion is a powerful portrait of a family on the brink of dissolution that s impossible to shake.

Delivery: The Beast Within

Salient Media / Released 9/30/14

A young couple agrees to document their first pregnancy for a reality show, but when unexplained events start to plague the production, they suspect something might be wrong with their unborn bundle of joy.

Wolf

MPI Home Video / Released 9/30/14

Recently released from prison and cast out by his family, young kickboxer Majid (Marwan Kenzari) sees few opportunities to better himself in the grim suburb of the Netherlands he calls home. Deciding to put his talents as a fighter to use, he enters a boxing gym owned by Ben (Raymond Thiry), who quickly spots Majid’s raw talent and starts to coach him in the techniques needed to enter the ring while also instilling in him the discipline and respect a true fighter needs. But as Majid’s notoriety both in and out of the fighting circuit begins to grow, he finds himself confronted with his criminal past and the world of organized crime that s threatening to take over his community. Grittily stylish, Wolf is a hard-hitting exploration of one warrior s quest for redemption.  Extras include making of, featurettes, trailer, and music videos.

Once Upon A Time: The Complete Third Season

ABC Studios / Released 8/19/14

It’s a diabolical thing about curses: Just as one is broken, another, even more sinister than the first, inevitably emerges to wreak further havoc…

The stakes are higher than ever following a narrow escape from the nightmare of Neverland and Peter Pan. A year after their amazing adventure, Emma and Henry are living in New York with no awareness of their past history – until Hook shows up an jogs Emma’s memory with a magic potion. Once again, the “Savior” is called back to Storybrooke when a legendary villainess arrives in disguise to curse the town anew and exact an unspeakably cruel vengeance. Now, with Regina and Emma working together, the stage is set for an epic showdown between the Evil Queen and the Wicked Witch of the West!  Extras include featurettes, bloopers, deleted scenes, and commentaries.

Last Word: In it’s third season, OUAT continues to blend traditional fairy tales with their Disney versions to fantastic effect.  The series’ dense mythology has gotten richer and the third season is it’s best yet.  Reimagining Peter Pan as a protagonist allows the darker side of Barrie’s tale to set the tone; making Neverland a far more dangerous location for the characters to travel to.  With the introduction of the Wicked Witch of the West from Baum’s Oz mythos and the season ending tease featuring Frozen‘s Elsa are reminders of how much more there is to explore.  Among the newer icons appearing this season are characters from Robin Hood, Peter Pan and The Little Mermaid herself, Ariel.  Although there are at times a seemingly overwhelming number of tangents, the series continues to improve and more importantly, entertain.

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Paramount / Released 9/30/14

Transformers: Age of Extinction begins after an epic battle left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history…while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs. With help from a new cast of humans (led by Mark Wahlberg), Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet. In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.  Extras include making of, featurettes and trailers.

Last Word:  The Transformers has a special place in my heart. I watched the cartoon as a kid. My first serious date with my now husband was viewing Transformers: The Movie. I was pretty psyched when Michael Bay first started making the Transformers films. Explosions + robots has to = good, right?

Oh, Michael Bay, what have you done?

Transformers: Age of Extinction is the latest installment in the Transformers franchise, and although better than it’s predecessors, that continues to miss the mark. For starters it’s 165 minute running time is about an hour too long. If you need that long to establish and develop your characters, then you need a better script. It’s too bad really because the actually story is a cool idea, it was just poorly executed.  Mark Walhberg plays Texan (Yeah, think about that one for a moment and let it sink in. All I am going to say is, “Transformah!”) Cade Yeager, an unemployed inventor and single dad trying to raise teenager, Tessa (Nicola Peltz, Bates Motel). Cade discovers fugitive, Optimus Prime, and he, Tessa, and Tessa’s boyfriend, Shane (played by Jack Reynor, Delivery Man) become caught in between the humans and the Transformers.

 I felt nothing but annoyance for any of the human protagonists. Every time one of them was in peril, I was hoping that they would be shot or squished. The ongoing “you’re not good enough for my daughter” banter between Cade and Shane is tedious. Peltz’s Tessa is interchangeable with any of Bay’s previous Transformers leading ladies and contributes nothing to the film but another female in too much make-up and high heals that tries to be an independent woman, but really is only there to look pretty and be saved.

Kelsey Grammer and Titus Welliver play perfectly typical government agents with alternative motives. Together with Stanely Tucci as the scene-stealing corporate mogul, they rain hell down on Cade’s people. You almost wish they would succeed. Then we would be left with just them and Transformers. That would have made a good film. But aren’t you going to talk about the robots?

Sorry, Michael Bay made me wait 45 mins before any decent robot actions, so unfortunately, you had to wait for them too. Eventually, you do get to the robots, and I won’t lie, those parts ROCK. The fight scenes between the Transformers are excellent and well-choreographed. The new Transformers designs are beautiful. Peter Cullen returns to give life to Optimus Prime. He is joined by the unlikely John Goodman and Ken Wantanabe, as well as John DiMaggio to round out Autobots. The new bad-guy, alien robots are interesting and could have the potential to lead to all alien robot story.

And, as always, Michael Bay blows stuff up real pur-dee. The thing is, I wish Michael Bay would stop trying to put drama into his blockbusters. His strength is action. Very few directors do it better. The minute he tries to be more Spielbergian in his storytelling, the story stalls. I want more Bad Boys/ The Rock with my Transformers, not Pearl Harbor.  At least you can scan through to the good stuff. (– Elizabeth Robbins)

Krull 

Mill Creek / Released 9/30/14

Journey into a mystical time and place that belongs to neither the past nor the present, where extraordinary creatures of myth work their incredible magic, and where a horrific, omnipotent Beast is the ruler. This is the planet of Krull!

Prince Colwyn sets out on a daring mission to rescue his young bride who is held captive by the Beast. But slayers and alien beings under the command of the Beast oppose him at every turn. Colwyn must first reach a faraway cavern to recover the legendary Glaive, a flying blade capable of phenomenal powers.  Starring Ken Marshall, Lysette Anthony, Freddie Jones, Francesca Annis and Liam Neeson in one of his earliest screen roles, Krull is a spectacular fantasy-adventure beyond your wildest imagination.  Extras include commentaries, featurettes, galleries, trailers and more.

The Mentalist: Season 6

Warner Home Video / Released 9/30/14

Armed with a list of seven suspects confirmed by the killer himself, Patrick Jane and the CBI team are closed in on the elusive serial killer while continuing to solve California’s most puzzling crimes. Could Red John be a cult leader? A ghoulish forensic analyst? Or one of four law officials, including the director of the CBI himself? The identity of the man who killed Patrick Jane’s family is finally revealed in a climactic showdown – but that’s not the end of the story! When the CBI is shuttered, Jane, Lisbon and the team partner with the FBI to tackle a whole new slew of mysteries… including vicious attacks on former CBI members.  Extras include featurettes and unaired scenes.

Last Word: Simon Baker plays Patrick Jane, a consultant to California Bureau of Investigation who borders on obsessed as he tracks Red John, the serial killer that murdered his family. Jane’s not looking to catch Red John, he’s looking to kill him. Fortunately, Baker’s obsession doesn’t make the series dour, as each week brings a new case. The cat and mouse that he plays with Red John is just always under the surface. Baker’s Jane is charming, engaging and funny (and not really a psychic, just hyper-aware) and works well with the ensemble cast of character. The revelation to the series’ long mystery of Red John arrives with a surprisingly satisfying conclusion.  Guest stars include Xander Berkeley, Paula Marshall, James Urbaniak, Vik Sahay, William Mapother, Kevin Corrigan, Robert Picardo,  Malcolm McDowell, Benito Martinez, Cindy Pickett, Pruitt Taylor Vince, John de Lancie, and Titus Welliver.  The Mentalist: Season 6 is pure escapism and comes recommended.

NYPD Blue: Season 7

Shout! Factory / Released 9/30/14

The men and women of New York’s 15th Precinct return in the explosive seventh season of NYPD Blue, the Emmy award-winning police drama from co-creators Steven Bochco and David Milch.

In Season Seven, an emotionally scarred Andy Sipowicz (Emmy winner Dennis Franz) finds solace in his developing friendship with partner Danny Sorenson (Rick Schroder), Lirkendall (Andrea Thompson) takes steps to reconcile with her ex-husband, and Diane (Kim Delaney) finds herself caught in the middle. And before it’s all over, two more detectives will leave the 15th Precinct family.

Originally broadcast on ABC in the 2000 television season, and featuring guest appearances by Mos Def, Elizabeth Berkley and Regina Hall, these 22 episodes maintain the high standard expected of one of television’s great dramas, and are a must-have for fans.

Mike & Molly: The Complete Fourth Season

Warner Home Video / Released 9/30/14

You never know what you can do until you try! Molly takes a leap in Season Four, saying “so long” to her teaching position and “hello” to the career of her dreams. Completely free and without a job for the first time in her life, Molly tries her hand as a crime novel writer, detective, forklift driver and more, with Mike doing his best to be supportive spouse. But when Molly’s new lifestyle starts to feel more like a roller coaster, Mike wonders how long they’ll last before it drives them both bonkers. Extras include gag reel.

Last Word: The fourth season spirals this otherwise harmless sitcom into I Love Lucy schtick with Molly trying several new jobs with hilarious results. Only Melissa McCarthy is no Lucille Ball. Billy Gardell delivers solid work along with ensemble including actors Reno Wilson, Katy Mixon, Nyambi Nyambi, Louis Mustillo, Cleo King, Rondi Reed, Swoosie Kurtz and David Anthony Higgins. Unfortunately, the improved upon third season once again stumbles with an uninspired, albeit harmless, fourth season.

Cold in July

MPI / Released 9/30/14

How can a split-second decision change your life? While investigating noises in his house one balmy Texas night in 1989, Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall in an affectingly vulnerable performance) puts a bullet in the brain of lowlife burglar Freddy. Although he s hailed as a small-town hero, Richard soon finds himself fearing for his family s safety when Freddy s ex-con father, Ben (Sam Shepard, August: Osage County) rolls into town, hell-bent on revenge. But not all is as it seems in this seemingly peaceful community, and soon Richard s life begins to unravel into a dark underworld of corruption and violence that will pit him against the most unlikely of foes. Co-starring Don Johnson (Django Unchained) and adapted from the Joe R. Lansdale novel by director Jim Mickle (We Are What We Are) and star Nick Damici (Stake Land), Cold In July is a pulpy Southern noir whose twists and turns continue to pile up right up to its shocking conclusion.  Extras include commentaries, deleted scenes, isolated score, previsualization tests and trailer.

Last Word: A gut busting tale of revenge that’s brutal, unrelenting and combines a number of traditional storytelling tropes including noir, revenge, procedural, a coming of age story and a mystery, that unfortunately never gelled successfully.  Cold in July features some fantastic performances and some truly memorable scenes, but as a film the tropes made the final execution more derivative than original and the scenes themselves slow and plodding.  Worth seeing, but unfortunately the film never fumbles after it’s opening act and never recovers.

Space Station 76

Sony / Released 10/7/14

Welcome to a 1970s’ version of the future, where the pants are wide, the music is groovy, and the new frontier is interplanetary. When a new assistant captain (Liv Tyler) arrives on the Omega 76, tensions spark, and more than asteroids collide. This smart and quirky film-festival favorite stars Patrick Wilson, Jerry O’Connell and Matt Bomer. Take a journey on an out-of-this-world adventure.  Extras include making of, outtakes and deleted scenes.

Last Word: Space Station 76 is based on a stage play by the same name (and starring a handful of the same cast members), and brought to the screen by director/co-writer Jack Plotnick (known for his current off-broadway hit Disaster! and an active character acting career). As with any talky stage play-to-movie adaptation, there are challenges, and Plotnick does a decent job opening up the film’s settings. Yet there’s only so far you can go when you’re limited to a one-place setting, even if it’s setting is outer space. High 70s kitsch permeates every frame of the film, and great credit goes to the masterful production and costume design. Visual effects are a combination of in camera and digital, always in the style of a Logan’s Run or Silent Running. The soundtrack is perfectly curated to include soft rock found on many an AM station, or an 8-track tape, or in the outer space of many a 70s housewife’s valium enlightened mind (cue Todd Rundgren, I Saw the Light).

All of this goes a long way to help SS76, but it’s a lot of form over substance. Whether you’ll appreciate it depends on your tolerance of family drama, particularly post-sexual revolution tension with your send up of a 70’s pop-culture future. It’s a strange combination. One that’s not necessarily a comedy, but not necessarily a drama. It’s also not necessarily a satire, nor is it necessarily free of camp. It’s The Ice Storm set in the decade’s idea of space travel and living conditions.

Jokes range from visual sight gags to dark jabs at the never-ending existence of machismo in science-fiction. The robot co-stars get most of the laughs, but a lot of it, again, is due to the brilliant production design. The entire cast is well placed. Patrick Wilson gets to work in broader strokes, hamming it up as the conflicted Captain Glenn. Liv Tyler is, as always, a beautiful strong leading lady. Supporting cast is great, with a particularly adorable Kylie Rogers (Mob City) as the token kid. Watch for a loopy cameo from Keir Dullea that does a parody of the video phone sequence in 2001.

Overall, the film rarely hits warp speed, and often times it’s slow moving. I didn’t necessarily get space-sick from this journey, but I did think the film could use some edits to move along the impending asteroid collision plot device. Like that lingering danger, it’s not a total disaster. (– Todd Sokolove)

Creeping Crawling

Brain Damage Films / Released 10/7/14

You live with them, you feed them, you fear them. Creeping Crawling is an anthology featuring three tales of terror centered around things that go slither in the night. Doug and Allison have a paper due and they’re hoping an eccentric entomologist will be the lynch pin to a passing grade. They get more than they bargained for when Dr. Tarkovsky tells them the story of GRUBBERY and the lengths supermodel Denver will go to in order to keep her figure. Denver’s best friend Ginger introduces her to age old dieting wisdom as her boyfriend Rick witnesses her eaten away by her own vanity. RID introduces Dori, a beautiful young girl who desperately needs money and poses as a nurse hired to take care of a comatose patient. While staying in the Gothic mansion, she begins to unravel as something feasts upon her while she sleeps. Dr. Tarkovsky’s final cautionary tale centers around Bailey. In BUGGER, the lonely man navigates love online. He can’t seem to find a woman who shares his six legged obsessions. A co-worker has her doubts about his motives, as a serial killer is at large.

Almighty Johnsons: Season 1

PBS / Released 10/7/14

A new comedy-drama about four brothers who just happen to be descended from Norse Gods  Meet the Johnsons: responsible Mike, smooth-talking Anders, cool and reserved Ty, and fun-loving youngest brother Axl. But these four guys are far from ordinary. Upon turning 21, each brother secretly became a Norse god with his own powers, except that their powers are not all that powerful anymore.  With guidance from the family oracle (their eternally young grandfather Olaf) and with the help of his brothers, Axl, as the human incarnation of Odin, god of wisdom, victory, and magic, must embark upon his life s quest, to find Frigg, his beloved. The family prophecy states that only when Odin and Frigg are reunited will the house of Asgard be rebuilt and the Gods will rule again unless their nemeses, the power-hungry Goddesses, can stop the Johnsons and find Frigg first! This drama is set in New Zealand.  Extras include commentary and interviews.

Last Word: Light and entertaining, albeit forgettable, The Almighty Johnsons plays a bit like the “Percy Jackson Five”, but with a limited budget that keeps those crazy gods in a small community in New Zealand.  The actors are all likable and the humorous and affable tone is consistent throughout.  Despite the limitations of budget, The Almighty Johnsons is always fun and exciting and is one of the few “super-heroic” properties that is both family friendly and engaging enough to keep even the most cynical of viewers entertained.  Recommended.

Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon

Anchor Bay / Released 10/7/14

In his directorial debut, Mike Myers (Austin Powers, Wayne’s World) steps behind the camera to document the astounding career of friend and Hollywood insider Shep Gordon. He isn’t a household name, but Gordon became a beacon in the entertainment industry after a chance run-in with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin launched his career in 1968. Since then, he has managed an endless list of talent, including Alice Cooper, Blondie, Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, Groucho Marx, and Raquel Welch. His management of Emeril Lagasse was the driving force behind the Celebrity Chef concept that turned the culinary arts into the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. Capitalist, protector, hedonist, pioneer, showman, shaman . . . Shep, or SUPERMENSCH, is beloved by the countless stars he’s encountered. Now, Gordon’s fascinating story is told by those who know him best, his pals including Michael Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, Anne Murray, Willie Nelson, and more.

Last Word: A fascinating look at the charming and visionary Shep Gordon, who recounts his life with a Forrest Gump-like interaction with some of the most talented individuals throughout the arts community.  The film, directed by friend Mike Myers has a pretty positive tone, and despite whatever demons Gordon has faced in his life, they don’t come across in the doc’s very sunny disposition.  But, at it’s core, there’s a sadness to Gordon, that despite his success, he never found the love and family that he desperately craves, and the realization that he might not live long enough for it to happen.  Nevertheless, it’s hard to gauge if it’s an honest profile.  But it is a nice one.

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 9/30/14

One of the most iconic figures in rock history, Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) had it all: the women (over 411 served), the friends (Elvis, The Beatles) and the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle (a close and personal relationship with every pill and powder known to man). But most of all, he had the music that transformed a dimwitted country boy into the greatest American rock star who never lived. A wild and wicked send-up of every musical biopic ever made, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is gut-busting proof that when it comes to hard rocking, living and laughing, a hard man is good to find.

Last Word: John C. Reilly delivers one of his best and funniest performances in this sharp and wicked parody.  If this were based on a real person rather than the fictitious Cox, the film would have ended 2007 with a slew of Oscar nominations, subtly skewering the atypical Oscar nominations.  The supporting cast is unparalleled with appearances by Nat Faxon, Tim Meadows, Margo Martindale, Kristen Wiig, Craig Robinson, Harold Ramis, Martin Starr, Chris Parnell, Jack McBrayer, Frankie Muniz, Ed Helms, Jack White, Odette Annable, Jenna Fischer, David Krumholtz , Jane Lynch, Simon Helberg, Jackson Browne, Jewel Kilcher, Lyle Lovett, Ghostface Killah, and Eddie Vedder.  Walk Hard is a hysterical and very accurate observation of both the music industry and the inevitable bio pic, which is funny enough to revisit regularly.  Recommended.

Tasting Menu

Magnolia / Released 10/7/14

One of the greatest restaurants in the world is closing, and an eclectic mix of international patrons have arrived in beautiful Catalonia for the final dinner service in this witty and delicious ensemble comedy. Tasting Menu, centered on culinary delights, is a crowd-pleasing combination of relationships, feuds, and broken dreams that are mended through the simple act of “breaking bread” and the universal appreciation of great food.

Ivory Tower

Paramount / Released 9/30/14

Is college worth the cost? Groundbreaking filmmaker Andrew Rossi (Page One: Inside the New York Times) asks the critical question about the value of higher education, revealing how colleges have come to embrace a business model that offer promotes expansion over quality learning. With escalating tuition rates and student-loan debt now over the one trillion dollar mark, the once-great American institution is at a breaking point. Ivory Tower explores the current education crisis from the halls of Harvard, to community colleges, to online learning, providing a surprising look at the university landscape.  Extras include deleted scenes, featurettes and debate.

Leprechaun: Origins

Lionsgate / Released 9/30/14

Backpacking through the lush Irish countryside, two unsuspecting young couples discover a town’s chilling secret. Ben (Andrew Dunbar), Sophie (Stephanie Bennett), David (Brendan Fletcher) and Jeni (Melissa Roxburgh) quickly discover the idyllic land is not what it appears to be when the town’s residents offer the hikers an old cabin at the edge of the woods. Soon, the friends will find that one of Ireland’s most famous legends is a terrifying reality.  Extras include featurettes.