That Time Of The Week – DVD & Blu-ray Reviews Barrel In Like A March Lion

If you’re anywhere in the Northeast there’s a pretty good chance it’s been snowing for the past month and even though we’re now in March, the continuing Snowpocalypse doesn’t seem to be letting up any time soon.

Fortunately, there’s plenty of stuff to watch including several recent Academy Award winners as well as dozens of other choices from highbrow to lowbrow.

Fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart. It’s that time of the week.

Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance

20th Century Fox / Released 2/17/15

Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance is a black comedy from co-writer/director Alejandro G. Inarritu that tells the story of an actor (Michael Keaton) – famous for portraying an iconic superhero – as he struggles to mount a Broadway play as he faces harsh critics, a deranged alter ego, his estranged daughter (Emma Stone) and a difficult stage star (Edward Norton). Also starring Naomi Watts and Zach Galifianakis. Extras include conversation between Keaton and Inarritu, a gallery and featurette.

Last Word: Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s very meta introspective black comedy Birdman is about an actor (Michael Keaton) – famous for portraying an iconic superhero – as he struggles to mount a Broadway play.

What this film really is a a study of life, love, friendship, ego, insanity, family and loss. It is also one of the best movies I have seen in the last 10 years. Birdman triumphs at getting to the root of what what it means to be human through analyzing the downfalls of celebrity and what it means to live forever in the public consciousness. Riggan Thomson (Keaton) is a washed up former blockbuster movie star who once starred in one of the biggest comic book movie franchises of all time, Birdman. Sound familiar? Well it should.

Birdman is Michael Keaton.  Michael Keaton IS Birdman.

Keaton’s seems to be delving deep into his own experiences of being the first screen Dark Knight and his subsequent walking away from a role that almost consumed him. His flaws are his greatest strength, both as the character and as an actor. No one else could have sold this role more than him. Both for the obvious reasons of his turn as Batman but also, Keaton is so beautiful at the crazy over-the-top however unlike so many of his fellow comedic actors, his subtleness and quiet do not get lost in the frenzy. He takes his time and is patient and loving to the sensitive. If for no other reason, you should go see this movie to watch stellar acting from a sometimes underrated master of his craft.

Keaton is not alone in this film and his supporting cast is not so much supporting but also the stars of this film as well and deserve equal accolades. I really wish there was an academy Award for Best Ensemble Cast because sometimes a films cast isn’t so much a bunch of actors but a homogenous entity breathing life into an already phenomenal piece.

Naomi Watts, who is Lesley, is an up and coming actress who is making her Broadway debut in Riggan’s play and this is the beginning and the end of everything she holds to be important in her life. It’s success and/or failure, in her mind, parallels her own. Everything she is, is counting on this play being a hit. That is why, when they lose one of their actors to a freak accident, she risks everything to recommend her sometimes, outrageous but talented boyfriend, Mike (Edward Norton) to take the role. Even though she knows it may be more trouble than it’s worth.

Norton’s portrayal as Mike Shiner, the very difficult to work with “actor/artist” is sublime. The casting here for everyone is crucial and not done lightly. As Norton is known to be in real life, Shiner is in the movie. Known to be a loose cannon and to outbursts of crazy, Shiner is hired because his reputation as one of the theater’s greatest actors of his generation is guaranteed to bring in audiences and brilliant reviews. Immediately Riggan and Mike butt heads on creativity and intent.

Zach Galifianakis, is a bit of role reversal, plays probably the most sane character in the film. As Riggan’s friend, lawyer, and producer of the play, Jake basically spends the entire film just trying to hold the production together and afloat amidst actor clashes, law suits, mental breakdowns and money issues. He is subtle and the exact opposite of his usual zany portrayals we are used to seeing him in.

Emma Stone  is brilliant as Riggan’s ex-junkie daughter, just out of rehab and getting her life back together. Her presence in Riggan’s life and in this film symbolize the redemption and forgiveness sought by everyone for past transgressions both from others and from ourselves.

Rounding out the cast are the phenomenal Lindsay Duncan  as cold hearted theater reviewer, Tabitha. Amy Ryan as Riggan’s caring ex-wife, Sylvia. Andrea Riseborough is amazing as Laura, Riggan’s lover and co-star in the play.

Aside from the acting and story, two other aspects that truly make this a fantastic film are the music and the cinematography. Both are crucial and hinge on each other to work. The first thing you will notice is the soundtrack. Not only does it set the mood of the film, it also dictates the pace of the film. The Mexican drummer Antonio Sanchez, one of the best in the world, sets the tone and rhythm as we journey with Riggan through his self-discovery, defeat and reflection of self. After the music, and along with the music you will note that there is something different about the “cutting” and shooting of this film. There are not “cuts” Through the use of Stedicam and hand-held cameras, this film is seamlessly tied together, digitally, into one continuous shot. From beginning to end, there isn’t a visible edit throughout. This has the effect of not only making the camera, the location of the theater and New York itself, a character of the film. It is also used, in conjunction with the erratic and skillful drumbeat music, to heighten the manic insanity that Riggan reaches even that much more erratic and makes the subsequent crescendo that much more intense.  (– Benn Robbins)

Horrible Bosses 2

Warner Bros. / Released 2/24/15

Nick, Dale and Kurt decide to become their own bosses by launching a business. After a slick investor deceives them, they hatch a misguided plan to get their company back.  Extras include featurettes and alternate one-liners.

Last Word:  Hollywood returns to the well once again for another sequel that questions it’s own existence.  Thankfully, the familiar television and movie stars making up the ensemble cast do have their moments, and Horrible Bosses 2 isn’t a complete waste of time. Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day reprise their roles as Nick, Kurt and Dale and become their own bosses unleashing a new product “The Shower Buddy” onto the world. Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Spacey return as well, along with mastermind “Motherfucker” Jones — Jamie Foxx.

Added this time around are the father/son team of leading man Chris Pine and Basterd Chrisopher Waltz.

If you like to tune out here’s a movie for you, with some funny moments, but the spark isn’t as bright as the original concept or the director Sean Ander’s last effort behind the camera, Adam Sandler’s That’s My Boy.

Nick, Kurt and Dale start their own company with some startup funding from Bert Hanson (Waltz). When Hanson cancels his order for the units of “The Shower Buddy”, the company goes under and the the boys go after kidnapping Hanson’s son Rex (Pine) for the ransom money. As a side note, the blueprints for the “The Shower Buddy” look like the Starship Enterprise, with shampoo and conditioner as the engines to the shower head hull. Well played, Easter Egg hunters!

Bateman and Day play much the same characters they do on Arrested Development and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and as you may have guessed there is not much of a stretch from We’re The Millers for Sudeikis. This is all fine, as you can tell from the outtake credit scenes for both of the Bosses movies, the team works together for getting the laughs. Bateman’s hilarious straight man has worked for him since the Bluth days, Charlie Day is still coming into his own, and we can see from these past movies that Jason Sudeikis would be an obvious choice to take the Fletch Won prequel job.

Antagonists from the first film, Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Aniston add some good color to the movie, but Spacey is just barely there, being imprisoned from his actions in the first movie. If anyone sighed over his appearance in this film, I would have imagined it was Spacey, last seen on my screen this year as the serious Southerner Frank Underwood in House of Cards.

Aniston (Dr. Julia Harris, D.D.S.) fits better with the boys in the ensemble comedic cast. Her sex addiction has gotten worse, but at least she is seeking the help of a 12-step sex addict group. She moves her attention away from Dale (Day) and to Nick (Bateman) this time around and has some of the best lines in the picture. On top of that, she continues to look stunning in both her dentist outfits as well as her S&M getups! Truly, Aniston is having a comedic renaissance with Bosses and We’re the Millers.

Starfleet Captain Chris Pine is the frosted tipped rich son of Waltz, and — spoiler warning — ends up being the big bad when he gets in on his own kidnapping, making everything worse for Nick, Kurt and Dale.

Horrible Bosses 2 is all about the star power driving a mediocre plot and another third act car chase scene. Foxx’s Jones, a sort of criminal ‘advisor’ has some moments with the guys sprinkled throughout the movie, but like Spacey was only contracted to get people to buy tickets to the thing.

The guys are funny, Aniston is funny, just don’t overthink it or think this movie compares to your memories of the first installment. They can probably stop here. (– Clay N Ferno)

Game Of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season 

HBO / Released 2/17/15

In this thrilling fourth season based on George R.R. Martin’s bestselling books, the Lannisters’ control over the Iron Throne remains intact, but can they survive their own egos as well as the ongoing threats around them? While an unshaken Stannis Baratheon continues to rebuild his army on Dragonstone, a more immediate danger comes from the south, as Oberyn Martell, the Lannister-loathing “Red Viper of Dorne,” arrives at King’s Landing to attend Joffrey’s wedding. At the Wall, the Night’s Watch seems overmatched against Mance Rayder’s advancing army of wildlings, which in turn is being trailed by an even more formidable foe. What’s more, Daenerys Targaryen, accompanied by her fierce trio of dragons and an Unsullied army, is poised to ‘liberate’ Meereen, the largest Slaver City in the east, which could provide her with an imposing force to execute her ultimate plan of reclaiming the Iron Throne for her family. Extras include commentaries, round table discussion, blooper reel, deleted scenes, interviews and featurettes.

Last Word: Many would have thought they could exhale after the brutal Red Wedding of season three, however, as Westeros trudges to what seems the end of the war without the Starks, we are reunited and introduced to characters that continue to do what Game of Thrones does best – shock us.

The Lannisters still own King’s Landing, although without the Northern army threatening the crown the lion’s hold of the Iron Throne somehow seems looser than ever. With the Tyrell’s maneuvering their way into the royal blood lines, and the introduction of Oberyn Martell – known as the Red Viper of Dorne – our favorite family from Casterly Rock has more than enough to worry about. Across the Narrow Sea the Khaleesi continues to liberate and rule Slaver’s Bay, although there isn’t much of the Mother of Dragons halfway through this season. It is absolutely delightful that Jon Snow is reunited with his brothers in black back at Castle Black, and the battle for The Wall storyline proves to be the best part of the first five episodes. Dispersed in between these three hotspots are the wonderful storyline of Arya and The Hound, a return to The Vale of Arryn along with Littlefinger, and the cringe-worthy Bolton house trying to put their stamp on the North.

The Lannisters, which have been the bread and butter of the series, continue to be as dysfunctional as ever. There isn’t the happiest of reunions between Jaime and his family members, especially his sister. Without his sword hand the Kingslayer finds life a bit without meaning at first, but continues to serve as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Charles Dance’s acting as Tywin Lannister is absolutely perfect, as we can see how each of his children came to be the people they are. There isn’t as much Tyrion as previous seasons, but when Peter Dinklage is on screen he sets it on fire. It is safe to say the Royal Wedding doesn’t go as planned, and Westeros is better off for it, but it will be interesting to see how the show copes.

The feeling of the rest of Westeros is quite grim, as it should be with the departure of Robb and Catelyn Stark. Winter is indeed coming as the scenery is gray, wet and moody. This doesn’t do The Hound any favors as his quest to get Arya to her Aunt Lysa involves stealing, drinking and swearing – I suppose that isn’t far off from the character we saw protecting Joffrey in King’s Landing. The images from the regions north of the capital are quite gruesome, but if you’ve gotten this far then you know what to expect from this HBO gem.

Unfortunately, one of the downfalls of this season is there seems to be too many filler scenes. It is to be expected a bit after the murder of the aforementioned Starks, but the show hasn’t completely recovered, even if viewers have. For example, there is a long and drawn out scene involving a White Walker that seems quite foolish. One of the best parts of Thrones is its ability to make us believe in this world. The show runners have never relied on the fantasy and magic element to enthrall us. If you’re watching for the dragons or the Red Woman’s fire magic, then you’re not watching for the right reasons. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss go a little overboard this season with the fantasy, but like previous seasons, it seems they are saving up for a big penultimate episode to wow us again.

Despite the stutters mentioned above, season four of Game of Thrones is still phenomenal. The politics and drunk on power characters are as entangled as ever and one can only expect all Hell to break loose by the finale. While not as strong as season one or two, this campaign seems to be doing its job so far – setting up the next one. (– Nate Davis)

Whiplash

Sony / Released 2/24/15

Andrew Neyman is an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory. Plagued by the failed writing career of his father, Andrew hungers day and night to become one of the greats. Terence Fletcher, an instructor equally known for his teaching talents as for his terrifying methods, leads the top jazz ensemble in the school. Fletcher discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into his band, forever changing the young man’s life. Andrew’s passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher continues to push him to the brink of both his ability-and his sanity.  Extras include featurette, original short film, commentary, deleted scene, and An Evening at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Last Word: Exhilarating and provocative, this film hits hard.  It’s a truly visceral experience, tense and exciting. From the moment the film begins, be aware that there won’t be one relaxing moment. And it’s incredible.

The plot of this movie is unlike other musical productions, if there is even a plot at all. No prestigious competition to win, no personal hardship or vendetta that must be overcome or redeemed. Whiplash is about artistic obsession.

Studying at the most prestigious conservatory in the country, Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller) has a very specific goal – he doesn’t want to be great, he wants to be “one of the greats”, and that distinction is important to note.

The very premise of Whiplash is the cost of greatness. Picked to perform in the studio band by the most notorious instructor in the school, Terence Fletcher, played with phenomenal verve by J.K. Simmons, Andrew enters into a brutal engagement that pushes his physical and emotional capabilities well beyond their limits.

Teller’s performance is excruciating and beautiful. The actor brings heartbreaking ferocity and maturity to the screen. In brief quiet moments his small smile reveals subtle elation accentuated by his genuine blush. In grotesque moments he exerts himself completely, sweating and bleeding all over his drum kit. And you are right beside him the entire film feeling his anxiety and passion.

Damien Chazelle keeps his camera close for each shot, panning on, in and around the musicians’ faces, instruments, broken blisters, blood, spit, sweat and tears. The intense effect is overwhelming and enthralling. Tom Cross’ editing is something to be admired – he captures every detail of passion and exhaustion. The fast, crisp cuts match perfectly with the musical rhythm of the film; Chazelle and Cross have created a powerful and immersive experience.

Enter J.K. Simmons, as Terence Fletcher, always clad in black and perfectly polished shoes that click and clack on the floor in a steady intimidating rhythm.  His tempo. His tempo. His. Fucking. Tempo. When his fist clenches you’re held in awful suspension and are completely trapped by his searing blue eyes.  Simmons isn’t Simmons in this role. He is fit and strong in stature, a flawless embodiment of cruelty. His character’s brutal tutelage is grounded in the belief that greatness can only be achieved through critically bludgeoning his students with offensively personal insults and humiliation. Positive reinforcement is a plague for aspiring talent. Fletcher’s cruelty is never meant to be justified or reasoned with, it’s simply a mechanism for motivation.

This is where the film is spectacular and provocative. How far is too far if the end game produces truly historic talent? There isn’t a happy resolution. There isn’t a problem to be resolved. This movie is displays the degrading progression of stamina and devotion. Whiplash presents the controversial ethics of maximizing and enhancing talent with oppressively cruel instruction, regardless of consequential emotional and physical decay. Do we want Fletcher or Neyman to be any different? Is their relationship an apex of sado-masochism where both parties yield sick pleasure for the sake of success, therefore making the incorrigible behavior acceptable?  It’s sick, it’s beautiful, relentless and awe-inspiring. (– Caitlyn Thompson)

No Tears For The Dead

CJ Entertainment /Released 2/17/15

A hit man (Jang Dong-Gun from The Warrior’s Way) traumatized from accidentally killing a young girl during a job is given the mission to eliminate her mother, and begins the ultimate fight to save her life. The film also stars Kim Min-hee (Helpless), Brian Tee (The Wolverine), Kim Hee-won (Man from Nowhere) and Kim Joon-seong (Innocent Blood).

Skating to New York

Well Go USA /Released 2/17/15

Skating To New York is a contemporary coming-of-age adventure about five boys on a small-town Canadian high school hockey team, who live to skate. After losing a big game, they decide to do something never attempted before – skate across Lake Ontario to New York on the coldest day of the year.

Starring Connor Jessup, Gage Munroe, Dylan Everett  and Jason Gedrick, Skating To New York is a story about home and friendship, about leadership and facing danger, and about growing up – but never giving up.

St. Vincent

Starz/Anchor Bay / Released 2/17/15

Maggie (Melissa McCarthy), a single mother, moves into a new home in Brooklyn with her 12-year old son, Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher). Forced to work long hours, she has no choice but to leave Oliver in the care of their new neighbor, Vincent (Murray), a retired curmudgeon with a penchant for alcohol and gambling. An odd friendship soon blossoms between the improbable pair. Together with a pregnant stripper named Daka (Naomi Watts), Vincent brings Oliver along on all the stops that make up his daily routine — the race track, a strip club, and the local dive bar. Vincent helps Oliver grow to become a man, while Oliver begins to see in Vincent something that no one else is able to: a misunderstood man with a good heart. Extras include deleted scenes and featurette.

Last Word: While St. Vincent might be exactly what you think it’s going to be, the movie is still great.  I laughed the whole time and didn’t mind the simple and predictable plotline. The story of a cantankerous old man forming an unlikely friendship has been done many times, and the antihero always turns out to be someone’s saint, as it were. Think of Up, think of As Good as it Gets, and Murray’s previous performance in Rushmore.

Regardless of the details, and in many cases, the offensive insults, these movies are entertaining and heartwarming at the core. There really isn’t much to say about St. Vincent’s plot. We have Vincent, a drunken, grumpy war veteran, and young Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher), the new next-door neighbor who’s in need of a babysitter. A hilarious and inappropriate friendship begins. It’s all a bit cliché but as I said before, heartwarming nonetheless.

Vincent is rude, quick to insult and seemingly careless, content on drinking, gambling and engaging in explicit activities with a Russian erotic dancer, Daka, played by Naomi Watts—she has good one-liners and I found her role rather touching in an unconventional way. Oliver is caught in the middle of his parents’ divorce and forced to fend for himself (unsuccessfully with the bullies at school…at first) as his mother works very long hours. Murray’s Vincent is loveable for the sheer fact that he so run down. His Brooklyn accent makes every mumbled utterance amusing. And his disregard for bodily care is ridiculous and thus, very entertaining. His sentimentality shines through briefly, and mostly towards his cat, Felix.

Jaeden Lieberher has great timing, and a wonderfully curious expression always present on his adorable face. While Oliver may not be privy to the less-than-kosher details of various situations, he is well aware of complexity (and hardship). He’s accepting of the grit as he’s suspended in a state of familial dysfunction. And he has unconventional fun with Vincent, fighting, gambling, mime-fighting/dancing to a jukebox in the back of a strip club.

The chemistry between Murray and Lieberher is lively and clearly demonstrates that the actors had a blast filming. Chris O’Dowd as Oliver’s school teacher, Father Geraghty, and Melissa McCarthy as the single mom, have smaller roles and they’re, as ever, quite funny in their typical ways, O’Dowd especially. Sharp lines, humorous and brief, but that’s about it for those characters.

Would St. Vincent be as enjoyable had Bill Murray not been the lead actor? I’m not convinced, but Murray is great. And Lieberher does a great job beside him. No further scrutiny needed. (– Caitlyn Thompson)

The Homesman

Lionsgate / Released 2/17/15

Set in 1854 in the harsh Nebraska frontier, a low-life drifter George Briggs (Oscar-Winner Tommy Lee Jones) is rescued by a pious, independent-minded woman named Mary Bee Cuddy (Oscar-Winner Hilary Swank). To pay back his debt, George reluctantly agrees to help Mary transport three women driven mad by the harsh frontier life across the treacherous land – where a kindly minister’s wife (Meryl Streep) has offered them hospice. The unlikely pair soon realizes just how daunting the journey will be and the group must traverse the vast Nebraska Territories which are marked by stark beauty, psychological peril and constant danger. Extras include featurettes.

In Your Eyes

Starz/Anchor Bay / Released 2/10/15

Written and executive produced by Joss Whedon (Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Avengers), In Your Eyes is a romance with a supernatural twist. Rebecca (Zoe Kazan), a lonely housewife in New Hampshire, suddenly discovers that she shares a strange connection with Dylan (Michael Stahl-David), a struggling ex-con in New Mexico… they can see through one another’s eyes and experience sensations felt by the other. Though they’ve never met, the two share a unique, unparalleled intimacy by being in each other’s heads and begin a long-distance relationship unlike any other. Filled with Whedon’s signature humor and quirk, the film is an original story of opposites attracting that sacrifices neither its sci-fi nor romantic sensibilities.

How to Murder Your Wife 

Olive Films / Released 2/17/15

Jack Lemmon stars as Stanley Ford, a successful cartoonist happily living a carefree, single and unattached life in Manhattan. His life takes a dramatic turn after a drunken proposal to a woman (Virna Lisi) who pops out of a cake at a friend’s bachelor party. Regretting his decision he asks for a divorce. Unfortunately, the new Mrs. Ford will have none of it. His Italian-only speaking bride soon takes over his house and his life. Frustrated and seeing no way out of his current predicament, Stanley‘s cartoon strip begins to shift, reflecting his inner, darker thoughts. How can Stanley solve the problem? Well, if you’re the character in his comic strip the only way out may be murder.

How To Murder Your Wife directed by Richard Quine (Sex and the Single Girl, Bell, Book and Candle) features supporting turns by legendary British comic Terry-Thomas and Claire Trevor.

Last Word: I first discovered the film as a teenager when I found out that the lead character was a cartoonist and knew immediately that the extravagant lifestyle portrayed by Lemmon’s Ford wasn’t much of an accurate depiction of a commercial artist’s life. What we have here instead is pure comic fantasy, combining the charm of Lemmon with a racy title, some solid laughs and a strong supporting cast. Highly recommended.

Kiss Me, Stupid 
 

Olive Films / Released 2/17/15

Billy Wilder’s comic gem Kiss Me, Stupid stars Dean Martin (Some Came Running, Bells Are Ringing), Ray Walston (South Pacific, TV’s “My Favorite Martian”) and Kim Novak (Vertigo, Pal Joey).

When pop crooner Dino (Dean Martin), is detoured to Climax, NV on his way to Las Vegas, he stumbles on fame-hungry, would-be songwriters Orville (Ray Walston) and Barney (Cliff Osmond), the wheels are set in motion for a comedy that is pure Wilder. Collaborating with his longtime screenwriter I.A.L. Diamond (Some Like It Hot, The Apartment), Wilder weaves a comic tale of social mores, sexual gamesmanship and the price of fame.

Kiss Me, Stupid features Kim Novak’s performance as Polly The Pistol, a waitress, sometimes prostitute, and a woman who at first scorns, then finds herself eager for, domestic bliss. Felicia Farr (3:10 To Yuma, The Player) lends support as Zelda, Orville’s long-suffering wife.

Last Word: Not one of Billy Wilder’s best efforts, which still makes it better than most films, Kiss Me, Stupid is an entertaining, but often frantic comedic effort that suffers mostly for the miscasting rather than the film itself (though Wilder’s dramatic presence of a prostitute in much of his work is a little strange). Ray Walston’s performance of Orville sets a manic tone that is more distracting than funny and really impacts the film itself. Novak is solid and Martin has some fun playing off of his Lothario reputation. Worth a watch.

The Road To Hong Kong

Olive Films / Released 2/17/15

Crosby and Hope made a return to the Silver Screen in this the last of the “Road” pictures. When their vaudeville act hits the skids, Harry Turner (Bing Crosby) and Chester Babcock (Bob Hope) move on to their next scheme. They set out to become sophisticated confidence men. There’s only one problem – Chester is having memory issues. With the aid of a miracle drug, Chester’s memory is restored which is not necessarily a good thing. When Chester accidentally memorizes a top-secret formula, the boys find some very unwanted company … as well as wanted company in the form of Diane (Joan Collins, TV’s Dynasty), an alluring spy.

The Road To Hong Kong, directed by Norman Panama (The Court Jester), also features Peter Sellers in a scene-stealing cameo, Robert Morley and a special appearance by “Road” pictures veteran, the beautiful & glamorous Dorothy Lamour.

Last Word: Despite their formulaic execution, The Road movies are always an entertaining viewing experience. In The Road to Hong Kong, Hope and Crosby resurrect the franchise after a decade long absence with surprisingly acceptable results. It also predicts the over-the-top spy genre that would explode in popularity with the release of the James Bond film, Dr. No a few years later. With regular co-star Dorothy Lamour only appearing in a glorified cameo, The Road To Hong Kong definitely has a different feel than the other Road films. Hope and Crosby easily slip back into their screen personas and the film is actually pretty damned funny. Recommended.

Muscle Beach Party

Olive Films / Released 2/17/15

Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello star in Muscle Beach Party as fun-loving surfer Frankie and beach bunny Dee Dee. The pair is ready to surf some waves, soak up some sun and dance the day away.

But when their favorite beach spot is overrun by a group of body builders and their obnoxious trainer, Jack Fanny (Don Rickles), it seems unlikely that fun in the sun is on the menu. And with the newly arrived Julie (Luciana Paluzzi), a spoiled, rich contessa that has her sights set on having Frankie all for herself, it’s a battle on the beach for Frankie, Dee Dee and the gang. William Asher (TV’s “I Love Lucy”, “Bewitched”) directs.

Last Word: There’s a reason why the Beach Party movies always seem like a party; that’s because they are. Among the familiar faces in this outing are Little Stevie Wonder, Dick Dale, Morey Amsterdam, Buddy Hackett, Dan Haggerty and Peter Lorre. With some fantastic music (thanks to Beach Boy Brian Wilson), an energetic tone and predictable laughs, Muscle Beach Party is an entertaining romp that’s well worth your time.

Power Rangers: Super Sentai Zyuranger: The Complete Series

Shout! Factory / Released 2/17/15

Before Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, There Was Super Sentai Zyuranger!

See where the worldwide phenomenon began with the original Japanese series that inspired the Power Rangers franchise! When the sinister witch Bandora is released from her prison after 170 million years, five warriors from an ancient time arise from their suspended animation to once again defend Earth from Bandora and her evil horde. Armed with enchanted weapons and giant robotic deities known as the Guardian Beasts, it’s up to these warriors to defeat Bandora and her monsters before she can exact revenge upon the Earth! Extras include “Power Progenitors: Super Sentai Zyuranger” Power Morphicon 2014 Panel.

Last Word: The basis for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Super Sentai Zyuranger is a completely alternate series than it’s domestic counterpart, with different storylines, different characters and an entirely new flavor. The campy tone is consistent in both series, but the way in which they play out is so different that it’s like comparing the camp value of the Batman TV series with Xena. They both play their material straight, resulting in camp, but the tone of the series itself takes on a different feeling. A holy grail for most Power Ranger fans, Super Sentai Zyuranger: The Complete Series‘ arrival just before it’s twenty fifth anniversary is a tremendously entertaining testament to the show itself. Highly recommended.

World Made Straight

Millennium Entertainment / Released 2/7/15

Set in a rural Appalachian community where it has been haunted by the legacy of a Civil War massacre. Young and rebellious Travis Shelton (Jeremy Irvine) finds himself ensnared in the violence of the past and the subtle evils of the present. Based on the novel by Ron Rash, the film also stars Noah Wyle, Minka Kelly and Haley Joel Osment.  Extras include trailers.

Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness

Warner Bros. / Released 2/17/15

It’s one giant step for dog-kind as Scooby-Doo and the Gang blast off for an epic, other-worldly adventure in this all-new original movie! After winning the last 5 seats in a lottery, Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma are off to space in billionaire Sly Baron’s brand new ship, the Sly Star One. It’s all gravity-free fun until a mysterious alien begins destroying the ship! As the ship breaks down, the crew is forced to land on Sly Baron’s base… on the dark side of the moon! Will the gang unravel this alien mystery? Will Scooby-Doo and Shaggy find snacks on the moon? Will Fred ever take his space helmet off?! Journey to the outer limits with Scooby-Doo to find out!

Last Word: Ridley Scott’s Alien was essentially a haunted house story in space. And what better characters to investigate a haunting than Scooby-Doo and his gang? With the exception of the animated series, Mystery Inc., I’ve never been a huge fan of Scooby-Doo and this film falls in a bit with the latter. The biggest problem is that for a 72 minute feature, it drags far more than it should. The film looks terrific, with bold colors and the voicework is the highlight with Frank Welker back as Fred and Scooby and the additional talents of Mindy Cohn, Diedrich Bader, Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell, and Matthew Lillard returning as Shaggy. For a young fan Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness is a colorful, spooky space adventure. For older fans, this one is a tough watch, though it gets better in the last act.

Wahlburgers: The Complete Second Season

Lionsgate / Released 2/17/15

A&E serves up a homegrown array of Boston-baked shenanigans and family fun in season two of Wahlburgers as Donnie, Mark, Paul, and Bob are joined by mom Alma, additional family members, their restaurant crew, and an eccentric array of close friends from Nacho to Johnny Drama. Look into the Wahlberg world, from the stress of running a restaurant to worldwide travels to domestic bonds, strengthened and frayed. Will the New Kids be able to stomach British fare in “An American Wahlberg in London?” Find out what happens when a father-son bonding experience takes a colorful turn in “Something’s Fishy.” Can Donnie live up to the challenge, and his self-proclaimed hype, of running the restaurant for a day? Extras include deleted scenes and bonus episode.

Last Word: Charming and extremely entertaining, Wahlburgers does an amazing job of capturing the personalities and genuine love that the family shares. Despite the success of Mark and Donnie, it’s older brother Paul that they both admire and the series focuses on that as the brothers begin plans to expand their business beyond the Boston area and into a worldwide empire. Guest stars this season include Rob Gronkowski, Jordan Knight, Jenny McCarthy, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood, and MKTO. Highly recommended.

Dick: The Documentary

IndiePix / Released 1/20/15

In August of 2008, first-time director Brian Fender posted an ad on Craigslist inviting strangers into his home: “WANTED: Anonymous Naked Male Subjects to appear on camera for interviews.” Within the hour, he had three responses and, over the following year, he would invite 63 subjects from the ages of 22-82 into his dining room to strip down and reveal themselves physically and emotionally through personal stories about their relationship to their penises. The end result is a revealing and candid exploration of an unspoken “member” of modern society.

How do men feel about their dicks? How have other men been affected by their penises from puberty to impotence? Do boys get information about their dicks and sexuality when they are going through puberty? How do men feel about other men’s dicks? These and many, many other questions are exposed in this frank and surprising narrative-driven film that features a vast cross-section of subjects, backgrounds – from monks to transsexuals, ex-Marines to designers — and orientations. Peeling back the mysteries surrounding men’s private parts, Dick: The Documentary, called “a very insightful glimpse into the male psyche”thoughtfully broadens the dialogue of human sexuality in a manner never before broached. Extras include trailer and bonus video footage.

Beach Blanket Bingo 

Olive Films / Released 2/17/15

Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello are back on the beach in Beach Blanket Bingo.  Frankie (Avalon) and Dee Dee (Funicello) hit the beach for fun and sun with a supporting cast that includes Paul Lynde (TV’s Bewitched, Bye Bye Birdie, Send Me No Flowers), Harvey Lembeck (The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Bikini Beach) and Deborah Walley (Gidget Goes Hawaiian, Spinout) adding to the comic hijinks.

When a publicity stunt to promote the singing career of Sugar Kane (Linda Evans, TV’s Dynasty) engineered by her publicist (Paul Lynde) balloons out of control, Frankie, Dee Dee and the gang are pulled into the ensuing comic adventures. Throw in a lovesick biker, Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck) and a mermaid (Marta Kristen) and Beach Blanket Bingo is pure comic confection. William Asher (TV’s “I Love Lucy”, “Bewitched”) directs.

Last Word: More beach party antics, this time with even more additional silliness. Recognizable faces include Linda Evans, and screen legend, Buster Keaton. This installment was the last for Frankie Avalon and notaseries antastic music (thanks to Beach Boy Brian Wilson), an energetic tone and predictable laughs, Muscle Beach Party is an entertaining romp that’s well worth your time.

Altar

Cinedigm / Released 2/17/15

Altar follows a family, who moves into a timeworn, dilapidated country mansion in order to restore its former splendor. But, in the process, they awaken the ghosts of the house’s original inhabitants whose curse still looms darkly over the haunted estate. What follows is a hair-raising ordeal of spectral apparitions and demonic possession that threatens to destroy the lives of the desperate protagonists in this early realm and beyond. The film stars Matthew Modine, Olivia Williams and Antonia Clarke.

Little House on the Prairie Season 4 Deluxe 

Lionsgate / Released 1/20/15

The adventure and drama continues for the beloved Ingalls family in Season 4 of this treasured American-classic TV series. Life on the frontier brings trials and triumphs in this 22-episode season that includes a disappointing trip to Chicago, a devastating drowning followed by Laura’s kidnapping, crime and outlaws in Walnut Grove, love and marriage for Nellie, a surprise family inheritance, Caroline’s pregnancy, Mary’s tragic blindness, and more. Newly restored and remastered for optimal picture and sound, enjoy each uncut episode in its original brilliance, and relive every touching moment of this unforgettable season.

Last Word: A staple of seventies television, Little House on the Prairie hits all of the nostalgic notes in this wonderful release. Starring Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert, Pamela Sue Anderson and Lindsay Sidney Green Bush, Little House chronicled the adventures of the Ingalls family as they settled and prospered in Walnut Grove. Guest stars included Merlin Olsen, Mike Lookinland, Gil Gerard, Patrick Labyorteaux, Michael Conrad, Dick Durock, Sorrell Booke, and Donald Moffat. With solid writing and performances, this period drama is as watchable (and as enjoyable) today as it was when it first aired. Highly recommended.

On Golden Pond

Shout! Factory / Released 1/20/15

The legendary Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn star in one of the 1980s’ most honored and cherished films, On Golden Pond. In his final role, Fonda masterfully plays Norman Thayer, a prickly retired professor who visits his Maine summer home with his loving wife Ethel (Hepburn). Soon after, they are joined by their daughter Chelsea (Jane Fonda, in her only on-screen teaming with her father), her fiancé Bill, and his son Billy. The cantankerous Norman develops an unlikely bond with young Billy, providing the framework for an emotional summer in which the Thayers’ strained familial relationships are finally allowed to heal and take wing.

Nominated for ten Academy Awards including Best Picture, On Golden Pond earned Henry Fonda his first Oscar after a lifetime of outstanding performances, and solidified Hepburn as one of film’s greatest actresses when she received her unprecedented fourth Best Actress Oscar. Also starring Dabney Coleman and Doug McKeon, On Golden Pond is a classic tale of family told with heart and warmth as well as a timeless treasure that represents the end of an era for Hollywood cinema.  Extras include commentary, featurettes and trailer.

The Pirates

Well Go USA / Released 1/20/15

On the eve of the founding of the Joseon Dynasty, an unprecedented robbery shocks the nation-in-waiting: a whale has swallowed the Emperor’s Royal Seal, and a bounty placed on its retrieval. Now, every infamous gang of thieves, thugs, pirates, and government agents take to the seas, battling the elements, creatures of the deep, and each other to possess the mother of all rewards. Extras include trailer.

The Zero Theorem

Well Go USA / Released 1/20/15

Witness a vision of the techno-philosophical future from Terry Gilliam, the visionary director of Brazil, 12 Monkeys and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Qohen Leth (2-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz) is a computer genius plagued with existential angst. Eccentric and reclusive, he lives in a burnt-out church, toiling on a top-secret project personally assigned by Management (Matt Damon) – to discover the meaning of life. If there is one. His supervisor (David Thewlis) is unstable. He doesn’t trust his digital therapist, Dr. Shrink-Rom (Tilda Swinton). And his budding romance with Bainsley (Mélanie Thierry) involves webcams, wired-up bodysuits, and the universe. Is the secret to happiness losing your mind? Extras featurettes and trailer

White Bird in a Blizzard 

Magnolia / Released 1/20/15

Kat Connors (Shailene Woodley) is a young woman embracing her newfound sexuality when her glamorous but strange mother Eve (Eva Green) vanishes. At first Kat is excited by her new freedom, distracted by the boy next door (Shiloh Fernandez) and the cop working the case (Thomas Jane). But as disturbing facts about the disappearance surface, the mystery begins to haunt her. From acclaimed director Gregg Araki (Mysterious Skin, Smiley Face, Kaboom), based on the best-selling novel. Also starring Christopher Meloni, Gabourey Sidibe and Angela Bassett.  Extras include commentary deleted and extended scenes, interviews, featurette and trailer.

Cracked: What Lies Beneath

BBC Home Video / Released 1/20/15

Detective Aiden Black (David Sutcliffe) – a seasoned Emergency Task Force officer with post-traumatic stress disorder – finds his career at risk when he suffers an all-too-public breakdown. After psychiatrist Dr. Daniella Ridley (Stephanie von Pfetten) diagnoses him as “cracked, not broken,” Black’s boss transfers him to the Psych Crimes and Crisis Unit, which specializes in cases involving mental illness. Uncomfortably for Black and Ridley, this means they now have to work together. Join the mismatched but dedicated pair as they combine skills to solve bizarre and compelling cases involving emotionally unstable criminals, victims, and witnesses.

Rudderless

Paramount / Released 1/20/15

Award-winning actor William H. Macy makes his directorial debut in this heartfelt and inspirational drama lead by an exemplary cast. Sam (Billy Crudup), a former high-profile ad executive, is devastated by the sudden death of his musician son. When Sam discovers a box filled with his son’s demo tapes, the grieving father’s downward spiral comes to a standstill as he explores this unexpected gift. After mustering the will to perform one of the songs at a local bar, Sam meets and forms a friendship with Quentin (Anton Yelchin), a young musician. The unlikely duo forms a rock band that becomes a local sensation, and they set out on an emotional musical journey that ultimately revitalizes both of their lives.  Extras include music video and deleted scenes.

Jean De Florette / Manon Of The Spring 

Shout! Factory / Released 1/27/15

 Jean De Florette
Yves Montand (The Wages Of Fear) and Gérard Depardieu (Cyrano de Bergerac) star in Jean de Florette, a timeless tale of greed, survival and fate. Set amidst the rugged hills of Provence, this epic saga follows the heroic efforts of Jean Cadoret (Depardieu), who inherits a farm from his mother, Florette, and leaves his city job behind, hoping to create a “new Eden” with his wife and daughter. But, unbeknownst to Jean, his greedy neighbor, Cesar Soubeyran (Montand), is plotting to steal the land out from under him with a wicked scheme that drives Jean to the brink of madness!  Extras include trailer.

Manon Of The Spring
Ten years after her father’s death, Manon (Emmanuelle Béart, Un Coeur en Hiver) has no idea that her neighbor Cesar Soubeyran (Montand) cheated her out of her father’s land. But when Manon discovers that Soubeyran was directly responsible for her father’s death, she goes after him with a vengeance in this “epic [and] rousing tale of retribution” (Newsweek)! Daniel Auteuil (Cache, 36th Precinct) also stars.  Extras include trailer.

Video Games: The Movie

Starz / Anchor Bay / Released 2/3/15

Video Games: The Movie is the fascinating chronicle of the meteoric rise of video games from nerd niche to multi-billion dollar industry. Executive produced by Zach Braff and narrated by Sean Astin, the documentary features in-depth interviews with some of the industry’s biggest gamer and geek icons. A celebration of gaming from Atari to Xbox, Video Games: The Movie features interviews with the godfathers who started it all, the icons of game design, and the geek gurus who are leading us into the future, including Nolan Bushnell, Chris Hardwick, Donald Faison, Cliff Bleszinski, Warren Spector, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Clare Grant, Doug Tennapel, Palmer Luckey, Wil Wheaton, and Alison Haislip. The documentary made its way to the big screen via a successfully-funded Kickstarter campaign, which raised more than $100,000 in just 35 days. Extras include a featurette and a Sean Astin mashup.

Coherence

Oscilloscope / Released 1/20/15

On the night of an astrological anomaly, eight friends at a dinner party experience a troubling chain of reality bending events. Part cerebral sci-fi and part relationship drama, Coherence is a tightly focused, intimately shot film that quickly ratchets up with tension and mystery. Extras include commentary, featurettes, test footage and trailer.

The Internet’s Own Boy

Alive Mind / Released 1/20/15

Aaron Swartz was a programming prodigy who helped shape the digital landscape we all use today. He helped develop the internet protocol RSS and was a co-founder of Reddit. Chronicling his pioneering efforts crusading for open access and free speech and the resulting legal nightmare and tragedy that ensued, The Internet’s Own Boy is a dynamic and moving portrait of a brilliant tech millionaire who renounced the values of Silicon Valley startup culture and used technology for social justice, no matter what the cost. Extras include deleted scenes and the trailer.

The Great Chicken Wing Hunt

MVD Ent. Group / Released 1/20/15

American expatriate, international journalist and upstate New Yorker Matt Reynolds forsakes a successful life in Eastern Europe, compelled by a singular obsession: find the world’s best Buffalo chicken wing. Joined by his long-suffering Czech girlfriend, a perplexed Slovak film crew, and a ragtag gang of wing-obsessed misfits recruited on-line, Reynolds embarks on The Great Chicken Wing Hunt. After 2,627 miles and 284 varieties of wings, the quest ends in the very countryside of Reynolds’ childhood, where he discovers that the perfection he has sought so hard to find was right under his nose all along.

Last Word: There are so many documentaries out there. Sometimes it is hard to wade through all the dreck to find a really good one. Well, I am happy to report that this is one of those. A good one. A really good one.

This one happens to be about The Buffalo wing. I know. The Buffalo wing. Who’d a thought?

The Great Chicken Wing Hunt was engaging and fascinating to me. Once thought of as the unusable part of the chicken that even the chickens can’t use them, the wing was the part that was thrown away, in most cases. That is, until an Italian America couple, from Buffalo NY, received a case of chicken wings instead of their normal order of breasts, by mistake. However, in a panic stricken epiphany Theresa Bellissimo created the Buffalo wing, just to get rid of them. Deep Fried and covered in vinegar and hot sauce, they were served for free at the bar of their little restaurant.

History was made.That little mistake became one of America’s favorite snack foods. Soon over the next half a century the Buffalo wing spread like hot sauce all over the country and then the world. Fast Forward half a century later. That is when Rochester, New York native, international journalist and wing enthusiast, Matt Reynolds took his Slovak film crew to trek the “Wing Belt” of Upper New York State (With a brief stop in Manhattan) to find the perfect Buffalo Wing. This documentary focuses on a ragtag group of Buffalo Wing Lovers, including Reynolds’s own Slovak girlfriend as they search high and low for that illusive perfect wing.

The 14 day chicken wing hunt was wrought with tension and turmoil as sickness and ulcers take over the judges and crew. Matt’s girlfriend also begins to have doubts to whether or not his obsession with wings will be their undoing and end their long relationship once he rests. After testing over 270 types of wings in 72 restaurants, consuming 4,000 total wings (equivalent to 400,000 calories) I wondered if Matt and his team would ever find a true Perfect Buffalo wing. Would their search be for naught? Throughout the trip, interesting new variations of the famous Buffalo wing are discovered and heated debates arise, between the judges, over the validity of what they eventually call “the novelty wing”. Should those be counted in the contest? Do they find the perfect wing? What does it all mean?

One of my favorite scenes features the Slovak sound man describe to Matt how he thought this was one of the stupidest ideas he had worked on. It wasn’t until the end, after talking to a ton of strangers, all of whom were so excited when they found out about the project, that he realized that this film is not just about finding a delicious wing. It is about identity. It is about discovering the identity of America. It being such a young nation it is constantly grasping for it’s true identity. The Wing may be it. I suppose that is America in a nut shell; taking something insignificant and something others would discard and making it into something everyone wants and desires. At least that is what it meant at one time. Hopefully, one day it can mean that again. (– Benn Robbins)

Wrestling With Satan

MVD Ent. Group / Released 1/20/15

The Christian Wrestling Federation travels the USA with a Ministry of hope, faith and professional wrestling action. From humble beginnings deep in the heart of Texas, follow this band of evangelical warriors as they pack up their ring and preach the message of Jesus Christ to hundreds of wrestling fans in small towns across the nation, savings souls with both head-smashing and Bible thumping. This is their incredible story of determination helping others grapple with Satan.

Bad Turn Worse

Starz/Anchor Bay / Released 1/13/15

After a week of partying with stolen money, three Texas teens (Jeremy Allen White, Logan Huffman, and Mackenzie Davis) find themselves indebted to a sociopathic criminal named Giff (Mark Pellegrino in a breakout performance). To pay their debt, Giff forces the teens to steal from his boss, a money-laundering gangster named Big Red (William Devane). Things go from bad to worse when betrayal, distrust, and corruption complicated an already dangerous plan. This stylish and emotional crime thriller is the stunning directorial debut of Simon and Zeke Hawkins.

Downton Abbey Season 5 (Masterpiece Classic)
 

PBS Home Video / Released 1/27/15

As Season Five begins in 1924, the radio is the latest miracle, a new Labour government heralds changes throughout the land, and Downton’s traditional ways are besieged on all fronts. Robert, Mary, and Branson must navigate these shifting sands together to ensure the future of the estate for generations to comes.

As Branson finds himself playing a more crucial role at Downton than ever before, he can’t help but question his place in the world. Mary is finally coming to accept that she would. Mary is finally coming to accept that she would like to marry again, but will she ever be able to find the same happiness that she had with Matthew? And with no news of her beloved Gregson, Edith suffers under the burden of her terrible secret. Downstairs, all of the servants must consider what effect social changes may have on their working lives. No one, from Mr. Carson to Daisy, will be left unaffected. The Crawley family and the servants who work for them remain inseparably intertwined as they rise to meet the new challenges of the day.  Extras include a Moorland Holiday, the season five finale.

Henry V.

Shout! Factory / Released 1/27/15

Kenneth Branagh makes his feature-film directorial debut with this adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Henry V., winner of an Academy Award and 2 nominations.
                                      
After the Chorus (Derek Jacobi) introduces the play, young king of England Henry V (Kenneth Branagh) begins an angry dialogue with King Charles of France (Paul Scofield). The king’s son, Dauphin (Michael Maloney), insults Henry and the argument escalates into war. In flashback, Henry is seen as a young man drinking in a tavern with Falstaff (Robbie Coltrane), Bardolph (Richard Briers), Nym (Geoffrey Hutchings), Pistol (Robert Stephens), and Mistress Quickly (Judi Dench). Meanwhile, Henry and his captain, Fluellen (Ian Holm), assemble an army and invade France. The French greatly outnumber the British troops, yet Henry leads them to victory in the Battle of Agincourt after delivering his famous St. Crispin’s Day Speech. Throughout this struggle, Henry also courts Katherine (Emma Thompson) and eventually wins her over.  Extras include trailer.

Return to Me 

Olive Films / Released 1/27/15

The life of Chicago architect Bob Rueland (David Duchovny) is turned upside down when his wife, Elizabeth (Joely Richardson), is suddenly killed in a car accident. Her heart is transplanted into Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver) who has suffered from heart disease since childhood and is near death. While Grace is able to move on in her new life and fulfill her dreams of traveling to Italy, Bob remains deeply depressed in his grief. That is until a chance meeting with Grace, who is a waitress at a restaurant he’s dining at on a blind date. Bob and Grace begin to date without each other knowing their very intense connection.

The romantic comedy Return To Me, directed by and co-starring Bonnie Hunt, features engaging supporting performances by Carroll O’Connor, Robert Loggia, Joely Richardson, and David Alan Grier.  Extras include Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Bonnie Hunt and Writer Don Lake, “What If I Loved You” Music Video, Deleted Scene

Amazing Grace

Olive Films / Released 1/27/15

Moms Mabley, billed as “The Funniest Woman in The World,” and one of the most successful African-American comedians of all-time, brings her biting humor to the big screen in a starring role as “Amazing Grace.” Moms Mabley is Grace Teasdale Grimes, a Baltimore, Maryland widow who discovers that the local mayoral election is a front for pilfering funds from her neighborhood by the incumbent mayor and his cronies. Stirred to activism, Grace, with the aid of her neighbors, rallies the community to thwart the self-serving politicians in this rollicking comedy with a social bent directed by Stan Latham (Beat Street). Moms Mabley is given comic support by veterans Butterfly McQueen (“Prissy” in Gone With The Wind), Slappy White (TV’s “Sanford and Son”) and Stepin Fetchit (Dimples, Bend of the River).

Coffee Town

Shout! Factory / Released 2/3/15

We all have our favorite hangouts, but how far would you go to protect your beloved coffee shop? When Will (Glenn Howerton, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia), a website manager for an electronics company, discovers that the local Coffee Town – which he uses as his own personal office – is scheduled to be converted into a bistro, he leaps into action. With the help of his two best friends, Will enacts a plan to stage a robbery in the hopes of convincing the corporate interest behind the switch that the neighborhood is unsafe. Can Will save his “office,” overcome his rival, the disgruntled barista Sam (singing sensation Josh Groban), and win the heart of his coffee-house crush Becca (Adrianne Palicki, television’s Friday Night Lights)? The first feature film from CollegeHumor, this outrageous and highly caffeinated comedy also stars Steve Little (Eastbound and Down) and Ben Schwartz (This Is Where I Leave You). These guys like their comedy like they like their coffee, hot and dangerous.  Extras include Commentary with Brad Copeland, Ben Schwartz & Glenn Howerton and Deleted Scenes.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

Anchor Bay / Released 2/3/14

Once happily married, Connor (James McAvoy) and Eleanor (Jessica Chastain) suddenly find themselves as strangers longing to understand each other in the wake of tragedy. The film explores the couple’s story as they try to reclaim the life and love they once knew and pick up the pieces of a past that may be too far gone. Screened for the first time at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, director Ned Benson’s latest version of their story combines his previous two films – titled Him and Her – uniting their perspectives and taking a further look into the subjectivity of relationships. Extras include Q&A with Jessica Chastain & James McAvoy and feature length films The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her.

Love At First Bite / Once Bitten

Shout! Factory / Released 2/10/15

Love At First Bite
George Hamilton is possibly the tannest vampire in screen history in 1979’s Love at First Bite. When Count Dracula (Hamilton) is forced out of his castle to make room for an Olympic training facility, he relocates to New York City in search of discos, blood banks, and the fashion model who just might be the girl of his dreams. Will the Count take a bite out of The Big Apple — or will its mean streets take a bite out of him? Susan Saint James, Richard Benjamin, Arte Johnson, Dick Shawn and The Jeffersons‘ Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford also star in this outrageous romance about a guy who really loves the nightlife.  Extras include trailer and radio spots.

Once Bitten
Jim Carrey is necking with a vampire in Once Bitten, a 1985 teen comedy also starring Lauren Hutton, Karen Kopins, and Cleavon Little (Blazing Saddles). When a vampire Countess (Hutton) seeks virgin blood, she soon discovers that it’s not as easy to come by as it was in the good old days! When she crosses paths with the still-virginal Mark Kendall (Carrey in one of his earliest screen roles), it’s a race against time to get to him before he gets it on. Once Bitten is a totally ’80s teen vampire flick where the bloodsuckers don’t sparkle, but the comedy most certainly does.  Extras include trailer.

Zombieworld

RLJ Entertainment / Released 2/24/15

There is nowhere to hide…nowhere to run…the zombie apocalypse has come, and our world now belongs to the dead! From Ireland, Canada, Australia, Europe and all over the U.S., the bone-chilling news reports tell the same gruesome tale – walking corpses terrorize and devour the living. Only a few desperate humans find the courage to stand and fight for their last chance at survival. But the hordes of undead keep coming, and there’s only one thing on the menu – us.

Zombieworld is a horror anthology focusing on survivors across the world as they struggle to overcome horrifying circumstances when a pandemic brings forth a zombie apocalypse.

The collection of blood, guts and mayhem will be brought to life by a group of new and up-and-coming directors from around the world that Ruthless Pictures and Dread Central will handpick from short film entries received between April 21, 2014 and May 30, 2014 on Dread Central.com.  The work of each chosen director will be featured in the film and will bring his or her take to a world now populated with flesh-eating corpses.

Among the brilliant shorts to be included in Zombieworld is Peter Horn and Jared Marshall’s Dark Times, a blood-splattered scamper through the woods shot entirely in POV, where zombies, aliens and even Santa Claus make an appearance. 

Sons of Anarchy: Season 7

20th Century Fox / Released 2/24/15

Reeling from the death of the woman he loves, Jax Teller steers SAMCRO full-throttle down the hell-bound road to revenge, allowing nothing to stand in his way. The streets of Charming run red with blood as shifting alliances and fatal mistakes lead to chaos, betrayal, and all-out murder. The body count soars, and dark secrets give way to darker truths, until the only question remaining is who will live…and who will die. Extras include Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, and featurettes.

The Frank Darabont Collection 

Warner Bros. / Released 2/24/15

The Shawshank Redemption
The Shawshank Redemption is the moving portrayal of a friendship between men under the harshest of circumstances. The film stars Academy Award winning actor Tim Robbins and Academy Award nominee Morgan Freeman. Robbins plays Andy Dufresne, who is serving a life sentence in the Shawshank prison for killing his wife. He meets Red (Freeman) and the two become friends, bond over the years and eventually find peace and solace through acts of common decency.  Extras include commentary, featurettes, The Charlie Rose Show segment featuring Darabont, Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, comic spoof The Sharktank Redemption, stills and galleries and trailer.

The Green Mile: 15th Anniversary Edition
This new two-disc set include vintage bonus features plus a new high-def documentary feature, Walking the Mile (Extended Version) with Tom Hanks, Darabont, Stephen King and Mr. Jingles the mouse. This exclusive first-person making-of documentary feature was shot on location in Tennessee, North Carolina and Los Angeles.

The film recounts the emotional, uplifting story of Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), a Southern prison Death Row guard, who develops an unusual and profound relationship with John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a massive black man convicted of brutally killing a pair of nine-year-old sisters. Beyond his simple, naive nature and a deathly fear of the dark, Coffey seems to possess a prodigious, supernatural gift, which leads Edgecomb to question whether Coffey was truly guilty of his crime. As the story unfolds, Paul Edgecomb learns that sometimes, miracles happen in the most unexpected places. Extras include documentary Walking the Mile, commentary, deleted scenes, Michael Clarke Duncan’s screen test, Tom Hank’s makeup test, teaser and trailer.

The Majestic
The year is 1951 and ambitious Hollywood screenwriter Peter Appleton (Jim Carrey) is suddenly targeted as a suspected Communist. He loses his job and his girl in quick succession and then in a serious car accident, he’s left with amnesia, losing his identity altogether. Stumbling into a charming small California town where he’s mistaken for Luke Trimble, one of their many long lost World War II heroes, Peter meets Luke’s beautiful girlfriend Adele (Laurie Holden). His “father” Harry (Martin Landau) reintroduces Peter to the life he led before the war, and they work together as father and son to restore and reopen The Majestic, the town’s long abandoned movie palace. Though his true memory eventually returns, Peter falls in love with Adele during his sojourn in the town, and he discovers the courage and the conviction he needs to become the hero of his own life. Extras include Movie Within the Movie: Sand Pirates of the Sierra, deleted scenes and trailer.

Last Word: With the release of The Shawshank Redemption, writer/director Frank Darabont became one of Hollywood’s most lauded directors.  This must have set features his first three theatrical features and all share some interesting DNA.  An accomplished writer, Darabont chose to adapt Stephen King work for his first two films and then directed screenwriter Michael Sloane’s screenplay for The Majestic.  There’s a sense of nostalgia in Darabont’s work, all three of these films taking place in the past, all sharing a sense of optimism despite the harsh reality of all three.  Also, all three films deal with identity, either not being the person that the world thinks you are, either by misinterpretation or choice.  Secrets and their keeping and revelations are also prevalent in Darabont’s work.

Darabont also chooses to work with a regular ensemble of character actors including Jeffrey DeMunn, Brian Libbym William Sadler, James Whitmore, and Brent Briscoe who all worked in these three films (Laurie Holden appears in The Majestic and worked with Darabont again on The Walking Dead).

In many ways these films invoke many classic Hollywood storytelling tropes, but Darabont is a master storyteller and brings his own unique take on the material and his collaborators all deliver rich and poignant performances.  With commentary on two films and some rich supplements, any would be screenwriter and/or filmmaker will find a rich, bargain priced education within this set.  Highest recommendation.

Vampire’s Kiss / High Spirits 

Shout! Factory / Released 2/10/15

Vampire’s Kiss
Teetering on the edge of sanity, volatile literary agent Peter Loew (Nicolas Cage) tries to find purpose in his life through a cutthroat work ethic and a hedonistic night life. But when an encounter with a mysterious beauty leaves Loew convinced that he is turning into a vampire, his behavior turns positively outrageous.  Also starring Maria Conchita Alonso, Jennifer Beals, Kasi Lemmons, John Michael Higgins and David Hyde Pierce.  Extras include commentary and trailer.

High Spirits
Daryl Hannah, Peter O’Toole, Steve Guttenberg, Beverly D’Angelo, Jennifer Tilly, Peter Gallagher and Liam Neeson star in this hilariously haunting comedy! When a castle-turned-hotel owned by Peter Plunkett (O’Toole) falls on hard financial times, he comes up with an idea to turn the place into a tourist attraction by billing it as Europe’s most haunted castle. But just when it seems he’ll have to give up the ghost, some real phantoms show up — and they’re none too thrilled about being exploited.

Big Driver

A&E Home Video / Released 1/27/15

From best-selling author Stephen King comes Big Driver, starring Maria Bello, Olympia Dukakis, Joan Jett, and Will Harris. Tess Thorne, a famous writer, faces a long drive home following a book signing. On a lonely New England road, her tire blows out, leaving her stranded. Relieved when another driver stops and offers assistance, Tess quickly discovers her savior is actually a serial killer who assaults her. Left for dead, Tess escapes, determined to find her attacker and seek revenge.

Kingdom of Dreams & Madness

Cinedigm / Released 1/27/15

Granted near-unfettered access to the notoriously insular Studio Ghibli, director Mami Sunada follows the three men who are the lifeblood of Ghibli the eminent director Hayao Miyazaki, the producer Toshio Suzuki, and the elusive and influential other director Isao Takahata over the course of a year as the studio rushes to complete two films, Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises and Takahata’s The Tale of The Princess Kaguya. The result is a rare fly on the wall glimpse of the inner workings of one of the world s most celebrated animation studios creators of successful films including Princess Mononoke and the Oscar winning Spirited Away, the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time and an insight into the dreams, passion and singular dedication of these remarkable creators.

Viktor

Inception Media / Released 1/13/15

In this fast-paced, film noir-style thriller, Viktor Lambert (Gérard Depardieu) is serving a seven-year sentence for an art heist in his native France, leaving his teen son s welfare in the hands of a friend in Russia. When he learns of his son s ruthless murder, just months before his release, he becomes obsessed with unraveling the mystery … and consumed with the desire for vengeance. Returning to Moscow, where he has a dark history himself, he enlists the help of his long-time love and criminal partner, glamorous Russian club owner Alexandra Ivanova (Elizabeth Hurley), and his lifelong best friend, renowned Chechen ballet choreographer Souliman (Eli Danker). Unconcerned with his own well-being, Viktor enters a dark and violent underworld of drugs, diamonds and smugglers, embarking on his own pitiless manhunt. When he discovers he is to become a grandfather, it sparks hope and gives him reason to live … But now he must also keep her safe from the same killers in a brutal game of cat and mouse. Can a father s sins be redeemed … and a bitter man find his heart?

On Any Sunday: The Next Chapter 

Anchor Bay / Released 2/10/15

Following up his father’s Academy Award-nominated classic On Any Sunday, Dana Brown shows that the passion for riding motorcycles is as strong as ever. A modern take on the original, On Any Sunday: The Next Chapter captures the heart and soul of motorcycle culture and the fearless riders taking biking to brave new heights all over the world. Go inside customized bike shops with Hollywood stars like Mickey Rourke. Soar through the air with phenomenal athlete and professional daredevil Robbie Maddison. Even ride alongside visionaries in Africa, who use motorcycles to save lives. No matter the background, whether a motocross champion like Ashley Fiolek or a Grand Prix champion like Marc Marquez, The Next Chapter shows that all riders share the passion for the race, the love of family and friends, and, of course, the thrill of the ride. Extras include featurettes and trailer.

Devo – Hardcore Live! 

MVD / Released 2/10/15

Devo captured live in Oakland, performing early experimental tracks. No matter how messy, beginnings are exciting. Especially when what happens next endures the test of time. For Devo the beginning happened in the basements and garages of Akron, Ohio. The songs they wrote were raw and unfiltered with no commercial intent. They called it Hardcore Devo. Performing 21 oddities, intercut with poignant stories told by Mark, Jerry and Bob 1, this program is a tribute to the departed Bob “”Bob 2″” Casale.

Fear Clinic

Anchor Bay / Released 2/10/15

Co-written by director Robert Hall and Aaron Drane, the film is based on the critically acclaimed and fan favorite 2009 FEARnet.com series. When trauma-induced phobias begin to re-emerge in five survivors a year after their horrifying tragedy, they return to the Fear Clinic, hoping to find the answers they need to get cured.

Dr. Andover (Robert Englund), a fear doctor who runs the clinic, uses his Fear Chamber to animate their fears in the form of terrifying hallucinations. However, the good doctor soon begins to suspect that something more sinister may be at work, something that yearns to be more than just an hallucination…  Extras include featurette.

Syncopation 

Cohen Media / Released 2/10/15

A one-of-a-kind cinematic extravaganza, Syncopation is both a love story about two young musicians and a celebration of some of the greatest popular music of the first half of the 20th century. The romance between a young trumpeter (former child star Jackie Cooper of The Champ and Our Gang fame) and a New Orleans-born piano player (Bonita Granville, the silver screen’s original Nancy Drew and the future producer of TV’s Lassie) serves as the narrative plot line. But the core of the film is its celebratory history of “syncopated” music – jazz – tracing it from the turn-of-the-century sounds of ragtime, through Dixieland, the blues, Chicago jazz and the swing era.

Musical greats of the day are featured in performance, including Benny Goodman, Harry James, Gene Krupa, Charlie Barnet and many more. Also in the cast are Adolphe Menjou, George Bancroft, Robert Benchley and singers Todd Duncan and Connee Boswell. Putting all of the elements together is prolific golden age director William Dieterle (The Life of Emile Zola, Portrait of Jennie, September Affair, The Hunchback of Notre Dame).

Extras include trailer and nine short musical films showcasing some of the most iconic performers in jazz history:

• “Rhapsody in Black and Blue” (1932, w/Louis Armstrong) (10:00)
• “St. Louis Blues” (1929, w/Bessie Smith) (15:41)
• “Cab Calloway’s Hi De Ho” (1933) (10:00)
• “Bundle of Blues” (1933, w/Duke Ellington) (9:00)
• “Hoagy Carmichael” (1939, w/Carmichael and Jack Teagarden) (10:00)
• “Artie Shaw’s Class in Swing” (1939, w/Shaw) (10:00)
• “Jazz a la Cuba” (1933, w/Don Azpiazú) (5:19)
• “Black and Tan Fantasy” (1929, w/Duke Ellington and Fredi Washington) (19:00)

Last Word:  As a film, Syncopation is a fairly typical and not particularly love story about two young musicians.  But there’s something else that sets Syncopation apart.  It’s an amazing collection of music and the film’s singular purpose seems to be giving a context for the various sounds.  The reality is that by not focusing on the journey of African American musicians (which granted, would have been impossible at the time), the film itself is instantly flawed.  Instead we’re given a sense of auditory ephemera that’s enhanced by some innovative editing and some great music.  Recommended.

Starry Eyes

MPI / Released 2/3/15

Determined to make it as an actress in Hollywood, Sarah Walker (Alex Essoe) spends her days working a dead-end job, enduring petty friendships with other struggling artists and competing actors, and going on countless casting calls in hopes of catching her big break. After a series of strange auditions, Sarah lands the leading role in a film from a mysterious production company. But this opportunity comes with some bizarre conditions that will transform her both mentally and physically into something beautiful … and altogether terrifying.

From the producer of Cheap Thrills and Jodorowsky’s Dune, Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch’s Starry Eyes is an occult tale of ambition, possession and the true cost of fame. Extras include commentary, deleted scenes, music video, audition, video gallery and trailer.

Last Word: This biting entertainment industry satire pushes the conventional aspiring star angle and becomes a bold and shocking splatter flick in a fresh and exciting movie.  Fresh and energetic, Starry Eyes shows how Hollywood can change a person – in the worst ways possible.  Alexandra Essoe delivers a star making performance, and I’m more than a little curious to see what writer/directors Widmyer and Kolsch would be able to do with a budget.  Recommended for horror fans and nihilist members of the Hollywood food chain.

F.I.S.T 

Kino Lorber / Released 2/10/15

Superstar Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) stars in this hard-hitting, boldly ambitious drama that powerfully reveals a significant slice of American history. As union leader Johnny Kovak, Stallone’s performance confirmed his stature as one of Hollywood’s hottest stars. Closely paralleling history, the film follows the rise and fall of Kovak, from his beginnings as an idealistic blue-collar worker to his final position as head of one of the country’s most powerful unions: the Federation of Inter-State Truckers. But there are no unscarred heroes in this world… to achieve his dream of justice for the workingman; Kovak must accept the muscle of organized crime. Ultimately, F.I.S.T. is a story of idealism corrupted and betrayed. Acting greats Rod Steiger and Peter Boyle lead a fine supporting cast that includes Melinda Dillon, Kevin Conway, Tony Lo Bianco and Brian Dennehy. Wonderfully directed by Norman Jewison (The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming) with beautiful and moody cinematography by Laszlo Kovac (Easy Rider). Screenplay by Stallone and Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct). Extras include interviews and trailer.

Last Word: A fictionalized take on the Jimmy Hoffa story, F.I.S.T. was and is an underrated gem for Stallone, marking one of his better performances alongside the original Rocky and Cop Land.  An American epic, the film covers decades and chronicles the American Labor Movement and the Teamster’s rise to prominence.  At the same time, choosing to tell the tale using fictionalized parallels might be a reason why the film never as successful as it potentially could have been.  The politics are a little soap operatic, but the acting is truly top notch all around.  Recommended.

The Theory of Everything 

Universal / Released 2/17/15

Starring Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables) and Felicity Jones (The Amazing Spider-Man 2), this is the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking received an earth-shattering diagnosis at 21 years of age. With Jane fighting tirelessly by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of – time. Together, they defy impossible odds, breaking new ground in medicine and science, and achieving more than they could ever have dreamed. The film is based on the memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, by Jane Hawking, and is directed by Academy Award winner James Marsh (Man on Wire). Extras include deleted scenes, featurette and commentary.

Last Word: The Theory of Everything is a composition of triumph through hardship delivered with amazing talent. The film focuses on Stephen Hawking’s personal life, which are built and broken by his incapacitating illness and undying devotion to cosmology and astrophysics. It’s an intense against-all-odds biopic that can be repetitive at times, and teases us with Hawking’s intellect instead of expanding on it, but regardless of the lacking scientific detail, the performances outshine anything that’s missing. 

Eddie Redmayne’s delivery of Stephen Hawking’s experiences after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease provides an authentic view into the life behind the science, and the woman, his wife Jane Wilde, who stood by his side aiding him physically and supporting him intellectually. Redmayne is phenomenal. There aren’t enough compliments I can pay the actor for his palpable and breathtaking performance. Immersing himself fully into incredibly taxing bodily contortions, he manages to express the terror of a great mind being trapped inside a disabled body. Beginning from the tremors in his hands to his hunched position in a wheelchair, Redmayne never falters – his mannerisms are eloquently genuine, and he expresses Hawking’s wit and charm expertly. The whispers of an Oscar are not unfounded.

Now, The Theory of Everything isn’t about Hawking’s science or the details of his illness, so much as his wife, Jane (Felicity Jones), and the difficulties of being his partner, lover and friend. While Redmayne’s performance is nothing short of brilliant, Jones is wonderfully powerful and sympathetic as well. Her role is complicated and subtly mesmerizing as she transforms from an innocent religious girl full of admiration, to a hardened woman whose blunt mannerisms and brashness are heartbreaking. Jones’ steady levels of unrest and loyalty are consistent throughout the film, though towards the end become a little weary (perhaps suitably so as her character’s exhaustion increases with the film). While her experiences and strength are incredible to view, I felt the film should have delved deeper into the development of Hawking’s time theories instead of spending so much time in his home. Bits and pieces weren’t enough for me.

The initial scenes of Redmayne thinking and calculating through shifting eyes and quivering lips were awe-inspiring. And as the actor continued to show Hawking’s self-deprecating humor through an essentially paralyzed body I wanted to see how he continued his research, what that looked like, how he came to his brilliant conclusions. The supporting performances of David Thewlis and Harry Lloyd only enhanced the story. As the colleagues of Hawking their portrayal of admiration and heartbreak are palpable. They bring forth mixtures of fury and awe towards Stephen’s diagnosis and endurance with smooth deliveries that only add to their co-stars equally wonderful roles.

The Theory of Everything is a beautiful film, shot delicately, in and out of focus with warm colors and predominantly close-up shots, and you’ll be enthralled by the complicated and poignant story that is simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking. (– Caityln Thompson)

The Interview 

Sony / Released 2/17/15

Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show “Skylark Tonight.” When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the most unlikely candidates, to “take out” Kim Jong-un. Extras include commentary and episode of Naked and Afraid.

Last Word: By now everybody and their in-laws knows something about the recent controversy surrounding popular actor/director Seth Rogen and now-frequent directorial collaborator Evan Goldberg’s making of The Interview. When the plot of a film involves the assassination of one of the world’s most controversial and unstable leaders, not everybody is going to be on board with it, especially the film’s ultimate target. North Korea itself spouted some nasty threats to the US if The Interview were to be released, which caused many of the higher ups involved (Sony, theater chain owners, etc) to grow uneasy, ultimately pulling the release, scheduled for Christmas Day, altogether. After about three days of no release plans in sight, Sony granted the film a release after all, but through different online-centered mediums. Very soon after, a theatrical release was reconsidered. Whether or not you believe this might have all been a deeply clever marketing tool by Sony to get the film noticed is up to you.

Either way, The Interview is finally here, and it’s…..empty. The film stars Seth Rogen as Aaron Rapaport, a celebrity-news live TV director, which is hosted by James Franco as Dave Skylark called “Skylark Tonight”. When Rapaport decides he wans to escape the trashy celebrity news trope and head into something more serious, he and Skylark get the chance to interview supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, a huge fan of the show. The CIA catches wind of this, approaching the two to intercept their plan in the hopes of getting the two to “take him out” when they visit. They accept, and the rest doesn’t need to be spoiled.

I don’t think it’s too out there to say that we, as moviegoers, have come to expect a certain brand of humor from a Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg-directed film, or even just a film with Seth Rogen (alongside James Franco) at the forefront itself. Not quite toilet humor, but raunchy, dialogue-driven humor that doesn’t exist in the universe of other comedy directors. Watch This is the End, Superbad, or Pineapple Express, and you’ll start to understand their brand of comedy. It’s maybe two or three notches above toilet humor. I even dare to say smart toilet humor, but I think I’m getting a bit out there (please don’t write me off for even considering it). The point is, it’s recognizable, but The Interview lacks some of this “Rogen magic.”

Regardless of your opinion of Seth Rogen/James Franco comedies, one thing is certain: they’re photographed beautifully. This is the End is gorgeous, as is Neighbors, and now The Interview. Cinematographer Brandon Trost is to thank for that. The way he frames, lights, and moves the camera gives a slight edge over almost every comedy being made today. There are a couple shots, one near the end in particular, that incorporate a slowed down sequence that is absolutely breathtaking, oddly so, but works very well and fits in nicely with the tone of the film. Overall, The Interview is very visually pleasing without being overtly distracting.

The typical “bromantic” chemistry between Seth Rogen and James Franco is in full effect here. If you’ve seen any of the aforementioned comedies, you’re aware the two are fantastic together on screen. Rogen is his usual, charming self and James Franco continues to play the most outrageous and out-there characters and have an absolute blast doing so. My one personal issue is that Skylark’s character is an absolute idiot, and that gets tiring after a while. The idea of the bumbling-but-charismatic idiot getting into trouble is nothing new to the world of film, so it hurts to see such talented comedy writers resorting to it to provide content. It’s not so much that it doesn’t work, but it’s not what I personally expect. That’s the biggest problem I have with the film: the emptiness.

When you look at the other Rogen/Goldberg-directed comedy, This is the End, you’ll notice something The Interview does not have: an ensemble comedic cast. This is the End had not only Rogen and Franco, but also the likes of Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, and virtually every other comedic actor all in one film. When that happens, and the actors mostly improvise, the comedy writes itself. With The Interview, the focus is almost entirely on Rogen and Franco. The “Rogen magic” thrives on multiple comedic actors playing off of each other in order to get the full effect. While Rogen and Franco are certainly fantastic together here, the jokes, largely improvised or not, feel forced or fall flat altogether. Some larger setpieces give way to better jokes, but overall, that magic isn’t there. After This is the End, it just doesn’t feel the same. Maybe the plot material just doesn’t give them enough comedic space as they thought.

The Interview is fine. If you’re into comedies starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, you’ll most likely end up liking this film, but you’ll no-doubt notice something off about it. It’s unfortunate something that endured so much trouble to get to where it is isn’t as good as we hoped. But that’s not the film’s fault. That unfortunate act of accidental marketing got everybody so fueled up to see it that it’s nearly impossible for it to live up to the hype. It almost seems like a clever shell of a film that doesn’t feel true to form for the people who made it. The laughs aren’t as abundant and the charm feels slightly held back. It’s a damn shame, but one thing that can’t be denied is the topical “now”-ness of the whole thing. It’s certainly something that will be talked about for a while, but probably not as long as we expect. ( – Steve Carley)

River’s Edge

Kino Lorber / Released 1/13/15

Based on the horrifying real-life murder of a young California girl, this powerful portrait of deadly, disaffected teens stars Keanu Reeves, Crispin Glover, lone Skye, Daniel Roebuck and Dennis Hopper. On the bank of a river lies the naked body of a brutally murdered young girl. At the nearby high school, Samson (Roebuck) brags to Matt (Reeves) and his friends about how he killed her. Drunk and stoned, the doubting teens trudge to the river and discover that he isn’t lying. And oddly, they decide to protect Samson behind a loyal wall of secrecy. Tormented with guilt, Matt questions their silence… and suddenly finds himself in a troubling position: should he do what he thinks is right, or should he keep quiet and live with this demon for the rest of his life? Cult director Tim Hunter (The Saint of Fort Washington) helmed this haunting and chilling tale about disillusioned youth. Extras include commentary and trailer.

Last Word: There’s a sense of realism to this tale of disaffected youth that first struck me when I first saw it years ago and still resonates (though a little less as the actors within have since become familiar faces).  Capturing the familial support of this group of alienated teens, the film (and many of the truly fantastic performances) sets up the ultimate betrayal as one of their own stands up for what he believes to be morally right, risking his own relationships and sense of place.  River’s Edge might not be as “cutting edge” as it once seemed, but even now, it’s still a powerful and criminally underseen cult classic that’s well worth your time.  Recommended.

My Little Pony: The Movie

Shout! Factory / Released 1/27/15

The first day of Spring is on its way and the Little Ponies are preparing for it with a big festival. But all the fun may come to an end if the witch Hydia has her way! Can the Ponies defeat Hydia and her evil daughters, Reeka and Draggle? More importantly, can they save Ponyland from the witches’ concoction, the strange purple goo called Smooze, that’s threatening to bury the whole town?

With an all-star voice cast, including Danny DeVito, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Rhea Perlman, Tony Randall and more, My Little Pony: The Movie is a rollicking adventure you’ll want to see again and again! Extras include sing-a-longs.

Regular Show – Mordecai Pack

Warner Bros. / Released 1/27/15

Created by JG Quintel and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, the Emmy Award-winning Regular Show is the breakout comedy series that features Mordecai and Rigby, two groundskeepers at a park whose attempts to escape their everyday boredom take them to fantastical extremes. The job is so deadly dull that the two friends will do anything they can to avoid it. This doesn’t go over well with their boss Benson (an anthropomorphic gumball machine) — but their efforts often result in insane escapades that delight their co-workers and friends. This all new volume is hock-full of 16 Mordecai-centric episodes from the latest seasons!  Includes the episodes Bet to Be Blonde, Country Club, Paint Job, Guy’s Night, Caveman, Every Meat Burritos, Real Date, Saving Time, New Year’s Kiss, Laundry Woes, Dodge This, Portable Toilet, Play Date, Tants, Bad Portrait, and Maxin’ and Relaxin’.

Open Windows

Cinedigm / Released 1/27/15

Oscar-nominated writer-director Nacho Vigalondo (The ABCs of Death, Extraterrestrial, V/H/S Viral) creates an action-packed world of voyeurism and suspense in his thriller Open Windows. When Nick (Elijah Wood, Maniac, The Lord of the Rings) discovers that he’s won a dinner date with his favorite actress, Jill Goddard (Sasha Grey, Would You Rather, The Girlfriend Experience), he’s incredibly excited to finally get the chance to meet her. But when Jill refuses to honor the contest all of Nick’s hopes are dashed, until Chord (Neil Maskell, Wild Bill, Pusher), a man claiming to be Jill’s campaign manager, offers him something he can’t quite refuse: Chord will give Nick the ability to secretly view Jill via computer. Nick is initially reluctant, but is finally persuaded and begins watching the unknowing star on her webcam, unaware that this decision will put both himself and Jill at risk. Extras include making of, visual effects reel and trailer.

Olive Kitteridge 

HBO / Released 2/10/15

Based on Elizabeth Strout’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, with a teleplay by Emmy-winner Jane Anderson, Olive Kitteridge tells the poignantly sweet, acerbically funny and devastatingly tragic story of a seemingly placid New England town wrought with illicit affairs, crime and tragedy, told through the lens of Olive (Frances McDormand), whose wicked wit and harsh demeanor mask a warm but troubled heart and staunch moral center. Richard Jenkins portrays Olive’s husband, Henry.

The story, which spans 25 years, focuses on her relationships with her husband, Henry, the good-hearted and kindly town pharmacist; their son, Christopher, who resents his mother’s approach to parenting; and other members of their community. The supporting cast features Bill Murray John Gallagher, Jr., Peter Mullan, Rosemarie DeWitt, Zoe Kazan, Cory Michael Smith, and Jesse Plemons.

Last Word: It’s hard to like the character “Olive Kitteridige,” but it’s even harder not to tear yourself away when watching this mini-series.  Once again, HBO has given a home to a story that very likely, would have never been properly developed and released as a movie.  The characters are complicated and not always particularly likeable, and the movie is a bit dark and depressing.  What it is, however, is an acting tour de force with some truly amazing, subtle and emotionally wrenching performances from the always great McDormand and Jenkins.  Highly recommended.

Peanuts: Race for Your Life Charlie Brown

Paramount / Released 2/10/15

Join Charlie Brown and the rest of the delightful “Peanuts” gang as they journey to summer camp, and participate in a river-raft race against some cheating bullies. In the late Charles M. Schulz’s third full-length animated motion picture. Filled with all the characters and charm that has made “Peanuts” the most popular and beloved comic strip in the world.

Last Word:  The arrival of this 1977 theatrical features sudden first time release on DVD is obviously an attempt to introduce younger audiences to the now less familiar Peanuts universe prior to the upcoming CG animated film release.  It’s shocking that cartoonist Charles Schulz’s characters are largely unfamiliar to children today; they only air three of the dozens of specials with any kind of regularity, reprinted comics are expensive books geared toward adult fans and there’s very little presence otherwise (The Peanuts aren’t often tied into anything other than Met Insurance; an unlikely draw for kids).

Race for Your Life Charlie Brown (as well as the other feature filmes) were a perrinial draw for young audiences.  There the entire cast of Peanuts characters come to life via animation; Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, Sally, Marcie, Franklin, Pig Pen, Woodstock and Snoopy.  Race for Your Life Charlie Brown is a nostalgic look back and although pleasant, turns out to be a bit dull.  If you have found memories of this, it’s readily available for less than ten dollars and worth it as a reminder of your childhood.  As for the youngest of viewers, it’s harmless enough, but it might not be engaging enough to keep them entertained. 

Laggies

Lionsgate / Released 2/10/15

Keira Knightley and Chloe Grace Moretz shine in this feel-good comedy about two unlikely friends: Megan, a 28-year-old who’s not ready for adulthood, and Annika, a 16-year-old who wonders if there’s life after high school. As their paths intertwine in surprising and hilarious ways, Megan and Annika help each other to stop lagging… and start living! Extras include deleted scenes, and featurette.

Last Word: Laggies is an amalgam of goofy-satirical, rom-com, coming of age stories. It meanders on the edge of silly and serious seemingly not quite sure of itself, which I suppose, mirrors the film’s main character, Megan (Keira Knightly), an unmotivated twenty-eight year old content on floating through life without any substantial plans for the future. She can’t decide what she wants to do, so settles on just being. Being lazy. Being ambivalent. Being funny, sometimes hurt and heartbroken, but mainly manages to be awkwardly charming throughout the film.

Laggies opens with Megan dancing on the curb with a big advertisement arrow pointing to her father’s business. She turns on her iPod and seems to enjoy the ease of her mindless job. Laziness is easy, not satisfying, but still easy. The story truly begins when Megan flees her friend’s wedding and in an odd moment of panic, she meets a group of teenagers headed by Annika (Chloe Grace Moretz), who need some beers. Of course she helps the kids and enjoys their laid back demeanor. She ultimately finds herself escaping to Annika’s home for a break from her stagnant relationships with her longtime boyfriend and once tight-knit high school group, now a tight-ass conservative group of cliché “successful” women.

Now it’s time for the sex appeal to move the film forward. Sam Rockwell, as Annika’s father is, as ever, awesome. He’s funny, his timing never falters. He shares father-daughter banter with Moretz well, which is amusing yet too quick witted to be believable. The trio is lost in their own confusion and desires. Stuck in a floating space, each trying to find solace or amusement in whatever way they can.

Are the relationships between these characters deep? Not really. Therefore it’s hard to feel sympathetic towards anyone. The tension is comical but not realistic. Keira Knightly’s performance, however, does stand out. Her awkward demeanor and great timing are fun to watch, and a step outside any work I’ve seen her do before. And for that I say kudos to the actress. I see potential for great future roles. Lynn Shelton portrays Megan’s (Keira Knightly) charm with child-like bounce, and the strict but bravado-filled mannerisms of Sam Rockwell are long and still, making every prolonged stare hilarious and sexy. Moretz is solid and is natural in front of the camera, always with sincerity in her eyes—I’m waiting to see what she can do in a few years. The camera work is mellow and fun, almost nostalgic in feeling, and it reflects Seigel’s funny script nicely, but the story is unsteady, so even while looking nice it feels incomplete.

Regardless of the pitfalls in Laggies, it’s funny, entertaining, and the cast is great, but because neither the plot nor characters reveal any depth, the performances become campy and the story, unrealistic. The beginning satisfaction doesn’t linger despite the pleasurable comedy of the movie. I’m conflicted. I like it, but I’m disappointed. I want something more. (– Caitlyn Thompson)

Captain Scarlet and The Mysterons: The Complete Series

Shout! Factory / Released 2/10/15

Fate made him indestructible. Courage made him a hero. In the year 2068, Earth’s greatest defense team, Spectrum, is tasked with fighting a cosmic battle against an ancient race from the planet Mars: the sinister Mysterons. Possessing the ability to recreate the exact likeness of any object or person they destroy, the evil aliens set their sights on Spectrum’s number one agent- the intrepid Captain Scarlet. But when their initial attack on Scarlet fails, the Mysterons discover they have awoken what will be their most dangerous enemy. Obtaining the Mysterons’ special power of retro-metabolism, Captain Scarlet has been rendered virtually invulnerable…and completely unstoppable in his quest to protect the Earth from any attack.

Produced by the immortal Gerry Anderson (Thunderbirds, Space: 1999, Stingray) and featuring his famous SUPERMARIONATION technique, all thirty-two episodes of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons are here in one convenient package, providing you 100% of your daily recommended allowance of sci-fi and cult classic television. Join the fight to save the Earth with Captain Scarlet! Extras include commentary in select episodes, featurettes, and interviews.

Clarence – Mystery Piñata

Cartoon Network / Released 2/10/15

Epic pinecone wars, towering tree forts and secret worlds beyond milk cartons – celebrate the best in life with Clarence, a fun-loving, wholehearted buy who finds something amazing in just about everything, especially with buddies Sumo and Jeff by his side. Includes the episodes Fun Dungeon Face Off, Pretty Great Day with a Girl, Lost in the Supermarket, Clarence’s Millions, Jeff’s New Toy, Zoo, Rise ‘n’ Shine, Average Jeff, Slumber Party, Dream Boat, Too Gross for Comfort, and Neighborhood Grill.  Extras include pilot episode.