Small amount of releases this week, which is fine because it’s still too snowy and cold which means that there’s plenty of time to hibernate, ignore the Olympics and watch DVDs and Blu-rays.
Fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart. It’s that time of the week.
Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season
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| HBO Home Video / Released 2/18/14 |
In the third season of the hit HBO series Game Of Thrones, the Lannisters barely hold on to the throne after a savage naval onslaught from Stannis Barathcon, while stirrings in the north threaten to alter the overall balance of power. Robb Stark, King in the North, faces major calamity in his efforts to build on his victories over the Lannisters while beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder and his huge army of wildlings continue their inexorable march south. Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys Targaryen – reunited with her three fast-maturing dragons – attempts to raise an army to sail with her from Essos, in hopes of eventually claiming the Iron Throne. In Season 3 of this original series based on George R.R. Martin’s bestselling books, the battling families of Westeros continue to clash as bonds are strained, loyalties are tested, and cruel fates are met.
Extras include:
- In Episode Guide: In Feature Resource That Provides Background Information About On-Screen Characters, Locations, And Relevant Histories
- The Rains Of Castamere Unveiled: Get An In-Depth Look At The Creation Of The Most Pivotal Episode Of Season 3 In This Comprehensive Expose Featuring Cast And Crew
- Histories And Lore: Learn About The Mythology Of Westeros As Told From The Varying Perspectives Of The Characters Themselves
- Roots Of Westeros: Explore The Interconnected Web Of Relationships, Rivalries, and Conflicts Between The Noble Houses of Westeros With This Interactive Guide
- A Gathering Storm: Look Back At The Stormy Events Of Season 2 In This 14-Minute Recap With Cast And Crew
- Audio Commentaries: 12 Audio Commentaries With Cast And Crew Including David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, George R.R. Martin, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Michelle Fairley, Kit Harington, Richard Madden, and More
- The Politics Of Marriage: The Concept Of Matrimony In Westeros Is All About Making Power Plays and Political Alliances. Cast And Crew Examine This Ancient Institution And Its Place In Game Of Thrones
- Inside The Wildlings: Go Beyond The Wall With This Introduction To The Wildlings To Gain A Better Understanding Of Their Backstory
- New Characters: Meet The New Faces In Season 3: Olenna Tyrell, Missandei, Mance Rayder, Tormund Giantsband, Orell, Jojen & Meera Reed, Blackfish & Edmure Tully, Thoros of Myr, And Beric Dondarrion
- Deleted Scenes/Extended Scenes: Five Deleted and Extended Scenes
Beware the Batman: Shadows of Gotham Season 1 Part 1
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| Warner Archive / Released 2/18/14 |
Another night falls in Gotham City and the ever-vigilant Dark Knight watches over his city and its citizens. With the help of his ex-secret agent butler, Alfred, and sword-wielding assassin Katana, the Batman wages a tireless war against Gotham’s twisted criminal underworld. Buckle up for 13 all-new adventures from the first season, and ride along as Batman battles the evil machinations of Professor Pyg, Magpie, Mister Toad and criminal mastermind Anarky. It’s a crime-fighting collection of hidden clues, cool tech and detective thrills as Batman prowls in the shadows, ready to deliver action-packed excitement and justice!
Last Word: The first thing that sets Beware The Batman apart from previous incarnations is it’s the first Batman animated series to be produced in CGI, resulting in very bold designs, but very tepid environments. I can say I didn’t mind the animation, but as I was watching wish it had been executed in a more organic flat animation. But overall, it’s visually interesting.
Characterization has once again been reinterpreted. Batman/Bruce Wayne is younger, and still learning (hinted by a brief appearance by Lieutenant Gordon on television at the end of the episode). The costume/character design of the character seems to combine a look reminiscent of the character’s original design from Detective #27 with a more latex/rubbery texture. This also marks one of the first times that the writers have embraced Batman’s talents as a detective which is a refreshing and fantastic change from previous interpretations.
Alfred Pennyworth is less the quiet, reserved butler and more MI-6 badass in this incarnation. With a shaved head, and a gravelly voice similar to Jason Statham, this Alfred is a bit more proactive in The Batman’s war on crime, testing and rating Bruce on his fighting techniques. He is also responsible for hiring Tatsu Yamashiro, another DC crimefighter known as Katana.
Finally, the rogues were a refreshing change from the atypical Bat-nemeses. These episodes included such characters as Professor Pyg, Mister Toad, Junkyard Dog, Magpie, Anarky, Lady Shiva, Silver Monkey, Humpty Dumpty, Tobias Whale, and Ra’s al Ghul and appearances by other established DC characters include Barbara Gordon, and Metamorpho
Voicework, and casting directed by the inimitable Andrea Romano is fantastic and the series is fast paced, well written and thoroughly entertaining and a must see for every Bat-fan. Highly recommended.
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| Shout! Factory / Released 2/18/14 |
BAD DREAMS
In the mid-70s, the members of the love cult Unity Fields sought ‘the ultimate joining’ by dousing themselves with gasoline and committing mass suicide. A young girl blown clear of the fiery explosion was the only survivor. Thirteen years later, Cynthia (Jennifer Rubin, Screamers) awakens from a coma inside a psychiatric hospital with only buried memories of that horrific day. But now, her fellow patients are each being driven to their own violent suicides. Has the sect’s leader (Richard Lynch, Deathsport) returned to claim his final child? Bruce Abbott (Re-Animator) co-stars in this intense shocker from director Andrew Fleming (The Craft) and producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Terminator, The Walking Dead). Extras include commentary, interviews, featurettes and trailer.VISITING HOURS
Academy Award® winner Lee Grant (1975: Best Supporting Actress, Shampoo) stars as outspoken TV journalist Deborah Ballin, whose crusade against domestic violence enrages a creepo loner (a truly disturbing performance by Michael Ironside, Scanners) in Visiting Hours. He brutally attacks the anchorwoman in her home, but Ballin survives and is hospitalized. Her assailant is further enraged: He is haunted by a horrific childhood trauma…and now he has hidden himself inside the hospital to finish what he started. Can anybody (including her concerned boss (William Shatner), a frantic nurse (Linda Purl, Homeland) or Deborah herself stop the psycho’s killing spree before it reaches sick new extremes? Time to find out! Extras include interview with screenwriter Brian Taggart, trailer, radio and tv spots.
Battle of the Damned
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| Starz/Anchor Bay / Released 2/18/14 |
On the outskirts of civilization, a remote test facility lays ruin following a catastrophic security breach – a viral outbreak that left hundreds dead or mutated. All that remains is a handful of survivors, led by private military operative Max Gatling (Dolph Lundgren), their small armory of weapons… and a legion of the infected. Now the infected walk the land, stalking the few that still live. The survivors fight the infected during their attempt to escape, but soon learn there is a band of malfunctioning prototype robots also on the march. They are armed and incredibly dangerous…
Fists of Legend
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| CJ Entertainment / Released 2/18/14 |
On a television show billed as ‘the greatest fight show on Earth,’ eager amateurs with lots to prove boldly step into the ring and expect to leave bloody but victorious. The ratings hungry producers seek out ‘legendary’ but largely forgotten streetfighters and mine their desperation for recaptured glory and redemption into ratings gold. Fists of Legend features three old friends and rivals from high school days who get their invitation to the big fight for the chance to win $200,000 and much more. 25 years later – Deok-kyu, whose Olympic dreams were dashed, now runs a struggling noodle shop. Jae-seok who always wanted to be number one but still finds himself in a third-rate gang. And Sang-hoon, a thug turned corporate executive who must go back and find his bloodlust one last time. The characters are portrayed in the present and in their ‘glory days’ by younger selves, with the movie featuring a blend of staged MMA alongside streetfights.
Hellbenders
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| Lionsgate . Released 2/18/14 |
There are demons so terrible that no mortal man of God could successfully drive them back to Hell. The only option is for the exorcist himself to invite possession and then commit suicide, dragging along the demon to damnation – so the Augustine Interfaith Order of Hellbound Saints – or Hellbenders – was formed. A group of elite, highly-trained exorcists, they live in a constant state of debauchery so they will be ready to go to Hell at any moment. When an infernal Norse demon called Black Surtr escapes into New York City intent on cracking open the gates of Hell, the Hellbenders must use every ounce of their debauchery to battle the demon and save the planet from eternal damnation. Extras include making of, commentary, behind the scenes footage, short films, and trailer.
The Invoking
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| Image Entertainment / Released 2/18/14 |
After inheriting a house from the family she never knew, Samantha Harris (Trin Miller) and three friends head to rural Sader Ridge to inspect the property. Soon after arriving, Sam begins to experience horrific visions of savage brutality and unspeakable evil. Plagued by the sinister forces closing in around her, Sam descends into a waking nightmare when the demons from her past refuse to stay buried any longer. Extras include commentaries, and behind the scenes documentary.
Tom and Jerry: Mouse Trouble
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| Warner Home Video / Released 2/18/14 |
Look at what the cat and mouse dragged in! It’s an all-new collection featuring 30 hilarious Tom & Jerry episodes for the whole family to enjoy. So get ready for a rowdy reunion when Jerry’s Uncle Pecos comes to visit in Cry Uncle. Cat got your tongue? Maybe it’s Cat Got Your Luggage? when Tom works as a bellhop in a fancy hotel, but Jerry is a guest who’s sure to overstay his welcome. Then it’s the perfect plan with a payoff as Tom aims to sell Jerry for some big bucks in Mouse For Sale. So sit back, relax, and hide the frying pans and mousetraps, this one is going to be a laugh riot. Note: these shorts come from virtually every era of Tom and Jerry, starting in 1940 and running to the present. All of them look great, quality really depends on preference of era. Included are: Cat Got Your Luggage?, Tee For Two, Rock ‘n’ Rodent, Jerry, Jerry, Quite Contrary, Kitty Foiled, Love Me, Love My Mouse, Is There a Doctor in the Mouse?, Hockey Schtick, Little School Mouse, Designs on Jerry, Mouse Trouble, Down Beat Bear, Jerry and the Lion, DJ Jerry, Prehisterics, Jackhammered Cat, Tomcat Superstar, Little Big Mouse, Cat Show Catastrophe, Don’t Bring Your Pet to School Day, Cry Uncle, A Mouse in the House, Feeding Time, Summer Squashing, Salt Water Tabby, The Invisible Mouse, Down and Outing, Game of Mouse and Cat, Zent Out of Shape and Bad Day at Cat Rock.
The Adventures of Champion the Wonder Horse: The Complete Series
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| Film Chest Media / Released 2/4/14 |
Inspired by the popular Gene Autry radio show and Dell comic books of the ’40s and produced by Armand Schaefer for Autry’s Flying A Productions, The Adventures of Champion the Wonder Horse ran for one season on CBS (1955-56). Directed by serial and western veterans George Archainbaud, Ford Beebe and John English, familiar cowboy faces abound, including Roy Barcroft, Glenn Strange, George J. Lewis and Francis McDonald, in this must-have for collectors and western fans everywhere. Twenty-three of the original 26 half-hour episodes have been restored for the first time in HD from surviving 16mm film elements.
Twelve-year-old Ricky North (Barry Curtis, The Missouri Traveler, One Desire), who has a magnetic attraction to trouble and adventure, lives on a ranch in the American southwest with his Uncle Sandy (Jim Bannon, Red Ryder) and faithful German shepherd, Rebel. Ricky also has a special bond with a wild stallion, Champion, who can be summoned with a single whistle and allows only the young boy to ride him.
Time after time, the three are faced with danger and risks that arise on the frontier. But no matter what predicaments Ricky manages to get himself into, his faithful canine sidekick and the lighting-fast Wonder Horse are on hand to save the day!
