Academy Award nominees. Television. Classics. Animation. Documentaries. This time we’ve got a bit of everything.
Fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart. It’s that time of the week.
Dallas Buyers Club
 |
| Universal / Released 2/4/14 |
Matthew McConaughey gives the performance of his career in this uplifting and powerful film inspired by true events. Texas cowboy Ron Woodroof (McConaughey) sees his free-wheeling life overturned when he’s diagnosed as HIV-positive and given 30 days to live. Determined to survive, Woodroof decides to take matters in his own hands by tracking down alternative treatments from all over the world by means both legal and illegal. After finding an unlikely ally in Rayon (Jared Leto), he establishes a hugely successful “buyers’ club” and unites a band of outcasts in a struggle for dignity and acceptance that inspires in ways no one could have imagined. Co-starring Jennifer Garner, Denis O’Hare, Griffin Dunne and Steve Zahn . Extras include Deleted Scenes and featurette.
Last Word: Fantastic performances from McConaughey and Leto anchor this solidly executed bio-pic. Without sentiment, cliche or a moment of false emotion, Dalla Buyers Club chronicles the real life struggle of HIV-postive/AIDS patients during the earliest days of AZT treatment and Woodroof’s struggle to not only live beyond his estimated 30 day death sentence, but also not to accept FDA approved treatment and to seek out international alternative medications and treatments and distribute them to the infected community in the Dallas area. As his community turns against him post-diagnosis, Woodruff (who contracted the disease from unprotected sex) struggles to put aside his own prejudices as he literally lives on borrowed time. Leto, as drag queen Rayon, delivers a sad and touching performance as Woodruff’s partner in the legal, though not FDA approved alternative drug business. One of the best films of the year and highly recommended.
About Time
 |
| Universal / Released 2/4/14 |
The night after another unsatisfactory New Year party, Tim’s (Domhnall Gleeson) father (Bill Nighy) tells his son that the men in his family have always had the ability to travel through time. Tim can’t change history, but he can change what happens and has happened in his own life – so he decides to make his world a better place…by getting a girlfriend (Rachel McAdams). But as his unusual life progresses, Tim finds out that his unique gift can’t save him from the sorrows and ups and downs that affect all families, everywhere. From filmmaker Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Notting Hill, Four Weddings And A Funeral), About Time is a comedy about love and time travel, which discovers that, in the end, making the most of life may not need time travel at all. extras include deleted scenes with director intros, blooper reel, music video and featurettes.
Last Word: Famous for his dry-humored and charming love stories, Richard Curtis brings us About Time, a light and heartwarming story except this time he has included a supernatural element — time travel.
And while the rules of these travels are a bit cloudy, if not downright implausible, Curtis’ story remains adorable and uplifting. The time travel isn’t intrusive; it just adds a silly quirk, which fuels great comedic moments. About Time is a funny, simple story about love, family and actively living life as happily as possible. Self-deprecating and very dry, the humor in About Time is consistent and lovable. There is something very appealing about Richard Curtis’ movies because they’re always sweet (maybe too much so if you’re not in the right mood) and full of positivity. He creates hilarious heart-warming stories that usually involve awkward characters that find love with awkward companions.
Domhnall Gleeson plays Tim Lake, a lanky, insecure English-boy who wants nothing more than to find true love. He has an almost sickeningly loving and supportive family, and on his 21st birthday, Tim’s father (Bill Nighy) reveals that the males of the Lake family can time travel. Nighy spoons us this silly detail with his familiar and awkward stature and goofy inflections. The dynamic between Nighy and Gleeson is genuine and Tim soon leaves home to work and find a girlfriend.
The film focuses mainly on Tim’s relationship with the frumpy-shy-but-beautiful, Mary (Rachel McAdams). She’s shy and awkward, he’s shy and awkward, they are both attractive and kind, and a genuine relationship forms. Tim’s constant time traveling is an excellent source of unlimited do-overs when the wrong thing is said. It’s sometimes hilarious, other times it’s sappy, but it’s always charming and enchantingly so. It feels good to smile for pretty much a whole movie.
Where romantic comedies often follow a formula of love-at-first-sight, denial, conflict, heartbreak, realizations, and happily ever-to-be-continued, About Time features a happy relationship where there is no real conflict for the sake of drama. Comedies and drama alike tend to focus on the problems of the relationships and families either for laughs or tears. Love stories alongside familial unrest usually intertwine to reveal an intimidating or depressing story, but About Time doesn’t follow that pattern.
Everyone get’s along, the family really is perfect: father, son, mother, daughter, odd uncle—they drink tea all day, makes jokes, smile, cuddle and hug, skip stones and have nothing but respect and kindness towards one another. And they do this in a gorgeous home by the sea – Curtis knows how to capture beauty in sunlight and setting. It’s atypical to see such a functional family onscreen and I must say it’s a relief from all the dysfunction that accompanies familial/love stories. It’s an interesting use of the suspension of disbelief – this measure is most used for purely supernatural means, but in About Time you’re suspending disbelief of how truly happy these characters are. All the faults and hardships that come with family and close relationships are nearly absent or settled with an unrealistic amount of ease and love. But I think the heavy sentimentality makes the film excellent. ( – Caitlyn Thompson)
 |
| Summit / Released 2/4/14 |
No one breaks out alone. One of the world’s foremost authorities on structural security agrees to take on one last job: breaking out of an ultra-secret, high-tech facility called “The Tomb.” Deceived and wrongfully imprisoned, Ray Breslin (Sylvester Stallone) must recruit fellow inmate Emil Rottmayer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to help devise a daring, nearly impossible plan to escape from the most protected and fortified prison ever built. Escape Plan is the first pairing of action legends Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in leading roles, and co-stars Jim Caviezel, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Vinnie Jones and Vincent D’Onofrio. Extras include commentary, featurettes and deleted scenes.
Last Word: It’s interesting to compare the most recent works of both Stallone and Schwarzenegger and how they both inform their work in Escape Plan. Stallone, who recently wrote Homefront, started a new chapter of his career by uniting various Eighties and Nineties genre stars for The Expendables series. His 2013 film, Bullet to the Head directed by Walter Hill, allowed Stallone to play a wearier character for the first time. Like Schwarzenegger’s 2013 The Last Stand, directed by Jee-woon Kim, Bullet to the Head eliminated the quipping and one liners that had been synonymous with their work for decades. Finally both of these icons, despite their steroid fueled physiques, have become a bit more human and date I say it, their performances have a bit more depth.
In Escape Plan, the action exists, but it’s really not based particularly on the physical prowess of either actor, and it’s not particularly thrilling. Unfortunately, the plot is predictable and although it’s set up with several twists, all of them are apparent long before their revelations. Plot-wise, there’s little tension and unfortunately, neither is given much to do with their characters. It’s an step backward for both of them, especially as they both have shown that they could have made this something that was worth the thirty plus year wait to see them co-star. Escape Plan is watchable, entertaining enough, and ultimately, forgettable.
DCU Justice League: War
 |
| Warner Home Video / Released 2/4/14 |
In Gotham City’s shadows lurks a mysterious figure, a silent guardian known only as the Batman. While battling crime and an ever-growing public distrust, he faces the injustices of the night alone. During a criminal pursuit, the Batman crosses paths with the arrogant intergalactic cop Green Lantern, and the unlikely duo uncovers an impending threat bigger and more deadly than anything the Earth has faced before. For the Earth to have a chance to survive, it will be a race to forge an uneasy alliance of its greatest super powers, including the Kryptonian alien, Superman; the Amazonian envoy, Wonder Woman; and the Scarlet Speedster, the Flash. Along with newcomers Cyborg and teen super hero Shazam, this awesome assembly of the world’s finest are prepared to meet evil head-on and offer mankind its only hope, it they don’t self-destruct first! Extras include bonus cartoons, featurettes, sneak peak and more.
Last Word: The first New 52 animated movie is a faithful adaptation of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s Justice League: Origin. Which means it doesn’t work for me. In these new interpretations of the iconic characters, the DC pantheon, the long and established histories have been jettisoned in an attempt to appeal to reach a larger, younger demographic. And for me, it just doesn’t work. Watching Superman’s first appearance in War was reminiscent of Man of Steel; wanton destruction with little consideration of the world around him. Most of the characters are given little screen time, with even less of their backstories established. Only Cyborg is given an origin story, which in itself, isn’t particularly interesting or engaging. Compared to the other DC animated films, I found the voice work to be generic and unmemorable. Animation is serviceable, but the character design is unnecessarily busy (although faithful to their comic book counterparts). Justice League: War might appeal to younger viewers or fans of the comic, but for me, it just didn’t work.
Free Birds
 |
| 20th Century Fox / 2/4/14 |
From the Academy Award-Winning producer of Shrek comes a hilarious animated adventure about two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks who travel back in time in order to keep their species off the Thanksgiving menu. Featuring an all-star voice cast, including Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler, George Takei, Colm Meaney and Keith David Extras include featurettes and music video.
The White Queen: Season One
 |
| Anchor Bay / Released 2/4/14 |
Men go to battle. Women wage war. The White Queen is a riveting portrayal of one of the most dramatic and turbulent times in English history. A story of love and lust, seduction and deception, betrayal and murder, it is uniquely told through the perspective of three different, yet equally relentless women – Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort and Anne Neville. In their quest for power, they will scheme, manipulate and seduce their way onto the English throne.
The year is 1464 and war over who is the rightful King has been ravaging throughout England. It is a bitter dispute between two sides of the same family, The House of York and The House of Lancaster, and these three ruthless women are each desperately vying for the crown. Based on Philippa Gregory’s series of best-selling novels, The Cousins War, The White Queen is a handsomely produced absorbing series. Extras include featurettes, set tour, making of.
Cutie And The Boxer
 |
| Anchor Bay / Released 2/4/14 |
In New York City in 1969, 19-year-old art student Noriko fell in love with 41-year-old avant-garde artist Ushio Shinohara and put her career on hold to marry and support this rising star of the Manhattan art world. After 40 years, their roles shifted. Now 80 and still struggling, Ushio is consumed with reinforcing his legacy via his “boxing” paintings, while Noriko is now finding her own creative voice through a series of drawings entitles “Cutie and Bullie” that depict their chaotic relationship and her desire to escape her husband’s shadow and be respected as an artist in her own right. Cutie And The Boxer is a powerful and poignant documentary about creativity, sacrifice, and a love that is its own unique work of art. Extras include short film, Q & A, deleted scenes and featurette.
Joanie Loves Chachi: Complete Series
 |
| Paramount / Released 2/4/14 |
It’s a return to great family fun in this spinoff from the hit series Happy Days. Joanie Loves Chachi stars teen heartthrob Scott Baio as Chachi, a pop-singing superstar-in-waiting, who just happens to be the cousin of cool guy Fonzie, and whose true love is Joanie Cunningham (Erin Moran). In a sitcom filled with music, laughs, and a whirlwind of emotions, this young couple finds that being in love and being in a band isn’t always harmonious. Joanie Loves Chachi is a heartfelt comedy romp that will take you back to the happiest of days.
Last Word: Nostalgia shows it’s ugly face again in this fondly remembered, but train wreck of a series that I enjoyed when it first aired in 1982. Joanie and Chachi leave Milwaulkee and move to Chicago to work at an Italian restaurant, owned by Al Delvecchio from Happy Days. At Delvecchio’s, Joanie and Chachi and their band sing nightly to an audience of patrons who are just trying to enjoy dinner. The plots are paperthin, the setting seems to shift from the late Fifties/early Sixties, to an indistinguishable late Seventies/Early Eighties, with the exception of playing some older music. Wherein lies the rub; Baio can’t sing. Moran does a serviceable job and can carry a tune, but Chachi? He’s tone deaf. There’s only so many “Waaaaa, waaaaa, waaaaas” twenty two minutes can carry along with the bad singing, poor writing and insipid plots. Those nostalgiac for the show will likely check it out, but this one deserves the Malachi crunch.
The Lady Vanishes
 |
| BBC Home Video / Released 2/4/14 |
This stunning new adaptation of the classic 1930s thriller sees a beautiful, but spoiled young woman risking her life to solve the mysterious disappearance of her traveling companion. Iris Carr is travelling across Europe by train when she unwittingly becomes embroiled in a sinister Balkan plot. Feeling disorientated after a fall, Iris is befriended by Miss Froy, an elderly English woman sharing her carriage. But when she wakes up from a few hours’ sleep, Miss Froy has vanished without trace. As fellow passengers claim the lady never existed, Iris faces danger and intrigue as she fights to discover the fate of Miss Froy – and prove that she’s not going crazy. Or is she?
Burton & Taylor
 |
| BBC Home Video / Released 2/4/14 |
The love that would never die. Tempestuous, funny and outrageously glamorous, Hollywood’s most famous on-again-off-again lovers flare to life in their last battle. Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech) and Dominic West (The Wire) star as the charmed and reckless couple, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Burton and Taylor had one of the most fascinating, glamorous and tempestuous relationships of the 20th century – the two most famous movie stars of their day who played out every high and low of their love affairs, multiple marriages and divorces right in the public eye. Burton and Taylor follows their private and public relationship played out against their ill-fated appearance in a 1983 revival of Noel Coward‘s stage play, Private Lives. Tempestuous, funny, and dripping with diamonds – this is the last battle of the Burtons. Extras include featurettes.
A Case of You
 |
| MPI Home Video / Released 2/4/14 |
He’ll be everything she likes but himself. Young writer Sam (Justin Long) has a crush on Birdie (Evan Rachel Wood), the cute and quirky barista at his local coffee shop. When his conventional attempts to woo her crash and burn, he takes his efforts online, creating an Internet profile embellished with all of the details that would make him Birdie’s dream guy: ballroom dancing, rock climbing, and a seemingly endless, escalating series of wacky and unlikely hobbies. When the harebrained scheme is a surprise success and Birdie falls for his exaggerated alter ego, Sam must keep up the act or lose his dream girl forever. A fresh take on romance in the digital age, A Case Of You is a funny and heartwarming exploration of the oftentimes ridiculous things we do for love. Extras include trailer and interviews.
Last Word: A solid cast elevates this fairly standard cliché filled romantic comedy. What’s unfortunate is the quality of the cast that’s wasted on this fairly tepid cyberstalking approach toward love. Long and Wood headline the film, and the supporting cast includes Peter Dinklage, Sienna Miller, Brendan Fraser, Sam Rockwell, Busy Philipps, Vince Vaughn, Peter Billingsley, and Scott Adsit. The biggest frustration is that it’s not nearly as good as you want it to be. A Case Of You is extremely watchable, fairly entertaining, but albeit forgettable. And with this cast, they deserved better.
Banshee Chapter
 |
| Xlrator / Released 2/4/14 |
On the trail of a missing friend (Michael McMillian) who had been experimenting with mind-altering drugs, a young journalist (Katia Winter) – aided by a rogue counter-culture writer (Ted Levine) – finds herself drawn into the dangerous world of top-secret government chemical research and the mystery of a disturbing radio signal of unknown origin. A fast-paced thriller blending fact and fiction, Banshee Chapter is based on real documents, actual test subject testimony, and uncovered secrets about covert programs run by the CIA. Extras include making of.
House of Versace
 |
| MPI Home Video / Released 2/4/14 |
Every empire has a fall and rise. House Of Versace is the story of fashion icon Donatella Versace and her triumph over tragedy following the death of her brother, Gianni Versace (Enrico Colantoni). Based on Wall Street Journal reporter Deborah Ball’s widely read book House Of Versace: The Untold Story Of Genius, Murder, And Survival, the movie follows Donatella (Gina Gershon) as she is suddenly thrust into the spotlight as head designer of her brother’s fashion empire. Ridiculed by critics worldwide, her runway shows received scathing reviews. As the company begins to hemorrhage money, Donatella falls victim to drug addiction and nearly bankrupts the business. With the help of her family – including daughter Allegra, Aunt Lucia (Raquel Welch) and brother Santo (Colm Feore) – she enters rehab to confront her demons and soon comes back stronger than ever with her own vision to re-ignite Versace as one of the most powerful fashion houses.
Last Word: Gina Gershon wears a long blond wig and heavy accent as Donatella Versace. It’s a performance that makes her work in Showgirls seem subtle by comparison and a bit less fun. What on the surface the Versace story seem like the perfect material to mine for campy, over the top gold, instead takes itself too seriously. The dialogue is snappy, but the film seems to lack the expected excess (something that was well achieved in Maya Rudolph’s SNL send-ups of Donatella). There’s plenty of drama with Gianni’s murder and Donatella’s rehab, but ultimately the film lacks enough empathy or humor to dictate a consistent tone throughout.
Scorned
 |
| Anchor Bay / Released 2/4/14 |
Hell hath no fury. If you’re going to cheat on your lover, don’t get caught. And if you do get caught, you’d better hope your lover isn’t secretly insane. Kevin (Billy Zane) learns the hard way when his girlfriend Sadie (AnnaLynne McCord) discovers that he’s having a scorching affair with her best friend (Viva Bianca). Now Sadie has planned a romantic weekend getaway for just the three of them, complete with terror, torture and twisted psychosexual games. The trap is set. The party has begun. And tonight, hell hath no fury like a woman Scorned.
Code Red
 |
| Entertainment One / Released 2/4/14 |
In World War II, Stalin created a top secret nerve gas, which went missing shortly after the Battle of Stalingrad. Over seventy years later, the horrific biochemical weapon resurfaces in modern day Bulgaria, turning the local inhabitants into frenzied mutants and causing the dead to rise from the grave. Amidst the chaos, US Special Forces Captain John McGahey (Paul Logan) and NATO Doctor Ana Bennett (Manal El-Feitury) must escape the infected zone before the Code Red alert is raised and everything is destroyed. Now, it’s survival at all costs…and they only have 24 hours to reach freedom.
Finding Faith
 |
| Entertainment One / Released 2/4/14 |
Caught in the web… a family prevails. The Garretts are a model family for their church and community, but when an online predator abducts 14-year-old Faith Garrett (Stephanie Bettcher), their faith is pushed to the breaking point. Erik Estrada stars in this powerful story, inspired by actual events. The desperate search for Faith brings her family, church, and community to their knees, threatening to either tear them apart or strengthen their faith as never before. From Sheriff Mike Brown (Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force) comes a compelling faith-based film about Internet safety every family needs to watch together. Includes featurette and activity guide.
It’s Not Me, I Swear!
 |
| First Run Features / Released 2/4/14 |
Leon is not like most 10-year-olds. This innocent looking boy with an overly fertile imagination is a young hellion, a consummate liar and thief well-versed in breaking and entering his neighbors’ homes and running away from his own. His explosively dysfunctional family reaches new levels of lunacy when Mom decides to pack her bags to start a new life in Greece.
Leon is prepared to do anything to kill the pain of it all, from destroying the neighbors’ homes to even, why not, falling in love with best friend Lea. Together, they will overcome the pain of growing up when you feel abandoned.
Last Word: Imagine the most subversive, dark version of Dennis The Menace crossed with Bart Simpson and you might have a semblance of who the character of Leon is in It’s Not Me, I Swear! Both hilarious and a bit heartbreaking, the film rests on the shoulders of young actor Antoine L’Ecuyer who delivers a must see performance. Highly recommended.
Mother of George
 |
| Oscilloscope / Released 2/4/14 |
Adenike and Ayodele (The Walking Dead‘s Danai Gurira and veteran actor Isaach De Bankolé are a Nigerian couple living in Brooklyn. Following the joyous celebration of their wedding, complications arise out of their inability to conceive a child – a problem that devastates their family and defies cultural expectations, leading Adenike to make a shocking decision that could either save her family or destroy it.
Acclaimed director Andrew Dosumnu captures the nuances of this unique and fascinating culture by creating a beautiful vibrant, and moving portrait of a couple whose joys and struggles are at once intimate and universal.
Sherlock: Season Three
 |
| BBC Home Video / Released 2/4/14 |
The question on everyone’s lips is finally answered as the hugely popular Sherlock returns in three brand new action-packed adventures. With the demise of Moriarty, Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) finds himself locked in another mind battle with the powerful Charles Augustus Magnussen, who is holding the secrets of the world at his fingertips. Once again, the game is on for Sherlock and John (Martin Freeman) in ‘The Empty Hearse,’ ‘The Sign of Three’ and finally, ‘His Last Vow.’
Last Word: Evolution is the name of the game in the third season of Sherlock. As the legendary detective returns from his death, this season focuses less on the procedural, instead focusing on the characters, their relationships and their interactions. One of the interesting themes is Watson’s grieving and the ramifications upon Holmes’ return. Their unlikely and deep friendship is the anchor of the series and both actors deliver spectacular performances. Highly recommended.
Ender’s Game
 |
| Summit/Lionsgate / Released 2/11/14 |
In the near future, a hostile alien race called the Formics has attacked Earth. If not for the legendary heroics of International Fleet Commander Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley), all would have been lost. In preparation for the next attack, the highly esteemed Colonel Hyrum Graff (Harrison Ford) and the International Military are training only the best young children to find the next great leader. Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a shy, but strategically brilliant boy is pulled out of his school to join the elite. Arriving at Battle School, Ender quickly and easily masters increasingly difficult war games, distinguishing himself and winning respect amongst his peers. Ender is soon ordained by Graff as the military’s next great hope, resulting in his promotion to Command School. Once there, he’s trained by Mazer Rackham, himself, to lead his fellow soldiers into an epic battle that will determine the future of Earth and save the human race. Extras include deleted and extended scenes, commentary, and featurettes.
Last Word: Based on the novel by racist and homophobic author Orson Scott Card and directed by Gavin Hood, Ender’s Game feels like a younger, less interesting retread of Starship Troopers. Visually, the film is fantastic, but under the CGI surface is a dull, unengaging and mess of a film. Harrison Ford overacts, providing a small bit of life in this humorless, slow and altogether tedious experience.
The Jungle Book
 |
| WDHE / Released 2/11/14 |
Meet the most unforgettable characters and embark on a thrilling adventure with Mowgli as he journeys deep into the jungle and learns “The Bare Necessities” of life from happy-go-lucky Baloo the bear. Meet Bagheera, the wise old panther, and crazy King Louie, the orangutan. But watch out for the cunning tiger Shere Khan and Kaa, the sssssneakiest snake in the jungle! The Jungle Book is an extraordinary adventure and a heartwarming tale that celebrates the true meaning of friendship. Extras include featurettes, alternate ending, karaoke, and introductions.
Last Word: Inspired by the works of Rudyard Kipling, has been one of my favorite Disney animated features for many years. Revisiting this classic, it’s hard not to look at it with a different perspective; it’s not exactly the flawless classic as I remembered, but it remains one of the most entertaining and enthusiastic of the Disney features. The animation/ character design is synonymous with other productions of the era (101 Dalmatians, Robin Hood), but The Jungle Book really comes to life with it’s voice cast, characterization and music. With an ensemble that included Phil Harris , Sebastian Cabot, George Sanders, Sterling Holloway, J. Pat O’Malley and Louis Prima, and inimitable songs such as I Wanna Be Like You (The Monkey Song) and The Bare Necessities, The Jungle Book still charms and provides a smile inducing, toe tapping good time. Highly recommended.
All Is Lost
 |
| Lionsgate / Released 2/11/14 |
Robert Redford stars in this open-water thriller about one man’s battle for survival against the elements after his sailboat is destroyed at sea. Using only a sextant and nautical maps to chart his progress, he is forced to rely on ocean currents to carry him into a shipping lane in hopes of hailing a passing vessel. But with the sun unrelenting, sharks circling and his meager supplies dwindling, the ever-resourceful sailor soon finds himself staring his mortality in the face. Extras include featurettes and commentary.
Last Word: An engaging story of “Man Vs. Nature” that rests solely on Redford’s shoulders. With only a few lines of dialogue, Redford commands the screen and his iconic legacy as we watch him struggle for survival for over an hour and a half. The strength of Redford’s performance is that even without a voice over narration, we feel his emotional state and internal monologue through this exciting, captivating film. Highly recommended.
The Americans: Season One
 |
| 20th Century Fox / Released 2/11/14 |
Secrets can be deadly in this suspenseful thriller about undercover Russian spies in 1980s Washington. Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell) seem to be a typical suburban couple, but they’re actually lethal KGB agents plotting to bring down America. As the Cold War escalates, Philip and Elizabeth must take extreme measures to continue their mission and keep their true identities hidden. But when an FBI agent moves in across the street, they become ensnared in a pulse-pounding game of cat and mouse. Extras include commentary, featurettes, gag reel, deleted scenes and trailers.
Last Word: A binge worthy series that leaves you on the edge of your seat, The Americans combines Cold War paranoia with a heaping scoop of fun. We follow spies, lies and more than a handful of disguises as the Jennings follow orders for Mother Russia. Combining a nostalgiac sense of time (the Eighties), real history, clever writing and great performances, The Americans is a must see. Recommended.
Newhart: Season Two
 |
| Shout! Factory / Released 2/11/14 |
Bob Newhart returns as Dick Loudon, the New Yorker who runs a small B&B in Vermont with his wife Joanna (Mary Frann). Things operate a little differently up in ski country, as exemplified by their disparate group of friends and neighbors including Larry (William Sanderson) and his brother Darryl (Tony Papenfuss) and his other brother Darryl (John Voldstad).
Season Two highlights include Dick fighting against the advances of a celebrity author, Joanna challenging the town’s historical practice of the men and women eating separately during the town’s potluck dinners, Stephanie (Julia Duffy) getting lost in a snowstorm, Kirk (Steven Kampmann) planning to sell the Minuteman Café and more. Guest stars include Stella Stevens, William Sadler, Peter Scolari, and Billie Bird.
On the Job
 |
| Well Go USA / Released 2/11/14 |
When a prominent drug dealer is murdered, Sergeant Acosta (Joey Marquez) and Federal agent Francis (Piolo Pascual) lead the investigation, but the trail goes immediately cold. What they discover is a conspiracy of massive scale: the killers (Joel Torre and Gerald Anderson) are inmates, temporarily released from jail as assassins before returning to incarceration. Prison. The last place a cop would look. A perfect cover-up. Caught in a web of deceit and corruption, Acosta and Francis are on a collision course with the government officials who will do anything to silence them – and no one is safe.
Killing Kennedy
 |
| 20th Century Fox / Released 2/11/14 |
The event that shocked the world and changed the course of American history is now revealed in a new light. From Producer Ridley Scott, and based on the bestseller by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, comes this illuminating thriller presented here as a never-before-seen extended cut. Rob Lowe and Ginnifer Goodwin give galvanizing performances as President John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy in the story about the president’s assassination, and its dramatic aftermath. As global Cold War tensions mount and organized crime escalates in the U.S., a young, ambitious man from a wealthy family rises to become the leader of the free world. At the same time, a former dedicated Marine grows disillusioned with America. When their paths ultimately cross, the course of U.S. history will forever change, as chronicled in this mesmerizing film that also stars Michelle Trachtenberg, Jack Noseworthy, Casey Siemaszko and Will Rothhaar. Extras include making of, interview with Bill O’Reilly, featurette and tourism commercial.
The Counselor
 |
| 20th Century Fox / Released 2/11/14 |
Want it all. Risk it all. Lose it all. An all-star cast, featuring Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, and Penelope Cruz, sizzles in this action packed thriller from visionary director Ridley Scott and acclaimed writer, Cormac McCarthy.
A savvy lawyer (Fassbender) known for doing the right thing for the wrong people decides to put his courage and connections to the test by diving into a treacherous drug deal for some quick cash. But the Counselor soon learns that having it all could mean losing everything. In addition to an alternate extended cut, extras include viral features and an immersive video/audio commentary by Ridley Scott.
Last Word: An award winning director. A Pulitzer Prize winning novelist. Several critically and commercially acclaimed actors. A huge box office bomb. The Counselor might be one of the year’s most intriguing films. It’s certainly a flawed film, combining McCarthy’s bleak outlook with the glossy, kinetic visual style of Scott might be a strange juxtaposition, but compared to so many of the studio driven tentpole films, shouldn’t something so interesting deserve an audience? The Counselor isn’t for everyone (and I don’t want to set up anything that might affect your viewing experience), but it is worth experiencing. Like Howard Hawks’ The Big Sleep, another noir film that is a muddled mess, The Counselor might find it’s audience yet.
Doctor Who: The Moonbase
 |
| BBC Home Video / Released 2/11/14 |
In 2070, Earth’s weather is controlled with ease from the Moon. When then TARDIS arrives at the Moonbase, the Doctor, along with his friends Polly, Ben and Jamie, is accused of starting a plague that is killing off the base’s crew. It’s not long, however, before the time travelers discover the true cause of the deaths – a powerful, unstoppable race that the Doctor has met before: the Cybermen. Extras include commentaries, making of, photo gallery, and PDF features.
Dallas: Complete Second Season
 |
| Warner Home Video / Released 2/11/14 |
J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman), one of the most iconic television villains of all time, takes his last breath under very suspicious circumstances but not before stirring up a season’s worth of Texas-size trouble. J.R. deviously guides his son, John Ross (Josh Henderson), in stealing the family business from Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) and Bobby (Patrick Duffy), while the ladies take their own sides. Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) runs for governor, Ann (Brenda Strong) takes aim at her ex, Harris (Mitch Pileggi), and Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) and Elena (Jordana Brewster) prove that being beautiful and fighting dirty sometimes go hand in hand. Plus, Elena’s brother, Drew (Kuno Becker), and Ann’s long-lost daughter, Emma (Emma Bell), add their own agendas to life at Southfork. It’s a season of must-see drama and even though J.R. and his Stetson are laid to rest, he’s still calling the shots, bequeathing a legacy he calls his “masterpiece,” which leaves the normally unshakable Ewing family in shock.
Haunter
 |
| MPI Home Video / Released 2/11/14 |
Trapped by an evil from her past. Abigail Breslin stars in Haunter, a unique take on the traditional haunted house story from director Vincenzo Natali. In 1986, teenager Lisa (Breslin) and her family died in their home under sinister circumstances. Unable to move on, their spirits continued to roam the house during the intervening years. Now, over a period of six “days”, Lisa must reach out from beyond the grave to help her living counterpart Olivia avoid the same fate that Lisa and her family suffered long ago. Uniquely unsettling and shocking, Haunter is a one-of-a-kind reverse ghost story that chills long after the final frame. Extras include commentaries, featurettes, storyboarda and trailer.
Last Word: As an admirer of Natali’s previous film Splice, I was enthusiastic to check out his latest film, Haunter. Unfortunately, Haunter is more reminiscent of Natali’s previous films Cypher and Cube, both of which I found to be a bit of a mess. Performances from Breslin and Steven McHattie as her nemesis are good, but the script is all over the place and the budget is far too low for the effects heavy production. The film also drags a bit, making the tedious experience almost unbearable. Breslin continues to evolve as a strong actress, and Haunter will likely be a forgotten blip on her filmography.
Rocky Heavyweight Collection
 |
| 20th Century Fox / Released 2/11/14 |
Featuring all six knockout Rocky films. Sylvester Stallone stars in the greatest boxing saga of all time and triumphs as one of the most inspirational characters in cinematic history. Witness every epic, action-packed fight and unforgettable moment as Rocky strives for greatness through sheer determination against impossible odds. With a supporting cast that includes Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Burgess Meredith, Mr. T, and Dolph Lundgren, the Rocky legend is as exciting today as it was when it started in 1976. Extras include 8mm Home Movies of Rocky: Narrated By Director John G. Avildsen and Production Manager Lloyd Kaufman, making of documentary, featurettes, tributes, interviews, commentary, trailers, and more.
Rocky: Nominated for 10 Academy Awards and winner for Best Picture, it’s the film that inspired a nation! Audiences and critics alike cheered this American success story of an “everyman” triumphing over all odds. Featuring a dynamic musical score, a thrilling fight sequence and four Oscar nominated performances, this rousing crowd-pleaser will send spirits soaring. Fighting for love, glory and self-respect, Rocky scores an exultant knockout.
Rocky Balboa (Stallone) is a struggling boxer trying to make the big time. Working in a meat factory in Philadelphia for a pittance, he also earns extra cash as a debt collector. When heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Weathers) visits Philadelphia, his managers want to set up an exhibition match between Creed and a struggling boxer, touting the fight as a chance for a “nobody” to become a “somebody”. The match is supposed to be easily won by Creed, but someone forgot to tell Rocky, who sees this as his only shot at the big time.
Rocky II: After club fighter Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) goes the distance with the world heavyweight champion, boxing fans clamor for a rematch. But Rocky, having sustained massive injuries in the bout, announces his retirement. Though he tries to make a new start for himself, Rocky realizes that he can’t escape his true calling. The ring beckons once more, and the “Italian Stallion” must prepare for the fight of his life.
Rocky III: As Rocky Balboa (Stallone) fights his way into the hearts of millions, life couldn’t be better. He scores ten consecutive wins, lands lucrative endorsement contracts, and becomes famous throughout the world. But when Clubber Lang (Mr. T) KOs Rocky in a humiliating defeat, it becomes apparent that the “Italian Stallion” has lost his edge. Considering hanging up his gloves, Rocky receives encouragement from an unlikely ally: his old nemesis, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). With Creed’s help, Rocky strives to regain the “eye of the tiger” before confronting Lang in a grueling rematch for the world heavyweight championship.
Rocky IV: Rocky Balboa (Stallone) proudly holds the world heavyweight boxing championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago (Dolph Lundgren), a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union. This time, Rocky’s training regimen takes him to icy Siberia, where he prepares for a globally televised match in the heart of Moscow. But nothing can truly prepare him for what he’s about to face – a powerfully charged fight to the finish, in which he must defend not only himself, but also the honor of his country!
Rocky V: Upon returning home from his latest triumph, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) learns that all of his money has been lost by an unscrupulous financial advisor. To make matters worse, his fight related injuries force his retirement from the ring. So, Rocky, his wife Adrian (Talia Shire) and his son Rocky, Jr. (Sage Stallone) move to their old low-rent neighborhood in South Philadelphia. There, the fighter must resolve the deep-rooted resentment held by his son, a bitterness that grows when Rocky trains Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison), a young boxer who soon rises to national prominence. When Tommy turns against his mentor and publicity taunts him, Rocky knows he must fight once more.
Rocky Balboa: When he loses a highly publicized virtual boxing match to ex-champ Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), reigning heavyweight title holder Mason Dixon (Antonio Tarver) retaliates by challenging the Italian Stallion to a nationally televised, 10-round exhibition bout. To the surprise of his son (Milo Ventimiglia) and friends, Rocky agrees to come out of retirement and face an opponent who’s faster, stronger and thirty years his junior. With the odds stacked firmly against him, Rocky takes on Dixon in what will become the greatest fight in boxing history, a hard-hitting, action-packed battle of the ages.
The Summit
 |
| MPI Home Video / Released 2/11/14 |
In August, 2008, 18 mountain climbers reached the top of K2, the second-highest mountain in the world. 48 hours later, 11 people were dead, making it the deadliest day in modern mountain climbing histroy. While memorials paid tribute to those killed, there were also condemnations about ‘why.’ Why do these athletes risk everything to reach a place humans are simply not meant to go? Why do they put their lives and the lives on others on the line in order to satisfy some undefinable need?
With breathtaking cinematography and jaw dropping reenactments based on the testimony of those who survived the climb, The Summit is a thrilling documentary about the very nature of adventure in the modern world.
Last Word: Non linear and non related storylines (one about Walter Bonatti’s K2 expedition in 1954) tarnish this would be interesting documentary into a bit of a mess. There’s no emotional connection whatsoever to this film, instead abundant speculation about the truth behind this tragic story. The film follows a series of tragedies that regardless of whether they should have happened, did happen, cost11 qualified climbers their lives. There’s an awful lot of good and some truly engaging footage; a stronger vision in post production might have made this interesting film more powerful. Recommended.
How I Live Now
 |
| Magnolia / Released 2/11/14 |
Set in the near-future UK, Saoirse Ronan plays Daisy, an American teenager sent to stay with relatives in the English countryside. Initially withdrawn and alienated, she begins to warm up to her charming surroundings and strikes up a romance with the handsome Edmund (George MacKay). But on the fringes of their idyllic summer days are tense news reports of an escalating conflict in Europe. As the UK falls into a violent, chaotic military state, Daisy finds herself hiding and fighting to survive.
Last Word: This pre/post-apocalyptic tween film didn’t really work for me. Well shot, this story has plenty of subplots without a story to anchor them on or actors who can deliver the struggle with a sense of believability. World War III has arrived, and it’s boring.
Regular Show: Mordecai & Margaret Pack 5
 |
| Cartoon Network / Released 2/11/14 |
Created by JG Quintel and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, 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. In this release, best buds and expert slackers Mordecai and Rigby are back to their old antics – staving off boredom, stirring up trouble, and redefining regular – but this time, Mordecai’s crush Margaret shares the spotlight. From her introduction in “Caffeinated Concert Tickets” to “Steak Me Amadeus,” the heartbreaking finale of season four, Mordecai and Margaret’s relationship is explored in nearly three hours of episodes included on the new DVD release. Also featured on the disc is a bonus, never-before-seen clip from the season four finale.
Sorority Party Massacre
 |
| Anchor Bay / Released 2/11/14 |
An isolated town full of sexy college girls has a dangerous secret: one girl has gone missing each year for the last 20 years. A big-city cop, in danger of losing his badge, agrees to aid the town’s sheriff in investigating these unsolved disappearances. Quickly they realize that they are dealing with a psychotic killer whose brilliance has been twisted into a taste for terror, torture and sorority sister torment. But when this party gets started, who will graduate – and who will be held back? Directed by Chris W. Freeman and Justin Jones, and featuring a headline cast including Tom Downey (Mirror Image), Kevin Sorbo (“Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”), Ed O’Ross (“Six Feet Under”), Leslie Easterbrook (The Devil’s Rejects), Richard Moll (“Cold Case”), adult film legend Ron Jeremy and new Scream Queens Marissa Skell, Eve Mauro and Yvette Yates, Sorority Party Massacre teaches old school terror exploitation Extras include commentary, deleted scenes, outtakes, and more.
Hindenburg: The Last Flight
 |
| Anchor Bay / Released 2/11/14 |
On May 6th, 1937, the world’s largest passenger airship was attempting to dock near Lakehurst, New Jersey when it suddenly erupted in flames and crashed to the ground. But what really caused The Hindenburg tragedy? Stacy Keach, Lauren Lee and Greta Scacchi star in the explosive two-part miniseries that reveals what may have been a deadly conspiracy: When a corrupt American oil tycoon plots to sabotage the floating German leviathan, the ship’s young designer and the mogul’s beloved daughter find themselves in a desperate on-board race to uncover the truth. But will a single spark ignite a shocking secret, a scorching romance, and one of the most shattering aviation disasters in history?
Scooby-Doo: Adventures – The Mystery Map
 |
| Turner Home Ent / Released 2/11/14 |
Get ready to experience the world famous Scooby-Doo! and Crew like never before in this all-new original puppet movie! What begins as a routine night for the Gang – which includes the slobbering sleuth and Shaggy eating a triple extra-large Scooby snack pizza – becomes a mad dash to find the frightening Phantom Parrot with a map to pirate Gnarlybeard’s hidden treasure. Scooby sniffs out the map’s clues, which lead him right to a spooky pirate ship. Ruh-roh! What will Gnarlybeard be willing to do to protect his booty? The whole family will love casting off on this mysterious, fun-filled voyage again and again. Extras include bonus cartoons.
Last Word: Scooby-Doo. Puppets. In one of the most surreal and strangely entertaining mash-ups, The Mystery Map is an entertaining unique Scooby-Doo adventure that definitely gets some bonus points for it’s unique and charming execution. Production design, voice work and puppeteering are all fantastic. Highly recommended.
Jewtopia
 |
| New Video Group / Released 2/11/14 |
Christian O’Connell (Ivan Sergei) and Adam Lipschitz (Joel David Moore) are two childhood friends who reunite as adults to help each other land the women of their dreams. Chris wants to marry Allison (Jennifer Love Hewitt), a Jewish girl, so that he’ll never have to make another decision for as long as he lives. Adam is on the verge of getting married to Hannah (Jamie-Lynn Sigler), but isn’t happy about it. When Chris enlists Adam’s help in pretending to be Jewish so that Allison will date him, cultures collide and chaos ensues! Inspired by the international smash-hit play seen by over a million people, Jewtopia also stars Jon Lovitz, Rita Wilson, Tom Arnold, Peter Stormare, Camryn Manheim, Wendie Malick, Nicollette Sheridan, Phil Rosenthal, Christine Lakin, Hayes MacArthur and Lin Shaye.
Last Word: The description of this movie has been that it is about “Jewish people and Jewish problems.” Really it’s about a dopey redneck who “doesn’t want to make another decision for the rest of his life,” so he proceeds to enlist his childhood Jewish friend to help him act as Jew-y as possible. The goal – win over a nice Jewish girl he has just met after 9 years of moping over his college girlfriend.
Now I was raised Jewish and can appreciate the stereotypical jokes about the culture: Jewish guilt, overbearing tendencies, bossy over-preparedness, awkwardness, the insistence on finding a Jewish spouse, etc. At first, Jewtopia is funny but pretty quickly gets repetitive and boring. Ivan Sergei plays Christian O’Connell, not a Jew. He’s described as a “gentile” by his very, anxiety ridden, panic-attack prone friend, Adam Lipschitz, played by Joel David Moore – liked him better as a dorky scientist in Avatar. Christian is supposed to be endearing but he’s a big doof. His delivery isn’t charming, just over-acted and tiresome. After nearly a decade of whining about his ex he decides the first Jewish girl he meets, Allison Marks (Jennifer Love Hewitt) is the woman he wants to be with forever. Shouldn’t the chemistry have built a little?
Their first date is spoiled for us because we were given the entire tutorial by Adam and Christian just one scene before. This is where the film fell weak. Repetition. The jokes get tired and are forced. Every line muttered is supposed to be hilarious and it ends up being too oversaturated. It’s too silly. Jamie-Lynn Sigler’s character is a prime example of such activity. She plays Adam’s smothering, controlling fiancé, Hannah and is insane. She’s a gynecologist, her parents are gynecologists, they are judgmental of her decisions about gynecological diagnoses at the dinner table, etc etc. There is no depth or subtly which is important when making movies that center around cultural stereotypes of any kind. Offensive or not, if they ring true subtly, there’s potential for hilarious characters to build a story.
The Jewtopia cast is filled with big names, such as Rita Wilson, Jon Lovitz, and Tom Arnold, but they don’t shine. They all start off likeable and funny – it’s supposed to be a silly movie after all. – but they, along with the rest of the characters, devolve into overly dramatic caricatures that are annoying and unrealistic. The humorous intention of the film gets old so the plot escalates until it’s ridiculously unbelievable and no longer entertaining. Then everyone lives happily ever after although continuously kvetching. If you’re in the mood for goofy over-the-top silly, occasionally raunchy humor, and are familiar with Jewish stereotypes, I think you might be entertained, but only slightly. I personally think it’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding done very wrong. (– Caitlyn Thompson)
Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon
 |
| Well Go USA / Released 2/11/14 |
From legendary action director Tsui Hark and the creators of international smash hit Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon comes the captivating tale of Dee Renjie’s beginnings in the Imperial police force. His very first case, investigating reports of a sea monster terrorizing the town, reveals a sinister conspiracy of treachery and betrayal, leading to the highest reaches of the Imperial family. Extras include a trailer.
Red Skelton Show – The Lost Episodes
 |
| Shout!/Timeless Media / Released 2/11/14 |
Among America’s great comedians, Red Skelton is certainly the most beloved, along with his gallery of characters, including Clem Kadiddlehopper, San Fernando Red, and of course, Freddie the Freeloader. Red Skelton entertained us with his charm, wit and warmth for decades, on stage, on radio, in the movies, and on his hit television show. Movie and television stars lined up to appear each week, entertaining us and themselves in funny skits with Red week after week, year after year.
Includes:
Disc One:
1. Appleby the Muscleman (Guest Starring: Buster Crabbe & Slappy Maxie Rosenbloom)
2. Freddie Gets Sick (Guest Starring: Jack Kirkwood & Jackie Coogan)
3. The Nine Live of Freddie (Guest Starring: Warner Anderson)
4. Bolivar and The Roaring 20’s (Guest Starring: Barbara Nichols & Gerald Mohr)
5.How to Think up a Television title without Being Sued (Guest Starring: Gordon & Sheila MacRae)
6. This Goon For Hire (Guest Starring: Sebastian Cabot)
7. San Fernando’s Phony Fabians (Guest Starring: Fabian)
8. Appleby’s Bird Woman (Guest Starring: Eve Arden)
Extra: Danny Thomas Fills in For Red (Guest Starring: Angela Cartwright & Rusty Hamer)
Disc Two:
1. Clem the Candidate (Guest Starring: William Demarest)
2. Deadeye Turns in His Badge (Guest Starring: Terry Moore & Charles Ruggles)
3. Appleby’s Predictions (Guest Starring: Vivian Vance & Anthony Caruso)
4. Mr. K. Goes to College (Guest Starring: Ernest Truex)
5. San Fernando For Governor (Guest Starring: Amanda Blake)
6. Appleby’s Formula (Guest Starring: Marilyn Maxwell)
7. San Fernando’s Treasure(Guest Starring: Guy Madison & Amanda Blake)
8. Freddie’s Shipwreck (Guest Starring: Sebastian Cabot)
Extra: Arthur Godfrey and Jackie Gleason Fill in for Red.
Balls to the Wall
 |
| Inception Media / Released 2/11/14 |
Ben (Joe Hursley), an I.T. drone at a boring corporation, wants to marry his gorgeous fiancée, Rachel (Jenna Dewan-Tatum), as soon as possible. She dreams of an extravagant wedding – with the hefty price tag of $50,000 – for which her father, Jack (Christopher McDonald), has offered to pay. Unbeknownst to all, including Rachel’s mother (Mimi Rogers), Jack has secretly gambled away their savings. But he has a plan to get the cash back in no time. Luring Ben into a male strip club, Jack helps him discover a hidden talent … Now Ben must learn to balance his relationship with his new gig as a male stripper, which is really taking off.
Spinning Plates
 |
| Inception Media / Released 2/11/14 |
It’s not just the food that makes a restaurant, but the people who fully invest themselves to bring them to life. Spinning Plates centers on three restaurants, each one unique not only in its cuisine but for the owners and struggles they each face on a personal level. World-renowned Chef Grant Achatz strives for culinary excellence at his gourmet restaurant Alinea in Chicago, while privately battling a life-threatening condition. Family owned and operated for six generations, Breitbach’s Country Dining in rural Iowa remains standing only because of an unbreakable bond with the small town community. And a fledgling Mexican restaurant, La Cocina de Gabby, in Tucson, Ariz. struggles to stay afloat as its owners risk everything to provide for their young daughter. Their unforgettable stories of family, legacy, passion and survival come together to reveal how meaningful food can be and the power it has on human connection while serving up a visual feast.
The Best Man Holiday
 |
| Universal / Released 2/11/14 |
Share the laughter, love, and surprises as Harper (Taye Diggs), Lance (Morris Chestnut), Quentin (Terrence Howard), Jordan (Nia Long), Robyn (Sanaa Lathan), Mia (Monica Calhoun), Murch (Harold Perrineau), Candy (Regina Hall) and Shelby (Melissa De Sousa) all reunite for the first time in years. When the college friends get together, they soon discover how easy it is to reignite long-forgotten rivalries and romances, all while new discoveries are made and secrets are revealed.
Last Word: It’s always nice to see casts reunite and The Best Man Holiday is no exception. It’s cliche ridden, somewhat forced and it’s sudden dramatic shift delivers a powerful whallop. But, it nevertheless works. The cast and their chemistry as an ensemble, as well as the work of director Malcolm D. Lee, is the strongest asset of the film. It’s a hard film not to like, especially as the cast are so invested in their characters. Recommended.
