THAT TIME OF THE WEEK – DVD & Blu-ray Reviews Just in Time For The Blizzard of 2015

Happy New Year!  Granted, it’s almost February and my resolution to get this column back on track isn’t going as well as I hoped.  But it will, I promise!

Anyway, while everyone on the East Coast of the USA is out today buying milk and bread, you might want to double check and make sure you have stuff to watch in anticipation of not being able to leave the house.

Let’s just hope you don’t lose electricity.

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

Gone Girl

20th Century Fox / Released 1/13/15

Gone Girl — directed by David Fincher and based upon the global bestseller by Gillian Flynn — unearths the secrets at the heart of a modern marriage. On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his beautiful wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick’s portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife?

Last Word: Dreading his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) and his “villainous” chin return home to find the front door strangely ajar, coffee table smashed, and his lovely, disenchanted wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) missing. And while Nick, the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance, may not have to worry about what to get her for a present anymore, director David Fincher and novelist/screenwriter Gillian Flynn have given us something surprisingly wooden.

Don’t get me wrong, Gone Girl is a solid, entertaining mystery/thriller/dark comedy that makes short work of its two and a half hour running time. But through it all, I found myself nagged by the distinct feeling that a GREAT movie was lurking just beneath the one I was watching. Patiently waiting for it to breach the surface.

Never quite making it.

I love the idea of a toxic marriage dialed up to 11. A storybook life imagined in the big city, destroyed by an abrupt move to the suburbs and crippled by a recession. Not that Nick and Amy’s relationship wouldn’t have imploded all on its own, eventually…since they’re both assholes of varying degrees. And in a way, made for each other. Though I never quite felt like I knew enough about either to truly care, which may have been Fincher’s intent — but ultimately left me detached from the proceedings. Thankfully, Fincher has assembled a top-notch, highly watchable cast that manages to milk every last drop out of their characters. With the ladies ultimately taking the cake…

The talented Rosamund Pike (The World’s End) has a field day with the “she said” half of the unreliable narration. While Carrie Coons (The Leftovers) and the always-reliable Kim Dickens (Deadwood) virtually steal the show as Margo, Nick’s unwaveringly loyal, nerdy hot twin sister, and the detective heading up the investigation, respectively. They’re both so good in fact, most of me wishes the story was told from their points of view. And I’m sure I won’t be the only one demanding a spin-off television series: ”BONEY.” Oh, and special shout-outs to Tyler Perry for NOT sucking as Nick’s Johnny Cochran-esque defense attorney. And Scoot McNairy (Argo) in a throwaway cameo so well played that I STILL want to give him a hug and tell him everything’s going to be okay.

Wish I could say the same for Nick and Amy. (– B.S. Walker)

Love Is Strange

Sony / Released 1/13/15

After nearly four decades together, Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina) finally tie the knot. But when George loses his job, the couple must sell their apartment and temporarily live apart until they can find an affordable new home. George moves in with two friends (Cheyenne Jackson and Manny Perez) while Ben ends up across town with his nephew (Darren Burrows), his wife (Marisa Tomei) and their teenage son with whom Ben shares a bunk bed. While struggling with the pain of separation, Ben and George are further challenged by the intergenerational tensions and capricious family dynamics of their new living arrangements. Love Is Strange depicts the delicate nature of two people building a long life together and their love growing deeper and richer with time. Extras include commentaries, featurettes and Q & A.

Last Word: Reminiscent of the superior film, the Depression-era Make Way For Tomorrow, Love is Strange tackles many of the same themes, focusing on a long term couple who find themselves separated when their financial situation forces them apart.  Granted, the world of Make Way For Tomorrow was far more grim but the outcome was equally as heartbreaking.  One caveat were the truly fantastic and subtle performances by Lithgow and Molina which fuel the film with a deep, emotional core.  Unfortunately, there are too many distractions by the side characters and their subplots instead of focusing on Ben and George’s relationship.  Love is Strange does an excellent job reminding the viewer that life can change in a moment, but love can stay forever.

Two Faces of January

Magnolia / Released 1/13/15

From the author of The Talented Mr. Ripley and the producers of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy comes a stylish and breathtaking thriller following the charismatic Chester MacFarland (Viggo Mortensen) and his alluring wife Colette (Kirsten Dunst) as they befriend a young guide (Oscar Isaac) during a European trip. Their friendship quickly takes a dangerous turn when it morphs into a love triangle rife with envy, obsession, and murder. Extras include deleted scenes, bloopers and featurettes.

Last Word:  The Two Face of January is about bad people doing bad things to each other, and while that might sound unappealing, it isn’t, especially when you pair the uber beautiful Viggo Mortensen with the gorgeous scenery of Greece and the talented direction of first timer Hossein Amini (who is most notable for his screenplay adaptations of Drive, The Wings of the Dove and Snow White and the Huntsman).

If you like your thrillers psychologically taut, your scenery better looking than most actors (Mortensen being the exception) and your acting subtly devious, then you are going to absolutely love this great version of Patricia Highsmith’s novel…and if you don’t recognize that name, you should, she wrote The Talented Mr. Ripley and Strangers on a Train so yeah, this one is insanely good. ( – Elizabeth Weitz)

A Walk Among the Tombstones

Universal Studios / Released 1/13/15

Liam Neeson stars in A Walk Among the Tombstones, an action-thriller based on Lawrence Block’s bestselling series of mystery novels. Neeson plays Matt Scudder, an ex-cop turned unlicensed private investigator who reluctantly agrees to help a heroin trafficker (Dan Stevens, TV’s Downtown Abbey) hunt down the men who brutally murdered his wife. When the PI learns that this is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that these men have committed this sort of twisted crime, he must blur the line between right and wrong as he races to track the deviants through the backstreets of New York City before they kill again. Extras include featurettes.

Last Word: I am a sucker for Liam Neeson. Ever since, Darkman, Liam Neeson can do no wrong. Whether it be comedy (High Spirits), historical drama (Michael Collins, Rob Roy), Romantic comedy (Love Actually), Sci Fi (Phantom Menace), and especially action thrillers (Taken, The Grey, Non-Stop). Neeson could be reading the phonebook on screen with a head cold and I am there. That being said, A Walk Among The Tombstones was not a well made film.

Based on the mystery/thriller novel series of the same name, writer director, Scott Frank, comes up short… or should I say waaay too long. Never knowing what it wanted to be, A Walk Among The Tombstones, starts off as cool action film with a brain, then turns into a cheesy Silence of the Lambs rip off and then a wanna be Man On Fire, then a glorified CSI episode.  The set ups took too long, the pay offs were few and far between and it looks like what should have been suspenseful build up turned into meandering long periods of nothing that couldn’t have been done in a lot less time. The few moments of “holy crap” and “Oh damn!” were so few and far between that, at points, I forgot what the movie was actually about.

At points the cinematography was stunning and evocative. I loved the use of close ups and shallow focus to disorient the viewer as to what was happening but it wasn’t enough visually to keep me interested. The premise was slightly interesting, Ex-NYPD turned unlicensed PI is hired by a drug lord to find the men who kidnapped and killed his wife. When they strike again it is a race against time for Scudder (Neeson) to find and kill the perps. Pretty straight forward. And I think that is my problem. The film is so cut and dry that the writer/director, Frank, feels the need to make it overly mysterious and sinister. Had he just handled it more like a film such as Fargo or like Gone, Baby Gone, he would have had a better film. Less is more and more is sometimes too much.

Also, the film, and I am assuming the book, took place in the early to late 90’s and they really felt the need to beat you over the head with it, much like in real life when the new millennium was nigh. Y2K was a thing to fear! There was so much Y2K crap in this film it gave me PTSDs. A Walk Among The Tombstones should have been a riveting suspense thriller in the vein of Silence of the Lambs or Gone, Baby, Gone, but falls short on many levels. The one thing it has going for it was stellar acting from it’s entire cast. In a way they save this film from being pure dreck. ( – Benn Robbins)

 
Glee: Season 5

20th Century Fox / Released 1/6/15

The fifth season of Glee finds Rachel at an impressive crossroads as she, Kurt and Santana take more bites out of the Big Apple. Meanwhile, back in Lima, the New Directions kids hope to win back-to-back Nationals, as the tragic passing of Finn and a potential baby for Will and Emma bring reminders of the preciousness of life. With its hugely popular guest stars, surprising plot twists and exhilarating musical numbers, the Emmy-winning Glee remains one of television’s most acclaimed series ever!

Last Word:  Like watching a horrible train wreck, the fifth season of Glee starts bad and only gets worse as it claims one victim or another.  The sudden overdose/death of co-star Cory Monteith hangs a shadow over the cast and series, resulting in a season that ultimately proved as a reminder that no one wanted to be there.  Glee was once sharp and fresh and now has become a parody of itself.  Most of the cast have become intolerable and the occasional guest appearances of original cast members who have since moved on makes you question, why would they keep going back to high school at the drop of the hat?  As rough as it sounds, Glee might have deserved the early death that Monteith didn’t.

The Equalizer

Sony/ Released 12/30/14

McCall (Denzel Washington) has put his mysterious past behind him and is dedicated to living a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer. Extras include featurettes.

Last Word: Director Antoine Fuqua’s unnecessary remake of the 80s television series feels more like a pumped up version of Scorsese’s Taxi Driver than the original Edward Woodward procedural.  Reuniting with his Training Day director, Washington delivers the goods in this humorless, violent Man on Fire homage.  It’s entertaining escapism, but unfortunately, a forgettable film in Washington’s long filmography.

Shameless: The Complete Fourth Season

Warner Bros. / Released 12/30/14

Season four finds the Gallaghers braving another brutal Chicago winter and waiting on the medical fate of their flawed and permanently pickled patriarch, Frank (William H. Macy). With oldest daughter Fiona (Emmy Rossum) in a stable job and relationship, and newly graduated Lip (Jeremy Allen White) enrolled in college, it seems like the Gallghers might finally have a shot at happiness and realize the middle class American dream. But with Ian (Cameron Monaghan) still missing, Debbie (Emma Kenney) and Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) dealing with adolescent hormones (or lack thereof) and neighbors Kev (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) pregnant with multiple babies, moving up isn’t so easy when you’re down and out. Extras include featurettes and deleted scenes.

Last Word: Having seen some of the original British series, the U.S. version of Shameless is one of the rare occasions where the remake outshines the original.  Shameless‘ characters are basically awful people, doing fairly awful things.  But they are likable, and the series is addicting to watch.   The ensemble continues to get better and the writing is among the best on television.  Shameless: The Complete Fourth Season is unrelenting; dark, twisted and funny.  Highly recommended.

Banshee: The Complete Second Season

HBO / Released 12/30/14

Banshee charts the continuing twists and turns that follow Lucas Hood (Antony Starr), an ex-convict who assumes the identity of sheriff of the rural, Amish-area town of Banshee, where his former lover and partner-in-crime (Ivana Milicevic) lives under the alias Carrie Hopewell. Season 2 takes up immediately after the events of the Season 1 finale, when Carrie’s father, gang kingpin Rabbit (Ben Cross) was left for dead after a climactic warehouse shootout. Carrie, now exposed and estranged from her husband and kids, is torn between her devotion to her family and her connection to Lucas, who had given himself up in order to save her years earlier.

The new season finds Lucas, having escaped detection after being interrogated by FBI agent Jim Racine (guest star Zeljko Ivanek), with his hands fuller than ever as sheriff, dealing with (among other things) the murder of a Kinaho tribe girl, the continuing escalation of tensions between Amish overlord Kai Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen) and Kinaho tribe leader Alex Longshadow (Anthony Ruivivar), as well as the unwelcome appearance of a surprise visitor: the reprobate son of the real (and late) Lucas Hood. Extras include featurettes, Twitter commentary, audio commentary, deleted scenes, Banshee Origins prequel videos, episode recaps, and trailers.

Elsa & Fred

Millennium Media / Released 12/30/14

Elsa & Fred is the story of two people who, at the end of the road, discover that it’s never too late to love and make dreams come true. Elsa has lived for the past 60 years dreaming of a moment that Fellini had already envisaged: the scene in ‘La Dolce Vita’ at the Fontana di Trevi.

The same scene without Anita Ekberg in it, but with Elsa (Shirley MacLaine) instead. Without Marcello Mastroiani but with that love that took so long to arrive. Fred (Christopher Plummer) is a bit younger than Elsa and has always been a good man who did everything he was supposed to do. After losing his wife, he feels disturbed and confused and his daughter decides that it would be best if he moves into a smaller apartment where he ends meeting Elsa.

From that moment on, everything changes. Elsa bursts into his life like a whirlwind, determined to teach him that the time he has left to live -­‐-­‐ be it more or less -­‐-­‐ is precious and that he should enjoy it as he pleases. Fred surrenders to Elsa’s frenzy, to her youth, to her boldness, to her beautiful madness. And this is how Fred learns how to live. When he learns about Elsa’s terminal illness, he decides to make her dream come true and takes Elsa to Rome to reenact with her the famous scene at the Fontana di Trevi, Elsa & Fred also stars Marcia Gay Harden, Chris Noth and Scott Bakula. Extras include a featurette.

Tusk

Lionsgate / Released 12/30/14

A podcaster (Justin Long) looking for a juicy story is plunged into an unpredictable, unsettling and absurd nightmare after he travels to the backwoods of Canada to meet an eccentric recluse (Michael Parks) with a lifetime of adventures-and a disturbing fondness for walruses. Tusk also stars Genesis Rodriguez, Haley Joel Osment and Johnny Depp. Extras include commentary, deleted scenes, featurettes and the original podcast that inspired the film.

Last Word:  First of all, watch this film.  It will piss you off. Not because it is a bad film. As black comedy and horror films go this one is pretty amazing. I am convinced that he is actually a good filmmaker. Yes, he still loves to hear his words on screen, yes his is a sarcastic asshole whom I think Justin Long’s main character, Wallace, is just a shadowy refection of.

But like Wallace, underneath is a sweet loving and caring dude. The performances by everyone were perfect. Michael Parks, longtime Tarantino and Rodriguez film regular, is unbelievably good. His character, Howard Howe, the antagonist and some might say, the star, of this film is so perfectly off-putting and disarming that even at his craziest he is genuinely sympathetic.  There is literally no way for me to talk about this film without giving away the major plot point. And I don’t want to as I want you all to watch it and have it unfold and be revealed to you.  Know that if you like twisted, psychological and disturbingly funny films, then this film is for you. If you are a fan of Smith’s View Askewniverse movies will be greatly disappointed.  (– Benn Robbins)

Reach Me

Millennium Media / Released 12/30/14

Led by a stellar ensemble cast, the inspirational dramedy Reach Me tells interwoven stories from a diverse group of people who are united by one thing—a powerful book from an anonymous and reclusive author (Tom Berenger). When the book’s positive message goes viral, a journalist (Kevin Connolly) and his editor (Sylvester Stallone), a former inmate (Kyra Sedgwick), a hip-hop mogul (Nelly), an actor (Cary Elwes) and an undercover cop (Thomas Jane) are inspired to change their lives by facing their fears. Reach Me also stars Kelsey Grammer, Lauren Cohan, Ryan Kwanten and Tom Sizemore. Extras include trailers.

Last Weekend

MPI Home Video / Released 12/30/14

Celia Green (Oscar nominee Patricia Clarkson) is at a crossroads. She and her husband Malcolm (Chris Mulkey) have been coming to their resort house at Lake Tahoe for more than 30 years, and yet Celia now feels that something in her life is missing. Gathering her two adult sons (Zachary Booth and Joseph Cross) and their partners for a rare weekend together, Celia hopes to come to terms with the past that the house represents and her desire to move forward. Amid an eclectic assortment of guests and drop-ins both young and old, and a catastrophe that upends Celia’s meticulously devised weekend, the Green family must learn to strengthen the ties that bind them even if it means letting go of the things they thought were important. A dark comedy of manners, Last Weekend, is about the end of an era for a family – and the steps we must often take in order to create new beginnings.

Kelly & Cal

MPI Home Video / Released 12/30/14

Punk rocker-turned-suburban mom Kelly (Juliette Lewis) is nostalgic for a lifestyle she can no longer have and uncertain of a future she doesn’t yet see herself in. Her 17-year-old neighbor Cal (Jonny Weston) is having trouble dealing with the hand life has dealt him: The former jock has become confined to a wheelchair following an accident. When the two strike up an unlikely friendship that grows into something more, it’s the perfect spark needed to shock them both back to life. A Harold and Maude for the next generation and featuring winning performances from its two leads, Kelly & Cal is a sweetly charming look at life’s unexpected pairings.

Boyhood 

Paramount / Released 1/6/15

Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason’s parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater as his sister Samantha, Boyhood  charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all the moments in between become transcendent, set to a soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay’s Yellow to Arcade Fire’s Deep Blue. Boyhood  is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting. It’s impossible to watch Mason and his family without thinking about our own journey. Extras include featurette and cast and director Q & A.

Last Word: With Boyhood, Richard Linklater’s done something no one ever has before: Following a boy (newcomer Ellar Coltrane) from age 5 to 18 by filming him in stages over 12 years. I was very excited, expecting a lyrical, moving depiction of childhood.  I waited to be moved, to get caught up in it like everyone else who had seen it.

And I waited.

And waited.

And, after a while, I began waiting for the movie to be over.

At nearly three hours, it’s at least 30 minutes too long, losing steam just as it should be hitting its stride as Mason prepares to head to college.

But length isn’t the film’s only problem. While I greatly admire Linklater’s experiment, I never felt invested in Mason’s life. And the story that unfolds is, unfortunately, fairly generic. Maybe the lack of “big” events makes it refreshingly anti-mainstream, but it also makes for a film that’s – apart from one thrown glass at the dinner table – determinedly anti-dramatic. Coltrane’s never acted before: he was handpicked by Linklater for this, his film debut.

He’s fine in the role, but he’s also playing a character who’s fairly indifferent to the world around him. He grows up to be a “cool” kid, one who’s into photography and doesn’t know if college is the right path for him. It’s certainly interesting to see Coltrane grow up in front of our eyes but that alone does not make for a compelling film. I wanted to like Mason, I wanted to care about his life, but I just did not get hooked anywhere along the way. Sure, I sympathized as he suffers frequent moves and new stepfathers. But I didn’t particularly like Mason, to be honest. He’s simply not that interesting of a character to follow for that long. While it’s gotten much less stellar reviews, I have to say I preferred the kids in Earth to Echo, who all were more sympathetic, complex, relatable characters in a film that’s about half as long.

Linklater cast his own daughter, Lorelei, as Mason’s sister Samantha and she also undergoes dramatic transformations during the course of the movie, as does Patricia Arquette, who plays their harried single mother. The most interesting part of the film comes courtesy of the more experienced actors: the terrific Arquette and frequent Linklater leading man Ethan Hawke, who plays Mason’s irresponsible father.

At first, Mason Sr. tries to bond with his kids after a long absence and casually smokes and swears in front of them. He drives a much-prized vintage muscle car that he eventually swaps for a minivan, along with a new wife and a baby. Seeing him go from self-centered, behind-the-eightball dad to responsible adult is an interesting journey, as is seeing Arquette (morphing haircuts along the way) go from night school student to self-assured professor.

There are scenes that stayed with me, like Mason being presented with a gun and a Bible from his grandparents on his birthday, but the film, as a whole, just failed to catch fire for me. Boyhood is an interesting film experiment, but one that didn’t speak deeply to me on any level. (– Sharon Knolle)

Atlas Shrugged Part III: Who is John Galt? 
 

20th Century Fox / Released 1/6/15

This third and final film completes the epic trilogy adapted from the novel written by Ayn Rand. After 12 years of suffering mysterious disappearances of society’s most-productive individuals, the nations economy is on the verge of collapse. As the government pursues policies imposing even greater brutality against those remaining, Dagny Taggart, Vice President of Taggart Transcontinental, must make a choice between saving the nations collapsing infrastructure or the man she has come to love – the man who would stop the motor of the World. Extras include interviews.

Archer: Season 5

20th Century Fox / Released 1/6/15

Join suave super-spy Sterling Archer and his fellow covert government operatives for more irreverent adventures across the globe. With an overabundance of cocaine at their disposal, the team forms a cartel and sets out to sell the drug. As this dubious new venture speeds into hilarious motion, the team deals with addiction, Cheryl’s turn as a country singer, an FBI bust, an open marriage, Kenny Loggins, a South American dictator, and an announcement Archer couldn’t have imagined in his murkiest, tequila-influenced haze. Loaded with sexy, animated fun and all 13 outrageous episodes, the 5th action-packed season of Archer comes with a cool stash of classified extras. Extras include featurettes and music video.

Last Word: The brilliant spy comedy returns with it’s typical smart plots, clever dialogue and fantastic voice cast.  Among the voice guest stars this season are  Fred Armisen, Gary Cole, Thomas Lennon, Ron Perlman, George Takei, Christian Slater, Lauren Cohan and of course, Kenny Loggins! This season does a soft reboot, having the heroes leave the spy game to become a criminal drug cartel.  Always irreverent, this season got an unexpected breath of fresh creativity as the new plotline set the animated series in a new direction.  Highly recommended.

Get On Up

Universal / Released 1/6/15

In his follow-up to the four-time Academy Award-nominated blockbuster The Help, Tate Taylor directs 42‘s Chadwick Boseman as James Brown in Get on Up. Based on the incredible life story of the Godfather of Soul, the film will give a fearless look inside the music, moves and moods of Brown, taking audiences on the journey from his impoverished childhood to his evolution into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Boseman is joined in the drama by Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Nelsan Ellis, Lennie James, Tika Sumpter, Jill Scott and Dan Aykroyd. Extras include deleted/extended/alternate scenes, commentary, full and extended song performances, and featurettes.

Last Word: The storytelling is a bit fragmented, but Boseman commands the screen as James Brown.  Unfortunately, like so many of these musician bio-pics, it’s another cautionary tale as we see Brown suffer from substance abuse that affects both his professional and private life.  What Boseman doesn’t do, however, is sing, leaving the audience with far too many lip-syncing performances in the over two hour running time.  The film’s lack of structure is further convoluted by it’s frequent superficial coverage of life events and a distracting breaking of the fourth wall.  The music is great and Boseman gives a solid enough performance to make it worth watching, but it’s ultimately a disappointment as the “Hardest Working Man in Show Business” deserved more.

Horns 

Starz/Anchor Bay / Released 1/6/15

A supernatural thriller driven by fantasy, mystery, and romance, Horns follows Ig Perrish (Daniel Radcliffe), the number one suspect for the murder of his girlfriend, Merrin (Juno Temple). Hungover from a night of hard drinking, Ig awakens one morning to find horns growing from his head and soon realizes their power drives people to confess their sins and give in to their most selfish and unspeakable impulses-an effective tool in his quest to discover what happened to his girlfriend and exact revenge on her killer. Based on the best-selling novel by Joe Hill. Extras include making of.

Last Word: Horns could so easily have gone wrong: A tale of a young man suspected of killing his girlfriend who inexplicably grows horns overnight is instead a darkly irreverent film that was one of my favorites I’ve seen so far this year. It’s (excuse the pun) funny as hell. Daniel Radcliffe plays Iggy, a nice enough guy whose childhood sweetheart Merrin (Juno Temple) turns up dead. The whole town believes he killed her and they’re even more convinced of it when he wakes up one morning sprouting horns. The horns end up having a strange effect on the townspeople, who start confessing their deepest, darkest desires to him. Armed with this new ability (and a convenient pitchfork), Iggy sets out to find who really killed Merrin.

Radcliffe has diversified his film roles so effectively that we almost forget he was Harry Potter for a decade: Only when dozens of snakes start slithering after Iggy do we think that, of course he can communicate with them: He speaks Parseltongue, after all! The boy wizard has definitely grown up: In this film, he has sex, smokes and curses profusely and is thoroughly American. And, of course, there are those horns. The film is based on the book by Joe Hill (son of Stephen King) and directed by Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, High Tension) It manages to balance the poignant tale of first love and loss with the black humor of locals giving into their basest cravings around Iggy, not an easy feat.

Most films, especially horror films, telegraph their next move far in advance but Horns (at least if you haven’t read the book, which I haven’t), always takes an unexpected turn. The supporting cast, including Heather Graham as an attention-seeking waitress, David Morse as Marin’s grief-stricken father, and James Remar and Kathleen Quinlan as Iggy’s conflicted parents, are all strong. I’ll admit I laughed hardest at the scene where Ig urges the band of reporters following him to “beat the hell out of each other,” with the winner getting an exclusive interview with him. They cheerfully oblige.

Visually, it’s a feast, with gorgeous shots of the Pacific Northwest, wild hallucinations and eerily lit sets, like the jazz club where Iggy’s brother Terry (Joe Anderson) plays. Iggy’s exit from a bar that the owner has impulsively torched is particularly apt, as the horned outcast exits surrounded by smoke and fire. The soundtrack, with songs by EELS, Tindersticks, Fever Ray and Flaming Lips is subtle and well-chosen. (– Sharon Knolle)

The Guest

Universal / Released 1/6/15

From the creators of You’re Next comes The Guest, a pulse-pounding thriller starring Dan Stevens  and Maika Monroe. Recently discharged from the Army, David Collins (Stevens) unexpectedly shows up on the Petersons’ doorstep, claiming to be their late son’s best friend. Welcomed into their home, the well-mannered stranger becomes part of the family until a shocking wave of violence raises daughter Anna’s (Monroe) suspicions that the mysterious ex-soldier is not quite what he seems. Smart and suspenseful, The Guest is an action-packed blast. Extras include commentary, deleted scenes and Q & A with star Dan Stevens.

Last Word: One of the best genre sleepers of the year, The Guest is a terrifically entertaining thriller that’s reminiscent of the work of John Carpenter (down to the synthetic score).  It’s silly and over the top, but delivers completely.  The film has a steady pace as it builds up the tension before unleashing it’s balls to the wall crazy that sends the film into the ridiculously fun final act.  Recommended.

Black Sails: Season One

Starz/Anchor Bay / Released 1/6/15

1715, The Golden Age of Piracy. New Providence Island is a lawless territory, controlled by history’s most notorious pirate captains. The most feared is Captain Flint. As the British Navy returns to redeem their land and exterminate Flint and his crew, another side of him emerges. He allies himself with Eleanor Guthrie, daughter of the local kingpin, to hunt the ultimate prize and ensure their survival. Many opponents stand in their way: rival captains, jealous of Flint’s power; Eleanor’s ambitious and intrusive father; and a young sailor recently recruited onto Flint’s crew, John Silver, who constantly undermines his captain’s agenda. Extras include featurettes.

No Good Deed 

Sony / Released 1/6/15

Terri (Taraji P. Henson) is a devoted wife and mother of two, living an ideal suburban life in Atlanta when Colin (Idris Elba), a charming but dangerous escaped convict, shows up at her door claiming car trouble. Terri offers her phone to help him but soon learns that no good deed goes unpunished as she finds herself fighting for survival when he invades her home and terrorizes her family. Extras include featurettes.

Last Word:  Two actors whose work I always enjoy,  Taraji P. Henson and Idris Elba, prove me wrong in this awful, derivative, and lazy thriller.  What’s even stranger is that Henson and Elba also produced this travesty; why either would feel the need to bring this project to life is baffling.  Even more baffling is how predictable it is.

Girls: Season 3 

HBO / Released 1/6/15

From writer/director/ actor Lena Dunham and executive producers Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner, comes the Emmy – and Golden Globe-winning HBO comedy series, Girls, which centers on Hannah Horvath (Dunham)and her mess of anxieties, insecurities and uncertainty as she approaches her mid-20s.

In Season 3, Hannah is now in a committed relationship with Adam (Adam Driver), and the two are settling into a newfound domesticity in Hannah’s apartment. Hannah is also working on rehabilitating her writing career and concentrating on delivering her eBook to her eccentric publisher. Meanwhile, Marnie (Allison Williams) is adjusting to life after a sudden and traumatic breakup with Charlie and meticulously working to achieve the life she feels she deserves. Nearing graduation, newly single Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) masterminds a plan to create a healthy (at least on paper) balance between partying and her studies. And, continuing her streak of disrupting the lives of those around her, Jessa (Jemima Kirke) resurfaces and strikes up an ambiguous friendship with a flamboyant father figure. Over this season’s 12 episodes, the friendships between the girls are more volatile than ever, proving that female friendship is its own kind of romance. As always, love, life, sex and death can all interrupt the circuitous path to adulthood – and will arrive when you’re least prepared. Extras include deleted and extended scenes, featurettes, commentaries, gag reel, and music performances.

Last Word: Kudos for Lena Dunham to be bold enough to make Hannah Horvath one of television’s most unlikable characters.  Unfortunately, I think the character is mostly autobiographical.  What was once a series that focused on four characters and the people within them, has truly transformed into Hannah’s show, which is to say, she’s a self-centered, narcissistic, pretentious, emotional pariah who treats her friends horribly (and vice-versa).  Her boyfriend Adam (Adam Driver) started the series as a manipulative sleaze has turned into the series’ only positive character.  Despite my frustration of both Dunham and the characters, Girls is well-written, handsomely produced and fascinating character study of some truly unlikable people.  Recommended.

Working Girl

20th Century Fox / Released 1/6/15

Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver and Melanie Griffith star in Mike Nichols’ hilarious, six-time Oscar-Nominee about a woman determined to shape her own destiny. When her overbearing boss, Katharine (Weaver), breaks a leg skiing, Tess McGill (Griffith) takes over her office, apartment and wardrobe. But when Tess creates a deal with a handsome investment banker (Ford) – who happens to be Katharine’s boyfriend – she’s either jumping up the corporate ladder – or about to commit career suicide!  Extras include trailers and tv spots.

Last Word: It’s been 25 years since I’ve seen Working Girl and revisiting it, I was more than a little surprised to rediscover that it’s truly one of the lost films of the Eighties.  It became Melanie Griffith’s honest to goodness star making role (a role, in fact, that she’s never come close to matching: Shining Through?  Milk Money?  She was great in Nobody’s Fool in a small supporting role).  The rest of the ensemble is great, with a terrifying performance by Sigourney Weaver playing Griffith’s corporate boss with an evil glee usually reserved for classic Disney villains.  Ford plays yet another variation of himself without a gun or whip, but his chemistry with Griffith is sparkling; this is Ford’s best film as a romantic lead.  Working Girl covers and makes some fairly bold statements for it’s time including gender roles, and financial class), but does so with a sense of humor and charm.  The film is dated, but how many things revisited after twenty five years aren’t?  Recommended.

The Boys From Brazil

Shout! Factory / Released 1/6/15

History has shown how one man with a dream can turn the world into a nightmare – can history repeat itself? Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman has made a life of seeking out the last remnants of the Third Reich. But when he investigates a lead about a mysterious plot to assassinate ninety-four seemingly unconnected men from around the world, he makes a terrifying discovery that has dire consequences for the fate of the human race. Lieberman’s desperate quest to stop the unthinkable launches him on a collision course with the sinister figure behind the plot: the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele.  Laurence Olivier, Gregory Peck and James Mason star in this Academy Award-nominated thriller from the director of 1968’s Planet of the Apes and based on the novel by Ira Levin, the author of Rosemary’s Baby. The Boys From Brazil: If they survive… will we? Extras include a trailer.

Heartbreak Hotel

Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 1/6/15

From the makers of A Night on the Town comes this entertaining comedy-adventure about a small town that finds itself all shook up! Aspiring rocker Johnny Wolfe (Charlie Schlatter 18 Again; Bright Lights, Big City) borrows a pink Cadillac and gets swept up in a series of outrageous events. After successfully kidnapping Elvis Presley (Golden Globe nominee David Keith An Officer and a Gentleman), Johnny s family and sleepy hometown will never be the same! Featuring a sizzling soundtrack, with Heartbreak Hotel, get set to shake, rattle n roll!

Last Word: A charming what if story that truly captures the spirit of the King of Rock n’ Roll.  Keith might not look like Elvis, but he captures the swagger, humor and sense of humanity that brings this unlikely premise to life.  Recommended.

The Longest Week 

20th Century Fox / Released 1/6/15

In this sexy and smart romantic comedy, Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde and Billy Crudup find themselves entangled in an exhilarating love triangle. The Longest Week of Conrad Valmont’s (Bateman) aimless and affluent life starts when he’s suddenly cut off from his allowance following his wealthy parents’ messy divorce. Suddenly broke and evicted, Conrad’s forced to move in with his friend Dylan (Crudup). But innocent flirtation leads to fateful infatuation and Conrad soon finds himself trying to seduce Dylan’s gorgeous girlfriend Beatrice (Olivia Wilde). As the sparks fly, both men vie for her affection… but which one will win her heart?  Extras include making of.

Last Word: I’m constantly amazed when talented actors star in misfires.  With a truly top notch cast, The Longest Week often drags and feels like “The Longest Movie.”  The film is devoid of a single moment of actual genuine emotion.  An attempt to emulate/pay homage/rip-off Wes Anderson/Woody Allen/Whit Stillman/Noah Baumbach fails miserably as writer/director Peter Glanz shows nothing other than he has no voice of his own.

Dinosaur 13

Lionsgate / Released 1/6/15

When renowned paleontologist Peter Larson and his team from the Black Hills Institute made the world’s greatest dinosaur discovery in 1990, they knew it was the find of a lifetime: the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever found. But during a 10-year battle with the U.S. government, powerful museums, Native American tribes and competing paleontologists, they found themselves not only fighting to keep their dinosaur, but fighting for their freedom as well.  Extras include a short film, featurettes and deleted scenes.

Cosby Show: Seasons 5 & 6

Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 1/6/15

When the Huxtables hit the airwaves for the first time in 1984 they created an instant sensation that rejuvenated and changed prime-time television forever. Now you can relive every laugh-out-loud moment from Seasons 5 and 6 of a show that became one of the most popular sitcoms of all time. Critically acclaimed and adored by fans of all ages, discover why Cliff, Clair, and the rest of the Huxtable family became firmly cemented household names.  Guest stars this season included John Amos, Raphael Sbarge, J. August Richards, Naomi Campbell, Ahmad Rashad, Debbie Allen, Chandra Wilson, Sammy Davis Jr., Arnold Stang, Harold Perrineau, Sen. Bill Bradley, Tichina Arnold, Placido Domingo, Anthony Quinn,  Elaine Stritch, Wallace Shawn, Moses Gunn, Mercedes Ruehl and B.B. King. 

The Bridge: The Complete Season 2

20th Century Fox / Released 1/13/15

In Season 2 of “this uniquely Mexican-American drama, where the layers of corruption on both sides of the border seem impenetrable”, Marco Ruiz (Demian Bichir) and Sonya Cross (Diane Kruger) are brought together again by the murder of a cartel member whose body is found in El Paso. Meanwhile, reporters Frye and Mendez venture deeper into the border region underworld to follow the path of a money-laundering operation. The unraveling mysteries quickly pull all of these compelling characters into a complex web of cartel assassinations, crooked cops and the explosive Juarez drug war

Married With Children – Seasons 7 & 8

Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 1/6/15

Loud-mouthed. Obnoxious. More Vulgar than ever. Discover the flipside of domestic bliss with the Bundy’s: Al (Ed O’Neill), Peggy (Katey Sagal), Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Bud (David Faustino). Highlights in this set include Peggy’s relatives leave their young son with the Bundys. Al takes a job as a topless bartender to help with bills, Kelly buys a motorcycle, Bud starts his own fraternity to meet girls, Peggy spends so much that Al can’t retire, Peggy switching seats with Al at a basketball game and ending up being chosen for the $10,000 free throw contest, while Kelly and Bud buy a car to share and then are forced to double date. Everyone thinks Bud has flipped out when they overhear him speaking with his “cool” alter-ego, and in a hospital mix-up, Al is accidentally circumcised after he’s injured playing baseball. Finally, Al could get a brand new car as his old Dodge nears 999,999 miles, but it remains to be seen if he can hold out.  Guest stars include  Bobcat Goldthwait, Linda Blair, Corey Feldman, Brian Doyle-Murray, Dan Castellaneta, Joey Lauren Adams, Bill Maher, David Garrison, Abraham Benrubi, Vanna White,  Joe Namath, Johnny Bench, Ernie Banks,  Cheech Marin, Dom DeLuise, Gary Coleman, Danny Bonaduce, Dave Madden, Jane Lynch, Chi McBride and The Village People.

Party of Five: Season 2

Mill Creek Entertainment / Released 1/6/15

During the Party of Five’s second season, the Salinger family face new challenges and choices. Charlie and Kirsten struggle with their wedding plans while dealing with family and relationship problems. Bailey prepares for the SATs and college, while Julia finds out she’s pregnant and must make a life altering decision. The second season also featured guest appearances by Kate Hudson (The Skeleton Key, Almost Famous), Carroll O’Connor (All in the Family, In the Heat of the Night), Brenda Strong (Desperate Housewives, Red Dragon), Danny Masterson (That ’70s Show), and Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond). Featuring all 22 episodes, now digitally enhanced, the DVD includes a new featurette with all new interviews with cast member Jennifer Love Hewitt, as well as cast and crew commentaries on select episodes.

Playing Dead

First Run Features / Released 1/6/14

Jean, a 40-year-old unemployed actor, has hit rock bottom. Insufferably clueless and egotistical, his over-the-top “method” acting and high-maintenance personality have gotten him fired from countless jobs. At the unemployment office, his counselor sets him up with a rather odd job; helping the police reconstruct crime scenes by standing in for the dead victim. Jean’s obsession for detail impresses the beautiful chief investigator, allowing him to take a leading role in a double-murder investigation at a ritzy ski resort.

Young Justice: Invasion

Warner Archive / Released 11/18/14

A lot can change in five years, as our super heroes are about to find out. And there’s some new residents to be found at Mount Justice: new team leader Nightwing, Wonder Girl, Blue Beetle, Batgirl, Bumblebee and Beast Boy. Young Justice will need all the help it can get as an alien presence has infiltrated Earth, while certain members of the Justice League are forced to stand trial at the criminal hearing off-world. Watch as The Reach, spearheaded by the quick-talking Ambassador and backed by the muscle of Black Beetle, manipulates a trusting public while maintaining its shadowy maneuvering with The Light. So report in for an epic 20-Episode adventure, as the risks have never been greater and the conflicts never so far-reaching. The epic finale will shatter everything you know! Special Features: Commentary Track on series finale episodes “Summit” and “Endgame” with creators Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti along with vocal cast Jason Spisak (Kid Flash) and Stephanie Lemelin (Artemis). Behind the Scenes featurette.

Last Word: Just as Young Justice: Invasion truly delivered one of the best story arcs in any comic book adaptation, the series wasn’t renewed.  Beginning the season with a five years later bump, the character’s have all evolved and several new heroes have been introduced.  An alien invasion is the basic plot, with character moments echoing a number of previous DC storylines including a sacrifice and it’s resolution.  Young Justice is a must see for fans of the DC pantheon with the largest number of characters really having something to do (the fantastic Justice League series tended to focus on the seven members of the team or small stories with just a few characters). Characters appearing in Invasion include Robin, Batman, Nightwing, Beast Boy, Blue Beetle, Lagoon Boy, Zatanna, G. Gordon Godfrey, Martian Manhunter, Miss Martian, Bumblebee, Cat Grant, Superboy, Clayface, Mal Duncan, John Stewart, Lobo, Adam Strange, Superman, Wonder Woman, Black Manta, Aquaman, Vandal Savage, Bibbo Bibbowski, Artemis, Sportsmaster, Red Arrow, Guardian, Cheshire, Black Canary, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Psimon, Batgirl, Icicle, Jr., Golden Age Flash, The Flash, Iris West, Carol Ferris, Wendy Harris, Lex Luthor, Captain Cold, Green Arrow,  Ra’s al Ghul, Static, Tigress, Black Beetle, Impulse, The Spoiler, L-Ron, Captain Marvel, Despero, Captain Atom, The Atom, Jonathan Kent, Deathstroke, Mongul, Arsenal, Guardian, Toyman, Black Lightning, Aqualad, Icon, and Snapper Carr! Highly recommended for comic book and comic book movie fans.

ThunderCats: The Complete Series

Warner Archive / Released 11/11/14

The ThunderCats are back! A generation after becoming beloved animation icons, the mighty survivors of Thundera returned for a bold, new re-imagining that mixed the best of the past with the boldness of the new. After the destruction of the cat civilization of Thundera by the evil Mumm-Ra, young Prince Lion-O leads a small band of survivors to safety. As the threats of Mumm-Ra ring in their ears, these determined cats know what they must do: find the Book of Omens. Using his powerful Sword of Omens, Lion-O guides his friends, facing vicious foes and making fantastic new allies while racing towards a showdown with Mumm-Ra. Now all 26 episodes are available in “sight beyond sight” 1080p HD on Blu-ray Disc as they were meant to be seen. So get ready to rip into the action with Lion-O, Tygra, Panthro, Snarf, Cheetara, Wily Kit, Wily Kat and hear the battle cry of “ThunderCats Ho!” once again, for the very first time!

Last Word: ThunderCats is one of several toy/animated series phenomenons that hit just a little too late for me. I have plenty of friends that adore the franchise, but looking at the material as an adult, without any nostalgic connection, readily reveals the dated shortcomings of the IP. This collection contains the entire series reboot from a few years back, produced by fans turned professionals, who have a higher sophistication and storytelling freedom than the original. And, it’s ok. Likely to satisfy longtime fans of the property, the unchanged concept is still strong enough to entice younger viewers into the series’ mythology. The animation and voice work is top notch. For fans of the original series (or this one when it aired a few years ago) or younger viewers, ThunderCats: The Complete Series is an easy recommendation.

The Middle The Complete Fifth Season

Warner Archive / Released 10/7/14

The quirky misadventures of one of the Heartland’s most hilarious families continue as the middle returns for a fifth fitful season… and family dynamics have never been funnier. As the middle-aged, middle-class, middle of the country mom, Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton) tackles the mundane chaos of everyday life, her kids – recent high school graduate Axl (Charlie McDermott), sophomore Sue (Eden Sher) and the quirky middle-schooler Brick (Atticus Shaffer) – are continually manufacturing drama, while her laconic husband, Mike (Neal Flynn) offers support from the sidelines (re. the living room couch). Juggling her new job as a dental assistant with school projects, teenage theatrics and a husband in emotional low gear, Frankie struggles to use her wry wit and sense of humor to get her family through each day intact. But through all the madness, the Hecks muddle through…and together they’re keeping the middle on the map.

Last Word: The Middle is the thematic heir to Roseanne, focusing on a blue collar family in “middle America.” What sets the series apart is it’s consistent genuineness; not every answer is fulfilled or solved with an easy answer; the kids are all realistic (all with their own social disorders) and the parents don’t magically swoop in with all the answers. Guest stars this season include CJerry Van Dyke, Rachel Dratch, Dave ‘Gruber’ Allen, Marsha Mason, Jack McBrayer, Dave Foley, Keegan-Michael Key, Casey Wilson, Julie Brown, Brooke Shields, Chris Kattan, Norm MacDonald, Courtney Gains, and Mindy Cohn. Sharp writing and an excellent ensemble make The Middle one of television’s most underrated and honest family shows on the air. Kudos to Warner Archive for continuing to release the series . Recommended.

Samurai Cop

Cinema Epoch / Released 11/25/14

You have the right to remain silent… dead silent. A deadly “Code of Silence” sweeps through Los Angeles as gang violence erupts, taking no prisoners and leaving no witnesses alive. The police find themselves outgunned and out-sword-ed by Fujiyama’s infamous Katana gang. Only one man has the training, expertise and swordsmanship needed to break the code. His name is Joe Marshall (Matt Hannon). They call him Samurai. He speaks fluent Japanese. He was trained by “The Masters” in Japan. Joe must strike a balance between his insatiable appetite for women and his quest to stop the gang violence. Endless obstacles abound; A horny nurse, a sex crazed policewoman, legendary henchmen (Robert Z’dar and Gerald Okamura) and countless petty thugs! Hilarity ensues but not how you might expect in this remastered so-bad-it’s-good epic cult-classic.  Extras include commentaries, interviews, trailer, still gallery and music excerpts.

Tales From The Crypt / Vault Of Horror

Shout! Factory / Released 12/2/14

Tales From The Crypt
When five unwary travelers with dark hearts stumble into a series of catacombs, they find themselves in a cavern with no way out. But the horror’s only just begun as a mysterious figure appears to reveal to each person the shocking events that will lead to their well-deserved, untimely (and unavoidable) demise. Starring Joan Collins (Empire Of The Ants), Peter Cushing (Horror Of Dracula), Patrick Magee (A Clockwork Orange) and Sir Ralph Richardson (Rollerball), and directed by Freddie Francis (The Creeping Flesh), Tales From The Crypt is the original, gets-right-under-your-skin creepfest!

Vault Of Horror
Available uncut for the first time on home video! Five unsuspecting hotel guests step into an elevator, which leads them into an underground vault. Trapped with no way out, each guest shares a gruesome tale of an encounter with death. But as the stories unfold, the men begin to suspect that their presence in the vault is no coincidence, and that the only way out…is death. Starring Tom Baker (Doctor Who), Denholm Elliott (Raiders Of The Lost Ark), Curt Jurgens (The Mephisto Waltz) and Michael Craig (Mysterious Island), this ferociously entertaining film is a worthy sequel to Tales From The Crypt! Extras include trailer, alternate title sequence, theatrical cut and an uncut open matte version.

Last Word: Based on the EC Comics titles, these two British anthology films adapt several pre-Code horror stories with some of England’s best actors. Vault of Horror arrives unedited on home video for the first time and both films are tremendously entertaining. Both films link several short vignettes together, all of them serving as cautionary tales. In Tales From The Crypt, Ralph Richardson plays the Crypt Keeper and the stories adapted are And All Through the House (from The Vault of Horror #35), Reflection of Death (from Tales from the Crypt #23), Poetic Justice (from The Haunt of Fear No. 12), Wish You Were Here (from The Haunt of Fear #22), and Blind Alleys (from Tales from the Crypt No. 46). In Vault of Horror, the Crypt Keeper doesn’t appear. Instead the vignettes are linked by five strangers, who find themselves in a gentleman’s club where they share drinks and stories of their individual recurring nightmares. This film adapts Midnight Mess (Tales from the Crypt #35), The Neat Job (Shock SuspenStories #1), This Trick’ll Kill You (Tales from the Crypt #33), Bargain in Death (Tales from the Crypt #28) and Drawn and Quartered (Tales from the Crypt #26). Both films are fantastic fun and come recommended.

Capricorn One 

Shout! Factory / Released 1/13/15

Mankind’s greatest achievement… or mankind’s biggest hoax?  It was suppose to be the crowning moment in the history of space travel. But when the first manned flight to Mars is deemed unsafe and scrubbed on the launch pad, anxious authorities must scramble to save face and retain their funding – and so an unthinkable plot to fake the mission is hatched. only an intrepid journalist stands in the way of the cover-up, but the powers that be will stop at nothing to keep their secret from going public. Director Peter Hyams (2010, Outland) helms this conspiracy thriller with an all-star cast, including Elliot Gould, James Brolin, Brenda Vaccaro, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson, Hal Holbrook, Karen Black and Telly Savalas. Extras include trailer and photo gallery.

Last Word: Using the urban legend of the faked moon landing as a starting point, Capricorn One was a controversial film since it’s release over thirty five years ago as it found an audience among the paranoid and the conspiracy friendly.  Like other conspiracy fueled thrillers of the same era (The Parallax View and Winter Kills, in particular), Capricorn One‘s parts don’t always add up logically, but in terms of entertainment, they’re pretty much top notch.  Recommended.

Revenge of the Green Dragons

Lionsgate / Released 1/13/15

From executive producer Martin Scorsese and Andrew Lau, the director of Infernal Affairs comes a gritty crime flick set in 1980s New York City, based on real events. Two immigrant brothers (Justin Chon and Kevin Wu) join the Green Dragons gang. They quickly rise up the ranks and become notorious in the community, drawing the attention of the NYPD’s Detective Bloom (Ray Liotta). But when an ill-fated love affair pits one of the brothers against the gang’s leader (Harry Shum Jr.), he sets out for revenge on the group.  Extras include commentary, featurettes and deleted scenes.

Honeymoon

Magnolia / Released 1/13/15

Young newlyweds Paul (Harry Treadaway) and Bea (Rose Leslie) travel to a remote lake cottage for their honeymoon, where the promise of private romance awaits them. Shortly after arriving, Paul finds Bea wandering and disoriented in the middle of the night. As she becomes more distant and her behavior increasingly peculiar, Paul begins to suspect something more sinister than sleepwalking took place in the woods. Extras include trailers, interviews and featurettes.

Last Word: Truly effective and often chilling, The Honeymoon slowly builds tension and terror as the simple story unfolds.  The plot is fairly pedestrian, but watching the film progress, you can’t help but but feel yourself becoming anxious as the situation (which I won’t discuss in any further details) unravel.  I have mixed feelings on the ending, but the acting, effects and directing are very solid and a worthwhile watch for genre fans.  Recommended.

Boardwalk Empire: Season 5

HBO / Released 1/13/15

Concluding a powerful and groundbreaking five-season run, Boardwalk Empire is an Emmy-winning HBO drama series from Academy Award nominee/Emmy Award winner Terence Winter and Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese. Season 5 begins in 1931, a full six years after the end of Season 4. In stark contrast with the Roaring ’20s, the country is in the throes of the Great Depression, and with the end of Prohibition in sight, Nucky is looking to legitimize himself by forging alliances with liquor producers, including Bacardi in Cuba. Season 5 also includes flashback scenes of Nucky, Eli, the Commodore, Gillian and others from 1884-1900 – childhood experiences that would shape their relationships and their futures. Extras include featurettes and commentaries.

Stingray: The Complete Series – 50th Anniversary Edition

Shout! Factory / Released 1/13/15

Stand by for action! We are about to launch…Stingray! Battle stations! Join the World Aquanaut Security Patrol in a riptide of retro t.v. with the sci-fi adventure series Stingray. Created by the immortal Gerry and Sylvia Anderson (Thunderbirds, Space: 1999) and employing their classic Supermarionation technique, Stingray is a torpedo blast of action for kids of all ages.

The flagship of the World Aquanaut Security Patrol (W.A.S.P.), Stingray is the world’s most highly sophisticated submarine, capable of speeds of over 600 knots and the ability to submerge anywhere on the Earth’s ocean floor. Under the command of the square-jawed and heroic Captain Troy Tempest, Stingray explores the most treacherous depths of our waters and protects the world from the perils that lurk undersea.  Featuring all thirty-nine of the original series episodes. What are you waiting for? Put on your PJs, pour yourself some breakfast cereal and make anytime Saturday morning with Stingray! Extras include interview with Gerry Anderson.

Men, Women & Children 

Paramount / Released 1/13/15

Men, Women & Children follows the story of a group of high school teenagers and their parents as they attempt to navigate the many ways the internet has changed their relationships, their communication, their self-image, and their love lives. The film attempts to stare down social issues such as video game culture, anorexia, infidelity, fame hunting, and the proliferation of illicit material on the internet. As each character and each relationship is tested, we are shown the variety of roads… Men, Women & Children‘s ensemble cast includes Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Rosemarie DeWitt, Judy Greer, Dean Norris, Emma Thompson, Timothée Chalamet, Olivia Crocicchia, Kaitlyn Dever, Ansel Elgort,  Dennis Haysbert and J.K. Simmons.  Extras include featurettes and deleted scenes.

The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power

Universal / Released 1/13/15

Join an exciting new chapter in the action-packed series from the Producers of The Mummy! After the king of Norvania is assassinated, the legendary Scorpion King Mathayus is framed for the crime and must fight off an entire kingdom of soldiers. Now Mathayus (Victor Webster) and his only remaining allies, a mysterious woman and her unconventional father, are the last hope to stop the evil heir to the throne on his quest for an ancient and almighty mystical power. Featuring Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk) and an all-star cast of fighters, including Roy “Big Country” Nelson (Winner of The Ultimate Fighter), Royce Gracie (UFC Hall of Fame) and Don Wilson (Three-time World Kickboxing Champion). Extras include commentary, making of, gag reel, and deleted scenes.

Big House: The Complete Series

Olive Films / Released 1/13/15

In this clever reversal of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, comedy superstar Kevin Hart (Ride Along, Think Like a Man) plays a spoiled rich kid in Malibu who, after his father is jailed for embezzlement, is sent to live with his auntie (Arnetia Walker) and uncle (Keith David) in a working class neighborhood in Philadelphia. Under the guidance of the loud and sometimes crude Cleveland family, Kevin gets a crash course in dating, religion, and education. Through a series of outrageously funny situations (often laced with genuine emotion), Kevin begins to realize that he has more in common with his common relatives than he ever imagined. Originally aired on ABC, The Big House co-stars Yvette Nicole-Brown (Community) and Faizon Love (Couples Retreat). 

Includes the episodes:

• Hart Transplant: Kevin is a rich kid from Malibu. He has it all, a great house and money. But one day his dad, who is also Kevin’s manager, is arrested for embezzling millions of dollars from his clients. Later his family from Philadelphia welcomes Kevin to live with them to start a new life. When he moves into the “The Big House” he is forced to live in the basement.

• Almost Touched by an Angel: Kevin is a non-believer but he is smitten with Angel, one of the beautiful girls at the family’s church. Kevin only agrees to get baptized because he wants to win Angel over. 

• A Friend in Need: The family is overjoyed when Eartha brings home her boyfriend, Martin, who unexpectedly hits it off with friendless, new-in-town Kevin. Eartha and Kevin soon begin competing to spend time with Martin, with comical results. 

• The Kidney Stays in the Picture: Kevin tries to get Warren to go to a Lil’ Kim concert, despite Aunt Tina’s edict that they have to stay home. When his cousin reveals that Aunt Tina gave him one of her kidneys during a childhood illness, Kevin begins to understand Warren’s attachment to his mom – until a little digging on his part reveals the truth about his aunt’s tall tale. 

• The Anniversary Party: Kevin, trying to show some love for Aunt Tina and Uncle Clarence, cajoles his cousins into throwing their parents an anniversary party. But his plan goes horribly wrong when he stumbles upon a deep, dark family secret — Tina and Clarence were married two years after Warren was born, a little fact they’ve neglected to tell their children. 

• Kevin’s Birthday: Kevin faces a birthday crisis when Warren spills the beans that the family has gone to great effort to plan a surprise bash for him – at the same time that Kevin’s best friend from Malibu descends on Philly, determined to treat his buddy to a lavish night on the town.

Rye Coalition – The Story Of The Hard Luck 5

Matzorific / Released 1/13/15

When they signed with one of the world’s biggest record labels, Rye Coalition was primed to finally get their glory, or so it seemed. Like countless rockers before them, childhood best friends started a band in a basement with a couple simple goals in mind: have fun and play good music. As one of the first bands to develop the new “”emo”” sound, they were at the forefront of a movement that included Shellac, Sunny Day Real Estate, Jawbreaker and Karp (with whom they later recorded a legendary 12″” split). Rye Coalition’s first recording was a demo cassette tape (1994’s “”Dancing Man””, self-released), backed by a tour in a beat up schoolbus long before most of them had their driver’s license. As their talent and fan base grew, they released albums on indie labels and toured the country for over ten years on bigger and bigger bills: (Mars Volta, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters). After gaining momentum from 2002’s “”On Top”” LP, engineered by Steve Albini, they were signed to Dreamworks Records and none other than Dave Grohl (Nirvana) came on as their producer. Then, it all imploded. The filmmaker has continuously documented these singular rockers for over a decade, brazenly chronicling choice moments with Rye Coalition (and those who know them well) on tour, at home and in the studio. Although the band was praised by critics and supported by an absurdly dedicated grassroots fan base, somehow these Jersey rockers never got their due Until now.

The Tom and Jerry Show Season One Part Two: Funny Side Up

Warner Home Video / Released 1/13/15

The timeless adventures of Tom and Jerry are back in a brand-new TV show the whole family can enjoy! The Tom and Jerry Show Season 1 Part 2: Funny Side Up features 13 exciting escapades featuring Tom and Jerry and their favorite pals, including Spike and Tuffy. The pursuit takes off as Tom, Jerry and the gang fly through unfriendly skies in Just Plane Nuts. Detectives Tom and Jerry are on the case to find Spike’s missing dog bones in Bone Dry. Love is in the air when a mad scientist transports Tom and Jerry to Paris to meet a girl cat and a girl mouse in Molecular Break Up. Jerry and Tuffy cause havoc on a luxury cruise liner in Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’. These and several other hilarious episodes are featured in this entertaining set.

Includes the episodes:

• “Turn About / The Plight Before Christmas”: Tom has a date with Toodles and she warns him not to be late, but Butch tricks Tom that Toodles has a surprise in the basement for him and he leaves him down there; Toodles leaves Butch in charge of her younger, rowdy siblings; Jerry and Tuffy watches a horror movie and mistakes Tom for a monster. While celebrating the holidays with Beatie and Hildie, Tom and Jerry destroy their Christmas tree and must go out to obtain a new one. In the process, they help out Santa Claus by delivering presents for Christmas. 

• “Tuffy Love / Poof”: When Jerry and Tuffy are planning to go on a vacation, Jerry gets mailed away when Tuffy forgets to bring a camera along with them, so Tuffy stays home and outwits Tom while Jerry attempts to come back home. Detectives Tom and Jerry are hired by a magician rabbit to find his pigeon partner, who has disappeared from his magic act. 

• “Top Cat / Mummy Dearest”: Both Tom and Butch compete for the Golden Fez in the United Mouse Catchers when they both attempt to capture Jerry. The witch sisters both commemorate the passing of their mother and Tom tries to help out by bringing her back from the grave. 

• “Domestic Kingdom / Molecular Breakup”: Tom stars in a documentary that mis-characterizes his daily activities from chasing Jerry to “romancing” Toodles and messing with Spike. Dr. Bigby invents a transporting machine that transports Tom and Jerry to Paris where they meet a girl mouse and a girl cat. 

• “Just Plane Nuts / Pets Not Welcome”: Ginger and Rick decide to bring Tom and Spike along on their Hawaiian vacation, but on their plane flight, Jerry and Tuffy tag along as well. Tom and Spike get loose out of their cages, and before long, things go awry. After the plane incident, Rick and Ginger sneak Tom and Spike at “Paradise Resort” where pets are not allowed, but when Rick and Ginger leave Tom and Spike in their room, Jerry and Tuffy cause them trouble. 

• “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’ / Road Trippin'”: Rick and Ginger’s vacation continues on a cruise ship, where to make sure Tom and Spike don’t cause havoc, they keep them in the carriers. Jerry and Tuffy invade their vacation again, and Meathead, the ship’s cat, hunts down Jerry and Tuffy on the ship. Rick and Ginger go on a road trip to visit Ginger’s great aunt Claire, but on the trip, Spike and Tom get lost, and Spike deals with “The Doggie of Doom” who follows them. 

• “Magic Mirror / Bone Dry”: When Hildie gets a magic mirror that predicts the future, Tom sees predictions of himself being fed a fish, which is good, and then a bad prediction: switching heads with Beatie. Detectives Tom and Jerry are hired by Spike to find his missing bones.

• “My Bot-y Guard / Little Quacker and Mister Fuzzy Hide”: Dr. Bigby upgrades his robot to be “The future of home security,” but when Tom invades the lab to pursue Jerry and Napoleon, the robot has some tricks up its sleeves. When Hildie and Beatie leaves their home, Tom and Jerry comes across Little Quacker who turns into a big monster on and off when he eats the stew that Tom made standing on the window. 

• “Pipeline / No Brain, No Gain”: When Ginger’s wedding ring falls down the drain, Tom, Jerry and Spike have to get it back before she finds out. One of Dr. Bigby’s inventions make Tom intelligent. 

• “Cat Napped / Black Cat”: When an injured Tom sees a female cat named Misty across the street get catnapped, him and Jerry seeks help from her dog friend, Scarf to locate her. When Tom ruins Hildie and Beatie’s potions, they get fed up with him and he overhears them wanting a black cat instead of him. He makes and drinks a potion that turns him into a black cat, and they assume he’s another cat. 

• “Hunger Strikes / Gravi-Tom”: During a winter day when Rick and Ginger are out of the house, Tom, Jerry, Tuffy, Spike and Tyke manage to get and find food around the house. One of Dr. Bigby’s inventions makes things float, so Jerry and Napoleon try it on themselves and then they try it out on Tom. 

• “Ghost Party / Cat-Astrophe”: When Hildie and Beatie go away on a vacation, Tom and Jerry has problems when their ghost nephew, Grayson, comes over and throws a large party with his friends and takes their crystal ball for bowling. An asteroid is heading towards earth and Tom and Jerry are determined to stop it; Napoleon is hungry for vending machine food. 

• “Curse Case Scenario / Say Cheese”: An unlucky dog named Dutch goes to Detectives Tom and Jerry, saying that a ruby stone he has been guarding from his great grandfather’s master pirate “Captain Wrongway Weston” is taken from a female dog named Roxy, who is also unlucky. When he tries out a new cheese-in-a-can that Rick and Ginger buy, Tom has a crazy day when he experiences hallucinations.

Tyrant Season 1

20th Century Fox / Released 1/13/15

Tyrant tells the story of an unassuming American family drawn into the inner workings of a turbulent Middle Eastern nation. Bassam “Barry” Al-Fayeed (Adam Rayner), the youngest son of a war-torn country’s controversial dictator, returns to his homeland after a self-imposed 20-year exile in America for his nephew’s wedding. Upon his return, Barry is immediately thrown back into the familial and national politics of his youth. He braces himself to confront the stark realities of his father and older brother Jamal’s (Ashraf Barhom) harsh rule, and finds himself at odds with Jamal’s wife, Leila (Moran Atias), who strongly believes in a firm, unforgiving regime. Although his wife, Molly (Jennifer Finnigan), struggles to comprehend her husband’s apprehension, Barry is unable and unwilling to make his all-American family understand his unease over returning home. Emma (Anne Winters), their 17-year-old daughter, adores her father and shares his disdain for the extravagances of her extended family. Meanwhile, their son, 16-year-old Sammy (Noah Silver), revels in the lavish lifestyle their “royal” status brings, but dangerously tests cultural divides with his poorly disguised interest in handsome family bodyguard Abdul (Mehdi Dehbi). Barry’s only warm memory of his childhood, boyhood friend Fauzi (Fares Fares), wants nothing to do with him. Fauzi is now a journalist, whose reports on the abuses of the Al-Fayeed rule resulted in his arrest and torture. Barry must now confront the life he once fled. With his father’s health in decline, everyone – Jamal, their mother Amira (Alice Krige), their father’s top advisor Yussef (Salim Daw), and even easygoing U.S. diplomat John Tucker (Justin Kirk) – expects him to assume a more active role in both the family and the regime. Extras include featurettes and deleted scenes.

Fury

Sony / Released 1/27/15

April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany. Extras include photo gallery, featurettes, interviews and over 50 minutes of deleted & extended scenes.

Last Word: The tales of World War II will always evoke some of the deepest reactions and emotions that a human is capable of possessing. The tumultuous battlefields are painted red with the losses of loved ones and the pain and suffering of thousands. From time to time, a film can encapsulate these sentiments while telling a story that resonates within on a plethora of levels. Yet again, we are taken by storm by a seasoned war leader in Brad Pitt. While being different and similar simultaneously from the Inglorious Basterds’ Aldo Raine, we are guided through the horrors of war while conjuring moments of compassion and brotherhood, which serve to pull us deep into the frills of the film. David Ayer adds an impressive installment to his resume with this picture, proving that he is a capable of work that possesses depth with an effective story telling ability. Containing only a few dull or contrite moments and limited holes that never threaten to sink the ship, Fury positions itself as a key film of this season.

Our introduction is to the tune of Sgt. Don “Wardaddy” Collier, played by Brad Pitt, leaping from his tank, which is so eloquently named Fury, onto a Nazi scout. He immediately buries a blade into the Nazi’s eye socket. There is a strange peace among the brutality of the scene, which sets up a poetic contrast to the theme of the story. Pitt and his crew have been together through the darkest of times. It is evident that they have seen the type of horrors that could break a man. Ayer presents our heroes in a way that is mostly unseen as they bicker and scream, while attempting to repair their tank to get back to base, all while sitting next to the corpse of their fallen gunman. The quarrel amongst these men brings to life the crippling destruction that is the result of war. The pain on the faces of these men is ever-present, and yet, amidst the frustration and anger, we can see just how much of a family they really are. Boyd “Bible” Swan (Shia LaBeouf), Trini “Gordo” Garcia (Michael Peña), and Grady “Coon-Ass” Travis (Jon Bernthal) become a troop that we sympathize with, and hope for instantaneously.

Norman Ellison, played by Logan Lerman, is faced with the most arduous task of his life as he is assigned to the Fury tank. Joining the army as a typist, Norman is thrust into the most decorated and battle tested tank unit the US has to offer. There is no sympathy to be given for this young man, which becomes clear when his first task is to clean the bloody remains of a soldier out of his new seat. The crew is electrifying in these early moments. Seeing a brother in arms replaced is a pill that will never be swallowed tranquilly, and the Fury boys depict that with brilliance. The hard exterior of these men could possibly be the most challenging barrier for Norman. Pitt demonstrates a side we are not familiar with in this character. In the shadows, we see his weathered shell cracking from the traumas of battle, making him so impossibly human. It is a necessary and devastating sensation to see this man in times of momentary vulnerability. Pitt demonstrates with gusto that every man can be shaken.

Ayer produces moments that amaze, as the troops continue their march through enemy forces. The intensity of battle is all too real, and the gruesome nature of combat completely overtakes us. The operations inside the tank are breathtaking. Each man has a job, and that job must be done efficiently in order for them to survive. Brilliant shots and angles conjure anxiety as the fight rages on. We begin to see the true soul of each of these men as they deal with combat in their own way. Norman is the embodiment of good amidst the evil that pollutes the grounds. Logan Lerman quite possibly delivers his best performance yet, as he battles against the ideals of his commanding officer. At times, he even suggests that his own life be taken, rather than killing a surrendered Nazi, just to prove that he cannot perform an act that lacks so much mercy. The rest of the men pressure him to do his job, and acknowledge that compassion and humanity have been barren from these lands for a long time. Yet they can still see the morals and decency that Norman has within him.

After taking a German city, the American troops enjoy brief moments of relaxation. Collier and Norman enter a building and find two German women. This is quite possibly the most memorable scene of the film. Pitt’s behavior is truly fascinating as he shows both respect and dominance over the women. He bathes himself as he orders one to prepare a meal for them, and at the same time, urges Norman to sleep with the younger of the two. There is a confusing aura to the moment. The women cannot process whether to be scared of these men or not, and it shows quite evidently. However, the moment is commanded by Peña and Bernthal. The rest of the unit finds Collier and Norman, and they are overwhelmed by an underlying sense of betrayal. They cannot comprehend that their leader would spend such an intimate moment with the newest member of their tank. These men have bled together and been through hell together countless times. Peña tells a gut wrenching story of their past, making the memory all too real. Bernthal performs disturbingly well. His behavior reeks of a lack of empathy for these two women, and more importantly, for Norman. These men have been broken over time. Slowly but surely, pieces are beginning to fall apart, and you can only wonder how long they will last. While the scene is brutally intense, it is unclear what it is attempting to achieve. There seemed to be moments of clarity that were lost there. Being set up as such a pivotal moment, it didn’t manage to be as impactful as it was likely aimed to be.

Ayer creates a finale that rounds our men off effectively. When Fury breaks down after hitting a land mine, the unit is forced to stand against an entire marching battalion of Nazi soldiers. The moment of love and brotherhood the film had been calling for finally comes to life in this last fight. It is demonstrated here that, without question, Shia LaBeouf is the shining star of this film. His performance overflows with purity and honesty as the unit’s religious gunman. His enactment in the final moments demand a connection from the audience. Every man shows that they still occupy their hope and decency to the bitter end. We see that Norman’s beliefs, after being put through the most grueling of tests, were possibly the ones that rang truest in the bitter end.

Fury was an emotional escapade, which presented a unique side of the ruthless reality that is war. There were moments that seemed to drag, and yet once it is over, you were not sure how you arrived at the conclusion. A very few times in this film are we left unsatisfied or displeased, however those moments do exist. The theme of the film can be questioned when looking at whom to believe. We are left wondering who is right in their stance on the war. Is it Norman, who believes in mercy and compassion, or is it Sgt. Collier, who knows that the enemy lives to try and kill you, and killing them is the only way to survive? It is hard to accept the ending of this picture based on whom you side with. Nevertheless, Fury is a story worth sitting through, and one you will likely not regret. (– Dan Powers)

Lucy

Universal / Released 1/20/15

From the visionary director of La Femme Nikita and The Professional and starring Scarlett Johansson and Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman comes an action-thriller about a woman accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors. Altered by a dangerous new drug allowing her to use 100% of her brain capacity, Lucy transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.  Extras include featurettes.

Last Word: With Under the Skin and now Lucy, Scarlett Johansson has starred in two of the more interesting science fiction films of 2014. One gets it right, while the other truly is a mess, albeit not a complete disaster either. Lucy gets lost fairly early in the game, but then becomes mind-bogglingly silly with where it decides to go. Essentially, the smarter the character of Lucy becomes, the dumber the screenplay gets. Where Under the Skin was sparse, arty and understated, Lucy is written and directed by Luc Besson (The Professional), so you know it’s going to have plenty of mindless action. Yet behind the shootings and special effects is a thought-provoking premise that may surprise you initially. I truly wish it didn’t gild the lily and eventually go completely up its own ass to never find its way out.

Lucy (Johansson) is a student, who, for some reason, is in Taiwan. We’re thrown right into the story as a seedy boyfriend tries to get her to deliver a briefcase to a Mr. Jang (Min-Sik Choi). It turns out to be a very bad deal. Suffice to say something happens that causes a profound change in Lucy. Meanwhile, we see Professor Norman (Morgan Freeman) give a lecture on his theories about what it might mean if humans could use more than the 10 to 15 percent of our brains than we actually utilize. Pay attention, because it’s here where the plot of the film is explained through endless exposition. After being kidnapped and brutalized, Lucy discovers her brain power is increasing. Indeed, she can see and do things ordinary humans cannot. As a neuroscience nerd, I will admit some moments made me perk up, but they become fewer and less frequent as the film went on. Basically, this is a take on an intriguing concept about “smart drugs” that was explored to a similar degree in Limitless, another movie I didn’t hate completely but also strays off course in favor of style over substance.

Since the proceedings start off on a somewhat promising note, it makes the film’s final destination all the more frustrating. Besson is a rarity among action directors in that he isn’t afraid to break with conventions and inject some visual humor into his storytelling (sometimes cloyingly obvious though with cut-aways to nature), and he actually earns a few guffaws in Lucy’s opening act. I was not the biggest fan of his work in the past, but I give him props for writing one of my guilty pleasures, Taken. He’s not a hack like Michael Bay, but Besson leans so much on his visual effects that he forgets to move the camera with the same urgency and style that propelled La Femme Nikita to cult status. As a result, Lucy becomes faceless and generic rather quickly, a problem exacerbated by its script’s lack of focus. This is especially frustrating once we get to the bloated, confusing and downright stupid final act that made me question my investment early-on.

Besson clearly aimed to make a philosophical action thriller, one which genuinely wants to answer its central question of what happens when someone gains the ability to use more than 10% of their brain. However, his script doesn’t provide anything other than faux-intellectual one-liners and a misplaced sense of smug superiority. It’s as if Lucy is convinced that it’s actually onto something, even as it becomes loudly bizarre and ludicrous. Quickly, Besson’s quest to stimulate our brains with vaguely scientific gibberish overtakes the main narrative, and Lucy becomes an unfeeling, unthinking vessel for his slapdash philosophies.

Perhaps I’m meant to admire Lucy for blazing its own wacky trail and attempting to turn an action pic into something more cerebral. But the effect as Besson tries to bluff his way to greater meaning is more obnoxious than enlightening. The director just doesn’t give up, huffing and puffing away with a mad-dog determination until the film’s grand finale arrives: so overwrought, visually turgid and downright loony (like a blend of 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Tree of Life and Crank – on acid) that I questioned whether even he remembered his original intentions. It’s fairly harmless, but also nonsensical to the point that it couldn’t explore its ideas with consistency. Then again, it’s dumb and occasionally fun, and in the world of summer action movies, maybe that gives it a mild pass for the curious. I certainly walked in dreading it, but walked out disappointed and reasonably entertained.

Oddly enough, I would say the same thing about Limitless. It could be my that neuroscience bias is blocking my ability to truly hate that both films lose focus fairly quickly, but I like the ideas enough to give it an extremely mild recommendation. I just wish the execution was solid. If Lucy had a stronger resolution and follow-through, I would be much more enthused about it rather than indifferent. As it stands, you certainly could do a lot worse, but I also don’t feel that you need to rush out to the theater either. Your brain deserves better. (– James Laczkowski)

Annabelle

Warner Bros. / Released 1/20/15

She terrified you in The Conjuring, but this is where it all began for Annabelle. Capable of unspeakable evil, the actual doll exists locked up in an occult museum in Connecticut—visited only by a priest who blesses her twice a month.   Extras include featurettes and deleted scenes.

Last Word: I was in the minority thinking that The Conjuring was neither scary nor particularly effective.  In fact, the scariest thing about the movie was the revelation during the promotion of the film that the real life Annabelle doll was a harmless looking Raggedy Ann doll.    Well, Annabelle is back in this unnecessary and not particularly entertaining prequel.  One reason why it doesn’t work?  It’s been done.  To death (no pun intended, but if you laugh, it was intended).  The killer doll motif has been done better in a number of films from Magic to Poltergeist to Child’s Play to Dead Silence.  The scares are predictable and worse, you can see them coming.  The only thing you don’t see coming soon enough are the end credits.

Mythbusters 10th Anniversary Collection

Discovery Channel / Released 1/13/15

The mad scientists in the MythBusters lab have cooked up their biggest concoction yet: 50 full episodes packed with the craziest, coolest and most combustible conundrums that the scientific world has to offer. Adam, Jamie, Kari, Tory, and Grant will risk their limbs and eyebrows to stamp each myth with the official MythBusters seal. Serving up one huge heaping of your favorite explosive entertainment, this is one unforgettable anniversary celebration.

Last Word: I’ve never planned on watching MythBusters, but it’s the kind of series that if I come across while flipping channels I’ll usually stop and watch a bit of.  It’s a fantastic series, and it’s smart, funny and educational.  This 10th Anniversary Collection I have to look at from two different perspectives.  The first is the actual content; 50 episodes selected by the five cast members.  It’s pretty awesome and there’s lots of amazing material.  Second, and this is where the set doesn’t work as a “celebration” is that there’s no context provided.  Why were these episodes chosen?  From a casual viewer like myself, I have no idea why the hosts picked their episodes.  What set them apart?  The lack on bonus material alone is disappointing, since a few commentaries and perhaps some information on how the series was developed might be interesting.  That being said, it’s a tremendous set and for tinkerers, scientists, gadget geeks and the like, it’s a definite recommendation/must have.

The Facts Of Life: The Complete Series

Shout! Factory / Released 1/13/15

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have: The Facts of Life: The Complete Series!  Mrs. Garrett and her girls are ready to make you laugh – and make you think – all over again with Shout! Factory’s release of the beloved sitcom as a complete series DVD set for the first time! The Facts of Life: The Complete Series contains all 201 episodes of this quintessential 80s show as originally aired, as well as a disc of bonus features including the new-to-DVD 2014 Paley Center cast reunion event!

Join Blair (Lisa Whelchel), Tootie (Kim Fields), Natalie (Mindy Cohn), and Jo (Nancy McKeon) at their exclusive girls school as they experience the highs and lows that we all experience on the road to adulthood. With the ever-developing friendship of our four young heroines, the gentle wisdom of Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae), and enough “Very Special Episodes” to make viewers blush, The Facts of Life remains a favorite for countless fans to this day. From Eastland School for Girls to Edna’s Edibles…from hilarious Cousin Geri (Geri Jewell) to hunky George Burnett (George Clooney), who says “the world never seems to be living up to your dreams?”

Last Word: Can you imagine pitching a series today focusing on teen girls without a male supporting lead and deal with such issues as teen suicide, death, prostitution, infidelity, abortion, rape, virginity, stalking, homosexuality, the Holocaut, etc. and make it a sitcom?

The Facts of Life did and did so without becoming a show that was defined by those storylines.  After the first season, the series (set at Eastland School for Girls) narrowed the focus on headmistress Mrs. Garrett and four students.  In the series’ ten seasons, the audience got to watch the actresses and characters grow up, evolve and become adults. 

Among the many guest stars, The Facts of Life featured appearances by such established actors and then newcomers as Lela Rochon, Penelope Ann Miller, Maurice LaMarche, Fabian, Grant Heslov, Moon Unit Zappa, Timothy Stack, Peter DeLuise, Thomas F. Wilson, Jean Smart, Mako, Jermaine Jackson, Richard Moll, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Ja’net DuBois, Richard Dean Anderson, Dana Plato, Gary Coleman, Crispin Glover, Helen Hunt, Conrad Bain, Dennis Haysbert, Paul Feig, Charo, Dean Cameron, Bumper Robinson, Chuck McCann, Jeff Cohen, Eddie Deezen, Reb Brown, Armin Shimerman, Casey Siemaszko, John Astin, Brian Robbins, Seth Green, Juliette Lewis, Mayim Bialik, Eve Plumb, Bill Dana, Todd Bridges, Larry Wilmore, Orson Beam, Jami Gertz, Robert Romanus, Paul Provenza, Alex Rocco, Pamela Aldon, Molly Ringwald, Richard Grieco, Doug Savant, Dick Van Patten,Bobby Rydell, John Kassir, Nicky Katt and David Spade.

The Facts of Life was never a show that was geared toward adults or accolades, but instead delivered good, relatable storylines and characters for a younger audience, both male and female on a weekly basis.  It might not appeal to today’s younger (and more cynical viewers), but if you are one of the millions of people that grew up watching Blair, Jo, Tootie and Natalie and suddenly found out the facts of life were all about you, this comes highly recommended.

The Identical

Cinedigm / Released 1/13/15

The Identical is a redemptive movie about a young man, the son of a preacher, who rejects his father s desire for him to join the ministry and instead embarks on a career as a rock singer. As he struggles to pursue his dream and rise to stardom, he finds love, pain, success, failure and ultimately uncovers a hidden family secret that reveals who he really is. The Identical is a captivating story about a family restored and a life discovered that lifts your soul and warms your heart!  Extras include commentary, making of, deleted scenes, featuretes, and trailer

Jessabelle

Lionsgate / Released 1/13/15

From the mastermind producer of Paranormal Activity and Insidious comes the ghostly tale of Jessabelle. Returning to her childhood home in Louisiana to recuperate from a horrific car accident, Jessabelle (Sarah Snook of Sleeping Beauty) comes face to face with a long-tormented spirit that has been seeking her return – and has no intention of letting her escape.  Extras include commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, outtakes and an extended ending.