That Time of The Week: DVD & Blu-ray Releases From 9/8/15 and More!

So, the Fall TV season’s up and running, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on some shows on DVD/Blu, as well as some movies.

After the jump, we’ve got the skinny on shows like Gotham, The Big Bang Theory, Homeland, Supernatural and more, plus flicks like Cinderella, Furious 7, Shocker and The Age of Adaline.

Remember to fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart.

Gotham: Season 1 

Warner Bros. / Released 9/8/15

The good. The evil. The beginning. When rookie Gotham City detective James Gordon, dedicated to restoring his crime-ridden metropolis back to its decent and illustrious past, catches the case of a murdered socialite couple, he promises their shattered, surviving son Bruce Wayne he’ll find their killer. It is an obligation and an obsession that will cost him dearly – and set the stage for the gritty and exciting world of Gotham. Inspired by DC Comics characters beloved by generations, this gripping hit series from the talents behind The Mentalist, CSI, Nikita and Gossip Girl reaches deep into Batman lore to uncover the sinister layers of corruption that secretly rule Gotham City, spawning ground of the world’s most iconic villains. Delve into the circumstances that created the bizarre personas who would become Catwoman, The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face and The Joker in this entirely new chapter that’s never been told. Extras include character profiles, featurettes, gag reel, SDCC panel presentation and unaired scenes.

Includes the episodes:

• Pilot: Lt. James Gordon arrives in Gotham with his fiancee Barbara Dean, and sets out to fight the corruption that has infiltrated the city at all levels. Partnered with veteran cop Harvey Bullock, Gordon tries to make a difference… and starts by investigating the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, whose deaths have left their son Bruce an orphan.

• Selina Kyle: Jim and Harvey investigate the disappearances of homeless children and discover a bizarre couple leading a child-trafficking ring. Meanwhile, Oswald heads back to Gotham, killing anyone who gets in his way, and Carmine accuses Fish of conspiring to overthrow him.

• The Balloonman: Jim and Harvey track down a vigilante who uses weather balloons to kill his victim, corrupt figures in authority. Meanwhile, Oswald gets close to Carmine’s rival for the mobs, and Barbara is told to ask Jim if he killed a man.

• Arkham: A hit man targets both sides of the city council as the fate of the Arkham district is decided. Jim and Harvey are assigned to find the killer’s next target and protect him. Meanwhile, Oswald worms his way into Maroni’s good graces, and Fish goes recruiting.

• Viper: Jim and Harvey investigate a death caused by a new drug, Viper, which has fatal side effects. Meanwhile, Oswald offers to help Maroni raid Falcone’s casino, and Fish trains Liza in how to get close to Falcone.

• Spirit of the Goat: A killer that Harvey killed ten years ago is apparently risen from the grave and is once again targeting the firstborn children of the rich and powerful. Meanwhile, Renee and Crispus find a witness against Jim, and Oswald pays his mother a visit.

• Penguin’s Umbrella: Jim decides to go out with a bang by arresting Falcone and Mayor James for framing Mario Pepper. However, first he has to survive an attack by Falcone’s man Victor Zsasz. Meanwhile, Maroni refuses to hand Oswald over to Falcone and matters escalate between the two dons.

• The Mask: Jim and Harvey investigate a man’s death and discover that he was involved in a brutal fight club at a financial firm. Meanwhile, Bruce returns to school and has to deal with bullies, and Alfred lends a hand.

• Harvey Dent: Jim leaves Selina in Alfred’s safekeeping while ADA Harvey Dent uses her potential testimony to rattle the man Dent believes is responsible for the Waynes’ murders. Meanwhile, Oswald finds Fish’s mole in the Falcone organization.

• LoveCraft: When killers come after Selina, Jim tracks down Lovecraft to get him to call off the hit. Meanwhile, Selina and Bruce flee into the city and Alfred and Harvey go after them.

• Rogues’ Gallery: Jim begins his new assignment at Arkham, but a mysterious assault on a prisoner gives him an unexpected case to solve. Meanwhile, Selena takes a sick Ivy to Jim’s apartment, Renee begins to fall back into her old addictions due to Barbara, and Oswald gets a harsh lesson.

• What the Little Bird Told Him: The GCPD has no choice but to bring Jim in when the new “Electrocutioner” goes on a criminal spree. Meanwhile, Falcone faces a challenge from within when Fish makes her move.

• Welcome Back, Jim Gordon: Jim investigates the death of a witness inside the station house, and quickly realizes that it’s an inside job. When no one on the force can help him, he turns to Oswald for help. 

• The Fearsome Dr. Crane: Before leaving Gotham, Fish tips off Maroni to who betrayed her. Meanwhile, Jim and Harvey go after a killer who make his victims face their worst fears, and Essen is forced to suspend Edward.

• The Scarecrow: Gerald Crane claims another victim and Jim and Harvey try to track him down. Meanwhile, Bruce insists on going on his yearly hike alone, Fish wakes up in a strange place, and Falcone negotiates with Maroni to keep Oswald alive.

• The Blind Fortune Teller: Jim and Leslie go to the circus but become involved in a feud between families… and a murder. Meanwhile, Zsasz reconditions Butch to help Oswald at the club, Barbara returns to her apartment and meets her new guests, and Bruce meets with the board of directors of Wayne Enterprises.

• Red Hood: Jim and Harvey go after bank robbers whose leader uses a red hood to disguise his features. Meanwhile, Fish tries to negotiate with the Manager, while Barbara tries to bond with Selena.

• Everyone Has a Cobblepot: Jim tries to break Loeb’s hold on Harvey after the commissioner gets the charges dropped against Flass. Meanwhile, Selena offers Bruce her help going against the board, and Fish meets with the head of the hospital and makes a deal.

• Beasts of Prey: While Bruce searches for Reggie, Jim becomes involved in a cold case that puts his loved ones in danger. Meanwhile, Oswald attempts to purchase a controlling share in a bar for his own sinister purposes.

• Under the Knife: While Jim continues his pursuit of the Ogre, Edward comes to Kirstin’s defense. Meanwhile, Maroni pays a visit to Oswald’s cabin and shares some important truths with Gertrud.

• The Anvil or the Hammer: As Jim and Harvey close in on the Ogre, the killer executes his own plan to get his perfect mate. Meanwhile, Bruce gets to Bunderslaw’s safe, and Oswald sets in motion a plan to take control of the Gotham underworld.

• All Happy Families Are Alike: While Leslie helps Barbara with counseling, Jim and Harvey try tor rescue Falcone from first Oswald, then Fish, then Maroni. Meanwhile, Kristen asks Edward about Tom’s mysterious disappearance.

The Age Of Adaline

Lionsgate / Released 9/8/15

After miraculously remaining 29 years old for almost eight decades, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) has lived a solitary existence, never allowing herself to get close to anyone who might reveal her secret. But a chance encounter with charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reignites her passion for life and romance. When a weekend with his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever. Extras include commentary, featurettes and deleted scenes.

Supernatural: Season 10

Warner Bros. / Released 9/8/15

What do you do when embracing your bad self is the only option?

Dean Winchester lost his battle with power-mad angel scribe Metatron, only to be resurrected by the power of the First Blade and now transformed into a demon, cursed with the Mark of Cain. The road to recovering wayward Dean takes brother Sam down sinister paths himself, with consequences that will shake the boys to their core. The Winchesters’ angelic comrade-in-arms Castiel must pick up the pieces in the aftermath of Metatron’s campaign to overtake Heaven. With his grace failing and rogue angels still loose, Cass faces the ticking clock of his own mortality while all-new and ages-old threats again push our heroes to their human and otherworldly limits. Extras include commentaries, A Very Special Supernatural Special, SDCC panel, featuettes, unaired scenes and gag reel.

Includes the episodes:

• Black: Dean embraces his new life as a demon and hits the bars with Crowley. Meanwhile, Sam tries to track down his brother, unwilling to accept what Dean has become, and runs afoul of a man trying to get revenge on Dean for a past crime.

• Reichenbach: Crowley discovers that Dean is becoming increasingly difficult to control, and contacts Sam to make a deal. Meanwhile, Sam escapes from Cole and returns to his hunt for his brother, and Hannah tries to make a deal with Metatron to save Castiel’s life.

• Soul Survivor: Sam tries to cure Dean and remove his demonic essence, but discovers that his brother doesn’t want to be cured. Meanwhile, Crowley realizes that he will need someone to rally the forces of Hell behind to maintain their loyalty, and seeks out a dying Castiel.

• Paper Moon: Dean insists on going hunting on what he figures is an easy case: three werewolf-related murders. However, the brothers soon encounter a prior acquaintance and find out that the murders aren’t as clear-cut as they seemed.

• Fan Fiction: Sam and Dean investigate the disappearance of a teacher at an all-girls school and discover that the students are putting on a musical based on Chuck Shurley’s Supernatural novels based on their lives.

• Ask Jeeves: Dean learns that Bobby is the beneficiary in an heiress’ will. With no monster sighting, the Winchesters go to find out what Bobby received. However, what they find is a murder and a possible husband-and-wife team of killer ghosts… or so they believe.

• Girls, Girls, Girls: Sam and Dean track down a demon prostitution ring which leads them to the witch Rowena. They go after her, unaware that Cole is still on Dean’s trail. Meanwhile, the husband of Hannah’s host body comes looking for his wife, complicating things for Hannah and Castiel.

• Hibbing 911: During a sheriff’s retreat, Jody stumbles across murders involving eaten corpses and calls in Sam and Dean. When they arrive, they ask Jody to keep overeager Sheriff Donna Hanscum distracted while they look into the killings.

• The Things We Left Behind: Castiel turns to Sam and Dean for help, when he tries to help the daughter of the man he’s possessing but she escapes. Meanwhile, Crowley and Rowena have a chat, and Dean worries about what will happen if he gives in to the Mark again.

• The Hunter Games: Sam and Castiel turn to Metatron for help trying to cure Dean, while Claire plans revenge against the man who killed her second father. Meanwhile, Rowena continues her plan against her son Crowley.

• There’s No Place Like Home: The Winchesters are surprised to see a video on the Internet of Charlie torturing a district attorney. Sam and Dean go after her, and discover that she’s after the man responsible for the car crash that orphaned her. However, the Charlie they find isn’t the Charlie that they expect.

• About a Boy: Dean gets a rude awakening when he encounters the fairy tale Hansel, who is trying to keep the evil witch from killing him. Unfortunately, Hansel sacrifices his victims’ age… and reduces Dean to a teenager.

• Halt & Catch Fire: Sam and Dean try to stop a ghost who is taking revenge against a group of college students by killing people through various electronic devices.

• The Executioner’s Song: While Crowley tries to deal with his mother, Sam and Dean confront Cain over the Mark.

• The Things They Carried: The brothers investigate a soldier’s brutal death and discover that another soldier was responsible. The trail leads to a third soldier who has developed an incredible thirst… and is a friend of Cole’s.

• Paint It Black: The Winchesters investigate a series of deaths involving disembowelment. In each case, the victims attended the same church and confessed to the same priest. Meanwhile, Crowley captures Olivette and turns her over to Rowena in the hopes that she’ll stop taking out her frustrations on his royal court.

• Inside Man: While Sam and Castiel free Metatron from Hell, Dean goes out drinking and meets Rowena. Meanwhile, Crowley decides what to about his mother.

• Book of the Damned: Charlie calls Sam and Dean and tells them she found the Book of the Dead that could help remove the Mark of Cain. Unfortunately, a man who claims the book belongs to his family shoots her. Meanwhile, Castiel and Metatron take a road trip to find Castiel’s grace, but the journey doesn’t go as planned.

• The Werther Project: To help Rowena translate the Book of the Damned, Sam looks for a Codex. However, the Codex is sealed in a magical Werther Box created by Cuthbert Sinclair, and kills anyone who tries to open it.

• Angel Heart: Claire tries to find her mother Amelia, and Castiel ends up trying to help her… and asks Sam and Dean for help.

• Dark Dynasty: Sam and Dean investigate a woman whose eyes were removed and run into the mysterious Styne family again. Meanwhile, Sam goes behind Dean’s back to recruit Charlie and Castiel to help Rowena decipher the Book of the Damned. In Hell, Crowley talks to Olivette and finds a bargaining chip that he can use against his mother.

• The Prisoner: While Dean hunts down Charlie’s killers, Sam has no choice but to fulfill his end of his bargain with Rowena.

• Brother’s Keeper: Sam has Castiel convince Crowley to find the three ingredients for the spell necessary to cure Dean of the Mark. Meanwhile, Dean continues to sink deeper under the Mark’s influence, and contacts a former ally for help.

American Experience: Blackout

PBS / Released 9/8/15

On July 13, 1977, New Yorkers prepared themselves for another sweltering day. But high temperatures weren’t the only thing making them sweat: unemployment was high, police and firefighters had been laid off, municipal services had been cut, and a serial killer named Son of Sam was still on the loose, keeping everyone on edge. That evening, lightning struck a power line outside the city, increasing demand on surrounding lines. Despite Con Edison’s efforts to control the cascading effects and prevent a catastrophic system failure, the lights went out, plunging some seven million city residents into darkness.

In the city that never sleeps, the divide between the haves and the have-nots became ever more apparent, as mayhem broke out under the cover of darkness. By the time the lights went back on more than a day later, more than 1,600 businesses had been looted, over 3,700 people had been arrested, and firefighters had battled more than 1,000 fires.

Told through the memories of ordinary New Yorkers who lived through the events, Blackout explores what happened on the night the lights went out.

Detectorists

Acorn Media / Released 9/1/15

BAFTA-winner Mackenzie Crook (Game of Thrones, The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean), who also wrote and directed the series, and Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominated Toby Jones (Captain America, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Wayward Pines, The Girl) star as two oddball metal detecting enthusiasts scouring the English countryside for treasure, striking comedic gold in this critically adored series. If only their characters, Andy and Lance, could be so fortunate.

These amateur metal detectorists have an unhealthy fixation on uncovering a fabled trove of buried Saxon loot. Unfortunately, the world of high-stakes metal detecting is surprisingly turbulent, as are their personal lives.

Andy’s girlfriend, Becky (Rachael Stirling, The Bletchley Circle), is none too pleased about the amount of time he sinks into his fruitless hobby, and even less so when a female colleague (Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Peaky Blinders, Wolf Hall) enters the equation. Lance, meanwhile, is still hopelessly in love with his ex-wife—and finds several embarrassing ways to show it. Behind the most excruciating moments lies a winning combination of warmth, eccentricity, and humanity.  Extras include featurette.

Includes the episodes:

• Episode 1: Andy and Lance meet Sophie and become aware that a near-legendary find might be hidden on a local farm. Trouble is, the owner is notorious for discouraging trespassers, and it is rumoured that his wife is buried on the property… 

• Episode 2: Andy and Lance have managed to secure permission to explore the Bishop estate, provided they avoid the lower paddock. It comes as little surprise that Larry Bishop is mad as a bag of ferrets. What they aren’t expecting is a rival group of detectorists turning up…

• Episode 3: Andy and Lance are going to need help, and Terry—who runs the club—is only too keen to muck in if he can prove that Larry Bishop did murder his wife. Meanwhile, Lance has a gig coming up at the local pub and he wants Maggie to come. This looks like a great plan until his nerves kick in. (The episode includes a performance of the title song, performed by Johnny Flynn as “Johnny Piper”.)

• Episode 4: Andy and Lance have a falling out, and the club needs a new president. Becky and Sophie are roped into a pub quiz together, and Andy finds himself in trouble.

• Episode 5: Andy, Lance, Becky and Sophie refuse to talk to each other, and Bishop’s farm suddenly becomes an area of great interest.

• Episode 6: A huge hole has been excavated and police are looking into it. Furthermore, Larry Bishop’s invisible dogs have disappeared without trace, and Andy and Lance now have one last chance to discover their hearts’ true desire.

American Heist 

Lionsgate / Released 9/8/15

James (Hayden Christensen) owes his life to his older brother Frankie (Adrien Brody) after taking the rap for a crime they committed together. Now, Frankie is released and back on the streets. With no money and no place to go, he turns to his underworld connections and convinces James to join him in hopes that one last job would be the answer to change both their lives. Extras include featurette.

Vigilante Force 
 

Kino Lorber / Released 9/8/15

They hired themselves a hero – But all they got was Trouble! This slick, fast moving and action-packed modern day western delivers a strong dramatic punch. The setting is a small California community that has been turned into a boomtown plagued by violence. Vietnam war hero and ex-trouble maker, Kris Kristofferson (Convoy) is hired to head a vigilante police force – he and his tough squad use violent strong-arm methods and soon clean up the town and proceed to take it for themselves. Now, the town’s leaders turn to Kristofferson’s younger brother, Jan-Michael Vincent (Defiance) to bring an end the vigilante force’s reign and terror. Cult filmmaker George Armitage (Grosse Pointe Blank) wrote and directed this exciting and suspenseful thriller featuring a wonderful supporting cast that includes Victoria Principal (TV’s Dallas), Bernadette Peters (The Jerk), Brad Dexter (99 River Street), David Doyle (TV’s Charlie’s Angels), Andrew Stevens (Death Hunt), Paul Gleason (Die Hard) and Loni Anderson (TV’s WKRP in Cincinnati) in the un-credited role of Peaches.  Extras include commentary.

Checkmate

Alchemy / Released 9/8/15

Six people become pawns in an elaborate battle between heaven and hell when they are taken hostage during a bank heist. Stars Danny Glover, Sean Astin, Vinnie Jones, Mischa Barton, Michael Paré, and Katrina Law.

Homeland: Season 4

Showtime / Released 9/8/15

Gripping suspense escalates to a fever pitch in the brilliantly reinvented fourth season of this Emmy Award-winning thriller. In her new role as a CIA station chief, Carrie (Emmy winner Claire Danes) convinces Saul (Emmy winner Mandy Patinkin) and Quinn to help her hunt down one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists. But when Carrie recruits a young Pakistani as an asset, the lines between right and wrong blur and the operation spins out of control. Facing unclear loyalties at every turn, Carrie must take extreme measures and risk everything to protect her country. Extras include featurettes.

Includes the episodes:

• Drone Queen: The As CIA Chief of Station in Kabul, Carrie makes a critical decision when her counterpart in Islamabad delivers urgent intelligence on a high value target. Back in the States, Saul struggles to adjust to his new role in the private sector.

• Trylon and Perisphere: An official inquiry brings Carrie back to the States, where she struggles with her ambivalence towards motherhood. Quinn spirals out of control, while a disgraced former case officer reveals disturbing new information.

• Shalwar Kameez: Carrie ventures a delicate alliance with her counterpart at Pakistan’s secretive Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

• Iron in the Fire: Carrie gets a tip from Redmond regarding Quinn’s lead. Saul calls in a favor with an old friend in the Pakistani military. Fara uncovers a deep-rooted conspiracy.

• About a Boy: Carrie tries to earn the trust of a frightened asset. On his way out of town, Saul catches a break when he spots a familiar face. Quinn and Fara stake out a new suspect.

• From A to B and Back Again: Carrie puts her operation in motion.

• Redux: Lockhart arrives. Carrie’s investigation gets complicated.

• Halfway to a Donut: Carrie and Quinn organize a last-ditch operation. Lockhart and Martha stall the ISI.

• There’s Something Else Going On: Carrie improvises to salvage her mission. The CIA closes in on a security leak.

• 13 Hours in Islamabad: The security breach at the Embassy has far reaching consequences.

• Krieg Nicht Lieb: Carrie puts her life on the line to get her team out of Pakistan.

• Long Time Coming: Back in the States, Carrie and Saul investigate what she saw in Islamabad.

Crystal Lake Memories: Complete History of Friday the 13th

Image Entertainment / Released 9/8/15

For more than thirty years, Friday The 13th has proven to be as unstoppable at the box office as its hockey-masked villain Jason Voorhees, having spawned twelve feature films (and counting!), a syndicated television series and an extensive line of books, merchandise and collectibles. For its creators, Friday The 13th has been anything but “bad luck,” generating nearly $600 million in domestic box office receipts and turning an unstoppable, machete-wielding madman into a true pop-culture icon.

With a running time of approximately seven hours, Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th explores each film — from the seminal 1980 slasher hit to the 2009 reboot, including the hit syndicated television series — in chronological order, and promises to be the definitive retrospective on one of the most enduring horror franchises in motion picture history.

Inspired by the critically-acclaimed book, Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History Of Friday The 13th takes viewers behind the mask on an epic journey into the making of the landmark horror franchise – from its humble beginnings in 1980 at a New Jersey summer camp to the blockbuster release of its 2009 “reboot.” Combining hundreds of rare and never-before-seen photographs, film clips, outtakes, archival documents, conceptual art and behind-the-scenes footage, and featuring interviews with more than 150 cast and crew members spanning all twelve films and the television series, Crystal Lake Memories is the ultimate tribute to one of horror’s most iconic and enduring franchises. Extras include commentary.

Haven: Complete Fifth Season, Volume 1

E One / Released 9/8/15

Based on the novella “The Colorado Kid” from Stephen King, the hit Syfy series follows former FBI agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose), who became a cop in the small town of Haven, Maine, and quickly found herself involved in the return of “the Troubles,” a series of supernatural afflictions that have plagued the seaside village for generations. Partnered with local residents Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant) and Duke Crocker (Eric Balfour), Audrey began to realize that Haven’s fate was linked to her own, and only she can save the town and the people she loves from the weight of their curses.

Haven: Complete Fifth Season, Volume 1, picks up with the aftermath of our heroes’ victory over William. After having successfully banished him into the Void, Nathan and Duke are devastated to discover that the Audrey Parker they know and love has disappeared. In her place stands Mara, the unflinchingly malevolent “original” person responsible for creating the troubles many centuries ago. Finally freed from the confines of her do-gooder husks (Audrey, Lucy, Sarah, etc.), Mara proceeds to unleash a wave of chaos over Haven. Extras include commentary and featurettes.

Includes the Episodes:

• See No Evil: Mara, occupying Audrey’s body, goes on a rampage to find a way back to her own world. Meanwhile, a new Trouble with an old history strikes the residents of Haven, and Duke suspects that he might be the one responsible.

• Speak No Evil: While Duke’s new Trouble runs rampant, Nathan sets out to capture Mara and turn her over the Guard in the hope that they can make her undo the Troubles. Meanwhile, Vince and Dwight disagree over the leadership of the Guard as Vince tries to deal with Dave’s injuries.

• Spotlight: Nathan abducts Mara on his own so that he can bring Audrey back out… and keep the Guard from killing Mara. Meanwhile, Duke’s friend suffers from a fatal Trouble and he needs Mara to cure her… and himself, as the Troubles within eat away at him.

• Much Ado About Mara: Mara offers to cure the Troubles in return for Dwight’s help recovering the aether that William hid. Meanwhile, Duke is plagued by a new Trouble, while Vince and Dave seek help to recover the memories they lost in the cave.

• The Old Switcheroo Part 1: While Dave and Vince travel to North Carolina to explore the circumstances of Dave’s adoption, a new Trouble strikes Haven. Meanwhile, Nathan takes a different approach to try and bring Audrey back.

• The Old Switcheroo Part 2: After the newest Troubled person switches their minds, Duke and Nathan try to use the circumstance to their advantage to fool Mara. she soon realizes what they’re up to, forcing them to risk everything on one last, desperate plan. Meanwhile, Dave and Vince learn more about the circumstances of Dave’s adoption in North Carolina. 

• Nowhere Man: Nathan and Audrey are finally reunited but at a cost. However, their reunion is short-lived when Nathan is seemingly killed by a localized nuclear blast… only to find himself transformed into a ghost.

• Exposure: Audrey calls in help from the Darkside Seekers to find a way to communicate with Nathan. However, to learn what they need to bring him back, Duke has to agree to an unusual deal with Mara. Meanwhile, the hospital takes a sample of the infection on Dave’s leg, and the analysis may endanger Haven’s secrets.

• Morbidity: Dwight befriends Charlotte Cross, the CDC doctor sent to Haven to investigate Dave’s biopsy sample. But dancing bears and a mysterious infection threaten to expose the town’s secrets to the world. Meanwhile, Mara convinces Duke that his friends are turning against him.

• Mortality: While Dwight tries to convince Charlotte that she shouldn’t call in the army, Nathan and Audrey race to find a cure for the illness striking the Troubled people in Haven. Meanwhile, Duke frees Mara.

• Reflections: As Duke threatens to explode from the Troubles that he contains, he turns to the only person who can help him: Mara. Meanwhile, audrey tries to deal with a new Trouble while her illness grows ever more debilitating.

• Chemistry: When someone abducts Mara, Duke goes looking for her and crosses paths with Nathan. Meanwhile, Vince and Audrey try to find the proof they need to convince Dwight that Charlotte is not who she claims to be.

• Chosen: Duke makes a deal with Mara so he won’t destroy Haven. However, Nathan needs Mara to cure Audrey. Meanwhile, Charlotte reveals the secret of Mara and Audrey’s existence, and Dave and Vince try to find out the source of Dave’s visions.

Cartoon Network: Over the Garden Wall

Cartoon Network / Released 9/8/15

The critically acclaimed and Emmy Award-nominated, Over the Garden Wall is the story of two brothers, Wirt (voiced by Elijah Wood) and Greg (voiced by Collin Dean), who find themselves lost in the Unknown; a strange forest adrift in time. With the help of a wise old Woodsman (voiced by Christopher Lloyd) and a foul-tempered bluebird named Beatrice (voiced by Melanie Lynskey), Wirt and Greg must travel across this strange land, in hope of finding their way home. At the heart of Over the Garden Wall are two brothers who are looking for direction in different ways. Wirt gets lost in his own thoughts, while Greg gets lost in the wonder and fun of the world around him. Join them as they encounter surprises and obstacles on their journey through the wood.

The visually stunning series offers a soft and nostalgic storybook feeling, inspired by folk art, classical illustrations and features a soundtrack full of Americana-influenced original songs. The ten-part miniseries includes guest voices from film, television, theater and music. They include Chris Isaak, Bebe Neuwirth, John Cleese, Shannyn Sossamon, Jack Jones, Samuel Ramey, Tim Curry, Deborah Voight among others.

Over the Garden Wall is based upon McHale’s award-winning short, Tome of the Unknown, which took home the Bruce Corwin Award for Best Animated Short at the 2014 Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Over the Garden Wall was nominated for a 2015 Emmy for “Outstanding Animated Program.” Produced under Cartoon Network’s prolific shorts program, Over the Garden Wall joins an illustrious list of animated shorts to become fully produced series on Cartoon Network (Regular Show, Steven Universe, Uncle Grandpa, Clarence, and the recently premiered We Bare Bears). Extras include alternate title cards, deleted animatics, the series’ original pilot: Tome of the Unknown, an exclusive featurette with McHale, series stars Elijah Wood, Collin Dean and Melanie Lynskey, and composers The Blasting Company. The DVD also contains a composers’ cut of each episode and exclusive commentaries with McHale and art director Nick Cross.

Defiance 

Kino Lorber / Released 9/8/15

Action veteran John Flynn (Rolling Thunder) directed this tough-as-nails thriller about a merchant seaman (Jan-Michael Vincent, Vigilante Force) taking on a gang of thugs. Merchant mariner Tommy (Vincent) is stuck in New York’s tough Lower East Side, waiting for his next ship to sail. He mostly keeps to himself, though he takes a liking to a pretty local woman named Marsha (Theresa Saldana, The Evil That Men Do) and befriends a kid (Fernando Lopez, Frankie and Johnny) and an old veteran (Art Carney, The Late Show). But he also finds the neighborhood plagued by a rough, violent gang called the Souls, led by Angel (Rudy Ramos, Quicksilver). Tommy stands up to the gang, and his behavior encourages others in the neighborhood to fight back against their tormentors. The supporting cast includes Danny Aiello (Fort Apache the Bronx), Frank Pesce (Killer Fish) and Tony Sirico (The Sopranos).

Shocker 

Shout! Factory / Released 9/8/15

On October 2nd, at 6:45 a.m., mass murderer Horace Pinker was put to death… Now he’s really mad. Master of horror Wes Craven (Scream, The Last House on the Left, A Nightmare on Elm Street) directs this exciting visual treat which introduces a diabolical mass murderer who harnesses electricity for unimaginable killing powers. About to be electrocuted for a catalog of heinous crimes, the unrepentant Horace Pinker transforms into a terrifying energy source. Only young athlete Jonathan Parker, with an uncanny connection to Pinker through bizarre dreams, can fight the powerful demon. The two dive in and out of television programs, chasing each other from channel to channel through stunning scenes of disaster, game shows and old reruns.

A blend of dazzling special effects and an electrifying soundtrack, Shocker stars actor/director Peter Berg (actor Smokin’ Aces, director Lone Survivor), Michael Murphy (X-Men: The Last Stand, Batman Returns), Ted Raimi (Evil Dead II, Candyman) and Mitch Pileggi (The X-Files, Sons of Anarchy) as Horace Pinker. Extras include commentaries, interviews, featurettes, trailer, tv spots, storyboard gallery, radio spots and still gallery.

The Editor 

Shout! Factory / Released 9/8/15

Rey Ciso (Adam Brooks) was once the greatest editor the world had ever seen. Since a horrific accident left him with four wooden fingers on his right hand, he’s had to resort to cutting pulp films and trash pictures. When the lead actors from the film he’s been editing turn up murdered at the studio, Rey is fingered as the number one suspect. The bodies continue to pile up in this absurdist giallo-thriller as Rey struggles to prove his innocence and learn the sinister truth lurking behind the scenes.

Functioning as a straight-up send-up of Dario Argento, Mario Bava and the cinematic sorcerers of ’70s slasher films, Canadian horror comedy The Editor is a charming tribute to the unsung classics of giallo, an Italian subgenre known for its gory and gruesome erotic horror. Extras include commentary, featurettes, film festival introductions, deleted scenes and making of documentary.

Furious 7

Universal / Released 9/15/15

Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast across the globe in their most gravity-defying and emotional adventure yet. Targeted by a cold-blooded black ops assassin with a score to settle (Jason Statham), their only hope is to get behind the wheel again and secure an ingenious prototype tracking device. Facing their greatest threat yet in places as far away as Abu Dhabi and as familiar as the Los Angeles streets they call home, the crew must come together once again as a team, and as a family, to protect their own. Extras include extended edition, deleted scenes, featurettes and music video.

Last Word: It’s hard to think critically and objectively when reviewing a film that is part of a franchise as self-aware as The Fast and the Furious series. When a film tries too hard to embrace its flaws, can we still call them flaws? Admittedly, I’ve only been a true fan of the series since Fast Five, when it more or less diverted from its usual formula into the much more over-the-top and outrageous spectacle showcase that it is today. Since then, each succeeding film has tried harder and harder to top the action, spectacle, and cheese until it eventually collapses into itself like a dying sun. That hasn’t happened yet, fortunately, and with Furious 7, it doesn’t appear to be getting any closer.

The seventh movie (excluding tie-ins) in The Fast and the Furious franchise brings most of the group back together for another “one last adventure,” but there are some significant differences in this adventure, both in front of and behind the camera. One big change is the departure of director Justin Lin. He is replaced with young horror director James Wan. While Lin’s career has mostly been tied with later Fast and Furious films and an action-focused future, Wan has mainly kept it smaller, with lower-budget horror films that have generally been very successful, critically and financially. Lin bowed out of Furious 7 to avoid finishing Fast & Furious 6 at the same time. The reception when Wan was announced to replace him was mixed at best. Say what you will, but I’m in the business of seeing what a seemingly out-of-place director can do with the material, rather than dismissing him outright. In this case, James Wan has mostly proven himself to be a great director when given a much bigger budget and a crazier script.

Some cast changes include the addition of Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw, Owen Shaw’s brother, and Kurt Russell as Mr. Nobody. Most of the rest of the group returns, with Vin Diesel as Dom Toretto, Paul Walker as Brian O’Connor, Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson as Tej and Roman, respectfully. The same chemistry I’ve personally enjoyed in the previous films is as strong as ever, but the number of witty one-liners is disappointing. What is there is wonderfully cheesy, though. Most come from recent-series-veteran Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Hobbs, who is as big a standout (literally and figuratively) as ever. He just oozes charisma, and I’ll personally see anything he does. Plot-wise, the film has the group attempting to obtain a certain relic before the bad guys do, but these films are more about the spectacle of the adventure than the gritty details. Just roll with it and have a blast.

James Wan was able to put his own mark on the franchise while still keeping the skeleton in tact. In his horror films, Wan employs a great level of variety in his camerawork, which is very noticeable in Furious 7. Fight scenes between two or more characters have a slight kick to them, thanks to some inventive camera moves. On the other hand, Wan has demonstrated he it not the best at handling the fast-paced editing required to portray a clear scene for the audience. The camera can get extremely shaky at times, thus making it hard to pay attention to the action. This is not new to action films, or even this series, but it can get especially distracting here. Also, anyone familiar with the directing style of the late Tony Scott would feel right at home, because the extremely corny “camera quickly rotating around the character talking” technique is in use here. I suppose it’s more visually appealing than a static camera on a face, but it just seems so blisteringly fast at times that it causes one to give pause and wonder why that choice was made. There are some other camera tricks that are better left seen in person, but overall the film is stylish enough to keep anybody interested, action-sequences aside.

And my goodness, are those action sequences absolutely bonkers. The set pieces are always bigger and badder with every installment of the series. I have a hard time understanding how they could possibly top this one. Exploding buildings, flying cars, and more bullets than a John Woo film are all almost non-stop the entire 2 hour 17 minute run-time. It works on a level where it doesn’t seem to drag. Some slower scenes might make you wonder how long you’ve been sitting, but by the time the next set piece (and there are many) comes along, you forget all about it.


The Fast and the Furious series has never been known for its intelligent dialogue, or Oscar-level acting, but over time the films have begun to put those flaws up on a pedestal, even to the point where we go to see them for those exact reasons. Does that make any sense? The flaws of the film have become the attraction because the film handles the flaws well. If the reason you want to see this film is because of its outrageous and simply obnoxious crazy action, then you’ve proven my point. Even the extremely cheesy dialogue and laughable music queues are something I personally find warm and inviting about the series. It’s sticking to its roots. Few other franchises in any medium have that effect, so becomes an event whenever the next installment arrives. It’s like visiting an old circle of friends who haven’t forgotten about you. It’s like walking into a new class at school and seeing your best friend in the back row. It’s comforting, I don’t know. My point is this: the film is exactly what Fast and Furious 6 was, only bigger, badder, and more badass. If that doesn’t sound appealing to you, then the series simply isn’t for you.

I’ve saved this last topic for last because I know that’s what you’ve really come to read about. Yes, the ending sendoff to Paul Walker is as beautiful and perfect as you were hoping. Yes, you will most likely cry. It’s respectful and works extremely well with the overarching series story. It’s a tragedy that he died as he did, when he did. But with a little film magic, it’s like he’s still here with us. That adds a bit to the warmth I mentioned earlier, knowing the sad truth but being able to see him one more time. Make sure to not only have tissues on hand, but also embrace the fact that humans have emotions and films are here to tug at them. (– Steve Carley)

Cinderella

Walt Disney Home Video / Released 9/15/15

Celebrate Disney’s Cinderella, a modern classic that shines with beauty, imagination… and magic! Despite being bullied by her stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters, a spirited Ella (Lily James) resolves to take charge of her fate. Add a royal ball, a Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham-Carter) and a glass slipper, and suddenly – magic becomes reality! Extras include Frozen Fever short, featurettes and alternative opening scene.

Last Word:  Cinderella.  It’s the animated movie in live action form. That’s it. There is no originality or twist on the classic tale. And though the costumes and camera work create a majestic atmosphere –
Kenneth Branagh doesn’t fail to illustrate the beauty of the fantastical
world – any opportunity for character depth or story reinvention is
absent.

It’s difficult for me to focus on what this movie is because I’m so distracted by what it’s not. First, an overview. Helena Bonham Carter, who plays the marvelous and witty fairy godmother,
narrates the well-known story of a kind girl, with kind parents, who
end up dying, leaving her with an envious and cruel stepmother. Lily James (Downton Abbey) is lovely as Ella, with her soft mannerisms and quiet voice, always repeating her mother’s motto, “Be kind and have courage.” It gets tiring after a while, but this movie is geared towards children, so I can forgive the banality.

Her counterpart, Prince Kit, played by Richard Madden (Games of Thrones), is witty and charming with a gorgeous smile. Their chemistry and timing is cute but ultimately flat. Cate Blanchett shines as the stepmother, her emotions conveyed in each
grin and subtly widening eyes. She is, as ever, fierce and powerful
onscreen. But I thought this film would give more information regarding
her history. There is one line that alludes to an interesting past. Then
it’s gone. No more explanation. And it’s really disappointing.

I understand that this story is geared towards children and is supposed to be fantastical, but I much prefer Ever After with Drew Barrymore – who isn’t great, but she has more personality than James’ Ella. In Ever After, Cinderella even has an original name, Danielle,
and while she’s kind, she’s openly frustrated and beaten down. Also, she
and the prince have a relationship that spans more than several hours.
There is mistrust and anger. Complications arise and “Cinderella” is
forced into fairly threatening settings (being sold as a slave, for lack
of a better word, to a creepy old dude). That’s interesting, that’s
something different. The story is more complex, the stepsisters aren’t
equally mean, and again, a relationship has time to develop before a
marriage proposal is suggested.

Cinderella has none of that complexity. It’s rather doofy. And
maybe I was too hopeful and am comparing too harshly, but it seems other
live-action recreations of fairy-tales are delivering more interesting
and mature perspectives on the familiar shallow stories. Now, I love the growing trend of fairy-tales becoming live-action productions. But again, unlike Cinderella, I find they succeed in offering something new. Alice in Wonderland
is more grotesque and Alice is portrayed as a warrior. It’s not as
innocent as the original movie—it’s up for debate whether the
psychedelic aspects of the animated version are truly innocent of
course.

Then consider Maleficent, while it wasn’t a tremendous movie, it still provides a back-story, previously unknown. The villain becomes sympathetic. And while (not yet) a film, Wicked presents that same story –
what we thought we knew about villains isn’t true. Attention is drawn
away from the beautiful, ever-kind princesses who always get their happy
endings, and shifts towards the interesting lives of the evil
characters, humanizing them and informing audiences of the (may I be so
bold) blandness of the traditional damsels.

Now think of Enchanted, a satirical rendition of all Disney
stories. The characters are over-exaggerated and ridiculous in their
ideas about instantaneous love and commitment. But the love-jaded
Patrick Dempsey awakens Amy Adams to the unrealistic nature of her
idealistic fantasy of love. It’s a goofy film, featuring goofy songs,
and a hilariously goofy effervescent Amy Adams, but it provides some
insight about the importance of building relationships. And I think
that’s an important message to impart on audiences, especially young
audiences. Again, as I expressed earlier, I could only really focus on what this movie is not. It’s fine to take the kiddos to see it. It’s funny and light and beautifully done, but there really isn’t much else there.  (– Caitlyn Thompson)

Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eighth Season

Warner Bros. / Released 9/15/15

Sheldon is rescued from his soul-searching cross-country train trip (older but no wiser), and that means The Big Bang Theory gang’s all here to spread another year’s cheer as TV’s most attended laugh seminar. Enroll in the comic curriculum to observe Leonard’s minor surgery, which signals a major catastrophe for Sheldon, Howard’s obsession over his mom’s relationship with friend-turned-freeloader Stuart, and the unexpected results of Penny’s technique as a pharmaceutical sales rep. Discover ways to re-created proms not attended or holiday celebrations not especially beloved, and play a new game based on Raj’s dating life. Savor online fan fiction by Amy, watch Bernadette take indelicate command of some delicate family matter, and, who knows, you might spot a cool special guest or two. Extras include SDCC panel, featurettes, and gag reels.

• The Locomotion Interruption: In the Season 8 premiere, Amy and Leonard take a surprise road trip to Arizona to retrieve Sheldon, while Penny goes on a job interview at Bernadette’s company, and Howard has problems wrapping his head around Stuart’s relationship with Mrs. Wolowitz.

• The Junior Professor Solution: Sheldon is ordered to teach a class, and the gang is surprised when Howard signs up to take it; and tensions between Penny and Bernadette afford Amy an opportunity to play one against the other.

• The First Pitch Insufficiency: A nervous Wolowitz is thrown for a loop when NASA asks him to toss out the first pitch at a Los Angeles Angels baseball game. Meanwhile, Sheldon brags that he and Amy are a better couple than Leonard and Penny, so they set out to prove he’s way off base.

• The Hook-Up Reverberation: Raj’s brings his new girlfriend over to meet the gang, but she seems standoffish with Penny, who tries to figure out why. Meanwhile, the guys put their heads together to try to re-open Stuart’s comic book store.

• The Focus Attenuation: While Amy, Penny and Bernadette have a girls weekend in Vegas, Penny ends up having to study at the last minute, while Amy and Bernadette go out and get drunk. Back at home, with the girls gone, the four guys want to invent something new, but keep focusing on other things.

• The Expedition Approximation: Sheldon and Raj undertake an underground research expedition that turns into a test of how long before they get under each other’s skin. Meanwhile, Leonard and Penny argue about money, and go to Wolowitz and Bernadette for advice.

• The Misinterpretation Agitation: Penny’s flirtatious sales pitch is misunderstood by a doctor-client, while Bernadette and Amy debate whether female scientists ought to play the sexuality card.

• The Prom Equivalency: Amy and Bernadette organize a prom to be held atop the guys’ apartment complex, but Sheldon is leery of all the prom pomp, circumstance and romancing that goes with it.

• The Septum Deviation: Leonard needs surgery for a deviated septum, and Sheldon gets his nose out of joint because he feels an operation is too dangerous and that his roommate may not make it out alive. Meanwhile, a distraught Raj learns his parents have divorced on the eve of their 40th anniversary.

• The Champagne Reflection: Leonard, Raj and Howard clean out the office of the deceased Professor Roger Abbot and find a bottle of champagne meant to be opened when he made his first great scientific discovery. Meanwhile, Sheldon prepares his final episode of “Fun with Flags”. Bernadette discovers that people are afraid of her.

• The Clean Room Infiltration: On Christmas Eve, Amy plans a traditional Victorian dinner, while Raj, Leonard and Howard scramble to remove a pigeon that flew into the clean room at the university. To prove a point to Amy, a Scrooge-like Sheldon buys her the worst possible gift.

• The Space Probe Disintegration: While Raj eagerly awaits data from a space probe in which he was involved, Howard keeps distracting him. Later, dress shopping with Penny and Amy doesn’t exactly prove to be a good fit for Leonard and Sheldon.

• The Anxiety Optimization: Sheldon becomes concerned that his cushy lifestyle is impacting his professional progress and keeping him from achieving scientific renown, so he asks the gang to make life more difficult for him. Meanwhile, Howard invents an unflattering game about Raj.

• The Troll Manifestation: An online troll rips Leonard and Sheldon’s published physics paper, so the guys rally to defend the two and expose the bully, while a girls night out leads to Penny, Amy and Bernadette dishing about embarrassing past events.

• The Comic Book Store Regeneration: Amid the excitement of Stuart reopening his comic-book store, Howard gets some unsettling news; and after teaching Sheldon how to “let it go,” Penny doesn’t practice what she preaches when she learns something maddening about Amy. Meanwhile, Raj and Leonard run into a restaurant customer who looks a lot like actor Nathan Fillion. 

• The Intimacy Acceleration: As a joke, Sheldon and Penny try an experiment designed to make participants fall in love. Also, Leonard, Amy, Raj and Emily spend the evening trying to escape a room with a “zombie.” And, after returning from Mrs. Wolowitz’ funeral, Bernadette and Howard run into trouble at the airport.

• The Colonization Application: There’s trouble in paradise when Amy discovers Sheldon signed up for a one-way mission to colonize Mars, and the two get into a dogfight at a pet store. Meanwhile, Leonard makes a very “adult” purchase for Penny; and Emily catches Raj snooping in her apartment.

• The Leftover Thermalization: An electrical short thaws the last meal that was cooked by Mrs. Wolowitz, and the gang ponders what to do with it, while Sheldon and Leonard’s work is featured in a magazine, but only one receives credit.

• The Skywalker Incursion: A speaking engagement at UC Berkeley puts Leonard and Sheldon in a galaxy not too far, far away from their idol George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch, and they consider dropping by. Meanwhile, Howard and Bernadette argue over what to do with his Doctor Who TARDIS, so Raj and Amy try to settle things with a game of table tennis.

• The Fortification Implementation: When Sheldon and Amy build a blanket fort, they come to major crossroads in their relationship. Also, Wolowitz meets the half-brother he never knew he had, and when Penny is invited to appear on Wil Wheaton’s podcast, she and Leonard have a huge, on-air argument.
  

• The Communication Deterioration: When Raj is asked to submit a proposal to NASA, the guys end up in a fight. Penny wonders what to do when she asked to audition for a movie role.

• The Graduation Transmission: When Leonard is set to give the commencement address at his former high school, a canceled flight threatens to stop him giving the speech. Meanwhile, Howard’s engineering skills are tested when he and Sheldon try fix Raj’s toy helicopter, while Raj plays his parents against each other after his father cuts him off financially.

• The Maternal Combustion: Personalities collide when Sheldon and Leonard’s mothers finally meet. Meanwhile, Howard finally decides to “man up” and do his fair share of the housework – but not without a little help from his friends.

• The Commitment Determination: In the Season 8 finale, Leonard and Penny are pressured to set a wedding date by Sheldon, whose relationship with Amy has taken an interesting turn.