It’s a busy Tuesday with plenty of variety coming to DVD and Blu-ray. Several of the releases were reviewed during their theatrical run. If you want to get a more detailed picture of several of the titles, be sure to click on the various links to learn more. There are also a couple of noteworthy films being reissued as well. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure and give one of these flicks a try!
Big New Releases!
Anna – A detective with an unusual gift of reading peoples minds and delving into their memories investigates the case of a teenage girl accused of an attempted triple murder. After entering her mind, deep secrets begin to come to the surface. This independent mystery/thriller didn’t get much love from critics, who not only suggested that it lacked the necessary scares, but also called it unfocused and silly (although a few did complement its young female lead). The movie stars Mark Strong, Tiassa Farmiga and Brian Cox.
12 O’Clock Boys – Motocross enthusiasts may appreciate this documentary about urban dirt bikers that specifically follows a new, 13-year old recruit from an impoverished background. It not only captures the group and their obsession to perform dangerous stunts on the street, but the police who chase them down. The reviews were almost entirely positive for the film, calling it a short but unique and effective film. They also stated that it does an impressive job of not taking sides and subtly hinting at the societal problems that lead youngsters into a life of danger.
Around the Block – Christina Ricci stars in this independent drama from Australia about a drama teacher who tries to use Shakespeare to inspire Aboriginal students in a crime ridden neighborhood. The film garnered mixed notices, although more seemed to be positive than negative. They mentioned that while the story was predictable, the message is admirable and the entire cast give strong and convincing performances.
Divergent – Taking a cue from The Hunger Games, this first chapter in this sci-fi/teen book series adaptation tells the story of a girl in a dystopian future who breaks the rules, joins a revolution and finds love over one eventful year. It stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Jai Courtney, Kate Winslet, Ashley Judd, Ray Stevenson and Miles Teller. The press were split on this blockbuster, saying that while it features a great cast, it comes off as a bland and by-the-numbers “young adult” adaptation. Read the site’s original full length review here.
God’s Not Dead – This narrative was made for a very specific demographic, telling the story of a devoutly Christian university student who challenges the beliefs of an atheistic professor. It was a success at the box office, but the press described the drama as a one-note, dogmatic film that needed a more subtle approach and as a result doesn’t even serve its target demographic effectively. It features Shane Harper, Kevin Sorbo and Dean Cain.
I’ll Follow You Down – This independent release combines mystery elements with science-fiction and fantasy to depict a young scientist who attempts to unravel how a noted physicist disappeared many years earlier. Time travel may play a part in the story. It received mixed and negative notices, with writers stating that despite its best efforts, the tale isn’t as engaging or exciting as it should be. It does feature an interesting cast that includes Haley Joel Osment, Rufus Sewell, Gillian Anderson and Victor Garber.
Ironclad: Battle for Blood – Known is some parts of the world as Ironclad 2, this medieval set sequel is a UK production that involves the siege of an estate by Celtic warriors. While some critics called the original Ironclad a guilty pleasure, they had almost nothing good to day about this follow-up. Most critiques suggested that the film exclusively paid attention to its bloody, shakily-shot fight scenes an paid no attention to character, resulting in a less-than-gripping action flick.
Need for Speed – Movies based on video games tend to be a tough sell, and this box office underperformer was no exception. It follows a group of street racing mechanics who lose a member of their thanks to a nasty competitor, and seek to settle the score in the ultimate underground car championship. It was widely panned – members of the press called this action flick dim-witted and dull. It stars Aaron Paul, Imogen Poots, Dominic Cooper and Michael Keaton. Interested parties can read the site’s original review here.
Oculus – Horror fans will definitely be interested in this horror effort about an evil force residing in a large mirror. When two siblings locate the antique they set about to destroy it, but find that the object more powerful than they could have ever imagines. Karen Gillan, Brenton Thwaites and Katee Sackhoff headline the cast. While many suggested that it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, reviewers found the mood and tone very chilling and the film effectively overall. Read our full length original review here.
Ping Pong Summer – This 1985-set coming-of-age comedy follows a ping-pong obsessed teen attempting to overcome bullies during his summer vacation. The movie made a big splash at the Sundance Film Festival, but reviewers were lukewarm during its limited release. While most appreciated the attention to period detail, some found it a bit too oddball and low-key to be truly effective. Still, viewers nostalgic for the 80’s may want to give it a look. The impressive cast includes Susan Sarandon, Lea Thompson, Amy Sedaris, John Hannah, Judah Friedlander and Marcello Conte.
Blasts From the Past!
Of course, Shout Factory! is release another great horror title on their Scream line. It’s an extras loaded Blu-ray of the 1973 Brian De Palma classic Phantom of the Paradise and it’s incredible. Not only is it a super film on its own, but this is by far the best edition of the film ever released. Be sure to read more about the title and an in depth review of the Blu-ray right here.
Also from the Scream line of Shout! Factory is Without Warning, a B-flick from 1980 about a alien monster looking to feed on campers. It’s been a long time since this reviewer has seen it, but if memory serves it’s a silly flick that features plenty of schlock-filled over-the-top moments from a cast that includes Jack Palance, Martin Landau, Cameron Mitchell and Neville Brand. The Blu-ray features a high quality transfer, an audio commentary and plenty of new interviews with crew members.
Everybody has their cinematic guilty pleasures. In this particular writer’s case, one is the 1997 Bill Murray comedy The Man Who Knew Too Little. Critics were very harsh on it during its original release, slamming the film as unfunny and its star as well past his prime. While it’s certainly no classic, this is a low-key and agreeable effort that did manage to charm one person at the movie theater. It’s about a good-natured goofball visiting London. When he is sent out to take part in a new audience participation murder mystery theater show, he very unwittingly becomes embroiled in a real spy plot. It takes a bit of time to build a rhythm, but it’s a humorous little movie that got raked over the coals for no reason. Warner Bros. is finally putting out the Blu-ray – while no special features have been listed, one hopes that the director commentary track will be ported over from the long out-of-print DVD. Either way, it’s a fun little movie worth owning in high definition.
The next title looks like a real winner. It’s appears to be a somewhat dated UK thriller called Green Ice, and it’s arriving on Blu-ray thanks to Scorpion Releasing. Ryan O’Neil, Anne Archer, Omar Sharif and John Larroquette star in this largely forgotten 1981 release that follows a group of sketchy characters out to steal uncut emeralds. Should be a tasty slice of cheese – just look at that cover art! It would appear to have everything anyone could possibly want in a movie of that era… including lasers being firing in different directions at multiple targets (sometimes not even in the direction that the characters are looking), air balloons and, most importantly, enormous emeralds. C’mon, you know you want to check this out!
Finally, Fox is releasing a Blu-ray of the smash 1997 comedy The Full Monty. It tells the story of a group of unemployed British steelworkers who decide to raise some much needed cast by performing a striptease revue.
You Know, For Kids!
There’s plenty of fun stuff for kids this week as well…
The Berenstain Bears – Class is Back!
Lego Ninjago: Rebooted – Battle for New Ninjago City
Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation: Turtle Power!
Power Rangers: In Space, Vol. 1
Sofia the First: The Enchanted Feast
Tarzan: The Legend Lives
Transformers Cybertron: The Complete Series
On the Tube!
It’s also a good day for television fans, as today’s releases include the latest and final network season of the very funny series Community.
If you’re looking for something a little older, a collection of 80’s Perry Mason TV movies is also coming to stores. Here’s an original television spot for one of the flicks reported to be in this set. Uh oh, Perry doesn’t look too happy about The Case of the Poisoned Pen.
And just for the hell of it, here’s a promo for another Mason feature with Geraldo Rivera as a guest star. Please note, this particular movie is not included in the set (but may appear in a future Collection).
The Broken Man: Series 2
Californication: Season 7
Community: Season 5
Doctor Who: Series 4, Part 1
Last Tango in Halifax: Season 2
Mythbusters: Collection 11
National Geographic Engage Your Brain Collection
Perry Mason Movie Collection Volume 3
The Saint: Set 1
Top Gear 21
The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime TV movie)