Hello and Happy Thanksgiving! After chowing down on turkey, Tofurky or whatever else you might be enjoying this holiday, many of you will probably be interested in checking out a flick (that is, once the football is over). Well, you’re in luck! This column exists to give you highlights of what’s coming your way on DVD and Blu-ray. And if you want to know even more about some of the titles being descried, click on the links to read full reviews. So if you’re overstuffed with delicious food and can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure and give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
The Expendables 3 – Action fans will likely be looking forward to this sequel, which finds the gang of mercenaries being called up to rescue a team of young soldiers taken hostage by a maniacal arms dealer. But based on critical reception, they may not be pleased with the final result. It has been described as generic and bland effort that fails to make the most of its impressive star line-up. The cast includes Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Kelsey Grammar and Antonio Banderas. Read the site’s full-length review right here.
The Giver – Here’s another teen literary adaptation released to cinemas earlier in the year. It follows a young man who is chosen to take the role of historian in a picture perfect community. As he learns about humanity, he begins to questions the authority of his leaders. It received a majority of negative reviews. While most admitted that the movie looked slick, they complained that this effort was too heavy-handed and devolved into extreme silliness by its final act. It stars Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Alexander Skarsgard and Katie Holmes. Those who want more details can check out a much longer piece on the film here.
Lines of Wellington – Foreign film fans may want to check out this French/Portuguese historical epic. Set during the early 1800s when France invaded Portugal, the movie follows a group of residents attempting to escape their town while it is bombarded. There aren’t a lot of North American write-ups for this title, but a few have appeared here and there. They complement the production value, but take the soap opera dramatics of the story to task. Overall, word is not strong on the movie. The leads may not be familiar to North American audiences, but it sports John Malkovich, Mathieu Amalric and Catherine Deneuve in supporting roles.
A Merry Friggin’ Christmas – An estranged son and his father drive out in a blizzard to retrieve gifts for Christmas morning in this dark comedy – along the way, they attempt to repair their relationship. Despite a fantastic cast that includes Robin Williams, Joel McHale, Lauren Graham, Candice Bergen, Jeffrey Tambor, Clark Duke and Oliver Platt, it only received a limited release and wasn’t well liked by the press. Unfortunately, reviewers felt the actors were stranded with a broadly written script that doesn’t delve as deeply into the dark world of its characters as it should.
The November Man – In this action/thriller, an ex-CIA operative living in Switzerland is called back into duty to help uncover a mole within the agency. Naturally, he isn’t sure who he can trust, leading to various confrontations with suspicious characters. Like most of the other movies this week, notices were not favorable. While most felt that its charismatic lead helped make up for some of its flaws, it has also been called everything from a predictable and middle-of-the-road effort to a poor man’s James Bond knock-off. Now renters can make up their own minds. Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey and Olga Kurylenko take on the lead roles.
Nymphomaniac: Extended Director’s Cut Vol. 1 & 2 – This independent drama is by far the most polarizing film of the week. It arrives in a new edition from director Lars Von Trier, who presents the complete version of this title in an extended five hour and thirty minute form. It tells the tale of a man who rescues a beaten woman from the street – he asks for her story and she recounts her life as a nymphomaniac. While this very graphic film won’t be for everyone and garnered some extreme reactions (the director often goes out of his way to try and shock audiences), more critics admired the film and called it a bold if uneven exploration of taboo themes. It stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgard, Uma Thurman, Christian Slater, Shia LaBeouf, Jamie Bell and Willem Dafoe.
Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas – Tyler Perry returns to his most popular character in this holiday set comedy-drama that his movie screens in December of last year. It finds Madea visiting her daughter for the holidays in a tiny, rural town and causing chaos. Reviewers panned this effort, calling out the same odd tonal shifts and sloppy, slapdash approach taken to the script. Some found it fascinatingly campy, others have called it among the worst in the Madea catalog, while a few just found it baffling. Now you can find out what strange effect it may have on your brain. Terry Perry stars with Anna Maria Horsford and Larry the Cable Guy.
What If – This Canadian romantic/comedy was released under the title of The F Word in its homeland, but arrived in the US under its current moniker. It follows a medical school drop-out who swears off dating, only to form a close friendship and attraction towards a young woman already in a relationship. The press were positive on the whole about the film, calling it a routine rom-com that is elevated by the witty dialogue and strong chemistry between the leads. It appears as though this may be the week’s best bet. The movie stars Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Megan Park and Adam Driver.
Blasts From the Past!
Once again, this edition is full of great titles finally making their debuts (or being reissued) on Blu-ray. A personal highlight is Criterion’s new Blu-ray of the 1982 comedy Tootsie. It’s about a down-on-his-luck actor who needs a gig – desperate, he dresses in drag to attempt to land a role on a popular daytime soap opera. Naturally, he succeeds. Unable to reveal his true gender, the actor must traverse carefully on the set and in public, and in the process learns what his profession is like for the opposite gender. Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Terri Garr, Dabney Coleman, Charles During and Geena Davis star. It also features some great supporting work from Bill Murray. Tootsie was nominated for several Oscars – Jessica Lange ended up taking home the Best Supporting Actress prize. Besides a new 4K transfer of the movie to Blu-ray, extras include a commentary (recorded in 1991) with late director Sydney Pollack, new interviews with Hoffman and screenwriter Phil Rosenthal, deleted scenes and several documentaries about the production.
Also from Criterion is the 1960 Italian/French drama L’avventura. It’s a fairly early effort from famed art film director Michelangelo Antonioni (The Red Desert, Blow-Up, Zabriskie Point). It’s about a woman who goes missing on a boating trip – her boyfriend and best friend find themselves falling for each other soon after. Naturally, the disc features a 4K restoration of the title and several extras including documentaries an analysis of the flick and a commentary from a film historian. Also arriving on the same day is the Les Blank: Always for Pleasure collection. This Blu-ray contains a whopping 14 documentaries (including the title 1978 doc about life in New Orleans, LA) from the director that span decades, in addition to several short films. Documentary fans will want to check it out.
Kino has a couple of interesting titles from director Robert Altman (MASH, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, The Player) on the way. The Long Goodbye is an updated take on author Raymond Chandler’s gumshoe Phil Marlowe. This 1973 production stars Elliott Gould as the detective, who comes to aid of a friend who has been accused of murder. It received good notices upon its original release with many complimenting the seedy neo-noir LA created, but wasn’t a big hit at theaters. Also from the distributor is the 1974 effort, Thieves Like Us. Keith Carradine stars in this period effort as one of a trio of bank robbers in the 30s. These lesser-known productions from the renowned director both look interesting and worth catching up on.
One of the most beloved films of all time is getting the special edition treatment. The Wizard of Oz – 75th Anniversary Edition presents the same transfer of the 1939 classic used in the Warner Bros. Blu-ray box set release a few years back. A few of the previous extras from the box, including a sing-along option and film historian commentary have been ported over. And for this re-release they’ve added an all new feature-length documentary on the making of the film. If you want the movie but don’t want to take out a bank loan to do so, this is a far more cost effective option.
If your tastes fit more into the horror and cult movie genres, there’s something for you as well. Zombie fans may get a kick out of the 1977 low-budget horror effort Shock Waves. It’s about a group of vacationers on a remote island of the coast of Florida who are attacked by underwater Nazi zombies. They have a much harder time staying out of the water than you would expect. Blue Underground brings this fun cult movie to Blu-ray with a director commentary, interview with star Luke Halpin and publicity materials including trailers, and TV spots.
What can one say about Samurai Cop, other than the fact that it’s one of the best so-bad-it’s-good movies to be rediscovered since Troll 2? This late 80s production involves a San Diego cop who tries to take down a wealthy crime ring. It’s intended to be an Stallone-type action thriller, but the surreal dialogue, bizarre acting and badly edited action had the reverse effect, leaving viewers in hysterics. The Blu-ray features a new transfer of a poorly shot gem with some new interviews. Camp movie fans should love it.
Finally, discount Blu-ray distributor Echo Bridge are releasing the 1996 comedy Don’t Be A Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. This popular parody of Boyz N the Hood is set in South Central LA and stars Shawn and Marlon Wayans. The are a few extras on the cost-effective disc (which reportedly contains a decent-looking transfer of the movie), including a deleted scene and music video.
You Know, For Kids!
It’s a slow week for kid’s fare. Here’s what is coming your way.
Cartoon Network: Adventure Time – Finn the Human (V8)
Paddington Bear: Collector’s Edition
On the Tube!
There are a few worthwhile shows coming down the pipeline this week.
Also arriving on DVD is Season 2 of Better Off Ted. It was an underrated 2009 sitcom from ABC that never quite found its audience. That was too bad, because it was actually very amusing. The premise of the show involves a Research & Development executive trying to navigate the cloudy waters at a very cold, callous and immoral corporate conglomerate. This zany program has some absurdly funny moments and comes recommended. Additionally, it’s easy enough to catch up with, as it only ran for two seasons. For those still unsure, both seasons are available on Netflix if you wish to preview before you buy. At the bottom of this page is one of many humorous corporate commercials about the company that are interspersed into the narrative.
For many, the biggest highlight will be the release of the Drunk History: Seasons 1 & 2 set. This is a new show that uses extremely inebriated narrators to describe famous historical events. Their slurred behavior is performed on screen by loads of famous and familiar faces. Below is a clip from an episode that reenacts the meeting between President Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley. It’s a hilarious show well worth your time if you haven’t seen it.
Cartoon Network: Adventure Time – Finn the Human (V8)
Ben Franklin’s Balloons (PBS)
Better Off Ted: Season 2
Bill/Bill on His Own (Mickey Rooney TV-movies)
Brain Games: Season 4
Cartoon Network: Adventure Time – Finn the Human
Drunk History: Seasons 1 & 2
The Equalizer: Season 4
Inspector Lewis: Series 7 (Masterpiece Mystery)
Jeeves & Wooster: Compete Collection
Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXXI – Turkey Day Collection
Nova: First Air War (PBS)
Rise of the Black Pharaohs (PBS)
When Calls the Heart: Television Movie Collection
Until next week!