It’s another busy week on home video with a wide variety of titles to check out, including action, comedy, horror, teen drama, and even some music. If you can’t make it out to the movies, there’s sure to be something out there for you below, so read ahead and check them out!
Big New Releases!
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane – Before director made the critical and popular hits 50/50 and Warm Bodies, director Jonathan Levine shot this low-budget, independent horror flick about a raging high school house party in which several mysterious murders occur. It opened everywhere else in the world roughly around 2008 but due to some bizarre distribution issues it never got a release in North America (beyond a few film festival screenings). This week it finally arrives, albeit on DVD. The film received extremely polarized notices; reportedly, it’s a love it or hate it kind of experience. At least you now have the opportunity to see it and make up your own mind.
Drinking Buddies – This independent comedy-drama follows the romantic foibles of a group of 30-somethings who all work at a Chicago brewery. It didn’t get much of a theatrical release when it came out earlier in the year, but did score a lot of strong reviews, so it might be worth a look for those willing to take a chance. Reportedly, much of the dialogue was improvised. The impressive cast features Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston and Jason Sudeikis.
Mortal Instruments: City of Bones – This epic teen fantasy adaptation of the book series under-performed at the box office this summer and received almost exclusively bad notices from journalists. The story follows a young woman who joins a band of half-angels and becomes a demon hunter. Of course, she also gets involved in a supernatural love triangle. The flick was criticized for being a Twilight copycat filled with an overabundance of cringe-worthy dialogue and angst-filled teen romance.
The Smurfs 2 – Well, the first one was a hit, so it should come as no surprise that this Paris-set sequel followed soon after. Hark Azaria, Neil Patrick Harris and Brendan Gleeson take on the live action parts, while Katy Perry, Jonathan Winters, George Lopez, Anton Yelchin, Christina Ricci and John Oliver voice just some of the computer generated Smurfs. A critical darling this film was not, with many stating that it was a cash grab, lacking in any ambition to improve on the original and grating in its slapstick humor. Sounds like it’s for small children only. Interestingly enough, this sequel was not a hit at the domestic box office either but still took in enough worldwide be financially successful. Regardless of whether or not it is wanted, we may yet see a third movie.
The Stone Roses: Made of Stone – It was a shock to hear about the reformation of one Britain’s biggest and most influential bands of the late 80’s and early 90’s. This is only because I had the opportunity to see their “Second Coming” tour just before their breakup in 1996. It remains in my memory as one of the worst live shows I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a lot). The set lasted less than 60 minutes, songs were stopped midway through and restarted, and Ian Brown and John Squire fought verbally onstage before one of them walked off for an interminable amount of time. Guess they’re on much better terms today. This documentary gives viewers a behind-the-scenes view of the band gearing up for their reunion tour with rehearsals as well as footage from one of the new shows. Critics and fans say they sound great now and were impressed with the movie, so for fans it’s worth checking out.
The Wolverine – The big release of the week features Hugh Jackman as the titular comic book character in this X-Men spin-off film. Set after the events of 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, the story follows a depressed Wolverine in Japan who gets caught up in a conspiracy involving the Yakuza. It was a hit at the box office and received generally positive reactions from critics. Read the original review right here and find out if you need to sit through the credits to see some special extras.
Blasts from the Past!
There are some really interesting, really oddball cult movies coming to blu-ray on Tuesday. Shout! Factory brings the oddball 1980 science-fiction novelty Saturn 3. Set on an orbiting space station, it features Kirk Douglas, Farrah Fawcett, Harvey Keitel (whose voice was dubbed in by another actor) and an amorous robot. It’s not a good movie, but cheesy movie fans might find it worth a chuckle and it does come with a new transfer and plenty of extras including several deleted scenes. From the very same year, Chuck Norris returns to crack skulls in The Octagon, thanks to Scorpion Releasing, while Alfred Hitchcock fans can see his final film, 1976’s Family Plot, in high definition.
Frenzy – This effort, released in 1972, was the second-to-last feature from famed director Alfred Hitchcock and it remains one of his most underrated. When a crazed killer stalks the streets of London strangling women with neckties, a victim’s ill-tempered ex-husband ends up blamed for the killings and must clear his name before it’s too late. A far more graphic and violent thriller than the director’s earlier efforts, the film still manages to be disturbing, suspenseful and feature plenty of effective black humor. The potato truck scene is prime Hitchcock. Just take note that some critics have complained about the artificial sharpening of the image in both this title and Family Plot, so you might want to read up on it before making a purchase.
You Know, For Kids!
There’s plenty available for the little tykes as well, including some superhero action, a Disney classic and some train fun.
Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United
The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition Blu-ray
The Smurfs 2 – See the review above.
Thomas & Friends: The Thomas Way
On the Tube!
Finally, here are the week’s TV show releases.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Season 1
Hot in Cleveland: Season 4
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman: The Complete Series
The Simpsons: Season 16
Transformers Prime: Season 3