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ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES

photo for Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to the news desk. After losing his job to his wife and co-anchor, Ron reassembles the news team and squares off against a new rival while taking New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm. Will the world's greatest anchorman be crushed beneath the weight of his own ego (and his salon-quality hair)? Blu-ray extras: Commentary by Adam McKay, Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd & David Koechner; "Behind-the-Scenes: Newsroom" (inside the making of the film); gag reel, parts 1 & 2; "Line-O-Rama, Parts 1 & 2" (non-stop alternate lines from the film); "Welcome to the Dolphin Show" (­Ron Burgundy takes on the crowd); "Catfight" (­Christina Applegate vs. Meagan Good with hilarious one-liners): "News-O-Rama" (­Ron and the News Team bring you the headlines); "Kench-O-Rama" (mashup of Kench Allenby's most Australian moments); cast table read; four behind-the-scenes featurettes ("Anchorman 2: The Musical," "RV" (dissecting the RV tumble), "Baxter & Doby" (­the lovable animals of "Anchorman 2"), "News Fight" (inside the biggest, baddest all-star celebrity brawl); deleted scenes; extended & alternate Scenes; previsualizations: ­RV, Shark Attack and News Fight sequences; auditions ­featuring Meagan Good, Dylan Baker and Amy Poehler; "Benefit for 826LA: Spoiler Alert" (a special tribute to "Anchorman 2"); trailers.

Director: Adam McKay. Stars: Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Christina Applegate, Meagan Good, James Marsden, Kristen Wiig, Harrison Ford, Greg Kinnear, Josh Lawson, Dylan Baker, Fred Willard. 2013, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 118 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $124.411 million, Paramount. Available: 4/1.

three stars goback



AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY

photo for The dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Tracy Letts’ play made its Broadway debut in December 2007 after premiering at Chicago's legendary Steppenwolf Theatre earlier that year. It continued with a successful international run. Extras: TBA.

Director: John Wells. Stars: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch, Abigail Breslin, Juliette Lewis, Dermot Mulroney, Sam Shepard, Margo Martindale, Julianne Nicholson. 2013, CC, MPAA rating: R, 121 min., Drama, Box office gross: $37.066 million, The Weinstein Company/Anchor Bay. Available: 4/8.

two stars goback



DEVIL'S DUE

photo for After a mysterious, lost night on their honeymoon, a newlywed couple finds themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy. While recording everything for posterity, the husband begins to notice odd behavior in his wife that they initially write off to nerves, but, as the months pass, it becomes evident that the dark changes to her body and mind have a much more sinister origin. Blu-ray extras: Deleted scenes, "Radio Silence: A Hell of a Tea," commentary by drectors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, director's photo album.

Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett. Stars: Allison Miller, Zach Gilford, Sam Anderson. 2013, CC, MPAA rating: R, 89 min., Horror, Box office gross: $15.722 million, Fox. Available: 4/29.

two stars goback



47 RONIN

photo for Based on an epic story, this tale of inspiring courage has its origins in the early 18th century. After a treacherous warlord kills their master and banishes their kind, 47 leaderless samurai vow to seek vengeance and reclaim their honor. Battling across a savage world of mythical beasts, shape-shifting witches and wondrous terrors, the ronin must seek help from Kai (Keanu Reeves), an enslaved half-breed (half-Japanese, half-British) they once rejected -- in their ultimate fight for redemption. Extras: "Re-Forging the Legend":­ The story of 47 Ronin is one of Japan's most time-honored legends; filmmakers talk about how they brought this "dream world" to the big screen, from script to costumes, visual design, and culture; deleted scenes. Blu-ray adds "Keanu & Kai" martial arts featurette; "Steel Fury: The Fights of 47 Ronin" action sequence choreography featurette; "Myths, Magic & Monsters: The Fx of 47 Ronin" featurette.

Director: Carl Rinsch. Stars: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kou Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi. 2013, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 118 min., Action-Adventure, Box office gross: $38.297 million, Universal. Available: 4/1.

two stars goback




GLORIA

photo for Gloria Gloria is a "woman of a certain age" but still feels young inside. Divorced with no children living at home, she feels lonely and makes the best of her situation by filling her nights at social dance clubs for singles. Her fragile happiness changes the day she meets the quiet, yet virile Rodolfo. Their intense passion, to which Gloria gives her all, leaves her overjoyed and hopeful about life once again ... until she finds out he might be hiding something from her. It is then that Gloria rediscovers her true inner strength ... and realizes that in her golden years, she can shine brighter than ever. The Official Selection of Chile for the 86th Academy Awards. Extras: "Behind the Scenes: Musical Montage."

Director: Sebastian Lelio. Stars: Paulina Garcaa, Sergio Hernandez, Diego Fontecilla. 2013 -- Chile, CC, MPAA rating: R, 109 min., Comedy-Drama, Box office gross: $.247 million, Lionsgate. Available: 4/29.

three stars goback



GRUDGE MATCH

photo for Grudge Match Billy "The Kid" McDonnen (Robert De Niro) and Henry "Razor" Sharp (Sylvester Stallone) are two local Pittsburgh fighters whose fierce rivalry put them in the national spotlight. Each had scored a victory against the other during their heyday, but in 1983, on the eve of their decisive third match, Razor suddenly announced his retirement, refusing to explain why but effectively delivering a knock-out punch to both their careers. Thirty years later, boxing promoter Dante Slate Jr., seeing big dollar signs, makes them an offer they can't refuse: to re-enter the ring and settle the score once and for all. But they may not have to wait that long: on their first encounter in decades, their long-festering feud erupts into an unintentionally hilarious melee that instantly goes viral. The sudden social media frenzy transforms their local grudge match into a must-see HBO event. Now, if they can just survive the training, they may actually live to fight again. Extras: Deleted scenes. Blu-ray adds "The Bull & The Stallion," "In the Ring With Kevin Hart," "Ringside With Tyson & Holyfield," "Blow for Blow With Larry Holmes," "Kevin Hart Unedited," alternate opening, alternate endings with an introduction by Peter Segal.

Director: Peter Segal. Stars: Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin, Kim Basinger. 2014, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 113 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $29.342 million, Warner. Available: 4/8.

two stars goback



THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG

Continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company travels East, encountering along the way skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of photo for giant Spiders in the treacherous forest of Mirkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous Wood-elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all -- a creature more terrifying than any other; one which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself -- The Dragon Smaug. Available as a Limited Collector's Edition Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack (includes two Gates of Erebor replica bookends from the Noble Collection; only 25,000 will be available in the U.S., $105.43), in a 3D Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack, a Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack and two-disc DVD. Extras: "Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set: In the Company of the Hobbit" and "Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set: All in a Day's Work" behind-the-scenes featurette; Peter Jackson production videos; "New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth, Part 2" locations featurette; Ed Sheeran "I See Fire" music video.

Director: Peter Jackson. Stars: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Andy Serkis, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Mikael Persbrandt, Sylvester McCoy, Aidan Turner, Dean O'Gorman, Graham McTavish, Adam Brown, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Stephen Hunter, Ryan Gage, John Bell, Manu Bennett, Lawrence Makoare. 2013, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 161 min., Fantasy Adventure, Box office gross: $255.576 million, Warner. Available: 4/8.

three stars goback



THE LEGEND OF HERCULES

photo for Follows the mythical Greek hero Hercules, the son of Zeus, who is blessed with extraordinary strength as a half-god, half-man. Betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and exiled and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love, Hercules must use his formidable powers to fight his way back to his rightful kingdom. Through harrowing battles and gladiator-arena death matches, Hercules embarks on a legendary odyssey to overthrow the king and restore peace to the land.Extras: Commentary with Kellan Lutz and director Renny Harlin. Blu-ray adds "The Making of The Legend of Hercules" documentary.

Director: Renny Harlin. Stars: Kellan Lutz, Scott Adkins, Liam McIntyre, Liam Garrigan, Johnathon Schaech, Roxanne McKee, Gaia Weiss, Rade Serbedzija. 2014, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 99 min., Action, Box office gross: $18.647 million, Lionsgate. Available: 4/29.

two stars goback


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THE NUT JOB

photo for Surly (voice of Will Arnett) is a mischievous squirrel with a mission: to find the tastiest nuts for winter. When he discovers a whole store filled with his favorite food, he plans a heist of nutrageous proportions. But the place turns out to be owned by ruthless bank robbers so it's up to Surly and his furry friends to stop the nearby bank heist and save the town. Extras: Two animated shorts: "Surely Squirrel" and "Nuts & Robbers." Blu-ray adds Deleted scenes, storyboards "The Great Nut Heist," dance-off end credits.

Director: Peter Lepeniotis. Stars: Voices of Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson, Katherine Heigl, Stephen Lang, Maya Rudolph, Jeff Dunham with Gabriel Iglesias, Sarah Gadon. 2014, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 86 min., Animation, Box office gross: $55.082 million, Universal. Available: 4/15.

two stars goback



PHILOMENA

photo for Based on the 2009 investigative book by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith, "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee," "Philomena" focuses on the efforts of Philomena Lee (Judi Dench) to track down the son she was forced to give up for adoption 50 years earlier. When she fell pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952 -- something her Irish-Catholic community didn't have the highest opinion of -- Philomena was sent to a convent to be looked after as a fallen woman. She cared for her baby for three years until the Church took him from her -- without warning -- and sold him, like countless others, to America for adoption. Coerced into signing a document promising never to attempt to see her child again, she never stopped thinking about him. After starting a family years later in England and, for the most part, moving on with her life, Philomena meets ex-Labour government adviser-turned-journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), with whom she decides to search for her long-lost son. Extras: TBA.

Director: Stephen Frears. Stars: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Mare Winningham, Michaelle Fairley, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Simone Lahbib. 2013, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 98 min., Drama, Box office gross: $36.651 million, The Weinstein Company/Anchor Bay. Available: 4/15.

three stars goback



RIDE ALONG

photo for For the past two years, high school security guard Ben (Kevin Hart) has been trying to show decorated detective James (Ice Cube) that he's more than just a video game junkie who's unworthy of James' sister. When Ben finally gets accepted into the police academy, James invites him on a ride-along designed to scare the hell out of him and ultimately demonstrate if Ben has what it takes to take care of his sister. But when the wild night leads them to the most notorious criminal in the city, James will find that his new partner's rapid-fire mouth is just as dangerous as the bullets speeding at it. Extras: Gag reel; "It Was a Good Day: On the Set of Ride Along" backstage visit; "Atlanta -- The Character" location tour; commentary with director Tim Story. Blu-ray adds alternate ending; deleted scenes; alternate take; "Kev & Cube's Wild Ride"; "An Explosive Ride" stunt double featurette; "You Gonna Learn Today" look at the film's many off-script moments including b-roll, dailies and alternate takes; "Anatomy of the Big Blast" behind the scenes of the movie's most explosive sequence.

Director: Tim Story. Stars: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, John Leguizamo, Bruce McGill, Tika Sumpter, Bryan Callen, Laurence Fishburne. 2014, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 100 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $133.941 million, Warner. Available: 4/15.

three stars goback



THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

photo for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Remake of James Thurber's classic story about a day-dreamer who escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action. Ben Stiller plays a modern Walter Mitty, a timid magazine photo manager who lives life vicariously through his daydreams. When an important negative goes missing, his job -- along with that of his co-worker (Kristen Wiig) -- are threatened, and Walter takes action in the real world by embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined. Extras: Behind the scenes featurettes "The Look of Life," "The Music of Walter Mitty," "Sights and Sounds of Production: Skateboarding Through Iceland"; gallery of reference photography. Blu-ray adds deleted scenes; extended and alternate scenes; additional featurettes "The History of Walter Mitty"; "That's A Shark," "Icelandic Adventure," "Nordic Casting," "Titles of Walter Mitty," "Sights and Sounds of Production: Ted-Walter Flight"; "Stay Alive" music video by Jose Gonzalez; theatrical trailer. Also included is a special gift with purchase redeemable until August 31, 2014: a Shutterfly 20-page 8x8 hard cover photo book valued at $29.99. Consumers will be able to redeem their photo book by entering a unique promo code at checkout on Shutterfly.com.

Director: Ben Stiller. Stars: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn, Adam Scott, Patton Oswalt, Shirley MacLaine, Kathryn Hahn. 2013, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 114 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $56.887 million, Fox. Available: 4/15.

two stars goback




All DVDs and Blu-rays are screened on a reference system consisting of an Oppo BDP-83 Universal Blu-ray Player, a Rotel RSX-972 Surround Sound Receiver, and Phase Technology 1.1 (front), 33.1 (center), and 50 (rear) speakers and Power 10 subwoofer.


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April 1, 2014