OnVideo Guide to Home Video Releases: December Calendar of Top Movie Releases to DVD

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DVD Top Movie Releases for December


All DVD Releases

Movies are rated on a scale of one to five, with five denoting a classic. For more information on how we rate, check out our
Rentability Index.

calendar page Back to Calendar Index.

December 6

  • Jason Bourne

    photo for Jason Bourne the fifth installment of the blockbuster franchise, sees the return of Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass. It's been 10 years since Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) walked away from the agency that trained him to become a deadly weapon, and he survives off the grid by participating in illegal bare knuckle fights around the world. When former spy handler Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) attempts to steal some incriminating CIA files for a WikiLeaks-type organization, she inadvertently gets Bourne involved in a new top-secret program created by CIA director Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones), counterinsurgency expert Heather Lee (Alicia Vikander) and social media mogul Aaron Kalloor (Riz Ahmed). Though not the best of the three films with Damon as Bourne -- most of the acting is by the numbers -- there are still some pretty exciting chase set pieces -- and a new, nasty nemesis for Bourne in the person of the wonderful Vincent Cassel. A fun if flawed outing.Vitals: Director: Paul Greengrass. Stars: Matt Damon, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel, Tommy Lee Jones, Julia Stiles, Riz Ahmed. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 124 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $162.162 million, Universal. Extras: "Bringing Back Bourne" with Damon and director Greengrass; "Bourne to Fight" behind-the-scenes look at the fight sequences: "Bare-Knuckle Boxing," "Close Quarters" look at the brutal fight between Jason Bourne and Christian Dassault, "Underground Rumble" final showdown with The Asset; "The Athens Escape" with Matt Damon, stunt coordinator Gary Powell and second unit director Simon Crane discussing the challenges of shooting a chase sequence through cramped city streets; "Las Vegas Showdown" behind the scenes of the final act: "Convention Chaos" and "Shutting Down the Strip." 3 stars

  • The Secret Life of Pets

    photo for The Secret Life of Pets Animated comedy about the lives our pets lead when we leave for work or school. Max, voiced by Louis C.K., is a loyal terrier living a perfectly happy existence until his owner, Katie (Ellie Kemper) brings home Duke (Eric Stonestreet) a big, boisterous mutt she finds at the shelter. When Max and his unruly new "roommate" slip away from their dog-walker, they find themselves lost in the urban jungle of New York City. In an attempt to stay ahead of animal control and a rebel band of abandoned pets led by an unhinged bunny named Snowball (Kevin Hart), they put aside their differences to survive the epic journey back home. Vitals: Director: Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney. Stars: Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Moynihan, Steve Coogan, Albert Brooks. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 87 min., Family, Box office gross: $365.802 million, Universal. Extras: Three Mini-Movies: "Norman Television," "Weenie" and "Mower Minions"; "All About the Pets" educational journey to learn more about your average and not-so average, household pets; "Animals Can Talk: Meet the Actors; "Hairstylist to the Dogs"; "The Best of Snowball" musical mash-up of all the best Snowball one-liners; "Hot Dog Sing-Along"; "Lovely Day" lyric video; "The Humans that Brought You Pets" featurette; "GoPro: The Secret Life of Pets"; "The Making of the Mini-Movies." Blu-ray adds "How to Make an Animated Film," "Anatomy of a Scene." 3 stars


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December 13

  • Suicide Squad

    photo for Suicide Squad A secret government agency recruits some of the most dangerous incarcerated criminals to form a defensive task force, with their first case leading to a potential apocalypse. Assemble a team of the world's most dangerous, incarcerated Super Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government's disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren't picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it's every man for himself? Vitals: Director: David Ayer. Stars: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Cara Delevingne. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 123 min., Action, Box office gross: $323.676 million, Warner. Blu-ray extras: "Task Force X: One Team, One Mission," "Chasing the Real," "Joker & Harley: 'It' Couple of The Underworld," "Squad Strength and Speed," "Armed to the Teeth," "This is Gonna Get Loud: The Epic Battles of Suicide Squad," "The Squad Declassified," gag reel. 3 stars

  • Bridget Jones's Baby

    photo for Bridget Jones's Baby The third installment in the Bridget Jones series follows Bridget as she embraces a new decade in her life, confronts her past with a charismatic old love, and finds new romance using her signature quirk and humor. Forty-something and single again after breaking up with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), Bridget (Renée Zellweger) decides to focus on her job and surround herself with old friends and new. But her love life takes a turn when she meets a dashing American named Jack (Patrick Dempsey), the suitor who is everything Mr. Darcy is not. In an unlikely twist, Bridget finds herself pregnant, but with one hitch: she can only be fifty percent sure of the identity of her baby's father. Vitals: Director: Sharon Maguire. Stars: Renée Zellweger, Patrick Dempsey, Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Emma Thompson. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 122 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $23.609 million, Universal. Extras: Alternate ending, Gag Reel, Deleted and Alternate Scenes, "Full Circle: The Making of Bridget Jones's Baby" multi-part documentary on the making of "Bridget Jones's Baby" featuring interviews with cast and crew including: "Renée Returns," "The Difference that 15 Years Makes," "Bridget's Boys," "In London, In Love" and "Sharon's Show: The Director." 2 stars

  • Ben-Hur

    photo for Ben-Hur The epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge, but finds redemption. Based on Lew Wallace’s timeless novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ." Vitals: Director: Timur Bekmambetov. Stars: Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Nazanin Boniadi, Rodrigo Santoro, Ayelet Zurer, Pilou Asbaek, Sofia Black D’Elia, Morgan Freeman. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 125 min., Biblical Drama, Box office gross: $26.410 million, Paramount. Blu-ray extras: "Ben-Hur: The Legacy," "The Epic Cast," "A Tale for Our Times," "The Chariot Race," deleted & extended scenes, music videos. 2 stars

  • Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

    photo for Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children When Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted, and who he really is. Based on the best-selling book series. Vitals: Director: Tim Burton. Stars: Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Ella Purnell, Judi Dench, Allison Janney, Chris O'Dowd, Terence Stamp. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 127 min., Fantasy Adventure, Box office gross: $83.284 million, Fox. Extras: "The Peculiar Story" behind-the-scenes featurette, "The Peculiars" behind-the-scenes piece with 15 character pods; "Hollows and Ex-Hollows" featurette, "Map of Days" of Miss Peregrine's home & Blackpool Tower, "Wish That You Were Here" The Machine music video, gallery of never-before-seen sketches by Tim Burton and photographs. 2 stars

  • Morgan

    photo for Morgan Inside a remote, top-secret lab, a group of scientists are working on an experiment that is leading the way for the next steps in human evolution. But when the experiment’s subject -- a genetically designed “human” -- triggers a terrifying event, those involved must decide if the promise of infinite potential outweighs the incalculable danger. Vitals: Director: Luke Scott. Stars: Kate Mara, Paul Giamatti, Toby Jones, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rose Leslie, Anya Taylor-Joy. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 92 min., Science Fiction, Box office gross: $3.915 million, Fox. Extras: "Modified Organism: The Science Behind Morgan," "deleted scenes, commentary by director Luke Scott, "Loom" -- Luke Scott short film with audio commentary by Luke Scott, still gallery. 2 stars

  • Florence Foster Jenkins

    photo for Florence Foster Jenkins Based on the incredible true story. Meryl Streep stars as a New York socialite who dreams of becoming a great opera singer. While the voice she hears in her head is beautiful, to everyone else it is hilariously awful. Her husband and biggest fan, St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) is determined to protect his beloved Florence from the truth. But when Florence stages a huge concert at Carnegie Hall, he faces his greatest challenge to make sure her performance hits all the right notes. Vitals: Director: Stephen Frears. Stars: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson, Nina Arianda, Stanley Townsend, Allan Corduner. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 111 min., Comedy-Drama, Box office gross: $27.328 million, Paramount. Blu-ray extras: Deleted Scenes, "Ours is a Happy World," "The Music and Songs of Florence," "Designing the Look," "From Script to Screen," "Florence Foster Jenkins" world premiere, Q&A with Meryl Streep, "Live at Carnegie Hall." 2 stars



December 20

  • Sully

    photo for Sully On Thursday, January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Captain Chesley Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career. Vitals: Director: Clint Eastwood. Stars: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Jamey Sheridan, Anna Gunn. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 96 min., Biodrama, Box office gross: $123.316 million, Warner. Extras: "Sully Sullenberger: The Man Behind the Miracle" featurette, "Moment by Moment: Averting Disaster on the Hudson" featurette, "Neck Deep in the Hudson: Shooting Sully" behind-the-scenes featurette. 2 stars

  • Storks

    photo for Storks Storks deliver babies ... or at least they used to. Now they deliver packages for global internet retail giant Cornerstore.com. Junior (Andy Samberg), the company’s top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when the Baby Factory is accidentally activated on his watch, producing an adorable -- and wholly unauthorized -- baby girl. Desperate to deliver this bundle of trouble before the boss gets wise, Junior and his friend Tulip, the only human on Stork Mountain, race to make their first-ever baby drop, in a wild and revealing journey that could make more than one family whole and restore the storks’ true mission in the world. Vitals: Director: Nicholas Stoller, Doug Sweetland. Stars: Voices of Andy Samberg, Katie Crown, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Aniston, Ty Burrell, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Danny Trejo. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 87 min., Animated, Box office gross: $70.756 million, Warner. Extras: "The Master: A LEGO Ninjago" short, music video for Jason Derulo’s song "Kiss the Sky." Blu-ray adds "Storks: Guide to Your New Baby," deleted scenes, outtakes, directors' commentary. 2 stars

  • The Magnificent Seven

    photo for The Magnificent Seven The desperate townspeople of Rose Creek employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns after the town falls under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue. As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money. Remake of the 1960 "The Magnificent Seven," in turn a westernization of Akira Kurosawa's 1954 "Seven Samurai." Vitals: Director: Antoine Fuqua. Stars: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Byung-Hun Lee, Martin Sensmeier, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Peter Sarsgaard. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 132 min., Western, Box office gross: $92.251 million, MGM Studios/Sony. Extras: Four featurettes: "Magnificent Music," "Directing the Seven," "The Seven," "Rogue Bogue." Blu-ray adds two more featurettes, "Gunslingers" and "The Taking of Rose Creek"; deleted scenes, and the interactive "Vengeance Mode," where Washington, Pratt, Hawke and the other members of the cast sat down together with director Fuqua to breakdown key scenes, share their best memories from the set and reflect on the extraordinary experience of making a classic western. "Vengeance Mode" combines behind the scenes footage with the group’s lively conversation to give viewers an all-access look at the process of bringing the film to the screen. 2 stars



December 27

  • Snowden

    photo for Snowden The NSA's illegal surveillance techniques are leaked to the public by one of the agency's employees, Edward Snowden, in the form of thousands of classified documents distributed to the press. A fascinating look inside the brilliant mind of whistleblower Snowden and the unveiling of the U.S. government's top secrets. The pulse-pounding thriller reveals the astonishing untold personal story of Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), the controversial figure who exposed shocking illegal surveillance activities by the NSA and became one of the most wanted men in the world. A hero to some and a traitor to others, this is the riveting story of what led him to that fateful decision. Vitals: Director: Oliver Stone. Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson, Melissa Leo, Scott Eastwood. 2016, CC, MPAA rating: R, 134 min., Bio-drama, Box office gross: $21.587 million, Universal. Extras: Deleted scenes; "Finding the Truth": Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley and Oliver Stone discuss what attracted them to the project and how they worked together to tell Snowden's story; "Snowden: Q&A" panel discussion about the film featuring Snowden, Stone, Gordon-Levitt and Woodley. Moderated by Matt Zoller Seitz. 2 stars




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All DVDs are screened on a reference system consisting of a Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio, 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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December 7, 2016
(ISSN 1094-3676)